Chapter 507 Chapter 506 Dismissal From Office and Living in Idleness

Nan Gan is actually the border area of ​​Jiangxi, Guangdong, Fujian and Hunan. It is a mountainous area belonging to the Wuling area. This is a mountain range running from northeast to southwest, stretching between Hunan, Guangdong and Guangxi, and Jiangxi.

In the early Ming Dynasty, this area was sparsely populated and filled with miasma, which was not suitable for human habitation.

But in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the situation changed dramatically.

After the middle of the Ming Dynasty, land annexation was very serious, and many people lost their land, which led to the people relying on usury or migrating to other places to live. In years with poor harvests, the people became refugees, and sometimes tens of thousands of people migrated with their families.

There is more land in the Nan Gan area and a small population. Refugees from the four provinces gradually migrated to the Nan Gan area to live, which changed the situation of vast land and sparse population in the early Ming Dynasty. In order to avoid corvée, they gathered here and became the main force in the development of the Nan Gan area.

These refugees who migrated here went down the mountain to farm during the day and went up the mountain to become thieves at night. In addition to the ethnic minority indigenous people who had lived in Nan Gan earlier, the local security environment was quite chaotic. The government was exhausted in this area, but with little success.

The common people evaded taxes, which greatly reduced tax revenue. The refugees gathered here became local thieves, and riots occurred from time to time.

Starting from the Hongzhi period, in order to suppress the riots of refugees in Nan Gan, the Ming court not only mobilized the surrounding guards, but also invited the Guangxi wolf soldiers to participate in the war. However, facing the refugees on the borders of the four provinces, they echoed and assisted each other, but they were unable to suppress the thieves.

Here, the seeds of unrest hesitated like weeds, which could not be burned out by the raging fire and would grow again in the spring breeze.

For this reason, Ming Xiaozong specially set up the post of Nan Gan Governor, who was responsible for suppressing local thieves, controlling refugees, restoring local order, and changing the local thief atmosphere.

Since the establishment of Nangan in the Ming Dynasty, the governor has been arranged to stabilize the local area. The most famous should be Wang Yangming's tenure as the governor of Nangan. He used both suppression and appeasement to crack down on the main offenders of evil.

In order to restrain the people in the Nangan area, Wang Yangming established a "mutual appointment system" to restrain the behavior of the people.

The positions of "appointment" and "appointment leader" were set up to meet regularly to jointly deal with local issues, and community schools and academies were established to educate local people, which promoted the development of the Nangan area.

Wang Yangming's approach set a template for later generations, and the situation in the Nangan area gradually changed and stabilized.

When the Nangan governor was first established, "Ganzhou was the seat of government, and the three prefectures of Nan'an, Ganzhou, and Jianchang were also in charge of the arrest of thieves in Chaozhou, Huizhou, and Nanxiong in Guangdong, Tingzhou in Fujian, and Chenzhou in Huguang.

Since then, the jurisdiction of this position has continued to expand and shrink, but it is still roughly centered on Ganzhou Prefecture and Nan'an Prefecture, and the rest of the jurisdiction is managed as "concurrent jurisdiction".

In the 35th year of Jiajing, the two prefectures of Ting and Zhang in Fujian were placed under the jurisdiction of the governor of Nangan, but they were under the dual management of Nangan and Fujian.

However, after all, the two prefectures of Ting and Zhang had been under the management of Fujian for a long time, so when the Guangdong thieves made trouble in Fujian, the first person to report was the governor of Fujian, which allowed the governor of Nangan to escape this disaster.

The position of deputy general of Nangan granted to Yu Dayou by the court was actually the command of the troops under the governor of Nangan. After all, these troops still had some combat power due to long-term suppression of bandits, but they had been fighting on their own for a long time and lacked a general to lead them.

The arrival of Yu Dayou gave them a backbone, and they gained a lot in this battle to encircle and suppress Zhang Lian.

