Jiajing Chengming

"Your Majesty, the Zhai family just reported that Zhai Luan died suddenly."

At this time, Huang Jin suddenly came over and whispered to Zhu Houcong a piece of news he had suddenly received.

After hearing this, Zhu Houcong stood there without moving for a long time.

"understood."

Afterwards, Zhu Houcong only said these three words.

Zhai Luan never thought that after he finished teaching his sermon to the three princes in the main hall and returned home, he would suddenly suffer from severe abdominal pain.

By the time the doctor arrived, he could no longer speak or lift his hands.

Zhai Luan didn't know how he was poisoned.

He only remembered that, as usual, he first went to the cabinet to receive the sermon, and while receiving the sermon, he chatted with cabinet ministers Zhang Cong and Xia Yan for a while under the pretext of discussing the prince's teaching issues. Then, he returned to the main hall and taught the prince.

During this process, he only drank a little tea sent by the secretary of the cabinet while he was waiting for Zhang Cong and Xia Yan in the cabinet, and drank a little tea sent by the palace maids in the main hall.

He didn't even have any refreshments, just some tea.

He can go a day without food, but he cannot go a day without water.

What's more, his main job now is to give lectures to the prince.

In addition, Zhai Luan did not think that there would be any problems with these teas. After all, these teas were public teas that everyone drank. When he was drinking tea in the cabinet, Zhang Cong and Xia Yan were also drinking it.

When he was in the main hall, Xu Jie, Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng also drank the same tea as him.

But now he happened to be suffering from severe abdominal pain and was about to die.

And that is exactly what happened.

The doctor shook his head after taking his pulse.

When Zhai Luan heard his family members crying, he lost consciousness and only had the joyful scene of reuniting with his deceased parents.

Then, very quickly, Zhai Luan died.

The Zhai family also reported the death to the court.

Zhai Luan’s sudden death was naturally a great loss to the Zhai family and even the entire Zhai family.

After all, Zhai Luan is already the chief teacher of the Eastern Palace and has a good chance of entering the cabinet in the future.

……

……

"Is he really gone?"

Xia Yan also learned about Zhai Luan's death from Fei Wan, the secretary of the cabinet, and asked about it.

Fei Wan nodded solemnly: "The letter from his family to report the death has already gone to the secretarial office, and should be arriving at the cabinet soon."

"Brother Zhong Ming, you can't blame me, Xia Yan!"

"I can't help it either."

"If you want to blame someone, blame yourself, the person I hate to the core."

At this time, Xia Yan let out a long sigh, looked at Zhang Cong's duty room and muttered to himself.

Fei Wan was Xia Yan's relative-in-law and shared weal and woe with Xia Yan. Naturally, he knew that the person Xia Yan was talking about was Zhang Cong.

Fei Wan even took the initiative to ask Xia Yan: "Do you think that His Majesty will think that Zhai Luan's death was caused by Zhang Fujing?"

"Whether or not Your Majesty thinks so, at least the people of the world will think so."

Xia Yan smiled and spoke at this time.

"Does Zhai Luan's death have anything to do with you?"

After Zhu Houcong learned about Zhai Luan's affairs, he summoned Zhang Cong and asked about him.

Zhang Cong said, "Your Majesty, how could I regard him as someone who wants to murder me just because his brother Zhai Peng is the governor of Datong? Even if I think so, I would not kill him in this way. Those who would kill him in this way are usually his own people, because they are afraid that he will reveal more secrets."

"I don't believe it's you either!"

"But I'm afraid that the world will think it's you, that you've begun to take revenge on those who hate you in this way."

When Zhu Houcong said this, he looked at Zhang Cong.

Zhang Cong bowed and said, "Your Majesty is right. This man wants me to die without a burial place."

"Then how should we deal with this person?"

Zhu Houcong looked at Zhang Cong.

Zhu Houcong could even guess who wanted Zhang Cong to die without a burial place and roast him on the fire.

But this person cleared himself too much.

Therefore, even though Zhu Houcong was the emperor, he could not come up with any reason to deal with this man.

What's more, this man was the one who spoke the most for himself when Altan Khan besieged the city, and was the one who most actively advocated not compromising with Altan Khan and killing Zhang Cong and Gui E.

Zhang Cong seemed to have the answer already, so he immediately suggested: "I think we can let him replace me as the Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty as he wishes! Then, under your majesty's pressure, he will have no choice but to follow your Majesty's rules! In this way, the one who is hated the most by the rich and powerful in the world will no longer be me, but him; after all, traitors are often the most hated."

"I remember that your health has not been very good these years?"

Zhu Houcong asked Zhang Cong a question abruptly.

Zhang Cong was slightly startled, then he saluted and said, "I passed the imperial examination too late, so I have only been in the government for seventeen years and I am already sixty years old. Now I am thin and weak, and my illnesses have increased. I didn't expect that Your Majesty is also concerned about my health. I am really grateful."

"Yes, you are just like Mr. Yuan. When I met you, it was too late!"

Zhu Houcong said this with emotion.

