Several days have passed since the last time the cabinet officially announced that in addition to the imperial examination, a separate examination for the clan and nobles would be held.
In the past few days, it is not that no courtiers have come forward to oppose this policy, but due to the lessons learned from previous times, the opposition this time is particularly small, and has even reached the point where it can be ignored.
Because of this, this policy is being implemented steadily without much hindrance on the way.
In the evening, Beijing, Qianqing Palace.
After finishing his day's practice, Jiajing slowly stood up from the futon.
Shortly after this, the eunuch was led into the Qianqing Palace, knelt on the ground, and reported to Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Lu is seeking an audience outside. He said he has something important to report!"
After Jiajing heard this, he looked away from the guiding eunuch and immediately gave instructions.
"Well, I understand, let him come in!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
After receiving Jiajing's instructions, the guiding eunuch did not stop at all, and immediately turned around and left. Not long after, Lu Fang was seen entering the Qianqing Palace with silent steps.
As soon as Lu Fang entered the Qianqing Palace, he came to Jiajing's side and saluted respectfully.
"His Majesty!"
"Um."
After Jiajing responded casually, he immediately changed the topic and asked Lu Fang.
"Lu Fang, do you have anything to report to me?"
When Lu Fang heard this, she didn't dare to be negligent at all. She immediately took the envelope out of her sleeve, lowered her head, raised the envelope high above her head, and said respectfully.
"Your Majesty, here is Hai Rui's personal letter sent to you through Jin Yiwei!"
"Oh, is there any progress on Hai Rui's side?"
Jiajing said this, and immediately took the envelope from Lu Fang's hand. After opening the envelope, he sat back on the desk and began to browse the contents. He saw what was written above.
"Your Majesty, Wei Chen Hai Rui, since you sent the royal guards to assist Wei Chen in investigating the case, you have already gained a lot!"
"Based on the previous confessions of the White Lotus cultists, Weichen successfully identified Zeng Qing, Zeng Xian and others of the Zeng clan, and learned the whole story from their mouths."
"The Zeng family not only colluded with the White Lotus Sect, but also had an ambiguous relationship with the smuggling families along the coast. Before the imperial court officially lifted the sea ban, the Zeng family colluded with those smuggling families along the coast. Get up and profit from it!"
"Not only that, most of the land in Wucheng County and surrounding areas has fallen into the hands of his Zeng family. According to Wei Chen's conservative estimate, there are at least hundreds of thousands of acres of land!"
"In addition, I am worried that this matter may involve the other six families. Therefore, I just took the liberty to write to your majesty. I hope your majesty will forgive me!"
After Jiajing read Hai Rui's handwritten letter and the two confessions enclosed in the envelope, he couldn't help but sneered and said to himself.
"Oh, okay, okay, these damn guys really opened my eyes!"
When Lu Fang saw this situation, she couldn't help but feel a thump in her heart. She immediately stepped forward and asked Jiajing cautiously.
"Your Majesty, what happened?"
"Lu Fang, see for yourself!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he handed the letter and the two confessions into Lu Fang's hands.
Upon hearing this, Lu Fang immediately took the envelope from Jiajing's hand. After he read through all the contents on it, his expression changed. Immediately, he knelt down on the ground with a plop and begged Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly, but you must be cautious about this matter!"
"The remaining families are fine, but if it is found out that Duke Yan is related to the White Lotus Sect, things will be in trouble!"
After that, after Lu Fang organized the words in his mind, he trembled and warned Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, let's stop here and don't continue to investigate further!"
Jiajing was completely unmoved by Lu Fang's words. After giving Lu Fang a cold glance, he turned around and spoke.
"Even if it is found out that Duke Yan is related to the White Lotus Sect, I will still do it!"
"In the final analysis, the Kong family is just relying on the name of Yan Shenggong. You must know that I am the emperor and my power is unlimited!"
"Huh, to be a dog, you have to have the consciousness of being a dog. You are holding my bowl and you dare to smash my pot. Let alone the descendant of Yan Shenggong, even if Yan Shenggong lives again, I still won't do it. Let him go!"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, large dark clouds suddenly gathered in the sky where the setting sun was like blood. Immediately, there was a loud "bang" and several thunderbolts struck from the sky.
