The Security Procuratorate supervised hundreds of officials in the capital, and the silver they received immediately solved Emperor Chengwu's urgent need. Ordinarily, Zhu Tianjiang should receive a heavy reward from Emperor Chengwu for such a great contribution. At the very least, he should be promoted to a higher official rank.
The highest level is reasonable. But Emperor Chengwu not only didn't reward him, he didn't even mention it. Not only that, he also asked Feng Jing, the Minister of Household Affairs, to sit in the Security Procuratorate and supervise the payment of the "four million" taels of silver stolen by the people.
Zhu Daguan pretended to post announcements all over the city, urging the "kind" people to take the initiative to pay silver. Not to mention, there were really three or three "good people" who came to pay silver every day. Zhu Tianjiang ordered Zhu Yi to pay Feng Jing every day for two days.
Five hundred thousand, not even a penny more.
The anti-corruption crisis in the Security Procuratorate did not end there. Three days later, Emperor Chengwu issued an edict to remove thirty-two Dafeng officials below the third rank at once. The removed people, including Wang Yuliang, Gu Zhitong and others, were all handed over to the Department of Punishment.
Awaiting trial.
Shen Baigong, the patrol officer of the Ministry of Punishment, was scolded a few days ago and was too afraid to go out. Now he has had a hard time, and he suddenly became a favorite. Because he was the first person to take the initiative to 'surrender', Zhu Tianjiang was grateful to him for being in danger.
Showing his skill, Shen Baigong was listed among the "incorruptible" officials who had repented and reformed in the list reported to Emperor Wu.
Among the newly promoted officials, many people saw the reason. Nineteen of the thirty-two newly promoted officials were followers of the fourth prince Xuanzhu. For civil and military officials, perhaps this
It was Emperor Chengwu's disguised reward to Zhu Tianjiang. However, the remaining thirteen promoted officials were all people of the third prince Xuanle. The officials of the Dafeng Dynasty keenly felt that Emperor Chengwu's appointed prince
It seems that he has to choose between these two princes. Although the second prince Xuan Can has the support of the harem, he lost not a penny in this battle, and it also indirectly enhanced the reputation of the villain Zhu Da.
After this anti-corruption campaign, the fourth prince Xuanzhu benefited the most. In order to express his gratitude to Zhu Tianjiang, Xuanzhu brought nineteen newly promoted officials to Zhu Tianjiang's mansion.
Zhu Tianjiang was in a good mood. He immediately ordered a banquet and had a drink in the palace with the fourth prince Xuanzhu and other officials. Although these officials paid half of the family property, they were still extremely grateful to Zhu Tianjiang. If it hadn't been for Zhu Tianjiang
That letter of recommendation probably wouldn't be their turn. Of course, the fourth prince didn't know that people including the third child were also recommended by Zhu Tianjiang.
The fourth prince Xuanzhu was full of energy and high spirits. Most of these newly promoted officials had entered the real power department, and there were also Zhu Daguanren who were afraid of others to help him. The fourth prince suddenly stood out among the brothers and became the most powerful.
A contender for the crown prince. Another thing that makes Xuanzhu happy is that all the private soldiers in the mansion have been transferred out, which also makes him less worried.
"Heaven comes, I would like to toast you a glass of wine. If I become the crown prince in the future, I will definitely not forget your contribution." The fourth prince Xuan Zhu happily picked up the wine glass.
When the officials present heard this, they all agreed and flattered the two people.
"Yes, Master Zhu has worked hard and achieved great results. He is really a role model for officials like us!"
"Your Highness, Fourth Highness, if you have to pass on the great tradition in the future, Mr. Zhu will definitely be my first courtier in Dafeng."
Zhu Tianjiang smiled and raised his glass, "Okay, okay, don't take pictures anymore. I won't pay you any money if you take too many pictures." After saying that, he looked at the fourth prince and continued, "I told you, don't do it either.
It’s too early to be proud, ###Although he lost a round this time, your father has not canceled his qualifications to be the heir apparent. What’s more, there is also the third son Xuanle competing with you. If you want to win after the Queen’s funeral,
To qualify as Crown Prince, you have to make some achievements to impress your father."
The officials sitting here listened to Zhu Tianjiang shouting "You boy" one after another. He didn't even call the emperor, but called him "your father". Everyone looked at each other in surprise. They were really worried that the fourth prince would fall out on the spot.
If these words get out, it will be disrespectful to the royal family.
Unexpectedly, the fourth prince Xuanzhu smiled nonchalantly and said, "Tianxiang, with your support, I have nothing to worry about. Although the third child is sinister, he lacks capable people like you around him. Whose bad idea did Dafeng Chao have?
Duo, if you say you are second, I don’t think anyone would dare to say you are first.”
