Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 266 The Murder Case Dropped the Hammer

Undercurrents surged in the court, and the capital was full of laughter.

The list of the exams was officially posted, and the [-] high school students were announced to the public.

Although many candidates were frustrated, the [-] places were enough to make the whole capital go crazy, especially some rich children were full of banquets.

A Jinshi fame contains too many things.

Even a Jinshi of ordinary background is destined to become a leader of officials and gentry in the future, while children with background and financial resources have a great chance to aspire to the throne of power.

In the absence of the emperor's strong intervention, the succession of power in the civil service group has never been determined by the emperor, and there is usually an invisible network of relationships that dominates all of this.

For example, the teacher of the famous Yan Song was Yang Tinghe, Zhang Juzheng’s teacher was Xu Jie, and Zhang Siwei’s teacher was also Xu Jie. As a result, Wanli could only choose Zhang Siwei after abandoning Zhang Juzheng, but there was no real "grassroots counterattack" .

That's why, regardless of whether there are Xinke Gongshi with or without background, they are now like a dream, their status has suddenly increased countless times, and they have fallen into a kind of madness.

It's just that the joy is short-lived after all. Although they have become Xinke Gongshi, there will be another palace test half a month later that is also related to fate.

After learning the lesson of his son Zhang Yuan who took refuge in Xixia, there was also no elimination system in the palace examination in the Ming Dynasty. No matter whether he did well or poorly in the exam, he could get the title of Jinshi.

It's just that Jinshi's merits are divided into first-class, second-class and third-class Jinshi, not to mention each other's seniority and seating order, and it will also affect "work assignment".

Just like this, many Xinke Gongshi were not completely dazzled by the joy of high school, but they also devoted themselves to the preparation of the palace examination, hoping to get good results in the palace examination.

The tree wants to be quiet, but the wind doesn't stop.

Just like in any era, there will always be some good people who take great pains to spread the news, and many of the news seem to be true and false, and in the end you just have to believe it.

"Enke takes the fishing test, will we be asked to fish in this palace test?"

"One word awakened the dreamer, the day before yesterday I saw Liu Ge's distant nephew buying fishing gear!"

"That guy must have gotten the inside information in advance, I'm going to buy fishing gear and practice ice fishing!"

"Be prepared and safe. All the candidates for the martial arts exam have passed the exam. I'm afraid we will have to take fishing in the Wenju palace exam!"

……

As the news of the fishing test in the imperial examination spread, more and more other gossips came out, causing many candidates to sit still no longer and decided to practice fishing.

What is good at the top will be attached to the bottom.

This sentence is not false at all, it has long been an open secret that Hongzhi likes fishing.Not only did Wan An secretly practice fishing at home, many officials took it as a fashion, and even many local officials became fishing enthusiasts.

As the news continues to ferment, although the river is now frozen, there are many "ice fishing enthusiasts" in the suburbs and Beihaizi.

Xu Hong and other Xinke scholars originally planned to concentrate on preparing for the exam, but when they saw this sudden fishing trend, they also ran to the fishing tackle shop one after another.

It's just that their conditions are limited after all, and they can't go to Beihaizi or the rivers in the suburbs for practice, but they can only do imaginary practice in the courtyard.

Both Haikuan and Chen Shou know how to fish, especially since Haikuan's village is located on the edge of the Baishi River where "legendary fairies go down to bathe", so they became the "teachers" of the other four.

Just when Xinke Gongshi was preparing for the imperial examination and practicing fishing following the trend, the Huichanghou case, which had been attracting the attention of the capital, finally came to a verdict.

To the west of the city, Huichang Hou's Mansion.

After Sun Ming was imprisoned for a month, he was finally released by the Shuntian government office.

During this month, although Sun Ming received preferential treatment, he stayed in the terrible environment of that kind of prison, and his whole body became obviously thinner, and there were obvious marks of mosquito bites on his face.

Sun Ming got down from the carriage and looked at the grand and bright gate of Huichang Marquis Mansion, feeling as if isolated.

