my brother-in-law is the prince

Chapter 164: Chapter 160
The head of the Ministry of War immediately shouted: "I am wronged, I am wronged..."

He screamed heart-piercingly.

Zhu Yong was furious, pressed him and beat him wildly.

The faces of the ministers who came and went in and out of the Ministry of War changed drastically. Some called for help, some reprimanded, and some hid far away to gloat.

Zhang Anshi ignored no one, and only said: "Quick, take it away."

So without hesitation, Zhu Yong and Zhang Fu took the sack that had been prepared, put it directly on the body of Chen Wenjun, the head of the Ministry of War, pierced the hole, and Zhu Yong was so strong that he carried it on his back and left.

Zhang Anshi took his guards and ran away without a trace.

"Ministry hall." Fang Bin, the left servant of the Ministry of War, hurried into the public room of the Ministry of War and saluted.

This Fang Bin had just been promoted from the Right Servant to the Left Servant, and when he came to see the Secretary of the Ministry of War, he seemed cautious.

Jin Zhong, Minister of the Ministry of War, is not a simple person. It is said that this person once served in the army when he was in Beiping. After serving as a soldier for several years, he made a living by measuring characters on the street.

Somehow, he became friends with Yao Guangxiao again, and Yao Guangxiao recommended him to Zhu Di. Soon, this Jin Zhong won Zhu Di's absolute trust.

The so-called absolute trust means that Zhu Di not only gave him the position of minister of the Ministry of War, but also appointed him as Zhan Shifu Zhan Shifu.

The position of Minister of the Ministry of War is extremely important in the Yongle Dynasty, almost comparable to that of Minister of the Ministry of Officials. After all, the current emperor attaches great importance to military affairs.

And Zhan Shifu Zhan Shifu is even more different, because Zhan Shifu is mainly responsible for the affairs of the East Palace.

Before Emperor Yongle, it was usually held by the clan. For example, when Zhu Di was in the Hongwu Dynasty, he served as Zhan Shi for a period of time.

This position not only manages the East Palace, but also serves as the prince's right-hand man, which shows how much Zhu Di trusts Jin Zhong.

At first, when Jin Zhong came to the Ministry of War, many people looked down on him. After all, this man was once Qiu Ba, and he was only a character tester.

But soon, everyone discovered that this minister was not only well educated, but also... quickly gained everyone's trust.

Just kidding, when he was testing characters in Beiping, there was a crowd of people, and I don't know how many wealthy people believed in him. This kind of ability to fool people was honed through hard work.

At this time, Fang Bin said anxiously: "The head of the hall, Chen Wenjun, was taken away by Zhang Anshi and the others... and he made a call outside... just outside this hall..."

After Jin Zhong listened, he was not angry, but said surprisingly calmly: "Why?"

Fang Bin said, "Call him a rebel."

Jin Zhong nodded, still plainly said: "Really?"

Jin Zhong pondered for a moment, and then said again: "I have heard of Zhang Anshi's name a long time ago, it can be described as thunderous. Didn't you deal with him before?"

Thinking back to the time when the model battalion fought against His Royal Highness Tiance Guard, Fang Bin couldn't help but shudder, and subconsciously said: "This person is cunning..."

Jin Zhong said, "A cunning person will not be reckless."

After a pause, he continued: "A cunning person must be greedy for life and afraid of death. A person who is greedy for life and afraid of death dares to beat up a head of the military department. He is so confident. I think... this An Shi must have mastered something."

Fang Bin was taken aback for a moment: "So, this matter... our military department just ignore it?"

"Who says ignore it?" Jin Zhong said with a smile: "The head of our department has been taken for no reason. If we just sit back and ignore it, no one in the military department will feel chilled."

Fang Bin frowned and said, "But if it's true..."

"That's another matter." Jin Zhongdao: "As long as this person is completely convicted, I will be Minister of the Ministry of War, of course I will speak for him and listen to heaven. If not, what does the Ministry of War want my church to do?" Use? You let someone prepare the sedan chair, and I will enter the palace right now."

