Chapter 467 Life Mentor Online
Nanjing City.

Dongcheng Huitong Hall.

Nanjing Huitongguan, once a place that accommodated all nations, has now been transformed into a place where officials from all over the country stay when they visit Nanjing.

In Huitong Hall, in a secluded courtyard.

Gao Hanwen sent away the messenger who had just come to report the news, and then turned to look at several other colleagues in official uniforms in the yard.

Several people had helpless expressions on their faces.

This time, Gao Hanwen had to ride at full speed south to Nanjing City ahead of everyone else, and then the entire team of imperial envoys from the Three Laws Departments would become Gao Hanwen's assistants.

They didn't quarrel in public, but they realized that they could only follow Gao Hanwen now. If they didn't do well, Gao Hanwen would take the blame, and if they did well, they would also have a share of the credit.

Gao Hanwen was also very clear about this situation, and said with a smile: "You all have heard that now those wealthy gentry in Jiangnan who have not been investigated by us are all heading to the West Garden."

Someone immediately spoke up: "Brother Gao, you have killed enough people in Jiangnan this time, and you have established enough prestige. If you really continue like this, although we are worried about our own future, we are also really worried that you will become the target of public criticism."

These words were the true thoughts of the three judicial officials present.

Gao Hanwen just shook his head and said, "I have been ordered by the emperor. Since I have come this far, there is no possibility of retreating. Although outsiders may think that I will use my power once I get it, you all know that I, Gao Hanwen, never act for myself as an official. I only hope to be worthy of the emperor and the court, and the common people."

Everyone present couldn't help but sigh.

They are all officials from the three judicial departments and can be considered the core team of the censors.

Compared with other government officials, these people still pay more attention to the way of being an official. If Gao Hanwen really used his power, even if they rushed to Nanjing later, they would never be able to do things completely according to the tone set by Gao Hanwen.

Of course, this is also due to the fact that the three judicial officials sent to Nanjing by the court this time were all from the north of the Qinling Mountains and the Huai River, and belonged to the northern faction of the court.

Of course, they would not really give up the opportunity to suppress the southern faction at the moment.

Then someone said, "But now those people outside have gone to the West Garden. After all, Minister Yan is the Premier of the Six Provinces, and he is the most important person in charge of the Jiangnan mission. We are just following the emperor's orders to investigate the illegal activities of officials in Nanjing. Now it has been found out that these officials in Nanjing are indeed connected with the local gentry and wealthy families, and have provided convenience for these wealthy families in Jiangnan to occupy the people's land. In this way, our mission is also over."

Gao Hanwen shook his head and rejected it. He had a different analysis in his mind.

Without waiting for anyone to question.

Gao Hanwen also started to explain: "Everyone, it's not that I, Gao Hanwen, want to be a lone minister to seek official reputation. But everyone, think about it, calculate the time, now the former Yingtian Governor Hai Rui, probably has returned to Beijing, then he has the experience of serving in Jiangnan, what will he do in Beijing now?"

This question seems to be somewhat out of touch with reality.

Some people were puzzled and asked, "What does Brother Gao mean by this? Could it be that Hai Rui was transferred from his post as the governor of Yingtian, and he can still give instructions on Jiangnan affairs in the court?"

Gao Hanwen didn't need to explain, someone nearby analyzed: "I think so. Hai Rui was called back to the capital this time. He already had an official position in the Censorate. Now he will definitely be promoted. He was originally the Right Assistant Censor-in-Chief, and now he is likely to have been promoted to the Left and Right Deputy Censors-in-Chief. If he really keeps the matter in Jiangnan, the court will not be able to say anything."

"But even so, Hai Rui is no longer in Jiangnan. Although we are also working under the emperor's orders, Lord Yan is the premier of six provinces. I'm afraid that if we continue to do this, it may ruin Lord Yan's plan." The person who originally spoke couldn't help but nervously reveal his thoughts.

Gao Hanwen smiled and shook his head: "Binke Yan is not that kind of person. Besides... I'm afraid he still hopes that we can make a strong move, so that his plans and plans in Jiangnan can proceed more smoothly."

Clear out the land of the common people that has been occupied by the big households over the years.

Although this matter was first called out by Hai Rui when he was the governor of Yingtian.

But Gao Hanwen swore that even if he had not entered the West Garden so far, Yan Shaoting must have been involved in this matter, or even the leader.

Then everything I do now will be a help to it.

Someone nearby's eyes immediately lit up.

"Yes! Yes!"

"If we hadn't worked so hard during this period, how could those wealthy gentry have gone to the West Garden to ask for an audience today?"

"Brother Gao, what you said makes me understand that what we have been doing these days is actually hunting, helping guest Yan to encircle the Jiangnan hunting ground!"

