Ming Jiajing: Starting from Immortality

Chapter 246: Ju Zheng’s tragedy, stealing the country’s wealth for his own benefit!
Everyone envies the honor of holding power over a country.

Little did I know that this honor was earned by working hard from dawn to dusk.

There were 365 days in a year, and at least 300 days on that, Zhang Juzheng had to get up early and rush to the duty room in the Western Garden Cabinet at the beginning of the morning hour, ready to be summoned by the emperor at any time. The court affairs and national affairs were often decided in the words and hearing of the emperor and his ministers.

Zhang Juzheng is like this now, and so was Yan Song in the past.

In countless memorials, countless admonitions, and rebukes to the cabinet's chief ministers, the most common phrase is "blocking the channels of speech will separate the ruler from his subjects!"

Because Zhang Juzheng was in power, it became the rule of the prime minister's residence for everyone to get up early and go to bed late.

In spring, the big black dogs kept in the mansion would bark wildly.

Hearing the barking of dogs everywhere, Zhang Juzheng, wearing a carved dragon robe, came out from the living room and ordered, "Open the middle door and welcome the guests!"

The servants in the prime minister's residence immediately went to do as ordered, but Lu Fang had already appeared at the gate of the courtyard with a gloomy face.

Zhang Juzheng suddenly had a bad premonition and sent all his servants away. Zhang Juzheng sat in the main seat at the square table in the hall, and Lu Fang sat in the guest seat.

In fact, Lu Fang had already had dinner, but Zhang Juzheng had just finished dealing with government affairs in the cabinet. If he didn't have a midnight snack, he wouldn't be able to sleep on an empty stomach, so he sat down with him.

There are cooks on duty in the kitchen of the prime minister's residence twelve hours a day, and they can prepare both formal delicacies and casual snacks.

In a blink of an eye, four meat and four vegetable hot and cold dishes were placed on the table. Three overlapping small steamers were emitting steam. From the first steamer, six small dumplings of different shapes and colors could be seen.

The white one is refined flour, the black one is fine buckwheat, and the yellow one is glutinous millet. Eating fine grains and coarse grains, meat fillings and vegetarian fillings, and a variety of precious foods are all ways to maintain health.

In front of each of them was a pair of ivory chopsticks, a blue-glazed wine cup from the official kiln of the Yuan Dynasty, and a green-glazed plate from the official kiln of the Southern Song Dynasty.

Despite having a bad feeling, Zhang Juzheng still asked Lu Fang to eat first. He picked up the steamed dumplings in the steamer and stuffed them directly into his mouth, regardless of whether they were meat or vegetarian.

Lu Fang only tasted it briefly.

After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.

Zhang Juzheng felt a little embarrassed and said, "After becoming the chief minister of the cabinet, my appetite has become bigger and bigger. I have been neglectful. Please don't blame me, Eunuch Lu."

Lu Fang shook his head and said, "State affairs are busy. If you eat less and worry more, that is not a long-term solution. The elder is like this, which shows his broad mind. There is no reason to blame him."

Zhang Juzheng was different from other cabinet ministers and important officials in the court. He was always close to the eunuchs in the inner court.

Forty years before the reign of Emperor Jiajing, Zhang Juzheng was only a student of Xu Jie and held the lowest position in the cabinet, yet he became good friends with Huang Jin, the eunuch in charge of writing in the Imperial Household Department.

After Zhang Juzheng became the prime minister of the dynasty, he took the initiative to make friends with Lu Fang.

Before and after he became the Prime Minister, he was not respectful at first and rude later, and he did not despise the eunuchs. Lu Fang and Huang Jin, father and son, had a very good impression of Zhang Juzheng.

If there is anything I need, I am willing to lend a hand, just like I did to Yan Song back then, I will tell you whatever I have to say.

But some things are harder to talk about just because we have a good relationship.

Zhang Juzheng poured a glass of wine for Lü Fang and said respectfully, "A lot of things have happened in the court recently, and it's all thanks to Eunuch Lü's help. Thank you very much."

Having said this, Zhang Juzheng drank it all in one gulp.

As the chief minister of the cabinet.

