Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

There was a gentle ripple on the lake surface, and at this moment, the water pavilion seemed to be audible.

Yin Zhi saw the reactions of these two people and naturally knew what they were thinking.

If he had not been favored by His Majesty and had not been dismissed from his post again, even the disciples he had promoted would have kicked him out of here.

Now he is the governor of Zhejiang. This time he is here to cleanse the wealthy families in Jiangnan who do not have a court and let them understand the consequences of going against the court.

As for the two official scum in front of them, they naturally had to deal with it first. They looked very indifferent and told Zhang Cai: Declare the decree!

Just three words caused the surrounding temperature to drop suddenly by several degrees.

Declaration? What decree?

Zhang Juan and Zhao Fu looked at each other, and Monk Zhang Er was completely confused.

A pavilion elder who left the capital was naturally no better than a phoenix in the water than a chicken. They didn't understand where Yin Zhi had the confidence, let alone where the imperial edict came from.

What are you still doing? Listen to the edict! Zhang Cai took out the edict he carried with him with a straight face and said in a deep voice to the two officials who were just arrogant.

Imperial decree!

When the surrounding attendants and waitresses saw the bright yellow imperial edict, they immediately realized that things were different from what they thought, and they all knelt down in fear.

I, the Governor of Zhejiang, Zhang Juan (Ningbo City Bosi Tiju Zhao Fu), respectfully welcome the imperial edict! Zhang Juan and Zhao Fu saw the imperial edict appearing and hurriedly knelt down to welcome it.

No matter how many evil deeds they knew about the tyrant and how much they hated the emperor in the Forbidden City, since they were ministers of the Ming Dynasty, they naturally had to kneel before the order.

But when the situation developed to this point, both of them felt a crisis in their hearts, especially Yin Zhi's situation was very different from what they thought.

If Yin Zhi is still a minister who enjoys the emperor's favor, the consequences will be disastrous.

The emperor was entrusted with the destiny of heaven, and the edict said: Yin Zhi, a scholar of Wuyingdian Palace, is diligent and loyal. He is in a high position and loves people's livelihood. He is in a temple and worries about the world. Now he is in the south of the Yangtze River and serves as the governor of Zhejiang... All officials in Zhejiang are under his control, and they can take off their official hats. Report it, I appreciate this! Zhang Cai unfolded the imperial edict in his hand and read out the contents of the edict.

Even though they are both governors, the powers of the governor and the governor are completely different.

Yin Zhi concurrently serves as the governor of Zhejiang as a bachelor of Wuyingdian. As a cabinet minister, he is at the forefront of the officials, and now he directly controls the future of Zhejiang officials.

Now when I go down to the place, I feel like an invincible existence, which is almost the same as the emperor's personal presence.

how so?

Zhang Jue and Zhao Fu's brains were buzzing, but they couldn't believe what they heard.

Not only was Yin Zhi not dismissed by the emperor, but he appointed the emperor as the governor of Zhejiang, and he had the direct power to dismiss officials in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Originally, the two of them were the leaders in Zhejiang officialdom, especially Zhang Juan, who was the most important official in Zhejiang officialdom, but now they can only be reduced to Yin Zhi's younger brother.

I originally thought that Yin Zhi was a frustrated man in the officialdom, but I didn't expect that it was actually because of the emperor's great kindness. The emperor almost handed over the entire Zhejiang to him for disposal.

cough!

Zhang Cai disliked these two corrupt officials very much, so he coughed heavily.

Zhang Jue and Zhao Fu smiled bitterly, but they knew that the Yin Zhi in front of them was an insurmountable mountain, so they could only say politely: I accept the decree!

As expected!

Although Master Qian had already guessed, but now that it has been proven, he is still very shocked, and his good days have come to an end.

Since Yin Zhi's identity has been made clear, even Zhang Juan, who was full of hostility towards Yin Zhi just now, quickly changed his attitude and said: I respectfully welcome Mr. Yin Ge to Jiangsu and Zhejiang! Please forgive me for missing the welcome!

