Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Chapter 55 Disposal
Zhu Yunhuan was a little dazed. It was just nine o'clock, and he was still keeping vigil when Zhang Fusheng reminded him to go to the Central Army Commander's Mansion.

Subconsciously, he said goodbye to Zhu Chong and other princes who were not allowed to attend court unless there was something important, and hurried towards the Central Army Commander's Mansion.

"I'm not yet the crown prince or the heir apparent, why am I so busy now?" Zhu Yunhuan wondered as he walked, "Are you trying to get me used to being a workaholic in advance?"

Zhu Yuanzhang knew how difficult it was to conquer the world, so he had a strong sense of crisis. He could be said to be the most diligent emperor in history, without a doubt.

In the past few years, the Ming Dynasty not only had morning court sessions, but also afternoon and evening court sessions. He also handled nearly 1,200 memorials in eight days. He did this not just occasionally, but had been a workaholic for decades.

He was ruthless to himself and to his subordinates. When the crown prince Zhu Biao was alive, he repeatedly reminded him to be diligent in his work.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yunhuan shuddered with fear, thinking that his good days might be over.

The atmosphere in the Central Military Governor's Mansion was extremely solemn. Although they had been there once before, they knew what had happened.

But this time is different. We will know the answer today as to how to deal with Jiang Xiahou.

Seeing Zhu Yunhuan sitting in the main seat, all the nobles immediately saluted.

"Everyone, stand up." Zhu Yunhuan said calmly, "I don't want those civil officials to know about this. Since ancient times, the distinction between civil and military officials should be clear. In recent years, civil officials and military officials have disliked each other. You should be smart. If they know about this, it will not be easy for you."

The nobles naturally agreed immediately, as they also understood this truth.

The civil officials were not completely unaware of the news. They knew that something big must have happened to these nobles, but they did not know that Zhou Ji had done such a disrespectful thing to the emperor and his father.

Zhu Yunhuan opened his mouth and said, "Bring Jiang Xiahou here."

When the old, white-haired Jiang Xiahou appeared in everyone's sight with a unsteady gait, many people were startled.

It was difficult for younger generations like Xu Huizu and Li Jinglong to connect this haggard, dying old man with the high-spirited, generous and unrestrained Jiang Xiahou of the past.

Fu Youde, Guo Ying and other old comrades felt even more sad. It was really tragic that their elder brother ended up like this and could not have a good end.

"The guilty minister Zhou Dexing pays respect to His Royal Highness the Grandson of the Emperor!"

Zhu Yunhuan opened his mouth and said, "Marquis Jiang Xia, you are guilty of not educating your son properly and letting him do illegal things. But considering your hard work and great contributions, I will stand up and speak."

Zhou Dexing did not stand up, but cried out, "I dare not!"

Zhu Yunhuan did not force him and said directly, "Bring that beast up here."

When Zhou Ji was dragged up again, the last bit of hope in Zhou Dexing's heart was gone.

When Guo Zhen went to summon him, Zhou Dexing fainted on the spot. After waking up, he thought of all the possibilities, including that his entire family was killed and his ancestors' tombs were destroyed.

If he could see the beast, he would definitely kill it on the spot.

But I was holding on to a last hope. What if he was tortured into confessing? What if someone was slandering me, and Your Majesty was deliberately trying to implicate me?
But now seeing that although the beast Zhou Ji looked emaciated, there was no sign of torture on his body, Zhou Dexing's last bit of hope was gone.

Zhou Ji had been in a state of panic for the past two days. The moment he saw Zhou Dexing, he seemed to have found the last glimmer of hope, "Dad, save me!"

Zhou Ji crawled on his knees towards Zhou Dexing, "Dad, save me! You are the one that His Majesty trusts the most, you can definitely save me, right?"

Having such a son and indulging him in various ways in the early years, it seems that now it has not only harmed him, but also the whole family and the whole clan!
"Why don't you take them down!" Zhu Yunxun snorted coldly and scolded, "You are all wooden men!"

Guo Zhen and Wang De immediately stepped forward and took Zhou Ji down and dragged him aside. Geng Xuan and the others secretly felt sorry for him, wishing they had moved faster!

Zhu Yunhuan didn't waste any words and said, "Marquis Jiang Xia, you know exactly what that beast did. We have the charges, oral testimony, and witness testimony. Do you want to personally review them?"

Zhou Dexing closed his eyes and accepted his fate. "Your Highness is lenient. I don't need to check. I know that the beast is not wronged!"