Among the six ministries in charge of Zhang Juzheng, currently only the Ministry of Personnel is in charge of the promotion, demotion and relocation of officials throughout the country. The power over personnel is the primary power, which should be enough.

But after all, he was a young official with a shallow foundation in the court. None of Zhang Juzheng's students or old friends were suitable for the position of Minister of Personnel. So he could only settle for the second best and choose an experienced and steady court official to take charge temporarily.

And Yang Bo was Zhang Juzheng's choice.

Leader of the Jin Party.

Have both ability and political integrity.

Zhang Juzheng even promised Yang Bo that if Yang Bo was willing to serve as prime minister in the future, he would be able to lend a helping hand.

Unexpectedly, Yang Bo, who had always been a representative of the fence-sitters in the court, suddenly chose to take sides after the New Year.

Moreover, the one who took the side was not him, the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, but his "mortal enemy", the Second Prime Minister of the Cabinet, Gao Gong.

The Ministry of Personnel was somewhat beyond Zhang Juzheng's control. Under Gao Gong's overt and covert manipulations, Zhang Juzheng had a very difficult time during this period.

The disciples and former officials who had been placed in key positions by Zhang Juzheng were also squeezed out and replaced by Gao Gong and Yang Bo.

In the attack and defense of power, if I increase, you will reduce, and if you increase, I will reduce.

Zhang Juzheng's power was facing a huge challenge. If Hu Zongxian, Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin had not "reminded" Gao Gong, the situation in the court would have changed drastically.

But the changes will not last long. On the 16th day of the first lunar month, which is tomorrow, Chen Yiqin will leave the capital again to complete the unfinished national policy of "measure the land and distribute the land equally to the people."

Zhang Juzheng originally hoped that Chen Yiqin would leave soon, but only when the person was really about to leave did he realize how to cherish him.

Hu Zongxian was a member of Yan Song's old party. He never pursued power and was determined to implement the national policy of separation of military and politics. He was very reluctant to get involved in the cabinet struggle.

As for Li Chunfang, whose name was known as "Gancao Ge Lao" throughout the court and the country, he was an old fox who would not lend a hand even if he could.

If this continues, Zhang Juzheng will become the second Xia Yan, being the prime minister but being sidelined by the cabinet ministers.

When the emperor was in seclusion before, the power of approving documents fell into the hands of the Imperial Household Department. Lu Fang and Huang Jin, father and son, who took turns on duty at the Cabinet's Government Affairs Hall, approved many promotions and transfers of Gao Gong and Yang Bo's people, which in a disguised way helped Zhang Juzheng a lot.

Lu Fang did not drink the wine, nor did he accept the Prime Minister's thanks. He shook his head again and said, "What I have done is to serve the country and relieve the worries of my father and king. I have no distracting thoughts and do not deserve a toast from the Prime Minister.

The emperor has gone out of retreat, and the Imperial Household Department has only the power to submit memorials, and no longer has the power to approve. All state affairs are decided by the emperor. I am afraid that I can't help you now, and I am afraid that I will not be able to help you in the future. "

It looked like a business-like manner.

Zhang Juzheng was in deep thought, but now he was shocked: "I cannot understand what you are saying, Eunuch Lu. If I have done anything wrong, please announce the decree, Eunuch Lu."

Having said that, he left his seat, lifted up his robe and was about to kneel down.

"There is no will."

Lü Fang had followed the emperor for decades, and now he was more than ten years younger, much more agile than ordinary people. He walked around the table in one step and supported Zhang Juzheng before he knelt down. "I will make it clear now, Lord, take a look at this."

Lu Fang helped Zhang Juzheng to the chair, then walked back to the chair but did not sit down. He took out the secret report from the grassland Jinyiwei from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Juzheng.

Letter.

Zhang Juzheng went from being shocked to being stunned. He stared at the contents blankly and could not come back to his senses for a long time.

After a long time, Zhang Juzheng suddenly felt uncomfortable in his stomach, and everything he had just eaten came out at this moment.

The court, the military, all power and influence have been lost. I'm afraid this cabinet's chief minister's tenure is over.

It's day and night.

