The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 8
Mao Xiang is back?
Chen Jingke looked towards the door excitedly, wishing he could call him over now and ask about Chen Yuan's situation.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to have not heard anything and was still immersed in reading the memorial in his hand.

The eunuchs around him were all accustomed to it, and there was no movement at all.

Chen Jingke was anxious and wanted to go up and snatch his pen away, but he just thought about it.

After another five or six minutes, after reading through the memorials in his hand, Zhu Yuanzhang put down his pen and said:

"Let him in."

The eunuch who reported the news cautiously withdrew to deliver the order.

Mao Xiang walked in after a while.

Different from the arrogance he had when he was outside, he was slightly hunched over now, looking cautious.

"See Your Majesty."

"Without the gift, what are the consequences?"

"Someone did commit murder, and the murderer was captured on the spot... This is a confession."

Mao Xiang took out two confessions from his arms: "One is what Chen Yuan said. He went to Zhao Shangshu's house to treat a woman through a gauze curtain, so he did not see the woman's appearance."

"The woman behind the curtain did have typhoid fever. Not long after he prescribed the medicine, she was arrested and sent to Shangyuan County Prison."

"The other was a confession from the murderer. They were ordered by Zhao Jinzhong, the chief steward of the Zhao Mansion, to silence him and disguised Chen Yuan as committing suicide out of fear of crime."

Chen Jingke breathed a sigh of relief. First of all, Chen Yuanan was fine. His efforts finally saved his life.

Secondly, Zhao Hao was really cooperative, which made what he made up more credible.

Zhu Yuanzhang took the confession and glanced at it roughly, his expression full of murderous intent.

He did not explode on the spot, but looked at Chen Jingke and said, "You guessed it right."

Chen Jingke only felt that he was facing a man-hungry tiger, and the hair on his body stood on end.

He didn't dare to show any joy on his face, but instead said melancholy: "The common people would rather guess wrong."

Zhu Yuanzhang said unexpectedly: "Oh, why?"

Chen Jingke smiled bitterly and said: "I have the credit for saving my grandson. If I guessed wrong, the merits and demerits would be equal to each other. Your Majesty would give me a beating at most."

"I guessed it right, which means there are countless people whose families have been ruined because of these corrupt officials."

"Bang." Zhu Yuanzhang finally couldn't control his emotions and slapped the table hard:

"Zhao Mao, his crime can be punished."

Everyone in the room couldn't help but shiver.

However, Mao Xiang showed a hint of excitement and immediately said: "All the Jinyi guards are on standby. As long as His Majesty gives the order, this thief can be arrested immediately."

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily: "Shuo Shu has been in power for many years and you haven't noticed it. What use do you have?"

Mao Xiang didn't expect that the fire would actually burn him, and he was so frightened that his forehead was covered with cold sweat.

"I have neglected my duty, Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly and said: "Originally, we wanted to punish you for dereliction of duty, but now that we are employing people, we will give you a chance to make meritorious deeds."

"Let us investigate this matter clearly, and all those involved must be arrested and brought to justice."

"If you let us know that you cheated and cheated, the old and new accounts will be settled together. Don't blame me for being unkind."

If Mao Xiang was granted amnesty, he quickly said: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my best to investigate this case thoroughly."

Chen Jingke watched in amazement. Zhu Yuanzhang's methods were indeed brilliant.

After all this beating, Mao Xiang still didn't use all his energy to investigate the case.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction and looked at Chen Jingke again: "Do you have any other clues?"

Chen Jingke pretended to think, "The wealthy businessman mentioned many names. The only one I can remember is Zhao Mao... Oh, I remembered, there seems to be someone named Wang Hui or something." "Wang Huidi?"

"Yes, yes, that's him...I really can't think of anything else."

Zhu Yuanzhang took deep breaths several times in succession before he controlled his anger: "Okay, very good. One is the Minister of Rites and the other is the Minister of Punishments. The six books of our Ming Dynasty are absolutely terrible."

"Mao Xiang, keep an eye on the two of them and investigate. Then send people to various chief secretaries to inquire about tax collection and grain storage in granaries, focusing on Shanxi."

"We must act in secret and don't let the news leak out."

Mao Xiang quickly replied: "Yes, I remember...how to deal with the three murderers?"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and then said: "Take people to Zhao Mao's house immediately and ask him to hand over Zhao Jinzhong."

Mao Xiang said hesitantly: "This...if he doesn't surrender, can I bring someone in to arrest him?"

Zhu Yuanzhang scolded: "Idiot, can you hand over people?"

Mao Xiang shook his head repeatedly. A person like this who has his own secrets cannot hand it over even if he is killed.

"What we have to do is to alert the enemy so that they can reveal their flaws and make it easier for you to investigate."

Mao Xiang suddenly realized, "Your Majesty is wise."

Chen Jingke also had to say something brilliant.

The larger the organization, the more bloated it is and the harder it is to hide itself.

The corruption group that Zhao Hao belongs to is spread across more than a dozen chief secretaries across the country, and tens of thousands of people are involved in the case.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't know they existed before, but now he knows, and he can find evidence with just a quick search.

As one of the leaders of the organization, Zhao Hao has no way to distance himself.On the contrary, the more he did, the more flaws he exposed.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang's move was very clever at frightening the enemy.

After Mao Xiang left, Zhu Yuanzhang asked: "You are very strange, why don't we just put Zhao Mao in prison?"

Chen Jingke said respectfully: "Your Majesty's move must have a profound meaning, and ordinary people dare not speculate."

"Humph." Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to dislike his answer and said:
"He is the Minister of Rites. We cannot arrest him without any evidence, otherwise there will be an uproar in the court tomorrow."

As for Chen Yuan's case, it was Zhao Jinzhong who did it, and there were too many ways to distance himself.

At most, he was lax in his duties, which was not a serious crime.

Zhu Yuanzhang continued: "We are also protecting you."

Chen Jingke said in surprise: "Ah?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him sideways and said: "If you want to arrest him, you must either have evidence or someone to testify against him. Are you willing to stand up and testify against him?"

Chen Jingke couldn't help but shiver.

It is estimated that tens of thousands of people will die in this case, and whoever has anything to do with it will not end well.

If he dares to stand up and identify Zhao Mao and kick off this major case, there will be only death.

Even Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't protect him.

Thinking of this, he said from the bottom of his heart: "Thank you for your love and care, Your Majesty. The people will remember this kindness in their hearts and never forget it."

Zhu Yuanzhang said with satisfaction: "You still know what is good and what is good."

"I guess you miss your father too. Go meet him."

Chen Jingke knew it was time for him to leave, so he bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. The common people will leave."

After exiting the main hall, a young eunuch found him: "Young Master, please follow me. Your father is waiting for you in the front hall."

Outside the palace, Mao Xiang led dozens of royal guards and rushed to the house of Zhao Mao, the Minister of Rites, at night.

(End of this chapter)