"Xu Jie, get out!"
"Tan Lun is suspected of plotting rebellion. Xu Jie, come out and answer!"
"The Great Ming is doomed. Does Xu Jie care?"
"Get out!"
"We're going to break down the door!"
Amidst the shouting, the gate of Xu Jie's mansion remained shut.
Many officials had dropped off along the way, but over a thousand people still remained, all dressed in official robes and fine silks. Yet, as they shouted, they sounded no different from ordinary townsfolk. Many commoners blocked the alleys to watch, completely unaware of what was happening. The patrolling yamen runners, seeing nothing but official uniforms, dared not intervene.
Xu Jie was the Second Grand Secretary. Although the cabinet had become a mere formality after the Crown Prince assumed regency, his years of authority were still felt. While the officials clamored, no one dared to break down the door. And everyone could clearly hear: the mansion was not empty; Xu Jie's household guards were lurking behind.
Just then, Ge Shouli and Bai Qichang arrived. After watching for a while, Ge Shouli whispered, "Old Bai, this won't do. We need to stir things up a bit."
Bai Qichang, having just completed his earlier task, found this affair quite amusing. He chuckled, "Watch me."
He immediately squeezed into the crowd. As the officials were clamoring, he suddenly shouted, "Throw fire!"
"Burn the old fox out!"
*Boom!*
The words instantly reminded everyone – "Right!"
"Burn the old fox!"
"Let's throw fire!"
"See if Xu Jie will come out?"
These people were quick. Some lit fire starters, others bought lamp oil from nearby and poured it in with a splash.
It was the dry season, with withered grass and fallen leaves littering the grounds within the mansion. Though separated by high walls, the crowd soon saw wisps of thick smoke rising from inside.
Hahaha!
Hahaha!
The crowd burst into laughter, completely forgetting their earlier humiliation at Jianji Hall.
The tactic was effective. Before long, with a creak, the gate opened. Many household guards armed with clubs stood at the entrance. A refined scholar, Li Chunfang, walked out slowly.
Li Chunfang was known for his amiable nature. The officials, mindful of his kindness, were momentarily speechless.
Li Chunfang surveyed the crowd with a sigh. "Look at yourselves, what kind of spectacle are you making? Never mind not wearing official robes; you are all in official attire, yet you behave like ruffians. With so many commoners watching, what kind of decorum is this?!"
The officials were already worked up, having been swept along in the momentum. Li Chunfang's words made many feel ashamed. Recalling their laughter just moments ago while setting fire to the mansion, they now felt it was inexplicably foolish.
But while some felt shame, others were truly vicious. Someone shouted, "Li Chunfang! Don't meddle in other people's affairs! Call Xu Jie out!"
"Call Xu Jie out!"
"Li Chunfang, don't pretend to be a good person!"
""
Even with his good temper, Li Chunfang was now angered. He shouted, "The court has its own order. If you do not disperse, even if you are right, you will be in the wrong!"
Ha!
What a joke!
Many shouted, "The Crown Prince beat officials. Where is righteousness? Where were you then? And now you come out to play the sage?"
"Righteousness? What a load of crap!"
"Li Chunfang, don't humiliate yourself!"
"Call Xu Jie out!"
"Charge in!"
"Charge in and drag Xu Jie out!"
""
Wherever a crowd gathers, regardless of its composition, they all behave similarly. At this moment, many were in a frenzy and started climbing the steps, pushing towards the wall of guards. Most of Xu Jie's household guards were honest men handpicked by him, and they were unable to resist, being pushed back into the mansion.
Meanwhile, Xu Jie was in the inner hall. Even with his usual skill in self-preservation, he was somewhat frightened by people storming his home. Moreover, the lamp oil and fire starters had been thrown in and ignited, requiring the guards considerable effort to extinguish. The thought of them setting fire to his residence made him want to stomp his feet in anxiety.
Censor Zou Yinglong was also present and advised, "Grand Secretary, you must not go out. Elder Li is gentle and will surely persuade them... If you go out, what if they take you hostage?"
"Hostage? Hmph! I doubt they would dare. I am the Second Grand Secretary, and the Jiangyou rebellion case has nothing to do with me. How could they take me hostage?"
Xu Jie thought that someone must be diverting blame and remained indignant.
Zou Yinglong, a man of considerable shrewdness, whispered, "Grand Secretary, the household guards went to the palace this morning. Those imperial officials said Tan Lun also bears responsibility, accusing him of intentionally allowing bandits to cause chaos..."
Ah?
