Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

On New Year's Eve, every household in Beijing is ready to celebrate the New Year. Handwritten Spring Festival couplets are posted on the door, and firecrackers are crackling from time to time.

The Spring Festival is naturally festive, not to mention that this year’s Spring Festival allows many people to eat meat, and many people wear warm cotton clothes.

The simple Chinese people do not have too many ambitions. They only need enough food and clothing.

At that time, there was Yongfang and Ruian Bo Mansion.

The whole family was sitting in the hall, chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere seemed very harmonious.

The fate of the Wang family is like a well-intentioned joke played by God. Although their sister is the Queen Mother, they also received titles for this reason.

It's just that when the Queen Mother was still a queen, she was ignored by Xianzong, and she didn't leave any heirs to the royal family.

They thought that their Ruianbo Mansion could only maintain a superficial appearance, but unexpectedly, things took a major turn for the better during the Hongzhi Dynasty. Now that she was promoted to the Queen Mother, she was favored by the Holy Family.

Especially now, the conflict between the Holy Emperor and the Empress Dowager Zhou has become an open secret. On the contrary, the Empress Dowager is close to the emperor, and they have become the most glorious relatives in the Ruian Bo Mansion.

Due to the death of Ruian Hou Wangzhen, the current head of the family is Ruian Bo Wang Yuan, the younger brother of the Queen Mother.

After the Wang family moved to the capital from Nanjing, it became a large family with dozens of people. In particular, Wang Yuan's two younger brothers still chose to live together in Ruianbo Mansion.

As usual, everyone will have a reunion dinner here in the evening, so everyone comes to the living area of ​​​​the main house early.

Wang Yuan is a middle-aged man in his forties, with a beautiful beard and bright eyes.

In his early years, he studied in the Imperial College. Although he failed to obtain any academic honors, he still had an air of elegance and was full of the image of a scholar.

Wang Yuan's younger brothers Wang Qing and Wang Jun were both in their forties. They were playboys in their early years, especially Wang Jun, who was a famous playboy in the capital.

Wang Qing has gradually grown tired of Huayue Place, but Wang Jun is still obsessed with it, and he still often goes out at night without returning home.

Sitting next to Wang Jun is his wife Li, who is about thirty years old. She has a pair of seductive eyes, well-maintained skin, and an extremely hot figure. She is a beautiful young woman.

"Father, second uncle, third uncle!" Since Wang Xiang was promoted to Jinyi Weiqian, he became more and more calm and came to the hall to greet the elders.

Wang Yuan glanced at his second son indifferently, with a touch of arrogance on his face, but he didn't really like this son who had a bad reputation in Jinyiwei.

It was clear that the Wang family could be a well-respected virtuous relative, but as a result, this son insisted on taking the lead in Beizhen Fusi, which led to some people secretly commenting that his family was greedy for power.

Unfortunately, there are some things that it is difficult to directly clarify with your second son. After all, speaking out about them would be disloyal.

"Now my nephew, I'll take my leave first!" Wang Xiang had just come back to pick up the knife that had been left in the room. After explaining that he was going to Beizhen Fusi and could not have the New Year's Eve dinner, he was ready to leave.

Jinyiwei is not an officialdom, but it is better than officialdom. Zhu Ji and another colleague will have a reunion dinner at home, so naturally he, the newly promoted Jinyiwei Qianshi, will go on duty.

"My brother told you that you won't be at home for the reunion dinner tonight. Are you being ridiculous?" Wang Qiao saw Wang Xiang about to leave, but suddenly he started to blame lightly.

Wang Qiao is Wang Yuan's eldest son and the first candidate to inherit Ruian Bo in the future.

Since he married Ma, the daughter of the Prince Consort Ma Cheng, who was the daughter of the current Holy Emperor's aunt, Princess Yiguang, he and the current Holy Emperor were closely related to each other, and naturally he was completely overpowered by the Wang Xiang.

"Brother, Beizhen Fusi needs someone to be in charge every year. The two adults above will celebrate the New Year at home this year, so my younger brother really has to go there!" Wang Xiang was slightly stunned at first, and then explained seriously.

Wang Yuan picked up the teacup and took a sip, but said nothing.

Mistress Liu had always disliked Wang Xiang, so she snorted coldly: "Thousands of words and ten thousand are all excuses! In my opinion, some people have lost their wings and feel that they don't need to rely on this family anymore, even for the reunion dinner." Don’t eat.”

"Xiang'er, why don't you stay at home for the reunion dinner?" Seeing Mrs. Liu being so angry, Mrs. Sun persuaded her own son seriously.

Every family has its own scriptures that are difficult to recite. Wang Xiang is a concubine, but Wang Qiao is the real eldest son.