"Master Hou, please step over the brazier!"

Sun Ming looked at the brazier that the servant brought over, but he knew that the worst moment had passed, and that he would be greeted with a lot of money, so he walked over confidently.

"Welcome master back to the mansion!" The one wife and three concubines had been waiting for a long time, and Dang even greeted gracefully.

Sun Ming's gaze swept across the youngest concubine's room, and he couldn't help but feel an itch in his heart.

Ordinarily, it is not honorable for Sun Ming to turn danger into good fortune this time. After all, Sun Ming did have seventeen lives in his hands, but the Huichang Hou Mansion decided to hold a banquet to celebrate, and even invited the most famous theater troupe in the capital. add to the fun.

Liu Jin came here with an order, and read aloud to Huichang Hou Sun Ming and others: "Fengtian Chengyun Emperor, the edict said: After investigation, Huichang ordered his younger brother Sun Duo to massacre seventeen people in the Qian family on the [-]th of the first year of Hongzhi. The evidence is conclusive and the crime is heinous." According to the law, he should be beheaded. However, the Emperor Yingzong granted Tan Guo Gongdan Book iron coupons, and the three generations of Enyin's grandfather and grandson were spared from death... Now the death penalty has been absolved, the world coupons have been withdrawn, and the nobles have been reduced to the people. I respect this!"

There is actually a loophole in the Danshu Iron Coupon in Huichang Hou Mansion.Although Emperor Yingzong agreed to change it, it was only a verbal agreement after all, and did not change the text of the Danshu Iron Coupon, and the court records can also be disregarded.

After careful consideration, Hongzhi still chose to accept the account.

One is to respect the privileged status of Danshu Iron Coupon.After all, the starting point of Danshu iron coupons is to reward meritorious ministers and descendants. Once Danshu iron coupons break their promises, it will not be conducive to the people below to work for the dynasty.

The second is the integrity of the emperor. Although the existence of court records can be denied, and even court records can be secretly destroyed, this approach is not enough for an emperor.

The last thing to consider is the reputation of filial piety. Although Emperor Yingzong's verbal promise can be ignored, but now he uses this matter to confirm the status of filial piety, so that his own government orders can continue to influence.

Just like this, Zhu Youtang exonerated Huichang Hou Sunming from the death penalty of killing seventeen members of Qian's family, and recognized the validity of the Danshu iron coupon held by Huichang Hou's mansion.

"Sinners receive the decree, long live my emperor, long live, long live!" Huichang Hou Sunming saw the decree officially came, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but raised a slight arc to accept the decree.

Although I was imprisoned by the emperor for a month and suffered for a whole month, but now things are finally developing as I expected.

As a foreign relative, there is no future. As for the title of Marquis of Huichang, after all, it is hereditary. Although he completely fell because of this incident, the Marquis of Huichang will definitely become better and better.

Now that I have taken care of everything, not to mention that I will be able to enjoy the bigger cake of Beijing debt in the future, and I will also be able to get corresponding economic compensation.

After having money, he can spend every day and drink, and he can also bring home the oiran that he has already set his eyes on, but such days are not changed by gods.

Liu Jin handed the imperial decree to Sun Ming, and noticed that a banquet was being held here, so she lightly reached out and asked for it: "Sun Ming, hand over the iron certificate of the Dan book!"

"Eunuch Liu, can you not return it?" Sun Ming always regarded the Danshu iron coupon as a treasure, and asked a little bit reluctantly.

Liu Jin frowned slightly, and immediately expressed his attitude: "Just now, the imperial decree has made it very clear that the iron coupon of the Dan book has to be withdrawn. What's more, the iron coupon of the Dan book has expired. In order to avoid future disputes, it is natural to return the iron coupon of the Dan book !"

"The Marquis wants to keep it for... well, I'll pay it back!" Sun Ming originally wanted to make a final struggle, but seeing Liu Jin's stern gaze, he finally changed his attitude and said.

