Chapter 77: Singing in the Wild, Eating Apples, Night Ends and Dawn Breaks

The so-called New Year brings a new atmosphere; the capital saved on lantern festivals and fireworks, and the missing New Year atmosphere was fortunately made up for by Nanzhili.

This New Year in Nanzhili could be described as red and fiery.

Not to mention the joy of the people, in the officialdom, it appeared even more lively.

This first fiery event was that the Nanjing Garrison Commander Zhang Jing had a disagreement with the Nanjing Garrison Commander and manager of the Central Military Governor's Office, Marquis of Huaining Sun Shizhong.

Their subordinates fought privately, and quite a bit of blood was shed; it could be described as a fiery start to the New Year.

The reason for the private fight was also very simple.

The Nanjing Garrison had the responsibility of controlling the various guards of Nanjing. Under the premise that Garrison Commander Zhang Jing had repeatedly ordered that no one could leave the camp without an order, a small flag officer of the Feixiong Guard brought troops out of the camp for no reason and only returned after several days. After Zhang Jing discovered it, he wanted to execute him according to the law.

Nanjing Garrison Commander Sun Shizhong learned of this and immediately intervened, but found that the small flag officer had returned home to visit relatives, and his subordinates had accompanied him for a distance; the procedures were legal and compliant, and there was no crime.

Both sides held their own opinions.

In the end, the Nanjing Ministry of War Yamen came forward to mediate, gave the small flag officer a military cane, and the matter was skipped over.

Where did Zhang Jing, that cunning and soft-hearted person with a poisonous snake hidden in his belly, know?

After the New Year, taking advantage of Sun Shizhong's absence, Zhang Jing grabbed the small flag officer and personally executed him in front of the large and small military officers of the garrison camp.

When Sun Shizhong arrived, only two halves of the corpse remained.

Both sides naturally broke out into conflict, but they couldn't make too much of a scene, so a private fight occurred among their subordinates.

Subsequently, the Ministry of War was alarmed again, and even the Water Transport Regional Commander happened to be on official business in Nanzhili and also came down to negotiate and mediate for this matter.

It was only with great difficulty that the drums were silenced.

The second fiery event was that the Junior Hai Yushi of the Court of Judicial Review, Chen Dong, because the Deputy Judge of the Transport Commissioner's Office, Chang Ke, whom he had detained, died in prison for no reason, and his relatives and family members went to ask for an explanation.

Chen Dong took out the documents of the Three Judicial Offices, determining that this person was a death-row prisoner.

But the family members refused to let go, only saying that although Chang Ke was sentenced to death by the Three Judicial Offices, it was not a public execution, so there must be something fishy.

Afterwards, the relatives and family members cried in the streets and beat the grievance drum, making the matter extremely large.

Subsequently, righteous people from ten miles and eight villages all rushed to support them.

Inciting the people, they wanted to ask for an explanation from this cruel official.

In the end, it reached a climax when Chang Ke's old mother, unable to bear the injustice, hit her head and died in front of Chen Dong.

The public opinion in the entire Taizhou Prefecture surged instantly, gathering to ask for an explanation for Chang Ke and his mother.

The Prefectural Yamen came forward to mediate but failed, only advising Junior Hai Yushi Chen to leave quickly.

After Chen Dong refused, many righteous people wanted to perish with such cruel officials.

Under Jiao Ze's protection, although nothing really happened, the situation became more and more severe day by day.

The third fiery event was that the Huai'an Prefectural Yamen caught fire again.

After Hai Rui raided the homes of several salt merchants, including Shen Chuanyin, it had already aroused the panic of all the salt merchants in Nanzhili.

They believed that Hai Rui's evidence was insufficient and that he was deliberately looting the salt merchants' family property for his own selfish desires, framing them for unjust imprisonment.

They gathered at the Huai'an Prefectural Yamen to find Hai Rui and ask for an explanation.

Throwing eggs and rotten vegetable leaves went without saying.

It was just that during this period, some people of unknown origin broke into the Yamen, aimed at a pile of boxes, and set a big fire.

Fortunately, the boxes were empty, and no great loss was caused.

Just like this, you sing and I appear, and Nanzhili stumbled until the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.

Yesterday was just the Lantern Festival, but the Prefectural Yamen, as a serious place, also had no sense of celebration.

And it wasn't just today; for the past half month, the Huai'an Prefectural Yamen had been shrouded in a strange atmosphere.