After hearing this, Fang Bin saluted quickly: "Yes."

…………

Zhang Anshi and the others brought them back to Qixia.

Immediately, they entered a warehouse.

Chen Wenjun got out of the sack and shouted: "You are bold, you are so courageous."

Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "Do you recognize me?"

With a cold face, Chen Wenjun said angrily, "I don't know."

Zhang Anshi's smile became wider, and he said immediately: "He doesn't know us best, brothers, you're welcome, call me."

Chen Wenjun: "..."

Zhu Yong and the others rushed forward and beat them hard.

Chen Wenjun immediately cried and called his father and mother, and finally shouted: "I know, I know..."

Zhang Anshi moved a chair and sat down, Shi Shiran said: "Who am I?"

Chen Wenjun: "..."

Zhang Anshi said: "From now on, you can call me Zhang Anshi."

"Zhang Anshi..."

Saying these three words in his mouth, Chen Wenjun's pupils shrank.

Immediately, he stared at Zhang Anshi, gritted his teeth and said: "You...you...I am the official of the imperial court, not to mention you, even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, don't insult me ​​like this. Do you know...how big a crime this is ?”

Zhang Anshi looked at him calmly and said, "Can't you think from another direction? Since I know that you are an official ordered by the court, and this is a heinous crime, I, Zhang Anshi, still bring people here, is it because I have nothing to worry about, and I already have something that can ensure our innocence?"

Chen Wenjun sneered: "I don't understand what you are talking about?"

Zhang Anshi said: "You will understand soon, I just ask you now, how many people do you have?"

"How many people?" Chen Wenjun said with a cold face, "I said, I don't understand what you're talking about."

Zhang Anshi said: "It seems that you are unwilling to say."

Chen Wenjun said: "Scholars can be killed but not humiliated!"

Zhang Anshi said: "I never imagined that you would not shed tears when you see the coffin. Qiu Song, Qiu Song... Where is Qiu Song?"

Zhu Yong lowered his voice and reached Zhang Anshi's ear: "It's noon, when the sun is just right, I probably went out to dry my belly."

Zhang Anshi said in a speechless voice: "His mother, doesn't he even look at this guy's time?"

"I'll call him."

"No need." Zhang Anshi immediately stood up, looked at Chen Wenjun and said, "It doesn't matter if you don't want to say it. I believe you won't admit to such a serious crime! It doesn't matter. I, a person, Not good at beating and beating, but soon you will be doomed."

Chen Wenjun looked at Zhang Anshi coldly, and said with a bit of contempt: "Heh...you wait for a few young brats who are so rampant, it depends on how you end up."

………………

Confucius Temple in Nanjing City.

Along the Qinhuai River, there are contiguous mansions.

One person hurriedly entered a small house.

He walked quickly, and then... flashed into the small hall.

There is no window in the small hall, so it is extraordinarily dark.In the depths of the hall, in the darkness, a person sat upright and leisurely.

The dim light obscured his face, but the kirin robe on his body was particularly conspicuous.

"Chen Wenjun, the head of the Ministry of War...has been taken...my lord...could it be something happened? Now there is a lot of noise outside, and many people are scared..."

Hearing the anxious voice of the visitor, the calm man pondered for a moment, then responded: "Please don't panic, the sky hasn't fallen."

The visitor seemed to be both respectful and afraid of the person in front of him, upon hearing his words, he immediately listened attentively, and then kowtowed: "It's just...just..."

Before he could continue, the man said: "A few days ago, the old man heard about this incident, and Jin Yiwei was aware of it. It's to blame... It's just that they are too impulsive, thinking that Chen Ji is a person. ...It can be used by us, but who knows, this person is nothing more than a moron! If he is just as cowardly as a moose, that's fine, but this person actually likes to show off so much, such a wimp..."

After a pause, the man continued slowly: "However, there is no need to panic... Tell everyone, especially at this time, don't act too hastily, why not sit still and watch the tigers fight! That Zhang Anshi... is a trouble ...Unfortunately, on the cusp of this storm, if I knew this person was a scourge, I should get rid of it as soon as possible."

