Chapter seven hundred and forty third study and practice
After Qin Dewei's self-defense memorial was sent to the palace, the court temporarily returned to calm. The ministers all wanted to see Emperor Jiajing's reaction first.
The cabinet did not want to pay attention to Qin Dewei, and directly submitted the two self-defense books to the emperor, leaving everything to the Holy Judgment.
Emperor Jiajing didn't start reading memorials until the middle of the night in the dead of night. He had recently started to have such a routine, and at this time, his companion Huang Jin was waiting next to him.
After reading Qin Dewei's first self-defense, Emperor Jiajing directly criticized: "The imperial court rewards meritorious services with titles. It is not intended to be idle. When the legitimate son comes of age, he can then attack again."
According to the system, there are two prerequisites for allowing a son to ascend the throne. First, Wu Xun himself must be over sixty; second, the son must be an adult, that is, over sixteen years old.
Qin Dewei did not meet both conditions. Emperor Jiajing could not fully care for and indulge him, nor could he not completely ignore him.
Therefore, a rule was set for the legitimate son to reach adulthood, and only the latter of the two conditions was met.
After reading the second self-defense memorial, Emperor Jiajing sighed: "There are so few people available to the court."
This sentence has no beginning and no end, and it is difficult to understand when it is heard at first. It is not said that there is a gathering of talents in the imperial court, but it is not to the point where no one is available.
But after the silent eunuch Huang thought about it for a few times, he finally understood what the emperor meant.
In the past few years, the emperor's daily life has been relatively normal, and he has a wide range of contacts. He can often select ministers who are more pleasing to his eye, and when the time comes to need someone, he can directly fill the position.
In the past two years, the emperor had devoted himself to cultivating immortality. Although he had not missed reading memorials, he had direct contact with very few ministers. The only ones who came back and forth were Xia Yan, Yan Song, Qin Dewei and others.
Therefore, when it was necessary to recruit more bachelors today, the emperor found that there were no candidates for his favored ministers, so he lamented that there were too few "available people".
In the original history, the first assistant was replaced very frequently in the early Jiajing Dynasty, but in the middle and later periods, Yan Song served as the first assistant for nearly twenty years, which may be due to the "too narrow choice" reason.
While Huang Jin was thinking about it secretly, Emperor Jiajing suddenly raised his head and said to Huang Jin: "Tomorrow you go to the Hanlin Academy and ask the poets to write Qing Ci, and bring them back before the palace gate is locked."
In the early morning of the next day, Eunuch Huang went to the Hanlin Academy according to the order, which immediately caused the entire Hanlin Academy to jump up and down.
Since Emperor Jiajing moved to Xiyuan, he has not gone to court, held no feasts, and rarely seen ministers. For ordinary officials, it may not have that big an impact, and they will continue to do whatever they should do.
But the Hanlin Academy "suffered deeply". The nature of the Hanlin Academy was that of a literary attendant. Compared with other officials, the biggest advantage was that it had more opportunities to contact the emperor.
If there is no contact with the emperor all year round, what prestige and promotion channels does Hanlin have?
Therefore, Emperor Jiajing suddenly sent his trusted eunuchs to the Hanlin Academy to collect Qing Ci, which had the same effect as one stone causing thousands of waves.
Even smarter people can guess a bit of the emperor's thoughts, but everyone has different attitudes towards this.
Thinking about Qin Mansion guest Gui Youguang's attitude towards writing Qing Ci, you can probably understand the mood of most Hanlins.
Eunuch Huang stayed in the Hanlin Academy until the afternoon, and then returned to the palace with dozens of Qingci.
At the Yinghe Gate outside Renshou Palace, Eunuch Huang met Lu Bing, the commander of the Jinyi Guards. One of them was the emperor's companion since childhood, and the other was the emperor's baby brother, so they were naturally close to each other.
After saying hello, Huang Jin smiled and said: "I heard that Mr. Lu has gained a lot from his visit to Datong."
