I, Jiajing, successfully cultivated immortality

Chapter 516 Preparing for Liquidation
Even though they had left Qianqing Palace, Yan Song and Xu Jie still had lingering fears.

First of all, the clan and nobles wanted to open the back door and enter the official career through means other than the imperial examinations. Secondly, His Majesty actually planned to let Hu Zongxian enter the cabinet, and named Zhao Zhenji to take his place.

These were all things that Yan Song and Xu Jie had never expected before.

"Oh, it's been a troubled time recently!"

Thinking of this, Yan Song suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned around immediately, glanced at the Qianqing Palace behind him rather vaguely, and said to himself.

After that, neither Yan Song nor Xu Jie had any intention of communicating, so they just kept silent and returned to the cabinet.

As soon as the two returned to the cabinet, the others noticed that the expressions on their faces were not quite right. In the end, Gao Gong plucked up the courage to stand up and asked the two of them.

"Old Yan Ge, old Xu Ge, what happened?"

When Yan Song and Xu Jie heard the words, they didn't mean to hide anything, and immediately told the whole story.

"Ahem, the thing is like this, before the British official Zhang Rong found His Majesty..."

After the narration of the two, the remaining people finally had a general understanding of the ins and outs of the matter.

Yan Shifan couldn't help but exclaimed: "In addition to the imperial examinations, it is nonsense to organize special examinations for clans and nobles. There has been no such thing in all dynasties..."

However, before Yan Shifan finished speaking, he was interrupted coldly by Yan Song: "Shut up!"

Seeing Yan Song speaking in person, Yan Shifan had no choice but to step aside resentfully, and lowered his head.

On the other hand, Zhang Juzheng was obviously more interested in the news that Jiajing wanted Hu Zongxian to join the cabinet than the unreasonable demands made by the clan and nobles.

"Your Majesty chose to transfer Hu Zongxian to Beijing after the local mulberry seedlings in Zhejiang matured. It seems that the person who succeeded Hu Zongxian became the candidate recommended by Zhao Zhenji, Yan Song and Xu Jie of the Procuratorate. Not adopted!"

"It seems that His Majesty should have realized that some people in the court wanted to take this opportunity to buy raw silk from the people who planted mulberry seedlings at a low price!"

"Otherwise, Zhao Zhenji would not have been sent to take Hu Zongxian's place!"

Thinking of this, Zhang Juzheng couldn't help showing a look of relief on his face, and immediately sighed secretly.

"Your Majesty Shengming!"

Just when Zhang Juzheng was going to follow this train of thought and continue to think about it, Yan Song's old and feeble voice rang in everyone's ears.

"Up to now, everyone should think about it carefully, how should we deal with His Majesty at that time!"

Yan Song's voice fell, and everyone present fell into silence.

"That's right, apart from the imperial examinations, it's unheard of to organize special examinations for clans and nobles!"

"What's more, no matter what your majesty is, you can't ignore the voices of the millions of imperial clans of Ming Dynasty and nobles!"

"Now, I have to think of a way to achieve the best of both worlds, which can not only take care of the interests of the clan and nobles, but also not cause too much opposition in the court!"

Continuing to think along this line of thought, everyone immediately discovered that there is no best way to deal with this matter. No matter what, one party's interests will always be damaged!

At this moment, Yan Shifan, who had been silent since being reprimanded by Yan Song, stood up and proposed to everyone.

"I think that the idea proposed by His Majesty earlier is quite feasible. As long as the clans and nobles who do not pass the imperial examinations enter the official career, they have to set up an insurmountable barrier on their heads. For what they can do Restrict your official position!"

"As for those clans and nobles who take part in the imperial examinations and successfully obtain rankings, there are no restrictions!"

"In this way, not only can the interests of the clan and nobles be taken care of, but also the voice of opposition can be reduced as much as possible!"

"Therefore, we only need to gradually improve this aspect, and in addition..."

……

While Yan Shifan was still explaining his thoughts to everyone, Shandong, Jinan Prefecture.

After several days of starry nights, Hai Rui finally returned from Licheng County with his bodyguards and the Jin Yiwei who came to assist him in investigating the case, and successfully met Shandong Governor Cao Feng.

At this moment, in the government office, in the hall for receiving guests.

Cao Feng, governor of Shandong, sat at the head. In the hall, also sat Hai Rui, and Guan Rui, a hundred households of Jinyiwei who came to assist Hai Rui in investigating the case.

Hai Rui's personal bodyguard, Xiao Er, stood beside Hai Rui like a statue.

