Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 250 Snatching the Cocoon
At the gate of Shuntian Mansion Yamen, a large group of armed people suddenly poured in.

The Imperial Forest Army in armor opened the way, followed by a group of Jinyi guards led by Wang Xiang, then the accompanying eunuchs, and finally the emperor Zhu Youtang who came wearing a dragon robe and came on a dragon chariot.

The emperor came to the Yamen of Shuntian Mansion, this card is really too big.

When the people in the hall heard that the emperor was coming, they knelt down to welcome the emperor after making way for an aisle several feet wide, but obediently pressed their foreheads to the floor tiles.

The officials present and Qi Xun got up from their seats one after another, and came to the main courtyard to kneel down to welcome the emperor Hongzhi in three steps at a time. No one thought that this case would alarm the current emperor.

Some scholars heard that the emperor was here, but they exchanged silent glances, and a hint of worry flashed in their eyes.Now that the emperor is here in person, he is naturally not in a hurry, he is probably here to protect Du Ming, Minister of the Ministry of Punishment.

Of course, this is naturally the malicious judgment of these scholars.

After all, Zhu Youtang really wanted to shield Du Ming, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, but there were ten thousand ways to shield him, but he couldn't afford to come out to hear the trial himself.

Zhu Youtang has always rarely left the palace, one is because of his own safety, and the other is that there are too many movements of him going out of the palace, even if he is young, he still needs twelve.

This is the first time I came to the north of the city, and I felt novelty about the surrounding things along the way, and now I saw the famous Shuntian government office, and I couldn't help but take a few more glances.

The emperor is naturally different from the important officials. Even if they come to observe, they still have to sit in the highest position, while Song Cheng, as the presiding judge, can only sit at the bottom.

Zhu Youtang sat down on the throne that had just been placed, and when he saw the two rows of ministers and Qi Xun standing in the hall, he seemed to be smiling but said: "My loves, are you all there?"

"Yes, the ministers are concerned about the massacre of the Qian family, so they also came to listen in!" Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and others responded with embarrassment on their faces, feeling ashamed of being "caught in bed".

Zhu Youtang raised his hand, and then ordered lightly: "You all stand aside! Song Qing, let's start the trial!"

Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and other officials gave a salute, and then stood in one place in a well-mannered manner.All the chairs that had been collected with great difficulty just now were all empty, and since Zhu Youtang did not speak, naturally no one dared to take a seat.

Song Cheng saluted Zhu Youtang solemnly, and then took his seat in front of the case on the left, and immediately entered the role of the presiding judge, patted the gavel and said: "Lead the criminal!"

The common people and scholars in the hall were driven further away by the Imperial Forest Army, but some common people were able to see Long Yan from a distance, and they immediately seemed satisfied.

Starting from the young grandpa, then Xu Hong, a Cantonese Juren, and then Miss Qian and others were brought to court one after another to state the course of the case.

Yunjuanyunshu, time passed bit by bit.

Zhu Youtang took the time to drink tea leisurely, but he knew that professional things should be done by professional people.Although my logical thinking ability is very strong, I know that when it comes to trial, I am afraid that I have to rely more on the black-faced youth.

This case seemed to be spinning out of cocoons, from the beginning when the father-in-law Zhu Gao molested Miss Qian's family, to the whole process of Miss Qian's family being chased and killed.

Originally, this was a massacre of the Qian family, but because of the involvement of three murders at the Dongsheng Inn, this case became even worse.

Song Cheng knew that the confessions of the previous people were all right, and the next part was the most important part of the case, so he slapped the gavel and said, "Lead someone into a crime!"

"Who is this man?"

"I recognize it. This is the masked leader who wanted to kill Miss Qian that day!"

"Hehe...you guys have a good look at it, the good show is coming soon!"

……

Seeing the one-eyed middle-aged fat man being brought up, the people watching from the hall asked about the prisoner's background one after another, but some people who knew his identity played tricks.

The new prisoner was a middle-aged fat man in his forties, with one eye broken. When he came to the hall, he reported his family name: "Caomin is the one-eyed tiger who is the leader of the Northern Gang!"

what?
When the people in the hall learned that the murderer who chased and killed Miss Qian's family was the leader of the Northern Clan ordered by Mr. Du's family, they couldn't help opening their mouths.

"Report your real name?" Song Cheng naturally knew the identity of this person, so he immediately put on a straight face.

The one-eyed tiger's voice couldn't help but weaken a little: "Cut the big dog!"

This……

The common people in the hall were disappointed when they heard this ordinary name, which was in huge contrast with the one-eyed tiger just now.

"Zhan Dagou, why did you go to Dongsheng Inn to hunt down Miss Qian Jing, Qian Jing!" Song Cheng followed the normal process of trial, and asked directly to the core.

