: Drive fish for the abyss

Today is a regular bowing meeting. Because no matter the official position, when you meet each other in this Wenhua Hall, you don’t need to worship each other with a big gift, but you bow to each other and then sit down for a meeting. Therefore, the official name of this regular meeting is "Boaling Meeting".

In today's words, the meeting mainly involves the six departments of the staff reporting to the cabinet's grandsons and some sharp problems found by their departments, and at the same time conducting criticism and self-criticism.

Today's regular meeting was a bit special, because Liu Jin, the leader of the Inner Court's Literary Supervision, also came, and he was sitting in the first place. Li Dongyang and the other two were demoted one by one. The Sixth Centres were surprised, but they did not dare to show their appearance.

Now that the power of the government is in the hands of Liu Jin, he has the final say in the promotion and demotion of all officials. It is the end of the year that whoever stays in office, whoever is promoted, who steps down is just a matter of Liu Jin. Once the assessment is completed by the end of this year, everyone will be re-electioned. Except for the three great ministers, it can be said that everyone was appointed by Liu Jin. Who dares to say no to him?

The staff members usually don’t attend court, but they heard that the civil and military officials of the court now go to court every day. In addition to bowing to the emperor, they have to bow to the upper left because Liu Jin is standing there. Liu Jin is now very tightly in grasping power, and he is really worried about handing over the matters of the Si Dynasty to a young man, so he worked diligently as the eunuch of the Si Dynasty, standing on the left corner of the Longshu case of Emperor Zhengde.

Fortunately, it was a bow meeting, and the officials would not come forward to pay homage to Liu Jin. Everyone just bowed together and sat down according to the ranks, so they began to discuss politics.

When it comes to political discussions, Grand Official Liu was in a hurry. He had just issued dozens of reform orders against the six ministries. No one was willing to mention the right and wrong of these government orders, but he had to mention them if he wanted to discuss political discussions. The officials looked at each other for a while, and at the repeated urging of Grand Secretary Li, the Ministry of Revenue rolled up his sleeves and came forward.

He was in his early forties, with a black face and a whisper, and looked like a honest little businessman. Huang Jing stood up and bowed in a row, and said passionately: "Secretary, the lower official is the minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Eunuch Liu ordered the Ministry of Revenue to take advantage of the winter farming to clear the land, especially the military farms on each side. The Ministry of Revenue has selected local officials, and the Ministry of Revenue assessment officials have led to Liaodong, Xuanfu, Datong, Yansui, Ningxia, Jizhou, Cangzhou and other places to clean up and measure the military farms.

News has been sent back to Jizhou, Cangzhou and other places in the nearest places. Many local tyrants, officials, and generals in the army have indeed embezzled many military lands, resulting in no land to plant soldiers and no life to live. They are forced to flee their hometown with their wives and children. After farming and clearing the farm, we cleared out these lands, ordered local officials to surrender their lands to the state, and strengthened the court's control over the military lands.

But the order that Xiaguan heard was from the inner court. It was not justified. The local tyrants who were ordered to return to embezzled fields, officials and gentry used this to spread rumors, accusing Eunuch Liu of his autocracy and tyranny, which was very inappropriate to Eunuch Liu's personal reputation. It was obviously a great thing that benefited the country and the people. The beneficiaries were the people of the world, but the injured were the personal. Why couldn't the cabinet stand up and take responsibility?"

Liu Jin hadn't understood it yet, but he was very happy after hearing it. It turned out to be his own person. He was about to be humble when he suddenly laughed in the crowd: "Singleman!"

Although there were many people in the palace, they were very quiet. This sentence clearly came into Liu Jin's ears. His face suddenly darkened. Huang Jing looked around and found the person who was talking. He immediately sneered unhappily: "Yang Du is the official, this palace is a place for political discussions. Please speak more politely. Clearing the land of the 1st century is beneficial to the court and the people. Can anyone refute it?"

Yang Shen was outstanding in his talent, but after all, he was young and was at the right time. The calm and skillful politician was a bit tempered by his passionate youth, but Yang Shen had never encountered setbacks and hardships. In addition, the person who recommended him was Yang Ling, his father was also a grand sect. He rarely encountered stinging his vagina in official affairs and causing trouble. This temperament was still a bit impulsive.

