Ming Dynasty 1566

Chapter 56

Jiajing: "You are not in the cabinet, let alone the chief assistant, and you are not responsible for harming the country."

This is alluding to Yan Song!Hu Zongxian was startled and dared not speak again.

Jiajing: "One Zhejiang has been greedy for millions of pieces of silk after 20 years of staring at a weaving bureau. There are also two capitals and twelve provinces, as well as salt, tea, copper, iron, porcelain and cotton yarn. It's really worth it."

Hu Zongxian was really shocked, kneeling there, looking at Jiajing.

Jiajing: "It's hard to be a man, it's hard to be an official, it's not difficult. It's hard not to be a villain, but to be a good official. Yan Song has the kindness to know you, and you don't want to be ungrateful. This is because you don't want to be a villain." Man, I understand you. But don’t forget, you are an official of my Daming, not his Yan Song! Let me ask you again, what happened to the flood in Chun’an and Jiande this May?”

Hu Zongxian: "Ma Ningyuan has a confession, and the minister has submitted it to the court."

Jiajing: "Only God knows Ma Ningyuan's confession. I want to ask you now, how did the Xin'anjiang embankment break?"

Hu Zongxian suddenly raised his head, and replied passionately: "Your Majesty, I have the sincerity of my heart to pour out my blood!"

Jiajing: "Say!"

Hu Zongxian: "My Ming Dynasty has two capitals and thirteen provinces with thousands of miles of people and hundreds of trillions of people. The emperor shoulders the ancestral land, and governing a big country is like cooking a small fish! In the first month of this year, the Tatars crossed the glacier from Hexi to invade Shanxi, and millions of soldiers and civilians in Shuntian Prefecture were short of food; In March, there was a famine in Jinan Prefecture in Shandong; in March, there was a famine in the capital; in April, there was a famine in Shanxi; in May, there was civil strife in Dongchuan chieftain; , Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Ningxia suffered another earthquake, killing and injuring the army and civilians. What's more, the war against Japanese pirates in the southeast coast has reached the decisive moment! The state is so difficult, if a large prison is raised, and the cabinet, six ministries and nine departments are involved, the world will be in chaos! The emperor is now When asked about the breach of the Xin'an River embankment, I have nothing to say, and I can't say anything. I implore the court to conduct a thorough investigation at an appropriate time. The painstaking efforts of the minister are not just for the kindness of Yan Ge. Yan Song has been in power for 20 years, Whether he is corrupt or not, whether someone else is using his name to be corrupt or he himself is corrupt, the emperor knows him better than the humble minister."

Jiajing stared at him closely, then turned to Lu Fang for a long time: "Lu Fang."

Lu Fang: "The servant is here."

Jiajing: "Do you know what is the state of public loyalty? This is called the state of public loyalty." Speaking of this, he turned to Hu Zongxian: "Okay. I am not going to ask about the Xin'an River breaking the embankment now because you are right. When it comes to Yan Song, I don’t know better than you. If you want to excuse him, I also want to excuse him. But the only one who can really excuse him is himself. Now you go to see Yan Song overnight with these bad debts. Don’t say it’s me Don’t tell me you’ve met me before, just say that I’m here to report on the southeast anti-corruption incident according to my secret decree, and by the way, show him the accounts you found in Zhejiang.”

Hu Zongxian was even more surprised: "Your Majesty, if you don't keep secrets, you will lose your ministers, and if your ministers don't keep secrets, you will lose your dignity. I would rather face the emperor and the cabinet with openness. Why did the emperor order the ministers to do this, I beg you to clarify."

Jiajing: "I told you to do this so that I won't lose my minister! I told you to do this just to see if I and you have misunderstood someone."

Hu Zongxian froze there again, and said for a long time: "Back to the emperor, when I went to Beijing in March this year, I went to see Mr. Yan Ge, but was turned away. I asked to see him at this time, and he would not see me."

Jiajing waved his hand: "I know that he didn't see you last time. It's not that he didn't see you, but Yan Shifan didn't let you see him. Now I have asked Yan Song to let Yan Shifan move out, so you can see him this time."

After decades of official career, Hu Zongxian has seen the court situation and the officialdom very thoroughly, but this kind of thing came from the emperor's arrangement, and he was shocked by such a careful arrangement.Whether or not to accept the order, my heart was blank at this moment, and I was in a daze.

