Chapter 959 Whose Funeral
As soon as Jiang Qingzhi arrived, he showed the attitude of still wanting to kill the monkey to scare the chickens. Xu Chengzong felt that the monkey could not be himself.
As the top dignitaries of the dynasty, the Duke of Wei, the Duke of Ying, the Duke of Cheng... all three families were deeply trusted by the emperor.
Duke of England Zhang Rong had committed a crime and had been dormant for the past few years. However, Duke of England's family had been highly trusted by the emperor before, and according to outside analysis, the emperor would still re-employ him after he had been dormant for a while.
Not to mention the line of Duke Chengguo, the old playboy is a close minister of the emperor.
The Duke of Wei's family was stationed in Nanjing. No matter how many times the eunuchs guarding Nanjing and the Minister of War who advised on mechanical maintenance were replaced, the Duke of Wei's family remained the same.
This trust is rare.
Behind this is the tacit understanding between the monarch and his subjects.
The emperor treated the three families as top dignitaries, and the three families responded with loyalty.
Once the emperor feels that a family has lost their loyalty...
So after Jiang Qingzhi sent someone to pass on the message, Xu Chengzong first cursed loudly, no longer cautious and calm as before, and then felt like sitting on pins and needles. Sun Qi smiled bitterly and said, "Duke, it's not too late to surrender now!"
"He dares?" Xu Chengzong looked fierce but was actually weak.
"He is your Majesty's cousin, a powerful minister whom you trust and respect. He is also the only famous general in the Ming Dynasty. He even beat Yan Shifan. Duke... ask yourself if you dare to offend Yan Shifan?"
Xu Chengzong didn't dare!
He was far away in Nanjing, and Yan Shifan was holding the power of the Prime Minister on behalf of his father. He was also close to the emperor. If they really wanted to deal with him, they only had to make a few slanderous remarks every now and then.
The status of the three top powerful families cannot be changed. Once it is changed, the entire top level will be shaken.
These three are the barometers of the status of the powerful. Once it rains, the powerful will band together and confront the emperor. Once the spring breeze comes, the emperor and his subjects will get along well. You are good, I am good... everyone is good.
It's fine if I don't touch your title, but I'll just cut your power. A powerful person without power, even if he is a king... Didn't you see that later on, Prince Yu couldn't even get his own money and food, and had to rely on bribing Yan Shifan to get it.
Duke of England Zhang Rong is in this state now, hiding in his mansion. The influence of the Duke of England's mansion is also declining.
The Duke of Wei's Mansion seemed to be honorable. First, the Duke of Wei's family had always been cautious and rarely offended anyone. Second, no one was willing to pay a huge price to start a war with a top dignitary. There was no deep hatred, so there was no need.
Therefore, over the years, the Duke of Wei's Mansion lived quite freely in Nanjing. They did not offend anyone easily, and no one dared to offend the Duke of Wei's Mansion.
As soon as the incident in Songjiang Prefecture happened, Xu Chengzong knew that trouble was coming.
He still chose to sit on the fence according to the rules of his father and grandfather.
If you, Jiang Qingzhi, have something to say, tell me and I will do what I can.
But it is impossible to be proactive.
Regardless of the outcome of this matter, Jiang Qingzhi will return to Beijing and leave a mess for us to clean up. And after standing on your side, the Duke of Wei's Mansion has become a thorn in the eyes of the southern scholars.
What benefits are there that are worth it for me, the Duke of Wei, to take the risk?
No!
So, let’s sit on the fence!
But the words that Jiang Qingzhi had someone spread made him panic.
When these words reached the capital and reached the ears of Emperor Jiajing, what would that stubborn emperor think?
You are so good, Xu Chengzong. I can't say that my kindness to you, Duke of Wei, is as heavy as a mountain, but I can say that I have trusted you with great trust, right? You repay me by sitting on the fence?
When it comes to sitting on the fence, Lu Bing is the best at it.
If you, Xu Chengzong, want to learn from Lu Bing, you also have to see whether your mother has ever nursed your master.
As soon as Xu Chengzong climbed onto the top of the wall, he was kicked down by Jiang Qingzhi.
The moment he saw Jiang Qingzhi, Xu Chengzong had the urge to kick this guy into the lake.
Jiang Qingzhi's simple words turned this impulse into calmness.
