Chapter 339 Qiao Xin Becomes Famous, the Emperor Loses His Arm (Please Give Me More Monthly Tickets)

It was originally New Year's Eve, but the Wan Mansion hung white curtains and placed a black coffin in the hall.

Although many officials came to the Wan Mansion to pay their respects, more officials turned to Liu Ji's mansion, and also flattered Xu Qiong, the Minister of Rites who was rumored to be about to enter the cabinet.

After all, people are cold when they leave, especially today is New Year's Eve, so those officials have no reason to come and get bad luck and affect their careers.

"Hehe... God finally opened his eyes!"

"I heard that Wan'an died under a woman's belly!"

"No matter how he died, this court finally has some hope!"

...

After learning the news of Wan'an's death, those so-called clean officials were not sad, but celebrated, as if the year was coming again.

After all, only the prime minister who can defend their interests is a wise minister, and those who do things that harm their interests are all treacherous ministers who will be infamous for thousands of years.

Wan'an allowed the emperor to rectify the salt administration, survey the land, rectify the finance, and frequently use military force against foreign countries. It is already too numerous to mention, and he should have been sent to the eighteenth level of hell.

The morning sun did not rise today, and the sky looked gloomy.

Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

This majestic palace has been cleaned up, and lights and decorations are hung everywhere. The maids and eunuchs have changed into new clothes, preparing to welcome the upcoming Spring Festival.

The floor heating in the East Warm Pavilion is already running, and the air here is filled with a faint sandalwood.

After breakfast, Zhu Youtang, wearing a dragon robe, stayed on the soft couch here, reading the congratulatory letters from officials from the two capitals, thirteen provinces and overseas.

He actually likes to celebrate the Spring Festival. He can put aside many affairs, temporarily put aside all government affairs, and enjoy a rare holiday.

Especially since there is no movement of his own offspring so far, he also needs to concentrate on this holiday to work hard with his concubines to make a baby and try to finalize the issue of the heir.

Because of the early holiday, his joyful holiday officially kicked off. The woman last night was Fan Jinling, and tonight the queen came to serve him.

One is passionate and the other is reserved, but they have their own temptations.

Zhu Youtang was actually in a good mood, but it is a common phenomenon that happiness leads to sorrow, but it was suddenly like being poured with a bucket of cold water.

"Your Majesty, are you okay?" Guo Yong looked at Zhu Youtang's sudden daze and couldn't help but worry.

Liu Jin, who was standing next to him, was also worried. The news of the death of Wan'an, the chief minister of the cabinet, had just come in, and the emperor was stunned on the spot.

Dead?

Although Zhu Youtang knew that Wan'an was ill, he knew that it was just a cold this time, but he didn't expect that things would develop in the worst direction.

His most trusted minister, the chief minister who obeyed him from beginning to end, died last night, and everything came so suddenly.

Wan'an's reputation was not good in history, and even now it is still criticized by the world.

However, no one has substantial evidence of Wan'an's evil deeds. It is more of a guess by some literati, who have fabricated the image of a yes-man and given him the title of a paper-made cabinet minister.

Whether it is Wan'an or Liu Ji, both of them passed the regular imperial examination and obtained the title of Jinshi. They have been in the officialdom for decades. How could they not have the ability to handle government affairs?

The reason why Wan'an has a bad reputation is not because of how many bad things he did, but because Wan'an helped Xianzong and himself to infringe on their interests.

It's just that this loyal minister, the prime minister who worked diligently to handle government affairs for him, and the pragmatic official who fully supported his reforms, suddenly left quietly.

"What a bastard!"

Zhu Youtang knew the whole story and cursed in his heart.

Although Wan An's illness was an important reason for his death, He Qiaoxin's inconsistency on the national debt issue dealt a fatal blow to the old prime minister who was determined to do things.

"Your Majesty, this is the letter that Wan Ge Lao wrote to you before his death, and this box!" When Guo Yong saw Zhu Youtang's eyes moving, he immediately presented the things sent by the Wan family.

Zhu Youtang ignored the exquisite box and opened the letter from Wan An.

From the lines, he clearly felt the loyalty of the old prime minister and the heart that wanted to help him create a prosperous era. But Wan An was ultimately no match for the old body.

He originally hoped that Wan An could be the prime minister for another ten years, but this wish was destined to fail.

"Your Majesty, please be sad!" Liu Jin knew that Zhu Youtang was sad about Wan An's death, so he advised softly.

