Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

Looking at the setting sun, Lin Xiaofeng took a few deep breaths. Life or death, it all depends on tonight! There are three things tonight, none of which can go wrong, otherwise everything will be in vain. His eyes revealed firmness and determination, as if he was ready to face all challenges.

The first thing was the prince's migration to the south. The prince was the future and hope of the Ming Dynasty, and there could be no mistakes. Lin Xiaofeng had arranged the most elite guards and the safest route for the prince to ensure that he could reach Nanjing smoothly.

The second thing is to wipe out the entire family of Chen Yan and Guang Shiheng. Killing them is not only to vent anger, but also necessary for the plan. If they are not killed, the subsequent plan will be difficult to carry out. Lin Xiaofeng has ordered the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang to work together to catch them all tonight.

The third thing is to seize wealth! Tonight, he will blatantly seize the wealth of the nobles! As long as the wealth is in hand, the military pay and food pay will be available! Lin Xiaofeng's eyes revealed greed and determination. He was ready to face all resistance and backlash.

Were the nobles of the Ming Dynasty rich? Not only rich, but very rich. Their mansions were magnificent and filled with countless treasures. In the past, Lin Xiaofeng had tried to raise funds from the nobles, but failed and lost a son. In the past eleven years, the court had been short of money. Lin Xiaofeng wanted the nobles to donate money, so he decided to kill a chicken to scare the monkey. His first target was Li Guorui, Marquis of Wuqing.

The Marquis of Wuqing in the early Ming Dynasty was Li Wei, the maternal grandfather of Emperor Wanli, and Li Guorui was the third generation. In terms of seniority, he was Lin Xiaofeng's cousin. He had no power in the court, but he was very rich. Lin Xiaofeng ordered him to donate money, but he not only did not donate, but pretended to be poor. In a rage, Lin Xiaofeng deprived him of his title, put him in prison, and asked his family to redeem him. However, the spoiled Li Guorui died of illness in prison. Coincidentally, Lin Xiaofeng's fifth son Zhu Cihuan also died suddenly. It is rumored that he shouted the name of Jiulian Bodhisattva when he died, saying that Lin Xiaofeng treated his relatives poorly and would cause his sons to die young. Under the rumors in the palace and the instigation of the nobles, Lin Xiaofeng did not dare to ask for money from the nobles again, and restored the title of Marquis of Wuqing.

However, Lin Xiaofeng is no longer the emperor who was swayed by rumors and deception. He sneered, his eyes revealing determination and resoluteness. Since the nobles are unkind, don't blame him for being unjust! He will blatantly seize their wealth tonight and use this wealth to save the Ming Dynasty!

The ancients had an early dinner time. When it was just getting dark, Queen Zhou personally prepared food and sent it to the Qianqing Palace. "Your Majesty, please have dinner." Queen Zhou was dressed in a white dress, like a fairy descending. Her face was gentle and beautiful, and her eyes were full of deep affection and concern for Lin Xiaofeng.

When Lin Xiaofeng saw her, a surge of emotions surged in his heart. To be honest, he really wanted to sleep with this beauty right now. But not tonight, he had to stay in the palace to deal with possible emergencies. "The queen has worked hard, it's not fair tonight, you all have to be careful." Lin Xiaofeng said while eating, his voice was low and powerful, revealing his concern and worry for Queen Zhou.

Queen Zhou blinked her moist eyes and whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty." Her voice was gentle and firm, as if conveying strength and courage to Lin Xiaofeng. Not long after Queen Zhou left, Guo Tianyang staggered in: "Your Majesty, Queen Yi'an wants to see you."

"Yi'an? Why don't you pack up and come to see me? What's the matter?" Lin Xiaofeng was stunned for a moment and didn't react. He secretly wondered in his heart, what is the intention of Queen Yi'an to come to see me at this time?

Guo Tianyang reminded him in a low voice: "Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Duke Cheng and Earl Taikang (Empress Yi'an's father) are relatives." Lin Xiaofeng suddenly realized that Earl Taikang's nephew married Duke Cheng's daughter, and the two families were even closer. Today he sent people to raid Duke Cheng's house, and Empress Yi'an must have come to plead for mercy.

"Please come in!" Lin Xiaofeng did not dare to neglect it. Zhu Youjian was able to ascend to the throne thanks to Empress Yi'an. At that time, Wei Zhongxian let a pregnant maid enter the palace to pretend to be the heir of Emperor Xizong. It was Empress Yi'an who persuaded Emperor Xizong to pass the throne to his younger brother, which is how Lin Xiaofeng got the throne today.

"Your Majesty, I greet you!" Empress Yi'an hurried to the Qianqing Palace and performed the harem etiquette. Although she was Lin Xiaofeng's sister-in-law, she still called herself a concubine in royal etiquette.

"No need to be so polite, sister-in-law! I've been negligent. Guo Tianyang, please take a seat!" Lin Xiaofeng said hurriedly. His heart was full of gratitude and respect for Empress Yi'an.

After Empress Yi'an sat down, she went straight to the point: "I heard that Your Majesty raided the home of Duke Chengguo?" Although her voice was calm, it revealed a hint of worry and dissatisfaction.

"The situation and the court forced me to do so." Lin Xiaofeng nodded helplessly. He knew very well that the act of confiscating property would attract a lot of criticism and dissatisfaction, but this was also a helpless move for him.

Empress Yi'an Zhang frowned, looking unhappy. "Your Majesty, Duke Chengguo is a first-class duke, and he has considerable influence in the court. If his property is confiscated and he is beheaded, it will probably cause a huge uproar in the Ming officialdom. Now the capital is in a state of emergency and it is time to recruit people. Aren't you afraid that the court officials will be dissatisfied if you confiscate his property at this time?" This sounded like a call for punishment. If someone else dared to say this, they would have been beheaded long ago. But Empress Yi'an was different. Her kindness to Lin Xiaofeng was higher than the sky.

