Xu Jie has been very upset recently. Since he fought in the court, he was too proud of himself. Relying on his identity as a veteran of the two dynasties, there is no one in his eyes. Get it up to the emperor. Even the courtiers were tired of him. Even his protégé Zhang Juzheng didn't help him speak. At the beginning of his return to his hometown. Xu Jie did have some regret in his heart. More often than not, however, it is not done. Hear the news that the high arch is back in place. Xu Jie was once so angry that he was bedridden. But after he recovered. Somehow, I let go of this matter.

I want him to enter the cabinet in the thirty-first year of Jiajing. In the seventeen years since he returned to his hometown. Served as a Cabinet Scholar. During his tenure, he endured humiliation. He never ignored Yan Song's provocation. even married his granddaughter to Yan Song's grandson; Yan Song's son Yan Shifan was very rude to him. He swallowed his anger too. Finally let Yan Song relax his vigilance against Xu Jie. Ultimately. With his own forbearance and Yan Song's arrogance. finally let Xu Jie seize the opportunity. overthrew Yan Song's father and son and the one-party traitor.

I want to be beautiful for a lifetime. Forbearance and hoeing. In the end, because of his pride, he made many enemies. Gloomy. It cannot but be said to be a kind of irony. But now he sees this. I'm getting old. Don't worry about these things anymore. The affairs of the world are managed by the people of the world. It has nothing to do with him, an old man in his twilight years.

Thinking of his student Zhang Juzheng. I will teach you all the power skills. created a rising star in the political arena. In the end, he parted ways with himself. Thinking of Zhang Juzheng's student Zhang Fan. Because of support for Zhang Juzheng's reform intentions. And not with yourself. Xu Jie is Zhang Juzheng's teacher. But I didn't want to embarrass him. And to Zhang Fan, his own apprentice. Xu Jie also appreciated it. It's just that the stubbornness and pride in his heart can't get used to Zhang Fan's full support for Zhang Juzheng, who he opposes. But these are now far away from him. Xu Jie, who retired from the official career, can now also feel that the imperial court is now unclear. Daming's country was not as stable as he imagined. Maybe let the two of them reform it like this. That's not a bad thing.

But. Don’t wait for prosperity to care for the things important to you. Xu Jie, who returned home, wanted to spend his old age with his family in peace. From time to time, he teased his grandson. However, Hai Rui was appointed to be tamed by Yingtian, and then thoroughly investigated the matter of local tyrants forcibly seizing land. His Xu family is a big family in Songjiang Mansion. He occupies a lot of land under his name. It became the primary target of Hai Jui. Xu Jie saved Hai Rui's life back then. But he also knows Hai Rui's character of not recognizing his six relatives when he runs official business. And he could also guess that there was a high-arched black hand behind this matter. Thinking of Gao Gong, a person with such a bold personality, he was cultivated by himself to have such a sleek and cunning political method. Xu Jie didn't have the slightest choice. He is also a face-saving person. I really can't pull down my face to beg others.

Now the people sent by Hai Jui are on their way. It's just that for so many days, I haven't seen any official errands come to the door. This made Xu Jie very puzzled. I thought it was Hai Rui who had opened his mind. Be merciful to your own men. How did he know that it was Zhang Fan who listened to Zhang Juzheng's instructions. The factory guards were sent to block it openly and secretly. That's what dragged things on for so long. And now. Zhang Fan's subordinates couldn't hold it anymore.

This evening. Xu Jie's family is ready to rest. Although the family knew that the people of the government were going to thoroughly investigate their home. But no one came to check on the left and right. On the contrary, the Xu family was very worried. It's not going to be a good time for this big family.

Xu Jie teased his five-year-old grandson. I was about to go back to my room to rest. But suddenly I heard a noise coming from the courtyard of my home.

"Blessings. What happened in the front yard. Why is the third watch in the middle of the night so noisy? Xu Jie summoned the housekeeper in his house and asked.

This Shoufu ancestor is Xu Jie's housekeeper. is also very respectful to Xu Jie. He first saluted Xu Jie respectfully. Only then did he say in some confusion: "Master." I don't know what's wrong. Outside the door, a group of people dressed in black covered their faces burst in. A man with a knife. Don't know what to do. ”

"What." Xu Jie was shocked. But many years above the court. The status of one person under ten thousand people made him quickly calm down. Think about it. Although his Xu family is said to be a big family in Songjiang Mansion. There is a lot of land under his name. But he seldom made enemies with others. And he treats his hired farmers very generously. It won't be someone else's trouble. But if it's about the land. Xu Jie believed that Hai Rui's behavior would not do such a thing. Gao Gong had ordered Hai Rui to deal with him. Naturally, there is no need to do that. Isn't it. It's something that gangsters have taken a fancy to.

I thought about it for a while. Xu Jie had no clue. "How many people are there?" he asked. But I didn't hurt anyone. ”

The housekeeper Shoufu said: "There are more than ten people in that gang. Although carrying a knife. But it was not pulled out. It didn't hurt anyone. It is mainly the subordinates and maids in the family who are afraid. That's why the front yard is so noisy. ”

Xu Jie immediately said, "You go and order everyone in the family." Don't resist. They don't mean to hurt the lives of others. Even if it is. Their target will only be me. You can rest assured. ”

Shoufu listened. There was no joy in the slightest. Instead, his face showed a look of pain. He said, "Old ...... Master. You are the head of the Xu family. But nothing can happen. ”

"Bastard." Xu Jie saw that he was so indecisive. I couldn't help but curse. said: "I am the head of the Xu family. But I'm at this age. If they really came to take my life. You resist in vain. It's just a waste of life......"

