Chapter 469

"Why does General Zhu want to know about the Crouching Bull Bureau?"

Yu Wuguo looked at Zhu Xingshu with some suspicion.

The civil officials had always considered themselves the guardians of the emperor. When they saw members of the royal family and eunuchs, it was as if they had seen treacherous officials who had usurped the country. The generals had a much better attitude because they had also been discriminated against by the civil officials and could not help but sympathize with them.

As the commander of the Brocade Guards, Yu Wuguo was the head of the secret service directly under the emperor. His position was even more different, so he did not reject Zhu Xingshu. However, that was all. He could not be said to be respectful to this member of the royal family.

The royal family of the Great Ming had long since lost their glory during the Hongwu era. Regardless of whether it was civil or military, they did not actually respect them. For example, if a sixth-ranked imperial censor was patrolling a place, or if a third-ranked official was taking a long leave to visit his family and passed by the vassal state of a certain prince, the prince would have to tuck his tail between his legs and behave himself.

Once this high-ranking official, who had just returned to his hometown to visit his relatives, found him displeasing to the eye, he could submit a memorial to the Emperor, and he would be out of luck. If it was a poor and tyrannical imperial censor, he might even arrest his housekeeper and attendants and punish them according to the law, causing him to lose all face.

This included the prefectural magistrate and inspector-general of the vassal state. They all had the responsibility of supervising the vassal state. Under normal circumstances, they also did not dare to offend them. For example, in the story of Tang Bohu touching the fragrance of autumn, King Ning running to the Grand Tutor's residence and throwing a tantrum definitely could not happen.

Of course, even this Grand Tutor Hua did not exist. In the 276 years of the Great Ming, there was only one official who had been conferred the title of Grand Tutor while he was still alive — Zhang Juzheng! He had been conferred this title when he was seriously ill and on the verge of death.

If the vassal state was like this, then there was no need to talk about Zhu Xingshu. In front of Yu Wuguo, the head of the secret service, Imperial Uncle Zhu had no sense of existence. Yu Wuguo was only polite to him because he had once accompanied the crown prince in his studies.

Zhu Xingshu also knew that he did not carry enough weight. He bowed and smiled. "Official Yu is an important official of the emperor and a trusted aide, so I will not hide it from you. I want to investigate this person because it has a lot to do with the emperor! "

If Zhu Hangshu wanted this head of the secret service to work for him, he could only bring up the Emperor. He told Yu Wuguo about how the Emperor admired Miss Xia Yingying and had entrusted him to seek her hand in marriage. Unexpectedly, Miss Xia already had someone in her heart.

Zhu Xingshu smiled wryly. "Official Yu, you know that I studied with the emperor when I was young and knows the emperor's personality very well. This Zhu has never seen His Majesty care so much for a woman. It can be seen how deep His Majesty's feelings are.

As officials, we ought to share His Majesty's burdens, so it would naturally be best if this matter could be accomplished. However, Lady Xia is already engaged. This is a problem. Ye Xiao Tian has to take the initiative to cancel the engagement. Only then will everyone be happy... "

Yu Wuguo was suddenly enlightened and said: "General wants to make use of his criminal status to make a fuss?"

Zhu Hangshu smiled and said, "Lord Yu is wise!"

Yu Wuguo's eyebrows twitched. Two days ago, when he had a secret meeting with the other officials, he had specifically discussed the matter of Ye Xiaotian. He had originally thought that his arrival to the capital this time would be mediocre, but who would have thought that there would be such a commotion? This person was truly worrisome.

Zhu Xingshu saw that he was deep in thought and asked, "Official Yu, His Majesty is very concerned about this matter. You have to help!"

"Ah?" Yu Wuguo came to his senses and smiled. "Don't worry, General. I just want to find out what crime he has committed to be brought to the capital for questioning. It is a small matter.

Yu Wuguo came back to his senses and smiled. "Don't worry, General. I'm just trying to find out what crime he has committed to be brought to the capital. It's a small matter. I ask the general to be at ease and return to the residence to listen to the news. I will send people to investigate right now! "

Yu Wu Yu picked up his teacup and poked at the tea leaves. Zhu Xingshu stood up and bowed. "I will have to trouble Official Yu. Official is busy, so I will not disturb you. Farewell!"

Zhu Xingshu took his leave excitedly. The moment he left, Yu Wuguo called for someone to change his clothes and prepare a carriage for him. After fifteen minutes, Yu Wuguo, who had changed into casual clothes, also hurried out the door, heading straight for the Ministry of War.

… …

"The emperor wants to take the daughter of a chieftain as his concubine? And he wants to give her the title of Imperial Noble Consort?"

The Minister of War, Qiao Hanwen, glared angrily. There seemed to be a golden sign above his head with the words, "Guardian of the Emperor."

