Chapter 116 Linking the Past to the Next
As soon as Zhu Xizhong finished speaking, everyone in the hall was shocked.

What do you mean by borrowing your head for use?

Who dares to borrow it? Who is willing to borrow it?
Besides, is this situation necessary?
Liang Menglong was even more shocked and asked, "Why would Duke Cheng say that?!"

"How can it be the time to ask for the Duke's life now?"

Although he arrived late and was not very clear about the situation, he had been an official for many years and had seen all kinds of storms.

The worst that can happen in this situation now is to keep calm - what about intentional reduction of the power of the princes, or forcing the prince to death? That's not happening. Look at me, I am calm and composed, how can I look like I am planning to reduce the power of the princes?

As long as they don't cause trouble, the royal family will just make some noise at most. Is there really anything they can do?
It’s just the story of Prince Xiang. Who is qualified to be the ancestor now?
At best, it was just that the central government was under some pressure, and it was a good opportunity to see to what extent the emperor supported them.

Even if the royal family and the officials of Huguang collude and make trouble to the emperor, the pressure will be on the emperor, and he will not punish them.

At worst, we can wait until the trouble is over and then continue investigating the case and settling the scores.

How could it get to the point where a duke wanted to "commit suicide"! ?
How could a mere prince have the right to demand the imperial envoy's life and appease the situation?
Seeing everyone's reactions, Zhu Xizhong shook his head and laughed.

He coughed lightly and explained, "It's not that I have to explain the matter of Jing Mansion on purpose."

"It's just that the Huguang issue has been dragging on for too long. Instead of arguing back and forth, it's better to cut the Gordian knot."

"Now I am still influential enough to come forward and quickly resolve this matter, and to prevent any further changes."

If the affairs of Huguang were to be dragged back and forth like this frequently, who knows what kind of trouble would arise.

In this case, why not take this opportunity to settle the matter.

Anyway, I won't live any more than a few months, so since I'm going to be Zhu Wan for once, I might as well do it thoroughly.

It would also make him more important in the emperor's heart - a minister who is loyal to the emperor and sacrifices his life for him is the most impeccable when living in the emperor's memory.

This is what it means to be in the emperor’s heart!
After Zhu Xizhong finished speaking, the others relaxed a little.

If he really draws his sword and commits suicide to give an explanation to a mere prince, it would be a disgrace and people would say that the central government is only strong on the outside but weak on the inside.

However, what does Zhu Xizhong mean by this?
Liang Menglong was the governor, not the imperial envoy. As the only minister who had to stay in Huguang to clean up the mess, he was most afraid that Zhu Xizhong would cause trouble.

He looked a little suspicious and asked, "What does the Duke want to do?"

Zhu Xizhong did not give a direct answer. Instead, he looked at Li Zaiting and said, "Li Du Jieshi Zhong, please explain the whole story to Governor Liang first."

Li Zaiting heard this and did not refuse.

He stood up and picked up a stack of files from the table.

He looked at Liang Menglong and saluted: "Governor Liang, the Zhang Chucheng case involves many people. Let me explain them one by one."

Liang Menglong politely returned the gift and made a gesture of invitation.

Li Zaiting turned a page and said slowly, "In June of the sixth year of Longqing, before your majesty ascended the throne, the court discussed the mining tax eunuchs who were doing evil in Huguang."

"After Your Majesty ascended the throne, you often thought of this matter, fearing that it was not an isolated case, and worried that the eunuchs in the inner court would abuse their power in Huguang and endanger the local area."

"So he sent Zhang Chucheng, then the Minister of Criminal Affairs, to tour Huguang and inspect the mine supervisors and tax supervisors."

This happened last June.

At that time, the eunuch who was in charge of mining taxes in the inner court was driven back to the capital on the grounds that he had molested a woman and had his tongue bitten off.

After the emperor inquired about the eunuchs who collected mining taxes over the years, he realized that there was something fishy going on, so he sent Zhang Chucheng to Huguang to investigate the matter secretly.

Only Li Zaiting knew the reason.

In order to look good in official circles, we naturally have to change to a decent statement that everyone can accept.

Li Zaiting continued, "After Zhang Chucheng arrived in Huguang, he communicated with the Left Provincial Governor Tang Bin and inspected the local area."

"In February of this year, Zhang Jieshizhong finished his inspection and was about to return to Beijing, but on the way, he found another clue that someone in the local area had privately minted weapons and coins, so he checked the files again and went to the prefecture."

Liang Menglong listened carefully, and according to Li Zaiting's words, he turned the file to the corresponding place.