Then, Zhu Houcong said, "And Gui E, his health is not good either. He recently submitted a petition, saying that he wants to return to his hometown to recuperate. I have approved it. Now you should also retire and take a rest. Let Xia Yan continue to offend people. Let him feel whether being the Prime Minister is that easy."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

At this time, Zhang Cong prostrated himself on the ground.

"Call Xia Yan!"

After Zhang Cong left, Zhu Houcong summoned Xia Yan.

After hearing this, Xia Yan naturally hurried to the palace.

Fei Wan followed Xia Yan and walked towards the gate together. As they walked, he said to Xia Yan, "Your Majesty must want to ask the elder about Zhai Luan!"

"Of course, but I don't know whether Your Majesty saw me first or Zhang Fujing first."

Xia Yan walked out while frowning and thinking.

Fei Wan sent Xia Yan to the door and did not follow him.

After Xia Yan arrived at the palace, Zhu Houcong also asked Xia Yan: "Zhai Luan died suddenly, did you know?"

Xia Yan pretended to be surprised: "I don't know!"

"But I received a secret report saying that you were always close to him and had many plots with him. His sudden death this time was also caused by you!"

Zhu Houcong said.

Xia Yan knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely untrue. Zhai Luan is a scholar of the Jinyiwei and a teacher appointed by Your Majesty. How dare I harm him?"

"Do you know why I appointed Zhai Luan as the teacher of the Eastern Palace?" Zhu Houcong asked Xia Yan something else at this time.

Xia Yan trembled slightly as he looked at the golden bricks on the ground reflecting the candlelight, and replied, "I don't know."

"Because he was the first minister to submit a secret report on land reclamation to me."

Zhu Houcong spoke at this time and secretly glanced at Xia Yan.

He saw that Xia Yan's face was filled with fear, his eyes were wide open, and he looked as if he was thinking seriously.

Xia Yan quickly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

He seemed to have guessed the emperor's purpose, so he took the initiative to speak: "It seems that Lord Zhai is indeed a minister who cares about the country and the people, and has long had the ambition to rectify the world. I admire him, but I also feel it's a pity!"

"Yes, the Qingzhang is a long-term plan for the prosperity of the country and the security of the nation. But now Zhang and Gui are both old and sick, and Zhai Luan has suddenly passed away. Who should take over such a major policy?"

When Zhu Houcong got to this point, he asked Xia Yan: "Mr. Xia, would you like to be Cao Shen?"

Xia Yan gritted his teeth and closed his eyes again.

Afterwards, Xia Yan bowed and kowtowed to the ground: "Although I am not talented, I wish to devote all my energy to this national project of land reclamation to promote its smooth completion and repay the country's kindness! If the land reclamation is stopped or even ruined because of me, I am willing to be executed and my family will also be executed!"

"Get up."

Zhu Houcong said with a smile at this time.

Then, Zhu Houcong looked at Xia Yan and continued, "I know you are loyal, but being a good prime minister requires more than just loyalty."

"Your Majesty said so."

Xia Yan replied.

Zhu Houcong waved his hand and asked Xia Yan to retreat.

The next day.

Zhang Fujing submitted a petition for retirement on the grounds of illness.

Zhu Houcong approved it.

Then, Zhu Houcong issued an edict to promote Xia Yan to the position of Grand Secretary of Huagai Palace, and added the titles of Junior Tutor and Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince.

Naturally, these two events caused considerable fluctuations between the government and the opposition.

Everyone was shocked by Zhai Luan's sudden death, and some people who were dissatisfied with the national policy had begun to vent their anger on Zhang Cong, saying that Zhang Cong had guessed from Zhai Peng's betrayal that Zhai Luan was the mastermind behind the collusion with the Tartars to force the emperor to kill him, and that was why he killed Zhai Luan.

But now, Emperor Jiajing suddenly allowed Zhang Cong to resign and leave, which made the literati and officials in the world no longer willing to believe that Zhai Luan was harmed by Zhang Cong.

After all, it seems that Zhai Luan’s sudden death did not bring greater benefits to Zhang Cong.

Instead, the one who benefited more was Xia Yan.

This naturally made many scholars and officials instinctively think that this might have been done by Xia Yan.

"Now, because His Majesty suddenly allowed Zhang Fujing to leave and appointed you as the Prime Minister, the government and the public are all saying that you are the mastermind behind this series of events. Have you thought about how to be the next Prime Minister?"

Fei Wanze also asked Xia Yan about these things when Xia Yan was the prime minister.

Xia Yan rubbed his face dryly and said, "What else can I do? The imperial edict is so solemn. I can only try my best to ensure that the land survey is completed smoothly. Otherwise, I'm afraid it will be difficult to retire with dignity like Zhang Fujing."

"Hey!"

Fei Wan nodded, then sighed: "Your Majesty is so amazing!"

"It's amazing! In order to protect Zhang Fujing and ensure that the Ming Dynasty can continue to have a minister who dares to take the lead in the future, he forced me to take over, and it seemed that if I didn't take over, I would die without a burial place."

Xia Yan laughed when he got to this point. "Fortunately, in today's world, if we really want to revive the Ming Dynasty, the only internal policy that must be implemented is the land survey. Apart from the land survey, the rest should focus on opening up benefits to the outside world."

