After seeing the two off.
The next morning, Zhu Mo and Lü Kun arrived at the Wen Yuan Pavilion duty room to start work. The newly appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Xu Shi, was already waiting outside the duty room.
Zhu Mo had met Xu Shi once in Datong, and seeing him again, both felt a wave of emotion, a sense of having lived through lifetimes. They recalled the prolonged suppression and obstruction by the Yan family, which had caused them immense suffering, and now they truly felt the clouds parting to reveal the sun.
Xu Shi sighed, "Scholar Zhu, when I was coming, Ma Dexin and the others earnestly asked me to tell you to visit Datong again. The old military households miss you dearly..."
Zhu Mo remembered how Ma Lu and Ma Fang had traveled a thousand miles to rescue him last time, even risking their lives with their remonstrances. A lump formed in his throat, and his eyes welled up. He murmured, "Yes, I should have visited long ago... but I simply don't have the time now..."
Lü Kun, having long heard of Xu Shi's reputation, blurted out, "I've long admired Lord Xu's mastery of Feng Shui and geography. I am deeply impressed. Would Lord Xu be willing to impart some knowledge to me?"
Haha,
The three of them chuckled simultaneously. Xu Shi replied, "Shujian, everyone knew in Datong that despite your youth, you were a learned scholar. It is I who should be seeking your guidance."
As the two exchanged pleasantries,
Zhu Mo suddenly recalled that Xu Shi was one of the most renowned Feng Shui masters in the later Ming Dynasty! He might prove useful later.
However, for now, his Feng Shui skills were not needed. What mattered was his case-handling ability. He smiled and asked, "Old Xu, although the imperial decree has already beheaded Yang Zongqi and Lu Huang, Gao Gong still has many party members in the Ministries of Rites, Revenue, and Personnel. How do you plan to investigate them?"
Xu Shi understood: This young man was not simple. If he lacked skill while working with him, he would bring shame upon his own home...
He had spent the past couple of days thinking and knew that since Zhu Mo had taken on this messy affair, his true intention was likely not just about the stated purpose. To strike at the gentry and boost morale, he would most likely target the well-known Minister Dong Fen from Nanxun?
He immediately replied,
"Scholar Zhu, I believe it will be easy to identify Gao Gong's party members. His disciples and classmates usually gather together, and even if we don't investigate, many of their colleagues are aware of who they are... Now that Yang Zongqi and Lu Huang have been beheaded, the ensuing fear is palpable. If we publicly announce in all ministries that Gao Gong's party members who surrender will be dealt with leniently, I believe we can achieve twice the result with half the effort..."
*Pa*,
Zhu Mo and Lü Kun applauded in unison.
Zhu Mo, seeing his efficiency, was overjoyed and said, "Exactly. This way, it will save us a lot of unnecessary complications..."
Xu Shi also smiled and continued, "I reviewed the Ministry of Justice case files last night and found a suspicious point..."
He looked at Zhu Mo, appearing profound, and added,
"In this matter of the academy principals jointly petitioning against the government, one person is crucial. Without his instigation of the metropolitan officials, the matter would not have escalated. This person is the Minister of Works, Dong Fen... This individual is not only from Nanxun, but the key figure in the recent slave revolt, Dong Hong, is actually his nephew. I believe this person must be investigated..."
*Hmm hmm*,
Zhu Mo was even happier upon hearing this—
This person truly grasped the crux of the matter!
Investigating Gao Gong in this case was secondary. The real targets were two groups. One was the Yan family's three external supporters in the imperial court: the first being the Minister of Works, Dong Fen; the second, the Minister of Personnel, Guo Pu; and the third, the Vice Minister of Rites, Yuan Wei. The other group consisted of the Neo-Confucian scholars and academy principals with whom Yan Shifan had colluded; it was essential to clarify the connections between them.
He already knew from online novels that for a long time, these three individuals, while outwardly scholarly and referred to as "qingci ministers" (those who excelled in writing eulogies for the emperor), had consistently sided with the Yan family during major events, without exception. It was due to this powerful support that Yan Shifan had been so arrogant and overbearing. Therefore, to strike at the Yan family, their wings had to be clipped, and the current Gao Gong case was undoubtedly the perfect opportunity.