When Zheng Zheng saw Zhang Jue's change of expression so quickly, he realized that no matter how high-ranking the officials were, they were all chameleons, and the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty was mostly composed of sanctimonious clowns.

You are guilty, but the crime is not Yuan Ying, but the crime is that as human ministers, not only can't share His Majesty's worries, but also engage in corruption and pervert the law, which is disrespectful to His Majesty. Yin Zhi looked at the two people kneeling on the ground and immediately Perform a scolding session.

Zhang Jue's face turned pale instantly. After all, he didn't intend to let them go, so he couldn't help but turn his head to look at Zhao Fu.

In the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty, the relationship between teachers and students was like that of father and son, but now I just hope that Yin Zhi really treats this idiot Fu Zhao as his son.

Beads of sweat began to form on Fu Zhao's forehead, and he admitted his mistake as if he had reformed: Master, my disciple has violated your teachings back then, please punish me!

What did you teach me back then? I really wish I had never had a disciple like you! Yin Zhi sighed sincerely as he looked at Fu Zhao, who suddenly turned back to the good boy he once was.

Originally, he had always thought that Hanlin officials were superior to others and that it was easier to become an upright official. After all, they are more knowledgeable and understand the saint's words more thoroughly, so they will naturally not become greedy and sycophantic people.

It's just that things have proven that this idea is very wrong. In fact, these Hanlin officials are no different, and are even more greedy than ordinary officials.

The initial humility and politeness and guidance were nothing more than trying to gain good fortune, but once he knew that he had no luck with the good fortune, he could eventually become a corrupt official who was arrogant and lustful.

Now seeing this polite disciple, I no longer have any sense of pride in my heart. Instead, I feel a sense of shame and regret for the court and the people.

Master Zhao seemed to have realized his mistake, so he kowtowed to the ground and said, Master, I will definitely change my past, please give me a chance to change my ways!

Rehabilitation?

Zhang Cai, Zheng Zheng and others looked at each other in confusion, but they didn't know whether Zhao Tiju didn't realize the seriousness of the problem, or thought he and Yin Zhi still had a close master-disciple relationship?

Although Zhao Fu still seemed to be a gentle and gentle gentleman, he lived such a arrogant and lustful life, which not only made the Ningbo Shipping Department a mess, but also undermined the imperial court's plan to open a sea, and even deserved death.

Do you still want to change your ways? Yin Zhi smiled at this moment, with mixed emotions.

As if he heard the opportunity, Fu Zhao immediately expressed his stance with absolute certainty: This disciple will always remember the teacher's teachings and will definitely be a good official in the future!

It seems that you really don't realize how serious the crime you have committed is! Yin Zhi couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the disciple who seemed to still have some innocence from the past.

Fu Zhao's eyes flashed with confusion, and he defended himself very seriously: Although the disciple asked for some benefits from merchants, the income from the imperial customs is not less!

Zhang Jun originally thought of counting on Fu Zhao to get out of trouble, but found that stupid people are blessed, but being too stupid can only become a joke.

If it weren't for the emperor's sage, who asked me to come down and inspect the place in person, and you really used taxes as a cover to destroy the foundation of Ming Dynasty's maritime trade, you would be even more detestable than the Shanghai Shipping Department! Yin Zhi suddenly became angry and said cruelly. Accused harshly.

The capital and Ningbo are far apart, and even if they are cabinet ministers who have read the books of sages, what they see is often just a reported tax data.

In the past, the emperor promoted the clearing of land, and the emperor actually asked Liu Zhong to spend three years to clear the land from land to land. I thought that the emperor was too cautious, and this kind of thing was just an administrative order.

But when I actually arrived at the place and saw the real situation of the Ningbo Shipping Company, I knew that once the court gave them a little bit of power to seek rent, they could turn good things into bad things.

