Chapter 118: All the same, unexpected
As Zhu Xizhong and Wu Jinghe became more and more powerful, they became furious and showed no mercy.

The princes finally swallowed their anger, lowered their heads and walked down the steps, and reluctantly invited the two imperial envoys into the mansion.

Perhaps it was because the gazes from others were too scorching that the faces of the leading princes turned red.

He angrily dispersed the crowd and walked ahead in silence without saying a word.

This is a vassal state that is strong on the outside but weak on the inside.

As long as they did not intend to rebel, they would have no choice but to bow their heads in the face of the imperial envoys who were patrolling on behalf of the emperor and the Jinyiwei who were eyeing them covetously.

The Prince of Fushun witnessed the entire process of Zhu Xizhong and Wu Jinghe abusing their power. He only occasionally responded in a low voice behind the princes when people spoke, for fear of arousing the ill will of the imperial envoy.

After the situation on the field became clear, Prince Fushun finally stopped hiding behind everyone.

Zhu Zaigang was about thirty years old, with bright eyes, a straight nose, and sharp lips. He was quite handsome.

He went out against the flow, came to the side of the imperial envoy, greeted him with a smile, and apologized: "The two imperial envoys should not be angry. The feudal lord has just decided his own fate. Your highnesses are in grief and it is inevitable that you have spoken inappropriately and offended the imperial envoy. There are reasons for this. I hope the imperial envoy will understand."

"Everyone, if you have something to say, please speak up."

As soon as he finished speaking, several princes walking in front turned around and glared at him unhappily. Fortunately, they couldn't bring themselves to say nice things, and there had to be someone like him, so they controlled their temper and didn't refute.

The Prince of Fushun was quite unsociable at home.

It's not just because a concubine's son has ascended to the throne and infringed upon the legitimate bloodline.

When Zhu Zaigang was young, he suffered from an acute illness and was in a critical condition. The doctors in the palace were helpless. Prince Fushun intended to petition the emperor to invite an imperial physician for him, but Zhu Zaigang threatened to commit suicide and insisted on finding a folk doctor in his early thirties named Li Shizhen to examine him.

Although the patient was cured, this action was disliked by the elders.

When he was a little older, he did not work hard and did not want to play with decent women. Instead, he made friends with scholars and studied military strategies.

His peers had little in common with him.

Zhu Zaigang couldn't hang out with his peers, so he had to ignore his noble status and hang out with the officials in the mansion.

In the second year of Longqing's reign, a new official named Wu Cheng'en came to the palace of Prince Jing. This fellow flattered the emperor and took people to drink and have fun all day long, and conceived novels.

When Ji Shanguan left, the Prince of Fushun shamelessly took away his manuscript and asked him to write a poem "Feast at Phoenix Tower". He did not frame it but called craftsmen to keep it properly for hundreds of years without damaging it. He regarded it as a treasure and became a laughing stock in the mansion.

In an occasion like today, Prince Fushun didn't even show up, letting this guy come out and embarrass himself.

The group passed the arch bridge, stepped over the golden threshold, and were about to head towards the nave.

Wu Jinghe suddenly said, "There's no need to go to the Central Palace, let's go to the Zongtang!"

Zhu Zaiqi, Prince of Fanshan, frowned and said, "Prince Taining's body is in the central hall."

There was only confusion on his face, but his heart was sinking.

Since before at the memorial archway, he had been trying to test the purpose of these two people coming to the Jing Mansion.

The two's resolute attitude had already made him no longer have any hope of luck.

Now, even condolences and consolation are omitted. This is an attitude of punishing people!
Wu Jinghe glanced at him and said in a deep voice: "If I want to enforce the clan law, I should go to the clan hall."

Upon hearing this, the hot-tempered Prince De'an jumped up again: "Wu Jinghe, don't push your luck!"

"Clan law? What has my Jing family done wrong?!"

Zhu Xizhong suddenly raised his head and said, "Prince Taining committed suicide out of fear of crime, how dare you say you are innocent?"

Prince De'an shouted at the top of his voice: "What do you mean by committing suicide out of fear of crime? It's obviously you who forced the royal family to do that..."

Before he could finish his words, Zhu Zaigang, the prince of Fushun, tugged at Prince De'an's sleeve and quickly stopped him.

The former interrupted and said with a flattering smile: "Imperial Envoy, the two people who were rescued from the fire at that time have just woken up today."

"Although I was still in shock and my speech was incoherent, I was able to reconstruct the situation on that day."

"Prince Taining did not burn himself to death out of fear of punishment. He was murdered by our prince Zhu Changling!"

As he said this, he was about to call someone to bring the witness.

King Fanshan and his companions looked at each other with unpleasant expressions.