The prime minister's residence is in mourning.

……

Jinling.

The prison of the Neisi Yamen.

Yu Kai, the magistrate of Kaihua County, turned pale and sweated profusely: "Sir..."

Everyone forgot.

Hai Rui had resigned from the post of Governor-General of Southern Zhili, but he still held the emperor's sword in his hand, and had the power to punish evildoers and execute first and report later.

When Hai Rui arrived at the prison holding the Emperor's Sword, no one in the entire Nanzhili could stop Hai Rui from doing what he wanted.

Hai Rui looked at Xu Wei, who was acting as a clerk, and said, "I won't ask any more questions. Bring me the confession and have him sign it."

After some interrogation.

The Kaihua county magistrate took too much responsibility and blamed himself for the coal mine explosion and the miners' riot under his jurisdiction.

Hai Rui did not even argue or interrogate, let alone use torture.

After all, the man opposite was once an official appointed by the imperial court, although he was dismissed from office and investigated, so he could not be addressed by his position. The man opposite had passed the imperial examination and was a Jinshi, while Hai Rui was only a Juren, so they could not be addressed by their age. Hai Rui did not even address him by name.

Seeing Xu Wei stand up, Yu Kai, who had never expected Hai Rui to play by his own rules, suddenly became anxious and said, "I have something else to say..."

Before being escorted to Nanjing, Yu Kai and the magistrate of Dexing County, Sun Wen, were prepared to resist stubbornly and never bite others.

But he never expected that Hai Rui's interrogation would be so simple, as if it were a routine interrogation, and he was not given the opportunity to express "loyalty" and "bravery" in his confession.

It seemed as if Hai Rui came here just to convict him.

Hai Rui just looked at him.

Yu Kai defended himself: "The coal mine explosion has nothing to do with me..."

"There's no need to record this sentence. Just sign it."

The first sentence was said by Hai Rui to Xu Wei, and the second sentence was said by Hai Rui to Yu Kai.

Xu Wei took the confession and handed the pen to Yu Kai.

Yu Kai didn't dare to answer it.

Hai Rui's eyes finally revealed murderous intent: "Article 2, Section 5 of the Great Ming Code, if a criminal fails to give a confession or sign a pledge, he shall be caned forty times!"

Yu Kai quickly took the pen and signed the confession, but his hand was weak and he asked tremblingly, "Sir, if you convict me based on this confession, what should I do?"

"Your Majesty has long been aware of the mining disasters and civil unrest in Kaihua and Dexing counties. This confession will also be sent to the capital for Your Majesty's judgment.

According to your confession, all the crimes are on your shoulders. You have been an official for decades and have been responsible for corruption and abuse of power. Although the mine disaster was not caused by you, you were responsible for having the yamen runners drive the miners out of the mine, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of miners. This is the fault of the Mining Bureau, and also of you. When the mine disaster occurred, the mine owner refused to pay compensation, but you did not try to persuade him. Instead, you accepted bribes, arrested innocent people, and deliberately incited public sentiment, causing riots. This is also your fault.

There were countless unjust cases, and the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Censorate would send special envoys to Kaihua to investigate. If there was one case, it would be one crime; if there were ten cases, it would be ten crimes; if there were a hundred cases, it would be a hundred crimes; if there were a thousand cases, it would be a thousand crimes.

The lives of hundreds of miners are all caused by you, and their karma and sins are all due to you.

As the saying goes, "If you kill someone, you pay with your life; if you owe someone a debt, you pay it with your money."

The life of a miner is enough to kill you once, hundreds of times, and hundreds of times.

The officials forced the people to rebel, which brought shame to the emperor and the people. This is unacceptable under the laws of the Ming Dynasty. Your deeds are too numerous to list.

If one embezzles more than one million, the entire clan will be executed according to the Holy Law, and hundreds of lives will be lost, causing turmoil in the country.

After I have submitted my confession to His Majesty, your entire clan will be sentenced to death." Hai Rui said indifferently.

Before the 40th year of the Jiajing reign, the Great Ming Code was the primary law. From the 40th year of the Jiajing reign to the present, the Holy Law has been superior to the Great Ming Code.

