Night, Yan's study room.
In the room, the orange light clearly reflected Yan Song's slightly rickety figure. At this moment, he was lying facelessly on the bed, reading the "Spring and Autumn" in front of him.
Since the imperial court sent troops to pacify the Yang family in Bozhou, many chieftains felt the crisis and sent envoys to the capital.
Not only did they increase the additional tribute that they needed to pay to the court in the coming year, but they also tried every means to show their loyalty to the court through various methods.
There were many officials in the court who took advantage of the chieftains, spoke good words for them, and lobbied everywhere. Even at the gate of Yan's mansion, many lobbyists gathered.
Just as Yan Song was about to turn the page, he heard a rush of footsteps outside the door. Not long after, the study door was pushed open, and Yan Shifan walked into the study in panic.
"Father, no, something big has happened!"
Seeing Yan Shifan being so impatient, Yan Song couldn't help but frowned, looked in the direction of Yan Shifan, and then asked.
"How do you behave in such a frizzy manner? Tell me, what happened?"
After Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, he forced himself to calm down, and after organizing the words in his mind, he described everything he learned to Yan Song.
"Father, this is what happened..."
After listening to Yan Shifan's narration, Yan Song couldn't help but frown. Immediately, he suddenly sat up from the bed, with a solemn expression on his face.
Then, Yan Song turned his gaze to Yan Shifan and confirmed to him.
"You're saying that someone went to the Supervisory Council to impeach Ma Ningyuan, the prefect of Hangzhou, for arbitrarily mobilizing guardsmen, trampling rice seedlings, and killing people when he was promoting the conversion of rice to mulberry?"
"Yes, father, in addition to this, they also impeached Zhejiang Governor Zheng Michang, Inspector He Maocai, student Gao Hanwen and their children, and Minister of Justice Zhang Runde on charges of cover-up!"
Seeing this situation, Yan Shifan's face was full of anxiety, he nodded and responded without thinking.
After that, Yan Shifan looked at Yan Song hopefully, hoping that he could come up with a countermeasure as soon as possible.
Time passed slowly like this. After thinking for a long time, Yan Song raised his head, looked at Yan Shifan, and then said: "Well, it seems that Xu Jie and the others have finally taken action, and there must be someone from us behind the scenes. This news was leaked to Xu Jie and the others!"
Yan Shifan on the side heard this, and after thinking about it for a long time, he carefully confirmed to Yan Song: "Father, do you suspect that Yan Maoqing and the others leaked the news?"
Yan Song took in the expression on Yan Shifan's face, glanced at him, and said slowly: "You might as well think carefully, who were the people who knew about this matter?"
Yan Song's voice was not loud, but it was like a heavy hammer, hitting Yan Shifan's heart hard. The memories buried deep in the heart also kept emerging in his mind at this time.
Then Yan Shifan fell into memories. He lowered his head and murmured to himself: "The people who knew about this at the beginning were Zhang Runde, Luo Longwen, and... Yan Maoqing!"
When Yan Shifan mentioned Yan Maoqing's name, he couldn't hide the look of shock on his face. He came back to his senses, clenched his fists, and gritted his teeth and said: "This damn Yan Maoqing, I will never spare him!"
Hearing this, Yan Song withdrew his gaze from Yan Shifan and continued: "Although it is not yet certain who leaked the news, at the moment, Yan Maoqing is the most suspicious person. Didn't you say before that he, Yan Maoqing, had already followed Is there a line at Qingliu?"
When Yan Song's words fell, Yan Shifan on the side could no longer suppress the anger in his heart. He slammed the table and said in a deep voice: "This is a rip-off, father, I will find someone to deal with this Yan Maoqing now. I want you to kill him!"
After Yan Shifan finished speaking, before he could take a few steps out, he was stopped by Yan Song in a cold voice: "Stop, you idiot, what do you want to do?"
When Yan Shifan heard this, he suddenly stopped. Then he turned around, looked in the direction of Yan Song, and said aggrievedly: "Dad, if we continue to give in, Xu Jie and the others will only push further and further!"
Yan Song didn't pay attention to what Yan Shifan said, he just lowered his eyes, looked at the ground casually, and said slowly.
"What you are doing now is tantamount to alerting the enemy. Besides, if this is a trap set by Xu Jie, how should you deal with it?"
"Child... When the baby grows up, we will fight him to the death!"
Yan Shifan obviously had not thought about this matter, so when Yan Song asked him how to deal with it, his brain shut down instantly, and in desperation, he said the above words.
"Do you know what you're talking about?"
Yan Song's face was as cold as frost, he glanced at Yan Shifan with cold eyes, and asked.
