Chapter 619 The Death of the Emperor
Just as Hu Zongxian was secretly thinking that this time when he returned to Jiangsu and Zhejiang to serve as an official, he would start a massacre to break the accumulated malpractices in the two places.

same.

The civil and military officials who had been waiting in front of the Meridian Gate since early morning when they learned that there was a fire in the palace had rushed here, and they could only feel their mouths dry and tongues unbearable.

Everyone understands.

Yan Shaoting is about to draw his butcher knife and start a massacre in Jiangnan.

He didn't care at all whether there would be rivers of blood in Jiangnan, countless heads of people, and countless families would be destroyed.

The officials were surprised to find another problem.

That is, even if they now knew that Yan Shaoting was going to do this, they had no way to send a message to Jiangnan to prepare in advance.

The gates of the capital city are all under the control of Yan Shaoting. Just now, the other party said in public that he wanted to block the city gates and even required the Beijing Army and the Factory Guards to supervise.

Although the strict ban applies to merchants and civilians, as well as the trade routes leading to the border, with the gang of vicious minions of the Factory Guards around, would they allow the news of the army's southward march into Jiangnan to leak out in advance?
Even Yang Bo had to speak up, "The mobilization of troops has always been a major military and national event. The Junior Master is now in charge of the capital. We have no objection to the Emperor's health problems and the strict restrictions on the capital. This is as it should be. However, the mobilization of 100,000 troops, the three Dukes leaving the capital and heading south, the Governor of the Capital Camp and the Marquis of Zhenyuan personally leading the troops, and the transfer of Yu Dayou, Tan Lun and other border officials to the south for training are not in line with the rules. Without the Emperor's clear order, it will probably cause slander. For the Junior Master, although it is for the sake of the country, it is inevitable that there will be rumors that the powerful ministers have stolen the country."

Yang Bo's words this time were fair.

He recognized that Yan Shaoting was now in charge of the central government and controlled the capital. However, he did not agree with the mobilization of troops to the south, but he could only speak according to the rules and regulations.

In fact, in Yang Bo's opinion, if there is really a chance to dampen the spirit of Jiangnan and suppress those people who are content with the wealth of Jiangnan and are unaware of the difficulties of national affairs and the dangers of the border, it would not be a bad idea.

Two hundred years have passed since Emperor Taizu Gao founded the Ming Dynasty, and all those people in the south of the Yangtze River have been shouting all day long that most of the world's taxes come from the southeast, and that the southeast's taxes and labor service are the highest in the world, in order to demonstrate their dedication and sacrifice for the country.

But these people always pretend to be ignorant even though they know the truth.

Jiangnan provided money and grain.

But the world is guarded on all four sides.

If it weren't for the hundreds of thousands of border troops and millions of border residents in the nine borders, the Mongols would have already moved south again and invaded the Central Plains.

If there had not been support from local soldiers and wolf soldiers from Jiangxi, Guangxi, Guiyang and other places, Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong would have been robbed by the Japanese in the early years. How could it be that the Japanese invasion was mostly fake, with only a few real Japanese. The Japanese invasion made a lot of noise, but in fact, there were many complicated reasons behind it.

Being born in Jin, I was naturally happy to see people in Jiangnan suffer.

However, Yan Shaoting's series of actions did not include the Jin Party members, which made him hard to accept.

Even if you're not going for the credit.

Could it be that the swords of the people in Jin are no longer sharp?

We must let the people in the south of the Yangtze River know that the people in Jin, whom they looked down upon in the past, are actually quite brave and not like them, the people in the south of the Yangtze River, who only care about romance.

And Yang Bo is still the Minister of War.

Yan Shaoting immediately looked over when he saw this, and he probably understood what the other party was thinking.

He just silently took out the tiger talisman that he had obtained not long ago, shook it towards Yang Bo, and then put it back properly. Then he bowed and bowed in the direction of the West Garden: "The Ministry of War has suggested warning and training. I have been granted a tiger talisman by the emperor before. According to the regulations, I should have the power to mobilize and command troops."

