Forbidden City, Inspectorate.
In the early morning, when the officials of the Inspectorate were on duty as usual, they soon discovered something was different. Suddenly, many impeachment notices appeared.
In the duty room, the officials of the Supervisory Council looked at the impeachment memorial that was sent and couldn't help but panic.
Immediately afterwards, a very ominous suspicion emerged in their minds - could this be another memorial to impeach Ma Ningyuan, the prefect of Hangzhou?
After all, not long ago, the Inspectorate was almost drowned by the memorials impeaching Ma Ningyuan. In addition, the entire Inspectorate was also pushed to the forefront!
The officials in the Inspectorate still felt frightened when they thought of this.
Immediately, everyone looked at me and I looked at you, but no one had any intention of taking the lead.
Finally, a bold official stood up, opened one of the impeachment memorials, and began to read its contents carefully.
After he finished browsing the contents of the impeachment memorial, he couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief and said to himself: "Huh, luckily this memorial has nothing to do with Ma Ningyuan, otherwise, the Supervisory Office would suffer again!"
After that bold official announced the contents of the impeachment memorial, many officials in the duty room also breathed a sigh of relief.
For them, as long as the impeachment memorial sent has nothing to do with Ma Ningyuan, it is considered a high-profile event.
But soon, careful officials discovered that most of the officials who signed the impeachment memorials were members of the Yan Party.
Among them are many key members of the Strict Party like Luo Longwen, the Minister of Industry, and Zhang Runde, the Minister of Punishment!
Soon, the officials of the Inspectorate realized the seriousness of the problem, and Yan Song took action himself!
After all, apart from Xu Jie, only someone like Yan Song, who has controlled the government for more than 20 years and has countless party members, can launch such a large-scale impeachment.
After this matter was reported at all levels, it finally reached the ears of Hai Rui, who was the censor of Youdu.
After hearing the news, Hai Rui made a prompt decision and ordered people to compile a list of impeached officials and send it to His Majesty, while also having people send the impeachment memorials to the cabinet for processing.
…
At this time, Lu Fang was going from his residence to Qianqing Palace to meet Jiajing according to his long-standing practice.
Lu Fang's face was full of confusion. He didn't know whether he should tell Jiajing the information he had found out.
After all, after Zhu Zaizhen left Qianqing Palace after meeting with Jiajing yesterday, many officials went to visit Prince Jing's Mansion that night.
Lu Fang felt that if she told Yu Jiajing the news intact, it would probably lead to hatred between father and son, which Lu Fang did not want to see.
But if he conceals this matter, he will violate his long-standing principle of having no reservations about Jiajing. At that time, I am afraid it will arouse Jiajing's suspicion.
After struggling for a long time, Lu Fang finally made up his mind and looked at the scenery in the distance, muttering silently to himself.
"Your Majesty is right. His Royal Highness King Jing is narrow-minded and will retaliate. How could he let go of those who have betrayed him?"
"Therefore, he must be planning something secretly. No, for the sake of safety, I have to tell His Majesty the news quickly!"
Thinking of this, Lu Fang couldn't help but quicken his pace. He didn't even pay attention to the greetings from the eunuchs and maids.
After Lu Fang arrived at Qianqing Palace without stopping, she walked straight up the stairs and entered Qianqing Palace.
At this moment, in the Palace of Qianqing, Jiajing had just put on his robes under the service of his personal eunuch.
Jiajing was already not surprised by Lu Fang's arrival, because usually, Lu Fang would come around this time.
After entering Qianqing Palace, Lu Fang, as if he had made up his mind, came straight to Jiajing's side, lowered his head and said respectfully.
"Your Majesty, I have something important to report!"
When Jiajing heard this, he waved his hand quite casually. Seeing this, the personal eunuch on the side bowed to Jiajing and walked away.
After the personal eunuch left, Jiajing turned his eyes to Lu Fang, raised his eyebrows, and asked: "Lu Fang, tell me, do you have anything to report to me?"
After hearing this, Lu Fang organized the words in her mind and then responded: "Your Majesty, I have received news. It is said that many officials went to Prince Jing's Mansion last night..."
After Lu Fang recounted the whole story, she stepped aside and waited uneasily for Jiajing's response to the matter.
But what happened went beyond Lu Fang's expectation. He originally thought that Jiajing would be furious after learning the news.
Unexpectedly, Jiajing's mood did not fluctuate at all after hearing the whole story, as if he had expected this.
Just as Lu Fang became more and more uneasy, Jiajing's voice sounded in his ears: "Well, Lu Fang, you did a good job!"
