Chen Yi asked about Lu Zhong, but not Lu Zhong.
A commander of the Jinyi Guards obviously does not have such great dignity in front of Chen Yi, who is the censor of Zuodu.
What he really wanted to ask was what Lu Zhong represented and what the emperor meant.
Seeing Chen Yi's insistent expression, Lu Zhong sighed.
In fact, the officials present were right in guessing that Lu Zhong had indeed come under the emperor's order.
This case has been going on for a long time, and it's actually already time for it to be closed.
It's just that I have been busy with the war some time ago and have no time to take care of this matter, so I have been putting it off.
As for now, of course it is because there is still one big fish left.
Wang Ji and Shi Pu are the finale.
Of course, it would be impossible for both of them to move. It would involve too much.
From Lu Zhong's perspective, if he had to choose one of the two, he would prefer Wang Ji.
It was not because of anything else, but simply because he was keenly aware that every time the emperor mentioned this person, his expression showed a bit of disgust.
But he also understood that Wang Ji's status among civil servants was not so easy to shake.
Moreover, Wang Ji was too cunning. Jin Yiwei searched for a long time but could not find any evidence that he and Wang Zhen had a private relationship.
Therefore, what he just said was just a temptation.
Since he was prepared, Lu Zhong naturally did not show any disappointment and spoke.
"What Mr. Zong Xian said is absolutely true. Now that the Miao thieves are in chaos in Yunnan and Guizhou, the war is at a critical moment. Mr. Wang Ji has been traveling to various places to supervise wars over the years. I think he has no friendship with Wang Zhen, but the other one is afraid of being involved. Not shallow, right?"
If you can't take down Wang Ji, it would be good to take down Shi Pu.
After all, this is one of the real Seven Qings!
Yu Shiyue secretly glanced at Chen Yi and saw that the latter had no expression, so he knew that this matter was over.
So Yu Shiyue asked.
"Since Commander Lu said this, he must have an idea. Can you elaborate?"
Since Lu Zhong mentioned this matter, he was naturally prepared and spoke immediately.
"This is natural. It can be considered a coincidence. In the previous episode, the commander was ordered to search the residence of Wang Zhen and his accomplices. Among the stolen goods, a copy of "Yan Zhenqing's self-report letter" written by Cai Junmo of the Northern Song Dynasty was seized. "Postscript".
"This object is not very rare in Wang Zhen's collection, but it is still a treasure. Therefore, Jin Yiwei sent someone to investigate."
"Later, the servants of Wang Zhen's Mansion identified this object and it was delivered to Wang Zhen's Mansion in person by Shi Pu, who was Shanxi Zuobu's political envoy in February of the 13th year of Zhengtong, when he returned to Beijing to report on his duties."
"Coincidentally, not long after, the former Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Wang Xin, had a conflict with Wang Zhen in the court. After taking office in April, Shi Pu was promoted and awarded the title of Minister of the Ministry of Industry."
Yu Shiyue pondered for a moment and asked.
"Commander Lu means that Shi Pu used Cai Xiang's calligraphy as a bribe to obtain the position of Minister of the Ministry of Industry from Wang Zhen? This seems a bit hasty!"
Among the literary styles of the past dynasties, the Song Dynasty was the most prosperous.
Su, Huang, Mi, and Cai are known as the Four Great Masters of the Song Dynasty. They specialize in calligraphy. Their surviving works are also very popular among literati.
"Yan Zhenqing's Self-Report and Postscript" is one of the few ink writings of Cai Xiang handed down from the four families.
Although Wang Zhen was just an ordinary county school teacher, he was still a scholar and loved calligraphy, painting and calligraphy.
However, it is a bit unbelievable that this piece of ink can be exchanged for the position of Qi Qing...
After all, although this ink mark is rare, it is not a priceless treasure.
If you want to convict a Qingqing, the evidence must be detailed and sufficient to withstand the questioning of the ministers of the dynasty.
It is difficult to convict based on such an ink mark alone.
After all, even if it is confirmed that this postscript was indeed sent to Wang Zhen by Shi Pu, it doesn't mean anything.
Ordinary literati and officials, if they have a good friendship, often give each other gifts of calligraphy and painting.
Officials who have reached the third rank or above will inevitably have to interact with some eunuchs in the government affairs of the court.
Giving each other gifts is normal.
Unless it can be proven that Shi Pu gave gifts to Wang Zhen in order to seek the position of Minister of the Ministry of Industry, such as letters and other evidence, the conviction can be truly convicted.
But obviously, Lu Zhong does not have these in his hands...
"What Yu Siqing said is not unreasonable. Based on this alone, it is naturally impossible to be sure. However, this commander is only talking about possibilities. The details still need to be investigated."
After pondering for a moment, Lu Zhong continued.
