I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 218: A gamble, the county magistrate becomes the prefect

Zhang Juzheng thought for a while in the room, asked the official ship to stop, then wrote two personal letters and asked his trusted followers to take a speedboat and deliver them to the destination immediately.

Then ask someone to invite the two people recommended by Wang Yi'e.

They were none other than Pu Yong'an, the magistrate of Jiangdu, and Liang She, the aide of Xu Bangrui, the young master of the Duke of Wei's mansion. They defected to Hai Rui and Wang Yi'e and helped persuade a group of practical people in the Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner's Office.

The two of them dealt with these people the most, and they knew their details and weaknesses too well. In the salt administration case, they embezzled some silver, but the bulk of it was taken away by the higher-ups. Do you really want to take the blame for the higher-ups?
How much money did you earn? Is it necessary to work so hard?
Pu Yongan and Liang She were quickly taken into the cabin.

"I have met Mr. Zhang."

"Stand up and talk." Zhang Juzheng said politely, motioning the two to sit on the stools below.

"Pu County Magistrate, Liang Juren, how much do you two know about the Zhenwu Camp in Nanjing?"

Pu Yongan and Liang She looked at each other, and Pu Yongan replied: "In reply to the elder, I have some understanding of Zhenwu Camp."

"Please say."

"Sir, the Zhenwu Camp was established in the winter of the 24th year of the Jiajing reign. Zhang Ao, then the Minister of War in Nanjing, submitted a memorial to the emperor. In order to guard against Japanese pirates and the sea police, a total of 3,000 elite soldiers from various camps and the young and agile men from Huai'an Prefecture and Yangzhou Prefecture were selected to form the camp. A meritorious official was appointed as the commander, and the food and wages were paid from the treasury of Yingtian Prefecture.

For more than 20 years, due to its meritorious service in the early days, it became an important support for the military defense of Nanjing City. Later, many children of nobles served in it, and the atmosphere changed drastically. Illegal activities were rampant, and they would riot for pay at any time, and they were suppressed several times. "

"Are most of the sons of nobles serving in the camp?" Zhang Juzheng asked slowly.

"Yes, Lord. Zhenwuying still had some fighting power thirty-five years ago during the reign of Emperor Jiajing, but since then, the nobles of Nanjing City and the aristocratic families of Southern Zhili have turned Zhenwuying into a place to house their servants.

If there were servants in the mansion who were useful, they would be awarded the official position of captain or captain of the Zhenwu Camp, and receive a salary. Some servants in the mansion were even given the positions of guerrilla or garrison.

As a result, Zhenwuying was in a state of chaos and was no longer the iron wall of Nanjing. It became the source of disasters and chaos.

Zhang Juzheng understood that Zhenwuying had become a tool in the hands of some nobles in Nanjing, an illegal tool to achieve certain goals. The purpose of this mutiny was also very clear, which was to prevent the fire in Yangzhou from spreading to them.

childish!

They thought that things would be the same as before, and that as long as they made some noise, the officials in Nanjing and the court in Beijing would tolerate and give in to them in order to avoid chaos, and let them succeed.

Their brutality and arrogance were indulged in this way.

It’s just that they stayed in Nanjing for too long and didn’t know that the political situation had changed. Now it’s the crown prince who is in power, and the way of dealing with things is completely different.

Zhang Juzheng asked: "Who is the leader of the nobles in Nanjing?"

Pu Yongan and Liang She looked at each other, and this time Liang She answered, "In reply to your words, the nobles of Nanjing City are headed by Duke of Wei Xu Pengju, and they are also supported by Marquis of Longping Zhang Tong and Earl of Xincheng Zhao Zuzheng.

Previously, the most domineering person was the Earl of Chengyi, Liu Shiyan, but he was impeached a few years ago, stripped of his title and dismissed from office, and lived in seclusion at home. However, I heard that he has been scheming around, intending to restore his title and be reappointed. "

Liang She hesitated for a moment and replied, "I also heard that Liu Shiyan served in the Zhenwu Camp and was very familiar with many officers there."

Zhang Juzheng nodded, understanding the meaning of the words, and continued to ask: "Then among the nobles in Nanjing City, is there no one who is loyal to the country and upright in his duties?"

Pu Yongan and Liang She thought about it and almost unanimously recommended someone: "Lingbi Marquis Tang Shilong."

The two looked at each other, and Pu Yongan humbly said, "Brother Liang, please speak first."

"Okay. To answer the old man's words, Marquis Tang is cautious and respectful, works diligently in his duties, and does not interfere in the illegal activities of other nobles. Since he inherited the title, he has severely punished the evil slaves in the mansion and the relatives who used the name of the mansion to commit illegal acts.

