Chapter 204: The world is in uproar, the sun, moon, mountains and rivers will last forever, the Ming Dynasty will last forever
Jiajing's calm gaze fell on the people below, but at this moment everyone present couldn't help but feel a tightness in their hearts.
Even Yan Shifan, who was delighted by the praise he had just received, restrained the joy on his face and the happiness in his heart.
Yan Song, who was sitting by the stove, still looked calm and composed, warming his hands by the fire, as if he didn't feel the sudden solemn atmosphere.
After Prince Yu and Prince Jing looked at each other, their expressions became unusually calm. Instead, they looked at the cabinet members below with great interest.
The people who were most nervous at the moment were undoubtedly Xu Jie, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji.
"Step!" At this time, Xu Jie took a step forward, stood up on his own initiative, came to the middle of the hall, knelt down with a calm expression, and silently took off the black gauze on his head.
Seeing this scene, Zhang Juzheng and others had complicated expressions. They knew that Lord Xu was going to take responsibility for everything.
Yan Shifan laughed. Although he admired Xu Jie's courage and determination, in the end it was their Yan family who had the last laugh.
Prince Yu looked at the old man with silver hair and wrinkles on his face, but his back was still straight. A complex and reluctant look flashed in his eyes. In the end, he forced himself to suppress this hint of reluctance, and the look in his eyes returned to indifference.
This is the party struggle in the court, it has been like this since ancient times!
He is a member of the royal family, the heavenly family, how can he have relatives? The only thing he should keep in mind is the two words "choose and give up".
Jiajing ignored the complicated expressions on the faces of the people present, but just looked calmly at Xu Jie below, without saying a word, waiting for him to explain himself.
"Rustle, rustle, rustle." Outside the hall, snow was falling heavily and the cold wind was howling, making the inside of the Yuxi Palace even quieter.
"Regarding the smuggling incident in Yingzhou Prefecture, it was my student, Zhang Wenyuan, who colluded with the Xu family of Songjiang Prefecture..." Xu Jie, kneeling on the ground, lowered his eyes and began to explain in a calm tone.
How Zhang Wenyuan and the Xu family opened up a smuggling route, and how they smuggled spiritual resources from Yingzhou Prefecture and transported them back to Songjiang Prefecture.
During this process, in order to open up the route smoothly, he bribed high-ranking officials in Nanjing with magic, resources and other huge benefits.
The whole process can be said to be a trap set by Xu Jie for Li Chengwu and others, and at this moment, it was revealed without reservation.
Of course, he did not say that it was a setup for Li Chengwu and others, nor did he say that he instructed it. He only said that all this was done by his disciple Zhang Wenyuan and the Xu family of Songjiang Prefecture.
However, this is actually no different from what he did.
Looking at Xu Jie's kneeling back, Zhang Juzheng's eyes were slightly red, his expression was complicated, and his fists were clenched in his sleeves. Zhao Zhenji looked down and let out a sigh in his heart.
The three members of the New Party, the veteran officials Hu Zongxian and Wang Chonggu, looked at the two Wangs, then looked at Lord Yan who was drowsy beside the stove, and finally looked at the members of the Qingliu Party, knowing that this was just the norm.
Although Yu Dayou, a "new recruit", noticed that there was no swordplay or quarreling in the hall, his hair stood on end and he got goose bumps.
He had been in the cabinet for several years, but it was not until this moment that he truly saw what the scenery was like at the pinnacle of power in the Ming Dynasty!
"Your Majesty," Xu Jie said, raising his arms and bowing to Jiajing, saying, "I am guilty, please punish me."
"What crime have you committed?" Jiajing's tone remained calm.
At this moment, Jiajing was sitting comfortably on the throne, with his hands on the dragon head armrests of the throne, rubbing his fingers gently, feeling indescribably relaxed.
"Zhang Wenyuan is my student, and the Xu family of Songjiang Prefecture is my family. They dare to be so presumptuous because I am the second assistant of the cabinet," Xu Jie said here, his tone slightly paused, and then said: "After the incident in Nanjing City, I also knew about it immediately..."
"So how did you do it?" Jiajing asked again.
"I chose to suppress this matter," Xu Jie clenched his fists under his wide sleeves, and then continued: "Not only that, I also used the power of my family, as well as other people in the cabinet and the families behind them, to work with me to completely seal up the matter of Nanjing City!"
"boom!!!"
