Those Things in the Ming Dynasty Part 3 The Enchanting Court _ Chapter 2 The Hidden Enemy
It is one of the glorious traditions of Chinese civilization to deal with foreign enemies and fight internally immediately. Soon, the members of the Returning Corps consciously followed this tradition and started a vigorous internal struggle.
It's a bit funny to say that the cause of the struggle is not the uneven distribution of the spoils, but the disharmony of personalities. Because Xu Youzhen is a compound talent with ideals, no morals, no culture, no discipline. Although he is evil-minded and cruel, he still has a thick skin.
Those who want to do something have a pursuit.
But these two brothers, Shi Heng and Cao Jixiang, have nothing but ambition and greed. If bad guys can be divided into grades, Xu Youzhen is a tasteful bad guy, while Shi Heng and Cao Jixiang are the scum among bad guys.
Husbands and wives can get divorced if they have bad personalities, but there is only one outcome for politicians who have bad personalities - life or death.
Thus, the fight between the bad guys begins.
Your quality is too low!
The conflict between Xu Youzhen and Shi Heng and Cao Jixiang began not long after the incident. They were originally grasshoppers on a rope and had a good relationship. But after they became successful, Xu Youzhen discovered that the qualities of his two associates
It's really too low.
After Xu Youzhen entered the cabinet, he began to manage national affairs and was busy handling various affairs every day. After all, he was still a man with pursuits, but Shi Heng and Cao Jixiang were completely different. After they became prosperous, they were only keen on doing one thing -
Corruption and bribery, not only that, they also constantly placed their own people in the court to confuse the court.
For example, Comrade Shi Heng made multiple reports to Zhu Qizhen, requesting rewards for those who had meritorious service. There were as many as 4,000 people before and after! God knows where these people came from. It is estimated that he could not even cook in his own kitchen that night.
The old woman who provides food (she must have effectively ensured the logistics supply) is also included in the calculation.
Cao Jixiang was not to be outdone. His adopted son, nephews, and even relatives who were beyond his reach, such as his aunts and wives, were all appointed officials, which is astonishing.
Every time Xu Youzhen sees such a smoky scene, she can't help but feel ashamed:
How did I get together with these people back then? What kind of qualities did I have?
Although I am a conspirator, those two brothers can only be regarded as two gangsters at best. It would be really embarrassing if I continue to hang out with them.
Having made up his mind, Xu Youzhen began to keep a distance from Cao and Shi, and would not say hello when they met. He wanted to establish his own glorious image.
Shi Heng and Cao Jixiang finally discovered that this highly educated man wanted to get out of the boat and break with them.
If you want to break up, just break up, I'm afraid you won't succeed!
In May of the first year of Tianshun (1457), the first internal fight among the returning regiments officially began.
On this day, Xu Youzhen, Cao Jixiang and others were discussing matters in the court. Zhu Qizhen suddenly took out a memorial and read it out in public. The content was as follows: Cao Jixiang, Shi Heng and others were corrupt, accepted bribes, were tyrannical, and deceived their superiors.
Below, dissenters should be excluded and punished.
Mr. Cao Jixiang was confused at that time. He was at a loss and opened his mouth to defend, but he didn't know what to say.
Zhu Qizhen did not look at him, but smiled and said to Xu Youzhen: "It is a blessing for the country that the censor dares to speak out."
Xu Youzhen glanced at the embarrassed Cao Jixiang and smiled.
The author of this memorial is Yang Xuan, the imperial censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, who is a small person. According to the first law of thick and black politics, if a small person dares to impeach a big leader, and excluding the factors of personal insanity, the only conclusion is that someone instigated it.
Even if I don’t mention the person who instigated him, everyone will know, it was Xu Youzhen.
The decline of Xu Youzhen
Xu Youzhen ignored the embarrassed Cao Jixiang and walked out of the hall triumphantly. He had every reason to be proud. As the chief minister of the cabinet, he was able to mobilize all the resources of the civil service group to fight against his enemies. He had countless thugs (yanguan)
, in his opinion, this is a war without suspense.
