Daming, originally wanted to destroy it, but the system came

Chapter 343 Cai Xuan, you really deserve to die

That evening, since Gu Wen had completely surrendered to Zhu Chu on behalf of the Gu family, Gu Wen became a subordinate of Prince Zhu Chu's palace and assumed the position of chief historian.

So it was natural for Zhu Zhen to move directly to Gu Mansion.

Gu Wen had already had the largest set of yards tidied up in advance, which was enough for seven or eight people to enter.

Even Duke Xu's Mansion of Wei only has nine courtyards, and even the luxurious palaces such as Prince Qin's Mansion only have thirteen courtyards.

It can be seen that the statement "Gu family's house" is absolutely false.

But aren't they afraid that big trees will attract wind?

Of course he was afraid, so Gu Wen took the initiative to confess to Zhu Zhen that those were the land deeds your father gave us when he had no money to rebuild Suzhou Mansion. When the thirty-year agreement is fulfilled in the 30th year of Hongwu, these land deeds will still be there. Returned to the court.

So don't take advantage of us.

Now Gu Wen has a deep fear and fear of Zhu Zhen. He was originally very confident, but now he no longer dares to be clever or act neither humble nor overbearing.

"Mr. Gu," Zhu Ming suddenly said.

Gu Wen quickly raised his hands and said, "Your Highness, please don't offend the official, just call him by his first name."

After all, they are already divided into monarchs and ministers, which is very different from before.

Zhu Ming nodded, feeling a little weird in his heart, and subconsciously said: "Gu Changshi, I don't think we are quite old-fashioned at this time. It seems like the counselors in the Three Kingdoms era worked for the Lord. You can't ruin the ancestor of the Qian family, Mr. Gu Yong." Reputation."

No matter how bad his history record was, Zhu Ming still knew a few things about the Three Kingdoms. In addition, he had crammed in knowledge before, so he could still name a few famous people.

Gu Wen smiled bitterly when he heard this.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty is still alive today. Even if His Majesty wants to support you again, you should not talk nonsense like this, right?

You have become the lord, what has become of His Majesty?

But he also heard that Zhu Zhen wanted to make some contributions first when he arrived.

"I don't dare to hide it from you, Your Highness. Your Majesty has already asked people to collect evidence that Magistrate Cai Xuancai used the name of the disaster to petition the court for food relief funds, but he embezzled them all."

"In addition, Cai Xuan, the dog official, not only did not exempt the tax from the disaster year, but also increased the tax a lot by cleverly creating a name."

"But he did not hand over the taxes and grain to the court, but used it all to enrich his own pockets."

While talking, Gu Wen took out an account book prepared by someone, which recorded all the evidence of Cai Xuan's crimes in detail.

In that year alone, Cai Xuan directly gained immense wealth.

After all, there are millions of acres of land in the entire Suzhou Prefecture, which is not at the same level as Liyang County. It is equivalent to the Zhang family's income in ten years.

Moreover, Cai Xuan was not from a noble family, and he did not have the extravagant expenses of the Zhang family.

"There are so many, why don't you support him to death," Zhu Zhen shouted angrily.

The money for disaster relief food is just repayment. As long as there are no terrible natural disasters in the area, and as long as the people don't starve to death, it's still acceptable. After all, it's just some money.

However, Cai Xuan actually had both ends, embezzling disaster relief food funds, and continuing to squeeze the people's hard-earned money.

Where is the conscience?

Zhu Ming also knew that Cai Xuan was not really interested in the little grain in the hands of ordinary people. The main reason was that 60% of the land in Suzhou Prefecture was government land, which was the bulk.

But after all, he still endangered the interests of the people.

"This beast deserves to be punished," Zhu Chu slammed the table and shouted: "Wang Fu, Li Jinglong."

"The general is here," Wang Fu strode in from outside alone.

"Where is that boy Li Jinglong?" Zhu Zhen asked with a frown.

Wang Fu said: "Your Highness, Cao Guogong is going to bring the carriage, our horses, and luggage that we left in that yard here."

After all, Li Jinglong inherited Li Wenzhong's title. Although he does not hold an official position in the army, he is still Cao Guogong.

But the dignified Cao Guogong has now been reduced to doing odd jobs.

Gu Wen lowered his head and felt that His Highness's methods were too powerful.

Although Gu Wen has never served in the officialdom, he also knows a lot about the capital. For example, the young Duke used to be a well-known dandy. He was the kind of person who could compete with Zheng Guogong (Chang Mao) on a flower boat by the Qinhuai River because of jealousy. And the type of fight.

