I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 460 The Inner Court Only Needs One Ancestor

A four-wheeled carriage was heading west along Chaoyangmen Street.

In the carriage, Wang Liang, the secretary of the Ministry of Finance, looked up at Yang Jinshui, who was resting with his eyes closed, and pondered for a while. Finally, he couldn't help but said, "Dad, I can't believe it."

Yang Jinshui still closed his eyes and answered softly, "What's unexpected?"

"Father, I never thought that the Crown Princess would end up marrying Marquis Xue's daughter."

"Now that I think about it, it was actually a good thing." Yang Jinshui slowly opened his eyes.

"Good thing? My son is dull, please give me some advice, Dad."

"It is a great fortune for the Song family to be granted the Green Jade Ruyi. Among the beautiful ladies who were able to enter the palace before, which one was of merchant origin?"

Wang Liang nodded thoughtfully, "Dad is right. Song is the daughter of a merchant, which is a congenital defect. It is a great fortune for her to be able to enter the palace as a concubine.

"If you want to be the Crown Princess, you will be easily retaliated. Being granted the Green Jade Ruyi is the best outcome. Daddy, is what I have realized right?"

Yang Jinshui did not answer directly, but changed the subject, "The matter of Chonghua Palace has come to an end, and we can rest assured. But what worries us most now is the Gaoge Department."

Wang Liang knew that his godfather Yang Jinshui had not said it explicitly, but he had tacitly agreed that what he had understood was correct. Now that he was talking about something else, he quickly adjusted his mind and followed the train of thought.

"Dad, Gaogebu is in high spirits right now, why are you still worried about him?"

"After all, he is still one step behind Uncle Zhang! It's really annoying. We don't expect him to be as cunning and scheming as the former Prime Ministers Yan Gong and Xu Gong, but you have to stand up.

It's just that my temper is greater than my ability."

Yang Jinshui had complaints in his heart.

It's so painful to have such an unpromising ally!

"Father, Elder Gao is too focused on power and schemes, and has neglected the great principles. Elder Zhang has the great principles in mind, and he knows how to use power and schemes to achieve the great principles."

Yang Jinshui chuckled and nodded with satisfaction: "You have made progress, little bastard.

We know Gao Da Huzi. He is talented and capable. When he was in the Qiandi Palace, he protected Prince Yu from the wind and rain and resisted the Yan Party. At that time, he was a minister of state and a pillar of the court.

But that's how the world works. The high spirits of pointing fingers at the mountains and rivers are ultimately no match for the hardships of the world. This is true for Yan Jiexi and Xu Shaohu.

At the Qionglin Banquet, "I will climb to the top of the mountain and look down on all the other mountains." When I was in a hurry and despair, "prosperity and decline are so different, and the melancholy is hard to describe."

Gao Xinzheng has lost his courage and no longer has the will to make progress. In this respect, he is far behind Uncle Zhang. "

Wang Liang muttered to himself that Gao Gong had lost all his courage because His Royal Highness the Crown Prince kept beating him. Even the toughest head was hit with lumps all over it, and even the strongest courage was shattered.

But there is nothing we can do about it. With a temper like yours, Gao Da Hu Zi, who would dare to use you unless you give him a good beating?

Although Zhang Juzheng was arrogant and rebellious in his heart, he knew when to advance and when to retreat. He was strong when he met the weak and weak when he met the strong. Unlike you, a tall and bearded man, who was strong when he met the weak and strong when he met the strong, he ended up becoming a scum.

Wang Liang heard the thoughts of his godfather Yang Jinshui and began to worry that Gao Gong would not stay in the cabinet for long. The great Diao Dang lived in the inner court, and the power was also concentrated in the inner court. The outer court must have a capable cabinet minister as an ally.

If Gao Gong is not strong enough, Yang Jinshui's power will be easily reduced, and if he is not careful, he will be easily tricked by Feng Bao.

With Huang Jin's retirement, the fight between Feng Bao and Yang Jinshui became more intense.

The inner court only needs one ancestor!
"Dad, you have an old relationship with Zhang Gelao, why don't you send someone to talk to him. I heard that in addition to his cousin Xu San, he also has a trusted servant You Qi, who has extensive connections in the capital and is well connected.

Son, are you thinking of a way to get to know You Qi?"

Yang Jinshui's face changed, and he said unceremoniously: "You are seeking death!"

Wang Liang was so frightened that his face turned pale. Just as he was about to apologize, Yang Jinshui waved his hand and said, "Father knows that you are doing this for the good of our family, but you just don't understand."

Wang Liang quickly said, "My son knows he was wrong."

Yang Jinshui thought for a moment and said, "You should find a way to buy a Buddhist scripture handwritten by a great monk. The Diamond Sutra would be the best."

Wang Liang quickly responded: "Yes!"