After that, I saw a look of confusion on Jiajing's face, and he said to himself: "Humph, I knew that he would take this opportunity to do some tricks, so I called him back to the capital. , we didn’t let him form gangs!”
When Jiajing said this, he paused for a moment. Immediately, he looked at Lu Fang and asked, "Lu Fang, do you have the list of officials who went to visit Prince Jing's Mansion?"
After hearing what Jiajing said, Lu Fang calmly took out a piece of paper with the list on it from his sleeve, brought it to Jiajing, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, here is the corresponding list!"
"Well, show it to me!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he took the list from Lu Fang's hand. After Jiajing browsed through all the names on the list, there was a bit of ridicule on his face, and he said to himself: "Huh, these bastards, don't think about it." To share the worries of the country and the country, I just want to go around and camp all day long!"
Then, Jiajing handed the list back to Lu Fang's hand, waved his hand, and gave instructions.
"In that case, Lu Fang, just watch and deal with it!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
When Lu Fang heard this, she immediately looked stern and responded in a deep voice.
Just as Lu Fang was about to leave, he saw the eunuch guiding him into Qianqing Palace with silent steps.
After the guiding eunuch entered the Qianqing Palace, he subconsciously looked in the direction of Jiajing, lowered his head, and reported respectfully.
"Your Majesty, Hai Rui, the censor of the right capital of the Inspectorate, has sent you a list!"
After Jiajing learned the news from the leading eunuch, he couldn't help but be a little confused: "Hai Rui?"
Facing Jiajing's doubtful gaze, the guiding eunuch nodded extremely firmly and said in a deep voice: "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Then, Jiajing waved his hand and said: "Well, I understand, let him come in!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
After the guiding eunuch bowed to Jiajing, he did not stay in the Qianqing Palace for too long and left immediately.
Not long after, I saw an official in a scarlet robe stepping into the Qianqing Palace. After entering the Qianqing Palace, he knelt on the ground with a plop and said in a deep voice.
"I bow to your majesty, long live my emperor!"
"Well, get up!"
When Jiajing heard this, he looked back, waved his hand quite casually, and gave the order.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After the scarlet-robed official got up from the ground, he took out the list he had prepared from his sleeve and raised it high above his head.
Seeing this, Jiajing raised his eyebrows and asked, "Is this the list Hai Rui sent me?"
The scarlet-robed official couldn't help but panic after noticing Jiajing's eyes on him, and immediately replied tremblingly: "Yes... yes, Your Majesty!"
Jiajing heard the words, nodded, and then glanced at Lu Fang, who quickly understood, stepped forward, took the list from the hands of the scarlet-robed official, and handed it to Jiajing respectfully.
"His Majesty!"
"Um."
After Jiajing took the list from Lu Fang's hand, he looked at the scarlet-robed official and then ordered: "Okay, it's nothing to do with you!"
When the scarlet-robed official heard this, he felt as if he had been granted amnesty. He immediately bowed to the ground and said in a deep voice: "As ordered, Your Majesty, I will retire now!"
After the scarlet-robed official left, Jiajing retracted his gaze and began to browse the list in his hand, which was sent by Hai Rui.
After Jiajing browsed through the names on the list, his face was full of doubts, and he subconsciously said: "Hey, this is..."
Seeing this situation, Lu Fang on the side couldn't help but panic, and asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, is there something wrong with this list?"
When Jiajing heard this, he waved his hands quite casually and responded: "It doesn't matter, but the names recorded on this list are all the names you mentioned to me before. Last night, I went to Prince Jing's Mansion to visit Prince Jing. Those officials!”
When Lu Fang heard this, she couldn't help but feel startled, and said silently to herself: "Is it possible that someone else is staring at King Jing!"
…
The impeachment memorial sent by the Inspectorate was quickly sent to the cabinet after going through the relevant procedures.
Xu Jie looked at the memorials sent by his subordinates, frowned slightly, and then said, "Hey, is this the impeachment memorial sent by the Supervisory Council?"
After Xu Jie casually looked through a few impeachment memorials, he became furious. He slammed the table and said in a deep voice: "Why do you even have to send this kind of memorial to the cabinet?" What do you do for food at the Inspectorate?"
"Sooner or later, I will have to give them a copy in front of His Majesty!"
The reason Xu Jie felt so angry was because, after experiencing several major turmoils, the Supervisory Office had gradually developed the habit of throwing impeachment memorials to the cabinet no matter what happened.
As long as the cabinet asks, the Inspectorate will immediately give the reason: "This matter is of great importance and the Inspectorate cannot make a decision. Therefore, it will be sent to the cabinet and left to the cabinet elders to make a decision!"
