18 Chapter 018
◎Verify the evidence◎
The court meeting ended with Wei Dajiang suing Duke Jing. Within half a day, this shocking case spread throughout the market.
Everyone in Duke Jingguo's mansion was crying out in chaos.
The emperor ordered the Jinyiwei to thoroughly investigate the truth of the matter, asked the Censorate to assist, and dispatched the Yulinwei to tightly surround the Jingguo Mansion.
After the court meeting, Xie Mingzhuo temporarily put aside his study plan for the day and first looked through the Henan intelligence report submitted by the Jinyiwei.
"The government has already issued the 'Wheat Harvest Plan,' but the farmers are refusing to agree," Meng Qi said worriedly. "Shao Shao, if we continue with the plan, will it backfire? For example, will someone exploit the court's 'absurd' decree to incite the people to revolt?"
Xie Changfeng nodded. "Indeed, I saw in the intelligence that some upright local officials took the lead in defying government orders and wrote memorials to the capital. However, the memorials travel slower than the intelligence, so they haven't arrived yet."
Xie Mingzhuo put down the intelligence and said, "Zong Zhen has already returned to Kaifeng with his troops. The relief grain is in his hands. It remains to be seen what his next move will be."
In the early days of the Qi Dynasty, the imperial court established the policy of "combining soldiers with farming and using soldiers to support soldiers."
The existence of the garrisons relied on the implementation of the military settlement system. In areas bordering dangerous places, people tended to defend the city rather than cultivate the land; in areas in remote and remote areas, people tended to cultivate the land rather than defend the city.
The various garrisons in Henan were not considered to be strategic border crossings. They were basically used for defending the city for about one-tenth, and for farming for about eight-to-nine percent. Gradually, the garrisons formed military towns.
Military towns also have to participate in the "Harvesting Plan", and whether the "Harvesting Plan" is implemented requires an order from the supreme commander.
Once the military town begins to implement the plan, the surrounding villages will be affected and the people's resistance will be alleviated.
"So all we can do now is wait for news?" Xie Changfeng asked.
Xie Mingzhuo shook his head. "With the fall of the capital, the rebels are at most an external force. The key lies in the military defense. If what Wei Dajiang said is true, most of the elite troops in the capital are occupied by officials, leaving only the elderly, weak, and sick in the camp. It is natural that they cannot defend the city gates. The most urgent task is to rectify the military affairs of the capital."
"How do we fix this?" Xie Changfeng frowned. "Call the soldiers back to the camp for training? We only have three months. Is that enough?"
"At least it won't fall in three days. The rebels were once just farmers tilling the land with hoes," Xie Mingzhuo soothed. "Look at the bright side. If the 'Wheat Harvesting Plan' succeeds, we won't face the crisis of national destruction."
Xie Changfeng breathed a sigh of relief: "That's right."
"The case of Duke Jingguo will be handed over to my second brother, the Embroidered Uniform Guards and the Censorate. I will go to the Weining Marquis Mansion first." Xie Mingzhuo stood up.
Meng Qi asked with concern: "Shao Shao, you haven't slept all night, do you want to go and rest first?"
"No, I'm not sleepy." Xie Mingzhuo was not lying. She was indeed surprisingly energetic.
In the Weining Marquis Mansion, Lu Er was lying on the bed, listening with great interest to the servant talking about Wei Dajiang's complaint to the emperor at today's court meeting.
"You said the princess also attended the court meeting?" He sat up suddenly, grimacing because of the pain in his injured area.
"Master, be careful." The servant immediately reached out to support him, slowly supporting his back and letting him lie down again. He nodded and said, "It's absolutely true."
Lu Er hurriedly asked, "Is there anyone protesting?"
"I haven't heard of it. Perhaps the incident of filing a complaint with the emperor was too shocking, and the officials had no time to deal with it."
"That's right." Lu Er's eyes lit up. "What else?"
"Duke Jing was thrown into prison, and the Imperial Guards surrounded Duke Jing's mansion, and that was it."
Lu Er: "I mean the princess."
"Princess? After the court meeting, she should have returned to the prince's residence." The servant said in confusion, "As for the rest, I don't know either."
Lu Er was inexplicably disappointed and waved his hand: "Go wash another apple for me."
"Master, you've already eaten three this morning," the servant advised carefully, "overeating will damage your stomach."
"It's a reward from the princess, are we going to wait until it spoils?" Lu Er sneered at him, "Why don't you go quickly?"
The servant didn't dare to disobey, and just turned around and muttered quietly: "It's so cold, it won't go bad even if it's left out for ten days or half a month."
He walked out of the room and ran into another servant, sweating profusely and barely catching his breath: "Hurry... hurry..."
"What do you mean by quick?"
"Hurry and report... Master, Princess Rong... Rong'an has arrived!"
The servant was stunned for a moment, then hurried back to the room and danced with joy at Lu Er, who was lying on the bed in a daze, "Master! The princess is here!"
"What?!" Lu Er almost collapsed, his mouth twitching as he sat up in pain, "Help me get out of the yard!"
He was injured and could not walk to the gate, so he could only greet her in front of his own courtyard. They all believed that the princess came to visit him, and the princess's personal maid had already hinted at it when she visited her yesterday.
