Ming Dynasty 1566

Chapter 141

Zhao Zhenji: "I obey the order." He looked at Hai Rui and said, "Hai Rui, I tried you last night, but today is the joint trial of the cabinet and the three justices, and you have to answer truthfully every time I ask you. "

Hai Rui: "Excuse me."

Zhao Zhenji stood up: "In the name of congratulations, you have hidden evil intentions, and you have written this rebellious statement that barks at the sun and scolds the father of the king. It has been read by King Yu, the cabinet and the ministers of the six ministries and nine ministers. Filled with righteous indignation, it is difficult to understand! I want to ask you now, did someone instigate you to do this, or did you go out of your mind to invite your name!"

"Since your majesty has shown the memorandum of the humble position to all the adults, I can answer Mr. Zhao and the ministers." Hai Rui replied slowly, "I made it very clear in the beginning of the memorandum. In order to "righten the way of the king, clarify the duties of ministers, and seek peace and order for all generations." It is the bounden duty of a minister to make such remarks and enter such words. Why do you need others to instigate you when your duty lies? Which one of the principles is not true, and which one is not the principle of a sage? Master Zhao, and all other lords are people who read the books of sages and sages to assist the emperor in governing the world. Is it maddening to invite you to name it?"

The six chief and deputy officials of the Three Law Departments had something to do, and they all lowered their heads and took notes. At this time, they could hide their reactions and expressions. On the contrary, the four members of the cabinet who were sitting in front of the big case in the middle really didn't know what he said. With any expression, they had no choice but to look serious one by one.

Zhao Zhenji couldn't avoid it even more, and had to continue asking: "Sophistry! You said that there was no other person's instigation, and it wasn't for the sake of inviting fame. Could it be that my Ming Dynasty's monarchy and ministers can be entrusted to you as a small head of the household department? Do you want to take care of it?"

Hai Rui shook his head: "Master Zhao's humble words don't make sense."

Zhao Zhenji took a look at the big case: "What is there that you don't understand! You have to upright the way of the monarch and understand the duties of the ministers. What is wrong with the way of the monarch and what is not clear about the duties of the ministers? What authority do you have to manage it? Are you able to manage it?" If you win the cabinet, you can still manage the six ministries and the nine ministers' yamen! How dare you criticize and scold the Holy Majesty every single word, has there been such a rebellious person like you since ancient times?"

"I understand Mr. Zhao's words." Hai Rui nodded this time, then turned to Xu Jie, "Old Xu Ge."

Xu Jie could only look at him: "What can I say?"

Hai Rui: "The "Law of the Ming Dynasty" contains a clear statement that those who have prejudices and disagreements between the adjudicator and the person being tried should avoid it. The humble official now asks Mr. Xu Ge to follow the "Law of the Ming Dynasty" and ask Mr. Zhao Zhenji to avoid this case. If so If he interrogates again, the humble official will not answer a word, not a word!" After speaking, he closed his eyes.

Zhao Zhenji's face changed all of a sudden: "Presumptuous! Presumptuous! Mr. Ge, this man's madness is no different from that of Jiangyang's bandit! My subordinates, please follow the law of punishing Jiangyang's bandit and carry out a criminal trial. Otherwise, the case will not be concluded. It is difficult to answer the will!"

Gao Gong had been watching Zhao Zhenji and Hai Rui's question and answer with cold eyes. At this moment, he realized that Hai Rui had something important to say, and when Zhao Zhenji suddenly changed his face and acted blindly, he answered, "Hai Rui."

Hai Rui also looked at him: "The humble job is here."

Gao Gong: "It doesn't matter what crime you said last night. But your words and deeds today are really unreasonable. At this time, you still ask Mr. Zhao who is on trial to avoid you. What is the reason?"

Hai Rui: "In the 40th year of Jiajing, I served as the county magistrate of Chun'an in Zhejiang, and Mr. Zhao served as the governor of Zhejiang. In that year, Chun'an, which I was in charge of, suffered a catastrophe, and the whole county was flooded. In May, the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau distributed relief food according to the order. In September, Mr. Zhao wanted to complete 50 bolts of silk that year for his own political achievements. He ignored the livelihood of the victims and asked the people of Chun'an to return the food relief that was ordered, and forced the people to buy raw silk at half the price. I defied Mr. Zhao At that time, Mr. Zhao said that the purpose of being humble is to invite people to be famous and buy people's hearts. Today, Mr. Zhao heard the same words in the hall. This is what Mr. Zhao said. It’s also the fact that the humble official said in the memorial to the emperor that the official’s position is unknown. Mr. Zhao, you are one of the ministers I want to participate in the memorial. With these two things, you can’t interrogate me.”

