Chapter 468: Overthrowing Xu is a big project

Overthrow the current second assistant minister of the cabinet and the current grand secretary.

Is it a simple thing?
the answer is negative.

If a second-in-command of the current dynasty could be easily overthrown, this incident would never have happened.

The Ming Dynasty has existed for 200 years.

Even when the court struggles were at their most intense, even if one wanted to overthrow a county magistrate, one had to go through the entire process.

What's more, the goal now is to overthrow Xu Jie, the cabinet's deputy prime minister who has been in power for decades and has countless students and friends all over the country.

do not forget.

Even though Xu Jie and the Xu family are not as good as before, they are still the most powerful people in the world.

The literati in the southeastern half of the country still supported Xu Jie.

So from the very beginning, when Hai Rui received the imperial edict and said he would go to the capital to impeach Xu Jie, Yan Shaoting knew that toppling Xu Jie was not something that Hai Rui alone could do.

Backwards slowly.

This is a huge project.

It requires efforts from all aspects, from the inside out, to be accomplished.

Do you really think that the second assistant minister of the Ming Dynasty cabinet is just there to eat for nothing?

Yan Shaoting firmly believed that at this time Xu Jie and the Xu family had already begun to deal with the issue of the land in Songjiang Prefecture that had been occupied over the years.

Of the three serious crimes that Hai Rui impeached, in fact, as long as the first charge of the Xu family occupying more than 200,000 acres of land was proven wrong, Xu Jie would be able to get through this time safely and smoothly, and he would be able to return to the cabinet and continue to occupy the position of the cabinet's second assistant.

this is the truth.

What is more realistic is that there must be calls for the overthrow of Xu throughout the court and outside the court, and there must also be solid evidence to completely overthrow Xu Jie.

then.

Just as Yan Shaoting said today.

When this group of wealthy gentry from the south of the Yangtze River in Nanjing City rushed to Xihuayuan, it became a great opportunity.

A huge interest group cannot be easily defeated and overthrown from the outside.

but……

What if you think about it from a different angle?

Defeat and overthrow this interest group from within.

The wealthy gentry from the south of the Yangtze River who are now kneeling in Yilan Pavilion are the factors that can defeat and overthrow this interest group from within.

Of course, in Yan Shaoting's plan, they are just one of the factors.

However, everyone present was completely confused by Yan Shaoting's series of inducements.

Are they going to be killed or punished?

Or any other requirements?
Someone bravely whispered, "May I ask Young Lord Yan... but do we not need to be detained by Censor Gao again?"

Some people also tried to test us: "Whatever you want us to do, just tell us, and we will definitely do our best."

It seemed that they realized that Yan Shaoting was unlikely to punish them severely, so their words became bolder.

Xu Pengju, who had been sitting in the Yilan Pavilion, took a sip of tea and said coldly, "Idiot!"

Everyone was stunned again, with confusion appearing on their faces.

Yan Shaoting smiled and explained, "I have made it very clear. The affairs of Jiangnan must be prioritized. Just like the cases in the government office, there are main culprits and accomplices. As for me, I don't want you to do anything, but what you should do now."

One last reminder.

Yan Shaoting had already walked to the birdcage containing the canary.

Open the cage door.

The canary, which had been trapped in a cage for many days, immediately rushed out of the cage, chirping. In a flash, it spread its wings and circled in the sky. Then it carefully landed on the treetop opposite the Yilan Pavilion, looking at the humans in front of it.

Everyone fell silent.

At this point, they have basically understood the situation.

Yan Shaoting met them today and said so many things, which clearly showed that he hoped they would come forward and report the main culprit in Jiangnan.

Everyone couldn't help but look around at the people around them.

He was examining and thinking about which person present today was most suitable to be the main culprit to be convicted.

Such a change immediately made the Jiangnan gentry present feel uneasy, fearing that people around them would push them to be the main culprit in Yan Shaoting's words.

Leaning on the railing, Zhang Juzheng looked at these people, each with their own ulterior motives, intending to attack the people around them, and a hint of sarcasm appeared on his face.

But things have to go on.

Zhang Juzheng had to look at Yan Shaoting who was staring at the released canary on the treetop outside the building, and then looked at the people in the building.

His voice seemed a little cold, just stating a fact.

"The latest news in Beijing."

"Hai Rui, the former governor of Yingtian, was ordered to return to the capital and immediately submitted a memorial to impeach the cabinet's deputy assistant. Now, the cabinet's deputy assistant Xu Jie only has the title of junior teacher and lives in seclusion at home."

After saying this, Zhang Juzheng also turned his head and looked at the canary that flew up from the treetop and disappeared from his sight in a short while.

The bird out of the cage is finally free.

The people in Yilan Pavilion finally reacted thoroughly.

It turned out that Yan Shaoting wanted them to criticize Xu Jie as the leader of many evil things in Jiangnan.

Everyone couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

After all, if you look at it this way, Yan Shaoting wouldn't really use harsh measures against them.

