Chapter 111: Officials want change, the situation suddenly changes, and power is returned to the royal family!
The rain has stopped.
It is already the end of the You hour.
The sky was azure blue, and the blood-red setting sun fell into the capital, making the entire city look like a painting.
"Someone come, come quickly!" The first thing Prince Yu did after returning home from the palace was to start calling people excitedly.
"Someone, take a shower, change clothes, someone!"
Now he has a copy of the immortal technique in his hand, although his father only told him to familiarize himself with the technique today and practice it tomorrow.
But now that he has the magic in his hands, how can he bear it?
However, in order to demonstrate his importance to the magic, he needed to take a bath and change clothes before he could start.
It's not that he wasn't calm enough, it's just that the excitement and joy in his heart at the moment forced him to lose his composure and be a little unrestrained.
He has been suppressed for too long and has been cautious all his life. What's wrong with letting off some steam? It's allowed!
Today, not only did he gain recognition and praise from his father, he also surpassed the fourth brother in front of his father and obtained the method of cultivating immortals from his father. Most importantly, he is now full of confidence in the future.
Well, in addition to that, there's an unprecedented sense of relief. I don't have to stare at that seat and worry about it all day long.
Although it is highly unlikely that he will ever get the throne, the next thing he can look forward to is cultivating immortality and achieving immortality.
Compared with these, the temptation of immortality and a throne don’t seem to be anything. If they are gone, then they are gone.
Although after becoming emperor, all the resources of the Ming Dynasty will be used by him alone, he also knows that his father has already embarked on the path of cultivating immortals, and immortality is inevitable.
Given his father's greed for power, he would not allow anyone to get their hands on the throne, so he has to find another pursuit!
The most important thing is that these resources will belong to the emperor. However, since the emperor eats the meat, it’s okay for him, as his son, to drink the soup, right?
Spiritual fields and resources for cultivating immortals are the 'new nobles' of the future Ming Dynasty. The future Ming Dynasty will be centered on these and pursued by countless people, and his only competitor is the fourth brother.
Soon, the originally quiet palace became noisy.
Although the eunuchs and maids didn't know what was going on, they still started to get busy.
After bathing and changing clothes, with the help of the beautiful maidservants in the palace, Prince Yu dismissed everyone and went to the study alone.
After taking several breaths to calm himself down, Prince Yu reverently took out the "Qi Inducing Art" from his arms, sat down in front of the desk, and began to read it carefully.
However, after reading the 'Qi-Inducing Art' and Lv Fang copying it down and noting the practice according to his own actual situation, Prince Yu's fiery and anxious heart suddenly calmed down.
"It's because I was too impatient..." Prince Yu looked intently at the line of small words written by Lu Fang on the 'Qi Induction Art'.
“On the path of cultivating immortals, spiritual energy is an indispensable key. In my dynasty, spiritual energy has disappeared. If you want to practice this immortal method, you must first swallow the spiritual source, impact your own acupoints, and meditate on the diagram of the practice.
Use breathing to guide the spiritual energy in the body and impact the acupoints. After breaking through the acupoints required to draw the energy into the body, you can start preparing to impact the first realm of cultivation, the Qi training stage!"
After reading Lu Fang's annotations, Prince Yu calmed down.
Today, in the Lingtian courtyard, he learned the difference between cultivators and immortals, and gained a brief understanding of the realm of immortal cultivation and the functions of the Lingtian, but the thing called "Spiritual Source" was not mentioned.
Of course, what Prince Yu didn’t know was what the essence of Lingyuan was, and even Lu Fang didn’t know.
Because the spiritual source involves the spiritual vein.
Only with spiritual veins can spiritual sources be produced. In Jiajing's opinion, it is too early to say these things now. The spiritual field courtyard is enough to support the cultivation of people like Lu Fang and Lu Bing.
As for himself, he would only use it for simple cultivation. If he really wanted to achieve a breakthrough through seclusion, he would naturally go to the world of immortal cultivation.
