I, Jiajing, successfully cultivated immortality

Chapter 697: Cure these moths!

"By the way, father, the Yuan family in Jiaxing seems to have encountered some trouble recently."

When Yan Shifan finished speaking, Yan Song stopped and turned around with a look of confusion on his face: "The Yuan family in Jiaxing?"

Seeing this, Yan Shifan quickly stepped forward and reminded: "Father, you have forgotten that when you celebrated your eightieth birthday, the Yuan family specially sent someone to bring it..."

Yan Song heard this, and after recalling it for a long time, he nodded and said slowly: "Oh, that seems to be the case!"

After that, Yan Song looked in the direction of Yan Shifan and asked, "Tell me, what trouble did they encounter?"

Seeing this situation, Yan Shifan immediately stepped forward and said cautiously: "Father, the thing is like this. Not long ago, Yuan Kui, the young master of the Yuan family, fell in love with the wife of a commoner. Not only did he take her by force, but he also Her husband was seriously injured!"

"This case is currently making a fuss in Zhejiang. The people are very angry. The government has no choice but to postpone it for the time being. Now, the Yuan family has found a child and wants..."

Hearing this, Yan Song glanced at Yan Shifan and asked bluntly: "How much money did the Yuan family give you?"

Seeing this situation, Yan Shifan did not dare to hide anything. He immediately pointed a finger at Yan Song and whispered: "In reply to my father, the Yuan family sent someone to send one hundred thousand taels of silver. They said that after the matter is completed, there will be another Reward!"

After Yan Song learned the news from Yan Shifan, his face was so gloomy that he almost shed tears.

He did not expect that Yan Shifan would be so short-sighted that he would risk his career for a mere hundred thousand taels of silver.

Immediately, Yan Song suppressed his anger, looked in the direction of Yan Shifan, and said in a deep voice: "A case like this should be handled by the Zhejiang Inspector, that is, your subordinate He Maocai!"

Yan Song paused for a moment when he said this, and then continued: "In that case, do you know why the Yuan family came to you?"

Yan Shifan did not notice the anger contained in Yan Song's words. After thinking about it for a moment, he responded: "Returning to my father, according to the people sent by the Yuan family, it was because they ran into several obstacles with He Maocai, so I want my child to show up..."

When Yan Song heard this, he was immediately furious. He looked at Yan Shifan with a look that hated iron, and reprimanded him: "Yan Shifan, you idiot, you haven't understood it as well as your subordinates!"

"This case is obviously a hot potato. Others are afraid to avoid it, but you are like a fool and rush to get involved!"

"You said before that this case is currently making a fuss in Zhejiang, and the people are very angry. If anyone dares to deliberately take sides at this time, he will be involved if he is not protected!"

"You know, the imperial court's triennial plan has just passed. From top to bottom in the Ministry of Personnel, officials at all levels have received rewards from His Majesty. It is the time to show off their talents."

"And the Inspectorate is also gearing up, competing with the officials, and preparing to make some achievements to show His Majesty!"

"Do you want to be the standout at this time?"

After listening to Yan Song's analysis, Yan Shifan felt cold sweat break out. He had inadvertently walked towards the gate of hell!

When Yan Song said this, a hint of ridicule appeared in the corner of his mouth, and he said to himself: "Humph, I want to settle this case with just one hundred thousand taels of silver. It's not enough, far from enough!"

After that, Yan Song looked away from Yan Shifan and said in a deep voice: "When you get back, immediately refund the money you received and remind others not to be involved in this case!"

Naturally, Yan Shifan did not dare to go against Yan Song's words. He lowered his head and responded with unusual respect: "Yes, father, the child understands!"

After that, Yan Song was seen speeding up his pace and heading towards the place where the sedan was parked.

……

It was getting late, and at this moment, Xu Jie was riding in a sedan chair, returning from Prince Yu's Mansion to his mansion in the capital.

After being on duty, Zhu Zaijing couldn't wait to summon everyone and announced the result of the matter.

After Xu Jie learned from Zhu Zaijing that the whole matter was over, he couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief.

In Xu Jie's view, it was most appropriate that this matter could end with dignity. After all, since ancient times, the emperor's suspicion has always been the most serious.

Once the emperor becomes suspicious of someone, he will try his best to find evidence to prove his suspicion.

As for the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, how many people can withstand investigation?

At that time, things will only evolve into pulling out the carrots and bringing out the mud, and everyone will be finished together!

In this process, even though some of the evidence could be seen at a glance to be false and deliberately fabricated, it could still be accepted by the emperor.

In the final analysis, the emperor just wanted to find a high-sounding reason for himself to nip the danger in the cradle. As for whether it was true or false, the emperor didn't care.

"Prince Yu was only reprimanded by His Majesty for a few words this time, and it did not hurt his roots. Just wait until next time to find an opportunity and let Prince Yu show his performance in front of His Majesty!"

