From Chang Feng's perspective, the two assistant ministers Liu Jian and Xie Qian were busy fighting for power all day long.
actually not.
To use an inappropriate analogy - the patient's eyes are full of bacteria.
Sitting in the position of the head shopkeeper of Jinyiwei, Chang Feng was exposed to all kinds of things. His dealings with Liu Jian and Xie Qian were all side-party confrontations.
The judges will naturally have the illusion that Liu and Xie are not doing serious business and are engaging in intrigues every day.
In fact, in addition to playing tricks, these two men indulged their family members in making money, and instigated their disciples to seize power. They also did many other good things that benefited the country and the people.
Everyone has a black and white side. Hongzhi's reputation as the first three gentlemen and the last three gentlemen is not in vain.
If they do not have great political talents, and if they do not provide great favors to the people during their tenure, they will not be able to serve in the cabinet for more than ten years.
In the eighteenth year of Hongzhi, it was midsummer in August.
After Chen Qing, Chang Feng, and Xu Chen reported the incident, Liu Jian and Xie Qian found that Chang Feng was too difficult to deal with, and his methods were even dirtier than their civil servants.
In addition, the new emperor has ascended the throne, the government affairs are complicated, and the cabinet is very busy. They don't have the energy to target Changfeng and Bahu all day long.
So in the past two months, Liu Jian, Xie Qian, Chang Feng, and Bahu had almost kept their relationship intact.
On this day, Chang Mansion.
Chang Feng was giving You Jingwu an important errand - seeing off his bride.
Chang Feng said: "Jingwu, your brother Ponu is currently inspecting the salt affairs at the Sanshan Island Salt Farm in Laizhou, Shandong. You will bring a hundred strong men to escort Miss Li to get married. We will set off within two days."
"Remember, you must be careful on the road. There are thieves in Shandong, especially Laizhou. That place not only produces salt, but also gold. There are a large number of gold bandits in the area."
"If something goes wrong with Miss Li, it will not be a family matter that will involve the relationship between Jin Yiwei and the second minister of the cabinet. Someone will take the opportunity to make an issue."
"Mao Ji, the lecturer, is from Laizhou. He told me that all Laizhou people have faces like roses and minds like the sea. In my opinion, unruly people come out of poor mountains and rivers. We have to be on guard against them."
You Jingwu said: "Father, you can rest assured. Shandong Bing Bei Dao served in Fujian more than ten years ago and has a relationship with my father. If he enters the Shandong ground, at worst I will ask him to help and send the guards to escort him. "
Chang Feng waved his hands repeatedly: "Don't use the guards' troops. It is taboo for the Jinyi Guards to transfer the guards' troops to conduct private affairs. There are people in the court watching us like black-eyed chickens."
Madam Ninth came over and poured tea for Chang Feng: "Sir, please take it easy. Our adopted son is smart, capable, and highly skilled in martial arts. All of the hundred warriors in royal robes are tall and mighty."
"They also brought fifty firecrackers. Who dares to attack them?"
"Furthermore, since ancient times, officials and bandits have been one family. Whether thieves or gold bandits, they only bully the poor and at most kidnap the rich. I'm afraid they don't even dare to rob the daughter of the county magistrate. What's more, the daughter of the cabinet minister's family is escorted Or Jin Yiwei."
Mrs. Ninth's words relieved Chang Feng: "I was too cautious."
Then Chang Feng told You Jingwu: "We escorted Miss Li's family to Laizhou, and you rushed back immediately. You are now a minister in Wei and the envoy of Beizhen. You can't stay out for a long time."
You Jingwu nodded: "Don't worry, foster father, we can only come and go for a month at most."
At this time, Wang Shouren came to visit.
Chang Feng smiled and said: "Brother Shouren, your father has just been promoted to the left minister of the Ministry of Rites. I am a thorn in the side of most civil servants. I am afraid of causing trouble to your father when I go to congratulate you. Please don't blame me."
Wang Shouren said: "Brother Chang, what are you talking about? I have nothing to do today, so I came to your house to beat the autumn wind."
Chang Feng and Wang Shouren are considered close friends. Chang Feng quickly asked his servants to prepare food and drinks.
The wine is good, but the dishes are light, all seasonal side dishes.
After a few cups of wine, Wang Shouren sighed: "Recently, the Ministry of War received a border security policy from Shaanxi Yang Yiqing. President Yang is really an outstanding border official."
In every dynasty, new emperors have to promote a group of people after they ascend the throne.
Because Yang Yiqing did not look good to the audience, he managed Ma Zheng in Shaanxi for six full years during the Hongzhi Dynasty without being promoted.
After Emperor Zhengde came to the throne, things changed for him and he was promoted to "General Controller of Military Affairs of Shaanxi and other places, Left Deputy Capital Censor". That is, Shaanxi General System.
The general system is equivalent to the governor-general in terms of functions and powers.
Yang Yiqing became a serious feudal official.