Lin Xiaofeng sighed and explained, "What the Empress said is right. I don't actually want to confiscate his property. It's just that Zhu Chunchen has forgotten his roots! His wealth was all given by the royal family. Now the court is short of money, and not only does he not share the country's worries, but he contradicts me in the court. I have no choice but to do this!"

Seeing that Lin Xiaofeng refused to give in, Queen Yi'an slowly stood up and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I don't want to and cannot interfere in the matter of property confiscation. I just want to know what will happen to Duke Chengguo?" There was a hint of pleading and helplessness in her voice.

Lin Xiaofeng looked at the kneeling figure of Empress Yi'an, and a complex emotion surged in his heart. After a moment of silence, he slowly said: "...I haven't decided yet." His voice was low and powerful, revealing his hesitation and consideration of the fate of Duke Cheng.

"Your Majesty should know that if Duke Chengguo dies, the entire Ming Dynasty will be in turmoil! The incident with Marquis Wuqing might happen again!" Queen Yi'an's words were filled with warnings, and her eyes revealed her worry and dissatisfaction with Lin Xiaofeng.

Lin Xiaofeng was displeased by the threat from the emperor's sister-in-law. Even if she had great favor, she could not treat the emperor in this way. Moreover, the Ming Dynasty stipulated that the harem should not interfere in politics. Empress Yi'an's move had exceeded her authority. But Lin Xiaofeng still held back his anger. He said seriously, "Even if the waves are surging, I will still go boating. My mistake in the matter of Wuqing Hou was that I did not persist.

Lin Xiaofeng remained silent, but his heart was like a raging sea, with turbulent emotions surging in his chest. He secretly thought about Zhu Chunchen, and really didn't want to forgive him, because his past behavior was really unbearable to watch. Back then, Zhu Chunchen was extremely stingy and didn't give a penny. He watched the Ming Dynasty step by step towards decline, but he was indifferent. When Li Zicheng captured the capital, he actually fawned on the powerful, like a dog wagging its tail and begging for mercy, leading the ministers to surrender, without any backbone. However, what Li Zicheng hated most was this kind of spineless person, and Zhu Chunchen was a first-class duke with a noble status, so he resolutely beheaded Zhu Chunchen in the market as a warning. His vast wealth was also looted by the peasant army, and there was nothing left, just like a dream, which disappeared when he woke up. Lin Xiaofeng thought, sooner or later he would die, so rather than letting his wealth fall into the hands of bandits, he might as well give it to the imperial court! This way, at least he could keep his dignity.

Seeing Lin Xiaofeng silent and solemn, Empress Yi'an paused for a moment and asked, "Your Majesty, are you really going to be so ruthless? Are you not tempted by Zhu Chunchen's wealth at all?" There was an imperceptible expectation in her voice, hoping that Lin Xiaofeng could change his mind.

Lin Xiaofeng shook his head slowly and said firmly: "As a monarch, I must keep my words! I cannot lose faith in the world because of momentary greed." His eyes revealed an unquestionable determination, as if he was a towering mountain, standing tall and unshakable.

"Good!" Empress Yi'an stood up, her figure looking particularly tall in the candlelight. "Your Majesty's heart is as firm as a rock, and I am relieved now." Her words were filled with admiration and relief. "If your Majesty's military pay is not enough, my father's family, the Taikang Earl's Mansion, still has more than 100,000 family assets to fill the gap. I am willing to help your Majesty solve the problem."

Lin Xiaofeng hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, your words are too polite. I am not targeting Earl Taikang. Your family property is yours, how can I use it easily?" There was a hint of urgency in his tone, as if he did not want to bring any burden to Empress Yi'an.

Empress Yi'an shook her head and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I dare not joke, and I am not here to beg for mercy. If the capital cannot be defended, even if we have a fortune, it will be plundered by bandits. Now the court is short of money and food, and I am alone and weak, unable to provide substantial help. However, if Zhang is related to this matter, whether she is to be killed or beheaded, I will never stop it." There was a kind of determination and firmness in her words, like a sharp sword, pointing directly at people's hearts.

Lin Xiaofeng was stunned. He did not expect that Empress Yi'an was so wise and willing to sacrifice her own wealth to support the court. He clasped his fists and bowed deeply, saying, "I understand what the Empress's sister-in-law means. It is a blessing for the Ming Dynasty to have the Empress's sister-in-law around!" A warm current surged in his heart, as if a spring sun warmed his heart.

Outside the Duke Cheng's mansion, lanterns and torches illuminated the darkness, illuminating the blue brick road outside the mansion gate. There was a table and a chair on one side of the mansion gate, and Gu Chaosheng sat there with a solemn expression. He followed the factory guards in and out, and all the valuables in the mansion were moved out one by one, like a grand plunder.

"A gold hairpin, weighing five taels and six cents." A young eunuch quickly recorded all the property with a pen. His pen tip jumped on the paper like a happy bird.

"A pearl necklace and twenty taels of gold ingots, ten in total." The little eunuch's voice was clear and pleasant, like a beautiful piece of music.

The wife of Duke Chengguo stood in front of Gu Chaosheng in gorgeous clothes, gritting her teeth. Her eyes revealed a kind of anger and helplessness, as if she was a beast trapped in a cage. Although Duke Chengguo was a first-class duke, there were only a few servants in his house, and they could not resist these greedy factory guards. Gu Chaosheng only searched the house but did not arrest anyone. All they could do was hide as much money as possible on their bodies. However, no matter how much they hid, it was only a drop in the bucket of hundreds of thousands of family assets!
The wife of Duke Chengguo angrily shouted, "Gu Chaosheng, aren't you afraid of God's punishment? Can you live with your conscience by doing this?" There was a sense of grief and despair in her voice, like a dirge.

Gu Chaosheng replied expressionlessly: "Madam, if you want to scold me, scold me. If you want to beat me, beat me. I am just following orders. You can scold and beat me, but don't implicate His Majesty, otherwise I will never show mercy!" His voice was cold and firm, like a piece of cold stone.

