Chapter 1567

Zhang Juzheng didn't even look at the text on the memorial.

"Wang Yan, the Great Ming is His Majesty's Great Ming, not your Great Ming. Any clear-eyed person can see the intention of this memorial; do you really want to rebel?"

Wang Yan shook his head: "Old Zhang, you are using the heart of a villain to measure the heart of a gentleman. I ask you, does my Great Ming have laws? Is what Chen Hong and Feng Bao did a fact? This law was not established by me, and I haven't changed the relevant laws; it was established by the Taizu Emperor of my Great Ming."

"What 'clear-eyed person can see'? Do you even need a clear-eyed person to see? Even ordinary people—no, saying people is too high—even a three-year-old child can understand: murder requires paying with one's life, and debt requires paying with money. Why, because they are the Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and are people around His Majesty, they cannot be handled according to the law? Then what is the law for?"

"On the contrary, precisely because they are people around His Majesty, they should set an example and abide by the law. Since they knowingly broke the law and harmed the people, what is this? It is challenging the authority of my Great Ming's laws and challenging the majesty of my Great Ming's emperor! It is smearing His Majesty and the imperial family. If the matter spreads, how will the people look at us officials? And how will they look at His Majesty?"

"Old Zhang, don't think about everything so darkly; I am acting according to the law. On this point, Old Hu is a clear witness. Back then, when I was the Registrar in Chun'an, his second son came to visit him and passed through Chun'an. According to your rules, he wanted to be treated to wine and given silver, but I certainly couldn't give it. His second son was dissatisfied, so I whipped him, and he was satisfied."

Hu Zongxian smiled bitterly and nodded, saying to Zhang Juzheng: "There is indeed such a thing; he even had people escort my second son to the camp to send him to me."

"You see." Wang Yan spread his hands. "And that old thing Xu Jie, you are clear about it, right? Didn't his second son also get whipped by me? This was Xu Jie's second son who didn't cause a death; otherwise, do you think I would dare to deal with him?"

"Cabinet Minister Zhang has been shouting about reform for so many years, and has been shouting about being for the country and the people for so many years, and has also learned a lot over these many years. Why don't you talk about the law now? Why don't you talk about the country and the people? Why have you started to speak nonsense and disregard the facts?"

Zhang Juzheng let out a long breath: "This matter is of great importance; it is better to ask His Majesty."

"Of course we have to ask His Majesty, but before that, you have to have an idea. Old Zhang, you are now the Senior Grand Secretary of the cabinet; since you know it is of great importance, you should have a stance. Whether to handle it or not, you have to give a clear word. It will also save us from arguing in front of the Emperor when His Majesty asks, which would be too unseemly."

Zhang Juzheng's cheeks were bulging; that was from gritting his teeth, which showed how angry he was at this moment. After all, at Zhang Juzheng's level, most of the time his face didn't change.

From this, it can also be seen how annoying Wang Yan is...

Chen Yiqin took the conversation on the side: "Cabinet Minister Wang, we as ministers must always take care of His Majesty's thoughts. I think Cabinet Minister Zhang is right; it is better to inform His Majesty first, and we will listen to His Majesty's instructions."

Hu Zongxian also spoke: "Cabinet Minister Chen's words make sense. Since we have to take care of His Majesty's thoughts, have Chen Hong and Feng Bao considered His Majesty in their actions? Now the witnesses and evidence are all present, and the victims are crying bitterly in the government office; then according to Cabinet Minister Chen's opinion, should this matter be handled or not?"

Wang Yan and Hu Zongxian were both aggressive, with an attitude that an answer must be given.

But whether it was Zhang Juzheng or Chen Yiqin, they couldn't answer directly, and it could only be said by Longqing. Because no matter how they said it, it would be wrong. If they handled it, where would they put Longqing? If they didn't handle it, where would they put the laws of the Great Ming?

Especially since Wang Yan was also good at spreading rumors and inciting people's hearts. If there was another demonstration by scholars and officials, let alone Zhang Juzheng stepping down, Longqing would have to issue a decree of self-reproach.

So even if they lost face, Zhang Juzheng and Chen Yiqin couldn't speak.

Thus, they both flicked their sleeves and left, and in the end, they didn't give a definite answer...

By the afternoon of that day, Longqing sent someone to find Wang Yan and Hu Zongxian to go to the West Garden for a meeting.

Walking in the palace at a leisurely pace, Hu Zongxian said: "His Majesty is afraid that he is not very happy now."

"He hasn't been happy for a long time, and it's not just now." Wang Yan stood with his hands behind his back, strolling. "The ruler tells the minister to die, and if the minister doesn't die, he is not loyal; the father tells the son to die, and if the son doesn't die, he is not filial. Which bastard said this? I have done so much, and I haven't harmed the world, nor have I deceived the emperor; what did I do wrong? Why target me like this? His Majesty is not happy, so I am happy?"