He stood up slowly and said, "Water can carry boats, but also overturn them; fire can cook and keep warm, but also burn houses and hurt people. It depends on how you use it. It is indeed a good thing to measure the corruption of the garrison. It is no secret that the garrison army is corruption, and it should be investigated long ago. However, the generals of the garrison army do not abide by the law, so they have to investigate. If the person responsible for the garrison does not abide by the law, then is it going to relieve the trouble of the people or to make it worse?"

Huang Jing has been a servant for more than ten years, but Yang Shen is a young man who is older than him, which makes Huang Jiaju dissatisfied. He sneered: "Don't be mysterious. What's the harm in clearing the land? Is it not enough to be afraid that those corrupt officials will harm the land?"

Yang Shen closed his sleeves, walked behind him, and walked leisurely on the square trail: "The problem is that he is too eager for quick success and instant benefits now. Some of the farmlands in various places have been exploited, and some have been exploited less. As long as the land that has been encroached and exploited is found, it will be returned to the people.

But what are the criteria for the court to assess these clerks? How many have you cleaned up? The more you cleaned up, the more you cleaned up, the less you cleaned up, the less you cleaned up, the Ministry of Revenue served as the Lord Zhong'an, and the Censor Zhang, responsible for the Datong area investigation. Because there is no major problem to impeach, so I can't find so much embezzled land and I still seek credit. I was actually imprisoned for neglecting my duties. I asked, is there such a ridiculous thing?"

"Everyone!" Yang Shen bowed and said solemnly: "For the sake of his political achievements, the officials sent here have been seeking credit for their own political achievements, and have collected silver and rewarded them, impeached officials at will, and even tortured the wives of the border army. They used various means to turn some land that originally belonged to border soldiers into land that was encroached by the officers and handed over to the court.

The people and soldiers not only did not gain benefits from it, but were even more difficult. Local tyrants and gentry took the opportunity to spread rumors and incite trouble. The troops in Jinzhou and Yizhou, Liaodong, had just caused trouble because the military pay could not be paid a few days ago. Now, because there was another riot in Qingzhang land, they burned the official office and beat officials, and the local government caused chaos. Doing bad things with good intentions is no less harmful than cool politics."

Liu Jin did not do everything in trouble. For example, if you clear the land, a large number of people who were greedy and abused by the law were indeed arrested. However, his motives were not pure, not for the sake of the country, but for the sake of significant political achievements in his post, so it is inevitable to be eager for quick success and instant benefits.

All he wanted was a set of significant numbers that could be reported to the emperor to demonstrate his political ability. Therefore, the officials sent to clear the house with indicators, regardless of whether there is any embezzled land or not. If you can't clear it, you will be dereliction of duty and you will be imprisoned. These people are naturally vicious. If you don't care about it when you arrive, just collect and suppress the land, it will inevitably lead to civil unrest.

Liu Jin was criticized by Yang Shen and couldn't hold his face. He said sarcastically: "Mr. Yang has just entered the court, and he may not understand some of the rules. You are the minister of the Ministry of Personnel. If you are not the Ministry of Revenue, have you crossed the boundaries? How can you be an official and a person who does things without complying with the rules?"

Yang Shen smiled slightly and bowed to him deeply, saying, "Dude-in-law, when it comes to the rules, his father-in-law is the eunuch of the company's rituals. It seems that he is not in accordance with the rules when he comes to the cabinet to listen to the affairs, right? Is this move even further than the officials?"

"You?!" Liu Jin slapped the table with a "bang". He pointed at Yang Shen angrily for a while, and suddenly burst into laughter. He brushed his sleeves and said, "Rukou kid, we are too lazy to bother with you!"

Huang Jing sneered: "There are many great men, and I don't care about you. I want to care about you. Since you have taken care of my Ministry of Revenue, I will ask you about the local officials of the Ministry of Personnel. The Ministry of War submitted a list of twelve generals and the proposal of the "Thousand-Person Team" soldiers who were formerly governor of six provinces Yang Ling, who left the "Thousand-Person Team" in each province, why were you suppressed one by one? I picked the bones in the eggs, but I just didn't present them to the front of the imperial court? The twelve generals, only three of them were passed by you, right?"

Yang Shen smiled and said, "This is what it means to be within the responsibilities of the subordinates. Most of the twelve generals have not made any achievements and are rewarded and moved without merit. This is not the case. Officials are the emperor's arms for governing the country. They have a great relationship. The subordinates must check them carefully one by one."

"No reward for nothing? If you don't fight for a hundred years, the general will never be promoted? Can't you get promoted to an official position after accumulating qualifications?"

These twelve officers who were promoted were either from whom they had long been resigned to Liu Jin, or they had recently given Liu Jin a heavy gift to them and handed them over to buy officials. Although Zhou De'an and three others were bribed by them, they did have any achievements. Yang Shen could not suppress them all and refused to report them. He could delay other mediocre officials.

When he heard Huang Jing's words, Yang Shen said: "Give me a lot of kindness. The officials do not know that they are very kind. Now there are no vacancies for officials. Why is it necessary to get promoted after accumulating their careers?"

He bowed to Liu Jingong and said, "Eunuch Liu values ​​the law, is cautious in showing kindness, does not care about personal fame and fortune, and is devoted to the court. I am also learning from Eunuch Liu. The "Records of Emperor Xiaozong" were compiled, and the Hanlins who participated in the compilation according to the old rules should be promoted. Didn't Eunuch Liu just reward the silver and transfer the sixteen Hanlins to the sixth ministries in Nanjing?"

Most of the Hanlin Academy was in the hands of Yang Tinghe. Liu Jin hated the Hanlin people for being aloof and refused to flatter and obey him. As a result, the record was compiled. According to regulations, the Hanlin professional titles should be promoted and the salary should be increased. However, he smiled and rewarded some money for each person, and then went public and secretly, and sent them all to the six ministries of Nanjing for retirement.

What would those Hanlins do? They could play with their pens and sarcastically make this a big mess, and they all knew it. Yang Shen used this to ridicule Liu Jin. Huang Jing did not dare to get involved in this matter, so he sneered disdain: "Sweet words, sharp teeth, and the number one prodigy in the capital are just people who show off their lips and tongues. At a young age, they will only deliberately make trouble. Don't think that relying on their father's mercy can do whatever they want. The water in the court is deep. Be careful to step into the mud pit and choke on a mouthful of water."

Yang Shen relied on the recommendation of the imperial examination to the court. The most taboo thing is that some people say that he was an official based on his father's face. When he heard this, his face turned red and he immediately retorted. He was a talented man, and he didn't even have dirty words to curse. It was a metaphor for allusions, and he blushed his face and thick neck, and he couldn't help but curse.

Yang Shen is a filial son. Whenever he swears, he either scolds his father or his mother. When he hears his dirty words, Wen Dou immediately becomes a martial arts fight. Yang Shen punches him. Yang Shen is young and clever, and Huang Jing can't beat him. The two of them regard Wenhua Palace as a arena. They chase and flee for a while. Huang Jing reveals his black and green eyes that were beaten everywhere, shouting that the son of the Grand Secretary should beat people in court.

Yang Tinghe saw that the fuss was really unreasonable. No matter whether it was right or wrong, the father had to show off his own behavior. He couldn't tell that his family was not strict, so he went up to grab his son's right and wrong and slapped him a few times. Yang Shen didn't dare to hide and was beaten up honestly.

Seeing this, Li Dongyang hurriedly took out his qualifications and went forward to persuade the fight. Unexpectedly, Huang Jing took the opportunity to attack, but punched him in the shoulder and staggered the old man. In this way, Wu Yishan, the director of the Ministry of Revenue, was quit. He was from the Li Yang faction of Qingliu. He immediately jumped out and fought with his colleagues.

Both sides have friends and colleagues. The mature and stern ones know to come forward to persuade the fight. The younger ones immediately rolled up their sleeves and joined the battle group to help. The fight was very happy. Liu Jin saw the fight between foreign ministers, and just laughed secretly in his heart, and did not stop him. The old fox Jiao Fang did not interfere. He immediately asked the little yellow gate of the waiter to find someone to fight.

Du Fu from the Imperial Horse Prison happened to be on duty today, responsible for the safety of the palace. He hurried over and saw that it was all officials, especially among the crowds of people, Grand Secretary Yang had a blue face and was chasing who was chasing. There were piles of blocking the ground in front and blocking the ground behind. Grand Secretary Li was stumbled by a large group of people. The troops and Jinyiwei whom he brought came to see the situation did not dare to use force to stop it. Du Fu was very honest and had no idea, so he rushed to the emperor to report the news.

