[Read the latest chapter] Even so, Wang Daochun is still a hidden danger, so Lu Yuanlao has another task: to remove all the people who may be detrimental to Sun Yuanhua and the northward detachment.
In the fierce urban defense battle, it is normal for senior officers who are on the front line to die in action. During the Laizhou Defense Battle, Xu Congzhi was killed by artillery fire. Among the several special reconnaissance members of the Laizhou detachment, they were responsible for this secret mission. snipers, and carry out necessary "targeted killings" at any time depending on the situation.
The red fragments of firecrackers were scattered all over the ground, trampled by people and horses, and soon became part of the black mud on the street. Although the years have been bad in recent years, natural disasters, military turmoil, banditry, and Eastern invaders... There is bad news coming from all directions. After all, it is still spring weather, and Beijing is the most prosperous place in the capital. The market is still very lively. These days are the Lantern Festival, and the streets are full of people and the bustling scene of ladies and gentlemen is just full. The local refugees and beggars gave this scene of the Lantern Festival a dark color.
Leng Ningyun was sitting in a sedan chair and was returning to the shop outside the front door. These days, he has been busy visiting guests, including business partners and running around on missions - his financial expansion plan has temporarily paused.
It is no longer very difficult to ensure that Sun Yuanhua does not die - Sun Yuanhua escaped from trouble in time and cleared away the suspicion of rebellion. But judging from the current situation, it is still quite difficult to keep his official position.
After Sun Yuanhua became the governor of Denglai, according to the practice of the late Ming Dynasty officialdom, as long as an official reaches a certain level or is a high-ranking official in a party, his official reputation will plummet. There are always constant impeachment posts to expose this person as a heinous villain. Every little thing will be magnified to the extreme. Freedom of speech has reached an unprecedented height. From cabinet bachelors to expatriate officials, there is no one who is not criticized. Chongzhen, who was so scolded by everyone, had all the shortcomings of his character, but the constant noise from the outside world did seriously affect his judgment.
To maintain an unshakable opinion of a certain person in the midst of noisy scoldings, only Yang Sichang could do this, and Hong Chengchou was one of them. However, in the end, he hastily sent troops to aid Jinzhou. It cannot but be said that he was afraid of the influence of "public opinion" from the ruling and opposition parties. The emperor's element is included
In the end, it can be said that during the Chongzhen Dynasty, all ministers who had the slightest ability and dared to serve were basically ruined by this weird "freedom of speech" atmosphere.
When Leng Ningyun received training at the "Farm", it was repeatedly emphasized that he should pay attention to the "public opinion" of the officials - not only could it influence the emperor's judgment, but it could also create a strong atmosphere of party unity and opposition in the court, so that dissenters would not hesitate. Dare to speak
The most frightening thing is that the "Three Views of Righteousness" often occupies the commanding heights of public opinion. Even the emperor can hardly refute Qingliu's public opinion, and even controls the government to a certain extent, resulting in the tragedy of the Ming Dynasty.
In the end, Emperor Chongzhen would rather sit back and wait for death in Beijing than move the capital to Nanjing - even the prince did not dare to send him away secretly, thus losing the last chance to back up. It must be said that the clear flow of public opinion caused by these three correct views
"You talk about serving the country and the people, but you are actually full of righteousness, male thieves, and female prostitutes." Leng Ningyun is a person who knows the subsequent historical development trend. He knows that these civil servants in the late Ming Dynasty, who spoke of surprisingly righteous views, spent many nights together. It’s no secret that many people have become domestic slaves with three surnames. Looking at their current faces, I feel extremely unbearable.
Leng Ningyun just went to visit an important person - this person's status is not high or even very low: a domestic slave but a well-known figure in the capital. Many officials in the court even obeyed him when they saw him. He said "Mr. Beishan"
But this house slave is not an ordinary person. Even Eunuch Yang, whom Leng Ningyun always thought was awesome, was polite to him when he saw him. He was even too polite.
This person is the domestic slave of Zhang Yixian, the eunuch and eunuch in charge of rituals in the palace.
Starting from the fourth year of Chongzhen, the originally abolished practice of sending internal eunuchs to supervise the army was restored. The power of the eunuchs in the palace began to rise again. Zhang Yixian, who was in charge of the eunuch of the ceremony, was currently the most popular. Because he was proficient in planning and talented in economics, the emperor ordered him to have access to the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Industry. He also set up an official office for him, the "Prime Minister of Household Workers", with the authority to be like the governor of a foreign official. Everyone in the capital said that this was as old as nine thousand years old. Tu Wenfu was the same when he was in power. This has caused great controversy in the DPRK and China since the end of last year. In particular, officials from the original household and the Second Ministry of Work were all ashamed of being subordinates of eunuchs, so they all went to court to express their opinions that this matter should not be done.
However, Leng Ningyun knew that the civil servants could not change the emperor's wishes in this matter, so he accepted Wu Kaidi's suggestion without hesitation and followed Zhang Yixian's path through Eunuch Yang.
