I, Jiajing, successfully cultivated immortality

Chapter 783 We will soon face Xu Jie head-on
As early as the moment he received the notification from the guards, Zhao Zhenji understood the purpose of Zheng Michang and He Maocai's trip.

The Yan family, which was originally their backer, has now reached the point where the building is about to collapse. If Zheng Michang and He Maocai do not want to be liquidated, they must find a way to find a new backer for themselves.

Since these two were local officials, they had little access to the capital.

Right now, the only one who has the ability to protect them is himself, the Governor-General of Zhejiang Province and the Governor of Zhejiang Province.

"These two people are pretty good at doing things, but they are just a little greedy."

"Since I took office in Zhejiang, these two people have been very cooperative with me. They always come to ask for instructions no matter how big or small they are."

"If the two of them had a cleaner background, I might be able to try to save them. It's a pity that it's useless to feed them and it's a pity to abandon them!"

Zhao Zhenji thought of this and shook his head in a subtle way.

In his view, if he manages to keep Zheng Michang and He Maocai, it is very likely that he will be burned and have a negative impact on his future career.

Apart from anything else, just knowing people poorly and protecting subordinates is enough to ruin Zhao Zhenji's bright career.

After serving as the governor-general of Zhejiang and governor of Zhejiang for nearly a year, Zhao Zhenji became increasingly convinced that this was the test the emperor had given him.

The emperor's next goal is very clear, to clear the country's land and vigorously suppress land annexation. As long as he completes the tasks assigned by the emperor, sooner or later he will be transferred back to the capital and entrusted with important tasks.

By that time, it will not be difficult to join the cabinet.

Retaining Zheng Michang and He Maocai would not only endanger their own careers, but also risk angering Xu Jie, the future chief minister of the cabinet.

Zhao Zhenji knew very well that if Xu Jie succeeded as the chief minister of the cabinet, he would definitely launch a liquidation of the Yan Party to establish his authority.

Zheng Michang and He Maocai are die-hard members of the Strict Party and naturally cannot escape.

"Oh, you two are just smart enough to send five hundred thousand taels of silver to Mr. Yan Ge's hometown last year!"

"In the past, this was just a matter of course. What a pity, you guys are out of luck!"

Zhao Zhenji thought of this, with an inexplicable look on his face. After all, no one thought that Yan Song would suffer from "dementia".

Moreover, even he knew that Zheng Michang and He Maocai sent 500,000 taels of silver to Yan Song's hometown. Xu Jie, as the second minister of the cabinet, had no reason not to know.

Although Zhao Zhenji had made up his mind to give up Zheng Michang and He Maocai, he could not show it.

Because Zheng and He had been the chief envoys and inspectors in Zhejiang for so many years, they had already established deep roots.

And if Zhao Zhenji still has any use for them, he has to squeeze out all the remaining value from them.

After that, Zhao Zhenji gathered his thoughts, slowly stood up from his seat, and walked out of the study.

……

On the other side, in the meeting hall of the Governor's Palace.

Seeing that Zhao Zhenji had not arrived yet, Zheng Michang and He Maocai seemed a little restless.

He Maocai looked in the direction of Zheng Michang with an uneasy look on his face, and lowered his voice and said: "Old Zheng, why hasn't the governor come here yet? Could it be..."

Zheng Michang took in the expression on He Maocai's face, shook his head helplessly, and then made a silent gesture to He Maocai.

Zheng Michang actually did not have high expectations for Zhao Zhenji's willingness to try to keep them.

Because when Zhao Zhenji was still serving as the supervisory censor in the capital, he was famously cautious and would hide whenever possible when encountering trouble. He even got the title of "non-stick pan" because of this.

How could such a person take such a huge risk to protect them?
Even though he knew that it was very unlikely that Zhao Zhenji would try to keep them, Zheng Michang was still unwilling to give up.

After all, you have to try everything to find out. Doing nothing and just waiting for death is not Zheng Michang's style.

At this moment, they heard the sound of slight footsteps. Zheng Michang and He Maocai followed the sound and saw Zhao Zhenji entering the meeting hall with his hands behind his back and walking at a leisurely pace.

When Zheng Michang and He Maocai saw Zhao Zhenji's arrival, they did not dare to show any indifference. They immediately stood up from their seats, bowed to Zhao Zhenji and said, "I have seen the governor!"

