Chapter 344 Public Opinion Xichang Jinyiwei and Civil Officials
"The results of the voting for this time have come out. Wang Shilang is the leader, Zhou Shangshu is the companion, Mr. Hou takes the most credit, and takes the most credit!"
In the Shanxi Guild Hall, a group of businessmen couldn't help but stand up and salute Hou Lu, and Hou Lu also hurriedly returned the salute: "My fellow countrymen are so complimentary, and I feel ashamed that I don't deserve it. However, what I want to say is that after this incident, The princes in the court should also understand that we Shanxi merchants can also decide their official careers, not just Hui merchants. ”
"Mr. Hou's words are very true. This court is only waiting for the Holy Judgment, and now the post of Quanzhou Prefecture is vacant. When the Ministry of Civil Affairs makes the recommendation, Mr. Hou is asked to help, and the boss will thank him with great courtesy." At this time , a businessman took Hou Lu's words, and then personally held Hou Lu's hand.
Hou Lu understood and started working with the businessman in his sleeves, shaking his head at one moment and nodding at the other.
Hou Luxian said: "Quanzhou is close to the sea, and trade has developed recently. The last prefect of Quanzhou made this amount by smuggling. Shouldn't your boss raise the price again?"
"Can we let our boss also take over the errands of the Shipping Department?" the businessman said softly.
"Yes, but only this number," Hou Lu said.
The businessman nodded, and the two of them looked at each other and smiled before leaving, and Hou Lu didn't say anything more.
The people who can enter the guild hall are all businessmen whom Hou Lu trusts, and they are all here to do business in the officialdom. Therefore, there is no taboo between them, so this businessman dares to openly say that he wants to sell his official position. What's more, he didn't mention who his boss was, and even the transactions were done in his sleeves. Even if there were spies from the West Factory in the guild hall, he couldn't be sure who was buying the official through the businessman.
Even if Xichang really wants to arrest the businessman for interrogation, his boss will say that he has no knowledge.
Therefore, these businessmen are becoming more and more rampant in selling their official positions, and this Hou Lu is undoubtedly the agent of a big boss in the officialdom who can decide the promotion of officials.
At this time, not only did this businessman want to buy it for his boss, other businessmen also asked to buy it for their bosses or relatives.
Hou Lu hurriedly put the tea cup away: "Everyone, please be quiet and come one by one. Don't be in a hurry. This matter will naturally go to the one with the highest price, and no one will be deceived."
Everyone knew Hou Lu's power in the officialdom, and they were all a little afraid of Hou Lu's power. Seeing that Hou Lu was a little serious, they all shut up and started talking to Hou Lu in an orderly manner.
Soon, Hou Lu settled on the businessman who offered the highest price, and said: "Sir, don't worry, your boss will definitely get the position of prefect of Quanzhou!"
Hou Lu indeed has this confidence and confidence. After all, this is not the first time he has manipulated the matter of selling an official position and getting a title. There are basically no mistakes. What's more, he can even control the court affairs involving top-level officials such as cabinet ministers. Such officials The matter of pushing everyone is naturally extremely simple.
Many times, Hou Lu felt like he held the whole world in his hands.
As soon as Hou Lu left the Shanxi Guild Hall and was about to take a sedan chair back home, he saw his servant coming to report: "Sir, the honor guard of Mr. Zhao Zhenji, the right general minister, will pass here later. Do you think we should give way?"
"You Tongzheng is nothing. Even the Minister, the Minister, has to bow in front of you and me. He, Zhao Zhenji, is from Shu and is neither a Hui merchant nor a Shanxi merchant. He will never be the chief minister in this life, so there is no need to avoid him!"
Hou Lu said something rather proudly, got into the sedan, narrowed his eyes and said, "After the time has passed, please invite Mr. Liu from the Literature and Selection Department to meet at Huiyue Tower."
After a while, Hou Lu got off the sedan and arrived home. As soon as he got home, he saw a monk visiting: "Mr. Hou has become more and more blessed recently. The young monk was invited by Yanbutang to ask Mr. Hou for an opportunity to make progress."< br>
"Which Yanbutang?"
Hou Lu asked.