As Xu Jie finished speaking, Zhang Juzheng, Gao Gong and Zhao Zhenji were suddenly stunned. Of course, the three of them reacted quickly, their eyes widened instantly, and they looked at Xu Jie's back in disbelief.
"Lord Xu..." Zhang Juzheng's whole body was shaking, his pupils were trembling, and his lips were quivering.
Gao Gong's eyes were red, and his fists were clenched tightly under his wide sleeves. The look he gave Xu Jie revealed a look that seemed to want to eat him.
Zhao Zhenji, who had been cautious all his life, felt dizzy, as if the sky was falling.
He understood that Xu Jie was going to sell out the three of them!
Of course, it was not only Zhao Zhenji and the other two who were shocked at this moment, but also Hu Zongxian, Wang Chonggu and Yu Dayou from the New Party.
Even Prince Yu and Prince Jing felt a tingling sensation on their scalps, and their calm eyes finally changed. The look they gave Xu Jie revealed a hint of horror.
As for the Imperial Household Department, even Chen Hong's eyelids twitched, and he subconsciously looked at Xu Jie as if he was a madman. Huang Jin and Shi San also cast surprised glances.
As soon as these words were spoken, in the solemn atmosphere of the Yuxi Palace, it was like a meteor falling into the sea, stirring up huge waves.
At this time, the only ones who could remain calm were Jiajing, Lu Fang, and Yan Song and his son.
Jiajing and Lu Fang were fully informed and knew Xu Jie's plan very well. Yan Song and his son knew it because this was a deal reached between them and Xu Jie.
Well, it’s not an exaggeration to say that they are participants. What’s so surprising about that?
Xu Jie ignored the change in atmosphere in the hall and the heavy breathing of Zhang Juzheng and others behind him and continued talking.
"As a result, the imperial court stopped issuing orders, news from Nanjing was no longer reported, and the investigation by the imperial commissioner Hai Rui could never be concluded."
“It eventually got out of control!”
"I have three crimes," Xu Jie said, pausing slightly before continuing:
"The first crime is that I didn't know people well enough to cause a disaster. The second crime is that I shielded them for personal gain. As the second assistant minister of the cabinet, my relatives and students disregarded the law and the interests of the court because of me, and did things that harmed the Ming Dynasty. Instead of dealing with them seriously, I chose to shield them. The third crime is that I dragged Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, and Zhao Zhenji, who are also members of the cabinet, together and let them shield them with me."
"Your Majesty, I beg you to punish me!"
After saying this, Xu Jie prostrated himself on the ground.
"Plop, plop, plop!" Almost as soon as Xu Jie confessed his guilt, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji also knelt down together.
As all the members of Qingliu knelt, the atmosphere in the hall was depressed to an extremely low point. Some people even slowed down their breathing, such as Yu Dayou, the "new recruit".
At this moment, Yan Shifan smiled in his heart.
Everything was going according to the original plan. Xu Jie kept his word and sold Zhang Juzheng and others.
Now that things have come to this, everything is over!
The Yan family will take over the forces of Qingliu and Li Chengwu. Before other princes are born, the Yan family will have no rivals and they can use this time to develop rapidly.
Yan Shifan thought happily in his heart.
After a brief moment of shock, Prince Yu and Prince Jing finally reacted. Although Xu Jie's behavior was somewhat unexpected to them, the outcome was similar to what they had originally planned.
From the moment they learned that their father was taking a concubine, they knew that the candidate for the crown prince would not be any of them. At that time, they reached a cooperation and supported Yan Song in harvesting the power of the Qingliu.
As for the reason? It's simple!
Xu Jie and others would definitely support other princes, and they would naturally not allow such people to exist.
As long as Yan Song harvests the power of the Qingliu, they and the Yan family will have the final say in the court.
The purpose of doing this is to buy time for himself and at the same time squeeze the living space of other princes.
It can be said that at this moment Xu Jie's act of selling out Zhang Juzheng and others was recognized and favored by the two kings and Yan Song and his son.
Looking at Xu Jie and others kneeling below to confess their crimes, Jiajing remained calm. He raised his fingers slightly with his casually drooping hands and said, "You are quite tactful and didn't make me waste my breath."
At this time, Lu Fang also took out several bundles of files from the table in the middle, and then with a wave of his hand, all the files were spread out in the hall.
"These are the case files that Hai Rui and Lu Bing sent back from Nanjing not long ago. They record every detail of how you fought overtly and covertly, and how you were willing to turn our Ming Dynasty upside down for the sake of party struggles."