"Yes."

The man went on to say: "Don't worry, there are old men's eyeliner inside and outside the palace. The Minister of War Jin Zhong has already entered the palace. The Jinyiwei... I'm afraid they will be more panicked than us after hearing the news here." .”

"Yes."

The man took a sip of his tea and said nothing more.

The person who came came quietly left.

…………

Jin Zhong entered the palace and reported Zhang Anshi's arrogance to ministers.

Zhu Di's attitude towards Jin Zhong and other close officials is of course different, and he said: "This matter...Yi Shiha has already reported to me, that guy Zhang Anshi...I will beat him, and in a few days...I will take care of him. .”

Jin Zhong did not insist: "I just hope that the safety of the principal Chen Wenjun can be guaranteed."

Zhu Di said: "Don't worry, Zhang Anshi... I know him, he doesn't have the guts."

Jin Zhong was very satisfied, and said: "Then I will leave."

As soon as Jin Zhong left, Zhu Di began to scold his mother: "Fucking hell, you caught the gangsters and went to the Ministry of War. In broad daylight, you put people in sacks. What are you doing? There is no law!"

Yishiha stood aside, very tactful and silent.

On the contrary, Zhu Di looked sideways and lost his eyes, and said, "Chen Wenjun, does he have a personal grudge against Zhang Anshi?"

"This, the servant has never heard of it."

Zhu Di frowned: "What did Jin Yiwei say?"

"Your Majesty, Jin Yiwei... said they have found clues to the rebellion, and the chief case is the eunuch Cui Yihong..."

Zhu Di said coldly: "Is there only one Cui Yihong? What big things can a little Cui Yihong do? Teach him to get to the bottom of it?"

As he said that, Zhu Di took a look at Yi Shiha: "Zhang Anshi took a head of the military department and called him a rebellious party, while Jin Yiwei took the admiral and eunuch of the Warrior Camp and said he was a rebellious party. What do you do about it? look?"

Yi Shiha said: "This servant thinks that Jin Yiwei is more reliable."

Zhu Di nodded: "Yes, Tiqi has solved many major cases over the years, and Ji Gang is also good at criminal names, and he handles things fairly safely."

After a pause, Zhu Di said, "I thought you would speak for Zhang Anshi."

Yishiha hurriedly bowed down, kowtowed and said: "Your Majesty, if Cui Yihong is really guilty of death, even though he is a member of the palace, then he should be shredded into pieces. The servants serve His Majesty, and they only have His Majesty in their hearts. Now there is a rebellion in the court. , this servant is just as anxious as His Majesty. Commander Ji is a capable official, and he has never made any mistakes in his affairs in the past few years. The file and confession submitted by the servant can be regarded as conclusive evidence, but there is nothing wrong with it. Doubtful."

After a pause, Yi Shiha continued: "As for Marquis Annan, after all, Marquis Annan is not from a criminal background. He can earn money, which is certainly his strength. But if it is catching thieves, it is not his specialty, but... the servant thinks that Annan It may not be beneficial for Hou to arrest people like this."

Zhu Di raised his eyebrows and said, "Huh? What's the benefit?"

Yi Shiha said: "First Jin Yiwei captured Cui Yihong, the rebellious party behind Cui Yihong must have panicked. And Marquis Annan also captured a chief of the Ministry of War, so... the fog is thick instead, isn't this Is it possible to prevent Jin Yiwei from beating the grass and scaring the snake?"

Zhu Di smiled: "In this way, you mean..."

Yi Shiha then said: "It's better to make the mistake, not to ask for a while, let An Nanhou's side make trouble for a while, and Jin Yiwei's side... and then deploy manpower, continue to follow the vine, if you can use this to wipe out these chaotic parties, the servant thinks... then it will be done again." It couldn't be better."