I saw Yan Shaoting even took out the tiger talisman.

Yang Bo's eyelids twitched twice, and he said no more.

But unexpectedly.

Yan Shaoting actually continued to say to Yang Bo: "Although I am not often involved in military affairs, I also know that speed is the essence of war and military secrets are very important. This time, the troops are deployed in the south of the Yangtze River, not to kill each other, but to control the local area and guard against unprovoked chaos, which will cause rumors to spread and deceive the people. The purpose is only to suppress and deter the scoundrels. There are more than 30 prefectures in Nanzhili and Zhejiang, with a large area and a large population. I have trained the Beijing camp in the past and know its foundation. This time, they will definitely lack the best generals to defend the ground. Officials of the central departments can recommend officers to the Ministry of War and report them to the cabinet as soon as possible. After inspection, the southeast division will be deployed to the southeast to sit in the southeast."

From the beginning.

He is using the means of division, winning over and suppressing.

Whether it was the equalization of land tax or unified tax payment, or even the prohibition of slavery, the entire Nanzhili, Zhejiang and other places were treated differently from the court officials.

after all.

I might fight you to the death for my own benefit, but if I am asked to fight you to the death for the benefit of others, I would probably think twice before doing so.

Now Nanzhili and Zhejiang are the snacks he personally placed on the dinner table.

Invite everyone to the table to share the spoils.

really.

As soon as Yan Shaoting asked court officials to recommend military generals, it immediately attracted a lot of attention and expectations.

Every official in the court has a few relatives and friends. Even if a civil official does not often interact with military generals, if he has the power of recommendation, he can use it to establish a relationship with those military generals who want to go south to make meritorious deeds.

Yang Bo's face immediately changed, a smile flashed in his eyes, he glanced at the Prime Minister, and then bowed to Yan Shaoting and said: "The Ministry of War is responsible for this task, and we must be loyal and fair."

He was already thinking about whether he should contact Wang Chonggu and select a few people from the border troops and Jin to send to the south.

I don’t ask for more heads from Jiangnan.

At least the people of Jin should not fall behind and lose face in such matters this time.

Gao Gong felt depressed again when he saw that Yang Bo had agreed with Yan Shaoting's plan.

Is it true that even the Jin Party is now starting to stand on Yan Shaoting's side?
Right now.

Yan Shaoting's eyes were already fixed on Gao Gong. "Prime Minister, although the capital has been under martial law to prevent the news from leaking out, the army must go first before it can start moving. I know that Brother Gao is still working in the Ministry of Revenue, so why not let Brother Gao take charge of the military mobilization this time?"

High view.

This person who was pulled out by me to make friends with the Gao family was also the key figure who helped me to pull him and the Gao family to compete with the Xu family on military supplies.

Although he has not been promoted step by step in the court in recent years, he has gained some reputation in the Ministry of Revenue and is a capable person.

When Gao Gong first heard that his son was also named by Yan Shaoting, he was stunned.

Zhao Zhenji, who was standing by, smiled and said, "The Prime Minister has been in charge of state affairs for many years, and has never taken any personal interests for his children. Wu Guan has been working in the Ministry of Revenue for many years. Perhaps others don't know this, but I am in charge of the state's finances in the Cabinet, and I know Wu Guan quite well. He is a capable person. If it weren't for the Prime Minister, I would have promoted Wu Guan a few years ago."

With the help of Zhao Zhenji, the cabinet minister in charge of the country's finances, the government could finally guarantee the deal.

Gao Gong felt even more depressed.

No reason.

Gao Gong looked at Yan Shaoting with a smile on his face, with a hint of resentment in his eyes.

"Run... Young Master Yan has been appointed to take charge of the country's affairs. He has been involved in the cabinet with us and has been handling state affairs. Everything he says is for the country and he is fair in his dealings. Although I am older than you, I have learned a lot from you."

I don't know whether this remark was meant to mock Yan Shaoting for his power or to thank him for supporting his son.

In short.

Gao Gong's attitude softened.

Seeing this, Yan Shaoting's smile widened: "In that case..."

