"The results of the voting election for the court this time have come out. Wang Shilang is the chief, Zhou Shangshu is the accompanying him. Mr. Hou is the most important and the most important! "

At the Shanxi Guild Hall, a group of merchants couldn't help but stand up to salute Hou Lu, and Hou Lu hurriedly replied: "My fellow villagers praised him, Hou was ashamed of him, but Hou still wants to say that after this matter, the court should also understand that we, Shanxi merchants can also decide their career, not only Hui merchants can."

"Mr. Hou said this very well. The court was just waiting for the sage. Now the position of the magistrate of Quanzhou Prefecture is vacant. When the Ministry of Personnel recommended, he asked Mr. Hou to help him deal with it. The boss would thank him with great gifts." At this time, a businessman took Hou Lu's words and then personally held Hou Lu's hand.

Hou Lu knew it and started operating with the merchant in his sleeve, shaking his head and nodding.

Hou Luxian said: "Quanzhou Linhai, with the recent development of trade, and the last Quanzhou prefect made a fortune by making a fortune by smuggling. Shouldn't your boss raise prices again?"

"Can our boss be the employed by the Maritime Bureau?" the merchant said softly.

"Yes, but this number is needed," Hou Lu said.

The businessman nodded, and the two looked at each other and smiled and left, while Hou Lu didn't say anything more.

Those who can enter the guild are all businessmen that Hou Lu can trust, and they come here to do business in the officialdom, so they have no shyness between each other, so the merchant dares to openly say that he wants to sell official positions. Moreover, he did not mention who his boss is, and even transactions are traded in his sleeves. Even if there are spies from the West Factory in the guild, they are not sure who is buying official positions through the merchants.

Even if the West Factory really wants to arrest the merchant for interrogation, its boss will say he does not know.

Therefore, the sales of official positions and titles by these merchants are becoming increasingly rampant, and Hou Lu is undoubtedly the agent of a big boss in the officialdom who can decide on the promotion of an official.

At this time, not only the merchant wanted to buy it for his boss, but other merchants also asked to buy it for their boss or relatives.

Hou Lu hurriedly put the teacup on it: "Everyone, come one by one, don't worry, this matter is naturally the one with the higher price, and the old man will be free."

Everyone knew Hou Lu's power in the officialdom and was also a little afraid of Hou Lu's power. Seeing that Hou Lu was a little serious, they also shut up and started talking with Hou Lu in an orderly manner.

Soon, Hou Lu finalized the highest-priced businessman and said, "Sir, don't worry, your head's home is the position of the Quanzhou prefect, you must get it!"

Hou Lu did have this confidence and confidence. After all, it was not the first time he was manipulating the sale of official positions and titles, so there was basically no mistake. Moreover, he could even control the court recommendations involving top officials like cabinet ministers, so the promotions of the Ministry of Personnel are naturally extremely simple.

Many times, Hou Lu has the feeling of holding the whole world in his own hands.

As soon as Hou Lu left the Shanxi Guild Hall, he was about to return to his house by car, when he saw his servants report: "Master, the ceremonial guard of Lord Zhao Zhenji and Zhao will pass by here later. Do you see, do we want to avoid it?"

"What is the right-tongzheng? Even the Minister of the Secretariat has to bow and salute in front of your master. He is a Shu native, Zhao Zhenji, who is not a Hui merchant or a Shanxi merchant, will never be the chief minister in this life, so there is no need to avoid it!"

Hou Lu said proudly, then entered the sedan chair, narrowed his eyes, and said, "After the time passed, please invite Liu from the Wenxuan Department to meet at Huiyue Tower."

After a while, Hou Lu got out of the sedan chair and arrived at home. As soon as he arrived, he saw a monk visiting: "Mr. Hou has become more and more prosperous recently. The young monk was invited by Yanbutang to ask Mr. Hou for an opportunity to make progress."

"Which Yanbutang?"

Hou Lu asked.