The carriage turned into Renshoufang, only to see that the gate was extremely congested. On the left were hundreds of carriages moving in a line.

On the right are men, women, old and weak, supporting each other, coming here to "please please". There are also beggars of all kinds, dancing the lotus dance and singing auspicious words one after another.

Turning into Renshoufang, I saw the street was full of carriages and hundreds of sedan chairs. On the other side of the archway, there was a row of sheds and a long line of tables, and the Xue family servants were handing out lucky bags behind the tables.

Say a few auspicious words, kowtow towards the main gate of Xue's mansion, and take the blessing bag away.

There was a bag of rice, a few dozen coins, and some clothes for the old man and the child.

The streets were filled with patrol soldiers from the Police Patrol Department, and from time to time you could see familiar faces mixed in the crowd, most of them were from the Jinyiwei, Yiweisi and Zhenfusi.

The carriages need to line up and move forward slowly.

Wang Liang looked at the row of charity sheds and the long queue of people, and couldn't help but say, "Dad, the Xue Mansion spent a lot of money this time."

"Yang Wuhou has made a lot of money in the past few years. He has invested in Huangshan Island, Shunfeng Society, and Luanzhou Factory along with the nobles, and also has two spinning and cloth factories in Songjiang.

I've earned a lot of money, so this little expense today is just a drop in the bucket.

Oh, remember, you are going in to celebrate the birthday of the wife of the Marquis, so don’t make up any more words.”

Wang Liang quickly responded, "Dad, I'll keep it in mind. I won't make any mistakes."

Xue Baoqin was given the Red Jade Ruyi and her status as Crown Princess was confirmed, but after all, she hadn't gotten married yet, and even the six rituals hadn't started yet. It was neither right nor proper!

The Marquis's Mansion held a banquet to celebrate, and many people came to congratulate them, all under the banner of celebrating the birthday of the Marquis's wife.

Yang Jinshui lifted the car window curtain and took a look, and saw a long line of people including many young and strong beggars.

These people are lazy and hate work. They cannot do anything as hangers-on, so they simply join the "Beggars' Gang". They beg for food in the name of begging, but in fact they cheat, fraud, and commit robbery. They do not mind any way to make easy money.

"Why are there still these people? Didn't Shuntian Prefecture arrest several batches of them and send them to the Luanzhou factory? Where did they come from?"

After the factories in Luanzhou were built, there was a shortage of labor, especially young and strong labor. So Shuntian Prefecture ordered that all those young and strong people who were not doing their jobs, including these beggars, be arrested on various charges and sent to Luanzhou to work in the factories.

It can alleviate the labor shortage and promote social security, killing two birds with one stone.

This is also the inevitable path of capitalist development. It will happen in the Yin Empire, which started the first industrial revolution in history, and in the Ming Empire.

This incident also made Zhu Yijun feel that the general direction of the Ming Dynasty's current path was correct!

Wang Liang replied, "Father, the capital is densely populated and has many businesses. It is said that there are 40,000 to 50,000 people who have nothing to do. Besides, Shuntian Prefecture will send them to Luanzhou today, and tomorrow we will gather another batch from various places."

Yang Jinshui said bluntly: "Remember to inform the Shuntian Prefecture Governor Liu, and arrest them frequently. The industry and commerce of the Ming Dynasty are booming now, and what they lack is labor.

Let these young men wander around the capital, how much less money they will make! "

The ugly face of the emerging capitalists of the Ming Dynasty!
After queuing up, Yang Jinshui entered the side door of the Marquis' Mansion. Wang Liang went first to present the gift and register his name.

Xue Han hurried over upon hearing the news.

He was dressed in a flying fish suit, a footless hat on his head, with a protruding belly, and a leather belt inlaid with gold and jade, like a large round vat with a circle of patterns around it.

"Eunuch Yang, I am sorry for not welcoming you here. Please forgive me, please forgive me!"

Xue Han said with a big laugh.

These eunuchs must be served carefully.

People with disabilities are very narrow-minded, and they will feel resentful if they are not careful. And he is a close minister of the Crown Prince. If he ever says something bad about you, even you, the future father-in-law, can't bear it.

Yang Jinshui smiled and bowed, "My Lord, congratulations to you! Your family will be more glorious and your wealth will reach a new level."

Xue Han knew what Yang Jinshui was congratulating him for, and said with a smile: "You are too polite, Eunuch Yang. Congratulations to you!"

When we entered the Marquis' Mansion, it was filled with distinguished guests. In the innermost flower hall, all the nobles were sitting there, as were members of the royal family.

The leaders were Zhu Xizhong, Duke of Chengguo, Zhang Rong, Duke of Yingguo, Gu Huan, Marquis of Zhenyuan, Tang Shilong, Marquis of Lingbi, Qi Jiguang, Marquis of Fengning, Li Ming, Earl of Deping, and Chen Jingxing, Earl of Gu'an.