Hearing this, Zhao Zhenji glanced at Zheng Michang and He Maocai respectively. After nodding slightly, he ordered: "Well, you two should sit down!"

"Yes, Lord Governor!"

After Zheng Michang and He Maocai responded, they bowed their hands to Zhao Zhenji and then sat back in their seats.

After that, Zhao Zhenji was seen sitting in the main seat, looking away from Zheng Michang and He Maocai. After pondering for a moment, he asked: "Tell me, what do you two have to do with me?"

When Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, Zheng Michang and He Maocai looked hesitant and hesitated for a long time without any intention of speaking.

Seeing that the atmosphere in the room was about to stagnate, Zheng Michang plucked up his courage and said cautiously: "Your Majesty... Your Excellency, I am here to inform you about the price of raw silk!"

Although he knew that this was not what Zheng Michang wanted to say, a look of curiosity appeared on Zhao Zhenji's face at the right time.

After Zhao Zhenji glanced at Zheng Michang, he asked: "Oh, what, could it be that the price of raw silk has dropped again?"

Facing Zhao Zhenji's gaze, Zheng Michang organized the words in his mind before continuing: "Yes... yes, Mr. Governor, the price of raw silk on the market has dropped again. At the moment, a pound of raw silk can only be sold for The price is one, two or three cents!”

"It is said that it was caused by the influx of raw silk from Songjiang Prefecture into Zhejiang."

After Zhao Zhenji learned the news from Zheng Michang, he immediately became furious. He slammed the table and said in a deep voice: "Isn't Songjiang Mansion under the control of Guinan Zhili? Why are you going to Zhejiang to sell raw silk?"

"The silk market is not very good this year, but Songjiang Prefecture wants to interfere. If they drive down the price of raw silk, will the mulberry farmers in Zhejiang still be alive?"

"If some farmers rise up and cause trouble, I, as the governor of Zhejiang, will be held responsible!"

After Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, after pondering for a moment, he looked in the direction of Zheng Michang and then ordered: "When we come down later, let the government post a notice that raw silk from outside is not allowed to enter Zhejiang for sale."

"Even if you want to sell it, it must be higher than the market price. Violators will be severely fined!"

When Zheng Michang heard what Zhao Zhenji said, he immediately stood up from his seat, leaned down, and respectfully responded: "I obey, Lord Governor!"

Seeing that the matter had been settled, Zheng Michang not only did not feel relieved, but became more and more entangled.

He didn't know whether he should open this mouth.

Time passed by so slowly. I don’t know how long it had passed. Zheng Michang seemed to have made up his mind. He looked in the direction of Zhao Zhenji and asked cautiously: "May I ask the governor, have you noticed that the DPRK has recently The direction of the wind?”

When Zheng Michang finished speaking, Zhao Zhenji raised his eyebrows and secretly sighed: "Finally we are getting to the point!"

Later, Zhao Zhenji came back to his senses, a look of hesitation appeared on his face at the right moment, and then he said: "I have indeed received some rumors."

When Zhao Zhenji finished his words, a look of expectation flashed across the faces of Zheng Michang and He Maocai. Facing their gazes, Zhao Zhenji pondered for a moment and then continued: "I have received news that Mr. Yan Ge has suffered from "dementia" and has not been on duty for more than half a month."

"Then...the governor thinks..."

At this time, due to too much fear, Zheng Michang had a slight vibrato when he spoke.

Because Zhao Zhenji's next words will determine the fate of him and He Maocai.

Zhao Zhenji seemed to have guessed what Zheng Michang was thinking. He raised his eyebrows and said comfortingly: "Don't worry too much. Don't forget, I have already transferred your contribution to the Yuan family in Jiaxing. Reported to His Majesty truthfully.”

"In other words, you two have left a name in His Majesty's heart."

"As long as you are willing to work hard, there won't be any big problem."

When Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, Zheng Michang and He Maocai looked at each other, their faces full of expressions of surviving the disaster.

Afterwards, the two people stood up from their seats, looked in the direction of Zhao Zhenji with grateful faces, and said in a deep voice: "Yes, Lord Governor!"

When people are drowning, they always hope to grab a "life-saving straw", and the same goes for Zheng Michang and He Maocai at this time.

