Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 290 On the Exploration of the Sacred Heart
Huang Wan is indeed quite weak.

Yan Song acted too quickly.

That's too ruthless.

Before the fifth watch drum had ceased, the Imperial Guards' elite cavalry surged through the long street like a black tide.

The warrants for arresting the perpetrators flickered in the morning light, and wherever they passed, the grand mansions of the wealthy and powerful closed their doors, yet ultimately could not withstand the calamity that descended from the heavens.

These once arrogant and powerful young men could only cry and beg for mercy as they watched their masters being escorted out of the mansion.

Any resistance was met with a barrage of clubs and whips, their afterimages visible as they fell, dragging the battered man out and leaving trails of blood on the flagstones.

The capital was terrified, and the people were filled with anxiety.

In this situation, Huang Wan wished she could stay at home and wait for the storm to pass.

Unfortunately not.

Yan Song's agreement with him was very clear.

He was the one who submitted the list of Huo's associates, and after the Embroidered Uniform Guard detained them, he would need to personally plead for their release.

This way, one can both preserve the dignity of the former officials who participated in the Great Rites Controversy and demonstrate a conciliatory attitude to the other officials, which is the proper way to take over power.

Huang Wan was both worried and relieved about this.

What's worrying is that he deserves some credit for the current situation.

Can such a scheme of betraying Huo Tao in exchange for a cabinet position really be kept secret from the world?
Reassuringly, Yan Song's arrangement suggests that he truly intends for him to succeed Huo Tao as the head of the Daliyi Group.

Effort will eventually pay off.

With a heart full of trepidation, Huang Wan ventured deep into the Northern Garrison Command and finally found Yan Song.

"Brother Weizhong!"

He walked quickly to the back of me, and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

The posture is very low.

"Minister Huang..."

Huang Wan had assumed that when Yan Song turned around, he would address her by her courtesy name, as if they were old friends, speaking in a friendly tone.

However, unexpectedly, in less than a day, Brother Zongxian became Vice Minister Huang.

However, after hearing the other party's businesslike tone, Huang Wan thought about it and understood.

He had come to plead for Huo Tao, who had been arrested.

Of course, you can't address them too intimately.

As expected of the Prime Minister, he still puts on a great show even when he has no one around!
In light of this, he also put on a show, first glaring angrily: "Yan Weizhong, how dare you humiliate a cabinet minister with the imperial prison..."

After a passionate and eloquent speech, citing classical texts, he couldn't help but burst into tears: "Lord Huo is already advanced in years; how can he endure the suffering of imprisonment..."

The performance here is over.

Yan Song remained silent and stepped back, his official robes billowing slightly in the breeze.

Huang Wan froze.

Were you serious about taking half a step back?
It's different from what was agreed upon beforehand!
Left with no other choice, he hurried forward and lowered his voice: "Brother Weizhong, the poem, tell the poem!"

Yan Song took another half step back, his eyes carrying an indescribable meaning.

'not good……'

Huang Wan finally noticed something was wrong.

But before he could turn around...

A loud shout came from behind.

Like thunder exploding.

"Huang! Zong! Xian!"

Huo Tao, who was nearly fifty years old, pounced forward with his hair and beard bristling, looking like a raging lion.

Before Huang Wan could react, she was punched hard in the jaw, her official hat was knocked askew and fell to the ground with a thud.

He let out a loud cry of pain.

Even in the midst of suffering, one still desires to explain.

"Wait a minute, cliff! This is an attempt to sow discord..."

"Go to hell with sowing discord!"

Huo Tao delivered another powerful elbow strike to Huang Wan's chest.

Although both were civil officials, Huo Tao was seven years younger than his opponent. In his anger, he elbowed Huo Tao so hard that Huo Tao lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Huo Tao was still not going to let her go. He lunged forward and tried to grab Huang Wan by the neck: "Back then, during the etiquette debate, I should have seen through your two-faced nature. How hateful that I didn't realize sooner that you were such a despicable person!"

"Uh-huh! Uh-huh!"

In this life-or-death moment, Huang Wan also unleashed the limits of a veteran minister, starting to pull the other person's hair.

This close-range technique is indeed formidable.

soon.

The two high-ranking officials wrestled together like street thugs.

"what happened?"

"Yo!"

The Imperial Guards who rushed over upon hearing the commotion were initially stunned, but then they also revealed expressions of anticipation for a good show.

Fighting among officials is a tradition of this dynasty.

After the Tumu Crisis, officials angrily denounced the eunuch Wang Zhen for bringing disaster to the country, and his crony, Ma Shun, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, reprimanded the officials in court.

Wang Hong, a censor in the Ministry of Revenue, was the first to pounce on Ma Shun's face and "bite his flesh," which triggered a brawl.

The final result was that Ma Shun and Wang Zhen, two henchmen, were beaten to death on the spot, and their bodies were displayed at Dong'an Gate.

There was originally no problem with this; Wang Zhen's cronies did indeed deserve to die, and it was a very righteous act.

But with this precedent, beating up treacherous officials seemed to become an unspoken rule, and no one would bear any responsibility even if they were beaten to death.

Ever since.

The nature has changed.

During the Great Rites Controversy, Yang Shen led more than thirty Hanlin scholars to ambush Zhang Cong, setting a trap by scattering soybeans, intending to beat Zhang Cong to death, just like in the story of Ma Shun.

Attempt.

Now, the brawl has started again.

What a loss of face!
"Grand Secretary Yan! Grand Secretary Yan!"

Huang Wan never wanted things to be this way.

While pulling the other person's hair, he repeatedly begged Yan Song for help.

However, what greeted him was Yan Song's cold turn and his strode away.

Now that things have come to this, Huang Wan finally understands that she has been completely betrayed by Yan Song.