Just as he was about to step out of the room, Lu Er suddenly stopped and asked the servant beside him, "Is there something wrong with my appearance?"
The servant said: "Young Master is handsome and upright, there is nothing wrong with him."
"really?"
"really."
"Go get a mirror."
“…”
The servant brought a bronze mirror and placed it in front of Lu Er. Lu Er turned his head to observe the mirror and found nothing wrong, so he stepped out.
He stood in front of the yard, looking towards the visitor, but no matter how long he waited, there was still no one in sight.
"Is the princess really here?"
"Indeed." The messenger nodded hurriedly. "When I came to report, the Marquis and his wife had already welcomed Her Royal Highness the Princess into the main hall."
Lu Er: “…”
In the main hall, Xie Mingzhuo sat in the main seat, and Jiang Qing stood behind her.
Marquis of Weining Lu Ping and his wife Liu Ying sat at the bottom and ordered servants to serve tea and snacks.
Xie Mingzhuo took a sip of tea and looked at the two of them.
She had met Marquis Weining in the palace before, and there was nothing new about him, but Liu Ying caught her eye.
Liu Ying was born with thin eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes and a slender figure, which contrasted quite well with the burly and strong Marquis Weining. However, looking at his sitting posture and demeanor, he actually had a hint of chivalrous air.
The book says that when the capital fell, the women of the Weining Marquis's Mansion also fought bravely against the enemy. I guess this lady is what it is talking about.
"I often hear my mother mention Madam Liu. She says you were born in Shaanxi and once fought against a pack of wolves alone in your youth. You are truly a hero. Seeing you today, I can see you are truly extraordinary."
Liu Ying was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, instantly dispelling her previous pretense of dignity and virtue. She said cheerfully, "Princess, you're too kind. That was all due to my youthful fearlessness. Actually, I was scratched by a wolf, but I didn't dare tell my parents when I got home, fearing the loss of face. It wasn't until the inflammation flared up and I had a high fever that they noticed something was wrong and called a doctor for me."
"I'm afraid your father and mother will stop scolding you now that they see that you have a high fever," Xie Mingzhuo joked with a smile.
"Hahahaha, that's true." Liu Ying slapped her thigh, "I was actually glad I had a high fever at that time, so I wouldn't have to eat another meal of stir-fried pork and bamboo shoots."
"Ahem." Marquis Weining cleared his throat.
Liu Ying pretended not to hear and continued her conversation, "Princess, you don't know, I've been tough since I was little. I was full of energy and vitality two days after having a high fever. My two children are just like me. Don't look at Erlang being carried back covered in blood. In fact, it's just a superficial wound. He will be fine in two or three days. You don't have to worry."
"After all, he suffered injustice while doing my job." Xie Mingzhuo said gently, "I won't feel at ease unless I go and take a look."
"The princess is so kind. It was that bastard who didn't do his job well. Not only did the princess not punish him, she also rewarded him with so many medicinal herbs and food. I, an old minister, feel really ashamed." Lu Ping said sincerely.
Xie Mingzhuo waved his hand. "Lord Lu is wrong. I only asked him to raise pigs, not to win the fight. To be honest, I should thank him."
"Princess, you are too kind." Lu Ping quickly replied, "It is his blessing to be able to work for Your Highness."
Xie Mingzhuo suppressed his smile and said sternly, "It's not just me. My father also told me privately that Lu Erlang has been wronged. I'm sure Marquis Lu has also heard about what happened at court today. My father is worried and uneasy. As his daughter, I want to help him solve his problems, but I don't know where to start."
The words were so obvious that Lu Ping couldn't pretend not to understand. He already had some thoughts about this, and the princess's hint gave him the opportunity to speak his mind.
"I'd like to ask, Your Majesty, are you worried about the defense of the capital?"
"That's right," Xie Mingzhuo asked sincerely. "I heard from my father that Marquis Lu once led a group of new soldiers, only two months' training, to inflict a heavy defeat on the Northern Di cavalry that had invaded the border. Later, these new soldiers became a formidable force that the various Northern Di tribes feared. Marquis Lu was a brave warrior and had considerable insights into the training of his soldiers. In your opinion, can the current Beijing camp be saved?"
Lu Ping's eyes were red. "Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your kindness. I will submit a petition tomorrow and list all my thoughts on the training. Please review it."
Xie Mingzhuo said sincerely, "It is a blessing for us to have such a talented and capable general as Lord Lu."
"Daqi is now prosperous and peaceful, all thanks to Your Majesty's diligent efforts to govern the country and pacify the people. I, an old minister, cannot bear the praise from Your Highness."
Xie Mingzhuo: “…”
It is not easy to be a subject. You have to learn to lie with your eyes open.
The Emperor who was diligent in governing the country as described by Marquis Weining should be drinking tea and painting in the Qianqing Palace at this time, and playing with the cat with his wife.
"Lord Lu is too modest." Xie Mingzhuo asked again with a smile, "Where does Lu Erlang live?"
Liu Ying stood up swiftly: "Princess, please follow me."
The Marquis of Weining's Mansion was not luxurious, but it had pavilions and waterside terraces. Walking through the winding corridors, one could see pools and rockery all the way. Compared with the majestic and magnificent imperial palace, the mansion was more exquisite, and every detail revealed the breath of life. It was a warm house.
