The Prosperous Era of Longwan

Because of the Gao Gong incident, the eunuchs in the palace had joined forces to suppress Chen Hong, and the emperor had kicked Chen Hong off from his position as the head of the Dongchang factory. However, this position was seemingly indifferent to the world, but Feng Bao, who knew how to take good care of the prince, took it.

Perhaps because the terms had been negotiated, Feng Bao was only focused on retaining favor from the next emperor, which naturally reassured the eunuchs such as Teng Xiang and Meng Chong.

After all, the current Emperor Longqing seems to be in his prime. They have served the emperor well and have had no major problems for at least twenty years.

And do they still have twenty years to live?

By that time, Feng Bao was about the same age as them, so he would give up his position. Naturally, there was nothing to fight for.

Although the power of eunuchs like Feng Bao was based on being favored by the inner court, after all, their power only covered the palace, and their relatives among the people could not be sent to the palace.

In fact, although these great eunuchs were respected in person, they actually had a deep sense of inferiority in their hearts. After all, not all families were willing to purify their children and send them to the palace.

They are already extinct, so apart from power and gold and silver, the only thing they can care about is the development of their children and nephews.

Serving the emperor will certainly provide you with protection for your family, but once you become an official in the court, you have to rely on people from the outer court to take care of everything, and eunuchs like them are still somewhat unable to cope.

Therefore, it became inevitable for the eunuchs of the inner court to choose to form an alliance with the ministers of the outer court, at least in private.

They provide some information that is not easy for the foreign court to obtain, while the foreign ministers help take care of the outside world and get what they need.

As the youngest minister in the cabinet, Wei Guangde was favored by Emperor Longqing, so he was naturally a favorite. On the contrary, the chief minister of the cabinet like Li Chunfang was not considered at all because of his age.

Dongchang naturally saw Jinyiwei's secret report on Jiangnan, but after all, this matter seemed to have little to do with Wei Guangde, so Feng Bao didn't pay attention to it at first. It wasn't until Zhu Daqi went to Yingtian Mansion to replace Hai Rui that Feng Bao sniffed it out. There was a trace of unusual meaning, so the news reached Wei Guangde's ears, and he suddenly became enlightened and knew the cause and effect.

A few days later, Zhu Daqi arrived in the capital, submitted a memorial to the palace as usual, and then waited for the emperor's summons.

While waiting, Zhu Daqi naturally invited fellow villagers who were officials in the capital to a banquet to get closer.

Although governors and governors are also considered officials in the capital and are subordinate to the Six Ministries or the Metropolitan Procuratorate, they are far away from the capital after all, so they still need the care of their peers and fellow villagers in the capital.

Zhu Daqi still understands this very clearly.

However, after the banquet, after the guests were sent away with a smile on their faces, Zhu Daqi's face became extremely ugly.

Before the dinner, Wei Guangde and Zhu Daqi were alone in a small room.

Here, Wei Guangde told him the situation in the capital and Jiangnan in detail.

Wei Guangde was very taboo about leaving any written evidence such as letters and notes between him and some "special people" for fear of getting burned.

Taking the opportunity to relieve himself during the dinner, Zhu Heng also said something to Zhu Daqi, which made his original happy mood disappear.

But after all, he was promoted. When he returned to the table, he still pretended to be calm and drank and chatted with everyone. He didn't take off the disguise until everyone was sent away.

"This Gao Xinzheng is really nothing."

In his heart, Zhu Daqi cursed Gao Gong countless times, even if he nominated him and gave him a chance to be promoted.

But what seemed like a promotion was actually pushing him into a pit of fire.

This kind of thing, no one would choose to hide whenever possible, not to mention that he was not clean to begin with and just wanted to hang out in the court.

Of course it would be best to have the opportunity to enter the Sixth Division and hit the pinnacle of power in the Ming Dynasty, but I don't want to be taken advantage of.

The key is that if this matter is not handled well, he may be punished for offending Gao Gong.

That night, Zhu Daqi tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. He kept reflecting on some of the past over-the-top things, whether there was any evidence left behind, and whether the traces needed to be cleaned up.

According to what Wei Guangde told him, before setting off from the capital, he should try his best to deal with all the bad things in the past and leave no trace behind.

After arriving at Yingtian Mansion, he tried to find a way to calm the uneasiness of the local officials and gentry. As long as he could handle this matter well, his problems would not be big. His only goal was to go home and become a rich man.

The fellow villagers in the capital will protect him so that he will not be imprisoned.

Sure enough, he couldn't contact the people in the capital. They would act according to circumstances and asked him to get rid of all the things at home that he shouldn't have.

Of course Zhu Daqi understood what Wei Guangde meant. Although there was nothing involving Wei Guangde and Zhu Heng, there were still many letters from other people, so he hesitated very much.

Such things are very sensitive, and Zhu Daqi certainly understands that, but if Wei Guangde's words were to be followed and everything was destroyed, he would also have his own worries.

