prosperous age

Although spring has arrived, the chill has not yet dissipated.

But what chills people to the bone the most is the human heart.

At this moment, everyone in the Zhang family mansion in Jingzhou felt the menacing malice emanating from outside.

After Zhang Juzheng died, almost all the officials in the Huguang government came.

Regardless, Zhang Juzheng was once the Grand Secretary and the current emperor's teacher, so he still had to maintain a certain level of respect.

However, after the imperial decree from the capital came down, and he learned that his father's posthumous title was Wenzhong, not Wenzhen or even Wenzheng as most people thought, his attitude quietly changed.

The saying "when people leave, the tea cools" perhaps applies here.

Although the Zhang brothers had their grievances, they hid them well and did not show them at all.

However, as time passed, everything seemed to remain the same inside and outside Jingzhou, and no one remembered the person who had once brought honor to Jingzhou.

However, not long after the New Year, while the Zhang family mansion was still shrouded in a mixed and indescribable atmosphere of the master's death and the joy of the New Year, a large number of government troops suddenly appeared outside the mansion.

They didn't do anything to the mansion, but they did set up a sentry post outside the mansion.

Servants entering and leaving the mansion are simply registered and allowed to pass, provided they do not carry a large number of items.

When the master of the mansion went out, the government troops not only had to register him, but also sent people to follow him, as if they were afraid that he would run away.

At this time, the Huguang Provincial Administration Commission and the Provincial Surveillance Commission had received orders from the capital to keep an eye on the Zhang residence and prevent them from transferring the stolen goods.

And that's how this whole thing happened.

The three eldest sons, Zhang Jingxiu, Zhang Sixiu, and Zhang Maoxiu, naturally gathered together immediately to discuss the matter.

Unfortunately, the current situation in the court has changed drastically, and things have not turned out as his father had hoped; they have lost the protection of the capital.

In fact, they had already realized what was happening when the government troops appeared outside the mansion.

They even know who should be behind these things.

Many of my father's policies, while beneficial to the country, offended too many people.

However, although he was somewhat panicked, Zhang Jingxiu did not show it.

He is the eldest of the three brothers, so he naturally makes the decisions regarding affairs in the household.

He simply reassured his family, as his father still had friends in the capital, and they would definitely not stand idly by.

Although Zhang Jingxiu harbored resentment towards Wei Guangde, it was a name his father had repeatedly uttered on his deathbed.

Zhang Juzheng was not entirely unaware of the crisis; he simply had too many enemies and did not know where they would strike.

Therefore, in the end, Zhang Juzheng could only place his bets on Wei Guangde and Pan Sheng, hoping that they could save his family's fate.

Wei Guangde had some influence with the emperor, while Pan Sheng, because of his uprightness, also had the confidence to refute others in front of the officials.

As long as the two of them are in power, even if someone tries to attack him, he should be able to handle the situation and resolve the crisis.

He just didn't expect that Pan Sheng would be forced to resign and return to his hometown before he even entered the capital.

However, the Zhang family still had connections in Huguang, so they naturally figured out the situation.

Some people used the case of the deposed Prince of Liao as a pretext to attack the Zhang family for being greedy and greedy when confiscating the property of the Prince's palace after the Prince of Liao was deposed.

The rumors circulating in the capital that the Zhang family had seized the Prince's mansion are, of course, impossible.

If the Zhang family dares to rob the Prince's Mansion, the local officials will be the first to be punished.

It's very simple. The construction regulations of the Prince's Mansion meant that non-royal family members could not live there.

To actually seize the Prince's mansion would be tantamount to rebellion.

However, Zhang Jingxiu was not sure whether the Zhang family had hidden any valuables in the Prince's mansion.

After all, his father was in the capital preparing for the imperial examinations during those years and did not know whether his family had participated in dividing up the Liao Prince's property.

However, this secret investigation of the family property, led by Zhang Jingxiu and Zhang Sixiu, did indeed discover that a large amount of gold and silver was stored in the mansion's treasury.