"However, if my commander remembers correctly, when a foreign official is transferred to the capital, if he does not excel in the evaluation, he will be demoted one level according to the system and be regarded as a level transfer."
"At that time, Shi Pu came to Beijing to report on his work. After a discussion with the officials, the evaluation given was above average, which was not up to the standard for promotion."
"I accept that the envoy of the Provincial Government is the second rank. If according to the usual practice, Shi Pu should be transferred to the rank of Sixth Minister of the Third Rank. If he has not achieved any merit, he will be promoted to minister. Isn't it different?"
When it comes to the judicial level, Yu Siqing is obviously more professional.
After listening to Lu Zhong's words, Yu Shiyue shook his head and said.
"This transfer is indeed not normal, but except for a few official selection rules that must not be violated in the transfer of officials, in general, the flexibility is relatively large."
"Commander Lu said that when a foreign official is transferred to a capital official position and is demoted one level, it is regarded as a level transfer. This is indeed the case, but this is the practice of the official department, not a canonical system. Those who are above the third rank should be appropriately upgraded depending on the situation. pull out."
"In terms of grades, the Prime Minister is admitted to the second rank, and the Minister of the Ministry of Industry is the second rank, and has not been promoted beyond the level. Although it has not been recommended by the court, there is a precedent for the emperor to promote the six ministers, so in terms of procedures ,There is no problem."
Saying that, Yu Shiyue glanced at Chen Yi, and the latter said.
"Indeed, when it comes to super promotion, Xiang Wenyao, who was promoted by the emperor a few days ago, is the real super promotion. However, as long as the iron rules of selection are not violated, Ke Dao Feng Xian will not interfere rashly. "
There are naturally certain rules for the promotion of officials in the Ming Dynasty, which are the so-called "iron rules for selection", but at the same time, the flexibility is relatively large.
In summary, the content of this ironclad rule is actually very simple.
First of all, the promotion and transfer of officials need to go through the Ministry of Personnel.
In other words, official positions are public instruments, not the private rights of the emperor. The emperor cannot directly appoint officials beyond the normal procedures of the Ministry of Personnel.
This so-called "passing on officials" will be collectively boycotted by the imperial court.
Secondly, under normal circumstances, if an official passes the examination and has no faults, he can be promoted or promoted. However, unless the assessment and evaluation are top-notch, he cannot be promoted beyond the next level.
This is why Yu Shiyue said that in terms of grade, there is no problem in the process of moving from the second grade to the second grade.
The so-called superiority of Beijing officials to foreign officials is a convention rather than a true imperial code.
Especially officials who have reached the third rank or above will be much less dependent on the staff.
Their promotion depends more on the game in the court, not just on their own political achievements.
Therefore, even if they knew that Shi Pu had given calligraphy and paintings to Wang Zhen, they also knew that there was something fishy about Shi Pu being promoted from being a political envoy in one place to being promoted to one of the Seven Qings.
However, these two points alone are not enough to conclude that there is an inevitable connection.
Again, if you want to impeach a Qingqing-level figure, it is not enough without a detailed and complete chain of evidence...
After listening to Yu Shiyue's explanation, Lu Zhong also frowned and said after a while.
"In other words, unless there is evidence to prove that the calligraphy and paintings Shi Pu gave to Wang Zhen were indeed for the purpose of seeking the position of minister, would they be able to sway a Qingqing?"
Yu Shiyue, Jiang Yuan and others looked at each other and nodded helplessly.
At this time, Lu Zhong also had a headache.
The emperor only asked Sansi to investigate Shi Pu, but he didn't say anything else.
This is not a difficult task, if you follow Jin Yiwei's style.
As long as you identify the right person, regardless of whether you are an important minister or not, if you are thrown into the imperial prison for half a month, no evidence can be turned into evidence.
But this time, the emperor had strict orders for him. The Jin Yiwei were only allowed to assist from the side, and were not allowed to arrest people without permission, let alone interrogate or torture them privately.
In this case, it is not that easy to convict.
The Jin Yiwei had already tortured the servants in Wang Zhen's Mansion, and no one knew what Shi Pu had discussed when he visited Wang Zhen's Mansion.
No witnesses or physical evidence could be found, and the Third Division was in charge.
What's more, involving such an important minister will definitely attract the attention of the whole court, so forgery will definitely not work.
None of the usual methods could be used, and Lu Zhong suddenly felt extremely troubled.
After thinking about it, he had no choice but to say.
"In any case, the emperor has summoned Shi Pu back to Beijing, and he is expected to arrive in the next two days. Even if he cannot be convicted, there will always be no problem if he is interrogated in court and cooperates with the investigation, right?"
As soon as these words came out, Yu Shiyue and others confirmed that Lu Zhong came under the instructions of the emperor.
