I'm in the Red Mansion

They have already offended the imperial concubine, and if they offend the emperor now, I'm afraid the entire Mei family will be in trouble.

You know, the emperor is very tough and will not give in on matters of principle.

Eleven important officials of the court requested to retire, and the emperor agreed without any hesitation.

When Mei Hanlin heard his son's doubts, he couldn't help but glance at him and said, "Who said we are really going on strike?"

Hearing this, Mei Hanlin's son's eyes widened and he couldn't help asking:

"Father, didn't you say this yourself?"

Mei Hanlin's son heard it carefully. These words were said by his father. In fact, he was the initiator.

Mei Hanlin looked at his son deeply, and then said, "Shouzhuo, remember this: there are some things you can say but cannot do."

"Some things can be done but not said. You see, almost everyone responded at that time, but if there really was a strike, I'm afraid there wouldn't be even one person left."

Mei Hanlin's son couldn't help but ask, "Father, why is this?"

Mei Hanlin patiently taught: "The emperor is the founding monarch. He has been operating in Yanyun for many years, and he must have trained a group of people under him."

"Don't even mention that only eleven important officials beg for their bones. Even if all civil and military officials beg for their bones, as long as the three Grand Secretaries are there, the emperor will not be afraid that the court will be in chaos."

"This is the founding emperor! The founding emperor should not be bullied!"

After hearing this, Mei Hanlin's son couldn't help but look thoughtful.

……

Three days later, Ni Er placed evidence of corruption and bribery by eleven loyal officials of the court on Jia Cong's desk.

There is even evidence of their treason.

Of course, that was a matter of the previous dynasty, and the one being the already-destroyed Qing Dynasty.

Of course, when they were collaborating with the enemy, the Qing Dynasty did not perish, and it was still very powerful.

Seeing these evidences, Jia Cong nodded slightly.

Then he said to Ni Er: "Ni Er, you will personally lead the team to arrest people and search their homes and confiscate their property."

Ni Er's face changed color slightly, but he didn't say a word. Instead, he clasped his fists and said, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Jia Cong was also quite satisfied with Ni Er's performance.

Although Ni Er Jinyiwei was established not long ago, it has only been a few months in total.

But Ni Er is not without a team. You should know that when he was in Yanyun, he was responsible for intelligence work.

At that time, although his intelligence system was not spread throughout the entire Daxia, it did have a lot of people.

Now, all these people have been brought into the Jinyiwei by him.

Moreover, after the Jinyiwei was established, Ni Er also recruited a group of people from the children of aristocratic families and gangsters in the capital.

Ni Er is not afraid of the bad people at the bottom. He just wants them to be brave enough to fight and risk their lives when necessary.

Of course, since I have become a Jinyiwei, I can no longer commit crimes.

Ni Er knew the emperor very well. He knew exactly what could be done and what could not be done.

This time, the house search was the first time that the Jinyiwei appeared in front of civil and military officials and the people, so it had to be done in a glamorous manner.

Next, Ni Er rode his horse all the way to the guard post.

When Ni Er's subordinates saw him, they all clasped their fists and greeted him, "Boss, you're back. I wonder if the emperor wants to send you any instructions?"

Ni Er jumped off his horse and threw the reins to a soldier beside him.

Then he ordered: "Give orders to call all the brothers to gather in the yard, including those who are on leave at home."

Seeing Ni Er's serious expression, the captains under his command did not dare to ask more questions and hurriedly gave the orders personally.

Less than half an hour later, a crowd of more than 300 people gathered in the courtyard of the guard post.

Fortunately, the garrison is large enough. If it were an ordinary small courtyard, so many people would not be able to fit in.

Even though more than 300 people gathered together, no one was talking to each other or whispering, and the yard was very quiet.

From this we can see the extent of Ni Er's control over the Jinyiwei.

Ni Er looked around and said loudly: "Brothers, just half an hour ago, the emperor summoned me to an audience and asked me to do something."

"Your Majesty, let me have the Imperial Guards search the houses of eleven families at once."

