16 Chapter 016
◎Knock the drum◎
The blazing torches illuminated the pig farm and soothed the survivors' hearts.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard counted the casualties: three palace guards were killed and five were injured; five craftsmen were killed and twelve were injured; eight assassins were killed and twenty-two were captured alive.
The corpses were neatly placed on the grass in front of the pig house. The blood on the ground had not dried yet and the fishy smell was carried by the wind.
The surviving craftsmen were all squatted in the pigsty and guarded by the Jinyiwei.
Xie Mingzhuo walked in calmly, the warm orange firelight danced on her face, and her handsome eyebrows appeared from the darkness. She had a neat high bun and wore a dark golden dress with a cross collar and narrow sleeves. When her skirt fluttered, the craftsmen couldn't help but hold their breath.
A man was forced to kneel on the ground, his hair disheveled, his upper body bare, his back covered with whip marks. Most of the medicine he had applied to his wounds had been rubbed off from fighting the enemy just now, and the wounds were cracked and bleeding.
Xie Mingzhuo glanced at Yang Yunkai.
The latter explained: "When I was rounding up the killer, I found him hiding behind a tree, holding a bow and arrow. I didn't have time to question him."
It was clear from the whip wounds that this man had nothing to do with the killer, but was just an innocent craftsman.
But with Prince Jin and the Princess present, Yang Yunkai did not dare to make decisions on his own.
Xie Mingzhuo asked slowly, "What's your name?"
"The villain Wei Dajiang."
"what for?"
Knowing that he is a "craftsman", he still asked this question. The deep meaning is self-evident.
Wei Dajiang hesitated for a few breaths, then replied solemnly, "I am a member of the Ru'ning Guards in Henan, and I have been ordered to enter the capital for training."
"You're a sergeant?!" Xie Mingshuo pretended to be unaware and asked in surprise, "Then why are you building a pig house here?"
Wei Dajiang: "Villain, villain..."
"Don't be afraid," Xie Mingzhuo said in a casual tone, "Prince Jin and I are here. No matter what you want to say tonight, you can speak freely."
Prince of Jin?!
The princess led the Jinyiwei to save their lives, and they were already grateful. Now with the addition of the Prince of Jin, what merit did they have to bear?
Can the princess and Prince Jin really make the decision for them?
Seeing everyone's eyes that seemed to have thousands of words in them, Xie Mingshuo's professional instinct suddenly moved.
He took out the pen and paper he always carried with him—a sign of professionalism typical of a journalist—and walked up to Wei Dajiang, saying, "You stand up first. Answer whatever I ask."
A few days ago, he had a sudden inspiration and ordered the craftsmen in the palace to make charcoal pencils. The pen core was wrapped in cardboard and glued together with paste. It was not only easy to carry, but also could be used for shorthand.
Xie Mingzhuo handed the "craftsman" over to him with confidence, turned around and walked out of the pigsty, and asked Yang Yunkai: "Have you called a doctor?"
"Princess, I have already sent someone."
"Can these killers tell where they're coming from?"
Yang Yunkai shook his head. "They all wore ordinary black clothes, and the bows and arrows they used were also very common. You couldn't tell from their appearance alone."
Xie Mingzhuo brushed off the grass debris on his robe. "I've heard that the interrogation methods in the Imperial Prison are extraordinary. There's no one's mouth that the Jinyiwei can't pry open. I'd like to see it tonight."
"The Imperial Prison is filthy and bloody. Your Highness is so precious, I'm afraid the bloody aura will offend you."
Xie Mingzhuo: "No problem."
She left some of the Jinyiwei to protect Xie Mingshuo, and took Yang Yunkai back to the city with her, accompanied by the two remaining intact palace guards.
Before leaving, one of the guards suddenly knelt on the ground and apologized: "I was careless and failed to detect the assassin's attack in time, resulting in heavy casualties among the craftsmen. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
The killer came silently and attacked from a distance, so it was not their fault that they failed to give any warning.
Xie Mingzhuo raised his hand: "Don't blame yourself, get up."
"Your Highness is so magnanimous, I dare not lie to you." The guard gritted his teeth and said, "Wei Dajiang informed me of the approaching assassins before they attacked. It was my own stubbornness that prevented me from repelling the enemy in time. I bear the blame for this!"
His action was to show his loyalty to the royal family and to repay Wei Dajiang for saving his life.
If Wei Dajiang could take this opportunity to catch the eye of the powerful and resolve his current predicament, he would be considered to have repaid a favor.
Xie Mingzhuo was indeed a little surprised.
If what the guard said is true, then doesn't Wei Dajiang have hearing ability almost the same as his second brother?
It seems that there are indeed gifted people in the world, and the golden fingers of their family of five are not too surprising.
People with extraordinary hearing ability can sometimes play a key role if used well.
It’s a pity that some people abuse their power and talents are buried.
