I am a temporary worker in Jinyiwei, how did I become a powerful official?

Chapter 220 The Japanese pirates have been quelled; my life is complete! (End of Yunnan Horse Chronicles)
An ancient sage named Xu once said: To live is to do meaningful things, and to do meaningful things is to live well.

What constitutes a meaningful thing?
A true man carries a three-foot sword, roaming the world, serving his country and protecting the people. That is what makes life meaningful.

For the next year, Lin Shisan devoted all his energy to intelligence work against the Japanese. He traveled between Southern Zhili, Zhejiang, and Fujian.

Sometimes, he would stay up for days and nights without sleep in order to obtain a single piece of information.

Life was tough, but joyful. He knew that what he had done would leave a significant mark on history. His name might not be mentioned in history, but he was willing to accept it.

In that year, the situation in the Southeast had changed dramatically.

After achieving nine victories in Taizhou, the newly appointed Zhejiang Military Commander Qi Jiguang recruited soldiers from Yiwu to expand the Qi Family Army. He then led 6,000 Qi Family Army soldiers and Dai Chongxiao's troops from Wenzhou to fight in Fujian.

First battle at Hengyu Island: A resounding victory!

On the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Qi Jiguang wrote the eternally famous "Triumphant Song". Music was composed by renowned scholars of Fujian, and "Triumphant Song" became the military song of Qi Jiguang's army.

The people of Fujian brought food and drink to comfort Qi Jiguang's army, sending them a large amount of food as military supplies. Among them was a type of baked flatbread, which was sweet and savory and was called "Jiguang Flatbread" by the people of Fujian.

It was later simply called "Guangbing" and has been passed down for hundreds of years.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Qi Jiguang led his army south and fought another battle at Niutian, achieving a great victory!

Ten days later, the third battle of Lindun was won!

At that time, a small group of Japanese pirates caused trouble in Zhejiang again. Qi Jiguang led his troops back to Zhejiang. The Japanese pirates in Fujian sighed: "Qi the Tiger is finally gone."

That's right, the Japanese pirates gave Qi Jiguang the name "Qi Hu" (戚虎).

After the piracy in Zhejiang was quelled, Qi Jiguang's army entered Fujian for the second time and won four battles at Pinghaiwei, achieving a great victory!

Five battles against Xianyou, a great victory!
In Fujian, they won five battles in a row, annihilating approximately 12,000 Japanese pirates. Qi Jiguang's army suffered only 63 dead and 102 seriously wounded.

These five major victories marked the complete pacification of the Japanese pirate raids in southeastern China.

A complete victory has finally been achieved! A feat to be accomplished for all ages!
It was an autumn night in the forty-first year of the Jiajing reign (1552), outside Xianyou City.

Lin Shisan rode a horse, stood on a high place, and watched the Qi Family Army return in triumph.

The soldiers of Qi Jiguang's army held torches high, their flames forming a formidable Great Wall of iron and blood. This Great Wall would protect the peace of the Ming Dynasty's coastal and frontier regions for a long time to come.

Until the historic scene of "Tomorrow we will receive our pay at the drill ground, and we do not need to wear armor" unfolded.

The soldiers of Qi Jiguang's army sang a triumphant song: "With one heart and one mind, even mountains can be shaken. With loyalty and righteousness, our spirit soars to the heavens!"

"My commander loves me more than my parents. If I violate military law, I will be deprived of my freedom!"

"Orders are clear, rewards and punishments are swift. Facing fire and water, we dare not linger!"

"I will report to the Emperor above and save the common people below. I will slaughter all the Japanese invaders and seek a title of nobility!"

Twenty-seven-year-old Lin Shisan sat on his horse, tears welling in his eyes. The great cause of resisting the Japanese pirates had achieved complete victory today!

The efforts of those loyal ministers and generals who worked for decades to quell the Japanese pirate raids in the southeast have not been in vain.

Countless martyrs did not sacrifice their lives in vain.

Since the thirty-fourth year of the Jiajing reign, when he began searching for the dog for the famous official Gao Zhong, Lin Shisan had experienced seven years of ups and downs in his official career.

He is no longer the fair-skinned, handsome young man he once was. The scorching sun of the southeastern coast has tanned his skin dark.

He became increasingly mature in officialdom.

