The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 474

As Mao Ji's student, Yang Lian attracted officials who wanted to curry favor with him, even though Mao Ji was essentially keeping his home closed to visitors. These officials somehow got wind of this and flocked to Yang Lian's residence to seek connections.

For a time, Yang Lian, the Vice Minister of Rites, was the most popular man in the capital. Every day, countless people came to the gate of Yang's residence to deliver visiting cards.

Many of the officials who curried favor with Yang Lian and Mao Ji were promoted, and the entire capital underwent a series of changes.

Faced with such a major move by Mao Ji and others, only Yang Yiqing in the cabinet strongly opposed it, while Yang Shen simply claimed to be ill and took leave at home.

Among the cabinet members were Mao Ji and Xie Qian. The last cabinet member simply gave up expressing his opinion. With Xie Qian's help, Mao Ji's power subtly suppressed Yang Yiqing, the Grand Secretary.

Of course, Mao Ji's job changes were not numerous, but given his status as a cabinet member, it was indeed somewhat unusual.

Everyone could tell something was wrong.

These positions were precisely the sweeteners that Mao and Ji gave to those officials. After all, it wasn't enough to just make empty promises; people also had to see tangible benefits. Only when someone curried favor with him and got promoted would the remaining officials wholeheartedly attack Grand Secretary Yang Yiqing.

Suddenly, countless officials in the imperial court began to impeach Yang Yiqing, and his position as Grand Secretary seemed to be teetering on the brink of collapse.

At this time, Zhou Chu, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was drinking and making merry with Yang Shen at home.

"Weighing equipment, with so many people this time, can you handle it?"

Yang Shen said with some concern.

The officials who curried favor with Mao and Ji formed a huge interest group. Of the approximately two thousand officials in the entire capital, at least five or six hundred of them curried favor with Mao and Ji, and the number is still increasing.

Once these people saw the potential for profit and the path to promotion, they swarmed in like sharks smelling blood.

Yang Shen's concerns were justified. Previously, Zhou Chu had exchanged his position as commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for a thousand officials. If Yang Shen hadn't withstood the pressure and argued for Zhou Chu's case, Zhou Chu would not have been demoted to Suzhou Prefecture; he might have lost his life.

This incident is no less significant than the previous one, although the number of officials involved may be smaller, but the quality of these officials is higher.

"Don't worry, Mr. Sheng'an. Last time it was just you and me fighting alone, but this time it's different. It's just like catching a turtle in a jar. I don't need to bear any pressure at all. Someone else will naturally take the blame."

Zhou Chu smiled.

"You mean Mr. Shi Cong?"

Yang Shen asked somewhat uncertainly.

"more than."

Zhou Chu smiled mysteriously.

When Yang Shen heard this, although he didn't know what Zhou Chu was up to, he knew that the young man in front of him was already very confident. Thinking about it, it made sense. Ever since Zhou Chu became the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, everything he did was watertight.

"I sent people to Jiangnan to investigate Yang Shengzhai, and it is true. I have ordered the Jinyiwei of Suzhou Prefecture to arrest Yang Shengzhai."

In the imperial court, Jiajing glared angrily at Yang Yiqing.

"Shi Cong, shouldn't you explain this matter to me properly?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Yiqing opened his mouth, but ultimately seemed unsure of what to say and chose to remain silent.

In the imperial court, the officials who had pledged allegiance to Yang Lian and Mao Ji were all extremely excited. They seemed to see the Grand Secretary being overthrown, Mao Ji ascending to the position of Grand Secretary, and them being promoted one by one.

Most importantly, the Jiangnan Group is already defunct in name only. Once this matter is accomplished, they will become the largest civil official group in the Ming Dynasty. At that time, they will gain not only power, but also countless other benefits.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Grand Secretary Yang is a mere figurehead. Since becoming Grand Secretary, he has accomplished little for the court or for the Ming Dynasty. Moreover, he has allowed his grandson to commit such heinous acts. I beg Your Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly."