After the great victory at sea, Su Ze did not return to Fuzhou immediately. Instead, he chased Lin Daoqian all the way to Haishizi Island, and captured all the baggage and supplies that the Japanese pirates had brought here, and then began to return to Fuzhou.
Along the way, we raided several small Japanese pirate strongholds, and waited until June 10th before slowly returning to Fuzhou.
News of the great victories in Fujian and Zhejiang had already been sent to the capital at high speed.
Just when everyone in Fujian was jubilantly waiting for Su Ze to return home.
Ryukyu tribute envoy Lin Changjing, who was in the patrol yamen dungeon, did not last long in the torture to extract confessions.
Yan Maoqing was an old criminal, and he quickly obtained a confession from Lin Changjing.
Tao Gonggong, a shipping officer in Fuzhou, indirectly did business with Japan through the Ryukyu Tribute Mission.
In addition, Yan Maoqing also obtained physical evidence, which were deer skins and Japanese lead found on the ship of the Ryukyu tribute mission. These were all belonging to the Japanese country.
Yan Maoqing immediately took the confession and evidence and immediately summoned the Fujian Third Division to patrol the Yamen for a meeting.
The Chief Envoys Division, the Inspectorate Envoys Division, and the General Commanding Envoys Division are the three highest officials in a province.
The Chief Envoy is responsible for government affairs and the vassal treasury. It is also called the vassal yamen. The Chief Envoy is also called Fan Tai. Today's Fujian Chief Envoy is surnamed Pan and is a veteran minister who is nearly sixty years old.
Pan Fantai also had no background. When the Japanese rebellion was serious in Fujian and the Feilong Army rebelled, he was kicked to Fujian where no one wanted to come. He worked hard in Fujian to prepare military supplies to quell the rebellion.
Because he was responsible for the administration of justice and supervision, his subordinates were respectfully called Nie Tai. Wang Daokun originally held this position.
However, after Wang Daokun took office as the Chief Envoy of Guangxi, the position of the Chief Inspector of Fujian became vacant, and no one has taken up the position so far.
So now the person in charge of the Fujian Prosecutor's Office is the Fujian Deputy Commissioner. This deputy's surname is Li, and he is also an official who has reached this position by working in the criminal justice system.
Capital commanders generally concentrate on military affairs and do not interfere with local government affairs. Sun Dusi is basically semi-retired. Last year, the Fujian Coastal Guard Station was beaten to pieces by Japanese pirates, and southern Fujian was occupied by the Feilong Army. Sun Dusi was It is hard to blame him, but the imperial court has not yet appointed a new capital commander, so he is currently in charge of logistics in Fujian.
The three of them didn't know why Yan Maoqing called a meeting. After rushing to the patrol yamen, the three of them felt something was wrong.
Sure enough, when Yan Lubai closed the door of the living room, Yan Maoqing said:
"Let's get straight to the point. I have found out that the eunuch Tao Shutong was promoted by the Fuzhou City Bureau of Transport."
Eunuch Tao? Tongwa?
Yan Maoqing's words were like thunder on the ground, causing the three local officials to jump up!
Eunuch Tao is a eunuch sent by the palace! Is Tao Gonggong in contact with the Japanese? Why don't you say that the emperor is in contact with the Japanese?
Yan Lubai presented the Ryukyu mission's confession and evidence. After the three of them read it, they all took a breath.
Yan Maoqing prepared the evidence so well, then Eunuch Tao was really doing business with the Japanese country.
In fact, the Ryukyu mission traded so many goods that everyone knew that the small Ryukyu Islands could not afford it. It was normal for some goods to flow to Japan.
But this kind of thing just can't be put on the scale. Once it is put on the scale, officials from top to bottom in Fujian will not be able to weigh it.
Yan Maoqing changed the topic and said: "I have obtained the testimony. The incident of Tongwa is related to Eunuch Tao. All of you are innocent."
Everyone just breathed a sigh of relief when Yan Maoqing said again:
"But this case is also related to another person."
Everyone's hearts were hanging again.
