"Your Majesty, I have written down the details of the incident involving the eight major locust merchants in Shanxi and the Prince of Jin's Mansion. Your Majesty, please read it!"
I don't know how long it took, Hou Yan came in and interrupted Chongzhen's meditation.
After Chongzhen took the memorial and read it from beginning to end, he immediately picked up the ink pen and wrote it when he understood it, and then handed it to Hou Xi.
Looking at Hou Xi leaving, Chongzhen chuckled. He didn't know how big a sensation it would cause when Beijing received the message two days later.
What kind of reaction will the Jiannu and Mongolian tribes have?
One day later, the people who got up early in Taiyuan City suddenly discovered that since the emperor came to Taiyuan City, the streets full of patrolling government officials and sergeants suddenly disappeared.
His Majesty left Taiyuan City, this was everyone's first reaction, and then they ran towards the carriage.
When they saw that there were only two ordinary sergeants guarding the gate and there were no sergeants guarding the surrounding streets, they were convinced that His Majesty had left Taiyuan City.
This news was transmitted in Taiyuan City at a terrifying speed, and then the whole Taiyuan City was boiling.
"Why did you leave so suddenly? The old man also prepared some eggs for His Majesty to taste on the way!"
"Your Majesty left quietly in order not to disturb us!"
"I guess, I heard that when His Majesty left in Xuan Mansion more than ten days ago, the people in the whole city sent His Majesty off and thanked His Majesty for getting rid of some troubles in Xuan Mansion."
"Now we in Shanxi are the same. The Eight Locust Merchants and the Prince of Jin's Palace are over. It is estimated that a lot of corrupt officials have been implicated. We can finally live a peaceful life!"
"Hey, I don't ask for more clean government, just let us have food to eat!"
…
In the palace, Hou Xiu, who was dealing with official business, listened to the faint discussion coming in and murmured to himself: "He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. The ancients will not deceive me!"
As for the discussions of the people in Taiyuan City, Chongzhen, who had gone straight to Xi'an Mansion, did not know.
But the news about the Eight Locust Merchants and the Jin Palace spread from Taiyuan City to surrounding prefectures and counties as merchants and travelers left.
Another day later, outside the Anding Gate of Beijing, a horse galloped.
As the horses galloped, the jingling of bells spread into the distance.
The gatekeeper looked slightly startled. Looking at the people and merchants lining up to enter the city, he immediately shouted: "Everyone get out of the way, urgent information!"
"Move the horse-rejecting stakes and get out of the way of the city gate!"
"First team, go immediately to clear the way!"
Several orders were issued in succession, and by the time the horse-rejecting stakes were moved away, the horses had already arrived several feet in front of the city gate.
You can vaguely see the bell hanging on the waist of the postman on the horse, and a package and a small flag slung on his back. The horse arrived in front of the city gate and the postman handed the post talisman out.
The gatekeeper took it, took a quick glance at it, and immediately released it. The postman immediately entered the city, crossed the street, and went straight to Wenyuan Pavilion outside the Meridian Gate.
Sun Chengzong, who had already received the news, waited with his cabinet ministers Li Biao and Li Guopu. The three of them looked solemn.
"Mr. Ge, urgent report from Taiyuan!"
Under the leadership of the guard sergeant, the postman saw Sun Chengzong and immediately handed over the package behind him.
Upon hearing the urgent report from Shanxi, the expressions of the three people suddenly changed again.
Who is in Shanxi? Your Majesty's chariot is in Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province.
Did something happen to His Majesty, or was there an invasion of foreign enemies at Taiyuan Military Town?
No matter which one it is, it's a big deal.
After taking the box and checking the seal, I took out the letterhead.
"This is Hou Shangshu's handwriting!"
The three of them opened the box with solemn expressions. When they saw the handwriting on the envelope inside, their hearts trembled again.
Sun Chengzong grabbed the envelope and tore it open violently, taking out the letter inside. The three of them gathered together and slowly read it.
After reading the opening chapter, I felt relieved. As long as His Majesty and foreign enemies did not invade, everything else would not matter.
But as they watched, the faces of the three people darkened, and finally their faces were full of anger.
"Come here, please invite the six ministers and nine ministers to the Huangji Palace to discuss matters. You must be quick!"
