Ming Dynasty 1566

Chapter 76

In the distance, more drums sounded from outside the courtyard wall.The eunuch who was sitting on the step stool beside the bed opened his eyes: "What time is it?"

The skinny eunuch: "It's already three o'clock. Brother, let's take turns. Let us squint our eyes too."

"Who dares to leave!" Yang Jinshui immediately glared at the skinny eunuch, "Shen Yishi, Zheng Michang, He Maocai, and Li Xuan are all standing outside the door. If you go out, you will be strangled to death!"

The thin eunuch: "Godfather, if you really want to strangle me to death, just let me go out and let them strangle you to death, and they won't grow old with you."

Yang Jinshui was thinking there, stretched out his fingers like dry sticks to count, and then said to himself: "Nine, ten, eleven... No. If you strangle you, you have to strangle ten more." ..."

The skinny eunuch wanted to speak, but was stopped by the accompanying eunuch: "Shut your beak! You don't have a conscience, you haven't told you to die yet, you're just so impatient!"

The skinny eunuch lowered his head.

The other eunuchs looked at each other wearily, and Eunuch Gao said: "Brother, if this continues, the rest of us will be overwhelmed, and there will be no servants."

The accompanying eunuch: "Zhao Zhongcheng went to the eunuch ten days ago, and the decree will come in just one or two days..."

"The decree has arrived!" Yang Jinshui stood up from the bed, "Receive the decree! Help me to receive the decree!"

The accompanying eunuch stood up slowly: "Godfather, the order has not yet arrived..."

"No!" Yang Jinshui stared at the door with wide eyes, "The order has arrived! Open the door to receive the order!"

The eunuchs paid no attention to him and stood there without moving.

"Open the door to receive the order!" Yang Jinshui screamed.

The accompanying eunuch looked at the fat eunuch: "Open the door and let him see if there is an order."

The fat eunuch walked slowly to the door and opened it slowly. Just as he was about to turn around, he froze there!
——Two lanterns in the courtyard led Zhao Zhenji and the four Jin Yiwei to actually come!

"T-True..." the fat eunuch stammered.

The eunuch stood up suddenly: "What is there really?"

All eyes were on the door, Zhao Zhenji and the four Jinyiwei entered.

Zhao Zhenji stood in the room: "The imperial decree has arrived! Yang Jinshui accepts the decree!"

Because the confessions of Zheng Michang and He Maocai in Hai Rui's trial all involved the Weaving Bureau, Zhao Zhenji sent it to the palace in [-] miles, and the decree was sent back to Hangzhou immediately in [-] miles, and Zhao Zhenji was ordered to read it to Yang Jinshui in person.All this is to be expected.But what was said in the decree, whether the emperor was protecting the weaving bureau, or even the weaving bureau wanted to investigate, Zhao Zhenji still didn't know all this, and was eager to know.

It turns out that the so-called imperial decree is collectively referred to as the decree by the ministers, and there are many regulations.As for ordinary trivial matters, the emperor casually dispatched eunuch biography and so-called verbal orders to the parties; regarding imperial state policies, military aircraft deployment, and officials' dismissal, even instructions on a certain case had to be written in specially-made bright yellow brocade regular script. Xi declared that what is commonly referred to as imperial decree refers to this type of written imperial decree.There are two types of written imperial edicts: issuing an edict and issuing an edict.In the Ming Dynasty, the imperial edicts were generally handed over to the cabinet for public release to each department. In the Ming Dynasty, the "dibao" was even used to spread the word to the world.The special decree is the imperial decree received by Zhao Zhenji at this time. It is issued to someone by name, and the sacred seal can only be opened and the decree can be read out when someone reads it to the person concerned.Therefore, when Zhao Zhenji received the imperial decree, he didn't know the content of the decree. He immediately summoned four Jinyi guards to the weaving bureau in the middle of the night.

The lights were brightly lit, Yang Jinshui was kneeling on the bed, and several eunuchs were prostrate in the corner of the room.

Zhao Zhenji handed the imperial decree rolled into a scroll to Jin Yiwei's end with both hands. Jin Yiwei took the scroll, looked at the sealed baking varnish, checked the seal on the baking varnish, nodded, walked to a candle and put the baking varnish on it. It melted away, pulled away a shaft, came back and returned Zhao Zhenji with both hands.