On weekdays, he also tried his best to restrain the people in the mansion and not to do anything illegal. He was well-known in Nanjing City. "

Pu Yongan added: "Your Excellency, Jiangdu City in Yangzhou is a treasure trove. As far as I know, it has close ties with several nobles in Nanjing. Other nobles also found various excuses to send people to Jiangdu City to collect money.

The only exception is Lingbi Marquis Mansion. I have never heard of anyone doing this in Jiangdu."

Zhang Juzheng thought for a moment and asked, "Which of you two knows Lord Tang?" Liang She replied, "I once worked for the Duke of Wei and had dealings with the Marquis of Lingbi, but I only met Lord Tang twice. It was a courtesy visit, so I can only say that we are acquainted, not familiar with each other."

Pu Yongan replied, "Marquis Tang was once ordered to inspect the grain transport and passed through Jiangdu City. I was responsible for receiving him and met Marquis Tang. I am familiar with a manager in his mansion."

Zhang Juzheng blinked and glanced at Pu Yongan and Liang She's faces.

He had already seen that Liang She, who joined the Duke of Wei's mansion as a commoner and traveled around the world, still had the character and integrity of a scholar; Pu Yongan, who was in the officialdom and although only a seventh-rank county magistrate, had been polished to be very smooth.

In this chaotic situation, people like Pu Yongan are more useful than Liang She.

Zhang Juzheng stroked his short beard and said slowly: "The Zhenwu Camp suddenly caused trouble, which is like a mutiny. This matter must be suppressed as soon as possible. However, the situation is delicate now. Not only will the nobles in Nanjing not help, they may even secretly add fuel to the fire and stir up trouble.

The officials in Nanjing probably all turned a blind eye, tried to protect themselves and avoid causing trouble."

He looked at Pu Yongan and Liang She, his eyes becoming more determined.

“The mutiny in the Zhenwu Camp is nothing more than a warning to this cabinet, a provocation, a demonstration, and a threat to the three imperial envoys in Yangzhou City who are investigating the Lianghuai Salt Administration case.

If they don't use drastic measures, these guys will think that the court is still as weak and tolerant as before. They only need to make a fuss to achieve their goal.

Now it is no longer possible. Since they have asked for benevolence, I will grant their wish."

What works first and what works next.

No matter what style Zhu Yijun follows, his subordinates will follow his example.

Zhang Juzheng served as the Imperial Censor for Border Inspections twice and as the Governor of Shandong for a year. He had been to the border and managed civil affairs personally. He had also boarded the crown prince's large ocean ship and witnessed the power of destroying countries and ruining cities. A new window had been opened in his heart.

Zhang Juzheng said coldly: "Some people are just mean-spirited. If you don't deal with them properly, they think the whole world will give in to them. This won't work. Such tolerance will only make the evildoers more successful and make the good people suffer.

The most important purpose of the court's laws is to punish evil and promote good! If evil is not eliminated, justice will not be upheld! "

After solemnly stating his attitude, Zhang Juzheng continued, "This cabinet will immediately contact the Director of the Marine Transport Bureau, Wang Zijian, and the Governor of Zhejiang and Fujian, Cao Zisi, who was ordered to move to Shanghai, to obtain naval and land troops and send them to Nanjing City. We must eradicate this cancer of the Zhenwu Camp!"

Zhang Juzheng stared at Pu Yongan and said solemnly: "Pu Magistrate, this cabinet needs someone to sneak into Nanjing City, contact loyal and righteous people like Tang Hou, make preparations, cooperate internally and externally, and wipe out the cancer in one fell swoop!
Do you dare to go?"

Pu Yongan gritted his teeth and replied: "Students dare to go!"

Zhang Juzheng continued, "There is a mutiny in the Zhenwu Camp in Nanjing now, and most of the nobles are helping the tyrant. All officials are trying to protect themselves. If you sneak in quietly, you will undoubtedly be walking into a dangerous place.

Do you really dare? "

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Pu Yongan's forehead, and his Adam's apple kept shaking up and down, making him look very nervous.

Liang She looked at his friend and felt nervous too.

Both of them knew the situation in Nanjing. If they were recognized, especially by those who were stirring up trouble in secret, they would most likely die.

But wealth and honor are achieved through risk!

How can you make it to the top without giving it a try?
The opportunity is right in front of us now, and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so why not give it a try?
Take a chance and the county magistrate can become the prefect!
Pu Yongan calmed down and said, "In reply to Master Zhang, I am willing to go and I dare to go!"

"it is good!"

Zhang Juzheng exclaimed in praise, "When this is accomplished, I will definitely present a memorial to commend you for your achievements!"

"Thank you, Lord!"

(End of this chapter)