Chapter 458 Xu Jie's Sense of Crisis
It seemed that after Hai Rui left, there was no one who annoyed him, and Gao Hanwen, who was more cost-effective, came. This was really a happy thing for Zhang Juzheng.

After a burst of laughter.

Zhang Juzheng looked at Wang Xijue intently and asked, "What has Gao Hanwen been doing these past two days?"

Wang Xijue completed his mission to the south on the day he arrived in Nanjing. He then went home to prepare birthday gifts for his father. Now he has been staying in Nanjing to take care of the affairs outside the West Garden for his master.

See Zhang Juzheng asking himself.

Wang Xijue nodded and replied: "This Censor Gao is now completely living in the Nanjing Censorate. Anyway, the Nanjing Left Censor-in-Chief has been sent to the capital by him..."

This is a cold joke.

Sun Zhi, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Nanjing Censorate, and officials from various ministries and departments were all escorted to the capital by Gao Hanwen as imperial envoys.

Zhang Juzheng had a big smile on his face. "I only knew that Gao Hanwen was quite stubborn before, but now I see that he is a scheming man. He was the only one who went south first this time, and no one else came. He is the only one who has the final say."

Yan Shaoting has not commented on this.

However, he was also quite curious that Gao Hanwen, the guy who used to drink his tea in the cabinet all day long, was so scheming now.

Wang Xijue nodded and continued, "Since he asked the twelve prefectures in Jiangnan to clear out all the occupied land, he has not said anything about what to do. It's just that..."

"Just what?"

Zhang Juzheng was quite curious.

Wang Xijue shook his head: "Nothing, except that he actually called someone from the Nanjing Ministry of Rites to accompany him to visit the Xiaoling Mausoleum yesterday..."

This fact really made Wang Xijue feel a little strange.

Although there was nothing wrong with officials of the current dynasty going to worship and pay homage to Emperor Taizu, it seemed a bit strange for them to go specifically to the Xiaoling Mausoleum to worship.

Zhang Juzheng also let out a rare exclamation.

Although he was also a little confused.

But he still looked at Yan Shaoting curiously, and then said casually: "It's been a while. At first, it was understandable to avoid suspicion, but now it's reasonable for him to come over."

Wang Xijue tentatively said, "How about I go to the Censorate to find out what's going on?"

He was also very curious about Gao Hanwen, who had caused more trouble and fame than Hai Rui as soon as he came to Jiangnan.

Although Xiao Wang, who still has many years to become the Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty, does not agree with Gao Hanwen's way of being an official, he is, after all, a senior official in the officialdom and there is always something he can learn from.

The studious student Xiao Wang is purely in the attitude of learning.

Yan Shaoting shook his head and rejected their plan, and said, "He wants to be a lone minister and a sword sharper than Hai Gangfeng."

After finishing speaking.

Yan Shaoting said no more.

After all, according to the information obtained by Zhu Qi and other Jinyiwei, Hai Rui was recalled to the capital, and Gao Hanwen was ordered to go south, and the two met on the canal.

Since there is no news of the two meeting.

Then it is enough to explain what Gao Hanwen’s choice is.

Since Gao Hanwen wants to be a lone minister and an impartial person, and use this reputation to protect his official career, why should I ruin his plans?

Zhang Juzheng blinked, as if he understood the mystery, and leaned back: "It depends on whether they are willing to come over."

Yan Shaoting glanced at him sideways, and muttered with a smile: "But before Brother Gangfeng left, he said that he hoped that Brother Uncle could continue to take care of the matter of clearing out the gentry and wealthy families in Jiangnan. The Governor-General's Office is located in Suzhou Prefecture. Shouldn't Brother Uncle also take care of the affairs of Suzhou Prefecture and Songjiang Prefecture?"

Zhang Juzheng narrowed his eyes immediately: "You want to move against Lord Xu, but how can you not know that even if you want to do so, it will affect the whole body? Even if you want to do it, all parties should be prepared."

As he spoke, Zhang Juzheng paused.

Then he continued, "Now that Gao Hanwen is here, isn't this an opportunity? Why not wait and see what he will do next?"

Yan Shaoting smiled, but did not comment on this statement. He turned to look at Wang Xijue and said, "Prepare a letter and send it to various departments in Nanjing and the Yingtian Governor's Office, asking them to continue to check the local population and land. I want to see the detailed population and land accounts of the twelve prefectures in Jiangnan before winter this year."

Wang Xijue was stunned for a moment, then his face showed excitement.

"Sir, you are planning to cooperate with Imperial Censor Gao to add more burden to the Jiangnan area."

As smart as Xiao Wang was, he immediately understood his teacher's plan.

Now, Hai Rui was summoned back to the capital by an imperial edict.

But Gao Hanwen is here, and behind him is a group of officials from the three judicial departments of the capital.

At this time, Yan Shaoting took action within his own authority and continued to require the twelve prefectures in Jiangnan to conduct an inventory of the population and land under their jurisdiction. This was entirely within the authority of the Prime Minister as the Minister of Money and Grain Storage in the six provinces.