"Farewell!" Liu Jin took away the Danshu Iron Coupon, as if she didn't want to stay here any longer.

Sun Ming knew that he was going to retreat behind the scenes, and now the eunuch's perception of him was not important, so he said coldly: "Eunuch Liu, walk slowly!"

As soon as Liu Jin's front foot left, the news immediately spread in Beijing.

In the case of the Hou Huichang's dilemma, the current emperor chose to recognize the validity of the Danshu Iron Coupon held by the Huichang Hou Mansion, thereby exempting Huichang Hou Xu Ming from death.

"The case is finally closed, but this result is really disappointing!"

"If someone took out Emperor Yingzong's alchemy certificate, you can't take it seriously, right?"

"If you want me to say, the court shouldn't recognize the effectiveness of the Danshu Iron Coupon, just cut it off!"

"I'm not arguing with you about this, anyone with a brain knows this is a dilemma!"

……

After going through the examination questions, all the candidates were no longer keen on the debate on the Huichanghou case, and many of them ended the topic rationally, even advocating respect for the privilege of Danshu iron coupons.

Whether it is to release Huichanghou or punish Huichanghou, they all know that there are certain problems in these two choices.

Now the emperor chooses to exonerate Huichang Marquis Du Ming's crimes. This action is nothing more than acknowledging the iron certificate of the alchemy book of the Huichang Marquis Mansion, and all the actions are actually reasonable.

After all, the Dan Shu Iron Coupon was distributed by Emperor Yingzong, and Emperor Yingzong did agree to save their grandparents from death for three generations. The current emperor is just fulfilling Emperor Yingzong's promise.

If you really want to blame things, then you should not blame the current emperor, but you should blame Emperor Yingzong for being too kind to Gongsun Jizong of Tan Kingdom.Not only did Sun Jizong make that little contribution, but he even awarded the iron coupon of the alchemy to the Houfu of Huichang.

Now accusing the emperor of shielding Huichang Hou, it can only be said that he ignores the facts and is black and black.

Everyone knows that once the current emperor insists on beheading Huichang Hou, then the current emperor will not respect the Emperor Yingzong, and even more so, he will lose faith in the iron certificate of the alchemy granted by the emperor.

Just like that, when the news reached the ears of Juren and Xinke Gongshi, it didn't spread further, but was digested invisibly here.

"The crime of Miemen massacre is unforgivable, and it should be executed without pardon!"

"The state owns the laws of the state, and the family has its own rules. Sun Ming's crime cannot be dismissed!"

"Such an act of shielding the villains is outraged by both men and gods. If you don't kill Huichang Hou, it will not be enough to comfort the seventeen lives!"

……

Although the public opinion turmoil in the capital city was not as expected, Ma Wensheng and others who were hiding behind the scenes made another move, using ordinary students from the four major academies to create a public opinion turmoil in the capital city.

For a while, a feeling of dissatisfaction quickly spread in the capital. After all, some people still wanted the court to bear the blame and the emperor to bear the "bad consequences" of shielding Huichanghou.

The sky in the capital is gloomy, and the struggle for power seems endless.

Dashi Yongfang, in a mysterious house.

Ma Wensheng was still sitting on the first seat, and this time there was another old man.

The newly added old man was none other than Wu Yuanzheng, the head of the Admonishment Academy, a white and clean little old man with a dignified appearance.

Since his hair is already bald, Guer wears a hat all the year round, and his narrow eyes reveal a hint of hatred.

Wu Yuanzheng picked up the teacup and took the initiative to participate in the topic: "Actually, if he is smart, he should choose to kill Huichang Hou instead of accepting the effect of the Danshu iron coupon!"

"The lesser harm is the lesser of two phases, I don't even understand this principle. It seems that we overestimated our emperor!" The youngest old man held a paper fan and said contemptuously.

Ma Wensheng saw their reaction, but he didn't say anything.

He also underestimated the young emperor at first, but when he learned that Zhu Youtang put the case on the test questions of the general examination, he was clever enough to create a fraud case in the general examination. As a result, Ma Shu, a hundred households of Jin Yiwei, was directly taken down.