Right now, for them, Zhao Zhenji's words are a "life-saving straw."

In their view, Zhao Zhenji was nakedly hinting to them that as long as you do the things assigned to you by this official, the reckoning will not be your turn.

As everyone knows, from beginning to end, Zhao Zhenji did not make any promises, let alone express his attitude.

Everything Zhao Zhenji said was true, and there was not a single lie in it.

Zhao Zhenji took in the expressions on Zheng Michang and He Maocai's faces. After thinking about it for a moment, he said slowly: "When I come down later, I will personally write a letter to Hai Rui to ask. His specific situation!”

When Zheng Michang and He Maocai heard what Zhao Zhenji said, a trace of joy flashed on their faces.

After all, Hai Rui is now the censor of the right capital of the Inspectorate, so he must have first-hand information.

Seeing that Zhao Zhenji had said this, Zheng Michang and He Maocai could no longer disturb him, so they immediately stood up from their seats and bid farewell to Zhao Zhenji.

"My lord is busy with official duties, so I won't bother you anymore!"

"Ah."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhenji just nodded and looked away from Zheng Michang and He Maocai.

After Zheng Michang and He Maocai left, Zhao Zhenji picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and said silently to himself: "Well, it seems that they have to find someone to take over the affairs at hand!"

……

Several days have passed since Yan Song sent Yan Shifan to investigate the riot that occurred at the Qianhu Station of Songjiang Prefecture.

Capital City, Yan Mansion.

At this time, Yan Shifan was rushing to the study with extremely eager steps.

After going through some twists and turns, Yan Shifan finally figured out the whole story.

And now Yan Shifan has in his hands the confessions of the "rebel" Huang Qing and the soldiers who made the rebellion together, which describe the whole incident in detail.

The moment he got the confession, Yan Shifan was keenly aware that he could use this confession to make a big fuss and put Xu Jie to death.

There is no other reason. This confession involves Songjiang Magistrate Wang Jian.

Not everyone can work in Songjiang Mansion. After all, Songjiang Mansion was the hometown of Xu Jie, the second assistant to the cabinet.

The person who can serve in Songjiang Mansion must be someone Xu Jie can trust.

In other words, it is the same. People who can serve as county magistrates in Fenyi, Jiangxi, are also people Yan Song can trust.

At this time, after arriving at the door of the study, Yan Shifan impatiently knocked on the door.

'Dong dong dong' A rapid knock on the door sounded, and then Yan Song's slightly tired voice came from the room: "Who?"

"Father, it's the kid. The kid has already found out what you told him before!"

"Well, come in!"

After receiving permission, Yan Shifan immediately opened the door and entered the study without any hesitation.

The moment he entered the study, Yan Shifan felt keenly that Yan Song's eyes fell on him.

Then, Yan Shifan looked in the direction of Yan Song, leaned down, and said respectfully: "Father!"

Hearing this, Yan Song glanced over Yan Shifan's body, waved his hand, and asked, "Well, what did you find out?"

"Father, here is the confession that the child got from the "thief leader" Huang Qing and the soldiers who made the rebellion together. It details the whole story."

After Yan Shifan finished speaking, he carefully took out the confession from his sleeve and respectfully handed it to Yan Song's hands.

After taking the confession from Yan Shifan, Yan Song put on his reading glasses and read the contents word for word.

In the process, the expression on Yan Shifan's face also became a little embarrassed.

Time passed by slowly, and Yan Song had already read through all the contents of the confession.

His breathing inevitably became rapid, and then he tremblingly took off his reading glasses, looked in the direction of Yan Shifan, and asked, "Is the confession reliable?"

"In reply to my father's words, these people were not willing to speak at first."

"In order to dispel these people's doubts, I had no choice but to come forward in person and show that I just wanted to use them, and promised them that I would destroy the officers who bullied them and the people involved in this matter."

"After that, they were willing to talk."

After listening to Yan Shifan's narration, Yan Song breathed a sigh of relief, and his heart that had been hanging finally settled.

Afterwards, Yan Song nodded and said to himself: "If this is the case, then this confession is credible."

"Yan Shifan, go down and prepare. We will face Xu Jie head-on soon."

"Yes, father!"

(End of this chapter)