Among those who came back from Datong this time, besides Qin Dewei, Lu Bing gained the most.
Taking a super luxurious lineup of prisoners such as Wuding Marquis Guo Xun, former Datong Governor Shi Dao, and former Datong General Soldier Wang Sheng back to Beijing for trial, Lu Bing, a well-connected person in the Jinyi Guards, was regarded as "famous in one battle."
At least among the existing Jinyi guards, except for the old man who experienced the Zuo Shunmen incident, no one has ever been so brave.
Although the courtiers knew what was going on, it was actually the purge carried out by Governor Qin in order to avoid the suspicion of being "specialist".
But on the surface, these prisoners were brought back by Lu Bing, and their merits must be recognized, and others must give face to the emperor's brother.
Feeling that his prestige in the Jinyi Guards had increased sharply, Lu Bingzheng was very proud. Hearing Eunuch Huang's words, he responded with a smile: "The gains are indeed many, but the real gains are not in a few prisoners, but in the heart."
In Datong, he watched with his own eyes how Qin Dewei fought for power, eradicated dissidents, and formed cliques for personal gain. He felt from the bottom of his heart that he had learned a lot.
Huang Jin was slightly surprised when he heard this. Judging from what he just said, Lu Bing may have really improved and his future is even brighter.
So Eunuch Huang came up with the idea of further selling, and took the initiative to say: "Why did you come to Xiyuan? Do you need my help?"
After Lu Bing thought for a while, he replied: "I came here especially for Guo Xun, Marquis of Wuding, to ask for your Majesty's decree."
Among the three prisoners who were "escorted" back by Commander Lu, Governor Shi Dao and Commander-in-Chief Wang Sheng were all the main culprits in the "Tianri Zhao Zhao" injustice case with conclusive evidence. Therefore, there was no dispute about the guilt at all, and they were just waiting for the Ministry of Punishment to leave.
After the trial process is completed, the canonical punishment will be given after the crime is judged.
But Wuding Marquis Guo Xun is special. Strictly speaking, Guo Xun's evidence of guilt is not sufficient.
Moreover, Guo Xun himself went to Datong on orders to capture Qin Dewei. He cannot be found guilty just because he attempted to attack Qin Dewei.
Besides, Guo Xun was in Datong. If he didn’t rely on the local governor, who could the general soldiers rely on? To say that Guo Xun colluded with the governor and the general soldiers committed crimes together, there is no solid evidence.
Moreover, Guo Xun's status is also quite special. His family background is that of the founding marquis of the country, and he was a man of great influence in the past ten years. He is the number one meritorious official in the martial arts, which is really a bit precious.
Therefore, the Ministry of Punishment was very troubled by Guo Xun's situation, and returned Guo Xun to the Jin Yiwei for "supplementary investigation."
The unspoken rule here is that if Guo Xun is guilty, you Jin Yiwei will beat him into submission; if Guo Xun is not guilty, you Jin Yiwei will just let him go!
Anyway, this kind of unclear dirty work, which may involve bending the law for personal gain or creating an unjust case, needs to be done by you Jinyiwei. This is the responsibility and meaning of your Jinyiwei's imprisonment.
As for who will decide whether Guo Xun is guilty or innocent, of course it is the Ming Supreme Being in the palace.
After hearing Lu Bing's intention, Huang Jin couldn't help but feel some sympathy for Guo Xun.
Guo Xun was so famous back then. He repeatedly interfered in the government affairs of the court as a military minister, which was unique in the past century. He even successfully recommended candidates for the Minister of War.
It was after meeting Qin Dewei that Guo Xun's good luck came to an abrupt end.
It was just that he was stripped of his actual authority a few years ago. This year he finally regained the emperor's trust and was able to serve in Wuyi Hall as a representative of the nobles. However, in the blink of an eye, he was once again in the Heavenly Prison.
But Huang Jin didn't really care whether Guo Xun was guilty or not. It had little to do with him. What made him sensitive was another situation.
