Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 335, Step One: The United Front!

"This concerns three princes; how can Your Majesty act in this way..."

When Yan Song received the latest news in the cabinet office, his old face changed color.

The eldest prince fell seriously ill, the second prince's affair came to light, and the third and fourth princes were implicated.

Apart from the youngest prince, several of the older princes were also on the verge of being deposed.

Anyone who entered officialdom through the imperial examinations would immediately think of the case of the three commoners during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang.

Learning from history can help us understand our gains and losses. With past examples laid out before us, what could Yan Song do?
Other matters can be dealt with by ambiguity, but in this case, if he answers "This is His Majesty's family matter, and it is not appropriate for us ministers to get involved," then his reputation among scholars will be completely ruined, and he will certainly be compared to the treacherous minister Li Linfu!

Yan Song fought against the Mongols in the north and quelled the Japanese pirates in the south. Under his rule, the country experienced a period of revival and prosperity. He was a capable and virtuous minister who was destined to be remembered in history. How could he have fallen into such a depravity?

Therefore, the first reaction at this moment was to instruct the officials: "Go! Bring Vice Minister Hai here!"

Before long, Haiyue walked in, her sleeves billowing.

Since being promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, he has frequently visited the Cabinet Office. However, he remains low-key and always listens to important matters of the state without making any decisions.

But Yan Song knew very well.

Important matters in the imperial court cannot be accomplished without his tacit approval.

just now.

Then Haiyue had to nod.

Yan Song cut to the chase: "Has Vice Minister Hai heard of the Prince's case?"

"I heard something."

Haiyue's expression was solemn, and she immediately set the tone: "This is absolutely unacceptable!"

Yan Song felt a sense of relief and sighed softly, "After the Crown Prince was appointed, I thought I could enjoy a few days of peace and quiet, but who would have thought... Alas! His Majesty is furious right now, but since this concerns the fate of the nation, we have no choice but to remonstrate!"

"It's not just about giving advice..."

Haiyue said, "The case still needs to be investigated thoroughly!"

Yan Song frowned slightly and lowered his voice: "What is Vice Minister Hai's intention?"

Haiyue said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty has always been discerning and perceptive. Why did you listen to the instigation of traitors and suspect your three biological sons of plotting to murder your eldest son? If this matter is not thoroughly investigated, there may be endless troubles and the country will be in turmoil!"

'Investigating a case?'

Yan Song felt a chill run down his spine.

This tastes wrong!

His idea was to abandon the second prince and save the third or fourth prince.

Yes, even if two are sacrificed, as long as it doesn't end up like the case of the three commoners, where all the princes were caught in one fell swoop, then it's all fine.

In fact, apart from those who were eager to gain the credit for supporting the emperor, no one else cared who became the crown prince.

The ministers only cared about two things: first, that the country had a crown prince; and second, that the selection of the crown prince should follow ancestral rules, be based on the eldest son of the legitimate wife, and ensure an orderly succession, rather than being based on the emperor's temperament and preferences.

Aside from that, there aren't many people as worried as Hai Rui about the crown prince going astray.

Because the current emperor has not shown any signs of physical decline, and now he doesn't even attend court assemblies, but only enjoys himself in the palace, who knows how long we will have to wait before a new emperor ascends the throne?

Who knows what the new emperor looked like back then?
Yan Song held the same view, which is why his faction did not place their bets on the crown prince.

He is now nearly seventy years old and has served as Grand Secretary for almost ten years. According to general practice, at this age, he could have submitted a memorial requesting retirement, but Yan Song clearly still wants to contribute his remaining energy.

Even with his optimism, he didn't expect to last until the next era. He was already content to hold onto real power firmly in the present.

This time, however, Haiyue was not content with simply resolving the immediate predicament.

He served as Grand Secretary for ten years.

Haiyue consistently agreed with Yan Song's policies and cooperated with his rule, all because he had participated in and offered suggestions for the new policies.

He was happy to see his opponent rise to power and implement these new policies and reforms that benefited the country and its people.

But Yan Song had his own problems.

This person's bottom line is very flexible.

At critical moments, we must not give him any way out, otherwise he may very well turn against us.

The two sat facing each other across the table, their eyes meeting like silent clashes of frost-covered blades, yet in an instant, they transformed into a profound understanding.

Yan Song's aged eyelids drooped first, and his withered fingers stroked his long, white beard: "The investigation is of great importance. What advice does Mingwei have to offer?"

Hai Yue said decisively, "The Cabinet requests that this matter concerns the imperial heir, and that His Majesty should hold court in person, with the three judicial departments conducting a joint trial and cross-examining the witnesses in court!"

"This case involves the imperial family; if it is investigated with great fanfare..."

Yan Song slowly shook his head: "I'm afraid that before the truth comes out, His Majesty's reputation will be tarnished!"

"The matter of righteousness and legitimacy must ultimately be brought into the open; how can one punish someone without first educating them?"

Haiyue took out a memorial and handed it over: "This is an urgent report from the south. Please take a look, Grand Secretary Yan."

"The Jinling Mutiny? The King of Chu's Rebellion?"

Yan Song took it, read it quickly, and was moved once again.

These are still two major events.

Lu Bing and Sun Weixian, two former commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, joined forces and finally uncovered the hidden cause of the mutiny in Jiangling.

At the very beginning of the chaos, they swiftly intervened and nipped it in the bud. Afterwards, the two immediately led their elite cavalry to Wuchang, completely surrounding the Chu Prince's residence.

After severe torture and interrogation of the sorcerers and trusted servants around the King of Chu, numerous pieces of evidence of their usurpation were obtained.