Provincial Governor Hai Rui seemed to have entered a halftime break, except for occasionally raiding salt merchants, he could be said to have not offended the officialdom of Nanzhili at all.

He came to handle a big case, but he shrank in the Prefectural Yamen and didn't come out.

While the officials breathed a sigh of relief, they couldn't help but wonder, what exactly was Hai Rui waiting for?

"Provincial Governor, are we just going to wait like this?"

Chen Yinzhao was the son of the Earl of Pingjiang, so he had no scruples when asking questions.

Hai Rui was sitting on the ground, washing his clothes with a washboard.

Hearing this, he didn't raise his head and said: "What?"

Chen Yinzhao said helplessly: "Provincial Governor, anyone with eyes can see that this is a counterattack from Nanzhili."

"Regarding the matter of the two Nanjing Garrison Commanders, if my father hadn't gone to mediate and suppress the scene, I fear that side would have already driven the Zhang Garrison Commander back to the palace."

"And there is Junior Hai Yushi Chen there; those are not righteous people of the people; a few days ago, there were even crossbow arrows secretly harming him! How can there be such people!"

Speaking of this, Chen Yinzhao raised his head and looked outside the Prefectural Yamen, as if seeing the salt merchants outside the Yamen through the wall.

"It's fine for the salt merchants outside the Yamen to make trouble, but even letting the Hai Yushi sit in the tea shed to watch, clearly coming to sit in town, it's too rampant!"

"Provincial Governor, it's not just me; my father and Regional Commander Wang are also wondering why you have been passively beaten all along and haven't used thunderous means."

Hai Rui wrung out the clothes and raised his head to look at Chen Yinzhao.

He said why this kid had so much to say today; it turned out it was Wang Zongmu and Chen Wangmo asking.

It was no wonder.

These days, the counterattack of Nanzhili was becoming more and more fierce.

The pressure given could be described as increasing day by day.

Wang Zongmu and Chen Wangmo had all received different pressures.

These two people didn't really not understand, so they let Chen Yinzhao ask for them.

It was precisely because one Regional Commander and one Regional Commander understood too well that they urged Hai Rui to take action quickly and cut the Gordian knot, to share the worries for the ruler!

Everyone had their own solution.

Zhang Juzheng wanted to carry this matter with the status of the Cabinet Senior Grand Secretary.

Gao Gong naturally had his own solution.

He didn't mind killing Xu Jie with his own hands—his iron certificate of exemption from death still had a second use.

As long as Xu Jie was killed with one knife, and those eighteen boxes of material evidence were burned to ashes, Hai Rui's case could continue—investigate whoever it is, isn't it much simpler than this kind of heaven-shaking big case?

Moreover, Xu Jie wanted to seize the Emperor's will? But the person was killed by Gao Gong because of a private grudge, and the Emperor knew nothing.

This method, to a certain extent, was the best of both worlds, and it had been approved by Wang Zongmu, Chen Wangmo, and even Zhu Xixiao.

Now, they were urging Hai Rui to act accordingly and share the worries for the ruler.

But, Hai Rui had not agreed before, and he would not agree today either.

He raised his head and looked at Chen Yinzhao, saying seriously: "You can tell your father that I am waiting for the Emperor's decree."

Whether it was a public edict telling him to continue handling the case or a private decree persuading him to stop.

Hai Rui would always wait for the Emperor's decree before acting.

If the Emperor wanted to stop, he wouldn't be in a hurry for this moment, and Hai Rui would also follow the Emperor's decree and would not act arbitrarily.

He was just... wanting to see the Emperor's approach.

This matter was not something Chen Yinzhao could comment on; he was only responsible for passing the message.

Having obtained the result, he arched his hands and turned to go to the Water Transport Yamen.

Hai Rui withdrew his gaze and took out a bag of soap locusts, preparing to wash his shoes.

Just at this time, Gu Chengguang walked in from outside in three steps.

He reported: "Provincial Governor, a high official from Yingtian Prefecture has come; it seems to be the Hai Yushi-in-Chief of the Nanjing Censorate!"

Hai Rui's hand stopped.

He was a Vice Hai Yushi-in-Chief, and if a Hai Yushi-in-Chief came, I fear it was not a good thing.

He gently put down his shoes and slowly rose.

He wiped his wet hands on his hem.

He looked at Gu Chengguang and nodded: "Lead the way."

No matter why they came, they had to meet.

Since Xu Jie surrendered, he had blocked too many gods and Buddhas.

