After everyone arrived at the cabinet one after another, while the music had not yet been delivered, I saw Yan Song cough lightly twice, attracting the attention of everyone present.

After this, I saw Yan Song trembling and getting up from his seat, facing everyone, and said slowly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it looks like the end of the year is approaching, and when the cabinet has dealt with all these matters at hand, let all departments report this year's expenditures, and then the cabinet will vote on it."

"This is what Elder Xu Ge meant, what do you think?"

After Yan Song finished speaking, he looked around and quietly waited for everyone's response.

Naturally, everyone has no opinion on this proposal, and they will do it sooner or later anyway.

Rather than putting it off until the end, it's better to finish it early so that everyone can have a good year with peace of mind.

When Yan Song's words fell, I saw Gao Gong take the lead and express his attitude: "Well, I am in favor of voting in advance this year!" ”

After that, I saw Hu Zongxian nodded, faced everyone, and said in a deep voice: "Well, I also agree to vote in advance!" ”

"I'm okay with that!"

"Me too!"

Soon, everyone in the cabinet expressed their attitude one after another, and the matter of drafting the vote in advance was unanimously approved.

Seeing this situation, I saw Yan Song retract his gaze, nodded, and commanded: "Well, since everyone agrees, then after you come down, let's officially notify this matter!" ”

Seeing Yan Song, the head of the cabinet, speak, everyone got up from their seats, leaned down, and said in unison: "Yes, Elder Yan Ge!" ”

Soon after this, I saw those officials who had the music in their arms step into the cabinet, and then everyone began to deal with the notes that had been sent.

……

At the same time, the Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

At this moment, Jiajing was sitting on the dragon chair, supporting his chin with one hand, listening to the report from Lu Fang.

"Your Majesty, the rumors in the court have become more and more turbulent recently, and it is said that the impeachment of Yan Ge Lao and Xu Ge Lao is about to fill the Inspectorate!"

"In addition, there are rumors that Yan Ge Lao and Xu Ge Lao took advantage of the departmental ranking to deliberately retaliate and announce personal vendettas, and even many students of Guozijian were instigated to organize regular meetings to publicly criticize Yan Ge Lao and Xu Ge Lao!"

When Jiajing heard this, he couldn't help frowning, and then, he saw him look in the direction where Lu Fang was, and said in a deep voice: "It's troublesome, why do you use the students of Guozijian as guns?" ”

"Lu Fang, after you come down later, you go check and see who is inciting the students of Guozijian behind your back!"

After Jiajing finished speaking, without waiting for Lu Fang to respond, his face was full of inexplicable expressions, and he continued: "These things in the court should not involve these students of Guozijian!" ”

When Lu Fang heard this, he immediately lowered his head and responded respectfully: "Obey, Your Majesty!" ”

Then, I saw Jiajing pick up the teacup on the table, take a sip, and said to himself: "It's been so long, why hasn't the department ranking been decided yet?" ”

"Could it be that Yan Song and Xu Jie, these two guys, are just concerned about dealing with those officials and leaving this matter behind?"

When Lu Fang heard this, he immediately lowered his head and said cautiously: "By the way, Your Majesty, as far as the slave maid knows, not long ago, Yan Ge Lao and Xu Ge Lao reached an agreement and decided to vote in advance this year!" ”

"I think it's supposed to be the reason why the department ranking is nearing the end!"

When Jiajing heard Lu Fang's words, he did not respond immediately, but gently rubbed the dragon head carved on the dragon chair with his hand.

After pondering for a while, I saw Jiajing come back to his senses, looked in the direction where Lu Fang was, and commanded: "Well, Lu Fang, you go to the cabinet in person, call Yan Song and Xu Jie, and say that I have something to find them!" ”

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, he didn't dare to slack off in the slightest, and immediately leaned down and responded respectfully: "Obey, Your Majesty!" ”

……

Forbidden City, Cabinet.

