I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

Chapter 159 Bribery and Deposition

Zhu Youxiao knew that his idea was good, but the cabinet knew that he had initiated this matter and would definitely consider it again and again because the interests involved were too great.

How many salt merchants, nobles and gentry are involved in profiting from this? If you want to touch their cake, how can they allow others to get involved?

However, Zhu Youxiao was not afraid of them. The salt tax was under the jurisdiction of the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs. It would be most appropriate for the governor of South Zhili, Bi Ziyan, to preside over the reform.

"Put this question book away. You'll need it tomorrow."

"The servant understands."

The Office of Ceremonies is located in the northwest corner outside the Forbidden City and north of the Li Cao Lan Chang. Therefore, it is not very convenient to go to the Office of Ceremonies. It is most convenient to go north from the Qianqing Palace to the North Middle Gate of Long Live Mountain.

And now Wei Zhongxian is walking towards He Ning and the other two, exiting from the North Middle Gate and heading towards the Supervisor of Ceremonies.

"Eunuch He is really young and promising, serving His Majesty at such a young age. When I was your age, I didn't know what I was doing."

As Zhu Youxiao's personal eunuch, even Wei Zhongxian did not dare to be rude to He Ning and others, especially when he saw that the emperor spared Zhang Chang and He Ning while punishing Zou Yi.

It also made him think that even if he didn't want to please them, he couldn't offend the two of them.

"Eunuch Wei is joking. I just run errands with the emperor and do some small things. Compared with you, it is far inferior. Long live the Lord has praised you in front of us many times, saying that you are capable and loyal in doing things, which saves him a lot of money." Less effort.”

"Haha, we are rootless people. Our honor and disgrace are all tied to His Majesty. We should do things for His Majesty. Don't be like some people and have private relations with foreign ministers. That would be a big taboo."

He Ning is also a smart person, so he naturally knows that Wei Zhongxian is referring to Wang An and Zou Yi.

But he was also promoted by Wang An, and he knew that although Wang An was dismissed, His Majesty still cared about Wang An, so he secretly thought that Wei Zhongxian was too cunning, so he laughed, did not dare to answer this question, and immediately transferred. topic.

"Eunuch Wei is right. We ministers can just do our jobs well. If Long live the Lord tells us to go east, we will go east. It is best not to make mistakes and be smart."

Wei Zhongxian didn't care when He Ning changed the subject. He knew in his heart that anyone could be bribed, it was just a matter of the price.

He also feels a bit of a crisis now. Although he has only been in office for a few short months, he is also a corrupt eunuch in the palace and a noble family. Civil servants do not like eunuchs like him, and neither does the emperor. Eunuchs secretly made friends with civil servants.

Therefore, the only person he can rely on now is the emperor, so he must win over the emperor's personal eunuchs.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but glance at He Ning. He had already investigated clearly. This He Ning was not as honest as Zhang Chang, was lively and loved money. However, due to the emperor's strictness, he did not have the courage. So it's a good target to win over.

"Long live Lord's errands have to be done, but we can't treat ourselves badly. Any rich eunuch in the palace who doesn't have a private house outside the palace, marries several concubines, and has several godsons, we are all rootless. This way, people can have support and comfort.”

He Ning nodded repeatedly and was a little moved when he said this, but he was still quite disciplined under Wang An's teachings, and Zhu Youxiao hated corruption. Although He Ning wanted to make money, he didn't have the courage or connections.

"They are so arrogant, but you also know His Majesty's temper. If you know it, you will be furious."

Seeing that he was gradually taking the bait, Wei Zhongxian was secretly happy. He calmly asked the people behind him not to follow him, and then said slowly.

"It has been an old rule for many years. Besides, I have not made friends with foreign ministers, and I am not greedy. The emperor will not say anything if he finds out."

"What this means is that you should work hard for the emperor, and when you get a reward, you can buy a set."

He Ning was obviously moved and said sourly.He yearned for it in his heart, but with his salary, he didn't know when he would be able to buy a house and marry a few concubines to warm his life.

"Oh, I still need you to buy such a small thing. I have saved quite a lot in the palace over the years. I happen to have a house with seven rooms in the capital, and five courtyards are vacant. It is not far from the imperial city, two blocks away. We're here, we had a good chat today, so I'll lend it to you."

"No, no, Eunuch Wei has taken the trouble. This thing is too valuable. I can never accept it. If His Majesty finds out, Long Yan will be furious."

Wei Zhongxian laughed and patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'm just letting you live here, not giving it to you. Besides, you didn't steal or rob, your Majesty won't say anything if he knows."

He Ning was a little moved when he heard this. Although he was still a little scared, it was a house after all, so this had to make him moved.

"Then thank you Eunuch Wei. I will be disrespectful."

Seeing that He Ning accepted it, Wei Zhongxian was overjoyed. He was not afraid of accepting it, but he was afraid of not accepting it. As long as he accepted it, everything would be easy. Besides, he had ransacked so many people's homes during this period. He didn't know how many people showed filial piety to him after they ransacked their homes. How much, this house is just a drop in the bucket.

"Hahaha, Eunuch He is too polite. This matter has been settled. Let's go to the Supervisor of Ceremonies as soon as possible. His Majesty is also waiting for a reply."