Lu Fang interrupted, and said loudly: "Lord Hu, don't you understand the painstaking efforts of the emperor?"

Hu Zongxian came to his senses, so he had no choice but to kowtow: "I obey the order."

Jiajing looked at Lu Fang: "He won't be able to leave the palace. You send him off."

After sending Hu Zongxian away, Lu Fang returned to Yuxi Palace, saw that Jiajing was still meditating with his eyes closed, so she went to the dragon bed to lay a bedding for him.After spreading the quilt, he brought the basin of water again, placed it lightly in front of Jiajing, and twisted the veil: "Master, it's time to rest, it's time to rest."

"Who do you think this Hu Zongxian is!" Jiajing asked suddenly without opening his eyes, let alone picking up the handkerchief.

Lu Fang stopped there, thought for a while and replied: "I can only make an analogy, it may not be appropriate."

"Say." Jiajing opened his eyes and looked at him.

Lu Fang: "According to my servant, he looks like a daughter-in-law."

Jiajing: "How do you say?"

Lu Fang: "There are parents-in-law at the top who have to be filial, husbands in the middle have to take care of them, and there are so many children at the bottom who have to work hard. It's hard work, and it's hard to please both ends."

"Like." There were smile lines on the corners of Jiajing's mouth, but they disappeared quickly, "What he said is not unreasonable. In two capitals and thirteen provinces, the east wall was repaired, and the west wall fell down again. Now If Yan Song is replaced, others may not be able to take care of this family well. I hope that Yan Song will also be kept from others."

Lu Fang: "Sage is nothing but master. If even people like Hu Zongxian don't want Yan Song to fall now, it means it's not the right time. The key point is to find out what Yan Shifan and the others did without telling Yan Song. If there is no hard evidence , it’s really hard to move them.”

Jiajing was silent there for a long time, then suddenly asked: "Shen Yishi's account records that he sent 20 million bolts of silk to the palace in 210 years. Where are these silks used? Whether those slaves are greedy or not, you have to check!"

Lu Fang: "Back to the master, the slave has already arranged for someone to investigate. It's time for the card, and the master should rest. I still have to see Yan Song."

"If you want to rest, you can go and rest. I will sit here and wait for them." Said, Jiajing sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

Lu Fang sighed silently, and had no choice but to move another futon and put it on the ground next to Jiajing's side table, sat down cross-legged, closed her eyes and took a nap with him.

Yan Song was woken up from the bed. At this time, he was wearing a long gown, standing quietly in the study, waiting for Hu Zongxian to come in.

The first to bring in were the two large wooden boxes carried by the family members of the Yan Mansion, which were placed in the middle of the study, and the family members withdrew.

Then Hu Zongxian walked in slowly, stood by the door and looked at Yan Song.

Yan Song's eyesight has long since failed, although the concierge sent Hu Zongxian's post first, but at this time Hu Zongxian suddenly appeared in front of him from the southeast anti-Japanese war, he couldn't believe it, his old eyes were wide open and he was silent Looking at the familiar figure at the door.

It was already midnight, and a cool breeze blew in from outside the door, blowing Yan Song's sparse hair that had turned from white to yellow to fluttering messily.

Hu Zongxian felt sore, and then he thought of kneeling down: "Shouye Hu Zongxian pays homage to elder Ge."

Hearing the voice, Yan Song knew that Hu Zongxian was really here, but he still asked, "Is it Ruzhen?"

Hu Zongxian: "Master Huige is a disciple."

All kinds of guesses and expectations are gone at this time, what Yan Song presents is the true calm of an old man who has experienced many vicissitudes: "It's good to be here, it's good to be here. Sit down and talk slowly." He sat down on the recliner behind him first, then pointed to the chair beside him.

"Yes." Hu Zongxian kowtowed, stood up and sat down beside Yan Song, staring at him steadfastly.

Yan Song also looked at him and stretched out his hand.Hu Zongxian froze for a moment, then stretched out his hand and put it in Yan Song's palm.

Yan Song was waiting for Hu Zongxian to speak, but Hu Zongxian didn't know where to start. The two of them held hands like this, and they were silent for a while.

"I'm 81, and you're 56, right?" Yan Song spoke first.

Hu Zongxian: "Yes. My disciple is 56 years old this year."

Yan Song: "Your hair has also turned gray a lot?"

Hu Zongxian: "Yes. In the past few years, [-]% of it is white."

