Chapter 112 Why did the immortals help the Ming Dynasty? Yes, this must be the truth!
"I am quite familiar with the officialdom in the southeast," Xu Jie continued in a calm voice, "Just yesterday, I ordered some of my connections in my hometown to investigate the Zhu Wan case..."
"Of course, the so-called investigation of the Zhu Wan case is just an excuse to secretly rectify the administration of officials..."
"Lord Xu?" Zhang Juzheng came back to his senses and looked at Xu Jie in shock.
He didn't expect that Xu Jie would actually step forward on his own initiative and ask Prince Yu to take responsibility for the Zhu Wan case.
Is this an act of extermination?
Although those gentry and wealthy families fundamentally supported the Xu Jie family only for the sake of interests, they could not be considered relatives.
But betraying one's own interest group, in Zhang Juzheng's view, is more decisive than killing one's own relatives for the sake of justice.
As soon as you see that the situation is not right, do you decisively cut off your arm to survive? Not only that, betraying your own interest group is equivalent to increasing the enemy!
The main reason why Lord Xu was able to compete with Yan Song in the cabinet was because of the various supports he received from the huge gentry families behind him in the local area.
Once the cabinet decree is issued, it can be implemented immediately at the local level.
Now, Xu Jie wants to abandon these gentry families and become their enemy. Then, what he will have to face next is the impeachment of officials supported by countless gentry families.
These officials are spread across the government and the country!
Even those who are considered clean in the eyes of the Yan Party are actually divided into factions with different interests.
Everyone has ambitions and ideals that they want to achieve, such as myself and Gao Gong.
If one wants to achieve one's own goals, such as ideals and ambitions, and the implementation of national policies, one needs to reach the pinnacle of cabinet power, the Prime Minister!
But there is only one position of Prime Minister.
If you want to climb up, you have to pull others down.
In addition to the fact that everyone shares the same philosophy of governing the country and can come together, there is also interest!
Zhang Juzheng was reluctant to admit it, but had to admit the fact that the people in the eyes of the Yan Party, namely, the clean stream, actually had selfish interests.
However, compared to the Yan Party, these people care about and want more. They protect their reputation and treasure their money, which are the external things they covet.
However, they act more prudently, legally and reasonably. To put it bluntly, they are not as barbaric as the Yan Party.
Just as the Xu family occupied the Songjiang Prefecture area and owned an unimaginable amount of land, how did they acquire these lands?
Apart from land annexation, Zhang Juzheng could not think of anything else.
But are the Xu family afraid of investigating these lands? No, they are not.
Firstly, the imperial court would not do this. Secondly, it was all within the rules, at least on the surface, and completely in line with the laws of the Ming Dynasty.
Just like the last time Hai Rui investigated a case in Dinghai County in the southeast, the Lin family was just a local gentry family in Dinghai County, far away from the Xu family.
If it weren't for the Yan Party's obstruction and their crude methods, Hai Rui probably wouldn't have been able to find out anything.
Even if the emperor wanted land, he did not do so through formal means. Instead, he forced Xu Ge Lao's family and the gentry behind them to compromise and had to give up part of their family in order to protect themselves.
In this way, the real gentry and wealthy families gathered behind Lord Xu will follow suit and their methods will be even more sophisticated.
Not only that, the families involved and gathered together will be more and bigger.
Some of these families are even larger than the Xu family, and the main reason why everyone supports Lord Xu is simply because they have the same interests.
Otherwise, no matter how favored Lord Xu is, if his abilities are not improved, he will not be able to defeat Yan Song in the cabinet.
Once these interests are damaged or even their respective survival is threatened, these families will unite.
In a flash, Zhang Juzheng had thought of a lot of things, and he even saw the scene of the impeachment by the ministers that would follow.
At that time, will the emperor still protect Lord Xu?
For a moment, Zhang Juzheng looked at the elderly "teacher" and his eyes became extremely complicated.
What Gao Gong said was actually correct. Lord Xu's situation was hopeless, and the only way for him to step down peacefully was for someone else to preside over the Zhu Wan case, rectify the administration of officials, and at the same time, wipe out the entire southeastern officialdom and his family.
