Zhu Mo understood—
This was a complete frame-up!
It must have been ordered by Yin Zhengmao, that Zhang Gui must have been instructed to say it, perhaps even beaten, forcing him to follow the script. Once these words were spoken, the crime would be fully established: Zhu Mo's reforms had plunged the realm into chaos.
Because of these words, the gentry across the land could spread rumors with impunity, linking the establishment of Yangming School as official doctrine to the slave uprising in Jiangnan, and directing the blame squarely at Zhu Mo.
Xu Jie was right, there was truly no way out; this was a death trap. Because of these words, even those who wanted to help him could not, for this was an accusation of slave revolt and rebellion. Who would dare to get involved?
This was a confession, which should have been sent to the Ministry of Justice along with other case files. However, since the case involved sensitive matters and court officials, Yin Zhengmao’s reporting it to the Grand Secretariat via secret dispatch was perfectly reasonable.
However,
The situation had escalated so rapidly that it was entirely unexpected.
At this juncture, there was almost no recourse.
Only now did Zhu Mo deeply feel: feudal bureaucrats were too formidable, far exceeding imagination. Their lack of principles had reached extraordinary depths. Fighting them, no one had much chance of winning; perhaps it was lost from the start. Their insight was keen, their actions decisive, their tactics venomous, and their unified speed so swift, it completely surpassed his previous understanding of Ming Dynasty society. Though the power of the common people was emerging, it was still too weak, too marginalized. To turn the tide with this was now almost impossible. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
He left the Grand Secretariat disheartened, wanting to seek out Zhu Qi at Chaotian Temple, thinking that if Lord Li San and the old Daoist were still willing to help, there might be a glimmer of hope.
…
At the same time,
The Yan Residence.
Yan Shifan, holding a gazette, smiled at his retainers and laughed heartily:
"That Old Gao is truly ruthless! Haha, and that Old Yin is even more so! I was worried these Neo-Confucian purists couldn't get things done, but look! They're more ruthless than us!"
Yan Song ignored everyone, his head bowed over the gazette, and shook his head.
Luo Longwen chimed in, "Young Grand Secretary, this Old Gao is quite the actor. Your subordinate believes this confession was likely fabricated by that Old Yin, hehe. This move could spell Zhu Mo's doom…"
Upon hearing the mention of fabrication, everyone nodded.
Indeed,
It was obvious this was manufactured. Among those present, who hadn't done such a thing? Look at the questions, clearly designed to trap. If Zhang Gui hadn't said what was agreed upon, he would have been beaten to death. And once this statement was in the confession, the case would become a paramount one, and who would dare to intervene or speak up? This showed that Old Yin was utterly vicious, no less than Lai Junchen of old.
Yan Shifan chuckled sinisterly,
"Whether it was fabricated or real, in my opinion, if Zhu Mo continues, he'll reach this day sooner or later… Now that it has happened, it perfectly silences those who wanted to speak for Zhu Mo! I doubt any official or gentry in the realm will dare to utter a word… Announce it, spread it everywhere, let the world see what Zhu Mo is! He's inciting rebellion!"
Hahaha,
The group burst into laughter.
Yan Song, however, shook his head and said slowly,
"If this continues, it will become a major case of rebellion… We cannot be too careful. If it escalates, things will be different… You, all of you, who went to find Gao Suqing at that time? What was said then?"
His meaning was clear: Gao Gong's actions seemed to have exceeded the boundaries of their alliance; did he have other schemes?
This was the thought of the old fox, and everyone immediately grew serious.
Yan Maoqing replied earnestly,
"Esteemed Elder, I was the one who went to find Gao Gong… er, at the residence of his disciple, Wu Du. Wu Du is the Vice Commissioner of Ji Prefecture's Military Preparedness, assisting Yang Bo, er, I thought it would be safer… Gao Gong came in person, ostensibly to officiate the naming ceremony for Wu Du's youngest son, and happened to encounter your subordinate.
At the time, as per your and the Young Grand Secretary's wishes, I implied to Xu Jie that if he were to fall with Zhu Mo, Gao Gong would be the most suitable candidate for the position of Grand Secretary, with the Young Grand Secretary willing to withdraw. Gao Gong, at the time, looked up at the setting sun and said 'the sun sets, the journey is long,' and said no more. But the next day, I sent Ah Shou to his residence with a gift, a box of fox fur brushes, and he accepted it."
Mmm,
All of them were exceptionally intelligent and immediately understood—
"The sun sets, the journey is long" was a reference to Wu Zixu. Wu Zixu said, "My sun sets, my journey is long, thus I act against the current and go against the established order," and subsequently attacked the state of Chu, avenging his personal and public grievances. Gao Gong saying this, likening himself to Wu Zixu, had indicated his willingness to join the Yan family.
