eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 281
Four people, including Zhan Xiushan, died in Fusi, Beizhen. This was the first time that this happened since Zhu Houzhao, who was still the crown prince in the 12th year of Hongzhi, restricted the torture by Jin Yiwei.

So since it was published by Ming Pao a few days ago, it has caused a lot of discussion in the capital.

To be honest, civil servants still hate this kind of "judicial department" outside the Ministry of Criminal Affairs. It can arrest you without review and approval, without reason or method.

Factory guard, factory guard, these are all mentioned together.Thinking about how hostile civil servants are to the East Factory run by eunuchs, there is no need to say more about the image of Jin Yiwei.

At the earliest, Zhu Yuanzhang revoked Jinyiwei, because he felt that its power was too great.

Today, when the Zhan Xiushan case happened, the courtiers have experienced the two benevolent monarchs, Hongzhi and the current emperor, and it should be said that frugality has turned into extravagance.This case is to bring them back to the terror of Jin Yiwei, who can easily accept it?

After several exaggerations, before Zhu Houzhao's imperial case, he did not know how many participating memorials.But the splash was not particularly big.After such a delay, the civil servants simply played directly in front of the emperor in the early court.

This group of people also knew that Zhu Houzhao would not kill people casually, so they straightened their necks and said righteously at Fengtianmen: "... Jin Yiwei's commander Tongzhi Mao Yuwen recruits power and accepts bribes. His family is like a market. Fortunately, crimes are everywhere. If he is today If you die, the government and the public will be happy tomorrow! In the 12th year of Hongzhi, His Majesty announced to the world that the punishment was limited and the code was limited, showing benevolence and virtue, and praised by all people. He lost his life in a dark room, and he was not punished, so why should he give a warning? I beg Mao Yuwen and his cronies to be held accountable, to take the poor books, pay them to the judiciary, and use the actual evidence to clear their official career!"

"My minister agrees!"

Zhu Houzhao looked up and found that Zhang Mao, whom he remembered in the name of honesty, stood up. The fact that the old man entertained guests with offerings was recorded in history books.

Zhang Mao was a little thin, with a thin gray beard and a thin, thin, and sparse movement. He bent over the wat board very slowly, but his voice was high-pitched and powerful. Zhao prison, if the snow is not brought to light, the minister fears that the way of heaven will not be revealed, and disasters will come. Mao Yuwen is a man of treacherous minds, secretive traces, sucking carbuncles and hemorrhoids, why not do anything, slaves are servile, and there is no shame. If this is not cured, the future Will you be punished? Fu Wang Your Majesty will show his power, and he will be deposed with special crimes, and the constitution will be legalized!"

That's not to say, another censor also stood beside Zhang Mao, and added a heavy sentence, "The minister seconded the proposal. And the minister is afraid that there are still unfinished rumors, so I still beg Jinyiwei Nanzhen Fusi to send Let the Department of Justice investigate them one by one if they have a low record of bribery!"

Zhu Houzhao has heard a lot of words like this, but still feels that this group of people is also ruthless in killing them all.The meaning of the last words is that the crimes we have heard may not be all, and I implore His Majesty to find out all his criminal records and investigate them one by one!

This is to hate Jin Yiwei.

Zhu Houzhao sat upright, listened patiently to these people's scolding, and then said: "In the case of Zhan Xiushan's violent death in Zhao Prison, the Guizhou Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs, I have read many memorials a few days ago. Didn't I approve the investigation of the specific memorials? ? Mr. Li Ge, Mr. Xie Ge, what is the situation?"

Li Dongyang went out to respond: "Report to Your Majesty. The case of Zhan Xiushan has been transferred to the Ministry of Criminal Justice and Dali Temple according to Zhu's approval, and the crimes committed by several people have been investigated according to the facts. According to the reply from the Ministry of Criminal Justice, Zhan Xiushan and others have no previous convictions. I really don’t know why Jin Yiwei suddenly arrested a few people. As for how to die violently in Zhao Prison, the cabinet, Ministry of Punishment, and Dali Temple have no authority to intervene.”

