Qian Ning agreed: "Yes, Mr. Chang, silver notes are much harder to find than silver ingots. In the past, when we ransacked homes, we followed the old method of searching for 'eight treasures', searching for stolen silver in rows of five and ten."
"Now when we raid homes, we have to focus on torture and interrogation of the prisoner. Force the prisoner to confess where the banknotes are hidden."
"When you encounter an official who commits suicide out of fear of crime, it will be useless to confiscate his house!"
Chang Feng said: "There is no way. Everything is changing, and we have to change with it."
Chang Feng actually knew full well that the popularity of banknotes not only made it easier for corrupt officials to pay bribes. When Qian Ning ransacked his house, it was much more convenient for him to steal dirty money privately.
However, if the water is clear, there will be no fish, and if people observe it, there will be no disciples.
Qian Ning was his substitute. He cannot give up easily.
Besides, although Qian Ning is greedy, there is a limit to his greed. For example, if 10,000 taels of dirty silver were copied, he would withhold at most 3,500 taels.
Chang Feng ordered: "Everyone, in seven days the crown prince canonization ceremony will be held. Our Beizhen Fusi will be responsible for both the security and the guard of honor. There can be no mistakes in this matter!"
"Xu Guangzuo, you are responsible for the ceremonial guard and keep those big Han generals in high spirits. The other ceremonial guard equipment must be polished so that the figures can be reflected."
"Qian Ning, you are responsible for the security. You can discuss this matter with Governor Qian."
Xiao Jing is old and lacks energy. This year, he took the initiative to propose to Emperor Hongzhi that he should resign from his part-time job as the governor of the East Factory and take charge of the seal.
Chief Bing Qianneng replaced Xiao Jing as the governor of the East Factory and supervised the Jinyiwei.
Chang Feng had always been on good terms with Qian Neng, and Qian Neng became his immediate boss, making him even more comfortable among the factory guards.
Talking about Cao Cao, a beautiful woman has arrived.
Money can come in. Everyone quickly raised their hands and said, "I have seen the Governor."
Qian Neng said: "That's it. Everyone, get up. Chang Feng, have the guards and ceremonial guards for the crown prince's canonization ceremony been arranged?"
Chang Feng replied: "I'll report it to the Governor, everything has been arranged."
Qian Neng said with a smile: "I can rest assured that you are doing the work. Okay, everyone, please go and do your errands!"
After everyone left, Qian Neng said to Chang Feng worriedly: "Wang Butang, the official, has not been in good health recently."
Wang Shu, a fierce man from heaven, is seventy-seven years old. In the past two years, he has worked hard and exhausted his body. He no longer had the courage to beat up the Jin Yiwei at Fengtianmen.
Wang Shu used to hang up Qian Neng and beat him up in Yunnan. Qian Neng suffers from Stockholm Syndrome and regards Wang Shu as his best friend, respecting and fearing him.
Chang Feng said: "It's not that the emperor sent an imperial doctor."
Qian Neng complained: "What else do those losers from Tai Hospital do besides prescribing some mild licorice waste medicine?"
"I gave Wang Butang Tao a different prescription. It is said to be very effective. However, the medicine's primer does not look like eyeballs."
"Can you send a capable person to look for medicine along the Yangtze River?"
If you can hold the money, the wise minister Wang Shu will be interested. For the sake of Wang Shu's health, he did not hesitate to use the emperor's domestic slaves to go out to the capital to find medicine.
Chang Feng said: "I will send Deputy Qianhu Shi Wenyi! Shi Wenyi has always been capable in his work. He will definitely be able to retrieve the medicine guide as soon as possible."
Qian Neng nodded: "Also, I heard that a few mediocre officials who were eliminated by Wang Butang had slanderous remarks about him?"
Chang Feng replied: "Our eyes and ears have detected five or six."
Qian Neng sneered: "The emperor is lenient and strictly ordered our factory guards not to kill people easily. Otherwise, I would have squeezed out the yolks of those people and fed them to flies!"