Yan Maoqing said: "Fujian Juren Su Ze! He organized the regiment training just because he obeyed Eunuch Tao's order. The New Navy Army also participated in the Ryukyu Mission's smuggling operation to Japan!"
This thunder exploded, and the three officials were stunned.
To be honest, Eunuch Tao was a eunuch, and he would be arrested as soon as he was caught. Although the three adults cooperated happily with Eunuch Tao, they had no friendship with the eunuch.
But Su Ze is different.
Su Ze was born in Fujian Jieyuan and had a high reputation in Fujian. He was a literary master and a famous Confucian scholar.
He ran a newspaper in Fujian and published "Tiangong Kaiwu" in Fujian. Political envoy Pan Bu, deputy envoy Li Jiancha and Sun Dusi all had family members doing business in Fuzhou, and they were all closely related to Su Ze. wisps of contact.
Moreover, Su Ze has many students and has a high prestige among the navy's regiment training new army.
The three highest officials in Fujian suddenly realized that disturbing Su Ze was much more troublesome than disturbing Eunuch Tao.
Seeing the faces of the three people, Yan Maoqing said:
"There is no need for you three to take action. When Su Ze's fleet docks tomorrow, the three of you will go with me to the dock to greet him. Then my people from the governor's office will naturally take action to capture Su Ze. The three adults only need to come forward to appease them."
The expressions on the three people's faces were still ugly, but since Yan Maoqing had done something offensive, they couldn't say anything.
Moreover, the crime of treason with the Japanese was too big. If they did not cooperate, no one would be able to bear it if Yan Maoqing was also accused of treason with the Japanese.
The mature and prudent Ambassador Pan said:
"Su Ze has great prestige in the hearts of Fujian soldiers and civilians. He has also made great achievements in pacifying the Japanese. If he is arrested and imprisoned now, are you afraid that the people of Fujian will not accept it?"
Yan Maoqing said arrogantly: "I am an imperial envoy from the imperial court, and I represent the imperial court! The evidence is conclusive that Su Ze was a traitor to the Japanese. Could it be that he was not arrested because he had some merit? And Su Ze was a traitor to the Japanese. How much credit does this have, right? Did he collude with Japanese pirates? I will definitely try it fairly!"
The three highest-ranking officials in Fujian Province, look at me, look at you, they can only choose to follow Yan Maoqing's plan.
According to the last news sent by Su Ze's clipper, it will take another twenty days for the new navy to arrive at the port. During this time, the three of them can make a deal with Su Ze and sell the properties related to Su Ze first.
At the same time, after news of Hu Zongxian's victory reached the capital, Qingliu's another attack began.
Censor Zou Yinglong submitted a memorial to the court, this time pointing the finger directly at Yan Song! Zou Yinglong impeached Yan Song for ten illegal things, but he could be executed for seven!
Zou Yinglong is worthy of being the pen of Qingliu. Starting from when Yan Song served as the second assistant in the cabinet and framed Xia Yan, the then chief assistant, he stated Yan Song's crimes since he became the chief assistant.
These include: relying on favors to gain power, doing evil by helping each other, killing ministers, harming loyal people, selling officials and winning titles, and obtaining political power through bribery; rejecting dissenters and attracting private individuals; being greedy and cruel, and acquiring extensive property.
In addition to impeaching Yan Song, Zou Yinglong also pointed the finger at Yan Song's son Yan Shifan and listed Yan Shifan's crimes:
Among them are Yan Shifan selling his official position and becoming a title by relying on the power of his father Yan Song; Yan Shifan indulged his nephew's slaves to harm the capital, and was greedy; Yan Shifan extorted and occupied land, which caused deep resentment among the people; Yan Shifan still embraced concubines and concubines during the mourning period of his mother's death, and was obsessed with money and paper day and night. .
Finally, Zou Yinglong pointed out, "Today there are frequent floods and droughts, there are troubles in the north and south, and the people are poor and exhausted, all are caused by the Yan family."
This time, Qingliu was full of firepower, and Yan Shifan was also panicked. He quickly summoned his party members to discuss how to deal with it, but he did not expect that before his party members came, Jin Yiwei arrived.
