Invincible Zhengde

Chapter 449 Dare You Say You Don't Know

Being pushed down to the ground, Li Chuanchen's face was full of disbelief, and he struggled to stand up.

But Yang Lian's subordinates didn't do it for nothing, they pressed Li Chuanchen to the ground and prevented him from standing up.

Yang Bin walked up to Li Chuanchen, looked at him with a smile and said, "Actually, I'm curious, how dare you, a civil servant, do such a thing? The most important thing is not how dare you do such a thing, but that you can do it. It was really unexpected."

The people present couldn't believe it, how could the murderer be Li Chuanchen?

Li Chuanchen's official position is not very prominent in the household department. He is an ambassador. Although his name sounds very impressive, he is actually in charge of the warehouse.

One possibility came to everyone's minds, that there was something wrong with the grain depot in Nanjing.

Everyone's complexion changed, even Shangshu Han Wen's complexion changed.

You know, if there is a problem with the grain warehouse, then the trouble will be big.

The imperial court set up many grain depots, some of which were stored for emergency relief, and some were allocated for engineering. The most important thing was that the military rations of all the troops in Nanjing were stored there.

If there is a problem with the grain in the grain depot, all the people in the household department will suffer.

However, Yang Bin didn't care about the eyes of the people around him. He continued to stare at Li Chuanchen, and said in a deep voice, "We sent people to check you, and found some things. It stands to reason that you are just an ambassador with limited powers. You can't do food either. I'm just curious why you do such a thing?"

"However, Liu Yibing's identity made me guess something, Zhejiang Cleaning Department, then the incident happened in Zhejiang. What did you conspire to do together, and then a large sum of money was shared." Yang Bin didn't ask, but It's an affirmative tone.

"I have never done it, you are wronging me!" Li Chuanchen shouted loudly.

Yang Bin wanted to continue to say something, but Yang Lian on the side had already spoken.

He stood up and said, "Since the person has been caught, there is no need to waste your time. Take it back, and we will talk about the rest after interrogation."

After saying this, Yang Lian came to Han Wen's side and said, "Master Han, the matter is almost over, I will take him away first, and you can handle the rest yourself."

Seeing what Han Wen wanted to ask herself, Yang Lian waved her hand, and then said: "His Royal Highness has left this matter to us. If there is any news, our family will report it to His Royal Highness as soon as possible. If Mr. Han wants to know, you may as well Go find His Royal Highness the Prince."

This sentence directly blocked Han Wen, how dare he go to find His Royal Highness when he goes back?
This time the Nanjing Household Department made such a big mistake, he, the Minister of the Nanjing Household Department, could hardly escape the blame, not to mention what His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is here for, Han Wen knew very well.

What did His Highness the Crown Prince think of him if such a thing happened before it even started?
Yang Lian didn't take another look at Han Wen. In his opinion, Han Wen, the Secretary of the Nanjing Household Department, must not be able to do it anymore.

If something like this happened, even if the court did not pursue the responsibility, Han Wen would not be able to serve as an official anymore. He himself would have no face to sit in this position any longer. He would probably write a letter of apology and resign when he returned.

After leaving the household department, Yang Lian said to Yang Bin: "You bring people here to continue the investigation, and you must find the person who colluded with them. Our family feels that the case this time must be not small. Our family will report to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. "

"Yes, father-in-law." Yang Bin bowed and agreed.

Inside the Nanjing Imperial Palace.

Zhu Houzhao looked at Yang Lian standing in front of him, and asked blankly: "Has the person been found? Then you can do what you want and see what the results are. Zhejiang is moving, let our people check Zhejiang. What's going on over there."

"Yes, His Royal Highness, I will do it now." Yang Lian agreed, then bowed and retreated.

Zhu Houzhao breathed a sigh of relief, moved his body a bit, turned around and glanced at Liu Jin, and said, "They're checking them out, we can't be delayed by this matter."

This time Zhu Houzhao came here, not just for this one thing, he wants to carry out the military reform here.

Nanjing is an important town, so there can be no problems, so Zhu Houzhao came here this time.

Zhu Houzhao wants to figure out all the things here, and then push down the policies he wants to implement.

This will be the base for me to attack the south, so it must be safe.

