My father is Jiajing

After Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui left, Gao Gong stood alone in front of the window in the study. It was dawn in the east and a white jasmine was in full bloom outside the window, but he turned a blind eye to it.

The fire at the Dong family burned down not only several houses and lives, but also the unspoken rules in the court.

When Yan was overthrown, the imperial court and Prince Yu still gave the Yan family some dignity - although Yan Shifan was executed, Yan Song had a good end, and the women of the Yan family were not implicated.

The Dong family case has just begun, and a whole family has already lost their lives before the formal investigation has even begun. This is obviously too cruel.

Although Gao Gong had a bad temper, he was always against the matter and not against the person. Even when he was against someone, Gao Gong always adhered to the bottom line: political struggles were political struggles, and he disdained to kill people.

"Xu Jie."

The high-arched nails dug deep into the palms.

This senior whom he once respected and now wanted to surpass was actually trampling on his bottom line with the dirtiest means.

This is simply a trampling on Gao Gong's dignity!
You must know that at this moment Gao Gong was the Cabinet Grand Secretary and Governor-General of Southern Zhili in Nanjing. Such a terrible tragedy had occurred in Nanjing and even in the Jiangnan region. No matter what the final result was, it would be a slap in the face of Gao Gong and no one would take Gao Gong seriously.

Now, on Gao Gong's desk was spread out the official documents concerning the Dong family case that had just been sent from the capital to Nanjing.

These official documents also included copies of letters in which Xu Fan, at the instruction of his father Xu Jie, reported the Dong family's dealings with the Japanese pirates.

These evidences were enough to sentence the entire Dong family to death, but Xu Jie still took such a cruel action, fearing that they would discover problems with the Xu family while investigating the case in Nanjing.

It's really too much!
"boom!"

Gao Gong slammed his fist on the table, and the pens, ink, paper and inkstone all jumped up.

This time, he must make Xu Jie and even the entire Xu family pay a heavy price, otherwise it would be a shame for Prince Yu's trust and reliance on him!

One day later.

Zhang Juzheng, who had been to the fire scene of the Dong family in Songjiang Prefecture, came back.

Zhang Juzheng was so exhausted that he had no time to change into clean clothes. Just as he was about to step into Gao Gong's study, Gao Gong saw the black charcoal ash on the hem of Zhang Juzheng's clothes and the black ash on the soles of his soap shoes.

"Taiyue is back."

Gao Gong motioned Zhang Juzheng to sit down, and then Gao Gong asked directly without any polite greetings, "Did you find anything at the fire scene?"

Zhang Juzheng drank a sip of water, wiped the water stains from the corners of his mouth, took a deep breath, and then said, "My Lord, the fire at the Dong family was too fierce, and all the account books and documents were destroyed. However, Gangfeng also found traces of kerosene in the ruins."

"Kerosene?"

Gao Gong raised his eyebrows. He was not surprised at all by the presence of such a thing.

Although the weather in Jiangnan is hot during this period, it also rains a lot.

The Dong family's fire was so fierce that it was impossible to put it out without some support.

Gao Gong also picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Then he suddenly asked: "What do you think?"

Zhang Juzheng seemed to have expected this question and said calmly, "I think there are many strange things about this case. If it is indeed arson, it must be related to the Dong family's smuggling case."

"related?"

Gao Gong chuckled, his face slightly cold, "Why does Taiyue have to avoid the important issues? Everyone in the court knows that the children of the Dong and Xu families are in-laws? And the major prominent families in Jiangnan, who doesn't know that a lot of the things smuggled to the sea will eventually be divided and put into the Xu family's treasury?"

Zhang Juzheng remained silent. Although he had severed ties with Xu Jie, they still had many years of relationship as master and disciple. If he was really asked to kill all the members of the Xu family, he would still hesitate.

Zhang Juzheng sighed: "The Lord is wise. But Lord Xu is..."

"What exactly?"

Gao Gong's voice suddenly became higher.

At this time, he didn't care about Xu Jie's face.

