Chapter 29: Passing the Knife
"Your humble servants Mao Xiang, Jiang Huan, and Zhao Wumian pay their respects to His Majesty."
"Everyone, get up."
Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand and signaled to Yunqi.
Yun Qi understood and dismissed the two palace maids and eunuchs. He ordered the shadow guards to monitor secretly and temporarily keep them under custody together with the inner palace guards who had just been on duty to report the news to prevent the news from leaking out.
The only people left in the entire Wuying Palace were Zhu Biao and three people from the Zhenfu Division.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhao Wumian and asked, "Is it done?"
Zhao Wumian nodded and told him everything about his cooperation with Shen Weiyang, including when and where they met, what they talked about, the details of the process, and the treasures they obtained. He took out all of them and placed them in front of the palace: "Shen Weiyang has obtained the mechanism map. I am afraid that the news will be leaked, so I dare not delay. I will act overnight and go to the Shenxiu Lake in Langya Mountain to retrieve four boxes of treasures, a box of confidential letters, two secret books and a magic weapon. They are all here, please have a look, Your Majesty!"
The whole process was well-organized, articulate and without any concealment.
Such a detailed and accurate report made Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao's eyes light up.
The most important thing is that it is not only detailed, but also clear about everything, from the conversation in Zuixian Tower, to making plans, to returning home, to leaving the city, to getting treasure, to who he did what and what he said, which all details are extremely clear, showing his openness and selflessness!
Zhu Yuanzhang's face was filled with more and more smiles, and Zhu Biao couldn't help but reveal an expression of appreciation.
Yun Qi nodded secretly.
"The action was fast and covert enough to keep us all in the dark."
Zhu Yuanzhang walked down the hall, looked at the treasure book, and nodded: "Well done. Mao Xiang, Jiang Huan, did you just find out about this too?"
Mao Xiang showed a helpless expression, and said with his hands clasped, "Your Majesty, I only knew it a quarter of an hour earlier than Your Majesty. I was still interrogating Hua Hanchun in the imperial prison, trying to find out the final layout of the mechanism, but Captain Zhao had already taken the treasure back. It is rare to see such a swift and decisive action!"
Jiang Huan shook his head and laughed: "I was also surprised. I only told him some of the information in the evening. He had already completed the mechanism diagram by himself and brought the treasure back overnight. If I hadn't seen these treasures with my own eyes, I would have thought he was talking nonsense."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Young people are still energetic and have the courage to think and act!"
It is foreseeable how dangerous the hiding place Hu Weiyong prepared for himself is.
Zhao Wumian was willing to take risks for the sake of his mission, which made Zhu Yuanzhang very satisfied.
He walked down the hall, first flipped through the secret book, said "not bad", then looked at the Tianshi Mirror, threw it to Zhu Biao, and finally looked at the treasure and the box of letters, narrowed his eyes and said, "You can also take a look at what our most trusted minister said to Hu Weiyong!"
The words were full of sarcasm and murderous intent.
Several people secretly exchanged glances and went forward to check.
Zhu Yuanzhang was not interested in treasures, as long as they did not end up in the world and fuel the ambitions of those warriors. In comparison, he was more interested in the letters that Hu Weiyong had kept privately. No matter what Hu Weiyong wanted to do with these letters, whether he was going to keep them to threaten people passing by or to protect himself, these things would be very useful in warning those Huaixi nobles!
These people are becoming more and more outrageous!
Zhu Yuanzhang opened the box.
The top letter was written by Tang Shengzong, Marquis of Yan'an, and the words "Personally written from my brother Hu Weiyong" were written on the envelope.
Zhu Yuanzhang sneered and picked it up casually. The others also picked up a letter and checked it.
Soon, Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned gloomy.
