Daming Yuanfu

Chapter 429
Gao Gong gave himself a three-day vacation in a row. He neither defended himself nor came out to take matters seriously. Apart from staying at home and pretending to be "waiting for investigation", he didn't express anything.

Gao Gong's disciples were also very quiet, as if they suddenly didn't know their masters, they were busy with their own affairs, and they didn't intend to roll up their sleeves and start a debate.

Liu Fenyong and Cao Daye felt that this situation was a torment, as if they knew they were going to be beaten, but they didn't know where the other party would hit them. They were in a state of high tension.After just three days, these two people actually lost a lot of weight, creating a new era of weight loss.

Liu Fenyong and Cao Daye were not the only ones who couldn't hold back, the emperor couldn't hold back anymore, he issued successive edicts to appease Gao Gong, and asked Gao Gong to come out and see things—but there is a problem here, that is, if the emperor asked Gao Gong to come out and see things, Usually, Liu and Cao need to be dealt with first, but according to the usual practice, Gao Gong must first go to the Self-Defense Shu, so that the emperor can choose to trust the cabinet ministers according to the Self-Defense Shu, and then deal with Liu and Cao.

In other words, if Gao Gong couldn't defend himself and shut himself at home, the emperor would freeze.However, it is not appropriate to issue an edict to urge Gao Gong to defend himself. The reason has been mentioned before. Generally, only when the emperor is extremely angry and seriously dissatisfied with the minister, will he issue a decree and ask the minister to defend himself.

After all, it was still Emperor Longqing. Since he couldn't hold back anymore and face was not important, he sent Chen Hong, Feng Bao, and Meng Chong to the Gao University Scholars' Mansion one after another, and asked Gao Gong to defend himself—this would make the nature different, no? Decree, but request.

On the fourth day, Gao Gong finally gave the emperor face and defended himself.

"The minister, with his virtues, falsely assumed important tasks, and did not receive any rewards for his duties, so that people spoke up and charged him with guilt. How dare he argue! But those who have the great righteousness of the upper pass and the famous integrity of the lower pass, dare not not understand what they say.

In the previous month, the holy body violated the harmony, and the minister and his fellow official Zhang Juzheng were in the court day and night, and they lingered relative to each other until they stopped eating and sleeping, and waited until the holy body was safe, and then returned home.The ceremony of marriage between the minister and the servant of the Ministry of Punishment, Cao Jin, is also after the Eucharist, and the sun and the moon can be pressed.

In the East Palace lectures, although the cabinet ministers have the responsibility of promoting and adjusting, but they are accompanied by attendants, the codes have not been recorded, and the Ministry of Rites has not issued an inscription, which is unprecedented.Since the ministers did not dare to enter the service without authorization, they were not at ease, so they asked for a knock every five days, because the things that were not in the old days were added, rather than things that were not in the old days were reduced. The examples can be recorded. and also.

My answer is correct, Chen Shi and Zhang Juzheng have always been planning for the emperor, and they are full of praise for their success, so as to serve the country as little as possible.Not only has He Wenlun repeatedly commended and rewarded Shengyin, but the ministers and others dare not take credit for it. Now it is said that the minister owes it to himself.

Since the emperor summoned the ministers to return to the cabinet and take charge of the affairs, the ministers were worried that they would exercise too much power and might cause danger. So far in the spring, the speeches have been restored, and the emperor is quiet and dare not bother to insult, but now it is said that the minister has the power and refuses to dismiss, which is also learned from the sage.These are all righteous people, and I would like to state that this is actually the case.

The minister is clumsy, foolish and self-preserving, quite capable of introducing cleanliness, selflessly visits the door, and does not allow a piece of paper to enter. This move is known to the nobles and gentry, and everyone in the world knows it.Deputy envoy Dong Wencai was already well-received, and the minister recommended him to participate in politics. The bureaucrats must carefully select old and mature people, and the servant Lu Tiaoyang is an official of the emperor's day, so he dare not move.

