Optimus One Pillar of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 132: Words against one’s will…

Early the next morning, Wang Daoqiu cursed Emperor Jiajing in his heart for being inhumane, but still got up on time at three in the morning.He handed over the planning map of Tongzhou Industrial Zone that he had worked on all night to the guard, mounted his horse and went to the morning meeting.

The early dynasties of the Ming Dynasty were the most "diligent" in the history of the dynasties. Starting from Comrade Lao Zhu, they had one dynasty every day instead of every three or five days in other dynasties.

Comrade Lao Zhu is so awesome that he can insist on getting up at three o'clock in the morning to work every day. His successors Xiao Jianwen, Zhu Laosi and Fatty Renzong can also follow closely and follow closely.However, the successive Ming emperors since the beginning of Emperor Xuanzong were good men throughout the ages. The only emperor in Chinese history who achieved monogamy, Xiaozong Zhu Youtang, and the most slutty man Chongzhen through the ages, were able to get up early every day and go to bed. Early morning.

For other Ming emperors since Xuanzong, you asked them to get up early every day and go to the morning court, haha!Especially the three Ming emperors Zhengde, Jiajing and Wanli.What Zhengde wants to do every day is to escape from the Forbidden City, escape from Beijing, pursue poetry and the distance, and yearn for the pleasure of riding a horse in the desert and killing people.As for the two Ming emperors, Jiajing and Wanli, they just wanted to be quiet otakus when they were alive, and go to heaven to become gods after death.Therefore, the records of the grandfather and grandson's absence from work in the early dynasty totaled more than half a century.

What's even more annoying about Jiajing and Wanli, the grandsons of Jiajing and Wanli, is that they themselves were absent from work every morning, but they did not abolish the system of morning court. They also asked the civil and military ministers to get up early every day and come to the Forbidden City to listen to the little eunuch's voice of "Your Majesty." We have decreed that we will not go to court today." Made, isn't this making fun of the civil and military ministers?

Cursing the inhumanity of Hunjun in his heart, Wang Daoqiu rode to the palace gate. He handed the horse to his four young guards and walked to the palace gate himself.

As soon as they crossed the Jinshui Bridge, Lao Yansong came over. He walked up to Wang Daoqiu, bowed his hands and said hello: "Liangzhen is here. I wonder if I have the dignity to let Liangzhen take a step to speak!"

"Master Chief Assistant, please."

"please please please"

Now Wang Daoqiu and Yan Song, one is a suspect in a major corruption case, and the other is the prosecutor responsible for investigating the case.Logically speaking, given the current relationship between the two, they should avoid suspicion, but now Yan Song took the initiative to let him speak in front of all the civil and military officials. Wang Daoqiu suspected that Yan Song was involved.So he agreed to go and talk to Yan Song in a deserted place.

A distance away from the civil and military courtiers waiting at the gate of the palace, under the dim moonlight in the early morning, the two sides could only roughly see the outline of each other, Wang Daoqiu and Yan Song stopped talking.

"I wonder what happened to my mentor?" After the two stood still, Wang Daoqiu asked first.

After listening to Wang Daoqiu's question, Yan Song remained his usual kind and gentle voice and said with a smile: "With our current status, I will let Liangzhen speak in public, which will bring Liangzhen into trouble."

"Why did the teacher say this? The student is panicking. The teacher is talking to the student today. Is it because of the imperial incident yesterday?"

"Yes, yes, I am ashamed. Thank you Liangzhen for your help yesterday. Otherwise, I would have been so embarrassed yesterday if I didn't know! But after returning home yesterday, Xiao'er Shifan was worried that because he had offended Liangzhen the night before, Liangzhen might He will take revenge on my Yan family for this. So he took 1 taels of silver notes and forced me to come and test Liangzhen today. Hey, that kid from Shifan! I really can't do anything with him."

Yan Song pushed all the blame to Yan Shifan in front of Wang Daoqiu, and while talking, he quietly stuffed the envelope containing 1 taels of silver notes into Wang Daoqiu's sleeve.

When Yan Song stuffed the banknotes, Wang Daoqiu did not stop him, and he did not dare to push each other with Yan Song for the 1 taels of banknotes in full view of the civil and military officials.Even if it's dark now, you can't see clearly if you stand far away.

Without evading the envelope stuffed with the banknotes, Wang Daoqiu just said calmly: "The teacher must have understood what happened in front of the emperor yesterday. The emperor had no intention of investigating the teacher at all. The student will also uphold the holy will and handle this matter. If you delay this, no matter who asks the student about this matter in the future, the student will answer him that he is looking into it. Teacher, whether you give the banknote or not, the result will be the same."