When Yang Ling arrived, the war had reached a state of intense heat. He was originally calm and came forward to persuade the fight and was pushed and shoved by the staff. Some of them even got cold fist and joined the battle group angrily. Six departments served more than 80 people in the Communist Party of China. In addition to those who asked for leave and those who went on business, today they arrived at 69 people and all joined the battle group.

Yang Ling looked on tiptoe. The scene was too chaotic. The officials were unruly pulling the ground. The robe was cracked, the black gauze fell off, the nose was blue and swollen. While taking action, he continued to launch propaganda offensives. He didn't know what to shout. At the bottom, Liu Jin crossed his legs and held a cup of tea and blew gently, as if nothing had happened in front of him. Jiao Fang stood in the corner, squinted his eyes, grabbed his white beard, and looked very anxious. It's a pity that his eyes looked treacherous enough.

Yang Ling didn't bother to say hello to him. He quickly shouted: "Stop! Stop! Don't hit him!"

Yang Ling's voice was not small, but the word "stop" was not intimidating. Some of the civil servants who had been entangled in a group were choking their necks, and some hugged their thighs. No one listened to him. Yang Ling did not dare to say "The emperor arrived" randomly, which was to deceive the emperor. Seeing that the situation could not be controlled, he yelled coldly: "Stay people under the knife!"

This sound was very effective. I am afraid that the emperor would not even say "stop" when he came. More than 60 officials who were fighting stopped there and looked at the door together.

Yang Ling bowed with a smile and said, "Sir, you guys, you have been missing for a long time."

The Ministry of Rites gave the minister to the minister, He Shen, quickly released the collar of the minister, Lao Wang, and gave him a bow: "I have met Duke Wei Guo."

Yang Shen made a few efforts and shouted, "Let me go!" Huang Jing was stunned when he yelled at Yang Ling, and quickly threw down Yang Shen's thigh that he raised high. While Yang Shen was tidying up his clothes, he also walked up to bow and said, "You have met Duke Wei Guo."

Only then did the officials react, let go of their opponents and bow to Yang Ling. The "Bowing Meeting" was just like when the meeting was just held this morning, and everyone bowed one after another, and the whole hall was filled with harmony.

Now Yang Ling is the Duke of the Kingdom, and his status is above the three great scholars. The three of them also came forward to greet each other and made a noise. Yang Ling took the opportunity to ask about the situation and then knew the reason for the incident. Liu Jin then put down his teacup and smiled and came forward without a smile, saying, "I have met Duke Wei."

He saw the Duke who should have given him a great gift, but his current power was that many Dukes had to salute him in reverse when they saw him, so Liu Jin bowed loudly and his actions were very casual.

Yang Ling didn't care, so he replied casually and said with a smile: "Mr. Liu, I haven't seen each other for many days. Mr. Liu looks very good and has a spring breeze, as if he is ten years younger."

Liu Jin laughed dryly, narrowed his eyes and said, "Duke Wei Guo's complexion is also good. He enjoys this kind of Qingfu, oh, I seem to have gained weight and my face has become a bit whiter. Not only is it more handsome, but it also has the majesty of the Duke. Let us watch it and like it for you."

"Hahahaha...", the two laughed at each other, but there was no smile in their eyes. Everyone next to them looked at the two big bosses and took a step back quietly. Liu Jin said, "The prince is so worried now. It's so snowing today, why are you suddenly interested in coming to Wenhua Palace? I wonder what's the price to do?"

Yang Ling blinked and smiled, "My Duke is also wondering. The 'Boying Meeting' in Wenhua Palace is the place where the three major ministers and six department officials discuss the political affairs. Eunuch Liu is not in the Sili Supervisor, so how can you enjoy the snow and the Jinger here? Be careful to let the emperor see it and scold you for exceeding the rules!"

Liu Jin was suffocated and was about to speak and suddenly saw Du Fu hurriedly accompanying Emperor Zhengde. Emperor Zhengde stretched his neck and shouted, "Who is fighting? Who is fighting? They are all over! You guys......Oh... Hahaha, Yang Qing is here too..."