"Princess, it's just ahead, just around the corner." Liu Ying respectfully led the way, passing a two-meter-tall deer-shaped stone sculpture, and a small courtyard came into view.
Liu Ying originally turned her head to introduce herself, but after she turned around, her expression suddenly froze.
Her disappointing son actually fell asleep in the rocking chair at the door!
The two servants beside him knelt hurriedly to pay their respects, and did not forget to call out softly to the young master who had fallen asleep.
"My son is so rude. Please forgive me, Princess." Marquis Weining had been following behind and now he could only stand in front to apologize. He was about to open his mouth to scold but was stopped by Xie Mingzhuo.
"He's injured, so it's inevitable that he'll be in so much pain that he can't sleep at night. Since he's already asleep, there's no need to wake him up. Let him rest well."
Liu Ying felt sorry for her son and felt very relieved when she heard this, but etiquette is etiquette.
"Your Highness, you sympathize with Erlang. I appreciate your kindness. However, when Erlang wakes up, he will definitely blame me for not waking him up."
After Xie Mingzhuo agreed, she walked to the rocking chair and patted Lu Er on the shoulder.
Lu Fang awoke with a start. He didn't care about the injuries on his body and sat up straight, mumbling, "Is the princess here? Is the princess here?"
Everyone: “…”
Marquis Weining was simply unable to bear watching and wanted to kick him back to his room.
Xie Mingzhuo was amused by him, and a smile appeared on his face. He walked up to Lu Fang and continued his conversation: "Well, the princess is here."
She was not wearing her usual princess dress today, but only a sky-blue double-breasted, narrow-sleeved jacket, with a cloud-white bodice over it. There were not many pearls or jade in her hair, and she looked very plain. Her slightly sharp eyebrows and eyes seemed to be tinged with gentleness.
Lu Fang was stunned for a few moments, and when he came to his senses, he leaned on the armrest of the rocking chair and was about to kneel down to salute.
"You're injured, so the gifts are unnecessary." Xie Mingzhuo gestured for Jiang Qing to hand him a wooden box. "Recovering from your injuries is boring, so I asked someone to find some books in the palace library. Most of them are about livestock breeding techniques, but there are also a few miscellaneous books to pass the time. You can read them."
Lu Fang accepted it with surprise: "Thank you for the reward, Your Highness! I will study it carefully and strive to raise even fatter pigs!"
The Marquis of Weining and his wife could not help but hold their foreheads.
Even the other servants who bowed their heads couldn't help but grin.
Xie Mingzhuo also smiled and encouraged: "I believe in you."
After declining the dinner invitation from Marquis Weining and his wife, Xie Mingzhuo took Jiang Qing and left the Marquis' Mansion.
There was no important matter to deal with in the palace, so she took Jiang Qing for a stroll in the market.
After traveling through time, she moved from the princess's residence to the imperial palace. Except for going to Nanxiaguan yesterday, she has not really visited this city.
"Where does Your Highness want to go?" Jiang Qing asked while driving the carriage.
Although the carriage was a royal product, its appearance was very low-key. It was specially built for the nobles in the palace to travel incognito. The wheels rolled over the bluestone road, and it was not conspicuous in the streets.
Xie Mingzhuo opened the curtains, supported his head with one hand, and glanced blankly at the shops lining the street, then suddenly focused.
"parking."
Jiang Qingyu stopped the carriage, looked up to the right, and saw a luxurious shop with three large gold-plated characters "Fenglin Garden" written on it.
She had heard of Fenglin Garden. The name of the store was taken from "rare feathers and unicorn horns". It was said that the owner was very wealthy, and the goods in the store were all rare treasures shipped from all over the place, and the prices were shockingly high.
In the past, she would not have dared to get close, but now she could borrow the princess's help and go in to broaden her horizons.
The doorman of Fenglin Garden was very polite. He politely took the reins from Jiang Qing and greeted Xie Mingzhuo who got out of the car with a smile: "Madam, please come in."
Xie Mingzhuo nodded slightly and stepped into Fenglin Garden.
The store's antique displays are neatly displayed on display shelves made of high-quality pine wood, and there seems to be a faint pine scent floating in the store.
All kinds of treasures are displayed on the pinewood shelves, including precious porcelain and gold and silver jewelry, exquisite jade carvings, and rare items traded from overseas.
Xie Mingzhuo was interested in a set of transparent glass tea sets.
The Qi Dynasty could only produce colored glass, and glassware had not yet appeared.
In modern society, glass products are everywhere in life and production, and no one will deliberately think about the convenience brought by glass.
It was not until ancient times that Xie Mingzhuo deeply realized the importance of glass.
She studied in the Wenhua Hall every day. The doors and windows were covered with silk cloth. The light in the hall was extremely dim, and her eyes would hurt and swell after reading for a long time.
After resolving the crisis of national destruction, he originally planned to send people to foreign lands to search for glass products and learn the glass manufacturing process.
Who would have thought that she would run into him while shopping on a whim.
Seeing her staring at the glass tea set, the shop assistant enthusiastically introduced it, "Madam, you have good taste. This tea set is transparent and clear. When the tea is poured into the cup, you can clearly see the floating tea leaves and the clear blue water. It is perfect for drinking tea."
"How many sets are there in the store?" Xie Mingzhuo asked readily.