He received this leap-forward promotion not because Emperor Zhengde appreciated his talents. But because Yang Yiqing has a good friend-Zhang Yong, who ranks second among the Eight Tigers.
Although Zhang Yong was a eunuch, he was in charge of the imperial horse eunuch and was the "strong man Zhang" who led the troops. He has a very good relationship with Yang Yiqing, the civilian leader who leads the army. The two admire each other.
It was Zhang Yong who spoke for Yang Yiqing in front of Emperor Zhengde, and Lao Yang was able to turn around and was promoted to the general administration.
It can be seen from this that if you want to have a bright future in life, it is not enough to have great talent, learning and real ability. You also need to have someone as a friend who can say the key words at critical moments.
However, Yang Yiqing was marginalized by the civil service group because of Zhang Yong's recommendation. Civil servants despised him for "relying on eunuchs for promotion" and "eunuchs".
Yang Yiqing didn't pay much attention to these rumors: If I want to realize my life ideal of stabilizing the frontier and protecting the people, I must get a high position as a frontier minister.
You cabinet ministers and ministers will not speak to me in front of the emperor. Are you still not allowing Eunuch Zhang to speak for me?
If you say I am an eunuch, just say so. I am open-minded and have no regrets in my heart.
Wang Shouren mentioned Yang Yiqing. Chang Feng became interested: "Oh? What security measures did he take?"
Wang Shouren has already memorized Yang Yiqing's Anbian policy. He told Chang Feng the general content.
The memorial of thousands of words can be summed up very simply: requesting the imperial court to allocate funds to build border walls and forts in the Hetao, and at the same time establish military villages (to engage in large-scale production movements).
This is similar to the "Eight Strategies of Shouren in the Northwest" in the twelfth year of Hongzhi. The difference is that Yang Yiqing's border policies are more detailed and specific.
Yang Yiqing has a brilliant literary talent and clearly explains the situation in the northwest in his policy summary. It explains the necessity of building border walls, hoarding forts, and establishing military camps with reasonable evidence.
After Chang Feng heard this, he sighed: "Yang Yiqing can be called Wang Yue on a trumpet scale. He is really capable of managing borders. It's a pity."
Wang Shouren asked: "What's the pity?"
Chang Feng said: "Unfortunately, this policy will never pass with the cabinet. If the cabinet does not give a vote, even if the emperor wants to allocate money to Lao Yang, it will be in vain."
Wang Shouren was a smart man and he understood immediately: "Yes. President Yang was recommended by Eunuch Zhang. The cabinet is in the same boat as the Eight Tigers."
"Alas, party strife is harming the country!"
Chang Feng and Wang Shouren underestimated Liu, Li, and Xie in the cabinet.
Cabinet value. The last three gentlemen were discussing Yang Yiqing's policy of Anbian.
Liu Jiandao: "Don't think Yang Yiqing is an eunuch. His policy of peace and security is a mature way of seeking the country."
Xie Qian nodded: "Yang Yiqing is ugly in appearance and not very good in character. He is a high-ranking scholar, but he actually took refuge in the eunuch and relied on the eunuch to seek promotion. However, in terms of talent, he is indeed worthy of being a minister in the border area."
"Our cabinet must support his border security policy. If his suggestions are implemented, the Hetao will not be invaded by northern invaders for at least the next twenty years."
Li Dongyang said: "He wants the court to allocate him five hundred thousand taels of silver. In my opinion, our cabinet must do our best to get this money for him."
"As long as the river is in the hands of the imperial court, our Ming Dynasty border army can get ten thousand good horses every year. If we calculate the long-term calculation, if we give him half a million, we can earn one million or two million for the imperial court."
Liu Jiandao: "What Binzhi said is absolutely true. His suggestions are beneficial to the country, the border army, and the border people. If we don't support him, won't the three of us become the paper-thin three pavilions of the Chenghua Dynasty?"
"Although the Ministry of Revenue has a big deficit and money is tight, we cannot save money to stabilize the frontier fortress!"
The three cabinet ministers have unified opinions. Yang Yiqing wants money, give it! Support the series of border security strategies proposed by Yang Yiqing!
Xie Qian changed the topic: "But then again, Yang Yiqing has really lost the face of a scholar! He actually hooked up with an eunuch!"
Liu Jian agreed: "That's right. Relying on eunuchs to slander the emperor and seek high positions. Isn't this what a gentleman does?"
Li Dongyang said: "Yang Yiqing's actions have indeed ruined the scholarly atmosphere."
Xie Qian said: "This guy's character is worrying."
The three of them scolded Yang Yiqing as a turtle bastard during the check-in period.
But when it’s time to scold, we still need to support.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Liu, Li, and Xie are more white than black in history books, and are praised more than criticized.
At noon the next day, under a big willow tree in the imperial garden on the outskirts of Beijing.
Emperor Zhengde, dressed in military uniform, leaned against a willow tree and looked at Yang Yiqing's memorial.
