After ordering someone to pass the news to the imperial concubine Shen, Lu Fang officially embarked on her way to the cabinet.
It could be seen that Lu Fang was in a good mood. Along the way, he was humming an inexplicable tune and his steps were very brisk.
In this way, Lu Fang did not wait too long after arriving at the cabinet, and was quickly greeted respectfully by the subordinate staff.
After Lu Fang entered the cabinet, everyone, led by Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet, stood up from their seats and saluted him respectfully.
"I've met Eunuch Lu!"
Seeing this situation, Lu Fang waved her hands and said with a smile: "You don't have to be so polite. We are here this time to inform you of a great thing according to His Majesty's order!"
When Lu Fang finished speaking, everyone in the cabinet was attracted to attention. Then, Xu Jie was the first to stand up and ask Lu Fang.
"May I ask Eunuch Lu, what is this great thing?"
Hearing this, Lu Fang had no intention of showing off. After looking around, she spoke calmly: "Your Majesty said that after the child in the belly of Imperial Concubine Shen is born, the imperial court will make a favor next year. division!"
Lu Fang's words were like dropping a bomb on a calm lake, and soon caused an uproar in the cabinet.
The imperial examination system is divided into two categories: "Zhengke" and "Enke". According to regulations, Zhengke is a township and general examination held every three years. If the emperor personally takes the test, a separate roster can be submitted and a special examination can be attached. Generally speaking, as long as you participate, you can win.
Therefore, the imperial court holding an encore is a great good thing for those scholars, and it is an opportunity to change their fate against the will of heaven!
"Your Majesty really values the unborn child in the belly of Imperial Concubine Shen!"
At this moment, here is what everyone in the cabinet is thinking.
After that, Yan Song looked in the direction of Lu Fang and said with emotion: "In this way, all scholars in the world will rely on your majesty's kindness and wisdom!"
Hearing Yan Song's words, Xu Jie couldn't help but have a look of disdain on his face. He glanced at Yan Song calmly and said to himself: "Huh, whenever it comes time to flatter someone, you, Yan Song, are the quickest to react." !”
After that, Lu Fang looked around and said with a smile: "Since the words have been brought, we won't stay here too much!"
Seeing this, everyone quickly bowed to Lu Fang and said, "Eunuch Lu, go slowly!"
…
After Lu Fang left the cabinet, everyone returned to their seats and sat down. Although Zhang Juzheng looked very calm, his heart was already turbulent and he could not calm down for a long time.
At present, both King Yu and King Jing have lost the possibility of becoming crown princes. Next, the crown prince position of Ming Dynasty will most likely fall to the unborn child in the belly of the imperial concubine Shen!
After all, Honglu Temple and the Ministry of Rites are currently preparing for the canonization of the imperial concubine Shen as queen.
Once the Imperial Concubine Shen is enthroned as Queen by His Majesty, then the child born between her and Your Majesty will become a legitimate legitimate son!
At present, King Jing has resigned from the vassal and has completely withdrawn from the competition for the position of crown prince, while King Yu who is still in the capital is, at best, nothing more than the eldest son of a concubine.
In any case, in terms of priority in inheriting the throne, the legitimate son is far stronger than the concubine.
If I can seize the opportunity and become this child's teacher, I will definitely be able to prosper in the future!
Relying on this relationship, I can also realize the ambition that has been hidden in my heart. Through drastic reforms, I can rejuvenate the Ming Dynasty and become rich and powerful, and at the same time let the people live a good life!
Thinking of this, Zhang Juzheng's breathing suddenly became rapid, and he began to think about the possibility of becoming this child's teacher.
"First of all, Yan Song, Xu Jie, and Hu Zongxian can be excluded. They are already old and have no extra energy to teach the children. Secondly, Gao Gong can also be excluded. He is the teacher of His Royal Highness King Yu. In this way, he will have the opportunity to teach that child. The only people who care about the child are me and Yan Shifan!"
"Although Yan Shifan is quite capable and capable in his actions, his reputation is not very good. In other words, I, Zhang Juzheng, will most likely be able to teach your Majesty's child in the future!"
Just as Zhang Juzheng was daydreaming, he heard Yan Song's voice ringing in his ears: "Without further delay, let's quickly announce the news that the imperial court will hold an encore next year!"
When Yan Song finished speaking, everyone nodded and responded in unison: "Yes, Mr. Yan Ge!"
The efficiency of the cabinet was very fast. Soon after, the news that the imperial court would hold an encore next year was officially announced.
As soon as this news came out, it quickly caused an uproar in the court, and many officials began to discuss the matter.
At this time, many officials had already gathered near the bulletin board outside the cabinet, and the area was completely surrounded.
