Chapter 765 864 Zhu Daqi Goes South
Because of Gao Gong's incident, the eunuchs in the palace had joined forces to suppress Chen Hong and persuaded the emperor to remove Chen Hong from the position of the head of the East Factory. This position was taken by Feng Bao, who seemed to be indifferent to the world and only knew how to take good care of the prince.
Perhaps the conditions had been negotiated, and Feng Bao was only focused on consolidating the favor of the next emperor, which naturally made the eunuchs such as Teng Xiang and Meng Chong feel at ease.
After all, the current Emperor Longqing seemed to be in his prime, and they would serve the emperor well for at least 20 years without major problems.
And do they have 20 years to live?
By that time, Feng Bao would be about the same age as them, so he would give up his position, and there would be nothing to fight for.
Although the power of eunuchs like Feng Bao was based on the favor of the inner court, their power only covered the palace, and their relatives in the folk could not be sent to the palace.
In fact, although these eunuchs are respected in public, they are actually deeply inferior in their hearts. After all, not every family is willing to send their children to the palace.
They have no descendants, so in addition to power and gold and silver, the only thing they can care about is the development of their own children and nephews.
Serving the emperor well can certainly gain protection for their families, but after entering the court as an official, everything must be taken care of by people in the outer court, and these eunuchs are still somewhat unable to support it.
Therefore, the eunuchs in the inner court chose to form an alliance with the ministers in the outer court, at least in private.
They provided some news that was not easy to find out in the outer court, and the outer court helped to take care of the outside, each taking what they needed.
As the youngest cabinet elder in the cabinet, Wei Guangde was deeply favored by Emperor Longqing, so he was naturally a hot commodity. On the contrary, the chief minister of the cabinet, such as Li Chunfang, was not considered at all because of his age.
Dongchang naturally saw the secret report of Jinyiwei on Jiangnan, but after all, this matter seemed to have little to do with Wei Guangde, so Feng Bao did not pay attention to it at first. It was not until Zhu Daqi was going to Yingtian Prefecture to replace Hai Rui that Feng Bao smelled a hint of unusual meaning. Then the news reached Wei Guangde's ears, which made him suddenly enlightened and knew the cause and effect.
A few days later, Zhu Daqi arrived in the capital and submitted a memorial to the palace as usual, and then waited for the emperor to summon him.
While waiting, Zhu Daqi naturally invited his fellow villagers who were officials in the capital to a banquet to get closer to each other.
Although the governor and the governor-general were also considered officials in the capital, they were affiliated with the six ministries or the Censorate, but after all, they were far away from the capital, so they still needed the care of their peers and fellow villagers in the capital.
Zhu Daqi was still very clear about this.
However, after the banquet, after the guests were sent off with a smile, Zhu Daqi's face became extremely ugly.
Before the banquet, Wei Guangde stayed alone with Zhu Daqi in a small room.
Here, Wei Guangde told him the situation in the capital and Jiangnan in detail.
Wei Guangde was very averse to leaving any written evidence such as letters and notes with some "special people", fearing that it would bring trouble to himself.
During the banquet, Zhu Heng also said something to Zhu Daqi while taking the opportunity to relieve himself, which made his originally happy mood disappear.
But after all, it was a promotion. When he returned to the banquet, he still pretended to be nothing and chatted with everyone while drinking and chatting, and only tore off the disguise after everyone was sent away.
"This Gao Xinzheng is really a piece of shit."
In his heart, Zhu Daqi cursed Gao Gong countless times, even if he nominated him and gave him the opportunity to be promoted.
But it seemed like a promotion, but in fact it was pushing him into the fire pit.
In this kind of thing, who would not choose to avoid it if possible, not to mention that he was not clean at all, and just wanted to live a muddle in the court.
It would be best if he had the opportunity to enter the six ministries and impact the peak of power in the Ming Dynasty, but he didn't want to be used by others.
The key is that if this matter is not handled well, he may be punished for offending Gao Gong.
That night, Zhu Daqi tossed and turned and could not fall asleep. He kept reflecting on some of the previous over-the-line things, whether there were any handles left, and whether the traces needed to be cleaned up.
According to what Wei Guangde told him, before leaving the capital, try to clean up the previous mess and leave no handles outside.
After arriving in Yingtian Prefecture, find a way to calm the anxiety of local officials and gentry. As long as this matter can be handled well, his problem will not be big. At most, he will go home and be a rich man.
The fellow townsmen in the capital will protect him and prevent him from being imprisoned.
Sure enough, he couldn't contact people in the capital. They would act according to circumstances, and they also asked him to get rid of some things that shouldn't be in the house.
Zhu Daqi certainly understood what Wei Guangde meant. Although there was nothing involving Wei Guangde and Zhu Heng, there were still many letters from other people, so he was very hesitant.
Zhu Daqi certainly understood that this kind of thing was very sensitive, but if he really destroyed everything according to Wei Guangde's words, he would have his own concerns.
