Time flies, and it has been nearly three months since the Zhengde Emperor Zhu Houzhao ascended the throne. Although the sudden change from the calm and reserved Emperor Hongzhi to the current high-spirited Emperor Zhengde, the ministers in the court were not used to it, but the common people did not realize that too much.
The big difference - perhaps the only difference is that the little emperor often comes up with all kinds of bizarre things, so that they can have more topics to talk about after dinner every day. Therefore, on the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th, when the court
After the notice was posted again on the notice board of Xisi Archway, many people naturally gathered around to take a look.
Although there are quite a few literate people nowadays, the text of the imperial edict is difficult after all, and many people can recognize all the words but cannot understand the full meaning. After a long time, a scholar was invited to read the entire text.
Once again, he was immediately begged for an explanation: "The meaning above is very simple. The emperor has ascended the throne, but the rain has not stopped in the past few months. The emperor is sympathetic to the prisoners in prisons all over the world, so he plans to let the Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple and the Capital
The procuratorate will clean up the prison and do not leave any unjust cases. But there is one final rule: all criminals who commit treason will not be pardoned, and they will be executed quickly within these few days."
"So Xisi Archway is going to kill people again?"
"It's not autumn yet... The emperor is young, but he is kind and kind, and he is not merciless when he kills people!"
"From the Chen Liu family, you are very courageous. You actually dare to arrange for the emperor and his elders!"
While the West Fourth Archway was bustling with noise, the Punishment Department Yamen was immersed in a solemn atmosphere. Even the Zaoli scribes who were walking around were trembling with fear. Min Gui, the Minister of Punishment who had been in charge of the Punishment Department for many years, was suddenly involved in some threat.
In the case of the assassination, the result was a "serious illness" that was only a little better than being ordered to become an official. However, Tu Xun, the Zuo Shilang who had many years of experience in the Ministry of Justice, did not get the position of Minister by some combination of circumstances. Instead, he was given the position of Jiao Fang, the Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
It was occupied. As soon as the new Minister took office, the emperor ordered the cleanup of the prisons in the world. Now the previous matters have not been fully concluded, and the Ministry of Punishment has to be busy again.
At this time, in the main hall, Jiao Fang frowned and looked at the confidant Zaoli she had brought from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and asked word by word as if in disbelief: "You mean, the emperor plans to revive Tang Yin and Xu
Merit and fame?"
"Yes. Eunuch Li, the Superintendent of Ceremonies, specially sent a letter to say it. It was the emperor's unintentional revelation to the left and right. He found out the news with great difficulty. He said that this cleanup of the world's prisons was just for Tang Yin.
and Xu Jing’s fame, and the second reason is to kill Zheng Wang and the others who were in the vanguard of Min Shangshu who were dragging them to make a decision."
Just because of these two things, he was almost bent over by so many documents!
Jiao Fang's teeth were itching with hatred, and she waved her hand and ordered the Zaoli to retreat. She wanted to find Liu Jin to inquire more, but then she thought about it and heard that Liu Jin had just become an internal official, eunuch, and cultivated private individuals and officials in the palace.
The conflicts between Li Rong, Wang Yue and others continued, so he hesitated. But after thinking about it, he really couldn't bear to deal with these messy prisons in the Ministry of Punishments without any explanation, and passively accepted the tricks of Tiantian and Tu Xun.
As a result, he still ordered someone to deliver a message to Liu Jin. However, it was not until the sun set and the moon was almost coming out that he got the news and hurried out of the Yamen and rushed to Liu Jin's private house.
"On this wonderful Mid-Autumn Festival, the Emperor is admiring the moon with the Queen Mother in the palace. Why are you so anxious to find something for me, which made me rush here in a hurry!"
When Liu Jin saw Jiao Fang, he complained a lot, and his face looked very ugly. This Mid-Autumn Festival is not the official festival of the Ming Dynasty, and it is not even as grand as the Dragon Boat Festival. Just make some moon cakes and admire the moon. But after all, there is reunion in the Mid-Autumn Festival. This means that this happened to be the first Mid-Autumn Festival after the death of Emperor Hongzhi Zhu Youtang. Zhu Houzhao naturally tried every means to make Empress Dowager Zhang happy. All the respectable eunuchs were flattering her. Jiao Fang unexpectedly asked him out. How could he? Are you happy? Furthermore, he found a position as minister for Jiao Fang. Jiao Fang didn't show any signs before, so he naturally felt even more unhappy.
Jiao Fang saw Liu Jin's reluctant expression, and immediately lowered her body and pretended to be asking for advice respectfully and politely: "Eunuch Liu, I just want to ask for advice. This time, the emperor issued an edict to clean up the world's prisons. What is the purpose of this?"
Liu Jin was more than ten years younger than Jiao Fang. Seeing that Jiao Fang was still respectful to him now that he was promoted to minister, he felt a little calmer. Moreover, he asked this question because he happened to know it, so he laughed and said: " If you ask others about this, you may not get the result, so I will tell you the truth. The first, of course, is that when Min Gui was in office, Zheng Wang’s case that was supposed to be settled was delayed for almost a year. The emperor was angry and wanted to kill the person quickly. Out of sight, out of mind. Secondly, it was the imperial examination scandal that year. The emperor felt that he had wronged the two scholars and planned to restore their honors. It's that simple. , just do it well.”….
It’s true! It’s that simple, just do it!
