Chapter 95: Dark and gloomy, evil and disaster abound

The sun was blazing.

One after another, the secretaries of the Secretariat, sweating profusely, trotted all the way from the Western Garden to the various ministries and departments.

As if influenced by the atmosphere in the Forbidden City today, the faces of several people were quite anxious.

Each of them held the imperial edict copied by the six departments and walked quickly.

The cabinet now holds meetings with the emperor in the Western Garden and directly decides on bills, while the Secretariat and the six ministries draft imperial edicts on the spot.

The anger was so urgent that countless people were staring at him.

From the moment the murder case of the imperial envoy was brought to the capital, the situation in the capital was doomed to become boiling and the old situation would be stirred up.

As long as the official information goes through proper procedures, it cannot be concealed in any case.

What's more, it was passed up from the local area.

Almost all the departments and offices were discussing this matter secretly this morning. Even under the constraints of the officials, they still gathered privately and discussed it quietly.

But because each person only knows a little bit, it is inevitable that the pieces of information will be distorted when they are pieced together.

There is no lack of fabrications and exaggerations in the words.

It was said that thousands of elite soldiers rushed into the governor's office and hacked the head of a province to death.

Or maybe there are bandits gathering somewhere and claiming to be king, raising the flag of rebellion, and so on, and the talk sounds very convincing.

Especially the secretaries in the imperial edicts office and the imperial edict drafting office of the cabinet, who were in a hurry, further exaggerated the tense atmosphere and seemed to confirm the speculation of the onlookers.

Imperial edicts were all sent to the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate.

But naturally there would be a lot of copies made by the six departments and sent to various ministries and departments.

Minister of Rites Zhang Siwei was meeting in the cabinet.

The imperial edict naturally fell into the hands of the Right Vice Minister Zhu Dashou.

He looked at the edict in his hand in astonishment.

These imperial edicts are more intense than the last!
It's just investigating the case at first.

"Order the Imperial Inspector Shu Ao to review the events leading up to and following the murder of Tang Bin and Zhang Chucheng, and submit a detailed report."

Then the questioning began.

"For the Linxiang County mine robbery incident and the Niujiaojian water robbery incident, I have dismissed and imprisoned the Dongting garrison commander Qiu Qiao, the river patrol commander Chen Xiao, and the military assistant Ji Ruzhi, and have them awaiting interrogation!"

A minor official is not worthy of the attention of people in the central government.

But the next one was directed at the local officials!

The imperial edicts from Governor Zhao Xian and Provincial Governor Chen Rui were delivered together and are now in Zhu Dashou's hands.

The content is extremely intense.

"The miners in Huguang have gathered a gang of more than a thousand people, killed officials and rebelled without restraint. How can this be tolerated? Zhao Xian, the Right Censor-in-Chief and Governor of Huguang, has been entrusted with military affairs, but he has not taken precautions in advance, causing harm to the local area. It is too late to regret! Order him to return to Beijing immediately to await punishment!"

"In Huguang, bandits are rampant. This is due to the lack of government administration and the tolerance of thieves, which has led to the decline of people's livelihood and the danger of rebellion! There is Chen Rui, the Right Governor of Huguang, who is a figurehead and has done nothing but mediocre work. He is truly to blame. He must be ordered to return to Beijing immediately!"

A governor and a provincial governor were not given the slightest bit of face and were directly ordered to return to Beijing to await punishment. This shows how furious the emperor and the cabinet were!
However, Zhu Dashou's astonishment was not about punishing the governor and the provincial governor.

Although both of them were appointed as officials at the end of last year, only for half a year, their involvement would not be that deep. It seems more like they are incompetent and unable to control the local authorities - after all, it can be seen how deeply rigid the local authorities are.

However, at this time, anyone who is slightly suspicious cannot be let off. It is normal for the cabinet and the emperor to have this attitude.

What shocked him was the charge - killing officials and rebelling! ?
What did the cabinet ministers discuss with the emperor in Chengguang Hall?
They actually want to implicate him with this kind of crime?!

Zhu Dashou couldn't help but pick up the imperial edict and quickly came to the duty room of the left assistant minister Ma Ziqiang: "Examine."

Ma Ziqiang was also reading the imperial edict that the six departments had just copied. He understood why the great officials came at a glance.

He raised his hand and pressed it lightly: "Duanfu, please be patient."

Zhu Dashou still couldn't suppress his uneasiness: "Tiqian, now we have only caught the bandits in this crime of rebellion, but if we really find out something, I'm afraid it will be a bloody storm!"