After Yan Shifan noticed Yan Song's eyes on him, he suddenly felt panicked. At the same time, he also realized how stupid and ridiculous his previous words were.
Afterwards, Yan Shifan was seen with a look of shame on his face, and he knelt down on the ground with a plop, and said in a deep voice: "Father, the child said something wrong when he was in a hurry, please punish me!"
Yan Song didn't express anything about this. After looking Yan Song up and down, he commented: "What a useless thing. Whenever something happens, he panics and loses control. How can I, Yan Song, be like you?" son?"
After severely reprimanding Yan Shifan, the anger in Yan Song's heart dissipated a lot. Later, his attitude gradually softened, and he waved his hand and gave the order.
"Okay, get up!"
"Yes, father!"
After Yan Shifan responded, he slowly stood up from the ground. After that, he heard Yan Song's voice without any emotion, ringing in his ears.
"There is a saying, first attack the enemy with the enemy, then attack the enemy, then attack the army, then attack the city. Now, it is far from the time when everything is broken, so why are you panicking?"
When Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, his face was full of excitement. He quickly stepped forward and asked, "Father, is it possible? Have you thought of a way?"
Hearing this, Yan Song shook his head imperceptibly, and then said: "No, not yet, but I have roughly guessed what Xu Jie's purpose is!"
When Yan Song said this, he couldn't help but clenched his fists, with a look of determination on his face.
Seeing Yan Song's confident look, Yan Shifan immediately plucked up the courage and asked him: "Father, what do you mean..."
Yan Song saw the doubtful look on Yan Shifan's face, and after thinking about it for a moment, he explained: "If my guess is correct, the reason why Xu Jie uncovered this case was just to use this case to prove it." The case is here to stir up the storm!”
When Yan Song said this, he couldn't help but pause for a moment and then continued.
"In this way, he, Xu Jie, can effortlessly purchase raw silk from the people who grow mulberry seedlings in Zhejiang at extremely low prices!"
Yan Shifan on the side seemed to have a clear understanding after listening to Yan Song's explanation, and a feeling of enlightenment filled his body and mind. Then, he looked at Yan Song excitedly, and then added.
"Father, I understand what you mean. Judging by the time, Hu Zongxian should have left Zhejiang after receiving the transfer order from the Ministry of Officials!"
"At this moment, Zhao Zhenji, who is going to Zhejiang to take over Hu Zongxian's position, is still on the way. At present, all the affairs in Zhejiang, large and small, fall on Zheng Michang, the chief envoy of Zhejiang!"
"If Zheng Michang and He Maocai were involved in Ma Ningyuan's case at this time, they would have no time to take into account Xu Jie's actions. Xu Jie and the others would also be able to successfully purchase raw silk from the people at low prices. !”
When Yan Shifan said this, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. At the same time, he also felt afraid of his earlier impulsiveness.
"You can use this case to attack us, and you can also take advantage of this opportunity to buy raw silk from the people at low prices. It's like killing two birds with one stone!"
After finishing his emotion, Yan Shifan's face was covered in panic because he could not think of a way to break the situation.
After all, when Ma Ningyuan used such a brutal method to promote the conversion of rice into mulberry, he and Yan Song also had the instructions. After the death occurred, the Ministry of Punishment also helped to cover up the case.
If it is really pursued, then they will not be able to escape the involvement.
Then, Yan Shifan suppressed the panic in his heart, turned his gaze to Yan Song, and asked: "Then, father, what should we do next?"
When Yan Song heard this, he glanced at Yan Shifan and said unhurriedly: "Now that the matter has come to this point, what else can we do? We can only treat the dead horse as a living doctor. I remember that this case was in a village called Wangjiacun." Where did it happen, right?”
As soon as Yan Song finished speaking, Yan Shifan on the side responded after thinking for a moment: "Yes, father, this case happened in Wangjia Village, which is under the jurisdiction of Chun'an County!"
Hearing this, Yan Song nodded, and immediately gave instructions: "Send someone to check immediately to see if there have been any cases in Wangjia Village in recent years. If so, find them all!"
When Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, he suddenly understood. He knew that Yan Song was planning to use the crimes committed by the villagers of Wangjia Village to make an article, pour dirty water on them, and then mold them into unruly people.
As a result, things turned into unruly people gathering to make trouble and resisting the imperial policy. The government only sent troops to suppress it as a last resort!
Then, Yan Shifan came back to his senses and responded excitedly.
"Yes, father, the child knows what to do!"
…
Just when Yan Shifan was about to leave, he heard a knock on the door outside the study. After getting Yan Song's permission, the study door was pushed open and the housekeeper walked in with eager steps.