And Lord Xu slowly retired from the cabinet and lived out his days in peace.
But Lord Xu chose another path, a path of struggle. In this way, he would put his entire fortune on Prince Yu, and he would become another Yan Song.
"Xu Jie!" Gao Gong came back to his senses, looked at Xu Jie with a slightly gloomy look and clenched his fists tightly.
Then, Gao Gong looked at Prince Yu again.
Will Prince Yu accept Xu Jie’s obvious surrender?
"Well," Prince Yu paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "I wonder how long it will take to clean up the Southeast officialdom?"
Prince Yu knew that Xu Jie made the right decision.
Moreover, this is not surprising at all, because Xu Jie had no choice but to either betray the party with interests or be abandoned by himself. There are people under his command who can replace him.
Prince Yu would naturally accept Xu Jie's surrender. As the common people say, an old man in the family is like a treasure. Xu Jie was a man of great wisdom and foresight, and he could use him very easily, so naturally he would not abandon him.
Well, it’s not that Gao Gong is incapable, but compared to Xu Jie, his energy-cultivation skills and scheming are still not enough.
Prince Yu knew all of his teachers very well, especially Gao Gong, who had a very quick temper and a hot temper.
Such a person is likely to push others to other places, offend too many people, make too many enemies, and have too many choices. Too many choices are a trouble for him.
Now Xu Jie knows how to make choices and surrender.
Naturally, he would give him a chance. His father had a Yan Song by his side, and he also wanted a "Yan Song" by his side.
"Reporting to Your Highness, from the evidence collection, the list of personnel, and ensuring that the officialdom in the southeast is not turbulent, we can get through it smoothly. I think..." Xu Jie said, thinking for a moment, and said:
"In one year, all the pests in the Southeast, and even those that have interests in the Southeast, will be eliminated!"
"Good!" Upon hearing that the rectification of the civil service could be completed in one year, Prince Yu said "good", and then he paused for a moment and said, "But there is no need to kill them all."
Hearing Prince Yu's words, Xu Jie bowed slightly, as if he was obeying orders.
"Some capable and intelligent people can continue to be employed. They just need to hand over the land they are supposed to... "
Well, at this point, Prince Yu was too lazy to beat around the bush and just made it clear that he wanted land too.
"Yes!" Xu Jie had no choice but to obey!
"Oh," seeing Xu Jie like this, Prince Yu chuckled, pressed his hand, and motioned Xu Jie to sit down, "Let Elder Xu handle the rectification of the administration, and we will be responsible for the southeast and above..."
"Prince Jing is in charge of other areas. If we are fast, they must be fast as well." As he spoke, Prince Yu looked at the atmosphere between the few people. It seemed that something was wrong, especially with Gao Gong. He could feel the resentment.
"Heh," Prince Yu chuckled, picked up the teacup and took a sip. He looked at everyone and said, "We are all officials in the same court, all for the country and the people, for the Ming Dynasty."
"The future Ming Dynasty will be better, and we all need to work together."
Hearing Prince Yu say this, Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji both looked at Xu and Gao.
One who has just surrendered to the royal family, betrayed his own interest group, and wants to become another 'Yan Song'.
One of them was embarrassed because he failed to get promoted and exposed his hostility towards others in advance.
All I can say is that today is like a day of misfortune for these two people.
"Your Highness..." Xu Jie and Gao Gong, knowing that they were being reminded, quickly looked at Prince Yu and bowed to speak, but Prince Yu raised his hand to interrupt them, saying:
"I know that you are all loyal ministers of the Ming Dynasty, and you all have your own lofty ambitions and ideas for governing the country."
"But the governance of the country should ultimately be determined by Father's will... and Father has already made a plan."
"I wonder what the emperor's plan is?" Zhao Zhenji cupped his hands and asked.
Well, he knew that it was time for him to step forward, redirect the conversation, and move on.
Sure enough, as Zhao Zhenji changed the subject, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed and Xu Jie's expression eased slightly.
Gao Gong on the side also restrained his emotions and looked towards Prince Yu.
