My father is Jiajing

After a brief silence, the Iron Triangle began to plan for the next step.

At this moment, the sound of the night watchman's clapperboard could be heard outside the window.

It was already three o'clock in the morning.

But even so, the summer nights in Nanjing are still sultry, with no sign of coolness or relief at all.

But who among those present here is not a person of superhuman will?
For them, this environmental difficulty is just the simplest difficulty in life experience and they don't need to care about it.

Moreover, which one of those who read the books of sages did not spend ten years in hard study to hone the Confucian character of "exhausting their muscles and bones and starving their bodies"?

What does this sultry temperature matter?
At worst, you can add two ice cubes and pour more crushed ice! It’s not like you can’t afford it!

Finally, after a long silence, Hai Rui broke it: "No matter what, now that we have this evidence, we must thoroughly investigate the Dong family! As for Xu Jie."

Now Hai Rui no longer had much respect for Xu Jie. He began to call him by his name and no longer used the honorific title of Lord Xu.

Hai Rui looked at Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng with a determined gaze. He said in a very serious manner, "As long as he really does something illegal, I, Hai Rui, will never tolerate it!"

Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng looked at each other and saw complicated emotions in each other's eyes.

Although they also sentenced Xu Jie to "death" in their hearts, it was a political death sentence, and they did not really want to use this opportunity to take Xu Jie's life.

After all, political struggles must have a bottom line.

If there is no bottom line and people only fight for life and death, who will dare to be an official in the future? Who will dare to do things?
But Hai Rui obviously didn't think so much. Sometimes he even wanted to suggest Zhu Zaigui to reinstate the punishment of skinning and stuffing with straw during the reign of Taizu to deter corrupt officials all over the world!
But times have changed.

What the Taizu Dynasty could do does not necessarily mean what the Jiajing Dynasty could do two hundred years later.

Just because the Jiajing dynasty was capable doesn't mean the Taizu dynasty would be able to do the same.

Therefore, if you want to do anything well, you must have the corresponding environment and conditions.

If we rashly ignore the actual situation and copy some seemingly effective and strong methods, we may end up causing chaos in the world!

"Gangfeng's sincerity is admirable."

Zhang Juzheng first praised Hai Rui and agreed with Hai Rui's position!

Then Zhang Juzheng considered his words carefully and said: "But this matter has a lot to do with the whole body. We can handle the Dong family case, and we must handle it, but the method and approach need to be cautious. For example, this land occupation issue is a good time to implement the policy of 'measuring the land'."

"If we use it properly, we don't even need to go to the prince to ask for permission. We can directly help the prince solve his problems in Nanjing and eliminate the problems that have plagued the Ming Dynasty and Jiangnan for a hundred years."

"This will also be a new starting point for us to be loyal to our country, to seek benefits for the country, and to seek peace for the people of Ming!"

When Zhang Juzheng's words fell into the ears of Gao Gong and Hai Rui, their expressions changed at the same time.

As an ideal scholar and an ideal politician, who doesn't want to "cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the country and bring peace to the world"?

Now that Zhang Juzheng has said it so clearly without any empty words to cover it up, who among Gao Gong and Hai Rui would think that this is just boasting?
Gao Gong's eyes lit up: "Taiyue is saying that he wants to use the opportunity of investigating the Dong family to promote the land survey in Jiangnan?"

"Exactly."

Zhang Juzheng nodded and said seriously: "The good land occupied by the Dong family must be returned to the people, but how to return it? According to what standards? These are all areas where we can make a big fuss. If we can use this to implement a new tax system in Jiangnan, it will be a great benefit to the country and the people."

Although Hai Rui has a straight-forward character, he is not inflexible.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded in agreement, saying, "If we can take this opportunity to survey the land and equalize the taxes and labor service, it will indeed be more meaningful than simply punishing the Dong family. However, the crimes of the Dong family must be severely punished, especially those evil deeds that have forced people to death!"

Hai Rui still did not forget to insist on this point. In Hai Rui's view, this was the real key point. Only by strictly enforcing the law can there be a deterrent effect.

If they were just raised high and then put down lightly, so that the Dong family members would not receive the punishment they deserved for their sins, Hai Rui believed that this would only encourage those arrogant and conceited Jiangnan families to act even more unscrupulously.

Gao Gong stroked his beard and smiled, which was also what Hai Rui meant.

Gao Gong said: "That's natural. The law of the country is like a mountain and cannot be violated."

Gao Gong then turned to Zhang Juzheng and said, "Taiyue, how do you think we should proceed with this matter?"