Jiao Fang was almost furious, but she had to hold it back in front of Liu Jin, and then cautiously probed: "Eunuch Liu is talking about... Speaking of being promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Justice this time, I am not mentally prepared at all. You must know that there are three people on the list sent by Ting Tui. Tu Xun is senior in the Ministry of Punishment, Wang Hua has the support of Elder Xie Ge, and his son Wang Shouren had some fate with the emperor in the past. How did he decide on me in the end?"
It was okay not to ask this question, but when he asked this question, Liu Jin suddenly became angry. He stared at Jiao Fang for a long time, and then he snorted: "Are you really not aware or are you pretending not to know? This matter is The emperor has decided with his pen. Apart from me, who else can be so capable and able to persuade the emperor to decide on the official position of the Ministry of Justice? Not even Xu Xun dared!"
This sentence revealed so much information that Jiao Fang felt her heart tumbling so hard that she managed to smile and said: "That's right, my father-in-law's favor in the imperial court is unmatched... But, Xu Xun is so bold." , will there be anything he doesn’t dare to do?”
"He has only been in Beijing for a year. How many people do he know? Where can he recommend to the Ministry of Justice?" Liu Jin thought of Xu Xun's knowledge and interest at that time, and her face was full of smiles. "So, when the emperor asked him, he declined and said that he I couldn't recommend such a talent, so I recommended you immediately. You have spoken for Xu Xun several times before, and the emperor was deeply impressed by you. In addition, your name was already on the list of candidates, so of course you checked it immediately. .This time it’s just an opportunity to clean up the world’s prisons. After it’s done, are you still worried about not having the holy family?”
Even though Jiao Fang and Li Rong had been dealing with each other for many years, Li Rong had never spoken to him in such a condescending and commanding manner like Liu Jin did. For a moment, Jiao Fang felt very uncomfortable. Fortunately, he repeatedly used his body and mind to Cao Ying. Han Lai comforted himself, and after calming down, he said carefully: "I know Mr. Liu's good intentions, but I used to be the left minister of the Ministry of official affairs, only one step away from the position of minister, and Ma Wensheng is old, so this time it is just right. He has become a target of public criticism. As long as he leaves his post, I will be able to take control of the Ministry of Personnel. When the time comes, the promotion of officials all over the world will be in my hands. Wouldn't it be better than the Ministry of Punishment?"
Liu Jin was stunned when he heard this, and then he vaguely felt that he had acted too hastily. However, he had always been a stubborn person, and he had a bit of contempt for Jiao Fang. Now he took advantage of the situation and stood up suddenly: "Why, I'll give it to you.
You have tried your best to plan your future, but you are still picky? Do you think I don’t want to get the Minister of Civil Affairs? Old Man Ma is the target of public criticism, but this time the letter has only pleased the emperor. He will not be able to do it for a while, and people are
You are old but not dead, you are very old, how many years can you wait to find that position?"
Having said this, he felt more and more that he was right, and immediately picked up the tea ceremony angrily: "Good intentions are like donkey liver and lungs. I don't have time to talk to you anymore. I have to rush back to the palace. You can go back and think about it yourself."
Think clearly!"
Jiao Fang wanted to say more, but when she saw Liu Jin's face full of impatience, she had to endure the anger in her heart and say goodbye. When he got out of the door and got on his sedan chair, he couldn't help but punch the armrest hard. As a result, now
The four bearers were about to lift up the sedan and set off. After receiving the blow, the one on the front left staggered. The sedan suddenly fell to the ground. Jiao Fang was caught off guard and was knocked around in the sedan. Finally,
One person even fell out of the sedan. Although the boy serving next to him saw the opportunity and quickly helped him, his knees still hit the ground hard, and his face turned blue in pain for a while.
"master……"
"Damn the little one!"
Although the bearer who caused the accident hurriedly kowtowed and begged for mercy, the pain in his knees was only in his flesh and bones. The stinging pain in Jiao Fang's heart was simply unbearable. He gritted his teeth and restrained himself from getting angry at the door of Liu Jin's private house. He barely held on.
He sat back in the sedan, and then with difficulty he uttered one word: "Let's go!"
The four bearers looked at each other for a while, and finally they unanimously picked up the sedan and set off. The boy gestured to the first two servants and hurriedly followed. When these people disappeared into the night,
In the middle of the night, someone just walked in at the door of Liu's house to notify Liu Jin.
"You are so young and frizzy. If I didn't have anyone in my hands, why would I use you?" Liu Jin muttered, finally letting go of the problem, and suddenly asked the young man again, "I
Brother, have they come?"
"Reporting to my father-in-law, the eldest master and the others have not arrived in the capital yet. Only the two young nephews have arrived today."
Liu Jin was stunned when he heard this, and then stood up immediately: "Don't tell me early if you are coming, call someone over quickly and let me have a look!"
When the boy rushed out of the door in three steps and two steps, and soon brought two neatly dressed young people in to kowtow to him, he looked at them carefully for a while, and then suddenly grinned.
He said: "Okay, okay, I finally found a few family members to help me. What are your names?"
"Uncle, nephew Liu Erhan."
"Uncle, nephew Liu Kui."
Seeing the two people banging their heads very neatly, Liu Jin beamed for a moment, and after a long moment, he patted the handrail and said: "Okay, everyone, get up. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, come with me to take a good look at the moon. I finally have my own family to accompany me."