Let's talk about Zheng Xianlin and his entourage. After everyone left Yong'an Gate, their mentality relaxed.
During the silence, He Gujin, who had the most violent temper, said: "Everyone, now we... are just grasshoppers on a rope. We work together to help the prince suppress the Japanese. Don't let anyone get in the way again!"
Someone is causing trouble? Who dares to cause trouble in this matter? Don't you even want your life?
He Gujin's words immediately made everyone unhappy, but they did not take offense considering his identity.
It cannot be said that He Gujin is stupid, but that he is playing the role of a whitewash. This statement is very consistent with his character.
When the atmosphere was delicate, Zheng Xianlin smiled and said: "Old He, please don't talk nonsense. All my colleagues are looking forward to driving the Japanese pirates out of Jinling as soon as possible!"
"You and I have the emperor's mandate to govern a country, and we have the responsibility to protect the land and bring peace to the people. Even if there is no strict decree from the emperor, we will work together to kill the Japanese pirates!"
After saying this, Zheng Xianlin glanced around: "Everyone, I was right!"
"Master Zheng is right. We have all received the great grace of the Holy One, Zhi Yu Jian Ba. How dare we not think of repaying our service to your father!"
"That's right. Today, the Japanese pirates are causing trouble and causing trouble to the local people. We are already guilty of this, and the Holy Spirit is magnanimous and has not punished them. How can we not work together to bring peace to the place!"
Everyone expressed their opinions one after another, and the words sounded nice, but in reality, it was not the case.
Jinling is a very large province, with many factions of officials and different interests involved. It is too difficult to work together as one.
Even if there is pressure from the imperial authority, as long as a few people have selfish motives and make the slightest mistake, the results will be very different.
This especially tests the coordination ability of the person in charge and contains the emperor's expectations for Zhu Jingyuan.
"My lords, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has summoned you, please come to Chengming Hall to discuss matters!"
The person coming was Zhang Xin, a person close to Zhu Jingyuan.
He originally planned to visit Zhu Jinghong, but under Gao Shuyan's stern persuasion, Zhu Jingyuan could only summon him immediately for discussion.
After a while, all the officials gathered in Chengming Hall. Zhu Jingyuan didn't say much, and the rest of the time was occupied by Gao Shuyan.
He was reasoning again, mentioning goals, and talking about consequences. In the end, Gao Shuyan's throat was filled with smoke.
However, everyone was drowsy. What Gao Shuyan said was nonsense, and everyone didn't understand it deeply.
Of course, everyone present echoed in time, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
After a delay of more than half an hour, the discussion was finally over, and the officials dispersed and left.
Everyone returned to the yamen, summoned their subordinates to discuss the detailed plan, and arranged the tasks for the past few days before everyone relaxed.
The Chief Secretary is mainly responsible for the allocation of grain and fodder. The grain that saves money must be transported to the destination on time and on demand. How to distribute it is definitely a complicated project.
In addition to distribution, mobilizing manpower is also troublesome. Of course, this can be done by calling the local government.
The tasks of the Chasi are relatively simple. They have to maintain public security along the route and protect the military supplies from being robbed and stolen.
Therefore, they had to formulate a detailed escort plan according to the arrangements of the Chief Secretary and leave it to the local government for implementation.
Of course, they had to communicate with Jinling Dusi and ask the latter to dispatch troops to escort them if necessary.
Japanese pirates are raging in Jinling. They have their accomplices in many places, and there are also rebels from the White Lotus Sect who are secretly causing trouble. He Gujin's task is simple but arduous.
The ones who are really relaxed are the censors who patrol the yamen. They only need to strictly supervise and rectify corruption and favoritism.
As for the chief envoy Zheng Xianlin, while he was still reviewing the plans submitted by his subordinates, a personal entourage came to report that He Gujin was waiting at his house.
"What's he doing here again?"
Even though he asked this question, Zheng Xianlin did not delay. He finished handling the urgent matters at hand as soon as possible and hurried back home from the Yamen.
