Why did the emperor rebel?

Chapter 917
Where is Yang Jie?

That's a really good question!

This time Yang Jie came to the Xuan Mansion, ostensibly to select the vanguard of the government army, but in fact, he sneaked into the grassland secretly to find Tatar Jinong Agbarji, and leverage the grassland battle situation.

This task is extremely difficult, and naturally, it must be kept secret.

At least so far, Yang Xin is the only one who knows about this matter in the entire Xuanfu. Even Tao Jin only vaguely knows that Yang Jie is not in the city, but he does not know where he went or what he did. Not sure.

Therefore, when he heard that Jin Lian asked about this matter, Yang Xin was subconsciously cautious, said.

"Master Shangshu, my younger brother is naturally recuperating in the mansion!"

It's not that he deliberately wants to deceive, but if this matter is leaked, the first person to be threatened will be Yang Jie.

Therefore, even if he was facing Jin Lian, Yang Xin could only choose to deny it.

Seeing this situation, Jin Lian was taken aback for a moment, and then he understood. He didn't feel displeased, but continued.

"Vice Commander Yang doesn't need to hide his words. This old man knows that Governor Yang is not in the city, but has gone to the grassland with His Majesty's secret decree."

Seeing that Yang Xin was still silent.

So, Jin Lian took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Yang Xin, saying.

"This is the letter that Yang Zhen Fu envoy left when he came to Datong City to see the old man. You can tell it at a glance!"

Yang Xin's eyes fell on the envelope, and the words "Brother Yang Xin's personal letter" came into view. The handwriting was beautiful and clean, and it was Yang Jie's good handwriting.

In this letter, Yang Jie said two things.

One is what he went to Datong to do.

Yang Jie borrowed Datong and found two people. The first person was Jin Lian, who handed over the collected evidence of Ren Li's crimes in Gansu.

The second person is Dai Wang, in order to persuade Dai Wang to support the rectification of the army, so as to restore the favor of the Yang family.

Yang Xin knew about this matter, and he sent someone to collect Ren Li's criminal evidence back then.

But the second thing Yang Jie said, even Yang Xin was surprised.

Logically speaking, he should leave after handing over the criminal evidence to Jin Lian and go about his own business, but he did not leave directly, but told Jin Lian everything he had to do on the grassland .

Moreover, in exchange for persuading the king, I hope that Jin Lian can stay in Xuanfu after the rectification of the army is over...

This is the end of the letter.

Yang Jie didn't say what he asked Jin Lian to do, but he said in the letter that he hoped Yang Xin could cooperate with Jin Lian's actions and protect Jin Lian's safety.

After reading the letter, Yang Xin pondered for a moment, Fang said.

"Since Master Shangshu knows that my younger brother has a heavy responsibility, I should also know that this matter is very secret. What Yang did was to cover up my younger brother's whereabouts and block all prying eyes. As for where is my younger brother now? , Yang really doesn’t know.”

This is very sincere, because... what Yang Xin said is the truth.

Yang Jie has been a person with ideas since he was a child, and this matter has been sealed by the Holy Spirit, so the fewer people who know about it, the better.

Yang Xin was even surprised that Yang Jie would tell Jin Lian about this matter.

In fact, since Yang Jie left Xuanfu, he has not received any news in the past few months.

Hearing this, Jin Lian also frowned. Obviously, Yang Xin's answer made him a little surprised. With his eyesight, he could see that Yang Xin did not lie to him.

but……

"To tell the truth from Vice President Yang, when the envoy Yang Zhenfu came to look for the old man, we agreed that the old man would arrive at the Xuanfu by August at the latest."

"At that time, Yang Zhenfu will send someone to reply to the old man, but now..."

It's already the end of August!
A trace of solemnity flashed in Yang Xin's eyes.

If it is said that Yang Jie and Jin Lian agreed on August, then it means that what Yang Jie wants to do can be done in August.

But now, the time is up, but the person has not come back, and there is no news at all, could it be that...

With this in mind, Yang Xin straightened up, looked up at Jin Lian, and asked.

"Jin Shangshu, Yang is taking the liberty to ask, what is it that my younger brother entrusted to you?"

Yang Xin is a well-measured person, and at the same time, he is also a person with a very political vision. This is exactly what Yang Hong values ​​​​him most.

In fact, after reading the letter just now, Yang Xin knew that there must be some secret agreement between Yang Jie and Jin Lian.

Otherwise, the six dignified ministers and the imperial envoys who were ordered to go out of Beijing would have stayed at the border for so long because of Yang Jie's request?
You know, just now Jin Lian only said that Yang Jie asked him to stay at the border, but he didn't say why he stayed...

