The various crimes committed by the vassals over the years are countless and shocking.
Among them, the most serious crimes, once exposed, are enough to trigger an earthquake between the government and the opposition.
For example, the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" controlled by the vassals colluded with Japanese pirates to invade Suzhou and killed a large number of people. Another example is that the vassals also colluded with officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs to secretly tamper with the imperial land register.
.....Etc., etc.
However, these crimes are too serious. Once exposed to the world, not only will Emperor Deqing's face be ugly, but it may also implicate Zhao Junchen, Zhou Shangjing and other powerful officials, and may even shake the Ming Dynasty.
The national foundation of the country.
Therefore, even people like Prince Zhu Heyu, who cannot tolerate sand in their eyes, understand that not only can these crimes not be revealed, but they must also be helped to cover up, otherwise they will poke a hornet's nest and sting everyone.
It's all over the place - even if the high-ranking officials in the imperial court are already well aware of these things, knowing it is one thing, but actually exposing it is another.
Therefore, after preliminary discussions between Zhu Heyu, Li Chuanwen and Xiao Wenxuan, they finally focused on "illegal annexation of land", "violation of regulations", "tax evasion and underreporting", and "interference in land" as the breakthrough direction for convicting the feudal clan.
"Service" and "Human Trafficking".
These crimes are neither big nor small. They can re-establish the power of the vassal in one fell swoop without causing too much chaos in the government and the public. It is also easy to collect empirical evidence and will not cause a backlash from all forces in the court. They are the best choice.
.
After setting the general direction, Li Chuanwen pondered for a moment and then suggested again: "Your Royal Highness, among the evidence left by the eldest son Zhu Hezeng, the most critical part is that he has communicated with various vassals and the Eight Kings Ship Company over the years.
communication letters!
The handwriting of these letters was written by important figures from various vassals, and it cannot be faked. It is enough to prove that all the crimes committed by King Fu's lineage were secretly colluded with various vassals and acted together!
Therefore, we only need to convict Prince Fu’s family now, and then through these letters, we can extend the relevant crimes to other sects! Therefore, our current focus is still on how to convict Prince Fu’s palace!”
After seeing Zhu Heyu nodding in agreement, Li Chuanwen added: "At the same time, among the evidence left by Wang's eldest son, there are also copies of the account books of Prince Fu's Mansion and Eight Kings Shipping Company, all of which have detailed accounts and accurate figures.
It is not unimportant, but they are just copies after all, not the originals. They can only be used as evidence and cannot be a final conclusion. If we want to increase our chances of winning, we must find ways to increase the persuasiveness and authenticity of these copies of the account books.
OK!"
While Zhu Heyu was frowning and thinking, Li Chuanwen turned his attention to Xiao Wenxuan, indicating that Xiao Wenxuan should make some suggestions at this time.
Noticing Li Chuanwen's gaze, Xiao Wenxuan just thought for a moment and quickly came up with an idea and said quickly: "In my opinion, since we have fallen out with King Fu and the others now, we are not afraid of offending them even more. There is no need to worry about it.
If you need to save face for them, you might as well turn against them more completely!
Currently, taking advantage of the murder case of the eldest son Zhu Hezeng, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arranged for factory guards to take control of the entire Prince Fu's Mansion. Everyone in the Prince's Mansion from Prince Fu on down is under house arrest and surveillance to a certain extent. In this case, we will
On the pretext of investigating the truth about the poisoning and murder case, on the one hand, they took the opportunity to interrogate many important figures in Prince Fu's Mansion, and on the other hand, they searched the warehouses and accounts of Prince Fu's Mansion. On the surface, it was to investigate the murder case, but in fact, it was
To secretly search for evidence of crimes committed by King Fu's lineage, we have a copy of the account books left by the eldest son of Wang. We can search according to the map and focus on verification, and we will definitely get results quickly!"
Upon hearing this suggestion, Zhu Heyu looked up at Xiao Wenxuan in shock, never expecting that the young man in front of him would be so bold.
You must know that King Fu himself is named Zhu after all, and is a bloodline of Ming Taizu. Even Zhu Heyu has to call him uncle, and he must maintain the most basic respect. Before the charges are actually implemented, although Zhu Heyu and
Prince Fu was an enemy, but he never dared to go too far. However, Xiao Wenxuan's suggestion was simply a house search under another name, and torture to extract confessions. It was bound to cause an uproar.
