My father is Jiajing

With the news of the overseas "treasure island", some political means can be put aside for the time being.

Therefore, on the second day, news began to spread that Zhu Zaigui's health was gradually improving.

At the same time, Emperor Jiajing also announced his return to the palace.

All the officials looked at this scene in astonishment and didn't know what to say.

Especially Xu Jie, his heart was trembling now, because he had already said some words, even if he did not take any action in the end.

But the truth could not be hidden forever, and the news of his "conspiracy" with other ministers to recommend Prince Jing soon reached the Jiajing Emperor and Zhu Zaigui.

Emperor Jiajing and Zhu Zaigui sat together in the dragon sedan chair on the way back to Beijing, and they were just as usual.

Emperor Jiajing snorted and laughed, "I didn't expect Xu Jie to have such courage. It seems that your description of him as a 'follower cabinet minister' was biased."

Zhu Zaigui smiled bitterly and said, "I didn't expect Lord Xu to be so brave. I miscalculated."

Emperor Jiajing chuckled and said, "It's not a miscalculation. I saw this old man's double-mindedness when I was young. Now he is like this again, it's just the beginning of his old habits."

"I recruited him because he was a disciple of Wang Yangming and naturally had a good reputation in the scholar community. I also thought that after several years of being sent out to fight, his character had been honed and he could be used by me."

"That's why I gave him the opportunity and consciously cultivated him as the successor to Yan Song. I didn't expect that after being so respectful and obedient, he still hid his anger and insisted on going against me."

"He thought that after surviving me, he could rest easy! In my opinion, this is nothing but his wishful thinking!"

Emperor Jiajing was really angry in his heart. He hated any form of betrayal!
Especially for someone like Xu Jie, Emperor Jiajing thought that he had already trained him into an obedient puppet through his own political tactics.

Unexpectedly, this "puppet" was only obedient on the surface, but still harbored the seeds of rebellion in his heart.

Emperor Jiajing raised his head and looked at Zhu Zaigui again, and continued, "Didn't Gao Gong and Xiao Heizi (Hai Rui) report that they had found some problems with the Xu family? Send an imperial decree and ask them to investigate the case strictly. I want to see what the Prime Minister who I have used for so many years is like inside."

When Zhu Zaigui heard that Emperor Jiajing was really angry and was about to attack Xu Jie, Zhu Zaigui couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Although Zhu Zaigui also knew that touching Xu Jie at this time would cause a shock to the court and the country and cause an uproar among scholars all over the world.

However, if you only consider the impact of certain things and hesitate to move forward, not only will you not get the results you want, you may not even be able to accomplish anything.

Therefore, since Emperor Jiajing wanted to kill him, Zhu Zaigui would naturally not stop him at this time.

Zhu Zaigui replied, "I obey your order. I will immediately send a message to Gao Gong, Hai Rui and others, asking them to start a comprehensive investigation of all the cases involving the Xu family and clear away the dust that has accumulated in Nanjing and the Jiangnan region for two hundred years!"

Emperor Jiajing nodded and said, "When you need factory guards, just tell me and I will arrange it."

Zhu Zaigui bowed again and said, "Yes, I understand!"

Just as Emperor Jiajing and Zhu Zaigui were on their way back to Beijing.

Zhu Zaigui's decree to oversee the country had also arrived in Nanjing.

At this moment, the city of Nanjing is still shrouded in mist and rain.

The willow branches along the Qinhuai River have sprouted new buds, but are drooping their heads due to the continuous rain.

Gao Gong, Grand Secretary of the Nanjing Cabinet and Governor-General of Southern Zhili, stood in front of the window of Wenyuan Pavilion, holding a newly delivered edict from the Regent in his hand, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Gao Gong was excited at this moment!
With this edict from the Regent, it meant that Prince Yu had nothing to worry about, and Gao Gong's previous worries and concerns were immediately swept away.

Even though it was rainy outside, Gao Gong's mood was like the clear blue sky that suddenly brightened up.

"Xu Jie."

Gao Gong whispered the name, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. This was also the first time he whispered Xu Jie's name in this way.

He had served in the same court with Xu Jie for many years. Although they had some political differences, he also disliked some of Xu Jie's actions.

However, Gao Gong deeply understood how scheming the cabinet chief was, who appeared humble on the surface but was actually very experienced!

If Gao Gong could not rely on Prince Yu, he would definitely not have a head-on conflict with Gao Gong.

Now Prince Yu's regent order has been sent to Nanjing, asking him to investigate the Xu family's 240,000 acres of land in Jiangnan. This is tantamount to asking him to stir up a hornet's nest.

