Chapter 200

Jiajing could not help but smile and say

"Grand Preceptor Yan, please continue. After all these years of being ruler and subject, why must we still observe so many taboos?"

Hearing this, Yan Song's heart immediately relaxed.

His originally clouded old eyes even revealed a trace of clarity.

"This humble subject petitions Your Majesty to immediately appoint a special envoy to strictly investigate the matter of Wang Zhi. Wang Zhi has harmed the southeast for so many years; there must be someone acting as his inside agent!"

Hearing this, Jiajing pretended to hesitate and asked

"Oh? Who does Grand Preceptor Yan intend to recommend?"

"This subject dares to recommend the Zhejiang Imperial Inspector, Wang Bengu!"

Hearing this, Xu Jie's heart gave a sudden "thump"!

Jiajing showed no hesitation; he immediately turned to look at Xu Jie nearby and asked softly

"Grand Preceptor Xu, Grand Preceptor Yan has recommended Wang Bengu to strictly investigate the case of Wang Zhi. What does Grand Preceptor Xu think of this?"

Say no?

If there is even a single word of "no," I fear my entire family will be reporting to the Imperial Prison tomorrow?!

Xu Jie immediately spoke with absolute decisiveness

"Grand Preceptor Yan's proposal is excellent!"

"Wang Bengu will atone for sins by performing meritorious deeds; this subject second the motion!"

Jiajing remained noncommittal.

He simply said with a calm tone

"I do not care how it is done; I only wish to demand an explanation for my people!"

He then rose and departed.

Yan Song, familiar with the routine, also rose, walked over to the nearby desk, and with a few swift brushstrokes drafted a proposal reading "Imperial Appointment of Zhejiang Imperial Inspector Wang Bengu as Imperial Envoy," handing it to Xu Jie for his signature.

When Xu Jie saw the name "Wang Bengu" on the paper.

His heart trembled almost instinctively.

But there was no way out.

Jiajing has already laid down his words right here.

Xu Jie had no choice but to sign.

Yan Song and Xu Jie both voted in favor.

As long as Lu Fang approves it with red ink above, the imperial edict will be successfully issued.

Jiajing had only a few brief words.

Even if some uncontrollable factor truly arose.

It would be Yan Song who whispered slander and Lu Fang who deceived the Son of Heaven!

Looking at the few brief words outside the meditation hall.

Zhu Youjian, Zhu Yuanzhang, and Zhu Di could not help but reveal envious expressions.

Only Zhu Qi looked at this scene with a face full of shock.

"No, why are you all like this?"

"Yan Song is obviously a treacherous minister! Great-Grandfather..."

As he looked around, Zhu Qi finally noticed the envious expressions on the faces of the other Emperors.

Such a Yan Song.

Which Emperor would not want him?

Just as he felt cold, a blanket was draped over him; just as he arrived, a stool was brought over.

He skimmed off some silver.

That was not the point; the most crucial thing was that he could actually get things done!

With such a minister in court.

The Son of Heaven would have far fewer concerns.

Things he wished to accomplish could be successfully completed much more smoothly.

As for that small amount of silver.

It was merely a starter gift pack left for future monarchs.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Jiajing and could not help but smile

"Using his own methods against him; it seems this young man has figured it out clearly."

"If such a straightforward but brainless minister were given such authority, how could he possibly stop until he had turned the entire southeast upside down?!"

Just as Lu Fang was about to approve with red ink.

A gong sound unexpectedly rang out inside the meditation hall.

Lu Fang, who was about to approve with red ink, immediately stopped his brush.

Jiajing inside the meditation hall could not help but smile

"Lu Fang, go take down that painting; I seem to be having some trouble with my eyesight."

Lu Fang nodded slightly.

He then rose, followed Jiajing's instruction, and took down a landscape painting from the distant wall.

"Go, show it to Grand Preceptor Yan and the others."

Lu Fang and Chen Hong bowed their heads to attend to the task, and a huge landscape painting unfolded before Xu Jie and Yan Song.

Jiajing squinted as he examined the painting before him and smiled

"I am truly getting old."

"Just now, as I entered the meditation hall, I somehow saw only the surging Yangtze River rushing forward in this painting."

"I can no longer see the mountains in this painting, no matter how hard I try."

"Jiangshan, Jiangshan—how can there be only a river without mountains!"

Jiajing involuntarily intensified his tone.

Yan Song, who had just been drafting memoranda on the side, instantly feigned a sudden realization.

He hastily set down the painting in his hands and bowed to Jiajing with clasped hands, saying,

"Your Majesty, this old minister has another matter to report."

Jiajing slowly raised his head, scrutinizing Yan Song as he asked,

"What matter?"

"What the Sovereign-Father says is most correct. Jiangshan, Jiangshan—there cannot be only a river without mountains."

"Wang Bengu, serving as the Imperial Inspector in Qiantang, is certainly the river. This old minister dares to propose adding a mountain to the Wang Zhi case."

Jiajing scrutinized Yan Song and asked,

"Which mountain does Grand Secretary Yan intend?"

A sharp glint suddenly flashed in Yan Song's eyes as he spoke with unwavering determination,

"The Brush-Rack Mountain!"

Hearing this, a faint smile finally appeared on Jiajing's face.

"Oh, the Brush-Rack Mountain?"

"Hai Rui, the County Magistrate of Chun'an, was summoned by his former superior; all local officials bowed, yet only Hai Rui refused to bow, thus earning him the nickname 'Brush-Rack Mountain.' This man is upright and incorruptible, making him a perfect match for Wang Bengu."

How could Jiajing not know this?

Hu Zongxian alone had already mentioned Hai Rui's name to Jiajing in memorials more than once!

Jiajing slowly returned to the straw platform and sat in meditation, saying,

"Very well, very well. Let us take it as an auspicious omen; let us use this Brush-Rack Mountain of his!"

The entire exchange between ruler and minister proceeded with effortless fluency.

Only in Jiajing's reign

could such perfectly synchronized ruler and minister exist.

Jiajing never mentioned Hai Rui's name even once from beginning to end,

yet directly promoted Hai Rui to the position of Imperial Censor for Inspection.

Looking at the Imperial Edict before him, which had passed through the drafting and vermilion-approval processes,

Xu Jie's heart grew half frozen.