The characterization of the crime is extremely important.

If it is a crime like gang theft, then we can close the case first and then slowly settle the accounts after finding out who is the culprit. At worst, we can charge them with individual crimes afterwards.

This can also prevent the possibility that it is really a coincidence, or that the person who found out the problem is unwilling to investigate further.

But now they are plotting treason right from the start, leaving no room for any further ado!

No matter what, we must investigate to the end! No matter who we find out, we will show no mercy!
What an intense act!

Hearing this, Ma Ziqiang shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that what we need is a thorough investigation. This matter should also lead to a bloody storm."

Who hasn’t had a time to get down to earth?
Court officials all grew up step by step, and most of them even had experience as governors of local areas.

The cabinet ministers have a large number of former students and officials under them, including local governors and heads of the three ministries. They are all indignant about this matter throughout their lives - what if they encounter the same thing?
One can imagine the pressure that several cabinet ministers are under.

Not to mention the aftermath.

If this kind of thing is allowed to go on, and everyone follows suit, the government’s decrees will never be able to leave the capital!

In the future, when measuring land and changing taxes, will we have to offer sacrifices to the emperor?!

No matter how you consider it, things like assassin politics must be eradicated with all your might.

It would be more reasonable to characterize it as treason right from the start.

Zhu Dashou said with some worry: "It's not a question of whether it should be done or not. I'm just afraid that the dog will jump over the wall and cause the local area to be corrupted."

If the attitude is softened and room is left for maneuver, it can have a paralyzing effect to some extent.

By then, we can unravel the case and arrest the culprit after stabilizing the situation. At that time, we can confiscate the property and exterminate the entire family as we please.

What we are afraid of is that if we act drastically from the beginning, we will really force people to rebel, which will cause endless troubles.

After hearing what his colleague said, Ma Ziqiang stopped what he was doing.

He looked up at Zhu Dashou and said meaningfully, "Duanfu may not know yet."

"Before His Majesty asked the cabinet ministers to go to Chengguang Hall to discuss matters, he first met with Wu Jinghe, the son-in-law of the emperor who is in charge of the Ministry of Clan Affairs."

As Zhang Siwei's relative and a core member of the Jin Party, he was naturally much more informed than Zhu Dashou.

Zhu Dashou was startled: "Wu Jinghe?"

As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he immediately realized it!

In charge of clan affairs! The emperor called the clan affairs office to deal with Huguang's affairs, so it must not be without purpose!
Is this really related, or is it simply meant to be implicated in this direction! ?
Ma Ziqiang nodded: "So, if you miss this opportunity to commit a crime like treason, you may never get it back. Your Majesty has a dark heart!"

His heart was with the Jin Party, not in the situation, but he saw things more clearly.

The characterization of the crime is used to express one's opinion.

However, there are not many people in Huguang who are worthy of such statements from the emperor and the cabinet.

It was not even possible to frame gentry or warriors with crimes; it made no difference whether they were bandits or rebels.

Instead, it is the provincial governors and certain people registered with the clan government who are worthy of expressing their views right from the start without leaving any room for maneuver.

Zhu Dashou seemed to be thinking about something.

At this moment, a clerk knocked on the door.

Seeing that the two assistant ministers were there, he saved a trip and said, "My two ministers, His Majesty has summoned Sun Yizheng, the governor of Shuntian Prefecture, to the palace."

They were both startled and looked at each other.

……

Entering the palace from the Meridian Gate is a long distance away from the Western Garden.

Sun Yizhen followed behind Li Jin and turned his head to look around.

Seeing that there was no one around, he took out a gold ingot from his sleeve, approached Li Jin, and stuffed the gold into Li Jin's sleeve.

"Eunuch, I will not embarrass you. Please tell me why His Majesty summoned me."

The eunuchs brought the Jinyiwei people to the door and took him into the palace semi-forcedly. Who wouldn't be terrified?

The most worrying thing is that we still don’t know what the reason is!
Corruption?

Didn’t they say that things that happened before the first year of the Wanli reign would be forgiven?
Although he took a small amount later, it was not enough to cause a big fight.

Or impeached?
He should have been asked to write a letter to beg for mercy instead of being summoned to the palace.

Could it be that the nobleman from Huguang who sent him a gift was really involved in this matter?

Thinking of this, Sun Yizhen couldn't help but scare himself.

I thought that if I could spend some money now, it would be nice to buy something to put my mind at ease.

Then he kept stuffing gold ingots into the hands of the eunuch in front of him.

After Li Jin quietly put the gold ingot into his sleeve, Sun Yizhen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Sure enough, there is no eunuch who is not greedy for money.

