The eldest grandson of Emperor Ming Dynasty!

Chapter 376

Cao Zixing recruited, but it seemed that the recruiting was not so complete.

However, just the record of the tip of the iceberg made Song Zhong's heart tremble.

How did Shanxi merchants make people like Cao Zixing walk to the palace of the capital step by step.

From the very beginning, Cao Zixing was cultivated by Shanxi merchants, and his past was hidden by the local residents.

People like Cao Zixing are not the only ones, but there are many. They are all selected from the families of Shanxi merchants who are better at reading.

It's just that Cao Zixing is very good, so he can get to where he is today.

These people are real nails. When they are in official career, they don't need to give Shanxi merchants any help, and they will be famous all their lives.

The only thing to do is that some news quietly provide help.

Their families and the places they need to spend are all provided by Shanxi merchants, and they don't even have too close contacts with the clansmen in the clan. Everything is done secretly.

In other words, regarding the rumor case, the reason why Shanxi merchants were able to get such accurate information from the capital is inseparable from Cao Zixing.

A little money spent is basically harmless.

"A very deep layout."

After Song Zhong listened, he was amazed.

What kind of family is this to come up with such a method? In this few words, Song Zhong can feel that not only the Cao surname, but other common surnames of Shanxi merchants have been operating in this way.

Constantly eroding the power in the court, paving the way for the Shanxi merchants.

In fact, Song Zhong would not be so surprised if he knew about the eight well-known imperial merchants of the Manchu and Qing Dynasties in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.

Long-term collusion with Jurchen, or Mongolia and other foreign races, buying and selling ironware, private salt, this is not a few years of payment, but a friendship of hundreds of years!
It is longer than Daming's Guozuo.

Why can it take so long without encountering cleanup.

The biggest reason is Shanxi officials like Cao Zixing who are lurking in the court and silently trying to cover up.

There are also officials who do not hesitate to spend a lot of money to win over.

That's why such a huge cancer continued to grow, and at the same time, all ethnic groups in the grassland had enough iron tools and private salt to grow slowly.

Until later, the Manchu Qing ruled the Central Plains.

As a result, in the history of China, it has been ruled by aliens for the second time throughout the ages.

However, the Jurchen culture is weaker than that of the Mongols. After entering the Central Plains, except for some customs that were brought over, the rest were integrated by the Han culture.

While being shocked, Song Zhong also realized that Cao Zixing still had many key points, which he had not explained.

"Lord Cao is straightforward, but it's already reached this point, so there's no need to hide it."

"Mr. Song would like to ask Mr. Cao to talk about how many Mr. Cao are in the same house in this capital, and those officials are also among them, who have helped the Shanxi Merchants and Merchants and accepted their benefits. "

"As the highest-ranking official of the Jin people in the court, I don't think Mr. Cao can say he doesn't know anything about these things."

After Song Zhong came to his senses, he stepped forward to untie Cao Zixing, and asked someone to bring stools, drinks, and dishes.

After asking Cao Zixing to sit down, he said with a smile.

This smile, in Cao Zixing's eyes, is like an evil ghost, it is trying to devour him completely.

After a little hesitation, Cao Zixing retorted: "My lord Song doesn't know something. I already know all about what I said just now. I don't know about other situations because I am worried that there may be problems with the capital."

"Even the officials from the same village in the court hall rarely interact with each other on weekdays. These Lord Song will understand after a little inquiring."

"The steward at home is responsible for all the transfer of information. I really don't know where he sends it and who he connects with."

Hearing these well-organized words, Song Zhong didn't make any movement, but asked the Jinyiwei Baihu next to him: "Master Cao's housekeeper, where is he being held now, let him come over and have a chat."

Hearing this, the hundred households of Jinyiwei replied with an ugly expression: "Boss, Mr. Cao's housekeeper, he committed suicide by taking poison when we went there."

Song Zhong said 'Oh' without much reaction.

Out of the corner of his eye, he kept staring at Cao Zixing.

When Cao Zixing heard this, he lowered his head slightly, and he was also relieved.

However, what Song Zhong said next made him tremble as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

"Lord Cao, don't blame me for not being trustworthy. What Master Cao just explained is indeed very good and useful. It can be regarded as a small contribution."

"but!"

"According to this calculation, Mr. Cao's worst fault is even bigger than before. This is not just involved in the rumor case, this is clearly a conspiracy!"

"For such a big crime, the whole family would be punished, but now His Majesty is burning with anger, when Longyan is furious."

"The dossier is handed in according to the current situation. Among other things, someone from Song can guarantee that the last time he will be killed by all the nine clans, even exile is impossible."

Song Zhong said with a sigh.

It seemed that he wanted to help Cao Zixing, but what he just explained was actually a disservice to him.

