King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

The chief steward of the East Factory is the Grand Chief Steward.

Yang Peng himself was the third eunuch in charge of writing in the Silijian, whose full name was "Dongchang", also known as the "Dongchang".

Under Yang Peng's command were the Sixingsi and the Sibaihusi, all of whom were centurions from the Imperial Guards. This was why the Dongchang had a higher status than the Imperial Guards.

In the memories passed down by Zhu Tan, he and Yang Peng once had an encounter.

The director of the East Factory was usually hard to find, but under the oil lamp, he was found to be in his forties, handsome, with a pair of distinctive sword-like eyebrows.

Yang Peng naturally recognized Zhu Tan's uncle, and immediately saluted Zhu Tan, ignoring his entourage and guards.

Without waiting for Zhu Tan to speak, he continued, "I have been assigned a task regarding the Spring Examination Case, and Xu Jing has also explained it. I have to go see the Emperor right away, so I will not accompany you any longer."

Zhu Tan was shocked. Did Xu Jing tell his story? Was it torture or forced confession?

He wanted to stop them and also wanted to come in, but looking at his own side, there were more than a dozen people, and two or three hundred people from the East Factory. They would definitely lose this battle.

"Then I'll go."

Zhu Tan decided to protect them with his own body and get first-hand information, then looked at Xu Guangzuo and Guo Ning.

This means that they should wait here and wait for news from them.

After hearing what Zhu Tan said, Yang Peng had no choice but to let Zhu Tan follow him back to the palace, and he kept following him until he arrived at the Qianqing Palace.

I couldn't help feeling disgusted and really wanted to kick Zhu Tan away.

Zhu Youtang was a diligent man. He had not gone to bed yet and was reviewing memorials in his study. At this moment, Luo Yin came over to report that Yang Peng and his brother-in-law were there.

He put down the memorial in his hand, nodded, and let him in.

After Yang Peng entered and paid his respects, he took out a petition from his pocket and said, "Your Majesty, Xu Jing, a candidate from Jiangyin, has confessed his guilt. I hope Your Majesty will take a look at it."

Zhu Tan was so anxious that he almost scratched his head. Please repeat it to me!
After Zhu Youtang received the confession, he first had someone pull a stool and place it in front of Zhu Tan. Even other ministers did not receive such treatment.

Zhu Tan was delighted, picked up a chair and walked towards Zhu Youtang's table.

However, Zhu Youtang didn't care, and no one would care.

Zhu Tan took a look and found that the confession was very brief, not even a single piece of paper, but the content on it made Zhu Tan happy and sad.

Fortunately, Xu Jing only said that he gave a gift, but Cheng Minzheng sold the test paper to Cheng Minzheng.

The worrying thing is that this step has destroyed the arrangements made by Zhu Tan and the others, and they cannot find the person behind the scenes at all.

Strictly speaking, even Cheng Minzheng was deceived by him.

Zhu Youtang clenched his fists and looked up at Yang Peng, "Is this true? Was he tortured?"

It is obvious that Zhu Youtang knew about the power of the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, otherwise, he would not have controlled the power in the factory for so many years. However, this did not satisfy him.

Yang Peng said categorically: "It was not torture, Xu Jing admitted it himself."

Zhu Tan was stunned, thinking, this is too ridiculous, not torturing people? My last name is reversed.

Zhu Tan still had some self-awareness and did not interrupt at this time. He also wanted to see how his brother-in-law would respond.

This matter involved the Right Vice Minister and the Grand Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, and Zhu Youtang's emphasis on Cheng Minzheng gave him a headache.

Zhu Youtang thought about it, put the testimony in his hand on the table, but did not continue the topic.

"I'm a little hungry. Ask the chef to bring me two plates of midnight snacks."

After hearing this, Luo Yin and Yang Peng understood that Zhu Youtang did not do it himself. Zhu Youtang did not have such a hobby.

This was made for the emperor's uncle, which shows how much he loves him.

Yang Peng originally thought that Zhu Youtang should give him an edict, but he didn't expect that Zhu Youtang seemed to have completely forgotten about it and simply left Luo Yin and Yang Peng aside.

Neither of them was able to express their dissatisfaction, so they could only stand there obediently.

The royal chef moved quickly and soon brought up the dim sum, which looked like fried dumplings, followed by two bowls of an unknown white thick soup that smelled very tempting.

