Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 200 Hai Rui Takes Office in Nanjing! Are the Jiangnan Aristocrats a Monolithic Group?
Upon hearing Xu Jie's words, Wang Shizhen and Wang Xijue, who were sitting opposite him, looked at each other in bewilderment.

Wang Shizhen looked somewhat helpless, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Lord Xu, this is not a false report, nor are you mistaken; the situation in the capital is indeed as described."

"Hmph!" Xu Jie snorted coldly. "Has Zhang Jiangling lost his mind? He actually allowed a mere child to stir up trouble in the capital."

"Ai--"

Wang Xijue sighed and said.

"Since the establishment of that clinic and workshop, there has not been a single day of peace in the capital. I heard that Zhang Shiyuan was going to hold some kind of ridiculous auction a few days ago, which is truly an insult to culture!"

Today, the "pure stream" (a term referring to people who are considered morally upright) have finally come to understand what it means to hate someone but be unable to deal with their pain.

Seeing the two of them like this, Xu Jie noticed something amiss and said with narrowed eyes.

"You sent a letter last time, stating that you wanted to teach Zhang Shiyuan a lesson and set things right in the court. Now it seems that your efforts have been in vain?"

Wang Xijue sighed, "It's just a little lacking."

"Humph!"

Wang Shizhen's face turned red, and he slammed his fist on the table in anger.

"I said that merchants are short-sighted people. Those Shanxi merchants, for the sake of short-term profit, ended up benefiting the Zhang family father and son."

"The tide has turned; Zhang Shiyuan controls the situation with his Xishan workshop and Renmin medical clinic. What hope is there for us?"

While they talked about "quiet inaction" and "enjoying a carefree life in the mountains," in reality, they were both keeping a close eye on every move in the court, seeking an opportunity to regain power.

Xu Jie leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes to rest, and said, "This time, only those merchants suffered some losses. We can sit back and relax. It's not so bad, is it?"

“That is true,” Wang Shizhen sighed. “But I’m afraid there is no one left who can keep the Zhang family father and son in check.”

Although the Qingliu faction did not directly confront the enemy in this struggle, they still contributed their efforts.

He secretly rallied officials of all ranks in the court to submit memorials impeaching and pressuring the emperor and Zhang Juzheng to compromise.

This aligns well with the stance of the Jiangnan gentry, since Zhang Juzheng's "land survey" and "single whip law" genuinely damaged their vital interests.

If they could eliminate Zhang Juzheng's influence in the court, their pressure would naturally be greatly reduced, and they might even be able to seize the opportunity to launch a united attack against him, perhaps even curbing the new policies and "setting things right".

However, instead of affecting Zhang Juzheng, it made Zhang Yunxiu famous and earned him even more trust from the emperor!
With Xu Jie's extensive connections and influence, he naturally already had some understanding of the matter. After hearing the two men's more detailed descriptions, he couldn't help but sigh and say something.

“Zhang Jiangling is a master strategist; how could you possibly be his match? You are only focused on Zhang Shiyuan, thinking he is just a child who is easy to deal with, but you don’t know that Zhang Jiangling is the real chess player.”

In a way, Xu Jie was Zhang Juzheng's mentor, but their relationship deteriorated rapidly after the New Policies were implemented.

When it comes to matters of vital interest, even the closest of relationships, like father and son, can turn into bitter enemies.

"Alas—" Wang Shizhen said helplessly. "We are at our wits' end, please, Lord Xu, lend us your help!"

They had originally hoped that after Zhang Juzheng's death, they would be reinstated.

If Zhang Juzheng were to die, even if the emperor trusted him greatly in the past, the upright officials and gentry were confident that they could make the emperor hate Zhang Juzheng to the bone, and the loyal officials who had been "persecuted" by him in the past would surely be able to be reinstated.

But these are just hypotheticals. Now that things have come to this, even the supposedly upright can no longer deceive themselves.

Zhang Juzheng was not seriously ill; on the contrary, he recovered completely. After being recuperated at Renmin Medical Center, he became even more vigorous and energetic, and regained control of the government!

As long as Zhang Juzheng remains in power, these people will waste their lives, dying of old age and illness in their hometowns, with no hope of ever rising in the world.

"I am powerless to help with matters in the capital."

Xu Jie shook his head, clearly not wanting to get involved in the court struggles.

At his age, all he wants to do is stay in his own little corner of the world.

"But the matter at hand is more important."

He spoke with a hint of apprehension in his eyes.

"Hai Ruxian has recently arrived in Nanjing to assume his new post!"

Hai Rui, courtesy name Ruxian.

"Hai Gangfeng has come to Southern Zhili?" Wang Shizhen was startled.

Xu Jie said meaningfully, "You've all been away from court for too long, and your information isn't very up-to-date."
A few days ago, the Emperor issued a decree ordering the Ministry of Personnel to re-examine Hai Ruxian's reinstatement. Several imperial censors then went to Qiongshan and persuaded Hai Ruxian to return to public life.

Upon receiving the imperial decree, Hai Ruxian didn't even go to the capital; he immediately set off for Southern Zhili.

Xu Jie exhaled and said, "I received news from the post station a few days ago that I intend to come to Nanjing to take up my post and receive the imperial edict. It will only be a day or two before I arrive."

"The imperial court has actually reinstated Hai Gangfeng?!"

Wang Shizhen and Wang Xijue looked at each other, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

One was the shock that the court, controlled by Zhang Juzheng, would allow Hai Rui to be reinstated.

Another point is that Xu Jie was still able to receive news from the post stations even after retiring for many years, which shows how deep his influence was in Southern Zhili!