After these words came out, the wife of Duke Chengguo calmed down immediately. She recalled what she had said before and felt a chill down her spine. Yes, how could she implicate His Majesty? This would only bring more disasters to Duke Chengguo. So she stomped her foot hard on the ground and turned to walk towards the direction of the imperial city. Her figure looked particularly lonely and desolate in the night.

Outside the imperial city, most of the officials of the capital gathered here. Those on the list came here to follow the prince to move south, while those not on the list came here to see him off. The mighty convoy lined up from east to west, like a long dragon, winding along the main road of the capital. On both sides stood the Jinyiwei and the factory guards, wearing the armor of the three major camps of the capital, equipped with a full range of bows, crossbows and firearms, looking majestic.

Li Banghua, the chief minister of the cabinet and the minister of the Ministry of War, stood on the high platform, looking around the audience. His eyes revealed a kind of worry and helplessness. The Jinyiwei and Dongchang responsible for the escort had only 2,000 people, while there were more than 500 carriages moving south. Each carriage was filled with gold, silver and treasures, and moved very slowly. Not to mention encountering bandits, even ordinary thieves would find it difficult to escape. Moreover, as far as he knew, there were more than a hundred carriages waiting outside the city gate. Those carriages were loaded with treasures that the nobles were reluctant to abandon, and they had to be taken to Nanjing even if they had to travel thousands of mountains and rivers.

Lin Xiaofeng walked out of the Meridian Gate accompanied by Guo Tianyang. Seeing the huge crowd, he was secretly delighted. These carriages must be loaded with a lot of money! He seemed to see a future full of hope, a dream world built by money and power.

A group of nobles and court officials stood in front of the Meridian Gate. When they saw the emperor coming, they all knelt down and saluted: "Long live the emperor." Their voices were in unison, as surging as the ocean waves.

"Stand up," Lin Xiaofeng said. His voice was full of majesty and solemnity, like a towering mountain.

Li Banghua walked up to Lin Xiaofeng, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, except for the people guarding the city, the rest of the three camps have been stationed outside the imperial city; the patrol camp, the Jinyiwei, and the East Factory have also gathered outside the Meridian Gate. The nobles and ministers who want to go to Nanjing have already boarded the car, and we will set off together as soon as the prince and your majesty's harem are ready!" There was an eagerness and anticipation in his voice, as if it was an exciting march.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Li. Come, sit down and talk!" Lin Xiaofeng ordered someone to bring a stool for Li Banghua. His tone was full of care and respect, like a warm spring breeze.

"I am terrified." Li Banghua was so moved that he wiped away the tears from his eyes, and his eyes became more determined. He seemed to see the qualities that a loyal minister should have: selflessness, courage, and determination.

"Guo Tianyang, how are the harem preparations going?" Lin Xiaofeng asked. His voice was filled with anticipation and concern, like a warm melody.

In theory, the harem has a lot of items, but in reality, there are only a few things that can be taken away. There are only necessities such as clothes, jewelry, bedding and food, and the rest are people. The eunuchs and palace maids are responsible for loading the car, while others are responsible for their own affairs. The entire harem is like a busy beehive, and everyone is preparing for the upcoming migration.

"Your Majesty! The Crown Prince, Prince Yong, Prince Ding, Princess Zhaoren, and Princess Changping are all ready and waiting to pay their respects to Your Majesty." Guo Tianyang replied from behind. His voice was respectful and solemn, like a solemn ode.

"Eh? Where is Queen Yi'an? Where are the others?" Lin Xiaofeng asked. A surge of curiosity and doubt surged in his heart, as if a flame of exploration was burning.

"Empress Yi'an vowed to never go to Nanjing. She said she would live and die with the capital. Empress Zhou and Concubine Yuan tried to persuade her but it was useless, so they stopped trying. Other concubines also wanted to stay in the capital to help the emperor fight against the bandits." Guo Tianyang replied. His voice was filled with admiration and emotion, as if it was a tragic epic.

"Alas." Lin Xiaofeng sighed, "The women of the Ming Dynasty are so chaste, a hundred times better than the officials in the court!" A feeling of admiration and emotion surged in his heart, as if a clear spring was flowing.

"If you don't want to go, then don't go," Lin Xiaofeng went on, "Tell the prince and others that they don't need to bid farewell to me. The journey to Nanjing is long and you need to be careful!" There was concern and admonition in his voice, as if a loving father was seeing off his child.

"Your Majesty, the convoy hasn't set off yet. Why don't we..." Guo Tianyang said hesitantly. A feeling of worry and uneasiness surged in his heart, as if an undercurrent was surging.

"My words are my will! Just convey them!" Lin Xiaofeng said firmly. His voice was filled with an unquestionable majesty and solemnity, as if a towering mountain was standing tall.

"As you command." Guo Tianyang turned around helplessly and limped towards the carriage that the prince was riding in. His figure looked particularly lonely and desolate in the night, as if he was a wounded soldier walking alone on the battlefield.

Looking at the mighty convoy, Lin Xiaofeng showed a barely perceptible smile. A sense of satisfaction and pride surged in his heart, as if he was a victorious general reviewing his army. He pointed at the convoy and said to Li Banghua: "Lord Li, do you think the convoy of the prince's migration to the south is too long? Once in danger, it will be difficult to take care of both ends! It is better to stay in the capital for safety!" There was a sense of playfulness and sarcasm in his voice, as if he was mocking those officials who were afraid of death and only cared about escaping for their own lives.

"Your Majesty, there is nothing I can do if they don't obey your order!" Li Banghua said helplessly. A feeling of helplessness and sadness welled up in his heart, like the helplessness of a loyal minister facing an unchangeable reality.
"Your Majesty..." Tu Wenzhuang's mind raced, his deep eyes flashing with wisdom, and he instantly understood Lin Xiaofeng's intention. He paused slightly, as if he was organizing his thoughts, then bowed, with an unquestionable determination in his movements, and said respectfully: "I obey your order!" Although his voice was not loud, it revealed a steady power, as if it could bring a sense of stability to the panicked hearts.

