The days when I ransacked the house in Jinyiwei

Chapter 272 Chen Liu Jian suggested that Chang Feng inherit the title of Marquis
Emperor Zhengde watched with great interest the execution of hundreds of households before Liang Bohong was executed.

He said without finishing his thoughts: "Is there anything more? I haven't seen enough."

Chang Feng was stunned: "Your Majesty, Liang Bohong lost too much blood. We can't torture him any more. If he is tortured again, he will die."

Emperor Zhengde smiled and said: "Chang Qing, why are you confused? I can watch the Jin Yiwei punish other prisoners. Liang Bohong is not a prisoner among the prisoners."

You Jingwu on the side reminded: "Captain, Wang Yi and Du Huangque, who attempted to murder Liang Bohong, have not yet been tried."

In front of the emperor, You Jingwu wanted to be called Changfeng Guanta, but not "adopted father".

Emperor Zhengde glanced at You Jingwu: "Your name is You Jingwu? I remember you. You are the righteous man who died for his country. You are the adopted son of Chang Qing and the adopted brother of Po Nu."

"You have done a great job in escorting Liang Bohong to Beijing this time. I want to reward you. What kind of Sanjie are you?"

You Jingwu replied: "Your Majesty, I have just been promoted to the rank of commanding officer this year, and have been awarded the rank of General Mingwei for the first time."

Emperor Zhengde said: "I confer upon you the title of General Guangwei. Go and bring the assassin you mentioned."

Not long after, four men and one woman were escorted in.

No matter how stubborn the Jianghu people are, they can't stand the big memory restoration technique.Liang Bohong confessed during the third torture session.Although these five people persisted until the ninth punishment.Finally, unable to bear the pain of wanting to die, he confessed.

All five people confessed that it was Xie Gen, the fourth son of the Xie Qian family, who instructed them to assassinate Liang Bohong.But none of the five people had seen Xie Qian himself.

Emperor Zhengde looked at Chang Feng: "Have you never seen Xie Qian? Isn't this evidence of guilt not enough?"

Chang Feng said: "Go back to the emperor. Jin Yiwei is best at using his children to blackmail others."

Emperor Zhengde nodded: "Okay! Put them in prison first."

The last person to be interrogated was Wang Yi, who pretended to be the county magistrate.

After Wang Yi entered the questioning room, Emperor Zhengde did not reveal his identity.Instead, he stood next to Chang Feng and pretended to be a hundred households.

Chang Feng said: "Jing Wu, you captured the person, let you interrogate him."

You Jingwu cupped his hands and said, "Yes."

What follows is the same old routine.Punishment before questioning.

The nail base board has been salted.Wang Yi said nothing.

There's nothing you can do about it, you'll have to go to jail.One set of punishments follows another.Emperor Zhengde wanted to see more tortures, and now he was so beautiful.

It was not until No. 11 that Wang Yi confessed.

You Jingwu asked: "Who are you?"

Wang Yi said with a weak breath: "I am a dead soldier raised by Yang Aju, the leader of the Yangzhou Salt Merchant Association. My real name is Zhao Gangyong."

You Jingwu asked: "What is the purpose of Yang Aju instructing you to assassinate Liang Bohong?"

Wang Yi replied: "There are two purposes. The first is to silence him. In recent years, if a civil servant in the Ming Dynasty falls, a large group of businessmen will be unlucky. Only if Liang Bohong dies will Yang Hui-shou not be implicated."

"The second is revenge. Civil servants treat merchants like mules and horses to control and bully them. Whenever money is needed, it is nothing more than official or private matters. Civil servants will reach out to the merchants to get money. If they don't give it, they will take it away."

"Then when Liang Bohong was in charge of the Salt Department, his biggest hobby was to slap our leader, Yang Hui, for being a big mouth. He would do it three to five times a month."

"Now that he has fallen. Of course President Yang will have his grievances and revenge."

You Jingwu asked a few more questions.Wang Yi answered one by one.

Finally, You Jingwu asked: "Tell me about your affair with the Japanese. Who did you buy that exquisite gun from?"

Wang Yi replied: "Those Westerners are not Japanese pirates, but serious envoys from foreign countries. I can't be considered a Japanese communicator."

Emperor Zhengde became interested and interjected: "Messenger from Fanbang? Be more careful!"

Wang Yi told the truth.The Portuguese King Mannu Er (Manuel I) sent an envoy Pi Lai Shi (Piles), who traveled thousands of miles to the Ming Dynasty.Request an audience with the Ming Emperor to discuss trade matters.