In the cabinet, several people are dealing with the notes sent by the officials, and from time to time, there are officials who are in and out of the cabinet quickly, looking quite busy.

I saw Yan Shifan put aside the processed envelope in his hand, and glanced at the direction where Xu Jie was located without moving.

Yan Shifan is still a little worried about the cabinet's vote in advance, after all, he was bitten by a snake and was afraid of the well rope for ten years.

With the experience of the last imperial meeting, Yan Shifan didn't dare to relax easily, he always felt that Xu Jie's ulterior motives were there.

Yan Shifan roughly estimated in his heart that the various bills of the Ministry of Industry this year added up, nearly six million taels.

The vast majority of the expenditure is due to the repair of the dams, and the materials and labor account for the lion's share.

As we all know, these two things are the easiest to get their hands on, and at the same time, they are the most profitable.

When buying materials, you can take some rebates along the way, or you can take the money to buy better materials and buy slightly inferior materials.

Anyway, when the dam is built, no one will be able to see it except for those who really know how to do it.

There are very few people in the government and the opposition who know how to build dikes, and the vast majority of them are on the side of the Ministry of Industry.

On the Ministry of Industry, after Yan Shifan's years of operation, it has long become a monolith, and officials at all levels from top to bottom have benefits for everyone, so they naturally turn a blind eye to this.

As for the labor aspect, it is even simpler, the government does not even need to pay those who build the dikes, but only through forced labor, and then provide food for those people, so that they can be grateful.

After all, many conscripts still have to bring their own dry food, and in comparison, the government's willingness to provide food is already a great favor.

After the completion of the construction of the embankment, the labor cost will be reported as high as possible, and the difference between will not be all in the pocket?

Just as Yan Shifan was still thinking about what Xu Jie's purpose was, there was a rush of footsteps from outside the cabinet.

After a while, I saw a Xu official walking quickly into the cabinet.

After entering the cabinet, the official subconsciously looked in the direction where Yan Song Xu Jie, leaned down, and said in a deep voice: "Old Pavilion, Gonggong Lu is asking to see you outside!" ”

When Yan Song heard this, his face was full of surprise, and he thought so: "Lu Fang, what is he doing here?" ”

Immediately, I saw Yan Song gather his mind, look at the official, and commanded: "Well, I know, let Gonggong Lu come in!" ”

"Yes, Yan Ge Lao!"

After answering the call, the official did not stop for the slightest, and immediately walked away.

Soon after this, I saw Lu Fang quietly entering the cabinet.

Seeing Lu Fang's arrival, everyone got up from their seats and saluted him respectfully: "I've seen Grandpa Lu!" ”

At this time, Lu Fang's face was full of a warm smile, and he waved his hand, and then said: "You don't have to be so polite, our family came here this time to follow His Majesty's will!" ”

Then, I saw Lu Fang glance at Yan Song and Xu Jie's body, and said unhurriedly: "Elder Yan Ge, Elder Xu Ge, come with our family, Your Majesty has something to discuss with you!" ”

When Lu Fang's words fell, I saw Yan Song and Xu Jie, after exchanging glances with each other, they responded respectfully: "Yes, Father-in-law Lu!" ”

After this, I saw Lu Fang retract his gaze, and after bowing slightly to the two, he led the way in front of him.

Seeing this, Yan Song and Xu Jie hurriedly stepped forward to follow.

……

In Yan Song's view, Lu Fang's sudden visit to the cabinet was mostly because the emperor heard it, and the rumors that have been widely circulated in the government and the opposition have been circulating recently.

That is, he and Xu Jie took advantage of the departmental ranking to take revenge on those officials.

After going down the steps, I saw Yan Song looking uneasy, looked in the direction where Lu Fang was, and asked: "Dare to ask Father-in-law Lu, what is the matter with Your Majesty's summoning of us and others this time, could it be because of those rumors in the court and China recently?" ”

When Yan Song's words fell, Xu Jie, who was on the side, also looked in the direction where Lu Fang was with a worried gaze.

