After investigation by the Criminal Department and factory guards, the case has come to light.
Jia Gui, the chief steward of Pengcheng Bofu, collaborated with the enemy and killed the nine tribes.
According to Mantulu's confession, there are still a large number of Tatar spies in the capital. Most of them were brought in from Liaodong, and the best way to hide their identities is as fur traders or medicine traders.
The Jin Yiwei immediately went out in force, searching the entire city for merchants from Liaodong.
After investigation, it was found that Zhang Kejian, the uncle of Pengcheng, was not the main culprit. He was exempted from the death penalty and was stripped of his title and demoted to a commoner.
One of the two stones in Zhu Qizhen's heart finally fell.
Ever since Tumubao, he had always suspected that there was a traitor in the capital. Now it seems that the people who are really secretly colluding with the Mongols are not the officials in the court, but the businessmen.
Since the founding of the People's Republic of China by Zhu Yuanzhang, the Ming Dynasty and the Northern Yuan Dynasty have been mortal enemies of each other. Therefore, they have not opened up mutual markets for a hundred years.
Mobei is barren, and living materials are extremely scarce and cannot be obtained through normal channels from the Central Plains. Therefore, many smugglers have spawned.
The two most important routes for transporting goods from the Ming Dynasty to the grasslands are: one is from Datong and Xuanfu, and the other is from Shanhaiguan and Liaodong.
The former are mainly Shanxi merchants, and their trading objects are the Oara people.
In fact, the Shanxi merchant group has been active throughout the Ming Dynasty, and has been engaged in smuggling activities for a long time. It even heavily funded the establishment of slaves during the turmoil in the mountains and rivers at the end of the Ming Dynasty. These are the eight famous imperial merchants in later generations.
This line was uprooted shortly after Zhu Qizhen returned to Beijing, completely cutting off the Oara tribe's supplies and intelligence.
The latter colluded with the Tatar tribe, and to this day, they have also suffered heavy losses.
After eradicating these two lines, it will be almost impossible to obtain information from the Ming Dynasty, whether it is Oara or Tatar.
Now, Zhu Qizhen still has the last stone left in his heart...
Two sealed letters are placed on the desk.
The first letter is a list with three names on it.
The second letter is a survey result.
After secret inspection by the Juesheng Guards, it was found that the Jinyi Guards commanded Zhu Ji, who was Yu Qian's son-in-law. This man was tolerant, respectful, filial, upright and honest, and worthy of trust.
What's more, with Yu Qian's relationship, Zhu Qizhen made up his mind to leave this job to him.
"Your Majesty, Jin Yiwei Zhu Ji would like to see you."
"Xuan!"
Not long after, Zhu Ji walked into the imperial study.
"I beg you, Zhu Ji, and long live my emperor!"
"Flat body!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After Zhu Ji stood up, he lowered his head quietly and waited for instructions.
Zhu Qizhen looked carefully. He was about thirty years old, tall and handsome. If he hadn't been wearing a black fish suit, he would have thought he was a scholar.
"Yuan Bin personally recommended it to me, saying that the Qing family is worthy of a big job. I have no doubts about employing people, and I have given you an important job."
Zhu Ji hurriedly said: "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
"It's not that serious!"
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said: "I will personally go on the Northern Expedition soon. Yuan Bin will accompany me on the expedition, and the royal guards in the capital will be left to you."
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my best!"
"I'm not worried about the capabilities of the Qing family."
Zhu Qizhen shook his head slightly and said: "I ask you to check a few people secretly!"
"Please give me your Majesty's orders!"
"Wang Wen, the censor of the right capital of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Xu Bin, the young minister of Taichang Temple, and Zhang Qian, the military governor of the Central Military Governor's Mansion of the Fifth Army."
Zhu Ji seemed a little puzzled and asked: "What does the emperor need me to investigate?"
"When I announced my personal expedition to Mobei, I told all officials that if something unexpected happens to me and King Tan succeeds to the throne, do you know what this means?"
Zhu Ji thought for a long time and said: "The emperor means that if someone has a secret disobedience, he may take action while the emperor is away from Beijing?"
Zhu Qizhen was very satisfied. This person has a flexible mind and can make sense at a glance, which is much better than those reckless men.
Over the past few days, Juesheng Guards have secretly investigated and found that some officials are indeed dishonest and have some secret ideas. However, they are just some ideas. Before leaving the capital, they are determined not to take any action.
"I will leave you an imperial edict. If anyone is found to be up to no good, the Jinyi Guards have the right to kill them first and report them later!"
"I humbly obey my order!"
Zhu Ji paused and asked again: "Your Majesty, where is King Tan..."
When I said these words, I worked hard and made up my mind.
It is true that Jinyiwei is loyal to the emperor, but when it comes to King Tan, it is hard to say.
Because he may become the next emperor at any time!
What's more, when it comes to the royal family, even Jin Yiwei can't interfere.
If you are not careful, heads will roll and blood will flow like rivers.
Zhu Qizhen suddenly asked: "What do you think of King Tan?"
With a pop, Zhu Ji knelt down directly.
"I am humble and only loyal to the emperor!"
"Don't be nervous, I'm just asking casually."
"I am humble and dare not speak nonsense!"
"Okay, okay, get up, I won't ask anymore."
Zhu Ji stood up tremblingly. His face was pale and his forehead was covered with cold sweat.
Zhu Qizhen thought for a while and then asked: "What do you think...Prince Xiang?"
Plop!
Zhu Ji's knees softened and he knelt again.
This is all a gift!
"I told you, I'm just asking casually, don't be so nervous!"
Zhu Ji thought to himself, "If you don't even look at what you're asking, how can I not be nervous?
Okay, when I stand up here, you can say again, how about King Zheng?
How about I just kneel down and not get up?
"Let me ask another question..."
Zhu Qizhen thought for a while and asked: "What do you think of the current situation of the Ming vassal kings?"
Zhu Ji almost cried and said: "I am humbled only by the emperor. Even if I am a vassal king, as long as the emperor says a word, I am humble..."
"I didn't mean that!"
Zhu Qizhen quickly interrupted him, then pondered for a long time, and then said: "Since Emperor Taizu, the children of the Zhu family have been enfeoffed to guard the border. However, later, the fiefdoms were gradually moved to the Central Plains, and the vassal kings gradually became greedy for pleasure.
, has made no achievements. If things go on like this and the Ming Dynasty has more and more vassal kings, won’t it be impossible to seal them in the end?”
Zhu Ji looked confused. How did the Ming vassal king change from Sai King to Xian King? Who are you asking?
But having said that, there are more and more vassal kings, and they are all freeloaders. Each vassal king occupies a large amount of land and resources. What will happen when all the Ming land is enfeoffed?
But why are you asking me this kind of question?
I am a Jinyiwei. I can arrest people and handle cases. But for national affairs, you go to the cabinet!
Zhu Ji regretted it so much at this time. Why was he so arrogant? What was King Titan doing in such a good manner?
Who knows, Zhu Qizhen has long planned to change the status quo of the vassal king. Today, when he heard Zhu Ji mention it, he suddenly got interested and asked a few questions.
Naturally, he knew in his heart that this kind of thing could not be accomplished overnight and needed long-term planning.
"Stop kneeling and get to work!"
"Yes!"
Zhu Ji breathed a sigh of relief, quickly got up and left the palace, and left the palace as if running away.