Chapter 427 There is a traitor among you

in the house.

Zhang Juzheng stood up angrily.

Jump off the bed.

He glared at Hai Rui, who insisted on sleeping next to him tonight and sighed all night, with a face full of resentment.

It can be seen that Hai Rui is looking over here.

Zhang Juzheng could only shake his head helplessly and said, "Brother Gangfeng, what do you want to do tonight? Just tell me. Why are you being so pretentious?"

Looking at Zhang Juzheng who was clearly angry but helpless.

Hai Rui just smiled faintly, then jumped off the bed with a smile on his face as if his evil plan had succeeded.

He didn't even take off the robe he had been wearing.

The so-called sleeping with feet propped up and sighing all night long is obviously bullshit.

Zhang Juzheng shrank his arms, took off his outer robe from the side and put it on again, then walked out of the inner room with a worried look on his face and sat down in front of the tea table.

Fill the teapot with water.

The stove is lit.

Soon, the spring water began to boil.

The aroma of tea overflows.

Zhang Juzheng poured a cup of tea for Hai Rui and looked up at him: "Brother Gangfeng, let's talk. After we drink the tea and finish talking, you can go and have a rest. I am also really tired and exhausted."

Hai Rui sat down opposite Zhang Juzheng with a smile as usual, and then asked mysteriously: "Uncle, what do you say tonight? If we can moisten the soil and stir up the people in Nanjing, then we can rush in like a military formation and attack Huanglong?"

Zhang Juzheng nodded, and said tiredly with dark circles under his eyes: "You haven't worked with him for a long time, nor have you lived with him for a long time, so you don't know his character. But I have been with him in Beijing for a long time, and I have also planned many things with him. Naturally, I know that he will definitely do this this time."

Hai Rui immediately asked, "Does Uncle really think that he is already in Nanjing? What will he do next?"

Without waiting for Zhang Juzheng to speak.

There was another knock on the door, followed by shouts from Zhang Juzheng's staff.

Zhang Juzheng immediately looked over and asked, "What's the matter?"

The staff and advisor outside said, "Master, the latest news is that Guest Yan has left Huai'an Prefecture a few days ago and is missing."

Hai Rui immediately looked at Zhang Juzheng with some surprise and admiration.

Zhang Juzheng hummed, "I understand."

There was no more conversation outside the house.

Only the sound of footsteps gradually faded away.

Hai Rui's eyes flickered as he said, "What if Uncle Da really guessed it right? Runwu has really gone to Nanjing!"

Zhang Juzheng snorted twice.

He held the teacup and took a sip. "Since we already know that he has entered Nanjing, the next step is to shock the heroes and achieve our goal."

Talking.

A smile finally appeared on Zhang Juzheng's face and he drank the tea in the cup.

Sure enough, it was exactly as I had guessed. Yan Shaoting really did rush to Nanjing unexpectedly. So my guesses about what happened next wouldn't be much different.

Hai Rui leaned forward and said, "Uncle, please tell me quickly. What will Runwu do next?"

Zhang Juzheng put down his teacup and looked at Hai Rui, asking, "Brother Gangfeng, why don't you tell me what is the purpose of Runwu's going south this time?"

After asking, he poured himself another cup of tea.

Hai Rui had no intention of sipping tea at the moment. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes were gloomy. "According to the order of the court and the emperor, we must clean up the money and grain taxes of the six provinces, so that the taxes of the six provinces in the south of the Yangtze River can continue to grow, increase taxes for the court, and enrich the national treasury."

Seeing Hai Rui start to ponder, Zhang Juzheng stopped talking.

really.

Hai Rui immediately changed the subject and said, "But I think Runwu should know that although the court's annual tax revenue can be increased by nearly 20 million because of him, it is difficult to increase it easily now. Even if the names of the money and grain taxes in Jiangnan are clarified, it will probably only increase by a few million. And if there is a significant increase, such as the annual income of tens of millions from silk or the opening of the sea, it will probably require the six provinces to go to war and cause a big chaos to succeed. So, although Runwu has acted drastically in the past, given his character, he certainly does not want to implicate innocent people."

After finishing speaking.

Hai Rui immediately looked at Zhang Juzheng with a questioning look in his eyes.

Zhang Juzheng nodded and said, "Brother Gangfeng's words are similar. Runwu certainly doesn't want to cause trouble for the people of the six provinces in the south of the Yangtze River."

Hai Rui frowned and asked, "What is he going to do..."

suddenly.

Hai Rui shut his mouth.

But his eyes became brighter and brighter, and finally he stared at Zhang Juzheng in front of him, and suddenly he slammed his hands heavily on the table.

Zhang Juzheng was frightened by Hai Rui who did not wash his feet so late at night.

But before he could open his mouth to curse.