Tang Shengzong was also one of the famous generals in Huaixi. However, in the third year of Hongwu, he was reprimanded by Zhu Yuanzhang for his arrogance and debauchery, and for leading his personal soldiers, Lu Zhongheng, Marquis of Ji'an, to "ride the post cavalry without authorization." He was "stripped of his title and demoted to a low position." In the fourth year of Hongwu, he was reinstated for his meritorious service in guarding Liaodong and suppressing the bandits.
The whole letter was full of complaints, such as "When the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked", "After crossing the river, the bridge is destroyed", "The current emperor sits on the throne of the world, but does not let his brothers enjoy the glory", etc. In the end, he hoped that Hu Weiyong could help intercept the memorial submitted by the military supervisor to impeach his adopted son, and at the end he did not forget to flatter Hu Weiyong.
The Secretariat reports to the emperor above and governs all the departments below.
All memorials from officials had to go through the hands of the Prime Minister of the Secretariat, so he could intercept anyone’s memorial he wanted.
Zhu Yuanzhang knew about this matter a long time ago, but he still couldn't help but get angry when he saw such blatant abuse of power with his own eyes.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked unhappy, and so did Crown Prince Zhu Biao.
The letter in his hand was from Fei Ju, Marquis of Pingliang. In the tenth year of Hongwu, Fei Ju was ordered to appease the military and civilians of Suzhou, but he indulged in alcohol and sex and did nothing. Later, he went to the northwest to surrender the remnants of Mongolia, but returned empty-handed. He was reprimanded by Zhu Yuanzhang many times. The letter was sent when he was in charge of Pingliang. It was full of complaints and requests to Hu Weiyong, and at the end it was also flattering, but this time there was an invitation, saying that when he returned to Beijing, he would invite Prime Minister Hu to visit Xiaoxiao Yanyu Tower and would prepare a "generous gift" for him.
The more Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao looked at it, the angrier they became, and the angrier they became, the more they looked at it.
The three members of the Pacification Office were very self-conscious. They took the first letter and read it slowly, word by word, over and over again, and refused to take the second letter.
In fact, just reading the first letter gave Mao Xiang and Jiang Huan a headache.
The one in Mao Xiang's hand was sent by a relative from Hu Weiyong's hometown. It said that a stalagmite suddenly appeared in the well of Hu Weiyong's hometown Dingyuan, and water came out several feet deep. The fellow villagers said it was a good omen. They also said that there was a fire on the tomb of Hu Weiyong's grandfather and three generations at night, illuminating the night sky...
Are you looking for death?
Leaving this kind of letter?
Or do you really have a rebellious heart? Are you just waiting for "the rise of the great Chu, and Chen Sheng to become king"?
Mao Xiang was speechless.
In Jiang Huan's hand was a message from Wei Wenjin, one of the 12 Evil Masters of Yipintang. It said that he had personally gone to the Evil Valley in the northwest to look for the ten great evil men and invited them to join Yipintang secretly, but the ten great evil men declined one after another, saying that they would have to pay more money.
Jiang Huan was also helpless.
Everyone knows that you, Hu Weiyong, are raising guards in the name of protection but in reality you are raising assassins. But no one expected that you are so hungry that you would dare to mess with those evil trolls and wanted criminals in the Valley of Evil?
What Zhao Wumian had in his hand was relatively minor. It was a letter from Hu Weiyong's disciple and adopted son, Chief Censor Tu Jie. It contained some words praising Hu Weiyong's merits and praising him as the greatest prime minister of all time, as well as all kinds of flattery.
Tu Jie was the one who recently reported Hu Weiyong for abusing his power, perverting the law, secretly raising assassins, and forming a clique to plot treason. He is already dead.
Mao Xiang, Jiang Huan and Zhao Wumian deliberately ignored them and showed the rest of the letters to Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao.
Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang wrote one letter after another, and he had to read the ones that the prince had read as well. The more he read, the gloomier he became.
Finally finished reading the last one.
Zhu Yuanzhang's murderous intent grew stronger and stronger. He snatched the letter from Zhao Wumian and the other two and read it.