The clerk's eyes lit up, and his tone hinted at regret: "This is the only set we have left in our shop."
If he ordered a few more sets, maybe this distinguished guest would be able to buy them all. When the shopkeeper knew about it, he would definitely praise him and might even give him a raise.
Having stayed in Fenglin Garden for so long, he had already developed a pair of "eagle eyes and golden pupils". Although the lady in front of him looked simple, her words and actions were graceful, and her expression was confident and calm. She must have come from a good family.
He happened to have some knowledge of textile technology, and the clothes the young lady wore were definitely not from an ordinary workshop.
Xie Mingzhuo also looked regretful: "I want to buy a few more sets. Can you tell me where this tea set comes from?"
"This..." the waiter said in embarrassment, "I'm just a waiter, and I don't know where the boss gets the goods from. My dear customer, would you like me to pack it for you?"
Xie Mingzhuo nodded and signaled Jiang Qing to pay.
A set of glass tea set cost as much as one hundred taels of silver.
The waiter was quick and skillful. He placed the glass tea set into an exquisite wooden box, stuffed the gaps with cotton balls, and handed it to Jiang Qing with a smile on his face.
Xie Mingzhuo asked at the right moment: "The owner of your shop should know the source of the goods, right? Could you recommend some?"
"The shopkeeper is out on some business and isn't in the shop right now. If you're free, you can hang out in the shop and wait for him to come back."
Just as Xie Mingzhuo was about to respond, a voice from outside the door arrived first, smiling: "Who's waiting for me to come back?"
A plump woman in her early thirties walked into the store. She was wearing a narrow-sleeved agarwood-colored jacket and amber agate under her ears. Her eyes were curved like crescent moons and she smiled at everyone she saw. She looked very approachable and amiable.
"Shopkeeper, this distinguished guest has taken a fancy to the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea blue glass tea set, but she wants to buy a few more sets and would like to inquire about the source of the tea sets." The waiter hurriedly stepped forward to explain.
The woman's gaze fell on Xie Mingzhuo, and she was slightly stunned for a moment, but the smile on her face remained unchanged.
"My surname is Li, and my name is Jiuyue." Li Jiuyue extended her hand and invited him, "Would you like to come upstairs and chat?"
Xie Mingzhuo nodded: "Manager Li, you are too polite."
Fenglin Garden has three floors, and goods are displayed on both the first and second floors, but the goods on the second floor are more rare and valuable.
The third floor is the reception room, which is specially used for the shop's distinguished guests to appreciate treasures. The interior decoration is luxurious, and even a small ornament is worth a fortune.
Fenglinyuan is indeed wealthy, and I wonder who the owner behind it is.
The three of them entered the inner room. Li Jiuyue turned and closed the door. Before Xie Mingzhuo could react, she suddenly knelt on the ground and said respectfully, "I pay my respects to Her Royal Highness the Princess. May Your Highness be blessed with good health."
Xie Mingzhuo raised his eyebrows: "Do you recognize me?"
"I'm a common woman, I dare not fail to recognize the royal family and nobles in the capital." Li Jiuyue lowered her eyelashes. "When running a shop and doing business, I can't offend people because of ignorance."
"Get up." Xie Mingzhuo turned around and sat down. "You could have pretended not to recognize me."
"I dare not lie to you." Li Jiuyue stood up, respectfully brewed some tea, and held it in front of Xie Mingzhuo with both hands. "Princess, please have some tea."
Fenglin Garden can stand firm in the capital because the people behind it are either rich or noble. Li Jiuyue is neither humble nor arrogant in front of the emperor's favorite princess, which shows that he is not an ordinary shopkeeper.
Xie Mingzhuo studied the tea in the cup and said with a smile, "This is tribute tea from Fujian. Fenglinyuan is truly extraordinary."
Gong tea, as the name suggests, is tea presented as tribute to the emperor. Except for the royal family and rewarded nobles, no one else can even see it, let alone taste it.
Li Jiuyue replied, "Last Spring Festival, the Governor of Fujian presented Wuyi Rock Tea to the Emperor, and the Emperor gave a jar to my host. My host treasures it very much and only uses it to entertain distinguished guests."
Every Spring Festival, the gifts presented by officials would fill up the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and the emperor would also pick out some suitable ones to give to relatives, nobles or meritorious officials.
However, this happened before Xie Mingzhuo traveled through time, and she didn't know to whom the emperor gave the Wuyi Rock Tea.
Li Jiuyue observed her expression and knew she didn't remember, so she continued to remind her, "My hostess has always been grateful for the emperor's care for her young aunt, and she has repeatedly told me that if the princess and the two princes come, I must not neglect them."
The emperor's youngest aunt, the youngest sister of the late emperor, was Princess Jiashan when the late emperor was still alive, and now she has become the Grand Princess Jiashan.
Whenever Xie Mingzhuo saw her, he would call her great-aunt.
She didn't have a deep impression of her great-aunt. She only knew that the Grand Princess Jiashan was only in her early forties, her husband died early, she had no children, and she lived in seclusion all year round.
"Fenglin Garden was originally the work of my great-aunt. She had a unique vision, and every item in the store is extremely rare." Xie Mingzhuo praised from the bottom of his heart.
