Chapter 410: The monarch and his ministers work together to purge the officials
Cai Heng rode along the street and returned home. As soon as he got off the horse, the guards in the mansion shouted in unison.
"The eldest young master is back! The eldest young master is back!" I am happier than the Chinese New Year.
Cai Heng smiled slightly, stretched out his hand and threw a piece of silver to the guard who shouted the hardest.
After crossing the gate and walking along the verandah, the butler came over quickly.
Cai Heng kept walking, asking the housekeeper about recent affairs at home.
When the housekeeper mentioned that the old lady had been ill recently, Cai Heng was shocked and turned towards the back house to pay his respects to his mother.
The old lady's condition has improved. She is very happy to see her son back and her energy has recovered a lot.
Cai Heng chatted with her for a while before leaving.
After leaving the back house, Cai Heng walked along the corridor towards the study.
When I turned into a corridor, I suddenly saw a beautiful woman in palace clothes standing on the roadside.
Cai Heng didn't squint, and walked straight past the woman without looking too much.
The woman stamped her feet and said angrily: "Cai Heng, I am your wife, do you treat me like a clay figurine?"
Cai Heng frowned, stopped, and turned to look at her.
"I'm busy now. If you have anything to say, I'll tell you later. Is that okay?"
The woman burst into tears.
"Later, later! How long do you want me to wait? What husband would leave his newlywed wife aside and accompany other women to travel around for a few months?"
Cai Heng's face sank and he said coldly: "If you still want to stay in the Cai Mansion, please let me control your temper as the eldest daughter of the Wei family! I won't care what you do, and you should stop caring about me!" Wei was ashamed and annoyed, hiding her face and running away.
Cai Heng kept walking all the way to the study, knocked on the door, and then opened the door and went in.
Yuanwai Cai had already heard the news of his return and was admiring a painting while waiting for him to come see him.
"I'm back. Where did you go with the young lady on this trip?"
Cai Heng walked to the chair and sat down, took a sip of tea and smiled slightly.
"On this trip, I saw how energetic that aunt is. Not only did we go to Jeju Island, but we also went to Korea."
Cai Yuanwai put down the scroll and glared at him.
"A while ago, you finally agreed to marry a daughter of the Wei family, and you made your mother and I extremely happy. When I looked back, I thought, was it because you married a wife for this long trip?"
Cai Heng said with a smile: "If I don't get a wife, I will only be afraid of making the king unhappy. It's not just me, Brother Zeng also got a wife before setting off."
Cai Yuanwai nodded.
In the past, when Jiangdu's army was not so powerful, he also supported his son's pursuit of Qin Lingsi.
However, as Jiangdu's army grew stronger, so did the king's authority.
Although Zhang Yangquan has not publicly stated that he wants to marry his sister-in-law, no one knows what he really thinks.
In view of this, others no longer dare to pursue Qin Lingsi, lest they offend Long Yan.
Mr. Cai was very pleased that his son was able to restrain himself in time.
"Will this trip to sea be fruitful?"
Cai Heng's eyes flashed lightly and he smiled and said: "The harvest has been great. Father, our family needs to acquire the saddlery industry immediately and start a saddlery business!"
Member Cai was stunned and said: "Horse gear?"
"Yes, if my guess is correct, the king will attack Jeju Island soon. By then, the number of war horses in our army will be greatly increased, and the horse equipment business will definitely make a lot of money!"
Mr. Cai's eyes lit up and he said: "Okay, I'll make arrangements right away!" He quickly walked out of the study, called the housekeeper, and explained everything in detail.
After a long time, Yuan Cai returned to the study.
Cai Heng had ordered someone to bring some pastries. While eating, he asked: "By the way, father, what are the Shen and Bian families doing recently?"
Cai Yuanwai returned to the case and sat down, smiling and said: "Shen Wansan is still working hard. It is said that the Shen family fleet has already gone to Nanyang to explore, hoping to find a new island country!"
Cai Heng was stunned for a while and said: "He is right to do this. I heard from the owner that the king is very interested in the sea, and he also mentioned that he will send more fleets to explore in the future!"
Cai Yuanwai nodded and hummed: "There is a girl beside the king. It is much easier to understand the king's thoughts than for us."