In the Hongzhi Dynasty, the emperor should go to the noon court at this time.
Emperor Zhengde has recently made compromises with the civil servant group. He took a step back and no longer missed the morning court. The civil service group must also take a step back and cancel the noon court specially established by the late emperor.
Emperor Zhengde went to court every day, and like a joyful eagle, he rushed to the imperial garden to ride and shoot to his heart's content.
But Emperor Zhengde definitely did not deal with government affairs. He just didn't want to sit in front of the Dragon Case in Qianqing Palace and review memorials.
Under the big willow tree in the imperial garden was his fixed place to read memorials.
In front of Emperor Zhengde, Bahu and Jiang Bin sat on the ground, surrounding him.
Emperor Zhengde didn't like those vain etiquette. He ordered Bahu and Jiang Bin to ride horses side by side with him and sit under the trees with him in the imperial garden.
Emperor Zhengde read Yang Yiqing's policy and handed it over to Jiang Bin: "Your Majesty, you are a military general. What do you think of Yang Yiqing's suggestions?"
Emperor Zhengde had just adopted Jiang Bin as his adopted son, so he called him "the emperor's son".
Among the emperors of the Ming Dynasty, Taizu was the one who liked to recognize his adopted son the most. Grandfather Taizu had twenty-one adopted sons in his life.
Emperor Zhengde recognized his adopted son and was following the example of Taizu. He hoped to become a promising king like Taizu.
Previously, Emperor Zhengde appointed Jiang Bin as the commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu. The cabinet hopes Jiang Bin can leave the capital and has no objection.
Who would have thought that Jiang Bin had put up a sign as General Soldier at the Ministry of War, got a commission, and an official seal, but he didn't take up the post at all. Emperor Zhengde still let him stay with him.
Jiang Bin carefully read Yang Yiqing's Anbian Ce Shu. After reading it, he sighed: "I only wish I had no chance to serve under President Yang."
Emperor Zhengde asked: "Oh? How do you say it?"
Jiang Bin said: "The purpose of this strategy is to protect the Loop. Building border walls, hoarding forts, and building military garrison are the means. I have served in Jiubian for many years. I know that the most effective means to resist the northern invaders are border walls and garrison garrison." Fort!"
"What Mr. Yang said is true to every word."
Emperor Zhengde thought thoughtfully: "I think this policy is quite reasonable."
Zhang Yong is Yang Yiqing's best friend. Naturally, I have to speak for my best friend. Zhang Yongdao: "Your Majesty, Yang Yiqing is a good minister of the country. His suggestions are all good strategies for stabilizing the country."
"The three gentlemen of the cabinet had a rift with Yang Yiqing, but this time they supported his border security policy. This shows how correct his strategies are."
After speaking, Zhang Yong looked around at the other seven tigers.
Gu Dayong, Qiu Ju and others all agreed and spoke well of Yang Yiqing in front of Emperor Zhengde.
Strangely, Liu Jin remained silent.
Emperor Zhengde was moved by them. He stood up and said, "Didn't Yang Yiqing ask me for five hundred thousand taels of silver? I can't do it this time! Give him eight hundred thousand taels!"
"Within two years, I want him to build a 600-mile border wall! Fifty forts! Open up 100,000 acres of military forts!"
"In addition, a decree was sent to the Ministry of Officials to grant Yang Yiqing the rank of Zide Doctor!"
"As long as he manages Shaanxi well for me and guards the river. If he wants money, I will give him money. If he wants things, I will give them things. If he wants soldiers, I will give them soldiers. If he wants an official position, I will give him an official position."
Zhang Yong praised: "You don't trust people when you employ them, and you don't use people who doubt you. Your Majesty really has the style of the ancient wise kings!"
Gu Dayong, Qiu Ju, Wei Bin and others all agreed.
Liu Jin showed a disorganized side at this moment.
He thought to himself: I am the leader of the Eight Tigers! Why did you, Zhang Yong, take over your place today? Leading Gu Da to praise Yang Yiqing with them?
Even if our Eight Tigers want to help Yang Yiqing, it's up to me, Liu Jin, to take the lead and help! A snake cannot do without a head. It’s time to figure out who among the Eight Tigers is in charge!
For the first time, the cabinet and seven powerful officials unanimously supported Yang Yiqing's border security policy.
But Liu Jin made up her mind to do something bad this time!
In the evening, Emperor Zhengde returned to the palace.
Emperor Zhengde first went to Cining Palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Zhang.
Empress Dowager Zhang showed displeasure: "Zhao'er, the Ai family heard that you went wild in the imperial garden for another day today?"
Emperor Zhengde remained silent.
Since the death of Emperor Hongzhi, Empress Dowager Zhang has become a widow and has become a chatterbox: "Zhao'er, the king of a country should put state affairs first. How can he be obsessed with entertainment and neglect government affairs?"
