I'm really not doing business

Chapter 848 Hai Rui's Three Major Mistakes

Hai Rui was old and bedridden, so he was a little confused. But when he was still lucid at the end of his life, he spoke a fair word for Wang Qian.

Wang Qian is the son of the treacherous minister Wang Chonggu, but even if the top beam is crooked, the bottom beam is still not crooked. Although Wang Qian is insidious, cunning, cruel, ruthless and full of tricks, he is really a good boy. This is how Wang Qian is in Hai Rui's eyes.

"Although Wang Qian was born into a wealthy family and had never suffered any hardship since childhood, he cared about the people and hoped to do something good. Although his methods were a bit extreme, there was no problem with his morality and character. Being a lone minister would be a waste of his talent." Hai Rui explained his reasons.

The nine prohibitions have blocked the dreams of many people who wanted to enter Yanxing Tower and make a fortune, and stopped many people from seeking rent-power. The nine prohibitions of Yanxing Tower alone are worthy of the emperor's attention. Wang Qian does things without fear of his own death, which is extremely rare.

Wang Qian did not implement the Nine Prohibitions. Instead, he used his power to seek rent without telling the emperor. It is unknown how much money he could earn.

"When Wang Ci Fu retires, I will promote Wang Qian. Don't worry, General Hai, I'm watching him." Zhu Yijun agreed without hesitation. He thought for a moment and said, "There are always a lot of rumors about father and son serving in the same court. In addition, Wang Qian cheated in the imperial examination, so we can only suppress him and not promote him. When Wang Ci Fu retires, I will arrange for his promotion, and there won't be so much gossip."

"He works for me, and I don't protect him. The scholars of the world will surely be disheartened. Who will be loyal to me and serve the court?"

"Your Majesty is wise." After hearing what His Majesty said, Hai Rui realized that His Majesty's mind was as clear as a mirror and he had already made arrangements for Wang Qian. Wang Qian was still thinking about how to become a lucky minister, and His Majesty was planning to give him a chance in an open and aboveboard manner.

Wang Qian had two shackles on his body: he was a cheating candidate in the imperial examination and his father was a second-in-command.

As long as Wang Chonggu is in the court, Wang Qian can only maintain the current status. Yang Ting and Yang Shen, father and son, Yan Shifan and Yan Song, father and son, made things too ugly back then. Anyone who sees this will take precautions against it.

Hai Rui said with some emotion, "Wang Qian is the Plain Clothes Censor. This may sound a bit strange, but he has really held himself to the standards of the Plain Clothes Censor over the years. Every time he handles a case, he pays for it himself. Others have made a lot of money as censors, but he pays for it instead. It's really weird."

"He said that he was just vying with Yao Guangqi, and felt that he should not be worse than Yao Guangqi, the Kelp King. But after watching him, I found that he was not vying with Yao Guangqi, but was loyal to his own spiritual cognition. This is why I value him."

“It is very rare for people to be true to what they have learned, their cognition and their spirituality in what they say and do. Yang Bo was unable to do that.”

"What General Hai said makes sense." Zhu Yijun nodded and said with a smile, "Yesterday, Ningyuan Hou beat up a cheap scholar named An Xifan. This guy knew everything but just wanted to talk nonsense. Ningyuan Hou punched and kicked him, and I exiled him to Jinchi."

Yang Bo came a long time ago, and An Xifan is even more typical, he knows everything but just wants to talk nonsense.

"This Ningyuan Marquis beats people every day in the capital, which is really... disgraceful." Hai Rui smiled and shook his head repeatedly when he heard this. It was simply ridiculous. Li Chengliang was over sixty years old and was like a child who had not grown up, but the emperor still indulged him.

Zhang Juzheng sat on the other side and said, "It's harmless to stretch your body. Some people's mouths are so long that you should find such a bully and tear him to pieces."

Li Chengliang had not received much education and had never been to a prestigious place. His way of handling things was rather uncouth. The gossiping women and rumormongers in the village would know they had repented after just a slap on the head.

Although crude, it works.

"The second thing is that our dynasty is fighting corruption. Your Majesty, the fight against corruption cannot stop. It does not mean that we must kill all the corrupt officials in the world, but we must correct unhealthy trends, tell everyone that this is wrong, set standards, and reduce the scale of corruption." Hai Rui talked about his unfinished business, fighting corruption.