Zhu Di subconsciously paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, and said, "Uh... hey... you are really a caring person, Ji Gang... is quite thorough in his work, Zhang Anshi... um... it's my family... Three days, three days later... I will show up again."

Yi Shiha kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

At noon, Yi Shiha took advantage of Zhu Di's time to eat and returned to the Supervisor of Rites.

The eunuch Liu Yongcheng, who was in charge of the imperial horse supervisor, had been waiting here for a long time. When he saw Yi Shiha, he hurried forward and said, "Grandpa...do you have any news?"

Yi Shiha took a deep look at Liu Yongcheng: "Tomorrow, let's complain about illness, you go and serve His Majesty."

"This……"

Yishiha said: "Serve carefully..."

Liu Yongcheng asked with a puzzled expression, "What does Grand Duke mean?"

Yi Shiha said: "Ji Gang came prepared this time, with all the evidence of the crime. Cui Yihong is probably finished. You are his godfather, so there is no guarantee that Ji Gang will not make use of the topic. If he adds such a sum in the next report, If His Majesty becomes suspicious, you can't bear it and walk away."

"So...in the past few days, you should walk around in front of His Majesty more often, and be more diligent. Your Majesty is still kind to us people..."

"Just let Ji Gang succeed like this?" Liu Yongcheng was so angry that he wanted to jump.

Yi Shiha said: "It's going to be a long time, don't worry about the momentary gains and losses, isn't it time to fight back?"

See Liu Yongcheng is still aggrieved.

Yishi laughed, and said earnestly: "Do you think... this matter is over? To tell you the truth, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Ji Gang. I'm afraid that Ji Gang... will borrow Cui Yihong, Continue to expand. At that time... maybe we, you, and many people in the palace... may be implicated. Think about it... This Cui Yihong is a person in the palace. How many people have confessed and bitten?"

Liu Yongcheng frowned.

Yi Shiha continued: "So at this time, what we have to do is to do our best in front of His Majesty, don't say anything, don't do anything, just serve His Majesty wholeheartedly! The more we do our best, we will wait until the future Only when they bite us, will we have a chance to defend ourselves."

"If at this time, I messed up my hands and feet and started biting each other with Ji Gang, it would only be true. Over there at the Yumajian, you have to warn everyone, teach them to be cautious in their words and deeds, and not to inquire. , don’t talk nonsense, don’t look, don’t talk, don’t listen!”

Liu Yongcheng sighed for a long time, and said: "Hey... now in this palace, there are only two of us who can be the masters. If Zheng He, Wang Jinghong, and Hou Xian are all in Nanjing, we won't let this young man be the master." Little Ji Gang bullied him."

Yi Shiha smiled and said: "You are wrong. The reason why Ji Gang is aggressive now is not because he has grown up, but because he is in a hurry. We stewed the frog in warm water and forced him to the corner, so we had to attack. What do you want?" What you see is that he is arrogant and domineering, but in fact... it is that he has nowhere to go and wants to fight hard."

Liu Yongcheng glanced in astonishment and was disappointed.

Yi Shiha said: "We can lose eight out of ten times, but Ji Gang doesn't have such luck, he only has one chance."

After finishing speaking, Yi Shiha said: "Don't be impatient anymore, go back to your imperial horse prison."

Liu Yongcheng said: "Yes."

…………

Chen Wenjun, who was locked in the warehouse, did not know how long it had been.

He was bruised and bruised, and he was calm at first, but slowly, he began to panic.

Outside the warehouse, every now and then... there was a sound of gunfire, which made him even more uneasy.

Just when he was flustered.

Suddenly, the door opened.

Immediately, Zhang Anshi came in loudly, Zhang Anshi said: "Chen Wenjun, I have confirmed that your wife and children, a neat family of 27 people, are all fine now."

Chen Wenjun was furious: "How dare the thief?"

Zhang Anshi said: "Who is the thief?"

Chen Wenjun suddenly bowed down to Zhang Anshi: "Your official is innocent, please forgive me, Lord Hou. I have always been innocent, with a clean sleeve, and never corrupted the law..."

