Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 607: No Suspense Candidates

Xue Huan and Jiao Jing have always been loyal to Nangong, Zhu Qiyu knows this very well.

However, they are relatives of the emperor, and they have no proof. It is not easy to move them, and when they are really able to move, it will not be a trivial matter.

What's more, Xue Huan's background and position all determined that it would be difficult for him to get out of this whirlpool.

Yangwuhou Mansion, as a veteran nobleman, has been in decline over the years. The old Yangwuhou Xue Lu is an old subordinate of the former British Duke Zhang Fu, and the two mansions have a close relationship.

After Xue Lu's death, none of his descendants were capable, except Xue Huan who was quite outstanding, but unfortunately he was the second son and could not inherit the title.

Not being able to seize the title means not being able to hold the top power in the five military governor's mansions, which means that Yangwuhou's mansion will be squeezed out of the first echelon of honor for a long time.

At this time, it was the Empress Dowager Sun who took a fancy to Xue Huan and asked him to marry Princess Changde.

Now it is not like after Hongzhi, the relatives are severely suppressed, and the position of captain consort can lead troops to fight.

What's more, Princess Changde is the elder sister of the emperor, the daughter of the first emperor, who is honored by gold and jade. Once this marriage is completed, the status of Yangwuhou Mansion will be stabilized immediately.

In terms of background, Xue Huan was born in the Yangwuhou Mansion, which bears a strong imprint of being noble from the north. In terms of identity, Xue Huan is the son-in-law of the Empress Dowager Sun, and the direct brother-in-law of Nangong. When Wuhou Mansion was about to decline, it pulled a hand.

So, in fact, Xue Huan has no choice in terms of position.

Of course, if he was wiser and worked harder, he might be able to save his life in the end, but there is no doubt that no matter what he thinks in his heart, he will have to go all the way to the dark side.

Therefore, Xue Huan's ending was already preordained, and the best outcome was to save his life.

but……

Thinking of Princess Changde's tactful, even somewhat humble attitude, Zhu Qiyu sighed softly.

Whether Xue Huan is dead or not, Zhu Qiyu doesn't need to care, but Princess Changde...

In the final analysis, people are not grass and trees, who can be ruthless.

Although Princess Changde and Zhu Qiyu were not born of the same mother, after all, blood is thicker than water. If possible, Zhu Qiyu didn't want her to die in depression.

So, after pondering for a moment, Zhu Qiyu suddenly asked.

"Mr. Yu, is the Marquis of Yangwu's Mansion involved in this investigation of the military settlements?"

Although Yu Qian didn't know what he meant, but after a little thought, he still spoke.

"Returning to Your Majesty, there is currently no direct evidence to prove that the Yangwuhou Mansion invaded the military settlement."

"However, according to the files that I checked during the border patrol some time ago, the Yangwuhou Mansion did buy a lot of land on the border. It is estimated that there are at least a hundred hectares."

"In addition, the distant cousins ​​of Yangwuhou's mansion and other offshoots and children of the family also have many private lands registered under their names. Because the minister is secretly investigating, the details are not available. The specific situation may not be confirmed until after the Qingzhang."

The words are euphemistic, but the meaning is actually quite clear.

As shown on the surface, there are tens of thousands of acres of border land registered under the name of Yangwuhou Mansion.

This is not counting those under the name of collateral clansmen and family members. If they were to be added, the number would probably be doubled.

Moreover, this is not over, although Yu Qian didn't say it.

But if you think about it, you will know that the majestic Hou's mansion will obediently register all the fields in its hands on the government's account?

You know, if you register, you will have to pay taxes.

With the support of the Hou Mansion behind them, the hidden fields will only be more than the book, and will never be less.

This amount adds up to an absolutely terrifying number.

Then the problem is coming.

Yangwuhou's mansion started from the Yongle period, and it has only been more than [-] years since it was awarded the title. Except for the old Yangwuhou Xue Lu, who has repeatedly accompanied the army to the north and patrolled the border, the other children of the Xue family have basically never been out. capital.

Moreover, even Xue Lu was transferred back to the capital as early as the Xuande period.

Under such circumstances, the Xue family has such a large amount of land on the border. Where did it come from?
Since no one from the Xue family has taken root in the border, can the origin of the huge amount of land that came out of nowhere stand up to investigation?
Yu Qian said this, firstly out of caution, and secondly because he didn't want to be too obvious.

The implication is that as long as the court is willing to investigate and obtain direct evidence, it is not difficult.

Zhu Qiyu was silent for a moment, but did not express any opinion on this matter, but changed the subject and asked.

