Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 211: False Emperor: Junshan Society, just a few of them

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen is summoning Li Xian, the Minister of Personnel. It is the end of the year, and officials need to be evaluated, and those who deserve rewards will be rewarded, and those who deserve punishment will be punished. Since the implementation of the "Performance Evaluation Law", the Ming Dynasty can be said to be "thousands of miles away, but it is carried out in the morning and evening, like thunder and wind, and it is invincible."

In recent years, not only has the administration of officials been effectively rectified, and a large number of incompetent and corrupt officials have been punished, but the traditional prejudice of seniority has also been broken, and talents have been boldly appointed regardless of their background and qualifications. Many officials who support reform and have outstanding political achievements have been promoted because of the performance evaluation system.

According to the performance evaluation method, it is also convenient to review at the end of the year, and it is clear at a glance:
Setting deadlines for matters: The six ministries and the Censorate set deadlines for matters that their officials should do, and recorded them in three books. One book was kept by the six ministries and the Censorate, another was sent to the six departments, and the last one was submitted to the cabinet.

Monthly inspection: The six ministries and the Metropolitan Procuratorate record and inspect monthly according to the account books. Each completed item is registered, otherwise it must be reported truthfully, otherwise it will be punished.

Supervision at all levels: The six departments can also require the six ministries to report on the implementation status every six months. Those who violate the regulations will be punished within a limited case. Finally, the cabinet can also verify the inspection work of the six departments. This has formed a strict assessment system in which the cabinet leads the supervisory agencies, which in turn supervise the six ministries of the court, and the six ministries lead the civil and military officials and local officials.

"Old Li." Zhu Qizhen looked at the list and asked, "This Jiang Tinggui is Xu Youzhen's son-in-law, right?"

Li Xian nodded: "Yes, he was rated excellent in the review this time and has good abilities."

"Then transfer him to the Ministry of Revenue as the chief officer." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and smiled, "You can't deliberately avoid suspicion just because he is Xu Youzhen's son-in-law."

"Your Majesty is wise." Li Xian bowed.

Zhu Qizhen continued to watch, frowning slightly: "Is Huichang Hou also superior?"

"Yes, Sun Lian, the Marquis of Huichang, did a good job in the Ministry of Justice." Li Xian pondered for a moment and said, "How should I put it? He is very skilled in handling cases."

Zhu Qizhen snorted in his heart. What kind of person is that guy? I don't know him. He was the one who betrayed my uncle and took the title of Marquis of Huichang. He is a ruthless person.

"Among the Empress Dowager's family, he is the only one still serving in the court." Li Xian smiled.

"Forget it, let's do as you requested." Zhu Qizhen closed the memorial.

He opened another book, which contained the assessment of military commanders. Li Xian bowed and explained, "This year's assessment of military commanders was basically carried out according to the list given by Yu Shaobao."

"Then I am relieved." Zhu Qizhen glanced at them, then suddenly stopped and asked, "Wu'an Hou Zheng Hong was promoted to the governor of the Right Army Governor's Office?"

Li Xian nodded and said, "Yes, next year, Yu Shaobao will go on an expedition, and the Five Military Command has made some adjustments. We have to leave some good generals to stay in the capital."

Zhu Qizhen had a smile on his face.

Because the sister of this Wu'an Marquis Zheng Hong was Shi Heng's wife. However, this is not surprising, as some of the wealthy families in the capital intermarried.

……

After Li Xian left, Jinyiwei Commander Shi Biao came to report. Zhu Qizhen waved his hand to let all the eunuchs and palace maids go down, obviously there was something secret.

"Your Majesty, the secret guards followed... the Queen Mother's carriage three times." Shi Biao bowed, "We didn't find anything suspicious. The Queen Mother and the maid Shuangxi only went to the Fahai Zen Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings. They rested in the Zen temple for half an hour each time. There are also our secret guards in the Zen temple. The Queen Mother just rested and never saw anyone."

Following the Empress Dowager was something that made Shi Biao a little terrified. However, the fact that the Emperor had entrusted him with this task showed that he was completely regarded as one of his own.

Shi Biao was naturally excited. Their Shi family was completely tied to the emperor and could only go down one path to the end. Therefore, the more trust the emperor had, the better.

"The Queen Mother is not a simple woman, just keep staring at her." Zhu Qizhen said in a deep voice.

He did not tell Shi Biao that he suspected the Queen Mother was the Rat Boss of Junshan Society because this was also his guess and Shi Biao needed to find out.

"Is there still no movement from the Duke of England?" Zhu Qizhen asked.

"Yes! I was just about to report this to Your Majesty." Shi Biao continued, "Marquis Wu'an Zheng Hong visited Duke Ying. It took a full hour for Marquis Wu'an to leave. He entered through the back door and left through the back door."

Zhu Qizhen's eyes suddenly turned cold.

How could it be Marquis Wu'an? Is he not close to Duke Ying?
"Do you know what they talked about?" he asked.