When Lu Fang heard Yan Song's words, after pondering for a moment, he turned to speak: "Elder Yan Ge guessed correctly, Your Majesty summoned the two of you this time to understand the reason from your mouths!" ”

When Lu Fang's words fell, Yan Song couldn't help but 'chuckle' in his heart, and the expression on his face became extremely solemn.

"Your Majesty is gifted and wise, how can you hide something like this?"

It was not only Yan Song who was panicked about this, but Xu Jie, who was on the side, heard this, and his whole face changed instantly.

Then, I saw him raise his head, glanced at Yan Song secretly, looked like he hated iron but not steel, and said secretly: "Hmph, isn't it your Yan Song's best trick to frame him, how could there be such a big mistake, and he dragged me into the water together, I knew that I would ...... it at the beginning."

Lu Fang took in the expressions on the faces of the two, and then, he saw him retract his gaze, and then said: "Elder Yan Ge, Elder Xu Ge, let's go quickly, don't let Your Majesty wait in a hurry!" ”

After Lu Fang finished speaking, without waiting for Yan Song Xu Jie's response, he took his own steps and marched in the direction where the Qianqing Palace was located.

Seeing this, Yan Song and Xu Jie, who were behind him, had to grit his teeth and keep up.

Along the way, everyone did not have any further communication, and after arriving at the Qianqing Palace, I saw Lu Fang pause, turn around, and say slowly.

"Please wait a while, let's go in and report!"

"Well, I'm tired of Grandpa Lu!"

When Yan Song heard this, he hurriedly leaned down and saluted respectfully to Lu Fang.

When Lu Fang heard this, after bowing his head slightly, he stepped on the stairs of the Qianqing Palace without looking back.

Taking advantage of the gap between Lu Fang and Lu Fang entering to report, I saw Xu Jie turn around, look in the direction where Yan Song was, and asked: "Elder Yan Ge, what should we do next, you must know that those rumors in the DPRK and China have been ...... recently."

Yan Song seemed to have guessed what Xu Jie was thinking, sighed helplessly, and said slowly: "Elder Xu Ge, do you think we can hide it from Your Majesty?" ”

When Xu Jie heard Yan Song's words, after thinking for a while, the whole person also put on a look of resignation.

Judging from Xu Jie's past experience, the emperor had probably figured out the reason for the matter, and this time he came to them just to hear them admit it himself.

After all, taking advantage of the departmental ranking and taking revenge for personal gain, it is unreasonable for public or private to be in public or private, as the emperor, he naturally has to stand up at this time and act as a good referee.

After this, I saw Xu Jie retract his mind, retract his gaze from Yan Song's body, and responded: "Elder Yan Ge, you are right, we can't hide this matter from Your Majesty!" ”

Just as the two of them sighed for this matter, I don't know when, Lu Fang quietly came to the front of the two, and then said: "Elder Yan Ge, Elder Xu Ge, you can go in, Your Majesty is waiting for you inside!" ”

"Well, I'm tired of Grandpa Lu!"

When Lu Fang's words fell, I saw Yan Song come back to his senses and bow to him.

After that, Yan Song followed Lu Fang's steps, climbed the stairs, and stepped on the stairs of the Qianqing Palace.

……

After entering the Qianqing Palace, Yan Song Xu Jiejie did not hesitate at all, and immediately knelt on the ground and said in a deep voice.

"Weichen knocks to see Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

"Well, get up!"

When Jiajing heard this, he glanced at Yan Song and Xu Jie, waved his hand, and commanded.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After getting Jiajing's consent, Yan Song slowly got up from the ground.

But unlike before, at this moment they looked uneasy, as if they had done something wrong.