Gao Gong suppressed his excitement and unfolded the edict of the regent again and read it silently. He saw Zhu Zaigui's red words, each as sharp as a knife:

"Order Gao Gong, Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace and Governor-General of Southern Zhili, to work with Hai Rui, Governor of Yingtian and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, to thoroughly investigate the case involving the Xu family."

"Also, there is solid evidence that Xu Jie was secretly planning to support Prince Jing as regent. Your Majesty has heard your report about his family's extensive occupation of land in Jiangnan. Now His Majesty is furious and has ordered a thorough investigation. I hope you will not let him down and will not let His Majesty down!"

After reading this text again, there was a loud bang outside the window and a flash of lightning struck, illuminating Gao Gong's solemn face.

Gao Gong is already fifty-six years old this year, with gray hair on his temples, but his eyes are still bright.

At this moment he finally understood why Zhu Zaigui had sent him to Nanjing and given him the title of Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and concurrently the position of Governor-General of Southern Zhili.

"Come here! Prepare the sedan chair and go to the Yingtian Governor's Office."

Gao Gong put away the regent's decree and straightened his clothes.

Since it was the king's order, Gao Gong naturally had no reason to refuse.

He must meet with Hai Rui as soon as possible to make a plan!
The streets of Nanjing were muddy and difficult to walk on in the rain, and the sedan chair bearers moved forward with one foot deep and one foot shallow. It was a huge difference compared to the hardened roads in the capital.

Gao Gong lifted a corner of the curtain and saw several ragged farmers taking shelter from the rain under the eaves of a house on the street. They were pale and thin, and their eyes were full of despair.

Gao Gong's heart sank - these were most likely the people whose land had been taken away by the Xu family.

The Yingtian Governor's Office was extremely simple, with no carved beams or painted buildings, no rockery or ponds, and only a few old plum trees blooming stubbornly in the rain.

As soon as Gao Gong's sedan chair stopped at the gate of the governor's yamen, the yamen runner guarding the gate immediately went inside to report.

After a while, Hai Rui came out of the yamen and personally welcomed Gao Gong into a small study.

Gao Gong looked at the four large characters "Integrity and Honesty" written in vivid ink on the wall and suddenly felt a surge of noble spirit. It was obvious that these were written by Hai Rui himself.

“Nice handwriting.”

Gao Gong first praised Hai Rui's calligraphy.

Hai Rui looked at Gao Gong who came in the heavy rain. He certainly didn't believe that Gao Gong came to him at this time just to praise these words.

"What instructions do you have for me, Lord?"

Hai Rui's thin figure was reflected in Gao Gong's eyes. He still had a serious expression on his face as before. He was wearing an official uniform that had been washed so long ago that it turned white, and there was not even a jade pendant around his waist.

Whenever he saw this, Gao Gong couldn't help but marvel at Hai Rui's frugality. You know, although Hai Rui's official positions over the years did not pay much, Prince Yu still gave him a lot of extra subsidies within the rules to make his life as good as possible.

However, after Hai Rui got the money, he actually donated most of it to the charity hall in the special district of the capital to help those poor and innocent ordinary children to go to school and have food.

Gao Gong said seriously: "Gangfeng has something big going on!"

When Hai Rui heard this, he immediately became serious. He waved his hand to signal the butler Hai An, who was about to serve tea to Gao Gong, to step down, and then he poured tea for Gao Gong himself.

This tea is also the most common wild tea, and the cup is the cheapest coarse porcelain, but the tea aroma is very rich.

Gao Gong took the teacup, took a sip, and got straight to the point: "The prince ordered you and me to thoroughly investigate the 240,000 acres of land owned by the Xu family in Jiangnan. What do you think?"

Hai Rui's eyes sparkled, and he asked in surprise, "Your Majesty, are you okay?"

Gao Gong nodded seriously, "The prince has recovered and has now returned to the capital with the emperor. This is the regent's decree that the prince sent to you urgently."

Gao Gong took out the regent's edict from his sleeve and handed it to Hai Rui.

Hai Rui excitedly took it and read it quickly.

After seeing the decree, Hai Rui became even more excited.

Hai Rui said, "The Xu family's land is spread across Songjiang, Suzhou, Changzhou and other places, and most of it was acquired through trickery and robbery. Last year, Changzhou was hit by a flood, and the people were displaced, but the Xu family's granary did not store any rice, causing starvation everywhere. Now that the prince has finally made up his mind to eradicate this cancer, it is truly a blessing for the country and the people!"

Gao Gong's heart moved after hearing Hai Rui's words.

It seems that Hai Rui has long been dissatisfied with the Xu family, and he will definitely make great efforts in handling this case!