Both the Shanghai Shipping Company and the Ningbo Shipping Company opened the door for Jiangnan merchants, but the Shanghai Shipping Company did not infringe on the interests of ordinary maritime merchants, while the Ningbo Shipping Company did not.

If this goes on for a long time, the Zhejiang maritime merchants will not only be unprofitable, but may also lose their principal, and no one will be able to continue to be enthusiastic about maritime trade.

On the other hand, Jiangnan merchants, who are growing in strength, are now unwilling to pay taxes to the court. Naturally, if they become stronger in the future, they will no longer be able to obediently pay taxes to the court.

In the end, the Jiangnan merchants would usurp all the benefits of maritime trade, and then help Japan mine silver mines and plunder China's wealth, and even end up standing against the nation.

The person who caused this situation turned out to be a protégé of whom he was once proud, a prime minister who almost stayed in the Hanlin Academy, and a person who was reused by the imperial court through his own recommendation.

ah?

Zhao Fu was scolded by Yin Zhi in person. Not only was the hope he had just extinguished, but he also realized that the problem was far more serious than he imagined.

In fact, he didn't really want to challenge the imperial court, but he was in the position of Ningbo City Boss, but he couldn't help but choose the best way.

Because he opened the door to Jiangnan merchants, he was not only respected by everyone in the yamen, but also successfully won the friendship of Zhejiang Governor Zhang Jue and others, and also enjoyed endless glory and wealth.

As for the imperial court, he also agreed with Zhang Jun's statement. As long as enough taxes were paid, he had already paid the imperial court.

He never expected that the emperor would suddenly send his mentor to the south of the Yangtze River, nor did he expect that his arrogant and lustful life would be interrupted by his mentor.

Master Qian and others, who had just held on to a glimmer of hope for a reversal, saw Yin Zhi's current attitude and knew that Zhao Fu was completely doomed.

The number one in Yichun Court is a standard Jiangnan beauty, with a delicate oval-seed face, skin as good as snow, and those beautiful eyes that seem to capture people's hearts.

Just seeing the development of the situation, she silently put away her pipa, but she knew that her benefactor tonight would spend time in prison, and even be pushed to the guillotine.

Are you two going to confess all your crimes honestly, or do you want me to lock you up and torture you slowly? Yin Zhi didn't want to waste more words, but coldly threw out the options.

Zhang Jue, the governor of Zhejiang, is a veteran in the officialdom. He seemed confident and said: Mr. Yin Ge, although you are the governor of Zhejiang, you have no right to punish me!

Although the governor of Zhejiang served in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, he actually inspected Zhejiang as an official of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, so he was not considered a local official in Zhejiang and naturally did not need to be controlled by Yin Zhi.

Although the cabinet minister now has a transcendent status and can even command six ministries, there is no absolute superior-subordinate relationship between the two parties.

If Wang Yue comes here, Zhang Juan may have to be punished, but now Yin Zhi really lacks a procedure if he wants to directly punish Zhang Juan. He even doesn't think that he has anything to do with Yin Zhi.

Your Majesty is so wise, do you think he would miss you, the most suspicious person? Yin Zhi saw Zhang Jue's arrogance and asked a question.

Zhang Cai and Zhang Dashan looked at each other. This elder dared to blackmail Zhang Jue!

Zhang Juan thought about the methods of the young emperor in the Forbidden City over the years, and couldn't help but swallowed secretly and said: Do you have another secret plan?

Wang Yue's rebellion back then was able to stir up the whole Jiangnan. Do you know why? Yin Zhi met Zhang Jue's gaze and asked another question.

Zhang Juan's whole body was trembling, his tone changed slightly and he said: Shang Fang's sword?

Wang Yue was originally a man who was marginalized by the officialdom and was relegated to Anlu Prefecture. The reason why he was able to kill from Huguang to Yangzhou was because of the unreasonable Shang Fang sword.

Although he is a fourth-rank imperial censor of the Du Cha Yuan, he is actually nothing in front of Shang Fang's sword.

