Cao Zixing confessed, but it seemed that his confession was not complete.

However, just this record of the tip of the iceberg made Song Zhong's heart tremble.

How did the Shanxi merchants allow a figure like Cao Zixing to step into the palace of the capital.

From the very beginning, Cao Zixing was trained by Shanxi merchants, and his past was hidden by local residents.

There are not only people like Cao Zixing, but many of them. They are all those who are good at studying selected from the big merchants' families in Shanxi.

It’s just that Cao Zixing is so outstanding that he can get to where he is today.

These people are real thorns. When they are in their official careers, they don't need to give any help to the Shanxi merchants and they have a good reputation throughout their lives.

The only thing to do is to quietly provide some help.

All the expenses of their families were provided by Shanxi merchants. They didn't even have close contacts with their own clan members. Everything was done in secret.

In other words, the reason why the Shanxi merchants were able to obtain such accurate information from the capital regarding the rumor case was inseparable from Cao Zixing.

It's a small amount of money, which is not a big deal at all.

“What a profound layout.”

After listening to this, Song Zhong was amazed.

What kind of family could come up with such an idea? From these few words, Song Zhong could feel that it was not just the Cao family, but other big families of Shanxi merchants that had been operating in this way.

He continued to erode the power in the imperial court, paving the way for the Shanxi merchants.

In fact, if Song Zhong knew about the eight well-known imperial merchants of the Qing Dynasty in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, he would not be so surprised.

They had long-term collusion with the Jurchens, Mongols and other foreign races, buying and selling ironware and smuggled salt. This was not just a few years of payment, but hundreds of years of friendship!

It lasted longer than the Ming Dynasty.

Why has it lasted so long without being cleaned up?

The biggest reason is the Shanxi officials like Cao Zixing who were lurking in the court and silently trying to cover up the matter.

There are also officials who are willing to spend a lot of money to win over.

This allowed such a huge cancer to continue to grow, and at the same time, it also allowed the various ethnic groups on the grassland to have enough iron tools and private salt to slowly grow stronger.

Until later, the Qing Dynasty took control of the Central Plains.

This resulted in the second time in Chinese history that China was ruled by a foreign race.

However, the Jurchen culture was weaker than that of the Mongols. After entering the Central Plains, except for some customs that were brought over, the rest were assimilated into Han culture.

While feeling shocked, Song Zhong also realized that Cao Zixing had not revealed many key points.

"Lord Cao is quite straightforward, but now that things have come to this, there's no need to hide it."

"Song wants to ask Lord Cao to tell us how many of Lord Cao's fellows are there in the capital, and how many officials have helped the Shanxi merchants and accepted their benefits."

"As the highest-ranking official in the court of the Jin people, I don't think it is possible that Lord Cao knows nothing about this."

After Song Zhong came to his senses, he stepped forward to untie Cao Zixing and asked people to bring stools, wine and dishes.

After asking Cao Zixing to sit down, he said with a smile.

In Cao Zixing's eyes, this smile was like that of an evil spirit, which was about to devour him completely.

After a slight hesitation, Cao Zixing argued, "Lord Song, you don't know. What you just said is all I know. Because I am concerned about possible problems in the capital, I don't know other situations."

"Even other officials from the same hometown in the court rarely come into contact with each other on weekdays. Lord Song will understand after a little inquiry."

"My housekeeper is in charge of all the information I pass on. I have no idea where he passes it on to or who he contacts."

After listening to these clear and logical words, Song Zhong did not move. Instead, he asked the captain of the Jinyiwei next to him, "Where is the housekeeper of Lord Cao's family imprisoned now? Let him come over and sit down with us and have a chat."

Upon hearing this, the Jinyiwei centurion replied with an unpleasant expression, "Boss, the housekeeper of Lord Cao's family had already committed suicide by taking poison when we arrived there."

Song Zhong said "Oh" without much reaction.

But out of the corner of his eye, he was always staring at Cao Zixing.

When Cao Zixing heard this, he lowered his head slightly and felt relieved.

However, Song Zhong's next words made him feel like he had fallen into an ice cellar, and his whole body trembled.

"Master Cao, please don't blame me for not keeping my word. What Master Cao just told me is indeed very good and useful. I think it is a small contribution."

"but!"

"After calculating this way, Lord Cao's crime is even greater than before. This is not just about rumors, it's clearly a conspiracy of treason!"

"Such a serious crime would normally result in the execution of the entire family, but now His Majesty is furious and in a rage."

"Submit the files as they are now. Song can guarantee that at the very least, your entire clan will be executed, and exile is out of the question."

Song Zhong said with a sigh of emotion.

