eldest son of Ming dynasty

"It is rumored that the Land Clearing Order will soon arrive from Shandong to Jiangnan, but Zhongcheng thinks, who is the biggest landowner in Jiangnan?"

The person who asked Jing Shaokui this question was his political advisor Xu Yun, whom he brought all the way from Jiangxi.

This question is actually not difficult to answer. Jing Shaokui only frowned. He was specially promoted to this position by the emperor. The imperial decree has not yet been issued, but the memorials from Suzhou, Changzhou and other prefectures and counties have arrived one by one. , and no matter what the change is, the court is still required to delay the clearing of the land.

In this way, people were in chaos before the order arrived, and it was said that he failed to handle it well.

"You mean, Duke Wei?"

"This is exactly what I mean. The Duke of Wei has been in Nanjing for more than a hundred years. The land occupied by the Duke's mansion is probably 20 acres and it cannot be occupied. We really need to measure it clearly. Does the emperor recognize it or not? Nanjing It is the Duke of Wei, and there are vassals and nobles in other places. Zhongcheng wants to explain to the emperor in this book that the most important thing is not the local wealthy family, but the powerful family headed by the Duke of Wei."

Jing Shaokui nodded with understanding, "But now, the imperial court has no intention to go to Jiangnan. The chaos in these places..."

"My subordinates think this is not difficult. If the magistrate and county magistrate really have the courage to object, just submit a memorial to the court and make it clear. The emperor is so determined. They don't have 300 taels of silver here. This is not a way to seek death, so Zhongcheng doesn't have to Just ignore it and just obey the order. The key is whether the emperor will even investigate the fields of the Duke of Wei."

Jing Shaokui frowned, Wei Guogong's status in this dynasty was not low, and the emperor had also condescended to visit him.

These nobles are the pillars of the imperial power. If the emperor really wants to move them this time... it will be extremely dangerous.

"At the beginning of the year, Marquis Jinglu suddenly led [-] troops to the south of the Yangtze River." His political participation showed that he was familiar with conspiracy and calculations. "At first, it was said that the imperial court was at war with Japan, so it was to prevent Japanese invasion. But at that time, his subordinates It just feels weird.”

"What's strange?"

"First, the Ming Dynasty has a navy, and the Japanese war has been significantly reduced compared to previous years. There is no need for the imperial court's elite Beijing camp to defend. Even if this is really the intention, it is enough to send a garrison general with two guards and horses at most. Why do we need to The famous Marquis Jinglu?

Secondly, Japan has been defeated now, its own silver mountain cannot be saved, and the Japanese pirates who are fleeing have no one to control them. What threat can the stragglers pose?But does Marquis Jinglu have any intention of leaving? "

"Well..." Jing Shaokui nodded his chin, "After Marquis Jinglu arrived in Jiangnan, in the name of preventing Japanese pirates, he stationed himself in separate houses. For six months, he deliberately stayed away from the residents and had no contact with Jiangnan officialdom. It was as if he did not exist. Indeed. It’s a little strange.”

The atmosphere was already tense now, and the final move didn't make them wait too long.

Two days later.

Someone came from the capital, and it was Jin Yiwei and Dongchang who escorted all the people. The messenger was Jin Gui.

Jing Shaokui also met this person when he went to the capital to attend the imperial meeting. He already understood something about it as soon as they met.

this man,

He is the emperor's confidant for more than ten years!
"Governor Yingtian, guard Nanjing Jing Shaokui to listen to the order!"

"The minister accepts the order!"

Governor Yingtian was originally a civil servant of the imperial court, while the garrison of Nanjing had been held by nobles of the imperial court for a long time. The first was Duke Cheng, and later the Duke of Wei.

Later, the current Duke of Wei, Xu Chu, was old and frail and could not serve. His grandson Xu Pengju did not perform well when he met the emperor last year and was not liked by the emperor. Therefore, the Nanjing garrison came out of the Duke of Wei's mansion.

At that time, the emperor had already planned what would happen today, so he gave all the power to one person.

