Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 130

Chapter 130 There Were Long After Moves (1)
Minister of the Ministry of Officials, also known as the Heavenly Official, has been the most powerful existence since the establishment of the six branches in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Because of the imperial court system, the appointment and dismissal of officials above the fifth rank was decided by Emperor, while the promotion and dismissal of officials below the fifth rank were decided by the Ministry of Officials.

Up until now, with the rise of civil servants, the power of the Cabinet had become heavier and heavier. The only person who could contend with it was the Minister of the Ministry of Officials. Actually, it wasn’t just now. In the next hundred years, the Minister of Official Affairs had also become the only existence in the dynasty that could restrict the Cabinet. Sometimes speaking was more useful than speaking in Emperor.

Of course, the current relationship between the Ministry of Officials and the Cabinet was pretty good. There was no conflict at all, and Hu Ying respected Yang Puna very much. Since these two big shots were speaking here, the other officials naturally didn’t dare to disturb the eavesdropping. They hurriedly quickened their pace and left. Not long after, only the two of them were left at one end of the long corridor in front of the palace gate.

Yang Pu smiled and said, “Yuanjie, you’re too quiet today. You haven’t said a word yet. I’m really surprised.” Yuan Jie was Hu Ying’s character. The two of them had a good relationship, so they naturally didn’t need to call each other Elder Butang Ge in private anymore.

“Brother Hongji, you’re trying to run me over. I’m just a Minister of the Ministry of Officials. They’re talking about military matters, so it’s not easy for laymen to interrupt, is it?” Hu Ying replied with a faint smile.

“Really? But you’ve been an old official for several dynasties. Can’t you see the harm that Wang Zhen’s fellow has done to the Mongol army by encouraging the Son of Heaven to use troops? Even though we are old, our hearts are still unconscious, right?” Yang Pu looked at the other party and asked seriously.

“Isn’t there still you as the head of the Cabinet? I don’t think Wang Zhen’s little schemes can really succeed. Furthermore, even the Duke of England won’t let him get what he wants. He knows better than us that he shouldn’t use the saber force at this time. Even if the court doesn’t say anything, he will definitely talk to His Majesty later.” Hu Ying chuckled.

“But that’s not what you said. Wang Zhen and the others were prepared today. You saw the situation. It’s very bad. If not for County Magistrate Lu’s sudden move, I’m afraid things would have been really hard to handle.”

Hearing him lead the conversation to Lu Zhen, Hu Ying laughed again, “Brother Hongji, you and I are so close. There’s no need to go in circles, right? Did you call me over because of this county magistrate Lu? You have a heart of love and want me, the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, to make things easier for him.”

“This young county magistrate called Lu Zhen is really not simple, before in the wide spirit of all sorts of deeds I have heard, honesty aside, there are some methods, can turn the extremely unfavorable situation. In addition, even in the army, he had managed to convince those Qiu Ba people by relying on a few incidents, which was enough to show that his abilities were extraordinary. “Shouldn’t we recommend such a talented person to the Imperial Court?” Yang Pu praised without any hesitation, but then changed the topic, “But that’s not why I stopped you.”

Hearing this, Hu Ying unconsciously frowned. This was not his intention to ask him. What could it be? However, he said, “Brother Hongji, please tell me straightforwardly. I really can’t guess.”

‘”Lu Zhen was previously discovered by Wang Zhen for the sake of settling the matter thoroughly at today’s court meeting. But I don’t want him to change sides temporarily and ruin Wang Zhen’s good fortune. Yuan Jie, what do you think Wang Zhen is thinking at this moment?”

Hu understood, “You want to save him from Wang Zhen?”

“This old man is leaving behind a usable material for the country!” Yang Pu said solemnly, “However, the Dongchang Royal Guards have always been unscrupulous in their popularity. I’m afraid that they will soon attack them. Once it falls into their hands, I’m afraid … that’s why we must prevent this from happening.”

Hu Ying was stunned for a moment, but he didn’t say anything. A strange light flashed in his eyes. “Brother Yuanjie, I know you don’t want to talk about that year, but I hope you can make an exception for him this time. There are still quite a few of your men in the Royal Guards. I hope you can save him.”

After hesitating for a moment, Hu Ying finally raised his eyes and looked at Yang Pu, “Originally, I had planned to completely isolate myself from this, but now it seems like there is only an exception. Who called this your Brother Hongji?”

“It’s not for me, this old man. It’s for me, Big Ming. I believe that even though these old eyes are dim, they can still recognize who is capable of creation.” Yang Pu corrected.

Hu Bujue smiled, “Why are you still so angry? Why don’t you just treat it as asking me to do it for you?” Even though he said that, he could already tell from his expression that he was going to make a move.