Zhu Youtang sighed lightly, but made a decision: "Liu Jin, you make the arrangements, I will leave the palace and go to Wanfu!"

"Your Majesty, today is New Year's Eve, it is not appropriate for you to go there to pay your respects now, please think twice!" Guo Yong was anxious and knelt down to dissuade him.

Zhu Youtang realized that it was definitely not appropriate for him to come today, so he raised his hand gently: "In that case, then you come to express your condolences on my behalf!"

"As ordered!" Guo Yong breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed.

Zhu Youtang saw Guo Yong hurriedly leaving, and couldn't help but sighed: "Liu Jin, do you think I have been too kind in these years?"

"Your Majesty is a wise ruler, and no matter what decision you make, it is extremely wise!" Liu Jin swallowed his saliva and flattered him against his will.

The emperor in front of him has never been a good man. After ascending the throne, he only lay dormant for a short period of time, and then he took up the butcher knife through the "Beijing Rebellion".

From nobles to important officials, to military generals, and then the dignitaries of the entire capital, almost all of them were purged one by one.

Although it has been quiet this year, the emperor has been cracking down on corrupt officials through the Censorate. The emperor in front of him has nothing to do with mercy at all.

But he didn't understand why the emperor would say that he was too merciful. You know, he has already been named a tyrant.

Zhu Youtang found that he was not cruel enough, and said bitterly: "Then tell me, knowing that the national debt was something I instructed, why did someone dare to go back on his word?"

Although everything was too late to regret, some things still had to be investigated, especially Wan'an's death had a great relationship with He Qiaoxin.

This time, He Qiaoxin not only messed with the old prime minister Wan'an, but also messed with the court that wanted to revive, and even messed with him, the emperor.

It's fine if he didn't do his best on the national debt, but he actually used the subscription of a national debt to prevent the smooth issuance of national debt. This kind of minister is a first-class traitor.

Whether it's for the deceased Wan'an or to maintain the authority of the court, He Qiaoxin has to pay a certain price.

"This He Qiaoxin dared to go back on his word and play tricks on the prime minister of the dynasty. It's really hateful!" Liu Jin understood the emperor's meaning and expressed his attitude hatefully.

Although He Qiaoxin claimed that he suspected Wan'an of being a bully, anyone with a brain knew that the emperor and the court wanted to issue national bonds, so naturally a benchmark subscriber would appear.

But who knew that He Qiaoxin actually played such a trick, which directly made the difficulty of issuing national bonds worse, and even angered the prime minister of the dynasty to death.

Zhu Youtang did not intend to deal with this matter after the New Year, and immediately ordered with a gloomy face: "Summon Wang Yue to the palace immediately!"

It was almost noon, but the sky in Beijing was still gloomy.

No one cares about the poor in the downtown, but the rich in the mountains have distant relatives. Even though it is New Year's Eve, Xiaoshi Yongfang is full of visitors, and many relatives have come to gather.

The He Mansion is also very enthusiastic today. A group of distant relatives from Jiangxi came to the capital to spend the New Year with He Qiaoxin's family.

He Qiaoxin has a sense of surprise this time, and there are more visitors today than in the past.

In the reception and farewell, he held a wine glass and expressed disdain to a distinguished guest: "It is said that the prime minister's stomach can hold a boat. If it is really because of the old man's anger that he vomited blood, it can only be said that this prime minister is unworthy of the position!"

He knew that Wan'an had a bad reputation, and now it is rumored that he was so angry that Wan'an vomited blood and died. Although this should not be true, it is beneficial to him.

Throughout the ages, many wise ministers who have left their names in history do not actually have to make any major contributions. Getting rid of a treacherous minister in the court is also a recordable and tearful achievement.

For example, Wang Zhen, a eunuch who was extremely treacherous and evil, was condemned by thousands of people. Fan Zhong was just a small guard in front of the emperor, and he was famous in history for hammering Wang Zhen to death. In the Wumen bloody case, Wang Hong, the official of the Ministry of Revenue, who took the lead in beating Ma Shun and three others to death, gained both fame and fortune. Not only did he later become the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, but he was also known as a "famous and virtuous old man".

Now that I have "pissed off" Wan An, this matter will definitely be written about in a big book. Not only will it be recorded in history, but I have also gained a very high reputation now, and my career may be able to move up a level.

Today is the highlight of my life. The great scholars in the capital have come to visit me one after another, and now my good friend and one of the leaders of the Qingliu, Qiu Jun, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, has also come to visit me on purpose.