"The late emperor was a diligent monarch. You must learn from the late emperor!"
Emperor Zhengde's ears almost became calluses when he heard these words. He muttered: "I'm not just having fun in the Royal Garden. I'm also dealing with government affairs."
Empress Dowager Zhang said angrily: "That's nonsense. How should we handle government affairs in the Royal Garden?"
Emperor Zhengde stopped talking. He retorted one sentence to Queen Mother Zhang, and Queen Mother Zhang could repay him ten words.
After scolding Emperor Zhengde, Empress Dowager Zhang said: "Your Aunt Xiaoyan has entered the palace today. She said that in two days, people from Jinyiwei will escort the daughter of Li Dongyang's family to Laizhou, Shandong, to marry Ponu."
Emperor Zhengde said: "Going to get married in another place? I didn't understand the Chang and Li families. I sent Chang Ponu to Beijing to inspect salt, which delayed his marriage."
Emperor Zhengde hoped to see the Chang and Li families complete their political marriage as soon as possible.
In the imagination of the fifteen-year-old Emperor Zhengde, he would abandon Liu Jian and Xie Qian, but would keep Li Dongyang in the cabinet.
After coming out of Cining Palace, Emperor Zhengde returned to Qianqing Palace accompanied by Liu Jin.
In the evening, Liu Jin waited on Emperor Zhengde to rest.
Liu Jin suddenly said: "What Yang Yiqing played seems inappropriate."
Emperor Zhengde frowned: "Oh? What's wrong?"
Liu Jin replied: "The purpose of protecting the Loop is right. But the method should not be to build the border wall."
Emperor Zhengde became interested: "Oh? It is said that Zhang Yong knows the most about military affairs in the palace. Liu Daban'er has also been involved in military affairs recently?"
Liu Jin said: "Back to the emperor, I don't understand military affairs. But I know a little bit about history books."
"Throughout history, most emperors repaired the walls of the Great Wall. But there were three emperors who could be called geniuses who did not build the walls of the Great Wall."
"One is Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, one is Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and the other is me, Emperor Taizong of the Ming Dynasty."
"Without exception, these three are all promising monarchs who swept across the grassland and defeated the northern captives so that they did not dare to look south!"
"Only the weak build border walls to defend themselves. The truly strong, such as Emperor Taizong, will personally march, lead troops deep into the grasslands, and sweep across the northern barbarians. The northern barbarians will not dare to covet it."
"It is said that the Great Wall is ten thousand miles long. But in the Song Dynasty, the Great Wall did not block the Jin people's iron hoofs! Weak people like Qin and Hui Zong also became prisoners of the Jin people."
"Your Majesty, you are only fifteen years old. In a few years, you will become a promising monarch like Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and Emperor Taizong of the Ming Dynasty."
"When the time comes, you will lead our Ming army across the grassland. How dare the Tatars go south to invade? Even if the border wall is built, it will be in vain. It will only be a waste of silver!"
Liu Jin began to make the same mistakes that most eunuchs in history would make: making slanderous remarks and disturbing national policies.
His purpose in doing this was simply to suppress Zhang Yong's limelight by targeting Yang Yiqing.
Liu Jin understood Emperor Zhengde's character very well. His well-founded slander spoke to the heart of Emperor Zhengde.
Emperor Zhengde sat on the dragon couch and meditated for a long time. Then he said: "What the eldest companion said is absolutely true! Only a weak monarch who is content with the status quo will place his hopes of defending his territory on the wall of the Great Wall."
Emperor Zhengde was bypassed by Liu Jin!
He didn't want to think about whether the Ming Dynasty's military strength today could be compared with that of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and Emperor Taizong of the Ming Dynasty.
Even if you, Emperor Zhengde, want to reorganize the military and bring the military strength of the Ming Dynasty to a higher level, that will only happen in the future.
At present, the best and most direct way to secure the border is to build the border wall.
Liu Jin said: "In my opinion, since the cabinet, Zhang Yong and others all support Yang Yiqing's border security policy, you cannot reject Yang Yiqing's suggestion. But you cannot completely agree with it."
"The border wall still needs to be built. But it won't be hundreds of miles. Building forty miles will be enough."
Emperor Zhengde said: "Okay, just do as Liu Daban'er said. Just let Yang Yiqing build the forty-mile border wall! Sooner or later, I will have to personally conquer and restore the glory of Emperor Taizong."
"When the day comes when I lead the Ming army across the grassland, won't the construction of hundreds of miles of border walls be in vain? Won't hundreds of thousands of silver be wasted in vain?"
Liu Jin smiled and said: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Yang Yiqing's good suggestion was messed up by Liu Jin. Tonight, Liu Jin revealed his traitorous nature.
Three days later, Jinyiwei Changfeng came to check the room.
Zhang Yong walked in angrily: "Master Chang, take good care of your old nephew!"
Chang Feng was confused: "Did Liu Jin offend Eunuch Zhang?"