Originally, there had always been an order of hierarchy, and Wang Qiao did not embarrass the Prime Minister. However, this year, the Prime Minister was promoted to the position of Jin Yiwei Qianshi, and even gained the favor of the Holy Family.

It was this gap in status that caused Wang Qiao to regard Wang Xiang as a thorn in Wang Xiang's side, and now Mrs. Liu also wanted to "vent her anger" for her newborn son.

Wang Xiang knew that his mother would choose to keep things quiet since she was a child, so he just took a deep breath: "Mom, brother, it's not that I don't want to have a reunion dinner at home, but this is a long-standing tradition of Beizhen Fusi, and His Majesty may not suddenly I’m summoned, please be considerate!”

When Mrs. Liu saw that Wang Xiang was willing to give in, she reprimanded him: "Haha... what the emperor is doing, this is obviously an excuse! Is there any yamen in the capital that still go to the yamen during the Chinese New Year? His Majesty is even less likely to come to you at this time. You are just a well-connected person who got along by relying on your connections. Don’t you know how much you are worth? You see, you clearly don’t want the whole family to be reunited, and you deliberately make our master uncomfortable and make people laugh at our Ruianbo Mansion!”

Clay figurines have three points of fire. Wang Xiang was ridiculed by Madam Liu, and he couldn't help but clenched his hands tightly, feeling a slight pain when his slightly pointed nails dug into his fleshy palms.

I have seen unreasonable people, but I have never met such unreasonable people. In the past, their mother and son did not necessarily care whether they were at the table or not, but now they are doing everything possible to make themselves uncomfortable when they see their beautiful scenery.

Wang Yuan saw that his wife and son had already expressed their opinions. Tiger should really be reunited today, even if he kept a straight face. Just when he was about to reprimand, there was movement outside the door.

A servant walked in hurriedly, followed by a young eunuch in gorgeous clothes, who was Liu Jin, the popular eunuch beside Zhu Youtang.

Liu Jin actually heard some noises when he came in, but at this moment he kept a smile on his face and slightly raised his hand to Wang Yuan who was sitting in the front seat: "Ruian Bo is disturbing me!"

"Eunuch Liu, your visit is truly a blessing. Please sit down quickly!" Wang Yuan did not dare to express his gratitude, so he immediately stood up and greeted him warmly.

"Bo Rui'an, no need!" Liu Jin refused the kindness, his eyes fell on Wang Xiang, but his face suddenly became serious: "Wang Qianshi!"

"Eunuch Liu, what's the matter?" Wang Xiang's heart suddenly pounded, and he responded nervously.

Seeing Liu Jin's dark face at this moment, Wang Qiao and Mrs. Liu couldn't help but secretly rejoice, and they all looked at Wang Xiang with gloating, but they wanted to witness Wang Xiang's misfortune with their own eyes.

Liu Jin let out a long sigh and warned with all his heart: "Wang Qianshi, your Majesty still talks about you all the time, saying that you can always take care of his worries! Now His Majesty is the first to think of you when something happens, so how can you be absent from work?" "

Snapped!

Wang Qiao and Liu had always thought that the Prime Minister was specially cared for by His Majesty because of his relationship with the Queen Mother, but how could he now become the person the Emperor often talked about, and how could he share the Emperor's worries?

As for Mrs. Liu, who just kept saying that the emperor would not seek out the prime minister, the slap in the face came as expected, but it was a hard slap on the face of this unreasonable woman.

"Eunuch Liu, you misunderstood. I just came home to pick up some things. May I ask, does your Majesty have an errand?" Wang Lian hurriedly explained, and then asked seriously.

Wang Yuan's younger brother Wang Qing took a deep look at his nephew, and immediately stepped forward to stuff the money with him: "Eunuch Liu, Mr. Wang just came back to get something, please take care of him. This is a little thought of mine. Please give me some money." Please take it to your father-in-law for tea!"

"The Za family knows that you want to reunite as a family, but your Majesty has many things to do, and the king is highly respected by your Majesty, but you can't let your Majesty find someone, right?" Liu Jin didn't expect that it turned out to be a piece of gold, but he deliberately continued to complain.

Wang Yuan realized that his second son was not a fool who simply relied on his sister's relationship, so he immediately stepped forward to please him and said: "Eunuch Liu, just now Prime Minister Wang was preparing to go to Beizhen Fusi for duty. Naturally, our Ruian Bo Mansion will always be loyal to His Majesty. As the first priority, please speak kindly to the King in front of His Majesty!"

"The Prime Minister has always been highly valued by His Majesty, but you must not be arrogant because of your favor, otherwise you will really destroy your future, and this is the end of the Za family!" Liu Jin put the gold away and warned him seriously.

Wang Yuan and Wang Qing said yes again and again, but they knew that they really underestimated Wang Xiang's future. According to this idea, maybe in a few decades, Wang Xiang will be able to become the commander of the Jinyi Guards.