"However, among the wealthy families in the world, most are non-military personnel. They don't want the people to become more and more wealthy, making it more difficult for them to treat their subordinates as superiors."

"Originally, they were suppressed by a more noble military family. Compared with before when they could even fight against the emperor, now they can no longer fight against the emperor and are inferior to the military family."

"So, whether it's alleviating the people's hardship internally or opening up benefits to enrich the people and strengthen the country, I'm afraid they won't be willing to do so. They will definitely resist opening up benefits to the outside world in every possible way! They would rather see foreigners grow bigger than see their own country become strong!"

Fei Wan frowned and talked about his worries.

Xia Yan sneered, "It's not up to them! We don't cut their flesh to enrich the country and the people, but force them to give up the annexed land. That's good enough! We, the military officials, can't help but work hard to maintain the system of military nobility that Your Majesty has worked so hard to revise! First, this is the law of our ancestors, and second, it is the only right way for the country to be long-term and peaceful. We should do our best to protect it!"

"What you said is that if they were not unwilling to admit defeat and had not disregarded the safety of the country and the morality of the saints, and had created man-made disasters, the land reclamation would not have been put on the agenda."

Fei Wan nodded in reply.

Xia Yan then said to Fei Wan, "So, tell our censors to keep a close eye on the officials who are carrying out the land reclamation, to prevent those who are treacherous and foolish and think that they can mess around with the land reclamation just because the Prime Minister has been replaced. If we find anyone messing around, we will report him. Even if Zhang Fujing's cronies in the censors don't dare to report him, they will report him!"

Fei Wan nodded and agreed.

Zhu Houcong also allowed Zhang Cong to retire, and asked Xia Yan to take over as the Prime Minister. Shortly after that, he met Zhang Cong who asked to resign.

"I have issued an order to the officials and Jinyiwei along the way. If you have any misfortune in a certain place, they will all be dismissed and put on leave, and the local imperial examination will be suspended for three sessions. If you have any disrespectful behavior, they will all be dismissed and put on leave, and the local imperial examination will be suspended for one session!"

After meeting Zhang Cong, Zhu Houcong told Zhang Cong about his arrangements for Zhang Cong's safety on his way back home.

Zhang Cong's eyes naturally turned red, and he bowed deeply, "Your Majesty, I am ashamed to accept your deep concern!"

"Stand up, why do you and I, the king and the subject, have to say this?"

Zhu Houcong raised his hand and said with a smile.

Then, Zhang Cong took out a memorial and said, "Your Majesty, I recommend the candidates for cabinet ministers according to the rules."

Zhu Houcong asked Huang Jin to take it.

After Zhu Houcong received Zhang Cong's recommendation letter, he saw that Zhang Cong recommended the Minister of Rites Li Shi.

Zhu Houcong did not refuse this and agreed to everything.

He believed that the people recommended by Zhang Cong would definitely support basic national policies such as land surveying.

Moreover, Zhu Houcong also hoped that Zhang Cong and his party would keep more people in important positions in the court. Otherwise, he was really worried that Xia Yan, the prime minister, would be controlled by him.

Because in his impression, Xia Yan was not a very obedient minister.

Therefore, Zhu Houcong continued, "As far as I know, the Minister of Personnel Li Chengxun is also seriously ill now. In your opinion, who should take over the position of Grand Chancellor?"

"I recommend Huo Tao, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He advocates the prohibition of Buddhism and the destruction of Buddhist temples. The world is now very rich, but we need to prevent the increase of lewd temples. When the time comes to rectify the internal affairs, we must crack down on lewd temples in the world, and this man is the one who can crack down on lewd temples."

Zhang Cong replied.

Zhu Houcong nodded and asked again: "Who is the appropriate Minister of Rites?"

"Master Yan Song, we will dispatch troops to Annan. The ceremonial officer must be someone who is good at judging the situation!"

"good!"

Then, Zhu Houcong instructed Huang Jin, "Then let the cabinet know that Minister of Rites Li Shi will be promoted to Minister of Rites, and that Left Vice Minister of Personnel Huo Tao will be promoted to Minister of Rites!"

As soon as the decree was issued, Li Chengxun, the Minister of Personnel, knew that this must have been discussed by the emperor and Zhang Cong, so he said, "In this case, it seems that I should also retire!"

As for Li Chengxun, he had not resigned yet because he felt that Zhang Cong still needed his assistance in reform. Now that Zhang Cong had resigned and recommended Li Shi to join the cabinet, and also recommended Huo Tao, he seemed to be planning to let Li Shi and Huo Tao check and balance Xia Yan in the future, rather than letting himself offend Xia Yan, so he decisively submitted a letter of resignation.

Zhu Houcong also approved his request for retirement.

As soon as Li Chengxun left, Huo Tao was promoted to the Minister of Personnel. At the same time, Zhu Houcong issued an edict to appoint Yan Song as the Minister of Rites.

After Yan Song received the decree that he could be appointed as one of the Seven Ministers, he could not help but shed tears: "Your Majesty has finally stopped hating me!" (End of this chapter)