After Song Huancheng heard the secret about water transportation from He Wei, he was distracted and worried all day long. From time to time, he would look angry and gnash his teeth, but it would soon turn into a deep helplessness and powerlessness.
When he returned home from the Hubu Yamen, he didn't care about his own image and slumped down on the chair, constantly thinking about He Wei's words in his mind.
"Master Song, listen to my advice. There are some things that we little people should not worry about at all. There are too many things in this world that we are not capable of managing, and we cannot control them at all..."
While thinking about it, Song Huancheng murmured to himself: "Yes... no matter how much I resent the corruption and waste of the Caoyun Yamen, what can I do? The backstage of the Caoyun Yamen is the chief minister of the cabinet, and he colludes with the Household Yamen.
There are also many powerful people who are working for the tiger and taking advantage of the opportunity to make profits...
And what about me? I am just an unpopular little person in the officialdom. There is no way that the Hubu Yamen will support me. My official rank is too low. Even if I submit a memorial to His Majesty, I will definitely be stuck in the General Administration Yamen. I have fundamentally changed.
I can't do anything, I can only watch helplessly as the bad water transportation policy wastes huge amounts of food every year, but the people have to endure the pain of hunger and cold..."
While mumbling to himself, Song Huancheng slowly closed his eyes, his expression full of pain and weakness.
At this moment, a cheerful male voice suddenly sounded in the small courtyard outside the room.
"Brother, I'm back!"
Song Huancheng has always been honest, so his life is extremely embarrassing. He, his wife, one son, one daughter, and his brother Song Lingcheng live in a small courtyard. The courtyard is less than three feet wide and long, with piles of
There are firewood, clothes to dry, and two chickens, which are no different from the courtyards of ordinary lower-class people's homes.
So, when he heard this voice, Song Huancheng opened his eyes and took in a panoramic view of the situation in the courtyard. Then he saw his brother Song Lingcheng pushing the door open and entering, carrying a large bag in his hand.
fish.
In just two or three steps, Song Lingcheng had already walked in front of Song Huancheng and said with a smile: "Brother, I bought a big fish. Let's change the taste today and make fish soup to drink! My nieces and nephews are growing taller now.
You must eat something good."
Seeing Song Lingcheng's performance, Song Huancheng's eyes flashed with relief.
In Song Huancheng's view, he was indeed a blessing in disguise after being starved to death in public in the Rites Yamen. However, his blessing was not due to his rising reputation in the government and the public, nor was he specially summoned by Emperor Deqing, nor was he transferred to the Hubu Yamen.
, but his younger brother Song Lingcheng, who had always been idle, suddenly matured a lot.
During this period of time, Song Lingcheng actually changed his lazy style and took the initiative to find a job in a certain business firm in the capital. Although the salary was not high, it was enough to support himself, and he often gave out a little money as a subsidy.
Household use, or like now, take the initiative to buy ingredients for home.
Because of this situation, the relationship between the two brothers Song Huancheng and Song Lingcheng has greatly improved, and Song Huancheng also deliberately forgot the ineffective performance of Song Lingcheng in the past.
So, after seeing Song Lingcheng return home, Song Huancheng no longer had a cold face, but forced out a smile and said: "You, how many times have I told you, although you are making money now,
But you can’t spend money indiscriminately. You should try to save some and save some wife money for yourself. Your sister-in-law and I will also try our best to collect some. The main thing is to marry you a good wife as soon as possible! After you start a family and start a career, I will treat your parents like
There’s an explanation! You’re already a grown-up, so it’s not a long-term solution to stay single like this..."
Hearing that Song Huancheng was preaching to him again, a trace of impatience flashed across Song Lingcheng's expression, but he soon thought of "business" and took the opportunity to change the topic. He looked at Song Huancheng carefully and suddenly spoke
Asked: "Brother, looking at you looking depressed, have you encountered any difficulties?"
Song Huancheng hesitated for a moment, but out of the desire to talk about his distress, he finally told Song Lingcheng in detail what he had heard about the poor management of water transportation and the troubles in his heart.
After listening to Song Huancheng's story, Song Lingcheng immediately smiled and said: "Brother, in fact, you already have the ability to interfere in this matter, but you just didn't realize it yourself!"