"Mr. Yan Ge, Mr. Xiao Ge, and Mr. Zhang Runde, the Minister of Punishment, are seeking to see you outside. They say they have important matters to discuss!"
When the housekeeper's words fell, Yan Song and Yan Shifan couldn't help but have a look of surprise on their faces. Then, Yan Shifan frowned and said to himself.
"Zhang Runde, it's so late, what is he doing here?"
Yan Song on the side heard this, waved his hand, and told the housekeeper: "Coming here so late, there must be something important, let him come in!"
When the butler heard this, he immediately bowed his hand to Yan Song and said respectfully: "Yes, Mr. Yan Ge!"
After that, the housekeeper turned around and left the study without any hesitation. Not long after, Zhang Runde entered the study under the guidance of the housekeeper.
After Zhang Runde entered Yan's study, he saluted Yan Song and Yan Shifan with great fear: "I've seen Mr. Yange, and I've seen Mr. Xiaoge!"
Seeing Zhang Runde's fearful look, Yan Song had no intention of following him around the bush, but went straight to the point.
"It's so late, what's wrong?"
"… Sir, Mr. Yan Ge, when I was sorting out the case files, I accidentally discovered that a part was missing!"
"Not only that, right now, there is news from the DPRK..."
After Zhang Runde heard Yan Song's words, he did not dare to hide anything, and immediately told everything about the current situation.
Zhang Runde originally thought that Yan Song would be furious after learning the news. Unexpectedly, the expression on Yan Song's face was unusually calm. He just glanced at Yan Shifan not far away and gave instructions.
"Yan Shifan, come and tell him what's going on!"
"Yes, father!"
After Yan Shifan responded, he immediately came to Zhang Runde and told him the whole story.
"The thing is like this..."
After learning the general situation of the matter from Yan Shifan, Zhang Runde's face was full of fear and uneasiness. Then, he knelt down on the ground with a thump, looked in the direction of Yan Song, and trembled.
"Yan... Mr. Yan Ge, you can't just ignore death. For so many years, I have been working hard for you..."
However, before Zhang Runde finished speaking, he was coldly interrupted by Yan Song: "Get up, how can you be so timid and timid? It just so happens that I have something else to ask you!"
Hearing this, Zhang Runde's eyes rekindled the flame of hope. He stood up from the ground, looked in the direction of Yan Song, and said respectfully.
"If you have any questions, Mr. Yan Ge, just ask. I will definitely tell you everything you know!"
When Yan Song heard this, he responded in a subtle way. After looking Zhang Runde up and down, he turned to ask.
"Do you still remember the details of Ma Ningyuan's case?"
Zhang Runde suddenly looked embarrassed when he heard this. It had been so long, how could he remember the original appearance of the whole thing?
However, since this matter was closely related to his own life and could not tolerate any neglect, Zhang Runde had no choice but to start searching for the fragmentary memories in his mind.
After a long time, he came back to his senses and recounted the contents of the file intermittently.
"What was written in the original file was that... during spring planting, the villagers of Wangjiacun ignored the government's ban and planted seedlings without permission, and clashed with the people sent by the government!"
"After Ma Ningyuan, the prefect of Hangzhou, learned the news, in order to prevent the situation from deteriorating, he mobilized the soldiers of the guard station and went to Wangjiacun."
"After Ma Ningyuan led officers and soldiers to the scene, an argument broke out between the two sides, so the villagers of Wangjia Village brandished weapons such as sickles and hoes and clashed with the government. In the process, many people were injured."
"Later, in order to protect the planted seedlings, the villagers blocked the only way for the officers and soldiers. In the process, a 60-year-old man was unfortunately knocked down by a horse and died!"
After listening to Zhang Runde's narration, Yan Song on the side had an inexplicable look in his eyes.
Then, he looked at Zhang Runde seriously and confirmed to him.
"Can you guarantee that what you said is consistent with what is in the case file?"
Zhang Runde saw Yan Song's eyes glancing over his body, and felt panic in his heart. He only saw Yan Song mustering up his courage and answered tremblingly.
"Yan... Mr. Yan Ge, this is the only thing I can remember. It should... be similar to what is recorded in the case file, right?"
After Yan Song heard this, he nodded and said nothing more, while Yan Shifan on the side looked like he was sure of victory.
"Okay, in this case, those unscrupulous people are openly defying the imperial policy, and they really deserve to die. Even if Xu Jie wants to make a fuss about this matter, he will probably fail!"
Zhang Runde couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Yan Shifan's words, and then cautiously asked: "Mr. Xiao Ge, do you mean that the official is okay?"