Hai Rui's eyes widened, and he looked like he had finally come to his senses. He said in a low voice, "It's you! That's right! Uncle Da is the Governor-General of Maritime Affairs! The affairs of the six provinces in the south of the Yangtze River will definitely fall on the shoulders of your Maritime Affairs Office!"

Hai Rui knew that he had understood everything, and his face was full of excitement, but he was frowning.

After the excitement, Hai Rui gradually calmed down.

He suddenly sighed, "In the final analysis, governing a country is like cultivating oneself. If one is not upright, relying on external things is not a long-term solution. In recent years, the country has been annexed and the gentry and the rich have exploited the people. It is already unbearable to watch, and the people have a hard life. If we don't correct it now, it will be difficult to hide the corruption. If something unexpected happens, I am afraid it will still usher in a chaos, and even harm the foundation of the country."

After he finished speaking, Hai Rui's face was already filled with worry.

They were all officials present, and had governed the local area for many years, and had witnessed the appearance of the local people with their own eyes.

No one is stupid or foolish.

Everyone can see where the root cause of the Ming Dynasty’s current problems lies.

But understanding it and being able to correct it are two different things.

Whether or not one can change and whether one is willing to change is another matter.

This is probably what they mean when they say everything is difficult.

Zhang Juzheng took a sip of tea, and there was a sigh on his face: "One bite and one drink, governing a country is like cooking a small fish. Even if you and I have unprecedented ambitions, how can we really burn with fire? Even now, what you and I are doing in Suzhou City and the two governments, aren't we cautious for fear of drastic changes?"

After finishing speaking.

Zhang Juzheng suddenly lost the mood to drink tea.

This time, Hai Rui dragged him into the water. He went to Songjiang Prefecture in person to conduct a detailed inventory of the land. How could outsiders know the difficulties involved?

However, the hardships that Zhang Juzheng witnessed were endless and one after another, too numerous to list.

In the 40th year of the Jiajing reign, he was ordered to go south to supervise the increase in silk production, but he did not know the full picture. Now that he is in Jiangnan, he has come to understand how corrupt the society is in this place.

Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but sigh silently.

My former mentor is a man who appears to be noble and dedicated to the country and the people. His family also behaves like that. How could anyone else be like him?
This trip to Songjiang Prefecture is for business.

I have heard the name Xu Banfu so many times that my ears are callused.

The room was silent for a long time.

Hai Rui then spoke in a low voice with a gloomy look in his eyes, "I heard from the capital that the doors of the West Garden were no longer open last winter, and there were even many stoves in the palace. Your Majesty, please..."

"Be careful!"

Zhang Juzheng let out a low shout, looked solemnly at Hai Rui who had already shut his mouth, and then sighed heavily.

The current ruler of the Ming Dynasty is Emperor Jiajing, who has been the emperor for more than 40 years.

The eyes of people all over the world will naturally be on this sky all the time.

It is for this reason that everything that happens in Xiyuan will be known to the outside world.

For example, last year the Wanshou Palace in Xiyuan no longer opened its doors and windows in winter, but instead kept them closed and lit the stove. Naturally, everyone outside had already known about it.

Of course, many problems will be exposed here.

It will also arouse people's suspicion.

The biggest problem is also something that no one dares to talk about.

Whether the emperor's health can last long.

Comparing the changes in the Wanshou Palace in Xiyuan that began last year, the answer to this question seems obvious, but no one dares to speak out.

Zhang Juzheng looked deeply at Hai Rui, who had made the matter clear, and was filled with annoyance.

The emperor is probably dying.

How could he not have this understanding in his mind?

You know, the emperor is now nearly sixty years old.

Among the ancestors of the Ming Dynasty, there were not many who were as old as him.

How long can the emperor live?

It has basically become the biggest question in the minds of officials in the court today.

And once the emperor really dies.

The first thing that the court officials and the people of the world are facing is the succession of the throne.

There will inevitably be unprovoked conflicts in the court, and no one knows how long this conflict caused by the change of the throne will last.

Hai Rui was naturally anxious.

The change of throne is irrelevant.

But once it really happens, the work inside and outside the court will basically come to a semi-shutdown.

How will I do things then?

and.

In fact, deep down, Hai Rui always believed that the current problem of the court was the fighting among civil and military officials in the court.

As for the emperor in the Western Garden.

His king and father.

Everyone knows that the emperor has long been confined in the West Garden.

According to Hai Rui's thinking, three-tenths of the current problems of the Ming Dynasty are caused by the emperor and father, but seven-tenths are caused by the ministers.

If the minister is incompetent, what is the fault of the king and father?
Zhang Juzheng glanced at Hai Rui with a frown on his face, and seemed to feel the same way, or perhaps even more deeply.

after all.

He had stayed in the Wenyuan Pavilion, which was sought after by everyone, for a while.

He is also the one who can best understand the power struggles involved.

After all, the emperor is just one person, but the Ming Dynasty is ruled by thousands of ministers.

