Optimus One Pillar of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 192 Chapter 180 Nine Xia Yan’s incident happened
Early the next morning, there was still a small court meeting in the Longevity Palace composed of five cabinet ministers and nine ministers from six departments. Wang Daoqiu made a report on Shandong's work.

Choose what you can say, and report the errands in Shandong in a set of Mandarin in a routine manner.After Wang Daoqiu finished his report, the court officials asked a few questions as usual, and Wang Daoqiu also answered according to the rules.

When you know that the imperial household department now has tens of millions of taels of silver in cash, and there are also hundreds of millions of taels of land purchase money in Shandong, which is lying around and earning interest at the Ming Dynasty Royal Bank.Big bosses in the imperial court began to fight for funds for their departments and asked Emperor Jiajing to increase next year's financial budget.

And just when all the princes in the court were looking at Emperor Jiajing eagerly, waiting for Emperor Jiajing to reward him.Xia Yan, a scholar of Dongge University, knelt down and reported: "Your Majesty, I have this memorial. In the sixth year of Tianshun reign of Emperor Yingzong, the Tatars began to invade Hetao. After that, they gradually built the Hetao area into a supply ground for them to go south. From time to time, they started from Hetao. The attack caused serious problems on the three sides of our country. For this reason, in the tenth year of Emperor Xiaozong's reign, our country set up a general system for military affairs on the three sides. The so-called three sides refer to all the arrangements on the three sides of Gansu, Yansui, and Ningxia in Shaanxi Province. They are all to deal with the Tatars in the Hetao and to trap the bandits."

"The first trilateral commander-in-chief, Wang Yue, once advocated using 15 troops to search for the Hetao, but in the end it was not possible. In the third year of Emperor Wu Zong's reign, Yang Yiqing, the trilateral commander-in-chief, advocated retaking the Hetao. Yang Gong said to Emperor Wu at that time: I would like to Return to Dongsheng, because the river is solid, connecting Datong to the east and Ningxia to the west, so that the land thousands of miles away from the Hetao can be farmed and herded by me, hundreds of miles of farmland can be opened, and with the transportation within the province, Shaanxi can still rest. But Yang Gong is here A plan was not implemented in the end.”

"Since His Majesty ascended the throne, the Tao Kou Ji Nang entrenched in the Loop have become more rampant, harassing our three sides almost every year. Last year, I recommended Zeng Mian to be the Governor of the three sides' military affairs. Since Zeng Mian took office, he has been loyal to the state affairs and repeatedly defeated the Tao Kou. . However, it is unwise to stick to the three sides and be passively beaten every year. Therefore, Zeng Mian, the governor of the three sides, together with the governor of Shaanxi, the governor of Yansui, the governor of Ningxia, and the general soldiers of the three sides, jointly submitted a letter requesting the imperial court to issue silver We will spend 50 taels of troops to make weapons and send troops to Hetao in the spring and summer of next year to wipe out the Tao bandits. Zeng Mian's book is here, please read it."

After saying this, Xia Yan took out the notebook Zeng Mian had written on his sleeve and raised it above his head, waiting for Lu Fang to pick it up.

Seeing Xia Yan about to hand over the notebook, Lu Fang stood there unusually, motionless, while Emperor Jiajing looked at Xia Yan with contempt and said: "Chen Aiqing of the Ministry of War, have you seen the three folds? It's you. Did you ask Academician Xia to submit it?"

Emperor Jiajing said this with this expression and tone.This shocked Chen Jing, Minister of the Ministry of War. He knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, I have never seen the leaks made by Sanbian Zeng. Moreover, the Ministry of War is under the charge of Yan Shoufu, even if there are leaks from Sanbian When I get to the Ministry of War, I will submit it to Yan Shoufu, not to Xia Xueshi. Your Majesty, please look into this matter."

"Well, I understand, Chen Aiqing, please step back!"

"Yes"

Chen Jing had himself removed. He had good reasons and Emperor Jiajing agreed, so Emperor Jiajing asked Chen Jing to return to work.

After Chen Jingzhan returned to the court, Emperor Jiajing asked Yan Song, Wang Daoqiu and other four other cabinet bachelors if they knew about Zeng Mian's request to return to Hetao.In this regard, the four great scholars, including Wang Daoqiu and Yan Song, naturally said that they did not know about this matter.

The commander-in-chief of the border, Shangshu, requested such a big thing to retake the lost territory with heavy troops. The country was responsible for the daily management of the army. The minister of the Ministry of War, the highest administrator of the army, did not know about it, nor did the cabinet bachelor in charge of the ministry of war know about it.But it was submitted to the emperor by a Dongge bachelor who was not in charge of the army. What does this mean?
When a minister secretly colludes with a frontier commander, this is called internal and external collusion and conspiracy, and it is a serious crime in all dynasties.Thinking of this, Xia Yan, who was kneeling there, was filled with cold tears. He blamed himself for being too impatient. This matter should at least be reported to Chen Jing, the Minister of the Ministry of War of the branch.What a mistake, what a mistake.