After some discussion, everyone finally understood.

Someone cautiously said, "If that's the case, although we are imperial envoys in name, who can compare to Guest Yan, whether in the court or in Jiangnan? Do you think Guest Yan will have to report our achievements to the court when we return home?"

Although he was asking everyone present, his eyes were fixed on Gao Hanwen.

This time, they were ordered to go south on mission. In addition to the various reasons mentioned above, they were willing to follow Gao Hanwen, and there was one last and most important reason.

That is the close relationship between Gao Hanwen and the Yan family.

After all, among the people present today, only Gao Hanwen could go to the cabinet duty room and take the tea stored by Yan Shaoting at will, but they did not have that qualification.

Gao Hanwen smiled faintly: "Calculating the date, we have to leave for Beijing before the twelfth lunar month. We can't miss the time when everyone goes home for the New Year. Before that, we have completed our tasks and there is no grudge between us. So naturally we can go to the West Garden to pay our respects to Guest Yan."

Although it was not said explicitly, it was already made clear.

Everyone was suddenly delighted and smiled.

Do you really think they are willing to suppress local gentry in the south? They are attracted by the power and benefits of Yan Shaoting, the premier of six provinces.

at the same time.

When the remaining gentry and wealthy families in Nanjing who had not been captured by Gao Hanwen and others finally realized who was the most powerful person in the city and who could best save their lives.

They immediately and decisively went out together and rushed to the outside of the West Garden.

After all, he is a wealthy gentry family in Jiangnan.

After all, you are asking for help from others.

When this group of people rushed to the West Garden, even the people guarding outside the gate were each holding a huge ingot of silver.

After spending a lot of money.

These people finally saw Yan Shaoting standing by the balcony on the second floor of Yilan Pavilion in the West Garden.

At this moment, Yan Shaoting was standing on the railing on the second floor of the Yilan Pavilion, which had a full view of the West Garden. Next to him was a birdcage, with a canary inside chirping from time to time.

On both sides were Zhang Juzheng, Wang Xijue and Zhu Shitai.

Inside the building, Xu Pengju, the well-known fool Duke of Nanjing, was holding a teacup and looking at the people going upstairs with a smile on his face.

The three people accompanying Yan Shaoting were exactly what the Jiangnan gentry had expected when they finally made the decision and were willing to cut some meat off of them.

Instead, the incompetent Duke Xu Pengju was also present, which caught everyone off guard.

I saw everyone going upstairs.

Xu Pengju said with a smile: "There are so many people here, I didn't prepare anything in advance, I'm afraid the tea will have to wait a little longer."

Everyone immediately bowed and nodded.

No matter how much of a fool Xu Pengju is, he is, after all, a Duke who lives and dies with the country. How can they compare to him?

Before these people could speak, Yan Shaoting had already coughed lightly. He did not turn around, but just held a thin stick in his hand and teased the bird in the cage.

"Speaking of which, there is no one in the imperial court who holds a higher position than me. Before I left Beijing, my ancestor often said that being an official in the imperial court requires stability first. He also said that I am young and have no experience in many matters in and outside the imperial court. I agree with this and have always been cautious in doing things. I don't want to hold great power just because I am young and have received favors, and cause unrest in the area."

The crowd that had rushed over suddenly fell silent, staring at Yan Shaoting who seemed to be talking to himself while leaning against the railing.

Inside the building, Xu Pengju glanced at the people who had come over with a playful look and smiled in his heart.

Yan Shaoting added, "This time I was ordered to go south. This is the first time I have left Beijing since I started working in the court. I originally thought that since I had the emperor's grace and the help of the court officials, and since I was the prime minister of six provinces, it should not be difficult for me to do something for the country. But when I really came, I found that it was really difficult to do things. So I was thinking, why is it so difficult to do good things for the country? The court had to send three judicial officials to investigate Jiangnan. Many people have died today, and many families have been ruined. I was wondering, is this because good things cannot be done? Or is someone not allowing the court to do good things that benefit the country and the people?"

Bang.

There was a muffled sound.

After entering the West Garden and climbing up to the viewing pavilion, the gentry from the south of the Yangtze River finally knelt on the ground with panic-stricken looks on their faces.

But before they could speak, he made excuses like "it was because he was confused".

Yan Shaoting was already on time to speak: "Later, I finally figured it out. There really are people who are against the court, forming cliques and engaging in selfish activities in the local area, in an attempt to prevent the court from doing good things that are beneficial to the country and the people. So, I wondered again, who are these people?"

After finishing speaking.

Yan Shaoting finally turned around and looked at the wealthy gentry from the south of the Yangtze River who were kneeling on the ground behind him with panic-stricken expressions.

