In the study room of Yu Mansion, the candlelight flickered.
After hearing what Yu Kang said, Yu Shiyue couldn't help but look a little disappointed. He thought Yu Kang had found some clues that could reverse the case, but he didn't expect that it was just such a small entanglement.
Again, this case itself is just a small case, so the details inside are not important. As long as the invasion of the land is true, then Zhu Ji and Yu Mian will not be able to escape their guilt.
Even if the case is false, as long as they intervene in the local government interrogation for no reason, it is not appropriate. It is just a difference in severity.
and……
"This matter is such a big deal now. How can the people involved in the case not be more frightened in their hearts? Naturally, the court will shirk each other. Is it any wonder?"
Yu Shiyue shook his head slightly and said happily.
After hearing this, Yu Kang hesitated a little, but continued.
"Uncle Yu Mingjian, you told me last time that I have investigated several doubtful points in this case. The results from the nearby villages are that Lu Fu has always had a good reputation in the village. Although he is a bit greedy for money, he is courageous. When I was very young, I never dared to do anything wrong or evil.”
"Later, I asked someone to go to the Daxing County Government Office to inquire about the master and the county magistrate. As a result, many clerks and officials in the government's evaluation of the master were just as they should be, and they had never heard of any bad deeds."
"On the other hand, the magistrate is usually a bit lazy, and many matters are handled by the master. Therefore, there are often people under him who cheat and play tricks. However, although that gentleman is lazy, he is also a talented person. He handles important matters. The people below have always been dedicated, and the affairs of the county are not well organized, but smooth..."
After listening to Yu Kang's narration, Yu Shiyue also frowned.
According to this statement, since Lu Fu and the so-called master are both honest and responsible people, why would such a thing happen?
"wrong!"
Yu Shiyue frowned, and after a moment, he seemed to suddenly think of something and said.
"You said that Master has always been responsible for his duties?"
"Yes, many people say so."
Yu Kang nodded, and seeing the change in Yu Shiyue's attitude, he couldn't help but become more serious.
Then, Yu Shiyue pondered for a moment and asked.
"Then you have found out where this master came to Daxing County, but did he come with the county magistrate Li Youde?"
This question is a bit strange, because generally speaking, the master is not an official in the yamen, but a staff member of the county magistrate, who helps the magistrate handle some daily affairs. Because of this, many local officials will have such staff. As for the source It is also very complicated, some are people from the same hometown and clan, some are down-and-out talented people, and so on.
However, because master masters do not hold official official positions, they are often transferred following the transfer of local officials and are considered confidants.
However, since Yu Kang went to investigate, he naturally paid attention to everything. After Yu Shiyue raised this point, he also noticed something was wrong and said.
"That's not true. It is said that this master just took office last year. He was a supervisor of the Imperial College before. He had been waiting for many years and never had a chance, so he was sent to Daxing County to be a master, which can be regarded as accumulating connections."
"Last year, when exactly? Whose path did you take?"
Yu Shiyue's brows frowned more and more, and his tone became a little hasty.
This question was too in-depth. After all, Yu Kang did not have an official status. To investigate these matters, he could only inquire among ordinary scribes and government officials. So after hesitating for a moment, he sighed and said.
"As for the time, it should be around the New Year's Day last year. As for the person who followed it, I really don't know. I just know that the magistrate valued the master very much. I think the person who recommended him to come here was either with the magistrate. Your Excellency has a good personal relationship, or he is a person of higher rank than the County Magistrate."
At this point, Yu Kang couldn't help but ask.
"Uncle Yu thinks, what's the problem with Master?"
Otherwise, Yu Shiyue would not be able to pay attention to this.
Hearing this, Yu Shiyue seemed a little hesitant, but looking at Yu Kanglue's eager eyes, he still pondered.
"According to what you said, this master and Lu Fu are both honest and responsible people. Regardless of whether they have real or fake power, what can be determined now is that the two colluded to occupy each other's fields. Among them, Whoever came up with this idea, I don’t know yet, but when I heard you talk about this master, I suddenly remembered a detail."
As he spoke, Yu Shiyue seemed to recall something, frowned and said.
"When King Yuqianxiang filed the complaint that day, I read the complaint. It said that after Xu Dayou was driven out of the Daxing County government office, he went to inquire why the county government's attitude changed. Later, I learned that it was Zhu Ji who was looking for Li Youde, the magistrate of the county, went to Shuntian Prefecture angrily to complain, prompting Yu Mian to intervene."