Zhao Zhenji slowed down as much as possible, and slowly unfolded the imperial edict of the bright yellow brocade, but his eyes couldn't wait to look at the imperial edict.Suddenly, at this moment, Yang Jinshui jumped off the bed with disheveled hair and bare feet, knelt down and hugged Zhao Zhenji's leg: "Old ancestor, you are so old! Zhejiang and Hangzhou are full of treacherous ministers. Death Those who are dead and not dead are plotting against my son! You are going to catch them all!"

Zhao Zhenji was so scared that his face turned pale from his sudden pounce. He wanted to get out of the way but was held tightly by his legs. He only saw a disheveled grass-like gray hair clinging to her body. The person taking a bath rushed up with a smell of body odor. Zhao Zhenji was startled and vomited, and turned her head to look at Jin Yiwei beside her: "Pull away! Quickly pull away!"

The four Jin Yiwei were standing on both sides of Zhao Zhenji, but they were unwilling to pull him at this moment.It's not that he thinks he's dirty, the factory guard's family is under the supervision of Si Li, and he doesn't know what his will is, so how could he be rough on him at this time.Jin Yiwei looked at the eunuchs at the other end: "Pull Eunuch Yang away!"

Hearing the scolding, the accompanying eunuch who was crawling in the corner hurriedly said to the fat eunuch and tall eunuch beside him, "Quick, help pull it away." He led the fat eunuch and tall eunuch to kneel and crawl over.

The fat eunuch and the tall eunuch pulled Yang Jinshui's hand one by one, and the eunuchs followed him to hug his waist. Yang Jinshui's two arms were tightly wrapped around Zhao Zhenji's leg like iron hoops, how could he pull it?
The eunuch was anxious: "Let go, godfather, let go!"

Yang Jinshui tightened the hoop, and the three of them pulled hard at the same time, and Zhao Zhenji was also staggered by the pull, and fell down with the imperial decree.Jin Yiwei couldn't ignore the other end, he stretched out his hand to hold Zhao Zhenji's arm, and turned to the two Jin Yiwei beside him: "Go, pull away!"

The two Jin Yiwei passed by, and the three eunuchs quickly let go and crawled away.

Capture was Jin Yiwei's housekeeping skill, but seeing the two of them each stretch out a claw to pinch Yang Jinshui's arm, I don't know which acupuncture point they pinched, Yang Jinshui's two arms immediately hang down limply.The two of them didn't make much effort, they gently lifted Yang Jinshui, who was still kneeling, off the ground, and when he was about two steps away from Zhao Zhenji, he gently put him on the ground.Yang Jinshui remained motionless, kneeling there stiffly.

At this moment, Zhao Zhenji's face was pale, and beads of sweat oozed from his forehead, and when he was about to read out the imperial decree, he felt his throat dry up and froze there, unable to utter a sound.

Jin Yiwei stretched out his hand to grab a bowl of tea from the tea table next to him, which was left by some eunuch, and brought it to Zhao Zhenji's mouth without caring much.Holding the imperial decree in both hands, Zhao Zhenji had to open his mouth to take a sip. A gag welled up in his throat, and he spit out the tea again with a wow.

Jin Yiwei reminded from the side: "Master Zhao, it's time to announce the decree."

After all, he was a person who studied both Neo-Confucianism and Psychology. Zhao Zhenji quickly calmed down and looked at the unfolding edict.One eye and ten lines was originally his talent, and comprehension of Shangyi was half a lifetime of cultivation, but at this moment, this imperial decree with more than [-] words, he could just stand there.

The four royal guards immediately sensed the weight of the imperial decree from his expression, and each of them held their breath and waited quietly.

But the imperial decree had to be read out, and at this moment, Zhao Zhenji couldn't understand the true intention of the holy decree, and only the word "moderate" could be used at this moment. He adjusted his breathing and tried not to bring any emotion , Slowly read it in a flat voice: "Following the heaven, the emperor said: Yang Jinshui, the director of the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau and the Zhejiang Municipal Shipping Department, listened to the order. Although the Weaving Bureau and the Municipal Shipping Department are under the jurisdiction of the inner court, they are actually the keys to the treasury. There are no more than eight sets of regular clothes for the four seasons, dry and wet, and push clothes (sound: jì). The envoys, officials and soldiers of the vassal king spend their money frugally to meet the needs of the military and the country. It is expected that a silkworm, a cocoon, a thread, and a shuttle will all be swallowed up in the mouths of beetles! Who is Shen Yishi? Twenty years ago, the Weaving Bureau served as a clerk. Why did Sang Tian, ​​the workshop of the Weaving Bureau, be attributed to this person? The company's silk bribes amounted to a million pieces to the yamen of various departments in Zhejiang! The eunuchs and servants of the Shangyi Supervisor, the Needlework Bureau, and the Scarf and Hat Bureau would rather not be greedy for ink? As the weaving chief, would you rather not be greedy for ink? If the cocoon doesn’t come out of the mouth one by one, I want to tolerate it, and the heavens can tolerate it! Yang Jinshui is about to be escorted to the capital, and I will interrogate him carefully. Zhejiang Governor, Deputy Commissioner of Zhejiang Shipbuilding Department of Jiangnan Weaving Bureau Zhao Zhenji is concurrently in charge. Tan Lun, the Governor-General's Office of Zhejiang Province, is also sent to join the army to act as Zhejiang's procuratorate and handle the case together. I respect you."