Yan Song: "Brother Baitou, it's even hard to see each other."

Hu Zongxian looked at Yan Song's old face: "Teacher, when I came to Beijing in March, my disciples came here..."

"Stop talking." Yan Song interrupted him, "It was Yan Shifan who didn't let you in, I already know."

There was another silence, Yan Song squeezed Hu Zongxian's hand: "In this world, sometimes a disciple is better than a son. This time you came to Beijing with a secret order, right?"

Hu Zongxian pondered for a while, and then replied: "Yes. The emperor wants to intervene in the war against the Japanese in the southeast."

Yan Song: "The southeast half of the wall is on your shoulders! I heard that it is difficult to fight, but it is also very good?"

Hu Zongxian: "This is the last major event that the disciples can do. No matter how difficult it is, we must put down the Japanese pirates."

Yan Song was dejected: "Don't think that way. Among the people I use, you are the only one who can take on the most important responsibilities. The court uses you every day. You should do it one day. If you ask you something, tell me the truth."

Hu Zongxian: "Teacher, please ask, and the disciple must answer truthfully."

Yan Song: "You went to Yingtian to borrow food from Zhao Zhenji. How did he lend it to you? Was he willing to borrow it as soon as you went, or did he have no choice but to lend it to you in the name of military rations?"

Hu Zongxian: "Returning to my teacher, no matter what, Zhao Zhenji still lent the food from Nanzhili to Zhejiang. Everyone is in charge of a province, and he also has difficulties."

Yan Song: "What's the problem? Is it because someone from above greeted him and prevented him from lending food to Zhejiang?"

Hu Zongxian was silent for a while again: "Teacher, I just know what to do from the bottom of my heart, I don't dare to speculate on things that have no basis."

"You really know how to be a daughter-in-law and hide from both ends!" Yan Song sighed, "Actually, I am just a daughter-in-law, just a generation older than you. As long as I can hide the past, I also want to hide it. I kept it a secret from myself. Ruzhen, it is so difficult to be a daughter-in-law, only our juniors know the pain. But there are still some people who still want to fight to be this daughter-in-law. Xu Jie wants to fight for my daughter-in-law, and Zhao Zhenji also wants to fight for you This daughter-in-law, they really want to fight, when the time comes, I will give it to him, and put down the Japanese pirates, you should let it go too."

Hu Zongxian suddenly raised his head and looked at Yan Song, but he didn't dare to answer, so he remained silent.

After a forced sigh of emotion and a heartbroken silence, Yan Song's eyes dimly looked at the two wooden boxes in the hall: "Did you bring these two boxes?"

Hu Zongxian: "Yes."

Yan Song: "Ruzhen. It's been 20 years. When will I want your things? Every time I come to Beijing, I will say hello to you and don't give you anything. I use you. I have never thought about it. It's just for the country. Yin. They all said that I, Yan Song, flattered the emperor because of my ability to write good poems. If so, can I sit in the position of chief minister of the cabinet for 20 years? Can this matter be calmed down by writing Qingci? What does it depend on? It mainly depends on the support of people like you! Ruzhen, there are different people in employing people. Do it all! When you go, take the box out."

Hu Zongxian was excited and sad for a while, and his eyes were finally wet: "Men, these two boxes are not gifts."

"Oh?" Yan Song looked at him slowly, "What is it?"

Hu Zongxian: "It's the account book."

Yan Song fell silent immediately, obviously thinking sharply there, and looked at him again after a long time: "Did you copy Shen Yishi's account book?"

Hu Zongxian: "Yes."

Yan Song immediately asked: "How much property was copied?"

Hu Zongxian replied in a low voice: "The 25 weaving houses can weave 960 pieces of silk, [-] pieces of silk in stock, and more than [-] taels of silver."

Yan Song was stunned for a moment, sitting there, staring blankly ahead.

Hu Zongxian immediately felt that Yan Song's warm hand just now turned cold, and immediately held him: "Mr. Ge, this result is not accidental. Don't worry yet."

Yan Song's empty eyes slowly turned to look at him: "National affairs are in dire straits. Anti-Japanese in the southeast, Tatars in the northwest, native barbarians in the northeast, and famines in several provinces. Right now, they are all counting on Shen Yishi's family wealth. Why? That's all there will be!"

Hu Zongxian: "Shen Yishi's money has been stolen by others. We need to investigate thoroughly. The accounts are all here."