Privately minted weapons, armor, coins... He quickly found the corresponding part.

At Fanshan in Wuchang Prefecture, the Chu vassal stole copper mines.

In Xingguo Prefecture, Huanggu Mountain, the Chu vassal state stole lead mines.

In Daye Prefecture, at Baizhi Mountain, the Chu vassal stole copper mines; at Weilu Mountain, the Jing vassal stole iron mines.

Macheng Prefecture, Guifeng Mountain, and the Jing clan stole sand mines.

Southeast of Huangmeizhou, there is a mine where Jing Fanfan digs iron ore.

Xinning County, Kuangkengling, the Min clan stole copper mines.

In Guiyang Prefecture, Tanliuling, the Min vassal state stole silver and lead sand mines.

Xuanping...Hui Gaoshan...Xiangfan...

All these things would make up a thick file.

Liao, Min, Chu, Jing, Ji, and Xiang, almost all of them are included.

The purpose couldn't be clearer.

Cast weapons, armor and coins!
As for their destinations, they are also clearly listed. It seems that these imperial envoys have been investigating the case seriously in recent days.

The weapons and armor were sold to the Miao and Yi peoples by the Min and Xiang vassal states.

From the Guzhou Barbarians Chieftainship, Tanxi Barbarians Chieftainship, to the Huer Barbarians Chieftainship and Sizhou Barbarians Chieftainship.

Some of these controlled areas were even the places that Governor Wang Daokun had cleared out in the past two years.

Liang Menglong was shocked by what he saw!

Li Zaiting saw this and explained, "The accounts attached to the back of the file were all bought from the barbarians. There are also witnesses. They are kept in the Wudang Palace."

The barbarians don't have any gentlemanly friendship, and the only thing they care about is keeping a secret.

As long as the person behind the deal is found and the money is in place, there is no partner that cannot be sold out.

At this time, Zhu Shitai, who was standing behind Zhu Xizhong, whispered, "There are other weapons and armors that were cast by local wealthy families. I saw them in the fortress, some of which were purchased from various royal palaces."

As for why he only saw it, but not seized it...well, he sold it. Liang Menglong flipped through the files, and the names of the major royal palaces appeared repeatedly.

He watched and slowly digested all of this, then reached out and asked Li Zaiting to continue.

The latter nodded and said, "Most of the privately minted copper coins are circulated among the people, especially in Wuchang Prefecture and Changsha Prefecture. They have different shapes and sizes, but are widely circulated."

The production of copper coins could only be successful in places like Wuchang and Changsha, where commerce was flourishing.

In other places, people would rather barter than use these.

Liang Menglong also saw the names of the Chu vassal's Concubine Wu, the Ji vassal's auxiliary general Zhu Changwen and others.

Li Zaiting continued, "After Zhang Chucheng got the clue, he investigated and patrolled the territory, preparing to report to the emperor, and at the same time, he was entrusted by the former governor Tang Bin to warn the various vassal states involved in the case."

"Zhang Chucheng traveled all the way from Minfan to Changsha, Yueyang, etc. He patrolled the territory for a month and was ready to return to Beijing in March."

"During this period, Ji Fan's auxiliary general Zhu Changwen refused to obey and was reprimanded by Zhang Chucheng, who ordered the chief secretary of the royal palace to punish him."

"Afterwards, Zhang Chucheng returned to Wuchang and made arrangements with the governor Zhao Xian. During the conversation, he mentioned that after reprimanding the Chu vassal, he would return to Beijing and report the Huguang incident to the emperor in person."

He paused here and said, "But, after going to the Chu Mansion, Zhang Chucheng seemed to have unfinished business, and then turned back again to find Tang Bin who was patrolling the area."

"When the two were returning to Wuchang from Changsha, they passed through Linxiang County and encountered miners attacking the county government office. They both died."

Liang Menglong put his hand on his tongue and licked it, then turned to the next page.

Hearing this, he said in a deep voice, "Before I came here, I heard that it was Zhu Yingyan from the Yueyang Palace who secretly did this?"

Li Zaiting shook his head. "The deputy military commander Jie Ruzhi used the excuse of suppressing pirates and used the governor's order to transfer Tang Bin's guards."

"Qiu Qiao, the garrison commander of Dongting, controlled the Yueyang Guard and allowed the bandits to pass through the border."

"Lieutenant Zhu Yingyan of the Yueyang Palace came forward. He coordinated all parties, coordinated in the middle, colluded with the water bandits, and commanded the mine thieves."

The voice just fell.

Zhu Shitai interjected at the right time: "The pirates were kept by the Min vassal state. The physical evidence and confessions point to the Lishan Palace."

