Chapter 75: Destroying the Heart and Taking Away the Will, Judging the Situation

Faced with the emperor's behavior, Zhang Juzheng did not lose his composure.

He slowly stood up and looked at the emperor: "Your Majesty, do you really want to punish Xu Jie?"

Zhu Yijun looked back and nodded without disguising, "If Master Xu had returned the land peacefully, I could have given him some respect. But now that he has done this, I cannot tolerate him."

If Xu Jie had used this move against Emperor Shenzong, he would have definitely escaped.

In other words, Xu Jie was already trying to push himself to the level of Emperor Shizong.

As long as you are just like dust, your prestige and innovative appeal will naturally be discounted.

It is difficult for an emperor who is humble and puts the overall situation first to gather power.

Putting all these aside...the hurdle in one's heart is the more difficult one to overcome.

This is the inevitable path for many emperors. They make grand speeches when they ascend the throne, but then they become silent.

It's because I couldn't get over the hurdle in my heart that I lost my determination.

Xu Jie, this is heartbreaking! This is taking away your will!

If we do this, we will never be happy unless we deal with Xu Jie.

After getting the emperor's answer, Zhang Juzheng continued to ask: "Your Majesty, do you really want to keep Hai Rui?"

Zhu Yijun shook his head.

He explained: "It's not Hai Rui's fault, it's mine!"

"To be honest, Yuan Fu, I originally told Hai Rui that anyone above the fourth rank would be left to me."

"He won't embarrass me, but if I were to go along with the crowd, I would disappoint Hai Rui, the people, and the upright officials!"

"Zhang Qing, ask yourself, won't your expectations of me be greatly reduced?"

Zhang Juzheng agreed: "Your Majesty is right."

He continued, "Your Majesty must convict all those involved in the case?"

Zhu Yijun did not answer directly.

Instead, he looked at Zhang Juzheng and said, "Prime Minister, this is the first step to reform the old and establish the new."

"Not only Xu Jie is watching, Hai Rui is watching, and all the other civil and military officials are watching."

"This trip to Nanzhili has failed to live up to the expectations of the world."

"If it starts off well but ends badly...it will be difficult going forward."

Zhang Juzheng nodded.

He had an expressionless face and suddenly walked close to the emperor.

He snatched the report that the emperor was reading.

He said sternly: "Then, I have something to advise Your Majesty."

Zhu Yijun suddenly found himself empty-handed and felt completely bewildered.

He glanced at the disrespectful Zhang Juzheng and didn't say anything to scold him.

Immediately, he turned his attention back to Zhang Juzheng's words and asked curiously, "Prime Minister, please speak."

This time, Zhang Juzheng did not avoid the topic. He lowered his head and looked through the names mentioned by Xu Jie one by one.

While reviewing it, he said without looking up, "Your Majesty has not yet taken charge of the government. The two palaces are the regents, and the cabinet is assisting in the administration."

Zhang Juzheng memorized all the names in his heart, then he looked up at the emperor and said seriously: "This matter should be handled by the Empress Dowager and this humble minister!"

Zhu Yijun was stunned.

After hearing this, he couldn't help but look hesitant.

His momentum weakened a lot, and he couldn't help but confirm: "The Prime Minister wants to take over this matter?"

Zhang Juzheng nodded, and in contrast, his momentum became more and more powerful.

He said solemnly: "This resentment cannot be attributed to Your Majesty."

After working together for half a year, he has already figured out the emperor's temperament.

By observing his words and actions, I have gained some understanding of him.

From supporting the Performance Evaluation System, recalling Hai Rui to clean up the salt administration, to his heartfelt remarks just now, this young emperor can be said to stand out among all the emperors in history - he was a very good character.

At least from now on, it seems that after he retires, the emperor will be able to continue to carry out the new policies.

In the New Party, whether it was Lü Diaoyang, Shen Shixing, Wang Guoguang, or even Wang Xijue who was far away in Nanzhili, they all approved of the young emperor's attitude of supporting the new policy.

Especially his attitude towards Hai Rui just now.

It really has a bit of a determined flavor.

Such a young emperor...

If you insist on doing this matter by force, all the blame will be on yourself - there will be estrangement between mother and son, alienation between the ruler and his subjects, and resentment among the nobles.