By doing so, Gao Hanwen will have more legitimate reasons to investigate and prosecute local officials and wealthy gentry.

As long as there are people who oppose or delay, then Gao Hanwen, the imperial envoy, can continue to stay in Jiangnan and continue to investigate and punish those people with even greater ruthlessness than Hai Rui.

Zhang Juzheng picked up the teacup and looked at Xiao Wang along the edge: "Don't say it if you see it, or your husband will lose face."

Seeing Zhang Juzheng say this, Wang Xijue's face suddenly turned red.

Yan Shaoting rolled his eyes at Zhang Juzheng.

In fact, the affairs of Jiangnan have basically been settled by now, especially with the arrival of Gao Hanwen, who is going to be a fierce and lonely minister.

Unless the gentry and wealthy families in Jiangnan really rebel, they can only submit and obey orders.

The key now has shifted from rectifying the Nanjing officialdom and suppressing the gentry and wealthy families in Jiangnan to attacking the clean officials in Jiangnan headed by Xu Jie.

As long as we get rid of the group of court officials headed by Xu Jie.

Then the chess game in Jiangnan is settled.

……

Early August.

Mid-Autumn Festival has not yet arrived.

Hai Rui, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate of the Ming Dynasty and the Governor of Yingtian, was ordered to take a boat along the canal and arrived at the Chaoyangmen Wharf outside the capital.

As soon as the official ship docked, Hai Rui entered the city with his four guards, Wang, Ma, Zhang and Zhao.

Before the various departments of the court could react.

Hai Rui had already reported to the Ministry of Personnel, and then went to the Censorate of his own department to hand over the documents.

After all, he was first appointed as the Governor of Yingtian as the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. When he returned to Beijing, in addition to reporting to the Ministry of Personnel, he also had to visit the Censorate, the main office.

After completing these two tasks, Hai Rui went to the Ministry of Public Administration and wrote a memorial to the emperor stating that he had been ordered to return to the capital and was waiting for the emperor's summons or the next work arrangement.

Subsequently.

Just when Hai Rui should have gone to Huitong Hall or found a place to rest in the city.

However, he went alone to a place that no one could understand or was surprised by.

Xufu Lane.

It was named after the residence of Xu Jie, the Second Minister of the Cabinet.

Precisely because Ci Fu lived here, Xufu Lane was usually visited by few common people except for students, scholars, and officials who came to pay their respects.

Hai Rui was very clever when he came.

Just when the various ministries and offices of the imperial court were about to close.

then.

When officials from various departments of the court came to Xu's house after leaving the office to pay their usual respects to the Second Prime Minister, they saw Hai Rui standing firmly at the door of Xu's house in his tattered red robe.

They are all officials in Beijing, and they have seen a lot of red robes.

You can see big guys in red robes every day.

But I have never seen anyone wearing a red robe so tattered.

Soon, people figured out Hai Rui's identity. Who else could he be except Hai Rui Hai Gangfeng Hai Bijia, who was nicknamed "Bijia" in the south?

Moreover, if we calculate the time when the imperial court issued the edict, it was time for him to arrive in the capital.

The officials who came to Xu's mansion should have been able to enter directly.

But seeing Hai Rui standing at the door and not going in, he could only hide far behind.

"Why is he here?"

"Didn't your Ministry of Personnel give him some instructions today?"

Some people expressed confusion and seemed to blame the officials from the Ministry of Personnel present.

The official from the Ministry of Personnel said with a tense face, "Who didn't give instructions? All the officials who came back from outside were told to go directly to Huitong Hall and wait for the court to send a message or for the emperor to summon them. Who knows how this person got here?"

"Could it be that he is not just a pen holder in name only, as the rumors say, but in reality... in reality he is just a flatterer?"

"What are you talking about? Is coming to Xufu Lane to curry favor? Are we also currying favor?"

"Aren't we?"

The scene fell silent.

And not far from Xufu Lane.

Xu Kun was originally going to go home directly from the Ministry of Revenue after leaving the government office. However, after hearing the news from home, he immediately turned around and found the carriage that his father took to return home from the palace.

"Dad, Hai Rui has returned to Beijing."

In the carriage, Xu Kun spoke softly as he looked at his father, who was obviously tired and resting with his eyes closed while leaning against a soft back.

Xu Jie hummed: "It's good that he's back. It's better than letting him stay in the south and sit on the position of Yingtian Governor."

Xu Kun hesitated: "It's just..."

"Just what?" Xu Jie was a little unhappy. Now, the journey home from the court every day was a rare time for him to rest alone. He said in a deep voice: "Hasn't it been agreed that he will serve as the prefect of Shuntian with the title of the Censorate? After the cabinet finalizes it in the next two days, there is no need for the emperor to summon him. Just issue an order directly."

Xu Kun finally couldn't help himself and whispered, "He is waiting in our Xu Mansion Lane now."