"Punishment!" Zhao Zhenji was really enraged, grabbed the gavel and slapped it down.

"Let him finish." Gao Gong glanced at Zhao Zhenji, then looked at Xu Jie.

The sentence of mobilization must not be moved, of course Xu Jie understands.As his own disciple, Zhao Zhenji was smart and scheming, and Xu Jie certainly understood it.It's just that he didn't expect that Hai Rui would be so hostile, and Yu Wang had already said hello to try to protect this person, he was really in a dilemma.At this moment, I had no choice but to look at Zhao Zhenji: "Why bother with him, and just listen to what he has to say."

Gao Gong answered immediately: "You finish your speech."

Hai Rui: "There is one more important thing. Now that I am talking about the humble position, I would like to invite you to tell your lords about it. I, Hai Rui, came from a family background, and I didn't intend to be famous, but since I eat the king's salary, I have the position of a minister. Over the years, the Ming Dynasty’s national treasury has been short of money. The emperor was obsessed with cultivating and constructing large-scale construction projects. Officials at all levels took advantage of the opportunity to search for it. A pillar of the main hall was transported from Yunnan to Beijing from the deep mountains of Guizhou, which cost 5 taels of official money. Huge, more than a hundred migrant workers were killed or injured along the way! Mr. Zhao, when will you be in charge of the household department? How many counties and prefectural government offices have embezzled the treasury's silver from this beam of wood transported from Yunnan and Guizhou? How many people will die? ?As the Minister of the Household Department, are you worthy of your official position? This is just one of my points. Your Lord Zhao tried me last night, and you are interrogating me like this today. Minister of the Ministry, you are the Secretary of the Ministry of Households, and I am worried that the emperor will suspect that you are behind the scenes. I will tell you frankly that you, Mr. Zhao, will never ask me to go to this school, and no one else will ask me to Going up this path. I, Hai Rui, only go up this path for two reasons, one is my Da Ming country, and the other is my Da Ming’s people in the world!"

Zhao Zhenji was stunned.

Xu Jie and Gao Gong looked straight at Hai Rui, and even Li Chunfang, who had been silent all this time, also looked at Hai Rui.

The chief and deputy officials of the Sanfa Division who were sitting on both sides of the record also stopped their pens and looked at this "unreasonable" but shocking little sixth-rank chief.

Hai Rui went on to say: "Master Zhao, your current ties have been wiped out, and the emperor will never suspect that you are the mastermind behind my back, but you have no right to interrogate me and must avoid it. Elder Xu Ge, I would like to reiterate, Zhao If the adults don't evade, the humble official will not answer a single word!"

After speaking, Hai Rui stood there and closed his eyes again.

Zhao Zhenji has always regarded himself as a Neo-Confucianist. Last night's feat had won the favor of the whole court, but he did not expect to be stripped clean by this Hai Rui this morning!Of course there will be no entanglement, but his reputation has also been wiped out!His face was flushed red, and he didn't know what to do with himself when he stood there.

Gao Gong yelled in his heart, and turned to Xu Jie in time: "Mr. Ge, what to do next, you should make up your mind."

Xu Jie still said calmly, "I need to ask for an order."

Ask for an order and ask for an order.The cabinet office is just a stone's throw away, and after a while, Chen Hong delivered the trial records just now to Jiajing.

At this time, Jiajing's eyes were bloodshot, obviously he had just taken the elixir, sitting cross-legged on the futon, reading the record for a long time, silent.

Chen Hong whispered: "Master, the cabinet is still waiting for the master's order."

Jiajing threw the record on the ground: "Magic barrier! This is sending a demonic barrier to fight with me!"

Chen Hong: "Just catch him in the Imperial Prison and let the slaves punish him, so you don't have to worry about surrendering him!"

"It's up to you?" Jiajing looked at him disdainfully.

Chen Hong lowered his head.

Jiajing: "You are not his opponent, and that Zhao Zhenji is not his opponent at all. The decree is that the cabinet and the three justices will not be interrogated. Xu Jie is asked to call the Duchayuan, Hanlinyuan, Guozijian, who have read the books of saints. Let’s discuss it first, pick a date, and interrogate him together. I want him to chew up the words that scolded me and the ministers every word!"

The ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, Jinling has been prosperous since ancient times.Zhu Yuanzhang, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, made his capital here because many of his subordinates were from the south of the Yangtze River and he was wealthy and unwilling to leave his hometown, which was called Nanjing.Chengzu Zhu Di seized the throne from his nephew and moved his capital to Beijing, known as the capital.For all kinds of scruples and needs, Nanjing is set as the capital, and the old name is still used. There are still six departments of Jiuqing Yamen, which are equal in rank to the six departments of the capital. In the unified Ming Dynasty, the authority of the Nine Ministers was reduced by half, and whenever the central court had major political strategies, it also sent the nine ministers to the six ministries in Nanjing.Another important responsibility is that the various ministries in Nanjing will continuously transport Caoyin and Caograin, a wealthy land in the south, to the capital and supply them to the central court.Therefore, in the Ming Dynasty, the two capitals and the thirteen provinces had two important positions: one was the governor of Zhejiang Province that Hu Zongxian once served, and the other was the governor of Nanzhili that Zhao Zhenji once served.Now, the post of governor of Nanzhili has been recommended by the cabinet, and Tan Lun has been recommended by King Yu.

In March in Yangchun, the sky is full of stars, and the Qinhuai River is full of lights, shadows, oars, and streamers. It is the most fascinating time, but there is a team of chariots and horses on the official road, which is disturbing the scenery and escorting the prison carts.

Riding on the front horse was the dusty Wang Yongji, guarding on both sides were the troops sent by the governor of Nanzhili Yamen, and in the middle were two prison carts.

Looking at the gate, Wang Yongji saw from a distance under the light of a lantern, Tan Lun was already standing outside the governor's yamen, guarded by his own soldiers, waiting for him.

Wang Yong jerked the reins, the hoofbeats of the entire horse team quickened, and the wheels of the prison cart rolled faster.

Tan Lun quickly walked towards the gate.

Wang Yongji got off his horse, threw the reins, and walked towards Tan Lun.

The generals and soldiers of the entire cavalry got off their horses and knelt on one leg on both sides of the path outside the gate.

Wang Yong bowed deeply, Tan Lun held him back, and looked at the prison car: "The two corrupt officials are here."

Wang Yongji: "We can only arrest these two people. The others can't be moved right now."

Tan Lun looked at the team officer who was guarding the prison car: "Shut up in the prison of the Niesi Yamen first!"

"Yes!" The team officer answered loudly, stood up and directed the soldiers, "Take me away!"

"Let's talk inside." Tan Lun dragged Wang Yongji into the signing room.After entering the door, he ordered the secretary: "Go out and close the door, and don't bother me with anything or anyone."

The book office agreed to go out and closed the door.

"Sit." Tan Lun stretched out his hand and sat down first.

Wang Yongji took a sip of tea and said, "It's all been found out, it's completely a rebellion by the government!" Then he put the tea bowl on the coffee table heavily, "The coal mine in Kaihua started leaking a month ago, and the miners knew it was going to catch fire." , unwilling to go to the mine, the mine owner bribed the eunuch of the mining department, and the mining department ordered Kaihua county magistrate to send soldiers to escort the miners to the mine to dig coal. With a lamp in his mouth, the anger exploded in less than an hour, and the entire coal tunnel was covered in flames , none of the more than 400 miners came out. The copper mine in Dexing has been dug for four years, and the mine owner has been unwilling to transport wood to reinforce the mine roof. The entire mine collapsed, and only a dozen of the more than 300 miners escaped So many people died in the two mines, the mine owner was completely devoid of conscience, and refused to pay even a little money to appease the orphans and widows. The sufferer sued the county government, and the two corrupt officials, Kaihua and Dexing, arrested the sufferer More than 100 people were imprisoned. Many people reported to the state government, and the state government arrested more than 100 people. This caused the riot. There is only one reason, led by the mining department in the palace, Kaihua and Dexing from the county government Going to the state government and the government government to take a share of the money from the mine every year, which caused this catastrophe. How can the people not rebel! Now the rioters have arrested hundreds of people, but the corrupt officials can only arrest two county magistrates. Zili Brother, the imperial court has a decree that I will deal with this matter directly with you. Starting from these two people, the magistrates will be strictly investigated by me and the Nanjing Metropolitan Procuratorate, and then reported to the imperial court. Anyone who is found will be arrested. Palace The eunuch of the Li Mining Department will ask you to give a secret report to the emperor's strict participation!"