But deep confusion still lingered in his swollen eyes.

why?
He actually has a good understanding of his own limitations.

In terms of governing ability, Huang Wan was inferior to Zhang Cong and Gui E, and even Huo Tao was somewhat inferior.

However, as a result, after becoming a Grand Secretary, he posed far less of a threat to Yan Song than the previous Grand Rites Controversial Ministers.

He indeed had no ambition to become the Grand Secretary; he was already content with simply being accepted into the cabinet.

That's why Huang Wan believed Yan Song's promise.

This is the best choice for both sides. If they sell him out, other ministers might enter the cabinet and continue the struggle against him. What's the point?

On the other side, Yan Song walked into the room, stared at the flickering candlelight on the table, and sighed softly.

"If everything were to be done as I please, I might as well keep you in the cabinet and let you be a clay figurehead who echoes my every word."

"pity--"

The candle wick suddenly popped, illuminating a flash of cold light in Yan Song's eyes.

This is a major undertaking, a purge of such scale.

The methods they employ are bound to inspire awe and respect from both the government and the public.

At the same time, he will also be subject to His Majesty's serious suspicion.

Even if this is the result of the other party's intentional indulgence.

In this situation, the only way to appease the emperor is for the replacement cabinet member to be one of his favorites, specifically responsible for keeping an eye on him.

Since that's the case, you have to be sensible.

It is absolutely unacceptable to appoint your own people and fill the positions beforehand, as this would reveal a tendency to monopolize the cabinet.

If that's the case, then his tenure as Grand Secretary is over.

In view of this.

Yan Song brought the list handwritten by Huang Wan closer to the candlelight.

In the instant the flames licked the ink, it was as if a handsome face appeared before my eyes—

It will be...

That person?

but no matter.

Huang Wan was not among them.

The ashes fell onto the paperweight, much like an unfinished dream of an official career.

……

"Your Majesty, good news has come from Ciren Palace: Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has eaten a bowl of rice porridge!"

Before the incense had completely dissipated, Zhu Houcong placed his personally copied copy of the "Beidou Jing" (Scripture of the Big Dipper) before the statues of the Three Pure Ones.

Amidst the swirling smoke, Huang Jin approached with hurried steps and reported.

"Good! Good!"

Zhu Houcong was overjoyed. He bowed again, got up, picked up the chime mallet, and struck the jade chime.

"Boom-"

The clear, melodious sound resounded throughout the palace.

According to later generations, the only woman Jiajing ever truly loved was his mother, Empress Dowager Jiang.

All the other empresses and concubines, Jiajing’s actions can be described as cold-blooded, but he was truly filial to his mother.

This fasting and prayer for blessings is no exception.

As Empress Dowager Jiang grew older, illnesses were inevitable.

Zhu Houcong was extremely nervous every time.

This seven-day seclusion, during which he refused to see any officials, was indeed intended to allow him to observe how things would develop and to shirk responsibility.

On the other hand, their desire to pray for Empress Dowager Jiang was also very sincere.

Hearing that Empress Dowager Jiang had recovered, the emperor was naturally overjoyed.

However, after Huang Jin withdrew, another figure quietly entered, and it was a palace maid.

Upon arriving before him, he knelt and presented the secret report.

Zhu Houcong relaxed, his eyebrows slightly raised.

The document not only lists the 67 officials that Yan Song directed the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest in the past few days, but also provides clear and accurate records for each official.

Even the beatings that occurred within the Northern Garrison Command were included, the details of which were so vivid that it was as if one were present at the scene.

"Yan Song..."

Zhu Houcong read it carefully, muttering to himself.

He knew that Yan Song would definitely make a big fuss this time.

Out of distrust of his subjects.

He also hoped that Yan Song would take drastic measures against the officials.

Moreover, no matter how ruthless the purge, those dissenting officials will only hate Yan Song, the Grand Secretary.

What does this have to do with the ruler and father who fast and pray for blessings?

Zhu Houcong was still somewhat shocked by Yan Song's methods.

That old man is ruthless!
In just a few days and nights, the number of people cleaned up was greater than the number involved in the Li Fuda case, which had lasted for more than a year.

They were ruthless in their pursuit of Huo Tao, leaving him utterly destroyed.

Anyone who expressed support for him, even if it was just an endorsement of his governing philosophy, was labeled a member of his faction and was arrested and convicted.

They implicated many without hesitation.

It's really hard to tell.

He usually kept a low profile and was even elected as the leader of the Qingliu faction by the Shilin community, yet he could decisively and ruthlessly wield the butcher's knife.

There is no doubt that Zhu Houcong became wary.

Yan Song dares to lay a butcher's knife on his ministers today...

Will they sideline me tomorrow?

Let's look at the rest of the cabinet.

Li Shi needs no introduction.

A timid, yes-man.

Fei Hong's courage was also rather ordinary.

He's getting old.

As for Huo Tao...

Watching his struggle with Huang Wan, Zhu Houcong's eyes revealed a hint of disgust.

Even if the Great Rites Controversy were a great favor, it shouldn't be squandered like this.

Huang Wan betrayed her colleagues.

In a fit of rage, Huo Tao punched several men in the Imperial Guards, completely losing his composure.

For such a minister, retiring to his hometown is the most dignified end.

This way.

Zhu Houcong's eyes flickered slightly.

He suddenly remembered the person he had long considered.

He had initially intended to promote Yan Song, but the plan was temporarily shelved because Yan Song was more in line with the emperor's wishes.

Since Huo Tao has fallen from power, Huang Wan will not promote him. Why not simply replace him with that person, making him a perfect check and balance?

"Summon Hanlin Academician Xia Yan to await imperial orders outside the Qianqing Palace!"

(End of this chapter)