"He's outside the palace?"

Xu Jie finally opened his eyes: "What is he going to do? Didn't anyone let him into the mansion?"

Xu Kun shook his head. "He was wearing a red robe, and everyone knew his identity. But when the gatekeeper invited him into the mansion, he said that his master had not returned yet, so he dared not enter the hall. Now the officials, both big and small, who usually come to the mansion to pay their respects, can only wait outside the mansion with him."

Xu Jie had a headache for a moment, and frowned: "Go! Go back quickly!"

Xu Kun immediately lifted the carriage curtain and said, "Hurry back home."

"I asked you to go back first!"

Xu Jie's voice followed closely behind.

When Xu Kun turned around in confusion, he saw his father's face was gloomy.

Xu Jie said sullenly, "Go back first, drive away those officials, and then invite Hai Rui into the palace for me!"

Xu Kun was puzzled, but he could only nod and agree to his father's order. He quickly got off the carriage and rode his horse to rush home.

But in the carriage, Xu Jie frowned.

He and Hai Rui had no connection at all, but the other party had just finished his errands on the first day after returning to Beijing and actually ran to his doorstep.

In view of what the other party had done in Jiangnan, he encouraged Zhang Juzheng to conduct a thorough investigation of the land in Songjiang Prefecture.

How could Xu Jie not be worried?

After so many years in the officialdom, how could he not see that Hai Rui must have set his sights on his family?

How to deal with this loyal minister with the name of the pen holder?
How to suppress the wave of layoffs that is raging in the south?

Now it has become the biggest thorn in Xu Jie's heart.

Worry in my heart.

Time flies.

Not long after.

Xu Jie was already standing in front of his own house.

However, although the officials who came to pay their respects today had been driven away by Xu Kun, Hai Rui, wearing a tattered red robe, was still standing outside the mansion gate.

Seeing this, Xu Jie couldn't help but frown again.

He walked forward and looked at Xu Kun who was accompanying him.

The son gave Xu Jie a helpless look.

Hai Rui looked over with a dark face.

In fact, it’s not that he has a dark face, it’s just that Hai Rui looks dark.

Xu Jie smiled and said without waiting for Hai Rui to salute, "Gangfeng must be exhausted after travelling north on the orders of the emperor. Let's skip the formalities."

however.

Hai Rui continued to bow while Xu Jie was speaking, then stood up and raised his head, saying politely: "As an official in the court, I have always known the rules of etiquette. Even if I am not an official, I should know how to respect my teachers and respect my elders. Lord Xu is older and a superior, so these rules and etiquette cannot be abolished."

Xu Jie was stunned.

Although it was just an opening remark, Hai Rui's words were very powerful.

Xu Jie quickly calmed down and said, "Gangfeng has taken the trouble to come here today to visit me. He must have something to discuss. Why don't you go into the mansion first?"

Hai Rui remained standing as still as a pine tree and shook his head.

"I was ordered to return to the capital. I took the official ship all the way north and was served by the imperial post station. It was not hard at all."

"I am not here today for any important matter. I just want to ask Lord Xu a few questions in person. I wonder if you can enlighten me."

Xu Jie's breathing was interrupted for a moment.

Xu Kun was even more furious: "Hai Rui, my father is the second assistant minister of the current dynasty, and he is ranked as a university scholar and is in charge of the government. You came to visit without telling me your purpose today, which is very rude. You kept talking about rules and etiquette before, but now that my father invites you into his house, are you so rude and don't follow the rules?"

Hai Rui glanced at Xu Kun sideways without saying anything.

Xu Jie frowned and scolded: "How dare you be so rude? Get out of here quickly!"

Xu Kun still had an angry look on his face, but he obeyed the order and stepped aside.

Xu Jie turned his head and looked at Hai Rui, with a sense of alert in his heart. Looking at Hai Rui who had been standing in front of him waiting for a long time and was unwilling to enter the mansion until Xu Jie asked him to, he couldn't help but feel a sense of crisis in his heart.

Suppress the uneasiness in my heart.

Xu Jie still maintained the demeanor of a second prime minister of the Ming Dynasty.

"Gangfeng, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. The emperor and the court have summoned you back to the capital this time, but they have an important task for you. As you said, I am older, so I will help you solve your doubts."

Hai Rui nodded.

Although Xu Kun had chased people away earlier, many figures could still be seen moving around in the streets in the distance.

I think my trip back to Beijing and to Xufu Lane has made many people curious and confused.

He looked up to meet Xu Jie's smiling face, coughed lightly, held his head high, clasped his fists and raised his arms towards the West Garden.

"Your Majesty, I am an official in the court with you, and I am also a subject of your Majesty."

"I would like to ask Lord Xu a question."

"The Xu family of Huating in Songjiang Prefecture, from which Lord Xu came, has occupied a large amount of land in Songjiang Prefecture over the years. Can they return it to the common people and set an example for the country?"

…………

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(End of this chapter)