"Lu Fang, have you ever heard of the saying that a gentleman's virtue will last five generations?"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, Lu Fang understood what the emperor wanted to express and said secretly: "It seems that your Majesty wants to take this opportunity to attack those families!"
Lu Fang thought so, and the look on her face became more respectful. Soon, she came back to her senses and warned Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, you don't have to worry about the other families. The key is the Kong family. After all, they are descendants of Duke Yansheng. They have a very important position in the hearts of scholars in the world. If we act rashly, I am afraid that we will incur many consequences." The fierce opposition from the courtiers, after all..."
Lu Fang did not continue, because he knew that Jiajing understood what he meant.
Jiajing seemed to see what Lu Fang was thinking, shook his head, and immediately explained.
"Lu Fang, I know what you mean. This matter must be dealt with very carefully. I will not make a move easily without making complete preparations!"
"But before that, we can still cut off some of the Kong family's wings."
When Jiajing said this, he paused, a look of ridicule appeared on his face, and then continued to add.
"Oh, what a family tree, I am the only one in the Ming Dynasty!"
When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, she immediately responded and said: "Your Majesty, you are the only heaven of the Ming Dynasty!"
After that, Lu Fang immediately stepped forward and asked Jiajing after considering the words in his mind.
"May I ask, Your Majesty, how do you plan to handle this matter next?"
Jiajing seemed to have expected that Lu Fang would ask this question. After glancing at Lu Fang, he spoke unhurriedly.
"I plan to let Hai Rui continue to investigate along this clue. No matter who is involved in the process, we will kill them all!"
When Jiajing said this, he seemed to suddenly remember something. After looking at Lu Fang up and down, he spoke excitedly.
"By the way, Lu Fang, I remember, aren't you still worried about what to write in the second issue of the newspaper? Why not write about this aspect?"
After Jiajing's reminder, Lu Fang quickly reacted. After hesitating for a long time, she cautiously confirmed to Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, what you want is for the next newspaper issued by the imperial court to be aimed at the Kong family..."
Hearing this, Jiajing nodded and immediately gave instructions.
"Well, yes, that's what I mean. Lu Fang, you don't have to worry. Even if they act boldly, in the final analysis, they are just a group of people who rely on the glory of their ancestors, ride on the heads of the people, and dominate the people. It’s just an insect!”
After Jiajing finished saying this, he reacted belatedly and continued to add.
"No, they are not even as good as insects. Whether it is for the country or the common people, they have never made any contribution. The only thing they are good at is surrendering and standing in line!"
"Now, they actually dare to collude with the White Lotus Sect regardless of life and death. Oh, they are really impatient!"
Lu Fang deeply agreed with Jiajing's words, because even though he racked his brains and searched countless characters in his mind, he could not see any trace of the seven major families mentioned above.
While Lu Fang was still thinking hard about this, Jiajing's ancient sound without waves sounded in Lu Fang's ears again.
"By the way, Lu Fang, when the time comes, we will send another team of guards to assist Hai Rui in investigating the case. Do you understand?"
When Lu Fang heard this, she immediately looked stern and responded respectfully.
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
After that, Jiajing looked away from Lu Fang and turned to give instructions.
"Print ink for me, and I will write a reply to Hai Rui!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
After Lu Fang heard this, he immediately stepped forward and began to grind the ink for Jiajing.
After Lu Fang finished grinding the ink, Jiajing spread out his pen and paper and began to write a reply.
"I already know what Aiqing said in the letter. No matter who is involved behind the scenes, let me get to the bottom of it. I will be your most solid backing!"
After Jiajing finished writing this sentence, he thought about it for a moment before continuing to write.
"In addition, I also dispatched an additional team of Jin Yiwei to Shandong to assist you in investigating the case. In addition..."
When the last word fell, Jiajing breathed a sigh of relief, and then checked it carefully from beginning to end. After confirming that it was correct, he put the brush in his hand back to its original position.
After the ink on the letter paper was dry, Jiajing put it into an envelope, then called Lu Fang, handed the envelope into his hand, and gave instructions.
"Lu Fang, please let the Jin Yiwei who will be sent to Shandong take this letter with you!"
When Lu Fang heard this, she immediately looked stern and said in a deep voice.
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
After that, Lu Fang did not stay in the Qianqing Palace for too long, but turned around and left.
…
Capital, Prince Yu's Mansion.
On the same day, after getting off duty, Xu Jie summoned Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng to Prince Yu's Mansion to discuss the next countermeasures.
In the study, King Yu Zhu Zaijing spoke first, breaking the calm. He turned his eyes to Xu Jie aside, with a look of worry on his face.
"By the way, Mr. Xu Ge, since the last incident, have those officials restrained themselves a little?"
Hearing this, Xu Jie stood up from his seat, bowed his hands to Zhu Zaijing, and said respectfully.
"Thanks to His Highness's concern, those officials have completely ceased their activities, and they have not submitted any more impeachment memorials to the Supervisory Council!"
"Not only that, the cabinet also dealt with most of the officials who were impeached based on the list provided by the supervisory censor Zhao Zhenji!"
When Zhu Zaijing heard Xu Jie mention Zhao Zhenji's name, he couldn't help but become interested. He suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart and asked Xu Jie tentatively.
"Mr. Xu Ge, this Zhao Zhenji holds an important position and has dealt with us so many times. Do you think it is possible to bring him to our side?"
As soon as Zhu Zaijing finished speaking, Xu Jie responded without hesitation: "Your Highness, if it were someone else, there would still be a slight possibility, but this Zhao Zhenji is absolutely impossible!"
Zhu Zaijing was quite puzzled by Xu Jie's answer. He couldn't restrain his curiosity and asked immediately.
"Mr. Xu Ge, what do you mean by this? Are you saying that this Zhao Zhenji is very difficult to deal with?"
Hearing this, Gao Gong sighed helplessly and immediately explained.
"Well, Your Highness, you don't know something. This Zhao Zhenji is known as the "non-stick pan" in the court and is extremely good at protecting himself wisely. How could he take such a big risk and join us?"
When Gao Gong finished speaking, Zhang Juzheng on the side also followed suit.
"Your Highness, I have dealt with this Zhao Zhenji. This person is extremely intelligent and has strong observation skills. He is also a good hand in getting things done. He can be regarded as one of the few capable ministers and officials in the Ming Dynasty!"
"But this man cherishes his feathers too much. It is said that last time, when he saw that the situation was not right, he decisively reported illness and stayed home. He did not return to serve in the Inspectorate until the situation became clear!"
After hearing everyone's comments about Zhao Zhenji, the light in Zhu Zaijing's eyes dimmed and he gave up the idea of recruiting Zhao Zhenji.
Seeing that the atmosphere in the room was a bit dull, Xu Jie stood up and changed the topic: "By the way, in a month or two, the mulberry seedlings in Zhejiang will officially mature, and then the court will also start from From the hands of those mulberry farmers, raw silk is purchased in large quantities.”
When Xu Jie said this, he paused for a moment, and after looking around, he continued.
"What do you think of this?"
As soon as Xu Jie said these words, the room suddenly fell into silence.
Although Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng on the side knew what Xu Jie wanted to express, at this moment, they had no intention of speaking and just remained silent.
I don't know how long time passed. Finally, Zhu Zaijing stood up, turned his eyes to Xu Jie, and said hesitantly.
"What Mr. Xu Ge means is that we can do something about it?" (End of Chapter)