"Qin this" is over, and there is a deathly silence in the room.Yang Jinshui was still kneeling there like a stone statue, the eunuchs were already trembling, and the four Jinyi guards also looked at each other, still silent, and then all looked at Zhao Zhenji.

Zhao Zhenji's eyes were still fixed on the imperial decree, and time seemed to be frozen on that imperial decree at this moment.The ten-day-awaited decree pushed Zhao Zhenji into the biggest political tide in 20 years.Suddenly arrested Yang Jinshui and went to Beijing, suddenly sent Tan Lun to handle the case together, and suddenly let him clean up the mess of the Weaving Bureau.Has the emperor made up his mind to be strict?Are the yamen involved in the case in the palace going to be thoroughly investigated?Apart from expressing deep hatred, the oracle did not explain clearly.Zhao Zhenji knew that the sky, the wind, the blue clouds, the whirlpools and the deep valleys were all within this step of his feet!While thinking about it, Zhao Zhenji left a roomful of people behind, and slowly walked out alone holding the imperial decree.

The four Jinyi guards watched his back slowly disappear at the end of the corridor under the guidance of two lanterns.

The three Jinyiwei turned to look at Jinyiwei.

A brocade guard: "Just leave after the decree is announced?"

Another Jin Yiwei: "Eunuch Yang will be remanded or not?"

Another Jin Yiwei: "Are these people in Zhejiang crazy?"

"Shut your mouths." Jin Yiwei spoke at the other end, "This case is getting bigger. Remember what I said, you can't talk about anything in the palace, especially you can't talk about the emperor. Let the surname Zhao take it. "

Three Jinyiwei: "Understood."

Only then did Jin Yiwei turn to the eunuchs who were prostrate on the ground: "Give Eunuch Yang a bath, and send it to the governor's office first."

The fourth watch is the darkest hour of the night.From the gate of the yamen to the outside of the gate, there are lanterns and torches, and soldiers are standing there.

The sound of horseshoes from the stone street on the left side of the gate pierced the night sky, and then Hai Rui came galloping with a group of entourage escorting the military supplies.

After Yuanmen got off his horse, Hai Rui immediately saw three prison carts parked by the horoscope wall outside the Yamen.

The team officer guarding the gate immediately took the reins thrown by Hai Rui, turned his head, and shouted, "Jury Hai Zhi County is here!"

Immediately, a book office at the gate of the yamen took over the call and yelled inside: "Juror Haizhi County is here!"

From the yamen to the lobby, there are torches and soldiers.After climbing the steps, Hai Rui's eyes lit up.

——On the big case in the middle is the enshrinement of Huanghuang's oracle!Zhao Zhenji stood by the corner of the desk.

Hai Rui stepped into the hall and hurried over, knelt down facing the imperial decree, and bowed three times.

Zhao Zhenji held up the imperial decree on the big case with both hands: "Hai Rui, the jury appointed to read the decree!"

Hai Rui took the imperial decree from Zhao Zhenji and read it quickly.

The same decree, in Zhao Zhenji's view, was dangerous and unpredictable, but in Hai Rui's view, the emperor's first reaction was that the emperor accepted his point of view of investigating the weaving bureau.After reading the imperial decree, he immediately raised his head, without concealing his excitement, and said loudly: "The emperor is wise! The blessing of Ming Dynasty! The blessing of the world!" He stood up and returned the imperial decree to Zhao Zhenji with both hands.

When Zhao Zhenji received the imperial decree, his attitude was still indifferent. He pointed to a seat at the bottom of the big case and said, "Please take your seat."