"Am I capable of intervening in this matter? Why don't I know?" Song Huancheng was slightly stunned and asked in confusion.
Song Lingcheng continued to smile and said: "Brother, you are a gentleman. You have never thought of using your official position and reputation for personal gain, so you only realize some things later! You know, since you first appeared in public
After you fainted from hunger in the yamen of the Ministry of Rites and made a fuss, you have now become an example of an upright official in the eyes of both the government and the public. It can be said that your reputation is getting higher and higher day by day!
In the past few days, how many people from the imperial court have been vying to establish relations with you and build friendship with you? Aren’t they trying to gain your reputation? Even Cheng Yuandao, the old man in the imperial court, once sent someone to send you a gift, but you turned it back.
gone back!
So, it’s not that you don’t have influence, you just never thought of using your influence! Take the bad water transport administration as an example. As long as you tell these people who are vying to make friends with you, they will definitely
People will jump out one after another to impeach the water transport yamen to the court and expose the bad governance of water transport... At that time, won't there be a chance to change the river canal to a sea canal? "
Song Huancheng hesitated: "This... seems to be something wrong..."
Song Lingcheng waved his hand nonchalantly and said: "Hi! What's wrong? You are out of public interest and are seeking the welfare of the people, not for your own personal gain. At this time, you should do your best and use everything.
Extreme!"
It was also a "coincidence" that as soon as Song Lingcheng finished speaking, he heard another voice coming from outside the courtyard door.
"Excuse me, Song Huancheng. Is Mr. Song at home? I am Jin Fuwen, the right-hand official of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. I am here today with several colleagues from the Metropolitan Procuratorate. I hope that Mr. Song can meet me and discuss our interests together!"
Hearing this voice, Song Lingcheng chuckled, lowered his voice and continued: "Brother, look, I just said that the elites in the court are vying to make friends with you, right? Isn't this coming? Although these elites don't have much real power,
, but their temple status and appeal are not low... If you really want to change the current situation of bad water transportation, you can't miss this good opportunity."
Song Huancheng looked at Song Lingcheng in surprise and felt that Song Lingcheng had not only matured a lot during this period of time, but also gained a lot of knowledge.
But Song Huancheng didn't think much about it for a while. After being silent for a while, he finally made up his mind, got up and walked out of the room quickly, heading towards the courtyard door, with Song Lingcheng following closely behind him.
After opening the courtyard door, Song Huancheng ignored the compliments of several Qingliu from the Metropolitan Procuratorate and just silently invited everyone into the room.
The room is very small, and even with a few people squeezed into it, it becomes extremely cramped. Even the chairs are not enough.
The Qingliu people were very uncomfortable with such an environment. They looked at each other and planned to suggest that everyone go to a nearby restaurant to have a banquet together.
However, before the Qingliu people could open their mouths to propose, Song Huancheng bowed deeply to everyone and said in a deep voice: "My lords, it is a great honor to come here. I don't have any other hospitality here, but there is something important I want to tell you.
Sir, I hope you all will listen to me patiently..."
*
In the evening of this day, a large number of Qingliu gathered in the house of Ge Lao Cheng Yuandao.
At this time, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian had left the capital and went to Nanjing to worship his ancestors. The elder Cheng Yuandao became the only leader of Qingliu in the court.
In the Cheng Mansion lobby, all the Qingliu people were excited and talking.
"Good guy, 'Party Zhou' and 'Party Zhao' seem to have a lot of conflicts during this period, but when it comes to corruption and perversion of the law, they are still like a den of snakes and rats, with friends turning against each other!"
"Yes, the Ministry of Revenue obviously had the specific figures of this year's water transportation grain consumption, but they suppressed it without any intention of exposing it. It was obviously a secret collusion! According to Song Huancheng, the Ministry of Revenue did receive a lot of benefits.
So shameless!"
"It would be fine if we didn't know about this matter, but now that we know the truth, we can't remain indifferent no matter what. We must impeach the Cao Yun Yamen and bring up the Hai Cao incident again!"