When Xu Jie's words fell, Yan Song on the side also felt the same and echoed: "Well, the Inspectorate is indeed getting more and more outrageous. I don't know who I learned it from!"
But complaints were complaints, and Xu Jie still dealt with the impeachment memorials that were sent to him, but soon he discovered the clues in them.
Most of the people who were impeached by the memorial this time were people under Yan Song, including Luo Longwen, Zhang Runde and other key members of the Yan Party.
Those who were impeached had their own merits, and there were many high-ranking officials of the third and fourth grades, and even Yan Guan was involved.
After Xu Jie thought for a while, he understood the whole story. These people all had a common characteristic.
That is, last night, they all went to Prince Jing's Mansion and attended the banquet.
Ever since King Jing returned to the capital, Xu Jie had been paying close attention to his movements. His original plan was to join forces with King Jing to deal with Yan Song when the time came.
No matter how bad it is, it will cause some trouble for Yan Song, making him too busy to take care of himself and unable to spare his hands to help Zhejiang. In this way, he can easily buy raw silk from the people of Zhejiang at low prices.
Although Xu Jie's abacus was very good, before he had time to get on the line with King Jing, Yan Song took action first!
Not only did he order someone to impeach the officials who went to Prince Jing's Mansion to visit Prince Jing, but based on this attitude, Yan Song clearly wanted to make things worse!
Thinking of this, Xu Jie couldn't help but have a hint of sinister look in his eyes, and said silently to himself: "This damn Yan Song, he strikes so fast!"
After that, Xu Jie came back to his senses, looked at Yan Song aside, and pretended to mention it casually: "Mr. Yan Ge, do these officials who were impeached by Shangshu look familiar?"
After hearing what Xu Jie said, Yan Song put down the brush in his hand, looked Xu Jie up and down with his cloudy eyes, and then spoke slowly.
"Oh, yes, I don't think so. All officials of the Ming Dynasty should share your Majesty's worries. It is also the duty of a minister to impeach traitors and sycophants!"
"In the final analysis, these officials were impeached because they did something they shouldn't have done!"
When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment and then continued to add: "If these officials were honest and self-sufficient, and didn't think about running camps all day long, but thought more about the people, I'm afraid they wouldn't be impeached. You're right. Right, Mr. Xu Ge?"
When Xu Jie heard this, the expression on his face did not change, and he couldn't help but secretly complained: "Huh, Yan Song, you have the nerve to say this. Over the years, those people under your command have been extorting money, greedy, and preying on the people. The people are eager to live. Its meat!”
"Just wait. Sooner or later, I, Xu Jie, will overthrow you, Yan Song, and give my Ming Dynasty a bright future!"
Later, I saw Xu Jie come back to his senses, with a smile on his face, and said in agreement: "Yes, what Mr. Yan Ge said makes sense!"
After that, the impeachment memorials sent to the cabinet from the Supervisory Council were sent to the Supervisor of Ceremonies.
…
Since Zhao Zhenji officially took office, the daily operations of the Governor's Mansion have gradually gotten back on track, and the situation in Zhejiang has gradually stabilized.
At this moment, in Zhejiang, the inspector's office is in charge.
"These bastards fight all day long over trivial matters, frame them up, and do anything they can to frame them up!"
"I will keep this matter in mind for the time being. When the triennial plan comes, I will definitely report to the court and have you all dismissed!"
After He Maocai finished speaking, he ordered someone to remove the files from the desk, then picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip.
He Maocai served as the inspector, in charge of the impeachment of criminal names in a province. In addition, he was also responsible for supervising the education, military preparation, people's care, the Qing army, Yi Chuan, patrolling the sea, supervising the army, water conservancy, and reclamation. Responsibilities.
The triennial plan previously mentioned by He Maocai refers to the assessment specifically for inspectors. The main contents of the assessment are the impeachment of officials, interrogation of criminals, recovery of fines, and the number of elected officials.
Therefore, if the envoy wants to be a good old man, no one will offend him. When the triennial plan comes, the first person to lose his hat will be the envoy himself.
After He Maocai put down the teacup in his hand, a subordinate stepped forward and spoke cautiously.
"My lord, the Yuan family in Jiaxing wants to invite you to a banquet, so I specially entrusted this official to come..."
Before the subordinate finished speaking, He Maocai interrupted him coldly: "Okay, there is no need to say any more. Tell them that I have been busy with many affairs recently and will not participate in any social activities. Ask them not to give me any more money." Here comes the invitation!”
