Ming Dynasty: At the beginning, the house was ransacked and the ancestral temple was burned down.

Chapter 114 The city is full of trouble and one pot of porridge! Emperor Wanli’s caution!

The words had just come out of his mouth for just a moment, and before Chen Ju had time to reply, Zhu Yijun said even though he was self-denial:

"It can't be Zhang Chonghui!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Yijun said to himself again as if he was trying to make up for himself:

"It can't be 'him'!"

Chen Ju on the side was already stunned. He didn't know why His Majesty the Emperor said 'twice', and he didn't even know that the 'he' His Majesty the Emperor said the second time was not actually Zhang Chonghui.

"Your Majesty, the gangsters were originally following Uncle Guo. They just happened to see Zhang Chonghui and Shen Yiguan chatting in private for a while. I think between them... it's possible that they were chatting about their relationship. Right?"

As Chen Ju spoke, he carefully stretched out his hand, trying to 'take' the 'unlucky' 'blood letter' in His Majesty's hand.

However, Zhu Yijun dodged Chen Ju's outstretched hand and picked up the blood book again!
This time, Zhu Yijun wrote this 'blood letter' from left to right! carefully! Checked it very carefully!

I looked so carefully that I felt like I wanted to take apart every word and read it!
After some very careful 'research' and confirming that the 'ugly' hand was really ugly and not 'pretending to be ugly', Zhu Yijun let out a long sigh of relief.

However, just when Zhu Yijun was a little relieved, what Zhang Cheng said next made him feel cold.

Before Chen Ju could finish his "but", he was interrupted by Zhang Cheng who hurriedly came to report the news!
"Your Majesty! Something bad has happened! Something happened to my uncle!"

Zhu Yijun didn't even need to ask which uncle he was, he already knew that the one who had the trouble was Zheng Guotai. After all, among all his 'brothers-in-law', only his brother Zheng Guotai, the elder brother of Concubine Zheng, was the most troubled.

"Tell me the key points!" Zhu Yijun interrupted Zhang Cheng's 'detailed' explanation of the process impatiently, and just asked: "What happened to him?"

When he heard this, Zhu Yijun's expression softened slightly, and he was still a little pleased that his uncle listened to his dissuasion.

"According to reports, Uncle Guo was very drunk last night and slept until noon today. It happened that a good friend of Uncle Guo came to see him, and the two of them went to Anfufang together..."

"Chen Ju, didn't you say that there was a big gash on Shen Yiguan's right palm? I think this 'blood letter' was probably written by Shen Yiguan with his left hand, that's why it looks so strange and ugly, don't you think?"

Zhang Cheng doesn't want to work so hard, but Chen Ju is getting the holy will now. If he doesn't curl up a little bit, it may be Chen Ju's turn to take the position of governor of the East Factory!

"Didn't I tell him to stay in the house and not go out if he has nothing to do recently? How long has it been? How could something happen to him? What else could happen to him?"

His Majesty the Emperor asked this, so naturally Chen Ju did not dare to refute his face, so he could only reply: "It should be okay to answer the question to the Emperor, but..."

If you have nothing to do, don’t go out! It’s best not to go out if something happens!
Just in case, Zhu Yijun specially sent people from Dongchang to keep a close eye on this careless uncle. Unexpectedly, he had already taken such precautions, but could something happen?

"Returning to the emperor." Zhang Cheng replied truthfully: "According to the report, after the uncle left the palace and returned to the house yesterday, he first sold dozens of his concubines and concubines."

"Is it Uncle Zheng Guo?" Zhu Yijun asked with a headache.

Zhu Yijun looked at Chen Ju, seemingly asking the other party, but in fact it was more like seeking the other party's affirmation.

Logically speaking, Zhang Cheng should be recuperating at home at the moment, but this 'dedicated' Eunuch Zhang still insists on sticking to his position as the governor of the East Factory despite being ill.