"Those candidates who will take the exam next year are really lucky to have this opportunity where the imperial court holds an encore!"
"Oh, yes, you are really lucky. I have been struggling for many years, and I just passed the exam and became an official. I didn't expect..."
"Hmph, it's just a matter of good fortune. If it really compares with strength, they still can't compare to all of us here. We passed the formal examination and passed the exam in an upright manner. They are just Enke, and Enke is also considered a Jinshi?"
"That's right, that makes sense. We have passed the entrance examination, and Enke can also be considered a Jinshi?"
…
On the same day, after getting off duty, Yan Song, Yan Shifan and his son took a sedan and went straight back to Yan's Mansion.
At this moment, Yan's study room.
In the room, Yan Shifan looked at Yan Song who was sitting behind the desk. He immediately leaned down and asked cautiously: "Father, do you have anything to do with the child?"
After hearing Yan Shifan's words, Yan Song raised his head, looked Yan Shifan up and down with cloudy eyes, and then asked: "Yan Shifan, is there any movement at King Jing's side now?"
Upon hearing this, Yan Shifan thought for a moment before responding: "Father, since all the officials who visited Prince Jing's Mansion were impeached, no official would dare to go there rashly again!"
"And there is no movement from Prince Jing, as if he has acquiesced in this matter!"
After Yan Song learned the news from Yan Shifan, he couldn't help but frowned and warned: "Despite this, we still can't let down our guard. We must keep an eye on King Jing. If there is any trouble, report it to me immediately!"
When Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, he immediately bowed his hands to Yan Song and respectfully said, "Yes, father, I understand!"
Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, Yan Song looked in the direction of Yan Shifan and continued to ask: "By the way, how did you do with Yan Maoqing?"
Seeing Yan Song suddenly mentioning this matter, Yan Shifan did not dare to be negligent at all. After organizing the words in his mind, he responded: "Father, everything is going well so far. When the time comes, Yan Maoqing will be blamed for a lot of things. !”
When Yan Shifan said this, he paused for a moment, with a slightly worried look on his face, and then continued to add.
"Father, the child is still a little worried. You must know that the Ministry of Industry's deficit of 13.7 million taels of silver last year is not a small amount. What if..."
Hearing this, Yan Song glanced at Yan Shifan and said confidently: "Don't worry, as long as those people keep their hands and feet clean, Your Majesty won't care about this!"
Yan Song's words dispelled all the confusion in Yan Shifan's heart. Then, he lowered his head and respectfully said, "Yes, father, I understand!"
After that, an expression of hesitation appeared on Yan Shifan's face. After hesitating for a long time, he spoke cautiously.
"By the way, father, the child received news earlier that His Majesty has already chosen a name for the child in the belly of Imperial Concubine Shen!"
When Yan Song heard this, a look of interest suddenly appeared on his face. He looked in the direction of Yan Shifan and asked, "Oh, what's your name?"
After Yan Shifan heard this, he thought about it for a moment and then responded: "Replying to my father, the child just accidentally inquired about this news. As for the name His Majesty gave to the child in the belly of the Imperial Concubine, The child doesn’t know!”
When Yan Shifan finished speaking, Yan Song picked up the tea cup on the table, took a sip, and said with emotion: "Your Majesty really values this child. Not only will he canonize the imperial concubine Shen as the queen, but he will also I’m going to open an Enko next year!”
When Yan Shifan on the side heard this, he couldn't help but have a look of shock on his face, and said tremblingly: "Father...Father, what you mean is that according to how much Your Majesty values this child, it is very likely that this child will be a child in the future. Become my Ming Dynasty..."
When Yan Song heard this, his face suddenly turned cold, he looked at Yan Shifan with a look of hatred, and reprimanded: "Idiot, how many times have I told you, this matter is not something you and I can discuss! "
After reprimanding Yan Shifan, a dark and inexplicable look appeared on Yan Song's face. He lowered his head and said silently to himself: "However, looking at this posture, if the child in the belly of Imperial Concubine Shen is a son, most likely He will become the next crown prince of the Ming Dynasty!"
While Yan Song was still thinking about how to quietly change his position and get closer to this child.
He only heard Yan Shifan's slightly timid voice ringing in his ears: "Father, who do you think your Majesty will let teach this child?"
Yan Song couldn't help but feel energetic after hearing this. After pondering for a long time, he responded calmly.
"Based on how much Your Majesty values this child, when this child reaches enlightenment, His Majesty will probably select a young, powerful, talented and capable minister to be responsible for teaching him how to govern the country!"
"The cabinet needs to deal with national affairs every day, so it is most appropriate to select someone from the cabinet to teach that child!"