Hai Rui was extremely honest throughout his life, but in the process of fighting corruption, he knew very well that if the water was too clear, there would be no fish. So he would choose to turn a blind eye to some things. As long as the things were not too excessive, he would not pursue them relentlessly. He always believed in moderation in everything.

"If we give up on fighting corruption, it would be an unbearable mistake for the Wanli Reform." Hai Rui said forcefully, holding the emperor's hand.

Zhu Yijun took a deep breath and said, "I know, I know. Hai Zongxian said that corruption is a chronic disease attached to the ruling class and the beginning of self-alienation. I will pay attention to it. Eradicating corruption and punishing abuses is not only a way for the government to seek eternal peace, but also a public sentiment of the people to punish corruption. If the government is honest, the country will prosper, and if the government is corrupt, the country will fall."

Hai Rui once submitted a memorial specifically discussing the definition of corruption, manifestations of corruption, the impact of corruption and the inevitability of anti-corruption. What Zhu Yijun said came from Hai Rui's memorial. Fighting corruption is not a way for the court to maintain permanent peace, but the public's desire to achieve fairness and justice.

Ming Gong is the master of power, not its slave. Once he starts to indulge in corruption and is alienated by corruption, he will gradually become a slave of power and lose all his composure. In the end, he will end up like Yang Bo and Fan Yingqi, who continue to do what they know is wrong even though they know it is wrong.

Hai Rui continued, "The third thing is the Su Yi Censor. Your Majesty, fighting corruption and catching corrupt officials ultimately requires people to do it."

"The key to selecting the Suyi Censor actually lies in the word loyalty. At the very least, he must be loyal to his own heart. Only then can he be considered a loyal minister and be able to serve as the Suyi Censor."

The successors, the imperial system, and the implementation of the system were the three things Hai Rui cared about most.

"What about General Hai's own business?" Zhang Juzheng asked Hai Rui while looking at the falling leaves. They were all state affairs, not his own personal affairs.

Hai Rui smiled and said, "Your Majesty has been very kind to me. I have no need to ask for anything more. Actually, I don't want Qingqin Garden either, but Your Majesty said that if I don't want it, people will think that the court has treated me unfairly, so I have no choice but to take it."

This Qingqin Garden was really forced into Hai Rui's hands by Zhu Yijun. Hai Rui was an honest man with no extra wealth in his family. If he left no property after his death, he would have no one around him. During the holidays, apart from the official sacrifices, there was no one to offer sacrifices.

"Your Majesty." Hai Rui looked at the emperor and called softly.

"I'm here." Zhu Yijun replied quickly.

"I was so bold that I cursed Emperor Shizong. Emperor Shizong was magnanimous and said, 'If he wants to be like Bi Gan, I don't want to be like King Zhou of Shang.' He spared my life. Before he died, Emperor Shizong said he would leave my magic sword to future generations."

"I am ashamed that I do not know what flexibility is. Looking back today, I have barely lived up to the expectations of Emperor Shizong." Hai Rui was quite emotional. He did not know how Emperor Shizong suppressed his inner anger and saved his life, but if he could do it again, he would still carry the coffin to make a memorial.

The world belongs to the Zhu family. If you, the Emperor Zhu, do not love the country, who else will love him?

Zhu Yijun smiled and said, "If you do well, you can be praised. If you do not do well, you are not allowed to say anything, right?"

Hai Rui looked at the emperor and smiled with satisfaction. From this point on, he had no regrets in his life.

Your Majesty is different from Sejong. Your Majesty will not slack off, nor will he hide in the palace like a quail after being defeated. Your Majesty today is a bit like Emperor Chengzu Wen, like a warrior who is always fighting and can only die in battle!
However, your majesty’s battlefield is not on the Mobei grassland, but in the court.

Zhu Yijun and Hai Rui chatted under the tree for a long time until Hai Rui showed signs of fatigue. Zhu Yijun then pushed Hai Rui back into the house. After the chief physician examined him, Zhu Yijun left in a carriage.

On the second day of August in the sixteenth year of the Wanli reign, the sad news came that Hai Rui had died of illness in Qingqin Garden at the age of seventy-four.

Zhu Yijun issued an edict to suspend court for three days to commemorate him. He gave him the posthumous title of Wen Zhong to commend his conduct and achievements, as the one who is morally upright and knowledgeable is called Wen, and the one who cares about the country and forgets about his family is called Zhong.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Marquis Ningyuan beat a Confucian scholar to death in Baofu Lane, Mingzhaofang! He hit him six times with punches and kicked him in the spleen and stomach. The scholar was dead when he was sent to the Jiekuyuan!" A eunuch ran into the imperial study in a hurry. He ran so fast that he fell directly to the ground. He was not acting; he was really anxious.