After getting such an accurate answer, Zhu Yijun not only felt his head hurt more, but his teeth and legs also began to ache. He asked impatiently:

Zhang Cheng did not dare to be verbose anymore. Perhaps he was afraid that His Majesty the Emperor would be angry again, so he omitted the 'series of processes' in the middle and answered simply and concisely:

Seeing Zhang Cheng limping over and the 'bad news' he brought, Zhu Yijun immediately frowned.

Since Zheng Guotai was involved in the case of the demon book during this period, Zhu Yijun was afraid that his uneasy brother-in-law would come up with something else, so he, the emperor, specially told Zheng Guotai:

It was very difficult for Zhang Cheng to walk. After all, he had been stabbed more than a dozen times. Even if the knife avoided the vital point, it would still be quite painful.

"Replying to your Majesty, Your Majesty, you are really good at predicting things. It is indeed Uncle Zheng Guo." Zhang Cheng replied without forgetting to intersperse a 'useless' flattery.

"Back to the emperor, uncle Zheng Guo was beaten half to death by Zhang Chonghui in a brothel in Anfufang. When others rushed to save him, he had been beaten unconscious, and he has not woken up until now."

Hearing such a 'direct' answer, Zhu Yijun was stunned for a while before reacting, and asked in disbelief:
"What? Zhang Chonghui? Beaten again?"

Hearing the word 'again', Zhang Cheng felt the wounds on his body throb again, and his mind couldn't help but recall last night, when Zhang Chonghui suddenly took out a knife and stabbed him crazily!
"Madman! He is a madman!" Zhang Cheng thought with certainty!
Thinking of the "horrible memories" of being stabbed more than a dozen times by Zhang Chonghui, Zhang Cheng even had "very strong" "individualistic feelings" when he answered.

That is to say - the butt is crooked to the edge.

"Returning to your Majesty! Zhang Chonghui is really audacious! According to witnesses present at the time, Zhang Chonghui went up and beat two of Zheng Guojiu's followers to the ground without saying a word! Then he kicked the door. He went in and beat Uncle Guo up unreasonably!
Poor uncle Guo, who was helpless, not only had his nose broken by Zhang Chonghui, but also had several teeth knocked out, and the acidic water in his stomach was even vomited out! Even the fingernails of his right hand were torn off by that lunatic Zhang Chonghui! It’s scary! "

The more Zhang Cheng spoke, the more exaggerated he became. His fearful and horrified expression made him think that he was actually there.

At the same time, the expression on Zhu Yijun's face could be described as 'complex'. He first glanced at the 'blood book' in his hand, then thought about the current situation, and suddenly became even more dizzy!
What does Zhang Chonghui want to do?
"Isn't he afraid of death?"

Zhu Yijun finally couldn't help but asked, and said angrily:

"If you dare to be so cruel to your uncle, he is considering me and dare not kill him, right?"

Seeing that the young Emperor was about to be carried away by anger, Zhang Cheng was secretly happy and at the same time prepared how he would 'offer advice' to His Majesty the Emperor and 'punish' Zhang Chonghui, who did not know how to live or die!

Lingchi? Behead? Or... raid the Zhang family again?
It seemed that His Majesty the Emperor was about to get angry, but at this moment, Chen Ju, who had been silent for a long time, actually spoke.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. I think this matter shouldn't be so simple, right?"

Chen Ju's purpose was not to ask His Majesty the Emperor, so he immediately turned to look at Zhang Cheng and asked:

"Eunuch Zhang, when Zhang Chonghui ran to beat Uncle Zheng Guo, what was Uncle Zheng Guo doing at that time?"

Chen Ju knew very well that what Zhang Cheng just said was "cutting corners". Logically speaking, Chen Ju should help his uncle Zheng Guotai to speak up. After all, he was promoted to this position on the recommendation of Concubine Zheng.

However, Chen Ju did not do this. He was indeed recommended by Concubine Zheng, but he knew very well that his 'master' was only one person, and that was the emperor!

At present, the young emperor was almost led astray by Zhang Cheng's words. Chen Ju could not bear it and could not let his emperor be deceived by the "little man's words".

