Paper Maker: This is the end of the Ming Dynasty in Liaozhai

Chapter 187 Chongzhen: I trust him so much in vain!

Gong Qingshan opened the bag, and two brand new books came into view. Seeing that they were books, Gong Qingshan couldn't help being taken aback, but he still picked them up and opened them.

But the next moment, Gong Qingshan hastily closed the book, then rushed to the yard, looked left and right at the door, looking for the person throwing the burden, but at this time the street at the door was already empty, and there was no suspicious person. Gong Qingshan returned to the yard, picked up two books and went back to the room.

In the study room, Gong Qingshan's expression was uncertain. He just picked up the book, but then put it down again. As an old man in the officialdom, he knows very well what an uproar this thing will cause if it arrives in the capital.

Don't think it's the mainstream to liquidate eunuchs in the court, but in fact there are so many eunuchs, more of them are like him, who just praised Wei Zhongxian's stinky feet, and then they were liquidated as eunuchs.

The initial liquidation was indeed liquidation of many eunuchs, but the subsequent liquidation has changed, and it has become a private grievance struggle among officials, or a struggle of interests. Like him, the prefect of the Daming Prefecture is a fat job. There are quite a few people, and he once built a shrine for Wei Zhongxian, so he was naturally included in the ranks of the eunuch party.

Now there are still many people in the court impeaching Shangzuo in the name of liquidating the eunuch party. Once this thing enters Beijing, it will cause a lot of blood and rain, especially those officials who are impeached as eunuch party will be crazy counterattack.

Today's court has become a mess. In the past ten years, after two large-scale purges by the Donglin Party and the Eunuch Party, other small parties have already died.

And since Yang Lian, the core figures of the Donglin Party, and Tian Ergeng, the core figures of the Eunuch Party, died, it is actually impossible to distinguish any party in the court now. If we really want to divide power, we can only use the interest class to divide. .

Those who were eradicated in the name of the eunuch party and those who are still being impeached are considered the old interest class, while Yuan Chonghuan and others who took over power after their old interest class fell are regarded as the new interest class.

But the new interest class comes from all over the place, there is no specific source at all, even an old fritter like him who has been in the officialdom for nearly 20 years can't tell who is the enemy and who is the friend.

For example, Yuan Chonghuan, when it comes to truth, he also has the name of an eunuch. At the beginning, he built a shrine for Wei Zhongxian and praised Wei Zhongxian's stinky feet. Few people were more active than him. Returning to his hometown can't erase the fact that he praises Wei Zhongxian's stinky feet, but he has become a celebrity in front of Zhu Youjian's eyes and a representative of the new interest class.

There is also Wang Yongguang, the Minister of the Ministry of Households in the capital, who was promoted by Wei Guangwei and the others. He belongs to the eunuch official of Genhongmiaozheng. He is short of engraving the word eunuch on his forehead, but Zhu Youjian will keep it to death. He, even if the censors impeach him twice in three days, he will stand still, and he can be regarded as a representative of the old interest class.

It can be said that in today's court, all the officials are covering their faces. No one knows who is the new interest class and who is the old interest class. Those who don't like it have long been dealt with by Wei Zhongxian. Maybe the friend you think will stab you tomorrow, and then squeeze into the new interest class.

After thinking wildly for a long time, Gong Qingshan turned his attention to the books on the table again. The chaos in the court has nothing to do with him, but if these things are handled well, he can use this to return to the capital.

On the other side, in a teahouse not far from Gong Qingshan's home, Wu Shi and Xue Dong brothers were looking at Gong Qingshan's direction.

"Brother, are you sure that Gong Qingshan will send the evidence to the capital?"

Xue Dong wondered, he thought Wu Shi was planning to send the evidence to the Ministry of Criminal Justice or the Metropolitan Procuratorate, but he didn't expect it to be sent to Gong Qingshan, the idle young minister of Taichang Temple.

"Do not worry."

Wu Shi said calmly: "He will, and even if he doesn't do it, we can just copy a few more copies. The whole city of Nanjing is so big, there will always be someone willing to do it."

He chose Gong Qingshan not randomly, but after careful research. Compared with other people, people like Gong Qingshan who have just fallen from high positions have greater ambitions, and they have been in high positions and have a network of connections. It is also broader and able to use these evidences to a greater effect.

Their evidence is not all ironclad evidence, it can only involve some small people. If you want to drag people like Yuan Chonghuan into the water, you must have big people from Ming Dynasty to participate in it.

Hearing this, Xue Dong nodded. He didn't understand the relationship, but since Wu Shi was confident, he would follow what he said. Anyway, even if he failed, there would be no loss.