It’s a big deal.

Li Chengliang was very measured in beating the villainous scholar. He had killed so many people over the years and was very familiar with what force would cause what kind of damage. The last kick was intended to take his life.

"Why did Marquis Ningyuan kill people?" Zhu Yijun frowned. Li Chengliang was very sensible in doing things, so how could he be so reckless?

The eunuch climbed up, took out a newspaper from his sleeve, handed it to Feng Bao and said, "After General Hai passed away, this scholar openly published an article in a newspaper to slander General Hai. The title was "Hai Rui's Excesses". First, he was too rigid; second, he was too straightforward; third, he was too strict with others. These are the three major faults."

"The Imperial Guards banned the publication of the newspaper and took it back. This scholar printed the evil book on his own and distributed it everywhere. Ningyuan Hou was so angry that he went looking for him everywhere. Shuntian Prefecture was also looking for him, but Ningyuan Hou found him first and punched him six times and kicked him once. This scholar was so weak that he couldn't withstand Ningyuan Hou's full strength."

"Just die."

After Zhu Yijun finished reading the newspaper in his hand, he felt the veins on his forehead trembling. He slammed the newspaper on the table and said, "Well done! He deserves to be beaten to death! This matter is definitely not that simple."

"Zhao Mengyou!"

"I'm here!" Zhao Mengyou hurriedly bowed his head and said.

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhao Mengyou and said, "Send the troops, send the troops immediately! Investigate this case thoroughly, arrest the entire family of this lowly scholar Zhang Limin and bring them to the capital for questioning. Although this lowly scholar Zhang Limin is dead, this matter cannot be let go. I always feel that there is a follow-up and inside story in this matter."

"I obey your command." Zhao Mengyou immediately took the order and went to the Northern Pacification Office to send Chen Mo to Songjiang Prefecture to arrest the man. When the cabinet found out, Chen Mo had already arrived at Chaoyangmen Station and boarded a train heading south.

In Wenyuan Pavilion, the four ministers looked at each other.

"Can the Prime Minister go and persuade him?" Wang Chonggu said tentatively.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and said, "Criminal law is not within my jurisdiction. The deputy minister should go and persuade them."

"I won't go. His Majesty is angry and is taking it out on me. Where can I go to complain? I haven't been doing my job well recently. The labor union has been making trouble for several times but still can't figure it out." Wang Chonggu waved his hands and looked at Shen Li and said, "Will the Grand Master go?"

"I won't go. I'm not Lord Wan, and I don't have the ability to persuade Your Majesty to calm down. If you want to go, you go." Shen Li didn't even raise his head, and just kept posting false tickets on memorials. The three-day suspension of court had not yet ended, and Hai Rui had just passed away, but some people began to attack Hai Rui. The anger in His Majesty's heart was like the scorching sun at the summer solstice.

At this time, even the cabinet ministers were unwilling to take on this bad luck.

The cabinet ministers knew clearly in their minds that the purpose of these despicable scholars in doing so was not to criticize Hai Rui at all, but to criticize the Censor Su Yi and the national policy of combating corruption.

Hai Rui committed three major faults. This despicable Confucian Zhang Liming has such an arrogant tone!

Even the Taoist priest who was directly scolded by Hai Rui did not think that Hai Rui was wrong. This despicable scholar Zhang Liming made three major mistakes as soon as he opened his mouth. He was simply targeting the Wanli Reform.

The emperor made such a high-profile move to tell the people of the world that the Wanli heroes designated by the emperor were heroes and could not be questioned.

"How should we deal with the case of Ningyuan Hou's murder?" Wang Chonggu asked Zhang Juzheng for his opinion.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and said, "Zhang Limin dared to come out and say that. The imperial guards did not allow him to print the book, but he still wanted to print it privately. Isn't that courting death? Now he has fulfilled his wish, and he deserves to die."

Shen Li immediately said, "Aren't we going to deal with it? The Great Edict of Ancestors, the Nine Articles of the Iron List, the Great Ming Law, and the Great Ming Code all have regulations that nobles and their servants must not violate the rules, and violators will be severely punished. If the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion is not dealt with, I'm afraid that the military meritorious service will break the law at will. How can we just sit there and do nothing?" Zhang Xueyan shook his head and asked, "The Liaodong Agricultural Reclamation Bureau is currently promoting it. You punished the Ningyuan Marquis, but will the Liaodong Agricultural Reclamation Bureau reclaim the land or not? It's just the death of a lowly scholar. The situation is special, and we must learn to be flexible."

