I, Jiajing, successfully cultivated immortality

At this time, Xu Jie was in his mansion in the capital.

Even though it was already very late, Xu Jie didn't feel sleepy at all at this moment.

The words Yan Song said at the banquet kept flashing through his mind like a slideshow.

"Oh, I never thought that I, Xu Jie, would have such a day!"

In the study, Xu Jie shook his head and suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

In fact, Xu Jie had always been aware of what his family was doing behind his back, but he chose to turn a blind eye.

As Xu Jie's official position rose again and again, his family also took advantage of this opportunity to annex land. Now, nearly half of the land in Songjiang Mansion is occupied by Xu Jie's family.

Not only that, the Xu family also owns a considerable number of looms and employs a large number of workers to produce silk.

Even after the imperial court implemented the policy of integrating grain payments between officials and gentry, the wealth that the family behind Xu Jie could accumulate every year was an astronomical figure.

As for these behaviors in the family, Xu Jie also strictly prohibited them at first, but he couldn't stand the efforts of those in the family to persuade him. Later, Xu Jie chose to ignore them and let them go.

Because of this, Xu Jie has always treated those people sent by his clan with a cold face and never treated them well.

In order to numb himself, Xu Jie began to make excuses for himself. After all, he was not the only one who did this in Ming Dynasty.

Whether they are wealthy merchants or high-ranking officials, they are all trying their best to acquire more land.

Not long ago, Zhao Zhenji sent people to search the Yuan family in Jiaxing, but it inadvertently sounded the alarm for Xu Jie.

After all, the whole thing can be said to be that there is no need to blame it.

You must know that Zhao Zhenji's current identity is the Governor-General of Zhejiang Province and the Governor of Zhejiang Province. Even among the ranks of feudal officials, Zhao Zhenji's weight is extremely important.

It was such a high-ranking official who ordered his subordinates to raid the Yuan family in Jiaxing on charges of concealing weapons and intending to commit rebellion!

You know, after the incident happened, Xu Jie specially sent someone to investigate, and the final result of the investigation was that before this, Zhao Zhenji had no grudges with the Yuan family in Jiaxing, and they were on good terms with each other.

Since there is no enmity between each other, Zhao Zhenji's purpose is open to question.

According to Xu Jie's understanding of Zhao Zhenji, Zhao Zhenji is usually cautious and not greedy for money. Otherwise, he would not have gone to the Supervisory Council to take up the post of supervisory censor.

You know, Zhao Zhenji was born as a Shuji scholar. Since the Yingzong period, it has been a custom that non-Jinshi will not be admitted to the Hanlin, and non-Hanlin will not be admitted to the cabinet!

Therefore, Zhao Zhenji's future can be said to be bright. After several years of local experience, it is only a matter of time before he enters the cabinet.

"Right now, people who want to send money to Zhao Zhenji in Ming Dynasty have to queue up from the capital to Zhejiang. Therefore, it is definitely not for extortion!"

"In that case, why did Zhao Zhenji act like this, and why did Yan Song suddenly stand up and remind me to pay more attention..."

Xu Jie couldn't help frowning when he thought of this.

Time passed by slowly, and he didn't know how long it had passed. Xu Jie suddenly had a flash of inspiration, and a shocking thought gradually emerged in his mind: "Is it possible that Zhao Zhenji was instructed by His Majesty this time?"

"And the rumors that were circulated in the government and the public about His Majesty's desire to inventory the land and suppress land annexation are all true!"

The more Xu Jie thought about it, the more likely it seemed. After all, since Zhao Zhenji sent people to search the Yuan family in Jiaxing, similar news had become rampant.

"When His Majesty summoned Yan Song and I, we all thought that His Majesty was going to check the land acres and suppress the land annexation!"

"The outcome of the matter was greatly beyond our expectations. From the beginning to the end, His Majesty never mentioned the matter of land annexation."

"Instead, let the cabinet take the lead and conduct an evaluation of each department in Ming Dynasty, and then pass the rankings and issue year-end bonuses!"

"Since then, few people have mentioned the Jiaxing Yuan family matter that caused a commotion in the capital!"

"Is it possible that this is all a trick played by His Majesty on purpose to divert attention?"

"It was precisely because Yan Song saw this that he reminded him at the previous banquet, but what good would this do to Yan Song?"

After thinking about it for a long time, Xu Jie finally decided not to worry about the meaning behind Yan Song's move.

After thinking about this, there were only two paths left in front of Xu Jie.

The first way is to cut off from the family as soon as possible. This way, you can avoid involving yourself when things happen in the future.

The second way is not to make any cuts, and let those in the family stop as soon as possible and stop annexing the land. By then, there may be room for maneuver.