Just as Yan Shifan was about to speak, he was stopped by Yan Song's eyes not far away. Then, Yan Song turned his eyes to Zhang Runde and said decisively.
"No, a discerning person can see at a glance that what is recorded in the case file is not the truth. There are many concealments and exaggerations in it. In addition, there are also many loopholes in the logic!"
When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment and then ordered: "In the next few days, you must not take it lightly. You should pay more attention to the movements in the court!"
After listening to Yan Song's instructions, Zhang Runde couldn't help but have a look of disappointment on his face. Then, he leaned down and said respectfully: "Yes, Mr. Yan Ge, I understand!"
Yan Song saw the expression on Zhang Runde's face, and after thinking for a moment, he comforted him.
"Don't worry, nothing big will happen. Even if something happens, I will intercede for you in front of His Majesty!"
"Thank you, Mr. Yan Ge!"
After receiving this promise from Yan Song, Zhang Runde couldn't help but feel a little relieved, lowered his head, and bowed to Yan Song.
"Mr. Yan Ge has been the chief minister of the cabinet for more than 20 years, so he can't even handle this kind of thing, right?"
Just as Zhang Runde was comforting himself in this way, he heard Yan Song's voice ringing in his ears: "Okay, it's getting late. You should go back and rest quickly. I'm a little tired too!"
"Yes, Mr. Yan Ge, please take a good rest. I will resign now!"
Seeing that Yan Song had already issued an order to expel guests, Zhang Runde had no intention of staying here. After saluting Yan Song and Yan Shifan respectively, he left the study under the guidance of the housekeeper.
After Zhang Runde left, Yan Song looked at Yan Shifan who was not far away, and then ordered: "It's getting late, you should go to bed early. What I just told you must be implemented as soon as possible, do you understand?"
"Yes, father, you should go to bed early!"
When Yan Shifan heard this, he immediately looked stern, bowed his hand to Yan Song, and walked away.
Soon, Yan Song was the only one left in the study. He looked away, sighed, and murmured to himself: "Oh, I hope this matter will not involve Hu Zongxian as much as possible!"
…
In the next few days, the government and the public were quiet, as if nothing had happened.
But Xu Jie quickly realized that there was a problem with the Inspectorate, and someone suppressed the memorial to impeach Ma Ningyuan.
After learning the news, Xu Jie was not discouraged, but ordered his people to step up their efforts. For a time, memorials to impeach Ma Ningyuan came in like snowflakes, almost filling the entire Inspectorate.
In addition, Xu Jie also sent people to spread rumors in the capital and the Imperial College, and wantonly incited the students of the Imperial College.
In the Inspectorate, a look of surprise appeared on Hai Rui's face after he learned from his subordinates that there were more and more memorials to impeach Ma Ningyuan.
The reason why Hai Rui suppressed the impeachment memorial related to Ma Ningyuan was because he wanted to see whether it was accidental or someone wanted to use this case to stir up trouble.
And now it seems that the answer is ready to come out. Someone in the court wants to use this case to stir up trouble!
Although Hai Rui still doesn't know what the purpose of the people behind the scenes is, one thing can be confirmed, the whole thing is not just to seek justice for the people!
On the other side, the cabinet.
After the time came to late August, the originally extremely hot weather also subsided, and everyone was still processing the memorials sent by the subordinate officials as usual.
I saw Xu Jie put the completed memorial in his hand aside, looked at Yan Song aside, and took the lead in provoking the topic.
"Speaking of Mr. Yan Ge, have you heard of the rumors that have been spreading in the capital and the Imperial College in recent days?"
After hearing what Xu Jie said, Yan Song put the brush in his hand back to its original position. His face was full of curiosity. He looked in the direction of Xu Jie and said slowly.
"Oh, would you like to hear the details?"
Xu Jie took in the expression on Yan Song's face, smiled, and then spoke unhurriedly.
"It is said that the Supervisory Council suppressed the impeachment memorial to seek justice for the people. Right now, the public is very excited!"
After Yan Song heard this, after pondering for a moment, he looked away from Xu Jie and said with a smile.
"Oh, I can't see how I can seek justice for the people, right?"
"Some people always like to say some high-sounding words. In fact, from beginning to end, in their hearts, there are never any common people, only their own selfish interests!"
When Yan Song's words fell, Xu Jie nodded slightly and responded: "Mr. Yan Ge's words are wrong. A gentleman should judge his deeds regardless of his heart. No matter what, he at least acted sincerely. It’s better than doing nothing, right?”
"Yeah, it's better than doing nothing!" (End of Chapter)