Zhang Yong said angrily: "It doesn't matter if he offends me! He interferes with the imperial court's plan to stabilize the frontier fortress. It will be infamy for thousands of years!"
Chang Feng poured a cup of tea for Zhang Yong: "Eunuch Zhang, what is going on?"
Zhang Yongdao: "You know about Yang Yiqing's An Bian Ce, right?"
Chang Feng nodded: "I know. I also heard that the cabinet and the father-in-law in the palace support his Anbian policy."
Zhang Yongdao: "The emperor has already expressed his intention to give Yang Yiqing 800,000 taels of silver to build a 600-mile border wall."
"Today, the emperor changed his mind. He only gave Yang Yiqing 50,000 taels of silver to build a forty-mile wall."
Chang Feng frowned: "This is equivalent to the Emperor rejecting Yang Yiqing's suggestion in a different way! What's going on? Could it be that the elders are instigating the Emperor to change the order at night and day?"
Zhang Yong said angrily: "Shit! Although the three ministers in the cabinet despise Yang Yiqing, this time they are not dealing with the problem and fully support Lao Yang's Anbian policy!"
"It was your old nephew Liu Jin who talked nonsense in front of the emperor, causing the emperor to change his mind."
Zhang Yong told Chang Feng Liu Jin's remarks that "the strong do not build borders."
Chang Feng became angry after hearing this: "Liu Jin really has a lotus tongue! Nonsense, this dynasty's military power cannot form a crushing force against the northern barbarians. Sweeping across the grassland is just an illusory wish."
“To defend the border, we must build a wall!”
"Why did he disturb this established national policy?"
Zhang Yong said angrily: "Why else? Yang Yiqing is the person I recommended. He is afraid that I will steal his limelight in front of the emperor! He is afraid that I will replace him and become the leader of the eunuchs."
"Liu Jin has been calling the three gentlemen in the cabinet all day long as hypocrites and villains. However, this time the three gentlemen have put aside their partisanship. Instead, it is Liu Jin who is sapling, using evil forces, and interfering with the implementation of good policies."
Chang Feng knows Liu Jin very well. I know he is short-tempered.
However, Chang Feng still doesn't believe that Liu Jin would be so evil.
Chang Feng asked: "Eunuch Zhang, how did you know about Liu Jin's nonsense in front of the emperor? Is it because outsiders spread rumors and deliberately alienate the relationship between you and Liu Jin?"
Zhang Yong said angrily: "What the emperor said to me personally, can it be false?"
"The emperor's order was changed this morning. I went to inquire about the reason behind the insinuation. The emperor repeated Liu Jin's 'grand statement' to me exactly as it was."
Chang Feng stood up and said, "I'm going to find Liu Jin at the Supervisor of Ceremonies!"
In the room of the Supervisor of Ceremonies.
Xiao Jing, the palm printmaker, said that he was ill and recuperating at home for more than a month. Chief Bing Qianneng went to Shaanxi to pay Wang Shu a birthday and has not yet returned.
The daily affairs of the Supervisor of Ceremonies are presided over by Liu Jin, Zhang Yong and Wang Yue.
Not only was Wang Yue not a member of the Eight Tigers, he was also an enemy of the Eight Tigers. Behind him stood the civil service group.
At this moment, Liu Jin and Wang Yue were sitting in the duty room. The two of them each looked at the official document without saying a word to each other.
Chang Feng entered the duty room and saw Wang Yue there, but it was difficult to speak. So he said to Liu Jin: "Eunuch Liu, can you come out and say a few words?"
Liu Jin got up and followed Chang Feng to sit in a pavilion outside the duty room.
Chang Feng said: "You encouraged the emperor to change his order in the morning and evening, and you were denying Yang Yiqing's border policy in disguise. Is it true?"
Liu Jin said: "It's true. But it's not encouragement, it's direct advice."
Chang Feng's expression changed: "You did this just to overpower Zhang Yong?"
Liu Jin smiled slightly: "What did my uncle say? I persuaded the emperor to give up the idea of building a border wall for the sake of the court and the emperor."
Chang Feng sighed: "You are so clever! I know exactly what you are thinking."
"I would like to advise you. It is a great grace that the Emperor trusts you. Don't use the Emperor's trust for your own personal gain and disregard the peace of the frontier!"
Liu Jin said: "I just have different political views with the cabinet, with Zhang Yong, with Yang Yiqing, and with you, my uncle! How can you be sure that you are right and I am wrong?"
Chang Feng didn't want to argue with Liu Jin about the right or wrong of building a border wall.
Chang Feng said: "Liu Jin, we have known each other for more than 20 years. In recent years, I have been helping you deal with civil servants."
"I help you because I think you can become a wise official like the old cabinet minister."
"If you don't do what Wynn does and do what Wang Zhen does, I will be infamous forever for helping a treacherous eunuch take power."
