When the team arrived outside the Hongyun Inn, Yan Juren lowered his head with a ferocious expression. The uncle, the eldest daughter of the eldest aunt, the most distinguished eldest daughter of the Yan family, was betrothed to the eldest son of Shen Yuan, the eldest son of Xie Yuan, by the orders of her parents. Shen Jin.
The Yan family did not criticize Shen Jin for being a concubine and pretending to be a legitimate heir, and even prepared a dowry of thousands of dollars for their daughter. What awaited was Shen Jin, the champion, and Shen Yuan, who regretted their marriage. Shen Yuan broke the promise and even boasted that he wanted to accept the Yan family's daughter for his son. Concubine.
The Yan family has become a joke in Yangzhou City. Yan Juren's cousin has always been high-spirited and could not bear the insult, so she hanged herself from a rafter in the middle of the night. Although she was found and saved, her voice was completely ruined. How could the Yan family bear this anger, leaving Shen Yuan alone? It's not that he doesn't want revenge, but he understands that letting Shen Yuan die is easy and avoids future troubles.
It was because of his strong hatred for the Shen family and knowing that the Shen family had many children serving in official positions and that the power of the ruling and opposition parties was beyond the power of a salt merchant family that Yan Ju learned about Ning Fan's ambitions from clues he overheard from his elders and took the initiative to join him. He met his cousin who was an official in Prince Ning's Mansion in order to find an opportunity to use the power of Prince Ning's Mansion to eradicate the Shen family. He didn't want the opportunity to come so quickly.
No matter how resentful and complicated Yan Juren was in the crowd, the magistrate's Yamen's grand display of honor naturally alarmed Wang Shouren and Zhang Yong in the Hongyun Inn.
"Zhao Xianzhong moves very quickly!" Zhang Yong snorted coldly, without any intention of changing his clothes. He said to Wang Shouren: "Sir Wang, I heard that when civil servants travel, they always have a staff master as a follower. Today, the Zajia family will be a follower for Mr. Wang. "
Wang Shouren was an imperial envoy. When he saw that Zhang Yongyong was not willing to reveal his identity, he did not force him. He just said: "This will be disrespectful for a subordinate."
Calling himself a "lower official" is not because Wang Shouren is flattering, but because Zhang Yong is one of the fourteen chief eunuchs in the palace, and his rank is the fourth rank, which is higher than Wang Shouren's fifth rank.
Wang Shouren went back and changed into official uniforms. Although the official uniforms of the fifth-grade civil servants looked a little less grand, he still had the imperial edict in his hand. Except for the dozen or so people who accompanied him, all the royal guards also went to their regular uniforms and changed into Feiyu uniforms. They hung up their embroidered spring knives and came out surrounded by Wang Shouren.
Zhao Xianzhong was outside, waiting in line with all his subordinates. The longer he waited, the more anxious he became. He thought he was an imperial envoy who wanted to give him a slap in the face. How many of Xie Ge's old disciples could he count? The officials who came from the capital thought about it, but they really couldn't guess it. Which one is Songjiang?
When he saw a young official in green robes coming out surrounded by all the royal guards, Zhao Xianzhong thought he was speaking on behalf of the imperial envoy. Before Wang Shouren could speak, a royal guard next to him had already shouted loudly: "How dare you, this is where the imperial edict comes from, and you are not respectfully welcoming it." Imperial decree!”
Is this young official in green robes an imperial envoy, or is this guard in golden robes an imperial envoy?
Zhao Xianzhong was still confused, but after being poked by an officer behind him, he lifted up his clothes and knelt down to receive the order.
Wang Shouren took the imperial edict and looked back at Zhang Yong who was standing behind the Jin Yiwei, showing a bit of helplessness. It was Zhang Yong who should have announced the edict to introduce him as the imperial envoy. Since Zhang Yong was unwilling to show up, Wang Shouren was left to announce the edict himself.
The decree was dictated by Emperor Zhengde, which was simple and clear. Wang Shouren, a doctor in the Ministry of War, was ordered to investigate the "Japanese Rebellion" in Songjiang and related cases, with the assistance of the local civil and military yamen.
