During the winter day, the wind is cool and the weather is cloudy and rainy.
Bang!
The door was kicked open, and a group of soldiers with weapons rushed in, spread out to both sides, and quickly surrounded everyone in the mansion.
Deputy General Jiang opened the bright yellow imperial edict and read aloud:
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims that Jiangzhong Minister Zhang Tianba has abused his power to sell official positions and seek personal gain, which is a serious violation of our country's laws. He shall be exiled to the frontier immediately, and all his property shall be confiscated!"
"Hereby—"
After reading it, regardless of the people's crying and pleading, he directly rolled up the imperial edict, put it in his arms, and said domineeringly:
"Someone come! Search the house!"
"yes!"
The soldiers quickly dispersed and rushed into each house, rummaging through boxes and cabinets, gold, silver, jewelry, jade bottles, calligraphy and paintings...
Find all the valuables, pack them into boxes and seal them.
It took only one hour to finish.
Next one.
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims! Bei'an Governor Zhang Zihao concealed the truth and harmed the people. He colluded with local officials, accepted bribes of more than 80,000 taels of silver, and murdered more than ten innocent people. He is to be imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison and executed in the autumn of next year. This is my decree!"
"Someone come! Search the house!"
As soon as the order was given, the soldiers spread out quickly and looted everything of value.
Governor Zhang Zihao, his wife, concubines, and children knelt on the ground, crying and begging for mercy:
"It's unfair, it's unfair!"
“Mercy!”
"Deputy General Jiang, please report to the Emperor that my family is innocent..."
Deputy General Jiang brought a stool, spread his legs, and sat upright in the middle of the gate, with the imperial edict in his arms and a teacup in his hand, looking leisurely like an old man.
Blowing the hot air from the edge of the cup, he sighed in a very old-fashioned way:
"Hey, Governor Zhang, I'm not targeting you. The evidence is irrefutable and the emperor is furious. Even the king of heaven can't save you!"
If I had known this would happen, why did I do it in the first place?
An hour later.
A soldier strode over, knelt on one knee, and reported loudly: "General, we have copied all the valuables!"
"Oh?" Deputy General Jiang had already drunk eight cups of tea.
Finally finished copying.
He stood up, put his hands on his hips, and rubbed his nose with the tip of his thumb.
"Let's go and copy the next lucky goose!"
.
In just one day, eleven officials in the court were dismissed.
Whether it was corruption, bribery, disregard for human life, or abusing public power for personal gain... the conclusive evidence was delivered to the emperor anonymously overnight.
When the emperor saw this, he became furious.
Some had their property confiscated, some were exiled, some were beheaded…
For a time, all officials in the court felt insecure.
The most anxious person is none other than Zong Zhengyu!
Prince's Mansion.
study.
News of officials being dismissed came one after another. Zong Zhengyu was so anxious that he could not sit still, like an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth, spinning around.
“Your Highness!”
Gong Zhenhong received the news and rushed over immediately.
“Master Gong!” Zong Zhengyu felt relieved when he saw him, but he was also very anxious. “The dozen or so officials who were dismissed are all our people! It must have been Zong Zhengchen who did it!”
He insisted.
It’s Zong Zhengchen!
He once said that he would take away everything from him and make him regret going against him!
He took action!
Zong Zhengchen got rid of so many people in one day, many of whom were his trusted confidants who had been in place for many years and played a very important role!
Gong Zhenhong looked solemn. Even he did not expect Zong Zhengchen to have such great ability...
Such a big threat, he shouldn't have been allowed to live...