While Emperor Jiajing was eagerly waiting, time came to the auspicious day of September 11, the 17th year of Jiajing.
The ceremony of dedicating Emperor Ruizong to the Imperial Ancestral Temple was held on this day. Emperor Jiajing finally fulfilled his ultimate wish of sending his biological father, the Lord God, to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
The gods enshrined in the Ancestral Temple are not only the ancestors themselves, but also accompanied by the empresses of the palace.
Therefore, not only all the civil and military officials attended the ceremony, but also the official wives of each official.
Even though Qin Dewei was only in the fifth rank, among the officials of the fifth rank, he was already considered to be a mid- to high-ranking official. Officials of the same rank were all older.
Therefore, when arranging the class order, Qin Dewei was among a group of middle-aged and elderly men. There were no slightly younger officials in their twenties or thirties who were in his position.
The political treatment of an official's wife is exactly the same as that of her husband. The young woman Xu Miaoxuan also wore a formal dress and was mixed in a group of middle-aged and elderly women. She was easily overwhelmed like a blow to the dimension.
The ceremony lasted from early morning to afternoon. When the couple returned home, they both slumped on the kang and did not want to move, talking casually.
Standing at the height of history, Qin Dewei couldn't help but sigh and said: "Since His Majesty's succession to the throne, the great ceremony that has been going on for almost twenty years is finally coming to an end..."
Xu Miaoxuan asked: "Will the court be able to be peaceful in the future?"
Qin Dewei sighed helplessly: "As long as people's hearts are not at peace, how can the court be at peace? Besides, with your Majesty's temperament, if you don't bother with the ceremony, you will also bother with other things."
Xu Miaoxuan patted her husband: "Wouldn't that be what you wanted? Otherwise, how could you fish in troubled waters?
And don’t be too lazy. Just sitting idle in bed is idle. Wait for me to take a sip of the medicine and try again.”
Qin Dewei sighed while taking off his clothes, as the saying goes: family affairs, state affairs, and world affairs, worry about everything.
Although today's ceremony at the Yuan Temple is the most solemn part, it is not the last one.
After a while, on another auspicious day, the emperor will be notified of the changes in the ancestral temple, as the final conclusion of the whole set of rituals, and only then can it be called "the ceremony is completed."
Before the "gift was completed", there were many happy events for the court, and good news came back from thousands of miles away. The leader of Annan, Mo Dengyong, surrendered unconditionally!
Moreover, the process of conquering Annan was almost exactly the same as Qin Dewei's layout.
Last year, coach Mao Bowen arrived in Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan via separate routes. On the one hand, he mobilized troops and generals from nearby provinces to gather food and grass. On the other hand, he contacted the old Li clan in southern Annan to build momentum and offered a reward for Mo Dengyong's head.
Ten thousand taels.
As expected by Qin Dewei, under the strong political and military pressure of the Ming Dynasty, Mo Dengyong was unwilling to fight and took the initiative to beg for surrender.
Last month, Mo Dengyong tied himself to Zhennanguan, knelt down and presented the land atlas.
Although this was not a big deal to the Ming Dynasty, it was still a "martial arts" and made Emperor Jiajing very happy.
Then, according to Qin Dewei's previous plan, he decreed that Mo Dengyong be appointed as the envoy of the capital, and he would be treated like a native official to guard the northern part of Annan.
Then Li was renamed King of Annam and ruled the southern part of Annam, which was regarded as helping Li restore his country.
As for the officials of the Southern Expedition, they will be rewarded after their troops return to the court.
As for whether Qin Dewei, who was the mastermind behind the plan, has been rewarded, we will probably have to wait until then to find out.
But at this time, Yan Shifan, the only son of Yan Song, a bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion and the Minister of Rites, rushed back to the capital from the far south.
Although the journey is dusty and tiring, Yan Shifan is still full of joy and energy!
Because his father became a bachelor, Yan Shifan was greatly stimulated. He had already begun to dream of manipulating his father and becoming a powerful Xiaoge elder.
Yan Shifan did not bother to rest after entering the house. He dragged his father to the study and said enthusiastically:
"Father, your top priority now is to cultivate party members and truly form a force! Just like when countries are in conflict, they must try their best to expand the territory and population!"
Yan Song knew that his son could always analyze things lucidly, and he would often benefit from listening to a few words. He casually asked, "What should we do specifically?"
Yan Shifan replied: "I thought about it carefully on the way, and the first breakthrough point was Huo Tao, the censor of Zuodu!
First of all, Huo Tao, Xia Yan, and Qin Dewei have been sworn enemies for many years, and they have deep grudges. But now, father, you are estranged from Xia Yan, and you have also become enemies with Qin Dewei.
Secondly, Huo Tao has always been a li-yin sect. He started his career by relying on li-yin, and father, you are also relying on li-yin to get to the position now!