Jiajing is currently only at the fifth level of Qi training, and it is unknown how long it will take for him to break through to the sixth level. Therefore, in Daming, he is just maintaining his daily practice to consolidate his cultivation, and he has no thoughts of a breakthrough.
For people like Lu Fang and Lu Bing, the spiritual energy in the spiritual field courtyard, some spiritual melons and fruits, and dozens of taels of spiritual source are enough.
"No wonder my father only asked me to familiarize myself with the technique first and then enter the palace to practice tomorrow. It turns out that I am missing a key item..."
Looking at the skills in his hands, Prince Yu sighed with regret, and then began to concentrate on familiarizing himself with the 'Qi Inducing Technique'.
King Jing on the other side was naturally similar to him, watching the "Qi Induction Art" all night long.
However, many people could not sleep that night. The immortal had descended to the world. Although it was unclear how it was related to the palace, all officials vaguely felt that a storm was about to hit the Ming Dynasty.
For a moment, high-ranking officials were filled with worry, and those at lower positions were trembling with fear, as if there was a huge knife above their heads, which would chop towards their necks at any time with boundless chill.
By then, in the two capitals and thirteen provinces, countless officials would probably be killed and their heads would fall down, with blood flowing like rivers.
……
Night, Xu's house, study.
"Father, is the story about immortals true?" Xu Fan, the eldest son of Xu Jie and the current Vice Minister of Works, asked with some anticipation.
Although he was already middle-aged, he could not suppress his curiosity and could not help but inquire about the rumors of "immortals descending to the earth" that had begun to circulate among the top leaders of the six ministries.
These people have already reached the pinnacle of worldly power, and there are not many things that can arouse their interest.
In addition to power, there is family development, or the realization of national policy ambitions, etc., but now there is an additional legend of immortals!
"Don't talk about immortal matters at home anymore," Xu Jie responded to his son's question with the same attitude as Yan Song. He did not explain much, but just picked up a letter on the table, handed it to his son, and said, "Send this letter to Songjiang."
Looking at the unsigned letter, Xu Fan's face darkened slightly. He looked at his father, who seemed to have aged a lot, under the candlelight. After taking the letter, he said, "Father, what happened?"
His father had asked him to deliver letters to the clan in Songjiang several times before, but they were all signed. There were unsigned ones like this one, but they were rare, and each time it meant that something big had happened!
The most recent one was when Hai Rui caused a big disturbance in the southeast not long ago and the situation got out of control, so the emperor ordered the imperial teacher to go to the southeast.
Afterwards, most of the Xu family's interest nodes in the southeast disappeared in an instant, and a big hole appeared in their interest network.
This time, his father sent him another unsigned letter, which made him feel depressed again.
Instinctively, he thought that it might be related to the immortal.
Now it is being rumored among the top leaders of the six ministries that the Ming Dynasty has the help of an immortal, and that the emperor's attempt to provoke Altan Khan and lure the Mongolian army to invade is just a ruse to let the immortal destroy Altan Khan's army.
If it is related to the immortals, what does it have to do with their Xu family? Everything this time happened in the northern border.
Hearing his son's question, Xu Jie raised his head and looked at his tall, strong, and honest-looking eldest son. A hint of fatigue appeared in his eyes.
He suddenly felt that he was really inferior to Yan Song.
In the cabinet, he was able to handle Yan Song with ease, but although he did not take Yan Shifan, who was beside Yan Song, seriously, compared with his son, Yan Shifan was much stronger than his son.
Xu Jie opened his mouth, wanting to say something to his son, then lowered his head helplessly, waved his hand, and said, "Go ahead, you'll know when the time comes."
"Father, I..." Xu Fan moved his lips and opened his mouth to speak, but looking at his father who lowered his head and seemed to be getting older and more gloomy, he could only turn around helplessly.
He could clearly see the fatigue and disappointment in his father's expression just now.
He knew that even if he pressed the issue, his father probably wouldn't say anything, and he would just be making his father unhappy for nothing.