Liu Jin said: "Uncle, I swear to God. I wholeheartedly want to be a virtuous eunuch like the old cabinet minister. This time I oppose Yang Yiqing, because I am really not interested in the matter and the person. It is just a matter of different political opinions."
"As for Zhang Yong, I have always respected him as 'Strong Zhang'. I regard him as my flesh and blood brother. I have never thought of competing with him."
Chang Feng sighed: "I hope so!"
After speaking, Chang Feng stood up and prepared to leave.
Coincidentally, Chen Qing, the left minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was passing by here on his way to deliver an official document to the Supervisor of Ceremonies.
Chen Qing came over and said, "Captain Chang, I'm going to your Jinyi Guards this afternoon."
Chang Feng asked: "Oh? What's the point of going to Jinyiwei, Laobutang Chen?"
Chen Qing's position was saved by Chang Feng. Chang Feng was very kind to him.
Unexpectedly, Chen Qing actually said: "The proposal to return the stolen goods to the ministry was made by Governor Chang to the Emperor."
"Now, our Household Department has investigated and recovered all the stolen goods from various government offices in the capital. Only you, Jin Yiwei, are left."
"I'm going to Jinyiwei this afternoon just for this matter."
Liu Jin said from the side: "Chen Butang, you and Mr. Chang Shuai are from the same family. For this matter, you can send a person in charge to Jin Yiwei and just go through the motions. Why bother to go there in person?"
Chen Qing was stunned: "Just going through the motions? Returning the stolen goods to the army is a major event to make up for the national treasury deficit. How can we go through the motions? The Jinyiwei are the emperor's personal soldiers, and they must lead by example."
Liu Jin frowned: "Chen Butang, don't you want to be serious about Jin Yiwei? Let me remind you, if it weren't for Mr. Chang Shuai, you should be working as an idle retirement officer in Jinling at this moment."
Chen Qingdao: "Of course I know this. But the public is public and the private is private. I will not go back to protect Jin Yiwei just because Chang Du has protected me."
Liu Jin was about to reprimand Chen Qing, but Chang Feng interrupted Liu Jin: "Eunuch Liu, please stop talking."
Chang Feng turned around and said to Chen Qing: "Don't worry, Mr. Chen, I will fully cooperate with the investigation of Jinyiwei's punishment. You can just go to Jinyiwei this afternoon."
Chen Qing cupped his hands and said, "Thank you very much. I'll go to the Bureau of Ceremonies first to get the official documents from the Governor of Shandong."
After Chen Qing left the pavilion, Chang Feng stared at his back and said, "You see, this is the true act of being impartial and selfless."
Liu Jin said: "In my opinion, kindness is repaid with hatred!"
As his power increases, Liu Jin's shortcomings of having no structure become more and more obvious.
Chang Feng said: "I want to give face to Chen Qing. But Jinyiwei is different from ordinary government offices. It needs to support tens of thousands of eyes and ears without posts in two capitals and thirteen provinces, so it cannot be without a private treasury."
"My Eunuch Liu, I have to ask you to help me this time."
Liu Jin smiled and said: "Young uncle, just give me whatever you want. What do you mean by helping or not?"
Chang Feng said: "Jinyiwei raids the house and always takes one out of twenty to use as a source of wealth for Weili's private treasury. Currently, there are 160,000 taels in silver."
"You are now in charge of the inner transport warehouse. What I want is to transfer this money and accounts to the inner transport warehouse. When Jin Yiwei needs it, he will come to you to get the money."
"Chen Qing searched for stolen goods and could not find anything in the internal transportation warehouse."
Liu Jin smiled and said: "This matter is easy to handle. From now on, I will set aside a few rooms in the inner transport warehouse to help Jinyiwei store money."
Chang Feng said: "Thank you very much."
Liu Jin hurriedly said: "Young uncle is so polite to me. If it hadn't been for your support at the beginning, I'm afraid I would still be a humble fire user."
Chang Feng said: "That's all. Tomorrow Tangtang will go back to her parents' house. You come to have a drink in the evening. I'll go first."
Liu Jin patted his head and said, "Ahem! I've been so busy these days. Why have I forgotten the important things? Wait for me a moment, little uncle."
Then Liu Jin called over a young eunuch and whispered a few words to him.
Not long after, the young eunuch came to Chang Feng holding a jar.
Liu Jin opened the lid of the jar, and inside was summer cicada pickled in salt water and ice.
Liu Jin said with a smile: "This is the summer cicada I made in the imperial garden when I was not on duty. This is what Xiaotangtang likes."
Chang Tian likes to eat fried summer cicada. Liu Jin would carry the bamboo poles and help her glue some of them with her own hands every summer.
Chang Feng asked: "Where's Xiaotangtang? She's already twenty-six. Are you asking me to move this jar out of the palace and take it back to the house? I still have to go back to the Jinyi Guard Office."
Liu Jin smiled and said: "How can it be possible? Xiao Qinzi, please send this altar of summer cicada to Princess Jinyang's house."