It seemed as if he wanted to help Cao Zixing, but what he had just done turned out to be more counterproductive.

Cao Zixing had no mood to drink and eat, and regardless of his hunger, he hurriedly said, "Sir Song, that's not what you said just now. You promised me that you would help me."

Song Zhong said helplessly, "I didn't know that Lord Cao's crime was so serious. It has now been recorded in the files. What else can we do? It seems that Lord Cao's entire clan cannot be saved!"

Cao Zixing suddenly panicked, and because he had no handcuffs or shackles, he wanted to snatch the records made by the Jinyiwei next to him.

"presumptuous!!!"

Song Zhong had been staring at Cao Zixing. Although he did not expect him to suddenly attack, Song Zhong's skills were no match for a civil servant like Cao Zixing.

Bang!

He slapped Cao Zixing directly in the face, knocking him to the ground and causing him to somersault.

"If you don't accept my toast, you'll have to drink the wine for punishment. What kind of place is this? How dare you be so presumptuous?"

"I think you not only want to kill all your clans, but you also want to experience the pain of being tortured to death and skinned and stuffed with straw."

While scolding, Song Zhong stood up and stepped on Cao Zixing's forehead.

Song Zhong, who was drinking and chatting happily just now, suddenly turned ruthless.

"Song...Lord...help...help me, what do you want to know? I...I want to know..."

Cao Zixing said with difficulty. At this moment, he was already at a loss and his mind was blank.

After all the struggle, he ended up being sentenced to execution of nine generations of his clan. He was regretting it so much now.

Song Zhong untied his feet and said to the captain of the Jinyiwei next to him, "Why are you still standing there in silence? Help Lord Cao up quickly. All the credit for our brothers' achievements goes to Lord Cao."

At this moment, Song Zhong felt very refreshed.

According to what Cao Zixing said now, this is a major case, more serious than the rumor case involving His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

This is a serious act of treason.

And being able to figure it out through interrogation is definitely a first-class achievement. If nothing else, at least the future will be safe for me.

The future is promising.

"Sir Song, if I confess everything, can my entire clan be spared the crime?" Cao Zixing asked hesitantly.

Song Zhong laughed, patted Cao Zixing on the shoulder and said, "Master Cao, just put your mind at ease. Everyone in the Jinyiwei knows that I, Song, am the most trustworthy."

"As long as Lord Cao explains in sufficient detail, I, Song, can guarantee that at most the whole family will be executed, but the entire clan will not be harmed."

Cao Zixing thought of his two young children in his hometown who were not yet adults. He gritted his teeth and nodded vigorously, saying, "Sir Song is a man I can trust. Okay, I'll tell you everything."

After a pause, he continued, "I beg Lord Song to give me a quick death after this."

Song Zhong smiled and narrowed his eyes and said, "Don't worry, Lord Cao, I will do what I say."

Cao Zixing nodded again, and then began to talk about the part that had not been mentioned before.

This includes even those accomplices in the court.

Not only those in Jin, but also some other accomplices told the story in detail.

Many matters including some planning and cooperation from Shanxi merchants were also reported.

As for the list, according to the internal rules of the Jinyiwei, it would be considered correct after it was repeated three times without any mistakes or omissions.

When Song Zhong got the file, the corners of his mouth rose involuntarily.

Cao Zixing, who had explained everything, called out pleadingly, "Sir Song."

Song Zhong had already stood up and prepared to leave. He wanted to hand the file personally to His Majesty or the Crown Prince.

Hearing Cao Zixing's voice, he turned around and said, "Don't worry, Lord Cao."

At the same time, he said, "Since Lord Cao has cooperated with us, the punishment will be waived. We will prepare good wine and food for Lord Cao as a farewell to him."

After saying this, he turned around and left without hesitation.

Looking at Song Zhong's back and hearing his instructions just now, Cao Zixing felt relieved.

He thought to himself: If a man does not care for himself, he will be punished by heaven and earth. Don't blame me.

After leaving the prison, the captain of the Jinyiwei next to Song Zhong asked doubtfully, "Boss, do we really want to help Cao Zixing?"

Song Zhong tightly grasped the file, looked at the centurion with disdain and said, "You are out of your mind. How Cao Zixing is sentenced has nothing to do with us Jinyiwei. In the end, it all depends on the will of the higher-ups."

"You are probably drunk to offend His Majesty for such a traitor of the Ming Dynasty."

The captain of the Jinyiwei was scolded so much that he lowered his head and muttered, "That was just now. Boss, you acted so realistically that I believed you."

Song Zhong turned around and glared at him, and the captain dared not say anything more.

