There is a small two-entry house in Fangjia Hutong, Chongjiaofang, Andingmen. It looks simple and unpretentious, but the identity of its owner is very unusual.
The residence of Li Yuzhi, the Minister of Civil Affairs.
The Ministry of Personnel is one of the six ministries of the Ming Dynasty. It consists of the Ministry of Personnel, the Division of Fengshi, the Division of Honors, and the Division of Examination. It is responsible for the appointment and dismissal, examinations, promotions, honors, and transfers of civil servants all over the world. It is the real power department among the six ministries. , is also the most corrupt department in the hardest-hit area, and everyone knows the reason.
It was late at night. Li Yuzhi was sitting in the lobby looking at the dark courtyard in a daze. The tea beside him was no longer hot. The butler walked in cautiously. Master, it's too late. Maybe that person won't come. Get some rest early. You still need it tomorrow. It's morning.
Li Yuzhi withdrew his gaze, picked up the teacup, took a look at it, and then put it down. He would come.
In the evening, when Li Yuzhi was about to fall asleep, a fan from Dongchang came to tell him that the eunuch Chang Yu would come to visit later, which made him immediately feel restless.
Dongchang suddenly resurrected a few months ago and has been in constant action. Its leading eunuch became even more shocking. He single-handedly resisted hundreds of thousands of thieves and shattered their plan to attack the capital. Then he fought against the Qing army and traveled thousands of miles to defeat it and seek peace. Let the ruling and opposition parties feel proud.
With his impressive military achievements, even many people who were hostile to Dongchang couldn't help but praise him.
And Li Yuzhi is one of them. You must know that he and the eunuchs were incompatible with each other back then. Wei Zhongxian's threats and inducements were all in vain. It can be said that the stones in the cesspit are smelly and hard. Therefore, he was favored by Emperor Chongzhen and entrusted with important tasks!
But what does this little eunuch want to do when he comes to the door right after the battle?
Is it time to settle old scores in the family dispute? Because after Emperor Chongzhen overthrew Wei Zhongxian, it was Li Yuzhi who was responsible for ransacking the property and clearing out the stolen goods.
Or has a major case related to the Ministry of Personnel been discovered? Recently, the emperor ordered the three departments to join forces to investigate and combat corruption, and many high-ranking officials in the capital have been arrested.
When a crow comes to your door, it's never good.
"Master, Master, Dongchang, the people from Dongchang are here..." The concierge ran over in a panic. Li Yuzhi, who was in a daze in the lobby, stood up, straightened his appearance and scolded the concierge: "Why are you panicking?" and then strode forward Went out.
The watchdog in the alley barked non-stop, and outside the gate of Li's Mansion, several torches flashed, making dozens of figures look unsettling. It was too similar to the scene in the East Factory where someone came to pick someone up.
Li Yuzhi couldn't help but raise his eyebrows when he walked through the door, but soon his eyes fell on a smiling young man. He knew that this person must be the eunuch of Dongchang.
The reputation of the Great Eunuch of Dongchang is known to both the government and the public, but apart from the army, very few people have seen him in the capital or in the court. Few people even know his real name, because Chang Yu is too low-key. , as soon as he entered the capital, he disappeared behind the scenes and never showed his face.
Li Yuzhi didn't see it either, but he still recognized this eunuch of Dongchang who was a master of military skills and had great military exploits! I am also surprised that he is so young!
"What's the important thing, Mr. Factory Superintendent, coming to visit late at night?" Li Yuzhi said with a solemn face and clasped his fists, feeling a little uneasy in his heart.
"I heard that there is good tea in the house of the Minister, so I came here to ask for a cup." Chang Yu smiled and looked harmless, Li Yuzhi was startled, and quickly handed over his hands and said: "The coarse tea in the humble house is not as good as the palace. The factory governor does not mind the convenience." Yes, please!”
"You can't get what you asked for, so how can you say that you dislike it?" Chang Yu smiled slightly and walked into the palace with only one entourage. All the personal attendants behind him stayed outside the door. Li Yuzhi saw this and felt relieved, but he didn't know that this little eunuch was coming. What's going on?