Cao Zixing didn't have the mind to drink and eat, he didn't care about his hunger, he hurriedly said: "Master Song, that's not what you said just now, you promised me to help me."

Song Zhong said helplessly: "Song doesn't know that Mr. Cao's crime is so serious, and it has been recorded in the file now. What can we do? It seems that Mr. Cao's nine clans are hard to protect!"

Cao Zixing panicked immediately, and because he didn't have any bracelets and anklets, he wanted to snatch the records made by Jin Yiwei next to him.

"presumptuous!!!"

Song Zhong kept staring at Cao Zixing. Although he didn't expect him to attack suddenly, Song Zhong's skill was not comparable to that of a civil servant like Cao Zixing.

Snapped!
He slapped Cao Zixing directly in the face, knocked him to the ground, and turned him over.

"If you don't eat a toast, you will be fined. What kind of place is this? How dare you be so presumptuous."

"I think you not only want to kill the nine clans, but you also want to try Ling Chi's execution, skinning and filling grass."

While cursing, Song Zhong got up and stepped on Cao Zixing's forehead.

Song Zhong, who was still enjoying the wine and talking about it just now, turned his face ruthlessly in an instant.

"Master Song, help...help me, what do you want to know, I...I said"

Cao Zixing said with difficulty, at this moment, he was already in a state of confusion and his mind was blank.

After a lot of fighting, Zhu Jiuzu was condemned instead, and now his intestines are full of regret.

Song Zhong let go of his feet, and said to the Jinyiwei Baihu next to him, "What are you doing still cold, help Master Cao up quickly, the credit of our brothers is all on Master Cao."

At this moment, Song Zhong felt very refreshed in his heart.

According to what Cao Zixing said now, this is a big case, even more violent than the rumor case involving His Highness the Grandson.

This is serious treason.

And interrogating it by himself is definitely a first-class achievement. Among other things, at least the days to come can be regarded as real stability.

The future is boundless.

"Lord Song, if I confess everything, will I not offend the Nine Clans?" Cao Zixing asked hesitantly.

Song Zhong laughed, patted Cao Zixing on the shoulder and said, "Your Majesty, just keep your heart in your stomach. No one in Jin Yiwei knows that I, Song, are the most honest."

"As long as Mr. Cao's account is detailed enough, Mr. Song will give you a guarantee here. Guarantee Dingtian will be a full-fledged copycat, and it will never harm the Nine Clans."

Cao Zixing thought of the two parents and sons in his hometown who hadn't reached the crown yet, gritted his teeth, nodded fiercely and said, "Master Song is a man, of course I can trust him, well, I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything."

After a pause, he said again: "I implore Mr. Song to give you another pleasure after this."

Song Zhong smiled and narrowed his eyes and said, "Master Cao, don't worry, Song will do what he says."

Cao Zixing nodded again, and then began to talk about the part that was not covered before.

Among them are those comrades in the court.

Not only those from Jindi, but also some other party members, also told them in detail.

There are also some planning, cooperation and many other matters including the Shanxi merchants' side, which have also been informed.

As for the list, according to Jin Yiwei's internal rules, after repeating it three times, and there are no mistakes or omissions, it will be considered correct.

With the dossier in hand, the corners of Song Zhong's mouth rose involuntarily.

Cao Zixing, who had explained everything, called out pleadingly, "Master Song."

Song Zhong got up and was about to leave. He wanted to hand over this dossier to His Majesty or Grandson himself.

Hearing Cao Zixing's voice, he turned his head and said, "Lord Cao, don't worry."

At the same time, he confessed; "Master Cao cooperates with our errands so much, the punishment will be exempted later, and the good wine and food are prepared for Master Cao, which is considered to be the last journey for Master Cao."

After finishing speaking, without hesitation, he hurriedly turned and left.

Seeing Song Zhong's back, and the instructions just now, Cao Zixing felt relaxed.

Secretly said: If people are not for themselves, heaven and earth will perish. Don't blame me, everyone.

After leaving the imperial prison, the Jinyiwei Baihu next to Song Zhong asked with some doubts: "Boss, do we really want to help this Cao Zixing?"

Song Zhong grasped the file tightly, glanced at the hundred households with disdain and said, "You're out of your mind, how Cao Zixing's crime is sentenced, what does it have to do with our Jinyiwei, in the end it depends on the meaning of the superior."

"To offend His Majesty for such a traitor from Ming Dynasty, you must have drunk too many fake bars."

Jin Yiwei Baihu was trained to lower their heads, and muttered in their mouths: "That's not just now, boss, you acted so realistically, I even gave you a letter."

Song Zhong turned around and stared, Baihu didn't dare to say more.