The current public opinion in the capital is indeed unfavorable to that emperor, but after so many secret confrontations, there is a faint uneasiness in his heart.

"Master Ma, do you have something on your mind?" Wu Yuanzheng suddenly noticed Ma Wensheng who was frowning, and asked seriously.

Ma Wensheng knew that Wu Changzheng was a person with high self-esteem, and he still felt that he was underappreciated, so he nodded lightly and revealed a piece of news: "The news I just got is that Ma Shu has been arrested and brought to the Metropolitan Procuratorate for interrogation!"

"The Metropolitan Procuratorate's arrest of Jinyiwei, what song is this?" Wu Yuanzheng was stunned immediately, and asked in confusion.

The other three old men also looked at Ma Wensheng quite unexpectedly. It was Jin Yiwei who had always arrested officials, but now the Metropolitan Procuratorate has arrested Jin Yiwei.

Ma Wensheng sighed softly, and then seriously replied: "This is His Majesty's order! Judging from the information we have now, I'm afraid the drunkard's intention is not to drink!"

"You mean the emperor wants to get rid of Zhu Ji?" Wu Yuanzheng asked tentatively when he realized that the matter was more serious than he thought.

The other three old men knew that Zhu Ji was very important, so they couldn't help looking at Ma Wensheng worriedly.

Ma Wensheng found that the vision of these people was still too narrow, so he shook his head lightly: "If we only deal with Zhu Ji, the one from the Forbidden City doesn't need to wait until now. This time, I'm afraid the plan is to catch them all!"

He had guessed earlier that Zhu Youtang had been staring at Jin Yiwei, and the reason why he didn't replace Zhu Ji was probably because he wanted to use Zhu Ji to get a big vote.

It's just that "I'm not afraid of thieves stealing, but I'm afraid of thieves thinking about it." Just when he inadvertently exposed his flaws, Zhu Youtang actually made a move at this time.

"Master Ma, are you scaremongering? If there is really a big cleansing of the Jinyiwei, that one would have done it long ago. Why did you wait until now?" The oldest old man didn't agree with this judgment, so he refuted it.

Ma Wensheng smiled bitterly, and immediately pointed out the key point: "This matter is just an inference! Why wait until now, I guess it is because Wang Yue is back, and he thinks that Wang Xiang is ready to take over!"

"Wang Yue didn't even meet the emperor. Are you overestimating Wang Yue?" Wu Yuanzheng didn't pay attention to Wang Yue who had just returned, and asked doubtfully.

Ma Wensheng also didn't understand why Zhu Youtang reused Wang Yue so viciously, but he was unwilling to continue arguing: "This matter is also a guess! It's just that Ma Shu has fallen into Wang Yue's hands now, whether it is to rescue Ma Shu, we still need to get rid of Ma Shu, this matter needs to come up with regulations now!"

"Even so, let Ma Shu leave it to me to deal with it!" The red-nosed old man who had never said a word suddenly made a statement, his eyes flashed fiercely.

Wu Changzheng and the others silently exchanged glances, but they knew what this "solution" meant.

Ma Wensheng knew the ability of this red-nosed old man, but suddenly said: "If possible, let your people get rid of Wang Yue together!"

It is generally mentioned that getting rid of is usually to bring down the opponent, but when Ma Wensheng spoke, he made a gesture of wiping his neck.

The capital seems to be shrouded in a layer of fog, and no one can predict what will happen in the next moment.

Although the juren group does not participate in the topic, the current public opinion is controlled by the scholar-bureaucrats, and the public opinion about the court's protection of Huichang Hou is getting stronger and stronger.

dong dong dong...

In the afternoon of that day, when Huichang Hou Mansion was full of laughter and Sun Ming was drunk, the drums of Shuntian Mansion suddenly sounded, and a woman held a drumstick and beat the Wraith Worship Drum vigorously.

(End of this chapter)