As we all know, most members of the royal family of the Qi Dynasty relied on salaries and land grants to maintain their extravagant lives. As the royal family continued to grow, more and more people who did not work relied on the power of the whole country for support.
No matter how much the heavy burden on the people increases, these people of noble birth will never show mercy to those who support them, and may even go further and forcibly seize the land on which the people depend for their survival.
There are very few people like Princess Jiashan who can open their own shops and make money.
Li Jiuyue's eyebrows curved. "My boss often tells me that Her Royal Highness the Princess is a rare and extraordinary person."
"Thank you for your compliment, Grandaunt. I'll definitely visit you when I have some free time." Xie Mingzhuo changed the subject, "However, when I entered the store just now, I took a fancy to that tea set. Since you said you wouldn't hide it, then tell me where it came from."
Li Jiuyue answered simply, "Your Highness, the owner bought this from a caravan from the Western Regions for sixty taels of silver. Even a commoner wouldn't know the details. If Your Highness wants to know, you can ask the owner in person when you meet him."
"Yes." Xie Mingzhuo stood up. "I'll go back to the palace first. Manager Li, please give my regards to my great-aunt for me."
"Princess, please stay." Li Jiuyue took out a box. "The shop assistants here are blind and don't recognize the treasure. You and the owner are family. If Your Highness likes it, I will give it to You. How can I ask Your Highness for money?"
Xie Mingzhuo declined politely: "When you open a business, you have to pay for goods. Here, you are the seller and I am just the buyer."
"If the boss knew..."
"I will explain it to my great-aunt myself."
Li Jiuyue didn't dare to force it, so she had to agree and respectfully saw Xie Mingzhuo off from Fenglin Garden.
After the carriage turned the corner, she turned back to the shop and saw the clerk looking at her eagerly. He solemnly said, "Remember, this is a distinguished guest among distinguished guests. Be more careful when you see him next time."
"Okay, I'll take note of that." The clerk scratched his head and asked curiously, "Boss, you've never been this way when you've seen young masters and young ladies from the Duke's Mansion before. Is this lady even more noble than the ones from the Duke's Mansion?"
Li Jiuyue gave him a sidelong look and said, "What do you know? Stop asking about things you shouldn't be asking about."
As it was getting dark, Jiang Qing drove the carriage back to the palace, and Xie Mingzhuo rushed to the Qianqing Palace for dinner as usual.
As soon as she entered the hall, her second brother followed in, hurriedly poured a cup of tea, took a big gulp, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, slumped down at the table, and kept shouting, "I'm so hungry."
Meng Qi hurriedly ordered the palace maids to serve the meal.
After eating and drinking his fill, Xie Mingshuo finally regained his strength. He leaned back on the couch, holding his belly, and hummed in a dramatic voice: "Oh, I've received too much negative energy today. I need everyone's love and hug."
Xie Mingxuan was the first to punch him.
Meng Qi held the soft and well-behaved Lixia in her arms and said lazily, "You're already grown up."
"Ask Shao Shao to give you a raise." Xie Changfeng held a painting and looked at it carefully.
Xie Mingshuo was dissatisfied: "My salary is paid by the national treasury. You can increase it just by saying something."
"Don't even mention it. The national treasury is already in deficit." Meng Qi said helplessly, "We still owe a lot of royal family members their salaries."
"Ah? How could this happen?"
"The royal family keeps having more and more children, but they don't produce anything. Where's the money going to pay them?" Meng Qi pinched Lixia's breast. "I've checked. So far, there are about 28,000 royal family members. If we calculate an average of 400 dan per person per year, that's over 10 million dan in total. And that's just the nominal amount. Who can afford it?"
Xie Mingshuo was stunned for a few breaths, then he sighed deeply and said, "These systems will only intensify the exploitation of the common people. Today I visited many of the conscripted Beijing soldiers and their relatives. Life is really hard for them. I would also want to revolt if I were given the power."
Xie Mingzhuo: "Please elaborate."
"Let's not talk about the troops like Wei Dajiang who came to Beijing. I don't know how they live in their hometowns. Let's take the soldiers from Beijing as an example.
"There was a veteran over fifty years old who was blind in one eye and had his ring finger and pinky finger on his left hand broken. If he were in modern times, he would have been discharged from the army long ago and would have received a severance pay.
"But he can't. He does the dirtiest and most tiring work in the barracks, gets the least monthly rations, and eats only one hard steamed bun a day. He's so skinny that his bones are visible. Sometimes he even has to pay out of his own pocket to buy winter clothes. There are many people like him."
Living in affluent modern society, they rarely see such cruel life at the bottom.
"Such soldiers are looked down upon by the wealthy and powerful. They can't even get a rank if they're forced to serve. And those strong soldiers who are forced to serve are just disposable items in the eyes of the powerful. They're thrown away after use, regardless of whether they're dead or alive."
Xie Mingzhuo asked, "Where is the rest of Zhang Xiaofu's evidence?"
"I've heard a lot of rumors about the Zhang family bullying men and women and causing deaths, but I haven't had time to verify them yet. I'll conduct a more in-depth investigation tomorrow."
"Tomorrow..." Xie Mingzhuo frowned and pondered for a moment. "The Zhang family wouldn't keep their assassins in their house in the city. Even if the Imperial Guards surrounded the Zhang residence, how can we be sure that the Zhang family has no escape route and secretly ordered the assassins outside to kill and silence them?"