But after a while, these people began to hesitate again.

Even though Xu Jie only had the title of Junior Tutor due to Hai Rui's impeachment, he was, after all, the second assistant of the cabinet for many years and a role model of the clean scholars in the Jiangnan area.

In short, it is the accumulation of power over a long period of time.

Now Yan Shaoting wants them to come forward, and may even want them to sign a lawsuit to denounce the evil deeds of Xu Jie and the Xu family of Huating in Songjiang Prefecture.

After all, these people don't have the courage.

Everyone looked at each other again, and finally silently elected a leader.

The man spoke cautiously and fearfully, "Your Excellency Xiao Yan... We... You are the chief minister of the six provinces in Jiangnan. We have also understood the imperial decree. We came here today with the intention of atonement. We are willing to return all the land that we have unintentionally occupied in the past five years to the villagers and return it to the people."

After saying this, the man looked nervously at Yan Shaoting's back as he stood at the railing.

Seeing Yan Shaoting didn't say anything.

The man had no choice but to say with a sad face: "As for what Young Lord Yan and Governor Zhang said, we are just ordinary people in the local countryside. How dare we interfere in the affairs of the imperial court... But! If... If there is... the local government in Jiangnan petitions about the above matters, we, as obedient citizens under the rule of the court, are willing to sign the petition."

When Zhang Juzheng told these people about the latest developments and changes in the court, they understood that although Yan Shaoting was now in Jiangnan, the person he had to deal with was Xu Jie, the Lord Xu in the capital.

Such things naturally made them shocked and hesitant.

However, faced with the current situation, they could only first propose that they were willing to return the land of the people that had been occupied in the past five years, and then leave room for maneuver by saying that as long as the local government officials in Jiangnan could submit a petition to impeach Xu Jie, they could also submit a joint petition.

After all.

These people are still spineless and dare not rush to the front.

Even if it was a matter of submitting a petition to impeach Xu Jie, the local government in Jiangnan had to take the lead.

Yan Shaoting, with his back to these people, sneered.

This is the bad nature and weakness of these vested interests. They never think about good or bad, but constantly compromise and hide behind the scenes.

It is absolutely impossible to let them take the lead in the charge.

but.

Sometimes things are just so wonderful.

When these people are unwilling to offend Xu Jie and the Xu family, someone will force them to compromise again.

"Your Excellency, Gao Hanwen, the Imperial Censor of the Metropolitan Censorate, wishes to see you. I have already..."

Liu Wan appeared in front of Lord Yilan.

Before he could finish his words, he heard a loud voice shouting upstairs.

"Mr. Yan, I am Gao Hanwen from the Censorate. I have been ordered to go south to investigate the illegal activities of the officials in Nanjing and the collusion between the local gentry and officials in Nanjing. Today, I heard that many local gentry and wealthy families in Jiangnan came to the West Garden to pay a visit to Mr. Yan. This just saves me the trouble of visiting them one by one. I wonder if Mr. Yan can introduce a few to me?"

Gao Hanwen, a bearded, broad-faced, dark-skinned man, rarely and unexpectedly appeared in front of Yan Shaoting since entering Nanjing City.

Gao Hanwen stood under Yilan Pavilion. With his bearded face, he looked more like a military general even though he was wearing the robes of a civil servant. His voice was so loud that it seemed to shake the dust off the roof of Yilan Pavilion.

In addition, there were several officials from the three judicial departments of the capital following behind Gao Hanwen, but they appeared to be very cautious and fearful.

He even stood downstairs and bowed humbly.

"Your subordinates and others are here to see Guest Yan."

Yan Shaoting stood on the upper floor leaning on the railing and glanced sideways at the Jiangnan gentry kneeling in the building behind him.

It seemed to be because of Gao Hanwen’s self-introduction.

These people are now becoming increasingly nervous and uneasy.

Who among them could have expected that Gao Hanwen would come to West Garden at this time.

And downstairs, Gao Hanwen still had to go up the stairs.

Yan Shaoting immediately reached out and pressed down, stopping the other party's intention.

It would be better to leave Gao Hanwen outside the building than to let him go upstairs and face the gang behind him, as this would create a greater sense of oppression for these people.

Standing behind the railing, Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "Imperial Censor Gao, this murderer has come to my West Garden."

Gao Hanwen smiled in his heart, he knew that he came to the West Garden to do this today, and Yan Binke understood what he meant.

Facing Yan Shaoting's questioning from upstairs.

Gao Hanwen's face suddenly darkened, his voice became louder, and his tone was even more murderous: "I was ordered to leave the capital, and my colleagues from the three judicial departments in the court investigated the illegal work of the officials in Nanjing. I received the emperor's order and the court's work. The officials in Nanjing are illegal, and the local gentry and wealthy families are involved, causing trouble to the local area, killing the people, and damaging the country. I eat the emperor's salary and receive support from the people, how can I ignore it? Killing one person can save thousands of people, and I will never tolerate it. I hope the guests will forgive me. If I have offended you today, I will come to apologize when I return to the capital tomorrow, but today I will take those who deserve to be killed away!"

