I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 736: Just these scraps?

Hearing that Zhu Xizhong and Gu Huan were personally named by the Emperor, Xu Qiaosong, who was kneeling in front with his head down, flashed a look of pride on his face. He secretly glanced at his good friends Guo Dacheng and Zhu Gang, who were kneeling on his left and right.

We will act according to the plan and proceed to the second step later. We need to make the water as muddy as possible. Could it be possible that the Emperor will kill all of us nobles?
Guo Dacheng and Zhu Gang received the signal, nodded slightly, and secretly passed the signal to their accomplices Li Huan, Chen Daji, Tan Guozuo, Sun Wendong, and Fang Yingqi on both sides.

We must all work together and move in unison. Now that we have come this far, we must not slack off and must work together to push aside those who are standing in our way.

If they fall, won't we emerge?
Sensing that the atmosphere was not right, Zhu Xizhong and Gu Huan looked at each other. Zhu Xizhong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have unfilial descendants in my family. I cannot escape the blame, but I dare not rashly ask the emperor for forgiveness."

Zhu Yijun smiled, pointed at the nobles kneeling in a row in front of him and said, "Marquis Yongkang and Marquis Wuding both admitted their crimes and pleaded guilty. Why did Duke Chengguo say that he dared not plead guilty to me rashly?"

He seemed to be smiling when he said this, but his tone was stern.

The clear voice echoed in the hall and entered everyone's ears.

Xu Qiaosong and others who were kneeling on the ground couldn't help but be secretly overjoyed. Well, the emperor has already developed disgust towards Zhu Xizhong and his gang. We will add fuel to the fire later and kick them directly into the fire pit, making it impossible for them to turn over again!
Zhu Xizhong replied slowly: "In response to the emperor's words, I think that asking the emperor for forgiveness at this time is actually an excuse, an excuse for the sins of myself and my sons and nephews."

Xu Qiaosong was furious when he heard this, like a mouse whose tail had been stepped on. He straightened his upper body, turned his head and glared at Zhu Xizhong.

"Duke Chengguo, we are grateful for the emperor's grace for generations, and we are cautious in everything, fearing that we will fail the emperor's grace. Now I heard that my nephews and nephews committed crimes, and I was deeply troubled and asked the emperor for punishment with great fear and trepidation. How come you are using this as an excuse?
Duke Chengguo, you are calling a horse a deer and confusing right and wrong. This is really too much."

Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji couldn't help but turn their bodies slightly and watch the nobles on their left "biting each other". It would have been better if the eunuchs brought a plate of melon seeds at this time.

Other nobles who were unaware of the situation, such as Duke of Yingguo Zhang Yong, Marquis of Lingbi Tang Shilong, Marquis of Dingxi Jiang You, Marquis of Linhuai Li Tingzhu, Earl of Pingjiang Chen Wangmo and others, looked at Zhu Xizhong and Xu Qiaosong in surprise, feeling that something was wrong.

During this period, Hu Zongxian fell ill and the selection of the chief military official was still undecided, which made some people feel like they had grown grass in their hearts. Many nobles believed that Emperor Wanli wanted to restore the ancestral system of the second ancestor, with nobles commanding the army and civil officials governing the government.

So they were ready to make a move, as if they, as members of the nobility, could share this power. There were even people like Xu Qiaosong who thought that if they could overthrow Zhu Xizhong, Gu Huan and others who stood in their way, they could move up.

How can it be!

In the past, they only fought openly and secretly in private, but now they have directly torn their faces apart and fought in the Tai Chi Hall.

Zhang Yong, Tang Shilong, Jiang You, Zhu Gang, Chen Wangmo and other nobles looked at each other secretly, feeling helpless.

By fighting like this, aren't you giving the Emperor an opportunity?
But today's situation is also the result of the emperor's step-by-step guidance.

The ministers all had their own thoughts and complicated expressions.

Xu Qiaosong's voice was clear, full of energy, and full of righteousness.