"Brother Qiu, your reputation is now at its peak, and I can only look up to you!" Qiu Jun came to visit me on purpose, smiling.

He and He Qiaoxin were both Jinshi in the fifth year of Jingtai. Although he was a favored child who entered the Hanlin Academy, He Qiaoxin stayed in Beijing to serve as the head of the Ministry of Rites. More importantly, He Qiaoxin's father was the Minister of Personnel.

Facing a peer with such a background, he naturally could not put on the airs of a Hanlin official. He had already formed a deep friendship with He Qiaoxin back then.

Now more than 30 years have passed, and this friendship has not been diluted by time. Instead, it has surpassed his friendship with Xu Pu. Now He Qiaoxin has become a great contributor to the removal of Wan'an, so he also took time to come and reminisce.

He Qiaoxin had already drunk a few glasses of wine, wiped the wine stains from the corners of his mouth and said proudly: "Brother Zhongshen, you are flattering me. How can I be compared with you! But Wan'an has been a charlatan, and the government and the people have suffered from him for a long time. Now his death is really a great relief to the people. As for whether this matter has anything to do with me, it is no longer important!"

He knew that no matter how he shirked responsibility, the world would attribute the credit to him.

But he had to think more long-term. Wan'an was the emperor's favorite after all. He couldn't take the initiative to take the credit now. It would be the wisest thing to do to distance himself from the emperor.

"Haha... Let's drink this cup together for the sake of the court!" Qiu Jun knew that He Qiaoxin was also a shrewd politician, so he continued to persuade him to drink.

He Qiaoxin had just drunk it, and when he saw that the maid had filled the cup, he picked up the cup again and said, "I have no chance to enter the cabinet. I wish Brother Zhongshen can enter the cabinet and become a prime minister as soon as possible to display his lifelong learning!"

"Thank you, Brother Qiu!" Although Qiu Jun was not valued by the emperor either, he naturally hoped to enter the cabinet and become a prime minister, so he thanked him immediately.

At this moment, there was a commotion outside the courtyard gate.

The housekeeper and several guards wanted to stop the intruder, but the intruder seemed aggressive and broke in directly.

"Your Censorate is getting more and more presumptuous. You dare to break into the residence of the Minister of Justice?" Qiu Jun, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, had long been resentful of the Censorate and immediately reprimanded it with a stern face.

Although the Inspection Office of the Censorate has the power to supervise and investigate all officials, the traditional rules are to target officials below the fourth rank, and the Minister of Justice, who is a second rank, cannot do anything.

Now breaking into the residence of a second rank official is indeed inappropriate.

The leader of the team this time is Wang Yu, who showed the official letter expressionlessly: "This is the highest investigation letter of the Censorate, which has been stamped by the palace. Please follow me to the Censorate's search office to accept the investigation!"

"Investigation? I don't know why I need to accept your investigation? Do you want to frame me for collaborating with the enemy? Or treason?" He Qiaoxin put down the empty wine glass in his hand and asked back fearlessly.

As the saying goes, a person with a clear conscience has nothing to fear from his shadow. His wealth had been accumulated by his father, and his legal income over the years was also considerable.

Even if the Censorate wanted to target him, they would have to produce substantial evidence. With his current status and reputation, he didn't have to worry about being deliberately made difficult.

In the palace?

Qiu Jun, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, turned his head and looked at the rare highest investigation order. He immediately smelled a taste of retaliation from the emperor. It was probably the person in the palace who wanted to find trouble with He Qiaoxin in anger.

But He Qiaoxin was already old and cunning, so how could he be easily caught?

If the emperor really wanted to frame an important official, then this approach would only chill the hearts of the people of the world, and then even the emperor, who was high above, would have no one to use.

Facing He Qiaoxin's teasing, Wang Yu answered seriously: "This is an investigation into your acceptance of bribes. Please return to the Censorate with me immediately. Now the highest investigation order is here. If you don't cooperate with this investigation, don't blame me for being rude!"

"Today is New Year's Eve. What do you mean?" He Qiaoxin knew the importance of this investigation order, so he emphasized that today was a special day.

Wang Yu pointed to the sky at noon and immediately guaranteed: "As long as you cooperate with this investigation, you can return from the Censorate in less than an hour!"

Although he had a heart to kill all corrupt officials in the world, the highest investigation order he applied for this time was only an investigation, and taking He Qiaoxin back now was just a routine questioning.

At this point, he actually had no idea whether He Qiaoxin could be convicted.