Just as the case of Yan Maoqing's disappearance was gradually spreading in the capital, countless versions were derived.
The sky is getting dark, the Forbidden City and the Manna Palace.
It has been almost half a month since Zhu Zaiyuan was born.
At this moment, in the bedroom, Jiajing was holding Zhu Zaiyuan in his arms and teasing him from time to time.
The imperial concubine Shen was not far away, watching all this with a loving face.
Afterwards, Jiajing handed Zhu Zaiyuan over to the care of Shen again, and asked softly: "How is my concubine feeling lately?"
After hearing Jiajing's words, Mrs. Shen lowered her head, looked at Zhu Zaiyuan in her arms, and responded with a smile: "Thanks to your Majesty's care, I feel that my body has recovered a lot compared to before!"
Jiajing took in the expression on Shen's face, nodded, and then said: "Currently, Honglu Temple and the Ministry of Rites are ready. After you have recovered your health, I can officially canonize you." The queen!"
When Jiajing finished speaking, Shen was seen holding Zhu Zaiyuan in her arms, leaning on Jiajing's shoulder, and whispered: "Yes, I understand!"
Mrs. Shen looked at Zhu Zaiyuan in her arms with a loving smile on her face. Then she turned around and asked Jiajing beside her: "By the way, Your Majesty, when Yuan'er reaches the age of enlightenment, will you Who are you going to let teach him?”
Jiajing couldn't help but burst out laughing when he heard what Shen said, and responded with a smile: "It's too early to discuss this matter now. You know, Yuan'er was only born less than a month ago!"
Hearing this, Mrs. Shen couldn't help but flash a blush on his face. Then, he carefully placed Zhu Zaiyuan on the bed not far away, then buried his head in Jiajing's chest and said timidly: "Your Majesty, please tell me Concubine!"
Jiajing took in all the expressions on Shen's face. After pondering for a moment, he saw him caressing Shen's hair and spoke slowly.
"As for the candidates who will enlighten Yuan'er at that time, in my heart, there are three people who meet the conditions. The first is Zhang Juzheng, the second is Li Chunfang, and the third is Zhao Zhenji."
After Jiajing finished speaking, without waiting for Shen's response, he continued to add: "These three people are all from Shujishi, and there are no major flaws in their talents and conduct. Choose one of them to be responsible for teaching." Yuan'er, it couldn't be more suitable!"
After hearing what Jiajing said, Shen thought about it for a moment, looked directly into Jiajing's eyes, and said slowly: "Does your Majesty want Yuan'er to follow these people and learn how to govern the country?"
Jiajing did not respond to this question, but smiled and said nothing.
Then, as if she suddenly remembered something, Shen raised her head, looked at Jiajing's face, and asked: "By the way, Your Majesty, I heard that you personally selected a large number of clan and noble disciples." , went to work in Bozhou?"
Facing Shen's extraordinarily curious gaze, Jiajing nodded and responded: "Well, that's right. The group of clan and noble disciples selected by me have been setting off for a while!"
After hearing the news from Jiajing, Shen's face showed an expression of sudden realization and murmured to herself: "So that's the case, no wonder..."
When Jiajing heard this, he supported his chin with one hand, a look of interest appeared on his face, and asked, "Oh, what's the wonder?"
After noticing Jiajing's eyes on her, Shen organized her words in her mind and said: "Your Majesty, not long ago, the British Duke and others sent people to celebrate Yuan'er's successful birth. I brought many gifts to my concubine!”
"I was wondering at that time whether something had happened that made the British Duke and others eager to have a good relationship with me."
"At that time, if something happens, it will be convenient to start from the concubine. Now it seems that this is probably the case!"
After listening to Shen's narration, Jiajing shook his head and said with emotion: "Well, this can be considered excusable!"
Then, Jiajing changed the subject, looked away from Shen, and then ordered: "Well, since it is a gift from the British father-in-law, you should keep it well!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
After that, Jiajing chatted with Shen for a long time, until Shen's personal maid pushed in the door with some decoction, and then gave up.
…
When Jiajing walked out of the imperial concubine Shen's bedroom, Lu Fang, who had been waiting outside for a long time, immediately came up to her, leaned down and said respectfully: "Your Majesty!"
Jiajing heard the words and responded in a subtle way. Then, he looked away from Lu Fang and said: "Well, Lu Fang, let's go and accompany me back to Qianqing Palace!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
After Lu Fang responded, she quickly followed Jiajing's pace, and the master and servant headed in the direction of Qianqing Palace.
Not long after returning to the Qianqing Palace, Jiajing received a notice from the eunuch, saying that Zhao Zhenji sent someone to deliver a personal letter to Jiajing. At the moment, the person who sent the letter was waiting outside the Qianqing Palace.