"What about the Bian family?" Cai Heng asked again.
Cai Yuanwai said in a deep voice: "The Bian family has purchased several cold clothing workshops and is working hard to make cold clothing. When the king goes on the Northern Expedition in the future, old boy Bian Ying will definitely want to donate cold clothes to the army to please the king and the generals!"
Cai Heng hummed and didn't make any further comments.
After a long while, he suddenly said: "By the way, my child just heard from the housekeeper that our workshop has also become one of the eight major workshops for building the palace?"
When talking about this topic, Mr. Cai seemed very happy.
"This is all thanks to Master Jia Lu. He found a master builder from nowhere. He is much better than our original Master Hu. I don't think he is much worse than that Li Wei!"
Cai Heng's face became condensed and he said: "By the way, I heard from the housekeeper that Lu Liangzuo was dismissed as Prime Minister. Father, what's going on?"
Mr. Cai smiled.
"Isn't it because I was dragged down by Xia Shize? Xia regards Jiangdu Prefecture as Pingjiang Prefecture and dares to attack Liu Bowen. I really don't know how to write the word "death"!"
Cai Heng stuffed a piece of pastry into his mouth.
"Neither Xia Shize nor Lu Liangzuo are stupid people. I think Liu Bowen must have caught something, and that's when they broke the boat!"
Cai Yuanwai sighed: "Well, it is indeed possible. Recently, Sun Hong was also investigated by the Yushitai, and his position as Jiangdu Governor was also lost."
"Ah? What's going on?" Cai Heng was surprised.
"It's not a big deal, just a small case of corruption, but this Mr. Liu is not merciful at all. Alas, with such a censor watching, everyone can't sleep well at night!"
Cai Heng said in a deep voice: "Father, you must stay calm at this time and never make the mistakes of the Lu and Xia families!"
"Of course I know, but Liu Bowen even investigated previous cases. Alas! I'm really worried that he will find out what happened in our family's past!"
Cai Heng said flatly: "That's right! We need to take precautions before they happen. We must find a way to keep those past matters private. No matter how much money we spend or how many favors we have, we must solve them!"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Cai Yuanwai frowned and said, "How much effort and energy will it take?"
Cai Heng advised: "Father, this is the only way right now, we can't take any chances!"
Cai Yuanwai smiled slightly and said: "That's not necessarily the case. The affairs between the Lu and Xia families are not over yet."
"What do you mean?"
Cai Yuanwai laughed and said: "Lü Liangzuo has not been the Right Chancellor for nothing in recent years. He has many officials, and they have been intensively impeaching Liu Bowen recently! I don't think Liu Bowen can escape unscathed!"
Cai Heng was stunned for a moment, and his expression changed drastically.
"Father, why don't you understand! Your Majesty trusts Liu Bowen even more than Guo Zuxiang! How can you defeat him with those southern literati?"
Cai Yuanwai was stunned and said: "No way, who did you listen to?"
"This is what the owner of the venue said personally. She said that the king has an inexplicable trust in Liu Bowen. Even she and Her Royal Highness the Princess don't understand where this trust comes from!"
Cai Yuanwai said curiously: "But after these people presented their report, the king did not reprimand them. Moreover, it was not Liu Bowen's turn as the Right Prime Minister. Seeing this, many officials followed suit and impeached Liu Bowen!"
Cai Heng was shocked: "Seriously?"
Cai Yuan said: "Anyway, in addition to the Southern faction, dozens of officials have begun to impeach Liu Bowen, and they have also uncovered all his former officials!"
Cai Heng swallowed and asked, "How did the other prime ministers react?"
"No reaction at all. I guess they don't like Liu Bowen either. After all, there is such a person watching over him. If he does something wrong, hey, it may cause trouble!"
Cai Heng shook his head and said: "No, it's understandable if one person doesn't respond. With so many people not responding, I'm afraid..."
"What are you afraid of?"
Cai Heng took a deep breath and said: "Father, the hurricane is coming, and Jiangdu's official circles may be even more shaken!"
……
Zhongshu Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Household Affairs.
Li Bin followed Hu Weiyong into Li Shanchang's office. As soon as he entered, he saw Li Shanchang's face as dark as the bottom of a pot.