Just when Xia Yan was sweating and thinking about how to make things right, Emperor Jiajing spoke again: "Xiaoshi Xia, according to the secret report from Dongchang and Jinyiwei, your father-in-law Su Gang and Zeng Xian are both from Jiangdu. Moreover, the two of you have a very good personal relationship. You and Na Zeng have private exchanges of letters every month, and your letters are all sent by your own personal messengers, and you never bother the court's postmen. Last year during the Chinese New Year, Na Zeng returned Damn, I sent you three big mahogany boxes for Xia Xueshi. How about Xia Xueshi, it is not convenient to tell me and the court princes, what do you talk about in the letters with Zeng Mi? What's in those three big mahogany boxes of yours?"

Damn it!A cabinet bachelor who was not in charge of military affairs actually exchanged private letters with the border commander every month. Moreover, the letters from both parties did not go through the post station, and only sent their own trusted men to deliver them. What was the inside story?Moreover, during the Chinese New Year, Zeng Mi sent Xia Yan three large mahogany boxes from thousands of miles away, saying that these boxes were not filled with money, who would believe that!
So as soon as Emperor Jiajing finished speaking, Xia Yan hurriedly kowtowed to plead guilty. At this time, the other four cabinet bachelors and the six ministers and nine ministers who were standing in the Longevity Palace went out one after another to impeach Xia Yan and Zeng Mian, colluding internally and externally with evil intentions. .He asked Emperor Jiajing to send Xia Yan to prison immediately, and sent Jinyi Tiqi to Shaanxi to capture Zeng Mian and Zeng Mian's accomplices.

Xia Yan and Zeng Mian, one is a bachelor in the cabinet, and the other is a military commander with heavy troops at the border. The administrative power and the military power collude with each other. This is called evil conspiracy and rebellion in all dynasties. No emperor can tolerate it. of.

On the way back from Hongshi Mountain last year, I was reminded by Wang Daoqiu that Xia Yan and Zeng Mian had an unusual relationship and that there was a transfer of interests.Emperor Jiajing asked Dongchang and Jinyiwei to keep an eye on Xia Yan and Zeng Xian.After nearly a year of investigation, more and more evidence has been submitted by Dongchang and Jinyiwei, and more and more northwest generals are involved, and even the Prince Qin's Mansion in Xi'an is also involved.

Looking at the information sent by Dongchang and Jinyiwei every month, Emperor Jiajing endured it very hard.This time, Zeng Mian traveled to the northwest of Shaanxi and Gansu to organize civil and military affairs, and jointly submitted a letter to the court.Among them were the three governors and the three general soldiers of the imperial court in Shaanxi, Ningxia, and Yansui in the northwest. It can be said that the high-ranking civil and military leaders of the Ming Dynasty in the northwest were handed over to one pot, and even the Qin Prince's Palace in Xi'an was hidden behind.

So when Xia Yan reported just now that Zeng Mian had jointly signed the report with the governors and generals of the three sides, Emperor Jiajing immediately became uneasy. He felt that it was time to close the net, otherwise the northwest Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia might really have to use a force. A big battle can be solved.Therefore, as soon as Xia Yan finished his report, Emperor Jiajing made up his mind to take action.

Emperor Jiajing had already made up his mind, but now that the imperial cabinet and the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers have taken the initiative to ask Xia Yan and Zeng Mian to be dealt with strictly, how could Emperor Jiajing refuse to agree?
So after all the princes in the court went out to make requests, Emperor Jiajing took advantage of the situation and ordered the Jinyi guards to take Xia Yan to the imperial prison and search Xia Yan's home.He immediately sent Tiqi to the northwest to capture Zeng Mian, as well as the governors and general soldiers on the three sides.After issuing the order to arrest Xia Yan and Zeng Xian, it was time to discuss the aftermath in the northwest.After all, all the governors and general soldiers of Shaanxi, Gansu, and Ningxia in the northwest have been captured at once. If we don't send senior officials to take charge, what will happen to the work in the northwest? What will happen if the Mongolian Tatars come in chaos?
So on the issue of selecting "firefighters" in the northwest region, the princes of the imperial court began to quarrel again. Everyone wanted to push their own people out to grab the territory in the northwest.

Seeing that his ministers were arguing again and again, Emperor Jiajing finally made the decision, citing Wang Daoqiu's experience in quelling civil unrest in Shandong, outstanding performance, and experience.Let Wang Daoqiu go to the northwest as an imperial envoy. He will serve as Taifu, Zhongyonghou, Wuyingdian University Scholar, Hubu Shangshu, and concurrently as governor of Shaanxi and the general administrator of the three sides. He will carry Shang Fang's sword and go to the northwest to do things conveniently.

Again, special things were done, and things were done cheaply. Emperor Jiajing really trusted Wang Daoqiu, and the princes in the court had nothing to do about it.After all, no one else can say anything about the emperor's favor.

