The sun shone lazily on the earth, and a convoy of hundreds of carriages marched on the road.
From a distance, it looks like a worm.
There were five Dongchang captains walking at the front of the motorcade, and the others were randomly scattered in the middle of the motorcade, while Xiao Chen, Duan Tianming, and Wang Dachuan were walking at the back of the motorcade.
The journey back to Beijing from Hangzhou is 2,500 miles. According to the speed of the carriage, it will take less than half a month and twenty days to return to the capital.
Originally, I planned to take a detour to Suzhou to see how Zheng He's errands there were going, but that would have delayed another month.
Thinking about the emperor preparing for the military parade in March, Dongchang had a lot of things to do in advance, so Xiao Chen had no choice but to choose the nearest route and hurry up as quickly as possible.
...
Six or seven days later, while the motorcade was still traveling on the road, Xiao Chen's memorial on the matter had arrived in the capital.
In the morning court, after all the officials respectfully asked the Queen and the Emperor, Ming Chengzu in front of the dragon throne had a long-lost smile on his face.
"I won't mention his affairs this morning. I want to analyze the affairs in Zhejiang with all my dear friends." He glanced at the officials and said, "Cheng Zudao."
There were many high-ranking officials in the DPRK, and there were many people from Jiangsu and Zhejiang. When they heard that the emperor suddenly wanted to analyze Zhejiang affairs, and that Xiao Chen was arranged to accompany Zheng He to Taicang to deal with the problem of the treasure ship's silk being unable to arrive, they all had a feeling in their hearts.
Bad premonition.
Especially the face of Ming Chengzu, who had been gloomy for several days, seems to have become clearer today. Xiao Chen must be in Zhejiang, doing something big, and reaping great rewards.
"Your Majesty, did Xiao Chen gain anything in Hangzhou?" Wang Changlian crossed his arms, looked at Ming Chengzu with a look of joy, and asked respectfully.
In the court, the person who paid the most attention to Xiao Chen was undoubtedly Wang Changlian. Judging from the expression on the emperor's face, it should be a good thing.
"It's no need to ask. If Xiao Chen takes action, there will definitely be a lot of gains. However, didn't Xiao Chen go to Taicang? Why is he in Hangzhou again?" Li An, the Minister of Punishment, asked quietly beside him.
Xiao Chen is now Li An's big brother. During the days when he is away, Li An feels like he has no reliance on him when doing things.
There was news about Xiao Chen suddenly today, and I couldn't help but feel a little excited.
The most important thing is that when Xiao Chen comes back, he might be able to ask him to meet his wife and children.
"Xiao Chen was there. Not only did he investigate a case of private hoarding of silk among the people, but he also arrested hundreds of court bugs. At this moment, he is escorting these bugs back to Beijing." Ming Chengzu said with a smile.
"One hundred and ten? I'm afraid their Dongchang Prison can't hold so many prisoners now. Your Majesty, is there anything the Criminal Department can do for you?" Li An clasped his fists and asked with a smile.
Since the last trial of two ministers of the Ministry of Etiquette, although it was only a symbolic number of aisles, Li An's confidence in the Ministry of Punishment has greatly increased, and he has become more confident.
However, there were only two of us, and it was over before we had enough fun.
Now, when I heard that Xiao Chen was about to bring back a hundred prisoners, he couldn't help but start to ask the emperor for help.
"Haha, Li Aiqing, don't worry. Xiao Chen has specified that these hundred and ten prisoners should be tried by the Ministry of Punishment." Ming Chengzu said with a smile.
"Ah?!" Li An was stunned when he heard what Ming Chengzu said, "Don't Dongchang even try these people?"
"These people are all corrupt and bribe-takers, and they are related to some merchants in Jiangnan who ignored the imperial court's order to ban the sea and conducted overseas trade privately. Xiao Chen has already dealt with some of the principal culprits. And these bribe-takers need to be sent to the Ministry of Punishments
Further interrogate them and sort out their criminal facts. It is a tiring job to interrogate so many criminals at once. I also want to ask Li Aiqing, if you need assistance from other departments?"
"More than a hundred people are guilty, which sounds like a lot. However, since they are all officials from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, the most important thing is the same crime of accepting bribes, and many of them should be involved in the same case. As long as this case is tried clearly
, it’s just adding human lives to it. The Punishment Department is busy here, so there is no need for assistance from other departments for the time being." Li An bowed his body, raised his head slightly, and looked at Ming Chengzu respectfully.
Ming Chengzu nodded, then turned to look at Zhao Hai, the Minister of Household Affairs: "Zhao Aiqing, your Household Department also needs to make preparations."
Zhao Hai was stunned: "Your Majesty, Li Shangshu has already said that this matter does not require assistance from other departments. Besides, the Ministry of Revenue is not very good at trying prisoners, right?"
"Did I say that I want you to interrogate the prisoner?" Ming Chengzu had a hint of displeasure on his face.
With a "pop", Zhao Hai knelt on the ground: "I am ignorant and misunderstood the emperor's meaning. Please forgive me."
After saying that, he kowtowed to the ground in a hurry.
"The Ministry of Husbandry manages the treasury of the Ming Dynasty and is the foundation of all affairs of the Ming Dynasty. As a minister, what will happen even if I ask you to assist the Ministry of Punishments? If you don't know how to try cases, the Ministry of Punishments will still force you to try the cases? I don't even have my say.
After saying that, he started to refuse, don't you have no sense of responsibility?" Ming Chengzu was still angry, and his good mood was suddenly ruined.
Zhao Hai did not dare to refute and could only kowtow.
"Zhao Hai removed the position of Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs and demoted it to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. He will stay in the position for one year and then consider whether to re-enable it. During the demotion, he will still be responsible for all affairs of the Ministry of Household Affairs." Looking at Zhao Hai who kept kowtowing, Ming Chengzu said
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and he was demoted on the spot.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will definitely pay my dues and make meritorious service." Zhao Hai slowly stood up.
"Xiao Chen has captured all the officials involved in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, but there is one person on the list who has not been captured." Ming Chengzu smiled lightly and scanned the faces of the officials one by one, "Because this person is not in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
And in the middle of the court."
As soon as he finished speaking, the officials looked left and right, and there was a lot of discussion.
"Who? Who is involved in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang cases?"
"He is in the imperial court and is actually involved in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Is it possible that this person is acting as a backing for the maritime trade that Jiangsu and Zhejiang have repeatedly banned?"
Wang Changlian and Chen E looked at each other, nodded and said nothing.
Several people from the Metropolitan Procuratorate stood together, as motionless as wooden posts, too lazy to participate in everyone's discussion.
Li An was a little excited, looking around as if he wanted to find this person out and take him immediately to the Criminal Department for interrogation.
"Who is this person? Stand up for yourself." Ming Chengzu looked at the audience and raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
The officials became quiet, but no one stood up.
Ming Chengzu smiled, it was true that he would not shed tears until he saw the coffin.
"I gave you a chance, but you didn't take the initiative to submit to the law. That's all, let's hand you over to the Ministry of Punishment." Ming Chengzu looked at Li An, "Li An, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, listened to the order and took Zuo Wenshan, the minister of the Ministry of Hubu, into the jail of the Ministry of Punishment.
Beat him with fifty military sticks and then set a day for trial."
Everyone's eyes instantly looked in the direction where Tobe was standing.