When they heard about the house search, the eyes of the Jinyiwei members lit up.

It’s good to confiscate the house!

They really love to raid people's houses.

Confiscating a person's property means there is money to be made.

Moreover, the concubines in the harems of these officials' families are all extremely coquettish.

Even their maids were all pretty and young, like a bunch of green onions.

When the house is searched, it is natural that some hands-on work is necessary.

Therefore, when they heard that the house was going to be searched, all the Jinyiwei members showed eager smiles on their faces.

Seeing this, Ni Er snorted coldly and said, "I know what you are thinking."

"However, I do want to make it clear in advance."

"This is the first time that I, the Jinyiwei, appear in public."

"I want you to enforce the law in a civilized manner. Do you know what civilization is?"

"The word civilization was taught to me by the Emperor when I was in Yanyun!"

"Civilization means that when you search a house, you are not allowed to beat or insult the people in the house, including their servants and lackeys."

"You are not allowed to insult women, including the criminal's family members, maids, and old women."

"You are not allowed to embezzle a penny, and you are not allowed to hide anything!"

"Just rest assured, after the house is confiscated, you will naturally get some benefits."

"But if anyone dares to reach out and violate the taboo during the house search, don't blame me for turning my back on you!"

"I know you are probably thinking, I am alone, with only a pair of eyes and a pair of hands."

"How can I see over here, how can I catch all of you?"

"I promise here that everyone can come to me to report."

"If you see anyone insulting women or stealing money or property, you can report it to me."

"As long as the evidence is solid, I will not only reward you with ten taels of silver, but also promote you to a higher rank."

Hearing this, the Jinyiwei members below couldn't help but gasp.

This move is too cruel.

My Lord Commander, it is indeed impossible for one person to handle it all.

But you can’t resist the trick of reporting. As long as you report others, you can get promoted and make money.

From now on, won’t everyone keep their eyes wide open, watching every move of their colleagues around them at all times?
This is a shortcut to promotion and wealth!
I’m just afraid that I have to be more careful in the future and never let others take me for granted.

Otherwise, you will definitely suffer the consequences.

Seeing the reactions of the people below, Ni Er was still very satisfied.

He couldn't help but say, "Don't worry, I will keep my word. As long as you do things in an orderly manner, I will not treat you unfairly."

Next, Ni Er’s troops were divided into ten groups.

There are more than three hundred people, and more than thirty of them along the way. If they are going to capture a mansion, this number of people may not be enough.

But there are enough people to just search the house.

Ni Er personally led a group of people and headed straight to the residence of the Minister of Revenue Liu.

Soon, the group arrived at Liu's mansion.

When the two doormen of Liu's mansion saw a group of soldiers coming to their door, they immediately showed displeasure on their faces.

The so-called seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister's door.

These two gatekeepers were just servants.

But who made their master the official of the Ministry of Revenue?

What are a small group of soldiers doing at their door?

Although their master had retired yesterday and was no longer the Minister of Revenue.

But the master’s relatives and old friends are still here, so is there no influence left?
The two guards immediately asked, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Ni Er said in a deep voice: "I am the commander of the Jinyiwei, and I have been ordered to seal up Liu's house. Why don't you open the door obediently?"

After hearing this, the two gatekeepers were shocked and angry.

Their master just dismissed his job yesterday, and his house is being searched today?
It's like a disaster from the sky!
The two doormen immediately said in panic: "Wait here until I report to you. The master will have his reasons."

Upon hearing this, Ni Er's face darkened.

Although he asked his subordinates to enforce the law in a civilized manner, civilization does not mean compromise.

He couldn't help but said in a deep voice: "How outrageous!"

"Someone, take these two people down and tie them up!"

"Yes, boss."

Soon, two officers came forward and tied up the two gatekeepers.

Then a team of officers and soldiers marched straight in.

The house search has begun.

All eleven important officials were arrested and imprisoned.

The family property coefficient was confiscated.

As for family and children, they were not implicated.

