The lights are on.

Jingshi, the car and horse Yingmen outside the Zhangfu Gate of the Shamao Hutong, the sound of silk and bamboo through the tall and sturdy red walls of the Xiangfu came faintly. The people who came in and out, together with the little steward in front of the door, were full of smiles, and from their expressions, they could not sense that the father of the owner of the house was hovering on the verge of life and death all the time.

Today's banquet in Zhangfu is attended by both officials and some well-known literati, and the vast majority of them are from Huguang. Because of Zhang Juzheng, there are more and more Huguang people in Beijing, and even some Huguang people who have fallen off the list also choose to stay in Beijing and wait for opportunities instead of returning to the countryside. Daming attaches great importance to the feelings of Sangzi, and it is indispensable to take care of the township party as an official, and Zhang Juzheng is no exception. On weekdays, there are a lot of villagers who ask for help in the autumn wind, and take advantage of today's opportunity, many Huguang people want to try their luck, hoping that Zhang Juzheng will be happy and arrange a place for himself in the yamen, and there are many people.

Zhou Shichen's case is basically over, Lotus and other three innocent people were rehabilitated Zhaoxue, and the families of the three families got some money, the number is not big, and it is difficult to say whether they can get it when they are executed, it can only be said that it is a gesture and has no practical significance. Among the officials involved, Cao Yingjia, the young secretary of Dali Temple, was stripped of all official positions, dismissed from his post and returned to his hometown to never be used. Weng Dali, the Shangshu of the Jiangning Criminal Department, took away his official position, pursued Enyin, and ordered him to return to his hometown immediately. The Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division commanded Zhang Guowei's family to send Lingnan, as for Gao Gong, according to the opinion of the hundred officials, he should also pursue Enyin and make him understand the echo, but Zhang Juzheng specially interceded for Gao Gong in the Golden Palace, hoping that the Son of Heaven would be sympathetic to the old ministers and be gracious outside the law. Because of his insistence, the pursuit of Gao Gong was limited to the decree of the admonition, and there was no particularly large punishment.

Among the criminals, Zhu Guochen was sentenced to execution, and he was executed at the East Fourth Archway, and the people were allowed to watch. Qingyunhou's clansmen exerted their strength inside, and found an old qualified swordsman from the Criminal Department, and the torture lasted for two days and one night before it was declared over, which opened the eyes of Jingshi's father and fellow villagers. Although it did not reach the standard of 3,600 knives, it was also a craft that took 999 knives to lose his breath, and non-veterans could not do it.

The rest of the henchmen, such as Liu Rucheng and Liu Qi, have all decided to be decided, and dozens of splashy heads have been cut off by brushing in the West Fourth Archway, and hundreds of splashes in the criminal department have been sentenced to confiscate the army, 100 rods, and even beheaded prisoners, etc., with this splashing force being uprooted, the sky in Beijing has become a little clearer than before. And this is just the beginning, for officials, no matter how much they kill, it is only a trivial matter, and the real storm is still brewing.

Taking this incident as an excuse, Zhang Juzheng set off a wind of rectifying the rule of the Beijing division. Originally, the examination method was mainly aimed at officials who were lazy in public service, and it was a little worse on the first level of officials, and it basically had no effect on the officials below. This time, Zhu Guochen's case exposed all kinds of shortcomings at the bottom of the Ming Dynasty's official government, and it has reached the point where it is indispensable, Zhang Juzheng's whip finally fell on those low-level people, and the two counties of Da and Wan, Shuntian Mansion, and even Jinyiwei, Wucheng Terracotta and other institutions have not escaped liquidation.

The first batch of officials and officials who were arrested exceeded 50 people, including several officials in brocade clothes and four or five grades. Although the brocade official is not valuable, in order to cover up the splash, he arrested four or five senior officials and dealt with it, which also shows his determination and strength. According to Zhang Juzheng's attitude, in the future, more people will be dismissed, and this time, the people in the officialdom of Beijing, especially the local public security, will all have to go through a sieve.