After Jiajing learned the news from the eunuch, he quickly realized that Zhao Zhenji must have discovered something important, so he took such measures.
Then, Jiajing came back to his senses, waved his hand, and said: "Well, I understand, let him come in!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
Soon after, the visitor entered the Qianqing Palace under the guidance of a eunuch who was responsible for teaching etiquette.
The visitor's face was full of anxiety and anxiety. After entering the Qianqing Palace, he knelt down on the ground with a thump and said in a deep voice: "I bow to your majesty, long live my emperor!"
Hearing this, Jiajing looked the person up and down, waved his hand and said, "Well, get up!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
When the visitor heard this, a look of gratitude suddenly appeared on his face, and he slowly stood up from the ground.
After that, the visitor carefully took out the envelope and two account books from his arms.
Then, the person leaned down, raised the envelope and two account books high above his head, looked in the direction of Jiajing, and reported in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, here is the personal letter sent to you by the Governor, as well as two account books!"
Hearing this, Jiajing couldn't help but have a look of curiosity on his face. He raised his eyebrows and said to himself, "Oh, account books?"
When Lu Fang, who was waiting beside Jiajing, saw the two account books in the visitor's hands, he couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart, and an extremely bad premonition flashed through his heart.
Immediately, without waiting for Jiajing's instructions, Lu Fang stepped forward and took two account books and envelopes from the stranger's hands.
"His Majesty!"
"Um."
After Jiajing took the account book and envelope from Lu Fang's hand, he looked at the person and said, "Well, I have received the letter. You can go down and rest first!"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, a eunuch came forward and led the guests to a special room to rest.
After Jiajing put the account book aside, he opened the envelope and began to browse the contents, only to see what was written above.
"Your Majesty, in recent times, there have been many merchants in Zhejiang under the banner of the Weaving Bureau, trying to purchase raw silk from the people at low prices. These merchants have gone to any lengths to purchase raw silk, causing resentment among the people. boiling."
"In order to prevent the situation from deteriorating further, Weichen had no choice but to arrest Pang Qian, the eunuch in charge of the Weaving Bureau, and all relevant people related to the case!"
"As long as we give Wei Chen some more time, we will definitely be able to catch all those merchants in one fell swoop!"
"In addition, Wei Chen also found two account books in the secret compartment of Pang Qian's room, one of which was an open account and the other was a secret account. The things recorded in the two account books were very different. Only seven This month, there is a difference of more than 12,000 pieces of silk!"
"Right now, there are 420,000 pieces of silk stored in the warehouse of the Weaving Bureau. This matter is of great importance, and Wei Chen dare not make a decision without permission. Now Wei Chen has handed over two account books of the Weaving Bureau, together with this letter, to To Your Majesty!"
After Jiajing finished browsing the contents of the letter, the expression on his face became extremely gloomy. Then he put down the letter in his hand, picked up the two account books on the desk, and began to compare them carefully.
According to what Zhao Zhenji said in the letter, of the two account books in front of him, one is an open account and the other is a secret account.
According to the open account, there are currently 320,000 pieces of silk in the Weaving Bureau, while the secret account states that there are 420,000 pieces of silk in the Weaving Bureau. There is a difference of 100,000 pieces of silk!
At present, the price of silk has been rising all the time. According to the current market price, a piece of good silk can easily be sold for more than ten taels of silver!
In other words, the Weaving Bureau embezzled at least one million taels of silver!
When Jiajing thought of this, he couldn't help but became furious. Then, he came back to his senses, slammed the table, and said in a deep voice: "Huh, these bastards have one open account and one secret account. There is a big difference between them." A hundred thousand bolts of silk!"
Jiajing said this, subconsciously clenching the two account books in his hands, with a ferocious expression: "My money!"
When Lu Fang, who was waiting beside Jiajing, saw this, he was so frightened that he fell to his knees on the ground with a thud and said tremblingly: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, please calm down!"
When Jiajing heard this, he immediately turned around. After looking Lu Fang up and down, he asked coldly: "Lü Fang, this Weaving Bureau is under the jurisdiction of your chief ceremonial supervisor. Tell me, what should we do?"
After noticing Jiajing's gaze on him, Lu Fang felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. After a long time, he organized the words in his mind, and then he said as if he was walking on thin ice: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, this slave is here Send someone to investigate and find out everyone related to this matter!"
When Jiajing heard this, he waved his hand and said in a deep voice: "Well, you should send someone to check for me now!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
Hearing this, Lu Fang slowly stood up from the ground, leaned down, and responded respectfully.