"Ministry of Agriculture, Yan Song, Mr. Hou, this must not be difficult," the monk asked.
Hou Lu snorted, picked up his robe and left: "Go back and tell your boss that it's too late. The results of the trial are already out, so you don't need to come to my place. Also, tell your boss that even if he comes to see Hou in advance, this It's Hou Mou I won't help him either. This is not a matter of money. Back then, there was a severe drought in Southern Zhili. I hoarded 30,000 shi of grain and was trying to make a fortune, but Yan Song's 100,000 shi of sweet potatoes caused him to lose tens of thousands of silver dollars. ”
"This is happening, but my master is also working for the imperial court, so it is really helpless," the monk replied.
"Helpless?"
Hou Lu smiled coldly, but thinking that Yan Song was the Minister of Agriculture after all, a second-rank official, and an important minister of the imperial court, he couldn't offend such a person too much, so he said:
"Hou can give your master a chance, but Hou will only do business with officials who are willing to stand up for us businessmen. If your master can advocate for the court to reduce business taxes, he can still come to you next time when a cabinet minister is vacant. Hou. ”
The monk didn't know what to say in reply, so he had to go back and report to Yan Song.
Yan Song had already learned the news from the Ministry of Officials at this time. He knew that he was not included in the results released by Ting. He was very disappointed. Now that the monk came back to report Ming Hou Lu's answer, he sighed helplessly: "Businessmen control the court, and even the cabinet bachelors are controlled by a businessman. If things continue like this, the country's affairs will be worrying!"
Naturally, Yan Song didn't mention this matter again. He only wanted to find a way out of Hou Lu. Now that the court decision had been decided, it was meaningless for him to wait any longer. As for Hou Lu's hope that he would help the court reduce commercial taxes, Yan Song naturally knew better than anyone else that even if he was not an official of the Ministry of Household Affairs, he would not be able to mention business tax reduction or exemption.
Because Yan Song knew that His Majesty the Emperor was actually averse to reducing commercial taxes in his heart, and only some civil servants with business backgrounds were trying to get the Emperor to reduce commercial taxes.
When Yan Song ran into trouble with Hou Lu, Hai Rui, who was in charge of the "Huangming Daily", had already written a press release about Hou Lu's manipulation of Tingtui investigated by Xichang and had begun to print it out.
In addition, Hai Rui also wrote a critical article himself. Hai Rui has always been a sharp writer and never shows mercy to others. He was also very harsh when criticizing businessmen for manipulating court officials and directly denounced this. This is a sign of national subjugation, and it also directly demands that Hou Lu and others be killed.
But just at this moment, Chen Dian, a member of the Information Department, came to the newspaper office with the newspaper that had just been published by "Huangming Daily" and shouted directly: "Where is Hai Rui! Call him out!"
Hai Rui also heard the sound and came over: "I'm here."
"Why didn't you tell the Information Department before publishing the good deeds you did? This kind of thing involves important court regulations. If this spreads out, wouldn't it damage the majesty of the court? Have you ever thought about the consequences?!"< br>
Chen Dian sent an official message to Hai Rui, and the implication was obviously that Hai Rui had disclosed to the public what Xichang had discovered about Hou Lu's manipulation of Ting Tui without informing him in advance.
The media in the Ming Dynasty were indeed under the jurisdiction of the General Administration of Press and Publication, and the "Huangming Daily" was indeed supervised by the Information Department. Therefore, Chen Dian also had the right to criticize Hai Rui and prevent the "Huangming Daily" from being published. Some Information Department believed that it could not be published. press release.
Chen Dian was indeed worried that the publication of this "Huang Ming Bao" article would shock the world, especially the people behind him, so after scolding Hai Rui for a few words, he directly ordered Hai Rui with the official authority of a news department official:
"Take back all the latest issues of today's newspapers. Take them back immediately! Hurry! If there is an error in this matter because of your Huang Ming newspaper, I will definitely remove the hair from your hair, Hai Rui!"
Hai Rui looked at Chen Dian and was silent for a long time. He then raised his hand and said, "Mr. Chen, this article is from the West Factory. I don't think I need to say more. You should understand whether this newspaper should be taken back!"< br>
Chen Dian couldn't help but choked for a moment. He looked at Hai Rui and didn't know what to say. He knew that once it was handed over from the West Factory, it meant that it came from the superior, and if it came from the superior, he, a member of the News Department, also He couldn't stop it, but he couldn't help but hate Hai Rui even more.