If his subordinates hadn't rushed over in time, this Miss Qian would have been silenced, and it would undoubtedly be very difficult for him to find out the whole truth.

Sitting on the throne, Zhu Youtang was also looking at this one-eyed middle-aged fat man, and wanted to know the truth at this moment.

Zhan Dagou hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and chose to confess: "The villain is appointed by someone!"

"Who appointed?" Song Cheng asked.

Facing this difficult problem, Zhan Dagou suddenly fell silent hesitantly.

"Are you asking me to punish you?" Song Cheng threatened Zhan Dagou directly after watching Zhan Dagou remain silent for a long time.

Zhan Dagou was still undecided, so he asked tentatively: "Master Fu Yin, if the villain recruits the mastermind behind the scenes, can you save the villain's life!"

"If you really want to help the governor solve the case, I will personally intercede with the imperial court!" Song Cheng has his own principles, and immediately made a promise.

"Shangshu Du Ming!" Zhan Dagou gritted his teeth and immediately confessed.

This……

When the common people in the hall heard that Du Ming, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishments, could not help but gasp, this result was never expected.

Originally thought that the majestic Minister of the Ministry of Justice could not do such a frenzied thing, but the fact is as some people guessed, Du Jian turned out to be just a scapegoat.

"Du Ming was originally a treacherous minister, this kind of person really shouldn't be reused!"

"I heard that the villain in the court is now in power, and the virtuous ministers of Qingliu are excluded!"

"If things go on like this, if these villains gain power, the country will be ruined!"

……

After the leader of the Northern Clan revealed that he was instructed by Du Ming, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishments, he couldn't sit still anymore, but all pointed the finger at the current court.

Affected by the public opinion of Qingliu officials, many scholars are actually dissatisfied with the current court, especially those two old papers.

Now it has been proved that the dignified minister of punishment, Du Ming, is the mastermind behind the scenes, so not only the minister of punishment, Du Ming, will fall, but the entire court will undergo a major reshuffle.

When Du Jian saw Zhan Dagou pointing the finger at his father, he also angrily reprimanded on the spot: "Zhan Big Dog, you don't want to spit blood here, my father is absolutely impossible to do such an illegal thing!"

Song Cheng heard the noisy voices below, and immediately slapped the gavel: "Quiet!".

mighty!

Twelve yamen servants armed with water, fire and wood sticks immediately smashed the green bricks in front of them with their sticks, and they all made mighty voices from their mouths, demonstrating the majesty of the court.

The common people in the hall felt their scalps go numb for a while, and even knowing that today's emperor was sitting at the top of the court hall, they all shut their mouths obediently.

Song Cheng saw that the people in the hall had calmed down, so he turned his head to look at Zhan Dagou: "Zhan Dagou, you said that you were instructed by Du Ming, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, what proof do you have?"

"Yes! These two notes were written by Mrs. Du himself. The first one is to ask the villain to shed blood in Qian's mansion on the evening of the New Year's Eve, and the second one is to go to the Dongsheng Inn to get rid of Miss Qian!" Zhan Da The dog tore his own clothes and then took two slips of paper from the interlayer.

Seeing this scene, Huichang Hou Sunming raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

Not only can his son be cleared of his suspicions now, but now that Minister of Criminal Affairs Du Ming has fallen, the court is likely to usher in a big reshuffle.

What's more, the military power of the Beijing camp will also return to the honorable army, and the ancestor of his grandson family once commanded the Beijing camp, so he will naturally get a share.

"Du Ming really did it!"

Not to mention the prejudiced people in the hall, even Li Yu and other officials who came to support Shangshu Du Ming looked at each other in blank dismay, and could not help but start to doubt Du Ming, Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice.

The evidence presented was two slips written in Du Ming's handwriting.

After Song Cheng read the note, he respectfully handed it over to Zhu Youtang.

Zhu Youtang saw that the handwriting on the note was indeed Du Ming, but he didn't care whether the note was true or not. Now the situation has turned into the worst one.

Once it is confirmed that Du Ming, an important minister whom he relies on, has committed such a frenzied crime, not only Wan An and other important officials will be questioned, but even himself, the emperor, will also be criticized.

You must know that Hanlin's compilation of Zhang Zhen's death remonstrance was something that had never happened in the early dynasty since the Ming Dynasty. It is naturally impossible for those Qingliu to forget, but they are just waiting for a more suitable time.

At this moment, Zhu Youtang couldn't help feeling a bit regretful in his heart, as if he had made a wrong choice.

Song Cheng faintly sensed the unfriendly gaze behind him, so he took a deep breath and asked, "So, on the night of the New Year's Eve, you personally led the Northern Gang to the northern suburbs to massacre the entire Qian family. clean?"