"Send some capable men and beat them up secretly! Remember, you must slap them twenty times in front and back!"
"Laobu Tang Wang has worked hard for our Ming Dynasty and is exhausted. How dare they spread rumors and slander! They turned against them!"
Chang Feng raised his hand and said, "My subordinates will definitely handle this matter."
Qian Neng said with a smile: "Okay. I'm going back to Dongchang first! Oh, by the way, I'm going to have a rest tomorrow. Remember to ask your old Taishan to go to my outer house to do some hemp hanging."
Liu Bingyi was promoted to Zuo Shilang of the Nanjing Ministry of Rites two years ago, but he has been sick and has not fulfilled his duties. He and Qian Neng played together and were a perfect match.
Chang Feng had a troubled expression: "Master Du, your card skills are amazing. I have to ask my old Taishan to bring more money. I'm afraid I'll be killed by you again this time!"
Qian Neng smiled from ear to ear: "You are the only one who can talk, you little brat!"
Inside Kunning Palace.
A group of ladies were presenting congratulatory gifts to Queen Zhang for the eldest son's canonization as crown prince.
Mrs. Cheng Guogong opened a box, and inside was a string of pearls. The pearls were crystal clear, and they looked like rare treasures at first glance.
Mrs. Chengguo Gong smiled and said: "Queen, this string of pearls was captured by Zhu Neng, the ancestor of my concubine's family, when he conquered Annan."
"Originally, the ancestors did not dare to keep such over-the-counter items privately, so they paid tribute to Yingtian."
"But Emperor Taizong was extra gracious and gave the pearl to the ancestor."
"Only such a precious treasure is worthy of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
Although Zhu Houzhao has not yet been registered as a prince. But the ladies still called him "His Royal Highness." It was already confirmed that they were trying to please Queen Zhang by saying this.
Queen Zhang nodded slightly and said politely: "Thank you for taking the trouble."
The wife of Ye Qi, the Minister of Household Affairs, took out a set of characters with a hundred years of longevity. Each character "Shou" uses different writing methods.
Mrs. Ye said: "Empress, my husband has written the word "hundred life" for a hundred days. Every time he writes the word "longevity", I have to recite the "Sutra of Increasing Fortune and Longevity" all night long."
"Today, the word "hundred years of life" is finally completed. It is dedicated to His Royal Highness. May His Royal Highness be blessed and live long and prosperous lives."
Empress Zhang still said politely: "Well, you have taken the trouble, put it away."
The married women either presented rare treasures or gifts with profound meanings.
It's Liu Xiaoyan's turn. Liu Xiaoyan was a little embarrassed. The gifts she prepared were too much to handle.
Liu Xiaoyan opened a brocade box. Inside the brocade box was a child's bellyband: "Empress, this is the bellyband sewn by my concubine."
Unexpectedly, Queen Zhang found a treasure!
Empress Zhang quickly ordered Li Guang, who was standing at the side: "Hurry up and get it to me."
Li Guang took the brocade box and brought it to Queen Zhang.
Empress Zhang stroked her bellyband with her hand, her eyes narrowed into a thin line with a smile: "Sister-in-law's red hair is so exquisite. This bellyband is so beautifully embroidered."
"I remember that when your family was strong for a hundred days, I also gave him a bellyband embroidered by myself."
"Li Guang, Zhao'er is taking a nap in the back hall. Give your bellyband to the slaves in the back hall, and ask them to put it on as soon as Zhao'er wakes up."
Li Guang took the brocade box containing his bellyband and took the order and left.
Empress Zhang smiled and said: "Today you all presented gifts with great friendship. But I must say that the most valuable gift among all the gifts is the bellyband given by Chang Gongren."
Now Chang Feng is a fourth-grade military attache, and Liu Xiaoyan is a fourth-grade imperial minister, following her husband's rank.
All the ladies looked enviously at Liu Xiaoyan.
Many people are jealous: Hey, the rare treasures we have selected with great effort are not as good as the bellyband that Chang Gongren embroidered casually.