Wang Qiao felt the change in the attitude of his father and second uncle, and his heart couldn't help but become even more gloomy.

His grandfather was Anyuanhou, and his mother-in-law was Princess Yiguang. However, he was not as good as the younger brother born from his side wife.

"Brother, can you give Eunuch Liu a gift?" Wang Xiang noticed Wang Qiao's expression, but suddenly issued an invitation.

Wang Yuan thought that it would be most appropriate for his eldest son to send him off, so he nodded hurriedly: "Yes, Qiao'er, you can send it off to Eunuch Liu for my father!"

After all, Liu Jin was the popular eunuch next to Zhu Youtang. There was no guarantee that he would be the factory supervisor of the East Factory or the eunuch of the ceremonial department in the future. Naturally, he had to build a good relationship.

Wang Qiao was extremely reluctant. After studying in the Imperial College, he naturally knew that these eunuchs were harmful to the country and the people, but he still endured his nausea and sent him to the door.

Just when he sent Liu Jin to the door, he said as if Liu Jin owed him money: "I won't send him away, be careful of slippery roads!"

Liu Jin couldn't help but frown slightly, but she looked up and down at the impolite young man in front of her.

"Brother, please stay!" Wang Xiang noticed Liu Jin's reaction and said calmly to Wang Qiao.

Wang Qiao turned around impatiently: "What's the matter?"

"You'd better stay away from your third sister-in-law and second cousin, otherwise your brother may not be able to keep his mouth shut!" Wang Xiang felt a sense of oppression from a superior person, and he looked at Wang Qiao seriously. The ground warned.

A chill ran down Wang Yuan's spine, and he suddenly blurted out: "You...how do you know?"

"Jinyiwei is really not just for food!" Wang Xiang left one sentence, turned around and left, and his whole person suddenly felt proud and proud.

Although he was born in the Earl's Palace, he actually had no status in this family.

Fortunately, he was favored by the current Holy Emperor, and he transformed from a worthless bastard into a royal guard, and now he is even more highly regarded by His Majesty.

Wang Xiang knew that Liu Jin was acting just now, so he immediately handed over his hands and said: "Thank you, father-in-law!"

"Running your Majesty's errands well is the greatest thank you to the Za family!" Liu Jin waved her hand gently.

Wang Xiang knew the source of his glory and wealth, and immediately nodded solemnly and said: "Yes!"

Forbidden City, Dong Nuan Pavilion.

After some investigation, Prime Minister Wang came here to report back to Zhu Youtang.

"Are all the things about Mr. Wange true?" Zhu Youtang picked up the memorial from Ruan Yao, a member of the Ministry of Industry, and asked calmly.

After Wang Xiang returned to Beizhen Fusi, he started investigating the matter and responded seriously: "I have already investigated clearly. Mr. Wange withdrew 80,000 taels from Xinyi Money Store to buy a house in the capital. This matter is indeed true. Indeed, there is information on purchasing a house here."

"Get back!" Although Zhu Youtang already had the answer in his heart, he couldn't help but raise his hand in disappointment.

King Xiang knew that the matter was of great importance, so he bowed his hands in a polite manner: "Yes!"

Zhu Youtang couldn't help but sigh secretly when he saw that the matter was confirmed.

Wan'an transferred a total of 80,000 taels of silver from Xinyi Money Store, and even purchased several houses in succession in the capital's land.

This kind of behavior is naturally a very normal business behavior for businessmen, but the person who did this was Wan An, the dignified chief minister of the Ming Dynasty cabinet.

For a chief assistant, eighty thousand taels is naturally a fortune that can be easily accumulated.

Zhu Youtang naturally knew that Wan An could not be an incorruptible official. He had always known that Wan An was unclean, but after all, he was not considered a treacherous person.

This kind of huge wealth can be an open secret, but it cannot be brought to the table, let alone be exposed to yourself.

Now that Jin Yiwei has confirmed that Wan An spent 80,000 taels of silver to copy the house, he really can't turn a blind eye and wants to hold Wan An accountable.

But if he really wanted to get rid of Wan An, he would probably fall into a new trap.

He has always felt that there is a mysterious power in the capital, from the earliest time when Huaien was poisoned to the recent transfer of Liu Daxia's Annan files.

This time, a small man from the Ministry of Industry brought the matter to light. Maybe this Ruan Yao was a pawn of that force, or was being used by that force.

No one thought that in the only two days left this year, the Ming Dynasty might have to replace the chief minister of the cabinet.

Zhu Youtang did not dwell on this matter for too long. After all, it was Wan An who was in trouble, not the aloof emperor, who should be panicking.

As a firework bloomed in the night sky that night, Hongzhi arrived in the second year.