However, others always seem to think that the higher one's official rank, the smaller one's conscience becomes.

But he did the opposite; the higher his official rank rose, the greater his conscience became.

After Lin Shisan returned to the Fuzhou camp with Qi Jiguang's army, he awaited the imperial decree of reward from the court. Strangely, there was no news for two months.

That day, he had just stepped out of his tent when he saw a fat knight galloping towards him on horseback.

Upon seeing Lin Shisan, the knight pulled on the reins and dismounted.

The knight is Sun Yue, Lin Shisan's fat apprentice.

Sun Yue said, "The pigeon station received a message from the capital. Master, something big has happened in the capital."

Lin Shisan asked, "What serious incident has occurred?"

Sun Yue replied: "The Yan family father and son were impeached by the censor Zou Yinglong. His Majesty ordered the three judicial departments to conduct a joint trial, and Yan Shifan was sentenced to exile in Leizhou, Guangdong. Yan Song was dismissed from his post and reduced to commoner status."

Lin Shisan remained silent after hearing this. This day had finally come!
The fall of Yan's faction after the pacification of the southeast was something any discerning person could predict. But Lin Shisan never expected that day to come so soon.

Two days later, the eunuch Yang Jinshui arrived in Xianyou City.

Yang Jinshui first read out the imperial edict. All soldiers of the Qi Family Army were promoted one rank, and all officers and soldiers were awarded fifty taels of silver.

Qi Jiguang was promoted three ranks and appointed as the Right Army Commander-in-Chief, and was actually appointed as the General of Fujian.

In the imperial edict, Emperor Jiajing spared no praise for Qi Jiguang: "Your military skills are divine; you are not only a tiger minister of today, but also a famous general throughout history."

After the imperial edict of bestowal was read aloud, Lin Shisan asked Yang Jinshui, "Eunuch Yang, what is the court's response to Minister Hu?"

Yang Jinshui sighed: "Lin Shisan, receive the imperial decree."

Lin Shisan knelt down: "Your subject receives the imperial decree."

Yang Jinshui said: "Imperial Edict. Lin Shisan, the Commander of the Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard, was diligent in intelligence gathering against the Japanese pirates. His contributions to the successful resistance against the Japanese are indispensable. However…"

Upon hearing the word "however," Yang Jinshui sighed and then continued to proclaim the imperial decree: "However, Lin Shisan has made friends with treacherous officials and has become sworn brothers with the powerful and treacherous Yan Shifan and Luo Longwen."

"I will reward merit and punish demerit. I demote Lin Shisan to the rank of Commander of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the capital."

"Hu Zongxian, the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili, is a key member of the treacherous party. Although he has made contributions in suppressing the Japanese pirates, he is affiliated with Yan Song and his son. He is hereby dismissed from all his official posts."

"The newly appointed Commander Lin Shisan of the Northern Garrison is hereby ordered to go to Hangzhou and escort Hu Zongxian back to the capital. This is the imperial decree."

Lin Shisan and Qi Jiguang stood there, dumbfounded.

Yang Jinshui quickly explained, "His Majesty is very determined to overthrow Yan. However, Yan's faction has been operating in the court for many years and is deeply entrenched."

"His Majesty dismissed Hu Zongxian from office to tell the world that all officials who are part of the Yan faction will be severely punished. Even someone as important as Hu Zongxian will be punished."

"Hu Zongxian has done so much in the southeast and offended so many people. There are countless people in the court who wish they could kill him."

"His Majesty ordered my thirteenth brother to escort Hu Zongxian to the capital. This was to ensure his safety along the way, lest those demons and monsters assassinate him."

Lin Shisan said through gritted teeth, "Don't worry, Eunuch Yang. I will make sure Minister Hu arrives in the capital safely. Anyone who dares to plot to assassinate the pillar of the southeast, I will exhaust all my energy to kill their entire family."

Yang Jinshui nodded: "Alright." Then he added: "His Majesty has granted me the title of Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial and transferred me to the position of Eunuch Garrison Commander of Zhejiang. There is an imperial decree that the Qi Family Army is the Zhejiang Army, while Qi Jiguang is the General Commander of Fujian. They are not under each other's command."