Let's wait and see.
Finally, after a night of thinking, Zhu Daqi decided to wait and see.
After only two days of waiting in the capital, he was summoned by Emperor Longqing to the Qianqing Palace to meet the emperor.
After a series of procedures, he also received the imperial edict in the palace and went to the Ministry of Personnel.
In the duty room of the Minister of Personnel, he met Gao Gong in the Ministry of Personnel, whether intentionally or unintentionally, so he was honored to be invited by Gao Gong to the duty room to talk.
"Hai Rui was too unbecoming in Suzhou and Songjiang. I heard that the gentry in Jiangnan was very uneasy about this. This is also the reason why the Ministry of Personnel originally thought that he was not suitable to continue to serve as the governor of Yingtian.
I think His Majesty also told you about this and what you should do when you go to Yingtian Mansion, but I will only say one thing here, that is, Hai Rui's starting point is right. Those who rely on power to embezzle people's wealth and accumulate huge wealth should be punished. Severe punishment.
No matter what official he was before and how much he contributed to the court, since Governor Hai has discovered the clues, he should investigate to the end and never tolerate it.
If you have the guts to commit a crime, you should take responsibility. "
When he came to the last paragraph, Gao Gong looked at Zhu Daqi with bright eyes, as if giving instructions.
Zhu Daqi certainly understood Gao Gong's words. He was required not only to appease the restless people in Jiangnan, but also to continue to dig deeper along the clues discovered by Hai Rui, which was to investigate the Xu family.
"Committing a crime" and "taking responsibility" seem to be threats to him.
"The opinions of senior high officials must be kept in mind by lower officials. Once the matter is investigated to the end, they will never be tolerated."
In the Ministry of Personnel, of course Zhu Daqi would not speak his mind, but followed Gao Gong's words and spoke categorically.
"Well, it's good that you understand. Rectifying the administration of officials and returning the world to peace is the way for you and me to be officials, the sage said."
Zhu Daqi suppressed his dissatisfaction and was able to escape after being lectured by Gao Gong for half an hour. He now fully understood Wei Guangde and Zhu Heng's previous concerns.
Gao Gong recommends him, which is indeed unkind.
At the same time, he was also vaguely aware that Gao Gong might have held his handle in his hand, but he was just holding back.
Although he didn't know how much Gao Gong knew, Zhu Daqi understood that as long as he didn't agree with him when he went to Yingtian Mansion this time and continued to investigate the Xu family affairs, he might be done with it as a governor.
After leaving the Ministry of Personnel, Zhu Daqi deliberately visited Wei Guangde's mansion before leaving. After all, he was the only one he could find to make peace with Gao Gong.
But thinking of Wei Guangde's words before the banquet, he gave up the idea of visiting.
Not only Wei Guangde, Zhu Heng can't go there either.
When I first arrived in the capital, I invited fellow villagers and people of the same year to get together because I had the intention, so there was no problem. But if I go after receiving the order, there is no guarantee that Gao Gong will not guess his thoughts.
This is the capital, not Baoding where he has been operating for many years.
Things in the capital had been done, so naturally he couldn't stay in the capital for long. The next day, he packed up his things and set off for Tongzhou Pier, waiting for Shuiyi to arrange the official ship to go south.
After last year's flood, the canal has been restored and has just thawed, so there are not many merchant ships going north from Tongzhou at this time, and most of the ones that come are blocked on the road.
These boatmen and merchants could only celebrate the New Year on the canal, and they set off here as soon as the canal thawed and resumed shipping.
After spending a day in Tongzhou Shuiyi, I took my family to the pier the next day, preparing to board the prepared official ship and go south. Following the canal, I could reach Suzhou directly, so I wouldn't have to suffer from the fatigue of traveling.
"Master, there is someone outside who calls himself the steward of the Wei Mansion, asking to see him."
Standing on the pier, watching the servants carrying boxes one by one onto the ship, Zhu Daqi no longer had the high spirits he had when he received the order, but instead had a sad face. At this moment, family members came to report.
"Wei Mansion? Butler?"
Zhu Daqi immediately thought of Wei Guangde, because there were not many people named Wei who were officials in the capital.
"Please quickly."
Zhu Daqi said immediately.
Not long after, Zhang Ji appeared in front of Zhu Daqi, clasped his fists and said with a smile: "Master Zhu, it seems that things are not going well."
"Butler Zhang, there's just a bit of river breeze. It's a bit cold now, but now it's warm and cold."
Zhu Daqi laughed happily.
Of course he knows Zhang Ji, the person around Wei Guangde. His appearance here is obviously the result of Wei Guangde's arrangement, but he doesn't know what else is going on at this time.
So Zhu Daqi waited for Zhang Ji to take out Wei Guangde's letter.
