In June of the fourth year of Zhengde, the affairs in Huai'an Mansion turned into a situation that was difficult to cover up. Jinyiwei initially only acted secretly, but later as the number of people involved in the case increased, he directly intervened.
Huai'an Prefecture and Shaofu Prefecture became the "hardest hit areas", and many officials below the fourth rank were affected. Some were killed or demoted.
Such actions can't help but remind people of some old events in Hongwu. This kind of thing has happened many times, and people certainly understand that today's society is very strict about corruption.
Soon, the Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a transfer order, and Lin Ting, the prefect of Suzhou Prefecture, was transferred to the prefect of Huai'an Prefecture. The vacancy of Suzhou Prefecture was filled by Jiang Yong, the magistrate of Deqing County.
The newly appointed magistrate of Huai'an Prefecture is Lin Han's second son. It just so happens that Lin Han returns to his hometown after becoming an official. There is something wonderful about this.
"Everyone said that Lin Heng was not a favored minister of the emperor. I thought that this was just an official career. Unexpectedly, the emperor was extraordinarily kind, and he died a good death."
On a hot summer day, those who went outside the city to see Lin Han off were not ordinary people.
They were Zhang Fuhua, the censor of Zuodu, and Han Wen, the minister of household affairs.
Zhang Fuhua and Lin Han have some old friendships. As for Korean, he and Lin Han are actually in the same subject. They were all Jinshi in the second year of Chenghua.
Decades have passed through ups and downs. No matter what unpleasantness there was in the middle, why should we care about it in the end?
Brothers are here to survive all the calamities. When we meet, we can forget all the grudges with a smile.
The seventy-six-year-old Lin Han looked like a bad old man at this time. Even his eyebrows were completely white. Under the light green grosgrain silk clothes was a slightly stooped figure. His pupils were actually a bit strange. Zhu Houzhao thought they might be There are some cataracts, but the old man still thinks clearly, and there is nothing wrong with his dealings with others.
Zhang Fuhua was also in his seventies. He was also in poor health. He had a serious illness two years ago and almost died. Fortunately, the doctors at the medical center were very skilled and saved his life. But I guess...it won't be long.
So as soon as the three of them sat down, Zhang Fuhua said: "The departure of Mr. Quan Shan is both a separation for life and a farewell for death."
Farewell...
Lin Han looked down at the ripples in the tea cup and remained silent for a long time.
After Zhu Houzhao traveled through time for a long time, he gradually understood the meaning of parting to the ancients.
Especially in a situation like theirs, they are all in their seventies and are not in good health. After this separation, they will basically never see each other again. What is it if it is not a farewell?
"You have no regrets in life, so why worry about separation?"
Zhang Fuhua and Han Wen both smiled and said, "That's a good statement."
"Mr. Quan Shan, I'm here to see you off today. Is there any unfinished business that I need to take care of?"
Lin Han really did. He took a sip of tea and said with some seriousness: "The emperor has ruled the country for less than ten years, and his civil and military skills have far surpassed that of most emperors. In terms of merit alone, in the past three generations, those who can be said to be better than my emperor have less than two hands. However, as the Minister of Rites, I understand best that your Majesty attaches great importance to profit but despises etiquette. When running the country and employing people, he often puts profit first and completely ignores etiquette. In this way..."
Lin Han said the truth, "This can serve the purpose for a while, but it can easily create hidden dangers for future generations. The etiquette among kings, ministers, fathers, sons, and sons may seem useless, but it is actually extremely important. But His Majesty does not pay attention to it. The hidden worry in my heart is that if things continue like this, once the successor is less talented than the one above, I am afraid that chaos will arise."
"Hey." Han Wen couldn't help laughing and said, "I was talking about it when I came here. People at that time thought that Duke Quanshan was not your Majesty's favorite. I didn't expect that His Majesty treated Duke Quanshan very well. I heard what Duke Quanshan said today. Duke Quan Shan also admires Your Majesty in this way. People say that the appearance is in harmony with the spirit, so Duke Quan Shan and Your Majesty should be called 'the appearance is in harmony with the spirit'."
"Hahaha."
The three old men all laughed heartily.
When a wise king is in power and the country is peaceful and the people are at peace, it is worth making people happy in itself.
"Brother Guandao is serious." Lin Han waved his hand, "I am not a person with no eyesight. Your Majesty is wise, decisive, and extremely smart. Who doesn't know this? Besides, he is diligent in governing affairs, treats the people like a son, and does not care about others. How can I put it, in my heart, Lin Han, the emperor is a wise king rarely seen since ancient times. However, the sincerity of the ministers to the king is some things that I think should be remonstrated, and they still need to be remonstrated. It is not the case to say that they are in harmony with each other in appearance. As for Quanzi, Everything depends on his luck."
"His Majesty has asked the staff to promptly report Li Zhan (Lin Ting)'s actions in Huai'an Mansion. As long as he remembers the four words "Government for the people", Li Zhan will have a bright future."
Speaking of this, Lin Han was also very grateful to the emperor.
When he first heard about this, he actually felt a little sad and regretful, but he felt that he should have understood the emperor better in the past.
Because no matter what, he has served the emperor as the Minister of Rites for several years, and the time he spent together is here. Moreover, this emperor is different from the previous ones in that they can see each other often.
Xianzong and Xiaozong did not often summon ministers.
Although there was a lot of quarrel, the emperor didn't do anything to him. For this alone, Lin Han was grateful to the emperor, and he also took a little care of his son.