Yan Song, who was sitting by the fire to warm himself, looked up like a curious old man. From time to time, he grabbed the files and looked at them carefully, with a fake look as if he knew nothing and was also shocked.
The two Wangs, Yan Shifan, Hu Zongxian, Wang Chonggu and Yu Dayou, who knew the truth well, naturally started to watch at this moment.
"In the 39th year of Jiajing's reign, I said that there were no treacherous ministers in the Ming Dynasty, only loyal ministers," Jiajing's voice sounded slowly, "You are in different positions and have different responsibilities."
"For the sake of party struggle, a dignified cabinet minister could resort to such despicable means. You have disappointed me so much!" After saying this, Jiajing said with a serious face, "But there are some things that cannot be regretted..."
"listen!"
As Jiajing's voice rang out, everyone's heart trembled, knowing that the emperor's sword was about to fall!
"Xu Jie is a criminal who has betrayed the emperor. He should be executed!"
When the cold voice came out, everyone's heart trembled, and Xu Jie's body also shook violently.
Even Yan Song raised his drooping eyelids, but soon regained his composure, because he knew the emperor had more to say. If he really wanted to kill Xu Jie, he would not say it in Yuxi Palace.
Sure enough, everyone heard Jiajing's faint voice again immediately afterwards.
"However, considering that he was loyal, upright and honest during his time as an official, and that he was one of the second batch of immortal cultivators in the Ming Dynasty and a close minister, he can be spared the death penalty, but cannot escape the punishment of life..."
"Xu Jie will be dismissed from his post as the cabinet's deputy minister from today and demoted to the prefect of Yingzhou Prefecture. The Xu family of Songjiang Prefecture will have their property confiscated. No one from the Xu family will be allowed to serve as an official in the court or practice Taoism for three hundred years! If anyone embarks on the Taoism path, their practice will be abolished. If they resist, they will be killed without mercy!"
"I hope Xu Jie will learn from this, correct his past mistakes, work diligently, and not disappoint me again."
No one was surprised to hear that Xu Jie was kicked out of the cabinet. However, when they heard that Xu Jie was demoted to the prefect of Yingzhou Prefecture, some people present noticed something different.
Under Yan Song's drooping eyelids, an inexplicable look floated in his eyes.
Soon, when the Ming Dynasty enters the Immortal Dynasty, Yingzhou Prefecture will be the largest supplier of spiritual resources. Previously, Yingzhou Prefecture had been tacitly accepted as the territory of the various parties in the cabinet. Now, Xu Jie is in charge of Yingzhou Prefecture...
"The emperor will not give up easily." Yan Song looked up at Jiajing, who had a calm expression, and sighed secretly in his heart.
Yan Song saw clearly that the emperor was going to use Yingzhou Prefecture to lure Xu Jie.
The emperor knew very well why Xu Jie took such a risky and desperate move. Wasn't it just to stay in the cabinet?
Although Xu Jie has been kicked out of the cabinet now, as long as he guards Yingzhou Prefecture, the largest resource library of spiritual objects as the Ming Dynasty enters the Immortal Dynasty, then this achievement is real!
As for the Xu clan members in Songjiang Prefecture, although they were Xu Jie's family, for Xu Jie, as long as he and his son Xu Fan were safe, he would give up the Xu family in Songjiang Prefecture.
Originally, he was going to package the Xu family, Zhang Juzheng and others together and sell them off.
Although Yingzhou Prefecture was assigned to Nanzhili, even Tang Shunzhi, the naturalized Governor-General of Zhejiang, was not qualified to dispose of Yingzhou Prefecture at will. All relevant decrees were issued directly by the imperial court.
In order to gain this achievement, Xu Jie will return to the court and will certainly purge all forces in Yingzhou Prefecture!
And this is what the emperor wants!
Previously, the planning of Yingzhou Prefecture was the result of factional struggles within the cabinet, and the emperor tacitly agreed that everyone could gain benefits from Yingzhou Prefecture.
But now, the cabinet’s struggle dared to involve the emperor. The emperor had to take action, but the price was not just Xu Jie’s so-called great city for cultivating immortals and the first pilot project of the Ming Dynasty after the Immortal Dynasty.
The emperor's move is a warning to everyone to take action, but the price he will pay is not something any of you are willing to bear!
Thinking of this, Yan Song turned his head slightly, glanced at his son Yan Shifan, who had a stiff face, and signaled him not to act rashly, then he returned to his calm look.