Although no concrete evidence of treason has been found, his sinister intentions are already obvious.

Yan Song was not surprised, because if one were to delve into the misdeeds of the princes, one would find sins everywhere.

What he cares about is what this involvement is all about.

Haiyue said, "Anyone who dares to slander the imperial heir must have a profound motive. Is the prince's rebellion at this time a coincidence, or was it premeditated? We must investigate this thoroughly!"

'Is His Majesty turning his fear of innocent princes into a purge of guilty vassal kings?'

'So that's how they investigate cases. Hmm, not a bad strategy!'

Yan Song understood.

This arrangement would both save the imperial heir and give His Majesty a way out.

The key point is that the officials were happy to see the wicked vassal kings punished.

It can be described as killing two birds with one stone, taking into account all aspects.

But a vague sense of unease welled up within Yan Song.

I feel like there's something I haven't thought through clearly.

Unlike his son Yan Shifan, who was impulsive and quick-witted, Yan Song, though old and not as quick-witted as he used to be, showed an increasingly shrewd and composed demeanor.

He pondered for a long time, lightly tapping the table with his fingertips, before slowly speaking: "It is indeed possible that the princes are plotting something treacherous. However, the palace is heavily guarded, and the princes' residences and the outer court have never communicated. How could such slander reach the emperor's ears? Could it be that there is another threat within the palace?"

The current situation is that the emperor is clearly wary of his own son and is willing to find a pretext to frame him, but the ministers cannot directly expose the truth. In order to protect the emperor's face, they must shift the blame to the vassal kings who have motives.

The prince harbored rebellious intentions and meticulously planned to incite discord between the royal father and son. Only by spreading this information could he gain the trust of the people.

But here's the problem: the regional princes were in the provinces, while the emperor was in the capital. To plot a rebellion, they needed manpower.

Just as the Prince of Ning bribed Liu Jin, Qian Ning, and Zang Xian, who were close to Emperor Zhengde, with a large sum of money, who are the current princes bribing to Emperor Jiajing?
Since the palace coup, this has become an extremely sensitive topic.

Haiyue gave the answer: "It should be the secret society, Liyuan Society."

"Liyuan Society?"

Yan Song was certainly no stranger to this.

He had also disciplined his son back then, telling him not to get too involved in the hunt for such secret societies.

But later, we gradually stopped hearing similar news, especially after the Southern Tour. The Yixin Society also stopped investigating the Liyuan Society, and it seemed to have become a thing of the past.

"The Liyuan Society was wiped out by His Majesty long ago, so it is not mentioned. However, recent unusual movements from various parties suggest that it may be on the verge of resurgence..."

"The imperial palace must be guarded against!"

The logical chain has been clarified.

But Yan Song still seemed hesitant.

Upon closer examination, this differs from the previous semi-fictional setting; it's more like a confrontation with the emperor, forcing him to abandon the idea of ​​deposing the prince and instead accept the outcome devised by the court officials.

What if His Majesty is unwilling...

It will inevitably be another confrontation between the court officials and the emperor!
Did Zuo Shunmen cry out in protest?
Do not!
The situation today is completely different from what it was twenty years ago.

It still makes people nervous...

That is, after all, imperial power!
Haiyue noticed the hesitation and fear in his eyes, so she said nothing more and simply waited quietly.

Power and responsibility are equal. When one reaches the position of Grand Secretary, the highest position in the court, one is often caught in a dilemma.

Based on his understanding of the man before him and the changing trends of the world, he believed that Yan Song would make the right decision.

at last.

Yan Song closed his eyes and pondered, weighing the pros and cons. After considering other options, he ultimately decided that preserving his reputation as a virtuous minister was the most likely path to success. His eyes hardened: "Alright! Let's do it this way! We should also inform Grand Secretary Xia!"

'He truly understands the importance of a united front!'

Hai Yue had already planned this, but since this person brought it up, she might as well give way a little, after all, he was the Grand Secretary: "Grand Secretary Xia has been focusing on the Ministry of War recently, and is very busy with military affairs on the border..."

"With the prince involved in the case, how can the Chief Scholar of the Imperial Study remain uninvolved?"

Yan Song immediately made the decision: "I will send someone to invite him here!"

When Xia Yan returned to his duty room, the three senior officials met and their first words were: "There are treacherous officials around His Majesty!"

"what?"

Xia Yan's expression immediately changed; she knew she couldn't just say such things carelessly.

But after hearing the latest news, he slammed his knuckles heavily on the rosewood table, making the teacups clink: "This is a matter of national importance, how can it be treated like child's play? The princes are still young children, receiving instruction from the Imperial Study. How could they possibly conspire to harm the Crown Prince?"

As Yan Song pointed out, Xia Yan was the chief tutor of the Imperial Study, specifically responsible for the education of the princes.

If the second prince were to conspire with the third and fourth princes to harm the crown prince, what would become of all the years of teaching they had received?
I'm utterly ashamed!
Therefore, Xia Yan even subconsciously refused to believe the crime committed by the Second Prince: "His Highness Prince De is naturally filial. Even if he is bewitched by villains, he would never have the heart to kill his own brother. This matter is absolutely unbelievable. Someone must have whispered evil words in His Majesty's ear!"

Yan Song stroked his beard.

Haiyue nodded.

Xia Yan looked at the two men, a surge of confidence rising within him. He said with high spirits, "What you two say is absolutely right. We should jointly submit a memorial to His Majesty, requesting him to attend court and thoroughly investigate this case, so that all the demons and monsters hiding in the shadows will be exposed!"

(End of this chapter)