But what disappointed him was that Zhang Ji just smiled and pointed to the gift tray held by the entourage behind him and said with a smile: "Master knows that Lord Zhu has been promoted, but he is busy with business and cannot come to see him off. I have specially ordered Cheng Yi to send it to Lord Zhu." , I wish you a safe journey.”
Hearing that he was here to see off Cheng Yi, Zhu Daqi was a little disappointed because there was no letter with any advice.
"Wei Ge is always busy with state affairs and doesn't dare to bother."
Zhu Daqi cupped his hands and said with a smile, "I just don't know if Mr. Ge has other instructions."
"The master has said everything that needs to be said. As long as Mr. Zhu follows the instructions, he will be safe and wealthy."
When Zhang Ji said the last four words, his tone was slightly heavier.
"Peace and wealth."
Zhu Daqi silently recited four words in his mind and understood what Wei Guangde meant, which was to go to Yingtian to calm the grievances of the Jiangnan gentry, and not to interfere with other things, so as to become a rich man.
Zhu Daqi nodded. Between Wei Guangde and Gao Gong, of course he was still willing to choose Wei Guangde. After all, he was a fellow countryman. If he was cheated, Wei Guangde's reputation in Jiangxi would be ruined.
What's more, Zhu Heng also meant the same thing. It seems that the two of them have reached an agreement.
"By the way, Master Zhu, there are four cargo ships over there that are also heading south to Nanjing. Please take care of them along the way."
When Zhang Ji was about to leave, he seemed to suddenly remember and pointed to several large cargo ships docked next to the official ship.
"It's easy to talk about."
Zhu Daqi laughed happily.
Then Zhang Ji called four people, who were the ship's stewards, to come up to meet Zhu Daqi.
The so-called care was actually to let him take these boats through the bank pass. Of course Zhu Daqi understood what he meant.
It’s just a piece of cake, there’s no reason not to agree.
In fact, if the news of his promotion hadn't been sudden, he wouldn't have minded staying in the capital for a few more days to gather such a fleet.
After Zhu Daqi boarded the boat, the boatman removed the planks and began to row. The official boat slowly left the shore and reached the middle of the river. After the merchant ships followed, they set sail and headed south along the north wind.
Not long after standing at the bow, Zhu Daqi returned to the cabin, dismissed his attendants, and took out a letter from his arms.
This was delivered this morning, and the messenger claimed to be from Zhang Gelao's residence.
Zhu Daqi opened the letter again and read it, "Although Hai Rui was wholeheartedly serving the people in Yingtian, his methods were too strong. After the frost and snow, a little warmth will make people feel spring. You should take care of yourself in Yingtian. The local area is lucky, and it is the country's luck."
Zhu Daqi certainly understood that Zhang Juzheng was pleading for Xu Jie, and was worried that he would be like Hai Rui and hold on to the Xu family.
In the past, he would definitely choose to accept Gao Gong's request. After all, he had understood these days in the capital that although Gao Gong had just returned to the court, his status in the cabinet was not low.
After all, when they returned to the cabinet, they would work in their original positions, saving most of the cabinet elders several years of hard work.
Moreover, the emperor obviously listened to Gao Gong more than Zhang Juzheng.
However, this time it was no longer a fight between Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, and he could not refuse Wei Guangde's opinion.
In fact, keeping Xu Ge Lao was also what most officials hoped for, because it was also a way out for them.
After serving as an official for many years, who dared to guarantee that he was clean and flawless, and after becoming a juren, each family more or less accepted contributions and other behaviors.
Such a universal problem was only the case of Hai Rui, who was not familiar with worldly affairs.
In fact, protecting Xu Ge Lao's interests was also protecting their interests, which was one and the same.
This precedent must not be set. If Gao Gong insisted on doing so and made Xu Ge Lao's case an iron case, the officials would not mind launching another full court overthrow to bring him down.
Zhu Daqi chose to put away Zhang Juzheng's letter.
Although the words were not detailed, those who understood the meaning actually understood it.
Stay, and when he really has something to do, he can also ask Zhang Juzheng for help, after all, he did it according to his wishes.
After the court was dismissed that day, Wei Guangde returned to the mansion in his official uniform. The housekeeper Zhang Ji came over and whispered to him: "Master, the matter has been done. I think Lord Zhu is general."
"Did anyone contact him before he boarded the ship today?"
Wei Guangde asked in a low voice as he walked to the backyard.
"In the morning, Zhang Gelao's family sent him a letter, and nothing else was found."
Zhang Ji replied.
"Uncle. Hehe"
Wei Guangde was stunned for a moment, then smiled and shook his head and went into the backyard.
In Wei Guangde's eyes, Zhang Juzheng was looking for trouble by doing this.
In fact, protecting Xu Jie is good for everyone. Wei Guangde is still worried that Zhu Daqi can't stand the pressure from Gao Gong, so he will say something to guide him.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Juzheng took the initiative to get close to him. It seems that he has not yet understood Gao Gong's intention to recommend Zhu Daqi.