There were also members of the royal family such as Prince of Lu Zhu Yitan, Prince of Zhou Zhu Zaiting, Prince of Qing Zhu Yifang, Prince of Chu Zhu Ying, Prince of Dai Zhu Tingzhai, Prince of Zhao Zhu Xian, and Prince of Zheng Zhu Zaiyao.

Among them, Zhu Xian was renamed King of Zhao from King of Liao, and Zhu Zaiyao was promoted to the princely title from King of Anfu of Xiangfan and renamed King of Zheng.

Everyone was smiling and talking loudly, looking very happy.

When they saw the Shaofujian Yang Jinshui coming, everyone stood up and greeted him.

"Yang God of Wealth! I heard the magpie calling early this morning!"

"Yang God of Wealth, if there are any opportunities to make money recently, remember to tell everyone."

Everyone wanted to come forward and say a few words to him. He was like the God of Wealth in the Temple of Wealth, or the golden boy doll in the arms of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy for children. Everyone wanted to get some wealth and a good omen from him.

Yang Jinshui cupped his hands and talked to the people around him. When he looked around, everyone felt that he was smiling at them and that what he said was meant for them, like a warm spring breeze.

After exchanging some pleasantries, Yang Jinshui pretended to say a few words of congratulations to the Marquis' wife, chatted with Xue Han for a few more words, and then stood up to say goodbye.

Yang Jinshui vaguely guessed that there must be a reason why His Royal Highness the Crown Prince suddenly decided on the Crown Princess. When he went to Xue's house today, Yang Jinshui realized that His Royal Highness must have reached some kind of tacit understanding with the nobles, and then both sides staged a drama.

When I helped Song Liuli, it was also an act. So far, the effect is not bad, at least I got the Green Jade Ruyi.

Xue Han knew that Yang Jinshui had a special status, and that his presence was a good thing. He would not keep him for long, nor would he force him. He personally sent him to the gate of the Marquis' Mansion and sent him and Wang Liang onto the carriage.

As soon as Yang Jinshui's carriage left, another carriage stopped in front of the Marquis's mansion and a man got off. Xue Han was stunned for a moment, then his face was filled with smiles.

"Oh, Eunuch Feng, your presence brings honor to our humble residence!"

In the carriage that was going away, Wang Liang said to Yang Jinshui: "Dad, someone just found my son secretly."

"Who?"

"Li Chen, the trusted aide of the Minister Zhao Zhongcheng."

Li Chen was the son-in-law of Zhang Yue, the Prince's Guardian who was in charge of military affairs in Huguang, Guizhou and Sichuan during the Jiajing period and who quelled the Guizhou-Miao Rebellion in western Hunan and Sichuan.

In the 30th year of the reign of Emperor Jiajing, Zhao Zhenji angered Emperor Jiajing and was beaten with 40 canes in the court and demoted to the post of Dianshi of Libo, Qingyuan, Guangxi. On the way, he fell ill, was exhausted in both wisdom and courage, and was extremely embarrassed, and almost committed suicide.

Fortunately, with the care and support of Guangxi Inspector Wang Zongmu and Zhang Yue, he was able to escape from the predicament and return to the court.

The two of them can be said to be Zhao Zhenji's benefactors.

Zhao Zhenji was introduced into the Western Garden by Emperor Jiajing to set up the Coordination Office. After becoming Zhu Yijun's trusted minister, he rose rapidly and took good care of Wang Zongmu.

Zhang Yue died early, and Zhao Zhenji showed great favor to his descendants. When Li Chen failed the imperial examination, he was hired as Zhao Zhenji's aide and became Zhao Zhenji's confidant and spokesperson.

Yang Jinshui asked: "What did Li Chen tell you?"

"It is said that Zeng Shengwu of the Censorate gathered a group of censors to impeach Gao Gong."

"Impeach Gao Gong?" Yang Jinshui understood.

Wang Liang still didn't quite understand.

"Father, Zeng Xingwu is a student of Zhang Shuda. What is his intention in impeaching the Gaoge Department?"

"We can use the incident of the Kong family in Shandong to dampen Gao Xinzheng's arrogance." Yang Jinshui shook his head, "But Gao Da Huzi, what arrogance does he have now?"

Wang Liang was a little anxious, "Dad, the Gaoge Department is in the outer court and is in contact with Dad. If he is driven out of the cabinet, it will be difficult to deal with."

"Silly child. The ministers come and go, but Diao Yan remains forever. It's easy to find ministers in the outer court, but it's not so easy to find Diao Yan in the inner court who is willing to cooperate. Why are you panicking?

Zhao Zhongcheng asked someone to find you, so he must have a plan. But he and I cannot meet without permission.

Let me think of a solution.”

(End of this chapter)