When asked by Chen Ju like this, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but curse his mother secretly! I even knew in my heart that there was something extraordinary behind Chen Ju's "honest face"!
But now His Majesty the Emperor is above. No matter how dissatisfied Zhang Cheng is with Chen Ju, he can only answer "truthfully":
"Eunuch Chen, it's strange for you to ask this question. Uncle Guo goes to a brothel...what else can a man do when he goes to a brothel..."

Zhang Cheng originally thought that after saying this, the other party would no longer be entangled. After all, it was really inappropriate to say such 'filthy' things in front of His Majesty the Emperor.

However, Chen Ju continued to ask very clearly, and asked "close to face":
"Eunuch Zhang, it seems to me that you are hiding something from the emperor? Is Uncle Guo really just an ordinary prostitute?"

At this moment, before Zhang Cheng could answer, Zhu Yijun finally discovered something was wrong.

"Zhang Cheng, say it!" Zhu Yijun gave the order directly! "Your Majesty, forgive me!" Zhang Cheng reacted very quickly and knelt down. In fact, he was not panicked and replied very quickly:

"Your Majesty, I didn't mean to hide it from you. It's actually this matter... it... I'm afraid of dirtying your ears!"

Zhu Yijun's heart suddenly skipped a beat when he heard this answer. Even if Zhang Cheng didn't say it, he had already guessed the general answer.

If he guessed so quickly, it was thanks to his old father, Longqing Emperor Zhu Zaicheng.

At the same time, Sun Hai's frail face appeared in Zhu Yijun's mind again...

"That's all..." Zhu Yijun didn't want to hear such a 'disgusting' 'truth', he only said:
"Keep the news sealed and don't let this matter get out."

Zhu Yijun's meaning was obvious. The reason why he didn't let this embarrassing matter get out was because he was afraid that the people from the cabinet and the Hanlin Academy would make a fuss about this matter when they tried the 'demon book case'.

At that time, it will not only be detrimental to Zheng Guotai, the uncle of the country, but also detrimental to Concubine Zheng and Zhu Yijun, the emperor!
Just when Zhu Yijun was thinking about letting this matter go 'for now', since his uncle was not dead anyway, and Zhang Chonghui would die sooner or later, Zhang Cheng's next cry disrupted his 'plan'!
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid this matter can't be dealt with anymore!" Zhang Cheng knelt on the ground and cried:

"That Zhang Chonghui is really hateful. After he beat Uncle Guo, he just wandered around like a loach! First, he ran around in that brothel and loudly spread words that were 'degrading' to Uncle Guo!

Then he ran to the street and told people about uncle Guo molesting... a child in a brothel! Nowadays, there is a commotion all over the city. If you want to completely 'suppress' the turmoil, I'm afraid..."

"waste!"

Before Zhang Cheng could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Zhu Yijun's angry rebuke!
"Are you all trash? There are so many people who can't even stop Zhang Chonghui? And let him run around on the street and spread the word?"

"Your Majesty, please calm down!" Zhang Cheng felt aggrieved and explained: "The people who went after Zhang Chonghui at that time were all the people of Uncle Guo, and there were only a few of our people at that time. In addition, Zhang Chonghui not only reacted very quickly, but also was very agile. …”

Zhang Cheng explained eloquently. At this time, he didn't realize that he was making a huge 'mistake'!
That's it - explanation!
Whenever something bad happens, the last thing a leader from above likes to hear is the explanation from the people below.

Even though the 'people below' may indeed be right when this 'bad' thing happened, the 'leaders' above just don't want to hear it, let alone listen!

No matter how difficult the work process of the 'underlings' is, how wronged they are, or how many irresistible factors they encounter, the 'leaders' don't want to hear it!
All 'they' want is results!

As the supreme ruler of the Ming Empire, Wanli Emperor Zhu Yijun, who even treated the words of previous ministers as 'bird calls', how could he possibly listen to Zhang Cheng's explanation at this moment?
Zhang Cheng's explanation at this moment was so pale. In the ears of Emperor Zhu Yijun, it was not even as good as the sound of a bird, but something even worse - a dog's call.