Yang Pu did not argue, but bowed and bowed slightly to the other party, “Please!”

@ @ @ @

At this moment, Lu Zhen, who had just walked out of the palace gate, did not know that behind him, there were two of the biggest powers in the court that were moving for him.

Lu Zhen was still quite excited after he had spoken his opinion in front of Emperor and the ministers just now. But now, after walking out, this excitement had dissipated. He felt a little uneasy because he knew that if he ruined Wang Zhen’s big event, the other party’s revenge would definitely come soon.

This uneasiness reached its peak when it saw the carriage slowly approaching him. Originally, his intention was to find a time difference and take advantage of Wang Zhen’s stumbling on the Prince of Heaven’s side, before he could order him to leave the other party’s grasp. After all, this Beijing City was so big and had such a large population. Even if Wang Zhen wanted to find someone, it wouldn’t be so easy.

But now, the other party was actually so careful, and his plan had deviated. Fortunately, he still had a backup strategy, so he looked rather calm. He hadn’t been noticed by the attendant who was actually monitoring him.

After seeing Lu Zhen, this person also asked with concern, “County Magistrate Lu, did you have a good day?”

Lu Zhen glanced at him and nodded with a smile, “Fortunately, although there were twists and turns, everything went according to plan.”

“Oh? Then I have to congratulate you, my lord. From now on, your future is limitless.” The smile on the man’s face grew brighter and brighter, full of flattery.

To be honest, he was quite envious of Lu Zhen. He thought that Lu Qi had been working in the East Factory for a few years, but he could only do a few small things. However, County Magistrate Lu was different now. He had just arrived in the capital and was valued so much by Eunuch Wang. He had even arranged accommodation for him and other matters. Now, he had made great contributions to Eunuch Lu. He had made great progress and ascended to the heavens with just a single step. This was something that was within his reach.

However, he also understood that this world was so unfair. It was easier for a scholar to be valued than a hard-working person. However, this was also an opportunity. As long as he could please the person in front of him, his situation might change in the future.

Thinking of this, Lu Qi curried favor with Lu Zhen, who was boarding the car. The latter knew that he could not get rid of the other party for the time being, so in order not to provoke the suspicion of the other party, he automatically boarded the carriage.

However, after the car started moving, Lu Zhen said, “Go to the west side of the city. I heard that there are some new things in the west side of the city. I plan to buy some for my wife.”

“Alright!” Lu Qi agreed, shook the reins, and turned around with the horse. Originally, he had agreed to go back directly, but now that he was currying favor with Lu Zhen, he could only do as he wished. In any case, it wouldn’t take too long.

After they changed directions for a while, the two fast horses quickly rushed over from behind and chased after the original route.

Because of the dense population in the capital, very few people would gallop their horses. Therefore, these two riders really made quite a commotion, knocking down quite a few things, causing everyone to look sideways. However, they did not care about other people’s complaints at all and only chased after them.

Just now, news had already spread from the palace. Eunuch Wang had already issued a death order to ensure that that fellow named Lu Zhen was captured alive and brought into the East Factory. Naturally, they did not dare to neglect him in the slightest.

It was a pity that they were chasing after him in the same direction as before, but they had completely different intentions. At this moment, Lu Zhen had already turned into the streets of the Western City. This place was even more prosperous than other places. There were many shops selling goods along the streets, let alone a Western City that specialized in selling all kinds of high-grade goods not far ahead.

Commerce was actually not developed at this time, but it was much better than the Great Tang a thousand years ago. Apart from the two cities that had been specially opened up for business, there were also places on the sides of some less important streets that allowed merchants to open shops and set up stalls. In this way, the daily life of the people would be much more convenient.

But this makes the streets even more crowded. For example, now, cars have to stop there from time to time. Lu Zhen sat in the car and lifted the curtain with one hand, his eyes constantly peeking out. Others only seemed to say that he was surprised by the prosperity of this place. Only he knew that he was looking for someone.

As his gaze swiftly swept past carriages and horses, Lu Zhen’s heart suddenly hovered. Although he had already made preparations, he still couldn’t be at ease until everything happened according to his intentions. After all, this was related to his life and death!

Right at this moment, a series of shouts rang out from the side. A mule carriage that was parked not far away suddenly ran sideways amidst the screams of the mule pulling the carriage. As Lu Zhen’s carriage was parked right in front of it, the mule carriage crashed straight towards it.

Lu Qiben was still looking around at the eldest daughter-in-law who was passing by. When he heard the commotion, he turned his head to look, and his expression changed greatly. However, it was already too late for him to drive and dodge. He could only let out a cry of alarm before abandoning his car and fleeing for his life!