Although Cao Feng looked very calm, his heart was already turbulent, and he couldn't calm down for a long time. He kept glancing at Guan Rui, a hundred households of Jinyiwei, and thought to himself.

"Your Majesty actually sent Jin Yiwei to assist Hai Rui in investigating the case. This shows how much His Majesty attaches importance to this matter!"

Thinking of this, Cao Feng looked away and warned himself in his heart.

"Cao Feng, Cao Feng, from now on, you must do your best to help Hai Rui and completely suppress the White Lotus Sect here. Otherwise, your black hat will be in danger!"

After that, Cao Feng suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his heart, looked at Hai Rui, and asked respectfully.

"Not long ago, my lord, I went to Licheng County to investigate the traces of the White Lotus Sect. What did I gain?"

Upon hearing this, Hai Rui nodded his head imperceptibly, and immediately opened his mouth to speak.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, Governor, when I went to Licheng County not long ago to investigate the traces of the White Lotus Sect there, I really gained something!"

"Your Excellency, you might as well take a look!"

After Hai Rui's words fell, Xiao Er, who had been waiting by Hai Rui's side all the time, understood instantly, and immediately carefully took out the confessions of the previous White Lotus Cultists from his arms, and handed them over to Cao Feng.

Seeing this situation, Cao Feng took the statement from Xiao Er, and began to browse the above content on his own.

But soon, Cao Feng's pupils shrank suddenly, and his face was full of incredible expressions.

The reason is very simple. In the confessions of the White Lotus Sect members, the Zeng family, which is inextricably related to the Confucius family in Qufu, was involved.

Although before this, Cao Feng had vaguely guessed that the rampage of the White Lotus Sect in Shandong was related to those rich gentry and wealthy households, but when he actually learned that the Zeng family was also involved, he couldn't help being extremely shocked.

At this moment, looking at the statement in his hand, his face was full of fear and uneasiness.

After a long time, Cao Feng gradually came back to his senses, and murmured to himself, "Even the Zeng family was involved!"

If this confession was sent to Cao Feng like this on weekdays, Cao Feng would definitely pretend that he didn't see it, and would try his best to silence all those who knew about it.

After all, the seven families represented by the Kong family have always been united in the same spirit, all prosperous and all prosperous, and all hurt by one!

I am a county magistrate, and he is a master of iron, so I can't afford to confront those powerful families because of this matter!
But now, the situation is different. This confession was handed to him by the censor Hai Rui, the left deputy capital sent by the court to investigate the White Lotus Sect. What's more, beside Hai Rui, His Majesty personally sent it Jin Yiwei assisted.

After just a few breaths, Cao Feng understood what he should do next. Then, he put the confession in his hand aside and asked Hai Rui tentatively.

"My lord means..."

Hai Rui had a panoramic view of the expression on Cao Feng's face, and immediately spoke unhurriedly.

"Before coming, His Majesty gave me the power to directly mobilize the guards!"

"What I mean is to directly mobilize the soldiers of the guard to suppress the rich gentry and wealthy households mentioned in the confession, and then get information about the White Lotus Sect from their mouths!"

"My lord governor, what do you think of this proposal?"

Hai Rui's voice was not loud, but in Cao Feng's view, it was full of irrefutable meaning.

"It seems that it is going to be serious!"

Thinking of this, Cao Feng immediately came back to his senses, got up from his seat, and assured Hai Rui.

"Yes, my lord, I will definitely assist you with all my strength!"

After the words fell, I saw Cao Feng calling for his staff, and after whispering a few words in his ear, the staff took orders and left.

Not long after, Zhang Yuan, the commander of the capital, rushed to the government office. When he saw Cao Feng, Hai Rui, and a person wearing a flying fish suit with an indifferent expression sitting in the hall, he couldn't help but feel a 'thump' in his heart. , he knew very well in his heart that there was going to be an earthquake in Shandong soon!
Even so, Zhang Yuan still forcibly suppressed the shock in his heart. After saluting to everyone, he turned his gaze to Cao Feng, who was sitting at the head, and asked.

"Dare to ask, what is the governor's order to find the next official?"

Cao Feng, who was sitting at the top, heard the words, and immediately winked at the subordinates at the side, so soon someone came forward and handed over the previous confession of the White Lotus Sect to Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan took the statement in a daze, and when he finished browsing the above content, his face was already full of horror, and he lost his voice immediately.

"This, this..., how could Zeng Qing from the Zeng family be on this list?"