Hearing the words "Wang Shouren", Zhao Xianzhong thought he understood why a mere fifth-rank official became an imperial envoy. It turned out that he was the son of Wang Hua, the Minister of Rites. The emperor has a teacher-student relationship, and has long been speculated that he will be the next cabinet minister after Mr. Liu Ge takes office.
It's just that the emperor has not sent any of the three pavilion elders to serve as subordinates, but has sent this seemingly neutral person down. Why does the other party seem to be closer to the Shen family?
After all, Zhao Xianzhong is not a capital official. Even if he pays attention to the capital and the court, it is still a matter of government affairs. He will not check the personal relationship between the Shen family and the Wang family, so he can't figure it out for a while.
Although Zhao Xianzhong was doubtful, he still followed the original plan and sincerely invited the imperial envoy to stay at the prefect's Yamen.
Wang Shouren shied away twice and then agreed. After all, the investigation of the case could not bypass the Songjiang Prefecture Yamen.
Wang Shouren looked back at Zhang Yong, thinking that he was as wary of Zhao Xianzhong as he was before. For safety's sake, he would rather stay at the Hongyun Inn and wait for the Suzhou weaving manpower. He didn't want Zhang Yong to still be in scholar's uniform, with the stewards and servants of the Wang family, and follow the team.
He was getting ready to set off at the back, having restrained his demeanor from when he was in Beijing, and looked no different from an ordinary staff member.
When Wang Shouren turned around, Yan Juren noticed Zhang Yong.
Wang Shouren himself was only in his early thirties, and because of his handsome appearance, he looked a few years younger than his actual age. He looked about twenty-seven or eight years old. Such a young fifth-rank official, who was registered with the imperial court, had a bright future.
All the officials present were envious.
Yan Juren once again thought of his two spring experiences in Beijing, and guessed that Wang Shouren was probably a son of a powerful person. When he saw Zhang Yong, a middle-aged Confucian scholar who looked wise and reliable, he knew that this was Wang Shouren's confidant, and he was filled with jealousy.
On the way back to the magistrate's office, Yan Juren took the time to ask Zhao Xianzhong about the identity of Wang Shouren. When he found out that he was the minister of the Ministry of Rites, the son of Wang Hua, the number one scholar, and the seventh Jinshi in the second class in the twelfth year of Hongzhi, Yan Juren couldn't help but be stunned.
In the 12th year of Hongzhi and the 15th year of Hongzhi, it was the time when Yan Juren went to Beijing twice to attend the Spring Festival. When he failed, Wang Shouren had already become a second-class Jinshi thanks to his father who was the number one scholar. Yan Juren looked at Wang Shouren's sedan, his eyes
His eyes were red, and he had even forgotten about the Shen family for a moment. He just wanted to make the proud imperial envoy in front of him fall down so hard that he could never get up again.
Zhang Yong was in charge of the affairs of the Wang family, and the boy followed the team and saw clearly what was going on in front of him. Seeing Yan Juren's gloomy expression, Zhang Yong asked Wu Yan, "That Yan Juren has something wrong with his eyes, but does he have an old grudge with your family?"
Wu Yan scratched his head and said: "My master has been either in the capital these past few years or on a foreign mission. He has not come to Songjiang Mansion. He looks about the same age as my master. Could it be that he is his classmate?"
Zhang Yong looked at Yan Juren's attire, reacted, and sneered: "Look at that boy's arrogance, and his behavior is a bit pretentious. He didn't come from a school in the capital. He was probably a failed candidate in the same year as your master.
, I’m envious of your master’s dignity.”
Wu Yan was no more than twelve or three years old. He covered his mouth and said with an innocent smile: "If you see a Jinshi master, you will be jealous. There are more than three hundred people in one subject, and you can see those in their twenties and thirties at once.
Don't be as angry as a toad."
Zhang Yong was joking with Wu Yan, but he brought it up in his mind. He had not forgotten the previous investigation results of Shen Rui and Shen Li. This Yan Juren was sent by Prince Ning's Mansion. If the other party wants to stir up Songjiang's chaos, what will happen next?