It would be a waste if you find it difficult to take charge of the government in the future!

Zhu Yijun remained silent.

He has been hesitating about this matter these days because he feels it is a difficult problem.

But I didn't expect Zhang Juzheng to take the initiative to take over this matter.

Whoever does this will be the target of public criticism.

Zhu Yijun asked, "Sir, what do you want to do?"

Zhang Juzheng said solemnly: "Do it according to the law!"

"Several incidents in Nanzhili, including the salt merchants stirring up trouble, the scholars being shaken, and the grain transport ships sinking, were all considered treason!"

"Wang Zhigao shielded his son from murder, and the latter was retried according to the law."

"As for the rest of the corrupt officials, those who should return the stolen money should return it, and those who should be demoted should be demoted."

Zhu Yijun couldn't help but feel his blood boiling after hearing this.

What a vigorous and decisive action!
But, alas, this is unrealistic.

The implications are so profound that not only Zhang Juzheng, but even the emperor himself, would not be able to withstand it.

Zhang Juzheng was not a person who acted without purpose.

Zhu Yijun knew that he had more to say, so he asked softly, "Teacher, why are you teaching me?"

Zhang Juzheng nodded slightly, obviously enjoying the emperor's advice.

He said meaningfully: "There are still three days before the new era. Your Majesty is going to grant amnesty to the whole nation, isn't he?"

"I think that after the Lantern Festival, an imperial decree can be issued to show mercy to all of them."

Zhu Yijun was stunned.

He nodded immediately.

Unlike later times, following the law does not mean that conviction must be followed by punishment.

Although everyone in the world is watching, a general amnesty is also part of the Ming Dynasty's laws.

So the case can be prosecuted, but the person can be pardoned.

But Zhu Yijun did not answer.

Zhang Juzheng continued, "The case can be handled this way. The Nanzhili will be convicted of treason and sentenced to death after a general amnesty."

"If an official in Beijing is corrupt, he can be pardoned because of the person who committed the crime."

"It's tight and legal, but not too extensive."

Zhu Yijun heard this.

Finally, she couldn't help but sigh: "I know. But, the resentment belongs to you, sir, and the kindness belongs to me."

"Sir, I'm afraid it will be difficult to carry out your work in the future."

Zhu Yijun also thought about this.

But even if there is a general amnesty, although there is no punishment, the crime has been convicted, and the return of the stolen money is inevitable.

There will be less resentment, but not too much less.

In the end, one person has to carry it.

Zhang Juzheng pondered over this strange word, understood it, and then put it out of his mind.

He looked at the emperor seriously: "Your Majesty, the implications are not widespread and can be suppressed for a while."

"I... don't care about my reputation after death."

It is impossible to say that you don’t care, but things that happen before you die are always more important than things that happen after you die.

Zhu Yijun fell into deep thought.

Hai Rui certainly couldn't handle such a big thing, and only the emperor or the prime minister could take it on.

Of course, the empress dowager can also be the regent, but this is unrealistic. Putting the blame on a woman who is ignorant of state affairs, even the first-rank court officials will know that something is wrong, and in the end they will not be able to find an object of resentment. At worst, they can all hate together, hating the emperor, the prime minister, and the court.

It’s better to bear it alone.

But if Zhang Juzheng were really asked to take charge of this matter...

Zhu Yijun looked up at Zhang Juzheng.

Then the reputation of this prime minister would definitely be ruined.

After all, this Prime Minister was also mentioned in Xu Jie's revelations. If he turns around and kills his colleagues, then no one in the court, or even the literati and the people will be in a good situation.

Even if he tried to raise Zhang Juzheng's reputation, he would not be able to stop people from gossiping about him. By then, unofficial history would record him as a sedan chair carried by thirty-two people.

Not only that, how many prime ministers who have endured such a thing can continue to work in this position?

It goes without saying what the final fate of Yan Song, a famous scapegoat, would be.

Given Zhang Juzheng's obsession with the new law, he certainly did not want to retire.

This is a political career, a gamble on the emperor's character!
Zhu Yijun couldn't help but ask, "Sir, do you trust me so much?"

Zhang Juzheng gave the emperor a deep look and said, "I am no worse than Hai Rui."