Moreover, Wang Daoqiu's last trip to Shandong, although he committed the evil act of killing prisoners, it was true that not only did he put down the Shandong White Lotus Rebellion involving hundreds of thousands of rebels in just over two months, but he also did it without spending a lot of time fighting. Instead of using money, he earned hundreds of millions of taels of silver for the imperial court. With this ability, he is worthy of being one of the best through the ages!

Therefore, Emperor Jiajing Qiangang made an arbitrary decision and asked Wang Daoqiu to go to the northwest as a "firefighter". The ministers in the court could not say anything, after all, Wang Daoqiu's ability was there.So Wang Daoqiu went to the northwest to take charge of the matter. As soon as Emperor Jiajing proposed it, Yan Song took the lead on behalf of the cabinet to second the proposal, and then the six ministers and nine ministers also came out to express their agreement, so the matter was settled.

After it was decided that Wang Daoqiu would go to the northwest to take charge, Emperor Jiajing said to Xia Bangmo, the censor of Zuodu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate: "The cases of Xia Aiqing, Xia Yan, and Zeng Mian will be tried by your Metropolitan Procuratorate in conjunction with the Ministry of Punishment and the Three Law Departments of Dali Temple as usual. Xia Aiqing, you are the chief judge."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I, Xia Bangmo, must uphold the public spirit and make this case an ironclad case that can withstand the test of history and live up to Your Majesty."

"Okay, Aiqing's reputation is well-known throughout the court. I can trust Aiqing. These days, Aiqing, together with the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple, will first select capable and capable officials. When Zeng Mian's gang of traitors come to the capital, you, the Three Law Departments, will Let’s start the trial. It’s best if the case doesn’t drag out beyond the New Year.”

"Yes, I obey the order."

After giving instructions to Xia Bangmo, Emperor Jiajing left Wang Daoqiu behind and asked other ministers to go about their duties.As soon as the other ministers left, with a look from Emperor Jiajing, Lu Fang hurriedly kicked out all the chamberlains and maids in the Wanshou Palace, while he himself remained guarding the entrance of the palace.

After only Emperor Jiajing and Wang Daoqiu were left in Longevity, Emperor Jiajing called Wang Daoqiu to his imperial couch.

Seeing Emperor Jiajing's greeting, Wang Daoqiu hurriedly walked over. When he got closer, Wang Daoqiu respectfully put his ear to Emperor Jiajing's mouth and listened respectfully to Emperor Jiajing's instructions.

Emperor Jiajing was very satisfied with Wang Daoqiu's humble attitude. When Wang Daoqiu put his ear closer, Emperor Jiajing said: "According to the information from Dongchang and Jinyiwei, the Prince of Qin's Palace in Xi'an may also be involved in the matter of Xia Yan and Zeng Xian. Prince Qin privately Li and Na Zeng often drank together. At the banquet, King Qin also said that his lineage as King Qin was the direct descendant of Taizu and Empress Ma. Grandfather Cheng was just a concubine of Taizu, so the Ming Dynasty should be his direct descendant. It’s like blood inheritance.”

"So Wang Qing, no matter whether the King of Qin was involved in the rebellion between Xia Yan and Zeng Mian this time, he dares to say that he is the direct bloodline of Taizu and should inherit the Ming Dynasty. My ancestor is the bastard of Taizu and does not deserve this. Ming Dynasty, then the lineage of King Qin will be exterminated. Wang Qing, you can do this better. There must be ironclad evidence. In order to block the mouths of all the kings in the world, I plan to hand it over to Zongzheng for trial, and all the files will be passed on. It belongs to all the kings. Therefore, I love you, the fact that King Qin conspired with Zeng Mian and Xia Yan to rebel must be proved as solid as a mountain."

Emperor Jiajing's words were flawless and he stood completely above the law.But the tone of his voice and the sharp eyes when he spoke made Wang Daoqiu understand what Emperor Jiajing wanted.

So as soon as Emperor Jiajing finished speaking, Wang Daoqiu handed over his hand and reported back: "Your Majesty, don't worry, within one month after I arrive in Xi'an, I will hand over to the court the irrefutable evidence that King Qin colluded with Xia Yan and Zeng Mian to rebel. But Your Majesty, this matter to me If you do it alone, there is no guarantee that there will be no mistakes, so I would like to ask your majesty to recruit case experts from Dongchang and Jinyiwei to go to Xi'an to cooperate with me."

"No problem, the person you want will set off with you tomorrow morning. In addition, Li Guodong of Shandong and Qi Jiguang of Datong will be sent to Li Guodong of Shandong and Qi Jiguang of Datong immediately to lead their troops into Shaanxi and Yansui, and then transfer your Jianzhou from Xuanfu I will take one hundred Jurchen warriors from your brother Jue Chang'an as your personal bodyguards. You will also have Yang Bo, the right censor of the Imperial Procuratorate who is patrolling Gansu, and Ge Shouli, the chief envoy of Shaanxi Province. Both of them have been placed in Shaanxi and Gansu in advance by me. Yes. Both of them were Jinshi in the eighth year of Jiajing. They are loyal to the court and extremely capable. To be honest with Wang Qing, in the future, I plan to let these two people join the cabinet and participate in the military."

(End of this chapter)