"Go to Qianqing Palace and ask Wang Zhongguan to come!"
"Inform the admiral of the patrol department of the five cities and the magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture. Unless there is an invasion by foreign enemies, they will immediately appease the soldiers and civilians. Anyone who dares to take the opportunity to cause trouble and spread rumors will be punished with twenty sticks on the spot!"
…
Several orders were issued in succession, and several people on duty left.
The three of them entered Wenyuan Pavilion. Sun Chengzong said: "You two, His Majesty has already arranged most of the work. All we have to do is select people, send people, and issue transfer orders in accordance with the instructions."
After exchanging opinions for a while, the three of them reached a consensus and headed towards the Huangji Palace.
Wenyuan Pavilion is very close to the office of the Sixth Department, and the movement here has aroused their curiosity.
After receiving the notice, they followed Sun Chengzong and the others to the Huangji Palace.
In just half an hour, the Huangji Hall was filled with courtiers.
After saluting the empty dragon chair, Sun Chengzong stood up at Wang Chengen's signal.
"I invite you all to come because a shocking case occurred in Shanxi, involving eight famous wealthy businessmen in Shanxi and the Jin Palace.
They liaised with Jiannu and Mongolian tribes, sold prohibited materials of the Ming Dynasty, and passed on information.
This is a letter handwritten by Hou Shangshu, which was given by His Majesty. Sirs, please take a look! "
After hearing this, the courtiers looked in disbelief.
The Fan family and other eight families were well-known in Shanxi and even the entire Ming Dynasty, and they actually had liaisons with Jiannu and Mongolian tribes.
What's even more frightening is that the King of Jin also participated, acting as a protective umbrella for everyone, and also supported thousands of private troops with extremely high combat capabilities.
One piece of news has completely subverted everyone's understanding of the Eight Families.
"What a bunch of shameless people. If you don't do good things and insist on being like dogs, you really deserve to be killed!"
"I have always wondered where the little Jian slave got the courage to attack the Ming Dynasty. It turns out that the problem arises here."
"It's a good thing, right? You should be able to make a lot of money by plundering eight houses. The treasury is full!"
"Your Majesty is somewhat merciful..."
…
"enough!"
Sun Chengzong gave a low drink: "I am not here to listen to your arguments, but how to deal with the current situation.
Hou Shangshu said that most officials in Shanxi were involved in this matter.
Now Han Ge is in charge of Datong, Hou Shangshu is in charge of Taiyuan, and Marquis Zhongzhen is in charge of Yanghe and is also the governor of Xuanda. The situation is stable in a short period of time.
Your Majesty, the Commander-in-Chief and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Datong has selected candidates. All the cabinet needs to do is draft an imperial edict.
Other vacancies such as Chief Secretary of Shanxi, Governor of Shanxi, Prefect of Datong, etc. need to be recommended by the ministry or court.
All ministries immediately followed the procedures to draw up candidates among the officials who were in office, waiting for vacancies, and up for election, and made a decision in the afternoon!
Secondly, Mr. Zhang and Mr. Hu, you immediately dispatch some personnel from the Inspectorate and Dali Temple to Shanxi to assist local officials in examining the eight major locust merchants and nine tribes.
Tentatively, there are three to five people in a county, and they must leave at the afternoon of application time! "
After Sun Chengzong finished speaking, he looked at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shangshu Fang, and the Ministry of Etiquette, Liu Zongzhou: "Master Zhou and Master Liu, select some outstanding tribute students from the Imperial College, Hanlin Academy, and Zhan Shi's Mansion.
Accompany the people from the Supervisory Office to Shanxi, and tentatively appoint three to five people from each county. "
…
After a while of arrangements, the ministers left amidst the discussion.
In Wenyuan Pavilion, Sun Chengzong and the others drank a cup of herbal tea, and their spirits were shaken.
The contents of the emergency report just now were really too shocking, and I didn’t even have time to take a breath.
Li Biao put down his tea cup, hesitated for a moment, and said softly: "Mr. Sun Ge, there is something fishy about this!"
PS: After a small climax, it will definitely take a few more chapters. It may be a little dull. It can be regarded as adjusting the plot. Please urge the bosses to update it!
