The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 285 Again
There are eight extremely prominent families in Jiangnan, among which the families of the Duke of Wei and the Duke of Han are the most influential.

The Xu family produced two prominent figures who held positions in both capitals.

The Li family had one duke and one prime minister, wielding immense power and influence. The clan head, Li Xianmu, was widely recognized as the foremost civil official.

Nanjing Garrison Command.

When Duke Xu Xianzong of Wei and Duke Li Fang of Han came to their posts, they naturally began to talk about Li Xianmu's affairs in the capital.

Xu Xianzong was Li Fang's son-in-law, and he wasn't very old.

"Father-in-law, could the matter of my second uncle in the capital implicate us?"

"You mean the anti-corruption campaign?"

“Indeed, Jiangnan… Lately, some people are feeling uneasy. Hasn’t your father-in-law’s doorstep been worn down by visitors?”

“My third brother once wrote to me, instructing me to discipline my subordinates and to severely punish any serious offenses they may commit.”

Li Fang stated her position, then looked up at Xu Xianzong, her tone becoming somewhat serious, "Although we have only been stationed in Nanjing for a short time, I remember that the Wei State Duke's mansion already owns quite a lot of land. His Majesty also frequently bestows rewards upon us. With so many fields and shops, it should be more than enough to support the entire Duke's family. Xianzong, you are my son-in-law, and you are also guarding Nanjing for His Majesty. You are extremely wealthy and powerful. There are some things you must remember, things you cannot do, and things you should not do. What do you think?"

That being said, Li Fang knew in her heart that the families of nobles were generally not clean, but the emperor did not have high requirements for these people. As long as they were loyal to the royal family and did not do anything immoral, that was enough.

“Ms. Li is gentle and virtuous, and she is good at managing the household. The family atmosphere is good now. I will keep in mind my father-in-law’s advice.”

Li Fang's expression softened slightly. In many large families like theirs, the concern wasn't just about the master, but also about the servants using the Duke's mansion's power to cause trouble outside. He trusted his daughter in this regard. Influenced by the Li family's strict and upright traditions, she was unlikely to be a wicked person. With her managing the inner quarters of the Duke of Wei's mansion, there should be no trouble.

"The Emperor's father-in-law and Consort Sun's brother-in-law will be arriving in Nanjing soon. What are your thoughts, Emperor Xianzong?"

Xu Xianzong frowned slightly, then said softly, "Just provide them with good food and drink. They are just two mouths to feed. In such a large city as Nanjing, it's not like we can't accommodate them."

The two most prominent maternal relatives are not to be offended casually, even by a noble family like theirs. But they are not afraid of them. Even if the matter goes to the emperor, they will at most be scolded.

After Xu Xianzong finished speaking, he saw that Li Fang did not agree, and immediately asked in surprise, "Does Father-in-law have other ideas about them?"

He remembered that these two men had been exiled here by Li Xianmu and had even lost face in the capital. Could there be something else going on?

Li Fang smiled slightly and said calmly, "After all, they are the Emperor's father-in-law and brother-in-law. Since they have come to Nanjing, we should meet them and have a chat. His Majesty has ordered them to stay in Nanjing and not to leave the city, but Nanjing is very large and has hundreds of thousands or even millions of people. If they commit any more crimes in Nanjing, that would be bad."

Damn it.

Xu Xianzong was young and not very shrewd. He felt a chill run up from the soles of his feet. His father-in-law spoke so lightly, but he was clearly trying to teach the two of them a lesson. He really intended to show the maternal relatives a thing or two.
"Father-in-law, isn't this..."

"Isn't this too arrogant?" Xu Xianzong didn't say it aloud, but his gaze was fixed intently on Li Fang, and the meaning he was conveying was quite clear.

There's no need for that. He's just a spoiled rich kid and someone who relies on his daughter. What does it have to do with us?

"This is not what I want to do."

Li Fang hesitated for a moment, but still spoke up. After all, although Xu Xianzong was his son-in-law, he was also the Duke of Wei. Xu Xianzong's gaze sharpened. He immediately understood the implication in Li Fang's words. If it wasn't Li Fang's intention, then it must be the intention of his second uncle in the capital.

He pointed upwards, looking surprised and puzzled. "Does this mean we have to step on it again?"

After that awe-inspiring grand court assembly, many people gradually came to their senses that Li Xianmu was using the emperor's father-in-law and brother-in-law as stepping stones to intimidate the court officials.

The effect was naturally quite good.

Now that the emperor's father-in-law and brother-in-law have been exiled to Nanjing, Li Xianmu still has no intention of letting them go. He wants Li Fang to trample on them again in Nanjing, since none of the ministers in the south have ever seen it with their own eyes.

Li Fang nodded slightly, acknowledging Xu Xianzong's guess, which was also his guess.

Since Li Xianmu was involved, Xu Xianzong pondered for a moment. As he had said before, as a duke's family, he was not afraid of offending the maternal relatives, but there was no need for it. However, now that Li Xianmu had spoken up, he had to show some sincerity.

So he agreed to the matter.

……

At this time, Sun Guangzong and Hu Rong were on a boat heading south, being exiled by boat, which was quite rare. Moreover, after passing Henan and getting onto the Huai River, the shackles on the two of them were removed, and they changed their clothes on the boat. Apart from being rather haggard, they could hardly be seen as exiled prisoners.

Although they were both involved in the corruption at the imperial tombs, the relationship between the two families was generally strained due to the power struggles between Empress Hu and Consort Sun in the harem. They never spoke to each other and simply looked forward to arriving in Nanjing as soon as possible.

They carried a large amount of travel money with them, and even brought servants and maids from their homes to take care of their daily needs. After entering Nanjing, they would buy a few more maids. Even if they couldn't leave Nanjing, they would still live a good life.

After all, the emperor is far away, so how could they really monitor their daily lives so closely?

After crossing the Yangtze River, you will reach Nanjing. The first thing you will see after landing is the stele erected by Li Xianmu and the civil and military officials of Jiangnan when Li Xianmu made a great oath in Nanjing.

Upon thinking of Li Xianmu, the two men's expressions changed instantly, showing a mixture of fear and ugliness. After Emperor Xuande ascended the throne, they had always had smooth sailing, and encountering Li Xianmu was a rare setback in their lives.

Moreover, this setback ruined half their lives, leading to their exile, which neither the Empress nor the Imperial Concubine could protect them from.

The two quickly got into the car and headed into the city. Looking at the magnificent city that was no less impressive than the capital and bustling with activity, even surpassing the capital in some aspects of prosperity, both of them showed a hint of joy on their faces.

Upon arriving at the city gate, they saw a troop of soldiers, seemingly waiting for something.

Then they met the people who were escorting them, spoke with the soldiers, and returned to hand them over to these soldiers.

"These are soldiers from the Nanjing Garrison. The escort is over, and they have already signed the agreement. From now on, Master Hu and Young Master Sun will be under the care of the Nanjing Garrison."

The officials escorting them laughed like this.

Hu Rong and Sun Guangzong were both stunned upon hearing this. They were exiled, so how could the Nanjing Garrison be in charge of receiving them?

(End of this chapter)