Jiajing didn't mean to go around in circles, and after pondering for a while, he chose to go straight to the topic: "Elder Yan Ge, Elder Xu Ge, I asked your cabinet to evaluate the ranking according to the performance of various departments and the efficiency of work, and this is how you do things for me?" ”

"Recently, all kinds of rumors have been flying all over the government and the opposition, all saying that you two are taking revenge for personal gain, is there such a thing?"

When Jiajing said this, he subconsciously accentuated his tone, and glanced at Yan Songxujie's body.

As soon as Jiajing's words fell, I saw Xu Jie, who was on the side, gritted his teeth, put on a look of being out of his mind, knelt on the ground with a 'plop', and said categorically: "Your Majesty, there is no such thing at all, this is all shameful slander!" ”

Xu Jie's heart knew very well that the charge of revenge for personal gain could never be admitted in front of His Majesty.

Because once the matter is admitted, there will be no room for maneuver.

Even if you admit that you have made a mistake in your work and made a mistake, you really can't do it, and you can find the emperor to admit your mistake in private, and this matter will be over.

Mistakes in work and mistakes can only be regarded as a problem of ability at most, and revenge for personal gain is a matter of attitude.

Then, I saw Xu Jie organize the language in his mind, raised his head, looked at Jiajing's location, and explained.

"Your Majesty, as far as Wei Chen knows, recently, in order to compete for a better ranking, various departments have been fighting with each other openly and secretly, and they have done everything they can, and even some departments have brought things to the side of the Inspectorate!"

When Xu Jie said this, he changed his words and continued: "Your Majesty, you have entrusted such an important matter to the cabinet, how dare Weichen live up to Your Majesty's trust, how dare you treat national affairs as child's play!" ”

"Cabinet deliberations have always focused on fairness and justice, and presumably these recent rumors in the DPRK and China are deliberately smeared by someone behind their backs in an attempt to undermine the stability of the imperial court."

"Wechen begs Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter, find out those who have ulterior motives, and severely punish them!"

After Xu Jie finished speaking, he said goodbye.

After listening to Xu Jie's defense, Jiajing did not comment, but looked in the direction where Yan Song was, and asked, "Elder Yan Ge, what about you, what do you want to say?" ”

At this time, Yan Song's head was drooping, and he looked like an old god was there, as if he was sleeping but not sleeping.

Not long after Jiajing's words fell, he pretended to be an afterthought, and came back to his senses, with an expression of sincere fear on his face.

Then, I saw Yan Song kneeling on the ground and said slowly: "Weichen Jun lost his honor in front of him, and I ask Your Majesty to forgive me!" ”

"Your Majesty, Weichen's opinion is the same as that of Xu Gelao."

"At present, the rumors in the capital seem to be extremely turbulent, but in fact, there is no reliable evidence to support them."

"Weichen feels that there must be someone behind this who wants to deliberately provoke the relationship between various departments of my Ming Dynasty to destroy the stability of the imperial court!"

"Not to mention, there are many students in Guozijian who have been instigated ......"

When Jiajing heard this, he couldn't help but have black lines on his face, and then, he waved his hand and stopped Yan Song from continuing.

"Alright, I don't need to say any more, I ask you, how is the progress of the rankings in various departments?"

"Your Majesty, the current rankings of various departments have been basically decided, and in a few days, they will be officially announced!"

As soon as Jiajing's words fell, I saw Xu Jie, who was on the side, stand up and speak without thinking.

After learning the news, I saw Jiajing nodding and said to himself: "Well, it's good to be able to set the rankings of various departments earlier!" ”

"As for the recent rumors in the DPRK, I will have people investigate!"

"Your Majesty Shengming!"

Yan Song and Xu Jie heard Jiajing's words, and after glancing at each other, they responded in unison.

"Well, you can quit!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

When Jiajing's words fell, I saw Yan Song Xu Jie's face full of relief.

Just as the two were about to leave, Jiajing seemed to suddenly remember something, and stopped the two of them.