Liu Jin let Chang Feng see this jar because she wanted to remind Chang Feng: We are a real family. Don't turn your elbows outward, help Zhang Yong.
Chang Feng returned to Jinyiwei. Zhang Yong was still sitting in his duty room sulking.
Chang Feng said: "Eunuch Zhang, I have talked with Liu Jin. Maybe he really just has different political views from you."
When things got to this point, Chang Feng could only tell lies and help Liu Jin smooth things over in front of Zhang Yong.
Zhang Yong sighed: "Oh, my dear Mr. Chang, do you believe this? So many things in this world are ruined by a single fight. Fighting for fame, fighting for profit, fighting for favor!"
"I don't have anything. It's a pity that Yang Yiqing's good plan for Anbian was in vain."
Changfeng was speechless.
Zhang Yong is right. Liu Jin's use of evil power this time was nothing more than competing with Zhang Yong for favor.
The three gentlemen in the cabinet are not monolithic. Likewise, the Eight Tigers are by no means monolithic.
Chang Feng sent Zhang Yong away. There was confusion in his eyes. At this moment, he didn't know if he was wrong in helping Liu Jin deal with the civil servant group.
Soon, his confusion will dissipate. He will want to understand that by dealing with the civil servant group, he is not only helping Liu Jin, but also helping the people of the world.
Two months later, a secret envelope and an urgent document were sent to Beijing.
The secret was sent directly to the Qianqing Palace without going through the General Administration Department.
Urgent documents were sent to Jinyiwei.
The secret documents and urgent documents came from Wang Miaoxin and Chang Ponu who were out of Beijing on salt inspection.
Chang Feng had a feeling after reading this document - creepy.
Wang Miaoxin is worthy of being a thoughtful national player. Chang Ponu is worthy of Chang Feng’s bloodline.
The two arrived in Yangzhou last month to investigate the Lianghuai salt affairs. They conducted overt and covert investigations and uncovered an astonishing fact.
Seventy percent of the Lianghuai salt import was privately donated to a group of salt merchants by Liang Bohong, the Lianghuai salt transport envoy.
It's a gift, not a resale.
In other words, 70% of the Lianghuai salt tax did not go to the court, but was divided up by the salt merchants.
Without exception, these wealthy salt merchants are all family members of high-ranking officials.
This involved six ministers and more than 20 ministers in Beijing. The local area involved two governors, three chief envoys, two inspectors, and more than twenty prefects.
Liu Jian's family is engaged in tea and silk business. Xie Qian's family is engaged in smuggling trade. Li Dongyang is honest and self-reliant. Therefore, no cabinet ministers were involved in the illegal salt case.
Chang Feng called Qian Ning and Shi Wenyi to discuss the case.
After reading the emergency documents, Qian Ning's expression changed: "Oh my God. This case will cause a political uproar in the capital and an earthquake in Jiangnan's officialdom."
Shi Wenyi has followed Chang Feng for many years and knows Chang Feng's temper very well. He said: "The emperor has just ascended the throne and set off such a big case in the court."
Chang Feng interrupted Shi Wenyi: "Go to hell with the court! For the sake of the so-called court, how many times have I turned a blind eye to the civil servants in these years?"
“How many times have big things turned into small things and small things have turned into nothing?”
"What about the other way around? In exchange, the civil servants became more corrupt and bribery!"
"The Lianghuai salt tax is the financial backbone of Southeast Asia. How come they share 70% of it privately? If I continue to fight with each other, I'm afraid I will be struck by lightning from the sky!"
"The Emperor should be in the imperial garden at the moment. In the evening, I will go to Qianqing Palace to request orders. I will arrest those who need to be arrested and ransack their homes if they need to be."
"If we continue to allow civil servants to act recklessly, I'm afraid the city walls of the Ming Dynasty will be eaten away by these beetles!"
Qian Ning waved his hand: "Okay! When the late emperor was in power, the Imperial Guards were suppressed by the civil servants. This time we can finally feel proud!"
at the same time. Liu Jian and Xie Qian also received letters asking for help from Jiangnan officials.
The two left Li Dongyang aside to discuss the matter. Zichang and Li were married. The two no longer trust Li Dongyang.
Liu Jiandao: "The two of us have not restrained the people under us in these years. They have gone too far. Most of the annual salt tax of several million taels has been secretly shared by them. It has not been distributed to... ah, it has not been distributed to Liang Bohong. "
Xie Qian said: "Now is not the time to talk about this. These idiots were actually caught by Wang Miaoxin and Chang Ponu."
"Liang Bohong is a veteran official, but he can't beat a martial artist from the Royal Guards and a new scholar."
"No matter how much they do, we will protect them this time. If these people who profit from the salt business fail, our power will be reduced by more than 30%."
"And if something happens to them, we won't care. The other officials will inevitably die in grief. They feel that the two of us are not worthy of being their leaders."
