Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 288 The Shocking List of Huo's Party Members

"Young Master, the Chaotian Palace reports that Young Master Yan is not there..."

"Did Tao Dianzhen tell you this himself?"

"No, it was another Taoist priest. He spoke haltingly and seemed to be hiding something..."

"understood."

Haiyue sighed at the news Gong Hao brought back, but was not surprised.

no doubt.

Yan Shifan was inside the temple.

And they were determined.

There's an old saying from the Ming Dynasty: "If you can't weigh it, it's less than four ounces; but once you're on the scale, it's a thousand pounds."

Yan Shifan's plan this time was to put himself on the scale.

Make a big fuss about it.

He pressured Yan Song, and even Zhu Houcong, to acknowledge his performance in the imperial examination.

The risks of this plan go without saying, but the key point is that he didn't even inform his father, Yan Song, beforehand.

filial piety.

Haiyue shook her head secretly.

But he wouldn't interfere in matters between father and son.

Just pass it on directly.

"That unfilial son!!"

The moment Yan Song received the news, he immediately realized the cause and effect, and his white beard trembled violently with anger.

Haiyue was unaware of one detail, but Yan Song was certainly aware that his son had requested an investigation into cheating in the imperial examinations, but was refused.

I thought that even if he was dissatisfied for a while, he would come to his senses afterward. I never expected that he would be so reckless and want to break the sky of this imperial examination!

Why would the son of the Grand Secretary take such a risk?
Can't you just be patient and wait a bit?

It turns out.

Yan Shifan was unwilling to endure it, and even less able to wait!
"call!"

Yan Song closed his eyes, took a deep breath helplessly, and when he opened his eyes again, he had already put aside his unfilial son and focused on the present.

He composed himself and slowly walked into the Northern Garrison Command.

"Grand Secretary Yan!"

Sun Weixian, who had been waiting for a long time, personally greeted them. Judging from his respectful demeanor, he even wished he could help them up.

However, although Yan Song's steps were slow, his pace was steady, and his thin body did not tremble at all. He said in a deep voice, "The case is complicated and the villains are rampant. Everyone has their own expertise. This time, I will have to trouble Magistrate Sun to help my father and me!"

"Not at all! Your Excellency is too kind!"

Sun Weixian's tone was fervent: "His Majesty trusts the Grand Secretary, and I respect the Grand Secretary even more. I will do my utmost to serve you—I will make those scoundrels who tarnished the talent selection ceremony taste the eighteen kinds of tricks of the imperial prison!"

Yan Song's expression hardened upon hearing this: "Judicial matters concern human lives, how can they be taken lightly? We must thoroughly investigate the evidence and not resort to torture."

Sun Weixian paused for a moment, then said in a dry voice, "I have always paid attention to the smallest details when handling cases, and I would never dare to go against the Grand Secretary's instruction to be cautious in punishment and compassionate towards prisoners."

Yan Song said, "That's good!"

Throughout, this person maintained a calm expression.

There was a distinct sense of politeness and distance.

This caused Tan Jing, the commander of a thousand households following behind Sun Weixian, to frown.

They went to great lengths to curry favor, even the Assistant Prefect made a personal appearance, but the Grand Secretary didn't seem to appreciate it much!

In fact, things wouldn't have come to this if Sun Weixian hadn't intervened.

But when the next commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrived in front of him, Yan Song had no choice but to keep his distance.

Even though he knew that his attitude would offend these hard-working Imperial Guards.

But more importantly, His Majesty handed over the Embroidered Uniform Guard as a weapon not so that Yan Song could hold onto it for long.

If one were to take the opportunity to win over the hearts of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, overstepping one's bounds would inevitably lead to a grave mistake.

On the contrary, the power of the Embroidered Uniform Guard did not require bribery; a single verbal order or secret decree from His Majesty was enough for them to submit.

Instead of trying to win him over, it's better to let His Majesty have complete faith in his loyalty and ability.

'I was too hasty!'

Sun Weixian initially found it strange as well.