But he was wrong.
Because his opponent was the only mortal enemy in the history of the Ming Dynasty that could compete with the civil servant group - the eunuch group.
Having said that, the eunuch group at that time did not have much power, and it was difficult for Cao Jixiang, the Supervisor of Ceremonies, to confront Xu Youzhen, the chief minister of the cabinet.
In order to deal with Xu Youzhen, Cao Jixiang thought hard all day, and his hard work paid off. After a long period of business research, he finally discovered Xu Youzhen's flaw, and came up with a brilliant idea.
One day not long after, Cao Jixiang went to the palace to see Zhu Qizhen. The monarch and his ministers were chatting in a harmonious atmosphere. Suddenly, Cao Jixiang changed the topic and seemed to talk about an incident in the palace easily. He talked about it with gusto, but his
However, the face of the person he was talking to, Zhu Qizhen, suddenly changed and he was shocked.
Why does such a scene occur?
Because Zhu Qizhen knew very well that he had only told one person about this matter - Xu Youzhen.
So he eagerly interrupted Cao Jixiang and asked him how he knew.
"Xu Youzhen told me (accepting it)."
Then Cao Jixiang added with a questioning expression:
"Isn't it clear, Your Majesty? Everyone outside knows it!"
This sentence also announced Xu Youzhen's ending: he was completely finished.
Betrayal and leaking secrets were absolutely intolerable to the emperor. Since then, Zhu Qizhen gradually distanced himself from Xu Youzhen and no longer regarded him as his confidant.
Xu Youzhen was also confused. After much thought, he didn't understand how he had offended the emperor and received such a cold reception. Facing Zhu Qizhen's cold eyes, he had no way to defend himself.
Cao Jixiang won. He finally achieved his goal and gave Xu Youzhen a beautiful counterattack. Of course Xu Youzhen would not tell him those secret things, so how did he know the content of the conversation?
The secret of this trick is that when Xu Youzhen entered the palace to see Zhu Qizhen, it was true that only two of them were talking, but there were three people listening, and the extra observer was the eunuch.
These emperor's personal eunuchs were instructed by Cao Jixiang to tell him the content of each conversation, and then Cao Jixiang would inadvertently say these things that only heaven and earth would know, shaping Xu Youzhen into a treacherous official who did not know what to say.
.
Cao Jixiang was very proud and celebrated with Shi Heng. From then on, he became even more domineering. No wonder, it was his turn, but what Cao Jixiang didn't expect was that he was not the only one who was proud of this victory. There was another person who was secretly celebrating.
own victory.
The Hidden One's Plot
What Cao Jixiang and Shi Heng didn't know was that Xu Youzhen was not the only one who planned the impeachment in May. The actual organizer of the attack was another person - Li Xian.
In Xu Youzhen's view, this person named Li Xian was promoted by him and was absolutely loyal to him. In fact, this person was indeed extremely smart and capable and could help Xu Youzhen very much (historical records: quite a lot).
Therefore, he and Li Xian jointly planned the attack on Cao, Shi and others, and achieved certain results. This also made Xu Youzhen more convinced that Li Xian was an extremely reliable person.
But what Xu Youzhen didn't know was that in addition to being his subordinate and confidant, Mr. Li Xian was also an outstanding social activist who liked to make friends, and one of his friends was named Shi Heng.
The relationship between Li Xian and Shi Heng was already very harmonious long before Xu Youzhen attracted him. Shi Heng once persuaded Li Xian to participate in the conspiracy to seize the throne, but Li Xian refused. Later, Wang Zhi, the Minister of Personnel, retired, and his successor, Wang Ao, was also a very famous person.
People from his background did not buy Shi Heng's account at all. Shi Heng was very dissatisfied, so he privately expressed to Li Xian, who was then the minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, that he was ready to drive away the current disobedient minister and let him take over.
The Ministry of Personnel is the head of the six departments. The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is called the Heavenly Official and has a prominent position. Shi Heng was willing to give this position to Li Xian. This shows that in Shi Heng's eyes, Li Xian was also "one of his own."