The group of people came to the ground in South Zhili and were detained by Zhao Chengyong, the governor of South Zhili.The so-called seizure does not mean putting them in jail.Instead, they were strictly restricted in their activities within Yangzhou City and were not allowed to continue their journey north to Beijing.

Pillais had no choice but to contact wealthy businessmen in Yangzhou privately.Ask them if they are interested in trade.

Yang Aju, the head of the Salt Merchant Association, had a good chat with Pillais.I bought the spring-loaded short gun invented by Leonardo da Vinci from him.
After the confession was recorded, You Jingwu ordered Wang Yi to be taken into custody.

Emperor Zhengde was furious: "Envoys from other countries came to visit me in the Ming Dynasty to discuss trade matters. They did not say whether the trade was allowed or not. The cabinet and local officials should have reported this to me. But they suppressed it!"

"They are blocking Shengting! Is this Ming Dynasty my world or theirs?"

"Chang Feng, you immediately send hundreds of Jin Yiwei to Yangzhou. Pass on my decree and order Pei Laishi to wait for the Western envoys to come to Beijing. The Jin Yiwei will protect you along the way. Let me see where the yamen dares to detain them again!"

Chang Feng cupped his hands: "I obey the order."

You Jingwu respectfully asked Emperor Zhengde: "May I ask your Majesty how to deal with the salt merchant Yang Aju."

Emperor Zhengde said: "Mr. Li and Mr. Xie have always instilled in me a concept since they became my teachers. Scholars, farmers, industry and commerce, businessmen are the last. Businessmen value profits but have no righteousness. Businessmen are the lowest among the lowest."

"I discovered when I was still the crown prince that the imperial court would force merchants to 'donate' money whenever it was short of money, no matter whether it was a disaster or a military force."

"The imperial court treats merchants like a gourd jar for saving money. If they are short of money, they will directly take money from the jar. If they don't give it, they will smash the jar directly."

"This is extremely unfair to the businessman. Liang Bohong usually slaps Yang Aju. He doesn't slap people in the face! It is reasonable for Yang Aju to retaliate."

"I think there is no need to impose severe punishments such as beheading, exile, and caning on Yang Aju."

Chang Feng cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is as kind as Yao and Shun."

However, Emperor Zhengde added: "You ask Beizhen Fusi to check a few people from the Qianhu Office. Forget about confiscation of Yang Aju's house. Oh, the confiscated family property does not need to be put into the national treasury. All of it will be sent to the internal transportation treasury."

A few months ago, Emperor Zhengde strongly supported the idea of ​​"punishing stolen goods and removing the ministry" proposed by Chen Qing, the Minister of Household Affairs.

All the stolen goods and fines from each yamen are sent to the treasury of the Ministry of Revenue.Emperor Zhengde himself did not intend to abide by this rule.

Chang Feng suddenly discovered that Jin Yiwei would become a tool for Emperor Zhengde to amass wealth in the future.

Emperor Zhengde smiled and said: "I came to Jinyiwei today, and I realized that Jinyiwei's reputation is well-deserved. All kinds of torture have opened my eyes. That's it, it's time for me to return to the palace."

Chang Feng said: "I respectfully send you to your Majesty."

After Emperor Zhengde left, Chang Feng said to You Jingwu: "You have worked hard on this trip. Let's go home."

Chang Feng and You Jingwu returned to Chang Mansion.

I saw my brother-in-law Huang Yuan and the old lame man tying paper in the courtyard.Liu Xiaoyan and Chang Tian were helping.

Now You Jingwu is regarded as a close relative by the Chang family.When he returns from an errand, the family is naturally happy.

Chang Feng said half-jokingly: "Who is riding a crane to the west? Are you going to trouble our whole family to tie paper? Isn't it Zhang Heling who is about to die?"

Liu Xiaoyan replied: "Your cousin Chang Qingyuan has passed away."

Chang Feng was taken aback.

Chang Qingyuan was the fifth generation Marquis of Xing'an.In the 14th year of Hongzhi, the old Marquis Xing'an died of illness, and he inherited the title.This man was so unlucky that he died of illness after just four years of being a marquis.

Twenty years ago, Chang Feng hated the Xing'an Marquis Mansion so much that his teeth itched.

Time has passed and the hatred has long since disappeared.In the past two years, Chang Feng and Xing'an Hou Mansion often moved around.Every year and festival, we give each other gifts.

Chang Feng sighed: "Oh, it's always my family. In addition to the paper work, I also have to send 1000 taels for the funeral. I will go there tomorrow to express my condolences." At night, a night banquet was being held at the residence of Liu Jian, the chief minister of the cabinet.