Zhu Heyu has always attached great importance to the words "rules", "respect and inferiority", and "property", so he did not consider this method at all in advance.
On the other side, Li Chuanwen looked at Xiao Wenxuan with a flash of satisfaction.
Xiao Wenxuan's seemingly humble and low-key character has always hidden many deviant and eccentric ideas, and he is not bound by various rules and regulations. This is one of the important reasons why Zhao Junchen and Li Chuanwen value him.
At this time, Li Chuanwen was determined to expand the incident and make Zhu Heyu suffer, so he signaled Xiao Wenxuan to make suggestions, because Li Chuanwen knew very well that with Xiao Wenxuan's stubborn temperament, the suggestions he made must be extraordinary.
If Zhu Heyu was guided by Xiao Wenxuan, the trouble would inevitably escalate.
At the same time, Xiao Wenxuan did not know what Li Chuanwen was thinking. He was now sincerely advising Prince Zhu Heyu. Due to his experience and personality, he had no idea what the consequences of his suggestions would be. Seeing
After Li Chuanwen's satisfied look, Xiao Wenxuan only thought it was Li Chuanwen's encouragement.
After seeing the shock and hesitation on Zhu Heyu's expressions, Xiao Wenxuan continued to persuade: "Your Majesty, time is running out. The new imperial envoy will arrive in Luoyang at any time. By then, it will be too late for us to do anything else.
Although the villain's suggestion is a bit **, it is also the fastest effective method at present!
What's more, we all know in our hearts that King Fu's lineage has indeed committed many crimes. As long as we are determined to search Prince Fu's mansion and interrogate relevant people, we will definitely find out the results! It's just that due to the rules, the crimes of King Fu are enough
Before the coffin is finalized, we have not dared to search and interrogate in advance!
But from a villain's point of view, since we are all convinced that King Fu's lineage must have committed a serious crime, and we are also sure that we will be able to find out the results, why should we worry about those rules? Whether to convict first or to collect evidence first is just a different order.
, has no impact on the outcome, as long as we can find conclusive evidence of the crime so that King Fu and others can prove it, no one can blame us afterwards."
On the other side, Li Chuanwen also nodded in agreement and said: "Although Wenxuan's idea is a bit **, it is also a feasible strategy. Our first priority now is to convict King Fu's family before the new imperial envoy arrives in Luoyang.
As long as this goal can be achieved, other things are not that important... Although it is a risky attempt, the chance of success is not small. What's more, Your Highness, your choice to be an enemy of the feudal clan this time is a crime in itself.
It’s dangerous, so why should we have any worries now?”
Just as Zhao Junchen commented, after Zhu Heyu had made up his mind, it was difficult to change his mind in time, but before he made a decision, he was still relatively easy to be persuaded.
At this time, under the persuasion of Li Chuanwen and Xiao Wenxuan, Zhu Heyu finally gritted his teeth and said after thinking for a long time: "Okay! Let's do it according to Wenxuan's idea! Next, we will investigate the murder case of Zengdi.
In the name of King Fu, we must put everyone in Prince Fu’s house under house arrest, search Prince Fu’s mansion, interrogate relevant personnel, and make sure that the crimes of Prince Fu’s lineage are fully proven!”
Seeing Zhu Heyu being persuaded, a smile flashed across Li Chuanwen's eyes again.
However, if you want to expand the situation to the point where it is beyond control, just asking Zhu Heyu to follow Xiao Wenxuan's advice is not enough. Even if this matter becomes a big deal, it will only make Zhu Heyu's actions worse
It's just that his style has attracted some controversy, but it's not enough to make Zhu Heyu stumble and suffer.
Therefore, Li Chuanwen thought for a moment and planned to make another suggestion.
However, before Li Chuanwen could speak, a report from a factory guard came from outside the room: "His Royal Highness, the Governor of Henan, Mr. Zhen Zhen, has asked to see you. He said that he has something important to report to you."
After hearing the report, Zhu Heyu couldn't help but frowned and said to himself: "**Really? He has always avoided the battle between me and the vassal, so why did he take the initiative now?"
Li Chuanwen didn't know the true purpose of his visit. Naturally, he had no suggestions at this time. He just asked for instructions: "Your Highness, do you want Wenxuan and I to stay away?"
