Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 285 We Will See Rivers of Blood

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Liu Shuxiang knelt on the steps outside the Qianqing Palace.

His official robes were soaked through with morning dew, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

The memorial impeaching Yan Song for abusing his power and disrupting the government was tucked in his bosom, and it already had creases.

Each time the palace gates opened and closed, Liu Shuxiang's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

The servants coming and going kept their eyes straight ahead, and the officials passing by hurried along, not daring to glance in his direction.

The personnel from the Shuntian Prefecture have been in the Northern Garrison for two days.

That day, Liu Shuxiang gritted her teeth and entered the palace, and was able to see the emperor's face in the Qianqing Palace.

After her tearful plea, she received no response.

Today, I couldn't even see His Majesty's face.

This was actually not unexpected for Liu Shuxiang.

After all, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was assigned by His Majesty to Yan Song to personally investigate the death of Hong Chang, a student of the Imperial Academy.

As the newly appointed Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, it was indeed impossible for him to persuade His Majesty to retract his decree simply by pleading and crying.

Therefore, the act of paying homage to the emperor and requesting permission was more of a gesture than a formality.

He took the lead in standing up, so the remaining officials who oppose Yan Song should also cheer for him and put pressure on him together!
What Liu Shuxiang found most frustrating was that no one stepped forward.

Those hints...

Those promises...

They've all disappeared!

'Damn it! Are you all so afraid of Yan Song?'

"Are we to allow the Grand Secretary of our Great Ming Dynasty to abuse the power of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and slander loyal officials?"

Liu Shuxiang clenched her fists tightly.

Suddenly, a figure appeared.

He looked up abruptly and saw the plump Huang Jin standing in front of him, his voice calm: "Prefect Liu, let's go back!"

"Eunuch Huang, Your Majesty..."

"Go back!"

"Yes……"

Liu Shuxiang lowered her head and finally managed to squeeze out a single word.

After his tearful remonstrance at Zuoshun Gate, he knelt in the palace for a long time, not to show loyalty, but to bring shame upon himself.

He understands this principle.

So now that there's a way out, they're willing to take it.

Having knelt for so long, Liu Shuxiang was about to get up when she swayed and almost fell over.

Huang Jin quickly reached out to support him and brushed the dust off his official robe.

However, Liu Shuxiang subconsciously shrank back, showing a hint of resistance.

Even with Huang Jin's good temper, his expression changed slightly, and he took a step back.

After confirming that the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture had left, Huang Jin returned to the Qianqing Palace, stepping on the soft palace carpet and turning past the gilded screen.

Zhu Houcong was burning incense in front of the statues of the Three Pure Ones in the inner hall.

Amidst the swirling smoke, the emperor calmly spoke: "Gone?"

"Your Majesty, Prefect Liu said that there are backlogged cases at the yamen, so he has to take his leave..."

Huang Jin said softly.

From this one sentence, Zhu Houcong could tell that his personal eunuch did not have a good impression of the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture. He suddenly said, "This man was selected through the performance evaluation system. Do you think Yan Weizhong is shooting himself in the foot?"

Huang Jin said in a low voice, "This servant dares not speak recklessly."

Zhu Houcong said gently, "Speak!"

Huang Jin then said, "That's precisely why I think that Grand Secretary Yan is truly devoted to the public good..."

"Putting oneself in the public good?"

Zhu Houcong scoffed, clearly disbelieving, and commented, "He's just trapped by fame!"

Yan Song's situation was indeed not good.

Especially compared to the imposing presence of his predecessor Zhang Cong, who commanded all officials with absolute authority and none dared to oppose him, this was far inferior.

According to Zhu Houcong, the reason for this situation was that the old man shared the same name.

The reputation of the leaders of the Qingliu faction was too important.

Therefore, he was stretched thin and dared not deal a fatal blow to those officials, and was not as free and unrestrained as he had been during his time as the second chancellor.

That's why, when he heard that the other party was after Yan Song's son, Zhu Houcong comforted the Grand Secretary who was weeping, and also specially assigned the Embroidered Uniform Guard to him.

Even Zhang Conggui'e didn't receive this treatment back then.

After all, those two were impulsive and ruthless. If the Embroidered Uniform Guard were under their command, they could truly cleanse the court and overthrow all the opposing officials. Zhu Houcong would certainly not allow this.

Yan Song's methods were much milder than his predecessor's, and he also had a good reputation among scholars. Zhu Houcong took this opportunity to hand over the sharp knife that was the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Let's see how this guy performs!

Upon realizing this, the emperor's fingers paused slightly, and incense ash fell into the incense burner: "Go to the Northern Garrison Command and deliver an oral decree: I wish to pray for the Empress Dowager, and will be in seclusion for fasting and abstinence. I will not see any foreign officials."

"Yes!"

Huang Jin knew that the Empress Dowager had been unwell recently, and feeling deeply moved by her filial piety, he immediately accepted the order and hurriedly left.

……

"Your Majesty is not seeing your ministers?"

At this time, there were three Grand Secretaries in the Cabinet Office.

It was Li Shi, Fei Hong, and Huo Tao.

Upon hearing Huang Jin's oral message, the three men reacted with varying expressions.

Just moments ago, they were discussing whether to all go to the Emperor's court to advise him to withdraw the Embroidered Uniform Guard and not set a precedent.

Unexpectedly, His Majesty not only refused to see Liu Shuxiang, but also refused to see any of the other officials.

It was precisely because the Empress Dowager was unwell that the reason for praying for her was something no one dared to criticize.

"Why now?"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is still in Yan Song's hands. If he has no more concerns, wouldn't that mean..."

Huo Tao was startled.