Xu Jie thought so, and his mood improved a lot. He opened the sedan curtain and admired the night sky.

The bright moonlight peeked out from the clouds and fell on the ground. A breeze blew by, making people feel more comfortable. Looking into the distance through the moonlight, one could vaguely see the outlines of many houses.

Time passed by so slowly. I don’t know how long it had passed. I just heard a soft call from outside the sedan: "Master, we are here!"

When Xu Jie heard the words, he responded imperceptibly. After the sedan stopped, he got down from the sedan with the help of his servants.

The housekeeper who had been waiting at the door for a long time saw Xu Jie returning to the mansion. He immediately came up to greet him, leaned down and said respectfully: "Master, you are back!"

Hearing this, Xu Jie glanced at the housekeeper and asked, "During my absence, nothing happened in the house, right?"

When the housekeeper heard Xu Jie's words, he lowered his head and responded respectfully: "Master, to be honest, during your absence, Mr. Wang brought someone to visit you."

When Xu Jie heard this, he raised his eyebrows and asked, "You mean, Wang Ting, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue?"

When the housekeeper heard Xu Jie's words, he did not dare to hide anything. He immediately told everything he knew about the situation: "Yes, sir, shortly after you left the mansion, Mr. Wang brought someone with him. It is said that he was from the Yuan family in Jiaxing. People come to visit!”

After Xu Jie learned the news from the housekeeper, he suddenly became furious and said in a deep voice: "Humph, Wang Ting is a loser. I haven't even settled the accounts with him for the previous things. How dare he do this here?" Sometimes it gets me into trouble..."

Seeing Xu Jie's sudden anger, the housekeeper quickly lowered his head and warned: "Master, calm down. Before leaving, Master Wang specifically told me that the people he brought this time..."

Before the housekeeper finished speaking, he was interrupted by Xu Jie impatiently: "Okay, this is not the place to talk. Let's talk after we go in!"

After Xu Jie left these words, he walked towards the mansion on his own.

When Xu Jie's words fell, the housekeeper did not dare to be negligent at all. He quickly followed Xu Jie's steps three steps in a row and then responded respectfully: "Yes, sir!"

After entering the room, Xu Jie was seen sitting in the main seat, looking in the direction of the housekeeper, and asked: "Tell me, what's the matter?"

When the housekeeper heard this, he didn't dare to hide anything. After organizing the words in his mind, he recounted the whole thing.

After hearing this, Xu Jie couldn't help but sneer, with a look of disdain on his face, and commented: "Huh, he is indeed a playboy, he can actually do such ridiculous things!"

The housekeeper on the side heard what Xu Jie said and echoed: "What the master said is that I heard that Yuan Kui is a concubine. Anyway, the Yuan family does not rely on him to support him. Normally, he naturally follows his temper. Come, it’s just that this time things are getting bigger!”

When the housekeeper said this, he paused and continued: "Master, the man sent by the Yuan family gave him ten thousand taels of silver as a meeting gift. The Yuan family seemed to be quite anxious and was willing to pay one hundred thousand taels of silver. Let’s settle this case. Do you want to..."

When Xu Jie heard what the housekeeper said, he shook his head in a subtle way and said: "Okay, there is no need to talk about this matter anymore. If anyone comes looking for me again, just tell me that I am ill, and no one will see you!"

Seeing that Xu Jie had made up his mind, the housekeeper did not dare to persuade him any more. He immediately lowered his head and respectfully responded: "Yes, sir!"

After that, Xu Jie picked up the tea cup on the table, took a sip, looked in the direction of the butler, and said: "Okay, it's getting late, you go down first!"

"Yes, sir!"

After the housekeeper responded, he was about to leave, but before he took a few steps, Xu Jie seemed to suddenly remember something, and then warned him: "By the way, take the 10,000 taels that were sent to you." The money was also withdrawn!"

When the housekeeper heard this, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. Then he reacted, leaned down, and respectfully responded: "Yes, sir, I'll do it right now!"

After the housekeeper left, Xu Jie looked away and said to himself: "This Wang Ting really succeeds more than fails. He causes me trouble all day long!"

"Not long after the imperial court's grand plan was completed, the Ministry of Civil Affairs received another reward from His Majesty. If we join in at this time, wouldn't we be making ourselves unhappy?"

In Xu Jie's view, whether it was the plan to impeach the most officials this time or the emperor's rewards to the staff, they all vaguely conveyed the same message, that is, the emperor had made up his mind to rectify the officialdom!

In addition to this consideration, Xu Jie also had great disdain for the behavior of those playboys.

In his opinion, these dandy boys are the worms of the Ming Dynasty. They usually just hang out with a group of friends, spend all day drinking and bullying others.

Once these playboys cause trouble, their family will inevitably be implicated, and the whole family will be buried with them.

