Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 602: Ruthless Liu Jin

Liu Jin's face twitched fiercely. He was still the same Chen Ce, gentle and polite on the surface, but crueler than anyone else in his heart.

The six ministers and the second assistant minister of the cabinet are all powerful figures, but you, Chen Ce, don't take them seriously at all and even kidnap their family members.

How cruel is this?

Liu Jin originally thought that Chen Ce had some other gentle ways. After all, he had shown great political wisdom in the past. But who knew that this time he didn't even make any plans and just went straight to the most ruthless thing.

Of course, this is easy to understand. After all, Chen Ce doesn’t have much time left, and at this time he must use extreme methods to solve some problems.

Liu Jin nodded and said, "Okay! I'll do it right away."

"and many more."

Chen Ce stopped Liu Jin and said, "Tell the prince about this, and he will agree to do it again."

Liu Jin was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly bowed and said, "Thank you, Master Chen, for your reminder."

Don't forget that he is Zhu Houzhao's man now. Although the prince and Chen Ce have a good relationship, if he does these things without Zhu Houzhao's permission, Zhu Houzhao will be somewhat unhappy when he knows about it. Over time, Zhu Houzhao's opinion of Liu Jin will also change.

Liu Jin broke out in a cold sweat, realizing that he had not considered many details. Fortunately, Chen Ce reminded him, otherwise, if this happened in the future, his position would probably be lost.

"I will go and inform the prince right away."

"Well, let's go."

Chen Ce waved his hand and looked at Liu Jin's departing back. Chen Ce said to himself, "Bo Hu, learn well. Political struggles are always so cruel. I hope you can adapt to it in the future."

Liu Jin returned to the Qianqing Palace and immediately found Zhu Houzhao.

He pondered for a while before speaking to Zhu Houzhao, "This old servant greets the Crown Prince."

"Ah."

Zhu Houzhao was looking down at the memorial from the Imperial Household Department and did not look up at Liu Jin.

"What are you doing?"

Liu Jin said, "Mr. Chen just called me over."

"Oh?"

Zhu Houzhao then put down the memorial and asked, "What did you ask me to do?"

Liu Jin said, "He asked me to tell the Crown Prince that Tang Yin might not be able to keep his position as the Director of the Newspaper and Publication Department."

Zhu Houzhao nodded and asked Liu Jin, "Do you have any suggestions, little brother?"

He knew that Chen Ce would not do something without a purpose. Since he had already called Liu Jin over, he must have thought of a solution.

Liu Jin said, "Mr. Chen said... um, let me kidnap the family members of the six ministries in the cabinet, interrogate them for some evidence, and then use the evidence to force them to vote for Tang Yin."

Zhu Houzhao: "..."

Great! I didn't expect my little brother to be so cruel.

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "Then just do as my little brother wishes. I support him."

"Here!"

Liu Jin took the order and left.

……

At the same time, in Xie Qian's private residence, four of the six ministers had arrived, as well as some officials such as the Censors and Officials.

This secret meeting was undoubtedly to discuss the selection of the Director of the Press and Publication Administration.

They also knew that if they discussed personnel appointments in the Newspaper and Publication Department at a court meeting, they might not reach a conclusion and would most likely end up with a court recommendation.

Generally speaking, imperial recommendations are prepared for the appointment of high-ranking officials in the Ming Dynasty, but the position of the Newspaper and Periodicals Department is too special.

This concerns the redistribution of power between the imperial power and the civil service group, and the civil service group cannot give in. A censor said: "As long as it reaches the stage of imperial recommendation, the candidates you have nominated are enough to be elected as the Supervisor of the Newspaper and Publication Department."

"Please all the adults work together."

Xie Qian nodded and said, "Do you have any candidates to recommend?"

In the end, they nominated Wu Lin, a doctor from the Ministry of Rites, to concurrently serve as the director of the Newspaper and Periodical Department.

After determining the target, the group of people dispersed. By this time, it was already dark outside.

……

People from the Neichang and Dongchang secretly brought back a group of candidates.

They are the families, wives and children of the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Works and Ministry of War.

However, they were not doing these things openly in the capacity of the Inner Factory or the Eastern Factory, and the families of high-ranking officials who were captured were extremely terrified at this time.

Under various punishments, coercion and inducement, the wives of the ministers of the four ministries confessed to the dirty deeds of the four ministers, such as selling official positions and titles.

An official who can sit in such a high position, even if he has done these things, has ways to avoid being contaminated by the evidence.

After Liu Jin obtained the evidence, he did not intend to use it directly.

He came to the residence of the Minister of War Ma Wensheng with a smile on his face. Ma Wensheng had just returned from outside and happened to meet Liu Jin outside the mansion.

"Eunuch Liu? What do you want from me so late at night? Is it that the Crown Prince wants to summon me?"

Liu Jin smiled and said, "Not really, I just have some personal matters that I would like to ask Sir Ma for help."

Ma Wensheng looked at him suspiciously, then said, "Let's go in and talk."

Liu Jin followed Ma Wensheng to the study, took a sip of tea, and said to Ma Wensheng straight to the point: "Sir Ma, the prince asked me to tell you that he plans to promote Tang Yin, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Works, to concurrently serve as the director of the Newspaper and Publication Department. He would like to ask for your support. The prince will not treat you unfairly."

Ma Wensheng smiled and said calmly: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I don't have the ability to do that. Your Highness should go to the Minister of Personnel, right?"

"Besides, all officials have their own opinions on the selection of the Director of the Newspaper and Publication Department, and I can't make any decision."

Liu Jin smiled and said, "Master Ma can decide. It depends on whether Master Ma is willing or not."

Ma Wensheng continued to practice Tai Chi and said, "Eunuch Liu, go back and tell the prince that I will do everything according to the selection procedure."

Liu Jin smiled, leaned back in the armchair, blew a breath while holding the tea, and said, "The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, the Left Doctor, and several officials of the Ministry of Personnel were all selected by Lord Ma, right? Lord Ma received a lot of gifts?"

Ma Wensheng's heart skipped a beat. How could he know? Was he investigating me?
"Nonsense! I don't know who is slandering me! Please make sure to investigate thoroughly and clear my name!"

Although these are facts, Ma Wensheng is not afraid because there is no evidence and even if the prince knows, he can't do anything to him.

It is almost impossible to use this to threaten him to vote for Tang Yin.

Liu Jin said: "We also say that it is slandering Lord Ma. We believe in Lord Ma."

"The tea is cold."

"Master Ma asked your wife to add some tea."

Ma Wensheng was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly said, "Someone! Go and call my wife!"

The steward of the Ma Mansion said, "Master, the Madam went out at noon and hasn't come back yet. She went out with the young master in her arms."

That is Ma Wensheng’s grandson.

Ma Wensheng stared at Liu Jin angrily and said sternly: "You! What did you do?!"

Liu Jin pretended to be puzzled and said, "Master Ma, what do you mean by this? I don't understand."

"I have something else to do at home, so I'll leave first."

"By the way, I think your wife and grandson should be able to return safely to Master Ma after the Supervisor of the Newspaper and Publication Department takes office."

(End of this chapter)