While all the Qingliu were discussing, Cheng Yuandao looked around at everyone and was deeply satisfied with the angry expressions of all the Qingliu.
Then, Cheng Yuandao raised his hand and pressed it gently to signal everyone to be quiet, and said slowly: "As the adults have said, we cannot sit idly by and ignore this matter no matter what!
We, Qingliu, have always controlled public opinion and rectified discipline, but in recent years, we have not achieved much. Several actions have been ineffective. On the contrary, those Qingliu traitors have all made troubles. Li Chengru actually broke the law.
After taking down the former chief minister Shen Changmao, Gu Quan also brought down the former Shandong governor Lu Yuanan... If this situation continues, we Qingliu will be completely forgotten by the world. Now is a great opportunity to prove our role!
However, we must also learn from the previous failures. We cannot act rashly or act hastily. We must be fully prepared! Here, I would like to mention three points!
First of all, before taking action, we must have tangible evidence, that is, the detailed data of this year's water transportation grain consumption calculated by the Ministry of Revenue Yamen! It just so happens that Song Huancheng currently works in the Ministry of Household Affairs, and he will be specifically responsible for this matter! There we have it.
These detailed figures can not only enhance the persuasiveness, but also force the Yamen of the Ministry of Revenue and Zhao Junchen to stand up and take a stand, at least they will not explicitly hinder us!"
As he spoke, Cheng Yuandao's eyes turned to Jin Fuwen, the right-hand censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
After noticing Cheng Yuandao's gaze, Jin Fuwen immediately nodded and said: "I have already explained this matter to Song Huancheng. According to Song Huancheng, the data on water transportation grain consumption is not a particularly confidential matter within the Household Department Yamen.
He will be able to get detailed data on this year's water transportation grain consumption by noon tomorrow at the latest."
Cheng Yuandao nodded slightly and then said: "Secondly, we must try to win as many supporters as possible! Among the officials in the temple, many officials were born in the south of the Yangtze River or along the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal.
, the alarming consumption of food in water transportation also harmed their interests, and many people must be dissatisfied!
Therefore, within the next two days, you must explain in detail the seriousness of the water transport malpractice to the relevant officials and strive for their approval! In this way, when we take action, they will also speak out together and express their support!"
After all the Qingliu people nodded in agreement, Cheng Yuandao continued: "As for the last and most important point, it is the word 'confidential'! Before we start the operation, we must not leak any information, and we must not let the water transport
People from the Yamen and the 'Zhou Party' must be alert in advance and must catch them off guard!"
Lu Chunxiao, the right deputy censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, hesitated for a moment and asked: "Mr. Cheng Ge, regarding this matter... do we need to consult His Highness the Seventh Prince for his opinion before taking action?
There are also Young Master Zhang Cheng, Minister of Rites Lin Wei and others. They are also loyal to His Highness the Seventh Prince and can barely be regarded as our allies. Should we also win their support and act together when the time comes?"
Cheng Yuandao hesitated for a moment, but finally shook his head decisively and said: "His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince has been leaving Beijing for two days. If we want to get his approval for this matter, it will definitely waste too much time, and something may happen during this period.
Something unexpected happened, so we only need to send someone to inform the Seventh Prince, but there is no need to ask for his opinion! His Highness, the Seventh Prince, has always been open-minded and good-hearted, and he will definitely agree with our plan!"
During this period of time, due to Zhou Shangjing's secret campaign, the image of the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian as "a follower of advice" has gradually become deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, especially the Qingliu people who believe it deeply.
Therefore, while the Qingliu people supported Zhu Hejian more and more, they also disapproved of Zhu Hejian's own opinions.
After a pause, Cheng Yuandao continued: "As for Zhang Cheng, Lin Wei and others, they are all remnants of the original 'Shen Party'. They took refuge with His Highness the Seventh Prince only because they had no way to go after Shen Changmao's collapse. With us,
After all, Qingliu is not a stranger. If they were notified in advance, they might secretly hold back!
Therefore, there is no need to inform them in advance. When we take action, they can only choose to support us when they are forced to express their stance!"
After hearing what Cheng Yuandao said, everyone in the Qingliu family hesitated, but in the end they all nodded in agreement.
