Chapter 1073

Why would Emperor Chongzhen not believe the evidence he himself had produced? It was not a matter of disbelief, but rather a calculated strategy of doing the exact opposite. The Imperial Court was crawling with cunning old foxes. If he were to reveal his true thoughts at this stage, it would only trigger the vigilance of those very foxes. Therefore, the correct approach was "to yield to advance," or to catch by letting go. He would first declare his disbelief in the evidence, creating the facade of shielding Duke Yansheng. If the Six Ministries and the Nine Ministers did not follow suit and attempt to protect the Duke, Emperor Chongzhen could borrow their hands to finish him off. If, however, the Six Ministries and the Nine Ministers also chose to protect Duke Yansheng, Emperor Chongzhen would then have to formulate a different plan.