Chen Hong, the admiral of the Jinyi Guards in Dongchang, took action personally, took out the emperor's decree, and announced that Yan Shifan would be arrested and sent to prison for trial.
Yan Shifan was so frightened that he quickly sent someone to notify Yan Song. Chen Hong said again:
"Your Majesty has another decree for Mr. Yan Ge."
Chen Hong cleared his throat and said:
"Yan Song did not think about repaying the kindness he received from the country, but instead doted on evil people and wielded power. He should be ordered to retire urgently in order to clean up his administration."
After hearing these words, Yan Shifan felt as if a big bell was ringing in his ears, and he fell to the ground slumped.
He knew that he was finished, and the Yan family was finished.
Chen Hong covered his nose. Who would have thought that the dignified Mr. Xiao Ge would wet his pants when he was arrested.
Eunuch Chen strode forward and arrived at the back house of Yan Mansion.
Although Yan Song has been dismissed from his post, Chen Hong is still very wary of Yan Ge, who has been adhering to state affairs for twenty years.
The servants serving in the Yan Mansion had all been taken away by the Jin Yiwei. When Eunuch Chen walked to the back hall, he heard an old voice.
"Eunuch Chen, what is your Majesty's decree?"
Chen Hong stepped forward and saw only Yan Song on the recliner, wearing an ordinary coarse cloth Confucian shirt. His official robe and official hat were folded neatly and placed on the chair next to him.
Chen Hong read out the emperor's decree again. Yan Song had no expression on his face. Even when he heard that his son and grandson were imprisoned, Yan Song did not blink his eyes.
Chen Hong thought that Yan Song was old and had fallen asleep. Unexpectedly, Yan Song said: "Since the 33rd year of Jiajing, the veteran has submitted many memorials to resign. Today I can finally return home. Thank you for your grace."
Yan Song stood up tremblingly and said to Chen Hong:
"I personally read out the decree to remove Xia Shoufu. On that day, Xia Shoufu told me that I would definitely follow in his footsteps."
"Xia Shoufu is still wrong. His Majesty has graciously allowed me to return to my hometown for retirement. I am much better than him."
Yan Song took out two more letters and said, "This is an apology memorial to His Majesty. This is a private message to Mr. Xu Ge. Please pass it on to Eunuch Chen."
After saying that, Yan Song lay back on the recliner again and soon began to snore.
Chen Hong, the eunuch who oversaw the East Factory, was at a loss at this time.
His eyes were dark. Yan Song, who was already in his twilight years, had been uprooted. But why did Chen Hong feel a little cold?
The news of Yan Song's downfall quickly spread throughout the capital. Officials and people all praised the emperor as wise. Officials in Qingliu even cried bitterly. The traitorous official in the court finally fell!
But Yan Song had controlled the state for twenty years, so why did he fall only today?
No one answered this question.
But the liquidation had just begun. Lu Fengyi was impeached by Hu Ke, the governor of Zhejiang Province, for the ten crimes of bullying, corruption and sexual immorality.
He spent long nights drinking and watching the Jiangxi and Fujian invaders. They invaded and embezzled military pay, squandered the people's wealth, accumulated mountains of money in the governor's office, gathered friends like friends, promulgated sexual immorality, kept concubines, deducted the annual supply of cloth and silver, indiscriminately gave away money to promote excellence, sold official positions in the market, and served officers and soldiers privately.
At the same time, he brought out the story of Hu Zongxian's imperial edict to Wang Zhi, saying that Hu Zongxian and Wang Zhi were fellow villagers and secretly colluded with Wang Zhi to lead the Japanese.
As soon as this memorial was read, the emperor was furious again and ordered the Jinyi guards to escort Hu Zongxianzhu into the capital.
Immediately afterwards, another censor impeached Fang Wanghai, the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing, saying that he colluded with Hu Zongxian to issue anti-Japanese coupons in Zhejiang, forcibly apportioning and exploiting the people. They also impeached Fang Wanghai for pretending to be ill and staying in Fujian, and for instructing his son-in-law Su Ze to practice in private, causing harm to the local area. .
The emperor issued another decree, ordering the Jin Yiwei to go south to Fujian, arrest Fang Wanghai, and Su Ze enter Beijing.
