Jinyi Town Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 206 The ending that is not the ending
Zou Yinglong's zhezi was like a knife, stabbing Yan Song and his son.

Even if the Yan family and his son wanted to quibble about the fact that there were all witnesses and material evidence, it would be of no avail.

Inside the main hall of Yongshou Palace.

Yan Song, Yan Shifan and his son knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly at Emperor Jiajing in the green gauze curtain.

On the edge of the green gauze curtain, He Liu, the governor of Beizhen, stood in attendance.

Yan Song said: "Your Majesty, I have no way to teach my son! I beseech you to punish me! I beg your Majesty to read that he has been working for the Emperor in Shifan for many years. He has no credit, but also has a bit of hard work. Spare his life!"

In the green gauze curtain, Emperor Jiajing yawned and asked He Liu: "He Liu, all of you Jinyiwei have to memorize the "Law of the Ming Dynasty". If you embezzled 6 taels of silver, what should be stipulated in the "Law of the Ming Dynasty"?" Is there a crime?"

He Liu replied: "Report to the emperor, the crime of beheading!"

Emperor Jiajing pretended to be surprised: "Oh? It's not even Qiu Hou's asking to kill? It's standing chop?"

He Liu replied: "Yes, Your Majesty. That's how it is written in the Law of the Ming Dynasty."

When Yan Song heard this, he kowtowed like pounding garlic, bursting into tears and snot.He was already in his 80s, and his beard and hair were all white.With white hair, tears, snot, and blood on his forehead, he looked really pitiful.

He Liu cursed inwardly: Now think of pretending to be pitiful and begging for mercy?When you father and son framed those loyal ministers and took bribes wantonly, you probably wouldn't have thought of today, would you?

After all, Yan Song served Emperor Jiajing for decades.Emperor Jiajing still had a three-thirds affection for him as a monarch and his ministers.Seeing Yan Song's behavior, Emperor Jiajing felt compassion in his heart.

Emperor Jiajing asked He Liu: "According to the "Law of the Ming Dynasty", is it a capital offense to bribe as much as two taels of silver?"

He Liu replied: "Report to the emperor, bribery of 800 taels is a felony for traveling three thousand miles, and corruption of [-] taels is a death penalty for beheading after Qiuhou."

Emperor Jiajing said: "Oh. I see that the two pillars and dozens of wooden eaves in Chaotian Temple are only worth 800 taels. Isn't it, He Liu?"

He Liu was horrified when he heard the words: The emperor wanted to save Yan Shifan's life?

Emperor Jiajing said again: "Huh? He Liu, answer!"

He Liu had no choice but to answer: "Sheng Ming will never surpass the emperor. Those two pillars and dozens of wooden eaves are indeed only worth 800 taels."

When Yan Song and his son heard the words, they were very grateful: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for not killing me!"

Emperor Jiajing said: "Don't be in a hurry to thank me. Bribing 800 taels is still a serious crime. Capital crimes can be avoided, but living crimes cannot be escaped. Immediately, Yan Shifan will be removed from all official positions, sent three thousand miles, and moved to Leizhou."

"The guilty minister took the order to thank you!" Yan Shifan kowtowed.

Yan Song suddenly said to Emperor Jiajing: "Your Majesty, I have no way to teach my son. Please resign from all official positions and return to your hometown to contemplate your mistakes behind closed doors."

Yan Song used the method of retreating to advance.

People in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty only said "think twice about being an official".One is to think about danger: if you know the danger, you can avoid it. This is called thinking about danger.

One is thinking of retreating: avoiding the trap of right and wrong, retreating to a place where others don't pay attention to you, this is called thinking of retreating.

One is thinking about change: when you step back, you will have the opportunity to look slowly, and slowly think about what you should do in the future. This is called thinking about change.

More than ten years ago, Yan Song fought to the death with his former chief assistant Xia Yan.When Xia Yan gained the upper hand, he used the method of "thinking about retreating", pretending to resign and return to his hometown.A few years later, Xia Yan recovered and returned to the cabinet, almost killing Yan Song.

Yan Song is using the method of the former enemy to advance by retreating.He thought to himself: more than half of the capital officials and local officials in the frontier are my people.Even if I retreat behind the scenes, I can still control the court as a commoner!

Emperor Jiajing in the green gauze tent thought for a long time, and said, "Is Yan Aiqing's birthday this year?"

Yan Song replied: "The age of the minister is 82."

Emperor Jiajing sighed: "Thirty to stand, forty to not be confused, fifty to know the destiny, sixty to listen, seventy to follow one's heart, not to exceed the rules. Eighty... Ai, it's hard to be Yan Aiqing, 82 is still working for the government Running around. It is time for you to return to your hometown for retirement! Give Yan Aiqing the title of prince and grand teacher to return to your hometown for retirement. After returning to your hometown, your salary will be provided as usual."

