I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 318 Praise and Kill! The Young Wanli Emperor's Way of Controlling His Ministers

September 26th, early morning.

Regular meetings.

Emperor Wanli ordered the official on duty at the Office of Transmission to read aloud the memorial summarizing the results of Shen Nian's inspection of the implementation of the policy to reduce redundant officials and positions in Nanjing.

The detailed rules for reducing redundant officials and positions in Nanjing were even stricter than those in the capital.

However, Shen Nian managed to get all the Nanjing officials to second his proposal within just half a month. Few officials could do such a thing.

This move will make the policy of eliminating redundant officials and positions across the country more smoothly implemented at the local level.

This is truly a great achievement!
After the memorial was read aloud, the young Wanli Emperor looked around and said loudly, "If all officials were like Minister Shen, then I would have no worries, and the country would have no worries. I hereby reward Minister Shen with one hundred taels of silver and three layers of silk!"

Many officials lowered their heads in shame upon hearing this.

They thought they would find it difficult to accomplish, but Shen Nian always managed to exceed expectations.

They had been in office for more than ten years and had not achieved a single merit that would go down in history, but Shen Nian had so many that you couldn't count them on two hands.

They were envious and jealous, but there was nothing they could do.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. This is my duty!" Shen Nian stepped forward, bowed solemnly, and said.

The young Wanli Emperor continued, "Furthermore, I'm sure you've all heard about the stabbing of Shen Qing's father, Shen Yaoshan, the former owner of Yaodong Trading Company!"

"Currently, the portraits of the three murderers have been released, and the people of Beizhili are all searching for them. I hope that officials in all government offices in the capital, in addition to being busy with their regular duties, will also take action, mobilize the clerks and runners in their offices, dig out intelligence related to the murderers, and strive to bring the murderers to justice as soon as possible!"

Upon hearing this, the officials, including Shen Nian, were all taken aback.

The implication of Emperor Wanli's words was that all government offices in the capital should be involved in the investigation of the criminals.

This is clearly not in compliance with regulations.

Even if the person assassinated was Zhang Juzheng, let alone Shen Nian's father, it wouldn't be right to involve all the government offices in the capital.

This is quite a spectacle!

The three judicial offices, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Five City Garrison, and the Shuntian Prefecture were the real authorities responsible for apprehending criminals.

Other government departments also got involved.

It could potentially affect his official duties, and there has never been such a precedent in the current dynasty.

The young Wanli Emperor explained, "The reason I did this is twofold. Firstly, the entire Beizhili region is currently engaged in a manhunt for the murderer. If the court doesn't take this matter seriously, it means it doesn't care about the people. Secondly, this matter is very likely a murder-for-hire operation, and the mastermind behind it is either rich or powerful, possibly an official. I thought that by having multiple government departments work together, we might be able to discover some clues more quickly!"

"Of course, this is not a performance evaluation, nor is it my decree. Consider it as helping out. I will not force you!" said the young Wanli Emperor with a smile.

Hear this explanation.

The officials all realized that this was a special favor that the young Wanli Emperor was giving to Shen Nian.

What is a favored minister?

It refers to a subject who can break through regulations and enjoy special treatment.

The young Wanli Emperor said it wasn't an imperial decree, but merely a request for help and not a demand. However, when the emperor asked an official for help, which official dared not to do their best?
The officials of the censorate frowned slightly.

They believed that the young Wanli Emperor had been too kind and given too much special treatment to Shen Nian, but none of them dared to raise any objections.

After all, the young Wanli Emperor said that this action was not an imperial decree, and once he said that, he was already skirting the edge of regulations.

In addition, Shen Nian and her father made great contributions.

If anyone objects, the young Wanli Emperor will surely recount the merits of the two men and the people's gratitude towards Shen Yaoshan.

The officials couldn't help but look at the four cabinet ministers standing at the front.

Zhang Juzheng stroked his beard lightly, and after a moment's thought, he guessed what the young Wanli Emperor was thinking.

The young Wanli Emperor's actions were clearly intended to elevate Shen Nian, to make her grateful, and to make her understand that he could protect her from harm.

At this moment, the young Wanli Emperor is treating Shen Nian with such great favor.

On the one hand, he lacked a sense of security, and on the other hand, he hoped that after taking power, Shen Nian could become one of his own.

The term "one of our own" refers to someone who acts entirely based on their own interests.

Currently, in the eyes of the young Wanli Emperor, only a very few close associates such as Feng Bao, Fang Ping, and Shi Qing are considered his own people.

Zhang Juzheng can only be considered half a person.

Emperor Wanli wanted Shen Nian to be a loyal but isolated official.

Today's actions seem to be a special treatment.

In effect, this separated Shen Nian from the civil and military officials, just as sending Shen Nian to Nanjing would isolate him from and make him hated by the officials.

The young Wanli Emperor anticipated that after he assumed power, he would heavily rely on Shen Nian, who would then gain power. However, if he stopped relying on Shen Nian, Shen Nian would lose power, be besieged by officials, and could fall from grace at any time.

The young Wanli Emperor did not want Shen Nian to be a "protagonist of the Ming Dynasty" like Zhang Juzheng, but rather hoped that he himself would be the "protagonist of the Ming Dynasty," with Shen Nian serving as his right-hand man.

Zhang Juzheng could be considered a lone minister.

However, his confidence in facing the attack from all the officials stemmed from the fact that he was a regent with sufficient real power, and that the young Wanli Emperor and the court could not do without him.

The young Wanli Emperor hoped that Shen Nian's real power would come from him, rather than becoming a second Zhang Juzheng.

This is the way a monarch governs his ministers: if they are employed, he will praise them; if not, he can dismiss them at any time.