However, to Shi Heng's surprise, Li Xian refused. He humbly said that he was not capable of taking on such a big responsibility and it was better to let Yuan Shangshu stay in his post.
Li Xian's move made Shi Heng deeply moved. In his opinion, Li Xian was different from others. Not only did he not strive for fame and fortune, he didn't even want high-ranking officials. He was really a rare talent. He couldn't help but admire Li Xian.
I feel a little more favorable.
But what Shi Heng never expected was that the reason why Li Xian rejected his kindness was because he had a deeper conspiracy. In order to realize this conspiracy, he had made a careful plan and was secretly watching his prey, ready to attack at any time.
That fatal blow.
On his prey list, there are three names: Xu Youzhen, Shi Heng, and Cao Jixiang.
Xu Youzhen had been alienated by the emperor, but he did not understand his situation. He still regarded himself as the first assistant every day and did not take Cao Jixiang and Shi Heng seriously. This also made the contradiction between them more and more serious.
The last time he instigated the censor to impeach Xu Youzhen also tasted the sweetness, so he decided to do it again.
This time he found Zhang Peng, the censor, and collected a large amount of evidence of Shi Heng and Cao Jixiang's illegal acts, and prepared to impeach Zhu Qizhen. As before, he still discussed with Li Xian and arranged specific action steps.
Xu Youzhen's cleverness finally came to an end. The emperor no longer trusted him, but he had no self-awareness. But the strange thing is that although Xu Youzhen did not understand the secrets, Li Xian did, but instead of stopping Xu Youzhen's behavior, he actively
Participating in the planning also made Xu Youzhen feel more cordial.
Because Li Xian knew that the first step of his plan was about to come true, and soon he would cross a person's name off his list.
Xu Youzhen took action. He ordered Zhang Peng to submit a letter to the emperor to impeach Shi Heng. This was a good time, because Shi Heng was out on an expedition at the moment, so he could defeat Cao and Shi respectively. This plan was indeed good, but he did not expect it.
It turns out that my plan went bankrupt before it was even implemented.
Shi Heng was not a fool. He had already arranged for his spies among the officials. The day before Zhang Peng was about to submit the letter, he had already received the news and rushed back overnight to find Cao Jixiang to discuss countermeasures.
Cao Jixiang told Shi Heng that the matter of filing a complaint was already a certainty and could not be changed, but as long as you and I come into the palace to do one thing, I will keep you and me safe tomorrow.
Then he led Shi Heng into the palace to meet Zhu Qizhen. Before the emperor could recover, Cao Jixiang winked at Shi Heng and began to do what they had agreed upon in advance - cry bitterly.
Seeing the two men in front of him with runny noses and tears falling down together, Zhu Qizhen was at a loss and quickly asked what happened. Cao Jixiang said sadly: "Yushi Zhang Peng was instigated by someone to kill us two. We have no choice.
We can only ask the Emperor to make the decision for us!"
Zhu Qizhen didn't have any big reaction after hearing this. After all, this was a conflict between ministers and had nothing to do with him. So he behaved very calmly.
However, Shi Heng said something next, and it was this sentence that touched him and ultimately decided Xu Youzhen's ending:
"How dare a censor do this (An Gan'er)? The cabinet now has exclusive power and cannot tolerate us!"
Autocratic power?
Yes, that is exclusive power.
Shi Heng's unintentional words hit Zhu Qizhen's Achilles' heel. He may be a good person, or he may be a generous person, but if anyone dares to touch his power, even the King of Heaven will not discuss it!
Zhu Qizhen decided to take action. He wanted to use practical actions to show his authority and tell everyone that he was the ruler of this empire.
Early the next morning, Zhu Qizhen ordered the detention of Zhang Peng and Yang Xuan, who had submitted a letter before, pointing the finger directly at Xu Youzhen.
At this time, Shi Heng had learned that Li Xian was also one of the planners of the attack on him. He was very surprised and angry, and decided to kill Li Xian and Xu Youzhen together. After that, he continued to attack the two in front of the emperor,
In the end, Zhu Qizhen made up his mind and put Xu Youzhen and Li Xian in prison.