What will he do when he comes down? Zhang Yong squinted his eyes, called a guard in uniform who had not been modified and was still dressed as a domestic servant, and gave a few instructions in a low voice.
When no one was paying attention, the Jin Yiwei left the team, walked around the alley, and hurried away.
Even so, Zhang Yong was still worried. He took the opportunity to tell Yang Baihu, the leading Jin Yiwei, that he should be more careful and pay attention to protect Wang Shouren's safety. If Yan Ju ordered people to kill Wang Shouren and put the blame on the Shen family or Zhao Xianzhong, then Songjiang What followed was a big chaos. Seeing Zhang Yong being so cautious, Yang Baihu kept getting more information and quietly passed on the instructions.
*
Shenjiafang, Zongfang.
The big commotion outside Hongyun Inn has been reported back to the clan house. Shen Hai felt unsure and couldn't sit still at all. He stayed in the guest room and sent out most of his family members.
Even though he knew that the imperial envoy who came down was Shen Rui's teacher and Shen Li's old acquaintance, Shen Hai's concern would cause chaos. He was still worried that something would happen at this time. After all, there were still internal officials and imperial guards coming down. Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, civil servants and internal officials have been fighting. It goes on and on. The Jin Yiwei has always relied on the imperial power, and they have different paths to civil and military affairs. Even if Wang Shouren is an imperial envoy, with the internal officials and Jin Yiwei around, he may not be able to make full decisions.
Shen Li was relieved because he often went to the Imperial Palace to give lectures and also gave lectures to the East Palace. He had a deep impression of Zhang Yong, the former East Palace.
Unlike Liu Jin, who was arrogant and domineering, Zhang Yong had higher cultural literacy, respected scholars, and sincerely encouraged and cared for the emperor. He was regarded as a well-behaved internal official around the emperor. With the relationship between the emperor and Shen Rui, there was also For those students from the Shen family, Zhang Yong would favor the Shen family a little bit.
As for Shen Rui, knowing that the Shen family was probably in danger this time, he was worried about the fifth house. Doctor Zhang, who was accompanying him south, had already spoken to get ready, and Mrs. Guo seemed to have accepted the result. But how to deal with it when the god Shen Qi comes out ?
Just when several people were having different thoughts, there were hurried steps at the door, and the boy came in to report that someone had brought the sign and asked to see Shen Li. When the man handed the sign to him, Shen Li's face immediately became solemn, and he hurried out.
That brand was none other than the serial number brand representing Jin Yiwei's identity.
Seeing Shen Li's reaction, Shen Hai and Shen Rui were surprised and hurriedly followed him.
In the concierge, the Jinwei Xiaoqi dressed as a servant was one of the people who guarded the Zhang Yong gate of the Hongyun Inn before. Shen Rui recognized it immediately and whispered to Shen Li: "He is going south with the teacher and Eunuch Zhang. Sir."
Although the Jin Yiwei had never met Shen Li, he estimated his age and asked, "But Bachelor Shen?"
"This is my official." Shen Li said: "But Eunuch Zhang has something to explain?"
If it were Wang Shouren, he would only send his stewards and servants to pass the message, but would not go beyond giving instructions to the Jinyi Guards. The only people who can call on the Jinyi Guards are the ministers.
The Jin Yiwei glanced at Shen Hai and Shen Rui, and saw that Shen Li had no intention of avoiding the two of them, and said: "It was Eunuch Zhang who ordered his subordinates to send a message to Master Shen, saying that Yan Ju was going to cause trouble. I asked Master Shen if he knew about the other party. If you want to cause trouble, where will you start?"
Shen Li frowned and fell into deep thought.
Since Yan Juren came here to cover up Prince Ning's robbery, he naturally took advantage of the prefect's office to destroy all suspicious evidence of the "Japanese rebellion" coming ashore. What else would he do?
Shen Li was confused for a moment, but Shen Rui was thinking about the fifth house and thought of a possibility.