Chang Yuchun was once named Duke of E. Because he died young, he was posthumously named King of Kaiping.

Although Chang Mao succeeded to the title of Duke of the country, he was changed to Duke of Zheng.

These two young princes in the current dynasty, everyone knows that they are two bastards.

Even His Majesty today has a headache and is helpless towards them.

After all, they have to consider their parents.

However, under Zhu Xun's command, Li Jinglong was treated docilely, which is evident.

It's a pity that Chang Mao passed away the year before last, and Zhu Chu was still in Yunnan at that time.

Otherwise, I really want to see how these two famous playboys in the Ming Dynasty will be governed by him.

Since Li Jinglong had something to do, Zhu Jin simply told Wang Fu alone: ​​"Go to the barracks and call Niu Sheng. I will surround the Suzhou government office, especially Cai Xuan's family members. No one is allowed to escape."

"Your Highness, these are several properties that Cai Xuan secretly purchased in the city. As he has sold off the original grain in the past few years, most of it has been converted into cash. I'm afraid they are hidden in these places. He thought he could hide it from the truth, But I don’t know,” Gu Wen said with a sneer on his lips at the end.

Zhu Ming took a piece of paper handed over by Gu Wen, which contained detailed records of several institutions in the city, and couldn't help but smile: "But I didn't know that your Gu family is the local snake in Suzhou. Now you have almost all the land deeds in the city." , Want to hide it from you? He is really blind."

Gu Wen lowered his head and said nothing.

It is enough to say this. To say any more would be overstepping the mark.

"Wang Fu," Zhu Chu handed all the things to Wang Fu and told him: "It's time to ransack his house and behead his head. If he still persists in wanting to be like a trapped beast, then he will behead everyone in his family. This is Shang Fang's sword." "

Zhu Chu even handed Shang Fang's sword to Wang Fu.

Gu Wen's eyes twitched.

"Also, let Peng Yue control the camp. No one is allowed to leave the camp. Anyone who disobeys the order will be killed."

Wang Fu clasped his hands in his fists, followed the order and left.

Gu Wen's heart moved and he looked at Zhu Zhen.

He saw Zhu Zheng looking at him with deep meaning.

Gu Wen was horrified that His Highness had quietly taken control of the camp in the city?

It seems that His Highness is really capable of thunder. Are you worried about corruption in the military? Are you afraid that the army will be bribed by Cai Xuan? Or are you worried that the big camp in the city will be bought by their Gu family?

"Your Highness," Gu Wenggong cupped his hands and was speechless.

"Don't worry," Zhu Zhen raised his hand and patted Gu Wen's shoulder, comforting him without any sincerity: "I'm not here for you."

Gu Wenhui believed that there was a ghost, and he was extremely happy in his heart. Fortunately, he made a wise choice, otherwise, the city would be closed down.

Once Zhu Zhen really has enough evidence and the army seals the city, no one from the Gu family can escape.

Does this mean they will be exterminated?

And Gu Wen is not so naive as to think that there is really no evidence of guilt in his family. After all, it is such a big family, and there will inevitably be a few bad apples.

It's just that the reason why these big families can endure for a long time is that those playboys also have a bottom line and know what they can and shouldn't do.

Either the family dealt with it quickly enough, so that nothing would happen that would affect the whole family.

But if Zhu Zhen is really determined to destroy the Gu family, so what if there is no evidence? A charge of rebellion cannot be explained clearly.

Whether it is Li Shanchang or Lan Yu, if you say you are treason, you are treason, and if you kill your whole family, your whole family will die.

Gu Wen's hands were trembling a little, and he looked at Zhu Ming in horror. At this time, he was extremely lucky that he was still a little smart, and his greatest cleverness was that he didn't dare to be clever, but was honest and honest, and he didn't dare to be complacent at all. Get carried away.

It was also because of his self-awareness that Zhu Ming chose to conquer the Gu family instead of going to war.

As long as the Gu family is obedient and sets an example for him, it can also shock those Jiangnan aristocratic families and make them understand that your best choice is to kneel down and be a dog as soon as possible.

"Okay, where are my two girls?" Zhu Miao finally thought of Xu Miaojin and Tang Xin.

After entering the Gu family's mansion, knowing that Zhu Chu and Gu Wen had important matters to discuss, the two women consciously did not follow them, but went to the backyard to take care of the room.