"Is there anything wrong with this?"
Yu Kang frowned and thought for a moment, but he couldn't get what he wanted, so he had to ask. After hearing this, Yu Shi said happily.
"Originally there was nothing wrong, but according to Li Youde, the information he originally asked someone to find out was from that master!"
As soon as this sentence came out, Yu Kang also reacted immediately.
"Uncle Yu means that this master deliberately wants to make things worse?"
The reason is very simple. Whether Lu Fu wants to invade the fields to please the master, or the master wants to please Zhu Ji and deliberately helps Lu Fu, this matter is against the rules after all.
If the county magistrate Li Youde finds out, he will definitely be punished. Therefore, logically speaking, the master should try his best to suppress the matter. It is best to delay it until Xu Dayou stops himself, and the matter will naturally be over.
But the problem is that it was this master who gave the news to Xu Dayou, which was obviously unreasonable.
After thinking about this section, Yu Kang became a little excited and said.
"In this case, it is very likely that the purpose of this master is to involve the Yu family. Uncle Yu, could it be that the person who recommended this master is planning this matter?"
Different from Yu Mian, Yu Kang's political vision is much higher. In addition, Yu Shiyue had told him before that this matter might be framed by someone behind the scenes. Therefore, Yu Kang immediately thought of the master's behind-the-scenes knowledge. Maybe someone ordered it.
Relatively speaking, Yu Shiyue was much calmer. After years of ups and downs in the court, he knew that the more times like this, the less anxious he should be. Seeing Yu Kang fidgeting, Yu Shiyue shook his head and poured cold water on him.
"It is indeed possible, but this is just speculation. This master is indeed suspicious, but he is only a master after all. This matter has caused such a big fuss. It is difficult to determine whether the county magistrate Li Youde knew about it before."
"In addition, there is Xu Dayou, who is not without suspicion. Since he knows that the master is behind this matter, then why did he still accuse Lu Fu instead of He? Will the master file a complaint together?"
"Furthermore, how did he meet Prince Xiang? Why was this royal vassal willing to lend a helping hand to an ordinary farmer? There are many doubts in this matter. You should not be blinded by Master's doubts alone."
As soon as these words came out, Yu Kang's eyes dimmed again.
He knew that Yu Shiyue was right. What he just said, that the master was instigated by others to make things worse, was just one of many possibilities without any substantive evidence.
If we only rely on such speculation, then there are too many possibilities. For example, Li Youde, the county magistrate, argued that he had no knowledge from beginning to end, but he was the chief official of the county after all. He might have made an oversight at the beginning, but later Xu Dayou sued the county government again, but he still dealt with it so simply and crudely. Did he really just believe the master's words? Could it be that the master was originally ordered by Li Youde?
And Xu Dayou, he met King Xiang for no reason, and he happened to have an grievance that was known to King Xiang, and he just happened to send it to the emperor. Could it be that from beginning to end, King Xiang was behind the scenes, for this reason? What about revenge on Qian?
All such speculations are possible. Without evidence, no one can determine what the truth behind it is. It is even difficult to decide which line to pursue.
At this thought, Yu Kang couldn't help but feel a sense of powerlessness. After all, he was not an official. He went to investigate by himself, but there were too few things that could be found...
At this time, Yu Shiyue also spoke thoughtfully, but what he said made Yu Kang even more disappointed.
"Don't investigate this case any further."
Hearing this, Yu Kang felt anxious and couldn't help shouting.
"Uncle Yu..."
However, as soon as he opened his mouth, Yu Shiyue raised his hand to stop him.
"I know you are worried about your father, but no matter whether there is any problem with this master, this case is no longer just a land invasion case. It involves a battle between the court and the government. You, a person without official status, are meddling in it. It’s too risky to come in.”
"Now that your father and Yu Mian have been arrested and imprisoned, I can't let you continue to be in danger."
"But……"
Yu Kang's expression was complicated, and he was still a little unwilling to give up.
Seeing this situation, Yu Shiyue's face darkened and he said.
"Have you forgotten what your father said to you when he was arrested?"
this……
Yu Kang lowered his head and stopped talking. After a moment, his face showed some struggle, but in the end he had no choice but to say.
"Uncle Yu, I understand."
So, Yu Shiyue sighed and said.