Xie Qian and a group of ministers arrived at the scene.

Zhang Sheng, the Minister of Rites, was a little surprised: "Why are Gao Shilang, Xu Shilang, and Wang Siqing not here? It seems that there are six people missing!"

The number of people attending Liu's banquet is all fixed.Four tables, 32 chairs, a carrot and a pit.Even the seats are arranged according to the order of imperial lords.

Xie Qian coughed in embarrassment: "Those who are absent today are all involved in the Lianghuai Salt Case. The cabinet cannot protect them this time. How can they deserve to attend the banquet of the chief minister's family?"

Liu Jian answered: "Chang Feng is really powerful. This time we lost to him again."

Xie Qian scolded: "Hmph! Chang Feng, a dignified seven-foot-tall man, turned into a lackey of the eunuchs. How hateful!"

Liu Jiandao: "It's also our fault for our incompetence. Officials should be honest and self-responsible. But those people treat the salt tax of the court as their own vegetable garden, picking radishes and cabbage at will. They bring the blame on themselves!"

"Everyone here should take this as a warning."

Xie Qian remained silent after hearing this.He often indulged his nephew and fellow clan members in doing business and making a fortune.

Liu Jiandao: "But it's really abominable that Chang Feng acts as a villain. Now there is a good opportunity to make Chang Feng lose his official position."

Xie Qian said: "That's right. This opportunity is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Zeng Jian, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, asked: "Chang Feng did something illegal and was caught by the two cabinet elders?"

Liu Jian shook his head slightly: "No. Haven't you heard that Chang Qingyuan, the Marquis of Xing'an, passed away?"

Zeng Jian was confused: "I heard about it. What does this have to do with Chang Feng losing his official position?"

Liu Jian turned to look at Zhang Sheng, the Minister of Rites, and said, "Zhang Butang, please explain to everyone."

Zhang Sheng cleared his throat and said, "Hmm, everyone knows that the Ministry of Rites is in charge of the succession of dukes, marquises, and earls. The Ming Dynasty has a system, and nobles and nobles are not allowed to hold actual positions in the court."

"Chang Qingyuan has no children. According to the court etiquette, the noble sect should be inherited by the smaller sect."

"Our Ministry of Rites plans to take advantage of Chang Feng and make Chang Feng the sixth generation Xing'an Marquis. In this case, he will no longer be able to hold the official position of Jinyiwei."

Zeng Jian extended his thumb: "Wonderful!"

Xie Qian smiled and said: "In this way, the Eight Tigers have lost their sharpest claws!"

Jiao Fang, the left servant of the Ministry of Personnel, asked: "What if Chang Feng doesn't want to take the title?"

Jiao Fang, a ruthless man who attempted to stab the great scholar Peng Hua with a knife on Chang'an Road during the Chenghua period.

It seems that he is the backbone of the civil service group and a confidant of Liu and Xie.In fact, secretly he had already taken refuge with Liu Jin.This is the biggest nail that Liu Jin buried beside Liu and Xie.

Zhang Sheng said: "The inheritance of titles in the Ming Dynasty is not decided by the recipient, but by the Ministry of Rites. There is no 'favor' in the Ming Dynasty. He should be the Marquis of Xing'an, and he should be appropriate if he is not!"

Xie Qian interjected: "There is another benefit to letting Chang Feng seize the title. Chang Ponu was investigating the salt case in Yangzhou, making random inquiries and arresting people. I think he wanted to learn from Jin Yiwei's way of doing things and start a 'Guaman copy'. "

"If Chang Feng attacks the Marquis of Xing'an, Chang Po Nu will be the prince of Xing'an Hou. The prince of the Marquis will also be unable to hold actual positions. Chang Po Nu will have to go back to the capital and become his dandy!"

Jiao Fang raised her thumb: "See you, Mr. Xie Ge!"

Morning the next day.

Emperor Zhengde asked Liu Jian: "Liu Shoufu, has the cabinet prepared charges and punishments for the more than 60 corrupt officials involved in the salt case?"

With the living witness of Liang Bohong, the evidence of the crimes of these corrupt officials is conclusive.Liu Jian and Xie Qian claimed to be leaders of Qingliu, so naturally they could not protect them.

Liu Jian reported the proposed charges and punishments.

Almost all of these more than 60 officials were "cut to death" or "cut to prison".

Emperor Zhengde nodded with satisfaction and said: "Chang Qing, you Jin Yiwei will handle the matter of confiscating the house!"

Chang Feng cupped his hands: "I obey the order."