There is nothing wrong with auspicious signs, and recruiting people from the underworld is not a big deal. Doesn't the imperial court still offer amnesty? But if these two things are combined with winning over border generals, the situation will be different!
What did Hu Weiyong want to do by falsely claiming auspicious signs and colluding with civil and military officials?
Rebellion?!
Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes and became murderous.
Zhao Wumian saw that the time was almost right, so he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have three more letters here, but when I found them in the underground palace, they were not inside the box, but outside the box... I think there is something strange, so I am presenting them separately. Please make your decision!"
After saying that, he took out three letters from his arms.
A letter came from the Great Snow Mountain, and the sender was Achangshina, the leader of the 18 Tibetan tribes.
There was a letter from Mobei. The writer was a former official of the Yuan court and now a minister of the Ming Dynasty, named Feng Ji.
One letter came from the commander of Mingzhou Guard, Lin Xian.
Zhu Yuanzhang took a look at the envelope, which was brand new. Then he looked at the handwriting on the envelope, the last stroke of ink was not dry yet. He raised his eyebrows and looked at Zhao Wumian deeply.
Of these three people, Tubo Achangshina killed the imperial envoy years ago and provoked border conflicts, which showed his rebelliousness. His letter to Hu Weiyong was unusual... Mingzhou Guards shouldered the heavy responsibility of resisting the Japanese pirates. Lin Xian was the commander, so his letter to Hu Weiyong was also unusual...
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were deep and he didn't move for a while.
The room fell silent.
Beneath the surface, undercurrents surge.
Zhu Biao, Mao Xiang and Jiang Huan were confused, but Zhao Wumian knew that Zhu Yuanzhang was considering whether to "take the knife".
These three letters are the knives he handed over!
Historical records about Hu Weiyong's rebellion all say that it was directed and acted by Zhu Yuanzhang himself with the purpose of eliminating the nobles.
It is true that Hu Weiyong abused his power and broke the law, and he deserved to be put to death, but the charge of "treason" was most likely a fabrication.
In order to abolish the position of prime minister and to intimidate the court and the public, Zhu Yuanzhang added the charge of "conspiring to commit crimes". Without a detailed investigation, he directly exterminated Hu Weiyong's entire clan and even killed Tu Jie, who reported the crime. This left no evidence. For the next ten years, things were relatively stable. In the 23rd year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang issued the "Record of Exposing Traitors", and executed Hanguogong Li Shanchang, Fei Ju, Lu Zhongheng, Tang Shengzong and other founding heroes for conspiring with Hu Weiyong to commit crimes...
But now it is the mythical Ming Dynasty.
Zhao Wumian didn't know how the game's plot was set, but he found the names Feng Ji and Lin Xian in Hu Weiyong's case file.
In history, the former helped Hu Weiyong to collude with the Tu people, and the latter helped Hu Weiyong to collude with the Japanese.
These two people are not well-known, so if they were not intended to cause trouble, there would be no need for the planner to bring them out. From the game level alone, we can reversely infer the purpose of their appearance, which must be not clean. In this case, it would be a waste to use them!
So, there were these three letters.
As for Achangshina, it was just a coincidence that Jin Guangshangren showed up. This was clear evidence that Hu Weiyong must have had contact with Tubo, so the presence of Achangshina was not a big deal... I just don't know what Achangshina's handwriting was like, and the reference was the documents sent by Tubo as tribute... Zhao Wumian clearly said that they came from "outside the box" and "somewhat strange", and left traces on the envelope, which was to tell Zhu Yuanzhang that these three letters were forged! It's up to you whether you want to take advantage of the topic!
Zhu Yuanzhang hesitated for a moment, but still took it, took out the three letters and started reading.
The others waited quietly, and they felt the murderous intent around them growing stronger and stronger, gradually becoming as cold and terrifying as an abyss or a prison!
When Zhu Yuanzhang saw the last letter from Feng Ji, he suddenly burst out with murderous intent, making everyone present terrified!
Achangshina said that he had informed the three living Buddhas of Tubo.