Xu Youzhen was completely finished. He was imprisoned in the prison where Yu Qian had been. He sighed all day long and reflected on himself in the dark and damp cell. Everything seemed like a dream. He was clever and bold, and finally defeated Yu Qian.
, but he was only happy for four months before he became a prisoner. For him, life has come to an end.
But Li Xian, who was also in prison, had a clear mind. In fact, he was the only winner in this struggle. He tried his best to assist Xu Youzhen and used Xu Youzhen's power to attack Shi Heng and Cao Jixiang. In addition, he also fully
Xu Youzhen acted as a shield and avoided the counterattack of Shi Heng and others.
But now it seems that he still miscalculated. After all, he was also imprisoned. What awaits him is an unknown fate, beheading, exile, or exile?
But Li Xian didn't panic at all. He had expected this day to come, and he had been preparing for it for a long time.
Soon after, the punishment was decided, and the emperor finally showed mercy. Xu Youzhen was demoted to participate in politics in Guangdong, and Li Xian was demoted to participate in politics in Fujian. These two places were remote areas at the time, which was considered a decent deal.
Xu Youzhen, who walked out of the cell, looked up at the long-lost sky and breathed a sigh of relief. No matter what, his life was saved. But deep down in his heart, he still felt sorry for one person, and that person was Li Xian.
In Xu Youzhen’s opinion, Li Xian is
His close comrade-in-arms was also in this situation because of him, so before leaving, he specifically found Li Xian and told him apologetically that things had reached this point. He really didn't expect that he would have to go on his own way and leave now.
The capital city has no choice but to take care of itself.
Li Xian's reaction was unexpected. He was not depressed at all. Instead, he talked to Xu Youzhen very politely, saying that he didn't care. After the conversation, he personally sent him out the door.
Xu Youzhen left with guilt. Looking at his leaving figure, Li Xian smiled.
"Xu Youzhen, you are the only one who has to leave."
Li Xian’s true face
Xu Youzhen went to Guangdong honestly, but Li Xian did not, because just before departure, an unexpected person stood up and spoke.
This person was Wang Ao, the Minister of Civil Affairs who was almost dismissed from office. At this critical moment, he stepped forward to intercede for Li Xian who was about to travel. With his vigorous lobbying, Zhu Qizhen finally granted the favor.
The case was resolved, leaving Li Xian in the capital, and soon restored him to his position as Minister of Civil Affairs.
The answer was finally revealed.
Li Xian did not exclude Wang Ao and did not serve as Minister of Civil Affairs, just to welcome this day. Because he needed Wang Ao's help.
Xu Youzhen was extremely smart and believed that Li Xian was his confidant, but he was wrong.
Shi Heng had a high position and promised Li Xian an official position, thinking that he could win over him, but he was also wrong.
They all thought that this man named Li Xian would obediently listen to them and do things for them, but they never thought that in Li Xian's eyes, they were just prey.
He could have joined the Returning Corps, become a high official, and received a generous salary, but he did not do so. During the days when the Returning Corps was raging, he quietly hid himself, learned the tactics and tricks from those conspirators, and finally
Use these weapons to defeat them. But why does he do this?
From his subsequent words and deeds, we can find the answer: justice.
Xu Youzhen is not Li Xian's friend, Shi Heng is not Li Xian's friend, and even Wang Ao is not his friend. Li Xian deals with these people and seems to be an unpredictable person, but in my opinion
, he also has a real friend, this friend's name is Yu Qian.
In fact, Li Xian and Yu Qian did not have close contacts, and there were political differences between them. On the issue of succession, Li Xian advocated Zhu Qizhen's restoration, while Yu Qian seemed not to be interested in the emperor, but advocated that he should
His son Zhu Jianshen succeeded to the throne.
Because of their different political views, the relationship between the two was relatively cold for a time. However, during the vigorous defense battle of Beijing, Li Xian was completely impressed by this man who stepped forward to save the country from danger. His courage and tenacity, integrity and integrity
Li Xian was deeply impressed by his integrity.
