Zhao Zhenji was originally in mourning for his parents at home. It was Zhu Mo who nominated him last time, and Xu Jie who approved, that he was allowed to continue in his post as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. This man had always been skilled at opportunism, and had followed Xu Jie in studying the School of the Mind, feigning a common touch. Regarding the current situation, he naturally had his own views.
At this moment, when the Esteemed Minister inquired, he replied:
"Esteemed Minister, your humble servant believes that His Majesty will likely allow the Esteemed Minister to temporarily oversee the Grand Secretariat, and Yan Song will certainly claim illness. At this time, the Grand Secretariat will be under your command. Thus, all officials in the realm will watch with wide eyes to see how we resolve Gao Gong's case.
As for us, we are now in a dilemma. What is this dilemma? First, whether to impeach Gao Gong or not? How to impeach him? How to distribute the vacant positions? Second, whether to agree to impeach the Yan family members? Neither is easy to handle...
Zhang Taiyue is also extremely ruthless. By arresting Yin Zhengmao and impeaching Zheng Bichang, he has forced us into a difficult position... This is a pincer attack orchestrated by Zhu Mo against us!"
Mm-hmm,
Xu Jie nodded with great satisfaction—
This analysis was similar to his own views. The reason for the dilemma was the lack of sufficient strength at the moment. If their strength were great, they could fight on both sides. But with insufficient strength, and being trapped in this position, it was extremely uncomfortable.
If they did not impeach, how could such a grave crime of deceiving the emperor and perverting justice be glossed over? What would the Emperor and Prince Yu think? The common people would certainly regard him, Xu Jie, as being in league with Yan Song and Gao Gong, and the righteous faction would lose all reputation.
There was another point that would be even more terrifying:
If he, Xu Jie, were to impeach Gao Gong and Zheng Bichang and occupy those vacant positions, he would incur the resentment of the gentry and scholars throughout the realm, who would believe that Xu Jie was actually standing with Zhu Mo. This was the most terrifying aspect. Because this would mean that Xu Jie had made a fatal mistake, standing against the gentry. This was an even more serious error than Gao Gong's! If Yan Shifan were to incite further, Xu Jie would immediately become Zhu Mo's faction, and further down the line, it would implicate Prince Yu. Prince Yu would certainly want to distance himself, and the position of Grand Secretary would forever be out of reach.
Thus,
The commoners would be dissatisfied, and the gentry would also be dissatisfied, leaving him in a state of being unable to advance or retreat.
Li Chunfang, his colleague and friend, shared his views on most matters. Although he was also a prominent figure, he was at a loss regarding such a situation.
Zou Yinglong, the trump card among the censors, also did not know what to do.
The atmosphere,
Instantly froze, so heavy it was suffocating.
Everyone thought: A perfectly good chess game had been ruined by Zhu Mo's few pages of paper. A grand feast was laid out before them, yet they could not partake...
Xu Jie sighed, thinking: It is best to give up. To pass the buck back to Prince Yu and the Emperor. If they do not issue an explicit decree, I will not act. We shall remain in this stalemate...
And at that very moment, the attendant suddenly rushed in and announced:
"My Lord, a Young Master Zhu requests an audience."
Ah?
Young Master Zhu?
Everyone exchanged glances.
"Please invite him in..."
Xu Jie responded resignedly.
...
This so-called Young Master Zhu was, of course, Zhu Mo.
He had come today to harvest the leeks.
Before even entering, he sensed the heavy, frozen atmosphere in the hall and guessed that they had been cornered by Zhang Juzheng.
The news of Zhang Juzheng arresting Yin Zhengmao and sealing off the academy had already been disseminated through official gazettes. All officials in the capital were aware of it. Everyone was discussing the imminent storm. As he had just left the Grand Secretariat, he had already heard various rumors, and most people were disdainful of Xu Jie!
Some said Xu Jie was too insidious, that to destroy Gao Gong, he had publicly revealed private matters and even used Prince Yu, forcing the Prince to take the blame; some said Xu Jie had been coveting the positions Gao Gong held in the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Justice for a long time; some said Xu Jie was determined to join Zhu Mo's reforms and abandon the School of the Mind and the righteous faction by destroying Gao Gong this time; others directly said that Xu Jie would soon become the Grand Secretary and the old Yan Song would return home...
