Although officials usually come to visit Xie Qian, there are only a few of them every day. It's just that it's getting late now, and usually no one would come to visit at this time in the past. But now there is a gathering in front of the mansion.
There are at least a dozen carriages and sedans, and there may even be an increase depending on the situation.
Every time an official comes, he will hand over a greeting card. Looking at the names and ranks of the officials on the greeting card, they are all officials of at least fifth rank or above.
At this time, even the servant realized that so many officials suddenly came to pay homage to his master, something big must have happened.
It was getting dark, and when the exhausted Xie Qian returned to Maoyan Lane in a sedan, there were already nearly twenty carriages and sedans parked in front of Xie's mansion.
"Look, that's the boss's sedan. The boss is finally back!"
An official recognized Xie Qian's sedan chair, his eyes lit up, and he couldn't help shouting. This shout immediately alerted the people waiting there.
All eyes looked towards the slowly approaching soft sedan.
"Sir, you have to make the decision for us!"
I don't know who shouted first, and then a group of officials gathered around, alarming Xie Qian who was in the sedan chair.
Listening to the commotion outside, Xie Qian walked down from the sedan chair. Looking at the officials surrounding him with eager expressions on their faces, Xie Qian took a deep breath and said, "What's going on, everyone?"
Guo Wen, the Minister of Hubu, is one of the top officials among the officials present. As the Minister of Hubu, he is a senior official of the third rank. Furthermore, he is the chief officer of one of the six ministries, and it is even more difficult to be sent to other places.
As a feudal official.
At this time, Guo Wen bowed to Xie Qian and said: "Student has met my mentor. This time, all my colleagues are here, not for anything else, but for the arrogant, domineering and lawless envoy of Jin Yiwei, Li Huan!"
In fact, when he saw so many officials gathering in front of his mansion, Xie Qian had already guessed the purpose of these people's visit.
Looking across the crowd, Xie Qian nodded secretly. Even if these officials did not come to see him, he would later send people to invite them to the mansion for discussion.
You must know that today I was rejected by the Emperor. This is something he has never encountered in the past ten years since Xie Qian became an official.
I still remember that during the Chenghua Dynasty, when Emperor Xianzong was on the throne, life for the civil servants was not easy at all. They would be reprimanded by the emperor at every turn. As for being rejected, that was simply normal.
That is to say, when Emperor Xiaozong succeeded to the throne, they truly enjoyed the power of being cabinet ministers and realized what it means to be a scholar-bureaucrat sharing the world with the emperor.
The more preferential treatment Emperor Xiaozong gave to civil servants like them back then, the greater the stimulation brought to Xie Qian outside the palace gate controlled by Zhu Hou this time.
A faint sense of crisis arose in Xie Qian's heart. Being turned away from the palace this time was definitely not a good sign.
What if today there is another Xianzong? Just thinking about it, Xie Qian couldn't help but shake his head, his face turned ugly, and he secretly made up his mind that no matter what happened in the Chenghua Dynasty, he would not let the past happen again.
Xie Qian bowed to all the officials around him. This move naturally startled all the officials and they all scurried away, not daring to accept Xie Qian's bows.
"Why are you doing this, sir!"
An official from the Ministry of Industry claimed that he was from Xie Qian's family, and he was afraid that he would be demoted within a week.
Other officials reacted and responded with the same courtesy.
Xie Qian looked at the officials with infinite joy, coughed slightly and said: "I worship you all on behalf of the people of the world, and I worship you for being loyal to me, the Ming Dynasty. Xie Qian is here to represent the world.
All the people have thanked you!"
When all the officials heard Xie Qian's words, their faces turned red with excitement, and they felt as if they had suddenly gained an important responsibility, which was to fight for the sake of all the people in the world, Li Huan, who had brought disaster to the country and the people.
Guo Wen, the Minister of Household Affairs, looked at the teacher's old face and couldn't help but be excited and bowed to Xie Qian: "The teacher is the one who worries about all the people in the world. Since the death of the late emperor, the teacher has been working hard every day.
Your Majesty, you are much older, so please take care of your health and put yourself first!"
After struggling for a long time, Xie Qian looked really exhausted and exhausted.
Other officials couldn't help but look at Guo Wen with envy. Everyone knew that Guo Wen was one of several proud disciples of Xie Qian's sect.
But everyone can say compliments. Guo Wen took the first step, and other officials flattered him again and again.