Fortunately, before leaving, the Emperor specifically instructed Gu Chengguang and Jiao Ze, the two people with troops, to obey his orders in everything.

Because of this, he was able to hold on for more than half a month, neither killing nor releasing Xu Jie.

Gu Chengguang led the way and brought Hai Rui to the Prefectural Yamen's public hall.

As soon as Hai Rui walked into the public hall, he saw an old man in a scarlet robe sitting openly on the main seat of the Prefectural Yamen.

He was about to speak.

Only seeing the old man behind the public desk, he said coldly: "This official is the Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief of Nanzhili, Xu Shi."

"You are Hai Rui?"

The Censorate of Nanzhili did not have a Left Hai Yushi-in-Chief, only a Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief.

This meant that this Xu Shi was the chief official of the Nanzhili Censorate, a Second Rank high official.

A Second Rank Hai Yushi-in-Chief against a Fourth Rank Vice Hai Yushi-in-Chief.

The other party reported his family name, and Hai Rui couldn't lose his etiquette either. He arched his hands to return the salute and was about to answer.

Xu Shi said coldly: "Is this how you salute when you see a superior?"

The condescending scolding interrupted Hai Rui's movement.

Hai Rui's body paused.

Since it was such an obvious trouble-making, he simply skipped the arching of hands.

He straightened his back, looked directly at Xu Shi, and said solemnly: "This official's rank is only Fourth Rank, but I have the position of Imperial Envoy Provincial Governor, patrolling on behalf of Heaven; what kind of etiquette do you want me to perform!?"

"On the contrary, you, knowing that I represent the Holy One, represent the two palaces."

"Still dare to occupy the public hall openly, look down on the Imperial Envoy, are you despising the Imperial Envoy, or are you despising the two palaces, despising the Holy One!"

"Relying on your Second Rank official status, you dare to point fingers at the Provincial Governor's tally and speak wildly about receiving grand etiquette; can you afford it!"

"Is your Second Rank official status bigger, or is the Imperial Envoy's imperial order bigger; is your Censorate bigger, or is the Great Ming law bigger!"

"Xu Shi, as long as you still have the Holy One and the Great Ming law in your eyes, get up and speak with this official!"

Xu Shi rose suddenly, furious.

Gritting his teeth: "When I was patrolling Jiangxi and Zhejiang, you were still drinking milk!"

"I will not argue with a small scholar like you."

"Where is Supervising Secretary Zhang Huan? Hand him over to me; I want to take him away!"

Last year, or rather when Hai Rui first came to Nanzhili, he arrested a wave of people, including the Duke of Wei's son, Xu Jie's family slaves, and also Supervising Secretary Zhang Huan.

Some were killed by Hai Rui, some were released, and Zhang Huan was still locked in Hai Rui's prison.

Hai Rui flicked his sleeves, displeased: "Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief Xu, are you trying to interfere in an imperial case?"

Xu Shi suddenly sneered: "Imperial case? The Holy One is wise and martial, and has his own decision; Hai Rui, the days of you returning to Hainan to raise fish are not far away."

Since Xu Jie surrendered, nearly a month had passed.

But there was no movement from the capital.

At least it showed that until New Year's Day, the central government had not made up its mind.

This sign meant what, everyone had their guesses.

Precisely because of this, Xu Shi dared to involve himself today and come to ask for Zhang Huan.

This was inviting fame, and also political speculation.

He looked deeply at Hai Rui and said meaningfully: "A censor, and Hai Yushi Hai can't handle it; why drag it out?"

"Hai Yushi Hai, the overall situation comes first; hand Zhang Huan to me, and I will leave immediately."

Hai Rui did not answer.

Xu Shi naturally made preparations before coming, and also figured out the context of Hai Rui and Chen Dong's actions.

Clearly, high officials were not qualified to handle censors directly.

Although censors were only Seventh Rank, their status was extraordinary, "The promotion of the Six Offices, internally Fourth Rank capital hall, externally Third Rank administration, covers external transfer from Seventh to Junior Third."

It means that although censors were only Seventh Rank officials, as long as they were transferred, if they were outside, they were Third Rank high officials, and in the capital, they were Fourth Rank hall officials.

It was not something ordinary officials could compare to.

It also meant that Hai Rui did not have the qualification to handle censors.

Back then, when the Emperor wanted to kill Hu and Jia, he had to have the Cabinet and the Six Ministries nod, and only then could it be done; a Hai Rui could not kill censors arbitrarily.