The total amount of silver exceeded 100,000 taels, and gold was several thousand taels.

Besides these yellow and white items, there were also a large number of treasures, including dozens of chests of longan, pearls, and other valuables.

The Zhang family was certainly not a traditional gentry family.

Although the Zhang family has a hereditary official position of commander of a thousand households, it is not held by their branch of the family.

It can only be said that the Zhang family received help from their master family because of their kinship. Even his grandfather, Zhang Zhen, was able to join the guards of the Liao Prince's Mansion, which can be considered as the master family securing a way out for his family.

Therefore, it is impossible for the Zhang family to have so much wealth with their legitimate income.

Those treasures were naturally gifts collected during Zhang Juzheng's lifetime.

However, after reviewing all the account books, Zhang Jingxiu was certain that these treasures did not come from the Liao Prince's Palace.

It must be said that Zhang Jingxiu was very cautious.

After all, it was indeed Emperor Longqing who instructed Zhang Juzheng to seal up the Liao Prince's Mansion.

Zhang Juzheng, together with the people of the inner court, completed the search and registration of the Liao Prince's property.

"This is bad. There are so many valuables in the mansion, it's really hard to explain their origin."

In the secret room, Zhang Jingxiu, Zhang Sixiu, and Zhang Maoxiu sat facing each other and spoke quietly about the matter.

"Didn't they find no treasure from the Liao Prince's palace? Why would they still target us?"

Zhang Maoxiu said with dissatisfaction.

"If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext."

Zhang Sixiu said helplessly.

He had figured it out: whether the Zhang family was involved in the Liao Prince's property or not was irrelevant; they just wanted to use it as an excuse to raid the Zhang residence.

"A clean prefect for three years, 100,000 taels of silver."

"During my father's many years in the cabinet, the wealth he accumulated consisted of illicit funds of dubious origin."

Zhang Jingxiu said with a troubled expression.

In the Ming Dynasty, many things were done in private, but no one dared to expose them.

Because these things can't be done in the light of day.

Can you tell me how many gifts so-and-so gave you?
As a member of the cabinet, Zhang Juzheng received countless gifts from his colleagues every year.

That's exactly what the other side thought of. As long as they could find a pretext to raid the Zhang residence, the Zhang family would surely have a large amount of property whose source they couldn't explain.

There is no need to prove that these valuables came from the Liao Prince's Palace; people today would assume they did.

Unless the Zhang family reveals the source of these assets, which would inevitably implicate the entire officialdom.

The Zhang family has essentially cut themselves off from the literary world.

For officials, it's often not a matter of whether they want to embezzle or accept bribes, but rather that they have no choice but to accept these gifts.

It's all about reciprocity, but you always end up receiving more than you give.

Over the years, the accumulated amount is not a small sum.

At this moment, Zhang Jingxiu began to admire Wei Guangde.

Even if someone attacks him for similar reasons, Wei Guangde can always use his business acumen as an excuse.

Many of the chambers of commerce he participated in not only made money, but made a fortune, especially those involved in maritime trade, which were making a killing every day.

Back when many people were still unfamiliar with maritime trade, Wei Guangde was already deeply involved in the opening of Yuegang Port. For this, he even transferred Lao Kan to Fujian to ensure the smooth opening of Yuegang Port.

In retrospect, his approach was the most insightful.

At the very least, he has sufficient reason to explain the source of the government's wealth.

As for the Zhang family, during Zhang Juzheng's reign, they rarely participated in commerce in order to maintain their so-called "honest reputation." Even if the family had some businesses, they were mostly located in the capital and were not very profitable.

Most of the people in charge were servants in the household, and they embezzled a lot of the Zhang family's money for their own benefit.

Zhang Jingxiu originally planned to investigate after the mourning period, but he did not expect the enemy to act so quickly.