"By the way, I just forgot to say, after the rankings of each department are announced, your cabinet will hurry up and let each department report this year's accounts, and draw up the votes by the way!"

When Jiajing's words fell, I saw a look of disbelief flash in Yan Song's eyes.

They don't believe it, it's an accident.

After all, on the cabinet side, the front foot had just reached a consensus on the matter of voting in advance, and the back foot, the emperor mentioned the matter in front of them.

And this means that the emperor must have known about the recent rumors in the court.

"Could it be that Your Majesty is acquiescing to us using this matter to beat those officials?"

Then, I saw that the two of them suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in their hearts, turned around, and said respectfully: "Obey, Your Majesty!" ”

……

On the same day, after being on duty, Yan Song's father and son took a sedan chair and returned to Yan's house.

After the sedan chair stopped, I saw Yan Shifan After the sedan chair stopped, I saw Yan Shifan step forward and carefully help Yan Song down from the sedan chair.

"Father, slow down and pay more attention to your step!"

"Hmm."

In Yan Shifan's opinion, Yan Song at this time looked quite abnormal, since Yan Song and Xu Jie went to the Qianqing Palace and met His Majesty, he looked like he was so unrelenting and thoughtful.

Yan Shifan was quite worried about this, in his opinion, something must have happened, otherwise, Yan Song would definitely not behave like this.

Then, I saw Yan Shifan pluck up his courage, looked in the direction where Yan Song was, and asked, "Father...... Father, what's wrong? ”

When Yan Song heard this, he came back to his senses, glanced at Yan Shifan, and said slowly: "It's okay, it's not a big deal, it's just that there are some things that I care about more!" ”

After this, I saw Yan Song retract his mind, looked at Yan Shifan in front of him with a solemn face, and said in a deep voice: "Yan Shifan, you must remember carefully, what I said to you before, in the Ming Dynasty, there is only one person who can call the wind and rain, and that is Your Majesty, understand?" ”

Yan Shifan was confused by this, but when he met Yan Song's unusually serious gaze, he immediately lowered his head and replied in a deep voice: "Yes, father, the child will remember this sentence!" ”

When Yan Song heard this, a slight look of relief appeared on his face, and then, he saw him withdraw his gaze and then ordered: "Well, let's go!" ”

Subsequently, I saw Yan Song walking in the direction of the study under the support of Yan Shifan.

After sending Yan Song to the study, Yan Shifan mentioned his worries: "Father, the child always feels that Xu Jie's bad intentions, after all, the last imperial meeting, the child was united by Xu Jie's high arch!" ”

"At the beginning, Xu Jie's bill from Zhang Juzheng's military department was signed without looking at it, but the bill of the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Industry was refused to be signed by Xu Jie on the grounds that the overexpenditure was too large!"

"The child is worried, this time Xu Jie's old tricks are likely to be repeated, and when the time comes to the imperial meeting, he will defect and pit the child again!"

After patiently listening to Yan Shifan's worries, Yan Song shook his head imperceptibly, and explained: "You don't have to worry about this matter, you just need to report the bill from the Ministry of Industry according to the process!" ”

"You know, this time is different from the past, now that the treasury is full, no one will care about this bit of silver!"

"Besides, last year, the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Industry had a combined deficit of 13.7 million taels, and if I were Xu Jie, I wouldn't dare to sign the bill!"

When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment, and then continued: "And this year's situation is different, this year's treasury is full, and last year's deficit on the part of the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Industry has also been made up logically!" ”

"Even if Xu Jie wants to take this opportunity to make trouble, he can't find a suitable reason, listen to me, follow the process, just report the bill from the Ministry of Industry locally, as much as it is!"

After listening to Yan Song's explanation, I saw an expression of understanding appear on Yan Shifan's face, leaned down, and responded in a deep voice: "Thank you father for solving the child's doubts, the child understands!" ”

"Hmm." (End of chapter)