Didn't we agree this morning to keep this matter secret, and use it to put pressure on the emperor?
The Prince of Fushun actually acted on his own!

To the surprise of both parties.

Zhu Xizhong stopped Zhu Zaigang and said in a cold voice: "Written by Prince Taining himself, it denigrates the present dynasty as a violent and tyrannical dynasty! Isn't it obvious enough that he committed suicide out of fear of crime? There is no need for me to further explain it!"

After saying that, he gestured to Wu Jinghe.

The latter nodded, stopped arguing with the crowd, and went straight to the ancestral hall with Zhu Xizhong, passing the host's house.

Only a silhouette and Wu Jinghe's words were left: "Let the officials of the palace, the third son of the Jing clan, Zhu Changlan, and all the side clans come to the clan hall."

He looked like he was the master of the house.

Several princes had gloomy faces. Prince De'an kicked the landscape on the roadside and was furious.

Although Zhu Zaigang, the Prince of Fushun, did not look too happy, he still ordered his servants to do as Wu Jinghe said.

Then he slowly followed to the ancestral hall, trying his best to figure out the imperial envoy's plan.

……

The imperial envoy sat in the hall.

A group of royal family members were summoned and had to give up their lord's funeral and come to the clan hall to pay homage.

There is no need to say much about the several princes. Zhu Changlan, the third son of the Jing family, also hurried over and waited by the side with his hands behind his back.

After all the royal palaces and their officials had arrived, the meeting began in the hall.

As soon as the side branches of the royal family who arrived later stepped into the clan hall, they were poured with a basin of cold water.

"Prince Taining is not a crown prince, but was granted the title of Marquis of Jing by the Emperor's grace. He has no intention of repaying his loyalty, and is instead involved in treason!"

"Although the crime is extremely serious, we can still forgive him for his crimes because of his royal family."

"How dare these people threaten the emperor with self-immolation, break their promises and disparage His Majesty, resist the imperial envoy's investigation, and hope to be forgiven for their crimes by dying."

"Haven't you heard that even if you die, you can still be held accountable for your crimes?"

As soon as Zhu Xizhong finished speaking, a buzzing sound immediately sounded in the ancestral hall.

They looked panic-stricken and the discussion was heated.

Zhu Changlan, who still didn't understand the situation, looked up in a daze.

what happened?

Are they going to punish the Jing family as well? Was he called here for this? He thought he was going to get the throne, but now he is told that the Jing family is going to be held accountable! ?
No, he is only twelve years old!
Zhu Zaigang hurriedly said, "Angel, that letter from the imperial court must have been forged by Zhu Changling! Please let the angel know!"

Prince De'an angrily slammed the table and said, "Zhu Xizhong! You have no shame!"

King Fanshan was incredulous and said in astonishment: "Duke Chengguo, King Taining is a prince and the successor of the Jing clan. Even if he is an imperial envoy, he has no right to convict him!"

"Prince, no one can accuse you of anything except the Emperor!"

What imperial envoy, what expedient means, they sound so serious, but who dares to take them seriously?

If you really take advantage of others seriously, you will inevitably be guilty of usurpation!
Aren't you afraid of being held accountable for such reckless and blatant transgressions?
How dare he!

Zhu Xizhong ignored the chaotic voices and just met King Fanshan's gaze.

He smiled for the first time since entering the palace today, and said meaningfully, "Act according to your discretion. This is the golden word of your majesty, and the imperial edict is clear and obvious."

"While I am in Huguang, there is nothing I don't have the power to do."

King Fanshan was completely speechless, muttering, "You are doing this in a perverse way! You are doing this in a perverse way! His Majesty will not tolerate you, and the Cabinet will not tolerate you even more!"

Zhu Xizhong restrained his smile and took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, which looked like a plum blossom embellishment, charming and attractive.

He spread the towel in front of him and said calmly, "What King Fanshan said is similar to what my two colleagues who accompanied me in Huguang said."

"The two of them, together with the Governor Liang Menglong and the officials of Huguang, have already submitted a memorial to impeach this official for his usurpation of power."

"If King Fanshan is interested, you may also submit a memorial to the capital."

He paused, and said in a grim tone: "It all depends on whether King Fanshan can outlive me after this memorial is sent."

After saying that, he coughed twice suddenly.

He personally demonstrated how the handkerchief was stained red: "Ahem... I'll ask again, do you know your sins?"

The whole room was silent, without any sound.

Zhu Zaigang recalled what Zhu Xizhong had just said and chewed it slowly.

An act of usurpation...an act of usurpation...

No wonder Zhu Xizhong acts so arrogantly!