Killing so many people at once is equivalent to vacating so many seats, and as the interrogation progresses, more people are bound to be found out and dealt with, so there will be more vacant seats. The attention of some Huguang people is in these positions. Most of them are unsatisfactory literati, and they have some talents and learning, but they are not enough to be admitted to the Jinshi, so they retreat to the second, just thinking about getting an identity in the government. Moreover, as long as Gangneung is in the country, as long as he enters the institutional circle, he can be promoted in the future, and he can also get a good future.

Zhou Shichen's case was a windfall for the Jiangling Party, and it was originally difficult for Dali Temple to intervene, which was tantamount to picking a big bargain for nothing. As soon as Cao Yingjia fell, the people on his line couldn't stay, and under the recommendation of Zhang Juzheng, Zhuo Chuhang, a native of Huguang, transferred Dali Temple from the position of Shangbao Si Shaoqing, and he would have to take power in the future. The officials below have also arranged dozens of Huguang people at once, and Dali Temple is full of Chu dialects, which has become the bag of the Jiangling Party.

Another exciting piece of news came from Henan: Gao Gong suffered a sudden emergency stroke and was paralyzed. Although after Lang Zhong's treatment, people's lives are not hindered, but they are destined to be bedridden, and they can't take care of themselves in life, let alone be a slaughter assistant.

Two great events came one after another, and even Zhang Juzheng's face had a little joy.

The music was bursting, the singing was lingering, and more than a dozen dancing girls danced under the leadership of Aguli, adding color to the banquet of the pillars of the imperial court. Although this enchanting and moving Persian dancer is covered with light veil, she has a graceful body, and the costume is the chosen hometown dress, showing her figure, which makes people feel quite confused and colorful, and secretly envy the blessings of Jiangling Xianggong.

Gu Shi, who was regarded as a future son-in-law, was also invited to the banquet. With the help of Zhang Juzheng, he has been favored by the four products of Shangbao Si Shaoqing, which is often used to come to Enyin to solve the problem of treatment for the children of civil officials, a bit like Jinyiwei. Although the grade of the Enyin official is high, he has no real power, and he is just a servant. But no matter what, he finally entered the system, and he is also a member of the officialdom, so he can naturally drink with the princes. He is loyal and a little wooden, plain and self-controlled, and he will blush when he sees a woman, not to mention that the dancing girl who takes the lead is still the pillow person of the future father-in-law, with his head bowed, he does not dare to move, and he does not dare to let go of eating and drinking.

Compared with the people around him who talk and eat and drink, Gu Shi is a little weird like this. Several people peeked at him, feeling a little funny. Zhang Juzheng employs people with talent and ignores morality, these members of the Jiangling Party are not courteous gentlemen, and many people have their own faults, Gu Shi is very unusual, and it is easy to attract people's attention. It's just that these henchmen know that he is very likely to become Zhang Jiadong's bed, but it's hard to say anything, so he only smiles secretly.

One of Zhang Juzhengyan's henchmen on the road, Yushi Yang Sizhi has also been transferred to Dali Temple, and his future goal is to be Zhuo Chuhang's deputy and take his place in the future. With such an achievement at the age of less than 30 and a bright future, it is inevitable that you will get a little carried away. looked at Gu Shi and smiled:

"Brother Gu, isn't this Aguli girl's singing and dancing in the eyes of the respected brother, and even disdainful of the elder brother? Brother Tai's vision is so high, I really don't know what kind of woman can enter the eyes of the respected brother? ”

Gu Shi's face suddenly turned red, and he stammered for a long time, only saying, "Brother Yang, don't make fun of it, don't make fun of it." But he couldn't say anything.