Lin Xian said that he has contacted the owner of Ruyao Zang in Japan.
After reading the first two letters, Zhu Yuanzhang did not understand their meaning. But after reading the third letter, he immediately understood the key!
Feng Ji's reply was to seek credit from Hu Weiyong, saying that he had followed his plan and submitted to the Northern Yuan Khan Toghon Temur to seek support. He only needed Hu Weiyong to unite the Yipintang death squad, the six great shamans of the Northern Yuan Wushen sect, the three living Buddhas of Tubo, and 400 warriors of the Iga sect of Japan, and set up the "Huangtian Dragon Slaying Formation" to kill Zhu Yuanzhang when he went to the Huangshan Palace to escape the summer heat in June of the following year. Then, they could cooperate inside and outside, take advantage of the civil strife in the Ming Dynasty and the lack of a leader, and the Northern Yuan, Tubo, and Japan would send troops together to overthrow the Ming Dynasty!
The motive was that Hu Weiyong had been the prime minister for several years, and had monopolized power. His students and former officials were all over the country, and he had the final say in the entire court. In the 12th year of Hongwu, auspicious signs appeared in his hometown, which made him gradually have different ambitions. In addition, he was worried that Zhu Yuanzhang would take action against him, so he wanted to strike first, and maybe he could go further...
The conditions are also sufficient. Lin Xian is the commander of Mingzhou Guards, and Ruyao Zangzhu is a master of Shingon Buddhism from Japan. He will first lead 400 warriors, disguised as monks to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty, and wait for an opportunity to ambush around Huangshan and participate in the siege. Once the mission is accomplished, he will open the gate and let the Japanese pirates enter the Central Plains!
In addition, Pingliang Hou Fei Ju has connections in the northwest, Yan'an Hou Tang Shengzong is in charge of Liaodong, and Ji'an Hou Lu Zhongheng is in charge of Yanmen. All three of them were reprimanded and deprived of their titles by Zhu Yuanzhang, and they were dissatisfied, but at the same time, they all guarded the throats of the border. In order to protect their wealth and glory, they conspired and waited for Zhu Yuanzhang to assassinate them. Then the three passes would be opened and the Northern Yuan cavalry could march in silently. By then, with the addition of Hu Weiyong, the four parties would work together to divide the Ming Dynasty!
It's written quite like that...
Zhu Yuanzhang's fist suddenly hardened.
"Asshole!!!"
The terrifying pressure swept across the four directions, like a mountain falling from the sky, doubling the pressure on everyone.
Zhao Wumian breathed a sigh of relief, it worked!
"Father..."
Zhu Biao was startled.
Zhu Yuanzhang left the envelope and threw the three letters into the pile of letters, his face grim: "I am not willing to accuse you of your past friendship, and I have repeatedly shown mercy to you. These bastards actually dared to form a clique and plot treason! They deserve death!!"
Zhu Biao took the letter and read it quickly. He was shocked: "Father, Lu Zhongheng is your adopted son. Fei Ju and Tang Shengzong are also your trusted aides. Is this matter..."
Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the letters from the three men and said angrily, "You have also seen their memorials. Are these written by the three of them? Are they dissatisfied with us? Dissatisfied with the court? We are really blind to let such people guard the border! Needless to say, immediately..."
Before he finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang realized that sending a message now might alert the enemy, so he turned to Yun Qi and said, "Tell the imperial son-in-laws Ouyang Lun and Wang Ning to call back Lu Zhongheng and Tang Shengzong! In the name of worshipping our ancestors in Fengyang, we will set off tomorrow morning!"
The son-in-law is a close person, and recalling such a person in the name of ancestor worship can avoid a lot of trouble.
Yun Qi accepted the order: "Yes!"
Zhu Biao read the letter and still felt something was not right. The letter explained too much cause and effect. It did not seem like it was written by Feng Ji for Hu Weiyong, but rather for a third party.
Since Feng Ji is a confidant, why would he put so much secret information on paper?