"That's right, but the villain was entrusted by Du Ming, Minister of the Ministry of Punishment!" Zhan Dagou nodded lightly, and then pushed the blame to Du Ming.

Song Cheng nodded noncommittally, and handed it to the clerk who was in charge of recording: "In that case, then you should sign and make a deposit first!"

Zhan Dagou saw that the above confession was the same as what he said, so he happily pressed his fingerprints.

After Song Cheng received the confession, he turned to the head arrester Zhao Dayan and said, "Send the order! Immediately search the whole city for the members of the Northern Gang, find out who participated in the massacre, and execute them all!"

"Master Fu Yin, we only use money to do things!" Zhan Dagou said nervously when he heard the latter sentence.

"Don't be impatient, my governor will explain to you!" Song Cheng interrupted Zhan Dagou, then turned to look at the witnesses present and said, "You have all told the story of the case, then go to the governor to ask You guys have a few questions!"

Li Yu and Li Si looked at each other, not understanding what kind of medicine Song Cheng was selling.

Song Cheng's eyes fell on Zhan Dagou, but he asked with a slight smile: "You said in your testimony that the reason why you took this deal was to covet the Qian family's Ku Yin, but that's the case?"

"That's right. That night I led the gang to rob Kuyin from Qian's house, and I gained a lot!" Zhan Dagou nodded seriously.

Song Cheng looked into Zhan Dagou's eyes, but expressed doubts and said: "I have been to the bank of the Qian family, but the bank is mostly covered with spider webs, even the silver box is covered with spider webs, and there is no money in it at all! Since you have been entrenched all year round In the north of the city, can you find out if there is any silver taels in the Qian family's treasury?"

"I was lucky. After all, it has always been rumored in the capital that he is worth 10 taels!" Zhan Dagou was taken aback for a moment before explaining seriously.

Song Cheng still didn't believe it, but shook his head lightly: "If you were really after Qianfu, you wouldn't think that Ku Yin has 10 taels, and you wouldn't be Ku Yin who was staring at him!"

"If you're not keeping an eye on Ku Yin, what are you looking at?" Li Si, Minister of the Household Department, couldn't help interjecting when he heard this.

Song Cheng met the curious eyes of the audience, and announced an answer: "Qian Fu is actually a shrewd businessman. He bought land in the outskirts of the city. After nearly ten years, he has actually become the largest land holder in the outskirts of the city!" After a pause, he looked at Zhan Dagou and said, "If you really want money and wealth, you should Look for land deeds instead of coveting the empty coffers!"

"Yes, Qian Fu has been buying land on the outskirts of the city!"

"That's right, my land was sold to him back then!"

"I used to laugh at him for being stupid. Some houses in the city couldn't stay and they ran to the northern suburbs!"

……

Almost all the people in the hall lived in the north of the city, so they had more or less heard of the "weird" Qian Fu, but now they seem to be belated.

"I... I was too hasty, so I didn't know!" Zhan Dagou immediately gave an explanation.

Song Cheng didn't believe this explanation, and continued with an expressionless face: "Let's believe your words for now! It's just that you said that you personally led the gang to the Qian's house, but you're actually lying again!"

"This is a capital crime, how could I lie, the villain was entrusted by Du Shangshu to slaughter the Qian family!" Zhan Dagou became anxious and emphasized again.

Song Cheng saw the anxiety of beheading the big dog, and instead believed in his own judgment even more, so he slapped the gavel and said, "Witness witness!"

When the people in the hall saw a young man in white being brought to the court, they couldn't help but look at each other. Even the most well-informed people became confused: "Who is this?"

"The villain is Bai Zihua, a painter in the capital!" Although Bai Zihua has a reputation, but now he is sitting on the top of the current emperor, and he kneels down and declares his family.

Seeing Bai Zihe appearing, Ruianbo Wang Yuan couldn't help muttering, "What is a painter doing here?"

When Miss Qian saw her teacher Bai Zihua, her face was also full of puzzlement.

Song Cheng ignored everyone's suspicious gazes, but suddenly asked, "Bai Zihua, where are you at the evening of Chinese New Year's Eve?"

"I'm in the woodpile outside Qianfu in the northern suburbs!" Bai Zihua responded bitterly.

what?
As soon as this remark came out, all the people present were shocked. I dare to say that this is an eyewitness.

Changning Bo Zhou Yu immediately objected: "No, you are not at home for the reunion dinner, so why did you go to Qian's mansion on New Year's Eve!"

"I...I want to see my son!" Bai Zihua explained his motivation.

Changning Bo Zhou Yu first made a guess, and then felt that he had caught a loophole and said: "Your son is working in the Qian Mansion? No, you are probably not married yet, how can you have a son in the Qian Mansion?"

(End of this chapter)