As the days passed, Nanjing entered the twelfth lunar month of winter.
Although the Jinling City on the bank of the Yangtze River is not as cold as Peking and the dripping water turns into ice, it is also very cold and wet.
The Forbidden City was built on the foundation of Yanque Lake, and it became even more damp and chilly to the bone.
"Fucking Liu Bowen, he is also proficient in the art of public opinion. He chose after choosing, but he chose such a bad place!"
In Wuying Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang warmed himself by the fire and moved his injured knee when he was young. He cursed depressedly: "I think he just doesn't want us to have a good time!"
"Isn't Mr. Liu also staying in the Forbidden City?" Zhu Biao had to persuade him: "What matters is Feng Shui, not water and soil."
"Just be a good person all day long." Zhu Yuanzhang snorted, put his right leg on his shoulder and said, "Knead and kowtow to your father."
"Hey." Zhu Biao put down the memorial at hand, sat next to Zhu Yuanzhang's legs, and massaged his knees.
"Well..." Zhu Yuanzhang felt more comfortable now, closed his eyes and asked: "Has the review of the illegal salt case been completed?"
"It's done." Zhu Biao nodded and organized his speech to prepare the report.
"Don't stop," Zhu Yuanzhang hummed.
"My minister listened to the reports from the Yushitai and Dali Temple, and also reviewed all the files. He found that the witnesses and physical evidence were basically consistent, and there were no obvious contradictions." Zhu Biaodun said:
"This kind of case involves several provinces, is investigated by more than a dozen different prosecutors, patrols, and dozens of prefectures and counties. If the files can be corroborated with each other, the possibility of fraud should be ruled out."
As he spoke, he smiled and said: "It would be terrible if it could be faked like this."
"That is the most terrifying thing you have never seen." Zhu Yuanzhang leaned on the dragon chair and said noncommittally: "The private salt case is really related to Xiao Liao?"
"Yes, according to the investigation, in the third year of Hongwu, Yang Xian tried to open the country in Shanxi and received strong support from Marquis Deqing." Zhu Biao reported softly:
"At that time, Marquis Deqing used the navy to help Shanxi merchants transport the purchased grain to Luoyang, and then the Shanxi merchants used mules and carriages to transport it across the Taihang Mountains, which greatly shortened the distance they had to transport grain. Only then did the grain arrive in time.
Transported to the army, Yang Xian made great contributions."
"Xiao Liao, that bastard, is using our navy as a gift!" Zhu Yuanzhang angrily scolded: "He must not have given it in vain, right?"
The prince nodded and said: "Yang Xian returned the favor and handed over all the business to Shanxi businessmen. And those Shanxi businessmen joined forces with Marquis Deqing's people to make a fortune together."
"Those who work together in collusion are quite good at doing business." Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled: "What happened next?"
"Later, Yang Xian made a comeback because of his contribution to the opening of Zhongshu, but he was beheaded just one month after joining Zhongshu. The subsequent task of promoting Zhongshuang regulations fell on Prime Minister Hu."
"Hu Weiyong is not a vegetarian." Zhu Yuanzhang said with a cold light in his eyes: "It is absolutely impossible for him to suffer hardship and let others take advantage of him!"
"The composition of the merchants in Kaizhong has indeed changed. The Shanxi merchants are still there, but the people from Marquis Deqing are out." Zhu Biao said softly: "But there is no evidence that those merchants have an interest relationship with Prime Minister Hu." p>
"They are all second-hand goods that have been screened by Zhongshu Province. He can let us men see the shit on his butt?" Zhu Yuanzhang didn't believe it at all. "Instead of checking Hu Weiyong now, let's continue talking about Liao Yongzhong!"
"Of course we can't bear it when the brothers of Marquis Deqing are snatched away as soon as they taste the sweetness." Zhu Biao said:
"They began to return to their old business and secretly trafficked in illegal salt. On the one hand, they made huge profits, and on the other hand, they were able to attack Kaizhong, greatly reducing the value of the salt that the businessmen who betrayed them had worked so hard to obtain."
"I understand now." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, indicating that the prince did not need to press it. He stood up slowly, holding on to the armrest of the dragon chair and said:
"That gang of private salt dealers not only has a large number of people and can fight, but also has inextricable connections with the Ming Navy. The Kaizhong merchants are no match for them, so they have to go to Hu Weiyong?"
"Of course, they may also be looking for Li Shanchang. Well, this possibility is more likely. After all, Hu Weiyong is a rising star, and he has not yet had time to reach out." Boss Zhu made an insightful analysis and teased:
"It seems that our Korean father-in-law is still in Fengyang."
"My son, I can't say that." Zhu Biao is not willing to praise or criticize his elders easily, especially Li Shanchang, who he always calls uncle...
"This Xiao Liao has become more and more arrogant since the defeat of Shu. For the sake of his brother, we won't argue with him. I didn't expect that he would bite his nose and face!" Zhu Yuanzhang said, walking to the imperial case.
, pulled out a few memorials from a pile of memorials, threw them to the prince and said:
"Look, he even learned how to ask someone to help him get an official position!"
Zhu Biao quickly browsed through them, and they were all requests for Marquis Deqing to be promoted to the throne. He also quoted his father's comment "Superior generals, wise and powerful armies" invariably.
There is no way, who allowed that eight-character plaque to be hung on the gate of Deqinghou Mansion?
"It's well deserved." Zhu Biao commented objectively.
"Confucius said that only names and tools can be used, and no fake people can be used. What we give is his, and what we don't give to him, he can't ask for it!" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered:
"While our eldest grandson is one month old, he also wants to enjoy the joy? Then he made the wrong calculation!"
After speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered in a deep voice: "We are told that Marquis Deqing's lax control of his subordinates and lack of discipline have caused his slaves to disturb the place and compete with the people for profit. I have announced that the Iron Bulletin has said it first, but if you dare to commit it again, the crime cannot be pardoned. You will commit a crime."
I will punish you severely and I will not give you credit. Marquis Deqing’s salary will be halved. I appreciate this!”
"Father..." Zhu Biao hesitated and quickly drafted an edict.
After finishing writing, he still felt that something was wrong. It was not that the treatment was too harsh, but that it was too light, which gave him an ominous premonition...
Zhu Yuanzhang took a look at the edict drafted by the prince, took out the emperor's seal from the seal box, and used the seal himself.
After finishing the work, he suddenly remembered something and asked: "By the way, who is Yang Xian's mouthpiece? Have you found out?"
"The law is not passed down to the six ears. Even if there is such a thing, there are very few people who know about it." Zhu Biao shook his head slowly. This thorn in his father's heart cannot be removed.
"It seems we have to ask Xiao Liao directly." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly.
"Marquis Deqing may not tell the truth." Zhu Biao still wanted to persuade his father not to settle old scores.
"If you don't tell the truth, you won't be able to escape suspicion!" Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly burst out with murderous intent: "Don't let anyone go!"
"Father, please don't accuse Mr. Liu unjustly!" Zhu Biao shuddered, but the burning brazier couldn't make him feel any warmth.
"We didn't talk about him. If we dare to touch him, your mother will not agree." Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and didn't mention it again.
The prince nodded doubtfully, and saw the firelight reflected in his father's eyes, as if there were flames dancing in his eyes.