Suddenly, an indescribable power enveloped everyone in the Forbidden City.
Seeing this situation, Lu Fang knew that the emperor had made up his mind, so he simply stopped offering any words of comfort.
After Jiajing's emotions calmed down, Lu Fang, after considering his tone, immediately stepped forward and asked Jiajing cautiously.
"Your Majesty, if Duke Yan Sheng really colludes with the White Lotus Sect, how will you deal with him?"
Jiajing heard Lu Fang's words and after looking Lu Fang up and down, he responded coldly.
"When the time comes, if he really wants to live, he will definitely come to the capital and beg me to spare his life!"
When Jiajing said this, he couldn't help turning his back and said slowly.
"The Kong family has been standing for thousands of years, and the wealth they have accumulated is probably immeasurable. It is a pity to kill him like this!"
After receiving Jiajing's answer, Lu Fang couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief and said to herself.
"Huh~ Fortunately, it seems that His Majesty has not been carried away by anger yet!"
Just when Lu Fang was feeling lucky for this, Jiajing's voice without any emotion sounded in Lu Fang's ears again.
"Lu Fang, you haven't forgotten what I told you before, right?"
When Lu Fang heard this, she suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in her mind and immediately responded without thinking: "Your Majesty, I know what to do!"
After receiving Lu Fang's response, Jiajing nodded imperceptibly, with an expression of relief on his face: "Well, Lu Fang, I believe you!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, Lu Fang finally plucked up the courage and spoke after hesitating for a long time.
"Your Majesty, I have something to do with you. I don't know if I should tell you something?"
When Jiajing heard this, he turned around, took in the expression on Lu Fang's face, waved his hand, and spoke calmly.
"Lu Fang, there's no need to beat around the bush with me. If you have anything to say, just say it directly!"
After getting Jiajing's permission, Lu Fang organized the language in his mind as quickly as possible and reported to Jiajinghui.
"Your Majesty, according to the news that I have received before, in recent days, more and more people have come to serve the Kong family with their land deeds and property!"
When Lu Fang said this, he paused for a moment and then continued.
"Before this, the Kong family's land rent had been divided into 30 and 70, and the people could barely fill their stomachs. But now, with more and more people coming to help, the Kong family's land rent is said to be even higher. Keep going up!”
After listening to Lu Fang's words, Jiajing was silent for a long time and then gave instructions.
"When the time comes, add this matter to the newspaper!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
Lu Fang heard this and immediately responded respectfully.
After that, Jiajing was seen looking past Lu Fang, looking at the scenery in the distance, and muttering to himself silently.
"It seems that it is time for me to put the matter of clearing the land of the whole country on the agenda, but before that, the examination method must be gradually implemented throughout the country. Only when this matter is related to the black hat on their heads, will they be willing to Serve me sincerely!"
At this moment, Jiajing seemed to suddenly remember something, turned his gaze to Lu Fang and confirmed to her.
"By the way, Lu Fang, I remember that Yan Song's granddaughter seemed to be married to Duke Yan, right?"
Although Lu Fang didn't understand why Jiajing suddenly mentioned this matter, he still answered honestly.
"Your Majesty, you are right. Mr. Yan Ge's granddaughter is indeed married to Duke Yan."
After getting a definite answer from Lu Fang, Jiajing nodded and then gave instructions to Lu Fang.
"Well, if that's the case, then go and call Yan Song over now, and tell him that I have something to ask him!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, Lu Fang immediately responded without thinking.
…
In the cabinet, after finishing their work for the day, everyone began to sort out the remaining memorials on their desks.
Yan Song took off his reading glasses, stood up from his seat, and after moving his body, he spoke to Xu Jie beside him.
"Mr. Xu Ge, tomorrow is the day for us to rest, right?"
Xu Jie, who was sorting out the memorials on the side, was stunned for a moment when he heard this, then came back to his senses and responded with a smile.
"Well, that's right, it happens to be our turn to rest tomorrow!"
After that, the two exchanged a few words, and Yan Song turned his gaze to the sky outside and muttered silently to himself.
"I hope the weather will be good tomorrow, so that I can feel more comfortable!"
At this moment, there was a rush of footsteps from outside the door, and a subordinate staff member was seen hurriedly walking in, turning his eyes in the direction of Yan Song and Xu Jie, and reporting respectfully.