To put it bluntly, Jinyiwei is licensed by the imperial power, they killed people, why do you ask me?
Mou Bin immediately came over, "Your Majesty, Tongzhi Mao had left Beijing on business the day before yesterday, should he be summoned back to Beijing for interrogation in court?"

"Is this case unclear?" Zhu Houzhao looked at Mou Bin, squinting his eyes, "Commander Mou, Jin Yiwei was under your rule, and there was a murder case, you don't know a word?"

Mou Bin lifted his official robe and knelt down, "Your Majesty, the arrest of Zhan Xiushan and other ministers has not been done, and all colleagues are witnesses, please be careful!"

Mu Bin has a certain reputation, so many people will choose to believe what he says.

After he said this, there were really three or two people who came out to stand for him, so it would be difficult for Zhu Houzhao to chase him down.

At the moment of embarrassing silence, Min Gui, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, came out, "Your Majesty! I have a statement!"

"Say."

"I think that Zhan Xiushan and others did not die at the hands of Mao Yuwen!"

Min Gui is the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, and a Jinshi of the Eight Classics.

He actually said such words at this time, and the civil servants suddenly burst into whispers, and all kinds of low exclamations and refutations were heard endlessly.

Liu Jin took a step forward: "Silence!"

Zhu Hou took care of this wrinkled old man. To be honest, he was quite envious of Min Gui sometimes.

This guy...has a bit of the three views of some modern people.That is, I just say what I think is right, I don’t care about you, you don’t like me?Labor and management don't like you yet!
Last time, the emperor was furious. He pleaded for Liu Jian with Zhu Houzhao's anger when so many people dared not speak!
It wasn't because he sold the face of the former Chief Assistant, it was because he felt that Liu Jian really couldn't be guilty of such a big crime.

This time he stood up to the courtiers and offended Mao Yuwen, and naturally he was not afraid of the second in command of Jin Yiwei.

Anyway, such a person would not have many friends, but he couldn't stand the trust of the emperor. Counting the time when Zhu Houzhao was in charge of the country, Min Shangshu had been acting as the Ministry of Punishment for six years, and his position became more and more secure.

"Since I have been in charge of the punishment, I have seen countless cases. I have never seen a prisoner dig a hole for himself! Although the commander of Jin Yiwei and Tongzhi Mao Yuwen are arrogant and domineering, he dare not violate the imperial edict lightly. Your Majesty clearly The decree is that heavy punishments should not be lightly used in Zhao Prison. All the subjects of the world say that His Majesty is benevolent, so Mao Yuwen would not know? What's more, this case is not a heavy punishment, but a direct murder?! This one doesn't make sense!"

"Furthermore, Mao Yuwen has his own purpose in arresting people. Although I don't know what Zhan Xiushan and others committed, or they themselves are fine, no matter what, Mao Yuwen's purpose is not to kill people. Your Majesty thinks carefully, if Mao Yuwen If you want to kill someone, why do you need to arrest him in Zhao Prison first, and take the risk of beheading him in disobedience to the imperial decree? This is not only superfluous, but also extremely stupid! It doesn’t make sense either!”

"Third, Mao Yuwen arrested Zhan Xiushan and others, trying to interrogate them. How could he kill people without knowing why, and cut off the clues?! This is the third problem!"

"There are three things that don't make sense. I can conclude that the death of Zhan Xiushan and others has nothing to do with Mao Yuwen! Today's words are not for Mao Yuwen, but for justice!"

Min Shangshu's analysis of one, two, and three points is clear and logical.

However, the more reasonable his analysis was, the angrier those who disagreed would be, so as soon as his words fell, there was a sound of fury.

"absurd!"

"Totally ridiculous!"

"Mao Yuwen has always been a brutal man. He didn't blink his eyes when he killed and destroyed his family. Facing such treacherous people, Da Sikou actually wanted to tell the truth about his murder! When did Mao Yuwen kill people with reason? Innocent people How many people died at his hands? This is absurd!"

"Furthermore, Da Sikou said that although Mao Yuwen was arrogant and domineering, he did not dare to disobey the imperial decree lightly. What does this mean? Is the imperial decree allowing him to be arrogant and domineering? This is ridiculous!"