Gao Gong nodded, then turned to look at the officials present: "Today, the emperor has ordered that Junior Master Yan should be involved in the cabinet and manipulate national affairs and military affairs. Now that the new policy has become law, every clause is reasonable. The prosperity of national politics lies in change. Change leads to prosperity, and no change leads to failure. I deeply agree with this. All my colleagues serving in the court can use Junior Master Yan's strategies to find out the shortcomings and make up for them, so as to help the country and stabilize the country."

Although Yan Shaoting is now the Grand Secretary of Huangji Palace, he is in charge of the military power in the capital.

But after all, he is still the prime minister of the cabinet in name only.

For such summary matters that require expression of opinion, you still have to take the lead yourself.

Yan Shaoting smiled and bowed again, "The Prime Minister is wise and righteous, and there is hope for the prosperity of the country."

This is the end.

What he had to do was to unify the will of the central government in the capital.

As for other officials?

It doesn't matter.

The cabinet and the six ministries are united in their opinions, so any different opinions below must be kept to themselves.

He can divide and win over people by offering them benefits, but he might as well resort to violence.

Make sure everything is in place.

The Ministry of War and the Five Military Commissioners' Office had to mobilize troops and work with the Ministry of Revenue to raise military supplies and food.

The Ministry of Personnel also needs to review reserve officials to prevent large-scale dismissal and punishment of local officials in the southeast.

As for the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Dali Temple, they began to discuss sending a team of officials from the three departments to the south so that the handling of official affairs in Southern Zhili and Zhejiang would be in accordance with rules and regulations.

The other ministries and government offices also have their own work to do.

In short.

As Yan Shaoting gained power, the whole city of Beijing began to fall into bustle again.

As for the emperor's safety, it became less important.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Yan Shaoting, who had a close relationship with the Crown Prince, would not lose power even if there was a change of imperial power.

Since there is no way to resist.

It’s better to just lie down and let nature take its course.

For the next three days, the entire city of Beijing was under complete martial law.

In order to prevent the news from leaking out, in addition to all the personnel from Shuntian Prefecture and Wucheng Bingmasi, the East Factory and Jinyiwei also sent out their minions to strictly supervise the people entering and leaving the city gates.

As for the Beijing camp, they also began to mobilize troops under the military order of Zhenyuan Hou Gu Huan.

The personnel movements in the Three Thousand Battalion, the Five Army Battalion and the Shenji Battalion were the most frequent.

The four guards of Tengxiang had also gone ahead and headed for Henan and Jiangxi.

Orders have also been issued to transfer Yu Dayou and Tan Lun to Henan and Jiangxi respectively.

The cabinet did add one more thing in the middle, ordering Hai Rui to inspect the nine frontiers. This was something Gao Gong proposed in the cabinet after confirming that his son Gao Wuguan would be in charge of military supplies for the 80,000 Beijing troops heading south.

The purpose was naturally to prevent any incidents in the nine borders when the court mobilized troops to march south.

And using Hai Rui was naturally a way to repay Yan Shaoting's kindness. After all, after the matter in the south was over, Gao Wuguan was recommended by Yan Shaoting first and then commented on by Zhao Zhenji. His official rank would definitely be promoted. If everything went well, he might even be able to get a position as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

Yan Shaoting acquiesced to this.

After all, even if he had a hot temper like Gao Gong, he was just a father.

As for parents’ attitude towards their children, it has been the same in the Central Plains from ancient times to the present, and even in the future.

He borrowed the principle that if you control the children, you control the parents, and applied it vividly.

At least he didn't need to ask Gao Gong in person: Old Gao, you don't want your son to fail to make progress, do you?

This is the best situation now, everything is in harmony.

however.

Just when all parties were proceeding in an orderly manner.

It was the fifth day since Yan Shaoting took control of both internal and external power in front of the Meridian Gate.

The 80,000-strong army of the Beijing Camp has left Beijing and headed south under the leadership of Gu Huan.

It was at this time.

Suddenly, the sound of bells was heard in the palace.

That was the sound of the emperor's death.

For a while.