"Hahahaha, thank you Liangzhen, Liangzhen is considerate. But you should accept this money, Liangzhen! Liangzhen, you also know that the dog Yan Shifan is a loser. If you don't accept this money Liangzhen, I will take it." He will also use it to indulge in debauchery when he goes back. Rather than letting him debauch it in debauchery, why don't you, Liangzhen, use it to do something meaningful! Liangzhen, don't you think so?"

Wang Daoqiu made it clear that he would continue to delay the so-called investigation into the corruption case of the Yan family and his son, and would always be investigating it.This made Yan Song's uncertain heart now completely put back in his stomach, and he sincerely wanted to give the 1 taels of silver to Wang Daoqiu.

Even Yan Song spoke so bluntly, Wang Daoqiu didn't bother to be polite to Yan Song anymore.So he cupped his hands and said: "Given this by the elder, I dare not resign, thank you teacher."

"No thanks, no thanks. No matter how you say it, it's because I failed to teach my son well, and Liangzhen has been hurt. If Liangzhen does this for my Yan family, he will definitely be criticized by the officials in the government and the public. Hey, it's all my Yan family's fault. Liangzhen’s reputation! Okay, okay, let’s stop chatting. If you and I stand here for too long, the courtiers will definitely become suspicious. Come to Liangzhen, let’s go back!”

"It's a teacher."

After communicating with Yan Song, Wang Daoqiu and Yan Song returned to the palace gate together. As soon as Wang Daoqiu and Yan Song arrived, Yu Maojian stared at him with an angry face.

Seeing that Yu Maojian was angry, Wang Daoqiu hurriedly raised his hands and said goodbye to Yan Song, then walked to Yu Maojian and bowed respectfully: "Sir, you are already here!" "Humph, Wang Liangzhen, are you and that old thief Yan Song the same kind of raccoons? You What were the two of you whispering about behind the backs of your colleagues just now?"

Ignoring Wang Daoqiu's politeness, Yu Maojian did not hide his anger and questioned Wang Daoqiu head-on.

Faced with Yu Maojian's anger, Wang Daoqiu felt that the old comrade should be comforted.So when he asked Yu Maojian, he didn't argue here. He held Yu Maojian's arm with one hand and made a "please" gesture with the other hand, calling Yu Maojian to go aside and chat alone.

After leaving the crowd, Wang Daoqiu did not play tricks with Yu Maojian and said straightforwardly: "Sir, you are six years older than Yan Song. You and Yan Song have been officials in the same court for nearly 40 years. You two know each other. In the past 40 years, you should know very well what kind of character Yan Song is! Well, good old sir, I will ask you now. Based on your understanding of Yan Song, do you really believe that he is corrupt? ?”

"This, this, this, the old man admits that the Yan Song that the old man knew before had a good character and conduct, and was elegant and open-minded. But since he entered the cabinet and took power, all evidence shows that the current Yan Song is no longer The Yan Song of those days is gone. For example, in order to prevent Xia Yan, the then chief assistant, from pursuing the Yan family's corruption case, he shamelessly knelt at the door of the Xia Mansion. If Yan Song had not been corrupt, then Why didn't he plead his case at that time, but instead knelt at the door of Xia Mansion? You must know that he was the second minister of the Ming Dynasty's cabinet at the time, and he could submit a card to the emperor at any time, and he was not some low-key official with no way to appeal. "

Wang Daoqiu mentioned the first doubt in the case when he opened his mouth, which was Yan Song's always excellent character.Yan Song, who has always had a very good character and integrity for decades, how could he commit corruption?Yu Maojian also recognized Yan Song's past character.But he believed that Yan Song had become corrupted after gaining power, and the evidence was conclusive.

After listening to Yu Maojian's so-called evidence, Wang Daoqiu continued: "Yes, what you said is not impossible. But have you ever thought about it? Yan Song entered the cabinet in the 21st year of Jiajing. That year Yan Song is 62 years old. He is a young and middle-aged person who has never been involved in drinking and sex. He works in the government office during the day and goes home to study and practice calligraphy after his shift in the evening. He is a stoic person who loves his wife and his wife. How can he? Will his temperament suddenly change after he is 62 years old and he will fall in love with money? Sir, you are also here at that age. You said that after a person is 60 years old, what does he want to do with gold and silver? So How much money is there, can he afford it, or can he afford it for fun?"

"This, this, this, I admit, what you said is indeed a bit unbelievable. However, the Yan family's corruption is irrefutable evidence. Although all the evidence now only shows that Yan Shifan is corrupt, there is no evidence that Yan Song is corrupt. . But without Yan Song’s support, who is Yan Shifan? Can he commit so many major cases?”

Wang Daoqiu said the absolute reason why Yan Song could not love Yinzi, which was Yan Song's personal realm and character traits.A small landowner in the private sector has received an extra three to five dou from an acre of land this year. He may be thinking about whether he should take a concubine or go to the city to live happily.