As Yang Peng expected, Zhu Youtang did not pick up his chopsticks, but instead placed them on Chu Xian's table.

"Let's eat together! Marquis Jianchang has a big appetite, so you have to be careful."

Zhu Tanquan finished the twelve small meatballs and two large bowls of thick soup. He felt that Zhu Youtang seemed to want to say something to him.

Zhu Tan had just put down the bowl and chopsticks in his hands when Dai Yi pushed the door open and walked in.

He was promoted recently, and Zhu Youtang gave him the name Huai'en.

Dai Yi placed the two memorials in front of Zhu Youtang and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, these are private memorials. I have checked. Before the 11th and the 9th, Liu Wentai, who was related to the Imperial Physician, was involved."

Zhu Tan was shocked. He knew what Dai Yi meant. He was just a chess piece planted between Tang Bohu and Xu Jing.

Moreover, Liu Wentai also helped him smuggle a memorial impeaching Zhonghua Chang.

Zhu Youtang took Hua Chang's memorial and took a closer look. He found that Tang Yin and Xu Jing had both recorded down all the powerful people they had seen in the capital.

You might even be envied and attacked by others.

Afterwards, he took out Lin Tingyu's memorial and talked about the various problems with Cheng Minzheng's test paper. Zhu Youtang also had a rough guess in his mind.

"Marquis Jianchang, it's so late, don't leave the palace, stay at Ah Shou's place tonight, go!"

Zhu Tan was itching to sit down again, but Zhu Youtang had already spoken, so he had to leave even if he didn't want to.

Only after Chu Xi left did Zhu Youtang look at Yang Peng.

"Hand over Xu Jing, Tang Yin, and Hua Chang to Cheng'an Marquis Guo Ning for custody. You don't need to interfere in this matter anymore."

Yang Peng shuddered all over and broke out in a cold sweat, but he didn't dare to say a word.

Emperor Hongzhi expressed his dissatisfaction. Was it because he was touched in a sore spot? He said this just to save face.

"Okay, I'm leaving first."

Yang Peng bowed deeply, came out of the Qianqing Palace, and solemnly instructed a confidant beside him: "Go down and inform Yang Jia to stop interfering in this matter."

Dai Yi and Luo Yin watched Zhu Youtang order the expulsion of the guests and asked the king's uncle and Yang Peng to leave, and there was another moment of silence.

Both of them knew that Zhu Youtang must be feeling very complicated at the moment. The case in the Imperial Examination Hall would most likely become a hot topic, and someone might even become a victim. All of this depended on who would be sacrificed.

To their surprise, Zhu Youtang went back to Empress Zhang's room to rest without saying a word.

At this time, Zhu Houzhao had fallen asleep, and Gu Dayong opened the door for Zhu Tan.

Gu Dayong was calling "ho ho ho" and was courting Zhu Tan.

Zhu Tan originally had no intention of disturbing Zhu Houzhao's sleep, but seeing Gu Dayong's expression, he suddenly thought of something and asked softly, "Could it be that there is someone inside Qingning Palace who is our spy? Do you have any way to get the key to the palace gate?"

Gu Dayong was stunned for a moment, and his smile was a little stiff, but when he thought of Zhu Tan's favor in the palace, he felt relieved.

"I have a good friend who works in Qingning Palace, so I also have a key here."

"Go over there and take a look."

Zhu Tan called Gu Dayong and strolled out of Qingning Palace.

Gu Dayong recommended a good friend who worked here to Zhu Tan, which enabled him to obtain the key to Qingning Palace easily, and it could even be said that it was a reserve key.

Gu Dayong and the eunuch named Huan Heng thought that Zhu Tan had someone else in love, so they didn't think much about it.

Because there was a precedent, all the palace maids who had physical relations with Zhu Tan had been given to him by the emperor. A few days ago, the emperor gave his most trusted female official, Shen Qionglian, to Zhu Tan as a concubine.

There shouldn't be any problem if two more people sleep together.

If the two of them knew what Zhu Tan had stolen, they probably wouldn't be so happy and would definitely be furious with regret.

Wang Yan went to bed early. Her biggest worry did not come true in the past few days. She had already arranged all the trivial matters at home. His brother Wang Yuan wrote to tell him that the Marquis of Jianchang did not withhold his salt permit, but paid at the market price.

As for the son-in-law of the emperor, Ma Cheng, he was silent.

