prosperous age

Chapter 855 Chapter 944 Dismissal of the Yamen Queen

Liu Shou secretly scolded Feng Bao for being such a fool, who failed to succeed but failed more than failed.

Not to mention why he wasn't angry, Jin Yiwei made a fortune by creating big cases.

If Feng Bao had discussed the idea with him at the beginning, Tiqi would have gone south to raid homes and arrest people by this time.

Don't talk about why it would be easy to leave this matter to Jin Yiwei. Although the people from Gao Mansion have left the capital, Jin Yiwei still has a list of those who have close contact with Gao Mansion.

You know, Gao Gong has returned to the capital for a few years, and all his actions are under the control of Jin Yiwei.

From these people on the list, is it difficult to pick two suitable people?

Jin Yiwei has many means to make them make confessions according to their wishes, which can directly nail Gao Gong's crime.

As for the discussions between the government and the public, Jin Yiwei will not pay attention to them.

What they care about is the size of the credit and how much profit there is to be made.

But it doesn't work now. Even if Feng Bao hands over the matter to Jin Yiwei at this time, Liu Shouyou will find it difficult to operate.

To put it bluntly, Liu Shouyou has not yet found a strong political backer.

Originally, Jin Yiwei's backer should have been the emperor in the palace, but unfortunately Wanli Emperor Zhu Yijun was too young and couldn't take refuge.

As for Feng Bao, he was originally on Liu Shouyou's list of options, but at this moment he was crossed out.

Watching Tiqi leave, Liu Shouyou stood silently at the door of the Fusi lobby in Beizhen.

If that doesn't work, it seems like the only way to find support is in the court.

Yes, all Liu Shouyou can think of now is to find a backer in the court.

The first choice for the imperial court's backers was naturally the cabinet ministers Zhang Juzheng, Wei Guangde and Lu Tiaoyang, one of the three.

Originally, the existence of the Jinyiwei was to monitor the courtiers, but at this time, who would have thought that the leader of the Jinyiwei was actually considering finding a courtier as a backer.

Judging from the current situation, Zhu Xizhong is seriously ill. His brother Zhu Xixiao has temporarily taken over Zhu Xizhong's responsibilities and is in charge of military affairs. Beizhen Fusi has no time to take care of it. This is why he can temporarily take over the command of Jinyiwei and take charge of Beizhen Fusi. .

However, there was one thing Liu Shouyou still couldn't understand: how did Minister Wang sneak into the palace smoothly.

You know, even if Minister Wang stole the eunuch's clothes, he still had to pass the palace gate inspection before entering the imperial city. Even if he was alert and followed the eunuch into the palace on business, it would be very difficult to get in without leaving any traces. .

What's more, the sword he was carrying was found on the spot.

For a moment, Liu Shouyou was actually a little unsure of what was going on.

Feng Bao obviously wanted to convict Gao Gong and Chen Hong by biting Gao Gong and Chen Hong, and finally determined that Chen Hong had deliberately put the man into the palace.

However, it is difficult to say whether it was Feng Bao or Chen Hong who put the person in.

Just when Liu Shouyou was thinking about the matter based on the few clues he had, it was time for the court to disperse its yamen. After countless officials left the yamen, except for those who had appointments in advance, most of the people who had nothing to do chose to go to Zhang Juzheng's residence. .

Yes, there is a characteristic in the Ming Dynasty, that is, when something big happens, the first person the civil servants will think of is the chief minister of the cabinet, the nominal leader of the civil service group.

These people went to Zhang Juzheng, naturally, for the widely spread case of Gao Gong's assassination of the emperor.

For these people, although most of them don't like Gao Gong, or perhaps Gao Gong's followers have been purged, they still don't believe the rumors.

But now they can only find Zhang Juzheng, the chief assistant, to express their opinions, hoping that he can express their opinions to the Queen Mother and the Emperor on their behalf. This is Feng Bao's method to frame the ministers.

Soon, countless people met outside Zhang Juzheng's mansion, and after chatting, they all went to Zhang's mansion to meet the chief minister.

However, before they arrived at Zhang Mansion, someone had already arrived here first.

The visitor was not wearing official uniform and looked sick. He entered the Zhang Mansion with the help of two servants.

After Zhang Juzheng's sedan chair returned to the mansion, the housekeeper You Qi stepped forward and whispered in Zhang Juzheng's ear: "Sir, your fellow countryman, Taipu Temple Minister Li Youzi, Mr. Li, is here. He is waiting for you in the flower hall behind."

"Isn't he recuperating at home? Why did he come to me?"

Zhang Juzheng said in surprise.

"Maybe it's because of the assassin's case. There's a big fuss at this time. Many adults in the government don't believe that Gao Gong instigated this matter, and they are all planning to come to the government to see the master."

You Qi replied.

Zhang Juzheng had been watching in the capital for many years, and he also had his own news channels. The officials' discussions in the yamen and their subsequent actions were all seen by them, and they secretly reported them to Zhang's house.

"This Li Yuanshu, if he doesn't take good care of himself at home, why did he come to me? If he has anything to say, he can go directly to the Shudi Palace."

Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but blame him, a fellow countryman.

Li Youzi, whose courtesy name was Yuanshu and whose name was Yihe, was from Yingcheng County, De'an Prefecture. He was from the same hometown as Zhang Juzheng. They were both Jinshi in the 26th year of Jiajing, so the relationship between the two families has always been close.

Li Youzi was first appointed as a traveler. Because of the Gengxu Incident, he wrote a letter: "The enemy's base is small and it is suitable to build a high platform on the wall and build a house to house the firearms." He was tabooed by the powerful and was demoted to Shaowu County Prime Minister.

In the 29th year of Jiajing's 29th year, the criminal department was assigned to Shizhong. In the leap month of the 32nd year of Jiajing, he was promoted to the right of the household department and assigned to Shizhong. In June of the 33rd year of the Jiajing, he was promoted to the left of the rites department.

In May of the first year of Longqing, he was promoted to the prefect of Changzhou Prefecture in Zhili. He was later transferred to the deputy envoy of the Shandong Ancha Division, and then to the deputy envoy of the Shanxi Ancha Division and the Shandong Chief Envoy Si You to participate in politics.

In the sixth year of Longqing's reign, Li Youzi returned to Beijing and was promoted to Shaoqing of Taipu Temple, then to Right Shaoqing of Dali Temple, and to Left Shaoqing of Dali Temple.

By the year before, Li Youzi had just been promoted to Minister of Taipusi.

It can be said that except for some suppression during the Jiajing Dynasty, the official career has been prosperous since the first year of Longqing, among which Zhang Juzheng naturally contributed a lot.

It can also be seen from his promotion path that Zhang Juzheng trained him as the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs or the Censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, which was roughly the same as Wei Guangde's arrangement for Lao Kan.

"Is there anyone else?"

Zhang Juzheng asked in surprise.

"Many adults are here, and many more are on the way."

You Qi replied respectfully, "Sir, are you talking about the assassin with Gao?"

"I don't even understand how to say it."

Zhang Juzheng was also suffocating in his heart. Although he somewhat guessed that Feng Bao was responsible for this matter, his current attitude towards it was actually similar to that of Wei Guangde, and he didn't want to speak.

What's the point of offending Feng Bao for nothing?

You know, Feng Bao's face is very high among the Queen Mothers of the two palaces.

Not to mention the fact that he was in Prince Yu's Mansion, Feng Bao was an all-rounder.

After entering the palace, even when Empress Chen was ignored by the emperor, Feng Bao was respectful to Empress Chen, completely unlike Teng Xiang, Meng Chong and others who were arrogant.

The situation with Empress Dowager Li was similar. He only needed to show concern for Emperor Wanli in front of Empress Dowager Li.

After all, these two are mother and son.

"You block the others first. If you really can't block them, put them in a flower hall. I'll go to Yuanshu's place first to see what's going on."

Zhang Juzheng knew what was going on and what he might say. After You Qi went to make arrangements, Zhang Juzheng just hummed, "What the hell is this!" and hurried to the flower hall behind to see Li Youzi.

After all, they are fellow villagers and they are in the same year, so Zhang Juzheng still has to give him this face.

"Uncle, it is definitely not Gao Xinzheng who did this. I just hate Feng Bao for his malicious attempt to frame us. We, the courtiers, cannot let him succeed."

As soon as Zhang Juzheng entered the flower hall, Li Youzi, who was leaning on his chair, stood up and walked quickly towards Zhang Juzheng.

"Yuan Shu, Yuan Shu, you sit down first. We can talk slowly if we have anything to say."

Zhang Juzheng knew that Li Youzi was really ill. Seeing his behavior, he hurriedly dissuaded him and stepped forward to help Li Youzi sit down.

"Uncle, I told you earlier that Feng Bao wanted to use the status of the minister of Gu Ming given by the late emperor to interfere in the affairs of the foreign court. I am afraid that he was responsible for the Gao Gong case. He wanted to kill the chicken and scare the monkey, so that the foreign ministers would all Afraid of him, otherwise how would the king, king, assassin enter the palace."

Li Youzi only knew a rough idea and didn't even know Minister Wang's name, but he still chose to come.

He knew something about the relationship between Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao. Although he didn't know everything, he had heard something about it.

What he is most worried about now is that Zhang Juzheng will be confused about Minister Wang's case in order to gain a relationship with Feng Bao, and collude with Feng Baokang to force the accusation on Gao Gong.

Even if the matter was accomplished by them, the impact on Zhang Juzheng was huge, and it was dirty water that could not be washed away.

For this reason, he did not hesitate to drag his sick body to Zhang's house to explain the matter to him.

At this time, many people came to Wei Guangde's house, but most of them were fellow Jiangxi people and some of the same age.

They were all relying on Wei Guangde for their official career, and they did not have a close relationship with Zhang Juzheng, so naturally they would not go to Zhang's house.

"My lords, listen to me. I expressed my opinion after learning about this matter in Ciqing Palace, but the assassin's confession is definitely not reliable. At the very least, there must be complete witness and material evidence.