According to the Ming Dynasty law, people like Yu Kai would be beheaded in public, their property would be confiscated, their male relatives would be exiled, and their female relatives would be imprisoned in the Jiaofangsi.

According to the emperor's law, Yu Kai should be punished by being cut into pieces, and all his nine clansmen should be punished, and no one should be able to escape.

The lives of hundreds of miners will be counted one by one, allowing the miners and their families to rest in peace.

If you want to take the blame, then do it.

The nine clans went to the underworld together and reunited underground.

The wolf-hair brush fell to the ground immediately.

This is different from what the eunuch from the Mining Department and the prefect said.

The miners rioted.

Yu Kai knew that he could not escape the death penalty. He thought that he would die anyway and would take the blame alone. If it could benefit his wife and children, he would accept the crime.

But if you confess like this, you will have no wife, children or elders in this world in the future, so what benefit will you get?

"Mr. Minister, I have something else to say..."

Yu Kai subconsciously wanted to change his confession, but Hai Rui didn't want to waste time on this. It was almost dawn and Zhao Zhenji would be here soon.

After his wife gave birth, she fainted for a short time, which delayed Hai Rui for several more hours. He had to get the real confession as soon as possible.

Hai Rui shouted to Wang Yongji outside, "These confessions are enough. Come, take him away!"

Wang Yongji led two Jinyiwei into the cell and forcibly took Yu Kai away regardless of his struggle.

Hai Rui said again: "There is no need to set up seats here. Remove the chairs."

The treatment that allowed dismissed officials to sit and stand trial has disappeared.

Sun Wen, the magistrate of Dexing County, stood there like a tree branch, looking at Hai Rui who was sitting in front of the case and Xu Wei who was sitting beside the case taking notes. He was furious: "Sir, we are being tried for the same case, but why does Yu Kai have a seat? Why do you let me stand while being tried?"

"You heard my interrogation of Yu Kai just now in the next room. You have committed many evil deeds and your entire clan is in danger. Do you still care about the seat you will sit in before your execution?" Hai Rui sneered.

Sun Yat-sen's forced calmness was completely shattered. His legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground.

"You have listened to Yu Kai's confession. You can reply as it is. I can guarantee that both of you will die together and your entire clan will be exterminated!"

At this point, Hai Rui's voice was as loud as a bell, resounding throughout the cell. "Now, I ask questions, and you answer them."

"Whose orders did you follow to drive the miners out of the mines?"

"The Mining Department... and the prefectural government office."

"Tell me clearly, which prefectural government office?"

"Quzhou Prefecture Government Office."

"Is it an official document from the government office, or a letter from the prefect?"

"..."

"answer!"

"Verbal order from the prefect!"

Sun Yat-sen's face was uglier than a dead person's. He looked dazed and trembling with fear.

Hai Rui looked at Xu Wei and said, "It's on record!"

Xu Wei remembered it immediately.

"How much benefit did you get from the mining accident?"

"No benefit."

"Would you arrest and sue the miners if there was no benefit?"

“…I got the order.”

"Whose order?"

"Liu Wei, the eunuch of the Mining Department, and Yang Junmin, the prefect of Quzhou Prefecture, have a stake in the copper mine. Liu Wei is the adopted son of Chen Hong, the chief eunuch of the Ministry of Ceremonies and the governor of the East Factory, and Yang Junmin is the eldest son of Yang Bo, the Minister of Personnel. How dare I disobey an order?"

Stealing the country's wealth for personal gain.

A rat in the country.

"Record."

Xu Wei has been recording.

The mystery of the mining accidents in Kaihua and Dexing counties is slowly being solved.

One question, one answer.

Before I knew it, it was already daybreak.

There was a knock on the door. Hai Rui's eyes flashed and he slowly looked towards the door.

Xu Wei, who had just asked Sun Yat-sen to sign, immediately turned his head and looked at Hai Rui. Hai Rui seemed to have expected this and said, "Open the door."

The door opens.

Zhao Zhenji, the governor of Xinnan Zhili, walked in and looked at the situation in the room. His face changed immediately. It was too late...

(End of this chapter)