But thinking of Xu Jie's influence in the court and his family's influence in Jiangnan, Gao Gong said cautiously: "Xu Huating is the prime minister of the current dynasty, and his students and former officials are all over the court and the country. This case has implications for the entire court, so we need to be extremely cautious."

Upon hearing this, Hai Rui frowned and said, "Sir, please forgive me for speaking frankly. The Xu family has been oppressing the people and their crimes are notorious. If I dare not investigate thoroughly because I am afraid of their power, wouldn't I be unworthy of this official position? I am willing to guarantee with my own life that I will get to the bottom of this matter!"

Gao Gong was shocked by these words.

He has been in officialdom for a long time, and although he has a bad temper, he has long been accustomed to weighing the pros and cons and getting the best of both worlds.

But the Hai Gangfeng in front of him was like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, with its edge fully exposed.

It's really eye-catching!

Gao Gong said, "Since you said that, I will fight for you no matter how many mountains of swords and seas of fire there are ahead! But we need evidence to solve a case. I wonder if you have collected any evidence of the Xu family's illegal activities?"

Hai Rui immediately took out an account book from the desk drawer and handed it to Gao Gong: "This is the list of Xu's land that I secretly collected. At least 80,000 acres of it were seized from the people through trickery and plunder."

Gao Gong opened the account book and saw densely packed records of who's land the Xu family had occupied and how on which day of a certain month of a certain year, with all the information including the amount, location and witnesses.

The more he looked, the more frightened he became—the evil of the Xu family was far beyond his imagination.

"The Xu family is extremely evil!"

"Gao Gong closed the account book, his eyes filled with anger.

"In that case, we must act quickly and head to Songjiang immediately. We will surround the Xu family's ancestral home and search for more evidence."

Hai Rui bowed and said, "I obey your command!"

The next day, Gao Gong and Hai Rui, accompanied by a team of capable yamen runners and Feng Bao's factory guards, secretly arrived at Songjiang Prefecture.

Instead of alerting the local officials, they disguised themselves as a caravan and stayed in an inconspicuous inn, preparing to plan the matter secretly.

That night, Gao Gong was studying the information provided by Hai Rui in his room when he suddenly heard a commotion outside the door. He held the dagger at his waist alertly and asked in a deep voice, "Who?"

"Sir, it's me."

Hai Rui's voice came from outside the door, with a hint of urgency.

Gao Gong opened the door and let Hai Rui in, only to see a ragged old man following behind him, trembling with fear in his eyes.

"This is Mr. Xu Laoliu, the former accountant of the Xu Mansion. He was kicked out of the mansion because he refused to falsify the accounts by the Xu family and had one of his legs broken."

Hai Rui introduced the old man in front of him, and then continued, "Old Six knows many secrets of the Xu family. He is an important key figure in our operation."

Gao Gong's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked the old man to sit down and personally poured him a cup of hot tea. Xu Laoliu took the teacup with trembling hands, and his nervous voice was hoarse: "The two masters, the Xu family's land is not only 240,000 acres, but at least 300,000 acres. They have officials in various states and counties, and they tamper with the fish scale book every year."

Gao Gong and Hai Rui looked at each other and saw the shock in each other's eyes.

The Fish Scale Book is an important document for the imperial court to register land. If it is tampered with, it means that the taxation of the entire Jiangnan region may be in trouble.

"what?!"

Gao Gong was completely shocked when he heard the news. He knew that Xu Jie would have accomplices and related stakeholders.

But he never expected that the Xu family had gone to such a length. You know, Yan Shifan was so arrogant back then, but he had never done such a horrific thing.

"Which officials are the Xu family colluding with? Do you have a list?"

Gao Gong asked anxiously, and it was obvious that he was a little frightened.

If this is true, then what we need to investigate now is not just the problem of the Xu family, but the problem of the entire Jiangnan region.

If this gets out, not to mention whether the government and the public will be shocked, Jiangnan alone will be in chaos!
If there is chaos in the south of the Yangtze River, the imperial court will inevitably suffer huge losses in taxes and grain.

So at this moment, Gao Gong had to be cautious.

At the same time, the same was true for Hai Rui.

Although Hai Rui hates evil, it does not mean that Hai Rui has no sense of the overall situation.

He was also very clear that once the Xu family's case became a conspiracy involving the entire Jiangnan officialdom, it would be a huge disaster!
If the matter becomes too complicated and the court cannot bear it, the emperor and Prince Yu will have to make compromises.

Then wouldn't everything they are doing now be wasted?

Gao Gong and Hai Rui looked at each other. Although they did not speak, they could understand each other's meaning from each other's eyes.

Gao Gong said: "First, let Eunuch Feng secretly send Xu Laoliu to the capital, and let the prince and His Majesty know."

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