Just when Lu Fang was about to leave, Jiajing stopped him: "Wait a minute, bring these two account books from the Weaving Bureau with you!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
When Lu Fang heard what Jiajing said, she immediately stepped forward and took the account book from Jiajing's hand.
Due to too much fear, it could be clearly seen that Lu Fang's hand that took over the account book was shaking slightly uncontrollably.
Afterwards, Lu Fang was seen bowing to Jiajing and then leaving Qianqing Palace without looking back.
Jiajing looked at Lu Fang's leaving figure, and unconsciously thought of what the long-dead Chen Hong had said to him.
"There are two kinds of ledgers within the Weaving Bureau, one is the open ledger, and the other is the secret ledger. The open ledger is specially shown to Your Majesty. What is recorded in the dark ledger is the true account of the Weaving Bureau."
"And through this method, most of the money obtained through corruption fell into Lu Fang's pocket!"
"In addition, before the imperial court officially lifted the sea ban, the smuggling families along the southeast coast also had an unclear relationship with Lu Fang, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony..."
Afterwards, Jiajing suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart and gently rubbed the dragon head carved on the dragon chair with his hand, with an inexplicable look on his face.
After a long time, Jiajing came back to his senses, let out a long sigh, and said to himself silently: "Oh, that's all, it's nothing to be greedy for money..."
…
When Lu Fang walked out of the Qianqing Palace, she realized belatedly that her back was already soaked in cold sweat.
Lu Fang looked at the two Weaving Bureau account books in his hand. He knew that Jiajing chose to turn a blind eye to the matter because of his past friendship, and gave him the power to handle the matter.
"This damn Pang Qian actually dares to act so boldly. This is one hundred thousand pieces of silk. According to the current market price, it is worth at least one million taels!"
"If Feng Bao hadn't strongly recommended this person to me, I wouldn't have been in front of His Majesty..."
Thinking of this, the expression on Lu Fang's face suddenly turned cold. Then, he put away the two account books of the Weaving Bureau and walked straight in the direction of the Supervisor of Ceremonies.
When Lu Fang first arrived at the Supervisor of Ceremonies, two sharp-eyed young eunuchs came up to him and saluted him respectfully: "I've met our ancestors!"
Hearing this, Lu Fang nodded slightly, then glanced at the two young eunuchs, and asked, "Whose turn is it today?"
The two young eunuchs heard what Lu Fang said, and after thinking about it for a moment, they responded: "Returning to our ancestors, today it is Eunuch Feng's turn to be on duty!"
Hearing this, Lu Fang nodded, and then walked in the direction of the room attendant.
In the duty room, at this moment, Feng Baozheng was holding a red pen and criticizing the memorial sent from the cabinet.
Perhaps because he felt sleepy, just when Feng Bao put down his brush, stood up from his seat, and was about to move his limbs, out of the corner of his eye, he accidentally caught sight of Lu Fang not far away.
Seeing Lu Fang's sudden arrival, Feng Baozai was stunned for a moment and then immediately went up to meet her with a flattering look on his face.
"Fuck...godfather, why are you here?"
Hearing this, Lu Fang glanced at Feng Bao and asked with a half-smile, "Why, the godfather can't come?"
When Feng Bao heard this, he immediately waved his hand and hurriedly explained: "God... Godfather, you misunderstood, that's not what I meant!"
When Lu Fang heard this, she didn't show any emotion. Instead, she went to the main seat in the duty room and sat down without saying a word.
Seeing this, Feng Bao knew that something big must have happened. Then, Feng Bao picked up the teapot on the table, poured a cup of hot tea, came to Lu Fang, and served the tea respectfully.
"Daddy, you have come all the way from His Majesty's side. You must be a little tired. Come on, have a cup of tea first!"
Regarding Feng Bao's cup of tea, Lu Fang did not choose to reach out to take it. Instead, she took out two account books from the Weaving Bureau from her sleeves, sneered, and threw them heavily to the ground.
"Look at the good thing you did!"
When Lu Fang finished speaking, Feng Bao's face was full of panic. When Lu Fang didn't choose to accept his cup of tea, he knew that something big must have happened.
Thinking of this, Feng Bao put the teacup in his hand aside, plucked up the courage, and asked Lu Fang anxiously: "Godfather, what do these two account books mean?"
When Lu Fang heard this, she just glanced at Feng Bao coldly, then said, "See for yourself!"
As soon as Lu Fang finished speaking, Feng Bao leaned down and picked up the two account books from the ground. However, when he saw the contents recorded in the account books, his face was full of shock.
"Fuck...godfather, this...this is clearly the account book of the Weaving Bureau. How could you..."
Before Feng Bao finished speaking, he was coldly interrupted by Lu Fang: "Are you surprised? These two account books of the Weaving Bureau were given to me by your Majesty!"
