Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.
At this moment, Jiajing put aside the impeachment memorial sent by Hai Rui in his hand, with a look of interest on his face, chuckled, and said to himself.
"Hmph, last year's shortfall at the Ministry of Industry can actually be attributed to Yan Maoqing. It's really eye-opening for me!"
Lu Fang, who was on the side, heard Jiajing's words, with a look of fear on her face. She immediately stepped forward and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, do you need any slaves..."
When Jiajing heard this, after looking Lu Fang up and down, he waved his hand and said, "No need, I want to see what Yan Song can do in front of me!"
When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, she immediately lowered her head and respectfully said, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
You know, in recent years, Yan Maoqing's corruption and bribery have become known to the whole court. Without the protection of Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet, he, Yan Maoqing, would have died countless times.
When Lu Fang thought about this, he suddenly recalled what Jiajing had said to him personally not long ago.
"Yan Maoqing is just a dog raised by Yan Song. But now this dog is not only disobedient, but also wants to bite its owner. Yan Song, the owner, will naturally kill it and eat its meat!"
"From the moment Yan Song recommended Yan Maoqing and rushed to Zhejiang to investigate the case, he had no intention of letting him return to the capital alive!"
"Is it possible that things will really be as His Majesty said?"
At this moment, Lu Fang's thoughts were racing, and countless conjectures flashed through his mind.
Just as Lu Fang's thoughts were racing, he saw the eunuch guiding him entering the Qianqing Palace in a hurry.
After leading the eunuch into the Qianqing Palace, he bent down and bowed to Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair, and said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Yan Ge and the others are asking for an audience outside the Qianqing Palace, saying they have something important to report. !”
After Jiajing learned the news from the guiding eunuch, he was not surprised. Instead, he waved his hand and said: "Well, I understand, let them come in!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
After the guiding eunuch responded, he immediately left without stopping at the Qianqing Palace.
After the eunuchs were guided away, Lu Fang, who was waiting beside Jiajing, had an inexplicable look on his face. He had a hunch that what Yan Song and the others were going to report to His Majesty next must be related to Yan Maoqing!
After the eunuchs were guided to leave, not long after, a group of people from the cabinet were seen entering the Qianqing Palace.
"I bow to your Majesty, long live my emperor!"
After entering the Qianqing Palace, under the leadership of Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet, everyone knelt on the ground and said in unison.
Hearing this, Jiajing nodded slightly to everyone. After looking around, Jiajing retracted his gaze and said: "Well, everyone, get up!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After receiving Jiajing's permission, everyone got up from the ground one after another.
Then, Jiajing looked in the direction of Yan Song and asked: "Mr. Yan Ge, the cabinet came here with such a big fanfare. Is there anything you want to report to me?"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, Yan Song took out the envelope from his sleeve, raised it high above his head, and reported in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, here is the 800-mile urgent message sent by Wang Ting, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue. It mentioned that the fleet escorting Wang Ting and Yan Maoqing back to Beijing was about to arrive in Nanzhili. The left deputy Du Yu Shi Yanmaoqing disappeared on the ship!"
"Initial suspicion is that he accidentally fell into the water while drunk. Right now, Wang Ting, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, is working with the local officials along the river to search for Yan Maoqing's whereabouts!"
When Yan Song finished speaking, a look of horror flashed across Lu Fang's face. Although she appeared very calm on the outside, there was already an uproar in her heart.
"Unexpectedly, things turned out to be exactly as His Majesty expected. Mr. Yan Ge really had no intention of letting Yan Maoqing return to the capital alive!"
When Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair, heard this, a look of shock appeared on his face. He glanced at Yan Song and confirmed: "What did you say? Yan Maoqing is missing!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, this is absolutely true!"
After Yan Song noticed Jiajing's gaze on him, he suppressed his inner panic and reported it.
Lu Fang, who was waiting on the side, saw this situation and without waiting for Jiajing's instructions, he immediately stepped forward to take the envelope from Yan Song's hand and handed it to Jiajing.
"His Majesty!"
"Um."
Then, Jiajing took the envelope from Lu Fang's hand, opened it, and began to browse the contents.
The content of the letter was not much different from what Yan Song said. Soon, Jiajing read through all the contents.
After that, Jiajing put the letter aside, glanced at Yan Song and others, and asked.
"This matter is not a trivial matter. According to my dear friends, how should we deal with it?"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, Yan Song stood up, leaned down and said decisively: "Your Majesty, Yan Maoqing, as the censor of the Zuo Deputy Capital, a dignified third-rank official of the imperial court, was so inexplicable on his way back to Beijing. disappeared?"