Seeing He Maocai's extremely resolute attitude, the subordinate had to lower his head and nodded in agreement: "Yes, sir, I will definitely bring your words to you!"
After that, He Maocai waved his hand impatiently and said: "Okay, if you have nothing to do, just go out. If there is nothing important, don't disturb me!"
"Yes, sir!"
After that, He Maocai was the only one left in the room. He took out a volume from the pile of files on the desk and began to browse carefully.
After He Maocai finished browsing the contents of the file, he couldn't help but sigh: "Oh, I really can't understand why these young masters from rich families always like to think about other people's wives!"
The case file in the hands of He Maocai records a case in which Yuan Kui, the young master of the Yuan family in Jiaxing, took advantage of sex and forcibly took over the wife of an ordinary citizen and beat her husband to serious injuries.
At present, this Yuan Kui has been imprisoned by the government and is waiting to be punished.
In order to plead for mercy, the Yuan family tried every means to find He Maocai, hoping that he would be lenient.
But the triennial plan was about to come, and He Maocai did not dare to make any arbitrary claims at this time.
What's more, He Maocai himself was extremely contemptuous of this kind of behavior of forcibly occupying other people's wives. In his opinion, it was a graceful girl who was even more exciting.
Just when He Maocai was still thinking about what to do with Yuan Kui next, he heard a rapid knock on the door.
Seeing this situation, He Maocai couldn't help but frown, and immediately ordered: "Come in!"
After the words fell, there was only a "squeak" sound, and the door of the room was pushed open. After a while, a subordinate staff member was seen walking in in a hurry.
Just when He Maocai was about to reprimand him, he saw the subordinate official kneeling on the ground with a plop and said in a deep voice.
"Sir... Your Majesty, an official document from the imperial court has come down. It is said that they want to arrest Ma Ningyuan, the prefect of Hangzhou. In addition, the officials sent by the imperial court to investigate the case are also on their way!"
"What did you say!"
After He Maocai learned the news from his subordinates, his face was full of horror. He stood up from his seat suddenly and asked him.
"Yes...yes, sir, this was clearly mentioned in the official document sent by the imperial court. It is said that it was because Ma Ningyuan, the prefect of Hangzhou, mobilized the guards without authorization, trampled the rice seedlings, and caused a fatal case!"
When the subordinate official saw He Maocai's scrutinizing eyes falling on him, he couldn't help but feel panicked. He mustered up the courage and spoke in response.
When He Maocai heard this, his face turned pale with fright, his whole body trembled, and he lost his sense of control, because this case was inseparable from He Maocai, and he was the one who helped cover it up in the first place!
Later, He Maocai forced himself to calm down, looked at the subordinate official, and asked: "Who are the people who came to Zhejiang to investigate the case?"
After hearing this, the junior official responded after thinking for a long time: "Your Excellency, the officials sent by the imperial court to investigate the case this time are Wang Ting, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and Yan Maoqing, the left deputy governor of the capital. , in addition to that, there is also an official from the Inspectorate!”
After He Maocai heard Yan Maoqing's name, he couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief and comforted himself by saying, "Huh, it's okay. Yan Maoqing should be from Yan Ge's old school to help us, so nothing big will happen!"
After that, He Maocai returned to his previous behavior. He looked at the subordinate official and said: "Immediately show me the official documents sent by the court. In addition, go and get the chief official." Sir, please come here!"
When the subordinate official heard this, he immediately looked stern, bowed his hands to He Maocai, and said in a deep voice: "As ordered, sir!"
Not long after, He Maocai got the corresponding official document. The content in the official document was no different from what the subordinate official said.
After browsing the contents of the official document, He Maocai put it aside casually and said with emotion: "Oh, I don't know who brought this case out. I'm afraid Ma Ningyuan will have to go to jail next." It’s been a few days!”
Although the imperial court had issued an official document to arrest Ma Ningyuan, in He Maocai's view, the whole matter was still barely within control.
After all, in the final analysis, an accident occurred during the process of converting rice into mulberry, and a few people died. Human life is very worthless, and the lives of ordinary people are even more so!
What's more, Ma Ningyuan's teacher was Hu Zongxian, the former governor-general of Zhejiang and governor of Zhejiang!
Although Hu Zongxian has been transferred to the capital, it can be expected that Hu Zongxian will be reused by His Majesty, and the officials who came to investigate the case this time will definitely be wary of this.
When the time comes, big things will turn into small things, small things will disappear, everyone will be happy, and everything will be as usual.
Moreover, for the sake of safety, Mr. Yan Ge and the others specially sent Yan Maoqing to Zhejiang, so there must be no big problems. (End of chapter)