This Jing Shaokui was also a capable official promoted by Zhu Houzhao.

Of course, compared with Jin Gui, that's still a little worse, let alone his status as an imperial envoy. "Jing Zhongcheng, the decree has been announced. You should understand what the holy will is. Jiangnan is a land of fish and rice covered with dense water nets. Jiangnan has a clear land. No, I have angered His Majesty, and you cannot bear it."

"Xiaoguan understands that he will do his best."

"When you have time, follow me to the Duke of Wei's mansion."

"Yes!"

But before that, Jin Gui still had somewhere to go.

Last year, the emperor met Li Dongyang here. Li Dongyang was already seriously ill at that time. He wanted to return home, but his health did not allow him to do so, and he could not last long. He remained bedridden this year until the end of July in the 11th year of Zhengde's reign. , unfortunately died of illness.

The whole world was saddened to hear this.

Li Dongyang was not only a literary giant who founded the Chaling School of Poetry, but also served as governor for several years. The people in Jiangnan lived and worked in peace and contentment. After some adjustment, this originally prosperous place had almost reached the point where people did not pick up things on the road and did not close their homes at night. Such political achievements further enhanced Li Dongyang's Fame boosts.

Jin Gui came here originally to send greetings at the request of the emperor. Unexpectedly, he heard the bad news halfway through.In this case, he would pay homage on behalf of the emperor, which could be regarded as expressing the imperial court's wishes.

……

……

Li Dongyang's stepson, Li Zhaoxian, kept vigil for him according to the funeral ceremony.

Because of his high reputation, not to mention the city of Nanjing, even the people around him wanted to come here to pay homage.

Even if you can't leave because of official duties, you still have to send someone here.

The deceased was so important that Jin Gui even put the visit to the Duke of Wei at the back of the list.

In the afternoon of the day he arrived in Nanjing, he went to the Li Mansion. When he arrived in front of the door, everyone in the Li Mansion was wearing linen and wearing mourning. Looking around, everything was white.

There were also many people coming and going, and famous officials and gentry from all over the country were all queuing up.

Among the crowd, the name of the imperial envoy was very surprising.

Duke of Wei.

The subordinates were reporting to Xu Chu, "It has only been two days since the death of Duke Xi Ya, and an imperial envoy from the imperial court has arrived. According to the time, the imperial envoy's arrival in Ning must not be for the funeral of Duke Xi Ya. There are rumors outside, and Jin Chong then If you come to announce the decree in person, it must be something big. It may be related to the Qingtian Order."

Scenes like this must be happening in every house besides Wei Guogong's house.The imperial court wanted to imitate Shandong and launch a field clearing operation in the south of the Yangtze River.

This is already full of murderous intent.

"Grandpa..." Xu Pengju has grown up, and he can see the superficial meaning of each of these things, "What should we do?"

Xu Yan was silent, but his solemn eyes were not fake, "I also asked someone over there in Shandong. This time the imperial court acquired a lot of unowned fields in Shandong, some of which were still being cultivated the day before. , the crops that were carefully cared for lost their owners overnight. Is this a strange thing in the world?
In fact, there is nothing strange. Even if it is the land of a foreign vassal, the court will still reprimand and recover it. If it is involved in an important case, the family will be confiscated and the family will be ransacked.So those fields are naturally ownerless.Nowadays, the city of Nanjing is staring at the Wei Guogong Mansion... Hey. "

Xu Pengju said: "The emperor has also come to our house. You should know that Wei Guogong and his family are loyal to the court! Wei Guogong is also different from others!"

Xu Yan knew better than to think like this. During the Hongwu period, Huaixi nobles also relied on their own merits and occupied people's fields. Those people were still the ones who made real military exploits. Did Emperor Taizu spare them?

The young grandson likes vanity and probably feels that the Duke of Wei's son has a very special place in the emperor's heart.

In fact, where is it?