Upon entering at this moment,
Zhu Mo cupped his hands in a salute and said with a smile, "Esteemed Lords, I apologize for the intrusion, I apologize!"
"Not at all, not at all?"
"Scholar Zhu, please take the seat of honor!"
"Scholar Zhu's demeanor is as before!"
Hehehe,
The atmosphere was filled with awkward laughter.
Zhu Mo knew that he was not the one feeling awkward, so he scanned everyone with a smile. This was Zhao Zhenji's first time meeting him. He had known of him from online novels, and seeing him now, he truly had remarkable bones; the renowned Zou Yinglong, whose smile was like a blooming flower...
Hahaha,
Zhu Mo let out a few hearty laughs, not wanting to waste any more time, and said directly, "Esteemed Elder Xu, I have come today to recommend a few individuals to you..."
Oh?
Hiss!
"The evil spirit has come to our door..."
"How can he be so shameless?"
"This is simply too much! To say it directly without any shame..."
"He's come to harvest our leeks..."
Hehehe,
Amidst the awkward laughter,
Xu Jie felt a myriad of emotions, and said helplessly, "May I ask which individuals Scholar Zhu wishes to recommend?"
Hehe,
Zhu Mo smiled and said:
"Firstly, I wish to recommend myself, and ask Esteemed Elder Xu to recommend me as Grand Scholar of the Wenyuan Pavilion; secondly, I wish to recommend Zhang Han, the Administrator of Shaanxi, as Governor of Jiangnan, and Liu Yingjie, the Vice Commissioner of Military Preparedness in Jingxing, as Judicial Commissioner of Jiangnan; thirdly, I recommend Xu Shi as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. May I ask Esteemed Elder Xu's opinion?"
Hiss!
Hiss!
He is too shameless!
Simply inhuman!
Zhao Zhenji, one of the shrewder individuals among them, already understood the intention—
He wished to become Grand Scholar of the Wenyuan Pavilion, and not any other position. It was very likely that he wished to directly handle the academic cases in Jiangnan. After all, the petition by a hundred mountain scholars to uphold the teachings of Yangming and establish official academies had caused quite a stir, and was deeply intertwined with the cases in Jiangnan. It was acceptable for him to step forward. As for proposing the positions of Governor of Jiangnan and Judicial Commissioner, it indicated that he was willing to come forward to clean up the major cases in Jiangnan and also take responsibility for them. This was not excessive. What was slightly excessive was the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, which was equivalent to planting someone next to Huang Guangsheng.
Xu Jie and Li Chunfang were both great figures, and their vision was naturally even higher. Upon hearing his words, although they felt very helpless, a piece of their minds settled—
After all, the one who tied the bell must untie it. He was willing to step forward to handle the major case of Gao Gong, and Xu Jie was finally free from this predicament... Whether he offended Yan Song or the gentry, this young man was not afraid of anything...
The positions he requested were, to be honest, not excessive. After all, he had been the one managing Jiangnan all along, and had never had suitable personnel. Finding a few people of his own to go there was also reasonable. Furthermore, if Gao Gong's case were to be handled, and there was no one in the Ministry of Justice, he naturally wouldn't feel at ease.
Seen this way, these requests were all not excessive.
Xu Jie and Li Chunfang exchanged glances, and their intentions were clear—
Agree.
It was most appropriate for this Zhu Mo to handle Gao Gong's case. Firstly, the grudges were originally between him and Gao Gong and Yan Shifan. No one could say anything if he destroyed Gao Gong out of revenge; secondly, with his involvement, the rumors would naturally be completely dispelled; thirdly, it was widely known that the Emperor supported his reforms. Even if he offended the gentry, what could be done about it?
Xu Jie's doubts were completely dispelled upon thinking this, and he said with a smile:
"Grand Scholar Zhu, this old man naturally wants to recommend worthy individuals for the nation. I have heard of these individuals you mention; they have served in the frontier for many years, endured hardships and gained experience, and are indeed capable of great use! Hehe..."
Before he finished speaking, he pulled Zhu Mo to sit down and said with a smile:
"Scholar Zhu, you are forthright and just, and this old man greatly admires you. Since we are to handle Gao Gong's case, we should proceed with haste. How about we discuss it here today?"
Mm-hmm,
"Indeed, indeed."
Zhu Mo readily agreed.