He frowned slightly.

It was as if he had just realized that these people were kneeling on the ground.

Yan Shaoting looked puzzled and quickly said, "Why are you all kneeling on the ground today? It's already autumn, don't catch a cold."

Everyone lowered their heads, and Xu Pengju, who was sitting inside the building, twitched his mouth.

Then Yan Shaoting seemed to have suddenly realized something. He raised his hand and slapped his forehead repeatedly, saying in surprise: "You, the noble men of Jiangnan, did you think that I was talking about you? Get up quickly, you have misunderstood me! Get up quickly, or you will not hear that I have oppressed you in the future."

Although he said this, Yan Shaoting had already sat down under the railing.

But everyone was confused.

What's going on?

Originally, they were all prepared to cut off their own flesh and blood, and were also prepared to bow their heads and admit their guilt and accept punishment.

But now, Yan Shaoting said a lot of things right away, but in the end he wasn't talking to them?

Some bold, cunning, and thick-skinned people still knelt on the ground, but raised their heads and forced out a flattering smile, explaining: "We have long heard of the name of Lord Xiao Yan, and have admired him for a long time. Today, we finally got to see Lord Xiao Yan, and we were immediately impressed by his heroic appearance and talent, and inadvertently came up with the idea of ​​kneeling down to worship him."

Leaning on the railing, Wang Xijue's eyes twitched.

If a person can reach this level, he is a talent.

Zhang Juzheng, however, remained expressionless throughout, calculating in his mind the strength of these people.

As for Zhu Shitai?
He didn't care about this group of people. For people like him who were truly in the core circle of the Ming Dynasty nobles, apart from the emperor and a few people in the court, no one else was worth their attention.

Yan Shaoting smiled and waved his hand, saying, "I see. Then please stand up quickly. You are all older than me. I have nothing to do today, so I have the opportunity to discuss life with you. I hope you will give me some advice."

Discuss life with Yan Shaoting?

Everyone was stunned again. Although they stood up as the other party asked, they all bent over and bowed, with a respectful and humble attitude.

"Although Lord Yan is young, he is also young and promising. In the country, no one can match Lord Yan in recent years. In all matters of life, Lord Yan probably sees things higher and farther than us. I don't deserve your advice. If Lord Yan has any good advice, we are all ears."

Yan Shaoting looked at the man who had been actively explaining what he said, smiled slightly, and then slowly said: "What I want to say is... the matter of the gentry and wealthy families in Jiangnan occupying the land of the people..."

puff.

The crowd, who had just stood up not long ago, knelt down on the ground again after hearing what Yan Shaoting said.

The people in front raised their heads with grim expressions, and were about to explain their preparations and the benefits they could give up.

Yan Shaoting was still the first to speak: "Why is this? Do you think that I want to accuse you of occupying the land of local people?"

The faces were twisted together.

A pair of eyes looked at Yan Shaoting eagerly, already feeling a little aggrieved.

They thought that Yan Shaoting was talking about this.

This sudden shock is far more exciting and frightening than directly telling them that they are guilty and will punish them.

Yan Shaoting chuckled, stood up and walked into the building.

"Look, this is exactly what I was going to say about life."

"I firmly believe in what the saints said: human nature is inherently good."

"How can I care about you guys who occupied the people's land in the past? I am not the only one in Nanjing now. Gao Hanwen is also here. He will investigate what you have done. Those who deserve to be killed will be killed, and those who deserve to be punished will be punished. I am just the prime minister in charge of the storage of money and grain in the six provinces, and I am also the inspector of the local areas."

The words came out of Yan Shaoting's mouth.

Sweat was flowing down the face of the person kneeling on the ground.

Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "What I am thinking is that since the saints say that human nature is good, it is impossible for you to think of occupying the people's land in the first place. This is not an excuse for you, nor is it a reason for me to let you go."

At this moment, Yan Shaoting finally made his attitude clear.

Someone finally couldn't stand it anymore.

He raised his head, hesitated for a moment, and then said loudly: "Whatever you want us to do, just tell us. Since we are here today, we are ready to accept the beating and punishment! We only ask that you can spare our lives and let us live a few more years."

"I accept the punishment!"

"..."

The crowd shouted in unison.

The smile on Yan Shaoting's face suddenly stopped, and he suddenly said: "I just want to know, good and evil have their leaders, and in the twelve prefectures of Jiangnan, the evil has its magnitude. I think you are the ones who know best who the chief culprit is."

"I just hope you can have a good talk with me, the court, and the emperor."

"The southeastern half of the Ming Dynasty, the twelve prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River."

"Who is the most evil!"

…………

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(End of this chapter)