Hearing Lu Fang's words, Feng Bao seemed to have suddenly thought of something, with a look of unconcealable fear on his face: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, could it be that Pang Qian, the eunuch in charge of the Weaving Bureau, has..."
Lu Fang saw the expression on Feng Bao's face, snorted coldly, and immediately reprimanded: "You are right, this Pang Qian has been imprisoned by Zhao Zhenji, look at what you recommended to your godfather , who are they?"
"You worthless thing, my godfather almost got killed by you!"
When Lu Fang said this, his face was full of hatred.
Seeing that Lu Fang had already spoken to this extent, Feng Bao did not dare to hide anything anymore and immediately told everything he knew.
"Fuck...godfather, the kid was also blinded by lard, so he believed this Pang Qian's nonsense!"
Godfather, to be honest, this Pang Qian personally sent the child one hundred thousand taels of silver, saying that as long as he became the eunuch in charge of the Weaving Bureau, there would be a steady stream of benefits in the future. The child did not expect that he would How dare you..."
Then, Feng Bao fell to his knees on the ground with a plop, hugging Lu Fang's thigh tightly, crying with shame on his face.
"Godfather, I know I was wrong. Please spare me this time. I promise you, there will never be a next time!"
"Godfather, please spare the child this time. If the child loses his life, who will take care of you until the end of his life, godfather!"
Under Feng Bao's pleading, the coldness on Lu Fang's face also dissipated a lot.
After a long time, Lu Fang's heart softened, and she sighed helplessly, stood up from her seat, took a pen and paper from the desk beside her, and ordered in a cold voice: "Write, write something related to this case." Everyone, please write it down!"
"Yes, godfather, thank you very much for sparing the child's life. The child will definitely remember the kindness of godfather and will take care of you well in the future!"
After Feng Bao finished speaking, without any hesitation, he immediately picked up the brush and wrote down names one after another on the paper.
After a long time, Feng Bao put down the brush in his hand and came to Lu Fang with a list full of handwriting. He said respectfully: "Dad, here is the specific list. Please take a look!"
"Um!"
After that, Lu Fang took the list from Feng Bao's hand.
After browsing it roughly, he nodded and then ordered: "In addition, spit out all the benefits you received before. Only in this way can you deliver a report to His Majesty!"
When Feng Bao heard what Lu Fang said, a look of pain flashed across his face. Then, he lowered his head and said in a deep voice: "Yes, godfather, the child will do as he is told!"
…
On the other side, in the capital, Yan's study room.
At this moment, in the room, Yan Shifan leaned down, handed a list of names in his hand to Yan Song, and said respectfully.
"Father, everyone on this list needs something from us!"
Hearing this, Yan Song opened his cloudy eyes, glanced over Yan Shifan's body, and ordered: "Well, show it to me!"
After the words fell, Yan Song stretched out his skinny right hand and took the list from Yan Shifan's hand.
After Yan Song browsed through all the candidates on the list, he nodded and expressed his approval to Yan Shifan: "Well, good job. When the time comes, let's select some people from this list to investigate Yan Maoqing's case! "
Seeing that the list he made was recognized by Yan Song, Yan Shifan couldn't help but feel happy and said in a deep voice: "Yes, father!"
After that, Yan Shifan paused for a moment, and then continued: "By the way, father, there is news from Zheng Michang, saying that the raw silk in the hands of the people has been saved, and Zhao Zhenji has the right to kill it first and report it later." !”
"Relying on the power granted by His Majesty to kill first and report later, Zhao Zhenji personally led the troops, surrounded the Weaving Bureau, and took Pang Qian, the eunuch in charge of the Weaving Bureau, and other people into the prison to await their fate!"
Although Yan Song was cunning and did not reveal his emotions easily, when he heard that Zhao Zhenji had the right to kill first and report later in Zhao Zhenji's hands, a look of shock appeared on his face.
Perhaps because he was afraid that he had heard wrongly, Yan Song looked in the direction of Yan Shifan and confirmed to him: "You mean to kill first and then report later?"
"Yes, father, the message sent by Zheng Michang mentioned that long before Zhao Zhenji came to Zhejiang to take up his post, His Majesty gave him the right to kill first and report later!"
After the news was confirmed, a look of sadness appeared on Yan Song's face.
After a long time, he came back to his senses and said with emotion: "Humph, this Zhao Zhenji is really not easy, he actually managed to hide it from everyone!"
After finishing his emotion, an idea suddenly appeared in Yan Song's mind.
"Is it possible that His Majesty had anticipated all this and gave Zhao Zhenji the right to kill first and report later?"
Yan Song thought along this line of thought, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt shuddering. (End of chapter)