"Order Qi Jiguang's army to be immediately transferred back to Zhejiang and temporarily placed under the command of Yang Jinshui, the eunuch in charge of Zhejiang."

Lin Shisan blurted out, "Does His Majesty intend to strip Commander Qi of his military power?"

Yang Jinshui stared at Qi Jiguang beside him: "General Qi, don't misunderstand. Never mind, I can't keep making up this lie."

"Hu Zongxian was Yan Song's man, and you, Commander Qi, were Hu Zongxian's man. Now that Yan Song's faction has fallen, you will naturally be the one to suffer the consequences."

"Originally, the officials of the Six Ministries submitted a joint memorial, demanding that you and Hu Zongxian be arrested and brought to the capital. However, His Majesty overruled the objections, not only sparing your life but also promoting you to the position of General of Fujian. He only stripped you of your military power." "General Qi, let me tell you the truth. Once this upheaval of overthrowing Yan is over, His Majesty will return the military power of the Qi Family Army to you."

Lin Shisan angrily said, "Isn't this a case of 'when the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked'? I'm going to submit a memorial to the throne."

Yang Jinshui cried out, "Lin Shisan, calm down! Do you think this is child's play? This is a political upheaval! The biggest political upheaval of the Jiajing reign!"

"The Six Censors originally impeached you as a key member of Yan's faction and wanted to kill you! His Majesty intends to strip you of your official position to silence the censors."

"It was Prince Yu who had Zhang Juzheng write a memorial to protect you. That's why you received a promotion in name only!"

Lin Shisan's efforts over the past year to curry favor with the Prince Yu's mansion through Li Gao have not been in vain.

With the crown prince as a backer, one can truly protect one's official position and save one's life in critical moments.

Lin Shisan muttered under his breath, "The pacification of the Japanese pirates in the southeast should have been a joyous occasion, but it's been turned into a funeral."

Yang Jinshui grew somewhat anxious: "My little darling, you should only say this to me. Don't go around spreading it around!"

"Yan Song was dismissed from office, and Xu Jie became the Grand Secretary. Now, that group of people surnamed Xu are very arrogant. They'll impeach anyone they can get their hands on!"

“There was a secretary in the Ministry of Personnel who was not a member of Yan’s faction. He only said ‘Do not overcorrect.’ He was then labeled as a member of Yan’s faction, dismissed from office, and exiled.”

"His Majesty needs people to check the Yan faction. The reason for transferring you back to the capital is to have you assist Zhu Xixiao and Lu Yi in checking the Xu faction."

Qi Jiguang said, "Anyone with a conscience would feel indignant on behalf of Minister Hu."

Yang Jinshui sighed, "Alas!"

Inside the main hall of Yongshou Palace in the capital city.

Beside the Jiajing Emperor lay a pile of memorials. Without exception, they were all memorials from officials of the Six Ministries impeaching Yan Party officials.

Nowadays, "Yan Party" has become a catch-all label. Don't like a political opponent? No problem, just slap a "Yan Party" label on them.

If the memorials submitted by these officials of the Six Ministries were approved, almost all government offices in the capital would have to shut down, except for the Six Ministries and the Censorate.

The Jiajing Emperor stared at the pile of memorials without saying a word.

Huang Jin was washing his feet. Lü Fang was serving him a towel.

Huang Jin said, "Your Majesty, the Eastern Depot has received news that the upright officials in the court are secretly colluding. If Your Majesty does not approve their memorials, they will come to Yongshou Palace to kneel and remonstrate."

The Jiajing Emperor said meaningfully, "Let him be strong, the breeze still caresses the mountain; let him be arrogant, the bright moon still shines over the great river."

"Bring Chen Hong in."

Shortly after, Chen Hong, the chief scribe of the Directorate of Ceremonial, entered.

Among the four chief scribes of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Chen Hong ranked second, but he was the most insidious and ruthless of the four.

Chen Hong kowtowed to the Jiajing Emperor.

The Jiajing Emperor said, "Huang Jin is an honest man, not ruthless or cruel. He is really barely competent in his duties as the head of the Eastern Depot. Chen Hong, I hereby appoint you to replace Huang Jin and take charge of the Eastern Depot."

Upon hearing this, Chen Hong's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed loudly, "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace! This servant will certainly manage the Eastern Depot well for Your Majesty."