The Wenyuan Pavilion of the Ming Dynasty had different opinions on how to deal with Ningyuan Marquis Li Chengliang who killed people in the street. The Ministry of Rites insisted, while the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue advocated making concessions and saying that this despicable scholar deserved to die. Zhang Juzheng still didn't believe that any minister of the Ming Dynasty would dare to disobey the emperor because of this matter.

The Nine Articles on the Iron List were the imperial edict issued by Zhu Yuanzhang on June 30th, the fifth year of Hongwu, and were engraved on an iron list, namely the "List of Admonitions to Dukes and Marquises". There were a total of nine articles, which imposed strict restrictions on dukes and marquises. The consequence of wanton violation of the law was severe punishment, and Zhu Yuanzhang did what he said.

Most of the nobles in the early days of the country rose to prominence and fought for years, and were extremely indifferent to human life, which was very similar to the situation of Li Chengliang. In order to prevent the nobles from breaking the law, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict to clearly restrict the nobles from doing evil. Even if the managers of the farm, clerks, firemen, slaves and their relatives in the family broke the law, they would be punished as well.

If a duke or marquis kills someone in the street, he shall be sentenced to death and shall not be pardoned lightly.

"A lowly scholar dies, so be it." Zhang Juzheng took a deep breath and said, "It was Ningyuan Marquis who found Zhang Limin first. If your Majesty had found him, he would have killed him in the street. What do you think? Do you want to punish your Majesty as well?"

"A country has its own laws and a family has its own rules." Wang Chonggu said with some embarrassment: "Prime Minister, these are not the same thing. Your Majesty is Your Majesty, and the dukes are the dukes."

"You are right, it is indeed different." Zhang Juzheng still agreed with Wang Chonggu's statement. He thought about it, looked at Wang Chonggu and said, "This is not only a criminal case, but also a political case. I wonder if Wang Cifu agrees."

Wang Chonggu thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "Of course! General Hai's body is still warm, and these lowly scholars are stirring up trouble! They are just opposing the new anti-corruption policy. This is a political case that has been planned for a long time and cannot be regarded as a trivial criminal case!"

"Just like when General Qi led the Beijing army to fight, the lowly scholar Chen Youren glorified the Japanese pirates. This was also a political case, not a criminal case."

"That's right." Zhang Juzheng looked at Shen Li and asked, "What do you think, Grand Master?"

"What the Prime Minister said is that this case cannot be regarded as a violation of the military honor. Instead, someone took advantage of the death of the General Hai to deliberately create trouble. However, they must be punished, otherwise the majesty of the national law will be lost." Shen Li looked a little hesitant, sighed and said, "I will go and talk to His Majesty."

A secretary hurried into the Wenyuan Pavilion and bowed his head and said, "My fellow ministers, there is news from the Tonghe Palace that the Ningyuan Marquis has tied himself up and gone to the Tonghe Palace to plead guilty. Your Majesty, please summon a few ministers to go there."

When Zhang Juzheng and other cabinet ministers arrived at Tonghe Palace, Li Chengliang, who was tied up, was kneeling in front of the gate of Tonghe Palace.

"Your Majesty, this is for outsiders to see. Now the news of Ningyuan Marquis's apology has spread throughout the capital." Zhang Juzheng whispered to Wang Chonggu while sitting in the car.

"Well, that makes sense." Wang Chonggu raised his eyebrows. He thought that His Majesty was angry with Li Chengliang, but after Zhang Juzheng's explanation, everything made sense.

Li Chengliang has been beating the lowly Confucian scholars for more than half a year. He was beating the lowly Confucian scholars on the order of the emperor. Li Chengliang was kneeling, and the emperor refused to meet him. It was obviously to let everyone in the capital know that Li Chengliang had a good attitude in admitting his guilt.

Soon, the eunuch summoned everyone to the West Flower Hall for an audience.

"Your Majesty, we are here to greet you. May your Majesty be in good health." The ministers greeted him.

"I, the guilty minister Li Chengliang, am here to see Your Majesty. Zhang Liming talked nonsense and I couldn't stand him, so I ran into him when I went out. I didn't know that he was so weak that he died in just a few hits. I am guilty. I beat him to death, but if I meet him again, I will beat him again! I don't regret killing him." Li Chengliang stiffened his neck and pleaded guilty to murder. He did not regret killing Zhang Liming.