A doctor from the Ministry of Etiquette said with tears in his eyes: "I have the world on my shoulders, so I ask you to take care of yourself for the sake of the people of the world and the country of Ming Dynasty!"
Xie Qianzheng's hand stroking his beard couldn't help but tremble, he frowned, coughed slightly, and cupped his hands in the direction of the Forbidden City, saying: "I only entrusted you with important tasks because of your Majesty's trust. After you die with all my heart, I will be a human being like you."
The duty of a minister."
The doctor from the Ministry of Rites obviously realized that there was some ambiguity in what he just said, and he couldn't help but smile awkwardly when he saw many officials looking at him with strange eyes.
At this time, Xie Qian expressed his loyalty and resolved the embarrassment caused by the doctor of the Ministry of Etiquette. He laughed loudly and said: "Excuse me, please wait here for me. I think you have never had dinner. If you don't mind the food at my house,
Simple..."
"You're welcome, Sir. It's an honor for a lower-ranking official to have dinner with you."
A group of officials surrounded Xie Qian and entered the Xie Mansion. The steward came up to greet him. Xie Qian immediately ordered: "I have important matters to discuss with you sirs. Please send someone to prepare dinner, and at the same time order people to seal the meeting hall.
No one is allowed to approach."
The housekeeper took the order and left, while Xie Qian and others entered the meeting hall. A group of servants of the Xie Mansion immediately blocked the meeting hall.
In the spacious meeting hall, nearly twenty officials were arranged on the left and right. Xie Qian was at the top. At a glance, there were three or four third-grade officials alone, and most of the others were fourth- and fifth-grade officials.
It can be said that these people are almost all dependent on Xie Qian in the court, and can be regarded as Xie Qian's supporters and even party members in the court.
After all the officials sat down, everyone's eyes turned towards Xie Qian. At this moment, Xie Qian put down his tea cup after taking a few sips of tea.
Guo Wen was the first to speak: "Teacher, students heard that today you and several elders asked to see His Majesty, but His Majesty blocked him outside the palace gate?"
When this matter was mentioned, Xie Qian looked gloomy and snorted coldly: "It is indeed true. Your Majesty, I don't know who listened to the deception, and actually barricaded me and others outside the palace gate."
Everyone was just unsure after receiving the news before. Now that they heard Xie Qian's confirmation, their expressions suddenly changed.
Guo Wen frowned and said: "How can your Majesty treat an old minister so slowly? This move has chilled the hearts of many veterans in the court."
Stroking his beard, Xie Qian shook his head and said to Guo Wen: "What you said is wrong. I have been valued by the late emperor and entrusted with important tasks. I should assist your majesty wholeheartedly. As ministers, how can we blame your majesty? Besides, your majesty."
When I was young, I must have been deceived by the treacherous people around me, which is why I did this."
Guo Wen nodded hurriedly and said: "The students were reckless, and the teacher taught them a lesson!"
A censor from the Inspectorate stroked his beard and raised his hands to Xie Qian and said: "My lord, Brother Luo Xian and others were so humiliated and even thrown into prison. Younger Li Huan actually humiliated us like this. Please do me a favor, sir."
Wait for the decision to be made."
After saying that, the censor stood up and bowed to Xie Qian.
Xie Qian quickly raised his hand and said: "Ma Yushi, please don't be so polite. This thief Li Huan has humiliated hundreds of officials. It is really outrageous for both humans and gods. Even if you don't mention it, I and the ministers in the cabinet will never give up."
All the officials couldn't help but look happy when they heard this. In fact, they had been frightened by Li Huan's crazy behavior for a long time.
When I think of Li Huan, I can't help but think about the fate of Luo Wenxiang and others. If this happened to me, it would be more uncomfortable than death.
They really couldn't do anything about Li Huan alone, but if Xie Qian and the cabinet were willing to come forward, they would definitely be able to force the emperor to order the capture of Li Huan.
Guo Wen smiled and said: "With teachers and cabinet ministers, as long as your majesty thinks clearly, he will definitely win over Li Huan."
However, Xie Qian shook his head solemnly, glanced at everyone and said, "If you think so, I'm afraid disaster is not far away!"
All the officials couldn't help but froze, looking at Xie Qian with puzzled faces, only to hear Xie Qian say: "Today we were occupied by your majesty outside the palace gate, and these cabinet ministers were occupied behind the palace gate.
Other things only happened when Emperor Xianzong was on the throne, don't you think of anything?"
Except for two or three elderly officials who had experienced the Xianzong and Xiaozong eras, their expressions changed drastically after hearing Xie Qian's words, while the other officials looked at a loss.
