The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

After Li Rong discussed the matter with Zhang Zhou, he and Zhang Zhou went to the palace of Bao Guo Gong in Beijing to ransack the house that night.

Although Duke Baoguo knew that Zhu Hui had committed a crime in the northwest this time, he did not expect that the punishment would be so severe. While the Jin Yiwei was still searching the house, Zhu Hui's eldest son Zhu Qi came over and knelt down in front of Li Rong with a loud voice. With pleading, he said: "Eunuch Li, we are all members of our own family, why are we making such a fuss? Is there any lack of etiquette in the past? I hope you, Mr. Haihan, will give us a chance to explain it clearly to the court."

Li Rong crossed his legs. In the past, he could pretend to be a grandson in front of Zhang Zhou, but as the boss of Dongchang going out to run errands, he would not slack off in his momentum.

What stands out is a person showing off his power.

Li Rong had a sneer on his face, but he still held the steaming tea cup in his hand. The cover rattled, and he took a sip of tea to relax and said: "The emperor's orders are on his side, how can we accommodate him? As long as the emperor has given instructions to us, Who dares to neglect my errand? I am afraid that if there is something I cannot explain clearly, I will end up in Jinyiwei's prison, and there are plenty of opportunities to explain it clearly."

When Zhu Qi heard this, he knew that the new Dongchang factory owner would not give him any face.

Zhu Qi could only kowtow, almost hitting his head on the ground with a loud bang.

This made Zhang Zhou, who was sitting on the sidelines and watching the fun, sigh with emotion. Those who are dukes, important ministers, and pillars of the country are nothing if they have not reached the pinnacle of power in front of the imperial power. Today he is Bao Guo Gong, and maybe tomorrow he will be Cai Guo Gong. This It all depends on the emperor's mood.

This was his first time to watch the process of ransacking a home up close, and it also made Zhang Zhou feel some strange emotions in his heart.

"Eunuch Li."

Here Zhu Qi was still kowtowing. Guo Ang, the envoy of the North Town Fusi Town headed by the Jin Yiwei who was ordered to come, entered the main hall of the Zhu family and said respectfully: "According to the clues obtained before, six silver boxes have been taken out of the house. Preliminary calculations indicate that at least There are 6000 taels, which is expected to be obtained through corruption and fraud. There are also several money boxes, and the money is still being weighed and counted."

Zhu Qi was also startled when he heard this.

Didn't it mean that the factory guards came to the door because of his father's neglect of military aircraft?Why do you still care about corruption and perverting the law?
Speaking of which, within the military and political system of the Ming Dynasty, who dares to say that he has nothing to lose?Even if it is Cai Guogong next to him, dare he say that he has never collected a penny?

"Okay, take it back and use it as evidence." Li Rong said.

Zhu Qi hurriedly explained: "Father, these are all income from the family's land, land tax, shop, etc., as well as my father's salary over the years. There has never been any corruption or abuse of law."

"Oops." Li Rong said impatiently, "There is no point in telling our family this. Keep your mind on how to justify your explanation. Mr. Zhu, do you want to wait for our family to collect the bribes that were paid to your father-in-law, and Will all the officials your Majesty handles who have enriched his own pockets in the military and political affairs be summoned and confronted before he is willing to admit it?"

"what?"

Zhu Qi didn't expect that he had done enough homework here.

It turns out that Jin Yiwei doesn't just focus on frame-up, nor does it focus on beatings and beatings. They also talk about evidence. Although this kind of evidence looks like finding someone to temporarily fill up the evidence. It's about people and physical evidence. Don't you know the principle of catching a thief and getting dirty? ?
Just find a few boxes of money and say that we got it by corruption and perverting the law?How to be convincing.

"Mr. Zhang, what do you think?" Li Rong seemed to have just remembered that he was on an errand with Zhang Zhou today, and Zhang Zhou was the leader.

Zhang Zhou shrugged and didn't even say anything.

It means that when I watch your performance today, I am just a spectator, so don’t involve me in everything.

Don’t you know what it means to be sad when a rabbit dies and a fox dies?I was watching the family of the same prince being ransacked, and I felt pity and sympathy.

Zhu Qi also realized that Zhang Zhou had the right to speak, and quickly kowtowed to Zhang Zhou and said, "Gong Cai Guo, please tell us something. My father has always respected you, and said that if he has the opportunity in the future, he will definitely fight with you on the battlefield. I will serve you before and after the horse, and I have prepared generous gifts before..."