The Empress treats this sworn sister with great favor!
In the harem, apart from Queen Zhang, there were no other concubines. Queen Zhang was very lonely and always regarded Liu Xiaoyan as her biological sister.
Liu Xiaoyan said humbly: "The Queen is overly praised. It's just a common thing, and I can't get rid of it."
Queen Zhang said: "The gift is not about the importance. It is about friendship. The gift from the sworn sister means to me that friendship is stronger than gold and more pure than jade."
"Your husband is an important minister of the emperor. When Zhao'er and your family grow up, we will continue the good story of king and minister getting to know each other!"
"Zhao'er is still young. When he leaves the palace to study, let Zhuangzhuang enter the palace to be his companion!"
The emperor has a golden mouth and jade teeth, and so does the queen. These few words from Queen Zhang directly gave Chang Ponu a future that was beyond that of his peers!
The prince will be the emperor in the future! The prince's childhood companion will definitely become a general in the future!
The title of companion is an honorary title that is not considered an official position, but it has a greater future than the number one scholar on the gold list.
Liu Xiaoyan quickly knelt down and kowtowed: "I take the place of the little dog, and I would like to thank the Queen for your kindness."
The eyes of all the ladies were green with envy and jealousy!
Seven days later, the crown prince ceremony was successfully concluded. Zhu Houzhao, who had just turned one year old, officially became the crown prince of Ming Dynasty.
The largest player in Ming Dynasty is officially online.
Morning next day.
Chang Feng, as usual, holding a wat board, followed the military attache class to Fengtianmen.
Emperor Hongzhi took his seat and the morning court began.
Emperor Hongzhi said: "Liu Qing."
Liu Ji left the office: "I'm here."
Emperor Hongzhi said: "Now Zhao'er has become the prince. The Zhang family has contributed a lot. If the Zhang family had not raised a virtuous and virtuous queen, how could I have a smart prince?"
"Now Zhang Luan, the father-in-law of the country, has been granted the title of Marquis of Shouning. The two uncles of the country do not have titles."
"I have decided to make Zhang Heling the Shouning Bo and Zhang Yanling the Jianchang Bo."
Emperor Hongzhi really had nothing to say to the Zhang family, he was so doting on them.
Liu Ji, the old man of Mianmian Pavilion, has always prided himself on being able to speak out and dare to give advice in the past two years. Because Emperor Hongzhi liked ministers who could speak out and dare to give advice. What is good at the top will be bad at the bottom.
After hearing what Emperor Hongzhi said, Liu Ji actually said: "Your Majesty, you must not!"
Emperor Hongzhi frowned: "Oh? Why not?"
Liu Ji said: "The children of the Queen Mother's family have not yet been knighted. You should first knight the children of the Queen Mother's family, and then the children of the Queen's family."
After hearing this, Chang Feng in the military attache class thought to himself: Liu Mianhua, Liu Mianhua, you are getting more confused as you get older!
Do you think you are able to speak out and dare to remonstrate? You are looking for death!
The emperor is kind and kind. If it is about other political matters, you can have a loud argument with the emperor in front of all the civil and military officials.
The Zhang family is the only one who is untouchable to the emperor!
Emperor Hongzhi stared at Liu Ji and remained silent.
Liu Ji made the biggest mistake in his life! It doesn't matter if you pretend to be able to speak out and dare to remonstrate. Why are you touching the tiger's butt?
Emperor Hongzhi has been on the throne for six years and has firmly taken the throne. The reputation of the wise king and holy master spreads all over the world.
He no longer needs a substitute to take the blame for him. Because no one will scold him.
Emperor Hongzhi thought: Liu Ji, Liu Ji, you have been in the position of chief minister for six years. It’s time to give up the chairs and let those who are truly capable sit on them.
Thinking of this, Emperor Hongzhi said calmly: "Oh, let's discuss this later."
After the dynasty ended, Xiao Jing quickly chased Chang Feng.
Xiao Jing said: "The envoy of Changzhen is staying here. The emperor has summoned you."