Just give up Yingzhou Prefecture. Fortunately, he has already started to make preparations. After all, the future goal of the Yan family is to take root in the Ming Dynasty, penetrate into all walks of life, and make the family stronger.
What he is planning is the path of an immortal family for all eternity!
And everything turned out just as Yan Song had expected. When Xu Jie heard that he had cut off the source of his trouble and taken a risky battle, but ultimately failed to get the emperor to let him go and keep him in the cabinet, he instantly seemed to have aged by dozens of years. But when he heard that he was appointed as the prefect of Yingzhou Prefecture, he suddenly felt relieved as if he had taken on a heavy responsibility.
Naturally, he could think of what Yan Song could think of.
How could he not see it? The emperor's move was to have him go to reorganize Yingzhou Prefecture and return all the interests belonging to various forces to the court. This was what the emperor wanted!
At the same time, the emperor was also telling him that the price he had to pay for joining the game was not only a large immortal cultivation city, but also an immortal cultivation test site that must be developed after the Ming Dynasty entered the immortal dynasty. This was far from enough, and he also had to add a Yingzhou Prefecture!
At this moment, Xu Jie's eyes were red. Instead of feeling sad and disappointed because of being kicked out of the cabinet, he was moved.
The emperor didn't kill him and finally showed mercy to him!
"Your Majesty, I, Xu Jie, thank you for your grace!" Xu Jie said loudly, and then began to kowtow deeply to Jiajing.
"I have gone far away to Yingzhou and can no longer serve His Majesty and share His Majesty's worries. Xu Jie, I bow my head again and make a speech with tears in my eyes. I am willing to repay His Majesty's great grace with the rest of my life!"
By the end of his speech, Xu Jie was sobbing.
He knew how bold his actions this time were, and he also knew how lenient Jiajing was.
Thunder, lightning, rain and dew are all the emperor's grace. Who says that the emperor is unkind and ungrateful? At least when this imperial sword fell, it was wrapped in a bit of warmth.
As Xu Jie cried, the depressing atmosphere in the hall seemed to be melted away by Jiajing's warmth towards his old minister.
Yan Song raised his eyelids again and again, glancing slightly at Xu Jie's figure behind him. There was an inexplicable look in his eyes, and it was unknown what he was thinking of.
"Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, Zhao Zhenji..." Jiajing continued to speak calmly. As their names were called, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji were all startled.
Thinking of Xu Jie being kicked out of the cabinet and demoted to a prefect, the Xu family in Songjiang Prefecture being confiscated, and the family members being forbidden to serve as officials or practice Taoism for three hundred years, the Taoism family that had been cultivated with great difficulty was destroyed.
From then on, only Xu Jie and Xu Fan were left in the Xu family.
The emperor could show leniency to Xu Jie, the second assistant minister of the cabinet, because he thought of the friendship between the emperor and his subject, but what about them?
For a moment, several people began to feel uneasy and regretful, and of course they hated Xu Jie more! If they could escape this disaster, Xu Jie would have to pay the price, and this hatred would not be over!
"I consider that you have devoted your lives to the court and have worked hard for it. However, as ministers of the cabinet, you have formed a clique for personal gain, causing damage to the interests of the court. Although your crime is not punishable by death, it is still punishable by death."
"Zhang Juzheng will be dismissed from his post and appointed as the Minister of Personnel in Nanjing; Gao Gong will be dismissed from his post and appointed as the Minister of War in Nanjing; Zhao Zhenji will be dismissed from his post and appointed as the Minister of Revenue in Nanjing."
"In addition, all the six departments in Nanjing City will be demoted one level as a warning. I hope you will take this as a lesson, reflect on your mistakes, perform your duties conscientiously, and never go against my will again."
"We obey your order!" Zhang Juzheng and others agreed.
Of course, they were more relieved. Although they were kicked out of the cabinet and demoted to Nanjing, the planning and preparation of the family behind them over the years were not taken back.
At this point, the handling of Xu Jie and others came to an end.
Before the Ming Dynasty entered the Immortal Dynasty, the cabinet also completed the final reshuffle of power, and it would not change for at least a hundred years.
At this time, the cabinet members present were Yan Song, Yan Shifan and his son, Hu Zongxian, Wang Chonggu and Yu Dayou from the New Party.
Prince Yu and Prince Jing looked at each other, a smile flashed in their eyes. Qingliu being kicked out meant that these ministers who had great influence in the court would not be able to support any prince.
Each of them controls a new party in the cabinet.