In fact, there is nothing to take care of. The Gu family has prepared everything. The best satin quilts, fine solid wood furniture, and even tea and snacks are prepared. All you need to do is bring your bags and move in.

They mainly didn't want to disturb Zhu Zhen from doing his business.

At this time, hearing Zhu Chu's call, the two women happened to come in from outside.

"You still care about us," Xu Miaojin said with a smile.

Tang Xin's face turned red, who is your sister? Isn’t your sister Xu Miaojin?

But when I think about the stories I heard on the road, I start to look forward to it again, especially the plot where the bad guy Zhu Zhen leaves Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian in the same boat to shelter from the rain, which makes Tang Xin scratch her liver and lungs and wonder what will happen next.

This man really lacks great virtue. Is this hook meant to hang up someone's heart?

Gu Wen had already guessed the identities of the two girls, so he did not dare to neglect them and quickly saluted, "I have met these two girls."

"We don't have any identity, so Mr. Gu doesn't need to be polite to us," Xu Miaojin said politely.

Gu Wen laughed dryly: "It's a matter of time, it's a matter of time."

Who doesn’t know the relationship between the three of you now? Your Majesty wants to betroth the daughters of Duke Tang and Xu to the King of Dian at the same time. This has caused a lot of trouble in the city before. Not only is it known to almost everyone in the capital, but also to the whole Jiangnan.

Tang Xin rolled her beautiful eyes and glanced at Zhu Xi. Her reputation had been completely ruined now. Now that she had come out to walk with them, no one would dare to marry her again in the future.

Just kidding, who knows what you did when you went out to play?

But considering Tang Xin's background, who else besides the princes and nobles is qualified to propose marriage?

And among the princes and nobles, who dares to take her idea now?

After all, two of her sisters had been Princess Lu, so there was no need to consider the generation of the emperor's grandson. There was a generation gap.

The other vassal princes either already have concubines or are still young. Even if there are suitable candidates, it is impossible for people to divide the forces in the army with Zhu Yuanzhang's almost explicit plan to pave the way for Zhu Chu.

Tang Xin sighed silently. Thinking of what Zhu Chu said on the carriage, she also understood that she could not decide her own destiny.

But do you want her to hand over her heart so easily with just a story?

That's too natural.

At this time, chaos suddenly broke out in Suzhou City.

After Wang Fu left the Gu family, he went straight to the post house, first called dozens of guards brothers, and then went straight to the main camp in the city.

Then Wang Fu and Niu Sheng led five thousand soldiers and horses, and they were also cavalry. They ran wildly on the street and surrounded the government office.

"According to the order of His Royal Highness the King of Dian, the Suzhou government office has been sealed off. No one is allowed to enter or leave. Anyone who disobeys the order will be killed. Shangfang's sword is here. If I come in person, I can kill first and then report to you for convenience."

Wang Fu held Shang Fang's sword high in his hand. Those government officials who dared to resist retreated into the gate of the government office one after another. They could only watch helplessly as the army surrounded the government office.

It was not yet night, and there were still pedestrians on the street. They were all shocked when they saw this scene.

"What's going on?" Someone had the courage to ask from a distance.

He thought he would not get an answer, but unexpectedly, Wang Fu's heart moved. He looked at the people and said loudly: "Your Highness already knows the evidence of Cai Xuan's crime and is now ready to investigate. If any of you has evidence to accuse Cai Xuan, you can directly Tell me clearly, and His Highness will certainly uphold justice for you. Haven't you heard the news about Liyang County?"

Hearing this, the people looked at each other and didn't know what they were thinking.

In fact, what they were thinking was that the imperial envoy came to investigate last time, but in the end it was nothing.

You officials protect each other, but in the end, it is only us, the common people, who suffer.

What's more, that was a few years ago, and although Cai Xuan had imposed taxes, the people did not suffer much loss after all. Cai Xuan only embezzled the taxes, money, and grain that he should have paid that year, but the people had What loss?

If it is not given to Cai Xuan, then it is also given to the imperial court.

As for the disaster relief food funds, they were not really affected by the disaster anyway, so it didn't matter.

So the common people just watched the excitement, barely holding a handful of melon seeds, and were completely indifferent.

At this time, Cai Xuan from the government office also got the news and hurried over.

"Sir, what's going on? Why is the government office suddenly surrounded? Is there some misunderstanding? Is His Highness deceived by that kid Gu Wen? That kid has no hair on his lips and can't do things well, but You can't just listen to one's beliefs. On the contrary, the Gu family has been secretly controlling more than 70% to 80% of the land in the city. This is a thief who steals the country and must be investigated strictly." Cai Xuan actually bit back?