Zhou Ji wanted to cry and beg. He was so bold when doing things, relying on his status as a nobleman and the fact that his father and the emperor were childhood friends. There was nothing he dared not think of and nothing he dared not do. Could the emperor really kill him?

But now he didn't dare to do that. He just hoped that he could still survive. The Jinyiwei had already been quick to grab Zhou Ji's mouth and stuff a piece of cloth into it.

Some Jinyiwei wanted to take over the responsibility of arresting Zhou Ji. Guo Zhen and Wang De glared at them at the same time: They are trying to show off!

Zhou Ji was still struggling and whimpering, but no one cared about him anymore.

Zhu Yunhuan opened his mouth and said, "Since Jiang Xiahou has not refused to accept the case, the facts of the case are clear. For such a disrespectful person, how severe should he be sentenced to death by lingchi?"

Zhou Ji struggled even harder. Zhou Dexing trembled and said, "Your Highness is wise. I accept the punishment!"

Zhu Yunhuan waved his hand, and Zhou Ji was dragged away by the Jinyiwei.

Zhu Yunhuan looked around at the nobles in front of the hall and said, "Many nobles have committed illegal acts in recent years. In consideration of your contributions, the court has turned a blind eye to many things. But if you act recklessly because of this, don't blame the court for its strict laws!"

The nobles knelt down immediately. Who could refute at this time? They just had to listen obediently!

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Zhou Dexing and said, "You are an old family member and have known your majesty since childhood. You have made countless contributions over the years. You should be enjoying your retirement, but you have failed to educate your son and indulged him. This is your own fault."

Zhou Dexing knelt on the ground and said, "I am guilty!"

Zhu Yunhuan sighed and said, "I can't even kill him to death to relieve my hatred for what he did. But my grandfather, out of consideration for our past friendship, will not destroy the stele at your ancestral tomb."

After hearing what Zhu Yunhuan said, many nobles were stunned. According to their guess, there was no doubt that Zhou Ji would be tortured to death. Jiang Xiahou would definitely be killed as well.

But not pushing down the stele of the ancestors of the Jiangxiahou family was really a leniency, not disturbing the peace of the Zhou family's ancestors, which was also the last bit of decency. After all, what Zhou Ji did, pushing down the stele of the ancestors' tombs was also understandable to everyone.

"You deserve to die!" Zhu Yunhuan continued, "I originally wanted to kill your entire family and exterminate your three clans. My grandfather stopped me, but you have to die!"

Zhou Dexing raised his head suddenly, a glimmer of hope in his eyes, "I am guilty of a thousand deaths! I will accept death!"

If Zhu Yunhuan had exterminated Zhou Dexing's entire clan, the nobles would not have found fault with him, for that beast had been so disrespectful during the prince's vigil. Not being exterminated was considered a mercy.

Zhu Yunhuan continued, "Grandfather Huang wants to abolish the title and take back the public land. Do you disagree?"

Zhou Dexing had already realized all this, and he quickly shouted, "I accept the guilt and have no objection!"

"Well then!" Zhu Yunhuan continued, "You two have disturbed my father's peace, and you will never be forgiven. Go back and commit suicide, and take the body back to your hometown to bury it with honors."

Zhou Dexing shed turbid tears and shouted loudly, "I thank the emperor for his grace!"

All the nobles were nervous. They were not surprised at all that Jiang Xiahou and his son were executed. It would be strange if they were not executed.

Zhu Yunhuan looked at the nobles and said, "You should all keep your mouth shut about this matter. If the civil officials know anything about what that beast did and impeach him in the court, I will never let him off easily!"

Zhu Yunhuan then said, "You have two sons. The second son will be exiled to Guangxi and command a hundred households. The youngest son will be exiled to Jingzhou and command a garrison. The rest of your family members will be exiled accordingly."

The people he pacified were of the sixth rank.

Zhou Dexing did not dare to smile, and shouted loudly, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!"

He was alive, and Zhou Dexing and his entire family did not need to be executed, which surprised many people!

You should know that two years ago, more than 70 people in the mansion of Duke Hanguo Li Shanchang were killed, leaving only his eldest son Li Qi.

There was no other reason, it was simply because Li Qi was the son-in-law of the emperor, but he was still relocated to Jiangpu.

The hereditary title of Duke of Korea was naturally abolished, and Li Qi's two sons and Zhu's two grandsons were merely the fourth-rank commanders of the Central Guard and the fifth-rank guards of the Flag Bearer Guard.

Zhu Yunxun sighed and said, "If His Majesty hadn't cared about your past contributions, I would have killed your entire family! Let's go and see if he will see you!"

(End of this chapter)