Just wait and see.

Finally, after a night of thinking, Zhu Daqi decided to wait and see, not to rush.

After only waiting for two days in the capital, he was summoned by Emperor Longqing to the Qianqing Palace to face the Holy Emperor.

After some procedures, he also received the order in the palace and went to the Ministry of Personnel.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he met Gao Gong in the duty room of the Ministry of Personnel, so he was honored to be invited by Gao Gong to speak in the duty room.

"Hai Rui's behavior in Su Song was too shameful. I heard that the Jiangnan gentry was extremely uneasy about this. This is why the Ministry of Personnel initially considered him unfit to continue serving as the governor of Yingtian.

I think your Majesty has also told you about this and what you should do when you go to Yingtian Mansion, but I will only say one thing here, that is, Hai Rui's starting point is right. Those who rely on power to embezzle people's wealth and accumulate huge wealth should be punished. Severe punishment.

No matter what official he was before and how much he contributed to the court, since Governor Hai has discovered the clues, he should investigate to the end and never tolerate it.

If you have the guts to commit a crime, you should take responsibility. "

When he came to the last paragraph, Gao Gong looked at Zhu Daqi with bright eyes, as if giving instructions.

Zhu Daqi certainly understood Gao Gong's words. He was required not only to appease the restless people in Jiangnan, but also to continue digging along the clues discovered by Hai Rui, which was to investigate the Xu family.

"Committing a crime" and "taking responsibility" seem to be threats to him.

"The opinions of senior high officials must be kept in mind by lower officials. Once the matter is investigated to the end, they will never be tolerated."

In the Ministry of Personnel, of course Zhu Daqi would not speak his mind, but followed Gao Gong's words and spoke categorically.

"Well, it's good that you understand. Rectifying the administration of officials and returning the world to peace is the way for you and me to be officials, the sage said."

Zhu Daqi suppressed his dissatisfaction and was able to escape after being lectured by Gao Gong for half an hour. He now fully understood Wei Guangde and Zhu Heng's previous concerns.

It is indeed unkind to recommend him.

At the same time, he was also vaguely aware that Gao Gong might have held his handle in his hand, but he was just holding back.

Although he didn't know how much Gao Gong knew, Zhu Daqi understood that as long as he didn't agree with him when he went to Yingtian Mansion this time and continued to investigate the Xu family affairs, he might be done with it as a governor.

After leaving the Ministry of Personnel, Zhu Daqi deliberately visited Wei Guangde's mansion before leaving. After all, he was the only one he could find a relationship with who could make peace with Gao Gong.

But thinking of Wei Guangde's words before the banquet, he gave up the idea of ​​visiting.

Not only Wei Guangde, Zhu Heng can't go there either.

When I first arrived in the capital, I invited fellow villagers and people of the same year to get together because I had the intention, so there was no problem. But if I go after receiving the order, there is no guarantee that Gao Gong will not guess his thoughts.

This is the capital, not Baoding where he has been operating for many years.

The business in the capital was finished, so naturally he couldn't stay in the capital for long. The next day, he packed up his things and set off for Tongzhou Pier, waiting for Shuiyi to arrange the official ship to go south.

After last year's flood, the canal has been restored and has just thawed, so there are not many merchant ships going north from Tongzhou at this time, and most of the ones that come are blocked on the road.

These boatmen and merchants could only celebrate the New Year on the canal, and they set off here as soon as the canal thawed and resumed shipping.

After spending a day in Tongzhou Shuiyi, I took my family to the pier the next day, preparing to board the prepared official ship and go south. Following the canal, I could reach Suzhou directly, so I wouldn't have to suffer from the fatigue of traveling.

"Master, there is someone outside who calls himself the steward of the Wei Mansion, asking to see him."

Standing on the pier, watching the servants carrying boxes one by one onto the ship, Zhu Daqi no longer had the high spirits he had when he received the order, but instead had a sad face. At this moment, family members came to report.

"Wei Mansion? Butler?"

Zhu Daqi immediately thought of Wei Guangde, because there were not many people named Wei who were officials in the capital.

"Please quickly."

Zhu Daqi said immediately.

Not long after, Zhang Ji appeared in front of Zhu Daqi, clasped his fists and said with a smile: "Master Zhu, it seems that things are not going well."

"Butler Zhang, there's just a bit of river breeze. It's a bit cold now, but now it's warm and cold."

Zhu Daqi laughed happily.

Of course he knows Zhang Ji, the person around Wei Guangde. His appearance here is obviously the result of Wei Guangde's arrangement, but he doesn't know what else is going on at this time.

So Zhu Daqi waited for Zhang Ji to take out Wei Guangde's letter.

But what disappointed him was that Zhang Ji just smiled and pointed to the gift tray held by the entourage behind him and said with a smile: "Master knows that Lord Zhu has been promoted, but he is busy with business and cannot come to see him off. I have specially ordered Cheng Yi to send it to you." , I wish you a safe journey."

