Ming Dynasty 1566

Chapter 79

Hai Rui: "I don't think so. Slandering the Holy Majesty shows that Zheng Michang and He Maocai have no father and no king. Such people will commit so many crimes that harm the country and the people. In the trial, the original confession must be submitted to the court without any changes, and submitted to the emperor. If it is changed, it will be deceiving the emperor."

Jin Yiwei stopped talking and turned to look at Zhao Zhenji.

Zhao Zhenji knew that the most important thing at this time was attitude. After thinking for a while, he said slowly: "The "Law of the Great Ming Dynasty" has clear regulations. But as a subject, I know that the rebellion is to avoid guilt and slander the Holy One, so I can't bear to use such rebellious words. Sending it up hurts the name. Haizhi County, can you re-examine He Maocai, and submit another confession according to the intention of the governor just now?" At this point, he turned to Tan Lun again, with deep eyes.

Tan Lun immediately understood the pros and cons, but he was really not sure that he could persuade Hai Rui to accept this idea, so he stood there for a while.

Hai Rui spoke immediately: "My lords can of course re-interview He Maocai and Zheng Michang. But this confession was made by me, and I must submit the original statement to the court."

Jin Yiwei became anxious at the other end: "What will happen if such a confession is handed over to the imperial court and the cabinet? What will happen to the inspector of ceremonies? How will it be reported to the emperor?"

Hai Rui: "Tell the emperor truthfully. I don't know why everyone has so many taboos."

All the people have nothing to answer.

Zhao Zhenji lowered his head and thought about it, and raised his head after a long time: "It's tomorrow to be sent to the court. You might as well go to rest first, and then think about it."

This is obviously meant to be a last resort.Everyone understood, but kept silent.

Zhao Zhenji looked at Hai Rui and Wang Yongji: "You two have worked hard today, let's go back to the official post to rest."

Hai Rui and Wang Yongji stood up, bowed to Zhao Zhenji and Tan Lun, and walked out.

Hearing the sound of footsteps going away, Zhao Zhenji immediately faced Tan Lun and the four Jinyi guards: "He Maocai's confession is not trivial. It is true, and Shen Yishi's case will be concluded immediately. Those behind him deserve death! Evading from guilt, but alluding to the emperor. This is the dilemma. Mr. Tan, you have to work hard again, and go to Haizhi County to talk about the confession, it is best not to submit the confession to the court like this."

Tan Lun had no choice but to stand up again: "I'll say it. But if he insists on submitting it, we can't refute him."

Zhao Zhenji: "He insists on going his own way, we will find another way. What do you think of the business?"

On the other side of Jin Yiwei: "Master Zhao is old-fashioned and seeking for the country, we all listen to you."

Zhao Zhenji looked at Tan Lun again: "I don't think I can sleep anymore, Master Tan is working hard."

"I'll go right away." Tan Lun bowed his hands to them and walked out.

A few big lanterns were raised high with bamboo poles, illuminating the backyard and the locust tree.The crows whose nests had been dismantled were still circling and singing over the courtyard.

Zhao Zhenji was wearing a close-fitting short dress, with her hair tied up, looking up at the tall locust tree and at the shadows of crows in the courtyard.

Several scribes and servants stood behind him holding their breath, not knowing what he was going to do.

Soon, two guards came carrying the long ladder and put it on the locust tree.

The clerk on duty asked in a low voice: "My lord Zhongcheng, the ladder is erected, should we dismantle it now?"

Zhao Zhenji didn't answer his question right away, and started to read a poem: "Singing to wine, how much life is. For example, if the morning dew, the past days are bitter.... The moon and stars are thin, and the black magpie flies south. Around the tree three times, there are no branches to go. Habitat."

A few scribes and a few servants were even more incomprehensible, and they all looked at him from behind.

"Pick up all the branches that were removed." Zhao Zhenji still raised his head.

The clerk on duty didn't understand and didn't dare to ask, so he looked at the other people.

One of the guards understood, and with a wink, he took the lead to pick up the nest branches that fell in the evening.The others also understood, and picked up the nest branches on the ground one after another.

"Someone, help the ladder." Zhao Zhenji said again, and climbed up the ladder by himself.

The clerk on duty was the first to be frightened: "Quick, hold up the ladder!"

Two or three guards rushed over in a hurry and held on tightly to the ladder.

Zhao Zhenji had already climbed to the ruined nest among the trees, and shouted down: "Pass me those nest branches."

Only then did everyone understand what he meant.In a panic, he thought of a way very quickly.A servant took off his belt and tied up a handful of bamboo sticks: "Bring the bamboo pole!"

Another servant picked up the bamboo pole and lowered it horizontally. The bundled nest branch was tied to the tip of the bamboo pole. The servant holding the bamboo pole slowly straightened the bamboo pole, and slowly extended the bundle of nest branch to Zhao Zhenji who was on the ladder.