"Ministry of Agriculture, Yan Song, Mr. Hou, this must be not difficult," the monk asked.

Hou Lu snorted, lifted his robe and left: "Go back and tell your boss that it's too late. The result of the Tingtui has come out and it's not for me. In addition, let's tell your boss that even if he comes to find Hou in advance, Hou will not help him. This is not a matter of money or not. Back then, there was a severe drought in Nanzhili. I was trying to make a fortune by stocking up 30,000 shi of grain, but he was defeated by Yan Song's 100,000 shi of sweet potatoes, which cost tens of thousands of silver dollars."

"This is actually happening, but my master is also doing things for the court, which is really helpless," the monk replied.

"have no choice?"

Hou Lu smiled coldly, but thought that Yan Song was the Minister of Agriculture after all, and was a second-rank official, and an important official in the court, so he could not offend such a person himself too much, so he said:

"Hou can give your master a chance, but Hou only does business with officials who are willing to stand out for us businessmen. If your master can advocate the court to reduce and exempt business taxes, he can still come to Hou when the cabinet ministers are vacant next time."

The monk didn't know what to answer for a moment, so he had to go back and report it to Yan Song.

Yan Song had already learned the news from the Ministry of Personnel at this time. He knew that the result of the court was not as good as himself. He was very disappointed. Now, after the monk came back to report Ming Houlu's reply, he sighed helplessly: "The merchants control the court, and even the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet are controlled by a merchant. If this continues, the state affairs will be worrying!"

Yan Song naturally did not mention this matter again. He looked for Hou Lu just wanted to ask for a way out. Now the court has decided, and it is meaningless to wait any longer. As for what Hou Lu said that he hoped that he would promote the court to reduce and exempt commercial taxes, Yan Song naturally knew more than anyone else. Not to mention that he was not an official of the Ministry of Revenue, he could not raise commercial taxes.

Because Yan Song knew that His Majesty the Emperor was actually disgusted with the reduction of commercial tax exemption, and only some civil servants with business backgrounds wanted to reduce commercial tax exemption in different ways.

When Yan Song hit a wall at Hou Lu, Hai Rui, who was in charge of the Huangming Pao, had already written a press release about Hou Lu's manipulation of court guidance that the Xichang investigated, and had begun to be issued.

In addition, Hai Rui also wrote a commentary article himself. Hai Rui has always been sharp in writing and never showed mercy to others. He criticized the businessman for manipulating the court's recommendations and was also very cruel. He directly denounced this as a sign of a national destruction, and directly demanded that Hou Lu and others be killed.

But at this moment, Chen Dian, the head of the News Department, came to the newspaper with the newspaper just printed by the Huangming Pao and shouted directly: "Where is Hai Rui! Call him out!"

Hai Rui also heard the sound and walked over: "The official is here."

"Why don't you do good things that involve the court's heavy tuition before the news department will publish them? If this is spread, wouldn't it damage the imperial court's majesty? Have you ever thought about the consequences?!"

Chen Dian sent a message to Hai Rui, and the meaning of the words was naturally very obvious. It was nothing more than Hai Rui's announcement of the West Factory's investigation of Hou Lu's manipulation of court push to the public and did not inform him in advance.

The media of the Ming Dynasty were indeed under the jurisdiction of the General Administration of Press and Publication, and the Huangming Pao was indeed under the supervision of the News Department. Therefore, Chen Dian also had the right to criticize Hai Rui and prevent the Huangming Pao from publishing some press releases that the News Department believed could not be published.

Chen Dian was indeed worried that the publication of the article in Huangming Pao would shock the world, especially the people behind him. Therefore, after scolding Hai Rui a few words, he directly ordered Hai Rui with the authority of the News Department Officer:

"Take back all the latest newspapers published today and take them back immediately! Hurry up! If this is wrong because of your Emperor Mingbao, I will definitely be taken off the black gauze on your Hai Rui's head!"