Otherwise, how would he know that the emperor had summoned people back to Beijing?
Thinking again of the turbulent restructuring of craftsmen's households recently carried out by Zhang Min, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, these old men know it in their hearts.
The emperor is determined to take action on Shi Pu, the minister of the Ministry of Industry. Didn't he see that he is even ready for his successor?
The errands have been arranged, so the rest depends on whether the three departments can find evidence that Shi Pu bribed to get the official position...
But thinking of Qiqing's influence in the court, the elders had another headache.
In the current situation, we can only check other places first to see if there is any breakthrough.
…………
Qianqing Palace.
After lunch, Cheng Jing held a stack of memorials as usual and sent them to the emperor's case.
But now, in addition to the chamberlains who serve as usual, there is a special person in the palace.
Shu Liang!
It has to be said that Shu Liang today is different from the cautious and cautious person he was a few days ago. Just by wearing a bright red and gold python robe, you can see how high-spirited he is now.
Of course, in front of the emperor, he was still as respectful as ever.
When Cheng Jing came in, the newly appointed admiral of the East Factory was taking the cup from the hand of a chamberlain. While talking, he was doing the work of serving tea and water to the emperor.
Carefully placing the teacup in front of the emperor, Shu Liang turned around and held his hands in greeting as Cheng Jing walked in.
"I've met Manager Cheng."
I have to say that Shu Liang is a smart man.
Ever since I discovered that all the old people in Prince Xin's Mansion were accustomed to calling Cheng Jing "General Manager Cheng".
He also shouted, not feeling embarrassed at all.
As he spoke, Shu Liang stepped forward, took the pile of memorials from Cheng Jing's hand, and placed them on the case.
The whole process was as smooth as if it was all his responsibility.
That respectful look showed nothing of the iron-blooded methods he used in Dongchang these days.
Although Cheng Jing usually sits in the Supervisor of Ceremonies, he also has his own news channels.
After all, for someone who has reached his level, there are many people in the palace who are willing to serve him.
Therefore, he also heard a lot about the new factory owner's methods in the East Factory.
It is said that as soon as he took office, he borrowed 500 people from Jinyiwei and killed a hundred people who wanted to trip him up with a stick on the spot.
Then, he summoned seven or eight of his subordinate executioners to the room to have a secret conversation. No one knew what was said.
But after coming out, he threw three of them directly into Jinyiwei's prison.
Not only that, in the next four or five days, he acted even more resolutely, sending dozens of Dongchang's subordinates to prison together.
The methods used in the imperial prison, let alone these low-level households and officials, even the high officials of the imperial court had to shed their skins when entering.
No one knows what happened specifically except the people inside Jinyiwei and Shu Liang.
Anyway, according to the information Cheng Jing received, none of the people sent in Dongchang have come out yet.
Now, people in the palace secretly say that he is called the "Black-faced Factory Lord".
In just a few days, the eunuchs in the palace would subconsciously avoid Shu Liang when they saw him.
However, these have nothing to do with Cheng Jing.
The more powerful Shu Liang is, it only means that Cheng Jing, who recommended him, has better vision.
Seeing that the emperor and Shu Liang were still talking about something, Cheng Jing returned the favor with a wink and planned to withdraw and guard the door.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he took a step forward, he saw the emperor waving his hand and saying.
"There's nothing confidential that you can't hear. Just stay."
Cheng Jing stopped and stood behind the emperor.
Then, the emperor continued to turn to Shu Liang and asked.
"So, now you have complete control over Dongchang?"
Shu Liang glanced at Cheng Jing behind the emperor without any trace, feeling vaguely envious in his heart.
From just the small details, it can be seen that although he was entrusted to Dongchang, he was still some distance away from being a true confidant of the emperor.
At this thought, Shu Liang's small sense of satisfaction from conquering Dongchang disappeared without a trace.
It doesn't matter if they conquer Dongchang. Only the emperor's favor is the foundation for eunuchs like them to live in peace.
At this point, he still has a long way to go!
Shu Liang lowered his head respectfully and replied.
"Back to your lord, it's true. Eunuch Jin's discipline to them before was... too lax."
"Before I took over, Commander Lu carefully talked to me about the current situation in the East Factory. Only then did I know that there are people from all kinds of backgrounds in the Dongchang, and they have almost become a sieve."
"I thought that the emperor's order for me to supervise the East Factory would be of great use, so I simply sent all the people with unclear identities and malicious intentions to the prison for a trial."
"I dare not say that I have complete control now, but I always have some authority in front of the people below. Instructing them to do things for the emperor should not be a problem."
Zhu Qiyu took a sip of tea, glanced at Shu Liang who was still half-bent with a humble expression, smiled, and asked.
"You are very generous, and you are not afraid that Lu Zhong will see your jokes."