As the core of the strict party, Yan Maoqing was naturally not immune. A large number of memorials to impeach Yan Maoqing were also piled on the emperor's desk. However, this time the emperor ignored them, and the officials speculated on the emperor's thoughts.
Here Zhang Juzheng accepted King Yu's order and went south to persuade Hu Zongxian not to support the bandits. As soon as he arrived in Nanjing, he heard the news of the great victory in Zhejiang and Fujian.
On June 25, Zhang Juzheng was shocked and did not continue to go south. Instead, he stayed in Nanjing and continued to inquire about the news.
Sure enough, the news of the imperial court's treatment of Yan Song and his son and Hu Zongxian soon spread to Nanjing.
The reason why the news spread so quickly was also due to Su Ze.
Nowadays, Shanghai and Dengzhou are connected by ship. In order to get the latest news from the capital, the "Jingshi News" arranged for personnel to be stationed in the capital. As soon as there is news, it rushes to Dengzhou and then delivers the news through the fast ship.
The news from Nanjing was even faster than the Jin Yiwei who rushed to deliver the message.
Then Zhang Juzheng heard the news about the disposal of Fang Wanghai and Su Zeweng's son-in-law. This news spread to Nanjing, and people were in an uproar.
The people naturally applauded the fall of Yan Song and his son, but Fang Wanghai and Su Ze had an excellent reputation in South Zhili, and many people complained about them!
Zhang Juzheng frowned, and then he realized the horror of the party being united and opposed.
He picked up his pen and wanted to write a letter to King Yu, asking him to protect Fang Wanghai and Su Ze, his son-in-law, but he didn't know how to say it.
Those who impeached Fang Wanghai and Su Ze were the backbones of their own Qingliu party. Fang Wanghai and Su Ze were blocking the way of others.
Zhang Juzheng looked at the Nanjing Household Department. Could it be Zhao Zhenji?
On July 1st, the news of the collapse of the Yan Party had not yet reached Fuzhou, and the entire Fuzhou Pier was crowded with people who came to welcome the new navy army.
Looking at the densely packed heads, Ambassador Pan was a little worried. He said to Yan Maoqing:
"How about we leave the dock and do it again, with so many people?"
Yan Maoqing said: "People? What do people have to be afraid of? Su Ze must be arrested in public for committing Japanese crimes! If anyone is there to stop him, he is also committing Japanese crimes! I have mobilized Fuzhou Guard soldiers to ambush near the dock. Don't worry, Mr. Pan!"
Yan Maoqing said this, and Governor Pan finally felt relieved. The Fuzhou Guard's combat effectiveness has been reduced, so it should be okay to deal with the people, right?
Only the sails of the New World were seen, and the people on the dock cheered again.
After the docking was completed, Su Ze stepped off the New World in the sunshine, and Yan Maoqing immediately led people to greet him.
Seeing Yan Maoqing, Su Ze also smiled. When the two came together, Yan Maoqing suddenly said:
"Fujian Juren Su Ze colluded with the Japanese pirates, let me catch him!"
Just when Yan Maoqing's government officials swarmed up and prepared to capture Su Ze, more than twenty New Army guards holding blunderbuss raised their blunderbuss in unison.
Yan Maoqing did not expect that the soldiers behind Su Ze would resist, but he was not a fool. He knew that the musket needed to be reloaded, so he said calmly:
"Come on! The gun needs to be loaded!"
A bold government official stepped forward with a knife. Only a bang was heard. The government official took just one step and was shot dead on the spot!
Yan Maoqing trembled all over. The black blunderbuss was pointed at him. He gritted his teeth and said:
"I am an imperial envoy from the imperial court! The imperial censor!"
Su Ze asked:
"Then it is His Majesty's order to arrest me?"
At this time, Yan Maoqing could only insist: "Of course!"
I thought Su Ze would back down, but unexpectedly Su Ze smiled slightly and said to the officials and people present:
"Everyone has heard that there is a treacherous minister in the court who deceived His Majesty and framed Zhongliang! Su had no choice but to do this!"
(End of chapter)