"Back then, I sold my family property and spent silver to find a position, thinking that I would enjoy myself comfortably for a lifetime, not work hard to achieve a career. If others want me to die, I die; then what have I been doing for so many years? I haven't spent much money, I haven't lived a carefree life, and I've just been assassinated."

"Hai Rui says I have achieved immortality in the history books and immortality in the hearts of the people, but what's the use of that? Besides, can the history books really say good things about me? The people are also those who remember eating but not beating; only the three generations who have lived through hard times will remember my goodness. A hundred years later, who will know who Wang Yan is? The history books slander me, and people with ulterior motives also speak ill of me everywhere; where is there any good reputation? What is the use of this immortality?"

Hu Zongxian had already adapted to the disrespectful and fierce words spoken by Wang Yan. He now understood Wang Yan's meaning very well, and also understood Wang Yan's situation. After all, he himself was a lesson from the past, but at that time he really didn't have the ability to say no.

Now Wang Yan had done it. He thought Wang Yan's power was not as good as Yan Song's, but when Wang Yan began to seize power and began to show his power, he really saw the terror of Wang Yan...

"I won't persuade you much, just one word: pay attention to your own safety..."

Without a doubt, Hu Zongxian was a very mature politician with an understanding of political struggle that saw through to the essence.

Political struggle is not about treating guests to dinner, not about greeting each other back and forth. It is about not forgiving when you have the upper hand, it is about chasing and beating, it is about cutting the weeds and eliminating the roots, it is about expanding the scope...

For a struggle between two sides of equal strength, the best way is to directly kill the other side. Because since they are of equal strength, the price to pay for the struggle is too great, so direct physical elimination becomes the best choice.

For a struggle between one strong and one weak side, for the strong side, the weak side is killed before the fight even starts; there are so many legal provisions, and there is always a way to control people.

And for the weak side, directly killing the other side also becomes the best choice. They couldn't beat them anyway, and killing the other side could turn defeat into victory, and the cost was small; it was truly a profit of ten thousand times.

So this is why Wang Yan had been assassinated all along, and why after killing so many people and implicating so many big families and high-ranking officials, they still wanted to kill him directly one after another.

What if it succeeded? Even if it failed, Wang Yan might not be able to find the mastermind. Even if he found the mastermind, it might not be certain that they would die.

This idea was too terrifying, and also too tempting, after all, Wang Yan was the source of evil...

So for the current situation, on the surface, the forces of both sides were considered equal, and they were evenly matched. In such a situation, the possibility of taking risks could not be ruled out.

It was like Han Xin, who was tricked into the palace by Empress Lü and killed; it was easy, simple, and clean...

From this point of view, Hu Zongxian's reminder was not unreasonable, and it was even a thing that was very likely to happen.

Wang Yan smiled and replied: "I hope it won't happen; everyone should be harmonious, fighting without breaking, otherwise both sides will be hurt, which is no good for them."

"Both sides hurt?" Hu Zongxian's eyes widened, and the old man's voice was quite high.

"I have such rich experience in being killed; do you think I have no response? I have already said that I will definitely not sit and wait for death. It makes no sense that others want to kill me, but I am not allowed to fight back."

"If you really fight back, you will be infamous for a thousand years in the history books."

Wang Yan laughed out loud: "This is back to the beginning again; originally I wasn't good in the history books, and Chen Yiqin is compiling history; do you think he can say good things about me? Fortunately, I have earned quite a bit of silver over these years, and I can afford to hire people to write private history. Although it is inevitably a bit self-aggrandizing, later people, even if they don't believe me, will definitely believe the problems of others that I wrote."

"When I go back, this old man will also compile history and clear your name."

"Forget it, we are both treacherous officials who are greedy for money and lustful, and we are also a clique. If you speak well of me, others definitely won't believe it. Let's just do our own things well and live our lives well; that's enough. Any other reputation, any other posthumous affairs, are all floating clouds..."

The two chatted like this and went to the Jade Palace. In the palace, Zhang Juzheng and Chen Yiqin were already there, Chen Hong and Feng Bao were kneeling on the ground, and the scene was very solemn, quiet except for the sound of breathing.

After receiving the report, Wang Yan and Hu Zongxian entered and paid their respects to Longqing.

Longqing shook the memorial in his hand and asked: "I have already read the memorial, and these two slaves have also admitted to this matter. Cabinet Minister Wang, Cabinet Minister Hu, what are your opinions?"

Wang Yan said: "Earlier in the Wenyuan Pavilion, your minister had already expressed his stance to Cabinet Minister Zhang. The country has national laws, and the family has family rules. His Majesty's family is the country, and the country is also His Majesty's family. Regardless of the Great Ming Code or the rules in this Forbidden City, there is no reason to forgive the things done by Eunuch Chen and Eunuch Feng. Your Majesty, your minister requests to kill these two treacherous thieves who have ruined His Majesty's reputation and damaged the fairness and majesty of the court."