Because, if Hai Rui had told him about this matter in advance, there might be a chance for this matter to linger. Therefore, Chen Dian couldn't help but warn Hai Rui: "Master Hai, please remember that the Information Department is not a decoration. Your behavior will harm yourself!"
With that, Chen Dian walked away, and as soon as he got into the sedan, he ordered: "Go and tell Mr. Hou immediately, let him escape from the capital immediately and take the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway out of the country! Then, inform the adults in various ministries! ”
……
"There is no doubt that Wang Shilang will join the cabinet this time. Is it possible that His Majesty the Emperor will choose Zhou Shangshu, who he does not like?" Hou Lu was having a secret meeting with Xu Jin's Qing guest Wei Ying in a private house at this time, and Only here in Wei Ying, Hou Lu would humbly bend half of his body and speak carefully.
Wei Ying, a member of Xu Jinmen's family, also smiled proudly: "The emperor doesn't like Zhou Luo, but you just push his court to do so. I'm afraid the emperor may think that Zhou Luo is unwilling and wants to go further. This will undoubtedly make you hate Zhou Luo even more." Network, but this is okay, the emperor hates Zhou Luo, so he can only choose Wang Yongping. With Wang Yongping who has the support of Hui merchants behind him, he, Xia Yan, can no longer control us even if he is the first assistant! "
Wei Ying couldn't help frowning as he spoke: "I just don't know why, but my master said that the Supervisor of Ceremonies has never issued an approval document on the final appointment of cabinet ministers."
"Maybe it's just that the emperor is getting older and can't do things as quickly as before. Mr. Ge, it's better not to be too anxious." Hou Lu comforted Wei Ying.
Wei Ying also nodded. He didn't believe that Emperor Zhu Houzhao had any reason to delay the outcome of the court decision. He indeed used these words to persuade Xu Jin. After all, Wang Yongping had nothing wrong with being a member of a bureaucratic family.
Therefore, Wei Ying didn't say anything more and didn't separate from Hou Lu until early in the morning.
Hou Lu also took a detour back to his mansion. However, as soon as Hou Lu got off the car, two Jin Yiwei came to Hou Lu. One of the Jin Yiwei said: "Hou Lu, right? Come with us." ”
When Hou Lu saw that he was from the Jin Yiwei, he froze there as if his soul had been taken away. It was not until he was dragged away by the Jin Yiwei that he came back to his senses and started touching his body.
A Jinyiwei general flagman took out a brown pill: "No need to search! Mr. Hou, don't play tricks in front of our Jinyiwei. Who doesn't know that you felons who are involved in major cases like to play suicide. Jinyiwei has been on guard for a long time. Your Only the emperor can take your life, you yourself are not qualified.”
Not long after Hou Lu was taken away, the people sent by Chen Dian to report the news arrived, but they obviously failed.
At this time, the "Huang Ming Bao" newspaper gradually spread as the morning sun gradually illuminated the capital.
"How can it be unreasonable! How can it be unreasonable! Tingtui is a very important document of the imperial court, how can we allow these businessmen to control it! All the people in the imperial court are greedy for ink!"
Yang Jisheng, a member of the Criminal Department, was too lazy to eat breakfast at this time, and immediately put on his official uniform to find his friend who was a censor in the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
"This Zhou Luo has already violated the justice of the world. He did not advise the emperor to establish a direct heir, leaving the throne vacant. He is already infamous. Why do the princes in the court let him be selected as a candidate for cabinet ministers? Why hasn't this person already been elected? Dismissed! ”
Cheng Jia, the secretary of the Capital University, also slapped the newspaper on the table, and then saw a group of new scholars from the Capital University coming. Zhu Dashou saluted first and said: "Teacher, if you want to take half a day off, please go check it out." The court petitioned to investigate Zhou Luo and asked the court to remove Zhou Luo and other traitorous officials! ”
"I will go with you as my teacher!"