"I don't know." Shi Biao looked embarrassed. "The Duke of Ying's mansion is full of his personal guards. It's hard for the Jinyiwei to sneak in. Your Majesty, do you want to arrest them directly?"

This was the third time he suggested arresting someone. He wanted to torture the Duke of Ying directly. But Zhu Qizhen still rejected it and said, "We finally got some clues. Of course, we should continue to follow up and keep an eye on the Marquis of Wu'an. We are not in a hurry to arrest people. Maybe they are all members of the Junshan Society. We should catch them all in one fell swoop."

"Yes, sir!" Shi Biao nodded.

There is another reason why Zhu Qizhen was cautious, that is, Wu'an Hou and Shi Heng were relatives, and Shi Heng's legal wife was Wu'an Hou's sister. If Wu'an Hou was a member of the Junshan Society, was Shi Heng involved?

……

In the early winter in Beijing, the wind is as cold as a knife.

The withered yellow leaves were swaying on the branches, but they were eventually defeated by the cold wind and fell down one after another, covering the bluestone road, making a rustling sound when stepped on. The members of the Yulong Gang were wearing uniform clothes and sweeping the streets. The patrol guards of the Wucheng Bingmasi were still walking through the cold streets and alleys, maintaining the peace and order of the capital.

There were few people on the street, with only the occasional low voices or hurried footsteps. However, Sun Lian, the Marquis of Huichang, had gone out early in the morning, got on a carriage, and arrived at Taibai Tower.

He took the second road with ease and entered a private room. He asked the waiter to prepare hot tea and ordered dishes. He specifically told the waiter, "I am entertaining an honored guest today. I will serve the dishes when I ask you to. If I don't ask you, don't bother me."

What kind of scene has the waiter of Taibai Tower not seen? He quickly said, "Don't worry, my lord, no outsiders will come near the private room."

Huichang Hou was very satisfied and waved his hand to let the waiter go. He picked up a cup of hot tea, took a sip, put his hands on the stove, and chanted: "Green ants and new wine, red clay stove. It's going to snow in the evening, can you drink a cup?"

After a while, there was a knock on the door. Huichang Hou got up to open the door. Standing at the door was a middle-aged scholar. Huichang Hou smiled and said, "Brother Jiang, come in."

This middle-aged scholar was called Jiang Tinggui, the son-in-law of Xu Youzhen. He laughed out loud, "My Lord, you are so elegant."

Huichang Hou smiled and shook his head repeatedly: "Is it not elegant to drink with your brother Jiang?"

The two sat down, and Huichang Hou ordered the waiter to serve wine and food. The wind was howling outside, but the stove was burning inside, so it was warm. Jiang Tinggui took a sip and said, "This season is suitable for visiting friends and drinking."

After three cups of wine, Huichang Hou went straight to the point: "Brother Jiang, do you know about the Junshan Club?"

Jiang Tinggui shook his head in confusion: "What Junshan Society?"

……

Zhu Qizhen was also drinking tea in a guild hall not far from Taibai Tower.

Roujia was kneeling beside him serving him. She was still wearing a thin long skirt indoors, which made her figure more graceful and attractive, especially the grand breasts in front of her, which were trembling and swaying, and were really huge.

From time to time, she twisted her slender waist slightly to support her slightly "heavy" body and rubbed Zhu Qizhen. However, Zhu Qizhen did not react. He liked Roujia's skills before, but recently, because the Demon Queen did the same thing, he lost interest in Roujia. "Show me all the letters that Mr. Ning gave you." Zhu Qizhen said.

Roujia slowly stood up, nudged him lightly, and went to get the letter. Zhu Qizhen took the letter and read it one by one. He wanted to know everything about Ning Rongrong in Japan. Although Bai Wuqi of Jinyiwei sent memorials every month, he was still worried.

"Mr. Ning, are you hiding something from me?" he suddenly asked.

"No." Roujia shook her head.

Zhu Qizhen snorted coldly: "She didn't mention the matter of the man with the dog mask before, and she only told me after I asked her."

Roujia bowed immediately and said timidly, "Master Zhu, I don't know anything about the Ning family either."

Zhu Qizhen did not embarrass her. After reading the letter, he asked, "How much silver did you earn this year?"

"Only two million taels." Roujia said respectfully, "Mr. Ning needs to borrow one million taels, and the rest is for the expenses of my guild hall. If Mr. Zhu needs it, I am willing to give it to you."

Zhu Qizhen frowned.

Ning Rongrong herself was doing business with those daimyo in Japan, and the profits were lucrative, so she must have made a lot of money. However, she now had more people to support, so the expenses must have been huge.

"One million taels, isn't that enough for her?" he asked.

"The young lady said that if she doesn't have enough money, she can go robbing." Roujia said, "The young lady said that she is short of money now, so she will become a pirate and rob the Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch."

Zhu Qizhen was very upset: "We can't damage their trade with Ming Dynasty."

Roujia shook her head: "Miss, those who robbed were those who did not do business with the Ming Dynasty. Some foreigners even had ambitions to seize the Ming Dynasty's territory."