However, all their property has been confiscated. How are they going to live in the future?

This confiscation of property caused a great uproar in the entire capital, not only in the official circles, but also among the people.

How long has it been since they saw a house raid?

Even though there had been cases of house searches in the past, they had never seen a case where eleven houses were searched at once.

However, I heard that the Jinyiwei who confiscated the property did not pocket the money, and did not even beat or scold anyone.

As long as you listen to them, they are actually very polite.

This greatly changed their impression of the Jinyiwei.

This person is worthy of being chosen by the emperor, he is indeed different from others.

But, these things are just minor details.

After learning about this, Grand Secretary Qin, Lin Ruhai and Grand Secretary Kou hurriedly took sedan chairs and went to the palace.

They had never expected that the emperor could do such a thing.

It was not enough to just beg for their remains, they wanted to capture them all and put them in jail.

But the impact is just too bad.

This kind of head must never be opened!

Therefore, the three of them went to the palace together and advised Jia Cong to release the eleven people from the prison.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Three great scholars, do you know what crime they have committed?"

"A minister of the Ministry of Revenue actually colluded with the enemy and sold out his country, secretly transporting contraband such as salt and iron and selling them to the Qing Dynasty."

"And they completed the final handover through the Jiedushi of Ping'an Prefecture."

"The rest of the people also have different plots of collaborating with the enemy."

"Do you think that a traitor who collaborates with the enemy and sells out his country is worthy of serving as an official in our dynasty?"

Hearing this, Lin Ruhai and Kou Xiang couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Lin Ruhai pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, during the Battle of Guandu, many of Cao Cao's generals were preparing to secretly surrender to Yuan Shao."

"After Yuan Shao was defeated, a large number of letters were found in his camp. These were all evidence of the secret rebellion of Cao Cao's generals."

"Cao Cao's confidants said that he would punish him severely, but Cao Cao burned all the letters."

"My lord, don't you have the same broad mind as Cao Cao? What's more, they all betrayed the country in the previous dynasty and never betrayed China."

Jia Cong couldn't help but laugh when he heard this and said, "Lord Lin, this is different now, that is different now!"

"At that time, Cao Cao was in urgent need of talents, but I was short of them."

"Although they have not let China down, it's just because they haven't encountered the right opportunity yet."

"If China encounters a crisis again, who can guarantee that they will not betray the country?"

Hearing this, Grand Secretary Qin was shocked.

Because in the previous dynasty, he had also committed treason and betrayal!
The emperor may not be unaware of this. What is the emperor's intention in saying this?

Just when Scholar Qin was making random guesses in his mind.

Then Jia Cong said, "Well, actually, none of the above reasons are important."

"The most important thing is that I want to send a message through this matter."

"No one can stop me from implementing the new policies I want to implement!"

"Even if the eleven important officials in the court oppose it, I will not hesitate to get rid of them."

"Implement the new policy and do not allow anyone to hinder it!"

"There is an idiom called 'killing a chicken to scare a monkey'. My action should be regarded as killing a monkey to scare a chicken!"

“I hope that through this move, the new policy can be smoothly promoted.”

"By the way, Qin Aiqing, please formulate a set of rules and pass them on."

“Starting from autumn, we will conduct a nationwide land inventory.”

"Before next autumn, local governments must measure the number of acres in various places."

"Anyone who conceals information or fails to complete this task will be dismissed from office and will never be employed again."

Qin Daxueshi immediately responded, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Lin Ruhai pondered for a while, then sighed and said, "I know the emperor's determination."

"But if this happens, I'm afraid the emperor's reputation will be damaged!"

Jia Cong chuckled and said, "Lord Lin, I have never valued reputation."

"Besides, Li Shimin killed his brother and forced his father to usurp the throne, but in the end, didn't he become the greatest emperor in history?"

"Fame is nothing but a passing cloud to me!"

After hearing this, Lin Ruhai and Kou Xiang stopped trying to persuade him.

As for Grand Secretary Qin, he would be even less willing to give any advice.