Xu Jie had never been so entangled before. At this time, the voice of reason in his mind told him that he should cut off from his family as soon as possible, otherwise, it would be too late.

Another emotional voice asked Xu Jie: "Xu Jie, are you going to abandon the family that gave birth to you and raised you?"

After a long while, I saw Xu Jie sitting back on the chair with a dejected face, muttering to himself silently.

"The elders in the clan have watched me grow up. When I was a child, I fell into a dry well. If my clan had not discovered it in time, I would have died in the dry well. How could I have achieved what I have achieved today?"

"The previous ones were nothing more than conjectures, and there was no substantial evidence to prove them."

"In the worst case, I will write a letter myself, and then ask Fan'er to take it to the people in the clan, telling them not to continue to annex the land. Maybe the situation is not irreversibly bad yet, so we should take it one step at a time. Bar!"

Xu Jie thought of this and subconsciously clenched his fists to comfort himself.

Then, without any hesitation, Xu Jie immediately laid out his pen and paper and started writing a letter with a brush soaked in ink.

After the last word fell, Xu Jie put the brush in his hand back to its original position. After the ink on the paper dried, Xu Jie put it into an envelope.

After doing this, Xu Jie called the housekeeper and said in a deep voice: "Go, call the young master over immediately, and tell him that I have something urgent to do with him!"

When the housekeeper heard Xu Jie's words, he immediately looked stern and responded in a deep voice: "Yes, sir!"

……

Shortly after the housekeeper left the room, a sleepy-eyed Xu Fan knocked on the door of the study: "Father?"

After that, Xu Jie's tired voice was heard in the study: "Come in first, I have something very important to ask you to do!"

After the words fell, Xu Fan immediately opened the door and entered without any hesitation.

After entering the study, Xu Fan subconsciously looked in the direction of Xu Jie and asked: "Father, it's so late, do you have anything to do with the child?"

When Xu Jie heard this, he did not rush to respond, but looked his eldest son up and down.

Xu Fan, named Lu Qing, was the only one of Xu Jie's four children born to his original wife, Mrs. Shen. When Xu Fan was only one year old, his mother, Mrs. Shen, died. Soon after, Xu Jie was demoted to Fujian. Losing the love and care of his parents, his childhood was lonely and sad.

Later, after Xu Jie gained power, out of compensation, he also favored him the most.

In the 31st year of Jiajing's reign, Xu Fan was promoted to the rank of chief envoy to consult. Then in the 36th year of Jiajing's reign, Xu Fan was promoted to the rank of Shaoqing of Taichang Temple because of his merits in supervising and supervising the construction of Wanshou Palace.

Then, Xu Jie came back to his senses, pointed to the empty seat beside him, and said: "Sit down first!"

"Yes, father!"

When Xu Fan heard this, he immediately sat down on the empty seat beside him without any hesitation.

Looking at Xu Jie with a solemn expression in front of him, Xu Fan summoned up the courage and asked anxiously: "Father, it's so late, is there anything you need to tell your children to do?"

When Xu Jie heard this, he sighed helplessly, and then said: "Starting from tomorrow, you will take sick leave, immediately set off to return to Songjiang Mansion, and then personally deliver this letter to the clan leader. superior!"

"After delivering the letter, don't be in a hurry to come back. Just stay there and keep an eye on the people in the clan for me. If there is any trouble, report it to me immediately!"

After hearing what Xu Jie said, Xu Fan's face was full of surprise. After all, doing so would inevitably affect his career.

Counting from the thirty-sixth year of Jiajing reign, Xu Fan has been working conscientiously in this position of Shaoqing of Taichang Temple for more than four years.

Xu Fan only needs to stay a year or two more senior, and if there is a vacancy in the court, he might be able to move up the ranks.

But now Xu Jie asked him to leave the capital and go back to his hometown to stare at those clansmen. Isn't this equivalent to ruining his career?

Xu Fan knows very well in his heart that if he wants to go further, he must not stay away from the center of power in the capital. If you are not in your position today, you may not be in your position tomorrow.

Facing Xu Fan's puzzled gaze, a trace of guilt flashed across Xu Jie's face.

Then, he shook his head, looked in the direction of Xu Fan, and explained: "Fan'er, my father asked you to go back to your hometown and keep an eye on those clan members. It was actually a helpless move."

"You must have heard the rumors that were spreading in the court not long ago, right?"

Xu Fan heard what Xu Jie said, and after thinking about it for a moment, he asked Xu Jie tentatively: "Is it possible that my father is referring to your majesty's intention to inventory the acres of land and suppress rumors of land annexation?"

Hearing this, Xu Jie glanced at Xu Fan, nodded, and said, "Well, that's right!"

When the words fell, Xu Fan's face became even more confused. He looked in the direction of Xu Jie and hesitated: "But...but father, didn't it turn out that this rumor was groundless?" , how...how could..."