Soon after, this oral instruction spread among the people, like a sudden storm, stirring up the already turbulent situation.

When the nobles heard the news, there was an uproar, as if a huge rock was suddenly thrown into the calm lake, causing layers of waves.

"What? Four carriages! There's not enough room for people, how are we going to put the things?" a noble shouted angrily, his face full of dissatisfaction and anxiety, his hands clenched into fists, as if he wanted to grab something to calm his inner panic.

"Since receiving the order to move south, we only have half a day to pack, and there are still so many things in the mansion that have not been sorted out. His Majesty said that each household can only bring four carriages, so what should we do with these things?" Another nobleman also echoed anxiously, his eyes revealing fear of the unknown and nostalgia for wealth.

"No, this cannot happen!" A voice protested loudly, with some determination.

"I'm going to see His Majesty to argue with him!" another man said indignantly and was about to rush forward.

Immediately afterwards, a group of nobles rushed to Lin Xiaofeng and demanded that he give an explanation. Their expressions varied, some were angry, some were anxious, and some were helpless and confused.

The Duke of England, Zhang Shize, stood at the front. He was tall, with a stern face and a look of unquestionable majesty. The others lined up behind him, some bowing their heads in deep thought, some whispering to each other, discussing things.

Among the five first-class dukes, only the Duke of England could plead with the emperor. His status and influence made him the focus of everyone's attention.

Duke Wei Xu Hongji was stationed in Nanjing, far away from the center of the storm; Duke Qian Mu Tianbo was stationed in Yunnan, also far away from the turmoil in the capital; Duke Ding Xu Yunzhen could not go to Nanjing because he was suspected of assassinating the emperor, and his fate was full of unknowns and dangers; and Duke Cheng Zhu Chunchen was imprisoned and also unable to go, and his situation was even more regrettable.

Before they could speak, Lin Xiaofeng had already spoken. His voice was calm and powerful, as if it could penetrate the fog of people's hearts: "Everyone, this time we are fleeing, not traveling. With so much property on the road, aren't you afraid that the soldiers will mutiny and rob you?" His eyes swept over the crowd with a majesty that could not be ignored.

After these words came out, everyone was silent. They looked at each other, as if they were thinking about Lin Xiaofeng's words. Yes, they were escorted by Jinyiwei and Dongchang's factory guards. These people have always been greedy. Who can guarantee that they will not mutiny in the middle of the journey? Carrying a huge amount of money is easy to attract jealousy, and if it goes wrong, it may even bring about a fatal disaster, and be robbed of money and killed.

"Besides, if the convoy is too long, it will move slowly. Now the bandits have occupied the Hejian area. They only need to send a team of light cavalry to Shandong overnight. If we are caught up by them, do I need to tell you what will happen to you?" Lin Xiaofeng's expression became more solemn, his voice low and powerful, as if every word struck everyone's heartstrings.

"The prince is the future of the Ming Dynasty. I can't let you delay the prince's journey." His eyes were firm, revealing an unquestionable determination.

Everyone was silent. Some of them lowered their heads in thought, while others looked at each other, trying to find a solution.

Zhou Kui, the Earl of Jiading, stepped forward, his face full of reluctance and helplessness: "Your Majesty, can you be flexible?" There was a hint of pleading and reluctance in his voice.

Lin Xiaofeng stared at Zhou Kui, and a chill gradually rose in his heart. This old father-in-law was really hateful. Not only was he extremely greedy for money, but he was also extremely stingy. The scene of the winter of the 16th year emerged in his mind. At that time, the emperor called on all officials to donate money to help suppress the bandits. Zhou Kui's greed and stinginess were still fresh in his memory.

I remember that time, Lin Xiaofeng sent eunuchs to Zhou Kui to borrow money, but Zhou Kui would rather die than donate. Seeing that this situation was unresolved, Queen Zhou had no choice but to give Zhou Kui 5,000 taels of silver from selling her jewelry, asking him to donate it to strengthen the face of the royal family. Unexpectedly, Zhou Kui only donated 3,000 taels, and actually made 2,000 taels of money! Seeing this, other nobles and ministers followed suit, and finally only raised more than 100,000 taels of silver.

After Li Zicheng entered Beijing, Zhou Kui was arrested. They killed his wife and children first, then tortured him severely. Finally, he handed over 520,000 taels of silver. His other property was worth hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, which shows how greedy he was!
When Lin Xiaofeng saw this name on the list of people who were going to migrate south, he wanted to cross it out, but then he thought, this is a good opportunity to lure the snake out of its hole. The place where he hid the silver was extremely secret, and it was difficult for ordinary people to find it. It would be better to take advantage of the opportunity of the migration south to catch it all!
"Those who exceed the number will stay in the capital and fight against the bandits with me!" Lin Xiaofeng expressed his attitude again. His voice was firm and powerful, as if it could penetrate the fog of people's hearts.

The nobles looked at each other, helpless. If they stayed, once the capital was lost, they would all be in a miserable end, whether they surrendered or not. Even if they didn't die, they would be skinned alive. If they wanted to leave, they would have to leave their property behind. Money or life? This was a difficult choice.

Zhou Kui was the first to express his opinion, his face full of helplessness and unwillingness: "Your Majesty, I am willing to stay in the capital and fight against the bandits together with Your Majesty!" There was some determination and helplessness in his voice.

Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a deep light: "The father-in-law is really the backbone of the court, I am deeply gratified." There was a bit of sarcasm and teasing in his voice.

Duke of England Zhang Shize bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am also willing to stay in the capital." His voice was firm and powerful, revealing an unquestionable determination.

"Good, very good!" Lin Xiaofeng nodded, his eyes sweeping across the crowd with a majesty that could not be ignored.