"The emperor didn't say anything..." Xu Chu thought, "Maybe he has an idea to test us. Grandson, you can't be confused about important matters. Just think about it, if our Duke of Wei takes the lead, what do you want the emperor to do?" What are you going to do? For the sake of you and my grandson, we have to stop the Qingtian Order that we have been preparing for a year?"

Xu Peng said: "The emperor is the greatest in the world. He can spare whomever he says to spare, and he can kill whomever he says to kill. Who dares to resist?"

"In that case, what if the person you want to kill is me, grandpa? Anyway, no one dares to object, so just kill him."

"But we...honor and the royal family share the same world."

"do not talk."

At that time, Emperor Taizong even talked to Prince Ning about half the world.

The world has always been enjoyed by oneself, how can there be any common truth?

Everyone in Jiangnan was looking at Wei Guogong, but they didn't know that they were unable to bargain with the emperor.

Another half day passed, and at night, Wei Guogong had already gone to bed, but suddenly he heard someone say outside the door, "Master, there are guards in golden clothes outside the door!"

Xu Yan was so old that he almost fainted from fright, "Ah! The Jin Yiwei is here?! Where are they?"

The servant said, "Here we are, waiting for you in the main hall."

"Wait for me?!" Xu Yan thought that this was not the rhythm of arresting people. "Wait, how many people have they come?"

"Come back to me, sir, a man is here."

ha?
Xu Yan calmed down for a moment, then his face changed drastically and he started to gnash his teeth. Damn it, he almost lost his life in fear!

He stepped forward and slapped her hard, and the sound was very crisp in the middle of the night.

“If I can’t speak, I cut my tongue!!”

This time the person was very unjustly accused. He didn’t know where he was wrong. He covered his hot face and felt dizzy.

The person waiting outside was none other than Han Ziren, the deputy envoy of Jin Yiwei.

He was sent by Emperor Jian and has been keeping an eye on the developments in Jiangnan recently. The imperial envoy from the imperial court has arrived in Nanjing today, so he can come.

Xu Yan felt that Jin Yiwei was really weird. He didn't visit during the day, but he did something like this late at night, and the servants didn't explain it clearly, which made him frightened.

When Han Ziren heard the footsteps, he turned his head. When he saw an old man with white hair, he immediately greeted him, "Han Ziren, deputy envoy of Jinyi Guards, has met Duke Wei."

Although Han Ziren was a Jinyiwei, he was from a Juren background, unlike Mao Yuwen and Ma Bin, who were two stinky hooligans.

"Why did Deputy Ambassador Han come to visit at starry night?"

"Transmit the emperor's oral instructions."

"Ah." Wei Guogong exclaimed and immediately stood up to show respect.

In fact, it was possible to write a letter, but things in this world are very strange. There are some things that are said to each other without evidence. If it is really written down on paper, I am afraid it will be difficult to deal with.

"The emperor said that my implementation of the land clearing order is a century-old policy to strengthen the country and enrich the people. I hope that Wei Guogong will assist me to stabilize the place and make no mistakes."

"Your Majesty the Duke of Wei, Xu Er, obeys the decree."

Han Ziren bowed again and said, "Bring the emperor's instructions and I will retire."

"Deputy Envoy Han," Xu Yan stretched out his hand to wave. He didn't even know that Deputy Envoy Jinyiwei was in Jiangnan. "It's already late at night. If Deputy Envoy Han doesn't mind, how about staying overnight in the mansion?"

Han Ziren smiled and refused, "Your Majesty, you're welcome."

"Deputy Ambassador Han!"

This behavior seemed to be that of a woman who was reluctant to let her lover leave. Han Ziren also understood. He said: "I appreciate the kindness of the Duke of the State, but does the Duke of the State want to have a close relationship with me? Moreover, the Duke of Wei has been acting for generations. The glory is not in Han’s hands, but in the hands of the Duke himself.”

Having said this, Han Ziren will say no more.

In his opinion, the emperor had given special care and even given special instructions.This is called courtesy before fighting. If you still insist on going your own way, you are seeking death.

In Jiangnan at this time, no matter how many actions there are, it is useless.