When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment and continued: "Although your father and I used to be the Imperial College's priest, I am now over eighty and have no energy anymore. The same goes for Xu Jie and Hu Zongxian, and Gao Zongxian is the same." It’s even more impossible to be Prince Yu’s teacher!”
Hearing this, Yan Shifan could not help but feel a glimmer of hope in his eyes. He mustered up the courage and confirmed to Yan Song: "Father, you mean, the only suitable candidates are Hao'er and Zhang Juzheng?"
When Yan Song heard this, he shook his head and mercilessly exposed Yan Shifan's fantasy: "No, it can't be you. Among the civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty, the only people who can take on this job are Zhang Juzheng, Zhao Zhenji, and Li Chunfang." personal!"
Yan Song saw the confusion on Yan Shifan's face, and after sighing helplessly, he explained.
"Zhang Juzheng is a man who is talented, capable, deep in the city, and deeply trusted by His Majesty. Not everyone can come from a military household and climb all the way to the positions of Minister of War and Cabinet Elder!"
"Zhao Zhenji should not be underestimated either. Before that, although he served as a supervisory censor in the Supervisory Council, judging from the fact that His Majesty was able to send him to Zhejiang to take over Hu Zongxian's position, this person is also highly valued by Your Majesty. You know, this Zhao Zhenji is from a good family, so there is no chance that he will join the cabinet in the future!"
"After this, it's Li Chunfang. Li Chunfang was the number one scholar in the twenty-sixth year of Jiajing, and he was also the Minister of Rites. It is understandable that the number one scholar should teach your majesty's son!"
After Yan Shifan listened to Yan Song's explanation, Yan Shifan's face was full of unwillingness. Immediately, he bit his lips and asked Yan Song: "Father, does the child really have no chance?"
Faced with Yan Shifan's inquiry, Yan Song shook his head imperceptibly and responded decisively: "Yes, no, Yan Shifan, you'd better give up on this idea as soon as possible!"
When Yan Song's words fell, Yan Shifan's face was full of sadness. He lowered his head feebly and said respectfully: "Thank you, father, for clearing up the child's doubts. The child understands!"
Yan Song took in the expression on Yan Shifan's face. After thinking for a moment, he continued to add: "Although we can't take shortcuts this way, we still have other ways!"
After Yan Shifan heard this, he looked at Yan Song with hope and asked: "Father, what can I do?"
Hearing this, Yan Song withdrew his gaze from Yan Shifan and said slowly: "The method is very simple. We just need to be sincere and make His Majesty unable to leave us!"
…
It has been some time since Yan Maoqing, Wang Ting and others set out from the capital.
At this moment, on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, a fleet of four or five large ships and several small boats were moving towards their destination in an orderly manner.
Since Yan Maoqing, Wang Ting and others were assigned by the imperial court to rush to Zhejiang to investigate the Ma Ningyuan case, they could barely be regarded as half-imperial ministers. Because of this, there were many more soldiers responsible for protecting their safety.
Perhaps because he was bored, Yan Maoqing walked out of the cabin and came to the deck to breathe in the fresh air.
At this time, Yan Maoqing put his hands behind his back and looked at the scenery on both sides of the strait, looking confident.
In his opinion, not only did he successfully hide it from Yan Song, but he could also take advantage of this opportunity to make a huge fortune!
You know, since the imperial court officially lifted the maritime ban, silk, tea, porcelain and other commodities produced in the Ming Dynasty have become more popular than ever, so much so that they have set off a craze in the West and other foreign countries.
Since the annual output of silk, tea, and porcelain in the Ming Dynasty was relatively fixed, demand gradually exceeded supply, and their prices also increased.
Take silk as an example. Last year, a piece of fine silk could be sold in Western countries for more than ten taels of silver. But this year, a piece of fine silk could be sold for at least eighteen taels of silver!
Correspondingly, the price of raw silk, a necessary raw material for silk production, has also increased to a certain extent.
In previous years, a pound of raw silk was worth at most one tael of silver, but this year the price of raw silk has almost risen to three taels of silver!
As long as there is enough raw silk, silk can be produced in large quantities. Even if the raw silk is purchased at a price of three taels of silver, after the cost is taken out, the profit will be several times higher!
Not to mention, Xu Jie and others plan to purchase raw silk from the people at a low price, and the profit from this will be at least ten or twenty times!
Then, Yan Maoqing looked away from the distant scenery, turned around, looked at his subordinates on the side, and then asked: "At the current speed, how long will it take to reach Zhejiang?"
When the subordinate saw Yan Maoqing's question, he did not dare to be negligent at all. He quickly lowered his head and reported respectfully: "Sir, according to the sailors on the ship, we will be able to reach Zhejiang in three days!"