——Duke Wei, what are you here for?
Sitting on the fence?
Jiang Qingzhi didn't even look at him.
He sighed as he watched his fishing rod being dragged to the center of the lake.
"This fish is so greedy that it will even swallow a hook without bait!"
When Xu Chengzong heard this, he automatically figured out the subsequent meaning.
——The matter of Songjiang Prefecture is the bait, and those people biting the hook is in their interest. For you, Duke Wei, it is of no benefit to stand on the side of the southern scholars and officials in this matter, and sitting on the fence is even more hateful.
It's like a fishing hook without bait. Why are you, Xu Chengzong, going to bite it?
When Mr. Jiang lifts the pole, who else could that monkey be but you?
Xu Chengzong figured out the cause and effect of everything and felt a chill down his spine.
Before coming, Sun Qi said, "This man is already a powerful official before he's even twenty. Duke, in another ten years...if he doesn't fall, not to mention the Duke's Mansion, even the Yan Party and even the Confucianists will have to bow down before him."
I actually want to play tricks and sit on the fence in front of these people? !
Xu Chengzong put away all his hope at this moment, only to find that his attitude in this matter was too damn dangerous.
If Jiang Qingzhi really wanted to hold him accountable, he only needed to send a secret report to the Taoist priest.
What kind of garrison military official? Go home and eat your old rice!
Nanjing is not like the capital. It is far away from the emperor and the center of power. Once you fall behind, it will be almost impossible to catch up again.
Xu Chengzong could not afford such a result.
The entire Duke of Wei’s Mansion cannot afford it.
"Among the six ministers, who is the most greedy?"
Jiang Qingzhi asked.
Since this question was asked, there was a hint of easing the situation. Xu Chengzong felt relieved and was about to say it was almost the same as usual, but Jiang Qingzhi happened to look over and glanced at him casually with his lacquered eyes.
Xu Chengzong felt a chill down his spine. "Minister of Rites Wang Hui."
Xu Wei smiled slightly and thought that the boss was the truly cautious one. The East Factory said that Wang Hui was the most greedy, but the boss still had to confirm it from other places.
Anyone who tries to fool such a person will be in trouble.
"I want evidence!"
Jiang Qingzhi looked at Xu Chengzong, "Before leaving, Old Zhu said that Xu Chengzong is a trustworthy person. Well, let me see if Duke Wei is trustworthy." It was not until he walked out of Jiang Qingzhi's residence that Xu Chengzong woke up from his dream and came out from the tremendous pressure.
"Old Zhu, Duke Cheng, thank you very much."
Xu Chengzong burned three sticks of incense for the old dandy in his heart, offered a large pig's head, and ordered: "Select a few unmarried beauties in Qinhuai River and send them to Duke Cheng in the capital immediately."
"Yes!"
The old playboy who was far away in the capital was talking to Zhang Juzheng when he suddenly felt an itch in his nose and sneezed. He rubbed his nose and said, "What were we talking about? Oh, those people in the capital are watching Qingzhi's trip to the south. Tell Wang Yiqi and others not to lie dormant but to make a big show and build momentum."
Zhang Juzheng said: "The powerful are quite anxious."
Zhu Xizhong understood what was meant by this and said calmly, "Those people are hoping that Qingzhi will kill many people on this trip. If the South counterattacks, Qingzhi will be in a mess. This will be a way for them to vent their anger. By the way, if they can get the job done, they can board the big ship going out to sea for trade smoothly.
These people have no ability to accomplish things, but they are quite capable of doing harm. I will take care of this matter."
"Yes." Zhang Juzheng said, "And what about Wang Qing?"
"How?"
"After Wang Qing committed suicide, his family refused to give in and now they are making a scene outside the Ministry of Justice all day long."
"Inform the Ministry of Justice and deal with it according to the law." Zhu Xizhong said coldly: "If the Ministry of Justice can't deal with it, then let them come to Zhilu and I will deal with it!"
Zhang Juzheng agreed and then took his leave.
Later, someone from the Ministry of Justice came and said that Wang Qing's family had been dispersed.
"The Ministry of Justice is a cunning guy." Zhang Juzheng returned to the Earl's Mansion and told Xia Yan what happened today.
"Don't underestimate Duke Cheng. He used to avoid offending people. This is the way the rich and powerful survive and succeed.