With these two people taking the lead, the nobles and ministers expressed their opinions one after another. Some would rather leave their property behind, while others chose to stay because they were reluctant to give up their property. Lin Xiaofeng sneered in his heart. They had not yet realized the seriousness of the situation. Can they keep their property by staying in the capital? The answer is no!
Lin Xiaofeng stood on the high platform, looking at the shadowy figures in the flickering firelight below, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart. These people, these nobles and ministers who were once powerful, are now like dogs that have lost their homes, struggling for survival. He said loudly: "This journey is long and arduous, and you need to do your best to protect the safety of the prince. I promise you in the name of the emperor that after arriving in Nanjing, everyone's official position will be promoted by one level, and three months' salary will be awarded." His voice was high and powerful, as if it could penetrate the fog of people's hearts.

The officials and nobles did not react, but the factory guards and the royal guards who were in charge of the escort were immediately cheered up. They shouted in unison: "Thank you, Your Majesty." Their voices were full of excitement and anticipation, as if they saw hope for the future.

Lin Xiaofeng paused for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "The prince must move south and set off immediately!" His voice was firm and powerful, as if it could penetrate the fog in people's hearts.

There were no bells, drums, or musical instruments. The prince's convoy for the southward migration had assembled in front of the Meridian Gate. Following the emperor's order, more than a hundred carriages slowly set off and left the capital. Their figures gradually blurred in the night, as if blending into the endless darkness.

After leaving Zuoan Gate, the convoy moved very fast, as if they were fleeing from this dangerous and unknown world. When they left the city gate, several businessmen outside the capital jumped on their horses and galloped away in different directions. Their figures looked particularly mysterious and strange in the moonlight.

Looking at the flying dust under the moonlight, Cao Guodong, a captain of the Jinyiwei, frowned. He had been uneasy since the moment the team assembled. Although the bandits were still far away from the capital, their sentinels were already all around. Once there was any movement in the capital, the news would spread as quickly as possible. This team of nearly 3,000 people included not only the crown prince, princes and princesses, but also the nobles and important officials of the Ming Dynasty. It can be said that they were escorting half of the Ming Dynasty. The greater the responsibility, the greater the pressure, and he felt the burden on his shoulders was heavy.

Cao Guodong rode his horse to the side of the Left Commander Tu Wenzhuang and whispered, "Commander, it's less than 60 miles to Tongzhou. I think we should hurry up, otherwise it will be a long night and many nightmares." His voice was filled with anxiety and worry. Tu Wenzhuang frowned when he heard this. He looked at the convoy in the night, his heart full of worries: "It's a bumpy road, I'm worried that the women can't bear it." His voice was filled with helplessness and concern.

"Before Lord Li set out, he had people pad the cabin with thick bedding, so the ride shouldn't be too bumpy," Cao Guodong explained hurriedly, his voice tinged with eagerness and anticipation.

Tu Wenzhuang thought for a moment and nodded, his eyes revealing a firm determination: "Okay, you notify everyone to speed up." There was an unquestionable majesty in his voice.

"Yes, sir!" Cao Guodong responded, then turned and left. His figure appeared particularly firm and courageous in the night.

……

Outside the Meridian Gate of the capital, the nobles and ministers turned around and prepared to leave as they watched the southward-moving convoy disappear into the darkness. Their mood was complex and heavy, with both worries about the future and nostalgia for the past.

"Dear ministers, please stay. His Majesty has an order." A lame man limped forward and shouted, his voice filled with a hint of urgency and anxiety.

Everyone stopped and turned around to salute Lin Xiaofeng again, their actions showing a bit of helplessness and respect.

"Everyone, you all know that I was assassinated today, right? The capital is no longer safe! You are traveling alone late at night with a huge amount of money. What if you encounter a thief?" Lin Xiaofeng's voice was filled with concern and worry, as if he was considering them.

"How about this, for your safety, I have specially marked out an area in the imperial city. You put the carriage there, and I will send someone after dawn.
Outside the Meridian Gate, it was so quiet that even the sound of heartbeats could be heard clearly, as if the air had frozen in this heavy atmosphere. The moonlight was like water, sprinkling on this ancient land, adding a touch of desolate color to this solemn scene. Zhou Kui, the elderly father-in-law, crawled forward slowly with trembling knees, like a fallen leaf in the autumn wind. He knocked his forehead heavily on the ground, making a dull sound, and every kowtow seemed to tell of his inner fear and despair.

"I beg your majesty to be magnanimous. All my life savings are in these carriages. If your majesty confiscates them all, I... I would rather die than live!" Zhou Kui pleaded in tears. His eyes were full of pleading, hoping that the young emperor would show some mercy.

"I hope Your Majesty will consider Queen Zhou's contribution to giving birth to the dragon offspring for the Ming Dynasty and forgive me this time." Zhou Kui's voice became more and more sad. He tried to impress Lin Xiaofeng with Queen Zhou's contribution.

"This is all my hard-earned money, Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Zhou Kui's sobbing voice was so deep that everyone who heard it felt pity for him. However, this pity was also mixed with a bit of disdain for this greedy father-in-law.

Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand lightly, his expression indifferent, as if he didn't care about Zhou Kui's plea. He slowly said: "The father-in-law is too kind. How could I confiscate your property without reason? But I remember that the father-in-law once claimed that his family was poor and had no extra wealth. Last year, he even had to borrow money from Queen Zhou to get by. So, where did all this property come from?"

There was a hint of sarcasm in Lin Xiaofeng's words. He stared at Zhou Kui with sharp eyes, as if he wanted to see through all the secrets in his heart.

"Could it be stolen?" Lin Xiaofeng's voice was low and powerful.

"Or was it robbed?" His tone was a little more severe.

"Or was it the proceeds of corruption?" Lin Xiaofeng's words were like a sharp blade, piercing Zhou Kui's heart.

"You can choose not to speak, but the Imperial Prison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard can make you speak. Do you want to try?" There was a hint of threat in Lin Xiaofeng's words. He knew very well that the Imperial Prison was like hell on earth to Zhou Kui.