Yang Xin didn't ask before, it was a matter of propriety.

But now, when it comes to Yang Jie's life and death, he must obtain the most comprehensive information in order to make the most accurate judgment.

People who lead troops to fight are seldom indecisive.

After thinking clearly, Yang Xin didn't care so much, and asked directly.

Sure enough, after asking this sentence, Jin Lian's face was also a little embarrassed, and after a moment of pondering, he said.

"At the beginning, when Yang Zhenfu came to discuss with the old man, he said that his entry into the grassland was a secret, but he obtained His Majesty's permission before leaving Beijing, so he told the old man frankly."

"Later, he hoped that the old man could take advantage of the rectification of the army to wait for a while at the border. This matter is no small matter, and the old man dared not agree rashly, so he wrote a secret report and asked His Majesty for instructions."

"After all, this old man is the Secretary of the Ministry of Criminal Affairs, so it is not appropriate to leave the capital for a long time. Although the matter of rectifying the military settlement is cumbersome and complicated, it is because of His Majesty's permission to stay on the border for such a long time."

These words seem to be a bit out of line.

However, it actually answered Yang Xin's question.

Yang Xin asked Yang Jie what he had entrusted to Jin Lian, but Jin Lian replied that the reason why he was able to linger on the border for so long was not only to deal with military affairs, but more importantly, to cooperate with Yang Jie with the permission of the emperor. act.

What this means is that the emperor knows what Yang Jie entrusted to him.

Precisely because it is the meaning of the Son of Heaven.

Therefore, this matter cannot be disclosed without the permission of the emperor.

Yang Xin's eyebrows were tightly wrinkled. Obviously, Jin Lian's words not only did not alleviate his worries, but made him more worried.

I also know that the things entrusted by the emperor will never be simple and easy to complete, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they are difficult and dangerous.

Yang Jie has always been weak, and the long journey is already worrying, and now he is still shouldering such a heavy burden...

With a long sigh, Yang Xin got up and saluted with fists in his hands, and said.

"Thank you, Lord Shangshu, for letting me know. Don't worry, my lord. Yang will immediately arrange people to sneak into the tribes of the grassland to find out the news. Once I get something, I will report it to my lord immediately!"

Yang Xin is a sensible person, since Jin Lian said so, if he asks any more, it will be embarrassing for others.

However, not asking doesn't mean he doesn't care about it.

Since Jin Lian couldn't tell, he had to check it out himself.

The most urgent task is to find Yang Jie's whereabouts.

Although I don't know what the other secret task that Yang Jie is responsible for is, after all, it must be related to the grassland.

At least, what Yang Xin can confirm is that one of his important tasks here is to stir up discord within the grassland.

With this clue, it must be possible to find out something.

Xuan Mansion is an important town, and the Yang family has been operating here for many years. The confrontation with the captives is far from being as simple as defending the city and fighting...

Seeing this situation, a glint of approval flashed in Jin Lian's eyes.

It has to be said that Yang Xin is indeed a well-informed person, and he had an insight into his purpose so quickly.

"In this case, the old man will wait for the good news."

"To tell the truth, Vice President Yang, the rectification of various border areas is now in the process of being steadily advanced. This matter is a major state policy and cannot be postponed. Once the matter is over, the old man needs to rush back to the capital as soon as possible, so..."

"Yang understands."

Yang Xin nodded, his expression a little dignified.

He knew what Jin Lian meant, no matter what important task Yang Jie shouldered, but in the end, it was more important than the important task of rectifying the army.

In order to rectify the military settlements, the imperial court has invested countless manpower and material resources. From the very beginning of the preparations to the present, it has been more than a year, from the emperor to the local officials, to inspect the censors, all are busy with this matter.

Jin Lian may be able to sit in the Xuanfu, but it is impossible for him not to return to the capital for a long time, even if this matter is approved by the emperor.

In fact, at the position of Liubu Qiqing, in many cases, every move affects the hearts of countless people.

Even if you don't mention Jin Lian's half a year in Beijing, the backlog of government affairs in the Ministry of Criminal Justice, just saying that he has been away from the political center for a long time is not a good thing for Jin Lian.

What's more, if such an important minister of the Seven Ministers is placed on the border for a long time, if there is no major government affairs, it will not only be a huge waste of political resources, but also cause unnecessary rumors between the ruling and opposition parties.

And there is no doubt that the reason why Yang Jie went to Jin Lian in the first place must be because there must be something that Jin Lian needs to be in charge of to deal with.

Once Jin Lian left, even if Yang Jie came back, things might not be done.

Frowning and thinking for a moment, Yang Xin asked.

"May I ask Lord Shangshu, how long will it take for the rectification matter to end?"

"Two months!"

