prosperous age

Nanjing, Duke Wei's Mansion.

Xu Pengju, the contemporary Wei Guogong, finally survived the scorching summer. During that time, he was lying on the bed in the house all day because of his serious illness, and he had to drink three bowls of medicine every day, let alone those days.

Sometimes the heat is so unbearable that I almost want to die.

As for why he didn't put an ice basin, according to what the doctor said, he didn't want it to be cold, otherwise it would aggravate his condition.

Now that the weather is getting cooler, my body has improved significantly. At least I can open the windows to let in some air.

Today, I was lying on the couch taking a nap, when there was a sound of footsteps outside the door, which quickly disappeared outside the door, followed by a rustling conversation, but I couldn't make out what was being said.

Not long after, the door of the room was gently pushed open, and a long follower stuck his head in and looked at the bed, seeing Xu Pengju looking over, he hurriedly said: "My lord, the butler has something to see."

"Let him in."

Xu Pengju actually had some guesses about the previous footsteps. After all, he was somewhat familiar with the actions of the people around him, including the footsteps.

After the old housekeeper entered the house, the door was quickly closed.

When the old butler was standing in front of the couch and was about to salute, Xu Pengju had already said, "You are an old man, don't come here. If you have anything to do, just tell me."

The old butler is the son of the Xu family, and the previous generations have served the Xu family, so Xu Pengju trusts him very much and is very casual.

"My lord, just now the capital sent the latest residence report, which said that His Majesty appointed Uncle Wei as Dongge University Bachelor and Minister of the Ministry of Officials."

"What? He's joining the cabinet right now?"

As soon as the old housekeeper finished speaking, Xu Pengju sat up straight in shock, and the thin quilt on his body fell to the ground.

The old housekeeper hurriedly stepped forward, picked up the thin quilt under the bed and wanted to put it on for Xu Pengju, but Xu Peng raised his hand to pick it up and threw it at the end of the bed.

"I didn't expect it to be so fast."

It can be said that his son-in-law's promotion path followed the Hanlin standard path to the cabinet, and he also had the experience of Prince Yu's mansion. Xu Pengju never doubted that he could not enter the cabinet.

It's just that this is too fast.

It's not just that the time of entry into the court is short.

In the past, it can even be said that Wei Guangde was not really an official when he was in Yuqi. In fact, he was still working as a secretary and lecturer, because he had no real power.

It wasn't until he went to preside over the transcription of "Yongle Dadian" and was named a servant that he really entered the officialdom.

After copying the book, he was first promoted to the Minister of the Ministry of Officials with real power, then transferred to the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and finally entered the cabinet. It was only two years before and after.

"It's really different from the right person."

In fact, at this time, Xu Pengju was conflicted.

It is certain that my son-in-law is capable. He handled the Nanjing mutiny well last time.

Although he was not rewarded, he could not be rewarded, because if he did, it would appear that Nanjing officials were incompetent.

"Master, is it in the mansion?"

Of course the old butler knew what Xu Pengju was thinking, he didn't take a stand, although he still favored Xu Bangrui in his heart, but after all, the master was thinking about his youngest son, so what could he say as a servant.

However, now that my uncle has entered the cabinet, what should be done now is that the mansion should send someone to the capital to congratulate him.

Xu Pengju was worried that Wei Guangde's climbing too fast would affect his calculations. The old butler knew that, so he reminded him at this time.

If this kind of thing is done, it will be very rude, and outsiders will see it as a joke.

As for whether it is inappropriate for the father-in-law to give gifts to his son-in-law, in fact, this is the wrong idea.

Not only that, the Duke of Wei's mansion should also set up a banquet in Nanjing, and invite the dignitaries and dignitaries in Nanjing to have a drink together.

After thinking for a while, Xu Pengju said, "Today, there is a banquet in the palace, and the official Xungui in Nanjing is invited to attend, and Bunning will host it."

"master"

Just as the old butler was about to speak, Xu Pengju waved his hand, interrupted him, and continued: "Let Bangrui go to the warehouse to pick out gifts, and tomorrow, go to the capital with Bangning."

"Yes, sir."

The old housekeeper hesitated to speak, but finally said cruelly: "Both young masters are going to the capital, this house."

"It's okay, my body is fine, and I can last a few years."

Xu Pengju seemed to know what the old butler was thinking, and shook his head.

Wei Guangde's entry into the cabinet means that he has more power to speak in front of the emperor.

Undoubtedly, this will disrupt his previous arrangement.

But is there any way, can the emperor take back his order?

With Wei Guangde's relationship with the mansion, he is naturally closer to Xu Bangrui, so now he can only gamble.

"You go down and make arrangements. Get Bunning back and let him come to my place. I have something to say to him."