The old Zhu Xizhong stood there, like a pine tree, unmoved by the wind from all directions.

"Marquis Yongkang, this is wrong. This case has just been investigated and the police department has not yet handed it over to the procuratorate to review the case files and examine the laws. It has not yet been submitted to the Court of Justice for investigation and sentencing.

The case has not been tried, reviewed, or finally adjudicated yet, but you have rushed out to plead guilty to the emperor. You are asking for mercy outside the law. You are really calculating, asking the emperor to interfere with the judiciary for your own selfish reasons.

Xu Qiaosong's face turned pale, and he didn't know whether he was angry or scared. He said sternly: "Duke Cheng, don't talk nonsense. We know our crimes, so we apologize to the emperor and beg the emperor to punish us.

Which ear did you hear that we want the emperor to show mercy outside the law and interfere with the judiciary?"

After saying this, he turned to Zhu Yijun and said loudly: "Your Majesty, what Duke Cheng said just now was clearly a case of calling a deer a horse and confusing right and wrong. I beg Your Majesty to make the decision for me."

Zhu Xizhong laughed, stroked his silver beard and said, "You are begging the emperor to make the decision for you, and you are pressing him step by step.

Just now, Prefect Pan made it clear that the people involved in the case are our nephews and nephews, not me, Zhu Xizhong, nor you, Xu Qiaosong. The Procuratorate and the Court will investigate the case, and the Court of Justice will make a final decision after the third review.

Marquis Yongkang, nothing has been decided yet, yet you are rushing to jump out and take on everything, taking the blame for your sons and nephews' crimes on yourself and asking for forgiveness to the emperor. What crime are you asking for?

Are you apologizing to your children and nephews, or to yourselves?"

Xu Qiaosong was speechless for a moment.

Yes. Your sons and nephews committed crimes, and the procuratorate and the court handled them. You ran to the Taiji Hall and pleaded for them in front of the emperor. Are you crazy?
Are you apologizing for your own crimes? Isn't that just admitting that you are also involved in the crime?
Xu Qiaosong and Guo Dacheng looked at each other in panic.

Looking at the expressions of the two men, Zhu Gang, Marquis of Funing, who was standing next to them, felt contempt.

What can I accomplish by hanging out with bugs like you?

He said calmly, "Duke Chengguo, we are asking the emperor to apologize for not disciplining us properly. Please don't confuse us and throw dirty water on us."

Xu Qiaosong, Guo Dacheng and others were overjoyed, as if relieved, and said one after another: "Yes, yes, we are asking the emperor to apologize for not disciplining our children properly."

After saying this, he looked at Zhu Xizhong smugly.

You old man, you almost led us into trouble. Fortunately, Zhu Gang was smart and pointed it out immediately, and pulled us back.

Zhang Juzheng and other civil officials glanced at Zhu Gang with flickering eyes, and then looked at Zhu Xizhong involuntarily, waiting for his answer.

The other nobles also looked at him.

Zhu Xizhong stroked his beard and stood there. His cloudy eyes rolled around a few times, with a look of sudden enlightenment on his face.

"Oh, so it's the fault of not disciplining the child strictly! I am old and confused, and I didn't come to my senses for a while. I made unreasonable arguments in front of the emperor. I beg the emperor to forgive me, and I also beg the Yongkang Marquis and other colleagues to forgive me."

Zhang Juzheng, Zhao Zhenji and Tan Lun looked at each other and couldn't help but smile.

This old fox!
Xu Qiaosong, Guo Dacheng and other nobles who knelt on the ground to apologize were either surprised that the old man finally knew his mistake; or they were puzzled, thinking that this old man was coming with such a strong momentum, but he retreated at the slightest obstacle. How could it be possible? What was he up to?
Zhu Gang’s face turned pale.

Damn, I fell into the trap of this old fox! I exposed myself!