As for other forces in the court, they believed that the Yan family father and son would take over all of them, and he and King Jing would accept the rest with a smile. As for those brothers who were not yet born, they would not leave any of them behind.
"As for the high-ranking officials in the six ministries, the Inspectorate, the Hanlin Academy, etc. listed in the files," Jiajing spoke again at this time, "Lord Yan..." This time, Jiajing did not appoint or dismiss them personally, but mentioned Yan Song's name.
"I'm here." Yan Song stood up tremblingly.
Looking at the old man's decrepit appearance, he was a little speechless in his heart, but he said: "These people will be dealt with strictly according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, and the vacancies in the six ministries will be selected from this year's imperial examinations."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will make sure it's arranged." Yan Song bowed and assured.
"There is one more thing today," Jiajing spoke again, and then looked at Lu Fang, "Tell them about it..."
Hearing that the emperor had something else to say, everyone, including Xu Jie who was kneeling on the ground, subconsciously looked towards Lu Fang.
"Yes." Lu Fang knew that the emperor wanted him to talk about his destiny and destiny objects, so he immediately said, "Previously, the court did not have many spiritual resources, and your cultivation has not yet reached the requirements, so some matters regarding the path of cultivation have not yet been announced."
Matters related to cultivation have not yet been announced? Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned at first, and then listened solemnly. For them, everything can be sloppy, except cultivation.
"That is, when one's cultivation reaches the foundation-building stage and the divine consciousness begins to emerge, one can communicate with the original life in the sea of consciousness. The so-called original life..."
Then, under the shocked and ecstatic gazes of everyone, Lu Fang told the story of his destiny and his destiny object.
"Hu, hu, hu..." In an instant, the breathing of everyone present became rapid.
At this moment, even Yan Song, who had always been calm and composed, was shaking all over, his pupils were trembling, and his lips were quivering.
Yan Shifan and others were even more ecstatic!
There is hope, Dad is saved. The appearance of his natal chart and natal objects gives him hope that his dad can go further and further on the path to becoming an immortal, or even become an immortal!
If before, just as my father himself worried, he could not break through to the foundation-building stage before his lifespan ran out during the Qi Refining period, but now he knows that his natal object can feed back to his life, and his lifespan feeds back to himself, doesn't it mean that as long as he has enough resources to polish his natal object, he will never have to worry about not being able to break through to the realm or the day when his lifespan runs out?
What is the most important thing in cultivating immortals? Resources!
But for a cabinet prime minister who stands at the pinnacle of power in such a great immortal dynasty, cultivation resources are exactly what he does not have to worry about the least.
At this moment, let alone Yan Shifan, even Yan Song felt as if he had reached a dead end, yet suddenly he saw a new village.
His long-term plan was to pave the way for Yan Shifan and his grandson Yan Shaoting, so that the Yan family could get back on track before his life ended. But now he saw hope.
This hope... He is very confused now, he needs to think carefully, think carefully... Yan Song's heart is confused for the first time!
Of course, the situation of other people was not much better at this moment, especially Xu Jie, whose mood was extremely complicated!
What was his purpose in taking such desperate measures, risking his life to fight for that glimmer of hope? Wasn't it because he didn't see his son Xu Fan shouldering the hope of the family?
If, if he had known his destiny and destiny objects earlier, why would he be like this? He would not be so impatient.
Although he felt regretful, he did not feel any resentment.
Because he did not keep his composure, he also understood that the emperor probably already knew what choice he and Yan Song, who were developing a family of immortal cultivators, would make before their lifespans ran out.
He even speculated that the emperor might have known that he would take this path!
Because of the action taken by the Five Army Commanders and the moment Li Chengwu was pushed forward, it meant that there would be a war between the cabinet and the Five Army Commanders.
What Yan Song could see through, he could naturally see through as well.
The court does not need someone who can compete with the cabinet. Even if Li Chengwu wins, he will be promoted to the cabinet.
The power division of the court is still under the cabinet, and all government orders are passed down layer by layer.
Behind Li Chengwu is the commander-in-chief of the five armies, and his significance to the emperor is the same as Yan Song's, one is a knife and the other is a hand.
The Emperor would never allow his sword and hands to fight!
Yan Song is the knife, and the Five Military Commanderies is the hand. The knife can be replaced if it is not working properly, but the hand is there and cannot be replaced, so this hand must have an opponent.
This opponent can only be the clean officials in the cabinet!
And precisely because he saw this clearly, he had to fight against Li Chengwu.