Xie Mingshuo sat up suddenly and ran out in a hurry: "You're right, I won't wait until tomorrow, I'll go now!"
Before he even left the hall, Wu Shanqing's voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Commander Yang has something important to report."
Xie Changfeng looked at his daughter, and after Xie Mingzhuo nodded, he spoke: "Ask him in."
Yang Yunkai was ordered to investigate the case of Duke Jingguo. Xie Mingshuo also wanted to know the progress of the Jinyiwei. Although he was anxious, he stayed to listen. Perhaps he would know more clues, which would help him continue his investigation.
"No need to be so polite. You are here to see the emperor at this hour. Is there any progress in the case of Duke Jing?" Xie Mingzhuo stopped the red tape.
Yang Yunkai was stunned for a moment, at a loss for what to do with his hands and feet. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and saw that the emperor did not look displeased, so he replied:
"I have uncovered a great deal of secrets from the killers. Following their confessions, I have searched for witnesses, but discovered that some of them died years ago, some recently, and still others died suddenly today in accidents."
"Asshole!" Xie Changfeng slammed the table. "You're simply lawless!"
Xie Mingshuo took a deep breath: "It's still too late."
"Your Majesty, please calm down." Yang Yunkai knelt down and apologized. "It is my fault for not doing my job well. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
Xie Changfeng's chest kept heaving. As a man who had never even killed a chicken, he really couldn't imagine how some people could be so cruel.
Those are human lives!
Meng Qi patted the back of his hand, looked at Yang Yunkai and said in a heavy tone, "You didn't leave a single witness?"
"I did not dare to be careless. I saved the lives of a couple before the assassins could kill them, and even ambushed and captured another one alive."
"What about the couple?"
"I have already properly arranged for him to be placed under close guard."
Xie Mingshuo couldn't wait any longer: "Where is it? Take me there!"
There is a high-sloped alley on the back street of the Beizhenfusi. Because it is close to the Jinyiwei yamen, most of the people living there are Jinyiwei's small flags and low-level strongmen. Jinyiwei has a fierce reputation, and no one dares to approach this place.
At three quarters past ten, a few lanterns illuminated the dark alley.
Led by the Jinyiwei, Xie Mingshuo quickly entered a small courtyard. The Jinyiwei were guarding the dark corners of the courtyard.
The first time he saw the couple, he imagined countless scenes of them being bullied and weathered.
Yang Yunkai said that they were no more than forty years old, but the two people in front of him looked older than those in their sixties.
The woman supported her husband and stood in the house in a daze and numbness. The man had one leg broken and had delayed treatment due to lack of money. His left leg was twisted in his trouser leg and he could only stand on one leg.
Xie Mingshuo calmed down for a while before taking out a pen and paper and said solemnly, "If you two have any grievances, you can speak out."
The woman finally responded and asked hesitantly, "Who are you? Can you make the decision for us?"
Yang Yunkai: "Big——"
Xie Mingshuo stopped them with his eyes, and said gently and firmly: "As long as the injustice is true, I can redress it for you."
Disbelief was written in the woman's eyes, but she still spoke, and in a calm tone she stated the grievances that she had complained to the authorities countless times.
They were residents of a town outside the capital. They met when they were young, got married, and had a smart and lovely daughter named Hui Niang.
When Hui Niang was fifteen years old, her beauty was famous far and wide, and matchmakers were lining up at their doorstep.
After careful selection, the two chose a young man of equal social status and integrity as their daughter's husband.
After seeing each other, the engaged couple fell in love with each other and were very satisfied. They were just waiting for the wedding date to complete their happy marriage.
Unfortunately, things happen unexpectedly. The young couple went for a stroll in the city one day and ran into a playboy from the side branch of Duke Jingguo's mansion. The playboy was tempted by Hui Niang's beauty and wanted to seize her by force.
In order to protect his fiancée, the husband was beaten to death by the servants of Duke Jing's mansion. Hui Niang was heartbroken and died after crying blood.
By the time the troops from the Military Commission arrived, the situation was already beyond redress.
That playboy used the power of the Duke Jing's Mansion to bully others, and no one dared to arrest him.
The parents of both parties filed a complaint with the county government, but the government refused to accept the lawsuit on the grounds that it had no jurisdiction. They then filed a complaint with the Shuntian Prefecture government, but the Shuntian Prefecture refused to accept the case on the grounds that it was not within its jurisdiction.
They had nowhere to turn to and could not seek justice for their children. Because of this action, they were secretly retaliated against, their wealth was lost, and their health deteriorated.
The man's parents died in a snowy place, and Hui Niang's father also had his leg broken while working.
On the surface, they were all accidents, but they could feel an invisible big hand manipulating them from behind, taking pleasure in their powerless struggles like trapped animals.
But they did not give up.
Xie Mingshuo lowered his head, and each stroke of his pen was written with great heaviness.
Two families that could have been happy and harmonious fell apart just like that. The sudden lustful thoughts of the powerful were like a disaster like the end of the world for them.
But even such a disaster did not break their backbone.
In the cage woven by the powerful, the two even secretly contacted the victims who had been bullied. They gathered together like a group of ants, trying to bite down the thousand-mile dam of Duke Jingguo's Mansion.