"Thirdly, both the Ministry of Criminal Justice and Dali Temple have investigated the cases of Zhan Xiushan and others. These four people have no criminal record, but they died in Zhao Prison for no reason. It is even more absurd that Zhaoxue offered advice, but exonerated a murderer!"

These remarks were made by Xie Guanggan, the right deputy capital censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. One, two, three are quite reasonable, and the eloquence should not be inferior to Min Gui.

With these two senior officials arguing, others dared to speak. Anyway, if the emperor got angry, Min Gui would stand in front of him, so there was a quarrel in front of Fengtian Gate.

But whenever a person opens his mouth, Mao Yuwen will be killed, from the old man in the sky to the father-in-law of the land, from the three emperors and five emperors, to the Taizu Taizong... He quarreled with you and Zhu Houzhao's head fainted.

When the sun slowly rises, he can even see the scene of spitting stars flying under the sun.

To be honest, Zhu Houzhao is obsessed with government affairs, but not with quarrels...

With this rhythm, he couldn't concentrate all the time. He actually started wandering in the sky after listening to it. While bathing in the morning sun, he was also admiring the clouds in the sky. After seeing too much, he felt a little sleepy.

Until a high-pitched voice pulled him back to reality from the end of the white cloud,

There was still a full cry in that voice, and the ending was extremely long, "Your Majesty!!"

Zhu Houzhao twisted his scalp, and looked down to see a face full of tears, "The imperial court ordered officials to die in Zhao prison. If they are made to bear the dirt and the perpetrators go unpunished, the officials of the court and the public will be sad and depressed." , Under Nine Nethernesses, even if Zhan Xiushan and others die to fill the ditch, their eyes will not be dimmed. I admire the sage and benevolence as the sky, and the canonical practice, so that the day will be clear, and the world will be innocent!"

"Your Majesty!" Min Gui was stunned to a certain extent, no matter how much he scolded, he still insisted on his own opinion, "The court has its own rules and regulations, and there is no right to make mistakes. The world is truly innocent!"

Zhu Houzhao knew that the quarrel was almost over, and many people should have turned up. He stood up and said, "I think what you said makes sense. In the 12th year of Hongzhi, I did issue an order to Jin Yiwei. Those cruel and severe punishments should not be taken lightly. Use. Especially when used on the body of my minister, it is like peeling and cramping... I can't bear to hear it. I often say that even if the minister of the court has made a big mistake, as long as he can give him a credit, Then there is no need to use such a severe punishment. If you really committed a capital crime, you can just order to beheaded. Why torture people? If all kinds of cruel methods are used, then what is the difference between humans and beasts?"

The emperor's words were in line with the wishes of the civil servants.

So he knelt down outside the Fengtian Gate, and Zhu Houzhao believed that many people sincerely said the phrase "Your Majesty is holy."

"Since severe punishments are not allowed, it is even more unacceptable to kill people without conviction. What the left deputy capital censor and the right deputy capital censor said were also the words of many officials from the bottom of their hearts. I listened. I have to reflect on my own mistakes, first of all, to ensure that such murders will not happen again. I also decided to reorganize the Jinyiwei. In the 12th year of Hongzhi, the severe punishment should not be used lightly. In fact, it has a vague meaning. Is it a severe punishment? Some people say it is heavy, but some say it is not. It is impossible for Commander Mou to chase me with these questions every day, so I want to clarify the punishment, even on the basis of the 12 years of Hongzhi , appropriately expand the connotation of severe punishment, which is also a guarantee that there will be no more murders without crimes in Jinyiwei."

Reorganize Jinyiwei?
Mou Bin immediately felt something was wrong when he heard it. Why didn't he, the commander of Jin Yiwei, know about such a big matter!
But he didn't dare to ask, Zhu Houzhao would also ask him, why do you dare to plausibly say that it's none of my business if someone died there!This is not quite right with the leadership responsibility system that Zhu Houzhao has emphasized in recent years.

Why are you not responsible for the field you manage?What is leadership?A leader is the greatest person in charge.

Maybe this kind of statement is a bit unreasonable, as if there is a problem, the top leader has to be responsible.But from the emperor's point of view, he can only do this.Otherwise, the top leaders in various fields will find a reason to say, ah, this has nothing to do with me after any problem occurs.That management is a joke.