Emperor Jiajing then said with dissatisfaction, "After Lu Bing died, Zhu Xixiao became the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. My original intention was to let him use his power to protect the weak and honest Prince Yu."

"But he always got too close to Xu Jie. He couldn't be ruthless enough to do many things. And Lu Yi was too inexperienced."

"In my opinion, the Eastern Depot's supervision of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is an ancestral system. This ancestral system should be restored. From now on, you will also be in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Chen Hong was overjoyed again and kowtowed, saying, "This servant will obey Your Majesty's command and will certainly take good care of the Embroidered Uniform Guard as well."

The Jiajing Emperor suddenly remembered something: "That official named Lin Shisan is returning to the capital. He is a man of great potential, so you must make good use of him."

Prince Yu's Mansion.

Consort Li is peeling a pickled lychee for Prince Yu.

Prince Yu said, "Those people under Grand Secretary Xu have become too arrogant lately. They impeach those whom Father Emperor has dismissed, and they also impeach those whom Father Emperor wants to use."

“Even those whom I hinted I should protect, they didn’t let go of, and they investigated without hesitation.”

"I now understand why the Yan faction, despite its greed, cruelty, and cunning, has been favored by the Emperor for so many years. Without the checks and balances of the Yan faction, these 'moral gentlemen' in the court would practically rebel."

Consort Li said, "Your Highness, I have a piece of advice for you: do not concern yourself with or ask about the current affairs."

"Haven't you noticed? Everything Father has done these past two years has been paving the way for your future ascension to the throne."

"The downfall of Yan Xishan is for your future. Putting Zhu Xixiao in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is for your future. Promoting Zhang Taiyue and Gao Suqing is also for your future."

"Let Grand Secretary Xu's people make a fuss if they want. A flock of noisy crows can't stir up much trouble."

"The political situation is like the sea. There are times of fierce storms, but it will eventually return to calm."

Consort Li's insight was no less than that of a brilliant and seasoned political veteran.

Prince Yu said, "What about Hu Zongxian? I intend to protect him."

Consort Li shook her head: "Your Highness, you absolutely mustn't. He is the number one member of Yan's faction. If you protect him, wouldn't that be sending a signal to the court officials that you want to protect Yan's faction?"

"That would be going against Father Emperor's wishes."

Prince Yu sighed, "Alas, what a pity for Hu Ruzhen!"

Consort Li said, "Hu Ruzhen is not only a pillar of the southeast, but also has the talent of a prime minister. When you ascend the throne in the future, he can become a cabinet minister."

"I suspect that Father will leave you with this powerful weapon for governing the country and ensuring its peace. At most, he will send you back to your hometown to live a quiet life."

"You admire him, so you can put him to use after you ascend the throne."

Consort Li's guess was quite accurate, but she did not anticipate how things would develop in the future.

No one is a fortune teller; the word "future" is the most unpredictable.

Ten days later, in Hangzhou, at the Governor-General's Office of Zhejiang and Zhili.

Beside Hu Zongxian was a box containing the complete set of the Governor-General's hat and belt for Zhejiang and Zhili. He himself was dressed in plain clothes and looked haggard.

Lin Shisan stood before him: "Minister Hu, the imperial court has issued another decree to abolish the position of Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili. After you, there will be no more Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili in the Great Ming Dynasty."

Hu Zongxian nodded: "Oh. The Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili was originally a temporary position established by the imperial court to fight against the Japanese pirates. Now that the Japanese pirates have been quelled, it should naturally be abolished."

With a "thump," Lin Shisan knelt down before Hu Zongxian: "A man's knees are worth gold; he only kneels to Heaven, Earth, the Emperor, his parents, and his teacher. You are my teacher, who taught me how to be a person and how to do things. Please accept my bow."

Hu Zongxian said, "Get up. You are now a fifth-rank official of the imperial court, while I am just a commoner. How can I accept your bow?"

Lin Shisan said, "Li Gao sent a letter from the capital, saying that you should take care of your health, implying that the court may one day reinstate you."

Hu Zongxian sighed, "I've offended too many people. They won't let me live to see that day. Oh well, I'll just have to take it one step at a time."

"The Japanese pirates have been defeated anyway, and I have lived a fulfilling life!"

(End of this chapter)