Tan Lun just listened and didn't answer him for a long time.

Wang Yongji looked at him closely: "Who said hello again? Is it possible that such a big case should be closed?"

"This case is no longer a big deal." Tan Lun sighed softly, looking out of the window, "You can't stay in Nanjing anymore, you have to go back to the capital immediately tomorrow."

Wang Yongji stood up: "So many people died in the two mines, and they caused such a big riot. The case has only just started to be investigated. Why don't you tell me to go to Beijing immediately?"

Only then did Tan Lun look at him: "There is a bigger incident in Beijing. And you are involved. The cabinet and the Beijing Metropolitan Procuratorate have sent a letter. You must return to Beijing immediately."

A thought immediately flashed through Wang Yongji's mind: "Something happened to Gangfeng!"

"Yes." Tan Lun replied sadly, "Hai Gangfeng was arrested and locked up in the prison."

"He's gone to school!" Wang Yongji asked in surprise.

Tan Lun looked at him: "Yes. The cabinet has already handed me the copy of the memorandum. It's shocking!"

Wang Yongji: "Can you show me?"

Tan Lun: "I can't show it to you. You'd better not read a single word, and don't know a single word. When you return to Beijing, you must never say that you knew about his memorial in advance."

Wang Yongji was stunned for a long time before he murmured: "No wonder he urged me to ask the Metropolitan Procuratorate for this job and leave Beijing. I should have thought a long time ago that he didn't want to implicate me. Mrs. Tai What about my sister-in-law who is still pregnant, what should they do?"

"Don't worry about it, you can't control it anymore." Tan Lun walked slowly to the window and looked at the yard outside: "In the end, I missed him. If I hadn't strongly recommended him as the magistrate of Chun'an in the 40th year of Jiajing, He is now picking chrysanthemums in his hometown...and he will not cause this murder." He turned around and said, "Mrs. Tai and Mrs. Sister-in-law have been sent to Nanjing by Dr. Li. The big relationship, I will also take care of them. You have to go back to the capital. One is to make yourself clear, and the other is not to say a word in advance when it involves the Palace Mining Department. At this time, if the palace is involved, Chen Hong will encourage the emperor even more. kill."

Wang Yongji: "Arrange a horse for me, I'm leaving now!"

Although accompanied by Li Shizhen, Haimu and Haiwife were still surprised, curious and kind when they entered the compound.

What a big front yard!
Pieces of soaked white cotton cloth were spread out on large stones three feet wide and one foot long, and thick round wooden pillars were pressed against one end of the white cotton cloth. Holding the wooden frame above, two pairs of bare feet kicked the log and rolled forward at the same time. The soaked cotton cloth was immediately smoothed by the log.

"What is this for?" Haimu immediately asked curiously.

A steward who accompanied them in: "Mrs. Hui, this is called kicking cloth. The cotton cloth will be compacted and flattened after such a kicking, and then dyed."

Haimu and Haiwife followed his hand to look elsewhere, and saw several large dyeing tanks made of whole bluestones of the same color that were chiseled in order on the other side of the yard. Dye vat.On the other side of the wider courtyard stands a row of racks for dyeing cloth several feet high. Many dyers are dyeing cloth in dyeing vats stocked with indigo and indigo. The bamboo pole throws the dyed cloth picks to the tall dyeing rack!

"Stop it first!" The steward who accompanied Li Shizhen, Haimu, and Haiwife shouted loudly, "Be careful and let the distinguished guests pass!"

The dyers stopped their work and looked at the group of four people standing at the gate of the courtyard.

"Yu Qing." The steward looked at a maid who came in with Mrs. Hai, "Help Mrs. Hai." At this point, he helped Mrs. Hai with a smile on his face, "Mr. Li, Mrs. Tai, Ma'am, please."

The maid named Yuqing had an innocent and joyful face, but now she was even more happy, gesticulating and smiling, holding Hai's wife and going inside.

This maid named Yuqing was actually a dumb girl, she was originally Yunniang's personal maid, and upon receiving Tan Lun's letter, she was immediately sent back to Nanjing to serve Haimu and Haiwife.The intention is simple, she can't speak or read, so she won't leak any news.That is to say, after being picked up by the car from the boat, Hai Wife obviously liked this dumb girl very much. At this time, her stomach was already showing a little. go inside.

But Haimu refused to move, and looked at Li Shizhen: "Mr. Li, you haven't told me yet, what is this place?"

(End of this chapter)