Seeing this, Hai Rui nodded and immediately explained.

"Master Zhang, here is the confession I got from those members of the White Lotus Sect not long ago. The list above is the wealthy gentry who have ties to the White Lotus Sect!"

Hearing this, Zhang Yuan's face became even more horrified. Immediately, he put down the confession in his hand, turned his gaze to Hai Rui, and explained carefully.

"Lord Du Yushi, the Zeng family is involved in this list. This Zeng Qing is a member of the southern branch of the Zeng family!"

"Oh, keep talking!"

Hearing Zhang Yuan's words, Hai Rui couldn't help being interested, and immediately asked.

Immediately afterwards, after Zhang Yuan's narration, Hai Rui finally understood the general idea.

There are several generations in the Zeng family. If you name them, you must strictly follow the names of the characters, otherwise they will not be included in the genealogy. Usually, when members of the Zeng clan meet, they always ask each other which character they belong to and which generation they belong to.

And this Zeng Qing belonged to the offshoot of the Zeng family's Southern Sect!

After that, Hai Rui came back to his senses, looked at Zhang Yuan coldly, and said unhurriedly.

"Even if this Zeng Qing is a branch of the Southern Sect of the Zeng family, since he has colluded with the White Lotus Sect, then I will catch him!"

When Hai Rui said this, without waiting for Zhang Yuan's response, he continued to add.

"I followed His Majesty's order this time, and came to Shandong to thoroughly investigate the White Lotus Sect. Not only that, Your Majesty also gave me the power to mobilize the guards at will!"

"Or, do you want to disobey orders?"

As soon as Hai Rui's words fell, Zhang Yuan knelt down on the ground with a 'plop' and said respectfully.

"My lord, you have misunderstood. I just feel that this matter needs to be cautious. After all, the Zeng family is inextricably linked with the Confucius family in Qufu. If we offend them, we have to..."

At this moment, Guan Rui, a hundred households of Jinyiwei, also spoke at the right time.

"Master Zhang, His Majesty sent us Jinyiwei here this time to assist Lord Du Yushi in investigating this case, and I hope that it will be convenient for you, otherwise, it will be difficult for us to do business!"

Zhang Yuan, who was kneeling on the ground, immediately turned pale when he heard this, and trembled for a long time, but he didn't say a complete sentence. Perhaps because he was too scared, large beads of sweat rolled from Zhang Yuan's forehead.

At this moment, there was only one thought in his mind, and that was: "Your Majesty actually sent Jin Yiwei to assist Hai Rui in investigating the case!"

Soon, Zhang Yuan quickly figured out everything behind this. Immediately, as if he had made up his mind, he turned his gaze to Hai Rui and said in a deep voice.

"Obey, my lord, the next official will go through fire and water, and I will die!"

Hai Rui saw this situation, a warm smile appeared on his face, he got up slowly from the seat, came to Zhang Yuan himself, helped him up from the ground, and said.

"Where, Mr. Zhang is serious, I still have to rely on you in the future!"

Hearing this, Zhang Yuan quickly lowered his head, cupped his hands, and responded humbly.

"I don't dare to do it, I will follow the orders of my lord!"

At this moment, Cao Feng, who was sitting at the top, also stood up and changed the subject.

"At this point, let's think about how we should deal with those gentry and wealthy households on the list!"

"Ah."

Cao Feng's idea was recognized by everyone present, and immediately, everyone began to take advantage of the trend to discuss countermeasures.

After looking around, Hai Rui came up with his own idea.

"This official feels that we must use thunderous means to control the wealthy gentry and wealthy households on this list, otherwise, things will change sooner or later!"

Cao Feng heard Hai Rui's words, and immediately expressed his agreement: "Yes, we must act as soon as possible, otherwise, the news may be at risk of leaking!"

When Cao Feng said this, he changed the subject and continued.

"It's just that the other people on the list are easy to deal with, but this Zeng Qing..."

At this moment, the staff who had been silent all this time stood up and added immediately.

"In two days, the Zeng family will go to the Zongsheng Temple in Jiaxiang County to worship their ancestors. At that time, Zeng Qing will also go. Let's take this opportunity and catch him. In this way, It also saves a lot of effort.”

As soon as the aide's voice fell, Hai Rui agreed: "Well, let's do it this way, but before that, let's control all the wealthy gentry and wealthy households on the list!"

Seeing that Hai Rui had already made a decision, everyone immediately responded with one voice.

"Yes, Lord Du Yushi!"

(End of this chapter)