Yan Song's eyes slowly turned to those two boxes: "Is it these two wooden boxes?"

Hu Zongxian pondered for a while, and replied: "Yes."

Yan Song suddenly became excited: "How can you send these account books to me!"

Hu Zongxian couldn't answer.

Yan Song: "This involves the Weaving Bureau! No one but the emperor can read these accounts. Ruzhen, you are so confused!"

Hu Zongxian had no choice but to answer: "Yes."

Yan Song: "I have been an official for decades. I have been a minister of the Ministry of War in the court and a governor in the lower court. Why can't I understand such a thing? Immediately take the account book away, wait in the court room, and send it to the palace early in the morning. "

Unable to explain or answer, Hu Zongxian had no choice but to look deeply at Yan Song: "Ge Lao, what if these accounts involve Xiao Ge Lao and other people in the court?"

Yan Song: "That's self-inflicted evil!"

Yan Song's attitude caused Hu Zongxian to feel ups and downs. What made him most gratified was that no matter how the history books of thousands of generations evaluated him, he had no guilt at all as the person Yan Song single-handedly promoted and reused.He knew that the emperor was going to summon Yan Song when he was in Mao, and he had to send the account book to the palace beforehand, and report Yan Song's attitude to the emperor truthfully.

Hu Zongxian: "Elder Ge, that disciple is leaving now, so send the account book to the palace immediately."

Yan Song didn't answer immediately, but was thinking about it, and then looked at him: "Ruzhen, what you did tonight is a big taboo. Don't say that you came to me first when you came to the palace."

Hu Zongxian was startled: "Can this be hidden from the emperor?"

Yan Song: "It's only a lie! If the emperor finds out, I won't be blamed if I didn't read the account books. The key is you. If you show me these account books first, you are deceiving the emperor! Ruzhen, I am already 81, and I will not be blamed if I die. It doesn't matter much. The overall situation in the southeast cannot be without you. Listen to me, don't talk about it in the palace."

Hu Zongxian: "There are Jinyiwei and Dongchang people everywhere in the capital, and they may know about it when the disciples come to the house. Mr. Ge, if you bear the crime, you will bear the crime. The disciple should not implicate the teacher."

Yan Song was a little anxious: "Confused! No matter who says you have been here, I will not admit it. I will take care of things."

Hu Zongxian's tears overflowed, he knelt down to cover up, and breathed evenly: "The disciple listens to the mentor. I'm leaving."

Yan Song: "Come on, go out through the back door."

Hu Zongxian kowtowed deeply, then got up and hurried away.

In the dog days, it was already bright at the beginning of Mao.Yan Song's two fathers stopped in front of the stone steps of the main hall, Lu Fang immediately came down, and supported him as usual: "Ge Lao, you haven't slept well, your eyes are red."

Yan Song: "I can't sleep well, so serving the emperor counts as a day."

Lu Fang didn't say anything more, and helped him slowly up the steps and into the abode.

"The old minister kowtowed to the emperor." Yan Song bent down slowly with difficulty.

"Stop saluting, Mr. Fuge sit down." Jiajing sat on the futon and immediately looked at Lu Fang.

"Yes." Lu Fang agreed, and helped Yan Song to sit down on the embroidered pier beside her.

After sitting down, Yan Song vaguely saw Hu Zongxian kneeling on the right front of the Jiajing futon. Two large wooden boxes had been opened and placed in front of the futon.

It has been 20 years, and only one foreign minister can enter the emperor's abode. Hu Zongxian can actually kneel here today, and kneel beside the opened account book wooden box. Of course, old Yan Song understood that Hu Zongxian carried the account book at night to see that he belonged to the emperor. purpose!

Jiajing's gaze was fixed on Yan Song, and Yan Song's face was as calm as water.

Jiajing looked at Hu Zongxian again, who knelt there with his head slightly lowered.

Jiajing spoke: "Old Yan Ge."

Yan Song left his body: "The old minister is here."

Jiajing: "These are two boxes that Hu Zongxian brought from Zhejiang. Do you know what's inside?"

Yan Song: "Return to Your Majesty, I don't know."

As expected, Yan Song did exactly what Hu Zongxian played, and he covered it up for Hu Zongxian as soon as he came. Jiajing suddenly felt a sour taste in his heart. expression.

Only Lu Fang stood on one side and felt Jiajing's reaction, and her heart couldn't help but lift up.

(End of this chapter)