Zhang Juzheng had to admit that the young Wanli Emperor had grown up, and he had indeed come up with some insights from studying the "Veritable Records of Emperor Shizong".

However, he did not intend to refute this move, because he was certain that the young Wanli Emperor was not capable of manipulating Shen Nian, and that after his retirement, the young Wanli Emperor would have to rely on Shen Nian.

“Your Majesty is kind-hearted, and this action was not forced by imperial decree. I have no objection!” Zhang Juzheng stepped forward and said loudly.

After expressing his opinion, Zhang Juzheng looked at Shen Nian, certain that Shen Nian could guess what the young Wanli Emperor was thinking.

Shen Nian naturally knew what the young Wanli Emperor was planning. At this moment, in order to make the young Wanli Emperor happy, he naturally had to kowtow and express his gratitude for the Emperor's grace with tears in his eyes.

Swish!
Shen Nian knelt on the ground, her voice choked with emotion, and said, "Your Majesty's kindness is something I will never forget!"

Upon hearing this, the young Wanli Emperor straightened his back instantly; these were the words he had been waiting for. Then, he looked at the officials and asked, "My lords, does anyone have any objections?"

"Your Majesty, I have no objection!" All the civil and military officials bowed in unison. To raise objections at this time would not only invite retaliation from the young Wanli Emperor and Zhang Juzheng, but also be condemned by the people. The officials all knew how to assess the situation and act accordingly.

The court session then ended.

Afterwards, many officials privately criticized Shen Nian for "overstepping his bounds by taking credit and becoming a powerful minister." However, after the criticism, the officials all made arrangements for the capture of the murderer.

Emperor Wanli claimed it wasn't a performance evaluation or an imperial decree, but anyone who resisted would definitely face consequences later.

……

September 28th.

The portraits of Ma Hanyong, Zhao Dazhu, and Shi San almost covered the entire Beizhili region.

From cities to villages, from teahouses and taverns to gambling dens and shady shops, they're plastered everywhere.

If these three had no accomplices to help them, and if they didn't have superb disguise skills, they would have been caught sooner or later if they dared to go to places where there were people.

……

Night falls in Shuntian Prefecture, in the southern suburbs of the capital.

Shi Qing appeared near Banqiao in Chongnanfang with several plainclothes Imperial Guards.

A local resident reported seeing a man who looked remarkably like the murderer, Ma Hanyong, but before they could get a closer look, the man disappeared.

In the past few days, Shi Qing has received reports almost every day, but each time the wrong person has been arrested.

This time, he didn't have much hope either.

The fact that the murderer fled towards the capital was an extremely foolish or, more accurately, an extremely audacious strategy.

Soon, he parted ways with the Imperial Guards and began to wander around the area.

This place is a relatively remote area of ​​the capital, with many underground gambling dens and brothels, making it one of the more chaotic areas in the city.

He walked into a secluded alley and looked up to see three portraits pasted on the wall.

Just as he was staring at Ma Hanyong's face in the middle, wondering where the other man would run off to, a gray-clad man with his head down and walking quickly suddenly turned into the alley from not far away.

The man looked up and saw Shi Qing about ten steps away.

He hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked away.

At that moment, Shi Qing happened to see the man's face, but because it was dark, he couldn't see it clearly.

He suddenly felt that the man in gray looked familiar, and when his gaze swept to Ma Hanyong on the wall, he couldn't help but get excited.

"Ma Hanyong!" Shi Qing called out to the figure in front of him.

Upon hearing this sound, the latter turned and ran.

"They've already snuggled into my arms, how can I let them escape!" Shi Qing quickly chased after them.

"Ma Hanyong, stop!" Shi Qing shouted as he chased after him, intending to let the surrounding Imperial Guards know that the other two murderers might be nearby.

In the blink of an eye, Shi Qing was only three or five steps away from Ma Hanyong.

at this time.

Ma Hanyong suddenly pulled a bundle from his arms and threw it at Shi Qing.

The bundle scattered in mid-air, revealing itself to be entirely made of flatbread.

A glint of light flashed in Shi Qing's eyes. Suddenly, he stepped on the wall and flew up, then kicked Ma Hanyong in the back.

Bang!
The latter was kicked to the ground, and before he could get up, Shi Qing pressed him down.

Immediately, two Imperial Guards tied him up.

"Ma Hanyong, where are your accomplices?" Shi Qing asked.

"I am not Ma Hanyong, I have no accomplices!" Ma Hanyong said, feigning confusion.

Shi Qing smiled faintly.

"We, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, love someone as dishonest as you. If you confess right away, we won't have any room to maneuver!"

Next.

Shi Qing had countless ways to get Ma Hanyong to reveal everything he knew.

"Go back to our temporary base and interrogate them thoroughly. Don't tell anyone about Ma Hanyong's arrest yet!" Shi Qing said.

"Yes!" the two Imperial Guards replied.

Without knowing who was behind it all, Shi Qing didn't trust anyone other than his own subordinates.

……

Half an hour later.

Ma Hanyong, who had been tortured by the Imperial Guards and lost control of his bladder and bowels, was the first to reveal the locations of his two other accomplices.

Shi Qing immediately ordered six Imperial Guards to arrest the man in an abandoned courtyard behind Xizhao Temple in Chongnan Ward, while he continued the interrogation.

An hour later.

Zhao Dazhu and Shi San were bound together like twisted ropes by the Imperial Guards and brought before Shi Qing.

Shi Qing interrogated the three men separately in different rooms, asking them about the background and consequences of their assassination attempt on Shen Yaoshan.

Based on his progress, he should be able to report to Emperor Wanli early tomorrow morning.

At this moment, Shi Qing was also particularly curious.

Who on earth dared to hire someone to assassinate the father of a high-ranking official, the god of wealth who had given away fortunes to countless people in Beizhili?

(End of this chapter)