Zhang Juzheng looked at his appearance, and couldn't help but sigh secretly, if such a character was born in a poor family, his livelihood would be very difficult. Fortunately, it is not difficult to protect him from being bullied with his own power, and besides, good people are not bullied, maybe such a person is deeply blessed. As soon as I thought of this, I couldn't help but think of Fan Jin again, if this guy is here, what kind of virtue should he be? Thinking about his daughter's temperament, I have to admit that if Fan Jin lives with his daughter, it will be far more interesting than Gu Shilai, but after the age of fifty, a man like Gu Shi is more down-to-earth and reliable.

Although due to relationship reasons, Fan Jin did not become a guest in Zhang's mansion. But Zhang Juzheng knew in his heart that the banquet in front of him, this great victory was inseparable from Fan Jin's efforts. Without him turning over the old case, taking people with his own hands, and turning the world upside down in Dali Temple at the last moment, it would not be as easy as it is now to win. Even the paralysis of Gao Gong, although it was manipulated by Feng Bao, Fan Jin's record book also played a big role.

The way of employing people lies in the clear distinction between rewards and punishments. Of course, the daughter can't be given out as a prize, and she can't be rewarded just because of that. He looked at Zeng Xingwu, "Qu'an, can Fan Jin still be safe in the military department?" ”

"If you go back to Yuan Weng, Fan Jin will be difficult to settle down wherever he goes. He was transferred from the Criminal Department to the Military Department, and he was assigned to the cold yamen of the Ministry of Staff, and he also had something to do. Flipping through the map every day, and comparing several maps drawn in the same area at different times, he actually found several inconsistencies. According to the changes in the map, the border defense situation was deduced, but fortunately, there was no one to go to the place where the staff was located, so it was better to toss with him. ”

Although Zeng Xingwu said that Fan Jin did not stop, there was no dissatisfaction in his tone, and he was obviously quite supportive of Fan Jin's behavior. Although Zhang Juzheng is not good at military politics, he can hear from Zeng Xingwu's words that what Fan Jin did was beneficial to the National University. nodded and said: "Let him toss for a few days, and when the pavilion opens, it won't bother you." ”

"Yuan Weng really plans to choose him as a concubine?"

"Erjia is often the proper meaning of the question, could it be that the nunnery has something else to think about?"

Zeng Xingwu smiled, "I can't say any ideas, I just think that with Fan Jin's talent, if he enters the Hanlin Academy for twenty years, it seems to be a bit wasteful." His strength lies in general affairs, and if he is really allowed to be a Hanlin, he may not be able to achieve anything. If he stays ...... the Ministry of War, forget it, this is not good for his own future, everyone knows that Qingliu is the best choice, and being a Hanlin is the right way. What's more, Fan Jin has made such a great contribution this time, it would not be beautiful if he was allowed to stay in the military department. ”

Zhang Juzheng also smiled: "It's best if you can figure out this layer." Come, you and I have drunk this cup. ”

While talking and laughing, a small official from the General Administration Department came to find Chu Jiangchuan, the head of the family, and after the servant reported, Chu Jiangchuan frowned and walked out. Everyone's attention was either dancing or at the banquet, but few people paid attention, but Zhang Juzheng looked at Chu Jiangchuan's back and said: "Coming to him at this time, it seems that he is in a hurry, could it be that something big happened?" ”

Zeng Xingwu said: "Yuan Weng rest assured, now that the four seas are leveling, nothing big will happen." According to the news at the border gate, I did go to the West to welcome the Buddha's bones, and I had no intention of committing a border. However, he left an elite army to guard Dabansheng City, obviously to prevent us from sneaking up on him, which is consistent with Fan Huisi's analysis that day. From this point of view, it is unlikely that I will invade the border, and the border will be too peaceful, so there will be no major incident. ”

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and said, "You can't say that." Floods and droughts, natural disasters, man-made disasters in the southwest, such a big country, I don't know where there will be some trouble, sweeping people's Yaxing. Everyone wants to fight for this seat, and when they really sit in this seat, they will know what kind of life they are living. At that time, if you want to retreat, you can't retreat even if you are afraid. ”