This will bring bad reputation to the emperor!
The outside world was saying that the emperor had ordered the reduction of power of the feudal lords and the oppression of the royal family, but Zhu Xizhong suddenly acted like a hasty and presumptuous person in handling the case!
He was arrogant enough that even Hai Rui, who was traveling with him, could not stand it and wanted to impeach him. In short, the emperor's original intention was good, but Zhu Xizhong miscarried.

How could one depend on the emperor for his life, family honor and disgrace?

Did you take the wrong medicine?

Such actions not only involve one's own safety, but also the survival of the Chengguo Mansion, which depends entirely on the emperor's moral integrity.

It's ok for Wu Jinghe to be alone, but you, Zhu Xizhong, have a big family and a great business, why are you doing this? ?
Besides... you can't just bear the bad reputation if you want to!
Again, what people are willing to believe is not decided by you.

As long as the Jing family refuses to give in, the emperor can still be accused of bullying the royal family and framing them.

If he can think of it, naturally others can think of it too.

As expected, King Fanshan immediately shouted: "If the emperor wants to reduce the power of the vassal states, just say so! We should just wait for death, why are we pretending?"

"The prince and grandson of the emperor shall not be insulted lightly! The innocence of the Jing family will never be tarnished by you cruel officials!"

"If Duke Chengguo insists, I will die in the clan hall today, so what's the harm?"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was silent cheering in the hall.

King De'an's blood boiled, and he echoed, "Well said! I will not tolerate insults today! At worst, I can use blood to warn His Majesty and remind him of the friendship of the royal family!"

Zhu Xizhong watched coldly.

He naturally knew that things would not be that simple, otherwise he would not have spent so much time in Huguang.

These people were using the emperor's virtue to threaten the imperial envoy.

As long as the emperor was accused of reducing the power of the feudal lords, any reasonable investigation would immediately become unreasonable.

They are not afraid of the emperor's lack of scruples - although the emperor claims to be a lonely man, he does not really want to be a lonely man, because he cannot sit on the throne of such a person.

Fortunately, Zhu Xizhong and Wu Jinghe were well prepared for this.

The two looked at each other.

The latter understood, took a step forward and was about to speak.

Just at this moment, a childish voice suddenly attracted everyone's attention.

The third son of the Jing family, Zhu Changlan, was isolated and helpless. He suddenly fell to the ground and said firmly: "The Jing family admits their guilt!"

"My brother, Prince Taining, was involved in treason, and my brother, Prince Jing, aided and abetted the tyrant. Our clan is deeply guilty, and the Jing family knows the crime!"

As soon as the words came out, everyone in the room was shocked.

Not only the two imperial envoys were in a state of confusion, but everyone else looked stunned. Whose general was this?

Several princes were caught off guard. They thought they could maneuver around, but why did they just bow their heads and be hanged?

The two groups looked at each other in confusion, and then looked at the twelve-year-old boy together.

Although the third son of the Jing family is not very old, as the only one left in the direct lineage, he is the one who can truly represent the Jing clan!

Even though the princes were making a lot of noise, that was because this direct descendant didn't say a word.

Now that he has pleaded guilty, it is almost a done deal!
The clan members in the hall had no idea what was going on. They only saw this direct descendant with a firm face taking full responsibility for all the crimes, and they couldn't help but feel discouraged.

But King De'an was very angry and said angrily, "Shut up, you little brat! You have no right to talk nonsense here!"

Why is everything going wrong today?

It was agreed that the death of Prince Taining would be used to threaten the imperial envoy, but the Prince of Fushun intended to ruin the plan.

Now at this critical moment of life and death, we are using the emperor’s virtue as a threat, and yet this little brat is admitting his guilt without knowing the severity of the crime!
If the Jing family really admitted their guilt, then it would be the imperial envoy who would punish them based on the case, rather than the emperor forcing them to reduce their power!
Do you know how serious the situation is?
Is God going to destroy me?

Zhu Changlan was not afraid at all, and replied calmly, "I am the third son of Prince Gong of Jing, the eighth-generation grandson of Emperor Renzong, Zhu Changlan, who came of age last year."

"Now my second brother died out of fear of crime, and my eldest brother fled after being implicated in a crime. Since I am no child, I should be the one in charge of the affairs of the Jing Mansion, and I have the final say."

He exchanged a glance with the Prince of Fushun, bowed to the imperial envoy again, and said respectfully: "Chang Yan, I accept the guilt on behalf of my brother. Please punish me, imperial envoy."

"I only ask the Imperial Envoy to forgive me for the sake of the hundred-year continuation of the imperial family."

King Fanshan was dejected and speechless.

Good prince! This prince who hangs out with the Prince of Fushun all day long, only twelve years old, can actually speak with such grace and elegance.

With this exclamation from the bottom of his heart, his last glimmer of hope was finally extinguished.

A good prince is not one who speaks without thinking because of fear, nor does he not know what is important and what is not.