After Zhu Heyu pondered for a while, he shook his head and said: "**Zhen is Zhou Shangjing's favorite disciple. He has always been extremely shrewd. He must be aware of the news that you two have met me frequently in the past few days. You are deliberately avoiding it at this time."
It will only make him curious and try every means to investigate your identity. Why not take advantage of today's opportunity to let you meet him and say that you are my staff and guests in the Prince's East Palace, so as to save him.
Just a random guess."
After saying that, Zhu Heyu stood up and led Li Chuanwen and Xiao Wenxuan towards the front hall of Prince Fu's Mansion.
*
Soon, Zhu Heyu and others arrived at the front hall of Prince Fu's Mansion and met the Governor of Henan, ** Zhen, who was waiting there.
When ** actually saw Zhu Heyu, he immediately saluted and greeted him respectfully, with an air of intimacy, which was completely different from the previous attitude of keeping a distance.
Zhu Heyu also noticed that **Zhen's attitude was different from the past. After ordering someone to serve tea to **Zhen, he asked straight to the point: "I didn't expect Governor Zhang to come to Prince Fu's Mansion to see me early in the morning. There must be something going on.
Is it an emergency?"
**Zhen still had a close attitude, nodded and said: "His Royal Highness is wise, I came to see you this time because there was an urgent message from the imperial center. This news is closely related to His Highness, so I rushed there deliberately.
Come and report to His Highness the Crown Prince."
Zhu Heyu did not dare to neglect and immediately asked: "Oh? What kind of urgent news is it?"
**Zhen's expression was a little solemn, and he said slowly: "I hope His Highness the Crown Prince knows that the imperial court has made a decision two days ago to promote Wang Youlun, the right deputy censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, to the censor of the left capital, and appoint him
As the new imperial envoy, he is responsible for succeeding His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and has full authority to investigate the vassals' crimes of disorderly government. If we estimate the time, this Lord Wang will arrive in Luoyang in three to five days at most."
After hearing **'s true explanation, Zhu Heyu's expression immediately became serious.
Although he had long heard rumors that the imperial court would arrange a new imperial envoy to replace him, Zhu Heyu still did not expect that things would progress so fast, and the time left for him was more pressing than imagined.
Thinking of this, Zhu Heyu became more determined to act on Xiao Wenxuan's proposal.
Just like Li Chuanwen said, Xiao Wenxuan's suggestion is indeed the fastest effective method at present.
However, at the same time, Zhu Heyu was also a little curious, and he didn't understand why **Zhen was so kind and provided him with information in a timely manner.
For a moment, he couldn't figure out **'s true position. Zhu Heyu subconsciously cast his eyes at Li Chuanwen behind him.
Li Chuanwen thought for a moment, then bent down to Zhu Heyu's ear, and whispered his guess: "Your Highness, since this Governor Zhang is a disciple of Zhou Shoufu, how can he receive the news so quickly?
The source of the information must be that Zhou Shoufu. He reported the news to us, and it was most likely because of Zhou Shoufu's instruction...
This new imperial envoy will take over your power and responsibilities. There is a natural antagonistic relationship between them. Zhou Shoufu deliberately revealed the news to us in advance, naturally in order to oppose the new imperial envoy... If this is true as I expected
If so, the new imperial envoy may have a bad relationship with Zhou’s first assistant, or the responsibilities that this new imperial envoy bears will be very detrimental to Zhou’s first assistant!”
After hearing Li Chuanwen's reminder, Zhu Heyu's eyes flashed and he quickly figured out many things.
Then, Zhu Heyu took a deep look at Zhen Zhen and asked again: "I have never paid attention to this new imperial envoy, Mr. Wang, and I don't know his background and experience, but Governor Zhang is
As an old man in the officialdom, he must know something about him, but I wonder if you can introduce him to me?"
Hearing Zhu Heyu's question, ** really knew that Zhu Heyu had guessed his position now, but he still had a generous attitude. He just looked at Li Chuanwen secretly and then explained to Zhu Heyu in detail.
Wang Youlun's background and experience, including that Wang Youlun was once the favorite disciple of Wang Baoren, Zhou Shangjing's political enemy in the court, and that he has been repeatedly "suppressed" by Zhou Shangjing over the years, etc., are all stated frankly.