The international policeman had just cursed a few words, and immediately walked over happily when he saw Yang Ling. Yang Ling and the officials greeted him. Zhengde supported him and said with a smile: "It's free, Yang Qing, you haven't been to the Leopard Garden to accompany me for two days. I wanted to find you this morning, but unfortunately it was snowing heavily, and the Empress Dowager's illness has worsened..."

The officials took this opportunity to quickly sort out their appearance. Two of their hat wings fell off and quickly retreated behind the crowd to find them and quietly settled in An. Yang Ling hurriedly asked, "The Queen Mother's Phoenix Body has been difficult to heal. Is there no good way for the Imperial Doctors?"

Zhengde's face darkened and he shook his head gently. Yang Ling's eyes flashed and said, "Neizi Wenxin. He is very skilled in medicine. Besides, she is a female official in the palace named by the emperor. Can she ask her to explore the empress dowager's pulse and treat it?"

Zhengde said happily: "Yes, why did I forget her? OK. Just bring her back." Zhengde is not the kind of material that does not show emotions. He is sad and happy. He immediately leaned closer to Yang Ling's ear and said: "Yixian told me that on the wedding night, you are the bride, you are not loyal, and you have no loyalty. You don't even inform me to go and see such a fun thing."

Emperor Zhengde had 60 or 70 officials treated it as a decoration, and forgot his purpose of coming here, and chatted with Yang Ling. Liu Jin felt sad as he looked at it: "Fortunately, our family has squeezed him, otherwise I would have been in the emperor's favor. Is there any share in the land?"

Liu Jin took a step forward and said in a slight voice: "Emperor, the Ministry of Personnel, all the ministers of the Ministry of Personnel discussed the government affairs in the court, and they fought hard after a disagreement. This is really outrageous and has lost all the dignity of the court."

Liu Yunfeng, the director of the Ministry of Justice, immediately bent down and said in a deep voice: "Yang Shen is young and knowledgeable, and has insufficient moral character. He will be beaten to cause trouble. It is really unconventional. The subordinates impeached Yang Shen for his official conduct and misconduct. He should be dismissed!"

A large group of officials next to him who had defected to Liu Jin immediately responded: "Yes, yes, the imperial court orders officials who do not abide by the law, how can they conquer the world? Yang Shen bullies others with his power, and the emperor should punish them severely!" The crowd was in a raging manner, and the more he talked, it became more and more serious. It seemed that the Ming Dynasty was about to lose the country.

Zhengde frowned and looked unhappy when he heard this. Liu Jin was overjoyed. Just as he was about to take the opportunity to make a suggestion to squeeze the little bastard away, Yang Ling suddenly laughed and said, "What's the big deal, is it?"

In an understatement, the staff members immediately shut up. Yang Ling bowed and said, "The emperor, the minister who was the entrusted to the orphanage of the three dynasties, and the current chief student, Mr. Li, not only had he seized the horse whip in the imperial city and beat the uncle Zhang Heling, but he also had the weapons of the Jingua Warrior in the Golden Hall. The pursuit of the hall was full of the death of the palace. The late emperor felt his true nature and loyal to the state affairs. Not only did he not punish him severely, he also comforted and praised him many times.

When Yang Shen entered Beijing at the age of thirteen, he was favored by Grand Secretary Li. Not only did he join his subordinates, but he also called him a friend. Haha, he is really a person of temperament and even his style of conduct. Yang Shen is outstanding in talent, young and promising, and he has little experience. When talking about state affairs, he does not care about personal gains and losses. This is actually a blessing for the emperor. If he cultivates it well, he will be my minister in the future."

Zhengde's brows unfolded when he heard this. Isn't that right? Li Dongyang was still beating my uncle with a golden gourd in the Golden Palace. What's so great about fighting in the Wenhua Palace? But...... He looked at Liu Jin. Liu Jin was still hunched and had not yet got up, so he couldn't help but give him face.

Zhengde shook his sleeves and stared at him, "Look at you, you are all untidy and have no appearance. You can't say anything well. You must do it. If you can tell the difference, then what else do I want you to do? Isn't it over to transfer a group of great generals to do the six subjects? They are full of food, right? Go! Du Fu, one by one, gave me a wooden shovel and wiped the snow. When will the three halls be cleaned and left!"