Therefore, in this matter, it was Xu Jie who slapped him in the face first!

Gao Gong must now pull back with all his strength, otherwise he will never be able to gain a foothold in Nanjing from now on.

Gao Gong's eyes flashed with coldness, "After all, he is your master? After all, he has helped you, Zhang Taiyue?"

The air in the study suddenly froze.

Zhang Juzheng's expression remained unchanged, but the fingers in his sleeves curled up slightly.

Gao Gong stared at this outstanding man who was more than ten years younger than him. At that time, Zhang Juzheng was still an up-and-coming Hanlin editor, but now he has mastered the art of keeping a low profile.

"Taiyue," Gao Gong's tone suddenly softened, "When Yan Shifan was executed at the end of last year, do you remember what you said to me?"

Zhang Juzheng raised his eyes, met Gao Gong's, and said solemnly, "Your humble servant says that all evil must be eradicated."

"Yes, eradicate all evil."

Gao Gong stood up and looked out the window, then took another look at the scenery outside, then turned to look at Zhang Juzheng and said, "This 'evil' is much more cunning than Yan Shifan. If we leave it alone, not only will the court's dignity and face be lost, but the suffering of the people in Jiangnan will continue!"

Zhang Juzheng remained silent, he knew that what Gao Gong said was right.

Just when he was silent, Gao Gong suddenly said, "Xu Fan has arrived in Nanjing."

A hint of surprise flashed across Zhang Juzheng's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and said, "I don't know."

Zhang Juzheng really didn't know about this, and given his current relationship with the Xu family, what could happen even if Xu Fan came to Nanjing?

Gao Gong said quietly, "I heard that he received a handwritten letter from Lord Xu and is coming to see you."

This sentence was like a knife, accurately piercing Zhang Juzheng's softest defense.

Zhang Juzheng was stunned. What the hell did this mean?
Zhang Juzheng didn't have time to think about it and immediately replied: "Sir, I have parted ways with the Xu family a long time ago. We are no longer the same as before!"

"I know."

Gao Gong raised his hand to stop him from speaking. "I only want to ask you one question - can the Dong family's fire spread to the Nanjing Ministry of Justice? Can you, Zhang Taiyue, stick to your original intention and investigate this case to the end?"

Zhang Juzheng stood up solemnly and bowed to the ground: "Please rest assured, the law of the country is like a mountain, and personal relationship is like water. I know the difference between the important and the unimportant."

Gao Gong stared at him for a long time, and finally nodded: "Okay. You will be in charge of investigating the Dong family's smuggling case, and Hai Gangfeng will be in charge of the arson case."

He added meaningfully, "It's a good thing that you two are handling the case separately."

Zhang Juzheng accepted the order and withdrew.

Gao Gong looked at Zhang Juzheng's departing back with a complicated look in his eyes.

He deliberately changed the arrangement that had been discussed last night and handed the arson case over to Hai Rui alone. This was both a test for Zhang Juzheng and an insurance for himself - if Zhang Juzheng showed mercy out of old friendship, at least he still had Hai Rui as a sharp sword.

The next morning, Gao Gong summoned officials from the three departments in the lobby of the Ministry of Justice.

He sat upright in the first seat, his eyes sweeping over the officials in the hall.

He was familiar with most of these faces - some were promoted by him after the fall of the Yan Party, some were Xu Jie's disciples, and some were fence-sitters who would take sides depending on the wind.

"The Dong family case concerns the imperial court's dignity."

Gao Gong got straight to the point: "Smuggling and colluding with Japanese pirates is already a capital crime, and now there is a tragedy of exterminating an entire family. This cabinet is in charge of all administrative and military affairs in and outside Nanjing by the imperial order, and we cannot allow such a heartless atrocity to run rampant in the south of the Yangtze River!"

Now, I hope you will pay more attention and effort to prevent such vicious cases from happening again in Jiangnan area!"