Why did the other party act this way when there was such a good opportunity to make friends?

Even if the Grand Secretary holds a high position and wields great power, wouldn't it be worthwhile to win over the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

But he quickly realized what was happening.

If the Grand Secretary shows enthusiasm today and the two sides have a pleasant conversation, once the news leaks to His Majesty, I'm afraid I won't get the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Grand Secretary Yan is no ordinary man!

He deserves to be the prime minister!
Upon realizing this, Sun Weixian's enthusiasm vanished, leaving only official business: "Vice Minister Huang is already waiting in the side courtyard. Grand Secretary Yan, please follow me."

Yan Song nodded slightly and followed him to the side courtyard. From afar, he saw Huang Wan standing in front of the door. When she saw the figure approaching, she quickly turned back into the house.

The dignified Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a third-rank official, and the number two figure in the Grand Rites Controversy, entered the Northern Garrison Command. He tried to remain calm, but his brows betrayed his fear.

The Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) were simply too intimidating.

Especially for these high-ranking officials who usually hold high positions, the Northern Garrison Command can be said to be their only nemesis.

Seeing Yan Song slowly enter and hearing Sun Weixian's black boots disappear into the corridor, Huang Wan's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. Her fingers unconsciously traced the wood grain on the table, her eyes brimming with resentment: "May I ask, Grand Secretary Yan, what exactly have I done to warrant the Imperial Guard's intervention and my bringing me to the Northern Garrison?" Yan Song sat down, his plain robes gleaming softly in the candlelight: "Last year, when Lord Zhang retired and left the capital, I saw him off at the pavilion, breaking off willow branches. I heard him mention Zongxian's 'Memorial on Criminal Law' from years ago..."

"Ok?"

Huang Wan was stunned.

He was a fellow townsman and old friend of Zhang Cong. When Zhang Cong asked to retire and left the capital, Huang Wan naturally went to see him off.

Yan Song deliberately chose a pavilion more than ten miles outside the city to bid farewell to Zhang Cong alone, without disturbing anyone else.

However, Huang Wan only listened for a few sentences before realizing that Yan Song must have met with Zhang Cong, and gradually relaxed.

After listening to the two men's farewells, and considering that Yan Song had treated the officials of the Great Rites Controversy Group well and without any discrimination after becoming Grand Secretary, Huang Wan sighed, "Grand Secretary Yan's magnanimity is truly admirable. Under your leadership, the new policies were gradually progressing well. This conflict today must not have been what you wanted..."

"It is certainly not what I wished for, but I have no choice but to do it!"

Yan Song's voice suddenly became sharp: "Huo Wuya's actions have violated the duties of a subject. Relying on his merits in the Great Rites Controversy, he has repeatedly violated the rules of the palace and presumptuously discussed the replacement of the chief minister. What kind of decorum is this!"

Huang Wan's expression was solemn, and her fingers trembled slightly in her sleeve: "Grand Secretary Huo is in charge of the ministers discussing rites, and Grand Secretary Yan wants to follow the example of Emperor Wu of Han in executing the Junior Minister, and exterminate us all?"

"Your Majesty is benevolent; how could I possibly thwart the careers of these gentlemen who discuss etiquette?"

The Jiajing Emperor had nothing to do with benevolence, but he did indeed consider the past contributions of the Great Rites Controversy group. Therefore, Yan Song made a clear statement, but then solemnly said: "However, Huo Tao is narrow-minded, stubborn, and intolerant. This time, his serious crime cannot be lightly forgiven!"

Huo Tao has repeatedly challenged the imperial court and is eyeing the position of Grand Secretary. Such an ambitious person must not be let go.

This is precisely the principle of being a prime minister that Yan Song summarized after a year as the chief minister—

Show weakness before the emperor, establish authority in the court!
Showing weakness before the emperor is indeed a key to securing favor, but the degree of this must be carefully controlled, like wielding a knife. If one is even slightly weaker, one loses all dignity; too much of a good thing is bad.