Nangan Shenwei City is a newly built city between the four counties of Xingning, Chengxiang, Anyuan and Wuping in Jiangxi. It is also the station of the deputy general of Nangan. However, today, the army gathered here again to prepare for the expedition.

It is no wonder that Yu Dayou did not dispatch troops to reinforce Xinghua Prefecture in the first place when such a major event happened. In fact, when he received the order, Xinghua Prefecture had already fallen.

The mountains are high and the roads are long, even he is out of reach.

Moreover, after destroying the Wushipu thieves' nest, Yu Dayou dispersed his troops and planned to encircle and suppress the thieves such as Ye Huai, Li Wenbiao and Xie Yunzhang in the jurisdiction.

Upon receiving the news that Xinghua Prefecture City had fallen, he immediately issued a call for reinforcements, and at the same time asked the governor of Nangan to raise food and grass, prepare armor and equipment, and it took quite some time for the various units to arrive at Shenwei City.

Today, the army has been assembled, and more than 6,000 soldiers will follow him to Fujian again.

Looking at the neatly arranged soldiers on the training ground, Yu Dayou was also excited.

As a military general, although he hopes for peace in the world, who doesn't want to make achievements?

For military generals, the battlefield is the only place where they compete for meritorious service. Therefore, when Yu Dayou received the news of the fall of Xinghua Prefecture, he felt both regret and relief in his heart. It was really complicated and difficult to understand.

Standing on the high platform, Yu Dayou loudly read out the order to mobilize troops from the Nanjing Military Department.

He read on the stage, and dozens of soldiers with loud voices shouted loudly with him. The purpose was also to let all the soldiers know the reason for their expedition, even if the news had actually begun to spread in the military camp a few days ago.

Afterwards, under the leadership of Yu Dayou, the generals who went on the expedition followed the sacrificial ceremony. On the sacrificial platform, a flagpole decorated with ivory, a red background, blue edges, and tassels fluttered in the wind, and the sun and moon patterns were embroidered in the flag.

The red flag heart is matched with the blue flag edge, corresponding to wood generating fire.

The ivory flag was used as a sacrificial flag when going to war. "The military book says that the ivory flag is the general's flag. It is said that in ancient times, when the emperor went out, he would raise a large ivory flag with ivory on the pole, so it was called the ivory flag."

"On the seventh day of the twelfth month of the 41st year of Jiajing, the emperor sent an official to offer sacrifices to the god of the invincible general of heavenly power, divine machine, fire and thunder. The god is brave and fierce, strong and vigorous. He roars with thunder and ignites with fire. He protects the country and the people, and his achievements are remarkable. He suppresses violence and keeps the borders peaceful. He relies on the god to stop the expedition. He drives the front and sends arrows, which are upright and wonderful. He hits the target with ten thousand shots, and penetrates through the enemy. He defeats the enemy and wins the victory, like pulling dry wood. He is invincible and indestructible. The god is gathering strength and spirit, and he will respond when he is used. I offer sacrifices to the gods. The gods enjoy it."

After Yu Dayou read out the prayers for the sacrifice loudly, the generals behind him and the soldiers on the stage followed and shouted in unison: "Invincible and indestructible."

"Invincible and indestructible."

"Invincible and indestructible."

Three consecutive shouts shook the earth.

After the sacrifice, a strong soldier held up the flag and walked towards the camp gate, followed by 6,000 soldiers, and marched out of Shenwei City and headed for Xinghua Prefecture.

On the same day, in the military camp outside Hangzhou, Zhejiang, Qi Jiguang and Tan Lun also held a ceremony to commemorate the death of the emperor, and then 4,000 troops went south to Fujian to suppress the Japanese.

"Crackle, crackle."

As the year draws to a close, the streets of the entire capital are crowded with people and traffic, and the sound of children setting off fake cannons can be heard from time to time in the alleys of the houses.

