In fact, not only the Gu family was panicked, but all the noble families in Tokyo were affected by the Dali Temple's operation, and they were all trying desperately to get their children out of prison.
The eldest lady of the Earl's Palace of Yongchang thought that she could get closer to the Sheng family, so she hurried to the Sheng family to ask for an audience with Sheng Hong, but she was rejected just like Ningyuan Marquis Gu Yankai.
Not being able to see the newly appointed young minister of Dali Temple, Sheng Hong, Gu Yankai walked away angrily. He arrogantly believed that this was because Sheng Hong was overestimating his abilities.
Gu Yankai thought that he, the dignified Marquis Ningyuan, came to visit him in person, but was turned away by Sheng Hong. He felt very humiliated.
However, after the eldest lady of Yongchang Earl's Mansion was rejected, she did not leave directly. Instead, she entered the inner house and followed the route of Wang Ruofu, the eldest lady of the Sheng family.
"Madam of the Sheng family, I have long heard that your Sheng family has moved to Tokyo Prefecture.
I have always wanted to come and visit the eldest lady and the old lady, but I just have time today!"
"Haha, Madam Earl, you are so polite!
From now on, our Sheng family will be in Tokyo City, and the Count's wife can come to our Sheng family as she pleases!"
Wang Ruofu found that ever since he entered Tokyo Prefecture, he and the Sheng family had been ostracized by the nobles in Tokyo.
“Then it’s settled!
I will come more often from now on, Madam Sheng, please don’t find it annoying!"
"Where is the count's wife? Absolutely not!"
"I heard that the eldest daughter of your Sheng family is virtuous and virtuous. I want to bring my sixth son, Liang Han, to propose marriage. What do you think, Madam?"
Hearing that the eldest wife of Count Yongchang suddenly proposed marriage to the Sheng family, Wang Ruofu suddenly showed an expression of surprise. Ever since the eldest daughter Hua Lan was divorced by Count Zhongqin's mansion, she had been hiding in her room and feeling unhappy.
When the surprised Wang Ruofu wanted to agree directly, Mother Liu coughed quickly as a reminder to the eldest lady Wang Ruofu.
After hearing Mother Liu's reminder, Wang Ruofu realized that he had not discussed it with Sheng Hong, and then said with an embarrassed look, "Madam Earl, for such a big matter, I have to wait until my officials come back before I discuss it with you.
Let him discuss it!"
"Haha, that's fine!" The eldest lady of Yongchang Earl's Mansion glanced meaningfully at Mother Liu standing aside.
...
Seeing Sheng Hong coming back, Wang Ruofu, the eldest lady, quickly explained with joy on her face, "Sir, today the eldest lady of the Earl of Yongchang's Palace came to our Sheng family in person to propose to marry Hua Lan!"
"Oh? Which young master of her family is she proposing to marry?" Sheng Hong was also a little surprised.
"Huh? It seems to be Liang Han, the sixth young master of the Earl's Palace of Yongchang!" Wang Ruofu, the eldest lady, was a little unsure and quickly looked at Mother Liu aside, "Mother Liu, is this the sixth young master Liang Han, right?"
"Yes! Madam!"
"Hmph! Liang Han, the sixth son of the Earl of Yongchang, is currently being held in the Dali Temple Prison!
Madam, do you think she is really here to propose marriage?"
"Ah? How could this happen? Has this Liang Han committed any crime?"
"The charges are not big, they are just dispensable things!
I happened to catch up with this purge trend, and unfortunately I was caught by Dali Temple!
The most important thing is that the character of the sixth young master Liang Han is very low.
He is really not a good son-in-law who can be entrusted with him for life!"
"Ah? How did the officials know about Liang Han's character problem?"
"Liang Han has kept many concubines in his house. Not satisfied with this, he still likes to hang out in Fireworks Willow Alley!
Madam, do you think you can have such a son-in-law?
As for how I know, you don't need to know.
Just remember I know a lot of secret things!"
"Also, I have already decided on Hua Lan's marriage with a family that is more suitable for her. Madam, don't worry about it anymore!"
...
Seeing that the problem could not be solved with Sheng Hong, Gu Yankai wrote a memorial to impeach Sheng Hong as soon as he returned to Ningyuan Hou Mansion.
There were many nobles and officials who chose to impeach Sheng Hong, and they all unanimously described Sheng Hong as a heinous and stupid official.
Even the Earl of Yongchang, who wanted to marry the Sheng family, was secretly impeaching Sheng Hong and was determined to bring down Sheng Hong.
Seeing so many memorials impeaching Sheng Hong, the emperor was very surprised, and then asked Mr. Han, "Xiangong Han, is this Sheng Hong the same as Cheng Zhilang who proposed the locust disaster relief plan at the last court meeting?"
"Yes! Your Majesty!
Some time ago, Sheng Hong was transferred to the post of Shaoqing of Dali Temple!
Because recently some officials and noble disciples have been too immoral, so I put him in charge of rectifying the official atmosphere at Dali Temple!"
"Oh? I heard that Dali Temple arrested many noble disciples this time!
How are you and Mr. Gao going to deal with it?"
"Your Majesty, these noble men who were arrested did not commit serious crimes.
I only wanted to arrest them this time to warn them!
Therefore, I discussed with Mr. Gao Da and handed it over directly to Dali Temple!"
"Well! I also want to see how this Sheng Hong will deal with these noble children with bad conduct."
...
Although the memorial to impeach Sheng Hong appeared in front of the Grand Prime Minister and the Emperor every day, because they had already made a plan, they never published it.
A month passed like this, and the noble disciples were suffering in the prison of Dali Temple, where life was worse than death.
Seeing that after such a long time, the Prime Minister did not care about the matter, and Sheng Hong's superior leader, the Minister of Dali Temple, was also sick at home, Sheng Hong realized that they were all concerned about this matter.
Don't ask anymore.
After understanding the meaning of his superiors, Sheng Hong smiled nonchalantly, and then punished the captured noble disciples.
Every morning for a month, the streets were cleaned on the only way for the court ministers to go to court.
As for the noble disciples who are unwilling to accept punishment, they still need to stay in the Dali Temple Prison for another month.
The noble disciple who could let go of his face reluctantly accepted the punishment, got up obediently in the early morning, and went to clean the streets.
Some, like Yuan Wenshao of Earl Zhongqin's Mansion, who wanted to save face and suffer punishment, chose to stay in prison for a month.
Sheng Hong didn't care about their respective choices and still fulfilled his punishment.
The ministers and workers of the Zhou Dynasty who went to court every day were shocked and dumbfounded when they saw these noble sons sweeping the streets. Some dignitaries who felt that they had been humiliated became even more angry.
Then the memorials to impeach Sheng Hong were sent to the palace every day like snowflakes.
When the emperor saw Sheng Hong's punishment, he was shocked and speechless. It was not until this moment that he truly understood why the ministers of the Zhou Dynasty rejected Sheng Hong so much.
The emperor is well aware of the arrogance and domineering behavior of the noble sons. Recently, they have begun to interfere in the establishment of royal heirs. This has touched the emperor's bottom line.
Now that Sheng Hong is punishing these noble disciples like this, the emperor is also happy to see the result. At least he will make these noble disciples honest for a period of time.
The emperor was very satisfied with Sheng Hong's ability to do things, and suddenly had the idea of promoting him, just in time to convey his intentions as an emperor to the ministers of the Great Zhou Dynasty.