"Okay, let's go quickly." Now the happy two people rushed to the Director of Ceremonies and saw Zou Yi who was still working to approve reds. He Ning first checked the files of the Director of Ceremonies and then asked Zou Yi whether the matter was true. .

When Zou Yi saw that He Ning and Wei Zhongxian sent people to inquire about the matter, he certainly knew that something bad was going on and there was indeed an oversight in the matter.

Originally, matters such as appropriation and policy implementation had to be consulted by the emperor. However, Shenzong was negligent and many matters were directly approved by the Chief of Ceremonies without looking into them.

Wei Zhongxian was still searching his house that day, and Zhu Youxiao often went to Licaolan Field to train troops. So when he saw this memorial and found that the emperor was not there, he did not ask about the government affairs during this period, so he thought that he would just follow the opinions of the old cabinet. .

But he never expected that the emperor would now pursue the matter. He knew that he was in the wrong and had been taken advantage of, so he did not hide it and told the truth.

Wei Zhongxian was not polite when he heard this. He had long wanted to get rid of Zou Yi, an old man. He immediately passed Zhu Youxiao's oral instructions, saying that Zou Yi was disrespectful and ordered to retire.

Zou Yi was dejected after hearing this, but this kind of thing was indeed a serious crime. At this point, he was unable to defend himself, so he could only bow down and ask He Ning:
"This matter is indeed my fault. The Emperor is punishing me. I have nothing to say. However, I have a merciless request. I would like to see Your Majesty again before I leave. No comment."

"Why did Eunuch Zou say this? This will offend me."

Zou Yi and Wang An had always been good to each other, so as Wang An's godson, He Ning was still a little afraid even though Zou Yi had previously advised the emperor to punish him. Now that he saw Zou Yi requesting him like this, his heart softened and he wanted to agree. , see if you can think of a way.

"There's no need for this, Eunuch Zou. Your Majesty said you should dismiss me directly, or don't make it difficult for me to wait."

Just as He Ning was about to speak, he saw Wei Zhongxian flatly rejected Zou Yi's request.Zou Yi had no choice but to look at him again, hoping that he could help.

But thinking of the promise Wei Zhongxian had just given him, he hardened his heart, swallowed the words in his mouth, and remained silent.

"Oh, I understand. Your Majesty is kind-hearted and did not punish me. He only allowed me to enjoy my life. Eunuch, please take me to express my gratitude to Your Majesty."

After saying that, he knelt down in the direction of Qianqing Palace to thank him. Looking at his appearance, He Ning felt that he had become much older in an instant, and his body became trembling. With the help of the little eunuch next to him, he walked out lonely.

In this way, the great eunuchs of the Wanli Dynasty were dismissed one after another, and now only Wei Zhongxian, the eunuch in charge of rituals, was left to cover the sky with one hand.

It only took him less than half a year to go from gaining Zhu Youxiao's trust to becoming the sole supervisor of etiquette, which was extremely fast.

But the cost of doing so is also huge. Now not only the eunuchs in the palace, but also the nobles in the capital hate him to the core.Once the news about Zou Yi spreads, the court officials will also blame him for Wang An and Zou Yi's departure.

Compared with Wei Zhongxian's reputation in history, Wei Zhongxian's current reputation only lasted less than half a year. He was truly despised by thousands of people and was even more infamous than in history.

As the initiator, Zhu Youxiao was happy to hear about it.

He had thought of this result before using Wei Zhongxian. Wei Zhongxian was his own knife. It was very good to use to kill people and loot homes, but it could only go so far.

If Wei Zhongxian killed someone and ransacked his house, as in history, there would be many gang members who would rush to build a shrine for him.He will not accept it and will give up the knife categorically.

So now the more ruthless Wei Zhongxian does, the better. He can only be a lone minister and cannot make friends.

"Did Zou Yi admit it?"

In Dongnuan Pavilion, when Wei Zhongxian and He Ning came back, Zhu Youxiao looked at Yang Lian's secret book and asked seemingly unconcernedly.

"Long Live the Lord, it was indeed Zou Yi who did it. He confessed. He just said that he was not punished and only allowed to live a long life. I am very grateful."

"I know."

When Zhu Youxiao heard that the matter had been properly resolved, he thought that this was also a warning to these eunuchs, telling them not to act recklessly or be too self-righteous.

"Wei Zhongxian, now you are the only one left in the entire Supervisor of Ceremonies. The Chinese New Year has just begun, and memorials from all over the country will come up. There are many things that need to be approved by the Supervisor of Ceremonies. You have to be more courageous during this period. Do you know?"

Wei Zhongxian was secretly happy when he heard this, but he still suppressed his overflowing expression, bowed to thank him, and then asked:
"Your Majesty, there is only one servant in the Chief Ceremony Supervisor now. This is not in accordance with the system. Please ask your Majesty to select some more talented people from the palace to serve your Majesty."

"Okay, I understand. You will be responsible for this period of time. As for the other candidates for the eunuch, we will wait until I finalize the list."

During this time, it was the Chinese New Year and the war in Liaodong, so Zhu Youxiao also forgot about it.

However, it is really not good for Wei Zhongxian to be the only eunuch in charge of etiquette now. I thought it would be better to identify a few eunuchs with eunuchs as soon as possible. When the time comes, Wei Zhongxian can be moved to his position and promoted to eunuch with palm seals, which will not be in vain. So many things happened.

　The second one is here!

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(End of this chapter)