Without any worries, Wang Yan slept very soundly. The room, which had been smoked with silver frost charcoal, did not provide good insulation, and the stove on the quilt had no temperature either.

Wang Yan felt vaguely warm somewhere while she was half asleep. She leaned towards it subconsciously and used her head to touch it.

She had the same dream again.

Although she was not very worldly-wise, she understood her own life experience. However, for more than 20 years, she had never had any dreams, and even when she did dream she would blush.

Suddenly, Wang Yan was startled.

When he touched her, she was stunned for a moment, then she pressed hard, this was not a dream.

Zhu Tan climbed onto the bed, thinking that Wang Yan was impatient, but then he realized that Wang Yan was somewhat confused, and whispered, "It's me."

Wang Yan felt her hair stand on end and she got goose bumps. This was why she was scared.

"My Lord, how can this be possible? Why are you here?"

During the reign of Emperor Xianzong, due to an assassination attempt, all the imperial palaces were tightly blocked, just like martial law, and all the gates would be locked every hour.

Zhu Tan said with a smile: "Don't worry about how I got in. Is there anywhere in this palace that I can't go to?"

While Zhu Tan was speaking, his hands were not idle. Wang Yan's resistance, in his opinion, was resistance, leaving a blood mark on the back of her hand.

"My lord, if we are caught, both you and I will die." Wang Yan said anxiously.

Zhu Tan sneered: "You really have wild ideas. If we are alive, we will be dead if we die. As long as we are still alive, we should have fun!"

Wang Yan was a sensitive person. She noticed this immediately and asked curiously, "What's the matter? You are deeply trusted by the emperor. Are you worried about something?"

Zhu Tan was very happy to have someone to talk to, so he told everyone what had happened today and the strange things that happened between him and the emperor's brother-in-law in the Qianqing Palace.

Wang Yan never got involved in any power struggles. Whether she was the queen in the past or she is now, she has always maintained her principles.

Her political views were also very bad, but her words made Zhu Tan's eyes light up.

"This is the emperor's protection for you. There are some things that even the emperor cannot do as he wishes. You must have made some mistakes that were known to the East Factory and the Imperial Guards. That's why you were kept in the palace to avoid being discovered."

Zhu Tan immediately sat up straight. What Wang Yan said was most likely right.

But under what conditions would the emperor's brother-in-law take such action?
Tang Bohu and Xu Jing are both dead, and Cheng Minzheng is also dead.

And all this is because of your Majesty's brother-in-law, who must also be acknowledged.

Are the bureaucrats of the Ming Dynasty so powerful?
Zhu Tan found it unbelievable. This was the feudal era, and the imperial power was supreme. But apart from this, what other power could make his brother-in-law cover his nose?

Zhu Tan just asked casually.

Wang Yan added, "I don't understand, but I think similarly to you. The emperor is the supreme being, and he must have a backer. If all the ministers, ministers, and eunuchs resign, then what is the point of this emperor? I am a little older and have met Yingzong once. Although I have a title with Xianzong, I often see that the two are hindered by others and do not act as expected. Now it seems that the emperor should be the same."

"If that's the case, then there's no point in me being the emperor!"

Zhu Tan was not just pretending. Emperors of all dynasties, in addition to offering sacrifices to heaven on Mount Tai and traveling to the south of the Yangtze River, also founded nations.

It's like a golden dragon trapped in a cage.

Perhaps because something big had happened, Wang Yan was no longer as reserved as before. She smiled and said, "Of course not! No matter how many restrictions he has, he is the king of a country!"

Zhu Tan was speechless, because only a person with a mental problem would understand the advantages of being an emperor.

After saying that, he chuckled, hugged Wang Yan in his arms, and said, "I look good! Don't you think so?"

Wang Yan understood what she meant from her words. In ordinary people's terms, Zhu Tan had slept with the wife of the late emperor and did not open it. It was indeed true.

After saying that, Wang Yan's face darkened.

She had every reason to feel terrified, to feel uneasy, to feel uneasy, to feel pregnant.

Zhu Tan continued to ask, frowning slightly. This was really incomprehensible.

In this world, there is no guarantee. Once Wang Yan becomes pregnant, he cannot hide it even if he wants to. Even if he is favored by Zhu Youtang, Emperor Hongzhi will not let him go!
After thinking it over again, Zhu Tan said, "If it really comes to that, if that's the case, I'll take you out of the palace, are you willing?"