Hai Rui looked at Chen Dian and said nothing for a while. Then he bowed and said, "Mr. Chen, this article was handed over by the West Factory. I believe there is no need to say anything to the official. You should understand whether this newspaper should be taken back!"

Chen Dian couldn't help but choke, looking at Hai Rui and didn't know what to say. He knew that once it was handed over by the West Factory, it meant that it was from the best intentions. If it was from the best intentions, he could not stop it, but he couldn't help but hate Hai Rui even more.

Because, if Hai Rui told him about this in advance, there might be a chance to linger in this matter.

Therefore, Chen Dian couldn't help but warn Hai Rui: "Master Hai, remember that the News Department is not a decoration, your behavior will harm yourself!"

As he said that, Chen Dian left and as soon as he entered the sedan chair, he ordered: "Go and tell Mr. Hou immediately, let him escape from the capital immediately and take the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway! Then, notify the adults in various departments and courts!"

...

"The King of the King is undoubtedly entering the cabinet this time. Could it be that His Majesty the Emperor will choose the Secretary of Zhou whom he doesn't like?" Hou Lu was secretly meeting with Xu Jin's Qing Guest Wei Ying in a private house. Only in Wei Ying's place would Hou Lu bend down humbly and speak carefully.

Wei Ying, a disciple of Xu Jin, also smiled proudly: "The emperor doesn't like Zhou Luo, but you just push the court up. I'm afraid that the emperor would think Zhou Luo is unwilling to give up and want to go further. This is undoubtedly aversion to Zhou Luo even more. But this is also good. The emperor hates Zhou Luo and can only choose Wang Yongping. Wang Yongping, who is supported by Hui merchants, enters the cabinet. Even if he is the chief minister, it will be difficult for him to control us anymore!"

Wei Ying said, and frowned and said, "I just don't know why, but after hearing from my master, the Silijian has not issued any approval for the final appointment of the cabinet minister."

"Maybe it's just that the emperor is old and he is doing things faster than before. It's better for the old man to be too anxious," Hou Lu comforted Wei Ying.

Wei Ying nodded, and he didn't believe that Emperor Zhu Houzhao had any reason to drag the court to express his power. He did use this to persuade Xu Jin. After all, Wang Yongping had no bad record except for a bureaucratic family.

Therefore, Wei Ying didn't say anything more, and he didn't separate from Hou Lu until the early morning.

Hou Lu also circled a street and returned to his mansion. However, as soon as Hou Lu got off the car, two Jinyiwei walked to Hou Lu. One of them said, "Hou Lu, right? Let's go with us."

When Hou Lu saw that it was the Jinyiwei, he suddenly felt as if his soul had been pulled away and froze there. He did not come back to his senses until he was dragged away by the Jinyiwei and started to touch it.

A Jinyiwei general flag took out a brown pill and said, "No need to search! Mr. Hou, don't play tricks in front of our Jinyiwei. Only the emperor can take away your life, and you are not qualified."

Not long after Hou Lu was captured, Chen Dian sent someone to inform the news and rushed over, but he was obviously empty.

At this time, the newspapers of the Huangming Pao gradually spread as the morning sunlight gradually illuminated the capital.

"It's unreasonable! It's unreasonable! The court's recommendation is a heavy sanction of the court, how can these merchants be controlled? All the kilograms of greed in the court are greedy!"

Yang Jisheng, the deputy secretary of the Ministry of Justice, was too lazy to eat breakfast at this time, so he immediately put on his official uniform and went to find his friend who was the censor of the Censorate.

"This Zhou Luo has violated the justice of the world and did not persuade the emperor to become a legitimate and chief, so that the throne was empty. He has long been infamous. Why did the princes in the court still ask him to choose a candidate for cabinet ministers? Why hasn't this person been dismissed yet?"