"Teacher, what, what's wrong?"
Li Shanchang ignored him, stood up, and said coldly: "Follow me!" He strode out of the government hall.
Li Bin followed Li Shanchang all the way to an empty warehouse in the Ministry of Revenue.
Li Shanzhang kept the house safe and only asked Hu Weiyong and Li Bin to follow him inside.
The light in the room was dim. Li Shanchang walked to the upper chair and sat down. His face was half-lit and half-dark, so gloomy that it seemed like water could drip from his face.
"Li Bin, let me ask you, are you also following those idiots to impeach Liu Bowen?"
Li Bin actually guessed this, gritted his teeth and said: "Yes!"
Li Shanchang said angrily: "You are crazy. Lu Liangzuo's example is in front of you. You still dare to mess with Liu Bowen. Don't you know that the king is standing behind him?"
Li Bin muttered: "Everyone has discussed it and feels that since the king has not punished those who were impeached before, it means that he is also determined to punish Liu Bowen!"
Li Shanchang laughed angrily: "Discuss? With all your stupid heads, do you even think you can guess the king's thoughts?"
Li Bin argued: "Students heard that this incident has aroused widespread resistance among Jiangnan students. In order to calm down the public anger, the king is planning to ask Mr. Yang Weizhen to serve as an official. If we put more pressure at this time, the king might kill Liu Bowen!"
Li Shanchang sneered: "Weiyong, did you hear that our Li Doushi is so capable that he dares to put pressure on the king!"
Hu Weiyong glanced at Li Bin, shook his head and sighed.
Li Bin snorted, with dissatisfaction written all over his face.
Hu Weiyong said calmly: "Brother Li, my teacher and I have investigated and found that the king's invitation to Yang Weizhen to come out is completely false and is a rumor spread by someone!"
Li Bin was shocked and said: "How... is this possible? Who would spread such rumors?"
Li Shanchang said coldly: "Don't you understand? This is Liu Bowen and the king casting the net together, but there are still some stupid fish who don't know whether to live or die, trying their best to get into the net!"
Li Bin said in shock: "It's impossible. With so many officials impeached together, it's impossible for the king to punish us all!"
Li Shan sighed: "Li Bin, when you do small things, you can often do it very well, but when it comes to the overall situation, you really need to learn more from Wei Yong!"
Li Bin finally started to panic and said: "Students don't understand, so please ask the teacher for advice!"
"Wei Yong, tell him!"
Hu Weiyong said: "Brother Li, think about it, what is the point now?"
Li Bin was stunned and said: "Node?"
Hu Weiyong raised his head and said: "Now is the point when our army unifies the south of the Yangtze River. The war on the front line is basically over. If the king wants to clean up the officials, now is the best time!"
Li Bin felt anxious and said in panic: "Teacher, I, I was wrong, please help me!"
Li Shanchang said coldly: "Let me ask you first, why do you want to offend Liu Bowen?"
Li Bin whispered: "Now the six ministers are controlled by these prime ministers, and Liu Bowen controls the official department! The students thought that only if they go down can they make room for you!"
Li Shanchang snorted and said, "You think I can help you after I get up there, right?"
Li Bin lowered his head and said nothing, not denying it.
Li Shanchang took something out of his sleeve, threw it on the ground, and said coldly: "Although I can save you this time, if you still don't repent, I won't be able to help you in the future!"
Li Bin took a closer look and found that the thing was his impeachment memorial against Liu Bowen. He was surprised and delighted: "Teacher, how come this thing is in your hands?"
Hu Weiyong said: "Teacher took the risk and took it out for you from the left prime minister!"
Li Bin was greatly moved and kowtowed to Li Shanchang.
"Teacher, the student is wrong. From now on, as long as it is your order, the student will not dare to disobey it again!"
Li Shanchang said calmly: "Get up, eat a pillow and gain wisdom. Don't forget what happened this time!"
"Yes! Yes!"
At this moment, there was a knock on the door outside.
Hu Weiyong opened the door, said a few words to the people outside, and then closed the door again.
Li Shanchang saw his ugly face and said in surprise: "Wei Yong, what's wrong?"
Hu Weiyong took a deep breath and said: "The king has just sent an order to summon all the officials who impeached Liu Bowen."