"Except for the Marquis of Yangwu's Mansion, what is the status of the involvement of other nobles in Beijing?"

This time, Yu Qian had a rare look of helplessness on his face, he sighed, and said.

"Returning to Your Majesty, judging from the current situation, all noble families in Beijing basically have private fields in the border towns. The difference is nothing more than the amount."

"Besides, after the border generals take office, they will basically be able to own private land very soon. During the secret investigation, I found that this has almost become a tacit rule."

With that said, Yu Qian glanced at Fan Guang next to him, and continued.

"I'm afraid that even Dudu Fan is not exempt."

After the words fell, Zhu Qiyu was also a little dazed, and immediately there was a wry smile on his face, Yu Shihui really has a clear love and hate!
Appreciate Fan Guanggui, but there is no ambiguity in official affairs.

Fan Guang himself was also helpless, being pointed out so directly by Yu Qian, his body just stood up, and he had to bow down again, said.

"Your Majesty, I do have a small amount of property in Liaodong, but I bought it with my family's savings, and there is no such thing as letting the officers and soldiers privately cultivate or occupy the original military settlements of the imperial court."

"However, it is true that some of these acres have not been registered in the imperial court. I am willing to accept the crime and return all the acres to the army, and ask your majesty to issue a punishment."

Who said Dudu Fan is an idiot?

What he said in these words not only euphemistically picked himself out, but also cleverly avoided the key point.

To put it bluntly, Dudu Fan himself has never done anything to drink the blood of soldiers. All the fields in his hands were bought.

However, the origin of this field may not stand up to investigation, so Fan Dudu simply dedicated it to the court.

In fact, even if Yu Qian didn't say anything, Fan Guang would find an opportunity to do so when the operation to rectify the military colony started in a few days.

Fan Guang could see clearly that the Son of Heaven was determined to straighten out the army, so it was naturally impossible to oppose the Son of Heaven in this matter.

Of course, this was also because Fan Guang was able to escape, but this was a special case.

Fan Guang was originally just a small commander of the guards. After six years of orthodoxy, he has repeatedly made military exploits and has been promoted step by step. It has only been ten years since now.

Especially when he is in his prime, far from old and frail, and needs to buy family property for future generations.

Or in other words, for Fan Guang today, as long as he can advance in his official career, it is more useful than buying a lot of property.

In fact, Fan Guang did the same thing. The property under his name was actually offered to him by others, and he couldn't refuse it, so he just accepted it.

Over the years, he has been single-minded, jumping into battle, putting most of his energy on the battlefield.

Finally, during the Battle of Oara, he was favored by the emperor at one stroke and entrusted with a heavy responsibility. From an ordinary general, he became a hereditary honorable man.

Now, he is married to Zhennan Prince's Mansion again, and his status has been raised a lot. Not to mention, the Zhennan King sent dozens of large boxes just for the betrothal gift.

Therefore, those fields of unknown origin on the border were donated as soon as they were donated, and kept in their hands, but they were hot potatoes.

However, regarding Fan Guang's confession, Zhu Qiyu didn't show anything special, just said.

"Since you know that you are guilty, you can't settle it so easily. Later, I will give a decree to the Ministry of Punishment, and you will wait for the Ministry of Punishment to summon you at any time."

Now, Fan Guang felt a little apprehensive, but in the end, he did not do anything wrong and was not afraid of ghosts knocking on the door.

In the end, he still saluted, said.

"Your Majesty, thank you for your kindness."

Seeing this, Zhu Qiyu nodded and said again.

"Don't be afraid, as Yu Shangshu said just now, as long as you can take the initiative to report, you can be exempted from punishment at your discretion. As long as you tell the truth, and you are not involved in the crimes of enlisting soldiers to abandon military settlements and occupying military settlements privately, I will not would be unduly harsh.”

Only then did Fan Guang stand up cautiously.

Immediately, he heard the emperor continue.

"Since there have been a lot of nobles and nobles in your mansion in recent days, you might as well mention this matter to them more. If they can be as frank as you are to the court, and take the initiative to make up for the occupied military settlements, I will surely Some forgiveness."

This was straightforward, but Fan Guang was stunned.

Although the emperor's tone was very gentle, he heard the emperor's determination from it.

Especially after knowing the whole plan of the Ministry of War just now, he immediately understood.

This is the emperor giving them a chance!

Try to remedy it now, as long as the generals can make up for it, the emperor may not be held accountable, but if the Qingzhang farmland ends and the court starts to implement the redemption policy, then everything is irreversible.

Looking at the way Shen Shangshu left just now, he knew that the money spent by the court must be taken back, not only must be taken back, but may even be doubled!
From this point of view, if you spit it out first, you may be able to keep your family business, but the problem is.