……

Beijing.

The residence of Wang Yongguang, Shangshu of the household department.

In the study, Wang Yongguang looked at the official documents on the desk and felt dizzy. Since the water transportation was cut off, the grain was transported by land, and the officials from the top and bottom of the household department were all busy like dogs. As the secretary of the household department, he had to take official documents home for review every day.

Of course, being tired also means that the power of the household department has increased greatly. After all, grain is the lifeblood of the capital and border soldiers, and all trivial matters have to be given way to the household department. Can be said to be tired and happy.

However, this power also means that he must ensure that the grain is sufficient to supply the capital and the border.

Wanting to come here, Wang Yongguang's head hurts, the power of the household department has increased, and there are many people in the court coveting the position under his buttocks. During this time, various memorials to impeach him are almost full Zhu Youjian's book case, if Zhu Youjian hadn't kept him, he would have died.

"Master, Gong Qingshan, the Shaoqing of Nanjing Taichang Temple, asked his family to send a package, saying that the contents inside are extremely important, and I hope the master can take a look at it."

At this time, the butler walked into the study with a package in his hand.

"Gong Qingshan?"

Hearing this name, Wang Yongguang was stunned. After thinking hard for a long time, he found the memory about Gong Qingshan from the corner of his memory.

"I have nothing to do with him?"

Wang Yongguang doubted that he had no friendship with Gong Qingshan before, but despite his doubts, Wang Yongguang took the package from the housekeeper, opened it, and two books were revealed.

After flipping through it a few times, Wang Yongguang's face changed suddenly, and he closed the book immediately, sitting on a chair and fell into deep thought. Although he only flipped through it a few times, he had already guessed about the contents of the book. .

Stealing rations!

Now Zhu Youjian is restless because of the rebel army in Shandong. The theft of military food is undoubtedly holding back the imperial court. If this thing is handed over, it is not surprising how many people will lose their heads. Good end.

After thinking for a while, Wang Yongguang continued to browse.

.........

Qianqing Palace.

Looking at the books in his hands, Zhu Youjian was trembling with anger. He never thought that he would not hesitate to raise taxes, recruit new soldiers, and mobilize 21 troops to let Yuan Chonghuan go to quell the rebellion.

"Wang Aiqing, is this true?"

Qi to Qi, Zhu Youjian asked calmly.

"Returning to Your Majesty, these two books of evidence were delivered by the family members of Nanjing Taichang Temple Shaoqing Gong Qingshan to the minister himself."

Hearing Zhu Youjian's question, Wang Yongguang quickly bowed and replied: "According to Gong Shaoqing's family, he only found out these news after many inquiries. I don't know if it's true or not, but I think it should be true. After all, those The stolen army rations amounted to 10,000+ shi, and this kind of thing only needs to be sent to investigate and the truth will be revealed.”

After finishing speaking, Wang Yongguang kept silent, this kind of credit is dispensable to him, it is better to put it all on Gong Qingshan, even if it is found to be fake, it is also Gong Qingshan's problem.

After listening to Wang Yongguang's words, Zhu Youjian's face became even more gloomy, because what Wang Yongguang said was right, two 10,000+ stone grains are not a small amount, and it is impossible to fill such a big hole in a short time. Go check it out and everything will come to light.

"Yuan Chonghuan!"

Zhu Youjian gritted his teeth: "I trust him so much in vain, how dare he act so boldly, Wang Daban, send the cabinet ministers to clean the palace."

"The slave is going here."

Wang Chengen on the side responded quickly.

...

After a while, Han Yu and the others rushed to Qianqing Palace one after another.

"Several lovers, let's have a look at these two items."

Zhu Youjian signaled Wang Chengen to show the two news to Han Yu and others.

Han Yu took one of them first, and then flipped through it, while Qian Longxi took the other one.

The two of them had just flipped through it a few times, and their faces changed instantly. When Li Biao and Liu Hongxun saw the big change in their faces, their hearts couldn't help but thump. Small.

After a while, Han Yu and the others handed the book in their hands to Li Biao and the others, and after reading it a few times, Li Biao and the others also showed a sudden change in expression.

"My dear friends, you know the matter, how do you think this matter should be dealt with?"

Zhu Youjian looked gloomy, and the more he thought about it, the more chilling he became. Yuan Chonghuan led the army to quell the rebellion and has stolen and sold two 10,000+ shi army rations in less than half a year, which is 10,000+ taels of silver in vain.