Chang Feng followed Xiao Jing to the main hall of Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Hongzhi was looking through the "Records of Xianzong" that Li Dongyang was responsible for compiling and had just completed.
Chang Feng knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, Chang Feng, kowtow to the Emperor."
Emperor Hongzhi did not raise his head and only said: "Is there a private partner of the chief minister among the Jinyi Guards?"
Chang Feng replied: "Yes. I understand. I will do it now."
Emperor Hongzhi raised his head and looked at Chang Feng with a smile: "What do you understand?"
Chang Feng responded tactfully: "The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead. If the waves in front don't recede, how can the waves behind reveal their majesty? Your Majesty asked me to give Liu Shoufu a warning."
Emperor Hongzhi sighed: "Changfeng, Changfeng, you are like a roundworm in my belly now."
Chang Feng smiled secretly in his heart: Your Majesty, what you said is not a good thing. It's like I'm eating your feces in your belly every day.
Emperor Hongzhi said: "That's all. You go and do the work. I want a result within two or three days."
Chang Feng returned to Jinyiwei and immediately entered the stall.
He ordered Qianhu, the senior deputy in charge of the stalls: "Find out all the private files of Chief Assistant Liu Ji."
Senior Vice-President Qianhu asked: "Master Chang, which year are you looking for?"
Chang Feng replied: "All."
Senior Deputy Qianhu said: "Master Chang, you have to wait for a while. Liu Ji has too many private files!"
All mistakes made by officials are recorded in private files.
Liu Mianhua is obviously not an upright and wise official. His private files actually totaled twenty volumes. Stacked one person high.
Others are famous for their works, but Liu Ji is famous for his bad deeds.
It took Senior Deputy Qianhu a long time to find Liu Ji's private files.
That night.
Sixty-six-year-old Liu Ji is sitting in his study. He had some regrets.
I don't know what happened to him this morning, but he really thought of himself as a remonstrator. In a fit of enthusiasm, he actually opposed Emperor Hongzhi's decision to confer the title of uncle to his two uncles.
Liu Ji rubbed his temples and said to himself: "Why don't you change your story tomorrow morning? Just say that the two uncles have made outstanding contributions during their service in Jinyiwei and deserve to be granted the title of uncle."
Liu Mianhua's face was as thick as the walls of Deshengmen. He does things that go back on his word without any psychological burden.
At this moment, the housekeeper reported: "Sir, Chang Feng, the governor of Beizhen, wants to see you."
Liu Ji's expression changed: "Qian Ning didn't follow, did he?"
Beijing officials now have a consensus. I'm not afraid that the Jin Yiwei will come to my door, but I'm afraid that among the Jin Yiwei who comes to my door is Qian Ning.
It's definitely not good for Qian Ning to come to visit.
The steward replied: "Chief Changzhen came alone."
Liu Ji breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay. I'll go to the living room to meet him."
Not long after, Liu Ji came to the living room.
Liu Ji smiled and said: "The envoy from Changzhen is a rare guest. Come on, let's serve some good tea."
Chang Feng cupped his hands and said, "I have met Mr. Liu Ge."
Liu Ji said: "Quickly, don't be polite. We are old acquaintances and have been friends for many years, so there is no need to be polite."
Liu Ji found a wooden box next to Chang Feng.
He thought to himself: Could it be that Chang Feng wanted something from me and came to give me a gift? cough! This Tiehanhan. Don’t you know that today’s gifts given in official circles are all banknotes?
What was he doing carrying such a big box?
Chang Feng saw Liu Ji's eyes resting on the wooden box and said, "I came to your house today because I have a gift for Mr. Liu Ge."
Liu Ji smiled and said: "We are the best. If you want me to do something, just ask. Why be so vulgar? If the box is filled with silver, you can carry it back quickly."
Chang Feng opened the wooden box.
Liu Ji was puzzled. I saw that the wooden box was filled with books.
He thought to himself: Is it an orphan book? cough. On the surface, I like solitary books, which are just for show. Appear to be elegant and knowledgeable.