"Go and order all civil and military officials in Nanjing to come to the palace to pay their respects tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince, this servant will go right away." Liu Jin agreed, bowed and walked out.

But after walking not far, Liu Jin turned back again and said to Zhu Houzhao, "His Royal Highness, Duke Wei's mansion, handed over the paper for meeting again."

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, let them hang out."

For Zhu Houzhao, Wei Guogong's mansion will always be a hurdle that cannot be bypassed.

But fortunately, the father abolished the military power of Duke Wei's mansion and his family a few years ago, and only gave him a falsehood for him to hang on to, otherwise this time the matter would be even more difficult.

In fact, Zhu Houzhao also thought about moving all of Wei Guogong's family to Beijing, and let Nanjing out.

Otherwise, Wei Guogong's family is here, and it is really difficult for him to sit here like a behemoth.

However, Zhu Houzhao also knew that it was impossible for the previous emperors not to have such thoughts. The reason why they did not do so was because there was already a Dingguo government in Beijing.

If both of them gathered in the capital, it would be a little too eye-catching.

Zhu Houzhao is doing his own thing step by step, while Yang Lian is still investigating the case.

After Yang Lian returned, the interrogation had already begun.

Walking into the cell, Yang Lian heard Li Chuanchen's shouts, and obviously hadn't answered yet.

Yang Lian didn't go there either, and when the beating stopped, she could start asking.

After turning back to her room, Yang Lian saw Yang Bin walking in from the outside, and he asked, "Any other clues?"

"Back to Eunuch, our people have already gone to investigate thoroughly. All the warehouse staff have been arranged, but many account books have been burned. I also arranged for people to check the rest, which may take some time."

Yang Lian nodded. He also knew that this would take time, and it was not enough for him to be in a hurry.

Looking up at Yang Bin, Yang Lian asked: "Is there no clue over there in Zhejiang? Did our people find anything wrong? Go and call the people from Zhejiang, we want to ask."

Since Yang Lian arrived in Nanjing, the leaders of the southern provinces have been waiting in Nanjing for his orders.

So now you don't have to go to Zhejiang to find someone. Basically, Yang Lian can call over with just a word.

Soon people were brought by Yang Bin.

A fat man in his 40s, with a kind face and a fair face, wearing a silk suit, looks like a rich man.

After Yang Lian saw this person, she smiled slightly and said, "Old Chen, it's been a long time."

The person Yang Lian called Chen Laosan quickly kowtowed to Yang Lian on the ground, "I have seen Eunuch Yang."

Yang Lian waved her hand, and then said: "There is no need to do such a grand ceremony, An Li said that you are also my senior, sit down and talk."

Chen Laosan climbed up from the ground, then sat aside, and said with some anxiety on his face: "If it wasn't for Eunuch Yang, I would have died to the point where I don't know where, where did I come from such a rich life?"

Yang Lian nodded noncommittally, and then said blankly: "Our family doesn't want you to think well of our family. We are able to live today because of His Royal Highness. Our family just hopes that you can do the errands well. Don't screw up and lose our family at that time, let His Royal Highness blame it, and our family will be unlucky with you."

"At the beginning when our family helped you, we also hoped to have someone useful by our side, but in the end, don't let you cheat our family."

Hearing Yang Lian's words, Chen Laosan suddenly panicked, stood up quickly and said, "Eunuch Yang, where did you start with this? I have never dared to delay the errands you gave me; Every year's filial piety is also given on time, and I have never dared to miss it."

Seeing that Chen Laosan was so nervous, Yang Lian didn't answer his words, but changed the subject and said, "Have you heard about the matter of the household department today?"

"I've heard about it, and I don't know who is so bold as to dare to do such a thing. But they must not escape the eyes of the father-in-law. When they are all caught, they will be severely punished!" Chen Laosan said with righteous indignation.

"We don't know whether our family has any discerning eyes, but our family did find out something, and it's related to you." After Yang Lian said this, her eyelids raised slightly, and she squinted at Chen Laosan.

After hearing this, Chen Laosan suddenly turned pale with shock, and quickly said: "Elder-in-law, where did you start with this? How dare I have such courage!"