"I obey the order!" Du Fu quickly received the order, and more than 60 servants were taken out. One of them sent a shovel to sweep the snow to the palace. Zhengde said: "The Empress Dowager is seriously ill, and I have to go back to the palace to visit. You all will be dispersed."

He hurried to the door and suddenly turned around and said, "Oh, by the way, Yang Qing entered the palace, what important thing is there to see me?"

Yang Ling had just straightened his waist and bent down again and said, "Go back to the emperor, it is Princess Yongfu, who summoned the ministers and Jin to see him."

Zhengde's eyes rolled and said with a smile: "Oh......Yeah, I know, you go to see Yongfu, I will go back to the palace first."

When Liu Jin heard that Yang Ling was summoned by Princess Yongfu, he immediately guessed that it was for the purpose of choosing the prince-consort. He cursed in his heart: "This Yang Shen is so lucky. If Yang Ling hadn't happened to enter the palace, our family would have taken the opportunity to drive this kid out of the Ministry of Personnel today! Humph, the future is long, and Yang Ling is no longer in court. I see how long he can protect you."

Liu Jin smiled and said without a smile: "Duke Wei Guo, three Grand Secretary, our Sili Supervisor still has some things to be busy with, so I have said goodbye. Haha, goodbye, goodbye!"

Seeing Liu Jin's sleeves drooping and walking out of the hall with a swagger, Yang Tinghe sighed heavily and shook his head and said, "Duke. Since you left the court, the world has changed now, and Liu Jin has become more and more...."

He said with a hint of hope: "The Duke of the Kingdom is still young and leaves the court. It is really a pity. The emperor trusts the Duke of the Kingdom. If we three Grand Secretarys make suggestions at the same time, the emperor will definitely make an exception and allow the Duke of the Kingdom to re-involve the government. He does not know the Duke of the Kingdom...?"

Yang Ling laughed and said, "The emperor is wise and there are three great scholars in the court, so it's okay. If something happens to the court and is a minister, as long as the emperor has an order, he will naturally do his best to do his best and dare not be lazy. However, he will be the Duke of the State and enter the court to govern the government. There has never been any before. The rules of the ancestors cannot be changed easily, so how dare Yang Ling offend it."

He smiled and bowed, saying, "I have to see Princess Yongfu, I'm leaving."

Jiao Fang and Li Dongyang hurriedly bowed. Yang Ling turned around and left. Yang Tinghe chased after him and shouted: "Duke Wei Guo is really just like this, is there no intention of government affairs?"

Yang Ling paused and looked up for a moment. He sighed and said, "Everything is worse than cup in hand. How many times does this life mean to be in the end?"

When Jiao Fang saw Yang Ling walking out, he touched his beard and bowed, "Two sirs, I'm waiting for business, I'm leaving, I'm leaving."

Yang Tinghe frowned and said worriedly: "Oh! Today, Liu Jin started to intervene in the bowing meeting, and the eunuch of the Sidian Palace has also served himself. Tongzhengsi became a decoration, and he had to handle all the memorials in the local area. Yesterday, several people impeached Zhang Yong... It seems that he was trying to attack Zhang Yong and wanted to take the Beijing camp in his hands. Originally, Yang Ling could compete with him, but he was greedy for the position of Duke and was entrusted by the late emperor. If this continues... what should we do and what should we do?"

The old Jianghu Li Dongyang glanced at him meaningfully, patted his shoulder and smiled, "Menny, why bother to worry about the world? Haha, even if the naive land collapses, there is a tall one to hold him up. What are you worried about?"

He said slowly: "The New Year is coming soon. I haven't returned to my hometown for a few years. I am going to call the emperor for a long holiday and return home, and come back again in the spring next year."

Yang Tinghe was anxious when he heard this, and grabbed his sleeve and said, "You can't leave, sir, Jiao Fang's attitude towards Liu Jin is ambiguous and seems to be catering to him. If you leave again, who in the world can control Liu Jin?"

Li Dongyang shook his sleeves gently and whispered: "Liu Jin drove fish for the Yuan and to drive away the birds. Why did I leave a good thing that has hindered others? Hahaha..."

Yang Tinghe let go of his hand and looked at Li Dongyang's back as if he had some clarity.

Li Dongyang walked out of Wenhua Hall step by step, turned his head and saw the busy snow removal team under Du Fu's supervisor. He smiled slightly and left.
To be continued...