Cheng Jia, the Siye of the Peking University, also slapped the newspaper on the table, and then saw a group of new Jinshi from the Peking University coming. Zhu Dashou even bowed first and said: "Teacher, the students, and then wanted to take half a day off to take leave. Go to the Censorate to petition for an inspection of Zhou Luo and request the court to dismiss Zhou Luo and other treacherous ministers!"

"Go with you, my teacher!"

Cheng Jia said, and then took this new Jinshi to the Censorate.

Coincidentally, middle and lower-level officials in the court and scholars from major universities could not accept such important personnel election matters that would be manipulated by merchants, and a treacherous minister who had already made everyone hate him was chosen as the candidate for the cabinet minister. Therefore, they all came to the Censorate and asked the Censorate to file a case immediately and submit a memorial to impeach the matter.

In fact, there are no need for these people to demonstrate. Several censors from poor families in the Censorate have begun to write impeachment memorials, and have even handed them over to Ni Song, the left-level censor in the Censorate.

But Ni Song did not agree to submit the memorial immediately, and directly criticized the censors: "It's ridiculous! It's just a newspaper, who knows the authenticity, but you dare to discuss the government affairs because of this! The censors of the Censorate should not make trouble for all the holy rulings! What's more, the matter recommended by the court involves important officials in the court."

Although Ni Song temporarily suppressed this matter and did not ask the Censorate to immediately impeach the matter, he could not suppress the public's opinion. Therefore, more and more officials and scholars came to the Censorate at this time.

Not long after, Xu Jin also learned about the newspaper. For a moment, he was stunned in place like a sculpture, and began to think about what consequences would occur in this matter and whether he would involve himself. He did participate in the manipulation of the court, but the person who was really responsible was Hou Lu, and the only person who could find out about himself and Hou Lu was his Qing Guest Wei Ying.

Xu Jin hurried to a wing room in person: "Wei Ying, come to the study room outside to see me later! Come to the study room by the secret passage!"

Not long after, Wei Ying came to Xu Jin: "Master, do you call me?"

"How is the female slave Yun Ji serving you?" Xu Jin asked casually, then handed a cup of tea to Wei Ying.

Wei Ying smiled and said, "Of course it's great, it's all for the master."

"That's great. No one knows that you come to my house, except Yun Ji?" Xu Jin asked.

"No, the young man has been following the master's instructions. Now in the capital, except for you, Mr. Hou, knowing that I am from your mansion," Wei Ying replied.

Xu Jin nodded and pointed to the teacup: "Drink it."

Wei Ying was a little puzzled, but he still drank it habitually. After a while, his abdomen felt uncomfortable as if he had swallowed gold, as if his intestines were about to be stirred. He pointed at Xu Jin: "Master, you, why did you poison me?!"

Xu Jin didn't say anything but looked at Wei Ying and died in pain little by little.

It was not until Wei Ying lay on the table and did not move that he personally dragged Wei Ying into the study, then opened the secret room, threw it into the soil pit below the secret room, sprinkled lime, then sprinkled cement, and then watered it. Then he pressed the mechanism to restore it to its original position.

Xu Jin did not dare to let his servants do it, because he was afraid that the people from the West Factory would find out.

Not long after, Xu Jin walked out and came to Yun Ji. After strangling Yun Ji to death, he buried him in the garden. Yun Ji was just a female slave in Japan. He had no household registration in the Ming Dynasty, and no one even knew that there was such a female slave in the Xu Mansion. Therefore, after Xu Jin killed her, there was no need to worry that anyone would know.

Soon, after Xu Jin handled all this, he continued to attend the court and participate in politics as usual. However, as soon as Xu Jin arrived at the cabinet, the secretary of the cabinet Ni Yuanlin found Xu Jin: "Gei Master, my father came to ask, the matter of Hou Lu has been known to the world, and the Censorate may not be able to suppress it. I don't know what good strategies the cabinet has."

"The Hou will die! If he dies, then Xi falsely accused Wen; if he has not died, then Gao falsely accused Xu!"
Chapter completed!