He deliberately emphasized the word "serious case", which immediately chilled the atmosphere in the lobby of the Ministry of Justice. There was still no conclusive evidence that the fire in the Dong family was set by someone to kill the entire family.

But now Gao Gong has already defined the nature of this fire, which shows how big the upcoming political turmoil will be!
"The governor of the sea."

Gao Gong began to call the roll.

Hai Rui stepped out and presented a document with both hands: "Sir, I have already found out that there were indeed traces of kerosene at the fire scene of the Dong Mansion. A half-destroyed account book was also found in a secret compartment in the ruins, recording dozens of transactions between the Dong family and the Japanese pirates, involving more than 100,000 taels of silver." As soon as Hai Rui finished speaking, there was an uproar in the hall.

Gao Gong coldly watched the people below with their interesting expressions, then reached out to take the account book, flipped through a few pages, and suddenly sneered: "This account book is interesting. The Dong family recorded two codes for each transaction - 'Visitor from the East Sea' receives the goods, and 'Old Man from Nanshan' shares the profits." He raised his eyes and looked around, "Guess who this 'Old Man from Nanshan' is?"

No one answered. The lobby was so quiet that one could hear breathing.

Gao Gong closed the account book and raised his voice suddenly: "I don't care who this 'Old Man from Nanshan' is! Even if he is a high-ranking minister of the six ministries or a cabinet minister, if he dares to collude with the Japanese and harm the people, he must pay the price!"

Gao Gong picked up the gavel and slammed it down hard, the echo lingering in the hall for a long time.

Several elderly officials were shocked and trembled all over, as if the gavel had hit their spines.

"From now on, Nanjing is under martial law."

Gao Gong then announced, "All officials above the fifth rank are not allowed to leave the city without permission. All government files are to be sealed for inspection."

"Hai Rui!"

After announcing the martial law order, Gao Gong turned his attention to Hai Rui.

"The subordinate is here!"

Hai Rui stepped out and bowed again.

"You will personally lead people to search the Dong family's shops and docks in various places. Anyone who is suspicious will be questioned immediately!"

"As ordered!"

Gao Gong looked at Zhang Juzheng again: "Zhang Bu Tang."

"The subordinate is here."

"You are responsible for interrogating the surviving members of the Dong family. You must get the whole story of the smuggling case. No matter who is implicated, we must investigate it thoroughly!"

Gao Gong immediately revealed his attitude very clearly.

Zhang Juzheng bowed deeply and said, "I understand."

At this moment in the city of Nanjing, a horse-drawn carriage with simple and low-key decorations that was difficult to notice was slowly driving on the street.

Inside the carriage, Xu Fan opened the curtains and looked at the familiar street scene, but there was no trace of joy of returning home on his face.

Xu Fan is now about 40 years old, and his face is 70% similar to his father Xu Jie, but his brows lack the calmness and sophistication, and are more impetuous.

"Sir, are we going directly to your residence?" the driver asked respectfully.

Xu Fan hesitated for a moment and said, "No, go directly to the Ministry of Justice."

The driver was stunned: "Is this okay?"

This is different from what was planned!

"I have my own opinion."

Xu Fan waved his hands impatiently, "My father is far away in the capital, and he doesn't know the situation in Nanjing. Zhang Juzheng is now the Minister of Justice. If we can get his help, the crisis of our Xu family can be resolved."

The carriage turned and drove towards the Ministry of Justice. Xu Fan took out a letter from his bosom. It was a handwritten letter from his father Xu Jie, asking him to be sure to hand it to Zhang Juzheng.

"Zhang Taiyue, ah Zhang Taiyue,"

Xu Fan murmured to himself, "When you were down and out, how did my father support you? Now it's time for you to repay him."

The back hall of the Ministry of Justice, now that everyone has dispersed, has become Zhang Juzheng's home ground again.

Zhang Juzheng sat alone at his desk, with the preliminary files of the Dong family case spread out in front of him. His brows were furrowed, and his fingers tapped the desk lightly, making a rhythmic sound.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the door.

"Minister, Master Xu Fan is outside asking to see you."