And Yan Song, who was ranked fifth in the country in the imperial examination and became a seventh-rank scholar in the Hanlin Academy as soon as he became an official, was the emperor's secretary.But throughout Yan Song's life, although he rose step by step in the officialdom and gradually became more powerful, he always only stayed with his first wife and never waved colorful flags.Moreover, in daily life, Yan Song is also a very homely Puritan. He basically does not go out to participate in any social activities. He goes home after work. His favorite thing to do is to read and practice calligraphy.

This is such a person, he lived a life of pure heart and asceticism for 60 years, but you said that after he was 62 years old, he suddenly liked money and became corrupt.Then here comes the question, what makes a Puritan who has persisted for 60 years suddenly degenerate into a corrupt criminal?

Also, what does an old man in his 60s want money for?Is it possible that at the age of over 60, he can still go out and have fun?Does he still want to live?What's more, Yan Song is still as usual, only loving his old wife and going home after get off work.So now, although all kinds of evidence outside show that old comrade Yan Song has also become greedy.But as long as you think about it calmly, think about the fact that Yan Song has persisted in a life of abstinence and abstinence for more than 60 years.You will find that old Comrade Yan Song can make a living on three to five taels of silver per month. He wants so much money, but it is useless!

Except for mental illness in this world, if a normal person commits a crime, there must be a motive for the crime!But it is precisely because of this motive that it is unjustifiable for you to say that Yan Song is corrupt.

So Wang Daoqiu now turned the case to the motive. Yu Maojian, a famous legal expert in Chinese history, was also confused.Thinking about it, it is indeed as Wang Daoqiu said, saying that Yan Song is corrupt, there is indeed no motive for committing the crime!To put it bluntly, with Yan Song’s character and age, why would he be greedy for so much money?
Yu Maojian couldn't figure out Yan Song's motive for committing the crime, but based on the existing clues, he seriously suspected that Yan Song was indeed an old comrade who had fallen.

After listening to Yu Maojian's words, Wang Daoqiu also said: "As the boss said, the Yan family's corruption is irrefutable and irrefutable, but the official believes that the person who committed the crime was not Yan Song, but Yan Shifan." Why. Let me tell you this, Sir, Yan Song has only one woman in his life, that is his first wife Ouyang, and Yan Song has only one son in his life, that is Yan Shifan. Yan Song held Yan Shifan in his hands since he was a child for fear of falling, and held Yan Song in his arms. The fear melted away in his mouth, it was extremely doting, it can be said that in Yan Song's heart, his son Yan Shifan was more important than his own life."

"That's why the old saying goes, spoiling a son is like killing a son. Yan Shifan was pampered by Yan Song and his wife since he was a child. When he grew up, he became lawless. Especially after Yan Song entered the cabinet and gained power, Yan Shifan was also favored by the emperor. After receiving the reward, he became an official with the title of Juren. Every day he went out under the banner of his father Yan Song. He recruited those who worked hard in the court to commit corruption and pervert the law. In order to protect Yan Shifan, his only son, Yan Song also knew that he was Wrong, but he still helped me in every possible way, including that time I took Yan Shifan and knelt at the door of Xia Yan's house."

Loving father, Wang Daoqiu pointed out Yan Song's role in the Yan family's corruption case. Yu Maojian and Yan Song had been officials in the same dynasty for nearly 40 years. With his understanding of Yan Song as a person, his views on Wang Daoqiu were also profound. Take it for granted.

So Yu Maojian sighed and said: "What a pity for the hearts of parents in the world! I hate that Yan Shifan. My father is nearly seventy years old, and he still wants to harm his father and be accused by thousands of people. Liangzhen, you are investigated by the emperor this time. The Yan family must punish Yan Shifan severely. And Yan Song, although he does not love money and is not corrupt, he ignores the law of the country for his son and openly practices favoritism for his son. Although his feelings are pitiful, the law of the country is ruthless. Liangzhen, you Did you remember it?"

"Yes, my lord."

Yu Maojian is an iron baker. In fact, Wang Daoqiu also wants to send Yan Shifan to Caishikou, so that Yan Song can take the blame and resign and go back to his hometown to spend his old age.But he, who is familiar with Ming history, knows that this is impossible now, because Emperor Jiajing needs Yan Song to help him manage the government.

To protect Yan Song, we must protect Yan Shifan. After all, Yan Shifan is Yan Song's spiritual support. If Yan Shifan is beheaded, then Yan Song will be a walking corpse. If he is a walking corpse, what else will he do?

Understanding the political interests behind this corruption case, Wang Daoqiu knew that the emperor would not agree to deal with the Yan family now.But he didn't want to explain this matter to Yu Maojian, because he knew that he and Yu Maojian didn't have the same world view at all.If he explains this matter to Yu Maojian, what he will get in exchange will definitely not be understanding from the other party, but a meaningless quarrel.

So in this matter, Wang Daoqiu played a trick and dealt with Yu Maojian verbally.

(End of this chapter)