As for Tiqi's dispatch, I can responsibly tell you that they are not going to Xinzheng to arrest people.

It’s just that Feng Bao kept encouraging him, saying that Duke Gao has been the chief minister for many years and has followers all over the world. If he escapes, it will be difficult to bring him to justice. That’s why we accepted that Jin Yiwei can send people to monitor him. As long as he does not leave Xinzheng, Duke Gao’s freedom will be unimpeded. "

Wei Guangde explained their concerns. In fact, they were also shocked by the news of Tiqi's dispatch.

Of course, one of the purposes of coming to Wei Guangde to inquire about some information is that Wei Guangde has a high status and plays a decisive role in the court.

"Tiqi is just going to monitor? What about handling the case? Should the palace let Dongchang be responsible? Shandai, you should suggest that the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple get involved."

Zhu Heng said.

"I mentioned at the time that this matter involved too much and it had to be tried by the three agencies."

Wei Guangde took a deep breath and said loudly, "I asked Feng Bao to send the person to the Ministry of Punishment, but he refused. He was worried that some high-ranking party members would collude to confess or silence him, so he insisted that the person be imprisoned in Beizhen Fusi and be under the custody of Dongchang.

But one thing you can rest assured is that no matter what happens in the future, once the evidence is solid, it will definitely go through a joint review by the three departments, and it will definitely not be passed by the factory guards at will. "

"I always feel that this matter was caused by Feng Bao, but I don't know if Liu Shouyou was involved in this matter. He is a member of the Jinyi Guards.

You have to consider Jin Yiwei's ability to commit crimes and lend money well. "

Tan Lun said.

Hearing what Tan Lun said, Wei Guangde lowered his head and thought about it before saying: "I will always pay attention to this matter, but until now, I have only seen the confession given by Minister Fenwang, and I don't know anything else.

Brother Zili said that we can only make a judgment after the factory guard submits new evidence.

Most of the time, the Ministry of Punishment's interrogation is indispensable. Everyone, please be patient and wait for the situation to develop.

I believe that under such a bright and clear situation, how could the factory guards still do such vicious things and accuse a deer of being a horse? We really think we are blind. "

"That's good, what are Shandai going to do?"

Tan Lun asked again.

Wei Guangde did not rush to answer this time. He also had his concerns, that is, taking a clear stand as an opponent would offend Feng Bao severely.

What happened last time was that the relationship was eased through a heavy drinking session.

However, he did have to express his attitude. He could not clearly doubt Minister Wang's confession provided by Feng Bao, but he also had to show a business-like attitude.

"I will write a memorial tonight to express my opinion."

Wei Guangde looked around at everyone and then said: "I emphasize that whether this matter is investigated by the factory guard or the criminal department, it must be a public trial in the end. The Third Division will work with the factory guard and other ministers to find out the facts of the case, and we will never allow anyone to be wronged."

"Okay, as long as it is a public trial, even if the evidence is conclusive that Gao Xinzheng did it, the ministers will naturally have nothing to say."

Zhu Heng said something loudly, then lowered his voice and said, "But what if the factory guard Qu succeeds?"

"You and I are not blind, how can he fool so many pairs of eyes?"

Speaking of this, Wei Guangde showed a wry smile and said: "There is just one thing, and that is this case. I personally feel that it is difficult to really find the mastermind behind this case."

"Why?"

Zhu Heng said in confusion.

"I'm sure they won't let him actually talk."

Wei Guangde sighed.

Wei Guangde has already deduced this case. If it is really Gao Gong's fault, and there are all the witnesses and material evidence, there is naturally nothing much to say.

But if Feng Bao framed him, Wei Guangde didn't think the palace would let Feng Bao down.

You know, in addition to the empress dowagers of the two palaces and the emperor's will, the only thing that controls the outer dynasty in the palace now is the identity of Minister Feng Baogu Ming.

The identities of the two palaces and the emperor were sensitive, and it was often inconvenient to do things, so they could only do it through Feng Bao.

Even if the truth comes to light, the palace will definitely take action to protect Feng Bao.

Wei Guangde understood the fact that Zhu Heng, Tan Lun and others did not like eunuchs. Most civil servants in the Ming Dynasty did not like eunuchs. Although they secretly hoped to hook up with powerful figures in the palace, they would never say so. .

However, what troubles Wei Guangde the most is not this case.

He already knew that many courtiers had gone to Zhang Juzheng's residence after the official disbandment.

This actually explains a lot, and may also have some impact on Feng Bao.

Once Feng Bao makes a choice between him and Zhang Juzheng, Wei Guangde is not sure how the final case will develop.

Last time, he and Zhang Juzheng worked together to cut off Feng Bao's claws that wanted to reach out to the outside world. But if Feng Bao showed favor to Zhang Juzheng, he couldn't believe that Zhang Juzheng would handle the case impartially.

You know, in Zhang Juzheng's judgment, he should not be too embarrassed to stand up for Gao Gong.

The only thing that needs to be settled is to construct enough so-called evidence to fool the courtiers.

(End of this chapter)