Zhang Juzheng had already made up his mind. He looked at Gao Gong and Hai Rui and began to say, "First, we must immediately send reliable people to protect these key witnesses to prevent Lord Xu from killing them. Secondly, send a letter to Songjiang Prefecture in the name of the Censorate, ordering them to cooperate with the investigation, but not to alert the enemy. The most important thing is..."

Zhang Juzheng lowered his voice again, looked at Gao Gong and Hai Rui seriously and said, "We should unite with Feng Bao and have him send out the guards from the East Factory to help conduct a comprehensive survey of the land in Jiangnan under the guise of supervision and inspection. In this way, we can not only reduce unnecessary resistance, but also minimize our danger and do more things in the process."

Gao Gong thought for a while and nodded.

Although he didn't like to use the factory guards to do things, sometimes he had to admit that the factory guards were really useful!

Gao Gong made the decision and said, "Okay! Let's do it. Let's also involve Feng Bao in this matter. He was originally an important chess piece sent by the prince to Nanjing to help us stabilize the situation on all sides. If we leave him alone, the prince will think that we are too arrogant."

What Gao Gong said made a lot of sense, although he was now the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and Governor-General of Southern Zhili, and the nominal highest person in charge of Nanjing and even Jiangnan.

But in the end he still had to show his loyalty and selflessness to Emperor Jiajing and Prince Yu in the capital.

Otherwise, the two places are thousands of miles apart, and he does not inform Feng Bao about his actions. Who knows when a gap of suspicion between the monarch and his subjects will arise.

Bringing Feng Bao in now is actually equivalent to telling Emperor Jiajing and Zhu Zaigui who are far away in the capital that they do things without any selfish motives!

Hai Rui also nodded slightly. His attitude towards the factory guards was the same. He did not have a black-and-white right or wrong stance.

After all, the Censorate and the Guard had existed in the Ming Dynasty for more than 200 years and had long been a part of political life.

Moreover, according to the evolution of Ming Dynasty politics, these terrifying eunuchs and guards are actually no longer as powerful as before.

For example, the Jinyiwei organization, which is often touted as a god-like existence in online articles, was actually transformed by civil servants into an auxiliary government office mainly for civil service in the real historical development, and it did not have the magical means imagined at all.

Therefore, those who want to travel back to the end of the Ming Dynasty and become emperors should be careful. Don't be so foolish as to hand over your life and property to an ignorant Jinyiwei, thinking that you can turn the tables on the Ming Dynasty and check the civil officials with the loyalty of Jinyiwei. If you really dare to do so, you will most likely be regarded as an idiot by all the ministers and even Jinyiwei itself.

After discussing Feng Bao's matter, Gao Gong looked at Hai Rui and said, "Although this case has been handed over to the Ministry of Justice, the specific execution must be mainly carried out by the Governor's Office. Gangfeng, you are known as the 'Hai Bijia' and you are upright and incorruptible. It is most appropriate for you to take charge of the investigation of the Dong family case."

Hai Rui cupped his hands without hesitation and said, "I have no choice but to accept the offer!"

Zhang Juzheng also added immediately: "Lord, there is also the Ministry of Revenue. If we want to survey the land, the participation of the Ministry of Revenue is indispensable. Yan Maoqing has no way out. His life and death, honor and disgrace are all in the hands of the prince. This time, taking advantage of the opportunity to thoroughly investigate the Dong family, it is also the right time to bring the Ministry of Revenue together to survey the land and find out the depth of the water in Jiangnan."

Upon hearing this, Gao Gong couldn't help but nod slightly.

This is how Yan Maoqing used him. At this critical moment, not using him as a shield to block the thunder would be a waste of talent!
Moreover, if this matter was accomplished, it would also be a merit for Yan Maoqing. When Zhu Zaigui rewards people according to their merits in the future, he would certainly be included in the rewards.

You know, Zhao Wenhua is now the Minister of Personnel.

This was a position that Zhao Wenhua dared not even dream of after Yan Song's downfall.

From this we can see that Prince Yu is really unconventional in employing people, and only the capable ones are promoted!

Now that this opportunity has been given to Yan Maoqing, he can just wait to wake up with a smile!
The three of them had made their plan and were about to go back to their homes and act separately when they suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

Gao Gong's housekeeper Gao An hurried to the outside of the study, shouting in panic, "Something bad has happened to the master!"

Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui all paused when they heard the noise outside.

Gao Gong said, "What's the noise? Come in and talk!"