Since Hai Rui was about to be kicked away, and he couldn't handle Zhang Huan, there was no need to keep him forcibly.

Xu Shi was ten percent sure about this matter.

But Hai Rui looked at Xu Shi strangely: "Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief Xu, this official has one thing unclear."

He pondered for a moment and couldn't help but ask: "Why do you all think you are the overall situation?"

Xu Shi sneered.

Although Xu Jie's hand disgusted everyone.

But it had to be admitted that this move was absolutely effective.

The Emperor didn't compromise; did he really dare to handle all the high officials involved in Xu Jie's case?

Even if he only handled half, it would be enough to shake the two capitals.

Expansion was not something only Xu Jie could do; how many clean officials were there in the two capitals?

Xu Jie's hand had no difficulty; everyone could learn it; to what extent it would expand, I fear it was not something the Emperor wanted to see.

Unless he let go of most, only killing the chicken to scare the monkey.

But if he let go of most, what was the point of handling it? It wouldn't scare anyone, and it would only make people see weakness and powerlessness.

Xu Shi couldn't help but look down with pity: "Hai Rui, you have never done the overall situation; you don't understand."

A lonely official will never experience the taste of the overall situation.

Xu Shi wasted his breath to explain more.

After speaking, he sat down again, quietly waiting for Hai Rui's reply.

Hai Rui didn't consider it for long, serious and stiff: "The case hasn't been finished yet; Zhang Huan spied on the Imperial Envoy's secrets and cannot be released."

After speaking, he turned to leave.

Xu Shi slapped the table and called Hai Rui to stop.

He pointed at Hai Rui's back and scolded: "Simply a stone in the latrine, giving face but not wanting it!"

"Spending all day showing a face holier than the saint, do you think you can be proud for a few more days!?"

"Do you believe that the edict for your dismissal is already on the way to Nanzhili!"

Hai Rui slowly turned around and stared at Xu Shi.

The latter's momentum was magnificent, looking down from above.

The former was expressionless, saying nothing.

The two, one sitting on the public desk, one standing in the main hall.

One up and one down, it seemed the outcome was already decided.

Only the morning light passed through the main hall, sprinkling on Hai Rui.

After a long time.

Hai Rui finally wanted to speak.

Just at this time.

There was a commotion outside.

A clamor sounded inexplicably.

Xu Shi looked up.

Hai Rui turned his head back.

Only hearing a sharp voice, it entered the main hall.

"The Holy Edict has arrived!"

"The Holy Edict has arrived!"

Only seeing Gu Chengguang running in again, coming toward this side of the main hall.

But behind him followed a group of eunuchs, one of whom was still singing and shouting.

Xu Shi's expression changed, turning into ecstasy.

Pointing at Hai Rui, he sneered: "Hai Rui, how is it? Do you understand what the overall situation is now?"

He snorted coldly, finally finding his face back.

Hai Rui did not pay attention to Xu Shi.

He stood straight, expressionless, quietly waiting for the Holy Edict.

Xu Shi had already walked down from the public desk: "Hai Rui, don't think that you can be invincible by carrying the banner of the Great Ming law."

He patted Hai Rui on the shoulder, his eyes mocking, word by word: "The overall situation comes first."

Luo Sigong on the side looked at Xu Shi frequently, clenched his fists, not knowing what he was thinking.

Not long after.

Gu Chengguang led several eunuchs and arrived in the public hall.

Hai Rui and Xu Shi knelt down to listen to the edict one after another.

The leading eunuch hurriedly said: "This is the edict for Junior Tutor Xu Jie; please call Xu Jie out to listen to the edict first."

After speaking, the eunuch nodded to Gu Chengguang, signaling him to call Xu Jie.

Gu Chengguang responded and went.

Hai Rui was at a loss for a moment.

He couldn't help but arch his hands toward the capital: "Eunuch, how is the Emperor?"

Gu Chengguang had already introduced the eunuch, so the eunuch naturally recognized him: "Provincial Governor Hai, the Emperor is well."

The eunuch knew what Hai Rui wanted to ask, and didn't hang him up, saying kindly: "There is no Holy Edict for Provincial Governor Hai, but there is a handwritten letter."

He nodded to the eunuch behind him, and the little eunuch hurriedly presented a box.

Xu Shi watched coldly from the side, secretly thinking it was a pity.

If it were a dismissal, it should be a public edict.

Now that it was so sneaky, it was clearly to give Hai Rui dignity and let him return to the capital to be idle.