"Sigh..." As he closed the door, before he took a few steps, Xu Fan heard a sigh coming from the study.
He clenched his fists and finally had no choice but to walk away.
Above the sky, the bright moon hangs high and the stars shine brightly, converging into a long river.
Xu Jie sat at the table, looking up at the bright moon in the sky. An inexplicable light was surging in his turbid eyes.
Tonight, he made a difficult decision.
That is to completely abandon the entire profit network that the family has been building for generations, and then hand it all over to the court.
At the same time, he took the lead in betraying the gentry and powerful families with whom he had close ties.
In this way, he could fight for a better future for himself and the entire Xu family. But the consequence of doing so was that he would lose the support of all the gentry families in the southeast, and he would lose his greatest support.
He wasn't sure what the future would hold.
If he actively betrays his own interest group, his status in the court will drop sharply.
He will become like Yan Song, following the orders of the royal family!
If the royal family doesn't want him... then what awaits him and the entire Xu family will be eternal damnation in an instant!
The gentry and powerful families have never had fixed supporters, but because he is in this position, the Xu family's power has risen.
He also has a group of supporters behind him, and it is because of them that he has been able to reach where he is today.
Today's gentry and wealthy families are like a large ship sailing on the sea; this ship is rotten and there is no destination in sight.
And he is the captain chosen by the crew of this big ship. Now, he, the captain, is going to get off the ship!
He wants to use this broken ship and the crew on board to buy himself a better future. Well, there is also an element of gambling here, provided that he hands in his letter of surrender and does not lose himself.
But he had no choice. Wait for the ship to sink and die together, or let his friend die rather than himself? He had no choice but to gamble!
Xu Jie gazed at the bright moon in the sky for a long time, and then spoke softly.
"Officials are always looking for change. This is my choice!"
……
Gao Mansion, in the lobby.
"Taiyue, the cabinet is about to face a major purge!" Gao Gong said bluntly to Zhang Juzheng.
"What Su Qing said is..." Zhang Juzheng frowned and looked at Gao Gong, wondering if what he said was what he was thinking.
"You are a smart man," Gao Gong nodded and said, "I believe you have also thought of it. Do you know the emperor's purpose?"
Without waiting for Zhang Juzheng to speak, Gao Gong followed up, "I'm not talking about rectifying the administration, but the cabinet!" "I have a guess," Zhang Juzheng said after a moment's silence, looking at Gao Gong, "If the emperor really has contact with the immortals, has succeeded in his cultivation, and has embarked on the immortal path..."
"Then the real purpose of the emperor letting Prince Yu and Prince Jing assist in the cabinet may be to return all power to the royal family!"
"As expected of you, Zhang Taiyue!" Gao Gong praised in a deep voice, "Then do you know what this means?"
"Since all power belongs to the royal family, then it is not allowed to be dispersed. For example..." Zhang Juzheng paused and said, "Lord Xu, and the family behind him!"
"The power of the cabinet has been in the hands of the emperor since the Yongle Dynasty, through the Hongxi and Xuande dynasties... until the present dynasty, when the emperor stopped attending court. Although the cabinet no longer has the title of prime minister, it has the power of a prime minister in reality."
Gao Gong spoke in a serious tone, staring at Zhang Juzheng with his tiger eyes, "Now, the emperor is going to take back the power."
"But leave it to Prince Yu and Prince Jing. It's clear that the emperor doesn't intend to change the status quo of not attending court," Gao Gong frowned and said, "The emperor will continue his cultivation if he succeeds!"
"But power must be taken back and must be in the hands of the royal family."
"The emperor's goal is to rectify the administration of officials and establish the Weisuo system, and in the process, the cabinet's power will be taken back as a byproduct!"
"So, Lord Xu, the situation is over," Gao Gong said in a low voice, "Taiyue, it's time for you and me to think about change!"
Who is the most powerful in the cabinet? Yan Song!
But Yan Song had been excluded by them.