He was in a very good mood at the moment, he didn't bother to care about it, and went straight to the palace.

On Sapphire's side, she was furious.

He took a few brothers and went straight to the Jinyiwei yamen.

The people next to him were either Hou, Bo, Cao Zhen and others.

Two hours ago, Sapphire came back from arresting someone on the pier, and only then did she find out about it from her subordinates.

Jin Yiwei Song Zhong led people to arrest a group of officials belonging to Shanxi and send them to prison.

At first, Lan Yu didn't think much about it, but with Cao Zhen's reminder, she suddenly realized.

This is to grab credit!

What are these Shanxi merchant gangs? They have already killed thousands of people, and there is no too useful news so far.

Some of the things that came out of torture have already been known, and there is no news about the truly valuable and meritorious information.

This made Sapphire a little annoyed.

Just counting on making a contribution this time, and going to the battlefield to kill the enemy after the beginning of spring, then I can have more trust.

Among other things, if His Royal Highness the Grandson can be pleased, there will naturally be more firearms newly developed by the Gunpowder Department.

Sapphire participated in the matchlock gun at the beginning.

Sapphire, who has led troops to fight all the year round, understands that firearms can cause huge damage, especially matchlock guns, which are really sharp weapons for killing the enemy.

As long as this new type of firecracker is equipped enough, wouldn't it be a great achievement at hand.

In front of Jinyiwei Yamen.

"Where is Song Zhongren, tell him to come out and see me quickly."

Lan Yu casually grabbed a guard in Jin Yi, and yelled at him.

Duke Liang's Daming, the entire body of brocade clothes and guards are like thunder, who doesn't know him, doesn't know.

The Jinyiwei Xiaoqi officer dared not resist, he hurriedly said: "Report to Duke Liang, Song Zhenfu should be interrogating the prisoner at the Imperial Prison."

It's not that the little banner official is talking nonsense, it's just that Song Zhongfang was in a hurry to go out, he just came here, and he doesn't know the news.

Let's talk about a small flag, naturally it is impossible to inquire about Jin Yiwei Zhen Fushi, so this kind of misunderstanding has been caused.

The actual situation is that Song Zhongcai has been out for less than half a stick of incense, if Lan Yu pursues him now, it is really possible to catch him in front of Fengtian Gate.

Just when Sapphire was talking to Officer Xiaoqi.

On the side of the gate, Baihu who followed Song Zhong quietly hid.

Liang Guogong made such a big fanfare, mobilizing teachers and mobilizing people to come to the Jinyiwei Yamen, the purpose can be imagined.

Hearing what the little banner officer said, he felt relieved.

Lan Yu didn't think much about it, he didn't think that a Jinyiwei Xiaoqi dared to deceive him, and he didn't think that Song Zhong's interrogation was so fast.

The only idea is to snatch him away and take him to the dungeon of the Secretary of Public Security.

Seeing Duke Liang and his party heading straight for the Imperial Prison, the Jinyiwei Baihu turned their heads and started running.

Although Song Zhong's footsteps were fast, passing Duanmen and Fengtianmen, according to the normal review process, would take a while.

However, Jinyiwei, including some yamen, has emergency privileges, and can quickly arrive at the palace under the supervision of guards.

In front of the end door.

Song Zhong is waiting.

Although he is the governor of Jinyiwei, it is impossible for him to enter whenever he wants.

Even the guards at the gate didn't let him go when he wanted to.

To enter the court during non-court meetings, or within the specified time, one must obtain approval, or an oral order from His Majesty or Taisun before being allowed to enter.

Now the eunuch went in to report.

Jin Yiwei Baihu looked at the familiar figure in front of him and hurried over.

Hearing the sound, Song Zhong turned his head and saw Baihu.

Arriving at the side, Baihu held his breath and said quickly: "Boss, Liang Guogong brought people to the Yamen, and now he is going to the prison to look for you."

Song Zhong's body shook, and he immediately understood.

He gave Baihu a look, and quickly said to the guards: "Song Zhong, the governor of Jinyiwei, who is involved in a major conspiracy, must meet with His Majesty immediately."

When the guards heard the words, they looked at each other, and didn't ask why they didn't say it just now, and immediately went in to pass the news.

Then a row of twelve guards appeared.

Song Zhong hurried forward, surrounded by twelve guards, and then ran quickly together.

The hundred households of Jinyiwei finally breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the gate of the city, panting heavily.

He casually said to the guard just now: "Thank you brother."

The guard didn't speak, just nodded, and stood guard in front of the door again.

And this time.

Lan Yu, who had already arrived at the Imperial Prison, found out that Song Zhong had just entered the palace with the dossier.

Not long after she found out, Lan Yu yelled, "Chasing!!!"

(End of this chapter)