The impeachment of Marquis Zhang Wen of Huining has once again become the focus of attention for many people, who feel that this is yet another major event for the Ming Dynasty court, truly a turbulent time.

The imperial examinations have just ended, and many newly appointed scholars have just enjoyed the glory of passing with flying colors. Now they are either observing the political situation or preparing to take up their posts. However, these people are not yet considered anything special. Even if they enter the court, it will be difficult for them to hold high positions in the short term. They still need to continuously accumulate political achievements.

As for some major events nowadays, including the fact that many people are concerned about the imperial army.

It was no secret that the Ming Dynasty was about to punish the treacherous Goryeo officials who had plotted to usurp the throne and imprisoned their fathers and murdered their brothers. The court was constantly mobilizing troops and transporting provisions and supplies, making this a truly important military and national affair.

However, for many people, such a war seems rather distant and not necessarily related to their interests.

For ordinary people, especially those in places like Southern Zhili, the issue they cared about was the integration of land tax and poll tax. Although the land survey and household registration verification began last year, there had been numerous official reports and announcements regarding changes to the tax system during this period.

However, many people are also worried, especially some elderly people who still have lingering fears about the exorbitant taxes levied during the Mongol Yuan dynasty. Many insightful individuals are also concerned that abolishing the Two-Tax System, which had been in place for hundreds of years, could easily lead to political instability.

These are turbulent times, which is quite normal, even if the country appears relatively stable and the regime seemingly secure. However, neither the court itself nor the surrounding environment is necessarily truly stable.

It can only be said that the people of the Ming Dynasty were fortunate, because the brilliant and ambitious Hongwu Emperor swept across the world, freeing countless people from the tyranny of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty.

This is because, whether it was the Hongwu Emperor or the current Ying Shi Emperor, even though many people considered them cold-hearted and cruel, they were genuinely good to the people of the Ming Dynasty. They all hoped for a stable Ming Dynasty and a prosperous and powerful people.

Zhang Lin was very frustrated. He was, after all, a marquis and a rising star in the Chang faction. However, he had just been flogged by the emperor and ridiculed by Chang Mao, the leading figure of the Chang faction.

Just as the Marquis's household was feeling gloomy, the steward hurried over and announced, "Master, the Imperial Son-in-Law has arrived."

Zhang Lin was taken aback. There were quite a few imperial son-in-law captains in the Ming Dynasty. But which one this particular imperial son-in-law captain was, was hard to say.

"It's Prince Consort Guo," the steward hurriedly said. "This old servant asked the Third Master to receive guests in the front hall, and that's why I rushed here to inform you, Master."

Zhang Lin then understood that this Imperial Son-in-Law Guo was no ordinary man; he was the eldest son of Marquis Wuding, Guo Ying, born out of wedlock. Although he was not eligible to inherit the title, he had married Princess Yongjia, the twelfth daughter of the Hongwu Emperor, making him one of the top maternal relatives in the Ming Dynasty.

Most importantly, Marquis Wuding was a confidant of Emperor Hongwu, and now this veteran general was also leading an expedition against Goguryeo. However, this Marquis Wuding was also one of the "Twenty-Four Generals of Huaixi". Even Zhang Lin's father, Zhang Yi, was not one of the Twenty-Four Generals of Huaixi, but merely a "fellow townsman from Fengyang".

"You," Guo Zhen said directly as he arrived, "when we leave, we'll have to be carried to the Duke of Kaiguo's place. If it weren't for the Duke of Kaiguo's consideration for our shared lineage, you probably wouldn't be doing well today."

Zhang Lin said sullenly, "Brother Guo, we still don't understand. Why does His Majesty want to punish the Marquis of Huining? If it's an overstepping of authority, there should be this kind of fanfare!"

"You think you're so smart!" Guo Zhen said irritably. "You idiot, you can't figure out the tricks of the trade. Just like us, don't make decisions blindly. There are smart people in the court. Do you think you can stick your neck out?"

It's important to know that he is Guo Ying's eldest son born out of wedlock, and now he is also the imperial son-in-law of the Ming Dynasty. His aunt is Consort Ning of the Hongwu Emperor, who once acted as the regent for the affairs of the inner palace. However, even so, in order to curry favor with the then Crown Prince, Consort Ning of Guo Ying had quite a few instances of openly offending the then Crown Prince's concubine, Lady Lü.

Seeing that Zhang Lin still didn't understand, Guo Zhen said, "The other military officers are not saying anything, but you're the only one who's sticking your neck out? Back then, was the Marquis of Ning related to you by marriage or something? Overstepping one's bounds isn't a serious crime, but we can see that the military officers are really arrogant."

That's the truth. Guo Zhen was naturally aware that the Wu family members were arrogant and domineering. It's just that some people don't take over-the-top behavior seriously, or think they can downplay it, which Guo Zhen finds utterly absurd.

Even Guo Ying, as Zhu Yuanzhang's confidant, was extremely meticulous. Even with Consort Guo's influence, no one in the Wuding Marquis's household dared to be arrogant.

“If it weren’t for the fact that we’re practically family, I wouldn’t bother giving you this advice,” Guo Zhen said bluntly. “Although some military officers were stripped of their titles and honors in earlier years, there are still quite a few military officers in the court.”

Zhang Lin objected, saying, "We, families of military merit, live by the blood of our soldiers..."

"Living on the edge of a knife, which military meritorious official isn't like that?!" Guo Zhen became serious and rebuked, "You think you can act recklessly just because of your achievements? His Majesty's policy of 'equalizing land tax and poll tax' is a matter of national policy, yet the Marquis of Huining's mansion is still concealing population and seizing farmland. What do you expect His Majesty to do about it?"

Zhang Lin was dumbfounded and stammered, not daring to speak. He naturally knew something about the emperor's "equalization of land tax and poll tax," but he hadn't expected this turn of events.

Guo Zhen no longer concealed anything and said, "The Marquis of Huining, relying on his military merits, has his son forcibly seize farmland in Huaiyuan. Huaiyuan, where is that?"

Huaiyuan is the hometown of the Prince of Kaiping. For the Marquis of Huining to dare to forcibly seize farmland in Huaiyuan is simply outrageous. Perhaps it's because there haven't been any cleansing of military merits for many years, and some people have started to become arrogant, or perhaps they've just become senile.

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