Yan Song's power has always come from the emperor. As long as the emperor still wants Yan Song, Yan Song's position will not be shaken.
Power returned to the royal family? To Yan Song, it was meaningless. So this cabinet power reshuffle was aimed at the second assistant Xu Jie.
"Mr. Su, what exactly do you want to say?" Zhang Juzheng didn't like Gao Gong's words to Xu Jie.
Although they are not master and disciple in name, they are master and disciple in reality.
"Zhu Wan case!" Gao Gong said these three words in a deep voice, and said: "I want to preside over the 'Zhu Wan case', and I need your help!"
"You want me to harm Lord Xu?" Zhang Juzheng sat up suddenly and looked at Gao Gong in disbelief. "Do you know what you are talking about? He is my mentor!"
He just thought Gao Gong was crazy!
You can go to Zhao Zhenji for this matter, or to me? Do I, Zhang Juzheng, look like a person who betrays his teacher and ancestors?
As the judge of the Zhu Wan case, Zhang Juzheng knew very well what this meant.
Everyone knows that this case was a butcher knife handed to the emperor by the evil villain Yan Shifan.
Once the verdict is overturned, it will involve the invasion of Altan Khan in the 29th year of Jiajing. At that time, the butcher knife will be aimed at the entire southeastern officialdom, and the rectification of officialdom will also start from here.
Who should be the first to be attacked? Xu Jie is the first choice!
"The spring wind rolls up the silk curtains, the bright moon shines on the flowing yellow. The mountains and rivers are so blocked, the clouds and trees are so tall. I wish I could follow the long wind and flutter to your side. I wish I could use the cloud brocade silk to mend your gorgeous clothes!"
However, at this time, Gao Gong recited a poem, which was written by Zhang Juzheng when he was young.
When Zhang Juzheng heard Gao Gong recite this poem, he was slightly startled.
"Taiyue, you have waited too long. You want the wind to take you to the top and realize your ambitions. Here is your chance!" Gao Gong stood up and looked at Zhang Juzheng, speaking earnestly.
"Taiyue, you and I have the same thoughts and ambitions, and our political views do not conflict. Why don't we join hands and realize our ambitions? Create an unprecedented prosperity for the Ming Dynasty?"
"I'm not asking you to harm Lord Xu. The Zhu Wan case is the best excuse for the emperor to rectify the administration of officials."
"With you and me here, His Royal Highness Prince Yu will also remember that love, and Lord Xu will be able to retire smoothly and spend his old age in peace."
"Lord Xu and his family are doomed."
"A brand new Ming Dynasty is now at a time to realize our ambitions! If we don't seize this opportunity, we may never have another chance!"
"No need to say more..." Before Gao Gong could finish, Zhang Juzheng interrupted him with a wave of his hand, saying, "Mr. Su, no matter what, I will not do such a thing to betray my teacher and ancestors."
"Today, just pretend that I have never been here. Goodbye!" After saying that, Zhang Juzheng bowed, turned around and left.
"Taiyue!" Gao Gong looked at Zhang Juzheng's resolute back and stood there in a daze.
He didn't expect that Zhang Juzheng would refuse so straightforwardly.
Gao Gong was very disheartened after being rejected. He said angrily: "After rectifying the administration of officials, it is a good time to reform the law..."
……
In the study room of Yan Mansion.
Yan Song was concentrating on reading a Taoist classic.
His son Yan Shifan was also lying on the table, carefully helping his father deal with official documents.
Well, it's rare for the young minister to be so quiet.
"Dad, you said that the emperor has cultivated immortality. What will happen to the Ming Dynasty in the future?" Yan Shifan yawned, raised his head and looked at his father. Seeing the look in his father's eyes, he said:
"I know not to talk about it, but isn't that just idle chat?"
"Hmph," Yan Song chuckled, licked his fingers, turned a page in the book, and then said in a gentle voice, "Of course, it is to establish an immortal dynasty and lay a foundation for eternal success."