"One of the people who died was Liu Yibing from the Zhejiang Cleaning Department of the Ministry of Household Affairs. A large amount of gold and silver was found in his home. It is certain that the incident happened in Zhejiang. Our family asked you to go to Zhejiang. If there is anything in Zhejiang, you don't know. Do you know?" Yang Lian said lightly.

"It happened in Zhejiang, do you think you can get away with it?"

Chen Laosan was really scared this time, and knelt down on the ground with a plop.

These people were sent to the bottom for the simple reason that they kept their eyes on the place.

Now that something like this happened, Chen Laosan not only didn't notice it at all, but also didn't know anything. This time he was in big trouble!
"Elder-in-law, you also know that it is inconvenient for our people to meddle in the affairs of the yamen." Chen Laosan argued.

"Are you blaming our family?" Yang Lian stared at Chen Laosan with a fierce look in her eyes.

In fact, they are not allowed to intervene in the affairs of the yamen, and their people are not allowed to stare at the people in the yamen, this is the rule.

But now that Chen Laosan pushed the matter to this, it was clear that he was trying to absolve himself of the guilt.

Chen Laosan was really scared this time, and he knelt down on the ground with a thud, trying to hug Yang Lian's thigh.

This Chen Laosan was actually chosen by Yang Lian.

The people Yang Lian chose are actually very simple, they are giving charity to those who castrate themselves.

These people are usually poor people who want to enter the palace through self-castration to make a living.It's just that not everyone can enter the palace to be a eunuch, so they will beg for food on the street.

Ordinary beggars look down on self-castrated people like them, so one can imagine how embarrassing their lives are.

When Yang Lian needed manpower, Yang Lian immediately followed these people.

In order to survive, for the sake of wealth, these people dare to do anything, even risk their own lives.

Chen Laosan is one of the better ones among these people. He has been climbing up from the bottom to the top in the past few years, and he is doing things very well, so he is now the big head of Zhejiang.

"Okay, get up and answer, and explain the matter clearly. If the matter is clear, it will be fine; if the matter is unclear, it will be useless for you to do anything." Yang Lian squinted at Chen Laosan, and then asked: " You'd better say something useful, is there anything unusual in Zhejiang over the past few years? Why did they set fire to the household department when the Crown Prince arrived in Nanjing?"

"Don't say you don't know. This incident must involve the money and grain of the Ministry of Households. Since it was done by people from Zhejiang, it must involve the money and grain of Zhejiang. So you make it clear."

"Elder-in-law, if you have to say it, it may be because of the farming affairs." Chen Laosan said.

Yang Lian looked at him and nodded, and said blankly: "Continue."

"Elder-in-law, you also know that the business in the market has been relatively easy in the past two years. The price of silk has been rising all the way. If you want to eat silk, you must have raw silk; if you have raw silk, you must raise silkworms; and to raise silkworms, you need to grow mulberry. ; Planting mulberry requires fields.”

"But there are only so many fields..."

Hearing this, Yang Lian stopped what she was doing, looked at Chen Laosan, and then asked, "So someone has made an idea of ​​farming, right?"

The tuntian here refers to the military garrison, which is a policy established by Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang.

The garrison in each place will have its own fields, and the soldiers are also divided into two parts.

Some of them are military households, who are responsible for farming, and the food produced by these fields every year, except for the military goods that they keep for themselves, all the rest must be paid up.

At the beginning of the founding of the Ming Dynasty, and even during the Yongle Dynasty, the farming system was still very good.In addition to keeping enough food produced by the army for their own use, they can also hand over millions of stones to the court every year.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang was once very proud of his policy. He raised millions of soldiers, but did not consume a grain of food for the people.

It's just that as time goes by, this system becomes more and more sour.There is not enough food in the fields every year in various places, and all of them need to be allocated by the imperial court, let alone handed over.

The Zhejiang side obviously focused their attention on the idea of ​​farming for the purpose of planting mulberry.

Hearing Yang Lian's words, Chen Laosan nodded, and then gritted his teeth and said: "That's right, except for the farmlands in Zhejiang that have been annexed by big households, the remaining ones have also been changed into mulberry fields by those officers. Come to raise silkworms and weave cloth."

(End of this chapter)