Even in such a harsh living environment, they actually discovered many crimes related to the Zhang family.
But in the process of describing the crime, she deliberately blurred the identity of the victim.
The woman's eyes were dim: "I'll talk to the officials first."
Xie Mingshuo looked up and said, "You have filed a complaint with the government before but it was unsuccessful. Why do you still want to see the government?"
"It's different now." The man suddenly spoke, revealing a secret and crazy excitement. "Old thief Zhang is in jail."
"We don't know who you are, but we do know one thing: when a wall falls, everyone pushes it down." The woman sneered, "You brought us here and asked so many questions, aren't you just looking for evidence to completely bring down the Zhang family?"
Xie Mingshuo simply nodded: "Which official do you want to see?"
"We want to file a complaint too!" the man suddenly shouted excitedly.
Xie Mingshuo refused decisively: "No."
One exception is enough. Once filing a complaint to the emperor becomes the norm, not only will the normal morning court process be disrupted, but the emperor's supreme authority will also be weakened.
He didn't have to maintain the emperor's authority, but at least it was not appropriate to make such an offer at the moment.
"Then we want to see the Imperial Guards, or even a high-ranking official from the Censorate!"
The emperor ordered the Jinyiwei to thoroughly investigate the case of Duke Jingguo, with the Censorate assisting. The matter has spread throughout the capital.
The couple was willing to seize this excellent opportunity even at the risk of their lives.
Xie Mingshuo looked at Yang Yunkai, who took out the Northern Pacification Division's talisman and pointed at his own yisa. His expression was stern and he said, "Now that you have seen it, you must confess all the crimes related to the Zhang family."
The couple was stunned for a moment, and suddenly tears rolled down their cheeks.
The candle burned all night and was extinguished at dawn.
Xie Mingshuo's eyes were red. He put away the precious notes, pushed open the gate, and told Yang Yunkai: "You will take care of the follow-up matters."
"As you command."
With the clues provided by the couple, the Jinyiwei's investigation speed became more and more clean and efficient. Pulling out the radish will bring out the mud. Following one line of investigation, they can lead to a series of branch clues.
Under the protection of the title of Duke Jingguo, the Zhang family ignored the laws of the court, committed many evil deeds, and did many cruel and insane things.
In addition, the Jinyiwei also dug up the secrets of officials who had private dealings with the Jingguo Mansion, recorded them one by one, and submitted them to the emperor after the court meeting.
Along with the evidence presented to the emperor, there was also a petition submitted by Weining Marquis Lu Ping.
The two books are of similar thickness.
Xie Mingzhuo had just come down from a court meeting and was still wearing her elaborate princess uniform. She sat directly beside the imperial desk.
Just now, some officials at the court meeting protested against the "princess entering the court", but were all perfunctorily dismissed by Xie Changfeng.
During the investigation of the case of Duke Jingguo, a number of officials were either worried, or taking advantage of the situation, or just want to watch the fun. They did not have the extra energy to offend the emperor with this matter, so they could only suppress it.
After a few more court meetings, they will get used to it.
After reading the confession submitted by the Jinyiwei, Xie Mingzhuo couldn't help but sigh.
Xie Changfeng was sitting on the throne, admiring a painting. Upon hearing the noise, he immediately put the scroll down, leaned over, and asked, "What's going on?"
"Take a look."
He took the memorial and was calm at first, but the more he read, the more his face turned pale and his hands shook.
"How can this be possible!"
Xie Mingzhuo flipped open Lu Ping's petition and said calmly, "Let the three judicial officials and the Jinyiwei conduct the trial together."
The Three Judicial Departments refer to the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate. The procedure of joint trial by the three departments will only be initiated in case of major cases.
If it is a particularly serious case, the three judicial officials will work together with the ministers of various ministries and the Tongzhengshi to conduct a "round trial".
Cases personally assigned by the emperor were of utmost importance and were tried by the three judicial departments together with the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Xie Changfeng was furious, so he immediately called Wu Shanqing, wrote a handwritten letter, and sent it to the Sanfasi and Beizhenfusi.
The trial is scheduled for April 4th, and senior officials from various ministries will also attend as observers.
Both witnesses and material evidence were prepared by the Three Judicial Departments and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
The moment they heard the news, one sentence popped up in the minds of all the ministers: Duke Jingguo’s Mansion is really going to be destroyed!
When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.
The Duke Jing's Mansion, which was once bustling with people, has now become a cold prison.
No one can easily accept the gap of falling from the clouds to the abyss, and Zhang Gao is no exception.
He didn't want to go to jail, he didn't want to be exiled, and he didn't want to die.
When people are on the verge of despair, they always burst out with potential that surpasses themselves.
Zhang Gao's usually rusty brain was working at high speed, and he actually found a glimmer of hope from every corner.
He called over the hesitant servant and asked, "Do you want to live?"
"I do, I do." The servant replied in a trembling voice.
If the entire family of Duke Jingguo were executed, these slaves would also be sentenced to death or exile.
He is still so young!
"Come here if you want!" Zhang Gao beckoned him to lean over and whispered something. Seeing his bewildered expression, he raised his leg and kicked him. "Do you understand?"
The servant stammered, "I understand, I understand, but the Yulin guards outside the door..."