Almost all of them were officials who entered the court during Emperor Xiaozong's time. Naturally, they didn't know what happened in Xianzong's court, so they were not so sensitive.
Xiao Kai, a doctor in the Ministry of Industry, was over sixty years old and had experienced the Xianzong era, so he immediately understood what Xie Qian meant.
Xiao Kai, whose expression changed drastically, said with a worried look on his face: "What your Majesty means is that your Majesty will most likely favor Li Huan just like Emperor Xianzong favored Wang Zhi, and suppress all officials like me."
When the other officials heard that they had heard of Wang Zhi's deeds, they reacted to Xiao Kai's words and all looked at Xie Qian.
Xie Qian stroked his beard and nodded: "This is exactly what I am worried about."
Xie Qian said with a righteous look on his face: "Young masters, please come with me tomorrow to see your majesty. I beg your majesty to save all the people in the world except that treacherous villain Li Huan."
Guo Wen and others also looked straight and said impassionedly: "I would like to join you in admonishing Your Majesty."
Xie Qian said with a smile: "I have discussed with Brother Xixian, and tomorrow I will lead hundreds of ambitious officials to knock on the palace door and directly admonish His Majesty."
The faces of several officials were full of excitement. They couldn't help but clapped their hands and said in praise: "Okay, all the officials have gathered together to express their opinions. I believe that your majesty will definitely hear our call."
An official stroked his beard and couldn't help but think: "How can such a grand event be without us? After all, we are famous all over the world. This move will also leave a name in history and be sung by the world."
This kind of situation not only happened in Xie Qian's mansion, but also in Liu Jian's mansion, no fewer than twenty or thirty officials gathered.
Even Li Dongyang and Yang Tinghe had many people gathered in their houses. The final result of the discussion among the officials was that the officials advised the emperor and put pressure on the emperor together. Under no circumstances should Wang Zhi's incident be repeated in the Zhengde Dynasty.
.
Liu Jin's mansion was also brightly lit. Dozens of officials who were attached to Liu Jin either spontaneously or were summoned by Liu Jin gathered at Liu Jin's mansion.
In the huge hall, headed by Jiao Fang, Zhang Cai and Liu Yu, there were dozens of officials, big and small.
Although these officials are really far behind the civil and military officials, just looking at the number of officials with real power sitting here, we know that Liu Jin, the Chief Supervisor of Rites, has good methods, and at least he has won over a considerable number of officials.
As the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Jiao Fang can be said to have the most distinguished official position among the officials present. There is also Liu Yu, who is the censor of Zuodu, the Inspectorate, and is also a noble and important minister of the Qing Dynasty.
It can be said that these officials present almost accounted for most of the members of the eunuch party that Liu Jin would fight against in the future.
Many officials even appeared here for the first time. Some officials who had taken refuge with Liu Jin became more and more sure of their decision to take refuge with Liu Jin when they saw so many officials present, including many third- and fourth-grade officials.
Liu Jin was sitting at the top of the table, looking at the officials below. He felt as if he had all the talents in the world under his command. He couldn't help but laugh and said: "How can Jin be so capable that he has the help of so many talents?"
Hearing this, Jiao Fang smiled and said: "The General Manager assists His Majesty in handling government affairs and works very hard. It is our blessing to be able to share the worries of the General Manager."
Liu Jin still valued Jiao Fang very much. Hearing this, he chuckled and said, "Meng Yang is ridiculous. Your Majesty has entrusted our family with important responsibilities. We don't dare to slack off at all. It's just that our family is not capable and we have to rely on your help."
.”
This situation was extremely harmonious. If those officials who hated Liu Jin to death saw this scene, their eyes would probably fall out.
Zhang Cai was also an important figure in Liu Jin's party. He coughed lightly and said, "The manager called everyone here. I think it's because Li Huan took Luo Wenxiang's case."
Liu Jin nodded and said with a serious look: "Although we say that we have nothing to do with Li Huan, I have to say that Li Huan did a really good job this time. He immediately attracted the attention of old guys like Xie Qian and Liu Jian.
In the past, now our family can breathe a sigh of relief."
Zhang Cai raised his eyebrows and said, "What does the manager mean by saying that we have to sit on the sidelines and watch this matter?"
Liu Jin chuckled and said: "That's right, don't think Li Huan is just the envoy of Jinyiwei Town, but His Majesty has great trust in him. If you ask me, Xie Qian, Liu Jian and the others are afraid that they won't be able to unseat Li Huan."
so easy."