He looked as if he would not admit his mistake even if the emperor sentenced him to death. He firmly believed that he was guilty, but not wrong.

"No need to be polite." Zhu Yijun handed a file to Zhang Juzheng and said, "General Li, you said Li Rusong was not careful. In my opinion, Li Rusong's carelessness is all learned from you!"

"This Zhang Limin, even though miscellaneous newspapers were banned, he was still publishing evil books. The yamen runners and imperial guards were all looking for him. How did he suddenly get spotted by Li Shuai?"

Li Chengliang raised his head abruptly and said in disbelief, "Your Majesty, are you saying that I have been set up?"

Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "That's right, killing two birds with one stone. The first is to question Hai Rui and test the reaction of the court, especially your reaction. You should know that you have always opposed Hai Rui's return to Beijing. If you are determined, you should first abolish this national policy of combating corruption."

"The second bird is you, Li Shuai. Zhang Limin, the abandoned pawn, was sent to you by someone with ulterior motives so that you could beat him to death."

"You, a military hero, killed someone in the street. According to Article 9 of the Iron List, you should at least be stripped of your title."

Li Chengliang said in a daze: "Too vicious."

The scholars in the capital city were really playing tricks. Li Chengliang didn't think that a crude warrior like him could be a target and worth these scholars' efforts to deal with him.

Zhang Juzheng passed the file down, and the investigation into Zhang Liming is still ongoing. This case is indeed not as simple as it seems.

Zhang Liming was an ordinary clerk from Songjiang Prefecture. He was the accountant of the Xu family in Huating. After Xu Jie's death, the Xu family fell apart. Zhang Liming went to Beijing and worked as a clerk for a miscellaneous newspaper. He wrote articles on weekdays and lived on some fees. Everything seemed normal.

But the imperial guards found out through investigation that Zhang Limin often went in and out of Taibai Tower. That place was a den of money-spending. No matter how wealthy a person was, he would be skinned alive after entering. But Zhang Limin could go there frequently. His meager writing fee could not possibly support his carefree and happy life.

But Zhang Liming is already dead, and it is actually very difficult to find out who is behind him.

Zhang Limin kept a prostitute in Taibai Tower. According to the prostitute, Zhang Limin was a heavy smoker. In the five years since he came to Beijing, Zhang Limin had smoked 7,000 taels of opium and had become a tuberculosis addict. His body was extremely weak, and then this incident happened.

Zhang Liming suddenly appeared in Baofu Lane, Mingzhaofang, and was sent to Li Chengliang specifically. This was obviously a setup. Some people couldn't stand Hai Rui's uprightness, and some people couldn't stand Li Chengliang's beatings of scholars and officials, so they took the opportunity to test the court's direction and set a trap for Li Chengliang that was almost certain to fail.

Wang Chonggu looked at the case file and said with a gloomy look in his eyes: "I'm afraid it's more than that. The Beijing Camp is about to return victorious. Li Rusong is a meritorious official, but his father was punished by the court. How does Li Rusong feel? How do the soldiers of the Beijing Camp feel?"

"Your Majesty will have to review the troops in the future and see Li Rusong every day. Will you suspect that Li Rusong is resentful?"

"As long as there is a gap between the ruler and his subjects and there is a lack of trust, the gap will grow wider and wider, and eventually they will become disunited."

“That’s one of the goals, killing three birds with one stone.”

Can a general who is not trusted by the emperor still be the commander-in-chief of the Ming Dynasty’s Beijing Camp?

Wang Chonggu was better at conspiracy and intrigue than Zhang Juzheng. He saw another purpose: Zhang Liming was a discarded pawn, and even that newspaper company was a discarded pawn, because all the newspapers and evil books were published in advance, and some were not even published in the capital.

Zhang Liming's network of relationships is very clean. Apart from visiting brothels, he hardly interacts with anyone.

The clues for Tiqi to continue the investigation have been completely cut off.

Sure enough, it was consistent with Zhang Juzheng's judgment. This was a political case, not a criminal case.

Zhu Yijun's fingers kept tapping on the table. He thought for a long time before he stopped, sat up straight and said, "General Li, you killed someone in the street, you must be punished, otherwise the national law will be as worthless as a piece of paper. Today, I will demote you to the rank of Ningyuan Earl, and send you to guard Hami Guard far away to make up for your crime."

