Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 442: Keep it simple (ask for monthly tickets!)
Ni Yue was imprisoned.

Even he himself did not expect that as soon as he returned home, the Jinyiwei people came to his door and took him away.

On the contrary, Li Hua, the director of the Imperial Observatory, is fine for the time being.

The main reason why Ni Yue was imprisoned this time was not because the location of the imperial mausoleum was wrong, but because he had previously colluded with Liang Fang and others to murder the prince, and he was corrupt and accepted bribes.

The next day was the coronation ceremony of the new emperor.

Obviously Ni Yue couldn't catch up.

After Ni Yue was put into the imperial prison, Qin Chang, under the "guidance" of Huai'en, interrogated Ni Yue. The method he adopted was very simple and crude, which was to take Ni Yue to confront Deng Chang'en and make things clear in person.

No matter how enjoyable the quarrel between the two sides was, many details of bribery were still revealed through such face-to-face questioning, and even the names of the people involved in giving the gifts were exposed. At that time, all they had to do was bring these people back for interrogation, and the truth would basically come to light.

The coronation ceremony the next day was kept simple.

After all, it was still the mourning period for Zhu Jianshen, and Zhu Youtang was dressed in mourning clothes. The place he chose to ascend the throne was not the Qianqing Palace or the Fengtian Hall, but still the Wenhua Hall.

It was also because Zhu Youtang was more socially anxious. People with social anxiety were afraid of going to unfamiliar places, but he was relatively familiar with the Wenhua Hall and felt more relaxed, so he chose to complete the coronation ceremony in the Wenhua Hall... There were many ministers present, and basically all officials above the fifth rank in Beijing were present.

There were many military heroes in Beijing attending the event, but in order to prevent any accidents from happening when the young emperor ascended the throne, many military heroes in charge had to stay at their posts.

Because it was just a formality, there were not many military officials present at the moment.

The leaders of the military honors are Duke of Yingzhou Zhang Mao and Duke of Baoguo Zhu Yong. The civil officials are headed by Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet Wan An and Liu Ji. The presence of Minister of Personnel Li Yu is not high because there are currently many criticisms against him in the court.

The famous proverb in the court, "Eight hundred officials promoted Li Yu, and three thousand officials recommended Peng Hua," began to spread widely.

In the past, Li Yu was the Minister of Personnel, and no one dared to discuss him openly. But now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, it is time to reshuffle the court. Li Yu has become the target of public criticism, as if all the ministers in the court know that if they want to restore the order of the court, they must completely eradicate Li Zisheng and his party.

The most powerful person in Li Zisheng's party is the Minister of Personnel Li Yu, so Li Yu must be taken action against no matter what.

In fact, although Li Yu was recommended by Li Zisheng to take the position, he was not very close to Li Zisheng after he took charge of the Ministry of Personnel. This can also be regarded as a kind of factionalism.

Li Yu himself felt very aggrieved. I did not give any gifts to Li Zisheng, nor did I collude with Deng Changen and others, and I did not rashly promote others because of accepting massive bribes... Although the Ministry of Personnel was in a mess, that was because the late emperor relied on Li Zisheng to make money. What does it have to do with me?
The coronation ceremony proceeded in an orderly manner.

After all the ministers shouted "Long live the emperor" three times and knelt down to pay their respects, Zhu Youtang officially became the ninth emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

As it was still the mourning period for the late emperor, there were no court meetings scheduled today. However, Li Yu still took the initiative to submit a letter of resignation. Among so many officials present, he was the most eager to leave the court.

……

……

As the ceremony ended, Zhu Youtang had to return to Fengtian Hall to observe mourning, and the ministers had to return to their respective offices.

Li Zisheng and Zhang Luan walked out of the palace together. Halfway through the journey, Li Zisheng turned his head and asked, "Do you see anything unusual about today's situation?"

Zhang Luan thought for a moment and replied, "Ni Yue didn't come."

"He was imprisoned."

Li Zisheng had a gloating expression on his face and shook his head, "He himself is not clean, but he still wants to show off, without even considering his own abilities.