Although Gao Gong was very sorry that he failed to defeat Xu Jie, since the fact was already like this, he should continue to look forward. He couldn't betray His Royal Highness Prince Yu, could he? Should he find someone else? No one!
Compared with Xu Jie, he was even more unhappy with Yan Song and his son, so naturally he could not be loyal to King Jing.
"The national policy of stationing troops to promote agriculture will officially begin next year," Prince Yu started the conversation, and then said, "The military needs in the north have decreased, and the overall situation in the southeast is stable, so the recruitment system is sufficient to maintain it."
"After the administration is rectified, the finances will recover..."
"For example, land tax, salt tax, customs duty and other taxes will all flow into the national treasury normally. After all, the termites are gone, and then the national treasury will gradually be filled, and the Ming Dynasty will become more and more stable..."
After hearing Prince Yu say this, everyone nodded slightly.
"Next, we will reform the land system!" Prince Yu said, looking at Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong, and said, "Next, it's time for you two, Taiyue and Suqing, to show your ambitions."
Especially to Gao Gong, Prince Yu smiled and nodded.
Since Gao Gong had been slightly neglected just now, he should be comforted and given some sweet treats. Prince Yu naturally understood this.
Hmm? Hearing Prince Yu say this, Gao Gong's eyes lit up, and then he and Zhang Juzheng looked at each other, and then they looked at Prince Yu together.
"Do you still remember the 'Responsibility for the People' written by Gui E?" Prince Yu looked at everyone, and as Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong gradually understood, he nodded slightly and said, "One Whip Law!"
"Hiss!" Upon hearing this, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng both took a deep breath, and then a look of joy appeared on their faces.
In fact, their ideas on governing the country and their political views are the same.
As for the "One Whip System", both of them were naturally familiar with it. They had previously told Prince Yu that the "One Whip System" proposed by Gui E could be reused in the land reform.
Although Zhang Juzheng believed that the Single Whip System still needed to be improved, this did not prevent him from admiring it.
If he were to reform the land system, he would also adopt it.
"Hahaha," Gao Gong suddenly laughed out loud, clenched his fists, and said happily: "It is indeed time for the land of the Ming Dynasty to be reformed, great!"
Xu Jie on the side also nodded slightly.
Previously, he owned the most land, and the interest groups he represented had even more land, so they were also the ones hurt by the land reform.
But now, he can be said to be relaxed. "Yes, the land reform will return the land annexed by the gentry to the people, and the national strength will gradually increase..." Zhang Juzheng said, and he was also very excited.
He originally thought that it would take a long time for him to realize his ambitions and ideals, but he didn't expect the opportunity to come so soon.
As he spoke, Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but look at Gao Gong. The two of them were good friends before last night, and they looked at each other tacitly. Before Zhang Juzheng could show his goodwill, Gao Gong snorted.
Zhang Juzheng couldn't help feeling embarrassed about this.
When everyone saw this, they all pretended not to notice anything. Everyone knew Gao Gong's character and temper, and he would not tolerate any sand in his eyes.
How can a broken heart be healed so quickly?
"There is one more thing..." At this time, Prince Yu's voice sounded again. As he spoke, he leaned forward slightly. Everyone was curious about Prince Yu's serious reaction, but they still took it seriously.
"Do you still remember the immortal who appeared so stunningly on the battlefield in the north?" Prince Yu said, observing the expressions of the crowd.
As Prince Yu spoke, whether it was the calm Xu Jie, or Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng who were about to realize their ambitions after so many years of waiting, or Zhao Zhenji.
At this moment, everyone was stunned, staring, holding their breath subconsciously, and looking at Prince Yu.
Because of what happened before, they had forgotten about this.
Yes, for the Ming Dynasty today, the most important thing is not only the rectification of official administration and the subsequent great changes in officialdom.
The most important thing was the immortal figure that appeared briefly on the northern battlefield in front of tens of thousands of people.
There is also the matter that the top leaders of the six ministries are discussing, whether the emperor has really succeeded in his mysterious cultivation and asked the immortal to come down.
Hearing Prince Yu say this, everyone looked at him nervously.