He asked quietly, "Eunuch, why did His Majesty summon me to the palace?"

Just when he thought Li Jin was going to whisper to him, he saw Li Jin quickly walk forward and keep a distance from him, as if nothing had happened.

Sun Yizhen was stunned for a moment, then reacted.

Dog eunuch, so brave!

I am the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, and I am at least one of the Nine Ministers! How dare you deceive me like this!
Sun Yizhen was secretly resentful, but there was nothing he could do at this critical moment.

The anger of being deceived and the worry about the emperor's uncertain intentions made Sun Yizhen even more irritable and uneasy.

In this tormented mood, Sun Yizhen followed Li Jin all the way to Chengguang Hall.

As soon as Li Jin led him into Chengguang Hall, he could hear the emperor's childish but loud voice before he saw anyone.

"I have entrusted the major affairs of state to the cabinet, and this matter is no exception. Please recommend someone directly."

Sun Yizhen slowed down his pace and quietly raised his head to take a look.

The emperor was seen in casual clothes, with his back to his ministers, fiddling with a screen.

The three cabinet ministers and the Minister of Rites Zhang Siwei, who signed cabinet affairs on behalf of Yang Bo, stood in a row, facing the emperor and bowed.

Next to him was Zheng Zongxue, the secretary of the Wanshou Palace, who was writing furiously.

Shen Li, the reviewer of the Hanlin Academy, was quietly fiddling with memorials in the room.

Sun Yizhen was told by the eunuch to stand at the end, and then he left straight away, which made people feel quite helpless.

No one in the hall paid any attention to Sun Yi Zheng, not even a glance at him.

Zhang Juzheng said in a deep voice: "You can promote Xu Xuemo, the deputy envoy of Huguang, to the right governor of Huguang."

Sun Yizhen lowered his head and looked at Zhang Juzheng's back. He knew that Xu Xuemo was promoted by Zhang Juzheng and was reinstated to the Huguang Censorate.

So much so that he was not suspected and stayed out of this storm.

However, it would be one thing to just stay out of it so easily, but to even promote him to a higher position is a bit too much.

He snorted coldly in his heart.

At first he was just a senator. In order to get promoted, he donated tens of thousands of silver and gave 100,000 in private, which won Yang Bo's favor and promoted him to councilor.

He still hangs the commendation "The scholars and people of Shanxi each donated money and resources to build more than 600 cities and forts" in the lobby of his home.

Now that a provincial governor was thrown away so easily, I wonder how much Xu Xuemo gave Zhang Juzheng.

He was just estimating the price of the post of governor when he heard the deputy assistant Gao Yi say, "It might be a good idea to let Liang Menglong be the governor of Huguang."

Sun Yizhen once again despised these cabinet ministers in his heart.

Liang Menglong is now the governor of Henan Province. He had said before that he would be promoted one level in salary due to his maritime transport, which would put him only half a step away from becoming a frontier governor or even entering the central government.

Now most of the time, they didn’t send any money and were thrown to Huguang, stepping on this landmine.

By then, you'll have offended too many people, and it's hard to say whether you can make further progress.

Sun Yizhen's wild thoughts were not without reason.

He could only use this method to relieve his irritability, because once he stopped thinking, he would be overwhelmed by the huge anxiety.

The emperor spoke again, "Let's do as you say. The governor and the provincial governor can decide, and we can discuss the rest later."

At this moment, Zhu Yijun finished speaking and looked at Sun Yizhen.

"Sun Qing is here. Do you want me to explain the matter of Huguang to you?"

Sun Yizheng's hair stood on end, but he restrained his expression and said seriously, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Li has already informed me on the way here!"

Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "I asked Wen Chun, who was once a councilor in Huguang last night. He said that you were the governor of Huguang at that time, and you are most familiar with the situation."

"Sun Qing, do you have anything to teach me?"

Sun Yizhen was extremely panic-stricken.

It turns out that the Huguang issue has come knocking on our door!
He's been gone for a year and two months! Why are you still holding on to him?
At this time, Sun Yizheng did not dare to neglect and said quickly: "Your Majesty, when I was in office, the rivers and seas were peaceful, the people lived and worked in peace, and there had never been any incidents of bandits attacking the county government!"

Zhu Yijun slowly flipped open a memorial and asked in an unintelligible tone, "Really?"

"Does Sun Qing know about that place that privately mints copper coins and weapons?"

Sun Yizheng collected his thoughts and tried not to let his expression reveal any flaws: "Your Majesty, I have been in Huguang for less than two years. The private casting was too secretive, so I was really unaware of it."