Thirdly, the old Lili sect is gradually declining, and Huo Tao is almost the only one in the family. He also needs a father!
Therefore, my father and Huo Tao have common enemies and common political opinions, and there is a complete basis for cooperation and mutual trust!"
Yan Song nodded when he heard the words, but then said: "But Huo Tao is stubborn and extremely conceited by nature. He is never willing to submit to others. It is not easy to win him over."
Yan Shifan also said confidently: "Character must also succumb to reality. When my son comes, I will personally lobby Huo Tao and I will definitely be able to convince him!"
So Yan Song agreed, "You can try it."
Yan Shifan continued: "The second step after Huo Tao is to win over Zhang Zan, Minister of War!
Because of Guo Xun's help, this person became Minister of the Ministry of War, and he was regarded as a peripheral member of the Yili Sect.
Now that Guo Xun has retired, Zhang Zan has no other connections in the court and can only keep warm with Huo Tao.
As long as his father can win over Huo Tao, Zhang Zan, Minister of War, will also come over with a little guidance.
In this way, among the seven ministers of the outer dynasty, father, you have the support of Zuodu Yushi and the Minister of War!
Although it's not that strong yet, it can be considered to have some initial power!
With the strong support of the foreign ministers, my father, a great scholar, can turn the illusion into reality and not become a decoration like another great scholar Gu Dingchen!"
The more Yan Shifan talked, the more he raised his head. He felt that the imperial chair could no longer accommodate him, so he stood up again, scolded Fang Qiu and said:
“But the above two steps are not the end, there is also the most critical third step!
It is impossible for my father to serve as the Minister of Rites as a bachelor and as the Minister of Rites for a long time. Sooner or later, he will have to step down as the Minister of Rites!
But after retiring from office, he must support one of his own to be the Minister of Etiquette. From now on, my father should look for a candidate!
If there is support from the two important officials, Zuodu Yushi and the Minister of War, the possibility of successfully nominating one of your own is not small!
As long as the Minister of Rites is also a party member, then my father will have the support of three of the seven ministers of the outer court!
Three of the seven people are almost half of the group. As long as my father can control it, his real power will be no less than that of the chief minister!"
It has to be said that the future blueprint drawn by Yan Shifan for Yan Song is very clear and feasible, and it is not a whim or a random thought.
Thinking of the issue of the next Minister of Rites, Yan Song frowned and said: "Did you know that Qin Dewei wants to recommend his teacher Zhang Chao as Minister of Rites, and he has already made the decision in His Majesty's mind!"
This was the first time Yan Shifan heard the news. He was worried that his father would give in, so he quickly cheered him up and said:
"This Minister of Rites must not be given away, especially Qin Dewei and the others!
In the Jiajing Dynasty, the Minister of Rites had always been a minister closer to the emperor. This characteristic was particularly important!
And in recent years, all those who have served as Minister of Rites have joined the cabinet!"
Yan Song sighed and said: "Of course I don't want to give it to Qin Dewei, but whether I can win is another matter!"
Yan Song doesn't want to go into details about what his father went through when you were away from the capital and when he faced Qin Dewei!
But Yan Shifan couldn't stand his father's cowardice, "Father! You can't boost other people's ambitions and destroy your own prestige!
Now that you have become a great scholar and the emperor's new favorite, it is no longer the time to be patient!
Now the emperor wants to create a new etiquette system, and the trend is on you. This period in the future is very critical!
When it comes to other people, you can win over them when you need to, summon them when you need to summon them, and fight when you need to fight for them. It doesn’t matter whether you are united vertically or horizontally, the emperor will acquiesce!
Don’t you even think about how many accusations and infamy you have suffered because of the Emperor’s new etiquette system?
If you don't unite and organize the forces as soon as possible, why do you think others will be kind enough to let you go?"
It's not that Yan Song didn't understand these truths, he sighed again: "Everything you said is right, I hope you are not just talking on paper."
Yan Shifan patted his chest and vowed: "Father, don't worry, I will do my best to help him and control everything in the court!
Father, if it is not convenient for you to speak up, I will speak out for you! Father, if it is not convenient for you to say it to others, I will say it for you!"
Then he said passionately: "In the past, I was limited by my status, but now that I am the son of a cabinet bachelor, there is nothing that can stop me!"
Qin Dewei's shadow lingered, so Yan Song said cautiously: "To be on the safe side, you should keep a low profile in the near future and not be targeted by Qin Dewei.
After all, you were transferred back from Guangdong without Qin Dewei's permission. If Qin Dewei knew about it, I wonder if something would happen.
After the ceremony is completed, I will submit a report to the emperor to ask for a reward. Please be an official. Only then will you be truly safe."