In fact, in recent times, because Zhou Shangjing has repeatedly made enemies of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, Zhu Hejian's temple supporters have long been ready to fight back. It is just because Zhu Hejian has never understood Zhou Shangjing's true thoughts and does not want to completely tear them apart.
I was too shy, so I didn't take action for a long time.
After the Qingliu people discovered the handle of the Water Transport Yamen this time, they all took active action and their attitude was particularly positive. This was largely due to the deep grudge between them and the "Zhou Party".
It is precisely because of this situation that as long as Cheng Yuandao leads the Qingliu people to take action first, Zhang Cheng, Lin Wei and others, who are also the temple supporters of the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian, will have no choice but to advance and retreat with the Qingliu people.
.
After arranging all this, Cheng Yuandao looked around at everyone again and concluded in a serious tone: "In short, in this operation, we must make a big fuss and take the opportunity to let the people of the world once again see the great role of our Qingliu!
Moreover, we must act quickly! I have decided that the specific time for action will be the court meeting in two days' time! I hope all colleagues will take advantage of these two days to make all preparations!"
When Cheng Yuandao expressed his stance, he seemed to be impassioned and full of confidence, but there was a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
In fact, whether it is the impeachment of the Cao Yuan Yamen or the resumption of the Hai Cao matter, they are all of great importance and must be fully prepared. It should never be as hasty as now, with only two days of preparation before launching the action.
Take the impeachment of the Water Transport Yamen as an example. Just getting the detailed statistics from the Ministry of Revenue is not convincing enough. It is best to collect a large amount of solid evidence from the Water Transport Yamen, the government offices along the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, and various places in the south of the Yangtze River to ensure that everything is foolproof.
.
What's more, compared to the Haicao incident, impeachment of the Caoyun Yamen is not a difficult matter. The dispute between Hecao and Haicao has been going on for hundreds of years in the Ming Dynasty. Cheng Yuandao is naturally well aware of the difficulty of this matter.
Even if it is just to increase the chance of winning, a lot of time and energy must be spent in advance to prepare.
However, as the leader of Qingliu, Cheng Yuandao has never had confidence in the ability of Qingliu to keep secrets. If he wants to be fully prepared, it will inevitably waste a lot of time. Qingliu's detailed plan for the water transport yamen will definitely let "Zhou
The "Party" knows in advance that once the "Zhou Party" and the Caoyun Yamen are on guard in advance, the Qingliu's chances of success will only become slimmer!
Therefore, Cheng Yuandao could only choose to give up more thorough preparations at this time and act quickly before the "Zhou Party" could react.
On the other side, most of the Qingliu people couldn't guess Cheng Yuandao's true thoughts. They just felt that they were fully prepared now. As Cheng Yuandao's words fell, all the Qingliu people stood up and agreed, with excited expressions and ready to move.
It's a morale boost.
After all, the Qingliu people have been silent for too long.
The ability of the Qingliu people to unite depends largely on their morale and morale. If the silence continues, the Qingliu people will inevitably lose their morale and become depressed, and then they will become disorganized and become a piece of loose sand.
This is also the real reason why Cheng Yuandao must take advantage of this opportunity to lead the Qingliu people to cause a big disturbance.
*
Next, the Qingliu people's actions went smoothly. Not only did Song Huancheng successfully "steal" the detailed data on this year's water transportation grain consumption from the Ministry of Household Affairs Office, but the Qingliu people's private series of actions also achieved fruitful results. After the Qingliu people's instigation and persuasion,
Later, many influential court officials expressed their dissatisfaction with the poor water transport administration.
However, just as Cheng Yuandao was worried, Qingliu people are best at making their own decisions, and their ability to keep secrets is still beyond expectation.
Therefore, before Qingliu and others took action, Zhou Shangjing still received the news one step ahead.
On this night, the night before Qingliu's official action, Zhou Shangjing suddenly sent an invitation to Zhao Junchen, inviting Zhao Junchen to go to Tianhai Pavilion for a secret meeting.
Zhao Junchen had been waiting for Zhou Shangjing's invitation for a long time, and he was naturally happy to attend the banquet at this time!