"Wei Chen feels that people should be sent to investigate the case immediately. If you want to see the person alive, you want to see the body if you die!"
Lu Fang, who was waiting beside Jiajing, couldn't help but secretly smacked her lips when she saw Yan Song speaking so righteously: "Hey, you can actually say these words without changing your face or heart. Mr. Yan Ge is really vicious! "
When Xu Jie on the side heard Yan Song's words, a strange look appeared on his face, and he said secretly: "Humph, I think this matter has something to do with you Yan Song. You are so anxious to stand up, probably because you want to destroy the evidence!"
Then, Xu Jie came back to his senses, looked in the direction of Jiajing, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, I also feel that someone should be sent to investigate the case immediately. Maybe there is another hidden story behind Yan Maoqing's disappearance! "
When Jiajing heard Xu Jie's words, curiosity appeared on his face, and he immediately asked: "Oh, Mr. Xu Ge, what do you mean..."
Facing Jiajing's gaze, Xu Jie organized the words in his mind before he stood up and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, before this, Yan Maoqing followed your Majesty's order and rushed to Zhejiang to investigate the case of Ma Ningyuan, the prefect of Hangzhou. !”
"But on the way back to Beijing, Yan Maoqing disappeared inexplicably. Therefore, Wei Chen has reason to wonder whether Yan Maoqing found out something, and then the news was accidentally leaked, and the person behind the scenes was silenced!"
After listening to Xu Jie's conjecture, Jiajing pondered for a moment, then looked in the direction of Yan Song and asked unhurriedly.
"Well, Mr. Yan Ge, what do you think?"
"Your Majesty, Wei Chen feels that what Mr. Xu Ge just said is not impossible. Wei Chen suggests that we send someone to investigate the case as soon as possible!"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, Yan Song lowered his head and responded without thinking.
After Yan Song, Hu Zongxian, Yan Shifan, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and others also expressed their attitudes one after another.
Without exception, they all requested Jiajing to investigate the case strictly.
When Jiajing heard this, after pondering for a moment, he glanced over Yan Song and Xu Jie's body and gave instructions.
"Well, if that's the case, then your cabinet will be responsible for this case!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
…
There is no airtight wall in the world. The news of Yan Maoqing's disappearance on the way back to Beijing quickly spread throughout the government and the public.
As soon as this news came out, the civil and military officials in the court felt that everyone was in danger. After all, no matter what Yan Maoqing said, he was also the censor of Zuo Fudu, a dignified third-rank official of the court!
This time it's Yan Maoqing, and there's no guarantee it won't be their turn next time.
As for the disappearance of Yan Maoqing, the government and the public have different opinions.
Some people say that Yan Maoqing fled out of fear of crime, others say that Yan Maoqing was silenced because he found out something terrible, and others say that this was just a simple accident.
In short, in the next few days, the case of Yan Maoqing's disappearance became more and more discussed in the DPRK.
After that, the imperial court received news from Nanzhili that Yan Maoqing's body had been found by the local government. After an autopsy, Yan Maoqing was determined to have died from drowning.
Along with this news, there was also the self-report of Wang Ting, the right servant of the Ministry of Revenue, and many confessions.
It was clearly mentioned in those confessions that after Yan Maoqing got on the ship, he liked to drink alone in the room.
On the night of the incident, because there were no witnesses present, no valuable evidence was found in Yan Maoqing's cabin afterwards.
Therefore, we can only guess that Yan Maoqing came to the deck alone after being drunk, and then accidentally fell into the water.
At best, it was just an accident. If a crime was really to be punished, the guards responsible for guarding Yan Maoqing would be blamed.
On the cabinet side, after the self-report of Wang Ting, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and many confessions were released, the level of discussion about the case in the government and the public has weakened slightly.
Despite this, many people still have doubts about the case, thinking that Yan Maoqing found something and was silenced.
Capital City, Yan Mansion.
That day, after getting off duty, Yan Song, Yan Shifan and his son took a sedan chair and went straight back to Yan's Mansion.
After the sedan stopped, Yan Shifan got off the sedan first and carefully helped Yan Song get out of the sedan.
After Yan Song glanced at Yan Shifan, he said: "Come with me!"
Naturally, Yan Shifan did not dare to disobey Yan Song's instructions at all. Then, he supported Yan Song and walked towards Yan's study.
After entering Yan's study, Yan Song pointed to the empty seat beside him and said, "Sit down!"
"Yes, father!"
When Yan Shifan heard this, he did not refuse and sat down on the empty seat beside him. He sat upright and did not dare to relax at all.
Then, Yan Song glanced over Yan Shifan's body and asked, "Yan Shifan, have you dealt with everything from beginning to end?"