Your Highness went to the palace with His Royal Highness Prince Jing yesterday, apparently to verify whether the Emperor really had contact with the immortal.
"You guys are right," Prince Yu nodded slightly after taking in everyone's expressions and said:
"Father, he really did get help from the immortals!"
"Boom!" The moment they got Prince Yu's confirmation, their heads began to buzz.
Everyone was stunned, and the expressions on their faces were extremely interesting.
It was just speculation before, but after all, there was no definite news. Speculation was just speculation after all. Even if this speculation was most likely true, when Prince Yu personally confirmed it, everyone still lost their composure.
"Then Your Majesty, can you become an immortal?" Zhao Zhenji asked hesitantly.
Everyone finally came to their senses and looked towards Prince Yu.
"The way of immortality is different from what you have learned from the novels and legends." Prince Yu smiled and sat up straight, with a look of condescension in his expression as he looked at everyone.
Well, he is about to embark on the path to immortality, and will be fundamentally different from these mortals.
However, there was a reason why he was willing to reveal it to these people, because he wanted to build a spiritual field in the future.
The Ming Dynasty is also heading towards becoming an immortal dynasty. Whether it is the accumulation of resources for cultivating immortals or the building of an immortal dynasty, it cannot be separated from the employment of people.
Giving these people appropriate revelations will help them do better for themselves.
Well, the Emperor didn't order him to keep this a secret from other people. Instead, he asked them to rectify the administration and prepare for building spiritual fields.
How to build a spiritual field? It still needs people. This cannot be avoided by their own capable officials. Therefore, the emperor did not order to prohibit the disclosure, which obviously means that he acquiesced.
"First, I became an immortal, then I became an immortal..."
"The key point is the word 'cultivation'. Cultivators will also grow old, get sick and die, but their lifespan is longer than that of ordinary people..."
As Prince Yu gave a brief narration, Xu Jie, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and others all pricked up their ears and listened attentively at this moment.
As Prince Yu spoke, they all suddenly understood.
It turns out that there are so many details and explanations about the "immortal way".
“And father’s goal is to build the Ming Dynasty into an unrivaled immortal dynasty. By then, all officials will be among the immortals. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Well, Prince Yu is also good at making promises.
Sure enough, upon hearing that everyone was among the immortals, even Xu Jie couldn't help but have his pupils tremble and his body tremble slightly.
This is especially true for Zhang Juzheng, Gao Gong and Zhao Zhenji.
The calculations of these cunning men were not simple. The old foxes who talked about national policies in the court were all stunned at this moment. Each of them had a vague expression, as if they had seen the day when they would be among the immortals.
If the Ming Dynasty developed into an immortal dynasty, then wouldn't they, the officials in the immortal dynasty, be listed among the immortals?
At this moment, everyone felt as if a door had been opened in their minds, a door leading to the fairyland.
Cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world? Compared with cultivating immortality, being ranked among the immortals, and becoming the immortals in legends, they felt that their previous ideals and aspirations were too meager.
They should have higher pursuits, cultivate immortality!
"Your Highness, I have a question." After a while, Zhao Zhenji came back to his senses, frowned, and said, "Since your Majesty's magic was obtained from an immortal..."
"Then why would the immortal help your majesty? Help the Ming Dynasty?"
When everyone heard Zhao Zhenji's question, they were all stunned, and then they all cast a puzzled look at Prince Yu.
"Well," Prince Yu frowned when asked by Zhao Zhenji, and then said, "I didn't ask."
"But just when I was about to ask my father about the immortals, I received a hint from Eunuch Lu that it seemed to be a secret..."
"I wonder what you all think? I have a guess..." When it comes to this, Prince Yu also has doubts in his heart.
Why didn’t Lu Fang let me ask about the immortal?
There may be only one answer, that is, the method of cultivating immortals comes from immortals, and my father is the only one in the entire Ming Dynasty who can contact immortals. And with the immortal method in hand, my father can control everyone and consolidate his power.
If you inquire about the immortals yourself, you will naturally be feared and suspected.