What I really like is silver!
Chang Feng said: "Mr. Liu Ge, please take a look."
After speaking, he picked up a booklet and handed it to Liu Ji.
After Liu Ji opened it, his eyes were as wide as bells!
He walked to the wooden box and carefully read each book.
Then he said: "Is this the official private file recorded by Jin Yiwei?"
Chang Feng nodded: "Exactly."
Liu Jidao: "You Jin Yiwei are really powerful. You even know that when I was twelve years old, I was spying on the widow next door taking a bath, and the widow found out. The widow took advantage of the situation and asked me to sleep with her?"
"How did you find out?"
Chang Feng smiled slightly: "Jin Yiwei always collects the secrets of hundreds of officials carefully. Especially important cabinet ministers like Mr. Liu Ge."
"The widow has been dead for many years. But there are still some of your neighbors who have lived a long life and are still alive. Just go and inquire about them."
Among Liu Ji's private files, there are cases of accepting bribes, using despicable means to eliminate dissidents, and currying favor with Concubine Wan Gui. This is basically all the dirty information he has collected since he became an official!
Liu Ji asked: "What do you mean by bringing me your private files tonight?"
Chang Feng said: "If I remember correctly, you have been a Jinshi for thirteen years. You have been an official for forty-four years."
"During your term of office, you worked hard and became sick due to overwork. You were exhausted and became weak and sickly."
"Why don't you hand over the instructions for returning home in old age and retiring to your hometown? The Emperor will see your past achievements and will treat you favorably, allowing you to return to your hometown in fine clothes and recuperate in your old age."
Liu Ji asked Chang Feng: "I didn't offend you, did I?"
Chang Feng reminded Liu Ji: "You have never offended Xiaguan. Xiaguan is only in the fourth rank. Even if you have the courage to swallow heaven, you would not dare to threaten Kui to become an official."
Liu Ji sat down on the chair in despair: "I understand. It's the emperor's wish, right?"
Changfeng responded silently. Silence is the default.
Liu Ji asked: "Is there no room for maneuver?"
Chang Feng advised Liu Ji: "Mr. Liu Ge, you have been the chief minister for six years. You have already mastered the overwhelming power, and you have no regrets in this life. Why covet the chair of the chief minister of the cabinet and make yourself unhappy?"
"I said a few words that went too far. If you write a memorial to resign tonight, I will leave these private documents to you and burn them."
"If you covet the chair of the cabinet chief and refuse to resign, these private documents will spread throughout Gyeonggi Province within a day!"
"By then, not only will you not be able to keep your official title, but you will also be ruined. Why bother?"
This is already a clear threat.
Liu Ji looked up to the sky and sighed: "Alas! The leaves have fallen and returned to their roots, and the clothes and clothes have returned to their hometown. It is not a bad thing."
Chang Feng smiled and said: "That's right! Just leave some things alone. I'll grind them for you. You can write your resignation memorial now!"
According to historical records: In the fifth year, the emperor wanted to confer the title of earl to his younger brother, so he ordered Ji to write a imperial edict. Ji said that he could only confer the title on the children of the second empress dowager's family. The emperor was displeased and sent his ministers to his home, whereupon he ordered him to become an official, and then he retired.
Emperor Hongzhi was quite kind to Liu Ji. It is expected that Liu Ji will use the post station and horses when he returns to his hometown. Retain original salary and support.
Power is the most precious elixir in the world.
From ancient times to the present, when officials take office, even those in their seventies or eighties are in high spirits and their eyes are like torches.
Once they lose their official position, they immediately become decrepit, showing signs of aging and suffering from diseases.
That's the case with Liu Ji.
He died of illness in his hometown of Boye County the second year after he lost his official position.
Emperor Hongzhi was kind to this substitute, and sent his internal officials to worship him. He also gave him the title of "Grand Master" and the posthumous title of "Wen Mu".
The most shameless Ge Lao in the Chenghua and Hongzhi dynasties ended his life in the history books.
(End of chapter)