The candlelight was swaying in the lobby and the fragrance of tea was lingering. Chang Yu took a sip and put it down gently and couldn't help but praise: "Taiping Houkui from Huangshan in Huizhou is such a good tea that is not even available in the imperial palace!"
The words were astonishing, and Li Yuzhi became pale: "The factory supervisor actually knows this type of tea. This is a niche tea gifted from a friend and few people in the north know about it. I never thought that the factory supervisor is actually a master of tea ceremony!"
You must know that although Taiping Houkui is a top-quality tea, its real fame was not until the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty. This fashion was unknown and only circulated in a small circle. Chang Yu said it in one sentence, how could he not make Li Yuzhi shocked? It wouldn't matter if he was an old man with a lot of knowledge, but he was a weak young man. He was really frightened in his heart. He could quell chaos when he left the capital, he could kill the enemy in battle, and he was just a tea friend when he returned to the city? This little eunuch is amazing.
"I can't speak to an expert. I only knew this was the best after drinking it with a friend." Chang Yu smiled slightly, and Li Yuzhi looked at Chang Yu with an ooh and became cautious again: "It's not okay for the factory supervisor to come here late at night." It’s really just for tea.”
"Then from the perspective of Lord Shangshu, why is this governor here?" Chang Yu smiled lightly and looked calm.
"Are you here to settle scores?" Li Yuzhi sneered: "I just don't know whether to settle old scores or settle new scores."
Chang Yu laughed loudly and suddenly asked: "Master Li, what do you think of this governor?"
Li Yuzhi was slightly startled and then shook his head: "It's all just rumors, no judgment, but the factory governor's great efforts turned the tide and defeated the Tatar army and retreated. This was witnessed by everyone in the court and the public, and the subordinates admired it very much."
Chang Yu exclaimed: "Does Master Shangshu think this governor is the kind of person who is bound to retaliate?"
Li Yuzhi's face suddenly darkened and he remained silent. Chang Yu smiled: "Master Shangshu, have you ever heard that this governor has retaliated against anyone because of the grudge between a court official and Dongchang since he took office?"
This... Li Yuzhi shook his head: "I've never heard of it."
"The eunuch is the eunuch, Dongchang is the Dongchang, Wei Zhongxian is Wei Zhongxian, and the governor is Chang Yu!" Chang Yu picked up the teacup and took a sip: "Do you understand, Mr. Li?"
Li Yuzhi understood. The little eunuch was not here to settle scores but to make friends!
Thinking about it carefully, although there were various criticisms of the young eunuch in the court at that time, such as taking power, bending the law, and corruption, they were just heard and ignored. On the contrary, the young eunuch never responded directly to these voices, and He also did many things that made people praise him, such as strictly investigating the private use of official weapons of nobles in the capital. This was a super offending thing. It shows his great courage, and of course he made many enemies.
But when Li Yuzhi and other honest officials came to see the joy of responsibility.
So when I think about it carefully, neither Dongchang nor this little eunuch has done anything to make anyone angry. My rejection of him is just a subconscious and innate hostility.
But why should he befriend himself? Li Yuzhi was a little confused.
"I have no intention of internal fighting or internal energy consumption. I just want to revive the glory of our Ming Dynasty." Chang Yu put down his tea cup and looked at Li Yuzhi sincerely: "I am willing to work with you to encourage each other!"
Um... Li Yuzhi was still confused.
"Tomorrow the emperor will promote a group of capable and loyal ministers, but some people will be envious, jealous, and will accuse and make irresponsible remarks. Mr. Li's attitude as the minister of the Ministry of Personnel is very important." Chang Yu finally spoke, and then took out his arms. Several letters were placed in front of Li Yuzhi.
It turned out that it was because of this that Li Yuzhi finally came to his senses. The emperor was going to have a fight with some people in the court. As a veteran of the four dynasties, Li Yuzhi was also an old man in the officialdom. He understood immediately. He reached for the letter in front of him and read it. He suddenly looked great. Change: "Created out of nothing. I'm an upright official and I'm not afraid of slanted shadows. But please ask the factory supervisor to investigate closely!"