He was in a very good mood at the moment and didn't bother to care about anything, so he went straight to the palace.

…

Lan Yu was furious.

He went straight to the Jinyiwei Yamen with a few brothers.

The people next to him were either Hou, Bo, or Cao Zhen and others.

Two hours ago, Lan Yu came back from the dock after arresting someone, and only then did he learn about this from his men.

Song Zhong, a member of the Imperial Guard, brought his men to arrest a group of officials from Shanxi and sent them to the imperial prison.

At first, Lan Yu didn't think much about it, but after Cao Zhen's reminder, he suddenly realized it.

This is an attempt to steal the credit!

These Jin merchant gangs are nothing. They have killed thousands of people and there is no useful information at the moment.

Some of the things that were discovered through torture are already known, but there is no news about any truly valuable and meritorious intelligence yet.

This made Lan Yu a little annoyed.

I am counting on making merit this time so that I can go to the battlefield to kill the enemy in the spring, and then I will get more trust.

Apart from anything else, if we can please His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Gunpowder Bureau will naturally produce more of its newly developed firearms.

When the matchlock gun was first invented, Lan Yu was involved.

Lan Yu, who had led troops in battles for many years, understood the huge damage caused by firearms, especially the matchlock gun, which was truly a powerful weapon for killing the enemy.

As long as there are enough of these new types of muskets, then the great feat will be easily accomplished.

In front of the Jinyiwei Yamen.

"Where is Mr. Song Zhong? Ask him to come out and see me as soon as possible."

Lan Yu grabbed a Jinyiwei and scolded him.

The Duke of Liang is well-known in the Ming Dynasty and the entire Jinyiwei. Who doesn't know him?

The Jinyiwei flag officer dared not resist and said hurriedly: "Reporting to the Duke of Liang, Governor Song should be interrogating the prisoner in the imperial prison at this moment."

It’s not that this small flag officer was talking nonsense, it’s just that Song Zhong just went out in a hurry, and he just came here and didn’t know the news.

Besides, it is impossible for a small flagman to inquire about the Jinyiwei pacification envoy, so this misunderstanding occurred.

The actual situation was that Song Zhong had only been out for less than half an incense stick of time. If Lan Yu went to chase him at this moment, it was possible that he would catch up with him in front of the Fengtian Gate.

Just when Lan Yu was talking to the flag officer.

On the side of the gate, the captain who had followed Song Zhong before was hiding quietly.

The Duke of Liang made such a big fuss and mobilized a large army to come to the Jinyiwei Yamen. His purpose is obvious.

Only after hearing what the flag officer said did I feel relieved.

Lan Yu didn't think much about it. He didn't think a small flag of the Jinyiwei would dare to deceive him, nor did he think that Song Zhong's interrogation would be so quick.

The only idea was to kidnap the person and take him to the dungeon of the Public Security Department.

Seeing the Duke of Liang and his entourage heading straight for the imperial prison, the captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard turned around and started running.

Although Song Zhong walked quickly, it would take some time to pass through Duanmen and Fengtianmen according to the normal review process.

However, the Jinyiwei, including some government offices, had emergency privileges and could quickly reach the palace under the supervision of the guards.

In front of the gate.

Song Zhong is waiting.

Although he was the Jinyiwei pacification envoy, it was impossible for him to enter whenever he wanted.

Even the guards at the Duanmen Gate cannot be released just because they want to.

To enter the palace when not in court or during designated hours, one must obtain approval or verbal permission from His Majesty or the Crown Prince.

Now the eunuchs will go in to report.

The captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard saw the familiar figure in front of him and ran over quickly.

Hearing the noise, Song Zhong turned around and saw the captain.

Arriving beside him, the captain held his breath and said quickly: "Boss, Duke Liang has brought people to the government office and is now going to the imperial prison to look for you."

Song Zhong was shocked and immediately understood.

He gave the captain a look and quickly said to the guard, "Song Zhong, the Jinyiwei pacification envoy, who is involved in a major case of treason, must see His Majesty immediately."

Upon hearing this, the guards looked at each other, and without asking why he hadn't said anything, they immediately went in to report it.

Then a row of twelve guards appeared.

Song Zhong hurried forward, and the twelve guards surrounded him, and then they ran quickly together.

When the captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard saw the city gate closed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and gasped.

He said to the guard just now: "Thanks, brother."

The guard didn't say anything, just nodded and stood guard at the door again.

And at this time.

Lan Yu, who had already arrived at the imperial prison, learned that Song Zhong had just entered the palace with the file.

Knowing that he had just gone out for a while, Lan Yu shouted: "Chase!!!"