"I heard that His Majesty summoned him and Li Hua yesterday and questioned them for a long time. As a result, not long after they left the palace, they were arrested by the Imperial Guards and sent to the Imperial Prison. They have not come out yet."

Zhang Luan asked in surprise: "So fast?"

Li Zisheng said, "Laizhan, I'm not saying anything bad about you, but you need to arrange some spies... Logically, you know a lot of people in the palace, even Eunuch Chen Gui respects you very much, you have to establish some connections with them, so that if there is any movement in the court, they will inform you immediately."

"It's not so bad, is it?"

Zhang Luan was somewhat puzzled and frowned as he asked, "Didn't they say that foreign officials cannot casually contact eunuchs?"

Li Zisheng curled his lips and said, "It's just an excuse to attack you... When you fall from power, no matter whether you have made friends with eunuchs or not, this crime will be added to your list... In short, as long as you are unlucky, any blame can be put on you. As the saying goes, you can always find a pretext to accuse someone of something.
"But... as long as you hold a high position in the court and control the fate of others, no one will care about these things... You just need to keep a low profile on weekdays."

Zhang Luan smiled bitterly.

He thought to himself, now that I'm close to you, people look at me differently. If I continue to have close contacts with the eunuchs in the palace, I probably won't be able to stay in the court anymore... The spit alone can drown me!

Li Zisheng asked, "Who is most eager to resign and return home today?"

"Minister Li?"

Zhang Luan finished speaking and then added a note and asked, "Are you talking about the Minister Li from the Ministry of Personnel?"

"It's him. He is suffering a lot of criticism now... Since Deng Chang'en was imprisoned, many people have been implicated... Fortunately, I listened to you since last year and didn't have any contact with Deng Chang'en, so I avoided being implicated. But some people can't get away so easily." Li Zisheng sighed.

Zhang Luan frowned: "Are you saying that Li Yu was implicated by Deng Changen?"

Li Zisheng looked puzzled, as if asking, "Are you not pretending to be confused in front of me again?"
"Laizhan, don't you know that Li Yu actually has nothing to do with Deng Chang'en? The reason why he has a bad reputation is that he has some friendship with Wan'an and is close to me? Who do you want to say he is implicated by...it should be me."

Li Zisheng has always been very honest in front of Zhang Luan.

Zhang Luan smiled bitterly and said, "How could this happen?"

"Don't disbelieve it."

Li Zisheng said seriously, "Although there are many impeachments against me now, it has not reached its worst point yet... Before public opinion finally explodes on a large scale, their primary goal is to cut off the wings they think I have in the court, and Li Yu is the first one to be targeted."

"what!?"

Zhang Luan continued to look shocked.

Li Zisheng rolled his eyes at him and said speechlessly, "You are not really ignorant of these disputes in the court, are you? I don't know what to say to you... Oh, by the way, do you have any plans for today?"

"No... Do you have any explanation?"

Zhang Luan asked in confusion.

Li Zisheng wanted to laugh, but he realized that he was in the palace and all the ministers were wearing mourning clothes to attend the emperor's coronation ceremony. He could not smile on his face in such a solemn moment.

After looking around, Li Zisheng leaned close to Zhang Luan's ear and whispered, "After leaving the palace, go back to your home first. Of course, just say hello to your family and don't let your wife and children worry... After noon, come to my other courtyard and I'll show you something good."

Zhang Luan asked, "What is it that is so mysterious?" "Just tell me clearly."

Li Zisheng continued in a low voice, "The person who was impeached the most severely in the court this time was not Li Yu, but former cabinet minister Peng Hua. His son has always had a grudge against you. Do you remember this?"

"Of course I remember. Didn't they say that the guy had been convicted and exiled?" Zhang Luan asked in confusion.

Li Zisheng shook his head. "Peng Hua is fine there. Even if he retired, he still has his students and friends in the court. Who dares to touch his son? His son was previously under house arrest in a house somewhere in the capital. This time, he was sentenced to death, and his family members were also confiscated and confiscated by the government. I got the official documents from the Ministry of Justice and brought his family members out."

"This...this..."