Jin Lian sighed and said.

"The matter on the border is quite big, so it is not easy to deal with it. However, it depends on the sufficient preparations made by the Ministry of War and the Metropolitan Procuratorate in the early stage. Therefore, as long as you make up your mind, it doesn't take too long to deal with it." time."

"Besides, Vice President Yang should have heard that His Majesty has just promoted Du Ning, Minister of Dali Temple, and ordered him to inspect Shaanxi, Shanxi and other places."

"He came here this time, if there is no accident, he should work together with the old man to clean up the last hands and tails, so there is no time to wait!"

two months...

Yang Xin let out a long breath, looked up at the blue sky outside the window, and rarely felt unprecedented pressure.

…………

Capital City, Wenhua Palace.

It has been less than half a month since the chaotic court meeting. During this time, the court hall was very peaceful.

There is no way to be uneasy, the case of the imperial examination, although the emperor only dismissed one cabinet minister and one Xiao Yi who was already doomed to be out.

However, the ministers involved in this case, including two cabinets and six ministries, did not escape punishment. Even Wang Ao, the chief assistant of the cabinet, was implicated.

Under such circumstances, naturally no one dared to touch the emperor's mold again, and they all worked obediently in the yamen.

Of course, if it is said that this court will benefit the most, it is naturally Du Ning, the former minister of Dali Temple and now the governor of Shaanxi, the censor of the right capital.

However, for some reason, Governor Du seems to be very low-key recently. Since he received the decree and received the transfer order from the Ministry of Officials, he basically doesn't go out much except for the delivery of Dali Temple affairs.

Those who came to congratulate him were simply entertained, and they didn't even hold a banquet, which attracted quite a few criticisms from his good friends.

However, Du Ning was obviously not affected by these voices.

Standing outside the Wenhua Hall, Governor Du was wearing a brand new second-grade scarlet robe just sent by the Ministry of Rites, full of emotions.

If there is no accident, he will stay away from this place, which symbolizes the political center of the entire Ming Dynasty, for a long time to come.

After talking with Chen Xun that day, although Du Ning still didn't know what the so-called "his own way of being an official" was.

However, he finally found out a little bit of his own taste.

It should be said that Du Ning has been an official for more than 20 years, of course he has his own way of being an official and principles of handling affairs.

But since Chen Xun said so, it means that what he thinks of being an official is not the same as what Chen Xun said.

In fact, this is also one of Duning's greatest strengths, that is, he is good at introspection.

After returning home, he repeatedly recalled what Chen Xun had said, and finally almost understood it.

What Chen Xun said about being an official is actually more accurate to say that it should be the political principles that need to be upheld to truly enter the ranks of the court's important ministers, as well as the structure and political courage required to be the top civil servants.

In a sense, a person who can truly occupy a high position must be someone who has achieved the ultimate in a certain aspect.

There are six ministries and seven ministers, plus the first assistant Wang Ao, there are a total of eight people, each with their own persistence.

Take the most sensitive matter of dealing with the Supreme Emperor as an example. Some of these ministers support the emperor unconditionally, such as Wang Wen and Yu Qian; some are neutral, such as Chen Xun and Shen Yi; Wei et al.

However, no matter what position they have, they all have one thing in common, that is, they are not afraid to show their position.

Perhaps, when the official rank is not high, you can be in the same dust as the light, but once you want to step into the ranks of Qiqing, you must have the determination to face all the storms.

This point was also vividly reflected in the last court meeting.

It is no exaggeration to say that the situation Wang Ao faced at that time could be called the siege of the entire cabinet, but he was able to deal with it calmly.

This concentration and courage are beyond human reach!

In addition, the more important point is that as long as you observe carefully, you will find that these people actually have their own extremes.

Jin Lian and Shen Yi are outstanding in practice. Under their management, the two yamen with the most affairs, the Criminal Department and the Household Department, are in perfect order.

Among other things, this is the second time that Jin Lian has been out of Beijing for a long time, but the Criminal Department is already operating in an orderly manner, and this is his ability.

As for the household department, not to mention, although Shen Shangshu's various styles were widely discussed, at least the ruling and opposition parties believed that no one would do better than Shen Shangshu in the household department's post.

As for the others, Hu Wei will not talk about it. The status of this great uncle is unshakable based on his qualifications alone.

Wang Wen has a bad temper, but he is loyal to the emperor. Chen Xun seems to be kind, but his disciples are all over the government and the public.

These are their irreplaceable advantages.

So in fact, Chen Xun's so-called "own way of being an official" is actually more about asking Du Ning whether he has such courage.

Ask him, what is unique and irreplaceable to the court that distinguishes him from other ministers?
(End of this chapter)