Episode 41
On the 23rd day of February in the forty-fifth year of Jiajing reign, it was time for the emperor to move to the new palace.That night, the stars were shining brightly, as if indicating that an unknown storm was coming.In the palace grounds, one hundred and eight lanterns illuminated the entire palace, symbolizing the splendor and glory of the imperial power.However, behind the glory of this night, there is an unfathomable political undercurrent.
The banknotes paid in advance by the cotton merchants brought by Gao Hanwen repaid the arrears of all officials. This news warmed the officials in the capital like a spring breeze.More than a thousand officials presented congratulations to Emperor Jiajing to celebrate the completion of the new palace and the stability of the imperial power.However, all this joy and peace are waiting for the congratulatory form from Hai Rui sent by Zhao Zhenji. It seems that only this congratulatory form can make this relocation celebration truly successful.
However, the congratulatory note sent by Zhao Zhenji was not a simple word of congratulations, but "Public Security Notice" written by Hai Rui.This memorial was like a thunder, instantly exploding in Emperor Jiajing's heart.He never imagined that at this moment of universal celebration, a small head of the household department would dare to speak out so bluntly and criticize his own actions for decades.
Shock, rage, disbelief... Emperor Jiajing's mood fluctuated like a roller coaster.He quickly thought that this was a collective premeditation to force him to abdicate, and asserted that there was someone working together behind the scenes, colluding internally and externally, to force him to abdicate.The target was directed at Lu Fang and the cabinet, who had already left Beijing, and even King Yu was involved.
After hearing the news, the eunuchs from the Ouchi Criminal Division rushed to Hai Rui's mansion like a swarm.The door of the main room was open, and a chair was placed in front of a square table. Hai Rui was sitting on the chair, with a white wooden coffin placed behind him, as if to indicate that he had already prepared for the worst.