Cheng Jia said something and took these new scholars to the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
Coincidentally, the middle and lower-level officials in the court and scholars from major universities cannot accept that this important personnel election matter of recommending cabinet ministers will be manipulated by businessmen, and a traitorous minister who has long been hated by everyone has been selected as a cabinet minister candidate. , therefore, they all came to the Metropolitan Procuratorate and asked the Metropolitan Procuratorate to immediately file a case and impeach the matter.
In fact, there is no need for these people to demonstrate. Several censors from poor backgrounds in the Metropolitan Procuratorate have already begun to write impeachment memorials, and have even submitted them to Ni Song, the Zuodu Censor in charge of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
But Ni Song did not immediately agree to submit the memorial, and directly criticized these censors: "It's ridiculous! It's just a newspaper, who knows the authenticity, and you dare to discuss the government affairs because of it! All the censors of the Inspection Yuan are not allowed to wait for the Holy Judgment. False words will cause trouble! What’s more, this court matter involves important officials in the court.”
Although Ni Song suppressed the matter temporarily and did not let the Metropolitan Procuratorate immediately impeach the matter, he could not suppress public opinion. Therefore, more and more officials and scholars came to the Metropolitan Procuratorate at this time. .
Not long after, Xu Jin also found out about the newspaper. For a moment, he froze in place like a statue, and began to think about the consequences of this matter, and whether it would implicate himself. The matter of manipulating Ting Tui was indeed He was involved, but the one who was really responsible was Hou Lu, and the only person who could trace him and have contact with Hou Lu was his own Qing guest Wei Ying.
Xu Jin hurriedly came to a wing room in person: "Wei Ying, meet me in the outer study later! Take the secret passage to the study!"
Not long after, Wei Ying came to Xu Jin: "Master, are you calling me?"
"How is the service of the slave girl Yunji?" Xu Jinxian asked casually and handed a cup of tea to Wei Ying.
Wei Ying smiled and said: "Of course it's excellent, it's all thanks to the master."
"That's good. No one knows you are coming to my house, except Yun Ji?" Xu Jin asked.
"No, I have always followed the master's instructions. Now in the capital, apart from you, Mr. Hou is the only one who knows that I belong to your family," Wei Ying replied.
Xu Jin nodded and pointed at the teacup: "Drink it."
Wei Ying was a little puzzled, but he still drank it habitually. After a while, he felt as if he had swallowed gold, and felt as if his intestines were about to be broken. He pointed at Xu Jin and said, "Master, you, why are you Want to poison me?”
Xu Jin said nothing and just watched Wei Ying die in pain.
It wasn't until Wei Ying lay motionless on the table that he personally dragged Wei Ying into the study, then opened the secret room, threw it into the pit below the secret room, sprinkled lime, then cement, then poured water, and then Then he pressed the button and returned to its original position.
Xu Jin didn't dare to let his servants take action. He was afraid that people from the West Factory would find out.
Not long after, Xu Jin came out, came to Yunji, strangled Yunji to death and buried her in the garden. Yunji was just a Japanese slave girl. She had no household registration in the Ming Dynasty, and no one even knew about her in the Xu Mansion. Such a slave girl, so Xu Jin didn't have to worry about anyone knowing after killing her.
Soon, after Xu Jin had dealt with all this, he continued to go to court and participate in politics as usual. However, as soon as Xu Jin arrived at the cabinet, Ni Yuanlin, the secretary of the cabinet, came to Xu Jin: "Mr. Ge, my father came to ask, the matter of Hou Lu has been Everyone in the world knows that the Metropolitan Procuratorate may not be able to suppress it. I don’t know what the elder has to do.”
"The prince will die! If he dies, he will falsely accuse Xi Wen; if he is not dead, he will falsely accuse Xu!"
Xu Jin did not speak, but dipped his fingers in tea and wrote a line of words on the table. Then he flipped the tea cup over with his sleeve, and the tea covered the writing. Seeing this, Ni Yuanlin hurriedly shouted: "Change the tea for Mr. Ge!"
Thank you book friend Ruins of Love for the reward of 100 starting coins. Thank you book friend Moyou Chili for the reward of 100 starting coins. Thank you book friend for the reward of 100 starting coins for a pound of sugar
(End of chapter)