Other courtiers felt that the emperor's idea was very good.

In the past, it was a principled sentence that severe punishment should not be used lightly, but in the future, severe punishment has practical and specific connotations, such as pinching fingers, as long as it is written on it, it cannot be used if it cannot be used.

The civil servants welcomed this very much, and felt that they had achieved a good result today.

Zhu Houzhao turned his head and said again, "But when I think about it carefully, is it true that what Da Sikou said is unreasonable? Mao Yuwen is really a stupid person, and he wants to kill people where I don't allow him to kill? This is really hard to understand. I I know, you all want to punish the murderer and seek justice for the dead. But the premise of seeking justice is to seek justice from the right person. We don’t want our monarchs and ministers to arrest people indiscriminately, kill them, and deceive ourselves and others to say that the revenge will be repaid. In this way I, the emperor, is about to make a joke of the real murderer, and the dead souls of Zhan Xiushan and others will probably not rest in peace. What do you think?"

This is a very reasonable word.

Although many people said a lot of emotional things in the process of arguing with each other today, no matter how emotional you are, you can't still be emotional when the emperor is reasoning with you, right?

All the ministers knew how to cherish their own heads, and they all nodded in agreement, "Your Majesty's words are justified!"

Zhu Houzhao nodded, "Since that's the case, let's deal with it like this. Zhang Aiqing."

Zhang Mao cupped his hands, "The minister is here."

"I have come to decree that regarding the Zhan Xiushan case, the imperial court must give a clear statement. The cause and effect must also be investigated. If the goal is not achieved, I will not give up. As for the people who have been found, up to the prince, Down to the common people, all will be dealt with according to the law of the Ming Dynasty, and no one should be partial. Do you think it is fair? Are you sorry for those undead?"

Zhang Mao was speechless, and the emperor gave him face very much, "Your Majesty's actions can be called holy! Your majesty is a wise king, and he will protect my country for thousands of miles!"

"Okay, Chief Sikou."

"The minister is here."

"I know that you have always been a public servant, and even today you have no selfish intentions. I am not the only one who understands your temper. All the officials here have nothing to do with your temper. But in order to show justice, the case of Zhan Xiushan will not be handled by the Ministry of Criminal Justice." Do it, do you have something to say?"

"I have nothing to say, Your Majesty has avoided this suspicion well."

Zhang Mao also added, "I also agree with your Majesty's words!"

"Okay. It's not just the Criminal Department that needs to avoid suspicion, but also Jin Yiwei. Commander Mou?"

Mu Bin understood, "Jin Yiwei respects His Majesty's decree!"

But no one needs it, who else can investigate the case?

Zhu Houzhao didn't make a fool of himself, "Recently, provincial officials came to Beijing. I heard that there was a man named Zhao Shen who said he was good at apprehending. This person's reputation is not obvious, and he has almost no connection with Beijing and China. Let him investigate the case. .”

This is a person that all parties are reluctant to refute, but it is not easy to refute.It's like taking a step back.And with the blessing of Emperor Jinkou, naturally there is no problem.

After the imperial decree came out, Zhao Shen added the title of servant of the Ministry of Punishment, and dispatched personnel from the Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple, and Metropolitan Procuratorate to investigate the case.The results of the investigation were not passed through the third department, but were sent directly to the cabinet and the supervisor of ceremonies.

This method of only adding titles but not holding positions is to give him a rank, otherwise he would not be able to enter many yamen without this official position of the third rank.

For Zhao Shen, this is also a test, if he really does well, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment will not be out of reach for him.

If you are more courageous and imaginative, then count Min Gui's age. He was born in Xuande five years ago, and he is already 76 this year!

Xuande, after Xuande, the reign titles are Zhengtong, Jingtai, Tianshun, Chenghua, Hongzhi...the emperor has changed several times!

Even if he can live, but his body is declining, he will not be able to work for a few years.

But Zhao Shen was middle-aged, and he was doing a job he was good at.As long as he behaves well in front of the emperor, it is entirely possible for a minister of the Ministry of punishment.