The emperor asked this, obviously knowing something.

Of course, I can't just say no, I can only say I don't know.

Having said that, Sun Yizhen looked calm on the surface, but his back was gradually getting wet at this moment, and his whole body exuded an uneasy aura - the emperor came prepared!

Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "In September of the fifth year of Longqing, due to the flood in Huguang, my father issued an edict to allow the grain tax of Wuchang, Hanyang, Jingzhou and other prefectures in Huguang to be reduced by half, and to redeem silver and grain from warehouses for disaster relief."

"Is this matter under the overall supervision of Sun Qing?"

Sun Yizheng's expression changed and he nodded with difficulty.

Zhu Yijun continued, "Sun Qing specially exchanged silver and grain for copper coins to distribute to the people for the convenience of redemption. He is indeed a loyal minister. I am pleased with your mature and kind deeds."

He suddenly said coldly: "Whose copper coins!"

Sun Yizhen shuddered.

But he did not panic and gave the answer he had prepared in advance: "Yes... I bought it from a local wealthy family."

Zhu Yijun nodded and surprisingly didn't ask any further questions.

He turned to another memorial and continued calmly, "In October of the fourth year of Longqing, you first arrived in Huguang to take office."

"The prefect, county magistrate and the chief minister reported that someone was illegally enclosing the mountain to open a mine."

"You said you would submit a memorial to the Central Government for judgment, but I have searched all six departments and could not find your memorial."

"Sun Qing, where is the memorial?"

Sun Yizheng lowered his head, making it hard to read his expression. He choked and said, "I was very busy at that time. Maybe... maybe I forgot."

Zhu Yijun nodded, agreeing with this statement.

He opened another memorial: "Last April, two gangs of bandits in Wugang Prefecture fought each other with weapons and armor. After the governor's office reported it, it was sent to your provincial government office for handling."

"I heard that you released everyone in the end?"

At this point, Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said, "Let them go, but the weapons and armor that were confiscated were also 'repurchased'. Do you know this or not?"

Sun Yizhen said nothing, as if he had turned a deaf ear to everything.

Zhu Yijun shook his head and said softly, "I heard that a wealthy family once came to your house and gave you gold and silver as gifts."

"This morning, this person came to Shuntian Prefecture to look for you and asked you about the central government's attitude towards the Linxiang County case."

Having said this, he restrained all his expressions and looked down at Sun Yi Zheng: "Sun Yi Zheng, I heard that you and Tang Bin have a grudge. Does this case have anything to do with you?"

Having said this, Sun Yizhen finally couldn't bear it anymore.

He fell to his knees with a thud: "Your Majesty, this case has absolutely nothing to do with me!"

"He only condoned the private opening of mines, the spreading of private money, and the protection of servants, and he had nothing to do with me!"

"How dare I participate in the burning of the imperial envoy? Your Majesty, I am innocent!"

Zhu Yijun finally flew into a rage, unable to hold back his anger, and kicked Sun Yizheng directly: "Now you admit that you were involved!"

Zhang Juzheng was quick to move and quickly lowered himself to hug the emperor: "Your Majesty, please pay attention to your manners."

Zhu Yijun calmed down a little.

Sun Yizheng crawled back and said, "Your Majesty! I have no choice!"

Zhu Yijun was brushing the hem of his clothes and turned around abruptly when he heard this.

His eyes were sharp, staring at Sun Yizheng tightly: "Who made you unable to control yourself?"

Sun Yizheng burst into tears: "Your Majesty! There are more than a thousand people working on this!"

"From the wealthy merchants and local tyrants to the petty clerks in black clothes, and from the three government offices to the nobles and relatives, everyone is trying to drive me away!"

Seeing the emperor staring at him with a vicious look, he said nothing.

He looked embarrassed and said, "Your Majesty, half of the commanders and all the garrisons, anyone who has the conditions, is working on the mining."

"Local tyrants, gentry, and even common people all participated in the coinage."

Zhu Yijun walked closer and squatted in front of Sun Yizhen, looking at the Shuntian prefect who refused to give in.

He put away his last bit of patience and said, "I will ask you one last time, who made you helpless?"

Sun Yizhen opened his mouth slightly, then slowly closed it.

Glance at the emperor's expression.

He lowered his head and spoke with difficulty: "I really don't know. I only know that the one who took the lead was the Lieutenant General of the Yueyang Palace, Zhu Yingyan."

After saying this, he finally lost all his strength and collapsed to the ground.

(End of this chapter)