"I wonder what we should do to get the emperor to bestow magical powers upon our Yan family?" Yan Shifan's eyes were filled with longing.
"Perhaps it won't be long before we know..." Upon hearing this, Yan Song paused and muttered to himself.
"Dad?!" Hearing this, Yan Shifan was startled, staring at his father Yan Song, and said in a lost voice: "What do you mean?"
"Prince Yu and Prince Jing entered the palace today. I'm afraid it's about the matter of the immortal. Let's see if His Highness will summon them tomorrow."
"You will understand then." Yan Song said in a serious tone.
"Yes, I forgot that His Highness entered Yuxi Palace today because of the matter of the immortal."
"As you said, the power of the cabinet will be returned to the royal family from now on. If His Highness wants to hire someone, our Yan family will definitely be indispensable. By then, I will definitely be able to learn some secrets of the immortals through His Highness..."
"If it was His Highness who revealed it on his own initiative, then it is not us who are asking, and it also shows that the Emperor has not prohibited it." Yan Shifan's mind is still very sharp when it comes to matters of interest.
"Deal with the documents carefully and talk less."
Yan Song looked at his son who was full of longing, said something in a lukewarm tone, then lowered his head and began to read.
Yan Shifan also put aside his thoughts and began to carefully handle the official documents sent from various places.
Although the outside world was undergoing sudden changes, the Yan family was experiencing a peaceful and tranquil life.
The two worst father and son in the world's eyes were calmer than anyone else at this moment.
The next day, it was sunny.
Prince Yu’s Mansion, in the main hall.
Prince Yu had not arrived yet, but Xu Jie, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Zhenji had already taken their seats.
But the atmosphere between them became very subtle.
Gao Gong kept glancing at Zhang Juzheng, who always had a cold attitude, neither salty nor indifferent. Xu Jie, on the other hand, always looked calm and composed.
It seems that no matter how bad the situation is for him, he can always maintain this calm attitude.
Zhao Zhenji, who had always been trying to lower his presence, looked at these three people and had some guesses in his mind.
Seeing that Zhang Juzheng seemed really angry, Gao Gong also felt a little unhappy.
We have been friends for many years. Even if we have different opinions, I just told you a few truths. There is no need to be like this, right?
Okay, if you ignore me, I will ignore you too!
Thinking of this, Gao Gong looked at Xu Jie again, his eyes as sharp as a knife.
He is not afraid to speak out, he has Xu Jie in his grasp today!
"Ha!" At this time, a yawn was heard from the side hall, and Prince Yu walked out with slightly blue circles under his eyes. Everyone was a little surprised when they saw Prince Yu's appearance, but they still hurried to greet him.
"Everyone is here..." Prince Yu said, and yawned again. He took the tea handed to him by the eunuch, drank a sip, and then greeted everyone, saying, "Please sit down. No need to be polite."
"Thank you, Your Highness." After expressing their gratitude, everyone took their seats steadily.
"Well, today I summoned you all to the palace to rectify the administration of officials..." Prince Yu said, and then paused for a moment, "Father has already handed this matter over to me and my fourth brother."
"Whatever ideas you have, please share them with us. Where should we start and how should we go about rectifying the administration of officials?" As he spoke, Prince Yu first turned his gaze towards Xu Jie.
"Your Highness, I think we can start with the Zhu Wan case."
Almost as soon as Prince Yu finished speaking and Gao Gong was about to speak first, Xu Jie spoke first.
"Huh?!" Upon hearing Xu Jie's words, everyone except Prince Yu was stunned, especially Gao Gong, who stared, as if he did not expect that Xu Jie would be the first to speak.
Only Zhao Zhenji, after a brief moment of astonishment, had a gleam in his eyes. He looked at Xu Jie with secret admiration in his heart.
Xu Jie, Lord Xu, is worthy of being someone who can fight with Yan Song, he is ruthless enough!
When the other party took the initiative to say that he wanted to start the investigation from the Zhu Wan case, he had already guessed Xu Jie's plan!
"..."
(End of this chapter)