At this moment, Liu Jian launched an attack on Chang Feng.

Liu Jiandao: "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Xing'an, Chang Qingyuan, passed away yesterday. According to the rules, the Ministry of Rites should determine the person who will succeed him."

Emperor Zhengde was always young and did not react for a moment.He said casually: "Oh, just ask the Ministry of Rites to take care of this matter."

At this moment, Zhang Sheng, the Minister of Rites, jumped out: "Your Majesty, Chang Qingyuan is the heir. According to the ancestral system, the big sect of high honor is the heir, and the smaller sect succeeds."

"The Ministry of Rites has decided that Chang Feng should inherit the title of Marquis of Xing'an."

Xie Qian left the class: "Your Majesty, Chang Feng has been diligently serving the emperor for many years. He has both great merit and hard work. He deserves to inherit the title of Marquis of Xing'an! It can also be regarded as a reward from the imperial court for his many years of service."

Chang Feng thought to himself: Oh my God!These civil servants are very clever!Doesn't this force me to be an idle noble?The title of Marquis can be used for food, but not for power!Also, if I become a marquis, Po Nu’s career in officialdom will come to an abrupt end!
Emperor Zhengde thought it was pretty good.Anyway, if you want to choose a successor, why not buy the sharpest dagger in your sleeve?
Emperor Zhengde was about to say the word "Zhunzou".

Liu Jin, who was waiting on the side, was anxious!It was too late to say it, but it was too late to speak, and he actually whispered in the ear of Emperor Zhengde: "Your Majesty, you can't do it. It is the ancestral system that honorable nobles are not allowed to hold actual positions!"

Only then did Emperor Zhengde realize that this was a hole dug by the civil servants for him and Chang Feng.

Liu Jian was furious: "How can the eunuchs whisper in front of the emperor and interfere in government affairs when the emperor is in court early?"

Emperor Zhengde thought very quickly.He said perfunctorily: "Ah, Liu Jin is reminding me to sit upright and not lose the dignity of an emperor."

After speaking, Emperor Zhengde straightened his back and looked at Chang Feng.

Chang Feng came out: "Your Majesty, I would never dare to accept the title of Marquis of Xing'an. My sect belongs to the fifth-ranked sect of the Marquis of Xing'an."

"The first four small sects have not yet inherited their title, how dare I dare to overstep my authority?"

Emperor Zhengde said: "Ah, what Chang Qing said makes sense. Let me see."

However, Liu Jian rudely interrupted Emperor Zhengde: "Your Majesty, the ancestral system only states that the major sects will be heirs and the smaller sects will be inherited. However, it does not state that the smaller sects at the top of the sect will be inherited."

"In terms of contribution to the imperial court, among the four sect leaders in front of Chang Feng, who has made greater contributions than him?"

"If the emperor gives the title of Marquis of Xing'an to others, he will be treating his meritorious officials badly. I will kneel down in Qianqing Palace to remonstrate with you! Kneel until you die. Even if you die, you must uphold justice for Chang Feng, a great meritorious official!"

Emperor Zhengde frowned.The civil servants kneeled down and remonstrated at every turn, which made his head grow bigger.

Suddenly, Emperor Zhengde turned pale and covered his chest: "Liu, Liu Jin, my chest hurts! It feels like a knife is stabbing me! Help me back to the palace!"

Lao Zhu's family has a performance gene that has been passed down from generation to generation.

When it comes to acting, no one can play the roles of the emperors of the Zhu family.

One of the scenes in which Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang consecrated the gods was to cry and sacrifice to King Xiao Ming.For this scene, he won the Best Actor Award during the late Yuan Dynasty.

One of the scenes in which Taizong and Zhu Di consecrated the gods was to burn a charcoal stove and cover the quilt in the summer, while holding a big raw fish on the quilt and chewing it with all his strength, which brought the role of a terminally ill patient to life.For this scene, he won the "Fengtian Jingnan" Cup Best Actor Award.

There are Taizu and Taizong Zhuyu in front.The acting talent of Emperor Zhengde Zhu Houzhao was naturally not bad either.

Liu Jin understood the idea and shouted: "Quickly call the imperial doctor! Dismiss the dynasty! Your Majesty, I will wait for you to return to the palace!"

Emperor Zhengde laughed secretly in his heart: You will kneel down to remonstrate, but I will pretend to be sick!Let’s see who wins!
Emperor Zhengde was buying time for Chang Feng.

Emperor Zhengde did not know how to avoid the pit dug by civil servants.But he believed that Chang Feng, an old fox, had a way to avoid the trap, but it just took time.

(End of this chapter)