Xie Mingzhuo had a plan in mind, so he said, "You did, but considering your loyalty and gratitude, I will give you a lighter punishment. When you return, you will receive twenty lashes of the military cane and a three-month salary deduction."
"I thank the princess for her grace."
"For the rest of the victims, their relatives will be compensated according to customary practices. This matter will be left to you."
The guard was filled with gratitude: "As you command."
*
The imperial prison was indeed worthy of its name. Before dawn, most of the 22 killers had confessed under the brutal torture of the Jinyiwei.
The confession directly points to Duke Jingguo's Mansion.
This was within Xie Mingzhuo's expectations. The person who wanted to kill and silence the witness was none other than Duke Jingguo, the governor of the military affairs of the Beijing camp.
Only the Zhang family was worried that the matter of "labor occupation" would be heard by the emperor. The existence of these "craftsmen" was undoubtedly a bomb, and they had to deal with this bomb quietly first so that there would be no evidence.
The speculation requires evidence to prove it. The interrogation confession of the Jinyiwei is one of them, and the "interview record" of the second brother is the other.
The two were conducted separately, so there was no question of collusion. If there was an inevitable connection between the two transcripts, it would be possible to confirm the crime of Duke Jingguo abusing his power for personal gain and arbitrarily using the Beijing army.
Wei Dajiang was a member of the Henan army that came to Beijing for training. The army was also among the Beijing troops. It was unknown how many other soldiers were enslaved like him.
The soldiers were privately occupied and enslaved by the powerful and wealthy, and had no time to train on weekdays. When the rebel army knocked on the gates of the capital, they were naturally trembling and crying and dared not move forward.
The rebels broke open the gates of the capital as easily as breaking through tofu, and the fall of the capital was inevitable.
Outside, there was heavy snowfall and officials forcing the people to rebel; inside, the nobles and relatives neglected their duties and debauchery became the norm. The fall of this country was not unjust.
The heavy snow will come in half a month, and the "Wheat Harvest Plan" will not see results until half a month later. The most urgent task is to solve the problems of the Beijing Army's camp affairs. As the general of the three camps, Duke Jingguo must be severely punished to serve as a warning to others.
But the Zhang family has been operating in the capital for many years and has deep roots and thriving leaves. How can they be eradicated in one blow?
It is absolutely impossible to achieve this by simply abusing power for personal gain.
Since the Zhang family is capable of such a thing as "privately recruiting soldiers", it is unlikely that they will show mercy and kindness in other places.
She needs more and stronger evidence.
But collecting evidence requires manpower and time. She has the manpower, but time waits for no one.
Duke Jingguo is staying in the palace tonight and will not receive any news for the time being. Once the day breaks and the court is over, the news that the assassin has failed and been captured will surely be revealed. This will alert the enemy and make it difficult for the Jinyiwei to uncover more secrets.
But we have to save the craftsman and arrest the killer.
Unless Duke Jingguo "encounters an accident", he will not be able to clean up his own mess.
Then... strike first and gain the upper hand!
"Yang Yunkai."
"I'm here!"
Xie Mingzhuo stared into his eyes and said, "The killer is imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. No one is allowed to visit without my permission. If anyone dies, you must bring his head to me."
"I will do my duty faithfully. If I violate this duty, I will commit suicide to apologize."
"You must immediately go to the palace to see the emperor. Please ask your father to postpone the court meeting until I return to the palace."
Yang Yunkai was a little hesitant. The emperor was the emperor after all. If he did not agree to the princess's request, wouldn't he, as the messenger, offend both sides?
“You just have to bring the word.”
"As you command."
"Also, please ask Queen Mother to find a way to temporarily keep Prince An and his son in the palace."
Yang Yunkai accepted the order and asked respectfully, "There's new news from Henan. Your Highness, would you like to check it out?"
"You go to the palace first and present it to your father."
"yes."
After Xie Mingzhuo finished his instructions, he left the Northern Pacification Office with Jiang Qing and headed to Nanxiaguan again.
As soon as I arrived in front of the pigsty, I saw Xie Mingshuo holding a stack of notes, standing by the stream and sighing.
"What's wrong?" She walked closer, pulled out a piece of paper, and looked down at it. Her face darkened after just a few lines of writing. "Are these things true?"
Xie Mingshuo rubbed his eyes, having not slept all night, and said in a hoarse voice, "Objectively speaking, one side's words are untrustworthy, but with so many people making accusations together, it's impossible that they had coordinated their words in advance. Even if there are some exaggerations, the Zhang family is absolutely not innocent."
"Occupying civilians' fields and homes, abducting decent women, slaughtering farmhands and servants... and unauthorized use of the imperial army. These matters must be investigated thoroughly as soon as possible." Xie Mingzhuo returned the notes. "Second brother, we must catch the Zhang family off guard."
Xie Mingshuo's eyes were red: "You say, I do."
"I want them to speak out loudly about the 'conscription' issue at today's court meeting," Xie Mingzhuo instructed. "You will persuade these soldiers on this matter, but you and I shouldn't openly take the lead."
