The problem now is that Zhu Qizhen clearly knows that there is a problem with this bank, but he cannot act rashly.
Just imagine, if an order was issued to surround the bank and arrest the owner, as soon as the officers and soldiers arrived, countless victims would immediately come out and fight with the officers and soldiers.
Because in their opinion, it was clear that the imperial court was jealous when they saw others making money, and deliberately set up a trap.
Among these people, there are both ordinary people and many people like Zhang Yi.
Taking someone's money is like killing your parents, why don't you fight to the death?
Seeing Zhang Yi's surprised expression, Zhu Qizhen had no choice but to ask: "Don't the Qing family believe it?"
Zhang Yi was speechless. Of course he trusted the emperor.
However, from the bottom of my heart, I can’t believe it.
Is the bank really a liar?
How is this possible?
What to do with my money?
No, they must not be liars, they must have made a mistake. Could it be that the emperor had some prejudice when he saw that they were making money, which was even more popular than the imperial stock exchange?
Zhang Yi was struggling in his heart, and then, just as Zhu Qizhen expected, like all victims, he began to self-hypnotize.
Well, it must be!
It must be...
Zhu Qizhen sighed secretly. In fact, this feeling is understandable. Not to mention in the Ming Dynasty, even in later generations, many victims remained unmoved no matter how hard their children and relatives tried to persuade them.
The Ponzi scheme seems simple, but to a certain extent, it captures the weakest points of people's hearts.
In the previous life, there were countless such examples. Even if it was explicitly prohibited, people would change their names and they would come back again.
At this moment, Zhu Qizhen was thinking in his mind. Hearing what Zhang Yi said, there are too many people being deceived now. It is definitely not the best idea to directly use force to encircle and suppress them.
Even if the owner of the bank is arrested, he will bite back and say that the court deliberately suppressed it, causing the bank to go bankrupt and lose all the money.
By that time, the person who was deceived has already lost his mind and will definitely be instigated by him, which may lead to big trouble...
Zhang Yi hesitated many times, as if he wanted to say something, but didn't know where to start.
It can be seen that he is very distressed. On the one hand, he does not want to believe that Longsheng Bank is a liar. On the other hand, he feels guilty.
But... what if it’s really a liar?
Moreover, the emperor insists that he is a liar. If he orders a seizure, the consequences will be disastrous...
Zhu Qizhen seemed to notice his distress and said, "Don't worry, I won't order this bank to be closed down, but I want to make a bet with you."
Zhang Yi was stunned for a moment, unable to react, and asked in confusion: "What... bet?"
Zhu Qi smiled calmly and said: "I can guarantee that within ten days... no, five days, this bank will definitely show its flaws!"
Zhang Yi looked up, with a look of astonishment on his face, and then turned to look.
Cao Nai had been sitting next to the two of them and didn't speak for a long time. At this time, he couldn't help but secretly thought, "Look at what I'm doing. I didn't invest any money!"
Zhang Yi said: "I dare not make a bet with the emperor..."
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said: "It's okay, a small bet is a pleasure, but...since it's a bet, it's natural to have a bet, Cao Qing's family, don't you think so?"
Cao Nai could only nod his head, but he felt confused in his heart. It has nothing to do with me!
Zhang Yi had no choice but to ask: "What bet does the emperor want?"
Zhu Qizhen already had an idea in his mind and said: "If this bank really has a problem, I don't want anything from you. I just want to ask for a favor, how about it?"
Zhang Yi and Cao Nai looked at each other, you are the emperor, you have the final say in this world, why do you still need to plead for mercy?
Seeing that the two of them didn't answer, Zhu Qizhen continued: "You have all seen what happened today. Although Peng Qing and Bei Lin were a little impulsive and did not consider the way they did things, but... after all, everything happened for a reason. This
...right?"
The two of them understood that the emperor was interceding for Peng Qing and Bei Lin.
Officials of the current dynasty got into a fight in front of the Shuntian Mansion and took the lead in a group fight. The situation between the two of them was very serious. Regardless of the outcome of this incident, for the simple fight, if the Shuntian Mansion sued the court, what would happen to the two of them?
I can bear it.
Zhang Yi sighed helplessly and said: "Your Majesty, what happened today has a very bad impact and is no longer something I can control. How about... changing the bet?"
Zhu Qizhen thought for a while and then said: "How about this? If Shuntian Mansion doesn't come to complain, how about you just pretend that nothing happened?"