Although the whole thing seemed to be the unilateral creation of the Five Military Commandery represented by Li Chengwu, the emperor was still the emperor after all, and he would not interfere in the fights among his subjects.
Even if Li Chengwu could win, in his opinion, this victory was meaningless and unnecessary!
This was also a test for himself, but unfortunately, he failed to meet this test and he failed to keep his composure!
It was also at this moment that Xu Jie suddenly realized that since embarking on the immortal path, he had changed and was no longer the same person as before.
In the past, no matter how powerful Yan Song was, he could still wait, endure, and even be humble.
Didn't he have an old age when he was a mortal? If he had failed to defeat Yan Song, how worried would his family be about its future?
Yes, but why could he endure and wait then, but not now? Look at what he has done since His Majesty gave up electives and took charge of government affairs. Everywhere is full of thrills and excitement!
Although he managed to escape danger at every turn, his family's fortunes had fallen rapidly along the way, and now he had even reached the point where he had to quit the cabinet.
Who is to blame for all this?
At this moment, Xu Jie began to reflect!
"After the imperial examination, if the reform goes smoothly and the Immortal Dynasty is announced, I will start from the cabinet, announce your destiny, and grant you the destiny objects." While speaking, Jiajing slowly stood up and waved his hand:
"Okay, let's all go..."
After a brief moment of stunned silence, everyone came to their senses and kowtowed loudly to express their gratitude and bid farewell to Jiajing.
Outside Yuxi Palace, heavy snow fell.
Everyone in the cabinet, including the two kings, can be said to be feeling extremely complicated at this moment, some are happy and some are worried!
The first three people walking in the front were Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji.
At this moment, it can be said that there is tremendous hatred in their hearts!
If they had felt relieved before that because of Xu Jie's betrayal and backstabbing, they were kicked out of the cabinet and exiled to Nanjing by the emperor, and their property was not confiscated and their families were not exterminated, now after learning about the existence of their natal destiny and natal objects, that little bit of luck in their hearts had long disappeared.
At this moment, all that was left in their hearts was endless hatred towards Xu Jie!
If we look at the whole thing from a big picture perspective, it seems that they are the ones who suffered the greatest loss. Xu Jie was demoted to Yingzhou Prefecture, but the emperor apparently gave him the opportunity to accumulate merits and even return to the court.
The most important thing is that the huge Yingzhou Prefecture, another national treasury of the Ming Dynasty after it entered the Immortal Dynasty, is under the charge of Xu Jie!
Not to mention the distant future such as returning to the imperial court, if he could make some achievements and the emperor told him his destiny in advance and bestowed him with his destiny object, then relying on the huge resource library of spiritual objects, Xu Jie would actually be blessed in disguise!
But what about them? After the imperial examination, the emperor would first tell the cabinet members their destiny and bestow their destiny objects, but they would not be included!
In other words, if they were in Nanjing and had no chance to return to the court, they could only endure the hardship until they had established their foundation.
However, they did not dare to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage before their lifespans ran out, especially if they were not in the pavilion. The mansion in the capital was connected to the spiritual veins, and who knew who would get the chance?
Without the rich spiritual energy of the spiritual vein, how can one build the foundation relying solely on the meager spiritual resources and salaries that the Immortal Dynasty will issue in the future?
It can be said that Xu Jie’s move not only ruined their official careers, but most likely also ruined their immortal careers.
In the middle position, Yan Song and his son are walking in the heavy snow, both with unconcealed smiles on their faces!
Now that everything has settled, the Yan family has reaped the benefits of the court struggle, and the path to immortality is even brighter.
"...auspicious snow!" Suddenly, Yan Song chuckled, stopped, looked up at the heavy snow, and said with a smile: "Ruzhen, Shifan, auspicious snow is falling, for whom?"
Hearing this, Yan Shifan rarely turned his face away from Hu Zongxian, but smiled and said: "For my Yan family!"
Hu Zongxian, who was standing by, stroked his beard, a smile appeared on his serious face, he looked up at the heavy snow, and after a moment of hesitation, he said:
"Heaven and earth are the inns of all things; time is the passing guest of a hundred generations. And life is like a dream, how much joy can there be?"
"The ancients traveled at night with candles, and there was a good reason for that. Moreover, the winter snow covers me with silver, and the vast sky gives me clear light."
"It is a grand gathering at the Lingyuan, a joyous occasion to celebrate victory. All the heroes are of the same kind; I sing and sing, and I am the only one in the clouds."