After Liu Jian thought for a moment, he sighed: "Well, this time I can only do something against my will to protect these greedy people."
Xie Qian said: "The most urgent task is to find a way to stabilize the situation first. If Jinyiwei Changfeng requests an order, all these people will be arrested and sent to prison, and they will be tortured and forced to confess that the two Jinshi are not Qiu Ba from the Twelfth Regiment Camp. I can't stand it. Just a few punishments."
Liu Jian stood up: "Let me think about it."
After a stick of incense, Liu Jian said: "Yes! Let's first forge the handwriting of Liang Bohong, the salt transport envoy to the Huaihe River, and write a letter. Let's say that as soon as Wang Miaoxin and Chang Ponu arrived in Yangzhou, they went around asking for bribes."
"When they couldn't get bribes, they slandered the officials' families for selling illegal salt."
"This creates a confrontational situation where the public is right and the mother-in-law is right. The emperor will not and cannot easily issue an order to arrest the so-called officials involved in the case."
"Next, the emperor will definitely issue an order to escort Liang Bohong to Beijing first, and then make a decision after a thorough interrogation."
"After Liang Bohong was taken to Beijing, we had to find a way to make him 'commit suicide.' If he left a suicide note, he said he couldn't bear the slander and wanted to die to prove his ambition."
"Once Liang Bohong, the man in charge of Lianghuai Yanyin, dies, the matter of privately dividing Yanyin will naturally be without evidence and will be settled."
Xie Qian said: "The first assistant is so smart."
Liu Jian waved his hand: "Don't say that. You are doing such a heretical thing to protect a group of greedy subordinates from losing their conscience!"
Xie Qian said: "This is also a helpless move. It is better than letting the Eight Tigers take the opportunity to start a major case, which is detrimental to us."
That evening. Chang Feng came to the gate of Qianqing Palace and waited for the return of Emperor Zhengde.
He was surprised to find that Liu Jian and Xie Qian were also kneeling at the gate of Qianqing Palace. Liu Jian held a letter in his hand.
Chang Feng said: "You two pavilion elders are very powerful. You should have heard about the Lianghuai salt case, right? This time I will not settle the matter like I did with the Sihaihui and Shuangmuhui."
"Keeping things quiet will only encourage the arrogance of the silverfish."
"If there is anything involving the two pavilion elders, please let me know. I'm just doing business."
Liu Jian said coldly: "What Lianghuai salt private case? I have never heard of it. I have only heard of a sensational bribery case."
Chang Feng asked: "Asking for a bribe? Who is asking for a bribe?"
Liu Jian replied: "The imperial envoy Wang Miaoxin and the deputy imperial envoy often break slaves and ask for bribes."
Chang Feng was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Bite back? What a trick!"
Xie Qian said: "Chang Feng, don't talk nonsense. It's because you failed to restrain your subordinates and son that they did such shocking evil things!"
Chang Feng gritted his teeth and said: "Don't forget, Chang Ponu is both Li Dongyang's student and your Xie Qian's student. Since ancient times, master and disciple are like father and son. Even tiger poison does not eat its children!"
"He handles cases impartially in Yangzhou. You want to frame him to ask for bribes?"
Xie Qian said: "There are only three of us here. Do I have to say something clearly?"
"The imperial relatives were selling illicit salt in Changlu. The Kong family in Qufu were selling illicit salt in Shandong. Wang Miaoxin and Chang Ponu went to these two places and only let them spit out their stolen profits without excessive pursuit."
"Why do you have to kill people when you get to Yangzhou?"
Chang Feng asked back: "How should the emperor's relatives be held accountable? How should Yan Shenggong's line be held accountable? Do you want the emperor to issue an order to kill his elders?"
"Do you want the emperor to issue an order to destroy the descendants of Confucius? Then how can the emperor govern the world with the teachings of Confucius and Mencius?"
"Besides, even if there are people selling illegal salt in the Changlu and Shandong salt fields, they only take away one-tenth of the salt tax and do not damage the foundation of the salt tax."
"Lianghuai. Those people under your command got 70% of it! Are they crazy? Do they regard the salt service of the imperial court as their own vegetable garden? Just pull out the radish and cabbage?"
Xie Qian smiled slyly: "Don't talk nonsense. The Lianghuai Salt Service is as clean as a puddle of water. It was because the young master failed to ask for bribes and fabricated a major case that was false. Luo Zhi was charged with revenge on officials who were unwilling to bribe him."
Chang Feng sighed: "Xie Qian. There are no two kinds of medicine in this world. One is the elixir of life, and the other is the medicine of regret."
"The thing I regret most in my life is that I shouldn't have helped you join the cabinet in the first place!"
"Or maybe you were a good person when you first joined the cabinet. The poison of power turned you into a bad person."
Liu Jiandao: "Stop talking about it. Let's argue clearly who is right and wrong in front of the emperor. The emperor is wise and has his own judgment."
(End of chapter)