Xu Jie took in the expression on Xu Fan's face, shook his head imperceptibly, and then said: "No one can prove that this rumor is true. On the contrary, no one can prove that this rumor is false." of!"

When Xu Jie said this, he looked away and said to himself: "Now nearly half of the land in Songjiang Mansion is in the hands of our family. If this rumor is true, Your Majesty really plans to inventory the acres. If land annexation is suppressed, what will happen then?"

Xu Jie's voice was not loud, but it was like a heavy hammer, completely shattering Xu Fan's inner luck. "Yes, my father is right. If His Majesty really intends to inventory the land and curb land annexation, then the Xu family, which owns nearly half of the land in Songjiang Mansion, will become a very eye-catching presence."

"In recent years, the family has engaged in many illegal activities in order to annex land. If these things are exposed, my father will also..."

Thinking of this, Xu Fan was startled and broke out in a cold sweat, and all the remaining dissatisfaction in his heart disappeared.

Then, Xu Fan stood up from his seat, looked in the direction of Xu Jie, and said in a deep voice: "Yes, father, the child knows what to do!"

When Xu Fan said this, he paused and continued: "Early tomorrow morning, the child will report illness and return to his hometown. He will keep an eye on those people in the clan for his father and ask them to stop!"

Seeing that Xu Fan agreed to his proposal, the look of debt on Xu Jie's face became even worse. After all, Xu Fan had lacked the care of his parents since he was a child, and now, he was asked to make such a huge sacrifice.

Immediately, Xu Jie suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his mind, looked in the direction of Xu Fan, and promised in a deep voice: "Fan'er, after this incident is over, my father will compensate you well!"

"Father, the child doesn't need any compensation. If the child can help his father, he will be satisfied!"

When Xu Fan heard this, he immediately leaned down and responded respectfully.

"Okay, it's getting late, you go down and rest first!"

"Yes, father, please leave now!"

After that, Xu Fan took the envelope from Xu Jie's hand with unusual solemnity, leaned down, and answered in a deep voice.

After Xu Fan left the study, the worried look on Xu Jie's face also faded a little.

Then, he picked up the tea cup on the table, took a sip, and said silently to himself: "Oh, I hope those people in the clan can listen to what I say!"

"Otherwise, Fan'er won't be able to play a big role!"

Xu Jie knew very well that as the eldest son, Xu Fan did not have outstanding talents. Otherwise, there would be no need to find a substitute to take the exam.

In the twenty-fourth year of Jiajing's reign, in the examination room of Songjiang Prefecture Township Examination, the person who took the exam for Xu Fan was discovered in public by the examiner Yang Shun, and reported the truth to the court.

Later, with Xu Jie's efforts to mediate, the matter was finally settled.

"Oh, it's so difficult!"

After saying this with emotion, Xu Jie stood up, blew out the candles in the study, and walked towards his room.

……

On the other side, the high arch is located in the capital's mansion.

At this moment, in the room, Gao Gong became sober after drinking the sobering soup sent by his wife Zhang.

Then, he sat up from the bed, looked in the direction of Zhang, and asked, "Who sent me back?"

When Gao Gong's wife Zhang heard this, a hint of complaint flashed across her face, and she responded: "It was Mr. Zhang Juzheng and Mr. Zhang Ge who personally sent you back. It would be better for you to sleep soundly by yourself, leaving Mr. Zhang Ge behind." I’m so tired that I can’t even walk!”

After listening to his wife's complaint, Gao Gong scratched his head in embarrassment. Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, he looked in the direction of his wife Zhang and asked, "By the way, has he gone back? ?”

Gao Gong's wife Zhang heard this, and after recalling it for a moment, she responded: "Mr. Zhang Ge hasn't left yet and is still resting in the hall!"

After Gao Gong heard the news from his wife Zhang, he breathed a sigh of relief. Then, he glanced at his wife Zhang and said: "That's very good." , invite him over!”

"Ah."

After Gao Gong's wife Zhang responded, she immediately left without any hesitation.

Not long after, there was a slight knock on the door, and then Zhang Juzheng's voice was heard: "Mr. Gao Ge?"

"Well, come in!"

At this time, Gao Gong had already changed his clothes and got up from the bed.

Then, with a "squeak" sound, the door to the room was pushed open, and then Zhang Juzheng stepped in.

When Zhang Juzheng saw the tall, well-dressed man with a slim face, a look of surprise flashed across his face.

You know, not long ago, Gao Gong was unconscious, but in the blink of an eye, he was no different from normal?

Gao Gong didn't care what Zhang Juzheng was thinking, but stood up from his seat and bowed his hands to Zhang Juzheng to express his gratitude.

"Thank you Mr. Zhang Ge for sending me all the way back!"