You are a smart man. There is no need to let me surrender before I have murderous intentions. That would not end well for us! Yin Zhi did not answer directly, but warned lightly.

Zhang Cai heard Yin Zhi's argument and found that every pavilion elder should not be underestimated.

Zhang Jun was sweating profusely, but he grasped the last straw and said: You... you have Shang Fang's sword, but I am loyal to my duty, and you... you have no right to kill me!

Not to mention the grass carp you brought from the West Lake and the century-old Shaoxing Huadiao drinks, it cost a hundred taels just to invite the top brand in Hangzhou. How can a governor afford this kind of expenditure? Just now in front of me, you said to me personally The emperor is disrespectful, even if I kill you, it is still an act of loyalty! Yin Zhi glanced at the fine wine and food on the table, but his expression suddenly changed.

this……

Zhang Jun has always been very cautious in his actions, but he didn't want to reveal such a big flaw here.

Since ancient times, the word loyalty has been valued. Not to mention that Yin Zhi was a favorite of the emperor, but he had just been beheaded for uttering arrogant words and had nowhere to complain.

But this can't be blamed on him. After all, who would have thought that a high-ranking cabinet minister would be sent to Jiangnan by the emperor without hearing any news.

It happened that he had just drank some wine, and when Yin Zhi, who had been fired, dared to scold him in person, he couldn't help but mock him.

Fortunately now, it was this small mistake that caused him to fall into a place of eternal destruction, and even faced the risk of his life.

I know that the officialdom in Zhejiang is very deep. Even if I am a cabinet minister, not everyone is afraid of me! It doesn't matter whether you recruit me today or not. I just want to use your head to scare the officialdom in Zhejiang. , let people know that I am not a pedantic person, let alone a kind person! Yin Zhi changed the subject and revealed his plan.

In the past, he really wanted to be a pavilion elder with both fame and fortune, but after all these years of experience and seeing the true situation of local officialdom, he already had another plan.

Everyone said that Wang Yue was the king who beheaded, but little did they know that only Wang Yue could bring justice to all the people in the world.

Originally, he only thought that the problem in Jiangsu and Zhejiang was due to defiance of the imperial court's ban on silver. Only when he got here did he realize that if control was not carried out, the imperial court's strategic goal of developing maritime trade would be aborted.

The best thing to do now is to learn from Wang Yue's example, quickly establish a foothold in Jiangsu and Zhejiang through quick and chaotic killings, and then slowly implement administrative orders.

Zhang Juan felt the threat of death, but said in horror: You...you want to use my head to shock Zhejiang officialdom?

Zhang Juan, you are a smart man. Don't you think you are just right for the role of governor? Yin Zhi waved his hand gently, already making a decision in his heart.

Gu...

When Zhao Fu saw his teacher so determined to kill someone, he suddenly found that his teacher had changed so much that he even felt a little strange.

Just thinking about what I have done since taking office, I can't help but feel a panic in my heart. Will I be used by my teacher to scare the monkeys?

Zhang Juan knew that he was indeed the best candidate to sacrifice the flag, and he suddenly felt a strong desire to survive and said: Mr. Yin Ge, please spare my life!

Why? Yin Zhi asked jokingly, knowing that the smarter the person, the more greedy and fearful he is.

Zhang Jun is a smart man, and he quickly thought of the possibility of survival and said: I...I have important information, please be merciful!

What information? Yin Zhi knew that Zhang Jun must know some inside information, and he was also a little interested.

Zhang Jun immediately searched his mind, but suddenly caught important information and said: The gold ship in Luzon was robbed, and the matter is related to Jiangnan Company!

This is not enough! Even if you don't say it, we already know that it is inseparable from Jiangnan Company! Yin Zhi shook his head gently.

Zhang Jun raised his heart and showed his last trump card: You must be here to clean up Zhejiang's officialdom. I...I can give you a list of all corrupt officials!

As soon as these words came out, Zhejiang was destined to start a bloody storm. (End of chapter)