Zhang Anshi smiled and said, "Really? If that's the case... then tell me... what's going on with the No. [-] warehouse in Yongping Cang?"

When Chen Wenjun heard it, his face suddenly changed slightly: "I don't understand what you are talking about?"

Zhang Anshi took his time and said: "It seems that you will stop crying when you see the coffin."

Chen Wenjun gritted his teeth: "The lower officials don't know anything."

"It's okay if you don't know." Zhang Anshi said: "Then let me ask you again, your housekeeper Chen Jian, should know?"

Chen Wenjun panicked at this moment, his lips trembled: "He... what happened to him?"

Zhang Anshi said: "Don't you know what he did?"

Chen Wenjun said: "I...I..."

Zhang Anshi said: "Come here, take away, and bring this Chen Wenjun into the palace."

Chen Wenjun suddenly turned indescribably pale.

Zhu Yong and Zhang Fu had tied up Chen Wenjun tightly, and then... dragged him and threw him directly into a carriage.

Zhang Anshi led people out of the warehouse, but at this moment... Zhu Jin came in a hurry.

Zhu Jin leaned close to Zhang Anshi's ear, and said in a low voice, "Master Hou...recently...for the past two days...there are Jin Yiwei...stalking us, even the residence of Master Hou..."

Zhang Anshi's expression remained unchanged, and he even said calmly: "Of course I know, don't be afraid, they dare not do anything, I will enter the palace first, you can go about your business."

"Yes……"

…………

The chaos of the party has actually reached the point where it cannot be controlled.

First the people in the palace, and then the head of the Ministry of War.

For a time, people panic.

Wenyuan Pavilion finally could not sit idly by.

Xie Jin was obviously very annoyed by this.

The minister of the Ministry of War arrested him as soon as he said he wanted to, but His Majesty ignored it, and even Jin Zhong entered the palace to see him, but there was no result, so Chen Wenjun is still missing, what is this?

In addition, Baiguan seems to have thought of the horror of the Hongwu period, the feeling of precariousness at any time, almost everyone has no mood to work, and all kinds of rumors spread.

Therefore, Xie Jin took all the scholars of Wenyuan Pavilion, and together with the ministers of various ministries, asked to see Zhu Di.

"Your Majesty, if things go on like this, everyone will be in danger. The ministers of the yamen are no longer interested in their work, and the important affairs of the country have been ignored by others. So what crime did Chen Wenjun commit? How could he be kidnapped in broad daylight? Please let Your Majesty clarify."

Zhu Di looked at all the officials, even Jin Zhong, Minister of the Ministry of War, showed a firm attitude at this time.

The first time he entered the palace to meet Zhu Di, it was actually just an announcement, but now the people in the military department are in panic, if he doesn't give an explanation, there is no way he, the minister, can make everyone abide by their duties.

Zhu Di nodded and said: "Jin Yiwei and Zhang Anshi, I did ask them to investigate the messy party, and I have already heard about it."

Saying that, Zhu Di said: "Yi Shiha..."

Turning around to look, only to find that Yi Shiha has been sick for the past few days, and now it is Liu Yongcheng who is waiting by his side.

So he said: "Liu Yongcheng, call Ji Gang and Zhang Anshi into the palace and ask them to bring the imperial convicts. Now that all the officials are suspicious, it's time for a break."

After Liu Yongcheng got Yi Shiha's warning, he was much more at ease, and he only responded with a low eyebrow.

Soon...Ji Gang was the leader, followed by a few big Han generals, escorting the eunuch Cui Yihong who was almost out of shape. "

"I've seen Your Majesty before." Ji Gang said neither humble nor overbearing.

Zhu Di nodded, glanced at Cui Yihong, showing disgust, and then said, "How is the case going?"

"Your Majesty, you are still following the vine, but you have made great progress. This Cui Yihong... still has a lot of accomplices, and you are afraid of making mistakes, so..."

Zhu Di stared at Ji Gang, and said: "This Cui Yihong is from the palace, why is he making trouble?"