"Stop it." Zhang Zhou said, "I am here with Eunuch Li today to be a witness. I don't want to personally participate in the investigation or anything like that. If you have any grievances, why don't you write them down or find an opportunity to submit them to His Majesty. "

Zhu Qi said: "Thank you very much, Mr. Cai Guo, for your help. I will go and write a statement of grievance now."

When Li Rong heard this, could he still do this?I'll give you a chance to write in the form. If your appeal is successful later, wouldn't it mean that our factory guards would come to your house to cause trouble out of thin air?
Li Rong was about to say something, but he glanced at Zhang Zhou first. Seeing Zhang Zhou's indifferent expression, he seemed to understand something.

After all, the Zhu family is the family of the prince. If he is not given any chance, it will appear that the emperor is very unreasonable. He wants them to redress their grievances... Anyway, the evidence is conclusive that Zhu Hui enriched himself, and that Zhu Hui was slacking off in military affairs. The delay in fighting was well known to everyone in the government and the public. Even civil servants went to impeach him repeatedly. If Zhang Zhou, represented by Wu Xun, did not speak for him, then Zhu Hui would be rejected by everyone.

Li Rong changed his face to a smile and said: "Mr. Zhu, did you hear what Mr. Zhang said? He is giving you a chance. Your Majesty always insists on clear rewards and punishments. If you, the protector of the country, really have any grievances, you must prove it." To be honest, our family will also redress your grievances on your behalf. We are ministers in the same palace, but we don’t mean to embarrass anyone."

Li Rong was also looking for a way out for himself.

He also realized a problem. Although Zhu Hui's house was confiscated now, it did not mean that Zhu Hui would be killed. Even Zhu Hui's title did not necessarily mean that he would not be able to keep it.

This case has just begun. The emperor may have wanted to show his attitude of investigating the matter vigorously and resolutely at first, but when the limelight passed, the emperor would still give the loyal minister and general he had chosen a chance to "reform". After all, Zhu Hui was not a It's human's fault, this represents the general state of the entire martial arts system.

What's more, the current emperor is still a kind and generous person.

Even if the emperor refuses to forgive, Zhang Zhou's words can actually maintain the inheritance of the Baoguo Gong family. In fact, it mainly depends on the attitude of the emperor and Zhang Zhou.

……

……

The house raids are continuing.

After Zhu Qi withdrew, Li Rong was also discussing the further investigation process with Zhang Zhou.

"Sir, you see, the men of the Zhu family, especially the men who are direct relatives of the guilty minister Zhu Hui, will all be sent to prison. As for the slaves, they will either have to be expelled first, or some will be sent directly to the Jiaofang Department. , as for the female relatives of the Zhu family, we should find a place to resettle them temporarily, and then make a decision after the case becomes clearer, what do you think?"

Li Rong is still relatively cautious about this case.

After all, the person he was investigating was a prince, and he could be ruthless in front of others. That was just a professional attribute.

When he is behind others, he must show his humble and kind side, especially not making Zhang Zhou feel that he is too strong.

Zhang Zhou said: "That's good. I also think it's better not to overdo it and kill everyone."

"Ha ha."

Li Rong smiled.

I'm thinking in my heart, is this because I don't want to offend a large number of nobles, so I say this deliberately?

"Sir, we are here to investigate this case tonight. In order to prevent outsiders from spreading the word about it, whether they are imprisoned, sent to the Department of Education, or looking for a place to resettle, they need to be guarded by dedicated personnel to prevent them from telling the truth about the case. "Xie, do you think this is how it should be?" Li Rong asked for instructions again.

Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "Everything will be done according to Eunuch Li's wish."

"it is good."

Li Rong didn't think Zhang Zhou was easy to talk to. This was still determined by the difference in power and status.

The boss of Dongchang was just a follower in front of Zhang Zhou, and Li Rong also knew his own identity.

Zhang Zhou said: "In the past two days in the court, will anyone come out to intercede with Duke Baoguo? If this case is mentioned, I don't know how to characterize it?"

Li Rong replied seriously: "It is too early to determine. We have to wait until Zhu Hui himself returns to the capital. His Majesty has issued a secret order to Ningxia. At the same time, the Shaanxi patrol censor and others will coordinate with the inspector general and others to go to the army." Capture Zhu Hui. It is expected that when Zhu Hui is captured, the news from the capital will not reach the army, and he will not put up any fierce resistance."

This was because they were worried that Zhu Hui would rebel.

But this was obviously over-worry. Even if Zhu Hui had a hundred courages, he wouldn't dare to do it.

If Zhu Hui really did this, it would be almost impossible to create a rebellion based on Zhu Hui's accomplishments.