Hearing that he was here to see off Cheng Yi, Zhu Daqi was a little disappointed because there was no letter with any advice.

"Wei Ge is always busy with state affairs and doesn't dare to bother."

Zhu Daqi cupped his hands and said with a smile, "I just don't know if Mr. Ge has other instructions."

"The master has said everything that needs to be said. As long as Mr. Zhu follows the instructions, he will be safe and prosperous."

When Zhang Ji said the last four words, his tone was slightly heavier.

"Peace and wealth."

Zhu Daqi silently recited four words in his mind and understood what Wei Guangde meant, which was to go to Yingtian to calm down the grievances of the Jiangnan gentry, and don't get involved in other matters, so as to become a rich man.

Zhu Daqi nodded. Between Wei Guangde and Gao Gong, of course he was still willing to choose Wei Guangde. After all, he was a fellow countryman. If he was cheated, Wei Guangde's reputation in Jiangxi would be ruined.

What's more, Zhu Heng also meant the same thing. It seems that the two of them have reached an agreement.

"By the way, Master Zhu, there are four cargo ships over there that are also heading south to Nanjing. Please take care of them along the way."

When Zhang Ji was about to leave, he seemed to suddenly remember and pointed at several large cargo ships docked next to the official ship.

"It's easy to talk about."

Zhu Daqi laughed happily.

Then Zhang Ji called four people, who were the ship's stewards, to come up to meet Zhu Daqi.

The so-called care was actually to let him take these boats through the bank pass. Of course Zhu Daqi understood what he meant.

It’s just a piece of cake, there’s no reason not to agree.

In fact, if the news of his promotion hadn't been sudden, he wouldn't have minded staying in the capital for a few more days to gather such a fleet.

When Zhu Daqi got on the boat, the boatman removed the planks and started rowing. The official ship slowly left the shore and reached the center of the river. The merchant ships followed, setting sail and heading south in the north wind.

Not long after standing at the bow of the ship, Zhu Daqi returned to the cabin, stepped back to the left and right, and took out a letter from his arms.

This was sent by someone this morning, and the messenger claimed to be Mr. Zhang Ge.

Zhu Daqi opened the letter again and read it, "Although Hai Rui is dedicated to the people in Yingtian, his methods are too strong. After the frost and snow, if you add less warmth, people will be pregnant with spring. If you take care of yourself in Yingtian, the country is lucky if the place is lucky." "

Of course Zhu Daqi understood that Zhang Juzheng was interceding for Xu Jie, and was worried that like Hai Rui, he would not let go of the Xu family.

In the past, he would definitely have chosen to accept Gao Gong's request. After all, he had understood in the past few days in the capital that although Gao Gong had just returned to the court, his status in the cabinet was not low.

After all, when people return to the cabinet, they will work in the cabinet with their original positions, saving most of the cabinet elders several years of work.

Moreover, the emperor obviously listened to Gao Gong more than Zhang Juzheng.

But this time it was no longer a fight between Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng. Wei Guangde couldn't refuse what he wanted.

In fact, keeping Mr. Xu Ge is what most officials hope, because this is also their retreat.

After serving as an official for many years, who can guarantee that he will be clean and flawless? Moreover, after becoming a member of the imperial family, each family will more or less accept donations.

Such a universal problem is only faced by a person like Hai Rui who is ignorant of world affairs.

In fact, safeguarding the interests of Mr. Xu Ge is also safeguarding their interests, which are one and the same.

This precedent must not be set. If Gao Gong insists on doing this and turning Xu Ge Lao's case into a solid case, the officials will not mind launching another dynasty to bring him down.

Zhu Daqi chose to put away Zhang Juzheng’s letters.

Although the language is unclear, the meaning is generally understood.

If you stay, you can ask Zhang Juzheng for help when something really happens to you. After all, you did what he wanted.

After leaving the office that day, Wei Guangde returned to the mansion in official uniform. The butler Zhang Ji came over and whispered to him: "Master, the matter has been settled. I think Mr. Zhu takes the general situation into account."

"Did anyone else contact him before he boarded the ship today?"

Wei Guangde asked in a low voice as he walked towards the backyard.

"In the early morning, Zhangge's family sent him a letter, but nothing else was discovered."

Zhang Ji replied.

"Uncle. Haha"

Wei Guangde was stunned for a moment, then smiled and shook his head and entered the backyard.

In Wei Guangde's eyes, Zhang Juzheng was looking for trouble for himself by doing this.

In fact, protecting Xu Jie was beneficial to everyone. Wei Guangde was worried that Zhu Daqi could not withstand the pressure from Gao Gong, so he gave advice.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Juzheng climbed up on the pole himself. It seemed that he had not understood Gao Gong's intention of recommending Zhu Daqi.