Looking into the attic, the people kneeling inside the building listened to the shouting and screaming coming from downstairs outside, and became more and more panicked for a moment, with countless eyes cast on Yan Shaoting's back.

They are really panicking now.

Originally, they entered the West Garden today and could have discussed something with Yan Shaoting.

But Gao Hanwen, who was willing to cut people into pieces without blinking an eye, actually chased after him.

Judging from the situation outside, Gao Hanwen seemed unwilling to give Yan Shaoting any face and insisted on taking them away for justice today.

Leaning on the railing, Zhang Juzheng first glanced sideways at Yan Shaoting beside him, and then lowered his head to look at Gao Hanwen downstairs, wondering in his heart whether these two people had contacted each other behind his back today.

Otherwise, how could Gao Hanwen arrive at such a perfect time.

And inside the building.

Xu Pengju, who was holding the teacup, laughed eerily twice, reached out and touched the back of his neck, and said in a dark tone: "Why does my neck feel so cold? Is it because the weather has turned cold?"

The way he talked to himself once again scared everyone present.

For a moment, everyone felt that the beheading knife was placed on their necks. They shivered all over and cold sweat broke out on their backs.

Outside the building.

Gao Hanwen looked resolute and continued to shout, "Guest Yan, you are the chief minister of the six provinces in the south of the Yangtze River, appointed by the emperor to inspect the local areas and supervise the military affairs of Nanjing. It is your responsibility to govern the south of the Yangtze River. And I am here to investigate and deal with the illegal activities of the officials in the south of the Yangtze River. It is my duty. Please understand and allow me to take away those who are involved in illegal activities and deserve to be killed."

The officials from the three judicial departments of the capital who followed Gao Hanwen from Huitong Hall to Xihuayuan were also breaking out in cold sweats.

Good guy.

Originally, Gao Hanwen just said that he would come to West Garden to meet Yan Shaoting before returning to Beijing this year, but they didn't know that as soon as he finished speaking, Gao Hanwen brought them here directly.

But after he arrived, Gao Hanwen said the same thing.

You, Gao Hanwen, are the one who can go to the cabinet and take the tea stored by Yan Binke at will.

But we are not!

If Yan Shaoting, who was sitting upstairs, noticed this and thought that they were accompanying Gao Hanwen to force the emperor to abdicate, they would be the ones who would suffer.

Several people couldn't help but come forward and surround Gao Hanwen.

"Hanwen! This is a strict guest! Don't be rude!"

"Please forgive me, Mr. Yan. Censor Gao is really angry about the lawlessness and cannot tolerate any grain of sand in his eyes. He cannot sit idly by and watch the lawlessness run rampant, so he has offended you."

"Please forgive me, guests, and don't blame me."

Gao Hanwen was speechless for a moment as he was surrounded by the crowd. These idiots couldn't even understand his intentions.

Upstairs, Yan Shaoting was also helpless.

Originally, Gao Hanwen and I had been working together very well and had a tacit understanding.

Now these people are talking like this because they are afraid that I will blame them.

Fortunately.

Gao Hanwen downstairs quickly reacted, clasped his fists, and continued loudly: "Dear guests, I did not mean to offend you. It's just that I can't bear to see the law go rampant, so I naturally dare not arrest people in front of you. I will leave the West Garden now and wait outside with my people. When the guests have seen the people and dismissed them, I will arrest the people outside the West Garden."

After finishing speaking.

Gao Hanwen was afraid that the people who were chasing him would say something else, so he immediately turned around and left.

Seeing this, Yan Shaoting finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But I was overjoyed in my heart.

I didn't expect that Gao Hanwen, who used to be dull, could have such a temperament and strategies now.

He came and went.

I'm afraid the people in the building have already been completely disheartened.

at last.

After seeing Gao Hanwen off, Yan Shaoting turned around and walked into the building step by step, coming before the group of Jiangnan gentry who were kneeling on the ground.

Don't wait for him to speak.

These people were all kneeling down and begging.

"We are willing to obey the guest's orders."

"The national law does not tolerate treachery. We are protected by the imperial court and dare not harbor evil. Now there are great traitors and treacherous people in the Jiangnan area, so we should report them."

"Xu Jie and the Xu family of Songjiang Huating have been blessed by the emperor for generations, with fathers and sons all receiving salaries from the emperor. However, they ignored the emperor's grace, bent the law for personal gain, and brought disaster to the countryside and even the country."

"We are the good people of Jiangnan, so we should speak out against the illegal and evil deeds of this man and his family."

"I only ask that the guests take the trouble to present our writings to the emperor for his review, so as to restore justice to the people of Jiangnan and bring peace to the people of the world!"

…………

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(End of this chapter)