It turned out that someone in the letter had secretly reported that Li Yuzhi had taken bribes, and the amount was huge and widely involved.
Chang Yu knew that Li Yuzhi had a clean reputation, but he knew even better that no one could withstand the investigation, but he had no intention of continuing the investigation.
Mr. Li, don't worry yet: "Let's take a look at the pictures at the back."
Li Yuzhi's face became more solemn when he saw it. It turned out to be the merit examination department under the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Si Xunsi. A serious corruption incident had occurred, involving several second- and third-ranking officials, and even a minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The personal and material evidence was conclusive!
"I believe Mr. Li is a man of integrity, but he should have been investigated out of suspicion, but the emperor did not allow the investigation. Moreover, even without this section, Mr. Li would still have to bear the responsibility if the official department was corrupt. I am afraid that I will no longer be able to hold the position of Minister. Once word spreads, your political opponents will not be able to miss it. Even if the emperor wants to protect you, they will not be able to protect you." Chang Yu seemed to be smiling but not smiling.
"Did the emperor ask you to come?" Li Yuzhi felt that he smelled something, but the little eunuch shook his head: "I came by myself, but when I talked about it in the evening, the emperor once said something to me: Li Yuzhi He is a veteran of the four dynasties and one of the few ministers who is completely loyal to the Ming Dynasty and to me!"
ah! Li Yuzhi couldn't sit still for a moment and stood up excitedly: "Did the Emperor really say that?"
"If not, why would I bother you late at night?" Chang Yu smiled slightly, but Li Yuzhi was still excited. You must know that for an eighty-year-old minister, this sentence is the greatest gratification and reward.
Although Emperor Chongzhen did not say this to Chang Yu, Li Yuzhi was indeed a loyal minister despite his change. Historically, after Emperor Chongzhen died, he went on a hunger strike for seven days and died!
"Master Li, in our Ming Dynasty, there are very few people who are willing to work hard and be loyal to the emperor. However, the emperor is not blind. He knows very well who is good and who is weak, so he tries his best to keep some capable officials and loyal ministers in useful positions. place, those useless vegetarian corpses who deserve to enjoy happiness should go back to their hometowns to enjoy happiness."
Li Yuzhi took a lot of effort to calm down a little, and asked tremblingly: "Who will the emperor mention tomorrow, and how can you ensure that they are loyal and responsible people?"
Chang Yu chuckled: "I just said that the emperor's heart is not blind, and the eyes of Dongchang and the governor are not blind." Then he took out a list and handed it to Li Yuzhi: "Master Shangshu, it's getting late, you should go to bed early. I will come back to you another day," he said, standing up and leaving with fists in his hands.
It was very late at night, Chang Yu closed his eyes and meditated on the carriage. Zhu Cixiang frowned and couldn't help but said: "Li Yuzhi regards Dongchang as his enemy. He is too old to be useful. Why not take the opportunity to get rid of him?"
"He is old and highly respected, and he is the most important person. He was loyal to the emperor and worked hard to death. More importantly, he is a cabinet minister and a minister of the Ministry of official affairs. Who will replace him?" Chang Yu smiled slightly and sighed. : "As long as he is defeated, the Emperor will have one more chance of winning, and at least he will be invincible!"
"Which one is next, Qiu Yu or Fang Yuegong?" Zhu Cixiang was very curious: "Is it also the one you mentioned, one with candy and one with a stick?"
Chang Yu shook his head: "When seeing a doctor, you need to prescribe the right medicine. It depends on what kind of medicine the patient likes to take. I'm afraid of the kind that doesn't have enough oil and salt."
"You mean Wu Zong?" Zhu Cixiang is also a smart person.
Chang Yu nodded slightly.
"Why don't you get rid of him?" Zhu Cixiang said fiercely, and Chang Yu couldn't help laughing: "Whoever gets rid of him will manage your vegetable garden. We can't learn from Wei Zhongxian and use all means to attack dissidents. Sometimes we have different opinions. Good thing!"
Zhu Cixi smiled and nodded.