Since the emperor was determined to remain loyal to Hai Rui, Zhang Juzheng would be no worse.

If the emperor did not have this intention, he would have put the overall situation first by now.

This is not faith in the emperor, this is self-confidence.

Zhu Yijun was stunned for a moment before he suddenly realized.

This was what he had just asked Zhang Juzheng in a state of excitement, asking whether Hai Rui had just been resurrected or whether he was going to force him to retire again.

Having said that, Zhu Yijun still couldn't help but sigh.

This is arrogance, but also real trust.

but……

I can say that I have promised to preserve the reputation of these people after their death.

If Zhang Juzheng really took the blame, it would be too easy for him to be counterattacked. I could still protect him while I was alive, but I was afraid that once I died, Zhang Juzheng would be dug up and mutilated.

If the world line converges to this extent, it would be too cruel.

Seeing that the emperor did not say anything, Zhang Juzheng bowed again: "Your Majesty, then it is so."

Just as he was bowing and about to leave, he suddenly found himself being supported by the emperor.

The emperor looked at him with a complicated expression and murmured, "Let me think about it again, think about it again."

Zhu Yijun looked up and fell into deep thought.

Zhang Juzheng could not help but persuade him: "Your Majesty, this is the only way."

Seeing that the emperor remained silent, Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but feel moved.

Since he brought up the matter himself, he naturally understood the consequences.

If it had been the first two emperors who came, they would have agreed without hesitation. The fact that the emperor is hesitant now is enough to make people feel sad.

However, the overall situation is here, and there are not many choices to make.

Zhang Juzheng grabbed the emperor's hand and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, if you pretend to be deaf and dumb about this matter, you will fail the great expectations of the world."

"If we want to continue the case, the resentment is too deep."

"Now, apart from me, there is no one else who can take the responsibility."

Zhu Yijun remained silent.

A long time passed.

He exhaled a breath of foul air: "Sir, to be honest with you, if the cabinet insists, I will put the overall situation first."

"I'm afraid I will... immediately send Hai Rui back to Beijing with the confiscated money. He will use the money to prepare the Beijing camp. Even if we have to select the Imperial Academy in the Western Garden and reopen the three ministries, we will have to eat this half-cooked meal."

Zhang Juzheng's face changed, and he was about to speak. Zhu Yijun held him back and continued, "However, now that you and I are of the same mind."

"I won't mention this matter again."

"But...if you let me take all the responsibility, I won't be able to get over it."

"I have some other ideas."

He paused, looked at Zhang Juzheng seriously and said, "Sir, tell me, can I really not accept these grievances?"

……

The first day of January, the first year of Wanli.

Huai'an government office.

Xu Jie sat quietly in a study, writing in large characters on two couplets.

Chen Yinzhao stood beside him and curiously watched Xu Jie writing.

I couldn't help but sigh in my heart, what a good word.

Xu Jie studied under Nie Bao, and was a second-generation disciple of Wang Shouren. It can be said that he was a man of good pedigree and a famous teacher.

He became the top scholar in the second year of the Jiajing reign and entered the Hanlin Academy, rising rapidly to prominence thanks to his good handwriting and eloquent words.

It is not without reason that he said to himself that "Xuanwen enters the straight path".

After a long while, Xu Jie finished writing two pieces in one go and put his pen down.

He stood up and looked at it for a long time before nodding with satisfaction.

"Go ahead and put the couplet on the door."

Xu Jie gave instructions to Chen Yinzhao.

He didn't mind living in prison, but Hai Rui said that since the three judicial officials had not convicted him, he was still an old minister of super rank, so he specially vacated a room in the backyard of the government office for Xu Jie to live in.

They come, the security.

Now that I have settled down and it’s New Year’s Day, I might as well write two couplets to create a New Year atmosphere.

Chen Yinzhao took it swiftly and ran outside to post the couplets.

Xu Jie relaxed, leaned back in the armchair, closed his eyes and rested.

He has been under house arrest by Hai Rui for quite some time.

But Xu Jie was not in a hurry.

This is the best he can do. No matter how urgent it is, it will be useless and will only shorten his lifespan.

He now told everything very generously. No matter what the emperor thought, at least on the surface, he had bowed his head and tied his neck.