"The quiet appreciation has not yet ended, and the lofty conversation has become clearer. A banquet is set up to sit in the snow, and wine cups are flown to get drunk on the moon. Without good poems, how can I express my elegant feelings?"
"If the poem is not finished, I will drink three cups of wine as punishment." After reading the last sentence, Hu Zongxian suddenly shook his head and smiled, saying: "I borrowed the poem of the immortal poet to express my feelings at the moment. I am sorry to make you laugh."
Hearing Hu Zongxian's words, Yan Song laughed loudly, then clapped Yan Shifan's hand and said:
"It's rare to see Ruzhen have such a side to her, hahahaha... OK, OK, in that case, let's hold a grand banquet in the Yan Mansion Mausoleum today to celebrate for Your Majesty, the court, and Ruixue!"
"Yes!" This time Yan Shifan did not spoil his father's mood and mocked Hu Zongxian.
It was snowing heavily and the cold wind was howling. The figures of the people gradually disappeared in the vast snow fog and could no longer be seen.
At the very back of Yuxi Palace, a lone figure was walking in the snowy fog, step by step.
The heavy snow covered the red official robe, turning it into white.
Xu Jie held the black gauze in his hand, and at this moment his silver hair blended with the snow. He stopped practicing the "Qi Induction Technique" and did not use his spiritual energy to block the wind and snow, nor did he resist the biting cold.
"Hmph!" Suddenly, Xu Jie groaned, his feet lost stability, and he fell to the ground with a sudden movement. The black hat he was holding in his arms also rolled out.
"Cough!" The biting cold and the icy snow made Xu Jie cough. He wanted to stand up immediately, but he couldn't use any strength for a moment. His whole body was sore and painful.
Turning his head to look at the black gauze hat that had rolled not far away, he stretched out his arms to reach it, but it was too far away and he couldn't reach it no matter what. In the end, he could only crawl and move his body to pick up the black gauze hat.
"Oh, oh, oh..." Panting and patting his black gauze hat, Xu Jie, who was sitting on the snow, looked at the black gauze hat in front of him. There was no extra expression on his serious face.
"Father!" After sitting there for an unknown amount of time, Xu Fan heard voices calling from the depths of the snow and fog. He hurried over and saw his father, Xu Jie, sitting in the snow like a snowman. He was startled and asked with concern, "Father, has the emperor punished you?"
"Father, get up quickly. Why don't you practice martial arts to keep warm?" As he said this, Xu Fan was about to help Xu Jie get up.
Xu Jie, who was helped up, ignored his son Xu Fan who was brushing the snow off his body. He held his black hat in his hand, looked at the gloomy sky and the heavy snow, took a deep breath and said: "I have been overturned by rain and clouds, so why should I be alone on the snow..."
"Father?" Xu Fan was stunned when he heard this, looked at Xu Jie, and was about to reach out to support him, but he saw that spiritual energy was surging around Xu Jie, and in an instant, heavy snow was rolled up.
"He is in the cabinet, holds great power, and cares about the country. He is involved in all major affairs of the court. For a time, he became famous and everyone looked up to him." Xu Jie walked into the wind and snow with steady steps, but his voice was clearly heard by his son Xu Fan.
"The world is unpredictable, and the wind and clouds change. Looking at the white earth, it is so clean, and my heart is filled with mixed feelings. In the past, the spring breeze was full of joy, and all the ministers bowed their heads; today, a lone figure walks on the snow, and everything is silent."
"However, although the snow is thick, it cannot hide the coming of spring; although the road is long, it cannot stop the ambition of the swan. In the face of adversity, the mind does not change. When God wants to give a man a great responsibility, he must first make his mind suffer. Therefore, do not be happy with things, do not be sad with yourself... Wait patiently for the right time, and then make great plans."
"I have read a lot of poetry and books since I was young, and I have read all the sages. Taigong fished in the Wei River, Ziya met King Wen at the age of 80, and Han Xin suffered the humiliation of being kicked in the crotch. In the inn of heaven and earth, the sages sang for me, and I used the snow as a mirror to sharpen my way forward."
"The snow falls silently, but my heart surges with emotion. This experience cannot dampen my determination in the slightest!"
"When spring comes and everything comes to life, I will return to the government and take charge of the country. I will work hard for the country and the people and realize my ambitions. This will not be in vain for what I have learned in this life, nor will it be in vain for my lifelong aspirations."
"A plum blossom in the snow becomes more fragrant as the weather gets colder; a bamboo in the wind becomes straighter as it is pressed more... I am the same!"