Thinking of this, Prince Yu told his group of confidants about his thoughts.
"Your Highness's idea makes sense..." At this time, Xu Jie spoke first and everyone looked at him.
After all, when it comes to scheming and scheming, he can compete with Yan Song, so he must have different opinions.
"But I prefer another one," Xu Jie said, looking at everyone, and then lowered his voice and said, "Perhaps the emperor and the immortals, or more precisely, the immortal world, have reached some kind of deal..."
"Transaction?!" Upon hearing this word, everyone frowned instinctively. Why would mortals and immortals make a transaction?
If so, what price will be paid in secret?
"The gap between mortals and immortals is like a chasm in the sky, and there is also a stage of immortal cultivators in between."
"If you say that the emperor's profound cultivation moved the immortal, it is understandable. It is the immortal's benevolent blessing, which is the best!"
"But I heard from His Highness that Lv Fang has also cultivated immortality, and now the Emperor has bestowed immortality skills on His Highness... If it were you, would you just give the skills to others without their consent?"
Xu Jie said this and looked at the others.
Everyone was stunned, then shook their heads.
Prince Yu also nodded slightly. His father had bestowed upon him the immortal power, but he did not dare to bestow it upon others.
"So, it can only be allowed by the immortal." Xu Jie nodded, "Giving immortal skills to one person is a mercy."
"Allow more to be granted, as well as the creation of the Immortal Dynasty and the cultivation of spiritual fields... that is the expectation for a country's Immortal Dynasty."
"The most important thing is that the emperor can ask the immortal to take action and destroy Altan's invading army. This immortal..." As he said this, Xu Jie frowned and said solemnly, "Will it be too good?"
"Temple and Taoist temples all need incense and offerings, and then the gods will bless mortals and fulfill their wishes. This is a legend."
"So the immortal is so good to the Ming Dynasty. I am not too inclined to believe that it is the immortal's kindness that is moved by the emperor's piety."
"Your Highness just said that," Xu Jie said, pausing his tone and adding, "To cultivate immortality, one needs spiritual energy and auxiliary spiritual resources. If one wants to build the Ming Dynasty into an immortal dynasty..."
"With so many spiritual fields and spiritual resources, I'm afraid most of them will have to be handed over to the immortals."
"Don't immortals need resources?"
"So, there must be a deal between your majesty and the immortal!"
"Even if the Ming Dynasty develops into an immortal dynasty, I'm afraid most of the resources will have to be handed over to the immortals before we can use them ourselves..."
After listening to Xu Jie's words, everyone suddenly felt enlightened.
Starting from the interests, thinking and analyzing calmly, it is reasonable and convincing!
Compared to impressing the immortals with your piety and being rewarded with immortal methods, it can help you cultivate immortality, defeat your enemies, and build an immortal dynasty.
Is this immortal a little too nice?
Well, unless the immortal is Emperor Chengzu himself, why would he help the Zhu family to rule the world if they are not related to him?
The more they thought about it, the more they felt that this was the truth.
"Then, a new problem arises," Zhang Juzheng thought for a moment and looked at Prince Yu, "The allocation of immortal cultivation resources is a problem!"
"There are only so many resources. We may give most of them to the immortals, and then give some to the emperor, and then use them for the development of the Immortal Dynasty..."
“So, how many of these resources will be left?”
"In the future, as the number of high-ranking cultivators in our Great Ming increases, we will certainly face the problem of uneven distribution of resources."
"How many resources does it take to go from a mortal to an immortal? Besides, everyone has a family and clan behind them..."
As Zhang Juzheng began to settle the accounts in general, Prince Yu's brows became more and more furrowed.
“Your Highness, there are only two kings in the court, you and His Royal Highness Prince Jing. Once you embark on the immortal path, it will be a battle for resources between the people of both factions. You must be prepared for a more severe battle with His Royal Highness Prince Jing!”
"If possible," Zhang Juzheng, Prince Yu's teacher, said with a sharp look in his eyes, "Your Highness must take control of the title of Crown Prince!"
"Except for the emperor, all the resources in the world belong to the crown prince!"
"..."
(End of this chapter)