This time, Xu Pengju's idea was to let Xu Bangning also go to the capital, try his best to build a good relationship with Wei Guangde, as long as he can remain neutral at critical times, he will be considered a victory.

As for the others, Xu Bangning is already the spokesperson of Duke Wei's mansion in Nanjing. Although some people in the city are quite critical, but now Xu Bangning still has a righteous name. As long as the Zheng family is still Mrs. Wei Guogong, then Xu Bangning is the son.

But he also knew that his son was getting worse and worse, and he didn't know where to play with those gangsters at this time, so he ordered the housekeeper like this.

In a study room in the backyard, Xu Bangrui was looking at the mansion newspaper copied by his entourage, and then laughed out loud.

He somewhat admired Wei Guangde, as a son of a hundred households, he managed to do this in the capital in such a short time.

But what he admired more was himself.

When I first got to know this person, he was just a mere judge. Who would have thought that in more than ten years, he would have become an influential figure in the Ming Dynasty.

Cabinet ministers, of course, are important figures, even though he has seen that Wei Guangde ranks at the bottom of the cabinet, but that is still a cabinet minister, and it is a place that countless civil servants want to enter.

The game between him and his father, in front of this mansion report, has actually already decided the winner.

"Dong dong."

There was a knock on the wooden door.

"What's the matter? Come in and talk."

Xu Bangrui said.

"Master, the butler is here."

The gatekeeper said casually.

"Invite him in now."

One day later, Jiujiang Mansion.

The same mansion newspaper has been sent, one to the Jiujiang government office, and one to the Jiujiang Wei.

At this moment, Wu Zhankui was trembling with the mansion newspaper in his hand.

Of course, he was not cold, but excited.

His nephew has become the head of the cabinet, and he is already a figure that can be counted in the court. In a word, the whole Jiujiang Mansion, and even the whole Jiangxi will be shaken by a powerful character.

He hasn't been promoted in Jiujiang Guard these years, but he has firmly controlled the entire guard, not because of Wei Guangde's influence in the capital.

Regardless of whether it is Jiangxi or Nanjing, the official dare not give him face.

A few days ago, the governor of Jiangxi came to Jiujiang for inspection, and he was very polite to him at the banquet. He also said that he was a colleague of his nephew and had a close relationship.

"Come on, go and call Wei Meng back to Jiujiang City, and continue to inform us that Weili is holding a big banquet today, and our Jiujiang Wei has produced a very important person, hahaha."

Wu Zhankui got up and gave instructions to the soldiers around him.

The soldiers trotted out, and he also went to the Wei family to sit down and tell his sister the good news.

The action should be faster, if it is delayed, the prefect of Jiujiang will run to the front.

Dibao has been copied several times in the magistrate's yamen, and it will be sent to the following counties separately. However, a large-character poster has been posted outside the magistrate's yamen, and soon, the copied Dibao was also posted outside the magistrate's yamen. .

However, the prefect of Jiujiang was naturally the first to know the news. He had already arrived at the signing room while the Dibao was still transcribing, and immediately sent someone to prepare the sedan chair after confirming that it was correct.

For the people of Jiujiang Mansion, most of them don't know Wei Guangde, but they also know that there is an official lord who has great power in the capital. He is the servant of the Ministry of Rites and can often see the emperor.

This is not the news released by the Wei family, but the businessmen of Jiujiang Mansion. Anyone who goes to the capital will inevitably establish contact with the Wei Mansion.

On weekdays, when merchant ships come and go, they have to establish connections between their hometowns and local government offices for these Jiujiang fellows who are officials abroad, and it is also the link for them to get shelter from their fellow villagers in various places.

The capital city, at the foot of the Son of Heaven, is the most benevolent area, and it is even more prosperous and rich. Any businessman who goes to the north must go to the capital city.

The news of Wei Guangde's stay in the capital naturally came from the families of these Jiujiang merchants.

At the very least, in the capital city, as long as they display the brand name of Jiujiang Mansion, it will still be very easy on the official surface, and the yamen and government offices in the capital will sell Wei Guangde's face and will not embarrass them.

When the news of Wei Guangde's entry into the cabinet spread, all the big families in Jiujiang City reacted recently and prepared generous gifts to celebrate. The bustling streets were even more lively, and businesses continued to blow firecrackers to celebrate.

The ground of the street where Wei's house is located has already been covered with red debris from firecrackers, and cars and sedans are still swarming in, and will soon be covered with new debris from firecrackers.

There are many elders in Jiangxi, but in Jiujiang, there is only one.

However, when Jiujiang Mansion fell into a "city-wide carnival", the atmosphere in Huguang Jiangling Mansion was extremely strange.