"I see. I didn't expect that the relationship between the imperial envoy and Zhou's chief minister would be so bad...
Alas, it has been more than thirty years since Zhou Shoufu has been in the cabinet to assist the government. It can be said that he has a great influence. His disciples and old friends can be found in all aspects of the government and the public! At the same time, the vassal power of our dynasty is even more deeply rooted, and it is closely related to the officials everywhere.
The relationship between the gentry and the gentry is very deep! In this way, the influence of both sides is so huge that even if they don't want to have contact over the years, it is absolutely impossible!
Under such circumstances, it is very possible for the new imperial envoy to accidentally connect the various crimes of the vassals with Zhou Shoufu when he investigates the vassals in the future! At that time, even if Zhou Shoufu is
He has a high position and is very resourceful, but I am afraid it will be difficult to deal with... Governor Zhang, do you think this is true?"
It has to be said that Zhu Heyu has indeed grown a lot, and he has already deduced many things on his own with just a few hints from Li Chuanwen.
This time, a trace of embarrassment finally flashed across **Zhen's expression, but he still nodded and admitted calmly, saying: "After I learned about the candidate for the new imperial envoy, I did have such concerns in my heart.
....
Originally, as a foreign minister, the official only had to obey orders and was not suitable to actively participate in the affairs of the vassal. But now, the official is worried that the position of the new imperial envoy is not as impartial as that of His Royal Highness, so
I hope that His Highness the Prince can set the tone for the crimes of the vassals before the new imperial envoy arrives in Luoyang. After the Imperial Envoy arrives in Luoyang, he can only act according to the tone set by His Highness the Prince.
... I would like to make a bold guess, this is also the idea of Your Highness, right?"
Zhu Heyu was just noncommittal, but after he pondered for a moment, he sent an invitation to **Zhen without any warning, saying: "Since Governor Zhang and I have roughly the same goal, why don't you lend me a helping hand and let us rush to the new city together?"
Can the imperial envoy make some achievements before arriving in Luoyang?"
**Zhen didn't have the evasive attitude at all this time, and immediately stood up and saluted: "I can serve His Highness the Crown Prince, and I will naturally give my best."
In this way, after preliminary testing, in just a few words, Zhu Heyu really brought the governor of Henan to his side, and formed a temporary alliance with each other.
Things happened so fast that Li Chuanwen had no time to express any opinions this time. He watched **Zhen join Prince Zhu Heyu's camp so easily. He was shocked and looked at Prince Zhu Heyu a lot.
A hint of fear and complexity.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince suddenly brought **Zhen in, not only because of time constraints, but also because he wanted to use Zhou Shangjing behind **Zhen to check and balance each other with Zhao Gechen behind me. It can be said to be a plan to drive away the tiger and devour the wolf.
And he is reaping the benefits of the mutual checks and balances between the two forces, without having to worry about being secretly betrayed by a certain force...
To be able to make such a decision in such a short period of time, His Highness the Crown Prince's growth rate during this period is really beyond imagination. I had underestimated him before. It would be very difficult for Zhao Gechen to completely tame him.
Much bigger than imagined...
However, as far as I know, although there have been many overt and covert conflicts between Zhao Gechen and Zhou Shoufu, there have also been many times of tacit cooperation between them... and in the current situation, the goals of Zhao Gechen and Zhou Shoufu do not conflict.
, there is no possibility of cooperation again. His Highness the Crown Prince wants to drive away tigers and devoured wolves, and check and balance each other. Aren’t you afraid of being eaten by tigers and wolves? Although His Highness the Crown Prince is growing rapidly, he is far from growing up enough to take advantage of Zhao Gechen and Zhou Shoufu.
To the point?"
Thinking of this, Li Chuanwen gave **Zhen a meaningful look.
**Zhen also noticed Li Chuanwen's gaze, and immediately smiled kindly at Li Chuanwen and asked: "Excuse me, who is this old gentleman...?"
"I, Li Chuanwen, am a guest of the East Palace. I would like to ask Governor Zhang for your advice in the future."
Hearing Li Chuanwen's self-introduction, ** Zhen's eyes flashed, as if he had thought of something, and he smiled and said: "I see, I hope I can have a pleasant cooperation with Mr. Li in the future."