The whole city of Beijing was shaken again.

But there was no panic like the last time the Qianqing Palace caught fire.

The emperor is dead.

Just die.

But this undoubtedly brought more complicated matters to the central court which was currently deploying troops in the south of the Yangtze River.

The entire city of Beijing was still under strict lockdown, and at the same time, it began to deal with matters following the emperor's death.

Longqing needs to be buried and the crown prince needs to ascend the throne.

The cabinet also had a quarrel over this, and the final result was that because state affairs were now heavy, the Chief Minister Gao Gong and the Grand Secretary of the Huangji Palace Yan Shaoting needed to take charge of state affairs, the group minister Zhao Zhenji needed to raise money and grain, and the group minister Hu Zongxian went to the south with the army to control the troops going to Jiangnan.

Ever since.

The task of arranging the funeral of Emperor Longqing fell on the shoulders of Gao Yi, one of the assistants.

As for why they quarreled, it was because after the emperor passed away, the crown prince ascended the throne, and according to the imperial edict, a new team of regents was needed.

In the past, decisions were basically made by the cabinet.

But things are different now.

The chief minister was Gao Gong, but the Grand Secretary of Huangji Hall obviously ranked before Gao Gong's Grand Secretary of Jianji Hall.

Then there was a problem with the selection of the leading ministers of state.

In the end, should Gao Gong be the first minister of state to serve the new emperor, or should Yan Shaoting be the first?

The cabinet had a quarrel over this.

The point of the argument was that Yan Shaoting believed that Gao Gong should be the leader, while Gao Gong believed that Yan Shaoting should be the leader of the regents.

In the end it was all because of the cabinet votes.

He sent someone to catch up with Hu Zongxian, who had already left Beijing with the army, so that Yan Shaoting could get one more vote and nominate Gao Gong to become the first minister of state after Zhu Yijun ascended the throne.

This day.

Cabinet compound.

Yan Shaoting, who had officially started working in the courtyard as a cabinet minister, reviewed a few important matters, then stopped writing, stood up and walked out of his duty room.

When he left the house, he happened to see Gao Gong standing in the corridor, watching the busy secretaries in the cabinet and the officials coming from various ministries and government offices.

"Prime Minister."

Yan Shaoting took the initiative to step forward and bowed first.

Gao Gong turned his head and looked at him sideways, his face calm, but he sighed softly: "Do you think the Jiangnan event can be accomplished this time? After all, this is something that has not been accomplished since the time of Emperor Taizu Gao."

The difficulties in Jiangnan have existed since the founding of the People's Republic of China. Everyone knows that Jiangnan is a stubborn disease and a difficult problem that hinders the development of the country.

Although Yan Shaoting was somewhat worried, he looked calm and composed: "The army is heading south, with many good ministers and brave generals, and the central government has the general secretary, so there will be no mistakes."

Longqing died.

But I didn't forget his final instructions.

After all, we still have to give Lao Gao some respect, and it's okay to give him the credit for pacifying Jiangnan.

Gao Gong shook his head helplessly and smiled, then turned to look at Yan Shaoting.

"I think His Majesty told you that day that you should give me the credit for resolving the 200-year crisis in Jiangnan..."

Gao Gong's expression was quite complicated.

In the end, he concentrated and calmed down.

"Yan Runwu, you are quite a character!"

This was one of the rare compliments he could utter.

Yan Shaoting just smiled and said nothing: "But I am still a little worried. I am not worried about the current situation in Jiangnan, but..."

"In the future?" Gao Gong asked back.

Yan Shaoting nodded.

Gao Gong smiled, and then looked at him deeply: "When your majesty passed away, you willed me to be the Grand Tutor of the Three Dukes, so I knew your majesty's intention for the new monarch and the new dynasty. But you argued with me on the matter of the regent, and insisted on resigning as the first regent of the new monarch. I have been hot-tempered over the years, but I am not a fool. I know your friendship, and I also know your majesty's friendship, and I know what kind of minister the new monarch needs."

These words don't seem like something Gao Gong would say.