Hearing the word "Imperial Prison", Zhou Kui shuddered, and a flash of fear flashed across his eyes. The horrific legend of the Imperial Prison echoed in his mind, and he couldn't imagine what kind of torture he would face once he entered the Imperial Prison.

"Your Majesty, even if I have a fortune of millions, it was all accumulated through royal rewards. How can I talk about corruption?" Zhou Kui's words were a bit clever, and he tried to use royal rewards to justify his wealth.

However, Lin Xiaofeng just smiled slightly. He had expected Zhou Kui to make such a specious argument. He slowly said, "Since the father-in-law said that all this money was a reward from the royal family, then I will not be polite. The royal family is in trouble now and needs money. In the name of the emperor, I will temporarily take back these rewards. When the court is well-off, I will definitely return them double."

There was an unquestionable dignity in Lin Xiaofeng's words. He knew very well that his decision would be a heavy blow to Zhou Kui.

Zhou Kui was shocked when he heard this! His eyes were full of disbelief, as if he couldn't accept this cruel reality. His head was numb and his whole body was cold, as if he was bound by an invisible force.

"This...this...Your Majesty is the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, how can...how can you go back on your word? Besides, rewards are like water that has been poured out, how can you take them back?" Zhou Kui's voice trembled a little, and he tried to impress Lin Xiaofeng with reason.

However, Lin Xiaofeng just smiled coldly: "I am the truth!" His voice was filled with unquestionable majesty, "Guo Tianyang, why don't you quickly lead these carriages into the imperial city?"

"I obey your order." Upon hearing this, Guo Tianyang quickly ordered the Jinyiwei near the Meridian Gate to drive the carriage into the imperial city. His heart was also filled with sympathy and helplessness for Zhou Kui.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Zhou Kui seemed unable to support himself, and he sat on the ground and kept calling out "Your Majesty". His eyes were full of despair and unwillingness, as if he couldn't accept that his life savings were taken away by Lin Xiaofeng.

However, Lin Xiaofeng only showed annoyance. If he had not considered Empress Zhou's face and the principle of governing the country with filial piety, he would have wanted to kill this greedy father-in-law immediately. He leaned forward and whispered in Zhou Kui's ear: "The father-in-law has a rich family fortune, but only 80% of it is on the carriage. Is the remaining 20% ​​hidden in your house? I plan to let the East Factory dig. If they can't find it after digging three feet, they will dig four feet!"

Lin Xiaofeng's words were threatening and cold, and his eyes flashed with bloodthirsty light. At this moment, he seemed no longer a son of heaven or a king, but a bloodthirsty beast.

Zhou Kui fell silent immediately after hearing this. He wiped away his tears with his sleeves and looked at the emperor in front of him who was both familiar and unfamiliar, his heart filled with fear! He seemed to know everything, no, he knew everything! In front of this young man, he seemed to be a transparent existence, and all the secrets could not be hidden.

"It's not that I don't dare to kill you. The East Factory and the Imperial Guards have many ways to make you die quietly. I love Queen Zhou. The meaning of your life is just to prevent her from being sad." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was low and powerful, and his eyes flashed with complex light. At this moment, he seemed to be a contradictory existence, both cold and tender.

"If you continue to be so presumptuous, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Lin Xiaofeng's words were full of threats and warnings, and his eyes flashed with unquestionable majesty. At this moment, Zhou Kui seemed to see a real emperor, an emperor who held the power of life and death and was omnipotent.

In the darkness, under the light, Lin Xiaofeng's face was uncertain. His heart was filled with complex emotions, including disgust and dissatisfaction with Zhou Kui, as well as love and helplessness for Queen Zhou. He knew that he could not kill Zhou Kui easily, because it would make Queen Zhou sad. However, he could not tolerate Zhou Kui's greed and presumption. At this moment, he seemed to be in a dilemma.

However, no matter how he struggled, Lin Xiaofeng understood his responsibilities and mission. He had to consider the Ming Dynasty and the country, and he had to maintain the dignity and authority of the royal family. Therefore, he chose to punish Zhou Kui in a more subtle way - to take back his property.

Zhou Kui nodded repeatedly subconsciously, not daring to act rashly. He knew that he had completely lost his former dignity and status in front of the young emperor. Now he was just a poor old man, an old man who had to submit to the emperor in order to survive.

Seeing that Zhou Kui had surrendered, the other nobles also gave up resistance. They knew that even if they wanted to resist, they would be powerless. Because the soldiers of the three major camps in the capital were all here, and their superior, the governor of the Beijing camp, was Lin Xiaofeng's man; the soldiers of the Five Cities Military and Police Camp were also here, and the Minister of War was also Lin Xiaofeng's man; as for the Jinyiwei and the East Factory, they obeyed the emperor's orders. In such a situation, they could only choose to surrender.

The nobles left the Meridian Gate with stiff faces, and their figures gradually disappeared in the night of the capital. They knew that from today on, they would no longer be the noble class high above, but subjects at the feet of the emperor.

Li Banghua, the chief minister of the cabinet, looked at these nobles who left and couldn't help but feel sad. He knew that these nobles had brought their fate upon themselves, but he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for them. After all, they were all meritorious officials of the Ming Dynasty and had contributed to the prosperity and stability of the Ming Dynasty. However, now they had ended up like this because of their greed and presumption.

Li Banghua sighed and turned to look at Lin Xiaofeng: "Your Majesty, the prince has left. Can the three battalions of soldiers stationed outside the imperial city be withdrawn?" There was a hint of temptation and inquiry in his words.

Lin Xiaofeng did not answer Li Banghua's question directly, but asked, "Have the overdue military pay been paid?" His voice was filled with concern and anxiety. He knew that these soldiers had made great efforts and sacrifices for the Ming Dynasty, and they should get due rewards.

