Chapter 876: A good wife at home
Since Zhang Juzheng came to Jiang Qingzhi's side, Xu Wei spent more time in Zhilu. According to Hu Zongxian, the uncle just used your agility to deal with various emergencies.
Xu Wei was quite content at first, but when he saw Hu Zongxian living freely and Zhang Juzheng strolling around with Jiang Qingzhi, he couldn't help feeling a little unbalanced.
At that time, the power of drafting was in the hands of Yan Song and his son, and Jiang Qingzhi's power was to deal with the affairs of the New Deal. At the beginning of the New Deal, Xu Wei said he was on the spot, but in fact he had nothing to do.
What to do when you have nothing to do? Read a book, write a little. After Xu Wei entered the Bo's mansion, his salary increased sharply. With money, he bought wine and books.
I bought all the books I liked but couldn't afford in the past, and read them slowly when I have time. But that's how people are. When we have time, we don't have money, and when we have money, we don't have time.
The days in Zhilu were filled with nothing to do, so it was a good opportunity to read. Xu Wei held a book in his hand, but his eyes were wandering.
He was thinking about Yan Song and his son. As for the book... let's talk about it another day.
"Cough cough!"
Xu Wei looked up and saw that it was Zhang Juzheng, so he asked, "Did the uncle give any instructions?"
Zhang Juzheng shook his head, sat down, and poured himself a cup of hot tea. "How much land and people does the Yan family have? Do you know?"
"What do you mean?" Xu Wei narrowed his eyes and clenched the book in his hand.
"Yan Song is quite cunning, but he has a weakness..."
"greedy!"
"Yes."
The two of them sympathized with each other. Zhang Juzheng said with a smile, "Now that the Ministry of Revenue officials have arrived at the Yan residence, if the Yan family has a lot of land, then even the most cunning Yan Song will be wiped out in the pain."
"Take advantage of his illness to kill him." Xu Wei looked at Zhang Juzheng with interest, "You didn't tell your uncle, did you?"
Zhang Juzheng shook his head. "To be honest, what do you think of the bottom line, Lord?"
"The reason why Master Bo was unwilling to take ruthless action against Yan Song and his son was not because he couldn't bear it, but because he was concerned about that person." Yan Song pointed in the direction of Yongshou Palace, "It's not because he's afraid, but..."
Xu Wei couldn't describe the feeling, and after thinking of several words, he felt that none of them were right.
"It's friendship." Zhang Juzheng said that when he was with Emperor Jiajing, he witnessed the interactions between Jiang Qingzhi and Emperor Jiajing and found the relationship between the two very interesting.
"Your Majesty and Lord Earl are more like relatives than monarch and subject." Zhang Juzheng said softly, "In fact, this is something that can be used."
"Who said it wasn't?" Xu Wei touched the teacup and felt it was slightly warm. He quickly took a big sip and stroked his beard, saying, "Master is good in everything, except this..."
"The kindness of women."
"Yes."
Xu Wei said: "Since we are going to do something big, we should abandon all these. If we don't make decisions when we should, we will suffer the consequences."
"This is an opportunity." Zhang Juzheng smiled and said, "Yan Song and his son are unwilling to give up their land and population, so they will try to cover up and avoid us. We should keep quiet and strike with lightning speed after finding evidence..."
"Don't let the uncle know about this."
"You have this plan too?"
"What do you think I was doing in Zhilu?" Xu Wei said calmly, "When the steward of the Yan Mansion came to report this matter, I deliberately found an excuse and eavesdropped outside."
"how?"
"Very angry!"
"In this way, this can be accomplished."
"This will bring down Yan Song and his son, and allow Lord Bo to take over the power of drafting bills."
"Your Majesty will probably let Cui Yuan or Xu Jie join. This is the mindset of an emperor, and it happens even between father and son."
"Cui Yuan is fine, but Xu Jie is a serious problem. If we can find a chance to get rid of him..."
"Xu Jie is good at forbearance. Lord Bo is in charge of the new policy and can interfere with the various ministries in the capital and start with his Ministry of Rites."
"Dig up his roots."
"If he can still endure it, Cui Yuan is alone and can be won over, and together with Duke Cheng, he can squeeze out Xu Jie in the government hall."
"Follow the example of Yan Song and his son."
"Exactly."
"You're good."
"You're fine too."
The two smartest men in the world smiled at each other.
……
Yan Shifan came carefully among the broken porcelain and supported Ouyang. "Be careful with your steps. Someone, clean it up quickly."
Ouyang sat down next to Yan Song, with a small table between them. Yan Song coughed dryly, "This is just a rumor."
"One?" Ouyang was still leaning on her cane. "I have never taken care of the family's land. How much is it?" Yan Song said uncomfortably, "I don't know either."
"Donglou." Ouyang looked at her son, "Speak."
Yan Shifan turned his head away and said, "Not a small amount."
"How much is no less?"
"Maybe... why do you care about these things, mother?"
"If I don't care, who will? Who dares to care about you and your son?"
"Mother, my father and I have worked hard for His Majesty. We have become rich, but what about our children and grandchildren? If we don't leave some land for them, will this position as Prime Minister be in vain? It is said that a clean official can earn 100,000 silver coins in three years. Corruption is rampant in the Ming Dynasty. As a Prime Minister, what does it mean for my father to have some land? His Majesty will not blame him if he knows."
Seeing his mother's unhappy face, Yan Shifan sighed and said, "Mother, the emperor does not send hungry soldiers. If you want your subjects to be diligent and loyal, you have to give them benefits. This is an exchange.