The predecessor of Jiangling was "Ying", the capital of Chu State. From the Spring and Autumn Period to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, 34 generations of emperors successively established their capital here, which lasted 515 years.Since the Han Dynasty, Jiangling City has existed as the seat of Jingzhou for a long time, so Jiangling is often called "Jingzhou".

As the central city of the Jianghan Plain, Jiangling controls Bashu in the west, connects Xianghan in the north, leads the rivers and lakes, and refers to Wuyue and Yue.

But just today, Hong Chaoxuan, the Imperial Envoy sent by the imperial court, and Cheng Yaoxiang, the commander of Jinyiwei, arrived in Jiangling. When they learned the current situation, they were immediately frightened to death.

It turned out that the news that Liao King Zhu Xian was impeached by Yushi Chen Sheng and Yushi Gao Guangxian was no longer a secret, and the news that the capital sent imperial envoys to check had already been widely circulated.

In fact, for the prince, this is not a big deal.

Because for the relative who lives in the Forbidden City, as long as he is not linked to rebellion, there is generally no fear of his life.

Even if there is a lot of anger and grievances, the top is King Ge. Most of the relatives who were assigned to Fengyang were dissatisfied with the emperor and complained, so that the emperor would not care about his family and locked him up directly.

What charges did Chen Xing and Gao Guangxian impeach Zhu Xian?
Thirteen serious crimes including falsely asking for a title, adultery with a aunt, beating Yibin to death, imprisoning the county monarch, and blackmailing the clan.

In fact, these matters, the mansions of various princes are also more or less contaminated, so if they are really checked out, they will not be fatal, but they will be punished.

However, this Liao king was pretending to be something. He knew that the things he had done in the past must be inseparable. However, he was most worried and afraid of the one who walked out of Jiangling City.

At the beginning Zhang Juzheng was a young man, but Liao Wang held a grudge because of his youth. His grandfather's wine was drunk by Liao Wang. Even though Zhang Zhen said that he could not continue drinking, he still persuaded him to drink as Liao Wang.

Zhang Zhen had to drink those wines even if he didn't drink them.

Originally, he just wanted to vent his anger, but he didn't expect Zhang Zhen to be so useless, and he died directly after being drunk.

Of course the Zhang family knew what happened that night, but it was just a toast, so naturally they couldn't say anything about it. He is the prince of the court, what do you use to fight against others?

When the trouble started, it was just that Zhang Zhen himself was ill, he was unrestrained in surprise, and drank too much alcohol.

No matter what happened that night, the Zhang family had no reason to make use of it, so King Liao was not afraid.

But it's different now, people from the capital, who knows if Zhang Juzheng's handwriting is among them.

The more he thought about it, the more certain he became in his heart, and in the end he was even more convinced that Zhang Juzheng was using Yu Yu's old status to sue him first in conjunction with Chen Xing and Gao Guang.

At this time, he still didn't feel that he was wrong, because the Zhu family could bear those crimes.

This actually shows that Zhu Di's strategy of raising pigs has been working very well after so many years of implementation.

Zhu Xian, the king of Liao Dynasty, was such a useless person who was trained in this way. Hong Chaoxuan, the servant of the criminal department who investigated him, had not arrived in Jingzhou, and he was in a hurry in the palace.

He didn't realize at all that he was a vassal king and his surname was Zhu. As long as no one was killed, life would be as it should be. At most, he would be warned and ordered by the court.

Even if he bullied Hong Chaoxuan, the servant of the criminal department who came to investigate, Hong Chaohong couldn't do anything to him.

Civil officials and vassals have conflicts, and the court often fights fifty big boards each.

This kind of punishment actually has no deterrent to the vassal king, and he still does his own way, but for the officials, it will affect the promotion, which is really a huge loss.

But there is a premise here, that is, you can't go to war, and you can't kill people.

The human life here generally does not include the low-level people, because in the eyes of the ruler, money can be used to make up for it.

Zhang Zhen's death was different. The Zhang family had no good reason to make a fuss, so they could only smash their teeth and swallow it. But if King Liao publicly ordered the murder, then King Liao would be severely punished.

Because although the vassal king is a relative of the emperor, the court is controlled by civil servants, and civil servants evolved from scholars. If the king of Liao dared to attack Zhang Juzheng, the civil servants would definitely not let him go.

After all, if he is let go, countless scholars will be oppressed by the princes in the future, and the dignity of scholars will be wiped out.

This is actually a very delicate balance.

However, the King of Liao didn't know much about this, so in a hurry, he even hung a banner on the roof of the palace. On this banner were written four big characters "the banner of litigation".

He wanted to express that he was persecuted by Zhang Juzheng and that he was wronged.

But he has read books, but at this time he just forgot to hang this flag. In fact, there is another interpretation from the outside world: rise up.