"When I become the chief minister of the cabinet, I must ask His Majesty to amend the Ming Dynasty Laws, severely punish these worms, and bring justice to the people!"

Xu Jie thought of this and subconsciously clenched his fists.

……

Zhejiang, Zhejiang Governor's Mansion. In the meeting hall, at this moment, Zheng Michang and He Maocai were eagerly waiting for the arrival of Zhao Zhenji.

Ever since they figured out that Zhao Zhenji's mission in Zhejiang was to investigate the land annexation, they spared no effort to collect relevant evidence in this regard.

The two had been working in Zhejiang for many years and had already established themselves as big trees. Therefore, they quickly collected a lot of relevant evidence.

They came here today because they wanted to hand all the evidence into Zhao Zhenji's hands, so that they could show their value and make Zhao Zhenji rely on them even more.

As long as you have a good relationship with your immediate boss, Zhao Zhenji, you can even save lives at critical moments!

After all, Zhao Zhenji had the power granted by His Majesty to kill first and report later. Maybe he, like Hu Zongxian, had the power to present the memorial to the emperor.

At this moment, Zhao Zhenji was seen walking leisurely into the meeting hall of the Governor's Mansion.

When Zheng Michang and He Maocai saw Zhao Zhenji's arrival, he quickly stood up from his seat, looked in the direction of Zhao Zhenji, cupped his hands, and said respectfully: "I have seen the governor!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhenji glanced at Zheng Michang and He Maocai respectively, nodded, and said: "Well, everyone, sit down!"

"Thank you, Lord Governor!"

After Zheng Michang and He Maocai took their seats, Zhao Zhenji was seen sitting in the main seat. He looked away from the two of them and asked, "Tell me, what do you have to do with me?"

Hearing this, Zheng Mi Chang and He Maocai looked at each other and saw Zheng Mi Chang get up from his seat, then took out a stack of paper from his sleeve and said respectfully: "Your Majesty the Governor, here are the lower officials and Mr. He We found out together about the hidden farm and population situation of the Yuan family in Jiaxing!"

"In addition, it also involves some situations of the Xu family in Qiantang and the Yu family in Yuyao."

When Zhao Zhenji heard what Zheng Michang said, a hint of excitement flashed across his face, and he immediately ordered: "Hurry and show it to me!"

As soon as Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, the guard on the side stepped forward, carefully took the stack of paper from Zheng Michang's hand, and respectfully handed it to Zhao Zhenji's hand.

After Zhao Zhenji took the stack of papers from the guard's hand, he couldn't wait to browse them.

The content recorded above is very different from what Zheng Michang said before.

The hidden farmsteads and population of the Yuan family in Jiaxing are recorded on it. In addition, Zheng Michang also attached an additional record of the taxes paid by the Yuan family in Jiaxing to the court.

Zhao Zhenji quickly browsed through all the contents above. Immediately, he slammed the table and said in a deep voice: "The Yuan family owns so much land and farms, but the taxes paid to the court every year are converted into The silver is less than two thousand taels, how unreasonable!"

When Zhao Zhenji said this, he looked in the direction of Zheng Michang and He Maocai, and continued: "After I come down, I must report these facts to His Majesty truthfully!"

Zheng Michang and He Maocai on the side couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief when they heard Zhao Zhenji's words.

What Zhao Zhenji said just now undoubtedly gave them reassurance, because Zhao Zhenji directly made it clear to the two of them that he had the right to submit the memorial directly to the emperor.

And this is exactly the same as Hu Zongxian, the former governor-general of Zhejiang and governor of Zhejiang!

Zhao Zhenji was taking this opportunity to show his strength to Zheng Michang and He Maocai, telling them not to be scrupulous and just act boldly.

Not long after that, He Maocai, who was standing aside, looked at Zhao Zhenji who was sitting in the main seat and asked: "By the way, Mr. Governor, the case of Yuan Kui, the young master of the Yuan family, has been delayed for long enough. Common people Very indignant about this, do you think..."

Zhao Zhenji heard He Maocai's words. After pondering for a moment, he gave instructions: "Well, I think it's time. Let's release the news and say that the government will openly hear the case in seven days. At that time, I will Be there in person!”

When He Maocai heard this, he immediately looked stern and responded respectfully: "As you command, Lord Governor!"

Then, Zhao Zhenji looked away from Zheng Michang and He Maocai, waved his hands, and said: "Okay, let's do this for now. I still have things to deal with, so you can leave!"

"Yes, Lord Governor, I will resign immediately!"

When Zheng Michang and He Maocai heard this, they immediately stood up from their seats and bowed to Zhao Zhenji.

After Zheng Michang and He Maocai left the meeting hall of the Governor's Mansion, Zhao Zhenji also stood up from his seat and walked in the direction of the study room of the Governor's Mansion.