Xu Jie was stunned for a moment – Tan Lun had clearly controlled the situation, yet now he was accused of allowing bandits to cause chaos? With their framing, Tan Lun and Zhao Zhenji were indeed watching from the sidelines, but Tan Lun was the Governor-General, and Zhao Zhenji was also a minister involved in the Jiangnan reforms. If investigated closely, they might indeed bear some responsibility. *Hoo*... He sighed deeply and made up his mind. "Yunqing, there's no need to persuade me further. Since they've brought up Tan Lun and accused him of allowing bandits to cause chaos, I can no longer stand aside... These people are all successful candidates from two examinations. They shouldn't do anything to me."
Zou Yinglong, who had spent half his life in the lower ranks, had no faith in successful candidates from two examinations. Even those could be scoundrels! He immediately said, "Grand Secretary Xu, this is unwise! Today's events are unusual. The Yan family is plotting misconduct!"
Xu Jie was once again taken aback. Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine – Right!
If the Yan family caused such a commotion, it was naturally with a deep purpose, to force the Emperor to speak out. With this thought, he retracted the step he had taken.
But at that moment, with a *boom*, a large group of people surged past the screen wall in the front courtyard. Although the household guards tried to block them, they were pushed back continuously.
"Xu Jie! Come out quickly!"
"Xu Jie, come out and speak!"
"The Jiangyou rebellion case, Xu Jie must give the officials an explanation!"
"Charge in!"
"Charge!"
""
Xu Jie, who feared chaos most in his life, felt his head swell and his vision blur. He forcibly calmed his blood and strode out, shouting, "Do you have any sense of propriety left? Is there no law in the Great Ming?"
Hiss!
The forty to fifty people who had surged in were instantly stunned.
It must be understood that in the Great Ming, propriety and law were still taken very seriously. If a person of high status did not mention it, it was fine, but if they seriously addressed it, one could be immediately prosecuted. Especially between superiors and subordinates, "loss of propriety" was a charge with significant weight.
Seeing that the situation had been brought under control, Xu Jie snorted and said slowly, "What are you making such a fuss about? The Jiangyou rebellion case has already been decided by Grand Secretary Chen and the Crown Prince, and the verdict will be issued to Jiangyou soon. If you make such a scene, will the matters in Jiangyou ever end?"
He continued, "The evidence is conclusive, the facts are clear, and the decree of the Crown Prince, who is supervising the country, is as heavy as a mountain. The case is naturally obvious! Where are there so many appeals? You must know that rebellion is no trivial matter! How can shouting about a rebellion case all over the world benefit you?"
The crowd naturally understood the crux of the issue, but the problem was: since the Crown Prince assumed regency, the Grand Secretaries had all been sidelined, and along with them, many officials lost their patrons. In the capital, Yin Shi and Fan Yingqi's associates walked with impunity, while the former patrons and their proteges walked with their tails tucked. Many were also deeply in debt and accustomed to a life of leisurely enjoyment. They truly could not endure this harsh life.
Therefore, although this commotion was said to be instigated by Yan Shifan, it was also a manifestation of the accumulated resentment of many officials. They wished to restore the cabinet so that everyone could return to their proper places and continue their lives.
At this moment, although Xu Jie's words were reasonable and showed understanding for the officials, the circumstances forced them to act stubbornly and pretend to be unyielding. The reason the Yan faction in the crowd pushed forward was not to listen to a lecture. At this point, someone shouted, "Xu Jie, don't play dumb! The Great Ming is about to fall. You are a Grand Secretary and are involved in this major case. You must give the officials an explanation, and the world an explanation!"
*Boom!*
Xu Jie's head felt like it would explode, and he angrily retorted, "The Crown Prince is supervising the country now, and the Privy Council is temporarily acting as the cabinet. Go find Chen Yiqin! I cannot manage it!"
As soon as he said this, the crowd naturally erupted – "Bah!"
"Don't try to watch from the sidelines!"
"Today's court reprimand did not spare a single one of your proteges!"
"You, on the other hand, are staying cool and comfortable!"
"It's not that easy!"
The instigation by the Yan family members in the crowd indeed struck a raw nerve among the officials. The officials hated hypocrisy the most – those who avoided dirty work but rushed to grab benefits. Such people were the most detestable.
Xu Jie was secretly regretting his words when, as expected, someone uttered the most terrifying phrase – "We want to restore the cabinet! We ask Grand Secretary Xu to preside over the grand plan!"
*Boom!*
As this was said, the officials felt a sense of clarity, as if a fog had lifted, and they all responded in unison – "We ask Grand Secretary Xu to preside over the grand plan!"
"Restore the cabinet!"
"We ask Grand Secretary Xu to lead the cabinet and purge the evil of 'clearing the emperor's surroundings'!"
"Grand Secretary Xu is the pillar of the Great Ming!"