Zhang Luan suddenly became restless again.

He remembered what his son had said to him before. Now Li Zisheng was doing everything he could to curry his favor with him. It could be said that he was trying his best to please him.

Zhang Luan wondered to himself, is this what it feels like to have power?
I have known Li Zisheng for quite some time. In the past, even if he thought highly of me, he would just give me a house, some maids, servants and actors. At that time, he needed me to help him consolidate his favor with the emperor, so he acted very generously.

Now, with the passing of the late emperor, he has lost all his support and has to rely on me to maintain his power, so he has become more generous!

"Come and see."

Li Zisheng said seriously, "There are some things I need to make clear to you."

Zhang Luan couldn't help laughing and raised his hand, saying, "Please speak."

"Calm down, aren't you afraid of being seen with this expression?" Li Zisheng warned, "This is extremely disrespectful."

"Yes Yes."

Zhang Luan quickly put away the smile on his face.

But he was very happy in his heart.

Li Zisheng said, "You have some conflicts with Peng Hua's son Peng Mianfu, but he is still the younger generation and has treated you with courtesy in front of others. You can't be too harsh."

Zhang Luan blinked.

I thought to myself, what do you mean?
On the one hand, he brought his family out and gave them to me, and on the other hand, he told me not to be too drastic?

"You have to consider your own face." Li Zisheng said, "Especially in front of others, you have to restrain your thoughts and not let others know about your unique habit."

"what?"

Zhang Luan lowered his head and said with a guilty look on his face, "That's true."

Li Zisheng said again: "I have already placed the person outside the city. After you meet me, I will take you out of the city to have a look... Remember not to let others know your true identity."

"How can this be hidden?"

Zhang Luan asked blankly.

Li Zisheng explained: "We are leaving in disguise, and you don't reveal your identity. My servants outside the city don't even know who you are. Who would reveal your identity?"

"Right."

Zhang Luan thought, you are the boss, whatever you say goes.

Li Zisheng said again: "I'll give you a few days to experience it. After a few days, these people will be exiled to Jiangnan and serve as the Nanjing Jiaofangsi. Don't be reluctant to stay."

"oh!?"

Zhang Luan was a little confused again.

Li Zisheng said unhappily, "I just want you to know that women are something you can try occasionally, but don't be greedy... How many great men throughout history have fallen for women? Do you want to marry them and live with them?"

Zhang Luan suddenly thought, why does the tone of your speech, Li Zisheng, sound so similar to that of my son?

Didn’t you say you came to curry favor with me?
Why are you starting to scold me?

Even so, you still dare to say you are trying to please me?

But now you are the boss, you have more connections and channels than me, and you can do what I like...

You are awesome, you have the final say!

"It makes sense."

Zhang Luan is a brave man who can bend and stretch himself. In order to achieve his ambitions, he can endure what others cannot endure.

Li Zisheng said, "That's good to know... Come meet me in the afternoon, and we can discuss some things on the way. For now, let's see how to preserve the power I have built up over the years and gradually transfer it to your name so that you can use it."

Zhang Luan asked: "Will this work...?"

Obviously Zhang Luan didn't want to take over Li Zisheng's power.

What he was thinking was that you, Li Zisheng, are now the target of public criticism, and everyone knows that your days are numbered. Even if you are not convicted and beheaded, you have to go back to being a Taoist priest.

If you leave your political resources to me, isn't that cheating me?

Li Zisheng said, "My so-called influence is nothing more than my connections and tentacles... Just like Li Yu, my connection with him is just that I recommended him to be the Minister of Personnel... If he can keep his current position, you can promote people who are loyal to you in the future. Don't you need this convenience? Even Xu Qiong... the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was cultivated by me. Don't you want to interact with him more?"

"what?"

Zhang Luan finally understood.

It turns out that the so-called forces sound mysterious, but are actually very common. It is only because they have some connection with Lizi Province that these people have become dangerous people.

If Zhang Luan could recruit him in the future, he would definitely be able to accomplish great things.

(The last two days of this month, please support me with monthly tickets, thank you!)

(End of this chapter)