"Zhang Jiangling has changed."

Xu Jie's eyes were drooping and the flesh around his eyes was squeezed together, his eyes were full of turbidity.

"In the past, Hai Gangfeng made things difficult for him in the matter of seizing the opportunity to mourn. Given his vengeful nature, how could he possibly let him be reinstated?"
This illness has made him less obedient than before. The implication in his words was clearly that he was becoming increasingly wary.

Wang Shizhen said somewhat flusteredly, "That Hai Gangfeng has always been a man who hates evil and shows no mercy. Zhang Jiangling placing him in Southern Zhili is just asking for trouble for us."

Xu Jie glanced at the other party with annoyance: "But I haven't said anything yet."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shizhen and Wang Xijue realized that if there was any real trouble, it was this Minister Xu in front of them.

The Xu family occupies a large amount of land in Songjiang. When Hai Gangfeng served as the governor of Yingtian, he had already punished them without mercy. Now that they have returned to power, how could he let them go?
Wang Xijue, however, said with a focused expression, "These matters are still manageable. If things escalate and Hai Gangfeng incites public outrage in Southern Zhili, we can allocate some more land to quell the situation."

The most troublesome thing was that 'bow measuring table'.

When Wang Xijue mentioned the "Bow Measurement Case," his voice dropped considerably.

Xu Jie sneered: "This matter has caused a great uproar in Southern Zhili, and almost everyone is on edge. Yin Yangshi failed to investigate the case, but he is thinking of bringing in reinforcements."

To think you can take over Southern Zhili just because of Hai Rui? That's utterly delusional!

"Given what Xu Gong has seen, what should we do?" Wang Shizhen asked.

"It's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings."

Xu Jie narrowed his eyes and said.

"We've made so many preparations, what are we afraid of? Hai Bijia, are we going to do anything about it?"
Keep a close watch on your subordinates and prevent them from talking nonsense. If Nanjing wants to take any action, delay them.

Yin Zhengmao's rash actions last time had already given the Jiangnan gentry some preparation, not to mention Xu Jie and other seasoned veterans who were well-versed in the rules of officialdom.

It can be said that they can guess pretty much what the other party wants to investigate and where to start.

With the support of the upright officials in the imperial court and the cooperation of local officials, Southern Zhili was almost a monolithic entity!
Wang Xijue thought for a moment and said, "Speaking of which, the floods in Yangzhou, Suzhou and other places are still raging. Even if Yin Yangshi and Hai Gangfeng want to investigate, they have to deal with the floods first."

Compared to the corrupt practices in the "Bow Measurement Case," the floods in Jiangnan were far more urgent.

After all, favoritism and abuse of power go unnoticed if they are not investigated, but if the fields in Jiangnan are flooded and the people starve to death, that would shake the very foundation of the court!

"Jiangnan is a major source of tax revenue for the imperial court. Last year, Southern Zhili accounted for 30% of the national tax revenue. This region has fertile land, mulberry trees, silkworms, and silk."

Xu Jie closed his eyes and spoke leisurely.

"If something goes wrong in Southern Zhili, not only will Yin Yangshi, the governor of Yingtian, be held responsible, but Zhang Jiangling, the chief minister of the cabinet, will also be held accountable. Wouldn't that put us in a dilemma?"

"This…" Wang Shizhen exclaimed, his eyes wide. "Does Master Xu mean we should resort to some tricks?"

"Confused!"

Xu Jie reprimanded him.

He turned his head and looked again at the incessant heavy rain outside the pavilion.

“This Jiangnan is our Jiangnan. If they really cause a big mess, then we will have good days ahead.”

Don't be too rigid; a few small mishaps are enough to make them suffer.

The imperial court must exert its efforts, and local authorities must also exert their efforts.

Unless Zhang Jiangling himself comes to Southern Zhili, Yin Yangshi and Hai Ruxian will have to slink back to the capital in disgrace, just like before!

The rain was pouring down outside the window.

"Your Excellency, Magistrate Hai has already arrived outside the government office."

Inside the Yingtian Governor's Office, Yin Zhengmao was pacing back and forth in the main hall, looking very anxious. Upon hearing the clerk's report, he hurriedly gave instructions.

"Quickly invite him in; I have important matters to discuss with him!"

When the clerk hurriedly went to carry out the order, Yin Zhengmao's face showed no joy, but rather some unease and worry.

He turned to look at the accounts still being reviewed on the table, and a sense of melancholy crept into his heart.

For several months, he first secretly investigated the "bow measuring case" while serving as the Minister of Justice in Nanjing, but repeatedly ran into obstacles and ultimately messed things up.

There was no way around it; once the news leaked, his position as Minister of Justice in Nanjing was no longer secure.

Fortunately, Zhang Juzheng still trusted him and promoted him to the position of Governor of Yingtian.

To be honest, given Yin Zhengmao's qualifications, he is absolutely qualified to serve as the governor of Yingtian.

Even so, Zhang Juzheng faced considerable obstacles in appointing him as the governor of Yingtian.

This was probably because of a series of incidents that occurred in Southern Zhili.

Today, Yin Zhengmao is extremely eager to make a name for himself.

To thoroughly investigate the "bow measuring case" and to solve the floods in Yangzhou, Suzhou and other places, he has not slept for several days.

"Governor Yin looks quite old, doesn't he?"

The powerful voice came from behind, which startled Yin Zhengmao. He immediately turned around to look at the person who had come.

This man was dressed in a coarse cloth robe, with a thin face, slightly prominent cheekbones, but his eyes were still bright and piercing.

Who else could it be but Hai Rui?
(End of this chapter)