The servant Zhang Siwei's qualifications and expectations corresponded. The minister and Zhang Juzheng promoted him to be the official of the servant class. It is said that the literary talents will be given [-] gold, and Siwei will be given [-] gold. What did you see and where did you not clearly state the evidence?

In the fourth year of Longqing, Chen Lu reviewed the records, and found that Lu Kai's Ci poems did not match the law, and he proposed to have Ci. In the following year, the Judiciary drafted it to be reserved, and had nothing to do with the minister.

The minister's family has always been poor, and it is still like a commoner. Everyone can see it. It has never been robbed, so what is the truth for the so-called robbed of hundreds of thousands of gold?
These are all famous festivals in Xiaguan, and I would like to state that this is actually the case.As for other accusations, such as the loyalty of ministers to the country, the respect and negligence of deacons, the public and private interests of use and abandonment, and the existence or non-existence of personal grievances, these are all obvious to the people.However, the minister's strength is not enough to win the weight, and his lightness is not enough to convince others. After the officials have discussed it, it is reasonable to retire. Fortunately, he has given him a dismissal. "

This self-defense not only refuted the previous impeachment of Cao Daye one by one, but also finally came to the point that "the minister's strength is not enough to win the weight, and his lightness is not enough to convince people. Removal with honor" is both an attitude required by convention and a response to impeachment.

The emperor waited for this self-defense for three days, so he reacted very quickly. Gao Gong went up in the morning, and at noon the emperor's consolation edict came down: "You are loyal, honest and cautious. I know it well. Those who speak lies have been punished, so you should rest assured Auxiliary government, relying on deputy dependents. Resignation is not allowed."

The emperor said that "those who speak falsely have already been punished." He was really not joking, because before Gao Gong's self-defense was published, the emperor had already written the treatment of Liu Fenyong and Cao Daye. After entering the General Administration Department, the emperor immediately wrote two edicts, asking the Sili Supervisor to write and use treasures, and then they could issue them.

"Liu Fenyong spoke nonsense and was demoted to a foreign post."

"Cao Daye, this guy is arranging for his assistant ministers, and he is demoted and transferred to a foreign post. If there is one, he should be dealt with severely!"

Holding these two edicts, Feng Bao felt a little anxious, and hurried to the cabinet to discuss with Zhang Juzheng—after Gao Gong closed the door, Guo Pu and Zhang Juzheng took turns drafting bills in the cabinet, and Zhang Juzheng happened to be writing today.

When Zhang Juzheng got the emperor's edict, he didn't have any expression on his face, and he didn't look like Feng Bao who was in a state of panic all day long. Instead, he comforted him: "Mr. Feng, don't worry, the emperor's move is just as it should be in the question. Righteousness."

Feng Bao breathed a sigh of relief, but still had a stern expression on his face. He hurriedly walked a few steps, and said, "What should be in the question? Zhang Ge, Liu Fenyong, it's fine. The emperor only blames him for lying and demoting foreign appointments." We can also make proper arrangements to deal with him so that he doesn't suffer too much. But what about Cao Daye? Look at the tone of the emperor's edict, "this guy" has come out! Not only is it downgrading the foreign post, but also making "You Siyi" more important Yan Chu'ah, who is Yousi? The Ministry of Officials! The Ministry of Officials is a high-ranking yamen! The emperor didn't say how low it will be. Shouldn't this be a slap in the face? This person is considered useless—if he is an ordinary person, he will be abolished. It’s useless, but he is your disciple!”

Zhang Juzheng smiled, waved his hands and said: "It's just a temporary setback, it's okay. Besides, I have discussed with him the risk of doing this."

Feng Bao breathed out, and said helplessly: "Even if he can think about the overall situation and doesn't complain about it, what would outsiders think?"

Zhang Juzheng pondered for a while this time, and then said: "After all, the emperor's edict is just an edict, and the official edict is still the head and tail of the cabinet, just remove the emperor's momentary words."