Minister Qiao said solemnly, "The emperor lives deep in the palace. How did he know that the Xia family of Red Maple Lake has a beautiful young girl?"

Yu Wu Guo said, "Because the emperor has given Chieftain Xia a favor. Chieftain Xia had just received a reward last year and could not be rewarded frequently. Thus, the emperor gave his wife a third-rank title. Madam Xia came to the capital to thank the emperor and her daughter accompanied her. The emperor saw her and took a liking to her! "

"There is a trap!"

Minister Qiao was like a single mother who had painstakingly raised her son alone. Suddenly, she heard that a little vixen wanted to seduce her precious son. She said fiercely, "This Chieftain Xia has bad intentions. He wants to use his daughter's beauty to seduce the Emperor, so he deliberately arranged …"

Yu Wu Guo smiled bitterly and said, "Old Official Qiao, I'm afraid you are thinking too much. The emperor has taken a liking to Miss Xia and asked Fifth Imperial Uncle to go to the palace to propose marriage and directly give her the title of Imperial Noble Consort. But … Madam Xia and Miss Xia Yingying rejected him at the same time."

"Playing hard to get! This is playing hard to get! "Minister Qiao's vigilance was unprecedentedly high." Chieftain Xia's ambition is not small. Once this girl enters the palace, I'm afraid she will become like Meixi and Bao Si. She will bring disaster to the country and the people. The consequences will be unimaginable! "

Yu Wu Guo weakly rubbed his forehead, "Old Master Qiao, you are really thinking too much. This Miss Xia is not willing to enter the palace because she already has someone in her heart. Her mother dotes on her too much and would rather give up the chance to become part of the imperial family. "

Minister Qiao was stunned and said, "Is that so? Oh … Hmm … "

Minister Qiao's fighting spirit gradually faded and he lazily sat back in his chair, "If that's the case, what other problems do you have? You rushed all the way here just for this? "

Yu Wu Guo raised his teacup and took a sip of tea, "The problem is that the emperor has not given up! Official Qiao, can you guess who the man that Miss Xia likes is? "

Minister Qiao looked at Yu Wu Guo. Yu Wu Guo had a strange smile on his face. Minister Qiao's mind flashed and he suddenly shouted, "Ah! It's you?! "

Yu Wu Guo spat out a mouthful of tea and didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Official, you really … This lowly official has lost to you."

Qiao Shangshu said unhappily, "Who is it? Why do you have to keep me in suspense? Quickly tell me!"

"Ye, Xiao, Tian!"

Minister Qiao was stunned for a moment before he remembered who he was talking about. He slowly said, "Ye Xiaotian? That's right, he is also a local official and can be said to be a match for the Xia family. Oh … What did you just say? The emperor has not given up? "

Yu Wu Guo nodded, "That's right! The emperor has not given up and Ye Xiaotian has coincidentally been brought to the capital to await punishment. So Fifth Imperial Uncle wants to use this matter to force Ye Xiaotian to take the initiative to break off the engagement! "

"Outrageous! He has completely thrown away the dignity of the imperial family! "

Minister Qiao slammed the table again and stood up, "The daughter of the Xia family is the daughter of a chieftain and a chieftain is no different from a feudal lord. Taking his daughter as a concubine is a great taboo! What's more, she was already engaged. How could it be the master of the world to take her away by force? This old man will immediately gather a group of old friends and send a memorial to the emperor! "

...

At this time, Emperor Wan Li was attending a lecture. The Confucian Banquet was a gathering of learned ministers to discuss the classics and history in front of the Emperor. It was different from a lecture given by the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince or the Emperor. The Emperor himself could listen and ask questions during the lecture. He could even express his own opinion. It was like a seminar.

Today's lecture was presided over by the Grand Secretary Shen Shixing. He was talking about the Tang Dynasty's remonstrant, Wei Zheng. Emperor Wan Li had already grown up and had his own outlook on life and values. Listening to the Imperial Censor Gu Qingcheng's eloquent speech about Wei Zheng's achievements and praising him to the heavens, Emperor Wan Li smiled disapprovingly.

When the Imperial Censor finished, Emperor Wan Li turned his head and asked the Grand Secretary Shen Shixing, "What does the Minister think of Wei Zheng?"

Shen Shixing's relationship with the Imperial Censors was bad, very bad. After he became the Grand Secretary, it was Shen Shixing who opened the door to the Imperial Censors. The Imperial Censors were no longer like Zhang Juzheng in his later years, so their relationship should be quite good.

However, after the Imperial Censors regained the right to speak, the first thing they did was to attack Zhang Juzheng. Although Shen Shixing and Zhang Juzheng had different political views, they were on the same side and were Zhang Juzheng's confidant.