Is the emperor at fault?
Probably yes.

But I am afraid that the ministers may have made a big mistake.

Now that the Ming Dynasty has come to this point, no one can escape blame.

Everyone is guilty!
He couldn't help but look up at Hai Rui: "What do you want to do?"

"The matter of the changing of heaven and earth is not something you and I can discuss at the moment." Hai Rui shook his head slowly, full of sighs, and then continued: "But at present, the six provinces in the south of the Yangtze River are almost in the hands of Runwu, and he can move the whole body with a single move. This is a convenient thing that benefits us. I also know that my uncle is determined to reform the government and the country. Why shouldn't you and I work together with Runwu to help the affairs of the south of the Yangtze River, so that our dynasty can truly prosper, benefit the country and the people, and restore peace?"

Finished.

Hai Rui looked at Zhang Juzheng calmly with a smile on his lips.

As for Zhang Juzheng, who had now been dragged into trouble by him, he had seen through him.

otherwise.

How could he and the other party sleep side by side and have a long conversation tonight?
Although the two have slightly different political views.

But in the final analysis, hasn't that sentence been made clear long ago?

Same way.

If it were just the two of them, it might not last long, but if Yan Shaoting was brought in.

Maybe among three people, there can also be a teacher?

Zhang Juzheng raised his eyebrows: "Are you finally going to Nanjing?"

Hai Rui shook his head.

"Do not."

"It's me and Shuda, going to Nanjing together!"

……

Nanjing.

late at night.

Everything is silent.

The Qinhuai singing and dancing stopped.

However, in the East City Garrison Office, the lights were still on and people were dancing around.

In the White Tiger Hall.

Everyone was already exhausted.

But no one really dared to close their eyes.

From time to time, his eyelids drooped, and then he opened them wide alertly, looking left and right, no one dared to give in.

In the hall.

Zhu Qi and Liu Wan were protecting Yan Shaoting, who was leaning on a chair and had already fallen asleep. They were looking at everyone present with calm but vigilant eyes.

Zhu Qi, who had worked in the Jinyiwei all year round, was naturally tired of such scenes. There were also nine ministers staying in the Jinyiwei prison.

However, Liu Wan, the chief flag officer who was appointed by the Beijing Camp Lieutenant General Guo Yuchuang to accompany Yan Shaoting south, was very interested in the show.

In the past, I was just a small general in the Beijing camp, with forty or fifty soldiers who could not read a few words under my command. Now, seeing these Jinshi, the selected scholars, and the ministers in the court, actually behave like this, I was really surprised.

After completing this mission, he returned to Beijing.

I am afraid that I will not be able to have a good talk with the brothers in the camp for three to five months.

I don’t know how much time passed.

The sound of the night watchman's beating outside the yamen had long since disappeared.

Everything was completely silent.

and then.

I don't know how much time has passed.

It seemed as if there was a faint sound of bells coming from Zhongshan Mountain.

This is the sound of the morning bell among the morning bells and evening drums.

According to the imperial curfew, the city gates would be opened before dawn every day and knocked 360 times.

Along with the morning bells on Zhongshan Mountain, there are the bells coming from Taoist temples and monasteries all over the city.

This is also common practice.

No changes.

Inside and outside the city, thousands of bells rang at once.

It is a peaceful and harmonious scene.

And this is also the time when people are most troubled.

But in the White Tiger Hall.

Yan Shaoting woke up quietly and slowly opened his eyes.

Zhu Qi seemed to sense something and immediately looked over.

Yan Shaoting had already looked over and shook his head silently.

Zhu Qi immediately retracted his gaze and looked forward.

Yan Shaoting, who had rushed all the way yesterday and finally had enough sleep, looked at the officials from various departments in Nanjing, none of whom left the hall, with a smile on his face.

"I am here to go south by imperial order. The emperor and the officials in the court have high hopes for me."

"The canal is a thousand miles long, connecting the north and the south. I have not yet been to Jinling, but I have heard so many surprising things."

"I am shocked by the numerous chapters of this book. In the secondary capital of our dynasty, all the ministers are present today..."

"There are all those treacherous people who bring disaster to the country and the people, and harm the country!"

Yan Shaoting's voice was not too loud, but in such silence, it seemed particularly loud, reaching the ears of everyone present who were already tired and exhausted.

Especially his last sentence.

Today, some people present here are all treacherous and corrupt officials of the dynasty.

This statement came out.

Everyone in the room was awakened with shock.

There was a clang.

Yang Zongqi, the Nanjing Governor-General and Minister of Grain Reserves, actually slipped from his chair and fell to the ground in front of everyone.

Yan Shaoting stood up in high spirits, put his hands on the table, and stared at the general's battle screen in front of the hall.

"Everyone."

"Tell me about it."

"Who exactly is this traitor who brings disaster to the country and the people?"

…………

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(End of this chapter)