Feng Bao's expression turned serious, and he asked, "How to change it?"

Zhang Juzheng said: "Cao Daye talked nonsense and demoted his post."

Feng Bao frowned, a little hesitant: "If the emperor knows..."

"It doesn't matter, this is an edict based on the holy will. It was originally the responsibility of the cabinet. The focus of this edict is still to demote Cao Daye to a foreign post. I haven't changed this disposition. Even if the emperor knows about it, it won't do anything."

Feng Bao reluctantly accepted this argument, and said: "Since Mr. Zhang Ge is responsible for this, and Mr. Feng doesn't have much to say, then let's do it like this." , why is it so steadfast?"

The corners of Zhang Juzheng's eyes twitched twice, and he said in a deep voice: "There is always a time when the world changes."

This sentence reminded Feng Bao, Feng Bao looked around a few times, and said in a low voice: "The emperor is in a bad mood these days, and his appetite has decreased."

Zhang Juzheng's eyes moved, and he said: "The misfortune of this world...how is your majesty's condition?"

Feng Bao said angrily: "The emperor has replaced a group of servants, and I haven't been able to grasp the specific situation, but you don't have to worry, I guess not only my people have been replaced, but also the people placed by Meng Chong, Chen Hong and others. , was also replaced. Now everyone in Qianqing Palace is afraid that their eyes will be black... I am trying to win over the people in Qianqing Palace, it will take some time."

Zhang Juzheng frowned and asked, "Don't you know anything about the situation? Is it aggravated or alleviated?"

Feng Bao sneered and said: "In such a troubled time, how can the emperor's condition be alleviated? Besides, although the emperor has changed a batch of servants in Qianqing Palace, he can't just replace those imperial physicians, can he?"

Zhang Juzheng's eyes lit up: "Feng Gongyou...reached a consensus with a certain imperial physician?" He originally planned to say, "Feng Gongyou bought a certain imperial physician?"

Feng Bao was not so cautious, he waved his hand and said: "Emperor doctors can't buy them off. If they have problems with this kind of thing, it will be a crime of insecurity. I think of the method above the people around the imperial doctors—at least One thing is certain, the amount of medicine used by the emperor has increased."

Zhang Juzheng was overjoyed, his expression became more serious, he nodded and said: "Mr. Guo Lai, as ministers, we should pray for the emperor day and night, but if the country is unlucky, the emperor really has an emergency... We also need to be prepared."

Feng Bao's eyes flickered, and he nodded, "I'm here today to discuss with Mr. Ge." He paused, and said, "I have something to tell Mr. Ge: Dongchang has found out that Jinghua Soap The soap produced by the factory was brought from Xuecheng to Liaodong through the command of Kaiping Zhongtunwei.”

Zhang Juzheng is good at bureaucratic tactics, and he doesn't know much about these business matters, so he frowned and said, "So what?"

Feng Bao chuckled and said, "Master Ge, Jinghua Soap has huge profits, you know that, right?"

Of course Zhang Juzheng knew that he was also using the Guoshi soap produced by Jinghua Soap Factory.

Seeing him nodding, Feng Bao continued: "Although the specific profit of Jinghua Soap is unknown, it must be huge, and for such a hugely profitable product, Gao Wushi is willing to hand over the distribution rights of the entire Liaodong Xue Cheng."

Zhang Juzheng vaguely understood what Feng Bao meant, and asked, "What is this Xue Cheng?"

Feng Bao chuckled: "Old Master Jiaoge knows that this person is the younger brother of Xue Gan, Marquis of Yangwu."

Zhang Juzheng's eyes immediately brightened.

When Feng Bao saw him, he smiled even wider, and said again: "The people in the East Factory followed the vine and found out that Xue Cheng made money in it, but he didn't keep much of it. Most of it should be transferred back to Yang Wuhou in the capital. government."

"Oh? Mr. Feng, please continue." Zhang Juzheng said calmly.