Li Xian, who had been in official circles for many years, was moved. For the first time, he realized that in this dirty place, there were still people like Yu Qian who were brave enough to do their jobs and upright.
But in an instant, the situation suddenly changed, and those so-called speculators and the Home Return Group suddenly appeared, causing chaos in the government, and unjustly killed Yu Qian, who had devoted himself to the country.
On the day Yu Qian was killed, Li Xian made an important decision in his life. He wanted to seek justice for this man who had devoted everything to the country.
He did not stand up and openly oppose the evil deeds of those people, because he knew that it was useless. If he wanted to defeat those evil villains, he must be more cunning and more powerful than them. He hid himself quietly and carefully
Observe the opponent's movements and use the conflicts between them to defeat them one by one.
In such a dangerous environment, he gradually became mature and alert. Although he had experienced hardships and found himself in unexpected situations, he never gave up his faith.
Now that he finally got rid of Xu Youzhen, it was the second person's turn.
Xu Youzhen’s final ending
As the saying goes: Feng Shui takes turns, and it will come to your house next year. Xu Youzhen should have a deep understanding of this sentence. Just four months ago, when he was in power, he put Yu Qian in jail but still refused to give up. He must be put in
Death. But he never expected that this situation would be applied to him unchanged.
He was desperate and just wanted to go to Guangdong to be a poverty alleviation cadre. However, Shi Heng insisted that the status of a prisoner was more suitable for this dear man. So he mobilized officials to impeach Xu Youzhen, and went to Zhu Qizhen every day to make trouble.
The town was so annoyed by him, and he really disliked Xu Youzhen, that he sent people overnight to capture Xu Youzhen on the road.
Xu Youzhen, who entered the palace for the second time, was miserable. He once again returned to a familiar place - Jinyiwei Prison, and starred in the second part of "Prison Storm". Here, he reunited with the "friendly" guards.
, lived in a damp room every day, ate moldy prison food, and probably ate a lot of sap (Jinyiwei commander Menda was Shi Heng's man), and shed tears all day long.
But for Shi Heng, these were not enough. He must kill Xu Youzhen. Zhu Qizhen finally agreed to his request and planned to choose an auspicious day to bleed Xu Youzhen.
But just at this time, something happened in the capital that finally saved Xu Youzhen's life.
Just as the executioner was sharpening his knife at home, a heavy thunderstorm suddenly hit the capital. Many buildings were damaged by strong winds, and Shi Heng's house was flooded. The ancients always talked about auspiciousness in everything they did, and they had to check the almanac for weddings and funerals.
Murder is no exception. After such a big natural disaster, everyone is panicked and thinks it is unlucky to kill someone at this time. Xu Youzhen saved his life.
However, capital punishment can be avoided, while living crime cannot be spared. In the spirit of avoiding past mistakes and avoiding future mistakes, and treating illnesses and saving lives, Shi Heng considerately arranged for Xu Youzhen, who was already in her fifties, to join the army in Yunnan, so that she could use her remaining energy and realize her old age.
This is also a good arrangement. If Xu Youzhen is sent to Liaodong to join the army, he is likely to meet Jiang Yuan, who was sent to the army three months ago by himself, and become his comrade-in-arms. And according to the order of the recruits and veterans, he may
Xu Youzhen also wanted to help Jiang Yuan wash his socks.
After that, Xu Youzhen carried a spear for four years in that picturesque tourist resort. In the fourth year of Tianshun (1460), she was returned to her hometown of Suzhou, where she lived in espionage for more than ten years before finally dying.
Xu Youzhen was a Jinshi in the eighth year of Xuande (1433). He stayed in the officialdom for 16 years without any achievements. In the 14th year of Zhengtong (1449), he was teased and ridiculed because of a wrong sentence. He lived incognito for seven years. In January of the first year of Tianshun (1457)
After successful speculation, he became domineering and unjustly killed Yu Qian. Four months later, he was imprisoned and spared his death and was sent to Yunnan. Finally, he returned to his hometown and died amidst people's contempt and abuse.