When Yan Shifan saw Yan Song mentioning this to him, he immediately responded confidently: "If I tell my father, everything has been taken care of. Even if we investigate, we can't be found!"
When Yan Song heard the words, he nodded slightly. Then, he looked away from Yan Shifan and said slowly: "Yan Shifan, what do you think of the remarks currently circulating in the capital?"
Yan Shifan obviously did not expect that Yan Song would ask him this question. After being stunned for a moment, he carefully confirmed to Yan Song: "Father, is it possible that you are referring to rumors similar to Yan Maoqing's silence?"
Hearing this, Yan Song nodded and said, "Well, that's right. I want to hear your opinion!"
When Yan Song finished speaking, Yan Shifan gave a decisive response: "Father, I feel that these rumors must be related to Xu Jie. He has always suspected that it was us!"
When Yan Shifan said this, his face was full of distress, and he immediately continued: "Your Majesty has handed over this case to the cabinet!"
"And he, Xu Jie, has asked you more than once to send someone to investigate as soon as possible. Hai'er suggested that Zhang Runde, the Minister of Punishment, go to Nanzhili to investigate the case, but Xu Jie vetoed it!"
"But having said that, if the people sent to investigate the case are not under our control, if they really find out something, things will be in trouble!"
After Yan Song heard Yan Shifan's words, after pondering for a moment, he spoke slowly.
"Sometimes, if you want to get something done, we don't necessarily need our people to do it. We can definitely recommend those officials who need us to go to Nanzhili to investigate the case!"
"At that time, we don't have to do anything. The right and wrong of this case will be decided by itself!"
When Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, an expression of sincerity suddenly appeared on his face. He looked in the direction of Yan Song and responded excitedly: "Thank you, father, for your advice. My child understands!"
Seeing that Yan Shifan understood what he meant, Yan Song couldn't help but feel a hint of relief on his face. Then, he only nodded, looked away from Yan Shifan, and continued to add.
"Actually, Your Majesty doesn't care about the truth of this case at all. Your Majesty only cares about how much money can be stolen from Yan Maoqing's home!"
"Father, what do you mean?"
Yan Shifan on the side had a puzzled expression on his face when he heard Yan Song's words. He subconsciously looked in the direction of Yan Song and asked.
Facing Yan Shifan's puzzled gaze, Yan Song thought about it for a moment before explaining: "If His Majesty wants to know something, he will send someone from Jinyiwei or Dongchang to investigate!"
"As for the case of Yan Maoqing's disappearance, His Majesty handed it over to the cabinet without even thinking about it."
When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment and continued: "Therefore, this time the imperial court sent people to investigate the case of Yan Maoqing's disappearance, not to find out the truth, but to use this investigation to block the It’s just the mouth of all the ministers!”
"Besides, in recent years, Yan Maoqing has done a lot of corruption in the name of your father and me in private. Now that something has happened to him, Your Majesty can take this opportunity to ransack his home and use it as a way to fill the national treasury!"
After listening to Yan Song's explanation, Yan Shifan seemed to have a clear understanding, with an inexplicable light shining in his eyes. Then, he looked in the direction of Yan Song and confirmed: "That's why, father, you will remind the children to let them Keep your hands and feet clean when you search your home?"
"Well, exactly!"
When Yan Song heard this, he responded quietly, then picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.
Afterwards, Yan Song put the teacup in his hand back to its original position, looked in the direction of Yan Shifan, and said solemnly: "Yan Shifan, please remember carefully, your majesty is a person who protects children, and some children are like him." Some people know how to protect them, but some don’t!”
"Do you understand everything?"
"Yes, father, the child understands!"
When Yan Shifan heard this, he immediately leaned down and responded with unusual respect.
After that, Yan Song retracted his gaze, stood up and took down a book from the bookshelf nearby.
"Okay, let's do this for now, go down!"
"Yes, father, please leave now!"
When the words fell, Yan Shifan bowed his hand to Yan Song and left immediately.
…
On the other side, Prince Yu’s Mansion.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the room was extremely solemn, and no one spoke.
Afterwards, Zhu Zaijing looked around and spoke first, breaking the calm: "It seems that the development of things is almost the same as Mr. Xu Ge had expected. Yan Maoqing has indeed encountered an unexpected event!"
When Zhu Zaijing's words fell, Xu Jie, who was standing beside him, after pondering for a long time, faced everyone and said decisively: "I still think Yan Maoqing must have found out something, and that's why Yan Song and the others sent people to silence him!"
"You know, Ma Ningyuan's case involves so many people, how could it be possible that he was the only one involved from beginning to end?"