"Master Lu, you came directly to ask for an order because of Guo Xun's matter? Didn't you report it to Dongchang first?" Huang Jin put away his smile and asked with a serious look.
Lu Bing replied: "Even if I report it to Dongchang, I still have to ask for the order. It would be more convenient if I directly ask for the order and then report it to Dongchang."
Huang Jin was speechless for a moment. Who should request the order is not a trivial matter. This is the core issue, okay?
Having been in the palace for a long time, Eunuch Huang certainly understands many common procedures. For example, how Guo Xun determined such a major event, the Jin Yiwei should first report to the East Factory, and then the factory owner would request an order from the emperor.
First, it was because it was more convenient for the eunuchs to enter and leave the palace, and second, the emperor was closer to the eunuchs on a daily basis and often trusted the eunuchs more. This is also the reason why Dongchang has always been superior to Jin Yiwei.
But this time Lu Bing bypassed Dongchang and directly requested the emperor's order, which was not in compliance with the usual procedures. To put it seriously, it was a power struggle with Dongchang.
Eunuch Huang knew that Lu Bing must have such "soft power", but it was hard to judge what the consequences would be if Lu Bing did this now.
He still reminded Lu Bing: "I'm afraid someone will be unhappy."
Lu Bing pretended to be relaxed and replied: "No matter how you do things, there will always be people who are unhappy."
Eunuch Huang didn't know what to say. Based on Lu Bing's "soft power", he could tell that sooner or later such a day would come.
But if Eunuch Qin of Dongchang could fight his way out of a group of dragons and become the No. 2 eunuch, how can the Duke of Dongchang be easy to get along with?
Early the next morning, the eunuch Bingbi and the governor of Dongchang, Qin Fu, came to Renshou Palace and made daily reports while the emperor was having breakfast.
At the end of the report, Emperor Jiajing casually asked the Qin eunuch: "Yesterday, Lu Bing requested an order for Guo Xun's affairs. Did you know?"
Eunuch Qin felt a little turbulent in his heart, but he calmly replied: "I really don't know."
Then Emperor Jiajing said nothing more, and Eunuch Qin resigned.
When Eunuch Qin returned to the East Factory and was alone in the public room, his face showed undisguised anger.
Recently, because of the issue of issuing a royal decree to my "ex-wife", I was already unhappy enough, but Lu Bing came to challenge my authority again!
After thinking for a moment, Eunuch Qin ordered his entourage: "Let Xu Miaojing get down and come straight back!"
In the afternoon, Xu Miaojing came to Dongchang and met with Eunuch Qin.
Eunuch Qin said: "There is something I think you need to tell Qin Dewei!"
Xu Miaojing is quite familiar with this kind of work, she just listens with her ears.
Eunuch Qin continued: "Lu Bing and Guo Xun have probably colluded, and they may be trying to help Guo Xun exonerate him!"
Although Eunuch Qin didn't have any evidence, who wouldn't know "there is no basis for it"?
Even from a purely logical analysis, if Lu Bing did not intend to help Guo Xun escape the crime and gain more benefits, would he have risked offending Dongchang?
If it was just for the sake of official business to convict Guo Xun, and Lu Bing bypassed Dongchang to do his own thing, what practical benefits would he receive?
Xu Miaojing was a little surprised. He knew exactly what the relationship between Guo Xun and her brother-in-law was, but he didn't make too much of a fuss.
For my brother-in-law, this should only be considered a minor problem, right?
As for why Eunuch Qin reminded her brother-in-law of this matter, Xu Miaojing didn't bother to think about it. Anyway, her brother-in-law was worried about it, so why should she bother with it.
However, Xu Miaojing was still a little more cautious. On her way back to Xicheng from Dongchang, she deliberately passed by the Jinyi Guards Office.
When I came to the imperial prison located inside, I saw several military attachés standing at the door of the prison hall chatting.
