When the two visitors saw Zeng Liang, they were not surprised. They just looked at each other and then smiled awkwardly: "Master Zeng, why are you here?"
Zeng Liang raised his sleeves and responded sternly: "As an official, I am responsible for the household affairs department. It is my duty to find out the flow of money and food. But you, on the other hand, are so sneaky, what a shame!"
The two of them were of humble status and did not want to offend him, so they apologized and said with a smile: "Don't blame me, sir. We didn't know that this was your distinguished guest, so I offended you. We hope you will forgive me."
After hearing this, Zeng Liang gradually stretched his eyebrows and sighed: "You two are officials of the imperial court after all, and it is related to the country's face. This scandal will be hidden for you. But you must remember that you are not allowed to ask for bribes in the future. .”
The two of them breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly said a few compliments, asked Zeng Liang and others to go ahead, and then left the house. When he reached the open space, Zeng Liang suddenly stopped, looked back at the two of them and said, "You and I didn't come all the way, and there was a quarrel just now. If the craftsmen and servants are suspicious of this and spread rumors, it may not be good for the government. Why not call everyone together to show peace?"
The two of them were convinced and shouted loudly to the crowd around them: "Everyone, everyone! Stop what you are doing, Mr. Zeng has something to say!"
The laborers were stunned for a while, then put down the boxes they were moving and timidly moved closer.
Seeing people coming from all directions, Zeng Liang shouted: "Fellow craftsmen! Have you seen these two masters of the Ministry of War clearly?"
Everyone was puzzled and only replied: "I see clearly."
"Hey, you two should come closer." Zeng Liang turned around and greeted the two of them. They didn't know the reason, and felt a little hesitant in their hearts. When they were about to ask, they felt as if their necks were suddenly held by something, and they couldn't lift their heads.
"You two are so shameless!" Zeng Liang's gentle expression turned extremely stern in an instant, pointing his finger at their foreheads, "To do things for the country, you openly ask for bribes from military manufacturers, where do you want to set the law! After I return to Beijing, , I must impeach you first, and then the traitor Ye!"
The two of them knew that they had fallen into the trap and saw that everyone was still dumbfounded, so they took the opportunity to break away, squeezed out of the human wall, and ran away quickly, unable to catch up.
At this time, the bearded man heard the noise, rushed out of the house, and asked what happened. He couldn't help sweating, and cried to Zeng Liang: "Master Zeng, you are really stupid! If you want to argue with Ye Dang, go elsewhere. Just fight, why bother getting involved with old age, I will never be able to get away with it!"
Zeng Liang said comfortingly: "Don't be afraid, I will have my own ideas after entering the court."
Cai Xianqing strode across the threshold of the Ministry of War gate, rudely knocked aside the clerk who was blocking the way, looked straight ahead, and arrived at Ye Yongjia's squad room.
"This happened suddenly..."
After hearing Cai Xianqing's report, Ye Yongjia lowered his head in thought and blinked his eyelids nervously.
"I didn't expect that Zeng Liang and that businessman also had an interest relationship..." Ye Yongjia motioned for him to sit down and said, "It's a shame that those two little officials have such bad character that the thieves took advantage of them. I'll fine them three first. Let’s talk about the monthly salary.”
Cai Xianqing said: "Most subordinate officials are greedy for money, so there is no reason to blame them. Now is not the time to use anger."
"I know, but I have no clue right now."
Cai Xianqing raised his eyes and said, "Those two people revealed some remarkable things, I don't know whether they are true or not."
Ye Yongjia's eyes widened: "Say!"
"Before they entered the house, they heard Zeng Liang and Fan Shang's conspiracy, saying that he had secretly taken tens of thousands of silver from the salt field and was going to let the latter pass it on to cover it up; they also said that they would split it in half after the transaction was completed. .”
Ye Yongjia gradually became more and more discerning as he listened, and said happily: "Okay! In this way, we won't be afraid of Zeng Liang's impeachment. It's better to strike first and report this matter to the emperor, so that the emperor can believe it more." us."
"No!" Cai Xianqing argued hard, "The information we have is not complete. Who knows how much the bearded businessman has revealed to him. If you attack rashly, you will only be controlled by others. There will be a court meeting tomorrow. Let's go and observe the situation. , it’s not too late to make a decision.”
Ye Yongjia thought: 'Lao Cai has always been prudent in his words, but he is too prudent and may be too timid to cope with all changes...' Therefore, he did not agree with it and summoned Cui Yi and others for further discussion.
Wan Yuzhi, Lu Tingci, and Ming Huiguang were intimidated by Xianqing's old age and position, so they did not dare to argue and only said what was right. Cui Yixin was arrogant and showed no fear, thinking: "Since Zeng Liang set up this situation, it must be We have discussed the plan with Chen Dang before we are willing to take risks; now if we do not hinder him, do not ask for changes, and let him act step by step, what room will we have left?" However, Xianqing refused to give in and argued with him until his face turned red. So much so that he banged the table and slapped the case; Cui Yi was forced by the situation and reluctantly apologized and agreed with his opinion.
Seeing that no one had any further objections, Ye Yongjia followed their plan with hesitation and ordered everyone to disperse and wait for tomorrow morning.
The hall bell rang. Before it rang for the second time, all the ministers of the court had arrived outside the door, waiting for the eunuch to open the palace door. However, after a while, there was still no movement at the palace gate, and the ministers started to shout:
"Hey, Eunuch Shen, the time has come, why don't you let us in?"
Shen Jing stood on the stone steps, stared at them coldly, and bowed to the sky: "Your Majesty has ordered that you are not allowed to enter the palace today."
"What kind of bell are you ringing?"
"Yes, yes!"
Shen Jing said calmly: "Your Majesty has only summoned the ministers of the six ministries and ministers of Zhongshu to come to see you. Please invite everyone else back."
"Isn't this morning?"
"Who told you it was an early morning court meeting?" Shen Jing said coldly, "The emperor has an urgent matter to deal with and cannot announce it to you yet!"
Inside the palace. Ye Yongjia and others shouted "Long live" several times and knelt down in front of the curtain, waiting for the emperor's message. But the emperor didn't say a word, and let their heads fall to the ground. He slowly lifted up a gilt incense burner, opened the cover gently, inserted two sticks of incense, then leaned back, closed it tightly and worked hard. He opened his eyes, took a deep breath of the fragrance, and then said slowly: "Everyone, please stand up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Everyone stood up immediately and glanced at the emperor's blurry figure with their peripheral vision.
"Go, show Prime Minister Su a chair," the emperor pointed at Su Zongshan, "He has been sick in his legs recently, let him rest."
Su Zongshan leaned over and held his legs, declining: "I just have a minor illness, nothing happened."
"Alas, this is wrong. I have always been considerate of ministers, so you cannot refuse."
Su Zongshan cupped his hands and said: "Since the Emperor said there is something important, I dare not neglect it. Please tell me about the so-called 'urgent business' first, and I can sit down later."
The emperor let out several gloomy laughs: "It seems that you still care about the country and the country. Chen Shangshu, please speak for me."