After he and Qingzhi became brothers, even if Qingzhi and the entire Confucian family became emperors, did Duke Cheng retreat even a step? This kind of person seems to be slippery and relentless, but that is an illusion. This is round on the outside and square on the inside. Qingzhi has trusted the right person. "
Zhang Juzheng nodded, "At this moment, countless people in the capital are watching Nanfang. Many people say that Nanfang is preparing a funeral for the Duke."
Xia Yan said calmly: "Whose funeral it is, let's wait and see."
……
"The Duke of Wei went to Lord Changwei and it seems that he has bowed his head. Everyone, what should we do?"
The six ministers of Nanjing gathered together to discuss.
Minister of War Lin Zhian was the initiator. He looked around at the other five people and said, "Duke Wei's family has been in Nanjing for generations. Logically, he wouldn't dare to do that, nor would he take the initiative to offer himself to us. It doesn't matter if he bows his head, but we are in trouble."
Minister of Justice Zhang Quan was extremely worried at the moment, worried that Jiang Qingzhi would kill him like the monkey. "If we stand on Jiang Qingzhi's side, who will bear the revenge of those people in the south? It won't be us, right?"
Lin Zhian nodded, "This is what I am worried about. Unless we pat our butts and return to Beijing to serve as officials afterwards, who would dare to follow him, Chief Wilbur, to the end of his ways?"
Seeing Wang Hui was calm and composed, Zhang Quan asked unhappily, "Minister Wang, do you have any ideas?"
The Ministry of Rites had nothing to do with this matter, and everyone thought that Wang Hui would choose to stand aside and watch, but Wang Hui smiled mysteriously, "Someone came to see me earlier, and this matter..."
Wang Hui pointed in the direction of Songjiang Prefecture and said, "Someone will stand up."
Zhang Quan's eyes lit up, "Xu?"
Wang Hui shook her head. "I didn't say anything. But I have heard a saying that a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake. It's a rough saying, but it's true. Jiang Qingzhi came to Nanjing and slapped us in the face. Does he really think we are good-tempered?"
Zhang Quan was refreshed, and then he sighed: "Jiang Qingzhi is a cruel man, he brought a thousand cavalry with him..."
"There are thousands of troops following him." Lin Zhian said, "I just got the news that the entire Tiger Guard Left Guard followed him south."
"This is the intention of starting a war." Wang Hui sneered, "If the situation gets out of hand, those people won't care about the six departments of Nanjing, and will drag us into the vortex."
"Why, Old Wang, do you have any idea?"
Wang Hui nodded, his eyes narrowed, a stern look flashed across his face, "They said that we only need to track his whereabouts, and..." He looked at Lin Zhian, "keep an eye on the whereabouts of the accompanying troops and keep them informed in time. Afterwards... the entire South will be grateful to us."
The others couldn't help but breathe hard.
This is the gratitude of the gentry, powerful people, and literati in the entire south!
Once this group makes a collective effort, what does promotion matter?
The wealth and prosperity of your children and grandchildren is no problem!
Wang Hui saw that everyone was excited, so she chuckled and said, "Jiang Qingzhi likes to kill monkeys to scare chickens. He is used to being proud in the north, but he doesn't know how powerful these people are. Let's see who is the monkey this time."
"Bah!"
The meeting place is in the garrison hall.
The door was very solid, but it was suddenly kicked open by someone.
In the smoke and dust, Wang Hui cursed: "Who is this arrogant idiot?"
The spring light coming in from outside was mostly blocked by the person coming in.
The man stretched out his hand to brush away the dust in front of his eyes, and turned his eyes to look at the six people whose expressions changed drastically.
"Benbo is here. Tell me, who is the monkey?"
All six of them stood up.
Jiang Qingzhi's eyes turned, and whoever he saw couldn't help but lower their heads.
"Wang Hui."
"You need a royal decree to arrest me. Jiang Qingzhi, how dare you..."
"Take it!"
Sun Chonglou stepped forward, knocked Wang Hui to his knees with one punch, and then dragged him out with one hand.
Jiang Qingzhi looked at the remaining five people.
"Ben never counts monkeys when he kills them. One is a kill, two... five is also a kill!"
Starting with Lin Zhian, the five people bowed their heads.
"We...will obey the orders of the Lord!"
(End of this chapter)