Zhao Zhenji took down the bundle of nest branches, put them between the branches of the locust tree, picked them up one by one, and built them on the ruined nest.

Under the tree, those people were dumbfounded.

"You are too extreme! Zhao Zhongcheng is not the kind of person you said!" Tan Lun looked very excited, and his tone became fierce, and he said to Hai Rui, "You Haigangfeng is an upright person. But you are not the only one in the Ming Dynasty who cares about the country and the people! Have you heard of the 'Four Remonstrances of Yuezhong'? Have you heard of the 'Three Sons of Wuwu'? They all dared to impeach Yan Song The direct ministers of the father and son. And who are these seven people saving them? It was Mr. Xu Ge who gave up his life to save them. Zhao Zhongcheng is Mr. Xu Ge's student. Doesn't he hate the strict party? Maybe he doesn't want to clear the king's side? It's because Lessons learned from the past! The strict party has controlled the government for more than 20 years, and there are more than 100 Qingliu who bluntly participated in their impeachment. Among them, more than [-] people were killed and more than [-] people were exiled. Those who survived the punishment and were dismissed are even less ordinary How many! Why is this happening? It is because Yan Song isolated the emperor and blocked his way of speaking, and secretly brought all kinds of despicable things they did to the emperor. As long as they impeach the strict party, they become attacks on the emperor. Today they finally got the treasury empty The level of self-sufficiency has led to the things that the gods and men in Zhejiang are indignant with. When these things are presented to the court, the strict party will fall. The merits of all ages are one step away. Zhao Zhongcheng also knows that there are lessons learned from the past. That's why I was asked to persuade you. In the case of Zhejiang, you must not involve the Holy Master. Once the Holy Master is involved, all previous efforts will be wasted. , you can also follow the authority. Don’t you understand this truth?”

At this time, Wang Yongji was also excited by Tan Lun's generous statement. He stood up and said to Hai Rui: "What Mr. Tan said is the truth and the truth. Brother Gangfeng, for the sake of the court and the world." In order to live up to the 'Four Remonstrances of Yuezhong', 'Three Sons of Wuwu' and so many people who suffered disasters by joining the strict party, you should listen to Mr. Tan!"

"I am not the 'Four Remonstrances of Yuezhong', nor the 'Third Sons of Wuwu'. My surname is Hai, my name is Rui, my name is Ruxian, and my name is Gangfeng." Having said this, Hai Rui stood up. In a barbaric island, without your recommendation, Tan Zili, I wouldn't even be able to be the magistrate of Qipin County. At most, I would go home to serve my mother after serving the whole Nanping edict. I don't understand why you, Zhao Zhongcheng and Mr. Tan, took me Hai Rui takes it so seriously!" He stopped at this point.

Tan Lun was in a daze, and Wang Yongji was also in a daze.

"It's just that I, Hai Rui, am serious about my work." Hai Rui also became excited and raised his voice, "It's been less than half a year since I arrived in Zhejiang in March. What I saw and knew can only be described in four words. That's shocking! Zheng Michang, He Maocai and their former officials have corrupted ink and bribed millions of dollars in Shen Yishi, the Weaving Bureau alone! There are also land taxes, salt and iron taxes, and canal dam projects. I don’t know how much they are corrupted by ink! Yes, they are all members of the strict party, not only in Zhejiang, but there are more people like them in the two capitals and thirteen provinces. Why have they been able to run rampant with corruption for more than 20 years? It is because in There are more spendthrifts than them in front of them! Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, princes, counties, kings and royal families have spread all over the world. According to the regulations, a prince must provide 62 shi, 120 guan of banknotes, and four pieces of brocade every year. Ten horses, three hundred silks, five hundred silks, one thousand gauze, one thousand winter cloth, and one thousand summer cloth. The rest of the expenses are too numerous to list. Have you ever calculated that a prince spends The national money is so huge, how much money was spent by so many royal family members in the Ming Dynasty! As for the royal family, the eunuchs in the palace, and the farms annexed by officials at all levels account for half of the world, they are not paid. The land that can be cultivated is less than half of the world, but the tax of the world has to be paid. Everyone knows this. Take Zhejiang as an example, there are only [-] shi of rice stored every year, which can be supplied to the royal family and relatives. The Lumi of the government office costs [-] million [-] shi. The two years of food reserves cannot provide the Lumi for the royal government office for a year. However, the northern Ida invades every year, and the southeast Japanese pirates ravage every year, endangering the world, but the soldiers and soldiers have to pay eastward. Noxi! Can these things be justified if you only impeach Yan Song and Yan Shifan? Like Mr. Tan said just now, those who impeach the Yan Party have always suffered disasters because of their involvement in the royal family. I think the opposite is because they only Dare to participate in the strict and dare not speak out about the great evils of the world, so that the strict party can hide the big evils and then carry out corruption. The emperor wants to remonstrate, so that the father of the king is Yao and Shun, so as to avoid the hunger and cold of the people. Mencius said, "The king is the least important, the society is second, and the people are the most important!" I don't understand why I dare not speak to the emperor? Master Tan just said I Extremism, this is my extremeness. Please Tan Daren forward my words to Zhao Zhongcheng, you can also pass it on to King Yu, Mr. Xu Ge, Mr. Gao, and Mr. Zhang. If I, Hai Rui, are guilty of this crime, I will be with you all. Nothing to do. I have no party in Hai Rui!"