"Mr. Yan Ge, Eunuch Lu is waiting outside!"
After listening to the subordinate's report, Yan Song frowned, a look of hesitation suddenly appeared on his face, and said to himself.
"It's already this time, what are you doing here, Eunuch Lu?"
Immediately, Yan Song came back to his senses and gave instructions to the subordinate official.
"In that case, let Eunuch Lu come in!"
"Yes, Mr. Yan Ge!"
After the subordinate officials received Yan Song's instructions, they quickly left. After the subordinate officials left, the atmosphere in the cabinet suddenly became depressed.
"It's already this time, why is Eunuch Lu still coming to the cabinet? Could it be that something happened?"
This is what everyone is thinking at this moment.
With this idea in mind, the expressions on everyone's faces became more solemn, and they even dared not express their anger. They stopped handling the affairs at hand and waited quietly for Lu Fang's arrival.
Not long after, under the guidance of the former subordinate, Lu Fang walked in with hurried steps.
Immediately, under the leadership of Yan Song, everyone bowed respectfully to Lu Fang who arrived in a hurry.
"I've met Eunuch Lu!"
After the words fell, an apologetic expression appeared on Lu Fang's face, and she faced the crowd and said slowly.
"I'm sorry to bother you all, but you still have to wait here when it's time to go off duty. To be honest, our family has just received orders from His Majesty, so we rushed here in a hurry!"
After Lu Fang finished speaking, Xu Jie on the side spoke immediately.
"No, no, Eunuch Lu is serious. We are all working for His Majesty, there is no need to be like this!"
After Xu Jie finished speaking, he immediately changed the topic and asked Lu Fang.
"May I ask, Eunuch Lu, why you came here this time?"
Hearing this, Lu Fang turned her eyes to Yan Song and spoke.
"Mr. Yan Ge, Your Majesty asked me to invite you over. He said that I have something to discuss with you!"
When Lu Fang finished speaking, a look of surprise suddenly appeared on Yan Song's face, because he had not thought about His Majesty's motive for looking for him.
"Is it possible that His Majesty came to me to discuss holding separate examinations for the clan and nobles in addition to the imperial examinations?"
"But there isn't much opposition from the DPRK and China to this matter. Could it be because of something else?"
Immediately, Yan Song came back to his senses, bowed his hands to Lu Fang, and said respectfully.
"Since His Majesty has something to do with a minor official, Eunuch Lu, let's set off without further delay!"
"Um."
When Lu Fang heard this, she looked away from Yan Song and responded.
Immediately, the two of them embarked on the road to Qianqing Palace together.
…
On the way to Qianqing Palace, Lu Fang saw that Yan Song was hesitant to speak, so she immediately stopped, turned around, and asked Yan Song.
"Mr. Yan Ge, what are you..."
Hearing this, Yan Song sighed helplessly, and tentatively asked Lu Fang with an uneasy mood.
"Eunuch Lu, to be honest, your Majesty rarely sends you over to the cabinet when your next duty is approaching. Has something happened?"
Lu Fang took in the expression on Yan Song's face, and after hesitating for a moment, he said softly.
"Mr. Yan Ge, to be honest, this matter has nothing to do with court affairs, because it involves private matters in your family!"
When Yan Song heard this, his pupils suddenly shrank, he looked at Lu Fang in disbelief, and subconsciously asked.
"Private matter! Could it be that Yan Shifan got into trouble again?"
Hearing this, Lu Fang glanced at Yan Song, shook her head, and immediately responded.
"Mr. Yan Ge, your granddaughter is involved in this matter!"
After Yan Song got the specific answer from Lu Fang, although there was still a bit of worry on his face, it was much calmer than before.
For Yan Song, his current political successor is only Yan Shifan!
Next, as long as Yan Shifan doesn't make too many mistakes, it is not impossible for him to wait until he becomes an official one day and then go through the qualifications to reach the position of chief minister of the cabinet.
As long as Yan Shifan is still in a high position after him, the Yan family will still be prominent, a top official family with two elders!
As for his granddaughter, the moment she got married, she was no longer a member of the Yan family!
If something happens, the most important thing to consider is how to avoid being implicated.
(End of chapter)