Liu Jin said, "In that case, wouldn't it be better to let them go dog-eat-dog while we watch the fun on the sidelines?"
Liu Yu didn't wait for Zhang Cai to speak and said: "The manager's words are wrong."
Liu Jin couldn't help but look at Liu Yu in surprise when he heard this: "Why did Boda say this?"
Liu Yu took a deep breath and said: "I would like to ask the manager, who is your biggest enemy?"
Liu Jin suddenly said angrily: "Who else can be, of course, Xie Qian, old guys like Liu Jian, they are veterans of the three dynasties, and they have a large group of people among the officials to support them, and they have been trying to undermine me."
Seemingly thinking of something, Liu Jin looked at Jiao Fang, and Liu Yu said: "You said that I am wrong in sending people to inspect the world's fields and collect taxes on salt, tea, coal, iron, etc. But he Xie Qian, what did Liu Jian do?
, they objected fiercely, as if I had touched their lifeblood."
All the officials were silent, and they knew the reason very well.
Liu Yu waited until Liu Jin vented his anger and said: "Since the general manager knows that his opponents are Xie Qian, Liu Jian and the others, wouldn't it be a pity if the general manager just sits on the wall and watches with such a good opportunity?"
Liu Jin's eyes lit up and she looked at Liu Yu and said, "Brother, tell me now."
That night, all the officials had no sleep, but Li Huan slept until daybreak.
A rapid knock on the door alerted Li Huan who was practicing. Li Huan nodded to Cao Yu. Cao Yu opened the door and Ma Ming strode in with a happy face.
There was a heavy banging sound, and Ma Ming saw several young eunuchs hammering Li Huan with iron rods, but Li Huan was holding his horse firmly and motionless.
Seeing this situation, Ma Ming stopped even as he spoke and waited quietly for Li Huan to finish practicing.
Almost half an hour later, Li Huan exhaled a breath of turbid air, and the sound of cracking muscles and bones could be heard all over his body. Then he put away his horse, put on his clothes and said to the horse: "It's been a long time, but Luo
Wen Xiang’s interrogation results are out?”
Ma Ming nodded, and quickly handed the results of the overnight interrogation to Li Huan and said, "Sir, please read, this is the confession of Luo Wenxiang and others about corruption, accepting bribes, and disregarding human life."
Li Huan took it and scanned it with a single glance. His face gradually became gloomier, and he took a deep breath and said: "What a Luo Wenxiang, what a Du Wen, Han Fuli. It's just corruption and bribery. I never thought that my hands would be contaminated by several things."
They are really wasting their lives!"
Ma Ming nodded and said: "My subordinates have ordered people to protect witnesses and physical evidence. With the evidence conclusive, Luo Wenxiang and the others are dead this time."
Li Huan smiled, looked towards the Forbidden City, clapped the file in his hand and said, "It depends on how our Majesty chooses!"
In the Forbidden City, Zhu Houzhao, who was in a good mood yesterday, got up early today and looked at Ma Yongcheng, who had been summoned by him early.
While eating the meal, Zhu Houzhao said with a smile: "Comrade, please tell me what the elders were doing after they returned home yesterday."
Ma Yongcheng immediately told Zhu Houzhao in detail yesterday, including several cabinet elders and even 70% to 80% of the civil and military officials gathered in Liu Jin's house.
The smile on Zhu Houzhao's face gradually faded, and even the movement of eating stopped. Zhang Yongyong, who was standing aside, could not help but whisper: "Your Majesty, the food is getting cold. Your Majesty is in critical condition..."
After looking at the food in front of him, Zhu Houzhao, whose ears Ma Yongcheng's report just now was still echoing, sighed and said, "Put your things away."
Zhang Yong saw that Zhu Houzhao didn't eat much and couldn't help but worry: "Your Majesty, you..."
Zhu Houzhao glanced at Zhang Yong and said, "Why, do you even want to disagree with me?"
Zhang Yong was startled, and with a thud he knelt down in the tunnel and said, "I don't dare, this slave."
Several chamberlains quickly stepped forward to put away the food. Ma Yongcheng looked at the gloomy Zhu Houzhao and said: "Your Majesty, it has always been the case in the court to form cliques for personal gain. Xie Qian, Liu Jian, and Li Dongyang are the chief assistants, so naturally there will be a party.
A lot of officials are dependent on them, even Liu Jin is the same. Without a group of useful officials under his command, it will be difficult for them to convey their decrees."