I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 162 The undercurrent is surging
After winter came, Emperor Jiajing's health deteriorated day by day.

Zhu Yijun stayed by his side day and night, and often summoned famous doctors such as Li Shizhen, Wan Mizhai, Pan Shiliang, Xia Pingjue, and Liu Chuncui to the Western Garden.

Crown Prince Zhu Zaigui would also go to the Western Garden to pay his respects every now and then.

Rumors were spreading in Beijing.

You Censor-in-Chief Wang Lin was discussing matters with two close friends in the study of his mansion.

One was Li You, Shaoqing of Taichang Temple, whose courtesy name was Zhizheng, and the other was Zhao Zhongyi, a scholar of Hanlin Academy, whose courtesy name was Feiyi.

"The news coming out of Xiyuan is getting more urgent day by day. The emperor will pass away soon, and the prince will ascend the throne."

Wang Lin said excitedly.

Li You clapped his hands and exclaimed, "This is great news. The crown prince will take the throne, and Lao Gao will be back soon. These days, we have been oppressed by them, and it is too frustrating."

Zhao Zhongyi stroked his beard and said in a somewhat grim tone: "Now that the righteous path is not prevailing, Xu Shaohu has reached the highest position among the officials, and has completely forgotten the great principles of heaven and justice. He only cares about preserving his official salary and splendor, and sits back and watches the treacherous party grow stronger.

After the Yan Party left, a group of Hu Party came and abused their power and disrupted the government. The Ming Dynasty was ruined by these treacherous and treacherous officials. "

Wang Lin sneered, "Xu Shaohu! Haha, his favorite student Zhang Shuda is now the leader of a treacherous party. With the support of his master on the left and the treacherous on the right, he unexpectedly entered the cabinet. They are in cahoots with each other, and they are in the same nest. Without the approval of the court, they brazenly took the important national tools for their own use!

Why don't you call on all the righteous people in the world to be extremely angry? "

"That's right. We are looking forward to Gao Xinzheng's return to the court day and night, leading us righteous people to fight these treacherous people to the end!" Li You took over Wang Lin's words, glanced at Zhao Zhongyi, and said passionately.

Zhao Zhongyi's blood boiled with anger after hearing this, and he wanted to rush out the door immediately and find some evil force to die with him.

The three of them talked for a while and agreed to defend justice in the court and fight the treacherous ministers to the end.

Li You got up to say goodbye first. Zhao Zhongyi was a little reluctant to leave, but when he saw that it was getting late and his companions were about to leave, he had no choice but to get up and say goodbye as well.

Wang Lin sent the two men to the side door and waited in the gatehouse for half a quarter of an hour. Li You came out from the night again.

"Come on, Ji Jin, go in. I have something important to discuss with you." Li You said hurriedly.

"I've known what Zhizheng was thinking for a long time, so I've been waiting for you here." Wang Lin said with a little pride.

The two returned to the study and started discussing again.

"Ji Jin, you should write a letter early and ask Gao Huzi to make preparations. Send the imperial edict and come back quickly."

"I know, but it won't happen so quickly. There are still Xu Shaohu and his students in the court, as well as the Hu Party. They don't want to see Gao Suqing come back."

"So the key lies with the crown prince. Once the crown prince ascends the throne, he will be the emperor. If he issues an edict to summon Gao Huzi to the capital, who can stop him? Who dares to stop him?"

"That's true, but why are you so enthusiastic about Gao Suqing's affairs? You are from Nanzhili, so you should be closer to Xu Shaohu and Hu Ruzhen."

"Ji Jin, I don't like what you said! Justice is the only thing that matters. You know me. I have always been at odds with the Yan Party, so naturally I can't get along with a villain like Hu Ruzhen.

In the past, I could still discuss hometown friendship with Xu Shaohu, but after Xu Shaohu succeeded as the prime minister, he completely changed into a different person, appeasing and compromising, without any stance. In the face of treacherous things, he gave in again and again, for what? It was nothing more than wanting to preserve his own glory and wealth!
Li doesn't like such seniors, and he also disdains such Jiangsu and Zhejiang Party members!"

Wang Lin's eyes flickered, and then he said happily: "Zhizheng is indeed a moral gentleman who upholds the principles of heaven and justice! You and I are both like-minded people.

Don't worry, I will write to Gao Suqing and ask him to make preparations early."

Li You leaned forward and whispered, "I've heard that Gao Xinzheng had a close relationship with the palace's Shangshenjian eunuch Meng Chong. I heard that Meng Chong angered the crown prince for some reason, and was thrown into the lake and nearly drowned."

