unclear

Chapter 528 Hongmen Banquet

"Ah? Why did the emperor do this?" The queen didn't find it funny, her eyes widened and her mouth half opened.

"Some of them are doing things that are too dishonest. They are not only disloyal to the emperor and patriotic, but also betray the country for wealth. They do this to prevent them from jumping over the wall and hurting too many lives. Don't worry, I have already made arrangements."

Well, the feeling of satisfaction just now was immediately dispelled by the cruel reality. Regardless of whether Shanxi merchants, Jiangsu and Zhejiang merchants, and some court officials were enemies, they were still subjects of the Ming Dynasty, and as the emperor, they had no face.

"Long live my Lord, the Jin Yiwei has imprisoned 74 people in the imperial prison's warehouse according to the list. 11 important people are detained in separate cells. They are guarded by the Cuju team and the Kaihu Division inside, and there are imperial horse guards outside. No one is allowed to approach."

After sending the queen back to Cining Palace, Wang Chengen came over to report the results. On the surface, this royal feast was to celebrate the queen's birthday, but in fact, it was using the guise of the queen to deceive civil and military officials and noble lords.

Officials, dignitaries, vassal kings, and military generals who have been found to have beneficial dealings with six Shanxi merchants and four Ningbo merchants have all been secretly detained by the Jin Yiwei. However, no one will know about this matter, including their family members and entourage.

All civil and military officials in the dynasty thought that these people were drunk at the Queen's birthday party and were left by the Emperor to rest in the imperial city. They would not cause much reaction for at least two days.

On the third day before they were released, the Supervisor of Ceremonies would say that these people were drunk and talking nonsense, breaking the rules of the palace, and they were condemned by the emperor to think about their mistakes. Anyway, it was just a purpose, which delayed the five days.

Why do you do that? It's very simple, seek stability. The Statistics Department of the General Staff Headquarters was a new department and did not have much experience in intelligence work. Hong Tao did not dare to completely believe the intelligence they provided.

Until the army has the strength to take over most of the border defense tasks, it will still have to rely on the old military aristocrats to guard the border for the time being. If you can't provide any real evidence, it's best not to act rashly.

These five days are spent waiting for reports from Songjiang Prefecture and Puzhou. If, as the intelligence had revealed in advance, someone was going to gather a mob to attack the shipyard and spinning mill, it would mean both the people and the stolen goods. At that time, these detained officials would be formally arrested and arraigned by the Jin Yiwei, and a jury of the three courts would be arranged.

If the source of the intelligence is inaccurate and there is no mob riot in Songjiang Mansion, we can only arrest several Shanxi and Ningbo merchants involved in reselling artillery, and then extract valuable information from their mouths. Whoever is involved will be punished. It is too hidden. You can only let it go first.

"Where is the person I want to see?" Although I am not 100% sure that I have caught the right person, the arrangements that need to be made are still indispensable. Before the banquet, I deliberately did not summon any officials, just for fear of being suspected by interested people. Now I can finally teach him face to face.

"The servant has sent someone to take them to the Yangxin Palace to wait!"

"Wen Huan, I'm here to see Lord Yuan, Governor of the Navy, and Lord Li, Governor of the Army. This is Lord Sun, the Governor of Shanhaiguan I mentioned in my letter!"

There are five officials sitting in the east wing of Yangxin Hall, wearing formal clothes and black gauze. One of them is in his fifties, with dark complexion and a strong build. He is Du Song, the commander-in-chief of Shanhaiguan Pass. At this time, he is pulling a The official, who was about forty years old, introduced the remaining three people.

"My nephew Du Wenhuan, deputy commander-in-chief of Ningxia, has met Governor Yuan, Governor Li, and Governor Sun! I heard my uncle mentioned it earlier, and I am honored to meet you today!" The man named Wen Huan reported himself respectfully. At the door of the house, he salutes again, and finally greets one by one, showing great respect. "I've heard that there are two heroes in the Du family, but I didn't expect that there will be successors. They must be three heroes in one family!" Although Yuan Keli has the highest position and the most power, he is also the most favored by the emperor, and he is the most easy-going. Even if Du Song and Du Wenhuan was the first to make a joke even though he was below him in rank.

"No, no, I'm joking. If we talk about heroes, who can be better than Governor Yuan, who can create something from scratch and level the sea? I admire you greatly!"

Although both were military commanders, Du Wenhuan was much sweeter than his uncle Jun Jun. It’s not a deliberate flattery. No one in the Ming Dynasty’s military circles today doesn’t know Yuan Keli’s achievements, and no one will despise him because of his background as a Jinshi.

"You and I are all doing things as entrusted by His Majesty, and that's all we have to do is to fulfill our responsibilities. How come a hero can say that?" Yuan Keli often heard such praises, and similarly, there were many kinds of slanders. He turned a deaf ear to them all and laughed them off.

"Captain Yuan, what happened today is quite strange. All the ministers were drunk and we were the only ones awake. The wine in the palace tasted bland, but His Majesty did it intentionally?" Even though Du Wenhuan is Jun Song's nephew, but in Sun Chengzong was the youngest in age and had the least qualifications. He had been holding back his doubts for a long time, and now he couldn't help but ask.

"Well..." Yuan Keli understood more than half of it, but he didn't dare to say it casually without the emperor's permission.

"Yes, I did it on purpose... No courtesy, time is limited, come with me!" At this time, the door opened, Emperor Jingyang crossed his fingers and walked towards the main hall first.

"This time I want to deal with the big private traders among Shanxi merchants, as well as some officials, nobles, and vassal kings who colluded with them. There is no need to discuss why and whether it should be done. You have all been at the border for many years, even if you have never done it yourself. You should have heard about what he did. Allowing him to collude with others internally and externally in the country has both disadvantages and no benefits.

But if this happens, the Ma family may also be implicated. Although the exchanges between our DPRK and the Mongolian tribes have been smooth in recent years, and border wars have become less and less frequent, we still cannot take it lightly.

Du Song and Du Wenhuan, your uncles and nephews are both from Shaanxi and are familiar with the local situation. Can you tell me if there is no one left in the Ma family, can you two take their place? "

After entering the main hall, before everyone could take their seats, the emperor walked to the wall and opened the curtain to reveal a map, pointing to the long border from Xuanfu to Gansu, and briefly explained the current situation.

"...This..." Jun Song and Du Wenhuan never expected that the emperor would take such a big move. They kept it secret in advance and couldn't hear any news. For a moment, they looked at me and I looked at you. Everyone was stunned on the spot. Sun Chengzong and Li Ruzhang also looked similar. Only Yuan Keli looked calm and neutral.

"Just say whatever comes to mind. I want to hear the truth. It doesn't matter whether it's right or wrong! Don't say perfunctory words." Du Song and Du Wenhuan rarely go to the palace to meet the saints. They don't know much about their own temperaments. Hong Tao can only patiently wait for the first time. Talk about policies and try to dispel their fear as much as possible.

"Your Majesty, I think that if someone colludes with Shanxi merchants to smuggle goods out of the customs, it is unlikely to be the Ma family." To say that he is still young and easy to deceive, Du Song was still hesitant to say anything, but Du Wenhuan believed it. The courage to put forward his own opinions.

(End of this chapter)