And the fox fur brush symbolized the brush of Dong Hu and the brush of Spring and Autumn, and also the brush of justice, the brush that seals the coffin and determines the verdict. Such exchanges between prominent figures naturally carried allusions. Gao Gong's acceptance meant he accepted the transaction.
However, these things could not be clearly stated, only implied, which created another layer of trouble—what exactly was Gao Gong thinking? It was truly unknown…
Yan Song sighed deeply and said leisurely,
"I have known Gao Suqing for over twenty years. He is an ambitious man, unlike Zhang Taiyue, who laid everything bare. He hides it… I believe we have gone far enough; Zhu Mo is finished… Maoqing, go find him again. Say nothing, just give him this…"
Saying this,
Yan Song took a box from his drawer. It was a jade Ruyi, palm-sized, clearly worth a fortune.
Yan Maoqing took it, his mind clear: the Ruyi signified that Gao Gong's appointment as Grand Secretary was settled. This was Yan Song's declaration, and also told him that the transaction was complete.
Yan Shifan pondered for a moment and murmured, "Father, I think Old Gao may not just want to be Grand Secretary, but might stab us in the back…?"
Yan Song gazed leisurely at the ice and snow outside the window, "Tell them all to be careful, stay vigilant… Gao Suqing's ruthlessness was unforeseen. We must be doubly cautious! I have always said, do not stand out, do not be high-profile. This time, the Yan family will not bear the banner…"
Soon,
The rumor that the "Nanxun rebels followed Zhu Mo to eradicate the Jiangnan gentry" began to spread from the taverns and teahouses in the capital. The Yan family, adept at manipulating public opinion for years, made no mistake this time. Within almost a single night, the rumors had swept through the capital.
…
At the same time,
In Jiangnan, Huzhou.
Hai Rui had been staying in the prefectural office for several days, not leaving for a moment.
With Zhang Juzheng's letter and the seal of the Minister of War in hand, he had taken up residence in the county yamen that very day, operating under the guise of preparing logistical support for the coastal defense against Japanese pirates.
Although Yin Zhengmao was the Surveillance Commissioner, Hai Rui held the seal of the Minister of War and Zhang Juzheng's order, making him a temporary official appointed by the Ministry of War, handling the crucial matter of military supplies for the anti-piracy campaign. Therefore, in Huzhou, no one could oppose him. There was no choice but to let Hai Rui take the lead, while he himself operated from a side hall.
Hai Rui was the most beloved by the people in the Great Ming, without exception. On his first day, he understood the situation—
The matter of forcing and humiliating the new bride was true, and the slave uprising was also true, but not as severe as portrayed. Such incidents were actually quite common. Since Emperor Yongle had reinstituted the registration of bondsmen, there had been many such events, occurring several times each year. However, what was different this time was that someone had seized upon it to make a political issue.
Though the six leaders had been executed, there were still forty to fifty people who had been personally present.
Over the past few days,
He had interrogated them one by one in the prison and confirmed—
The phrase "emulate the Taizu and abolish the master-slave system" did exist, but the phrase "followed Zhu Mo" did not. A few of the bolder ones directly stated they hadn't heard it at the time, while the timid ones said they hadn't clearly heard what Zhang Gui had shouted…
How many cases had Hai Rui handled? He could see at a glance that there had been collusion. And the instigator of the collusion was likely among Yin Zhengmao's close associates.
Zhang Juzheng's secret letter was insightful, instructing Hai Rui to do a few things immediately:
First, appease the populace;
This he had already done. The people of Huzhou also respected Hai Rui, and they dispersed that day, returning to their respective villages. However, Hai Rui knew that if anything happened again, these people would gather once more.
Second, prevent Yin Zhengmao from further executing the populace and dragging the case towards rebellion.
This he had also achieved. On the day of his arrival, Yin Zhengmao was indeed still severely interrogating the accused, using the prison break as a clue, and seeking to extract confessions to further inflate the case and frame Zhu Mo as the mastermind. The case was indeed heading towards a major rebellion.
One must know,
Ever since Hai Rui's previous encounter with Zhu Mo in Chun'an, he greatly admired Zhu Mo's character, feeling that this young man was unlike anyone else, truly dedicated to the people, and never concerned for his own life or safety. For this reason alone, he, Hai Rui, had to fight to his death to vindicate him.
He could not prevent the Surveillance Commissioner from investigating the case, but that day he produced the seal of the Minister of War and, under the pretext of fighting the Japanese pirates, sternly warned Yin Zhengmao not to use the imperial edict to execute the populace, otherwise the rear would be unstable, and the Japanese pirates would take advantage. Yin Zhengmao did agree. After all, Yin Zhengmao knew very well that Hai Rui was recommended by Prince Yu, and moreover, he held the seal of the Minister of War, which was equivalent to Zhang Juzheng speaking to him. And who was Zhang Juzheng? He was also a Grand Secretariat official and a renowned formidable figure. Yin Zhengmao was somewhat intimidated.