Mother, please don't get angry. Let's talk about loyalty. How many of those who keep saying they are loyal are really loyal? If you can get promoted and make money, it's easy to say, "Long live the emperor, long live the emperor." But I can't. I'm sorry."
"Shut up!" Ouyang paused with her cane as he continued to talk nonsense.
"Mother." Yan Shifan glanced at Yan Song, who sighed, "Madam, this is customary. The most important thing for an official is not ability, but to blend in with the world."
"Others are greedy, and you are greedy too." Ouyang said, "I am a woman in the harem, and I can't manage state affairs. Occasionally, I listen to books and hear people talk about things outside, which can be regarded as an eye-opener. I only know a little bit about the current situation of the Ming Dynasty. My husband said that everyone is greedy, so I want to ask, why is your Majesty implementing a new policy? Is it to change this trend?"
Uh!
Yan Song glanced at his son and hinted him to come.
Yan Shifan smiled bitterly, "Mother, His Majesty does have this in mind."
"Who do you and your son belong to?"
"Of course, your Majesty."
"Your Majesty is heading east now, but you and your son want to turn around and head west. Do you think Your Majesty can tolerate this?"
"This matter is done secretly and without anyone knowing. I have my own ways." Yan Shifan thought this was no big deal.
"How many people are watching our family, watching you and your son." Ouyang shook her head, "My husband is confused, and Donglou is so bold. I don't understand the emperor's mind, I only know one thing, my husband."
"Hmm!" Yan Song's scalp tingled when his old wife looked at him.
"Your Majesty has been in retreat in the Western Garden for more than 20 years, but he is still able to firmly control the world. Among the emperors of ancient and modern times, can this be considered as a great man?"
"Your Majesty..." Yan Song recalled the experiences of Emperor Jiajing from his accession to the present, and nodded, "In terms of methods, Your Majesty is truly amazing."
"How can you manipulate such a powerful emperor at will in the eyes of you and your son? Donglou said you have your own methods, but can your methods be better than His Majesty's?"
Ouyang tapped her cane, "Even if you are very clever and can conceal the existence of your family's land and people, and you can conceal it today and tomorrow, do you think you can conceal it forever? Once the truth is revealed and His Majesty is furious, how can our family please you?"
Yan Shifan closed his eyes. He didn't want to argue with his mother.
"Even if it can be covered up... I often invite female teachers to come to the palace to tell stories. When talking about the emperor and ministers of the previous dynasty, the female teachers always say that the current emperor is tolerant. What do you two think?"
The father and son were silent.
"My husband is old, his energy is weak, and he often gets confused. It's time for him to retire. My husband asked Donglou to take over the management of Zhilu. Did Your Majesty rebuke him? He acquiesced."
"Mother, His Majesty cannot leave us." Yan Shifan said.
"What do you mean you can't leave?" Ouyang shook her head. The maid came over to serve tea. She took it and handed it to Yan Song. She took the second cup and drank a sip of tea. She said, "Back then, Xia Yan suppressed my husband. My husband was very angry and kept complaining when he got home. I learned that Xia Yan had absolute power in the court. But what is the situation of you and your son now?"
Yan Song thought about it and nodded.
In fact, Xia Yan was even more capable than Yan Song and his son.
At that time, Xia Yan was not only powerful in the government, but also inflated to the point of wanting to challenge Dao Ye. He had many small conflicts with Dao Ye, which triggered Dao Ye's backlash.
"I don't know anything about the officialdom. But I think people's hearts are the same." Ouyang said, "There are also those who are so proud of themselves in the house, thinking that without them, no one can sort out the affairs. So they are so proud that they stretch their hands more and more, until I couldn't stand it anymore, so I chopped off that hand with a knife, and then replaced it with someone else, and the affairs got better and better. Husband, think about it, right?"
After Yan Song succeeded Xia Yan, he quickly stabilized the court. He learned from Xia Yan's lesson and was completely submissive to Emperor Jiajing. He wanted to show his belly to the emperor at all times to show his submission and loyalty.
"If we change the prime minister, let's say that Changwei Bo, I know in the backyard that this person is loyal to Your Majesty." Seeing Yan Shifan disagreed, Ouyang sneered, "Even the family said that Changwei Bo would not end well if he took over the new policy. But this person took over without hesitation. Is it possible to use such a person? Is he more trustworthy to Your Majesty than you and your son?"
Yan Song sighed: "My wife doesn't know the mind of the emperor, the way of checks and balances..."
"There are checks and balances in the harem!" Ouyang said calmly, "I don't have thousands of heads and arms, nor do I have ears and eyes. If I want to manage the family well, I can only let the stewards have some conflicts and conflicts of interest, so that everyone can be my eyes and ears."
Uh!
Yan Song looked at his old wife in astonishment, "You..."
Is this still the old wife who looks very old and chants Buddhist scriptures in the backyard all day long?
Yan Shifan was also quite shocked, "Mom, you..."
"You all think I'm old and confused?" Ouyang stood up slowly. "Back then, His Majesty used my husband to check Xia Yan. Last time, I heard Dong Lou mention that person... Xu Jie. That person is the one who restrains my husband! If Jiang Qing takes the throne, can't Xu Jie restrain him? Even if he can't, there are so many ministers in the outer court who are at the disposal of the emperor. As a human being..."
Ouyang looked at the father and son and said, "The most important thing is not to be self-righteous."
(End of this chapter)