"They're just guarding a few gates. I have my own ways." Zhang Gao glared at him coldly. "If you want to save your family, just listen to me and don't play any tricks. Understand?"
"clear."
"Then come over here!"
The Imperial Guards, following the Emperor's orders, surrounded the entire Duke's Mansion, but they did not actually circle the Mansion. Instead, they focused on several main gates, side gates, and corner gates. Outside the rest of the walls, they patrolled in shifts at regular intervals.
Zhang Gao had always been a playboy, so in order to teach him a lesson, Duke Jingguo often made family rules for him that prohibited him from going out and had the servants keep a close watch on him.
In order to rebel against the family rules, he fought wits and courage with the servants, and instead opened up a little-known escape route in his own yard.
At one o'clock in the morning, darkness enveloped the capital.
A head cautiously popped out from the corner of the wall. Seeing that there was no one around, it quickly passed through the "dog hole" and rebuilt the loose bricks and stones to restore them to their original state before turning around and leaving Duke Jingguo's Mansion.
Little did he know that as soon as he left, a plainclothes guard appeared next to the "dog hole". The guard glanced at the corner of the wall and followed him quietly.
The news was quickly delivered to the palace.
After leaving the "dog hole", the servant of Duke Jing's Mansion secretly went to Prince An's Mansion, met Prince An's son Xie Ji, spoke a few words with Xie Ji, and then stayed in Prince An's Mansion.
The Jinyiwei were unable to find out what was said specifically, but after Xie Ji settled Zhang Gao's servant, he went to the study to discuss with Prince An.
The father and son conspired for a while, and at three quarters past midnight, Xie Ji found the servant again, said a few words to him, and asked someone to send him back to Duke Jing's Mansion.
Xie Mingshuo put down the information and said, "As we expected, the Zhang family will definitely seek external help. But I don't understand one thing. Zhang Gao and Xie Ji are very close, so it's understandable that he would ask him for help when he's in trouble. But why does he think Xie Ji can save him?"
Xie Ji was only the prince of An Wang, and An Wang was only the clan leader of the clan affairs office and had no real power in the court.
Xie Mingzhuo flipped through the memorial and replied, "Either Zhang Gao is losing his mind in anxiety, or Prince An really has this trick."
"Prince An..." Xie Mingshuo patted his head, "Things are more complicated than I thought."
"No rush, let's take it one step at a time." Xie Mingzhuo raised his eyes. "Have you arranged for the redress of grievances at the government office?"
Xie Mingshuo patted his chest and said, "Of course!"
At Duke Jingguo's Mansion, Zhang Gao heaved a sigh of relief after receiving the servant's reply, and his originally gloomy face softened slightly.
"He really said that?"
The servant was still in the excitement of having accomplished something important, and nodded repeatedly, "Indeed, Prince An also told me to tell you that you just need to wait quietly for the next few days."
"Okay, I'll wait then." Zhang Gao, still aching from the thirty strokes of the cane, sank down on the couch. "Go to the kitchen and get me something to eat. I'm starving."
"It's said that Prince An treats you very well." The servant took out an oil-paper bag from his bosom. "The prince knew that the Imperial Guards were away, and the kitchen could only cook the ingredients they sent every day. The mansion couldn't buy the meat pancakes you like, so he specially asked me to bring back two to satisfy your craving."
"Meat pancake?" Zhang Gao took it, looked at it, threw it back, and waved his hand. "The pancake is cold. Go to the kitchen and make me some hot ones."
He didn't like meat pancakes to begin with, but only pretended to like them because Xie Ji liked them. Now that Xie Ji wasn't around, there was no need to pretend anymore.
The servant hesitated: "Then this cake..."
"A reward for you."
"Thank you for the reward, sir!" The servant happily put the cake in his pocket and ran to the kitchen.
After instructing the cook, he found a corner, smelled the aroma of the meat in his arms, and swallowed his saliva.
There were only two meat pancakes, so he could eat one first and save the other for when he was hungry.
The aroma of meat spread in his mouth, and he ate faster and faster. By the time he reacted, he had already bitten half of the second pancake.
Why couldn't I hold back?!
The servant was heartbroken, but he still stuffed the remaining half of the cake into his mouth. The chef in Prince An's mansion is really good. The food is a hundred times more delicious than what is made outside!
There was still a hint of meat smell on the inside of the oil paper bag. He was reluctant to throw it away, so he hid it back in his clothes, wiped the oil off his fingers, and slipped back into the kitchen.
The cook just made a bowl of noodles perfunctorily.
"Why is there only so much?" The servant frowned unhappily, "Make a few more dishes."
The cook threw the sweat towel over his shoulder and said expressionlessly, "I'm busy."
"You—" The servant was so angry that he pointed at him, but was deflected by the other party. He heard the other party whisper contemptuously, "Someone still thinks he is the young master of the Duke's Mansion."
The servant was furious, but he was powerless to change the situation, so he had to swallow his anger and reach out to take the food tray.
As he walked over, he couldn't help but deliberately bumped into the cook's shoulder.
The cook grabbed him by the collar and was about to punch him, but he saw his face suddenly turn pale and spit out blood. He was so scared that he let go and threw him to the ground.
"Someone's dead! Someone's dead!"
【Author’s words】
Send 100 red envelopes~
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