Half an hour later, Zhang Ruitu and Shao Fuzhong came to Gu Bingqian's mansion hand in hand.
Zhang Ruitu is from Jinjiang, Fujian, Shao Fuzhong is from Ningbo, Zhejiang, and Gu Bingqian is from Kunshan County, Suzhou Prefecture, South Zhili.
Among them, Shao Fuzhong was the representative figure of the Zhejiang Party in the court, while Gu Bingqian and Zhang Ruitu were both eunuchs who had previously attached themselves to Wei Zhongxian, so the two of them were closest to each other.
In the course of several rounds of cleaning up, several people were not liquidated because their evil deeds had not yet been revealed, and they remained in high positions.
In this way, each of the three people has a large number of officials and gentry vassals around them. Although they are not prominent in the court, their strength cannot be underestimated.
Such three important cabinet ministers gathered together tonight.
Gu Bingqian felt unhappy. Although he was dissatisfied with the reforms presided over by Huang Xiao, he was the most vacillating person. As long as he could continue to maintain power, he was not intolerant. But if the gathering of the three of them was exposed by someone with ulterior motives, it would be a disaster. pieces.
However, he couldn't say anything and invited the two of them to the study.
After the three of them were seated and tea was served, the servants left.
Gu Bingqian got straight to the point, "The two cabinet ministers came here overnight, but they have something to discuss?"
Zhang Ruitu said: "Self-heating is something, and it is a matter that affects the long-term fortune of our family. It is also a major matter that affects the lives and fortunes of countless people."
"Oh, I'd like to hear the details." Gu Bingqian's face remained calm and he responded lightly.
Zhang Ruitu let out a long sigh and said: "The chief assistant must not be careless. You must know that you and I are currently the two fish that have slipped through the net in the court. We have clung to eunuchs in the past, and everyone in the court knows it.
The wise king can know the past and the future, so why don't he know it? It's just that he can't trigger it at the moment. When the wise king frees up his hands, you and I will die soon! "
Gu Bingqian's face changed color and he was silent. He looked at Shao Fuzhong with a smile on his face again.
"Shao Ge Lao is the leader of the Zhejiang Party, and he and the Eunuch Party are at odds with each other. Unexpectedly, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise."
As he spoke, he let out a long sigh: "I made a mistake in my errands, so that I have been burdened with an infamy that is difficult to wash away. Now it is hard to recover. I am over seventy years old and am about to die. It is time to go to the grave. As for the family, I’m afraid I can’t take into account the interests, I really envy Mr. Shao Ge!”
Shao Fuzhong secretly scolded this old guy for being cunning. What he said about dying people and not caring about the family were all lies. It was just because he was present and he had some scruples.
"The chief minister was joking. Although the eunuchs and I were at odds with each other in the past, the eunuchs became more powerful and I had no choice but to fall into the trap. It's just not that obvious. In fact, we are all the same."
Shao Fuzhong felt very bitter when he said this. He joined the Fruit Army in 1949! You can imagine the depression in my heart!
He was a Jinshi in the thirty-third year of Wanli (1605), and was in the same class as Ye Xianggao.
He was first appointed as the Prime Minister of Shuntian Prefecture and tried to impeach Wang Wenyan of the Donglin Party, but failed and offended the Donglin Party.
Later, he attached himself to the Township Party (Zhejiang Party), and in the 43rd year of Wanli, he was appointed as a doctor in the Ministry of Industry. During his tenure, he impeached the cabinet minister Li Sancai for being "a traitor that appears to be loyal and a fraud that appears to be honest." He listed him as "corruption, hypocrisy, danger, "The four major crimes".
As a result, he became famous and emerged among the Zhejiang Party.
Later, when the Eunuch Party had not yet become powerful, Shao Fuzhong led Sun Jie of the Zhejiang Party to seek "anonymous list", establish a large prison, and attack each other with the Donglin Party members!