If the Imperial Censors wanted to attack Zhang Juzheng, many things could not be avoided. Thus, intentionally or unintentionally, they even attacked him. Shen Shixing had sent out a bunch of ingrates, how could he tolerate this? Thus, the relationship between the Grand Secretary and the Grand Secretary began to deteriorate two years ago. When Shen Shixing could no longer bear it and jumped out to fight, the two sides became like fire and water.

Gu Qingcheng was the leader of the Imperial Censors, so Shen Shixing was unwilling to be the host today. He was lazily idling to the side when the Emperor suddenly asked him for advice. Shen Shixing couldn't help but be startled.

He glanced at Gu Qingcheng. Although he was extremely unwilling to speak up for the Imperial Censors, Wei Zheng's fate had already been sealed in the coffin. It would be inappropriate for him to voice his opinion. Thus, he said, "Wei Zheng is a loyal and virtuous official!"

Gu Qingcheng smiled and stroked his beard, looking quite pleased with himself. To be able to hear the words of praise from a political opponent was undoubtedly a joyous matter.

Emperor Wan Li smiled faintly. "Wei Zheng first served Li Mi, then Li Jiancheng, and then Tang Taizong. How can he be considered a virtuous person? He's just a servant with three surnames. How can he be considered a virtuous person? "

Gu Qingcheng's expression turned ugly. Wei Zheng was a role model for the Imperial Censors. Not only was he a role model, but he was also very useful. If they wanted to be Wei Zheng, they could confidently and confidently ask the Emperor to be Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. Of course, they wanted to be Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty who 'humbly accepted their advice'. What was the meaning of the Emperor demoting Wei Zheng?

Gu Qingcheng immediately stepped forward. "Your Majesty, as an official, Wei Zheng did not betray the rulers of the time, nor did he bow down to the nobles. He did not waste his relatives, nor did he betray his loyalty. He is a model subject!"

Emperor Wan Li smiled. "He served three rulers in succession. Isn't this called changing his loyalty at the right time? It's true that he is an able official, but as an official, he must be loyal. This person is not worthy of being called a subject. Also, Tang Taizong threatened his father and killed his brother. The family rules are not just, so he cannot be punished! "

Before Gu Qingcheng could argue further, Wanli had already stood up. He plainly said, "From today onwards, there will be no more Zhenguan Zhengyao. Just read the Book of Rites."

Shen Shixing was elated, he immediately stepped forward, bowed and said, "As you command!"

Shen Shixing was the Grand Secretary, as well as the host of today's Buddhist Scripture Banquet. His declaration was tantamount to approval.

Watching the Emperor leave, the astute and circumspect Shen Shixing thought anxiously, "What is the Emperor's intention with this move? Could it be that he plans to clean up the Imperial Censor system? There were a few imperial censors who tried to kill Mister Tai Yue in the past who tried to curry favor with Mister Tai Yue. If Your Majesty intends to suppress the arrogance of the remonstrous officials, it will be a great opportunity for me to take advantage of this opportunity to make my move and teach them a lesson. "

Gu Qingcheng felt that something was wrong, too. Was the emperor simply dissatisfied with Wei Zheng's character, or was there something else going on? The Emperor made such a bland comment, and then canceled the announcement of Zhen Guan Politics. He really couldn't figure it out.

As Emperor Wanli walked towards the harem, his eyes revealed a trace of a smile. After Zhang Juzheng's death, the Imperial Censors' power rose again. They accused Zhang Juzheng of obstructing the flow of speech and being domineering and tyrannical. This was effective in cleaning up the Zhang faction, so Wanli indulged them.

But now that the Zhang faction's power was almost completely cleaned up, the Imperial Censors were once again targeting the Emperor. This made the young Emperor Wanli feel uncomfortable. The Great Ming Dynasty's Imperial Censors could scold anyone, from the most important matters of the country to the most trivial matters of the harem.

To put it nicely, it was called admonishing, but in reality, they could say anything excessive in their memorials. They were basically scolding the Emperor. Hai Rui was famous because they were unique, not because they had scolded the emperor. After all, there were countless people that had scolded the emperor.

Hai Rui had just passed away this year, so who knew how many Imperial Censors were fighting to be the next Hai Rui. Emperor Wanli felt it was time for the Imperial Censors to be reined in. So, Emperor Wanli cleverly took advantage of the conflict between Shen Shixing and the Imperial Censors.

The host of today's lecture was chosen by him and the topic of the lecture was also decided by him. It was all for this moment, to intensify the conflict between the Imperial Censors and the cabinet. As the final judge, he could advance and retreat as he pleased.

However, the black-bellied Wanli never expected that he would poke the hornet's nest of the civil officials because he simply wanted to marry a beautiful wife.