Hai Rui said in a deep voice: "Qiu Qiao, the garrison commander of Dongting, accepted bribes and has been executed by Zhao Xianming. However, the merchant who bribed has been arrested and confessed that he was instructed by Zhu Changwen, the general of Jifan."

Li Zaiting nodded and looked at Liang Menglong: "The reason why the arrangements were so meticulous is because Xiangfan and Jingfan colluded with the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner Du Si and found out Tang Bin's whereabouts and the accompanying officials in advance."

"As for Zhu Yingyan and the mine thieves, they should be controlled by Zhu Xianzhen, the Prince of Dong'an. We have only investigated half of it and have not yet concluded."

At this point, Liang Menglong finally understood the general outline of the situation.

What happened next was naturally what he saw today.

The imperial envoy's investigation became more and more urgent. The Prince of Lishan in Min vassal state, Zhu Xianzhen, the Prince of Dong'an in Chu vassal state, Zhu Changwen, the auxiliary general of Ji vassal state, and Du Si, the provincial prosecutor, surfaced one by one.

Even old accounts of illegal mining were dug up.

Some people had no choice but to resort to desperate measures and ended up killing 800 friendly soldiers and 1,000 enemy soldiers.

They attempted to use this to create public opinion that the emperor was reducing the power of the princes and bullying the royal family - to erase the legitimacy of the investigation into the Zhang Chucheng case, and to further discredit the emperor as being vicious and cruel, and bullying his relatives, and even to create a drama that the emperor was forcing the king to rebel.

While encouraging the royal family of Huguang to unite, the princes from other provinces, such as the King of Shu and the King of Jin, were also encouraged to express their support by expressing their grief.

At the same time, this matter involves the Censor Du Si and the officials guarding Dongting Lake, and the officials in the officialdom may not be willing to see the investigation continue.

After listening to Li Zaiting, Liang Menglong finally had an idea in his mind.

After reviewing the general situation, he asked curiously, "The warrant issued by Military Assistant Ji Ruzhi was from the Governor's Office. How could Zhao Xian not be involved in the case?"

Li Zaiting seemed to want to say something but stopped.

Seeing this, Hai Rui bluntly interrupted and said, "This was done by a minor official seconded by the Provincial Government. The person has disappeared. Governor Liang might as well ask Chen Rui if he knew about this."

Of course, one has to ask the Governor General about matters concerning the Governor's Office.

Of the two provincial governors at that time, Tang Bin died, so naturally the only person left to ask was Chen Rui.

Li Zaiting hesitated to speak because Liang Menglong and Chen Rui were both Jinshi in the 32nd year of Jiajing, and they were of the same class.

They happened to be both admitted by Zhang Juzheng, and were students of the same teacher and classmates.

Some things should not be said too obviously.

But Hai Rui did not have such concerns and said directly that he suspected Chen Rui.

Liang Menglong was silent.

He didn't know how to respond to this.

After all, Chen Rui was a student of Zhang Juzheng and the governor of Huguang - Zhang Juzheng was from Huguang.

In this situation, people with more insight would think more about it.

What's more, the central government asked him to come to Huguang, and the new governor Xu Xuemo was also a disciple of Zhang Juzheng. The meaning was too obvious.

The central government gave Zhang Juzheng such face without any suspicion.

As a student, he couldn't easily point fingers at Chen Rui in order to avoid doing harm to his teacher.

So I could only remain silent.

Liang Menglong changed the subject without leaving a trace: "Then the most urgent task for Huguang now is to settle the matter of Jingfu and to establish evidence of the guilt of Zhu Xianzhen, the Prince of Dong'an, right?"

He did not mention Chen Rui's case. Since there was no evidence and it was unclear, why not just ignore it? Anyway, it was just a matter of forging a seal, which was not a big deal.

After all, he is the student of the Prime Minister. If something really happens to him and he hands the knife to an outsider, affecting the court situation, that would be bad.

He is not at the center, but he understands one thing to some extent - the overall situation is more important!
The voice just fell.

Zhu Xizhong spoke again, attracting everyone's attention.

He looked at Hai Rui, Li Zaiting, and Liang Menglong, shook his head and said, "I will handle the affairs of the Jing Mansion. You just need to investigate the matter of Prince Dong'an, and the case of Zhang Chucheng will be closed. Return to the capital as soon as possible to report, and you can catch up with His Majesty's birthday."

Zhu Xizhong and Wu Jinghe exchanged a glance, and the former continued, "The two of us will take care of the rest."

(End of this chapter)