Ji Gang said: "Your Majesty can ask him personally."

Zhu Di's eyes fell on Cui Yihong.

But she saw Cui Yihong prostrate on the ground, her body trembling.

Zhu Di said coldly: "Cui Yihong, raise your head."

Cui Yihong raised his head cautiously, his face was haggard and his eyes were dull.

Zhu Di said, "Are you a rebel?"

Cui Yihong said: "My servant, I'm sorry Your Majesty... Slave... Slave... It's a chaotic party..."

Zhu Di narrowed his eyes: "Why did you do this?"

"Slaves don't know the heights of heaven and earth, slaves..."

Zhu Di was furious: "Say!"

"Slaves... greedy for money... and thinking... in the future... if they welcome people from Qianyuan to enter the customs in the future, then... they will get a great contribution."

When he spoke, he had a dull expression on his face, as if... he had memorized everything by heart.

Zhu Di gasped. He felt that the person in front of him was really ridiculous, and he deserved a great contribution... Haha...

Zhu Di was obviously very angry at this time, and said through gritted teeth: "You are a member of the palace, but you still have such wishful thinking."

Cui Yihong still said as if endorsing: "The slaves are greedy for money and goods, and they think that if they welcome people from Qianyuan to enter the customs in the future, they will have a great contribution..."

Zhu Di said angrily, "Why don't you follow the preface?"

Cui Yihong said: "The servants are greedy for money..."

Zhu Di's expression became more and more serious, his eyes narrowed, and he passed Cui Yihong's face like a knife.

Ji Gang hurriedly said: "Your Majesty... this person is very stubborn, and he refused to admit it even to death..."

Zhu Di snorted coldly, "He's the only one?"

"And his brother, besides...some people in the palace are also involved...it's just that these people are in the deep palace...and...humble has not yet obtained full evidence, so..."

Zhu Di sneered and said, "You mean...my side...also has his accomplices?"

Ji Gang said: "Your Majesty, don't forget that when His Majesty was in trouble, there were many eunuchs in Jianwen's palace... to inform His Majesty..."

As soon as this remark came out... Zhu Di's face became strangely strange.

And Liu Yongcheng, who was waiting on the side, couldn't help but feel a little bit in his heart.

The basis of His Majesty's trust in the eunuchs is that many eunuchs actually made great efforts for Jing Nan.

But now... Ji Gang's words are like putting the last nail in the coffin.

That's right, at the beginning when Zhu Di was in trouble, he asked people to bribe many eunuchs in the palace, and these eunuchs also made great contributions to Zhu Di's decision to rule the world.

But... who can guarantee that the remnants of Meng Yuan did not bribe eunuchs to commit rebellion?

Ji Gang went on to say: "This Cui Yihong is just a mere admiral and eunuch of the Warrior Camp. He is nothing. The person who really orders him... is in the palace... but... it will take some time to be humble..."

Zhu Di looked at Ji Gang who was full of fear.

Regarding Ji Gang, he has always disdained him, thinking that Ji Gang, his former personal soldier, was very afraid of him and would never dare to deceive him.

And now that the trouble is serious, it is even more impossible for Zhu Di to take it lightly.

So Zhu Di stared at Ji Gang with a murderous look and said, "Investigate thoroughly!"

But Ji Gang bowed down and said: "Besides this, I... also collected some things here, please Your Majesty... have a look."

Liu Yongcheng obediently sent a new confession to the imperial case, and Zhu Di put it on the imperial case.

At this time, Xie Jin stood up and said: "Your Majesty, since the matter has come to light, I dare to ask... the chief of the Ministry of War captured by Zhang Anshi, Marquis of Annan, is so innocent. Now... the whereabouts of this principal are still unknown. , everyone is in danger, I implore Your Majesty... to see clearly, to pursue and punish the culprits."

But at this time...an eunuch came in and said, "Your Majesty, Marquis of Annan Zhang Anshi has an audience."

(End of this chapter)