Wei Guangde sat in the carriage with his eyes closed to rest. In a few days, the major government offices of the court will be sealed, and he can rest for a while, and will gradually resume work after the 15th.

At this time, due to the weather, the Tartars in the north are not active. In the past two months, they frequently violated the border, which harassed the nine important towns of the Ming Dynasty. There were urgent reports from the border every three or five days.

The noise on both sides of the street filled my ears, with merchants and customers bargaining and children playing. Wei Guangde opened his eyes, reached out and gently lifted the curtain to look out.

What caught my eye were the pedestrians on the street, some in groups of three or five, some adults and some children. It was obvious that they were a family, and they were out shopping for New Year's goods.

It's New Year, and we need to reunite.

Wei Guangde muttered in a low voice.

After becoming an official, except for the year when he returned to Jiujiang Prefecture to get married, he spent a reunion year with his parents at home. He hasn't been back for many years.

It's okay if his hometown is near the capital, but officials far away from the capital have no chance to go home during the holidays.

The Ming Dynasty implemented the system of floating officials. After the scholars passed the imperial examination, even if they were sent out, they would avoid their hometowns. The lucky ones would be assigned to nearby provinces, which was considered very good.

Most of them were far away from home, and it was difficult for them to go home a few times in their lives.

Go back to their hometown?

Wei Guangde knew that he certainly couldn't go back. This year, his mother also went to the capital. Only his father, elder brother and elder sister-in-law were in Jiujiang Prefecture.

A good family, but people were separated to celebrate the New Year in two places. I don't know if his mother would be uncomfortable.

Wei Guangde was just thinking about it casually at the moment, mainly because he was a little hesitant.

Two days ago, Wei Guangde received a letter from Jiangxi, telling him a news that was not officially announced, that Yan Shifan had returned to Fenyi.

According to the results of the three-division joint trial, Yan Shifan was exiled to Leizhou, Guangdong, and was escorted south by officials sent by the Ministry of Justice. Who would have thought that he didn't go to Guangdong, but went directly to Jiangxi.

What's more worrying is that the letter also said that after Yan Shifan returned to his hometown, he had no scruples at all and expanded his mansion for pleasure.

A criminal minister could be so unscrupulous, and the local officials in Fenyi pretended to be deaf and dumb, pretending to be unaware of it.

In theory, the local officials couldn't be unaware of the matter involving the Yan family.

The final verdict of Yan Shifan was agreed by Emperor Jiajing, and it was published in the official newspaper.

However, although Wei Guangde knew it, he did not reveal the news to the people in Prince Yu's mansion.

After Yan Song fell, Prince Yu was always gritting his teeth when Yan Shifan was mentioned in the mansion several times. The grudge between them was huge.

Wei Guangde certainly knew why Prince Yu was so dissatisfied with Yan Shifan. Thinking about the matter of withholding the annual gift of Prince Yu's mansion, forcing Prince Yu to borrow money from him to bribe him, so that he could get the share he deserved, didn't Prince Yu feel aggrieved?

After receiving the silver sent by Prince Yu, Yan Shifan was not afraid at all, but was complacent, and was complacent about receiving the bribe from the son of the emperor.

When such news reached Prince Yu's ears, it can be said that Prince Yu's only remaining face was trampled on the ground and rubbed hard.

After this incident, countless people sent him money just for their own career. Prince Yu's bribery was undoubtedly a living signboard for Yan Shifan to receive money and do things.

No wonder it was circulated in the market that Yan Shifan once said wildly after drinking, "The court is not as rich as me."

Officials know whether the court is rich or not, but ordinary people naturally don't know.

But if you ask anyone, they will definitely say that the court's treasury is full of gold and silver.

Because what they know and hear is how many tens of thousands of money the court allocated to which place on which month and day, and how much silver it gave to which place for disaster relief.

In the minds of ordinary people, Yan Shifan dared to say that he was richer than the court, so you can imagine how rich he was and how great his "reputation" was in the market.