Li You stretched out his fingers and tapped on the table. "It is said that this Meng Chong is now trusted by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Ji Jin, there is a lot to be done here!"

Wang Lin picked up a cup of tea, which covered half of his face. "What kind of article can I write?"

Li You said with a little dissatisfaction, "Ji Jin, you are playing dumb! It doesn't matter, I always speak my mind in front of you. Meng Chong wants to enter the Imperial Household Department, so he will naturally try his best to curry favor with the prince.

Once you enter the Imperial Household Department, if you want to seize power, you need the cooperation of the cabinet ministers in the outer court. What are these useless things doing? They are nothing but those yellow and white things! There is a lot to do in it, the Coordination Bureau, that is a treasure pot! "Wang Lin smiled and said, "Chi is just right. But this matter needs Gao Suqing to return to the capital before it can be discussed."

"Ji Jin, you are so confused! You have already said that Gao Xinzheng has returned to Beijing, so everything is fine. But what if someone stops him from returning? We have to find a way! We can't just sit there and wait for death!"

Wang Lin nodded slowly.

Near the Xiyuan Silijian is the East Depot Yamen. The eunuch Feng Bao, who was in charge of the East Depot, slowly took over some of the power from his godfather Huang Jin.

After reading a petition, he sneered: "The emperor hasn't done anything yet, and you clowns have all jumped out."

Feng Bao picked up a pen and made a mark on the cover of the report.

"Mark this report and present it to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince later."

"Yes!"

"Tall bearded man, tell the secret agents to be more careful and keep a closer eye on things. These days, things are very precarious and some people are getting impatient."

"Yes."

Gao Gong met Zhang Siwei in the front hall of his home.

"Mr. Xinzheng, I haven't seen you for a while. You look much more energetic."

"Feng Pan, you're too polite! These days, Gao has traveled to all the counties in Henan, as well as the western part of Shandong, and also visited some counties in Shaanxi. If you move around more, your complexion will naturally be better.

But Feng Pan has been studying at home and rarely goes out?"

Zhang Siwei sighed, "Ah, it's hard to explain! Lord Xinzheng may not know the current situation in Shanxi."

"Oh," Gao Gong was stunned. "I have passed by several counties in Shanxi, but I have never been there. What is going on over there?"

Zhang Siwei had a face full of resentment and sorrow. "The Coordination Bureau fostered a group of new merchants, who took advantage of the opportunity of opening up border trade to control trade with the north and made a lot of money. Then they opened mines and mined coal, smelted iron and steel, and engaged in real industry!
Bullshit industry! It's still the same old trick of oppressing the people and plundering money. All the Shanxi merchants who are related to the Coordination Bureau have become rich, showing off their power and being arrogant. Then they bully the old Shanxi merchants and rob them by trickery. Alas, it's hard to describe!

It is hateful that these old Shanxi merchants, who were also from families with a tradition of poetry and literature and wealth, were well versed in the teachings of sages, and usually built roads and bridges to benefit their hometown, were eventually oppressed by a group of villains.

They all came to my house to cry and complain, what can I do? I had to avoid them and go around, and today I visited the Xinzheng Mansion. "

Gao Gong's eyes turned, he stroked his beard, and asked casually: "Feng Pan, you can ask them to find Wang Jianchuan (Wang Chonggu), he is now the Minister of War and the Governor of Ninggan, his words carry a lot of weight!"

Zhang Siwei glanced at Gao Gong, then turned his head and sighed, "Gao Xinzheng, you are so mean. You slapped me in the face!"

Gao Gong pretended to be surprised and asked, "Feng Pan, why do you say that?"

"My uncle had long despised me as his poor nephew and had severed all ties with me. Last time, he found a reason to break off the marriage between my family and his second son.

What a shame! Don’t you know about this, Gao Xinzheng? You even bring it up on purpose. How annoying! I’m leaving now. Goodbye!”

Gao Gong grabbed Zhang Siwei and apologized, "Feng Pan, I have been busy traveling outside, and I really haven't heard about your relationship with Jianchuan. I'm sorry, sorry!"

At this time, the steward said at the door: "Master, there is an urgent letter from the capital."

"who?"

"Master Wang Lin from the Wangfu."

Gao Gong walked to the door and took the letter. "Come, Feng Pan, let's read Ji Jin's letter together. Something must have happened in Beijing."

Zhang Siwei's eyes turned, "Okay, I have some friendship with Ji Jin, let's see what big thing happened in Beijing that he mentioned."

(End of this chapter)