After Zhao Zhenji returned to the study room of the Governor's Mansion, he immediately laid out his pen and paper and wrote the memorial to be presented to Jiajing.

After considering the sentence over and over in his mind, Zhao Zhenji just started writing it.

"Your Majesty, your minister Zhao Zhenji, you previously asked your minister to investigate the land annexation in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and we have some clues."

"Wei Chen found out that the Yuan family in Jiaxing used various means to annex a large amount of land and hide many farms and people. However, the tax paid by the Yuan family in Jiaxing to the court every year is only a mere two thousand taels of silver!"

"Along with this memorial were sent the farm and population records of the Yuan family in Jiaxing that had been hidden in recent years, as well as the tax payment records of the Yuan family to the court!"

"In addition, Yuan Kui, the young master of the Yuan family in Jiaxing, recently committed a crime. Wei Chen plans to take advantage of this..."

When the last word fell, Zhao Zhenji couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief.

Immediately, I saw Zhao Zhenji summoning his confidants, pointing to a stack of papers on the desk, and commanding in a deep voice: "Send this memorial, together with these papers, to His Majesty's hands. No one else's hands are allowed in between. Understand. Yet?"

Seeing this, the confidant did not dare to show any slightness. He took the memorial from Zhao Zhenji's hand with great solemnity, carefully put away the stack of papers, and said in response: "Yes, sir!"

……

Soon, news spread that Zhao Zhenji, the newly appointed governor of Zhejiang, would publicly try Yuan Kui's case in seven days.

As soon as this news came out, the people all felt refreshed and began to inquire about the background of the governor of Zhejiang who had just taken office.

"Have you heard that our newly appointed governor of Zhejiang will publicly try the case of Young Master Yuan?"

"Ah, who is this governor, who dares to go against the Yuan family?"

"The Yuan family is nothing. Let me tell you, this governor has a great background. Before he came to Zhejiang, he served as an official under the emperor. It seems to be called a supervisory censor. I heard that those high officials in the capital When I see him, I tremble..."

Soon, the news reached the ears of the Yuan family.

At this moment, in the room, the head of the Yuan family, Yuan Yongyu, had a sad face and kept pacing back and forth in the room, while crying sounds could be heard from the side from time to time.

Yuan Yongyu was upset by the crying. He immediately stopped, turned around and looked at his third wife, and reprimanded: "Okay, stop crying, what's the use of crying!"

When Yuan Yongyu said this, his anger was still lingering, and he continued to reprimand: "It's you who caused Kui'er to become like this. If you hadn't been pampering him, he wouldn't have given me Yuan Yongyu." The family has caused such a big trouble!"

"Over the past few days, my Yuan family has used a lot of favors just for Kui'er. We might as well let him die in prison for this worthless thing. In this way, we can save a lot of money." Disaster!"

When Yuan Yongyu's third wife heard what Yuan Yongyu said, she immediately stood up from her seat and cried, "If anything happens to Kui'er, I won't be able to live anymore. One day I'll bump my head against a pillar and die!"

"For all these years, you have only cared about your business. Have you ever cared about Kui'er?"

After Yuan Yongyu's third wife finished speaking, she covered her face with a handkerchief and left the room crying. Upon seeing this, the maid on the side quickly followed.

After that, Yuan Yongyu looked away and sighed helplessly. As his third wife said, in recent years, he had only been focusing on the Yuan family's business, thus neglecting to discipline Yuan Kui.

Because he was not taken seriously for a long time, Yuan Kui gradually gave up on himself and hung out with a group of unscrupulous people. He spent his days drinking and drinking, and gradually became like a playboy.

Just when Yuan Yongyu was still feeling guilty for being indebted to Yuan Kui, the housekeeper walked in and reported respectfully: "Master, the eldest young master wants to see you!"

When Yuan Yongyu heard what the butler said, he suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart and said: "Well, let him come in!"

"Yes, sir!"

After the housekeeper responded, he immediately walked away. Not long after, he heard footsteps coming from outside the door. The person who came was none other than Yuan Cheng, the eldest young master of the Yuan family.

As the eldest son of Yuan Yongyu and his wife, Yuan Cheng has been very smart since he was a child and has shown considerable talent. Now, he has passed the imperial examination.

Yuan Yongyu knew very well that if no one took care of him in the officialdom, then his Yuan family would be a piece of fat meat that could be slaughtered by others.

Therefore, in recent years, he has given a lot of money to high-ranking officials in the court, and even asked someone to send valuable gifts to Yan Song on his 80th birthday.

Because Yuan Cheng was extremely intelligent and showed great talent, Yuan Yongyu placed the most expectations on him, hoping that he could pass the imperial examination and enter the official career.

In this way, it will not only shine the lintel of the family, but also make the Yuan family more prosperous and gradually transform into a family of officials.

(End of this chapter)