"Bold Wang Yan, when is it your turn to decide the affairs of the Father Emperor?" A young man ran out, pointing at Wang Yan and shouting angrily.

This was the seventeen-year-old little Wanli, who had already grown up.

"Greetings to the Crown Prince." Wang Yan bowed to little Wanli very politely, and then asked, "Listening to the Crown Prince's words, do you want to forgive these two thieves? Cabinet Minister Zhang, you are the Crown Prince's teacher; the Crown Prince's enlightenment was taught by you. Why don't you explain to the Crown Prince what is right and wrong."

"Bold Wang Yan, how dare you insult the Crown Prince! Your Majesty, the slave requests to punish Wang Yan's crime." Chen Hong cried out, as if he were aggrieved for Longqing and little Wanli. "Your Majesty, Wang Yan is forming cliques for private interests, attacking those who disagree, seizing power and dictatorship; he is truly guilty of a heinous crime, Your Majesty..."

Wang Yan had his hands tucked into his sleeves, wearing a scarlet robe, standing firmly.

Hu Zongxian, who was watching the fun beside Wang Yan, only then discovered that Wang Yan's spine was straight. He recalled slightly, and it seemed that Wang Yan was like this most of the time...

To say that Wang Yan had never bent his waist was to be bullshit. If nothing else, he kowtowed a lot when Jiajing was alive. After Longqing took the throne, he didn't kowtow any less...

Seeing that Wang Yan was even too lazy to pay attention to Chen Hong, Hu Zongxian bowed: "Your Majesty, this Eunuch Chen is too unruly. Now that we are discussing crimes, he dares to roar in front of the Emperor; it is truly lawless. Your Majesty, the rules in this palace should also be established."

"Do you also have to manage the affairs in the palace?" Little Wanli still clamored, "Why don't you just become the emperor?"

When these words were spoken, Wang Yan and the others all had to kneel and kowtow.

Thus, everyone knelt, but didn't kowtow...

Wang Yan said: "The Crown Prince's words are truly inappropriate. We are not here to force the palace, but to eliminate treacherous thieves, rectify the discipline, clear the universe, and maintain the majesty of the court for the imperial family, for the Great Ming, and for the people. If people in the palace don't abide by the law and don't follow the rules, then how can we use the law to govern the people? Rely on the army to suppress? Can you suppress for a while, but can you suppress for a lifetime?"

"If it were really useful, why did my Great Ming go downhill over a decade ago? It was because the rules were constantly broken and the people were constantly oppressed, which gradually caused my Great Ming to fall into a situation of no return."

"The Crown Prince thinks why your minister can walk to today? It is because I am using my life to maintain the rules of my Great Ming, letting everyone return to their proper positions, and drawing an insurmountable line for people of every status and class. For over ten years like this, your minister has been assassinated over sixty times, and only then do we have today's Great Ming."

"The Crown Prince thinks that the things the two eunuchs did are small matters, and that your minister is making things difficult for His Majesty and seizing power? That is underestimating your minister too much. Let alone them, even if my own son committed a heinous crime, I, the father, would personally take a knife and chop them! The majesty and fairness of the Great Ming must never be desecrated!"

Little Wanli had nothing to say, and Longqing had nothing to say; Wang Yan had laid everything out clearly, and the righteousness of the family and country was clear and understandable, as if he were truly thinking for the public.

"That doesn't have to be..." Little Wanli stammered in rebuttal.

"Enough!"

Longqing waved his hand. "I remember that one can pay copper to avoid punishment, right?"

He meant that Wang Yan's methods of targeting powerful families when turning over old cases in the past, even if it involved human life, could save one's life by paying a considerable price.

He took a step back and asked Wang Yan if it would work.

"Of course, then follow the rules of Shuntian Prefecture. A fine of ten thousand taels, three months of labor reform; what does Your Majesty think?"

"Agreed."

Chen Hong panicked: "Your Majesty, no, Wang Yan will definitely take action privately and will definitely not let the slave live."

Wang Yan glanced at him: "Your heart is too dirty; no need to act here. Go and ask around, among those who paid, who didn't return in one piece?"

"If there's nothing else, you can all withdraw." Longqing waved his hand wearily.

Wang Yan stood up and looked at little Wanli: "Crown Prince, you must be diligent in your studies; you must never believe whatever others say. Cabinet Minister Zhang is not a good person; he says one thing and does another. The Crown Prince must learn to distinguish."

"Wang Yan!" Zhang Juzheng couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Look at you, you won't even let me speak. Old Zhang, I'll ask you for advice: what is a gentleman?"

"Are you finished yet?" Longqing finally spoke unhappily.

Thus, everyone bowed and took their leave...

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