"And this Ma Ningyuan committed suicide inexplicably that night after writing his confession!"
After listening to Xu Jie's thoughts, Gao Gong stood up, frowned, and expressed his own thoughts: "Didn't Mr. Wang confirm that everything Ma Ningyuan's confession is true?"
"Since Ma Ningyuan committed suicide out of fear of crime, Ma Ningyuan's case will not implicate more people. In this way, there is no need to silence Yan Maoqing on the way back to Beijing."
Perhaps Yan Maoqing's death by drowning was just an accident. The testimonies of the guards can also prove that after Yan Maoqing got on the ship, he liked to drink alone in the cabin! "
"In this way, the incident of accidentally falling into the water while drunk can also be explained!"
After hearing Gao Gong's conjecture, Xu Jie also fell into deep thought.
After a long time, he came back to his senses, looked in the direction of Gao Gong, and continued: "But in recent days, Yan Shifan has more than once wanted to ask Zhang Runde, the Minister of Punishment, to go to South Zhili to investigate the case!"
"If there is nothing fishy behind this, why would Yan Shifan be so keen on sending his own people there?"
After Xu Jie proposed this conjecture, everyone fell into deep thought again.
Zhang Juzheng, on the other hand, chose to watch indifferently and had no intention of joining in.
Zhang Juzheng knew very well that Wang Ting and Yan Maoqing's mission was not just to investigate Ma Ningyuan's case.
During their trip, they also planned to buy raw silk from the people at low prices.
Since there is no news from Zhejiang that the raw silk in the hands of the people has been purchased at a low price, it can be considered that the raw silk in the hands of the people has been saved for the time being.
The fact that the raw silk in the hands of the people was saved meant that Wang Ting and Yan Maoqing had not completed their assigned tasks.
Zhang Juzheng knew that many people in the DPRK were involved in this case, and these people were far beyond what he could handle now.
Therefore, a thought suddenly emerged in Zhang Juzheng's mind: "Could it be that Yan Maoqing and Wang Ting failed to purchase enough raw silk from the people at a low price, and thus were angered by those in the court?" , and then was silenced on the way back to the capital!"
In Zhang Juzheng's view, besides Yan Song, Xu Jie is also a suspect!
After all, apart from Yan Song, the only person who could silence a dignified third-grade official of the imperial court without anyone noticing was Xu Jie.
Just as Zhang Juzheng's thoughts were racing, he heard Xu Jie's voice: "What do you think?"
Zhang Juzheng suddenly came to his senses after hearing this. He found that Xu Jie's eyes fell on him at some point.
Later, after Zhang Juzheng organized the words in his mind, he said: "Well, I think what Mr. Xu Ge just said makes sense. There should be something fishy behind it. Otherwise, Yan Shifan wouldn't be so keen to send Go there alone!"
Seeing that his idea was recognized, Xu Jie also gained confidence. Then, he glanced at everyone present and murmured to himself: "Well, it seems that after coming down, we have to investigate this aspect. Check it out!”
After that, Gao Gong on the side seemed to suddenly remember something. After looking around, he spoke.
"By the way, it has been some time since His Highness Prince Jing returned to the capital from his fiefdom. Now, the Imperial Concubine has given birth successfully. Why is His Highness Prince Jing still staying at Prince Jing's Mansion?"
Zhu Zaijing, who was on the side, frowned slightly when he heard this, and responded without thinking: "Huh, when my father asked him to go to the fiefdom and become a vassal, he tried every means to delay it in the capital for several years before leaving!"
"Now, he finally has the opportunity to return to the capital. As long as his father doesn't send any words to let him leave, then he can shamelessly stay in Prince Jing's Mansion!"
Zhang Juzheng on the side heard what Zhu Zaijing said. After thinking about it for a moment, he gave his own thoughts: "His Royal Highness King Yu, you don't have to worry. In my opinion, His Majesty intends to let King Jing attend the ceremony of canonizing the Queen. , let him leave the capital again!"
When Zhang Juzheng said this, he paused and continued.
"Right now, the Imperial Concubine has just given birth and is in need of rest. After the Imperial Concubine recovers, His Majesty will hold a ceremony to confer the title of Queen in the Fengtian Palace. As His Majesty's son, His Majesty Prince Jing should naturally witness this moment. !”
After hearing Zhang Juzheng's explanation, most of Zhu Zaijing's uneasiness dissipated.
Then, he stood up from his seat, bowed his hands to Zhang Juzheng, and said in a deep voice: "Thank you, Mr. Zhang Ge, for clearing up my doubts!" (End of Chapter)