Zhang Yixian is a popular figure in the palace, and now he is the prime minister of household workers. Not only does he have a high status, but he is also very busy with affairs. Not to mention Leng Ningyun, it is not easy to see a businessman or a great eunuch like Eunuch Yang who is on the edge of the core of palace power.
Fortunately, power is used to seek rent. This has been the case since ancient times. Since I have no time or energy, I naturally have a group of confidants to handle these things on my behalf. "Mr. Beishan" is Zhang Yixian's domestic slave who specializes in handling such matters.
It's not that Leng Ningyun has not considered going to Xu Guangqi, Zhou Yanru and others directly, but his identity is rather embarrassing. Moreover, among the cabinet ministers, Zhou Yanru and Xu Guangqi both support Sun Yuanhua. Xu Guangqi's son and Sun Yuanhua are related to each other, and Zhou Yan Ru was the one who personally supported Sun Yuanhua as governor, and received a large number of mink fur and gold beads as gifts from Sun Yuanhua. Sun Yuanhua himself had already sent people to walk around them. He didn't need to spend too much thought on finding a way. It was better to help him secretly. good
In contrast, it was more convenient for him to be a eunuch. After Eunuch Yang heard his request, although he looked surprised, he did not refuse. After seeing the precious gift, he pondered for a moment and sent a messenger. The little eunuch took him to see little Eunuch Yang
Little Eunuch Yang took him to the residence of "Mr. Beishan" again. The scale of Mr. Beishan's residence was very impressive - it was not inferior to Eunuch Yang's residence. The concierge was full of people waiting to see him. There were all kinds of people, including the official Leng Ningyun, who had to sit on the cold bench for almost an hour before being received. Judging from the envious eyes of others, it must be thanks to the two Eunuchs Yang that he could see people in an hour.
Leng Ningyun continued his main work in Beijing: kowtow and send money. After presenting a batch of rare "Australian treasures", "Mr. Beishan" listened to his request and then politely served tea to the guests.
Although people have seen it and spent money, Leng Ningyun has no idea whether it will have any effect. Although the "Australian treasures" presented as gifts are not rare in Lingao, in Daming, these treasures are almost the same. It was worth three thousand taels of silver, which was a huge sum of money in the Ming Dynasty. When Zhou Yanru returned to the cabinet, the funds for his activities in the court were only ten thousand taels of silver.
Using "precious goods" worth three thousand taels of silver to help Sun Yuan protect his official title is not a small investment. If he can't do it, even though he is acting under orders, he will end up with the impression of "not doing things well".
"What do you think about this matter?" Although Leng Ningyun wanted to reduce his dependence on Wukaidi, he still couldn't help but ask him, who was waiting in the sedan chair.
Wu Kaidi was silent for a moment and said: "It's always between five and five."
"So low?" Leng Ningyun has always felt that things that are not 80% sure are basically impossible to do.
"The master wants to protect Sun Huodong," Wu Kaidi said in a low voice, "It's not enough to support an internal minister, the court also needs to take care of it."
"I know what I'm asking is, will Prime Minister Zhang help me with this?"
"Don't worry, sir. Since Mr. Beishan accepted your post and accepted the gift note, it means that Zhang Nei has no taboos about this matter - otherwise, I'm afraid you won't even be able to see Mr. Beishan."
"So, Prime Minister Zhang agreed?"
"Whether he agrees or not, he has to look at the next step," Wu Kaidi said in a low voice.
This doesn't mean nothing has been finalized, Leng Ningyun thought, but he also knew that taking Zhang Yixian's path can only go so far. The next step is to find other ways.
Leng Ningyun's sedan returned to the Beijing branch of Delong Bank outside the front door. It was originally a pawnshop. After it was converted into a bank, it still maintained its original layout. However, the screen wall with the big word "Dang" written in front of the door has been removed. There is a large gold plaque hanging on it, which reads "Delong Bank". Below it is a three-bay facade. Only the middle bay is open. You can see the stone counter and iron fence inside. If you get closer, you can hear the faint sound. Abacus and Talking Sounds A glass skylight is installed on the roof, so the whole bank is brightly lit, but there are fences everywhere: including the ceiling, there are iron fences to ensure safety.
Seven or eight clerks are busy behind the counter. This is the store of Delong Beijing Branch. The business in the store is very simple: deposits and withdrawals, joint number exchanges and small loans. The business volume is not large, but the profits are relatively stable and can handle everything of the bank. There is a small courtyard next to the sales counter dedicated to receiving richer and more prestigious customers.
On weekdays, Leng Ningyun would always go to the store first when he came back from the outside to see if there was any problem. But he had no intention of doing that today. He ordered the bearer to carry the sedan directly from the side door next to the bank gate to the moon cave door of the inner house. I took my confidants and immediately entered the inner study room that specializes in handling confidential matters. To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my biggest motivation)