"Who's in there?" Xu Miaojing asked naturally.
Then someone answered: "Commander Lu is inside."
Xu Miaojing knew it clearly. Recently, no other prisoners were imprisoned in the Jinyiwei Prison. Only Guo Xun was imprisoned here.
So when Lu Bing went in, he didn't meet Guo Xun, so what else could it be?
Originally, it was possible that Lu Bing was fulfilling his duty to interrogate Guo Xun and would not let Xu Miaojing think too much about it. However, after being "reminded" by Eunuch Qin, no matter what he thought, he felt that Lu Bing was colluding with Guo Xun.
The main reason is that Xu Miaojing did not dare and could not question Eunuch Qin. He could only believe what Eunuch Qin said.
After leaving the Jinyi Guard Office, Xu Miaojing quickly came to Wugong Alley, met Qin Dewei in the study, and relayed Eunuch Qin's original words.
Qin Dewei asked: "Lu Bing has been to Renshou Palace in the past two days?"
As the "imperial bodyguard" on duty outside the palace gate, Xu Miaojing was impressed by this and nodded: "I have indeed been there."
Qin Dewei immediately laughed: "No wonder Eunuch Qin is dissatisfied. Lu Bing is probably trying to bypass Dongchang and become independent. If Dongchang can't even control Jin Yiwei, won't he become a laughing stock?"
Then he asked Xu Miaojing, "What do you think of Lu Bing and Guo Xun?"
After Xu Miaojing thought for a moment, she replied: "Since I joined the Jinyi Guards as a servant, I can observe that although Lu Bing is kind on the surface, he is very ambitious on the inside and is unwilling to be inferior to others.
I guess this time it may be that Guo Xun is willing to surrender to Lu Bing in order to escape guilt. As for Lu Bing, if he can take Guo Xun as his wing, he can immediately strengthen his own power.
After all, Guo Xun was once the number one military minister, and his influence is still there. Moreover, Guo Xun and Lu Bing are both from the martial arts camp, so it is naturally easy for them to cooperate.
Moreover, the work of the two of them is also very complementary. Guo Xun is in the Zhiwuyi Hall, and Lu Bing is in the Jinyi Guards Office. They are both inside and outside, similar to the relationship between Teacher Zhang and your brother-in-law."
Qin Dewei praised happily: "Yes, there is progress! But isn't Lu Bing afraid of offending me? Everyone knows that Guo Xun and I are mortal enemies!"
Xu Miaojing replied: "That may be because Lu Bing, relying on his special status, thinks he has the capital to take risks. No matter how much trouble he gets into, nothing big will happen.
Besides, brother-in-law, it’s impossible for you to become Lu Bing’s party member, and it’s impossible for Lu Bing to completely obey your will.”
Then Xu Miaojing reminded: "Lu Bing is actually fine, and he has no deep grudge with his brother-in-law. But if Guo Xun hooks up with Lu Bing, my brother-in-law should not be careless."
Qin Dewei said nonchalantly: "Guo Xun is just a local chicken and a tile dog with flaws all over his body. I have other agendas, so I have kept him untouched.
To be honest, I can make him die without a burial place if I take any action, so what do I have to fear?"
Guo Xun recommended to the emperor Duan Chaoyong, an alchemist who knew how to refine immortal weapons, but Duan Chaoyong had been deceiving the emperor into seclusion for his own personal purposes and had little contact with outsiders.
It's a coincidence that Qin Dewei also expected this. Emperor Jiajing had better not care about anything and stay in seclusion for the sake of immortality.
Although in history, Emperor Jiajing did not adopt the suggestion of retreat in the end, but people always have dreams. If the butterfly effect occurs, will Emperor Jiajing really retreat?
This is what Qin Dewei said, keeping Guo Xun is still useful.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
As we get older, our immunity decreases, and you can catch a cold even if you blow the air conditioner... It's good if you can complete the update after two days of being groggy. You should also be careful in summer.