Even today, the Yan family has fallen and Yan Shifan has been exiled, but the topic of Prince Yu sending money to Yan Shifan a few years ago is still mentioned from time to time.

Thinking of Hu Zongxian, the governor of Zhejiang Province, who was escorted to Beijing today, Wei Guangde shook his head slightly.

From the impeachment and arrest of Hu Zongxian to his escort to Beijing, it took one and a half months, which can be said to be very fast.

I don't know how His Majesty will deal with Hu Zongxian?

Wei Guangde thought to himself.

He lowered the car curtain and continued to rest with his eyes closed, thinking about visiting Huang Guangsheng, the Minister of Punishment, at his house that evening.

This Huang Guangsheng, Wei Guangde had a relationship with him at first. At that time, Yu Dayou had just established his career in Datong, and Huang Guangsheng was the appointed governor of Huguangchuan.

Unexpectedly, in just two years, Huang Guangsheng had been moved from the Governor-General to the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing, and a few months ago he had been moved to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Punishments.

Although the Xingbu has a low status among the six books, it is also one of the six ministers.

Of course, tonight's visit is not only a New Year's gift to Huang Shangshu on behalf of Prince Yu's Palace, but more importantly, it is to test Huang Guangsheng's attitude towards Hu Zongxian's case.

King Yu hated the Yan family deeply and naturally turned his anger on his members.

Hu Zongxian was the most powerful party member outside Yan Song when he was overthrown. Naturally, he was disliked by King Yu and wanted to get rid of him quickly.

At this moment, Wei Guangde felt the carriage shake, and then the rocking in the carriage stopped.

The carriage stopped, and Wei Guangde was curious.

At this moment, Li San's announcement came from outside the carriage curtain: "Master, there is a servant in Prince Yu's Mansion blocking the way, saying that he has something important to say to the master."

Wei Guangde opened the car curtain and took a look. After seeing the person clearly, Wei Guangde said calmly: "Let him come up."

Soon, a green-robed chamberlain climbed onto the carriage. He was an eunuch named Liu Cheng under Li Fang, and he was also an old man who had followed Prince Yu from the palace.

"Eunuch Liu, what are you doing?"

After the visitor got on and sat down, and the carriage started slowly again, Wei Guangde asked.

"Sir Wei, Eunuch Li asked me to inform you that I just received news from the palace. The emperor said, 'Zong Xian is not a Song Party member. He is ordered to be released and dismissed from office.' I heard that the decree has been sent to Beizhen Fu. Si, he should be released soon."

After Liu Cheng sat firmly, he opened his mouth and answered.

"Let him go?"

Wei Guangde said in surprise.

"Let him go."

Liu Cheng replied.

"Zong Xian was escorted to Beijing today. How come your Majesty found out so quickly?"

In Wei Guangde's view, after Hu Zongxian was imprisoned, the Ministry of Punishment should have requested a trial. Could it be that the Jin Yiwei reported the matter to Xiyuan and the Jiajing Emperor made the decision to release him?

If the case is not even tried and the person is released directly, then what is the point of escorting him all the way from Zhejiang to the capital?

"According to the news from the palace, the emperor seems to think that his merits outweigh his faults in the battlefield of suppressing Japanese invaders in the southeast. Moreover, he is the Minister of the Ministry of War and has the title of Crown Prince and Taibao. Such a pillar cannot be questioned in court."

Liu Cheng gave the answer immediately.

Wei Guangde also understood after hearing this. He was taken to the capital because he was guilty, but being guilty did not mean that the case would be tried.

Thinking about the Yan family, Yan Shifan was just called to court, while Yan Song went straight to work and went home without asking any questions.

The reason why the two are treated differently is because Yan Shifan is the left minister of the Ministry of Industry.

Wei Guangde understood that Emperor Jiajing made the decision just because of Jin Yiwei's report.