Later, Wei Zhongxian ascended to the throne with Emperor Tianqi's tacit approval. The eunuch party was powerful. The Zhejiang party led by Shao Fuzhong was faced with enemies on both sides. On the recommendation of Xu Dahua, he was appointed to Wei Zhongxian. At the beginning of this year, he was given the title of Minister of the Ministry of War and was given to the crown prince as Taibao!
Later, after Li Chunye became the Minister of the Ministry of War, Wei Zhongxian transferred Shao Fuzhong to the Minister of the Ministry of Hubu and merged him into the cabinet!
This alliance and investment seemed extremely successful at the time. After all, he became the head of the Ministry of Finance and successfully entered the cabinet, and his power was greatly consolidated.
Who would have known that Huang Xiao would come out of nowhere and wipe out the eunuchs in one fell swoop. Even the leader Wei Zhongxian became Huang Xiao's number one licker.
He must praise his virtuous ministers as he says, and flatter them to the utmost.
He also took measures to separate himself from everyone and gave Huang Xiao all the crucial account books and other secrets.
Although the three people were not too implicated in the last recovery.
That's just because at their level, they no longer need to use money to deal with Wei Zhongxian.
And all Wei Zhongxian needs is their power in the court.
However, Huang Xiao's grasp of these secrets is always a hidden worry.
Gu Bingqian hummed: "That's it."
Naturally, he knew all this, but he would not express his position. After all, it was Zhang Ruitu and Shao Fuzhong who came to the door.
Zhang Ruitu became impatient.
Gu Bingqian's lukewarm attitude was obviously watching the fire from the other side and staying out of the matter. He just wanted to tell the truth to himself and Shao Fuzhong first.
Zhang Ruitu said: "Chief Assistant, do you know why Zuo Guangdou and Yang Lian reacted so fiercely? They rejected all the issues raised by us!"
Gu Bingqian twisted his beard and said: "I think the two deputy censors support the wise king wholeheartedly. After all, they both got nearly full marks in the final examination of the government affairs class, and Yang Lian was lucky enough to ride on the mythical beast Fire Phoenix, and the holy pet is the highest among the ministers. Only one person! And Zuo Guangdou’s master and disciple are all highly valued by the wise king, so it is normal for them to give him a peach and repay him with a plum."
Zhang Ruitu snorted: "If that's all, why would Mr. Shao Ge and I stay overnight?"
"As far as I know, after Zuo Guangdou received a letter from Shi Kefa from Tianjin Wei yesterday, he got drunk with Yang Lian. At that time, the two met at Cuiyun Tower next to the former residence of King Xian on Dongsi Pailou Street. Free drinks on the top floor.”
Gu Bingqian said: "Climb high and drink. The two censors are very elegant, but what's the matter with Tianjin Guards? Why didn't I hear about it?"
Zhang Ruitu felt depressed and shook his head without answering.
Shao Fuzhong said: "Tianjin Wei is fine, but we are. Mr. Gu may not know that Cuiyun Tower is our property."
Gu Bingqian's heart moved. He was also curious as to why Zuo Guangdou and Yang Lian were so drunk but still remained calm.
He smiled and said: "It turns out to be Mr. Shao Ge's property. I didn't expect it! It's really a good place to make money every day. Mr. Shao Ge kept it secret and admired it."
Shao Fuzhong picked up the tea and took a sip, and his heart calmed down. Anyway, this matter did not involve him alone. Gu Bingqian should not panic, and I, Shao, should also calm down.
He put down the tea cup and said calmly: "The chief minister has received the award. Very few people know that Cuiyun Tower is my property. It is normal for adults not to know.
Making money in Cuiyun Tower is one thing, but it is also extremely well-informed when it comes to detecting information. Especially since I have arrangements in several luxurious rooms on the top floor, I can know a lot of secret information. "
Gu Bingqian's face changed, and he sat upright. Finally he couldn't help it, and asked: "May I ask Mr. Shao Ge, what did the two censors talk about, so that the two ministers came to the house together?"
Shao Fuzhong didn't answer but asked instead: "I wonder what Mr. Shofu thinks of the Xian Wang's Secret Conference?"