If we continue to show weakness and lose balance, not only will our political enemies launch a full-scale attack, but those who are loyal to the Yen Party will also scatter like startled birds when the tree falls.

So we should take this opportunity to kill a bunch of them.

Upon hearing this, Huang Wan suddenly dug her fingertips into her palm.

He understood the murderous intent in Yan Song's words, and a cold sweat immediately broke out on his back.

But something inside my chest was faintly burning.

After all, the other party invited him here, but wanted to kill a high-ranking official.

The implication is that...

"What does Grand Secretary Yan intend to do?"

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he finally asked the question.

Yan Song flicked his sleeve and poured tea. Amidst the crisp sound of the clinking porcelain cups, eight words resounded: "Huo Tao has stepped down; you shall succeed him!"

The guess came true.

Huang Wan felt a buzzing in her ears—

Although there is only one rank difference between the heads of the Six Ministries and the Grand Secretaries, it is an insurmountable barrier that many important officials cannot overcome in their entire lives.

He was the same age as Yan Song, so how could he not make progress?
As the tea smoke curled upwards, Huang Wan seemed to see her own reflection in her scarlet robe and jade belt, twisting and shifting in the glaze, already draped in the unicorn-patterned court robes of a Grand Secretary.

Taking in the other party's expression, Yan Song took a sip of tea, knowing that it was done.

Invite them to a feast, behead them, and take them in as dogs.

The same process that has remained unchanged for years.

But it's full of details.

For example, the oppressive environment created by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

For example, as early as when he was the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, Yan Song had conducted a detailed investigation and analysis of the temperament of the high-ranking members of the Grand Rites Controversy Group.

He didn't choose Yan Shifan randomly to be Gui'e's son's follower; it was precisely because Gui'e was the most upright and had a relatively low desire for power.

Unfortunately, the Daliyi Group was too xenophobic and ultimately refused to accept them.

In retrospect, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

The efforts of those years have finally paid off.

Huang Wan believed that after Zhang Cong, Gui E, and Fang Xianfu either died of illness or retired, he would become the second-in-command. In fact, arrangements and assistance had been made long ago.

As it turns out, Yan Song was very accurate in judging people.

Huang Wan's historical reputation, aside from his outstanding scholarship, is largely criticized for his character. Many people believe that he was "cunning, fickle, and unreliable," because as early as the Great Rites Controversy, he was not as steadfast as Zhang Cong and Gui E, and was rather indecisive. Later, when Zhang Cong's position was shaken and Xia Yan gained favor, he turned to rely on Xia Yan. "Judging from his beginning and end, he was truly a man of treacherous character."

He could betray even Zhang Cong and abandon Huo Tao without any remorse.

Having fully ascertained Huang Wan's stance, Yan Song then took out a dossier and handed it over.

Huang Wan was still immersed in the excitement of her upcoming entry into the cabinet, but after flipping through the case file and reading for only a moment, her expression changed drastically: "So many people? Are they all related to this case?"

In order to seize the position of Grand Secretary, they used cheating in the imperial examination to frame the Grand Secretary's son for murder.

These cases are extremely serious in nature.

But isn't this list of people a bit too extensive?
Anyone who poses a threat to the position of Grand Secretary should be removed to prevent future troubles!
Those who harbor malicious intentions and fuel the flames should be taken down as a warning to others!
Those who explicitly oppose the implementation of the new policy should be taken down, needless to say!

Huang Wan's trembling fingers traced the familiar names on the list.

The ink had long since dried, yet it still reeked of blood.

Is this another major prison crackdown?

Yan Song pointed his finger at the list: "Without Brother Zongxian's secret help in reporting us, how could we have gathered all these 'Huo Party members'? It's shocking!"

"Ah... Huo Dang? I reported him?!"

Huang Wan shuddered, abruptly looking up to meet Yan Song's ambiguous, half-smiling gaze—

Those eyes were like knives, chilling him to the bone.

If one wishes to attain a high position, how can one remain untouched by even a single leaf?

(End of this chapter)