"It doesn't matter, it's just a little effort. Mr. Gaoge doesn't need to be so polite!"

Zhang Juzheng didn't care about this, he just waved his hand and said in agreement.

"Come on, sit down!"

Then, Gao Gong looked in the direction of Zhang Juzheng, pointed to the position in front of him, and said so.

"Ah."

When Zhang Juzheng heard this, he didn't refuse and sat down on the seat next to him.

Soon after, several maids came forward and brought teacups filled with wolfberry water for Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng respectively.

Gao Gong took the tea cup, took a sip, and said with emotion: "Mr. Zhang Ge, you recommended using wolfberry to soak in water. It really worked wonders. After drinking it for a while, my minor physical ailments improved a lot! "

Zhang Juzheng did not comment on Gao Gong's words. After taking a sip, he put down the teacup in his hand and responded with a smile: "I also accidentally heard a doctor mention that wolfberry can nourish the body and prolong life."

“For those of us who work hard every day, the effectiveness of wolfberry couldn’t be better!”

After Gao Gong heard this, he pondered for a moment and said with emotion: "Fortunately, I can have a good rest now, and I don't have to go to court until the twentieth day of the first lunar month!"

After Zhang Juzheng heard Gao Gong's words, he nodded and said in agreement: "Yes!"

……

Since the last time Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng jointly submitted a letter requesting the emperor to allow King Yu to become a vassal, the relationship between Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng has gradually become closer.

Although the emperor did not ask King Yu to give any answer on the vassal issue, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng also took this opportunity to get to know each other well.

Although their opinions are slightly different, in some respects, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng have reached a consensus.

For example, both Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng believed that the current Ming Dynasty needed to carry out a major reform!

After that, Gao Gong turned his eyes to Zhang Juzheng and asked, "By the way, is the recent abolition of the post station going smoothly?"

Zhang Juzheng heard Gao Gong's words and had no intention of hiding it. He nodded and said in agreement: "Well, everything goes well. Although the number of stations that have been abolished this time is less than a hundred, as long as this is started, the remaining stations will be eliminated." The next thing will be much easier to handle!"

After Gao Gong learned the news from Zhang Juzheng, he nodded, then changed the topic and continued: "By the way, recently I accidentally discovered a talented person who is well-read in poetry and books!"

Hearing this, Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but have a look of curiosity on his face, and then asked: "Oh, who is it?"

Facing Zhang Juzheng's extraordinarily curious gaze, Gao Gong pondered for a moment, then turned and said, "Jingyan talks about the official Ma Ziqiang. This person took part in the Shaanxi Provincial Examination last year and won the first place in one fell swoop!"

"According to my observation, this person is not just a rotten scholar who buries his head in books, but has real talent and knowledge!"

Zhang Juzheng expressed no comment on Gao Gong's words, but he secretly remembered Ma Ziqiang's name in his heart.

Later, a tangled look appeared on Zhang Juzheng's face. After thinking about it for a long time, he looked in the direction of Gao Gong and asked tentatively.

"May I ask what Mr. Gao Ge thinks about the incident involving the Yuan family in Jiaxing that was widely circulated in the court not long ago?"

Gao Gong obviously didn't expect Zhang Juzheng to ask this question. After being surprised for a moment, he shook his head and spoke.

"I do think there is something fishy about this matter. Anyway, this matter is definitely not as simple as it seems!"

When Gao Gong said this, he continued to add without waiting for Zhang Juzheng's response: "You know, the current governor-general of Zhejiang and the governor of Zhejiang is Zhao Zhenji. When Zhao Zhenji was still serving as the supervisory censor in the capital, he Be cautious in everything and leave no clues!"

"You must know that the charge that was placed on the Yuan family in Jiaxing was to hide weapons secretly with the intention of treason. With Zhao Zhenji's level of caution, he would never do such a thing to accuse others!"

"Because of this, the only reasonable explanation is that Zhao Zhenji was instructed by others to deliberately use the incident involving the Yuan family in Jiaxing to test the direction of the court!"

When Gao Gong said this, his face was full of determination.

Although Gao Gong did not say it explicitly, Zhang Juzheng clearly knew who the person Gao Gong was alluding to was.

In the Ming Dynasty, besides the emperor, who else could command such an important official as Zhao Zhenji?

"It turns out that Gao Gong is also aware of this matter. It seems that all my previous worries were unnecessary!"

Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief when he thought of this. Since Gao Gong was also aware of this, he might as well open the skylight and speak frankly.

Then, Zhang Juzheng organized the words in his mind, looked in the direction of Gao Gong, and then said: "Well, it seems that Mr. Gao Ge is thinking the same as me. This is His Majesty's plan to check the acres and suppress the land." The annexation will pave the way!" (End of this chapter)