What is that concept?Handing a note to the palace can meet the emperor, and there are a few of the thousands of officials in the Ming Dynasty who can do it.

So when Zhao Shen himself received this decree, he was a little dazed.

He himself felt that it might be a slightly unimportant position, after all, he really had no background.His own plan is relatively conservative, which is to stay in the capital and do things honestly. If he can't do it for three years, he will be able to perform in front of the emperor. He didn't expect opportunities and challenges to come so quickly, and he was directly punished The title of servant!

At this time, Zhu Houzhao had already summoned Yan Song in the palace pavilion.

"The Zhan Xiushan case caused an uproar. You can see it before and after. Zhao Huixing just came, and he has a clean background, so he was squeezed in after all the fights. But then again, it's easy to be clean in the capital. It's hard to move, you are his junior, but you can actually help him."

"Besides, I don't think Mao Yuwen will arrest Zhan Xiushan for no reason. There is something strange about it. You tell him exactly what you said. I don't care about the rest. I don't blame him for finding anyone."

Yan Song was a little surprised by the emperor's words, what does it mean to not blame him if anyone is found out?Isn't this encouraging Zhao Shen in disguise to make this matter as big as possible?Otherwise, why open such a big hole for no reason?
The emperor is Chrysostom, such slightly 'irresponsible' words must have ulterior motives, otherwise how could he be worthy of the title of 'Mingjun'.

Nowadays, no one knows the ability of this emperor, so Yan Song will not doubt the word Mingjun.

"Wei Chen understands that no matter the antecedent or the consequence, His Majesty wants eight words, clearly and clearly."

"Yes, you are still smart."

"It's also good for His Majesty to teach."

……

……

In the courtyard where Zhao Shen rented.It was him and Yan Song again.

Yan Song has already conveyed the emperor's words.

Zhao Shen was indeed unfamiliar with the capital, and those who had just entered the capital were a little confused by the sudden outbreak of such a dispute in the court.

And judging by today's scale, it is impossible to say that the development of this situation was purely a coincidence.But the problem is that it is useless to just notice something is wrong, you need to understand the situation.

Only in this way can you judge what is beneficial to you.

"...In this way, I am also a bit lucky. The things in this world are really wonderful. I thought it was a bad thing to have no one in the court, but I didn't expect that there is a good side. This is called the snipe and the clam vying for the fisherman. Profit?"

Yan Song asked: "What does the teacher want to do?"

"Do as before, find out the truth, and return the truth to His Majesty."

Yan Song respected Zhao Shen as a teacher, so he restrained many things he said, but he had to say some things.

"Teacher, forgive the students for being rude. The teacher really thinks that it is luck to get the title of servant of the Ministry of Punishment this time?"

Zhao Shen's eyes flashed, this unexpected student seemed to be quite scheming.

"tell me the story."

"Students have spent more than a month with His Majesty, and they have been involved in dozens of government affairs. The time is short, but there are many things. Students dare to say that the current Holy Majesty is not a monarch who succumbs to the situation, but a monarch who takes advantage of the situation."

"What do you mean?"

"It means that the situation where a local official with a clean family background suddenly came to the capital to take over a major case in which both parties in the battle between the capital and the official wanted to avoid suspicion was not a coincidence, but created by His Majesty."

This is a bit confusing.It also surprised Zhao Shen deeply.

Yan Song added another explanation, "In short, the teacher is not lucky, but His Majesty appointed you in his heart to investigate and handle this case, but the teacher has no foundation in the capital, how can the teacher take over in a logical manner? ? That's the problem."

"Of course the imperial decree can directly order. But according to the students' understanding, His Majesty always follows the trend, or to use a word that other seniors often say: plan in advance. This is more accurate, because sometimes there is no trend, and His Majesty will create it himself. .”

Zhao Shen's heart trembled slightly, "Who...can do this?"

Yan Song said seriously: "Your Majesty can. Absolutely."

If this is the case, then this matter is actually a bit scary when you think about it, which means that everything is under control.

"But why me? As you said, I have no foundation in the capital."

Yan Song lowered his head and looked at the two shallow water marks in the teacup: "Because there is no foundation, the teacher can only rely on His Majesty."

(End of this chapter)