But it didn't matter. Hai Rui, who had suffered two setbacks, was already just a pure auspicious sign, just right to watch the wind and clouds in the officialdom.

He sneered in his heart.

Hai Rui and the eunuch saluted, and received the box containing the Emperor's handwritten letter.

A handwritten letter was a private letter, and also a middle decree; in the current political environment, it had no power and could only exhort some things.

So... what did the Emperor want to exhort him?

Recall him to the capital? Or only kill the chief culprit? Or the overall situation comes first?

Hai Rui looked at the signature, Changwei Jushi, confirming it was the Emperor's private letter.

He took a deep breath and read it slowly from the beginning.

Just at this time, Gu Chengguang led Xu Jie out from the inner hall.

Hurriedly saluted: "Seen the Angel."

The eunuch hurriedly asked him to rise.

At this time, Gu Chengguang had already gone to set up the incense table, waiting to proclaim the edict.

Xu Shi saw the eunuch being so polite to Xu Jie, and discarded the last trace of doubt.

He walked to Xu Jie's side and couldn't help but tease: "Junior Tutor Xu has passed this hurdle, but there are still many hurdles behind."

Xu Jie's hand put everyone on the scale for the Emperor to weigh.

Now the Emperor let him go, but the people who were on the scale might not necessarily let Xu Jie have an easy time.

Xu Jie shook his head: "Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief Xu is joking; being able to pass hurdle by hurdle is a good thing."

Xu Shi couldn't help but admire this person's mindset.

He said two sentences, and until Xu Jie went to wash his hands and prepare to receive the edict, he closed his mouth.

Instead, he looked at Hai Rui again.

Only seeing this Provincial Governor, who had a sage's face at the beginning, cold and severe, and couldn't change his color for anyone.

Now he had revealed a look of astonishment.

Xu Shi felt happy in his heart.

He really couldn't raise any good feelings for this kind of stinking stone in the officialdom.

Now that he was betrayed by the Emperor for the second time, clearly there was a trend of his will breaking; he truly deserved it.

Really thinking that the Emperor of the Zhu family could be trusted? It was too naive.

He glanced again and couldn't help but frown; this Hai Qingtian's expression was actually relieved?

Was he forgiving the Emperor's backstabbing again?

Truly foolishly loyal.

Xu Shi shook his head.

He didn't want to put his mind on this stinking stone anymore; at least today, he could take Zhang Huan away.

Only seeing Hai Rui gradually close the Emperor's handwritten letter and regain his composure.

He thanked the eunuch, and the eunuch hurriedly stepped aside to avoid it.

Xu Shi interrupted Hai Rui's empty etiquette, opened his mouth to attract everyone's attention, and said: "Hai Yushi Hai, can you release Zhang Huan now?"

In this situation, he didn't believe Hai Rui could still hold on.

Hai Rui paused, looked at Xu Shi back and forth, then smiled and nodded gently: "It is time to let Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief Xu reunite with Zhang Huan."

Xu Shi patted Hai Rui on the shoulder with satisfaction.

He turned around and went outside the Prefectural Yamen to wait for people, which was also giving Hai Rui dignity.

Hai Rui didn't talk about official ethics, but he couldn't lack this bit of cultivation.

Just walked two steps, when a voice came from behind: "Catch this thief and lock him in the cell next to Zhang Huan."

As soon as the words fell, Xu Shi was stunned and didn't react to what it meant.

He slowly turned his head, only seeing the Embroidered Uniform Guard beside Hai Rui had already pounced on him.

Xu Shi finally reacted to what that sentence meant just now; his face changed drastically: "Hai Rui!"

Only had time to spit out two words.

Luo Sigong's big palms had already clamped his neck and pressed him to the ground on the spot.

Xu Shi struggled endlessly but couldn't make a sound.

Luo Sigong kicked him with force, and Xu Shi stopped struggling on the spot, and then was dragged out.

The sudden change did not surprise anyone else.

Only Xu Jie, who had just washed his hands and burned incense, stood there in a daze.

His thoughts turned, and he vaguely understood something.

But he looked at Hai Rui in disbelief: "Provincial Governor Hai, that was a Second Rank high official just now!?"

Hai Rui's expression swept away the gloom, and he retreated silently to the side.

He didn't explain, but smiled at Xu Jie: "Junior Tutor Xu, you receive the edict first."

It was indeed an overestimation of the difficulty of production; unstable updates are my problem, but the word count this month will definitely not be less; the update time will probably have to be considered later.





(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 78 =====