"It has not been distributed yet. I have ordered the Ministry of Revenue to first pay the salaries of the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang, and then hand over the military salaries to the Ministry of War." Li Banghua answered truthfully. He was well aware of the difficulties and pressures of the Ministry of Revenue, but he also understood the importance and urgency of the military salaries.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded to show his understanding. He knew that as the emperor's personal army, the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang had special status and rights. They had made great contributions to the security and stability of the Ming Dynasty, so their salaries must be paid first.

"Since the court has money, there is no need to delay the payment of the salaries of the three camps and the five city military divisions. The people from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War are here, so pay them now." Lin Xiaofeng's words were full of decisiveness and determination. He knew the importance and urgency of the military pay, so he decided to pay the military pay immediately to stabilize the morale of the army.

"Is it distributed here?" Li Banghua asked with a little surprise. He didn't expect Lin Xiaofeng to be so decisive in deciding to distribute the military pay here.

"Yes, we'll distribute it here!" Lin Xiaofeng's words were filled with unquestionable majesty. He knew very well the importance of his decision to the stability of the military's morale, so he chose to distribute the military pay here to demonstrate the court's determination and strength.

"I will arrange it right away." Although Li Banghua was surprised, he did not have too many doubts. He knew that the court had been in arrears with military pay for a long time, and it was understandable that His Majesty was anxious. Therefore, he immediately gave orders and began to arrange the payment of military pay.

When the soldiers of the three camps and the five city military divisions heard that they were going to receive their salaries, their previous complaints and dissatisfaction instantly disappeared. They knew that the military salary was the reward they deserved and the testimony of their efforts and sacrifices for the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, they all looked forward to the payment of military salaries and the glory and dignity that belonged to them.

The payment of military pay lasted all night and ended at midnight. Lin Xiaofeng looked at the satisfied smiles on the faces of the soldiers after they received their pay and felt relieved. He knew that these soldiers were the people of the Ming Dynasty.
In the early morning, the scene in the Palace of Heavenly Purity is peaceful and solemn, like an exquisite ink painting, gently brushed by the rising sun, adding a touch of golden glow. The towering eaves of the palace outline smooth lines in the morning light, contrasting with the exquisite glazed tiles below, highlighting the majesty and extraordinaryness of the royal family. The palace is divided into two warm rooms, east and west, each of which is a double-layer structure, with five small warm rooms on the lower floor and four on the upper floor. Each small warm room is equipped with three beds, a total of 27 beds, like a maze. The emperor can choose which bed to rest on at will, enjoying this unique privacy and comfort.

The emperor chose a couch to lie down on, and the eunuchs who served him quietly lowered the curtains on the other couches like shadows. Each layer of curtains was soft and tight, making it impossible for the outside world to know which couch the emperor slept on, in order to avoid the risk of assassination lurking in the dark, adding a bit of mystery and tension to this quiet morning.

At this time, in the East Warm Pavilion, Lin Xiaofeng was sleeping soundly. His face looked particularly peaceful in the faint morning light, as if all his worries were released at this moment. However, a subtle voice floated into his ears like a ghost: "Your Majesty...Your Majesty...The Prime Minister of the Cabinet, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and the Shuntian Governor have urgent matters to see you."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" Lin Xiaofeng opened his eyes with difficulty. The first thing he saw was Guo Tianyang's anxious face. He was standing outside the curtain, calling out repeatedly. Lin Xiaofeng couldn't help but feel a little unhappy, and his brows knitted slightly, as if the peace in his heart was broken by this untimely interruption.

"What time is it now?" Lin Xiaofeng's voice was laziness and impatience.

"Your Majesty, it is now the first quarter of the morning." Guo Tianyang's voice was low and respectful, as if he was apologizing for the premature interruption.

In the Ming Dynasty, emperors usually started their morning court sessions at around five in the morning. The ringing of the Yangyang Bell was like a horn, signaling the opening of the palace gates. Officials entered one by one, crossing the Jinshui Bridge. The gurgling water under the bridge and the footsteps on the bridge intertwined into a morning melody. They lined up in the square, waiting, and everyone's face was filled with anticipation and nervousness for today's court session.

However, yesterday, Lin Xiaofeng had just killed the Prime Minister, captured the nobles, and sent the Crown Prince to migrate south. This series of swift and decisive actions shocked the entire court. In order to quickly convey the government order and stabilize the situation, he has ordered that no morning court session be held today, and that matters can be directly submitted to the cabinet for handling.

Lin Xiaofeng wanted to have a good sleep in this rare leisure time, but was disturbed by this sudden emergency. He couldn't help feeling unhappy, but it was understandable. After all, as an emperor, the heavy burden on his shoulders did not allow him to relax for a moment.

"Let them wait in the west warm pavilion. Come and change my clothes." Lin Xiaofeng's voice was filled with unquestionable majesty, but also a hint of helplessness.

"As you wish." Guo Tianyang responded quickly, and deftly put on for Lin Xiaofeng the armor that he had worn when he was assassinated. The mottled marks on the armor seemed to tell of the thrill of that day, and also implied that Lin Xiaofeng wanted everyone to remember the assassination of the emperor and alert the enemies lurking in the dark.

When they arrived at the West Warm Pavilion, the Chief Minister of the Cabinet Li Banghua, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice Zhang Xin, and the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture Wang Tingmei were already kneeling and waiting there. Their faces were filled with anxiety and solemnity, as if the impending storm had made them feel unprecedented pressure.

Li Banghua's face was red, his eyes were haggard, and his words were trembling: "Your Majesty, last night the homes of Guang Shiheng, the military secretary, and Chen Yan, the former chief minister of the cabinet, were attacked. Their entire families were killed, and their property was looted."

Lin Xiaofeng's face changed drastically when he heard this. He stood up suddenly, staring at Li Banghua with eyes like sharp swords, and said with disbelief and shock in his voice: "Are you serious?"

"It's absolutely true! It's shocking that such a tragedy happened in the capital." Li Banghua's words were filled with grief and indignation, as if this was not only an attack on court officials, but also a provocation to the entire court.