Zhu Yijun didn't know what Zhang Cheng was barking about. He only knew one thing, and that was - it was over!
With Zhang Chonghui messing up this demonic book case, the civil servants of the previous dynasty were afraid that they would jump in again!
Uncle Zheng Guotai, who was already in a "whirlpool", will only be attacked more "violently" by the civil service group now!

Now, Zhu Yijun's beloved concubine Zheng Mengjing will be implicated by her 'good brother' again, and she will be in bad luck!

Now, even if Zhu Yijun wants to end it 'as soon as possible', it will be difficult...

……

Zhang Cheng was scolded, which was inevitable. After all, he actually explained to his Majesty the Emperor after the 'problem' occurred.

Explanations are useless. If the 'mistake' is not his, Zhang Cheng's, could it be that it is His Majesty's?
Although Zhang Cheng was scolded, he still managed to keep his 'seat'. Moreover, he was also 'gifted' by His Majesty the Emperor with an 'honour' of 'replacing merit with crime'.

This 'honour' is to discuss with the cabinet and decide on the 'three kings' conferment'!
Zhang Cheng knew very well that this time the 'three kings' union' must be successful!

Otherwise, Zhang Cheng would really be doomed!

Zhang Cheng left, even though he was injured throughout the process, his Majesty the Emperor didn't even ask a 'word of concern'.

Zhang Cheng didn't think there was anything wrong with this. After all, ever since he came to serve His Majesty the Emperor, he had always seen His Majesty the Emperor treat his servants with such indifference and ruthlessness.

"It's normal for the emperor to look down on us eunuchs." That's what Zhang Cheng thought in his heart. He just wanted to keep the 'hat' on his head.

As for the emperor's 'concern' and 'friendliness'...

Forget it, only a fool would believe it.

……

"Chen Ju, go and translate the classics and histories that 'I' have written and copied. By the way, there must be comments from 'gentlemen'."

Zhu Yijun told Chen Ju such a thing.

Chen Ju was stunned for a moment, wondering what His Majesty the Emperor wanted to do with these 'old homework'. At the same time, he was even more surprised that His Majesty the Emperor actually called himself 'I' to his slave.

"Your Majesty, I'll go find you now!" Chen Ju was very happy. He was so happy that even his previous unhappiness over not being able to leave it to him to handle the 'three kings' merger had all disappeared.

Perhaps because he was overly excited and "full of energy", Chen Ju directly turned over all the "homework" of His Majesty the Emperor from the sixth year of Longqing's accession to the fifteenth year of Wanli in one breath!
"Your Majesty, these are all!"

Chen Ju excitedly displayed stacks of papers, hoping that His Majesty the Emperor would give him another compliment.

However, Wanli Emperor Zhu Yijun was a little speechless...

Looking at Chen Ju's expectant eyes, Zhu Yijun was not angry, but sighed helplessly:

"Chen Ju, you are really stupid. If Zhang Cheng or Zhang Jing were here, they would not do something as stupid as you."

Chen Ju, who didn't wait for the 'praise', was sad and scared, but also a little confused.

Doesn't His Majesty the Emperor want the 'homework' that the gentlemen have commented on? It’s all of these!
"Your Majesty, this servant is stupid..." Chen Ju was helpless. Although he felt that he was not stupid, he really could not guess the emperor's mind.

"Alas..." Zhu Yijun sighed helplessly again and rubbed his eyebrows. After a while, Zhu Yijun still said helplessly:
"Just find out what Zhang Juzheng has commented on."

He needs to 'check' the handwriting carefully!
……

It is the tenth day of September in the nineteenth year of Wanli.

It has been less than ten days since the last time the three judicial departments, six ministries, and the cabinet met together to review the 'demon book' case.

In just ten days, the situation has changed drastically.

Today, the second joint trial of the 'Demon Book Case' has begun!

This time, the 'chief trial' is no longer the three judicial departments, and the 'jury' is no longer the six departments, but the 'unification' is replaced by the cabinet and the Hanlin Academy.

And the people 'being tried' are no longer 'only' Zhang Chonghui and Shen Shixing!
(End of this chapter)