As the incident further developed, the atmosphere in the court gradually became weird.
At this time, Yan Song, Xu Jie and other cabinet members also announced that they would be closed behind closed doors and no one would be seen!
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that a huge political whirlpool is gradually forming. This political whirlpool will swallow up everyone involved, leaving not even the bones and dregs left.
That night, Li Chunfang, the Minister of Rites, took a sedan chair and returned home after declining repeated invitations from his colleagues.
There was no other reason. Li Chunfang had already smelled a hint of danger.
Since the cabinet announced the policy of integrating officials and gentry into paying grains, it has aroused intense civil and military discussions in the Manchu Dynasty, including some extreme officials who wanted to meet with His Majesty and persuade Him to withdraw his orders.
Not only that, but some students who were incited clamored to defend the honor of scholars and openly gathered to oppose this policy of the imperial court!
And these people, without exception, were all arrested and thrown into prison by Jin Yiwei.
As soon as Li Chunfang returned home, his wife immediately came to greet him, with a look of concern on his face.
"Husband, please sit down and rest for a while. I will go to the kitchen to prepare some snacks for you."
Li Chunfang shook his head and called out to his wife.
"No need, I don't have much appetite right now."
When Li Chunfang's wife heard this, she immediately stopped. Seeing that the expression on Li Chunfang's face was not right, she immediately said worriedly.
"Husband, could something happen in the court?"
"Why does your face look so ugly?"
Facing his wife's concern, Li Chunfang shook his head and explained immediately.
"It's okay, it's just some affairs of the court!"
When Li Chunfang said this, it seemed as if she suddenly remembered something. She immediately changed the subject and asked her wife.
"By the way, has anyone sent greeting cards in recent days?"
After hearing this, Li Chunfang's wife recalled it for a moment and nodded.
"I seem to remember it. Just wait, I'll have someone get it for you right now!"
After Li Chunfang's wife finished speaking, she immediately ordered her servants to give Li Chunfang the greeting card sent to her home.
"Here, this was just delivered this morning!"
When Li Chunfang heard this, an ominous premonition suddenly flashed through her heart. She grabbed the invitation, opened it, and read the contents carefully.
The above content is very simple, it is to invite Li Chunfang to attend a banquet.
If this greeting note had been placed in the past, there would have been nothing wrong with it, but the current treacherous situation in the capital made Li Chunfang feel a strong sense of crisis.
Afterwards, Li Chunfang put the greeting card aside and asked his wife.
"Have you agreed to the person who came to deliver the greeting card?"
Seeing this situation, Li Chunfang's wife immediately understood the seriousness of the matter, shook her head and gave a reply.
"No, I just said that I will give you an answer after you come back."
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Seeing the worried look on his wife's face, Li Chunfang couldn't help but feel compassion in her heart. She gently took her into her arms and spoke comforting words.
"This matter is too troublesome to explain. Anyway, just remember one thing. From now on, our house will be closed to guests and no one will be seen!"
After listening to Li Chunfang's instructions, Li Chunfang's wife nodded and responded softly.
"Well, I understand."
…
Forbidden City, Hall of Nourishing Heart.
At this moment, Lu Fang was seen standing respectfully beside Jiajing, reporting the news he had heard to Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, according to the news from Jin Yiwei, the students who gathered to make troubles against the imperial policies a few days ago were all incited by someone with serious intentions!"
After hearing Lu Fang's report, Jiajing also sneered and said in a deep voice.
"These guys move so fast!"
Seeing this situation, Lu Fang immediately stepped forward and asked Jiajing for help.
"Your Majesty, do you need me to send someone to investigate?"
Hearing this, Jiajing nodded and immediately gave instructions.
"Let Dongchang and Jinyiwei take action. I want to see who has the courage to go against me!"
After receiving Jiajing's instructions, Lu Fang immediately looked stern and responded respectfully: "Your Majesty, I will do it now!"
As soon as Lu Fang took a few steps out, she was stopped by Jiajing.
"By the way, pull out the people who are causing the most trouble. I will kill the chickens to scare the monkeys!"
"I want to see how many lives these people have."
After Lu Fang heard this, she immediately suppressed all her inner thoughts and responded in a deep voice.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
…
Beijing, Yan Mansion Study Room
At this moment, Yan Song was wearing reading glasses, sitting next to the bookcase, and concentrating on studying the book in his hand.
At this moment, the study door was pushed open, and Yan Shifan ran in panting.
"Father, no, something big has happened!"
Seeing this situation, Yan Song couldn't help but frown, his face was full of displeasure, and he immediately reprimanded.
"It's so unbecoming in such a panic, it's really disturbing!"
Yan Shifan was scolded and held his knees with his hands. After resting for a while, he continued.
"Father, something really happened!"
Seeing this, Yan Song took off his reading glasses, sighed helplessly, and turned to ask.
"Tell me, what happened."
Seeing this, Yan Shifan organized the words in his mind and vividly told Yan Song the news he had received.
"Father, the thing is like this. Not long ago, those who made trouble were taken to Caishikou by officers and soldiers..."
After Yan Song understood the whole story, he immediately shook his head, turned his eyes to Yan Shifan, and ordered in a deep voice.
"In the past few days, you don't want to see anyone. Wait until this period of time has passed before talking. Do you understand?"
"Father, the child understands!"
After receiving Yan Shifan's promise, Yan Song nodded imperceptibly, turned his gaze back to the books on the desk, and muttered to himself silently.
"You alone want to fight His Majesty?"
…
Zhejiang, Zhejiang Governor's Mansion.
Ever since Hu Zongxian asked Zheng Michang and He Maocai to take charge of logistics and other related matters, the burden on him has been reduced a lot.
At this moment, Hu Zongxian was lying on the deck chair without any image, basking in the sun very leisurely.
There is a small table next to Hu Zongxian, with a pot of hot tea and some pastries placed on it.
From time to time, Hu Zongxian would pick up a piece of pastry from the small table nearby and put it into his mouth, which seemed quite comfortable.
While Hu Zongxian was enjoying this rare moment of peace, Hu Zongxian's cronies came forward to report respectfully.
"Your Majesty the Governor, here is your Majesty's reply!"
After hearing this, Hu Zongxian suddenly stood up from the recliner, took the envelope, and then ordered.
"Well, I know, you can go down first!"
"Yes, Lord Governor!"
After the cronies left, Hu Zongxian opened the envelope and began to read the contents, only to see what was written above.
"Hu Aiqing, I am already aware of what you said in your letter. Regarding the dispatch of officials from the Maritime Trade Department to manage the port, I have made a decision in my mind and will be able to formally implement it soon."
"Those Japanese pirates must be strictly monitored and cannot be taken lightly to prevent them from affecting the stability of the southeastern coastal area. When the time comes, whether it is a lack of money or a lack of people, just tell me and I will give you strong support."
"In addition, I plan to temporarily set up an agency specifically to manage this group of Japanese pirates, so that these Japanese pirates can work for our Ming Dynasty and play the role of collecting intelligence. I plan to leave this matter to you."
"Don't worry, I will send Jin Yiwei to assist you. As for those Japanese pirates who are unwilling to work for the Ming Dynasty, just follow the past practice and kill them!"
After Hu Zongxian read the contents of the letter word for word, Hu Zongxian already had a good idea of what to do next.
Then, Hu Zongxian called his subordinates and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Go and invite Liu Mi, the governor of Jinyiwei Town, to the Governor's Mansion. Tell me that I have something important to discuss with you!"
"Yes, Lord Governor!"
(End of chapter)