Liu Shuxiang was promoted by Huo Tao, and some of the previous hints were also given by him.

the reason is simple.

He was unwilling to accept it. Who was Yan Song anyway?
I still vividly remember how they fawned over the newly rich after the Great Rites Controversy.

Now that he has become the prime minister, he is still in a state of trepidation. How can he truly implement and continue the new policies?

Huo Tao believed that among the new policies established by Zhang Cong and Gui E, only he, as their right-hand man, was most qualified to carry the banner.

He also gained the support of Li Shi and Fei Hong.

Both of them harbored some resentment towards the new policies, especially after the implementation of the performance evaluation system. Coupled with their long service, they were clearly dissatisfied with Yan Song's rapid rise after joining the cabinet.

They could certainly form an alliance, at least to remove Yan Song first, and then decide who should take the lead.

This is the current situation of the cabinet.

The Grand Secretary lacked prestige and walked on thin ice. He had to ask for imperial permission before issuing any new policies and consult the emperor on everything he did in order to get the policies through.

The Grand Secretaries were all eager to seize power, waiting for the right moment to take their place. Undercurrents were surging in the office, ready to erupt at any moment.

But now, a case that should have been extremely detrimental to Yan Song has arisen.

How did things suddenly develop like this?
'not good! '

Compared to Huo Tao's anger, Fei Hong had deep wrinkles, cloudy eyes, and looked like a frail old man, but his mind was still clear.

Since the founding emperor, he has strictly enforced a policy of one-man rule. He later established a cabinet, treating it as a servant, and appointed officials, treating them as enemies. He could attack or kill at will, and delegate authority to eunuchs, thus ruling the country with his own servants.

This was especially true during the Zhengde period.

When it comes to the current emperor, there is a natural distrust of his subjects.

Fei Hong had experienced Yang Tinghe's rule and was aware of this sentiment, which stemmed from Yang Tinghe's attempt to seize imperial power.

From then on, His Majesty treated his subjects with extreme caution.

Even with the closest relationships, you should always find an opportunity to give them a warning.

Those who were not close to him were subjected to his life and death, and were abused at will.

So he didn't actually want to become a Grand Secretary, but the Emperor repeatedly invited him, and his clan also asked him to, so he reluctantly agreed.

Now I regret it.

Something's not right.

It feels like a major political debate or a major prison case.

Upon realizing this, Fei Hong suddenly clutched his chest, let out a genuine scream, and collapsed limply to the ground.

"Ouch! Ouch!"

"Professor Fei! Professor Fei!"

"Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

Fei Hong was taken away.

Judging from that appearance, if Your Majesty so desires, you could bring an extra one when you pray for blessings.

However, this is not the end.

Watching Fei Hong leave, Li Shi's eyes slowly rolled around, and he groaned before slowly collapsing.

"Ouch! Ouch!"

"Old Li! Old Li!"

"Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

Li Shi did not have the same level of experience as Fei Hong.

But he was timid.

In the past, when his colleagues had differing opinions, he would honestly present both sides of the viewpoint and wait for his superior to make a choice. As a result, everyone liked his respectful and compliant personality.

Even the silver seal bestowed by His Majesty is engraved with the four characters "Loyal, Diligent, Peaceful, and Prudent".

Such a person, once appointed as Grand Secretary, is unlikely to accomplish anything significant. When Zhang Cong was in power, he made all the decisions, and Li Shi never dared to question him.

Now that Yan Song has arrived, he initially thought Yan Song was easier to bully, and his ambition was somewhat aroused. But seeing Fei Hong fall, he also fell down.

soon.

The second Grand Secretary was taken away.

You can bring two more when you go to pray for blessings.

"you……"

Even if Huo Tao was slow to realize, he could tell something was wrong.

Why should a high-ranking official like myself, a minister of the court, be so terrified?

"Pooh!"

Huo Tao spat.

Those two old good-for-nothings are completely unreliable.

Then I'll do it myself!
What can a mere Yan Song do to him!
……

Has His Majesty gone into seclusion to pray for blessings?

Yan Song was the last to receive this message.

The reaction was also the most lukewarm.

Even knowing that His Majesty was preparing to shirk all responsibility and have him, the Grand Secretary, take all the blame, Yan Song was still happy to accept it.

If you want to take power, you must be responsible!

Moreover, although he had not personally witnessed Fei Hong's past, he had long seen through the current emperor's way of treating his ministers—

Zhang Cong and Gui E still had some genuine feelings for each other, and ultimately they met again after going through thick and thin;
Lu Bing and Huang Jin received even more favor, as they had been friends since childhood.

As for the other officials, they were merely tools to be used.

Including himself.

What is the emperor, who is praying for blessings in the palace, waiting to see at this moment?
The answer is ready to come out.

Yan Song was originally prepared to raise the butcher's knife to establish his authority.

It has now been discovered.

Be even harsher!
"Reporting to Grand Secretary Yan, the confession is ready!"

Just then, Tan Jing, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, quickly came up behind him and said respectfully, "According to Liu Shuxiang's advisor, since entering the capital, he has visited the Huo residence three times, and there have been many dealings between him and his stewards!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tan Jing licked his lips, waiting for the order to take action against Liu Shuxiang.

They were born at the wrong time; they haven't even interrogated a third-rank official yet!
This Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture is more like an appetizer!
However, Yan Song only hesitated for a moment before immediately saying, "Arrest that steward and interrogate him thoroughly. Find out if there was any cheating involved in this imperial examination, and how many people were involved!"

Tan Jing was stunned.

Their expressions changed involuntarily.

This is……

Did they go straight for Grand Secretary Huo Tao?
(End of this chapter)