Chen Zhenglin didn't know how the Jinyiwei got this evidence, but he knew that he couldn't get it out. Once the investigation started, all this would be ruined, and it could even cost him his life.
But the question now is what should he do? Deny it? Or confess?
If they didn't admit it, they could save their reputation. Even if they found something, it would be a frame-up. The Jinyiwei couldn't do anything about their reputation, and outsiders wouldn't believe it.
If I plead guilty, I will lose my reputation and I don’t know if I can even save my life.
Chen Zhenglin looked up at Xu Xianchun thoughtfully and said, "What a mess! I have no idea what this is."
"Alright, stop pretending. This is a major case commissioned by His Majesty. We dared to arrest you because we knew what we were doing. So stop struggling like that."
"You can push these things away, can you push away the seventeen women in your house? They are all Yangzhou skinny horses given to you by various salt merchants."
Xu Xianchun's tone was full of sarcasm as he said this. He continued, "As long as I arrest these seventeen women, what can't I find out? You'd better cooperate obediently, otherwise, your end will be very, very miserable."
Chen Zhenglin sighed helplessly.
Sure enough, my guess was right. This was a major case designated by the emperor. I knew that after the emperor arrived in Nanjing, he would definitely not do nothing.
There are still people who are hoping for luck. It’s so funny to think about it now.
But Chen Zhenglin never expected that the emperor's major case would actually start from him. But it was understandable. After all, he was in charge of the imperial purse. Salt was money. If he touched him, he would touch the money.
Chen Zhenglin raised his head and looked at Xu Xianchun and said, "If I cooperate obediently, can you spare my life?"
"You want to negotiate?" Xu Xianchun said softly, "If you keep talking, your entire family will be executed. Do you really think anyone can negotiate? In this world, everyone really wants to show off, but that face isn't that good."
Chen Zhenglin shuddered, looked up at Xu Xianchun and said, "Thank you, Master Xu."
Chen Zhenglin understood what Xu Xianchun meant. Xu Xianchun was helping him.
If this were to reach His Majesty's ears, it would be like I was blackmailing His Majesty. Blackmailing His Majesty would never do any good. His Majesty would never compromise, and would never let my family off the hook.
All he could do now was to plead guilty and try to gain His Majesty's leniency with a good attitude and performance. This was also the path Xu Xianchun had pointed out for him.
After understanding this, Chen Zhenglin said directly, "Master Xu, what do you want to ask? The criminal will definitely tell you everything he knows."
Hearing Chen Zhenglin claiming to be a criminal official, Xu Xianchun nodded with satisfaction and said, "Let's start with these account books."
After saying that, Xu Xianchun took out a small box from behind him and placed it on the table.
"There are nine more account books in here, all about you. Let's explain them one by one."
"Besides that, who else gave you gifts? What were they? You need to explain everything clearly. You can just verbally state these things, and someone will record them. You just need to sign and seal them."
"Yes, sir." Chen Zhenglin agreed.
Things have come to this point, and the only option is to endure it or confess directly.
Being able to sit in this position, Chen Zhenglin's thinking was very clear. He made a choice quickly and did not resist at all. Just like pouring beans out of a bamboo tube, he told Xu Xianchun everything he wanted to know.
At this time, Zhu Youxiao also got up, washed up and was having breakfast.
Wei Chao was waiting beside him. He placed a meal on the table carefully and said, "Your Majesty, Huang Changzong from the Ministry of Internal Affairs has arrived and is waiting outside."
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Let him in."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Chao said respectfully, turned around and walked outside.
Not long after, a fat man walked in from outside, wiping his sweat as he walked.
After seeing Zhu Youxiao, the fat man hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am Huang Changzong."
Seeing Huang Changzong's clumsy appearance, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Alright, no need to be polite!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