"I'm paralyzed, I'm full of bad feelings in your mind, right? As a punishment~ I'll punish you three cups first, or I'll drink it down with my own hands." Zhu Tianjiang said, pinching the fourth prince's neck and actually drank a cup.
The two of them were used to fighting each other since Shutian Mansion, and they didn't think there was anything wrong at all. But looking in the eyes of all the courtiers, they were all so frightened that they wiped cold sweat away. Good guy, even he dared to call him "paralyzed"
, and even called himself 'Lao Tzu' in front of the prince. Even if this guy was cut into pieces with a thousand cuts, it wouldn't be enough to convict him.
The fourth prince smiled sadly with a big pumpkin face. He was no match for Zhu Tianjiang in terms of beating him. He could only be bullied in front of this guy.
The fourth prince looked at the courtiers and said, "My lords, everything said here today must not be spread to outsiders. Otherwise, even if I don't cause trouble for you, Zhu Tianjiang will not let you go."
Zhu Tiansheng waved his hand indifferently, "It doesn't matter. Anyway, I won't admit it even if I beat him to death. No one can do anything to me."
The officials laughed awkwardly, "Don't dare, I didn't hear anything just now." One of the guys said quickly.
"Yes, yes, I didn't even hear it~!" A group of people echoed flatteringly.
Zhu Tianjiang said in his heart that among these guys, there was almost no one available. If they hadn't chosen the fourth child for their ancestral grave, Zhu Tianjiang would not have wanted to drink with these people at all.
"Tianjiang, just now you said you wanted me to do some results, do you have any plans?" The fourth prince Xuanzhu looked at Zhu Tianjiang and asked.
Zhu Tianjiang said in his heart that you are not stupid, "Xuan Ming and Xuan Can have suffered such a big loss. They are probably so angry that they want to strangle me in their dreams. They will definitely find a way to fight back. In this case, I think
It would be better to leave the capital for a while first. Since the Security Procuratorate is supervising all officials in the world, I will take this opportunity to patrol the world. What do you think, do you want to go out with me? All the credit will be yours." Zhu Tianjiang whispered.
said.
When the fourth prince heard this, he was really moved. The last time he went out to the capital, he was forced to go by Zhu Tianjiang, but after going out, Xuanzhu gained a lot, which suddenly changed his father's view of him. If he goes out again this time,
If he can return with meritorious service, the position of prince will basically belong to him.
"Heaven descends, I'm afraid my father won't agree. It's different now. The four of us brothers have their own mansions, and you are the minister of the court. Do you think my father will have any ideas if we go out together?" The fourth prince Xuanzhu said.
Said worriedly.
"Leave this matter to me, you just need to agree." Zhu Tianjiang said confidently.
The fourth prince nodded. For him, instead of holding back in the capital, it would be better to go out and have some adventures. There is another advantage to following Zhu Tianjiang, that is, this guy is not greedy for merit, and any advantage will definitely fall on him.
.
Everyone had a hearty drink in Zhu's mansion, and the next morning, Zhu Tianjiang came to the study room again.
Zhu Tianjiang reported the patrol, and Emperor Chengwu immediately agreed. Emperor Chengwu knew very well that if Zhu Tianjiang wanted to fulfill their agreement, he would not be able to just blackmail the officials in the capital, but would have to recruit corrupt officials from all over the world.
Only silver can be counted.
"Heaven descends. Although I will not leave the palace, the situation of the officials in the world is under my control. Many high-ranking officials in the capital and frontier officials can be described with the words 'rich enough to rival the country'. For these people, it is impossible to kill them."
Yes, I will give you arbitrary power. However, I only ask for one thing, that is, I cannot force them to rebel. The local capital is no better than the capital. In the capital, you can do whatever you want, because I will protect you. But each locality has its own
Absolute power and taking them down without real evidence will probably cause panic in the world. When the time comes, when all the capitals unite, it will lead to civil strife."
Emperor Chengwu looked at Zhu Tianjiang worriedly. He was also afraid that once Zhu Tianjiang left, no one would take care of him. If he really wanted to kill everyone, some important capitals might have to fight to protect themselves.
"Your Majesty, you can rest assured that even if I want to take action, I will do so only when there is absolute evidence. Besides, I am also afraid of death. If I force them into danger, wouldn't I be looking for death?"
Emperor Chengwu nodded slightly, "Well, it's good that you know. Since you want to leave, when are you going to leave?"
"Your Majesty, I also want to ask for someone for you, His Highness Xuanzhu, the Fourth Prince. I feel that while His Highness the Fourth Prince is staying in the capital, it is better to go out with me for some experience. Even if he cannot take over the throne in the future, at least he can be like Prince Jing.
That way he can become a wise king." Zhu Tianjiang bowed and said.
Emperor Chengwu was startled, then chuckled, "When Prince Jing hears this, I'm afraid he will be happy to drink a few more cups. Since you value the Xuanzhu so much, I will give you the go-ahead."