After Yan Maoqing learned the news from his subordinates, he was very excited. He lowered his head and murmured to himself: "We can reach Zhejiang in three days. Everyone, I'm sorry!"
…
On the other side, Zhejiang, the Governor's Mansion of Zhejiang Province.
It has been some time since the imperial court issued an official document arresting Ma Ningyuan, the prefect of Hangzhou.
During this period, Zhao Zhenji did not relax for a moment. He even asked people from the Governor's Palace to join in the surveillance of the Weaving Bureau.
Today, he received news that officials sent by the imperial court to investigate the case would arrive in Zhejiang in two days.
Therefore, he specially summoned Zheng Michang and He Maocai to the Governor's Mansion to discuss the next response.
In the meeting hall of the Governor's Mansion, Zhao Zhenji was seen sitting at the top, looking over at Zheng Michang and He Maocai on the side.
Then, Zhao Zhenji coughed twice and said slowly: "Not long ago, I received news that officials sent by the imperial court to investigate the case will arrive in Zhejiang in two days. What do you think? "
After Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, he stopped talking and quietly waited for the responses from Zheng and He.
After that, Zheng Michang stood up from his seat, looked in the direction of Zhao Zhenji, and comforted him: "My lord governor, please forgive me for speaking frankly. You don't have to worry too much. We only need to assist them when the time comes. Just find out the truth of the case!”
As soon as Zheng Michang finished speaking, He Maocai on the side also followed up and said: "Yes, Lord Governor, you don't need to worry too much, nothing big will happen for sure!"
When Zhao Zhenji heard this, a look of confusion appeared on his face. He naturally knew that Yan Maoqing, who was sent to Zhejiang by the imperial court to investigate the case, was from Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet, and was in the same group as Zheng Michang and He Maocai in front of him.
With Yan Maoqing's help, the many crimes committed by Ma Ningyuan will be reduced to trivial matters and trivial matters will be reduced to nothing according to the practice in the officialdom, and they will be passed over in an understatement.
But despite this, Zhao Zhenji couldn't help but feel a little worried. He always felt that things were not that simple.
"Perhaps I am overthinking it!"
Then, Zhao Zhenji suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, looked in the direction of He Maocai, changed the subject, and continued to ask.
"By the way, has there been any movement at the Weaving Bureau recently?"
When He Maocai heard Zhao Zhenji's words, he immediately stood up from his seat, cupped his hands to him, and responded without thinking: "Your Excellency, the Governor, in the recent period, everything in the Weaving Bureau has been normal, and there have been no suspicious persons!"
When Zhao Zhenji heard this, he couldn't help but frown, and a trace of worry flashed across his face. He lowered his head and said to himself: "It shouldn't be. It's the time when silk is produced. Why are there no movements from those merchants?"
Zhao Zhenji did not conceal what he was thinking. He came back to his senses and looked in the direction of Zheng Michang and He Maocai respectively. He said in a deep voice: "I always feel that there is something fishy about things. You know, right now, It’s time to produce raw silk!”
The meaning behind Zheng Michang and Zhao Zhenji's words was that they leaned down and said respectfully: "What the governor means is that the Weaving Bureau and those merchants are probably planning something secretly?"
Hearing this, Zhao Zhenji nodded and said in response: "Well, yes, I am worried about this!"
After that, Zhao Zhenji looked back and said in a deep voice: "From now on, increase your efforts and keep an eye on the Weaving Bureau. If there is any movement, report it immediately!"
"In addition, the government should also pay more attention to see if anyone acting suspicious has been around recently!"
As soon as Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, Zheng Michang and He Maocai on the side responded in unison: "As you command, Lord Governor!"
Seeing that the matter had come to an end for the time being, Zhao Zhenji waved his hand and said: "Okay, let's leave it like this for now. You can leave!"
"Yes, Lord Governor, I will resign immediately!"
After that, Zheng Michang and He Maocai did not stop at all. After bowing to Zhao Zhenji, they turned and left the meeting hall of the Governor's Mansion.
After walking out of the Governor's Mansion, He Maocai stopped, turned around, and complained: "Old Zheng, I think the governor is making a fuss out of a molehill. We have been monitoring the Weaving Bureau for so long, but we still haven't gained anything, brother. They are all complaining endlessly!"
When Zheng Michang heard this, he shook his head and said: "What the governor said makes sense. It is the time when silk is produced, but those merchants did not make any movement. Therefore, they must be planning something." !”
When Zheng Michang said this, he paused and continued: "To be on the safe side, let's just follow the governor's instructions!" (End of Chapter)