The worst case scenario is that you copy it for your own home.

If you want to kill me, no one will kneel so thoroughly in the future.

Let’s see if Wang Chonggu still dares to come to Beijing then. Isn’t he afraid of being killed afterwards?
Let's see if there are any old ministers who will cooperate with Zhang Juzheng's land measurement. Even if Xu Jie, who is of such status, cooperates so much, he will still die. Who dares to cooperate?

Even among the ministers in the court, who didn't have a criminal record? How could they not be afraid of an emperor who was murderous?

This is called seeking survival from death!
When he understood who was behind Gao Gong being sent to Songjiang Prefecture and Hai Rui beating and killing his servants, Xu Jie knew that the emperor wanted to kill him.

If there is a mutiny, not only will we not have the strength to do so, but we will also have to execute all nine generations of our clan.

If there was an option of surrender, they would not have directly sent Gao Gong and Hai Rui to go south together, but would have let Zhang Juzheng write a letter first.

The rest of them may not be of one mind, and they don't want to go through the trouble of traveling across the ocean.

After much thought, Xu Jie finally figured it out.

Why did the emperor want to kill him?
It must be for farming! He is a master who wants to make a difference.

Xu Jie understood this kind of people best.

Anyone who wants to innovate always has the determination to move forward!

Once you retreat, you can never stand up again.

He understood because that was what Sejong did in the beginning.

He was determined to innovate, but after backing down once, he lost the enthusiasm.

Even...he, Xu Jie, was the same when he was young.

Now that we understand, the countermeasures are very clear, that is, tie the overall situation to ourselves! The emperor can either move forward bravely, reform the old and establish the new, or bring everyone to justice together.

Or just shrink back like Sejong did!

It depends on how the emperor chooses.

They were already lambs to be slaughtered, it couldn't be worse than this.

After Xu Jie took a short nap, he saw that the noble prince who was guarding him had not returned yet. He sat up out of curiosity and looked outside.

I saw a guard outside talking to the prince.

After a while.

Chen Yinzhao walked in and said politely to Xu Jie, "Master Xu, let's go to the Canal Transport Office for a while."

Xu Jie immediately reacted: "Is Gao Gong here again?"

Chen Yinzhao nodded reluctantly.

Xu Jie became interested: "Come on, take me to meet Gao Gong."

Ever since he came to Hai Rui to surrender himself, Gao Gong found out and came to Hai Rui again and again to ask for his release.

Later, he learned that Xu Jie had exposed countless people and even had eighteen boxes of physical evidence, and he wanted to burn the boxes on the spot.

After being stopped by Hai Rui in vain, Gao Gong came every few days.

Chen Yinzhao quickly stopped him: "Master Xu, Ding'an Bo has a bad temper and brought a knife with him. You should be more careful."

Xu Jie was startled, cursed him inwardly as a reckless man, and sat down angrily.

As the two were talking, Hai Rui suddenly walked in.

"Governor." Chen Yinzhao hurriedly saluted.

Hai Rui nodded and said gently, "It's New Year's Day today, you can go find your father yourself. Master Xu is here, I'll stay with him."

Chen Yinzhao was overjoyed; "Thank you, Governor!"

He carefully left the room and waited until he turned the corner before he started running.

Hai Rui signaled Luo Sigong to get some food. Luo Sigong hesitated for a moment, then retreated outside the door and called a guard to do it.

At this time, when no one was in the room, Hai Rui nodded to Xu Jie and said, "Master Xu."

Xu Jie asked curiously, "Gao Gong retreated so quickly today?"

Hai Rui smiled and said, "It's the New Year. After all, his wife is still waiting for him at home."

Xu Jie sighed and said with emotion: "The land in my house has almost been divided up by him, right?"

He told the emperor that he supported land quota measurement, and that was his statement.

If Gao Gong has already done the job even though the emperor hasn't replied yet, then that shows how capable Gao Gong is.

Hai Rui shook his head: "We are still measuring and compiling the records, but it will be almost done. Once we have figured it out, we will start returning to the fields."

Xu Jie smiled helplessly.

The two chatted for a while, and Luo Sigong walked into the room with a pot of wine and a plate of noodles in his hand.

After putting the things on the table, Luo Sigong went to guard the door again.