As the saying goes, wine is famous, money touches people's hearts, there are 10,000+ taels of silver in half a year, how could Yuan Chonghuan put his heart into suppressing the rebellion, maybe if it continues, Su Hao will become the next Nurhachi and Daming's confidant.

Hearing Zhu Youjian's words, the complexions of Han Yu and the others instantly became uglier. They have been up and down in the officialdom for decades, and there are so many people who have seen it. Zhu Youjian's mind has no secrets in front of them at all. It can be said that with just one sentence, they could tell that Zhu Youjian was suspicious of Yuan Chonghuan.

"Your Majesty, this matter is just the words of Gong Qingshan's family, the Shaoqing of Taichang Temple. It is really not credible."

After thinking for a while, Han Yu still cupped his hands and said, although he was also very annoyed at Yuan Chonghuan for not showing mercy to them before, but Yuan Chonghuan is indeed a rare talent in the court today, and if he wants to suppress the rebellion, he has to rely on Yuan Chonghuan .

"Mr. Han Ge, this ration is the lifeline of the army, and if there is a slight mistake, it will be a catastrophe. How can we be negligent?"

At this time, Wang Yongguang said coldly: "If the army is mutinied and defeated because of this, who can bear the responsibility? Can you, Han Ge, bear it?"

Wang Yongguang's words immediately hit Han Yu's throat like a sharp sword.

Hearing Wang Yongguang's words, Han Yu opened his mouth, but couldn't speak. After staying in the officialdom for so many years, he naturally knew the situation of Daming well, although he didn't think Yuan Chonghuan would go Corrupting military rations, but knowing people and faces but not knowing the heart, who can guarantee that Yuan Chonghuan is really not corrupt.

It's okay to say a few good words for Yuan Chonghuan, but asking him to vouch for Yuan Chonghuan is still unnecessary. The relationship between him and Yuan Chonghuan is not that good.

"Army rations are the lifeblood of an army, and there is no room for loss."

At this time, Zhu Youjian said: "Qian Aiqing, you go to Huai'an Mansion to thoroughly investigate this matter, and don't let any problem go."

"The minister obeys the order."

Hearing this, Qian Longxi hastily clapped his hands in response.

Seeing this, Han Yu could only sigh slightly in his heart. This investigation of the coach in front of the battle is tantamount to alienating the heart of the general. If there is a slight mistake, it is very likely to cause a mutiny.

But thinking about it, Han Yu didn't dare to say it clearly. Now Zhu Youjian has suspected Yuan Chonghuan. If he really said it, it would only make Zhu Youjian more suspicious.

After leaving Qianqing Palace, Han Yu solemnly said to Qian Longxi: "Brother Qian, this matter is of great importance, we must investigate it strictly, and we must not wrong anyone, otherwise the morale of the army will be shaken, and the consequences will be disastrous."

Hearing Han Yu's words, Qian Longxi frowned immediately. The meaning of Han Yu's words was very clear, that is, try to get rid of Yuan Chonghuan as much as possible, and don't involve Yuan Chonghuan.

"Brother Han, don't worry, I will definitely investigate this matter strictly and never wrong anyone."

After thinking about it for a while, Qian Longxi still nodded and said, he and Han Yu are both cabinet elders, so it's worth giving some face to those who don't look up and look down. Of course, if Yuan Chonghuan really stole and sold the military rations, Then he won't cover it up, after all, his relationship with Yuan Chonghuan is not that good.

"Then I'll trouble Brother Qian."

Hearing Qian Longxi's words, Han Yu could only pray silently in his heart, that Yuan Chonghuan must not really steal and sell the military rations, otherwise, the change of commander in front of the battle might repeat the mistakes of the first battle in Guangning.

...

No matter what happened in the court, no one could hide it from anyone. As soon as Han Yu and the others left, Zhu Youjian asked Qian Longxi to go to Huai'an Mansion to check the military rations.

.........

In Nanjing City, in a luxurious manor, several middle-aged men gathered together. Although everyone was dressed in casual clothes, the majestic temperament still revealed that they were either rich or noble.

"There's news from the capital that the little emperor asked Qian Longxi to come to Huai'an Mansion to check the military rations."

The person sitting at the main seat spoke.

"How did the matter spread to the capital?"

The other person frowned and said, although there was surprise in the words, but there was not much sense of panic, obviously not very scared.

"According to the news from my eyes and ears in the capital, it was the clues found by the Shaoqing Gong Qingshan of Taichang Temple, and then passed back to the capital."

The leader said calmly: "It is said that the clues that Gong Qingshan found are military rations stolen and sold by Yuan Chonghuan."

(End of this chapter)