But with so much preparation before, plus the replies from Achangshina and Lin Xian, this result is indeed reasonable.
Zhu Biao thought about it and still felt that he should be cautious: "Father, Feng Ji is in Mobei, and Achang Shina is in Tubo. It is difficult to convince the people to deal with the founding generals based on just a few letters! The most urgent thing is to recall Lin Xian, the commander of Mingzhou Guard, to see if there is really any communication with the Japanese. Then make a decision. This way, the government and the people can be convinced."
Zhu Biao clasped his hands and bowed, speaking earnestly.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him, a trace of satisfaction flashed across his eyes, and then he returned to his cold and hard tone: "Biao'er, you are too kind! Well, Jiang Huan, you go immediately and send the Jinyiwei to investigate this Lin Xian first, but it is not advisable to arrest him immediately. After the remnants of Yipintang and the rebels in the dark are wiped out, send him to the capital in prison!"
Jiang Huan clasped his fists solemnly: "I accept your order!"
After that, he turned and left.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Yun Qi and said, "You know the inside story. Now that the things have been brought back, we can start to encircle and kill the rebels. Take the prince to prepare first and tell him everything."
"Yes."
Yun Qi took the order and took Zhu Biao out.
Zhu Biao was a little confused, but he put the letter down and followed Yun Qi out.
Only Mao Xiang and Zhao Wumian were left in Wuying Palace.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhao Wumian coldly.
Zhao Wumian immediately knelt on one knee.
Mao Xiang was stunned, and quickly knelt down as well.
“Great story telling!”
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhao Wumian and sneered, "How could I not see that you are so cunning!"
This breath is not a big problem...
Zhao Wumian secretly breathed a sigh of relief, lowered his head in a submissive manner, and said nothing.
Mao Xiang was even more confused.
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, and the three envelopes fell in front of him: "Look carefully at the envelopes, and the handwriting on them."
Mao Xiang didn't understand what was going on, so he picked it up carefully and checked it as he was told. He then discovered that the envelope was new and smelled of books. The last strokes of the three signatures were still wet with ink!
hiss!
Mao Xiang took a breath of cold air: "This..."
These three letters are forged? !
It really comes from “outside the box”!
Zhao Wumian is so brave!
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhao Wumian coldly: "Do you think you can kill Fei Ju with just a few letters?"
Zhao Wumian whispered, "After Hu Weiyong's rebellion, Yipintang became a rebel. If Fei Ming allowed his servants to pretend to be rebels and assassinate Jinyiwei, and caught them red-handed, I think no one would say anything..."
"Humph!"
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him and said, "You are so brave! What? Do you have a grudge against these three people?"
Zhao Wumian said: "Achang Shina killed the imperial envoy of the Ming Dynasty without authorization, he deserves to die! Feng Ji surrendered and then rebelled again, he deserves to die! As for Lin Xian, the case file says that he also had contacts with Hu Weiyong..."
Zhu Yuanzhang did not comment: "Why not do it more simply? Just mix it into the box?"
Zhao Wumian said sternly: "I, the guilty minister, only want to protect myself. I don't want to deceive the emperor, nor do I dare to deceive the emperor."
The hall was quiet for a long time.
Zhu Yuanzhang: "Mao Xiang."
Mao Xiang said: "I am here!"
Zhu Yuanzhang: "The matter of Lin Xian's 'collaboration with the Japanese' will be handed over to you and Jiang Huan."
Mao Xiang's heart trembled: "I obey your order! I understand!"
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, turned to Zhao Wumian, and cursed: "Why are you still kneeling? Go do what you need to do!"
"Yes!"
Zhao Wumian unabashedly breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and obediently retreated.
"..."
Mao Xiang was simply full of admiration.
This kid framed me openly, but he actually got closer to me!
The two men left the hall.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at their backs, a smile flashed across his lips, and he looked at the letters coldly: "It's time to see blood..."
(End of this chapter)