Just as the Zhang brothers were at a loss about how to deal with the enormous wealth in their mansion, Hai Rui, the Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Nanjing Metropolitan Procuratorate, had arrived in Huguang and was temporarily stationed at a manor outside Jingzhou City.

This is a villa owned by a wealthy local businessman in Jingzhou, who comes to stay here in his spare time.

Although Hai Rui was outside the city, he was fully aware of what was happening inside.

Every day, people kept coming to report on the Zhang family's response.

Most importantly, the garrison was there to prevent the Zhang family from transferring the stolen goods out of the country.

Before the inventory and search were conducted, Hai Rui was unsure whether Zhang Juzheng had any problems.

After all, although Zhang Juzheng was not present when the investigation of the Prince of Liao's mansion was carried out, the main reason for the arrangements in the capital was that the Zhang family's influence in Jingzhou was enough for them to carry out some shady dealings.

Hai Rui had heard about Hong Chaoxuan's affairs.

After all, he was in charge of officials.

Strictly speaking, Fujian officials had already reported Hong Chaoxuan's misdeeds.

Hong Chaoxuan was able to wield absolute power in the area thanks to the help of his classmates and friends.

However, they also inadvertently offended many people in the officialdom, because the Hong family was too domineering in the area.

He knew about it, but it was just something someone mentioned; no petition actually reached him, and Hai Rui didn't bother to handle it.

Most importantly, Hong Chaoxuan has already been dismissed from his post, and those people in Fujian are mostly biased, with no conclusive evidence to prove that they engaged in favoritism or corruption.

Favoritism, if it's in one's heart, is very difficult to prove, let alone punish.

As for the reasons for Hong Chaoxuan's dismissal, Hai Rui was not in the capital at that time, but he had heard some things about it in his early years.

Therefore, he did not believe that Hong Chaoxuan should not be dismissed.

So far, although he dislikes Zhang Juzheng, he has not yet decided how to deal with the Zhang family; everything depends on the evidence.

If there is indeed evidence of corruption and bribery by the Zhang family, he will certainly report the facts to the emperor and impeach the Zhang family.

But even if not, Hai Rui would absolutely not want to become a tool in someone else's hands.

"My lord, the imperial envoy from the capital has arrived."

At this time, Hai Rui was resting in the garden behind the manor, waiting for the people from the capital to arrive.

Chen Ju, accompanied by a group of officials from the capital, endured hardships and finally arrived in Huguang.

He didn't even have a meal with local officials along the way.

No welcome banquet, please.

This time, he brought with him the account books of the Liao Prince's mansion.

According to the account books, the assets in Zhang's mansion were inventoried.

Without a doubt, if any of the items matched the description, Zhang Juzheng would be guilty of embezzling the property of the imperial family.

How these valuables entered the Zhang residence and why they weren't put into the inner treasury are not important.

Hai Rui personally came outside to welcome Chen Ju into the manor.

In the lobby, Hai Rui sat on the left and Chen Ju on the right. After exchanging pleasantries, they recounted the hardships they had endured on their journey.

Hai Rui was alright; upon receiving the imperial decree, he immediately boarded a boat and sailed upstream.

Although it took some time, we still traveled by boat, avoiding the hassle of traveling by carriage.

Chen Ju and his group, on the other hand, were exhausted.

"Now, troops from Huguang have been dispatched to blockade the Zhang residence. This will not affect the movement of the people in the residence; they will only need to register and be searched."

I tacitly agreed to this after I arrived, since they did have their concerns.”

Hai Rui began by briefly describing the situation in the city.

"Now we just need to wait for the imperial decree and the account books of the Prince of Liao’s mansion brought by Eunuch Chen, then we can enter the mansion and take stock of the Zhang family’s property."

"Yes, Lord Hai's plan is very sound."

But what is the situation with this mansion, and how many women live there?
In my opinion, to avoid suspicion, it would be better for Jingzhou Prefecture to set up a separate courtyard to temporarily house the Zhang family woman.