In the past, he hid behind the scenes and instigated Xu Qiaosong and Guo Dacheng to rush to the front. Even if something happened, he was just an accomplice and would be given a light sentence.

But today he fell into a trap. Zhu Xizhong forced Xu Qiaosong and Guo Dacheng into danger with just a few words. He was worried that the situation would not be good, so he spoke up to rescue Xu Qiaosong and Guo Dacheng in a hurry.

The moment you speak out, you'll be exposed.

The Emperor, Prime Minister Zhang Juzheng, Chief Censor Zhao Zhenji, Assistant Cabinet Manager and Minister of War Tan Lun, and other ministers present, including Wang Chonggu, Pan Sheng, and Pan Yinglong, which one of them would not become a spirit if he got involved with hair?
As soon as I said this, they immediately understood that Xu Qiaosong and Guo Dacheng were just shields, and I was the mastermind behind the scenes.

Zhu Gang felt extremely regretful.

A slip of the tongue can lead to eternal regret!
He looked viciously at Zhu Xizhong who was standing there leisurely, and wished he could rush up and bite the old man to death.

Zhu Yijun sat on the throne, watching this wonderful scene with great interest and taking in the expressions of everyone.

His eyes first moved around Zhu Xizhong and Gu Huan.

There is a reason why the Emperor values ​​these two people.

Able to work steadily and smart enough. The ability to work is one thing, and being smart and not getting into trouble is another.

Then Zhu Yijun's gaze fell on Zhu Gang, Xu Qiaosong, Guo Dacheng and other nobles who were kneeling on the ground.

These are the fish I caught myself. After Hu Zongxian fell ill, he delayed choosing the chief military officer because he wanted to fish.

Those who are interested can see the mystery here, but there are not so many sober people in the world. Most of them are blinded by greed. They only believe the information they are willing to believe, and believe that they are only one opportunity away from success.

As soon as I gave them the opportunity, they all jumped out like wild dogs on a break.

After I had pruned the royal family and the civil officials, I had always wanted to prune the nobles as well.

That's right, he wanted to restore the "ancestral system", with civil and military officials divided into left and right, each responsible for military and national affairs. The nobles were the soul of the military generals, the leaders of the military generals, and the preferred candidates for managing military affairs.

But I don't need so many nobles.

From the Hongwu and Yongle periods to the Zhengtong, Jingtai, Tianshun and Hongzhi periods, there were a total of sixty military nobles who were canonized.

In order to expand his territory, he would have to confer titles on at least fifty nobles including earls or above, which would add up to a total of hundreds of them, and the title would be hereditary and passed down from generation to generation.

It feels like a bit too much!

We must start with the old nobles.

But this matter is of great importance, and any carelessness will affect the hearts of the people in the new and old noble groups.

There must be a legitimate reason for the teaching.

Even if everyone knows your little tricks, things must be done openly and aboveboard.

Taking advantage of the Huai Salt Case, the seven noble families in Nanjing, led by Duke Wei, were removed, and the rest of the noble families who were based in Nanjing were all relocated to the capital. Then, the three major cases involving the royal family and Jiangnan, as well as other cases, were rectified, and six noble families were implicated. With solid evidence and a final verdict after three trials, all of them were stripped of their titles.

Before they knew it, thirteen families of the old nobles had been stripped of their titles, and they had to make further efforts.

Hu Zongxian had been in poor health, so he planned to retire and recuperate at the end of the year, and had even arranged a residence for him.

A large villa area is being built at the foot of Xiangshan Mountain on the shore of West Lake in Beijing. All of them have their own doors and courtyards, with traditional styles as well as new styles that have been perfected by the company's own drawings and designs.

There is a large wall outside, where the security guards are responsible for security, and there is also a hospital and a water plant inside.
In the future, it will be the place where important military and national officials retire and live out their days.

Hu Zongxian, Li Chunfang, Zhang Juzheng, Zhao Zhenji, and Tan Lun. They would not be as harsh as their ancestors, requiring these ministers to work hard until death, retire after working in the Advisory Bureau for ten years, or retire early due to health reasons, and then go there to retire.