It seems that he also got the news that the Gu family's carriage went out of the city. Gu Wen even followed the carriage himself. He walked outside the carriage and welcomed the distinguished guests into the house.

I wonder who the distinguished guest in the carriage is.

Who else could make the dignified head of the Gu family be so humble?

But Cai Xuan probably never would have imagined that the Gu family would now choose to seek refuge with Zhu Chu, because Zhu Chu's background was so poor, and the Jiangnan family, or rather all the families, had extremely high vision.

How can they be loyal to a mere eighteenth son?

Don’t they even look down on His Majesty?

Don't give in.

Cai Xuan was still lucky, thinking that the Gu family could be used as a scapegoat.

Once Zhu Zhenzhen takes action against the Gu family, given the influence of the Gu family in the entire Suzhou Prefecture, I am afraid that the people in the entire prefecture will not agree.

Once the trouble gets too big, there will be no time to deal with him. What we will face at that time is likely to be strong resistance from the people of the whole government, or even forcing the people to rebel.

When the time comes, Governor Cai can come out to turn the tide and make up for it.

Even if the matter is found out again in the future, he can use this credit as an excuse.

Cai Xuan thought very well.

Only he, the local magistrate, could deeply understand that the Gu family was not unkind because of their wealth, but rather took good care of the people.

In order for even Zhu Yuanzhang to take advantage of the Jiangnan family, there was nothing he could do? If you want to punish their crimes, you can only leave it alone.

It is because among the Jiangnan aristocratic families, there is indeed a well-known aristocratic family that is deeply loved and supported by the people.

If you want to uproot them, even the people will not agree.

He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world.

"You still want to shirk the blame?" Wang Fu sneered: "If there is no evidence, do you think His Highness will take action? Even Shang Fang's sword has been invited, and you still want to take chances? I'm not afraid to tell you, Cai Xuan, Cai Xuan, if Don't think about others unless you do it yourself. I will bring the money you have hidden in other courtyards to you."

Cai Xuan's expression finally changed. He looked at Wang Fu with a pale face and shouted: "I don't know what you are talking about. Please don't wrongly accuse a good person."

nice guy?

Wang Fu winked at Niu Sheng.

Niu Sheng nodded understandingly and shouted: "Seal the government office. No one can come in or out. Anyone who disobeys the order will be executed."

The soldiers stepped forward one after another, pointing their spears at Cai Xuan.

This was the iron-blooded warrior who followed Zhu Chu from the grassland to fight. How could an official like Cai Xuan dare to touch him? He was so frightened that he backed away and even sat down on the ground.

Wang Fu shook his head, turned around and led the guards away.

Because of the clues provided by Gu Wen, Wang Fu led people all the way and quickly found those courtyards, and soon found the silver that Cai Xuan had hidden.

When boxes of white silver and lots of gold were delivered to Zhu Zhen, Zhu Zhen became angry.

Three years to clear the magistrate and one hundred thousand snowflakes of silver?

This is Suzhou, and there is no doubt about the affluence of Suzhou and Hangzhou.

As the prefect of Suzhou, Cai Xuan was not the prefect of Qing Dynasty. He had tens of millions of taels of silver and one hundred thousand taels of gold.

Isn't he afraid of dying?

How could a mere prefect get so much money?

In fact, Zhu Zhen knew that it was because Zhu Yuanzhang's methods were so ruthless that officials all over the world did not dare to commit corruption.

Because of this, Cai Xuan was so bold that he didn’t need to share his corruption with anyone. Apart from buying off the original imperial envoy, who is now Qin Sheng, the censor of Zuodu, he had all this wealth all to himself. have eaten.

That's why there is such a large amount of wealth.

"None of you want to report him?" Zhu Zhen glared at Gu Wen with burning eyes.

Gu Wen lowered his head and said: "Your Highness, we are from a Jiangnan family. Even if we do nothing, we still make His Majesty unhappy. How dare we."

"Besides, Qin Sheng is deeply trusted by His Majesty. Not to mention us, which official from the surrounding prefectures and counties doesn't know about that incident? But who dares to file a complaint? Who is not afraid of Qin Sheng's revenge?"

Zhu Ming sneered again and again: "Okay, okay, you all have your reasons. And Qin Sheng, I didn't like him at the beginning, but now I see how he can give me righteous excuses. Come on, I will serve you with pen and ink, my king I have to perform it myself.”

(End of this chapter)