Wang Tingmei's face also became solemn, and his heart was as heavy as if a huge rock was pressing on it. There have been continuous deaths in the capital in recent days, some due to illness, and some due to misfortune. The two families that were wiped out now, one was the former prime minister of the cabinet, and the other was the current official. Whether the case can be solved or not, he has the responsibility as the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture. If the opponent takes advantage of this to make trouble, he will be asked to solve the case within a time limit, or he may lose his job and his life. Fortunately, he attached himself to Li Banghua when he chose the team, so he dared to report this matter today.

Lin Xiaofeng paced in the room, each step seemed heavy and powerful, and he muttered to himself with a bit of anger: "There are actually evil people in the capital!"

Li Banghua, Zhang Xin and Wang Tingmei all nodded in agreement. Their hearts were filled with anger and confusion about this vicious incident.

"First they tried to assassinate me, then when that failed they tried to assassinate an official of the imperial court. What do they think this place is? Are we going to be slaughtered at their will?" Lin Xiaofeng's words were filled with intense anger. His eyes seemed to be spewing fire, and his dissatisfaction and anger with the incident were evident in his words.

Seeing Lin Xiaofeng's furious look, Wang Tingmei kowtowed and confessed his guilt: "Your Majesty, please calm down. I failed in my duty and allowed the bandits to wreak havoc in the capital. I will immediately search for them when I return and will bring them to justice." His voice trembled a little, and he was obviously frightened by Lin Xiaofeng's anger.

The capital was his duty, and he was responsible for any problems that arose. Although Lin Xiaofeng did not blame him in person, the blame in his words was already very obvious.

Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand to ask Wang Tingmei to stand up, and then asked: "What do you think about this matter?" There was a hint of calm in his voice, and he was obviously trying to control his emotions.

Li Banghua frowned and said, "I think the murderer did not do it for money nor for revenge." There was some speculation in his words, and he was obviously trying to analyze the motive behind this incident.

"Oh? Tell me in detail." Lin Xiaofeng looked calm on the surface, but in his heart he was full of expectations. He hoped that Li Banghua could deduce according to his ideas. After all, Li Banghua was quite capable, and he hoped that Li Banghua could live up to his expectations.

After pondering for a moment, Li Banghua said, "Although Chen Yan and Guang Shiheng's families are wealthy, they are not extremely wealthy. It is unreasonable for the murderer to kill their entire family for money. Besides, although they have enemies in the court, they do not have deep hatred, and they have no motive to kill the entire family." His analysis was clear and it was obvious that he had given this incident in-depth thought.

After Li Banghua finished speaking, he looked at Zhang Xin and motioned for him to continue.

In the first month of the year, the Minister of Justice Xu Shilin went to western Zhejiang to train troops, and the affairs of the Ministry of Justice were temporarily presided over by the Left Vice Minister Zhang Xin. Zhang Xin bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have been to the scene to check. The scene was in chaos. Judging from the footprints, there were many murderers. Most of them were killed with a single knife, and a few were shot in the throat by a crossbow. The knife edge was smooth and neat, and the arrow was extremely accurate, which is absolutely not something that ordinary bandits can do. Judging from the scars on the body, the murderer's weapons were two kinds: a crossbow and a short knife." There was a bit of solemnity in his words, and he was obviously shocked by the cruelty of this incident.

After finishing speaking, Zhang Xin looked at Wang Tingmei and motioned for him to continue.

Wang Tingmei added: "I have ordered the officers to visit the neighbors to investigate. It was windy last night and we didn't hear any unusual sounds. So I judge that the murderer is a group of well-trained and powerful gangsters." There was a hint of helplessness in his words, and he was obviously troubled by the difficulty of this incident.

Lin Xiaofeng waved his hand impatiently and said, "I don't want to hear this nonsense! I just want to know if this case is related to the assassination of me? When can you solve the case?" There was a strong dissatisfaction and anxiety in his voice, and he was obviously dissatisfied with the progress of this incident.

"I don't know..." Li Banghua said helplessly. His heart was also filled with helplessness and confusion about this incident.

Last night, the patrol camp, the Royal Guards, and the East Factory were all stationed near the imperial city. Not only did they have no clues, but they were also the last to know about the murder. How can we solve the case without any clues?
"Waste! You are all waste!" Lin Xiaofeng angrily punched the table with his fists. The loud thud frightened Wang Tingmei and Zhang Xin so much that they immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed for mercy. Their hearts were filled with fear and anxiety, and they were obviously frightened by Lin Xiaofeng's anger.

"I don't care whether you have any clues or not! I give you two days to solve the case! Otherwise, you can all go home and farm!" Lin Xiaofeng's words were filled with strong threats and dissatisfaction, and it was obvious that he was extremely dissatisfied with the progress of this incident.

Seeing that Lin Xiaofeng's anger showed no signs of abating, Li Banghua knelt on the ground again with a hunched back: "Your Majesty, please calm down! This incident happened too suddenly, and it coincided with the period of martial law in the capital. People from the three major camps, the patrol camp, the East Factory, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard were stationed near the imperial city, leaving the city empty, which allowed the thieves to succeed!" There was a hint of pleading and helplessness in his voice, and it was obvious that he was trying to calm Lin Xiaofeng's anger.

Lin Xiaofeng frowned when he heard this. He was silent for a moment and then said, "Since there are no clues in Shuntian Prefecture, for the stability of the capital and the peace of mind of all officials, it is better to let the Jinyiwei take over the case! There are many capable people in the Jinyiwei, and they will definitely be able to solve the case soon!" There was some determination and expectation in his voice, and it was obvious that he was full of confidence in the abilities of the Jinyiwei.

"Please grant me your permission, Your Majesty!" Li Banghua pushed this hot potato away calmly. His heart was filled with helplessness and relief about this incident. After all, solving the case was a credit; failing to solve the case was a sin! Wang Tingmei was his man! The position of Shuntian Prefecture Governor could not go wrong!

Lin Xiaofeng didn't say anything, just looked at Zhang Xin and Wang Tingmei. (End of this chapter)