"It's hard to repay your kindness."
In the end, there were only these four words.
This decree from Beijing has just been sent out. After arriving, Lin Ting will have to prepare for several days before setting off for Huai'an Mansion.
Lin Han had already sent someone to deliver the letter to Suzhou. He was going south to return to Fujian anyway, so he asked his son to wait for him for a few days.
Some words,
It needs to be said face to face.
Huai'an Mansion is too far away from Fujian, and he himself is too old. His son is an official away from home and cannot go home at will. He is also afraid that he will accidentally miss him for the last time, and there will be some things he can't say.
Lin Han left anyway.
A generation of Minister of Rites, in the end, only a chariot and horse, and several followers.
The road leading in and out of the capital always seems to be like this: old people go and new people come.
"Taking Quanshan Gong as an example, we can see that His Majesty does not only employ people who are flattering. For example, Brother Gongshi (Zhang Fuhua's courtesy name), the censor of Zuodu, has been in office for a long time. It is precisely because Your Majesty knows that Brother Gongshi is an official. It also puts the people first.”
Zhang Fuhua, Lin Han, Zhang Mao and Lin Jun, who has an even weirder temper, are known as the "Four Gentlemen of Nandu".
It's because of their character.
Needless to say, Zhang Mao was the censor of Zuo Fudu. Once Zhang Fuhua took office, everyone inside and outside the court knew that he would be the one to take over. Because the emperor would use Zhang Mao several times to supervise the use of the silver, he had great trust in him.
Since they are both Four Gentlemen, Zhang Fuhua and Lin Han are not much different.
"It's a pity that I am old and frail. I am two years younger than De Mao (Zhang Mao), but I am far less energetic than him. It is time for me to give up the position of General Constitution to someone more worthy."
Han Wen's body seemed to be in good condition, so he stepped forward to help him.
Zhang Fuhua continued: "Recently, didn't His Majesty mention the magistrate of Shanyang County again? He was also a stubborn donkey. So I don't have any worries about Hengda. Talented people have emerged from generation to generation, and each has led the way. Hundreds of years."
Han Wen said: "Your Majesty wants to find out the situation of the grassland in Shaanxi, and the Ministry of War has recommended a suitable person. Even if Brother Gongshi wants to leave, he has to wait."
"Wait? At the end of this matter, there is also an imperial edict, ordering all the people who have occupied it to clear out the pasture."
"I'm afraid it's not just the grassland. Just like the case in Huai'an Prefecture, everything in the world will either not be investigated, but the investigation will be connected to the wires and the net, link by link, and there will be no escape."
Zhang Fuhua was a little surprised and always pessimistic, "It's really like that...it's not a trivial matter!"
…
It's really no small matter.
Zhu Houzhao signed an imperial edict in the palace, ordering Wang Shouren to return to Beijing.
One is because his father is coming to the capital soon, and if conditions permit, they can be reunited.
Second, the following facts were very important, and he had to make it clear to Wang Shouren face to face.
The same imperial edict was also given to Pinglubo Zhou Shangwen.
Zhang Cong, who entered the capital at this time, was only excited that he could be promoted to Shaanxi Dao Yushi, and did not understand what was waiting for him.
Returning to Beijing again, he went to Nancheng and found the old man he had met during the examination.
It's a pity that when they meet again, things are different and people have changed. He imagined that they would meet like old friends, but he is already a dignified censor, and the old man is just a private school teacher, so the distance is actually very far.
Zhang Cong was slightly disappointed.
Along the street, on a carriage, Zhu Houzhao opened the curtain and saw this scene.
"Is this person Zhang Cong?"
This is a female voice, and the speaker is Wang Zhi.
"That's right." The emperor retracted the folding fan and lowered the curtain. "His few hundred words are now famous among the six ministers and nine ministers in the capital. Even if I read it, I will feel frightened."
"It seems...there's nothing strange about it." Wang Zhi just took a look at it, he was just an ordinary person...
Zhu Houzhao tapped her head lightly with his fan, "You don't want to judge people by their appearance."
"Just tell the truth. Also, what he said is easier than doing. Your Majesty should think twice."
"More than just thinking twice? I have already thought about it hundreds of times. If I don't do this, Ming Dynasty will always be like a giant with its hands bound, unable to use its strength."
In fact, the rise and fall of history cannot be changed. Powerful people such as the Han and Tang Dynasties will eventually fall into dust, and the same is true for the Ming Dynasty. So why do you think so much?
Anyway, if it continues like this and does nothing, Ming Dynasty will have no foundation for eternity at all.
In this case, it's better to let go and give him a try.
Afraid of him.
Wang Zhi was still a little nervous after all. The ignorant are fearless. She knew some things, so she understood the relationship better. "If your majesty feels that Zhang Cong is not enough, you can send Uncle Wei Ning to go with him. Then I can secretly assist the second brother to Help His Majesty accomplish his mission."
"It's good if you have this intention. But this matter does not depend on the official position of the person who goes, but on the courage and will. In short, I will wait until I see him."
Not long after, Liu Jin whispered from outside the carriage: "Your Majesty, this servant has been brought there and is waiting for you."
"I got it. Zhi'er, you can go with me. You're fine anyway, so let's listen together. I actually think this person has some talent."
Wang Zhi nodded lightly, "Since Your Majesty values it so much, then naturally you want to take a look."
Zhu Houzhao didn't have Zhang Juzheng to use, but he had a similar one, so he was pretty lucky.
"Walk!"