Wang Yan didn't think much about it and nodded: "If I can become your wife, then my life will be worth it. The palace is like a cold palace to me. I will definitely be happier here!"

"Of course there is no problem with this. I kept you here just to gather some information for me. For example, the old lady Shao in Qingning Palace and her brother Shao Xi have always been at odds with me."

"Shao Taifei?" Wang Yan asked in surprise. A few days ago, someone came to celebrate the Queen Mother's birthday. I was also there. It seemed that General Lu Song gave a gift to Shao Taifei. At that time, I also accidentally heard Lu Song mention Shao Xi and Hua Chang. "

Zhu Tan's head was buzzing. Hua Chang? Shao Xi, who are you? Are these two people in the same group?

Zhu Tan recalled some rumors, and thanks to the drama "Embroidered Spring Sword", he also had a certain understanding of the Jinyiwei.

In the Ming Dynasty, the father of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was the Eastern Depot, but Lu Bing put the Eastern Depot under great pressure.

Lu Bing's mother was the Jiajing Emperor's wet nurse. The two were born of the same mother. The Jiajing Emperor absolutely trusted Lu Bing. And who was Lu Bing? He was none other than Lu Song's son.

A sentence that Wang Yan overheard by chance proved that Shao Xi was the mastermind behind this imperial examination, or at least the mastermind.

And Lu Song is the most important step. As long as his plan is disrupted, the real mastermind will be exposed.

Zhu Tan was very happy that she was in Wang Yan's bed. Not only did she get her, but she also learned such a big secret. She couldn't help but pursed her lips and looked at Wang Yan.

So, the two of them entangled again.

……

The next morning, heavy snow was falling from the sky.

Zhu Youtang was a very rule-abiding person. He would not leave the court unless there was something important.

The Ming Dynasty was a big country with a mix of good and bad people. How could it be possible that it did nothing?
The most important thing now is the case of the imperial examination. As soon as Zhu Youtang sat down, Lin Tingyu came forward to report.

"As an imperial censor, Hua Chang was responsible for monitoring the affairs of the Autumn Examination. Although his words were inappropriate, his loyalty was evident, and he was even willing to risk his life. Now Hua Chang has consulted with Cheng Minzheng, Cheng Minzheng is fine, and Hua Chang is in prison. If a similar incident happens in the future, how many people will tell the truth? I think we should release Hua Chang, Tang Yin, and Xu Jing first, and Cheng Minzheng should also be dismissed and sent back home."

As soon as Lin Tingyu finished speaking, Shang Heng and Wang Sui submitted memorials at the same time.

They were even more ruthless and requested that Hua Chang be released, and then throw Cheng Minzheng into jail and severely punish him.

Cheng Minzheng was not at home. Such a thing happened during the Spring Examination. As the deputy examiner, he was directly involved in it, so naturally he had to stay at home to avoid being suspected.

Therefore, no one spoke for Cheng Minzheng, not even the ministers.

Zhu Youtang clenched his fists, then relaxed them. Following the orders of his ministers, he threw Cheng Minzheng into jail.

Cheng Minzheng naturally had to defend himself. Hua Chang mentioned Xu Jing, but Tang Bohu was not among them, and Li Dongyang's test paper was not graded by him.

He wanted to confront the people from the Ministry of Justice face to face in order to make the incident at the Imperial Examination Hall a bigger fuss.

Zhu Youtang naturally would not agree, but he still allowed Cheng Minzheng, Hua Chang, Xu Jing and Tang Yin to come to the Meridian Gate and question him in person.

From this point, it can be seen that he attached great importance to Cheng Minzheng and gave Cheng Minzheng a chance to explain to the civil and military officials in the court.

Zhu Tan received this message, but it was too late.

Early in the morning, he secretly came out of Wang Yan's room and found He Wendi, wanting to inquire about the situation of Zhang Yu's eunuch.

When Liu Jin came to see him, there were only quarters of an hour left before the confrontation at the Meridian Gate, so he hurried over.

As a royal relative and a military general, Chu Xian was not qualified to attend the banquet. However, due to the emperor's favor towards him, he still walked in and met Tang Bohu and Xu Jing.

Both Tang Bohu and Xu Jing looked seriously injured and showed no signs of torture at all.

Look at Hua Chang again, it's the same. Could it be that the Lord of the East Factory has some compassion for him?
Yang Peng said there would be no punishment, so that means there would be no punishment? (End of this chapter)