When conditions are right, these important officials can go to Luanzhou, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, and Nanjing to retire, but they cannot return to their hometowns.

Retired officials of the third rank and above live in the two capitals, directly-governed prefectures and provincial capitals; officials of the fifth rank and above live in county towns; officials of the seventh rank and above live in county towns. This is an iron rule.

Gentry, you must retire and return to your hometown. Only when you stand out from the crowd can you become a gentry and control the local area.

However, he did not expect that Hu Zongxian suddenly fell ill, which disrupted his deployment and he had to proceed ahead of schedule.

But so far, it's going pretty well.

Pan Yinglong investigated tax evasion and tax avoidance and found out all the valuables of the nobles.

That was on the surface; secretly the East Factory and the Commercial Investigation Bureau were investigating quietly.

Everything is ready, the real test will be shown in the Tai Chi Hall today.

However, Zhu Xizhong's trick of luring the snake out of its hole just now really opened his eyes.

Older gingers are more spicy.

Based on the intelligence from the East Factory and the Commercial Investigation Bureau, he was still a little vague about the main culprit behind the scenes and was not sure.

Now, Zhu Gang himself came out to expose the truth, which made him sure of his mistake.

Next is this major case, and the scope of its control.

In other words, these old nobles took the opportunity to eliminate most of them and leave only a small part, or eliminated some and left some.

Some hesitation.

Zhu Yijun thought about it for a long time, and followed Zhu Xizhong's words, waved his hand and said: "If a son is not well educated, it is the fault of the father. As the head of a prefecture, you must be held accountable for not disciplining him strictly, but not today. Wait until the court and the procuratorate have made a verdict. Get up and go back to class first."

Xu Qiaosong, Guo Dacheng and others responded one after another: "Thank you, and obey your order!"

Zhu Gang's face turned pale, he stood up shakily, lowered his head and bent his waist slightly, and followed Xu Qiaosong and others back to the team of nobles.

But he is like a firefly in the dark night. No matter how low-key he is, he is still stared at by everyone.

Zhu Gang gritted his teeth, puffed his cheeks, looked at his nose and his heart, looking like a dead pig that is not afraid of boiling water.

Zhu Yijun glanced at him and asked, "Pan Yinglong, what else have you found out? Keep talking."

“In reply to the emperor, I have discovered illegal income of 7 million yen, totaling 5.76 million yen, which flowed into the accounts of 14 people including Xu Wenshuo, Guo Yingyong, Zhu Yingzhen, and Gu Chengzu.

I checked the accounts of the four people at Huijin Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, and ICBC Bank, and after adding up the money in and out, I found that they were correct.

Pan Yinglong talked a lot about how the sons and nephews of noble families committed crimes and obtained illegal gains.

After listening to this, Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji couldn't help but narrow their eyes slightly.

That’s all?

It is not uncommon for the sons and nephews of noble families to commit crimes, but it is rare for them to abide by the law. They are capable of colluding with ruffians and gangs, supporting prostitutes and gambling, and bullying the market.

However, such crimes had no lethal effect on the nobles. At most, they would be reprimanded and fined for half a year.

These nephews and nieces of nobles who were found out were either nephews or illegitimate sons, nephews or distant grandsons. All of them could be abandoned. There was not a single legitimate son or grandson or promising child.

Do you think it's such a coincidence?

After Pan Yinglong finished speaking, Zhu Yijun asked, "That's all."

"Your Majesty, this is the case I have found, and I have reported it to you in full."

There was silence in the Taiji Hall. The wind blew the copper bells on the eaves outside the hall, making a tinkling sound.

"I found something different."

As soon as Zhu Yijun finished speaking, the faces of the ministers in the Taiji Hall changed.

Your Majesty, you are such a scoundrel, you use this trick again!
(End of this chapter)