While he was talking, Chu Jiangchuan had already come back from outside, his expression was as usual, and judging from his face, he couldn't see any mood fluctuations. When I returned to my seat, I still talked and laughed and drank with others, as if I had just gone out to do a private matter, and it had nothing to do with the overall situation. After a long while, he got up and came to Zhang Juzheng, and whispered through a toast: "Yuan Weng, He Xinyin is dead." ”

Zhang Juzheng's face didn't change much, he only responded lightly, and then said in a low voice: "When?" ”

"Judging from the time along the way, it should be more than ten days ago."

"What's the disease?"

"Violent in prison. According to Governor Chen Rui's Tang report, he was killed in prison. But no matter how he dies, it will be a trouble, Yuan Weng must be careful, many students in the court are afraid that they will have to attack Chen Rui at that time. ”

Zhang Juzheng nodded, and Chu Jiangchuan returned to his seat. Except for a few people close to them, the others didn't know anything about what was happening. Zhang Juzheng's face was as usual, drinking and laughing with everyone, and he didn't care about it. Until the wine was over, Zhang Juzheng, who returned to the bedroom, lay down in a wide coat under Aguli's service, and suddenly laughed. Aguli was confused by laughter and asked, "Master...... Why did you burst out laughing? ”

"Nothing. How can I not laugh at the death of a man who annoys me but has nothing to do with him? It's ridiculous that Chu Jiangchuan is still worried about what will happen, that person is just a crazy life, what is the pity of dying? Since the old man made up his mind to ban the world's academies and abolish the trend of private lectures, he has been ready to compete with those brave students. This person is dead, I think it's good to die, but it saves the old man a lot of effort! ”

Aguli said: "I don't know who the master is talking about, but the enemy of the master must be a bad person." ”

"Bad guys? That's not it, or he's not qualified to be called a bad guy. The bad guy in this world is not just what he wants to be, that person is useless to be a good person, and he is not qualified to be a bad guy if he wants to, he is just a useless person. I have always wanted to deal with him, but I couldn't find a suitable charge, or Fan Jin used the Zeng Guang case to involve him, and finally got rid of his life. This credit may not be worse than when he turned over the Zhou Shichen case and put down the high arch, it seems that he should be rewarded well. ”

Looking at Zhang Juzheng's thoughtful appearance, Aguli was bold and wanted to mention Miss Titi's marriage, but she didn't dare to say it. Just when she hesitated, Zhang Juzheng suddenly said: "Aguli, you go back and help me pay attention to the families of several senior officials in the court, who has a suitable woman in the family who has not yet been allowed to match, and find a good match for that madman, even if it is to reward him for his merits, it will also stop Qing'er's other thoughts." In a few days, she will marry Gu Shi, and this side will definitely be down, and Fan Jin's kid will have no other ideas. ”

Aguli had a bitter face, and said in her heart that this family matter must be done, and she didn't know what else would happen, but she didn't dare to say it to Zhang Juzheng, so she had to keep it in her heart.

First Gao Gong suffered a stroke and was paralyzed, and then He Xinyin, who had been unpleasant for many years, finally died, Zhang Juzheng, who got two good news in a row, was in a good mood, feeling that this was a good omen, indicating that his future would be very smooth. Maybe my father's illness will be cured without a cure, or maybe he will support it for ten or eight years, and he can arrange everything calmly, and there will be nothing to worry about no matter how difficult it is. The more I thought about it, the more comfortable I felt, and I began to plan for my daughter's marriage, as well as the cultivation and use of Fan Jin.

There was a gust of wind outside the window, and the window paper rustled. Aguli subconsciously looked at the window, and Zhang Juzheng said: "Look at what, it's just wind." This is the case in the spring of Jingshi, and it is not the first year you have seen it. ”

Aguli muttered, "yes...... It's windy, it's so windy. ”