Within the manor, only the adult sons of the Zhang family need to accompany the headcount. As for the underage boys like Zhang Jianxiu and Zhang Yunxiu, it would be best if they stayed with the female relatives.

Chen Ju thought for a moment and said, "During the investigation, the local government should take good care of the food and drink of the people in the government, and should not neglect it."

Regardless of the outcome, until the Emperor issues an edict, he remains the Imperial Tutor and a pillar of the state.

The title of Shangzhuguo was bestowed upon Zhang Juzheng posthumously and was the highest honor for a civil official, belonging to the category of posthumous honors.

A living civil official could only attain the highest rank of Left Pillar of State, an honor bestowed only posthumously.

Even so, there were not many in the Ming Dynasty who could receive the honor of being a Grand Pillar of State.

“That’s excellent. Then contact the prefect of Jingzhou and have them arrange a courtyard as soon as possible for the female members of the Zhang family to move in.”

This will also make it easier for us to investigate the Zhang family's assets.

Hai Rui nodded slightly and began to speak.

The investigation of the Zhang residence was not limited to checking the treasury; the gardens and fish ponds also had to be searched to prevent the Zhang family from concealing evidence of their crimes.

Although it's not as terrifying as digging three feet into the ground, it's still certainly destructive.

Moreover, the Zhang family had no grounds for complaint, since the inventory was carried out by imperial decree.

If no evidence is found in the end, you'll have to pay for the restoration yourself.

So, about half an hour later, the prefect of Jingzhou came out of the manor and hurriedly rushed to a wealthy merchant in the city.

The government, of course, did not control any residences; they could only borrow them from local wealthy merchants, just like the manor where Hai Rui lived.

After the prefect of Jingzhou sent word that a suitable courtyard had been found, located on another street not far from the Zhang family's residence, Hai Rui, Chen Ju, and the other officials accompanying them dressed in their official robes and left the manor.

In the front courtyard of the Zhang residence in Jingzhou City.

All the family members in the mansion knelt on the ground as Chen Ju held the imperial edict and read it aloud.

Although Zhang Jingxiu, Zhang Sixiu, and Zhang Maoxiu, who were at the front of the line, had their fingernails clenched tightly into their palms, they could only grit their teeth and accept the imperial decree.

Who could have imagined that just six months after the father's burial, the Zhang family would face such humiliation?

"Master Zhang, you are now in charge of the Zhang residence. Please arrange the affairs of the residence as soon as possible."

Today, all the women in the household have moved out, and government troops are moving in to take over the various warehouses and accounting offices.

After Chen Ju finished reading the imperial decree, he handed it to the eunuch behind him, then stepped forward and said to Zhang Jingxiu, who was kneeling on the ground, "As for you and Zhang Xiuzhuan, please stay in the mansion and cooperate with us in the inventory."

Zhang Jingxiu and his brother Zhang Maoxiu were both Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) in the eighth year of the Wanli reign. Zhang Jingxiu was appointed as a principal officer in the Ministry of Rites, while Zhang Maoxiu was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. Both of them held official positions, so Chen Ju treated him quite politely.

"Please wait a moment, Eunuch Chen. Siwen will make the arrangements immediately."

Hai Rui and Chen Ju stayed in the front courtyard of Zhang's residence, while Zhang Jingxiu went back to the back to make arrangements for the women in the residence and have them quickly pack their personal belongings.

Without an imperial decree to search the mansion, they naturally wouldn't be prevented from taking the clothes.

The government troops only checked the bags they were carrying. As long as they didn't have any treasures, and it was just a small amount of jewelry, they turned a blind eye with Hai Rui's tacit approval.

In this inventory, most of the items left in the mansion, except for those recorded in the ledgers, could not be kept.

As darkness fell, the women of the Zhang family finally left the mansion, weeping and wailing.

Outside the mansion, countless Jingzhou residents gathered to watch, laughing and joking. (End of Chapter)