Zhang Yi frowned and thought for a moment, then said: "Even if Shuntian Mansion doesn't come, if the imperial censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate writes a letter of impeachment, I'm afraid..."
The profession of censor was created specifically for impeachment.
Their only function and greatest authority is to impeach others.
In particular, Zhu Yuanzhang once set an ancestral motto that the imperial censor can make an accusation if he hears about it. That is, as long as you hear about it, regardless of whether it is true or false, you can impeach.
Zhu Qizhen changed this article and allowed impeachment, but evidence must be produced.
Otherwise, you will be punished for the crime of sitting in reverse.
As a result, the Metropolitan Procuratorate has calmed down a bit, but it has only restrained itself. As long as they find real evidence, they will be very willing to impeach.
Because impeachment is right and meritorious.
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said: "You don't have to worry about the Metropolitan Procuratorate... Or let's put it another way, as long as Shuntian Mansion doesn't report it and no one from the Metropolitan Procuratorate impeaches you, you two just don't know what to do. Will this work?
?"
Zhang Yi looked at Cao Nai, and Cao Nai looked at Zhang Yi. The two looked at each other, and all they saw in the other's eyes was confusion.
As a cabinet bachelor, if something like this happens, you must take care of it.
Otherwise, if everyone disagrees, they will get into a fight. How would it be appropriate?
But...the emperor has said everything, what should we do...
In the end, Zhang Yi could only listen to his scalp and said: "If Shuntian Mansion does not report it, and no one from the Metropolitan Procuratorate impeaches it, I and others... just pretend that they don't know..."
He felt guilty, and after finishing speaking, he secretly glanced at Cao Nai.
After all, he is the chief assistant, but now he is the one making the bet with the emperor, so he is so confused...
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Cao Nai saw that he couldn't escape, so he had to say: "I agree!"
Zhu Qizhen smiled and said: "Okay, that's it!"
Fan Zhong made a U-turn in his carriage and took a detour back to the palace. Cao Nai and Zhang Yi resigned and continued to return to Wenyuan Pavilion for duty. Zhu Qizhen came to the imperial study and immediately announced his visit to the ancient Tang Dynasty.
At this time, Tang Xinggu's identity was different. He was the censor of Zuodu, the Imperial Procuratorate. On weekdays, he was no less generous than the six ministers.
Because he knows his position very well, that is... I will spray whoever the emperor tells me to spray!
In the past, Qingliu, the censor, would criticize people regardless of their status or occasion. He would even criticize the emperor when he was in a hurry, euphemistically calling it a blunt remonstrance.
Some people even caught the emperor and sprayed him for fame.
There are only two consequences of doing this. If the emperor gives up, then you will become famous in one battle and prosper in the future.
On the contrary, if the emperor is annoyed and dragged out to beat the imperial staff, it will play into his own hands.
Think about it, I am a small seventh-grade censor, but I am not afraid of power and dare to confront the emperor. How awesome I am!
From now on, when you walk on the street, no matter who you are, you won’t be able to take a high look, give a thumbs up, or say “well done!”
This is what Tang Xinggu did in the beginning, but what he got instead of praise was a big mouth.
That slap seemed to have opened up his second line of appointment and governor. After that, he suddenly changed his style and pointed the finger at the friendly forces. No matter who it was, as long as he was against the emperor, he would fire, and the firepower was extremely fierce, and ordinary people could not spray at all.<
/p>
As a result, he rose to prominence, and in just three years, he became the censor of Zuodu.
Since Tang Xinggu took charge of the Imperial Court, these censors have restrained themselves a lot. The main reason is that the atmosphere has changed. In the past, they were competing to oppose the emperor, but now they only follow the emperor's lead. Whatever the emperor needs us to do, we will do it.<
/p>
When it comes to going to the battlefield, we are not good at it. When it comes to talking, who are we afraid of?
After a while, Tang Xinggu came in a hurry, kowtowed and saluted.
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, and then asked straight to the point: "The Metropolitan Procuratorate should already know what happened in Shuntian Mansion, right?"
There's nothing we can do about it. It's really such a big fuss that it's hard for the procuratorate to even figure it out.
Tang Xinggu nodded and said: "Back to the emperor, the censor has already prepared a memorial."
Zhu Qizhen said in a deep voice: "Go back and tell the people in the Metropolitan Procuratorate that no one is allowed to make unreasonable comments before this case is investigated clearly!"
Tang Xinggu hesitated for a moment, then immediately reacted and said: "Yes!"