Tan Lun was in a daze, and Wang Yongji was also in a daze.

After a long time, Tan Lun said: "Since this is the case, I won't say much. Just say one sentence, and that sentence is the same. I, Tan Lun, recommended you Hai Rui, and I will never regret it!" After saying this, he walked straight out the door go.

Wang Yongji was still standing there, and then he raised his head and looked at Hai Rui: "Brother Gangfeng, brother Gangfeng, if you do this, I'm going to find someone to ask for help." He spoke slowly. Walked out slowly.

Now it was Hai Rui's turn to stand there alone. He slowly raised his head and looked at the sky above the courtyard outside the door.

There is no moon tonight, only the sky full of stars above the courtyard.

When only the morning star was left shining alone in the sky, a line of white was already slightly exposed in the eastern sky.The head of the eunuch on duty, the chief inspector of ceremonies, led many eunuchs on duty to stand in two rows holding lanterns, and the ancestors were about to come when they spoke.

There was a sound of hurried footsteps, and the sedan chair led by two lanterns came in through the courtyard gate.

"Morning, ancestor!" All the eunuchs bowed down.

The sedan chair stopped, and before anyone outside could lift the curtain, Lu Fang opened the curtain by herself and got out of the sedan door.

"Press the sedan chair! Press the sedan chair!" The head of the eunuch on duty shouted hurriedly.

The two eunuchs behind the sedan chair quickly lifted up the sedan chair pole, and the front sedan chair pole touched the ground. Lu Fang was still standing inside the sedan chair pole, looking up at the sky. The morning star gradually faded. The white gradually widened, end-to-end like a fish maw.

"Why are you still lighting the lamp!" The always kind ancestor was inexplicably angry today, "Is it because there is endless money in the palace!"

At first they were startled, but the head eunuch on duty immediately understood, and shouted to everyone in a low voice: "Turn out the lights! Put out all the lanterns!"

There was a sound of blowing lights, and all the lanterns were blown out.

It was just before dawn, and it was hazy, Lu Fang stood there and said again: "There will be a day for you to beg for food!" After saying this, he went straight to the courtyard.

All the eunuchs were nailed to the outside of the yard, only the head of the eunuch on duty hurriedly followed: "Old ancestor, slow down, and don't dare to trip."

Lu Fang ignored him, lifted a corner of her robe and walked forward quickly.

After entering the inner courtyard, the four big Bingbi eunuchs were already standing at the door of the duty room, and the lights inside and outside the room were still brightly lit.

The head of the eunuch on duty who followed in hurriedly shouted to the two eunuchs on duty in the courtyard: "Put out all the lanterns!"

The four big Bingbi eunuchs were taken aback for a moment, and the two eunuchs on duty in the inner courtyard were also taken aback.

Lu Fang stopped in her tracks, looking at the eunuch on duty with frightened eyes today: "Who told me to turn off the lights?"

It was the eunuch's turn to be stunned for a moment, looking at Lu Fang with half-raised panicked eyes.

Lu Fang: "Stay in the dark!" Then she walked in to the door of the guard room.

The four big Bingbi eunuchs followed him in.

The fire from the eunuch on duty spread to the two eunuchs on duty in the inner courtyard, and he shouted in a low voice: "Get out yet!" He walked out first.

The two eunuchs on duty hurriedly followed out of the courtyard.

The confessions delivered urgently from Babaili, Zhejiang have already been pressed one by one with paperweights and jade stones in order, and placed on the big case in the value room.

The lantern was shining, and Lu Fang's eyes quickly looked over from top to bottom, left to right.

The four eunuchs who held the pen had already seen it, and now they all held their breaths waiting for Lu Fang to finish it.

Lu Fang raised her gaze slowly, looking at the increasingly bright dawn outside the door, and slowly reached out with one hand to touch the teacup by the desk.

Huang Jin picked up the tea bowl in time and handed it over with both hands. Lu Fang grabbed the tea bowl on the plate, and suddenly smashed it hard on the brick floor in front of the big case!
The fragments splashed, and the tea splashed everywhere!
All four were startled.

"What is Zhejiang going to do! What are Yan Song and Xu Jie going to do!" Lu Fang has never been so angry.

"You want the heads of the five of us." Chief Eunuch Chen Hong answered, "Yang Jinshui has ordered the arrest. The Shangyi Supervisor, the Scarf and Hat Bureau, and many people in the palace are investigating. They still want to Bringing things up in the palace, on the emperor, will behead the hundreds of thousands of people in the palace."

(End of this chapter)