"However, those silver coins were not directly sent to Yangwuhou's mansion, but to an outhouse of Yangwuhou's mansion—the place is owned by Yangwuhou's eldest son, Xue Yu." Feng Bao chuckled and added Said: "This Xue Yan is quite friendly with many honorable disciples in Beijing, but that is not the key point, the key point is that his relationship with Gao Yushi seems to be very good, and the two of them have a lot of communication."

Zhang Juzheng frowned and thought for a while, then asked: "Is there any more?"

"Yes." Feng Bao said in a deep voice: "Dongchang continued to investigate and found that Gao Yushi not only has a close relationship with Xue Yu, but also those descendants of nobles in Jingzhong, and even many descendants of civil servants' families, are in contact with him. I doubt... …This is not what Gao Yushi himself meant, but probably Gao Gong ordered it.”

Zhang Juzheng didn't speak for a while, and after pondering for a moment, he said, "I think something is wrong. Mr. Feng, I understand what you mean. You mean that the Gao family used the profits from Jinghua soap to win over nobles and even some civil servants in Beijing, but according to my opinion, Elder Gao Ge understands that he might disdain to do this, so this matter is not necessarily instigated by Elder Gao Ge, but more likely to be done by Gao Yushi himself."

Feng Bao frowned, and said, "Gao Wushi did it himself? That's fine, but it doesn't make any difference. When there is a chance to investigate, the uncle and nephew of the Gao family will always be grasshoppers on the same rope."

Zhang Juzheng understood what he meant, and what Feng Bao said was that as long as there is a chance to pursue this matter, he will push this matter to Gao Gong. After all, Gao Pragmatic's age is here, and it is only himself who said such a big matter How many people in the world would believe in his idea without Gao Gong's permission?
He nodded inwardly, thinking that this was also a solution.However, there are two issues to be resolved in this matter. The first is how deeply the nobles in Beijing and the civil servants are involved in this matter. If he and Feng Bao pursue this matter, how strong are these people's rebounds? The second is how wide-ranging this matter is. If it involves too much, it will be very troublesome to pursue it. Even if he joins forces with Feng Bao and finds a suitable opportunity, it is impossible for Jingzhong Xungui and Feng Bao A large number of civil servants were taken down in one fell swoop-it was more serious than the death of the emperor, and there might be big troubles.

You must know that even if the emperor is dead, as long as the crown prince is healthy, he can directly succeed to the throne. As long as the capital is not in chaos, this matter is very appropriate.

But if all the nobles in the capital are wiped out, no one will dare to try this kind of thing. Who knows what kind of trouble will happen-theoretically, the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses in the Beijing camp are all under the names of these nobles. The shortage is serious, but there are at least a dozen to 20 people. If there is so much trouble in Qiuba, no one can stop it.

Coupled with the involvement of some civil servants, it is even more impossible to estimate the consequences.

Thinking about it this way, Zhang Juzheng had no choice but to seek stability, and asked: "Which people have been implicated and how deeply have they been implicated, Mr. Feng, please investigate more clearly... Mr. Feng also knows that although those nobles usually It doesn't have much serious use, but after all, they are living together with the country, if there is a disturbance and they all cry and confiscate the palace, it will be troublesome."

Feng Bao's heart tightened when he heard that, of course he knew how powerful the nobles were crying and beating the palace together. A top civil servant like Zhang Juzheng might not care too much about the power of the nobles, but he is an eunuch, that's for sure Don't dare to fight hard with the nobles.In the final analysis, Xungui is the emperor's brother, and the eunuch is nothing more than a domestic slave. How can it be compared?
Cutting off both arms for a domestic slave?No fool would choose that.

Although Feng Bao refused to believe that Gao Wushi could buy all the nobles in Beijing, the danger of such a thing was indeed too great. Zhang Juzheng's worry was not unreasonable, so he nodded and said: "What the old man said is true, I will let you The brats below should work harder, understand the matter thoroughly, and then make further calculations."

　Hey, it's another 4K chapter...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)