Hai Rui didn't care about Zhao Zhenji's attitude, and walked towards the seat pointed by him, only then did he see that Wang Yongji was standing at the bottom of the first desk on the right, with his own seat at the top, and walked to the chair Just as he stood still, Wang Yongji touched him lightly.

Hai Rui squinted at Wang Yongji, and Wang Yongji showed him the big case on the other side.Hai Rui looked to the opposite side, and then saw that Tan Lun, who was wearing the official uniform of the procurator, stood on the first person on the left of the big case, and the eyes of the two met instantly!
The four brocade guards standing in front of the two desks on the lower left and right were all staring straight ahead, expressionless like stone statues.

At this moment, Zhao Zhenji confessed the decree on the incense case after the big case, turned around and walked to the front of the big case, without looking at the crowd, just said: "Please sit down." Saying that, he sat down first up.

The three jurors and the four royal guards all sat down.

"Everyone has read the decree." Zhao Zhenji still did not look at the crowd at this time, but looked at the front of the hall, "Heavenly heart is selfless, the emperor, together with the Shangyi Supervisor, Scarf and Hat Bureau and Jiangnan Weaving Bureau in the palace, have thoroughly investigated But Shen Yishi's case lasted 20 years and involved millions of people, which ones can be investigated, which ones cannot be investigated, which ones can be found out, and which ones have not been found out?" At this point, he slowly turned his gaze to everyone: "I also hope that you will deeply understand the sacred will, uphold the principles of heaven, the laws of the country, and human feelings, and do what you should do. Give an explanation to the court, and give an explanation to the public."

The decree ordered a thorough investigation, but the presiding judge's tone was so low and so false, it was a bit unexpected for several jurors. Hai Rui, who was very excited just now, immediately remembered to speak. Under the case took his hand and pressed it.

Hai Rui held back, and both of them looked at Tan Lun.

Tan Lun on the opposite side also showed dissatisfaction, but at this time, he couldn't resist the chief judge.The three of them stood there silently, waiting for Zhao Zhenji to finish speaking.

Zhao Zhenji: "Zhao is not talented, and Meng Sheng never gave up, and he was also appointed as the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau Zhejiang Shipping Department. This year, 50 pieces of goods and Western silk will be woven. Relief. I can't ask about the case in detail, Mr. Tan."

Tan Lun: "Yes."

Zhao Zhenji: "You are the newly-appointed procurator, in charge of punishment, and the case officer appointed by the Holy Majesty, so let you take charge of the case."

"I'm afraid it's inappropriate." Tan Lun stood up and spoke, "Shengyu Huanghuang, Zhongcheng is the presiding judge, and I will handle the case together. The Qin case should still be handled by Zhongcheng."

"I am the host, and you are the leader." Zhao Zhenji immediately blocked his words, "The criminals Zheng Michang and He Maocai will be interrogated by you and the four officers from Haizhi County, Wangzhi County, and Zhenfusi. The results will be handed over to me, and I will lead the court to play."

Tan Lun still wanted to speak, but with a snap, Zhao Zhenji had already struck the gavel: "Bring Zheng Michang and He Maocai!"

For ten days, Zheng Michang and He Maocai have been locked in a single cell without being interrogated again. They are given three meals and one drink every day according to the treatment of a criminal.Being interrogated in the middle of the night today, the two of them knew that this was a new purpose.But soon they felt that the situation was not good. When they got out of the prison, unlike the previous few times, the jailer put torture tools on them, brought them to the Governor's Yamen, and detained them in the hallway awaiting trial.At this time, with a shout, the two were escorted into the lobby by two guards, one sandwiched between the other.Seeing the imperial edict enshrined high on the incense case, the two of them immediately knelt down wearing torture tools, and bowed down to the imperial edict.

After the worship, He Maocai lay there and did not move.Zheng Michang beside him was struggling to stand up with his hands on the ground.After all, he was old and unable to stand up while being dragged by torture tools. He actually looked at He Maocai who was lying beside him: "Brother Maocai, you and I have not been convicted yet, and we are still members of the gang. We should get up and answer. Come on, give me a hand." .”

Looking at Zheng Michang's tough eyes, a burst of shame emerged, and He Maocai immediately straightened up, stretched out his hand to support Zheng Michang, and the two stood up at the same time.

Zheng Michang looked at Zhao Zhenji: "Master Zhao, does the emperor's new order require us to be tried with torture devices? If not, please remove the torture devices for us and set up a seat for questioning."

Zhao Zhenji did not answer him, but slowly turned his gaze to Tan Lun: "Master Tan, what do you think?"

(End of this chapter)