An officer reported in a low voice.

Zhang Juzheng paused, a complex look flashed in his eyes. Yesterday, he knew from Gao Gong that someone from the Xu family would come, but he didn't expect it to be at this time.

"Invite him in."

After a moment of silence, Zhang Juzheng knew that everyone was looking at the Ministry of Justice at this time, and he couldn't ignore it. He finally gave the order calmly.

Soon, Xu Fan strode in, with a smile on his face: "Brother Taiyue, how are you? It has been two years since we last met in the capital, right?"

Zhang Juzheng stood up to greet him with a smile on his face: "Brother Xu, you have come from afar. I am sorry for not welcoming you in person. Please forgive me."

Although Zhang Juzheng and Xu Jie had a falling out over the issue of the three palaces and three pavilions, they still had to save face.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries and sat down as host and guest.

Xu Fan looked around and saw that no one was around, so he lowered his voice and said, "Brother Taiyue, to be honest, I came here to discuss something important."

Zhang Juzheng remained calm: "Brother Xu, please feel free to speak."

Xu Fan took out the letter from his sleeve: "This is written by my father, who asked me to hand it to Brother Taiyue personally."

Zhang Juzheng took the letter but did not open it immediately. Instead, he put it aside and asked, "Is Lord Xu all right?"

When Xu Fan heard the title "Xu Ge Lao", he felt uncomfortable. If it were in the past, Zhang Juzheng would not only address him as Sir, but also use honorific titles such as "Ge Lao" or "Prime Minister" without a specific surname.

But now Xu Jie has become "Lord Xu", so one can imagine the estrangement between them.

"My father is fine."

Xu Fan calmed himself down and continued.

"It's just that recently someone falsely accused my Xu family of colluding with the Dong family to engage in smuggling. This is ridiculous. My father put the interests of the country above his own and reported the Dong family, but ended up getting himself into trouble. This is really too much!"

Zhang Juzheng's eyes flickered slightly. "The Dong family had a sudden fire the day before yesterday. Did you know about it, Brother Xu?"

Xu Fan's face flashed a trace of unnaturalness, and then he returned to normal: "I heard that it is really unpredictable. The Dong family has done many evil things, and I think they are punished by God."

"God's punishment?"

Zhang Juzheng chuckled, "Brother Xu is really good at talking."

Xu Fan saw that the atmosphere was not right, so he quickly changed the subject: "Brother Taiyue, my father has already made everything clear in the letter. Our two families have always had a close relationship, and now the Xu family has been framed. I hope Brother Taiyue will lend a hand for the sake of our past friendship."

Zhang Juzheng finally opened the letter and read it carefully.

In the letter, Xu Jie spoke sincerely, recalled the kindness of his support in the past, and stated that the Xu family was innocent. He hoped that Zhang Juzheng would handle the Dong family case impartially and not let the loyal and good people be wronged.

After reading it, Zhang Juzheng folded the letter and put it into his sleeve: "Mr. Xu, you are too kind. As the Minister of Justice, I should enforce the law impartially and not be unjust or lenient."

Xu Fan's eyes flashed with joy, and he said excitedly: "With Brother Taiyue's words, my father can rest assured."

"but."

Just when Xu Fan was happy, Zhang Juzheng changed the subject, "The fire at the Dong family is quite strange. Gao Gong, the elder of the cabinet, has ordered Hai Gangfeng to investigate the matter thoroughly. If it is found that someone deliberately set the fire and killed people to silence them, I am afraid..."

Xu Fan's face suddenly changed, and he looked at Zhang Juzheng nervously, "Brother Taiyue, what do you mean by this? Are you suspicious of my Xu family?"

Zhang Juzheng raised his hand to stop him from speaking: "Don't worry, brother Xu. Juzheng is just stating the facts, and has no other intentions. If the Xu family is innocent, they are naturally not afraid of investigation."

Xu Fan's forehead was covered with beads of sweat. He forced a smile and said, "That's natural, that's natural."

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