Gao An hurried in, bowed deeply to Gao Gong, and said hurriedly: "Master, something bad has happened. An urgent report just came from Songjiang Prefecture that a fire broke out in the Dong family, and the Dong family's patriarch and his eldest son were buried in the fire!"

"what?!"

The three of them changed color at the same time.

Hai Rui excitedly grabbed Gao An's collar and asked in disbelief, "Are there any survivors?"

Gao An was so frightened that his face turned pale: "To answer what Minister Hai said, the second son of the Dong family was not in the mansion at the time and escaped the disaster. But it is said that the accountant and several managers of the Dong family were also..."

After Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui heard these words, a more serious expression suddenly appeared on their faces.

Hai Rui's face was as gloomy as water: "What a great Xu Huating! He's really quick!"

Hai Rui looked at Gao Gong again, "Lord, it seems we are still a step too late. We have been tricked by Xu Jie!"

Gao Gong's face was as gloomy as water: "Send people to Songjiang immediately to control the second son of the Dong family and all those who may know about it! We can't let them get into any more accidents!"

Hai Rui immediately strode toward the door and shouted, "I'll go myself!"

Zhang Juzheng hurriedly stopped him: "Wait a minute, Gangfeng! It's too dangerous for you to go to Songjiang now! Since the Xu family dared to attack the Dong family, they will dare to attack you!"

Hai Rui laughed loudly, "How dare they! I, Hai Rui, am upright and have nothing to fear from those low-lifes! If I die, what will happen to the Xu family? They know better than I do!"

Hai Rui's words were very confident.

He was an important minister trusted by Zhu Zaigui. If an accident really happened to him in Jiangnan and he was murdered, Zhu Zaigui would definitely take advantage of his death to launch a huge case in Jiangnan and arrest all suspicious people.

It can be said that if Hai Rui was really dead, then things would be simple and straightforward.

Gao Gong looked at Hai Rui and said, "Gang Feng's courage is admirable, but this matter needs to be considered carefully. The Xu family's move is obviously to destroy the witnesses, so we must be faster than them."

Gao Gong ordered Gao An: "Pass on my order, immediately summon Feng Bao, the eunuch of Nanjing Silijian, to the mansion, and have him immediately block all the important roads in Songjiang Prefecture, especially the official roads leading to the capital and overseas!"

Zhang Juzheng added: "Also, immediately send people to protect the witnesses mentioned in the document. No one can be left behind!"

Gao An immediately took the order and left.

In the study, the three of them fell into deep thought again.

The flickering light from the lamps cast changing shadows on their faces, as if foreshadowing the coming political storm.

"Lord Xu's move was both vicious and clever. He reported the Dong family, and the Dong family died out of fear of crime at this critical moment. This not only confirmed the Dong family's guilt, but also cut off many clues. Even if we investigate the Dong family, it will be difficult to implicate him."

Hai Rui snorted, "But he forgot one thing - dead people are sometimes more useful than living people. Dong Chuance's death itself is the best evidence. And Dong Fen, who has been controlled in the capital, is also strong evidence!"

Finally, Hai Rui clenched his fists and continued, "No matter what, the Dong family's crimes must be settled! Those occupied fields must be returned to the people!"

Gao Gong nodded seriously, with a determined light flashing in his eyes. Since things had come to this point, there was no need for anyone to back down.

Now that the Dong family is in trouble, this is giving Gao Gong a loud slap in the face in front of everyone in the Ming Dynasty!

Therefore, as Nanjing is the highest administrative leader in Jiangnan, Gao Gong must not allow such lawless things to continue to happen!

Gao Gong said coldly, "In that case, let's use a trick on Xu Huating. We must not only investigate the Dong family case, but also investigate it in a big way! We should take this opportunity to stir up a storm in Jiangnan to survey the land and rectify the administration of officials!"

This time Gao Gong is also ready to fall out!

He really couldn't tolerate the fire in the Dong family and the "accidental" deaths of key figures such as the Dong family head and the eldest son!
In Gao Gong's view, these people's "accidents" were a slap in his face, making people laugh at him!
If you want to watch a joke, don't blame the next storm for being even more severe!

Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui also looked back at Gao Gong at this moment. At this moment, they also clearly felt Gao Gong's inner anger.

Moreover, they could also understand the anger in Gao Gong's heart.

After all, Gao Gong was the highest person in charge as a cabinet minister and governor-general of Southern Zhili. Now the case has not even started a formal investigation and he has died.

No one can bear this no matter who it happens to!
Gotta fuck them!

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