When I came to the living room, I saw He Gujin sitting high, holding a book and reading.
Hearing the footsteps outside, He Gujin put down his book and said, "Old Zheng, you are such a friend, you just made me wait for half an hour!"
Zheng Xianlin sat next to He Gujin and took off his official hat from his head: "The yamen is busy with affairs, I can't just ignore it!"
"Tell me, why did you come to me?"
He Gujin was not busy talking. After the maid who mixed the tea left, he spoke: "Old Zheng... Master Thirteen was punished today, which is shocking!"
"It's true!" Zheng Xian and Lin Yunqing took a sip of tea.
"Do you think... Master Thirteen is reliable?"
"What do you mean?"
He Gujin sighed and said: "Previously, that boy Jiayan, together with all the juniors, hosted a banquet for the Thirteenth Master. At the banquet, the Thirteenth Master promised that we would be safe afterwards!"
"But today, Master Thirteen has been severely punished. It seems that he doesn't have much face in front of the Holy One!"
After all, it was about wealth and life, so it was normal for He Gu Jin to have doubts.
Even his own son was beaten at will, and even beaten half to death. If the emperor pursues the case in the future, it will be even worse for officials like them.
Unexpectedly, Zheng Xianlin calmed down and said, "I think it is good news that the Thirteenth Master has been punished!"
"The fact that the board is lifted high and placed lightly shows that the Holy One still approves of that one!"
"Which one?"
Zheng Xianlin replied: "Isn't the imperial edict already clear? As long as the suppression of the Japanese is successful, there will be no further investigation!"
"Is there such a thing? Why didn't I hear it?"
Putting down the tea cup, Zheng Xianlin said impatiently: "I said, Lao He, please stop pretending to be stupid. The Holy One has already beaten the Thirteenth Master, so this matter is settled!"
Regarding the exemption of shortfalls, the imperial edict mentioned it very implicitly, which actually showed the emperor's attitude.
Everyone is smart, Zheng Xianlin doesn't believe that the old fox He Gujin can't figure it out.
Of course He Gujin could see it, but he always felt uneasy without discussing such an important matter with Zheng Xianlin.
In fact, today, he is not mainly here to ask about this.
"We have passed the Holy Emperor's test, but Master Six..."
The so-called sixth master is Prince Rui Zhu Jingyuan. The two of them had previously made false promises, but they had offended this master.
This was indeed a problem, and Zheng Xianlin also frowned.
"Is Master Thirteen reliable?" He Gujin asked this question again, but the meaning was completely different.
"What do you mean?"
"I can't tell!" He Gujin shook his head.
As for the prince Zhu Jingyuan, they have no hope at all.
After a moment of silence, Zheng Xianlin spoke: "The Thirteenth Master has a straightforward temperament, and such a person is loyal..."
Zhu Jinghong's words before being sentenced gave Zheng Xianlin the confidence to make this judgment.
"We will do what he wants, and he also said he would protect us. We can't just ignore him when something happens!"
Nodding, He Gujin didn't answer. He still felt uneasy.
"Jiayan has made friends with the Thirteenth Master. Now that the Thirteenth Master is injured, he can be allowed to visit the palace again and ask about his words!"
Hearing this, He Gujin couldn't hold it in any longer: "Old Zheng, why doesn't your third child go? This is not just my business!"
The most important thing is that these few dealings with Zhu Jinghong cost He Gujin a lot of money every time, which made He Gujin feel heartache.
Let's just say that when we rented out a hotel in Houhu, we paid several thousand taels of silver. This was the price of friendship for his envoy.
"My youngest is devoted to studying, but he is not good at..."
"Okay, okay, as long as you stay out of trouble, you can earn some money, right?" He Gujin waved his hand and didn't want to hear that nonsense.
"Are we still talking about money?"
He Gujin said angrily: "Nonsense, my money didn't just fall from the sky!"