Yan Shaoting looked at the other party with some curiosity and admiration.

Gao Gong continued, "When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, and when the affairs of His Majesty are settled, and when everything is settled, then I think the affairs of Jiangnan will be almost settled. In this way... I can be considered the first to make contributions, right?"

Yan Shaoting smiled and replied: "The Prime Minister should be credited with the greatest achievement!"

Gao Gong also smiled even more happily: "Then you can go and talk to the new emperor and ask for a title for me, and I can live in both Suzhou and Songjiang."

Yan Shaoting was stunned.

I immediately understood Lao Gao's thoughts and plans.

He immediately bowed and said: "I admire your heart for the country."

Gao Gong smiled and waved his hands: "You said in front of everyone in the academy that every generation has talented people. Now I think it is very appropriate. The Ming Dynasty will eventually fall on your shoulders. I have been in the court since Emperor Shizong. I have seen a lot and seen a lot of people. Since your majesty has shown kindness and conferred me the title of Grand Tutor of the Three Dukes, which has never been done before, I naturally cannot stay in the central government for long. When the new emperor confer a title on me based on my merits, I will take over Jiangnan for you, so that you can spend decades to completely cure the stubborn diseases of Jiangnan."

This was Gao Gong’s final decision.

Since the will before Longqing's death granted him the title of Grand Tutor to the Three Dukes, it was impossible for him to stay in the central government to hold office according to convention.

He was awarded a title for his merit, and went to Jiangnan to take charge, personally keeping an eye on the southeastern half of the country. This was also a way for him to fulfill the relationship between him and Longqing as a teacher and student, and as a monarch and subject.

Yan Shaoting didn't expect Lao Gao to be so decisive, and he didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Instead, Gao Gong walked forward with a smile and poked the young man's arm.

Then he said solemnly, "Your Majesty's funeral is under the watchful eye of Zixiang. I will use my last bit of strength to help you sort out the central government. When Zhang Juzheng returns to Beijing, the court will discuss whether to approve him to join the cabinet. As for Hai Rui, who you brought with you, you can discuss when he will join the cabinet later. When the affairs in Jiangnan are settled, I will leave the court and take charge of Jiangnan. You will take charge of the central government. You must not take it lightly. You must be on guard against all places. You must also pay more attention to the Jin Party members like Yang Bo. Power is tempting, and not everyone is like you and me."

Is this considered the sharing of Lao Gao’s experience in officialdom before his retirement?
Yan Shaoting nodded.

Gao Gong just smiled and said, "Keep an eye on Jiangnan. If my guess is correct, there must be chaos in Jiangnan now. It is said that there will be no bloodshed, but in the end, there will be no knife and no bloodshed to accomplish the task."

Yan Shaoting nodded: "I have secretly transferred troops to strengthen the tax department before. Xu Wenbi must have taken people to guard several large families in Jiangnan."

Gao Gong showed satisfaction: "You are good at planning. The tax bureau has been planning since the time of Emperor Shizong, and now you are finally using it. This makes me feel relieved. But after killing people and beheading them, you still need to show some mercy and don't kill too cruelly or excessively. Too much is as bad as too little."

Yan Shaoting was still nodding.

Then he said, "I was discussing with the Ministry of Revenue yesterday. This time we will move large households from Jiangnan to Shaanxi, Gansu and other places, and then see if we can recover the Western Regions."

Gao Gong hummed, and after a moment's silence, he said, "That's a good idea. Get rid of the people, reduce the killing, and Jiangnan will be more peaceful."

After finishing speaking.

Gao Gong suddenly remembered something and took out a flawless white warm jade from his sleeve and put it into Yan Shaoting's hand.

"I've been busy lately, and just remembered that I didn't tell you about your daughter's birthday."

"This piece of jade is not worth much, but it was given to me by my elders when I entered the government. I have been preparing it for some time, so I will give it to you."

A gentleman is like jade?

Yan Shaoting remained silent.

Then he bowed deeply.

seem.

this moment.

The Ming Dynasty finally completed a new round of power transfer.

…………

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(End of this chapter)