The words were not finished. Several men in black had already rushed in. Several of them were dressed in sunspots. Covered with a black face scarf. Only two eyes are exposed. It's terrifying to look at in the dark. Several men were carrying knives in their hands. Although it is not unsheathed. But it made the housekeeper Shoufu very frightened.

"Sure enough, he is worthy of being a prime minister. Bearing is extraordinary. One of the men in black said. Since Master Xu understands things so well. I don't need to say more. Come with us. ”

"You're not here to ask for the old man's life." Xu Jie asked with some confusion.

"Although you have been the prime minister. But is it any good to ask for your name now? How could we make such a loss-making deal? The man said.

Although Xu Jie said just now that he was not afraid of life and death. But I heard that my life was not in danger. Still relieved. Then he asked, "Who sent you?" What exactly do you want. If it is for wealth. Take what is valuable in the house. As long as it doesn't hurt my family. ”

"Your Excellency misunderstood. We don't want your life. and do not ask for your money. The man in black said. Please come with us. ”

Xu Jie listened. Also no longer asked. I left them very cooperatively. Unexpectedly, Xu Jiegang walked to the door. The man in black said again: "Take all the men of Xu Jie." Ladies and young children don't have to ask. ”

"You...... What do you mean. Xu Jie was shocked when he heard his words. He said loudly, "You don't believe what you say." ”

"My lord seems to be getting old. The ears are a little back. The man in black said with some amusement. I didn't say that I would just take you alone. ”

"You ......," Xu Jie pointed at him. Glowered. But he couldn't speak. The angry Xu Jie didn't hear the respect between the words of the man in black for himself.

"I advise you to be content." The black-clothed man hurriedly said. "If not. In the future, I have to worry about the adult's family, the female dependents, and the young children to go together. It is said that the adult grandson is no more than five years old. I want to be pretty tight. ”

The naked threat calmed Xu Jie's heart. He didn't know if the man in black really thought so. But more is better than less. Xu Jie stopped talking. Opposite. He instructed Shoufu to call out his three adult sons.

The man in black saw that he was not provoked by himself. Instead, it's so cooperative. to reduce harm to the home. I couldn't help but secretly admire in my heart.

The daughters-in-law and children of the Xu family don't know where their father, father-in-law, and father are going. Fortunately, Shoufu persuaded somewhere. Nothing big happened.

Ten black-clothed men led four people out of the gate of Xu's house. Got into the carriage that had been prepared in advance. Xu Jie's three sons were very panicked. But I saw my father's expression calm. I was relieved. But he didn't dare to ask out loud. The men in black took turns watching the four of them. Change your clothes. Xu Jie, who is quite knowledgeable, found that these people had a ruffian aura on their faces. But I don't want those ordinary characters. The heroic appearance seems to be from Wu Xing. With a hint of killing and a hint of ruthlessness. There is only one kind of such person in Xu Jie's images. It is the factory guards under the East Factory and Jinyiwei.

"It's the eunuch Feng Bao. No. I'm not close to the storm, though. But there was no gap. Could it be ......" Xu Jie thought of this. I couldn't help but be a little surprised.

is a person who has finished changing clothes, but where can he control Xu Jie's thoughts. Two carts and a few horses were on the side. Walk towards the city gate. Come to the city gates. The guards of the city didn't ask. Direct release. Apparently a prior greeting. This made the affirmation in Xu Jie's heart a little deeper. Worries have also grown a little taller.

The carriage out of the city began to run rapidly. Xu Jie's four sons are middle-aged. I was able to hold up on this bumpy carriage overnight. But Xu Jie is already seventy or eighty. Although pampered on weekdays. But the years will not forgive. Where can withstand this bump. The men in black were fully prepared. There was already a soft cushion in the car for Xu Jie to lean on. But it's not a long-term solution.

The carriage traveled for a day and a night. Those people had already prepared dry food and other things for the road. On the way, I changed horses somewhere. Finally, I listened to it the afternoon of the second day.

The four people in the carriage couldn't see the outside. But you can hear the movement. Outside the carriage suddenly became noisy. I guess I've entered the city. Listen to the accent of the people outside. Xu Jie knew that the four of his father and son had been taken to Yangzhou. He has more in mind.

The four were invited out of the carriage. What catches your eye is the back door of a large family. Xu Jie's four sons didn't know where they were. I looked at it curiously. Xu Jie just glanced at the wall in front of him. I won't bother with it anymore.

Present. Immediately, someone very respectfully led the four of them in. Sumptuous dishes are already prepared inside. The four of them were tired of traveling. It's just that the spirit is still very good. I ate something and recovered.

When Xu Jie's wait is a little impatient. Zhang Fan's newly promoted 100 households Liang Chao came over. said: "Ge Lao. My family has been waiting for a long time. Please come along. After speaking, he instructed the others to take care of Xu Jie's three sons. led Xu Jie away.

Xu Jie didn't ask much. Tell the three sons not to panic. followed Liang Chao and left. Come to a very delicate and quiet wing. Liang Chao opened the door for Xu Jie. He bowed down and said, "Please also invite the elder into the house." ”

Xu Jie looked at him. He didn't speak. Walked in. Liang Chao immediately closed the door. Stay at the door. There aren't many things in the house. But it's very simple and generous. There was already a man standing there in the house. With his back to Xu Jie. Tea was already on the table. The smell of tea wafts in. It's obviously a good thing to use to greet distinguished guests.

The man in the room turned around. It was Zhang Fan. Zhang Fan said to Xu Jie very respectfully: "Elder Ge has worked hard all the way. Hurry up, please take a seat. Misgreetings. Please also forgive your sins. ”

Xu Jie saw Zhang Fan. There was no hint of surprise. said: "The old man has long guessed that it is you." ”