Zhu Qizhen added: "I am not blocking your mouth. The duty of the censor is to advise and report. However, we must seek truth from facts and cannot act on the wind, or even exaggerate and confuse right and wrong. Do you understand?"
Tang Xinggu saluted: "I understand!"
"Well, if anyone is interested in this, you can go to Changping. You must know that hearing is false and seeing is believing. Only by investigating for yourself can you know the truth of the matter."
"Yes!"
------------------
Wenyuan Pavilion.
Zhang Yi was sitting in the public room, holding a teacup in his hand, lost in thought.
The emperor left, but left a terrible message.
That Longsheng Bank... turned out to be a liar!
He frowned, his expression changed, and he felt really unsure.
Cao Nai came over and saw his distraught appearance, and couldn't help but said: "Shi Qian, what's wrong with you?"
Zhang Yi came back to his senses and said: "It's nothing, I'm just...thinking about today's events..."
Of course Cao Nai knew what he was thinking about.
"Didn't the emperor say that the bank will not be closed down? If you have invested money, you can take it out now!"
Zhang Yi nodded and said: "To be honest with Mr. Cao, I have sent someone to deliver a message at home, asking Quanzi to get back all the money he invested. But I am very puzzled. The owner of Longsheng Bank, whom I checked before,
It is clear that his net worth is very clean, and he was indeed a very capable businessman before, with an excellent reputation and everyone praised him. How could he be a liar?"
Cao Nai said: "I also know a little bit about that Longsheng Bank. It is said that many princes and nobles, including hundreds of officials in the court, and countless people have invested money. If it is really a liar, just one or two are deceived.
, such a large industry does not make sense."
Zhang Yi's mood seemed to be relieved a little, and he nodded and said: "So, the emperor was wrong this time."
Cao Nai thought for a while and said, "Why don't I send a note to Shuntian Mansion and ask them to check the details of Longsheng Bank?"
Zhang Yi waved his hand and said: "Let's forget it. Shuntian Mansion has too much time to take care of itself. Besides, if people continue to inquire about other people's details and others find out, it will definitely have a bad impact on the bank. Your Majesty, I won't tell you for five days."
Well, we will find out when the time comes. I also want to know now whether the emperor is as good at predicting things as he is."
Although he said this, he was still a little uneasy.
Because...he really invested money!
Think about it, if you keep one hundred taels of silver, you will earn five taels of silver every month. Now the silver is not as good as the previous year. It will depreciate in your hands. There are risks in doing business, and such a profitable place
, I can’t find it even with a lantern.
Even if you invest all your life and wealth in it, you will naturally be very happy when you receive dividends every month.
If this Longsheng Bank is a liar, can he still live?
Not just him, but those who invested money, ranging from 100,000 to 80,000, were they all deceived?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but shook his head and said: "Let's talk about Shuntian Mansion. Mr. Cao, what do you think of this?"
Cao Nai pondered for a moment and said: "I heard Wu Zhide at the scene say very clearly that there are thirteen witnesses' confessions in the files submitted by Changping County, so there should be no mistakes."
Zhang Yi suddenly asked: "What if these witnesses were really coerced and induced to give false testimony? You know, the plaintiff in this lawsuit is a commoner, and the defendant is a local squire, so it is not impossible!
”
】
Cao Nai replied: "Your questions are just speculations. Now we have no real evidence and can only judge based on the current situation. What is certain now are those confessions."
It's not that he doesn't have doubts about this, but doubts are doubts, and the evidence must speak for itself in the trial.
Talking about collusion between the gentry and bribery of witnesses... these are just speculations. Who can confirm it?
Since it doesn’t exist, how can I evaluate it?
Zhang Yi thought for a long time, and then said: "What Mr. Cao said is absolutely true. Now we can only guess, but there is no way to confirm it. How about this, I personally go to Wangjiazhuang in Changping."
Cao Nai nodded first, and then said: "It's better for me to go, and you hurry up and take care of the things at home."
This means that there is no clear statement, you should quickly take out your money. If you are really cheated, how will you live the rest of your life?
"My dog has to take care of the mundane affairs at home. Mr. Cao is old and it is inconvenient for him to travel long distances, so I should go!"
Zhang Yi's attitude was very firm. He felt that as a cabinet bachelor, he could not sit at home all the time and listen to what others said.
What if the information you get is wrong?
Let’s just talk about this case in Changping. If the crew member was really wronged, from the squire to the county magistrate, then to the magistrate, and then to the Ministry of Justice, he would never be able to get over it. Who could he turn to to complain about his grievances?
If there was no Peng Qing, then would he only have a dead end?