I'm afraid it was planned long ago!

He looked at the two imperial envoys with self-mockery, stopped struggling, and said with admiration: "The imperial envoys have a keen insight, and I was almost blinded."

"The Jing Mansion has committed a grave sin, and my Fanshan Palace also knows its guilt!"

Since Zhu Xizhong has already persuaded his direct lineage, why bother pretending to be so hypocritical and putting on this drama?

He had no choice but to accept the result. The work of the Jinyiwei had already been done by Jingzi. He was really a man of foresight and left no way out.

Zhu Xizhong, who had been repeatedly overestimated, had now closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

Wu Jinghe was silent for a while and did not answer.

The two of them almost simultaneously fell into doubt - who was behind this?
Or maybe he was simply too smart to foresee that they had a backup plan and didn't want the situation to get worse?
But, no matter what, now that the situation has come to this point, there is absolutely no reason to retreat.

After a long while, the two finally weighed the pros and cons, threw aside their previous preparations and started to think anew.

Wu Jinghe nodded in mock satisfaction, and as he swept his eyes over the crowd, he said softly, "Before we set off, the court was discussing the treatment of the guilty vassal states, and the Ministry of Rites reported to Your Majesty that the guilty vassal states should be expelled from the country."

Zhu Changlan remained calm and waited for what to come.

As expected, Wu Jinghe continued, “However, your majesty has a kind and holy heart, and has agreed with the cabinet to punish the vassal and demote him to inherit the title!”

In today's vassal states, the son of a prince is still a prince, no matter how many children he has, he will establish his own dynasty and establish a clan, and receive an annual salary of 1,000 taels of silver.

He was demoted to a lower rank and inherited the title, that is, a prince of a county, then to a general guarding the country, the son of the general guarding the country would inherit the title of general supporting the country, and then to a general serving the country and a third-class lieutenant, that is, after six generations, he became a commoner.

Some people may say that the emperor does not care about the friendship of his relatives and is only targeting the criminal vassals. In the past, the criminal vassals were expelled from their countries, but now he is even showing them grace. Isn't this benevolence?

Of course, the current criminal vassals are only implicated in the Huguang case, and they all started out as treason.

It’s hard to say what will happen in the future. If the format of the congratulatory memorial is incorrect, it may also be considered a crime.

Zhu Changlan bowed again: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

Wu Jinghe took a deep look at the Jingzi and said, "The lord of Jingfan committed suicide out of fear of crime, and the prince absconded after being implicated in a case. Zhu Changlan will temporarily take charge of Jingfan. We will make a formal appointment after your Majesty approves it."

Apart from Zhu Changlan's voice of thanks, no one else spoke in the hall.

Wu Jinghe helped Zhu Changling up and asked him to stand on his side, and then he took action again.

He took a file from the Jinyiwei, looked at King Fanshan and King De'an, and read: "King De'an Zhu Yizhai gathered miners at Guifeng Mountain in Macheng Prefecture and stole sand mines; he also stole iron mines at the mines in the southeast of Huangmei Prefecture."

"Secretly forging weapons and armor, secretly communicating with foreigners!"

"Fanshan Prince Zhu Zaiqi bribed the Censor Du Si to investigate the whereabouts of the senior officials, colluded with Yueyang Prince Zhu Yingyan, and conspired to murder Zhang Chucheng!"

"Do you two know your sins?"

The words fell.

King Fanshan collapsed to the ground, mumbling something unclearly.

Prince De'an's face suddenly changed, he let out a fierce roar and pounced on Zhu Xizhong.

The Jinyiwei was quick-witted and quick-handed. He jumped out of the position, pressed the hilt of the sword, and knocked Prince De'an unconscious.

There was a commotion on the field.

Zhu Changlan took the initiative to look at the imperial envoy and said in a serious tone: "These two thieves have disturbed our Jing vassal state. Their crimes are unforgivable. Please kill them, imperial envoy!"

At this time, even Zhu Xizhong opened his eyes and looked at Zhu Changlan with an unclear meaning.

After a long while, he nodded slowly: "Then let's punish him according to the law!"

Zhu Changlan said excitedly: "I will explain the details of the Jing vassal incident and report it to Your Majesty. I will not let the Duke suffer an unjust accusation!"

Zhu Xizhong did not comment and closed his eyes again.

But there was a look of sadness on his face, as if he was thinking about something.

Wu Jinghe stared at Zhu Changling and tried again, "The salary and property of the guilty vassal will also be changed."

Zhu Changlan finally showed a hint of reluctance on his face and bowed his head to obey.

　Well, if it is less than 4,000, it is a four-character title, and if it is more than 4,000, it is an eight-character title. There is no other meaning, I count it for subscription purposes.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)