This incident caused an uproar among the scholars.

These eleven ministers are good officials who serve the country and the people, and are leaders of the literati.

How could such a person be imprisoned for no reason?
The officials below also gathered together and decided to write a letter together tomorrow to plead for these eleven colleagues.

This time, Mei Hanlin was involved.

This is different from a strike.

The strike was a blatant defiance of the imperial court and the emperor.

However, writing a petition is just a petition, which is completely different in principle.

……

After dealing with the memorials for the day, Jia Cong walked over to Xue Baochai.

Since moving into the palace, Jia Cong has been visiting Lin Daiyu more often.

When I went to Xue Baochai's place, there were fewer of them.

And Xue Baochai never complained.

The elegance and luxury of a royal concubine gradually emerged from her.

Even Jia Cong couldn't help but secretly praise her. No wonder she drew the peony when she drew the flower lot, with the words "the most beautiful among all the flowers" engraved on it.

It was unfair for her to be born in the Xue family.

Now that she has become a royal concubine, her elegance and grace are revealed.

And after Xue Baochai became a noble concubine, she never bullied others by taking advantage of her power.

Even on the Xue family's side, Xue Baochai always repeatedly warned Xue Pan not to take advantage of her power to do anything wrong outside.

Xue Pan became impatient and could not help but retort, "Sister, I know you are now the Imperial Concubine, and you are even more honorable."

"But if I want to do something wrong, why would I need your help? Back then, the Emperor and I were good brothers!"

"Given the friendship between the Emperor and me, is there anyone who is blind enough to bully me?"

"That's right, I didn't even need to show up. The eunuchs in the palace took the initiative to find our family."

These words made Xue Baochai both angry and amused.

He was repeatedly warned not to act the same way as before.

Xue Pan only disliked Xue Baochai for being too long-winded.

However, according to the intelligence sent by the Jinyiwei, Jia Cong found that Xue Pan was now in high spirits.

The Xue family and the emperor are too closely tied together.

The two legitimate daughters of their family were both concubines in the imperial palace, and his own sister was even the Imperial Noble Consort.

Moreover, Xue Pan and the emperor also have a very deep friendship.

When the emperor was in Youzhou, the Xue family fully supported him.

Without the strong support of the Xue family business, the emperor's situation in Youzhou would never have developed to this point.

Therefore, who would dare to mess with the Xue family?
Who wouldn’t rush to curry favor?
As a result, Xue Pan became a popular man, and people invited him to drink and listen to music all day long.

Xue Pan was originally a wine lover, and after a few years of experience, he also understood some worldly ways.

However, it is easy to change the country but difficult to change one's nature.

He couldn't stand the flattery from others and became so elated that he didn't know which way was which.

However, his actions are much more steady than before.

Not as overbearing as before.

Everyone has his own way of living, and as long as he doesn't break the law or violate discipline, he is happy.

As for the Xue family's business, there will definitely be no problem, at least in Xue Pan's generation.

Jia Cong didn't expect that when he saw Xue Baochai, he would think of so many things at once, and he couldn't help laughing.

While Xue Baochai was serving Jia Cong, she asked, "What funny things did the emperor think of? Why is he laughing so happily?"

Jia Cong said: "It's nothing, I just thought of something interesting occasionally."

The two said a few more words.

Xue Baochai couldn't help but laugh and asked, "Your Majesty, I seem to have heard that Your Majesty ordered the arrest of eleven important officials and raided their homes?"

Hearing this, Jia Cong couldn't help but frown.

Since ancient times, interference from the harem in government affairs has caused a lot of trouble.

Therefore, since the Western Zhou Dynasty, there has been a rule that the harem is not allowed to interfere in political affairs.

Of course, there have been many cases in later generations where the harem interfered in politics and even seized power.

But there are always taboos.

Jia Cong glanced at Xue Baochai and said, "I have already explained this matter to the three Grand Secretaries. Arresting them and confiscating their property is a foregone conclusion." (End of this chapter)