Zhu Qizhen wrote a letter and asked Roujia to send it to Ning Rongrong through her channels. He wanted to tell Ning Rongrong that I'm watching you, don't play tricks.

However, the content of the letter is all about missing you and other similar love words. Women, you have to grab them with both hands and be strong with both hands.

……

At dusk, there was no afterglow of the setting sun in the sky, only a gray haze covering the entire harem. The cold wind whistled past, with a biting sharpness, shuttling between the palace walls, rolling up fallen leaves and dust.

Zhu Qizhen walked alone on the path of the harem. The palace lanterns were not lit. The palace looked even more majestic and lonely in the dimness. Behind every closed door and window, there seemed to be an unknown story hidden.

He entered Kunning Palace, Shuangxi stepped forward to bow and helped him take off his thick outer robe. The palace was warm, and the Queen was lazily lying on a soft mat, covered with a thin blanket, which could not hide her perfect curves, exquisite and protruding, and the luxury she inadvertently revealed was extremely beautiful, especially the mature charm that other beauties in the harem did not have.

"I'm so tired." The fake emperor walked over and lay down, resting his head on her long legs.

The Demon Queen put down the book in her hand, lowered her head slightly, and her hair fell on his shoulders. He grabbed it and smelled it. The Demon Queen glared at him: "Close your eyes, I will rub them for you."

Zhu Qizhen closed his eyes. The Queen stretched out her delicate hand, gently pressed it on his forehead, and asked, "It's almost the end of the year, and there are still so many things to do?"

"Yeah." Zhu Qizhen changed to a comfortable lying position.

The demon queen pressed lightly and asked, "Government affairs can be handed over to ministers. You are the emperor, and it is not okay for you to do everything yourself."

Zhu Qizhen leaned in her arms, rubbed against her, and said, "There are some things that I must do personally, such as arresting the Junshan Society."

The Queen's face changed slightly when she heard this. Zhu Qizhen closed his eyes and did not see it.

"Have a bowl of hot soup later." The Demon Queen did not continue the topic.

She told Shuangxi to bring the food. After a while, when she was about to press the back of the false emperor's head, she found that he had fallen asleep.

"Throw yourself into my arms and you will fall asleep." The Demon Queen patted him gently.

……

The next day.

After the morning court, Zhu Qizhen did not convene a small court meeting. It was the end of the year and all departments were busy with summary work. He did not want to waste time holding meetings.

Shi Biao, the commander of the Imperial Guard, came to report in a hurry. Zhu Qizhen said jokingly, "Shi Biao, I should reward you. You are the busiest person this year."

"Your Majesty, there is something wrong." Shi Biao said solemnly, "Our secret guards have been keeping an eye on Marquis Huichang and discovered that he secretly met with Jiang Tinggui, Xu Youzhen's son-in-law, in Taibai Tower the day before yesterday."

Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly: "It's normal for colleagues to drink together. Do you know what they talked about?"

"If they were just drinking, it would be normal." Shi Biao continued, "The private room they requested had a waiter guarding it to prevent anyone from approaching. The most suspicious thing is that after meeting Jiang Tinggui, Marquis Huichang went to the Duke of Ying's mansion."

Zhu Qizhen smiled: "This is quite interesting."

A cold light flashed in Shi Biao's eyes: "Do you want to arrest him?"

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Zhu Qizhen chuckled. "Keep watching. If they are really the Junshan Society, then we can wait for them to hold a meeting and catch them all in one fell swoop."

"Yes, sir." Shi Biao nodded in acceptance.

However, he was still thinking about arresting people. The people of Junshan Society were all in the capital. If we arrested a few of them, we still couldn't force them out? Zhu Qizhen saw his thoughts and spread his hands: "If they are not members of Junshan Society, wouldn't we alert the enemy? Junshan Society acts secretly. You couldn't find any clues before. How come they are so bold all of a sudden?"

After hearing this, Shi Biao suddenly realized: "This might be a trap."

"That's right." Zhu Qizhen snorted, "So, we can't be impatient. I have a feeling that Junshan will be anxious, and if they are anxious, they will reveal their flaws."

Shi Biao nodded in agreement, pondered for a moment, and raised his head and said, "This is indeed a bit strange. Marquis Wu'an is involved with General Shi of the frontier, and Jiang Tinggui is involved with Lord Xu Youzhen. They have all followed your majesty since early in the morning. Your majesty, do you want to give them a warning?"

Zhu Qizhen smiled slightly: "What do you think?"

Shi Biao felt a chill down his spine and said quickly, "Your Majesty, I will obey you."

He realized that he had overlooked one point. He was still Shi Heng's nephew. Zhu Qizhen patted his shoulder and smiled: "Of course I have to remind them. I have complete trust in them."

Will Shi Heng and Xu Youzhen betray me?

Zhu Qizhen didn't believe it in his heart, but he had to be on guard against it.

(End of this chapter)