Hai Rui brought the plate of dumplings in front of him and pushed a bowl of noodles to Xu Jie.

"The food in the government office is not as good as the Xu residence, Master Xu, please make do with it."

Xu Jie took the bowl of noodles that Hai Rui pushed over with some surprise, and asked in confusion, "What is this?"

Hai Rui smiled and explained, "I don't mean anything else. It's just that it's the New Year and my family isn't around, so we need to have some atmosphere."

Xu Jie's meaning was unclear: "I didn't expect the governor of the sea to treat me with such courtesy."

Logically speaking, he should be in jail now.

Even if he's not convicted, there's no need to take care of him. It would be the same to just throw him into the woodshed.

Unexpectedly, he was given a room next to the palace, and was allowed to write and read freely in the study, and now he even has noodles during the Chinese New Year.

Hai Rui looked at Xu Jie with a complicated expression.

Suddenly he stood up and bowed: "I still haven't thanked Master Xu for saving me back then."

Xu Jie was stunned.

Reacted immediately.

When Hai Rui gave advice to Emperor Shenzong, he was imprisoned and sentenced to death.

Many people pleaded for Hai Rui, including Xu Jie, or rather, Xu Jie was the leader.

This is naturally a favor.

But Xu Jie didn't expect Hai Rui to turn out like this.

He accepted the gift calmly and couldn't help but teasing, "Has the Imperial Censor Hai been giving me trouble again and again?"

After the late emperor ascended the throne, Hai Rui initiated the case of surrender.

Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, Hai Rui has come again to investigate the Huai Salt Case.

It is hard to tell that Hai Rui is grateful.

Hai Rui shook his head and said, "Hai Rui never makes things difficult for anyone."

"The Ming Dynasty has its own laws. Hai Rui, just follow the laws of the country."

At this point, he couldn't help but sigh: "It was because the Junior Master repeatedly violated the laws of the country that Hai Rui had to make things difficult for the Junior Master."

Xu Jie paused and nodded, agreeing with this statement.

Then he picked up the chopsticks and put a piece of food in his mouth.

He said vaguely, "Now that I have provided so many charges, why don't the censors prosecute them one by one?"

After he said that, he chewed it twice and felt it was a bit bland, so he asked Luo Sigong for vinegar.

He looked at Hai Rui apologetically and said, "I'm getting old, and my sense of taste is not as good as it used to be."

Hai Rui sat upright and watched Xu Jie eat quietly.

He did not answer Xu Jie's question directly, but fell into a long silence.

Until Luo Sigong came in and went out with vinegar.

Hai Rui then said, "His Majesty has instructed me that he will personally handle matters above the fourth rank."

"Since you have no power, you naturally cannot make your own decisions."

Xu Jie poured vinegar into the bowl three times, added two more times, and then handed it to Hai Rui: "Let's talk while we eat. It's New Year's Day."

Hai Rui subconsciously took the vinegar handed to him by Xu Jie.

in silence.

Then he came to his senses and fell on the dumplings.

Xu Jie continued, "The governor seems to be worried?"

Hai Rui silently put a dumpling in his mouth, shook his head and said no more.

He was not someone who was not flexible, but he was still frightened by the eighteen boxes of evidence and the numerous people involved in the case.

Not to mention anything else, even the Queen Mother is involved!
Did he hope that the emperor would bring all the suspects to justice, or did he hope that the emperor would keep the matter quiet?
To be honest, this was the first time Hai Rui felt so dilemma.

Xu Jie pressed on, "What do you think the governor will do?"

"Your Majesty, will you settle the matter peacefully, or will you be ruthless and impartial?"

Now everyone is waiting. Gao Gong is waiting, Xu Jie is waiting, and Hai Rui is naturally waiting as well, all waiting for the attitude and decision of the young emperor.

Hai Rui was silent for a long time again.

Xu Jie didn't care. He finished all the noodles in the bowl and even picked up the bowl to drink some soup.

"I believe in His Majesty."

Hai Rui suddenly spoke, and Xu Jie was stunned.

Then he realized that Hai Rui was answering his question.

Hai Rui looked at him and repeated, "I believe in Your Majesty."

　I'd better code it out. It doesn't count as asking for leave. I'll delete the leave note.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)