Even serious Tatars dare not go into battle, but they have to fight against Yang Yiqing, Wang Shouren, and even Zhang Zhou. They have to face the efforts of his soldiers to bring order back at any time... It is better to be escorted back to Beijing. Maybe it can be done. Relying on the relationship with the powerful people in the DPRK and finding someone to be accommodating, you can still have a chance of survival.

Just like Liu Jing, he committed such a big thing in Guangdong and Guangxi, but in the end nothing happened?The title that has been taken away can also be restored.Ming Dynasty was so kind to its ministers.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty's intention is to send Duke Baoguo to the southwest to guard the border. He will not be sentenced to death. Maybe he will have a chance to make a comeback in the future. Eunuch Li thinks how to properly handle his family members in order to stabilize the government and the public." Where is your heart?"

Li Rong was slightly stunned.

I'm obviously the one who obeys orders, so why are you taking the exam?
"I would like to listen to your teachings, sir." Li Rong said.

Zhang Zhou stood up, looked up at the mottled shadows reflected by the messy torches everywhere outside, and sighed: "I asked Eunuch Li because I didn't know. I thought Dongchang and Jinyiwei had experience in handling this kind of thing. I don’t want to offend anyone, but if I have to rectify military affairs, I will inevitably be at a loss if the same thing happens in the future, so I want to ask Eunuch Li for advice first.”

"Haha, sir, you are being too modest. Your Majesty has asked you to rectify military affairs. You can be kind or powerful. That is your convenience. How can we give you casual advice? You have something to consider, but you can ask for instructions. Your Majesty, I believe that Your Majesty will give you some guidance."

Li Rongnian is nearly eighty years old, and he can be said to be a fighting dough stick among the old dough sticks. He has never lost to anyone in this kind of scene.

Zhang Zhou said: "Okay. It seems that I will not do less things that offend people in the future. I hope that Eunuch Li can provide more assistance. It will be difficult for me to fight against so many important military and political officials by myself."

"You're too polite." Li Rong said, "With your prestige, who dares to disapprove?"

……

……

Zhang Zhou came to Duke Baoguo's residence just to observe.

Li Rong refused to advise Zhang Zhou because Li Rong knew that he would not be in power for long. Even if he wanted to, the emperor would still trust him. His age did not allow him to offend a lot of people before leaving. How can a member of the family and a member of his own faction still mix with each other?
Everyone knows it offends people.

When Zhang Zhou and Li Rong came out of the main hall, they happened to see the slaves from the main courtyard of the Zhu family being escorted out by the royal guards. Horse-drawn carts had been prepared outside. This group of people would be sent to the Jiaofang Division and other places. Basically, they would Being used as a slave.

Of course, slaves are also divided into three, six or nine grades. Those with a slightly higher status may be redeemed and follow their masters to their resettlement places, but this is limited to female relatives or those in charge of the household.

"Mr. Zhang, is there any shortage of people in your house?" Li Rong saw Zhang Zhou staring at the crowd and couldn't help but ask with a smile.

This is considered very considerate.

Zhang Zhou asked curiously: "Can people be placed wherever they want?"

Li Rongdao: "It's just a matter of going through the deed of betrayal. There have been many people waiting to be resettled in Dongchang and Jinyiwei in recent years. You have just arrived in the capital just a few years ago, and your family probably hasn't hired many helpers. People from Dongchang and Jinyiwei have left." One good thing about people is that they know fear and can be used as animals when working."

Zhang Zhouxin said that was true.

Coming out of your hands, even if a layer of skin is peeled off, it is a minor crime. The crime can be reduced to being raped by factory guards. The ordeal that has gone through is also extraordinary. Wait until you are sold to a monopoly or settled in which company to continue. Being a slave is almost like escaping death. How can you not work without peace of mind?

Revolt?

In these days, people from lower-class backgrounds have no chance at all, and they even have nowhere to go if they are a fugitive.

"There is no shortage of people." Zhang Zhou replied simply.

Li Rong smiled and said: "But Mr.'s mansion used to be... you should know. There were so many people in the mansion at that time. There were 80 or [-] people serving people in one mansion alone. This does not include the Zhuangzi outside. My...sir has arranged a lot of business in Beijing, but I have never heard of any properties he has purchased. Do you need our family to help you get acquainted with him?"

Zhang Zhou almost thought he had met Ya Zi, who was very open to both the black and white circles in the capital.

When did the dignified Ming Dynasty's ceremonial supervisor Bing Bi and the admiral Dongchang eunuch start working as intermediaries for others?
Zhang Zhoudao: "My business is either mining or related. If I say it's my own, it's just a few shops selling groceries, but the prince still owns [-]% of the shares. I can't make the decision." .Thank you Eunuch Li for your kindness, I think it is better to be more stable and be an official and eat the royal food."