"Take those foreign troops you have in Liaodong and conquer the Western Regions."

Punishment must be imposed, as this involves national law.

It was rare for nobles in the Ming Dynasty to break the law, because of the strict laws and punishments in the early days of the country. Any violation would result in the removal of their titles, and the punishment for serious incidents would be even more severe. This case attracted so much attention that it was impossible not to punish Li Chengliang. However, Zhu Yijun's punishment was to send Li Chengliang to the Western Regions to continue expanding the territory for the Ming Dynasty.

The meaning is very clear. After a few years, even if Li Chengliang does nothing, his title can be restored, and it will not affect Li Rusong's future.

"I thank Your Majesty for your grace!" When Li Chengliang took action, he even thought about being exiled to places like Java Coconut Sea City and Jinchi Governor's Mansion. Going to the Western Regions, he was allowed to take those foreign soldiers with him. This was the grace of the emperor.

Zhu Yijun said in a somewhat cold tone: "I will investigate this case thoroughly! This is a provocation to me, as if telling me that the old ministers are gradually withering away. I, the emperor, am nothing without these old ministers. So I should obey you."

"I really can't find anything out of Zhang Limin, but it doesn't matter. I can start with these miscellaneous reports. Even if he hides in the west, I will bring him back and punish him according to the law!"

The emperor was obviously really angry. As the old ministers gradually passed away, the first and second teams of the Ming emperor were being handed over. The attacks on Hai Rui and the conspiracy against Li Chengliang were telling the emperor that without these ministers, he would be nothing.

"Your Majesty, I think this is a test to see if I will retaliate against Hai Rui because of his death. This is the main purpose. As long as I don't move, no one will continue to do things." Zhang Juzheng analyzed the situation. The most important purpose of Zhang Liming, the abandoned pawn, is to test Zhang Juzheng.

The emperor treated Hai Rui with such courtesy, granting him a large house and gardens, posthumously naming him Wen Zhong, and sending him to the Western Hills Mausoleum. These were all courtesies. So, as the prime minister who opposed Hai Rui's entry into the capital, would Zhang Juzheng want to do something but was unable to do it himself?

Zhang Limin, the abandoned pawn, was mainly used to test the waters. The conspiracy against Li Chengliang and the sowing of discord were just incidental acts, not the main goal.

Once Zhang Juzheng shows no reaction, there will basically be no further action. The emperor's imperial guards are by no means vegetarians. The more actions they take, the more dangerous it will be. Only when the water is thoroughly muddied will they dare to move around.

"This is actually normal. Rebels generally don't dare to go against the trend. Your Majesty, a scholar's rebellion has failed in three years. This bunch of evil spirits hiding in the dark can never achieve anything." Wang Chonggu is very experienced in being a rebel. He knows rebels very well, especially those who engage in conspiracies and tricks. It is impossible for them to succeed.

Shen Li echoed, "These demons and monsters can do nothing but disgust people. They can only get some benefits by chance if they encounter the right situation."

Zhu Yijun understood the concerns of the court officials. Instead of advising the emperor to keep the peace, the cabinet ministers were afraid that the emperor would lose his composure due to a momentary dispute and fail to distinguish between priorities. He would deliberately muddy the waters in order to fish, which would cause the Wanli Reform to suffer even greater damage, and the loss would outweigh the gain.

"I have an idea. Didn't General Hai have an adopted son named Hai Zhongshi? Let Hai Zhongshi be the bait, and go to Qingqin Garden to fight for the family property and file a complaint at the Shuntian government office. The more noise you make, the better. People with ulterior motives will naturally gather around Hai Zhongshi, and you can catch them all in one fell swoop." Wang Chonggu came up with a conspiracy.

Zhang Juzheng glanced at Wang Chonggu. After so many years, Wang Chonggu was still very good at using these despicable tactics.

"No, I don't want to use Hai Zongxian's posthumous affairs as bait. I will let the Tiqi Yamen investigate it slowly." After hearing this, Zhu Yijun chose to refuse without much thought.

"Your Majesty is wise." Wang Chonggu said very sincerely. His Majesty often behaves like a scholar, but his bottom line is very clear. This is why evil spirits cannot defeat His Majesty, and it is also the reason why Wang Chonggu lost to Zhang Juzheng in this life.

The Tao is greater than the techniques. Techniques may win for a while, but the Tao that leads to heaven will surely win.

(End of this chapter)