"Dangwengu?" Xie Mingshuo's eyes lit up. "That's a good idea, but why can't you and I take the lead?"
Xie Mingzhuo looked at the gurgling stream and said, "The Zhang family has been rooted in the capital for many years, so they must have followers. And it's impossible that they are the only ones who are doing things like privately occupying soldiers. If you and I are clear now, won't those who want to 'argue' be afraid to speak out?"
"I see, you want to fish." Xie Mingshuo nodded, "I'll go and persuade them now."
For soldiers who have been exploited for many years and have no way to seek help, playing the drum to report the incident is undoubtedly a shortcut to success.
It's not that they haven't thought about it, but no one has the courage to go to the Meridian Gate. They are afraid that before they even get close, the nobles will hear about it and punish them for disrespect.
But now that they have the support of Prince Jin and the Princess, what else do they have to fear?
"I'll do it!"
"I'll do it!"
A group of men vied for this opportunity, not to show themselves in front of the emperor, but to take the risk on themselves.
Sounding the drum for reporting does not necessarily mean that one will get what they want. If the emperor is unwilling to punish the Duke of Jingguo for the common people, they will suffer devastating revenge.
Xie Mingshuo pointed at someone: "Wei Dajiang, you come."
Last night, Wei Dajiang was sharp and brave during the enemy attack, and his performance was very eye-catching. He was also calmer than others when stating his grievances, and was the best choice to beat the drum to appeal for justice.
As the east was getting bright, Xie Mingzhuo did not delay any longer and secretly returned to the palace with Xie Mingshuo. Wei Dajiang and others were escorted into the city by the Jinyiwei and headed straight for the Meridian Gate.
The imperial city was heavily guarded and it was impossible to allow dozens of people to rush in. With the help of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Wei Dajiang came to the Dengwen Drum alone with scars all over his body.
The Dengwen drum system was established in the previous dynasty and continues to this day. From high-ranking officials to ordinary peddlers, anyone with a serious grievance could beat the drum to appeal. Even relatives of death row prisoners could file a complaint on their behalf.
But for ordinary people, the Dengwen Drum is basically just a decoration.
The Dengwen Drum was guarded by the Jinyiwei and the Six Departments' Censors in turn. If someone beat the drum, the drumming situation would be recorded.
After the drum sounds, the imperially appointed censor will go out to conduct an inspection and interrogate the suspects before deciding whether to report the matter to the emperor.
Let me ask you, if there were no connections, who would be willing to offend high-ranking officials in the court for an "ant"?
I'm afraid that before the drum even sounds, the spine of the person who filed the complaint will be broken.
Of course, nothing is absolute.
Several successful examples from the previous dynasty and the current dynasty have been passed down and compiled into vernacular novels and dramas, and widely sung among the people.
The biggest common point in these examples is that there is an upright character, either a drum keeper who hates evil or an iron-faced and impartial censor.
And now, the road that Wei Dajiang is walking on was paved by the princess and King Jin themselves.
He pulled the drumstick from the stand and swung it hard.
Dong - it's for the dark labor all these years!
Dong—it’s for our comrades who were forced to flee over the years!
Dong——It’s for the victims who have been suffering in hell all these years!
The sound of the drums could be heard for five miles. Each drumbeat penetrated the thick palace walls and clearly reached the Fengtian Gate, shaking the entire court meeting.
Xie Changfeng had already understood his daughter's intention from Yang Yun's words. He glanced at the ministers and said at the right moment, "What's that sound?"
Wu Shanqing, who was standing nearby, replied, "The drum sounds seem to be coming from outside the Meridian Gate."
"Wu Men?" a minister muttered, "Could it be the drum for the hearing?"
The ministers were in an uproar and frequently turned their heads to look towards the Meridian Gate.
The censors were especially worried. They all wanted to stick their heads out of the Meridian Gate to see who was so bold as to file a complaint to the emperor, and against whom.
The originally boring court meeting suddenly became something to look forward to.
Xie Changfeng ordered the palace guards on duty: "Go."
The palace maid took the order and left, and in less than a moment she brought back a person, who was the censor in charge of reporting to the emperor.
The man was in his forties, with half his hair and beard white. When he saw the emperor, he knelt down excitedly, and the word "excitement" was written all over his body.
"Long live the emperor, long live the emperor."
"Get up." Xie Changfeng sat up slightly. "What's the noise outside?"
The Supervisory Censor suddenly burst into a high-pitched voice: "Your Majesty, there is a man outside the Meridian Gate claiming to be a banner soldier from Henan Runing Guards who came to the capital for training. He wants to sue Duke Jingguo Zhang Xiaofu!"
Everyone was shocked and looked at Zhang Xiaofu.
Oh my god, today’s court meeting was so worth it!
【Author’s words】
Hey guys, I've discussed with you and plan to go online on October 3rd (Thursday). A 10,000-word chapter will be released then! Thanks for your support!
Happy National Day! Send 100 red envelopes~
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