"Father!" Hearing his father Xu Jie's powerful self-narration, Xu Fan was shocked all over and then quickly followed.
……
The fourth day of the first lunar month in the fifty-second year of the Jiajing reign.
The commander-in-chief of the Five Armies was shirtless and asked for forgiveness. Jiajing summoned the commander-in-chief of the Five Armies to Yuxi Palace. After that, the commander-in-chief of the Five Armies left. No one knew what Jiajing said to him.
On the fifth day of the first lunar month in the fifty-second year of the Jiajing reign, great changes took place in the court.
Li Chengwu, the Minister of War, was demoted to Liaodong and made a deputy general, while Wang Jingming, the Minister of Personnel, was demoted to a commoner.
Chen Guozhong, the Minister of Personnel, was Wang Jingming's right-hand man. He appointed people based on personal connections, disrupted the government, and was beheaded in public.
The Minister of Rites, Zhao Chongli, was accused of collaborating with the enemy and was exiled.
Zhou Wenyuan, the Minister of Rites, was considered to be an accomplice of Zhao Chongli and was also exiled.
Huang Wenjie, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, was implicated in the Li Chengwu case and was exiled to the frontier.
The Minister of Justice Xu Zhengzhi was sentenced to death for corruption and bribery.
Song Anbang, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, was implicated in the Xu Zhengzhi case and demoted to a commoner. Sun Jianye, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Works, was exiled as Zhu Xingguo's deputy.
Zhang Tingrui, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Inspectorate, formed a clique for personal gain, intended to overthrow the court, confiscate property and exterminate the clan.
Li Weiqing, the Minister of the Dali Temple, sheltered criminals, abused his power, was demoted to a commoner, and then committed suicide at home.
Zhao Wenxuan, the Minister of the Ministry of Public Administration, leaked secrets, reported collusion between officials and businessmen in the Ming Dynasty News, fabricated charges, caused chaos throughout the country, confiscated his property, and exiled himself to Liaodong.
Hanlin Academy, Yang Shoucheng, the president of Hanlin Academy, wrote articles slandering the government, was demoted to a commoner, and was banned from entering the official career again.
The Director of the Imperial Observatory, Fang Tianyi, failed to do his duty and was demoted three levels.
Among the six ministers, except for the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue, the other vacant positions were temporarily filled by a group of neutral people who did not participate in this party struggle.
……
Time flies.
It was the ninth day of the second month in the fifty-second year of the Jiajing reign.
The imperial examination officially begins!
The uproar caused by the great changes in the court was soon forgotten, and the attention of the people all over the world was focused on the imperial examination.
……
On the first day of September in the fifty-second year of Jiajing, the imperial examination ended.
On the third day of September in the fifty-second year of the Jiajing reign, an imperial edict was issued from the capital and announced to the world.
The imperial court officially announced to the world that the Ming Dynasty had entered the Immortal Dynasty.
"The Emperor of Heaven and Earth, decrees:"
"I have heard that the heaven and earth have their regularity, and the five elements have their order;"
"Tao follows nature, and all things return to oneness. The ancient saints and sages were able to follow the way of heaven, cultivate themselves and establish virtues, and thus achieve longevity and good health."
"Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, we have always valued culture and martial arts, improved internal political affairs, and secured borders. The country is peaceful and the people are safe, and the weather is good. However, the world is unpredictable, and order and chaos follow one another. Only those who follow the Tao can transcend this."
"On the third day of September in the fifty-second year of Jiajing, the sky was auspicious and auspicious. I received a message from heaven to lead the people of our dynasty to the path of immortality."
"So today I am issuing this decree to announce to the world that our Great Ming has officially embarked on the path of cultivating immortals. We wish to share the joy of longevity with all the people, ascend to the ranks of immortals together, and forever protect our country and our foundation for eternity."
"From now on, the whole nation should cultivate the mind and cultivate the character, practice Taoism diligently, practice benevolence and justice, abandon evil and promote good, so as to achieve the state of unity between heaven and man. All my subjects must obey the teachings, respect heaven and love people, help my Great Ming, and achieve the prosperity of the immortal world."
"The sun, the moon, the mountains and the rivers will last forever, and the Ming Dynasty will last forever!"
As the imperial edict was issued, the whole world was in an uproar. On that day, the whole world remembered a sentence.
The sun, the moon, the mountains and the rivers will last forever, and the Great Ming Dynasty will last forever!
"..."
(End of this chapter)