Cheng Wuhuang said, leaning forward slightly, "Tianxiang, this time I changed officials, I am quite satisfied with the person you recommended. I ask you, if I want to establish a prince between Xuanzhu and Xuanle
, who do you think is suitable?" Emperor Cheng Wu felt that many of the officials recommended by Zhu Tianjiang were from Xuan Le, and he didn't understand who this guy was supporting.
Zhu Tianjiang looked at Emperor Chengwu and thought about it seriously, "Your Majesty, I think Xuanzhu is suitable."
"Why, give me a reason?"
"Because he and I are on the same team." Zhu Tianjiang blinked and said sincerely.
"Haha, you must be honest." Emperor Chengwu smiled and straightened up, "Tianxiang, be careful after leaving the capital. I am waiting for your good news." Emperor Chengwu said this, which was equivalent to agreeing to Zhu Tianjiang.
According to his request, Xuanzhu can go with him.
Zhu Tianjiang bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, please take care of your dragon body. I will retire!"
After Zhu Tianjiang finished speaking, he exited the study room, but he did not go back directly to his home. Instead, he came to Wei Zhan's garden. It should be said that this is the headquarters of Niangan Department, a small courtyard specially opened next to Qian Palace.
Wei Zhan looked at Zhu Tianjiang strangely, wondering what he was doing here.
"Tiansheng, is something wrong?" Wei Zhan asked.
"It's okay, uncle, I'm here to return something to you." Zhu Tianjiang said with a smile and took off the ink ring on his hand.
"Uncle Master, this thing should be returned to its original owner. This junior has no talent or virtue, so I can't afford this thing." Zhu Tianjiang said and put Mo Jie on the table.
Wei Zhan was stunned for a moment, "What, are you going to quit the stick-stick department? Although you are a third-grade official, don't forget that you always have the identity of a stick-stick worker." Wei Zhan said with a frown.
"Uncle Master, this junior is not suitable to hold this status anymore. I came here today to repay my disobedience. I just ask that Uncle Master can let this junior go." Zhu Tianjiang said calmly.
"Oh? Give you a break, why do you say that?" Wei Zhan looked at Zhu Tianjiang in confusion.
"Uncle, I have recruited some troops privately. I don't really have any idea. I just want to protect myself. Since uncle can help me hide it from the emperor, I would like to ask you to show me your kindness. I will be very grateful."
Zhu Tianjiang did not show too much hypocrisy and directly told about the private recruitment of troops. After Lin Feng secretly observed in the past two days, it was found that people from Sticking Branch were indeed watching outside the general's mansion. In this case, Zhu Tianjiang wanted to leave
Jing said before that he was really afraid that Wei Zhan would secretly kill him.
Wei Zhan's face darkened, and he silently grabbed Mo Jie, "In this case, I agree to your withdrawal. However, you must disband those people."
"Uncle, this junior is about to leave the capital to inspect the world. I will definitely deal with this matter when I come back. I hope that while I am away from the capital, uncle can let them go." Zhu Tianjiang pleaded.
Wei Zhan looked at Zhu Tianjiang, and he found that the young man in front of him had changed a lot. When he saw Zhu Tianjiang for the first time, Wei Zhan thought he was just the kind of scoundrel with a bit of talent. But now, Wei Zhan found that he also saw
Without knowing Zhu Tianjiang's intentions, I always felt that this young man was hiding a lot of things.
Wei Zhan nodded and agreed to Zhu Tianjiang's request. With Wei Zhan's approval, Zhu Tianjiang left the palace with peace of mind.
The news that Zhu Tianjiang was leaving the capital soon caused a sensation in the capital. Many officials even fired cannons in celebration. This god of plague was finally leaving. Although he would come back, he could only take one less look at Xuan Can.
After learning the news, Ma Shan rushed to the mansion of the eldest prince Xuan Ming, and the two began to discuss in secret.
The announcement of Zhu Daguan's itinerary was also posted, and the first stop was Hedu Prefecture. The first was to provide relief to the victims on behalf of the emperor, and the second was to supervise the use of the relief funds.
On the first day before Zhu Tianjiang and the fourth prince left the capital, an elite heavy cavalry force of 5,000 people from the camp on the outskirts of the capital quietly ran southward and laid an ambush on the only road from the capital to Hedu Prefecture.
These people all took off the uniforms of the officers and soldiers of the large camp on the outskirts of Beijing and dressed up like ordinary bandits. However, the heavy bows and bright spears in their hands showed their extraordinary identities.
According to the secret instructions of the eldest prince Xuan Ming, the only mission of this army is to turn this place into Zhu Tianjiang's cemetery. Xuan Ming secretly ordered this elite heavy cavalry to follow Zhu Tianjiang in the capital, regardless of their identity.
Kill without mercy. Even the fourth prince Xuanzhu has become a must-kill person.