"Sir is really a role model for the officials of the Ming Dynasty. If everyone is like him, there is hope for the revival of the Ming Dynasty."

Li Rong didn't know how to praise Zhang Zhou, so he could only say some clichés.

He couldn't even say that Zhang Zhou was "upright and upright", because no matter from which perspective, Zhang Zhou "made a fortune" by the emperor's appreciation. No matter how much financial assistance Zhang Zhou provided to the court, others would think that Zhang Zhou Zhou used the court's protection to enrich himself.

Zhang Zhou gave hundreds of thousands taels to the court every year, and others would think that Zhang Zhou could make millions of taels. Even people like Li Rong couldn't understand why Zhang Zhou made money to fill the court.

……

……

In less than an hour, the mansion of Duke Cheng of the Ming Dynasty was almost vacated.

Whether it was people or things that could be moved, even the heavy tables, chairs, benches, bed frames, etc., were all moved away, leaving only debris on the floor. Jin Yiwei only moved things but did not clean them up.

Zhang Zhou was also feeling emotional.

If you were an official in the Ming Dynasty, you would really make a mistake, and it would only take an hour for you to decline.

"My father-in-law, Cai Guogong, the personnel have been counted. There are 16 direct male relatives in Baoguogong's house in Beijing, and they have all been taken to Fusi, Beizhen. The 36 female relatives will be settled in front of Chongwen Gate in the south of the city. In the courtyard of Guaizi Hutong, 75 of the slaves and the people in charge of Zhuangzi outside the city are indentured and will be relocated separately."

"More than [-] taels of silver were copied, and [-] guan of coins were made. Gold, jade, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, etc. have all been listed in the detailed list. There are also brothers who have gone to several other houses of Baoguo Gong and are still searching. There are also more than a dozen teachers hired by the Baoguo Office, who will be transferred to the Shuntian Mansion Yamen first, and will be discussed and dealt with after the review."

"For the time being, no letters have been found in the house about liaisons with foreign barbarians, collusion with local officials, and rebellion, etc. However, some servants in the house said that people from foreign barbarians have sent gifts to the house. Can’t tell the truth from the false…”

Guo Ang reported the situation to Zhang Zhou and Li Rong in detail.

After listening to this, Li Rong looked at Zhang Zhou with doubts and said: "Mr. Zhang, please tell me, this Baoguo Guild is not like the group of people in Liaodong. It was because of its secret dealings with Di Yi that it hesitated to send troops." ?”

Zhang Zhou said: "I don't know. Everything depends on the evidence."

Zhang Zhou thought to himself, how could there be so many liaisons with foreign barbarians?
What kind of good life did the Tatars really have in the middle of the Ming Dynasty?They come to the Ming Dynasty to plunder every day, not because their troops are so strong that they have to come to cause trouble, but because their resources are indeed insufficient. Whenever the Ming Dynasty slightly restricts border trade, the Tatars cannot even guarantee basic resource acquisition. There is only one way to rob.

With such a group of poor people, why should the most prominent princes of the Ming Dynasty be allowed to associate with them?

Even Ren Liang, Zhang Yu and other officials and eunuchs in Liaodong were involved in collusion with the Duoyan Three Guards. It was far-fetched. It was more of a secret trade deal and seeking personal gain. If they were framed as a bigger crime, it would become liaison with foreign countries and endangering the Ming Dynasty. .

Li Rong turned back to Guo Ang and said, "Did you hear that? You have to pay attention to the evidence and do whatever you want. Don't think about making extraneous matters. The bigger the case, the better. Pay attention to the impact."

The leadership is full of style.

But it can be regarded as a reminder to Guo Ang that we should handle things this time in a low-key manner. Didn’t you see that the powerful Cai Guogong was afraid of bad influence, so he only half-said every time, or gave us official talk to perfunctory us? ?

Guo Ang said: "I found a gift list for the ministers of the DPRK, but it hasn't been sent out yet."

"Burn it, burn it..."

Li Rong almost wanted to use this to clear his relationship with Zhu Hui, but then he realized that the gift note that was not sent out did not seem to have any implicating meaning.

"What do you think, sir?" Li Rong looked back at Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou said: "Should I keep the gift list or keep it? Duke Baoguo's palace also asked someone to come to my place to ask for gifts. The gifts were very generous. This should also be counted as evidence of his guilt. If he had a clear conscience, why was he in such a hurry? Are you going to give someone a gift?"

"There is no silver in this place. It's purely because Sir reminded me to report it to His Majesty later." Li Rong immediately changed his words. (End of chapter)