Dong Fen was actually easy to investigate because he was so corrupt, notorious in the capital and his hometown, known as the "Minister of Debauchery," with countless weaknesses. Therefore, arresting him was not the main point; the key was the sentencing. The charge must be one that could humiliate the rebellious gentry and allow the common people to vent their anger.
Thinking this,
Zhu Mo asked again, "Old Xu, how do you plan to investigate Dong Fen?"
Xu Shi cleared his throat and said, "He is a Minister, and I am merely a Vice Minister, so I don't technically have the authority to investigate him. However, this is an imperial case, and Scholar Zhu is overseeing it, which makes things much more convenient... I believe the focus should be on uncovering his connection to the Nanxun slave revolt, preferably obtaining documentary evidence of him instructing his family members to engage in such activities... Once the Ministry of Justice concludes the case, it will be handed over to the Directorate of Ceremonial for imprisonment in the Imperial Prison. Finally, the Emperor will make the final decision, which will also serve as an explanation to the people of Jiangnan."
Good!
Excellent!
Zhu Mo patted his shoulder and smiled,
"Old Xu, with you handling this, I can confidently proceed to investigate the other side... However, there are two more individuals you should investigate as well—
These two are also big figures, but they must be investigated this time. One is Guo Pu, who successively served as Minister of Rites and Minister of Personnel, and the other is Yuan Wei, the current Vice Minister of Rites... Old Xu, you are right, without these individuals leading the charge, such matters would not have escalated... Therefore, to put it strongly, these three are all harboring malicious intentions."
*Hmm hmm*,
Xu Shi smiled slightly, "However, I believe that Guo Pu and Yuan Wei, in this case, should be dealt with based on the facts of their actions—inciting political unrest. Unlike Dong Fen, they were not involved in the slave revolt."
Zhu Mo and Lü Kun exchanged a knowing smile, both feeling that Xu Shi was exceptionally astute and naturally suited for official duties. If these two were also severely punished, it would be overreaching and might cause the entire gentry class to panic, leading to further complications.
"Old Xu, you proceed with this, but do so quietly, without drawing attention. If you encounter difficulties, I will request the Embroidered Uniform Guard from the Directorate of Ceremonial to assist. In any case, the truth must be brought to light."
Xu Shi, being very experienced, replied, "I understand. Ostensibly, I will lead people to investigate Gao Gong's party members, and it will be unrelated to others."
*Hmm hmm*.
...
Zhu Mo now had confidence in him.
He asked Lü Kun to stay and guard the Wen Yuan Pavilion duty room while he himself headed towards Chaotian Temple.
This matter,
was akin to his first operation after his comeback, and it certainly needed to be spectacular. And the best way to be spectacular was to bring down three major figures. The retirement of three old titans would be the best opening for a new chapter, wouldn't it?
He had already figured it out—
There was no reason for Xu Jie to object, as these three had long colluded with the Yan family and controlled three of the Six Ministries. In front of them, Xu Jie, as the Junior Grand Secretary, was practically insignificant. How could Xu Jie object to their downfall?
Regarding the higher powers, he was well aware that Emperor Jiajing detested those who had the outward appearance of Neo-Confucianism but the pragmatic mind of the School of Mind. Moreover, these three had controlled the Six Ministries for years, and this time, by inciting the metropolitan officials to pressure the court, they had immobilized even Emperor Jiajing. In his usual temper, he would have already ordered a session of beatings.
Therefore,
the verdict for the case should be: Dong Fen to the Imperial Prison, and Guo Pu and Yuan Wei stripped of their positions and sent back to their hometowns. If nothing unexpected happened, Emperor Jiajing would likely include some sarcastic remarks in the imperial decree. And during the course of handling the case, he would add a touch of humiliation to make these rebellious gentry unable to lift their heads.
If Xu Jie had handled the case, these three individuals would certainly not have been touched, let alone the Yan family, because the gentry would not trouble the gentry. But Zhu Mo was different; this time, he intended to use an unexpected deterrent effect to severely punish those who had slandered and cursed him through veiled threats.
His trip to Chaotian Temple was precisely to have Zhu Qi step forward and investigate the hundred academy principals and their backers, ideally capturing some leverage and arresting more people, so as to issue a stern warning to everyone who had stirred up trouble with the Yan family—kuAiδugg
The curse games of veiled threats were absolutely not to be tolerated!
Regarding Ma Fang and Ma Lu, I revised a section yesterday and incorporated it, otherwise the plot would not connect.