Yan Song was overjoyed, kowtowed and said: "Minister, take the decree and thank you!"

Emperor Jiajing walked out of the green gauze curtain and walked in front of Yan Shifan: "Your father is already 82, can you make him less trouble? Let him take care of his life, enjoy the blessings of his children and grandchildren, and the happiness of his family!"

Yan Shifan hurriedly kowtowed: "I was confused for a while, I'm sorry for the emperor's kindness to me, and I'm sorry for my father's honest teaching to me."

Emperor Jiajing said: "That's all! Go to Leizhou to serve as an army, you must honestly repent. If there is a chance in the future, I will use you again!"

He Liu, who was standing by the side, smiled inwardly: The emperor, you can really tell nonsense with your eyes closed.The emperor has already taken up strictness, so how could he really use Yan Shifan again?
Emperor Jiajing said: "Okay, let's go down."

Yan Shifan and Yan Song stood up and retreated towards the palace gate with small steps.

Emperor Jiajing roared, "Yan Shifan! Your father is already 82, don't you know how to help?"

When Yan Shifan heard the words, he hurriedly supported Yan Song.

After the Yan family father and son left.Emperor Jiajing summoned Lu Fang, the seal of the Supervisor of Rites, into the hall.Emperor Jiajing first asked He Liu: "He Liu, I heard that Yang Lian has two sons?"

He Liudao: "My Majesty, Yang Lian's eldest son, Yang Yingwei, and his second son, Yang Yingyu, are now living in the residence of Wang Shizhen, the Bingbei Daoist in Qingzhou, Shandong. According to Wang Juntai, these two children are very hardworking in their studies."

Emperor Jiajing said: "Lu Fang, draw up an order to give them to study in the Imperial College. After Zhongliang, I will take good care of them."

Lu Fang said: "I obey the order."

Emperor Jiajing asked again: "The Zou Yinglong who submitted the paper, if I remember correctly, he has been serving as the imperial censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate for six years. In my opinion, if he is promoted two levels and becomes a councilor of the General Administration, he is still Well done."

Lu Fang said: "I obey the order."

Emperor Jiajing said: "Okay, Lu Fang, you should go to the Supervisor of Rituals to draw up the decree."

After Lu Fang left, Emperor Jiajing sat back in the green gauze tent.

He asked He Liu: "He Liu, do you think that I have convicted Yan Shifan of exile and spared him a little bit?"

He Liu cupped his hands: "I dare not lie to the emperor. I really think that exile is too cheap for Yan Shifan."

Emperor Jiajing smiled and said: "If it were Xu Jie, he would never say that. That's why, you can only be Jin Yiwei forever - my servant, but Xu Jie can be the cabinet's second assistant. Bureau, I still don’t understand!”

He Liudao: "I'm a stupid person, I only know how to be loyal to the emperor. It's better that I don't understand the important affairs of the country. If you understand, you will have many fears, and you will not be able to serve the emperor with due diligence. The emperor is the number one sage in all ages. I am willing to be a sword in the hands of the emperor. I will deal with whoever the emperor tells me to deal with."

Emperor Jiajing laughed: "He Liu, now you have learned to speak impassioned lies to flatter me. The people in Tai Hospital have seen Lu Bing. He has an incurable disease. He only has a few months to live. Take some time Go see him. After all, he's been your boss for 20 years."

After Emperor Jiajing said this, He Liu's heart skipped a beat: Could it be that the emperor wants me to take over the post of commander after Lu Bing's death?If this is the case, the old case in the secret file room of Tianzihao will be revealed!
In the winter of Jiajing's 41st year, Yan Shifan, a minister of the Ministry of Industry and a member of the cabinet, embezzled 800 taels of silver from the Ministry. He was convicted and fled to Leizhou.

Yan Shifan, the chief assistant of the cabinet, resigned. Emperor Jiajing granted him the title of prince and grand teacher to return to his hometown to provide for the elderly, and the salary supply remained unchanged.

After Yan Song died, Xu Jie, the second assistant of the cabinet, took over as the first assistant.

Zou Yinglong, the censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, made great achievements in exposing Yan Shifan's corruption, and was promoted to two ranks, and left to the Secretary of General Administration for consultation.

The Yan Shifan case came to an end.The father and son of the Yan family lost their official positions, and Xu Jie became the chief assistant.It seems that this party struggle ended with the victory of the Yuwang party.

He Liu, who has already served as the governor of Beizhen, knows in his heart: the battle between the Yan Party and the Yuwang Party has just begun!

(End of this chapter)