"Your Majesty has ordered, I should do my best, but the so-called good fortune is hard to give up, if I just persuade you with red lips and white teeth, I am afraid that the effect will not be great..."

Fan Guang opened his mouth cautiously, but in the end, he didn't dare to continue.

However, the emperor obviously understood what he meant, and said lightly.

"You just try to persuade him. These days, I will send Shu Liang to help you. Apart from handling the marriage, if you need help in other areas, you can also discuss it with him."

Shu Liang?

Fan Guang was stunned for a moment, and then he realized the real intention of the emperor sending this Dongchang Da Dang over.

However, he really wanted to say that this didn't seem to solve any problems. After all, even Shu Liang couldn't use any means against these nobles for no reason.

Although it is said that Fan Guang is a new nobleman, he knows the temperament of this group of people very well. To put it bluntly, he will not cry when he sees the coffin, but he will not really back down unless he is cornered.

What's more, Fan Guang knew in his heart how much the nobles were involved in the matter of the military settlement.

Still the same sentence, the reason why Fan Guang himself was able to confess so easily was because his rise to power was too short, and he himself was also cautious, and he was not deeply involved in the military settlement.

However, for those honorable families with a long history, years of accumulation, at this time, instead became a reminder.

Once you want to spit it out, the serious damage to your vitality will be minor. To put it more seriously, half of the family property will be wiped out, which is not an alarmist talk.

You must know that the various expenditures of the big family are very outrageous. It does not mean that your family wealth has been growing.

Moreover, a noble family has been passed down for such a long time, and it is embarrassing to see anyone without ordering the bottom of the box.

Therefore, in fact, the financial resources that can be used are not too much.

And the acres they invaded are not fixed. It is common to buy and sell gifts as favors, and there are also dowry.

If it is said that it is necessary to spit it out to the court, it may be necessary to temporarily buy land at a high price.

It is difficult to persuade them to do so.

He wanted to ask another question, but suddenly he saw Zhennan King next to him trying to wink at him. In the end, Fan Guang swallowed his words and said.

"The minister obeys the order."

So, the emperor nodded in satisfaction and said.

"Relax, the boat will be straight when it reaches the bridge. You just do your own thing. Let's stop here for now. You go back first. Uncle will also leave. Say hello to Great Uncle for me."

"Yes, I retire."

King Zhennan, who had been standing beside him for a long time, couldn't bear to watch, hurriedly cupped his hands, pulled Fan Guang and left the hall.

After finally leaving the palace gate, the fat prince finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It's too stressful to be in front of the emperor!

On the way out of the palace, Fan Guang still couldn't hold back and asked.

"My lord, I was in the palace just now, why did you stop me? The matter of the military settlement is very important. If I do not do it properly, it will delay your Majesty's affairs..."

After all, Fan Guang's thinking on this kind of political issue is relatively simple.

The biggest reason why he wanted to ask clearly was that he was afraid that he would not understand something thoroughly and delay the important affairs of the court.

However, seeing his serious look, Zhu Huixun sighed and said.

"What are you worried about? Since the Son of Heaven sent someone over, it means that there are naturally arrangements. You can do it according to your own will. If there is any mistake, Shu Liang will naturally take care of it. Otherwise, what would the Son of Heaven ask him to do?"

"Oh……"

Fan Dudu faintly felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't tell what was wrong, so he could only keep walking outside the palace with his head sullen.

At the same time, all the people in the Hall of Martial Arts left, leaving Yu Qian alone.

The monarch and his ministers faced each other, and after a while, Yu Qian said.

"Your Majesty, Dudu Fan is right to be worried, so..."

Yu Qian didn't say what happened next, but his attitude was already clear.

In fact, from this point, it can be seen that there is still a big gap between Fan Guang and civil servants like Yu Qian and Shen Yi in politics.

At least, after Shen Yi understood the overall plan of the Ministry of War, his first reaction was that even if the emperor wanted to implement the policy of redemption, in the early stage of rectification, he would definitely pull a person of sufficient weight to come out to sacrifice the flag!

As long as the knife is ruthless enough, what Fan Guang has to do will be much easier.

No one would say these strategies explicitly, but they were all tacitly understood. Unfortunately, Fan Guang still didn't participate enough in government affairs. He only saw the final determination of the emperor, but he didn't see the middle strategy.

King Zhennan may have noticed it, but his cautious character prevented him from talking nonsense unless necessary.

In fact, it was true, with Shu Liang watching, Fan Guang would not make any mistakes, just let nature take its course.

So, the final question now is, this person, who to choose?

(End of this chapter)