Yan Shifan said disdainfully: "Father, you are worrying too much. You are now a bachelor and the official minister of the Ministry of Etiquette. What can Qin Dewei do to me officially? Who is willing to follow Qin Dewei and have trouble with me?"
Although what he said was arrogant, it was not unreasonable.
At this moment, a gatekeeper from the Yan Mansion came outside the study and reported: "Several officers from the Imperial Guard School are here, saying they are here to see the uncle!"
The uncle mentioned by the servants of the Yan family is of course Yan Song, Yan Shifan, the only son of Mr. Yan.
Yan Song and Yan Shifan were both stunned, why would someone from the Jinyiwei Official School come looking for them?
If it was a normal business trip, I would just blast him away, but Jinyiwei was different and I couldn't treat him casually.
Yan Song accompanied his son to the gate, only to see that the leader was an extremely young guard in brocade robes.
When this person saw the Yan family father and son, he quickly stepped forward and saluted Mr. Yan Ge. His etiquette was very thoughtful and impeccable.
Then he introduced himself and explained his purpose: "I am Xu Miaojing, a fellow commander of the Jinyiwei, who has come to ask Yan Shifan for questioning."
Yan Shifan was furious. After saying "poof", he pointed at Xu Miaojing and shouted: "Who asked you to come to me?"
Xu Miaojing replied in a matter-of-fact manner: "Qin Dewei, the admiral of Siyi Palace, went to Fusi, Jinyiwei North Town to report the case, claiming that Yan Shifan, a translator and clerk, had fled, and asked Jinyiwei to arrest him and punish him."
No wonder I always feel that Qin Dewei’s shadow lingers, it turns out that he is lurking here!
Qin Dewei must have planned it in advance. There are spies keeping an eye on him at the suburban post station. He will know it when Yan Shifan approaches the capital!
What surprised Yan Song even more was that Qin Dewei could actually command the factory guard forces!
Yan Shifan shouted: "I was ordered to be transferred back by the minister of Honglu Temple. How come I am on the run?"
Xu Miaojing explained: "Qin Dewei, the admiral, is fully responsible for the affairs of the Siyi Pavilion. Qin Dewei has never heard about your transfer and has not ordered your transfer back, so he can only treat you as a fugitive."
Yan Shifan was always good at eloquence, so he gritted his teeth and said, "You Jin Yiwei can't take someone without permission, but do you have driving stickers?"
Xu Miaojing preparedly took out a voucher, shook it and replied: "You are not an official, so you don't need a driving sticker. But for the sake of safety, I asked the Criminal Division to issue a driving sticker to the incident. I don't want to Still used it.”
Yan Shifan: ""
Xu Miaojing stood outside the gate and said to Yan Shifan: "Master Yan, don't think too much, let's go!"
Qin Dewei discovered that one of his subordinates was fleeing and reported the case to the Fu Division of Jinyiwei Town.
Then Jinyiwei commander Xu Miaojing took over the case and applied for a driving allowance from the Criminal Division of Section 6.
After receiving the driving sticker issued by the Criminal Division, Xu Miaojing discovered through investigation that the fugitive Yan Shifan had arrived at the Yan Mansion, so he came to ask Yan Shifan for questioning.
From a legal perspective, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it!
"Bastard!" Yan Shifan found that he could not be reasoned with, and instantly went crazy. He pointed at Xu Miaojing and yelled: "This is the residence of a great scholar. How dare you, a little beast, run wild here!"
Xu Miaojing advised calmly: "Uncle Yan family, please don't make things difficult for others."
Yan Shifan stood at the gate and shouted: "I'm right here. If you have the guts, just break in and catch me!"
Yan Shifan's approach is actually a waste of time, but it is very effective.
After all, if a military officer without an edict breaks into a bachelor's house and arrests someone, the political consequences will be extremely serious, and no one would dare to do such a thing.
So Xu Miaojing was helpless and could only take a few steps back and stood outside the gate of Yan Mansion.
Then he turned to the people in the Yan Mansion and said, "As a low-ranking official, I really don't dare to break in and disturb Mr. Ge.
But I have a mission, so I can only wait outside the gate. When will the Yan family figure it out? Please come out on your own."
To Yan Shifan's ears, this was a hint that anyone who dared to come out would be arrested?
Immediately, Xu Miaojing commanded several other official schools to circle around Yan's mansion and guard the side entrances.
Yan Shifan didn't take it seriously at first, but at night, he found that the Jinyiwei officer school outside the door had actually changed people.
Then everyone in the Yan Mansion realized that these Jinyiwei officers planned to keep watch outside the door for 12 hours.
So a bunch of Jinyiwei officers openly and openly monitored the bachelors like this.
Only then did Yan Shifan realize a problem: How could they be able to unite Zonglianheng? How could they maintain relationships with each other?
A dignified little pavilion elder was actually blocked by several Jinyiwei officer schools!