"Don't worry, your father is the Minister of the Ministry of War after all, nothing will happen to you. After you go back today, follow your father's instructions, guard the door, don't do anything more, and just wait for the news."
"Then... Sir Lao Cifu, please worry."
Yu Kang said goodbye quickly and left. Yu Shiyue sent someone to send him away, but he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He knew that today's attitude would definitely make Yu Kang feel resentful towards him, but that was all.
After thinking for a moment, he sat behind the desk and spread out a piece of rice paper in front of him. After hesitating for a long time, he picked up the pen and started to write something...
The next day, early morning.
This summer, for some reason, it rained more and more urgently than in previous years. When the sky dawned, the whole sky was covered with thick dark clouds. It is conceivable that there may be another heavy rain today.
After putting on their hats and raincoats, the ministers went outside the palace to prepare for the morning court as usual. Fortunately, before entering the palace, although the clouds were rolling, the raindrops did not fall.
But the strange thing is that just when the ministers had just stepped into the Wenhua Hall, it suddenly started pouring rain outside, and the crackling sound hit the eaves and steps, making people feel inexplicably throbbing.
Again, no matter how undercurrents are surging in the court, the daily morning court is usually uneventful, but there were a few major events in today's morning court.
The first thing was the Ministry of Personnel's plan. After several months of preparations, all aspects of preparation were finally completed. Wang Wen petitioned for an order on behalf of the Ministry of Personnel, officially kicking off the plan.
Of course, this matter has always been under the attention of both the government and the public, so everyone is roughly aware of the step it has taken. Now it is just progressing steadily and is not unexpected.
After the big plan, it was still the Ministry of Personnel. Last time the emperor issued an edict and ordered the Ministry of Personnel to compile a list of cabinet additions. The conditions for being able to enter the cabinet should be said to be very harsh, but no matter how harsh the conditions are, such a huge bureaucracy in the Ming Dynasty can always find someone to add to the cabinet. Out of this world.
Moreover, after Zhu Jian was transferred from the cabinet, after repeated discussions, the Ministry of Personnel finally had about twenty candidates left. After requesting the order, it was scheduled to be recommended ten days later.
Naturally, Yu Shiyue had seen the list a long time ago. Among these people, there were five ministers from the Six Departments. In addition, there were ministers from Taipu Temple and Honglu Temple, as well as the chief envoys and deputy censors outside the capital, mixed with a few The six ministers in Nanjing all have their own merits and prestige.
However, from Yu Shiyue's point of view, there are a few people who have the greatest hope. One of them is Yi Ming, a Hanlin scholar.
Not to mention that the Hanlin Academy has long had a tradition of joining the cabinet, but just speaking of the identity of this old man, a former minister of Prince Tan's Palace, who had experience in the local area, and is now the teacher of the princes and princesses, and also serves as Zuo Chunfang's bachelor of the East Palace. , from any point of view, joining the cabinet is enough.
The only shortcoming is that he did not enter the official position through the imperial examination, but was drafted and recommended to become an official. He may be criticized. However, if he can pass the imperial examination and enter the final list, even if he is a low-ranking candidate, , is enough to make up for this shortcoming.
Next is Luo Qi, the minister of Honglu Temple, who was the envoy who welcomed the Supreme Emperor last time. He is popular and has sufficient qualifications. Moreover, he has a good relationship with Jin Lian, the Minister of Punishment, and has a great chance.
Next is He Wenyuan, the Minister of Civil Affairs. Although this person is not strong in political management, he has a wide network of contacts and is good at dancing. This is an advantage in the imperial court.
Finally, there is Wang Hong, the deputy censor of the capital. Zuo Shunmen violently beat up Wang Zhen's party members. Many ministers in the court were very optimistic about him, but Yu Shiyue felt that there was little hope for him, for two reasons.
For one thing, Wang Hong's character is too upright and even a little irritable, which is suitable for Ke Dao, but it is a bit inappropriate for him to be placed in the cabinet.
Secondly, although he has a good reputation as a scholar, after all, he was just a job a few years ago. Although he traveled to the border and narrowly escaped death, his promotion to deputy capital censor was enough. He was promoted to the cabinet again. It's a little too fast.
Apart from these few, the remaining people also have hope, but from Yu Shiyue's point of view, they don't have much chance of winning. Those in the capital have a better chance of winning, but if the chief envoy and the chief envoy who are not in the capital are For other officials, the chances of winning are even slimmer, and they are almost certain to be accompanying them...
(End of chapter)
