Volume 2: The Capital, I’m Back Chapter 71: Anyone who collaborates with the enemy and commits treason will be put to death without mercy!
Zhang Fu couldn't bear it any longer, so he stepped forward, grabbed Wang Hailing by the collar, and lifted him up from the ground.
"Wang Hailing, did you really sell the grain to the Mongols?"
"I...I don't know..."
Wang Hailing was so upset that he could not even cry. He said tremblingly, "I... I just gave the grain to Fan's Warehouse. They shipped it out and charged a 10% commission. As for who they sold it to, I really don't know..."
Snapped!
Zhang Fu slapped him and said angrily, "Do you understand now?"
"No...I don't know..."
Bang bang bang!
Zhang Fu got angry and slapped Wang Hailing so hard that he saw stars and his mouth was bleeding.
"I really... I really don't know..."
Seeing that Zhang Fu was about to fight, Zhu Qizhen said, "Duke Ying, please wait a moment and let me finish what I am saying!"
In the court, everyone was silent, not daring to make a sound.
Zhu Qizhen's eyes were like lightning. He scanned the area and pointed at another person: "Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Xu Chang!"
"I am here!"
Xu Chang's legs went limp and he fell to the ground.
"Are you saying it yourself, or am I saying it for you?"
"Your humble servant...your humble servant..."
Xu Chang suddenly looked panicked, and felt a chill on his back, which was already soaked with cold sweat.
Zhu Qizhen said coldly: "Huai En, read the account book to everyone!"
Huai En was already prepared. He took out the account book, cleared his throat, and read: "In June of the fourteenth year of Zhengtong, Xu Asheng entrusted Fanji Warehouse to provide 30,000 dan of grain and 5,000 pieces of cotton cloth; in October, Xu Asheng raised another 20,000 dan of grain, which was still in Fanji Warehouse until it was stolen."
Zhu Qizhen asked with a smile: "Mr. Xu, who is this Xu Asheng to you?"
"It's my...nephew!"
"In just a few months, he donated 50,000 dan of grain twice. I guess his family must be very rich? This is strange. I asked the Jinyiwei to investigate. This Xu Asheng's family only has a mere 100 acres of land. Where did so much grain come from?"
Xu Chang wiped the sweat from his forehead and didn't dare to speak.
The smile on Zhu Qizhen's face gradually disappeared, and he said coldly: "If I remember correctly, in October, the Wala army had just run out of food. Yesen bought your family's food, and the price should be very high, right?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers were immediately furious.
The ancestral system of the Ming Dynasty prohibited officials from engaging in business. However, if it was just business, everyone would turn a blind eye and let it go. However, selling food to the Oirat people during a war was treason!
Xu Chang's face turned pale, and he trembled as he said, "I am wronged... I am wronged!"
Zhang Fu and the others' eyes were almost spitting fire, and they wished they could tear this man to pieces on the spot.
"You still have the nerve to cry out for injustice?"
Zhu Qizhen finally got angry. He stood up and walked to Xu Chang, pointing at his nose and scolding him: "I and my soldiers are fighting bloody battles on the front line, and you are secretly sending food to the Oirat people behind our backs? You call yourself a clean official and a disciple of the saint every day. If the saint knew that someone was doing such a thing under his name, would he be angry? Where is the Minister of Justice Yu Shiyue?"
Yu Shiyue looked confused and said quickly: "Your Majesty, I don't have any..."
"I'm not talking about you!" Zhu Qizhen interrupted him and asked, "I'm here to ask you, what is the crime for those who have secret dealings with foreign enemies?"
Yu Shiyue thought for a moment and said, "Those with serious circumstances will be charged with treason!"
"good!"
Zhu Qizhen took the account book from Huai En, threw it into Yu Shiyue's arms, and said, "Seventeen officials of all ranks are involved in this case. I will hand this case over to the Ministry of Justice, with the assistance of the Dali Temple and the Censorate, and the Jinyiwei and Dongchang for supervision. All those involved in the case, no matter who they are found, whether they are officials or nobles, will be severely punished!"
Yu Shiyue took the account book and knelt down to pay his respects: "I obey your order!"
There were a few thuds, and several officials collapsed to the ground.
Zhu Qizhen glanced at everyone coldly and said, "Prince Qing!"
"I am here!"
"Where did we discuss this?"
Zhu Qiyu said: "We are discussing the issue of the reward for the Duke of Ying."
"Let's continue discussing it!"
After saying this, Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and turned to leave the Fengtian Hall.
Then, Yuan Bin brought a dozen big Han generals to the palace and ordered, "Capture the man!"
"I don't……"
“It’s unfair!”
“Mercy…”
After a commotion, more than a dozen people had their official hats and uniforms removed and were escorted out of the hall.
Yuan Bin bowed to Yu Shiyue and asked, "Minister Yu, when will it start?"
Yu Shiyue was stunned for a moment and said, "We have to prepare for it anyway!"
Yuan Bin nodded and said, "Okay, when Minister Yu is ready, come to Zhaoyu to pick him up at any time!"
After saying this, he turned around and left without waiting for Yu Shiyue to reply.
The Jinyiwei came and went like the wind, and in a blink of an eye, the hall returned to peace, as if nothing had happened.
Zhu Qiyu coughed lightly and said , "Everyone, regarding the title of Duke of Ying, who has a different opinion?"
Surprisingly , no one jumped out to oppose it.
The one who had voiced the loudest opposition just now was beaten up by Zhang Fu himself and then taken away by the Jinyiwei. It was obvious that he would not survive.
Not only that, other opponents...seem to be in trouble themselves.
Everyone suddenly realized that it seemed that all the opponents had been wiped out by the emperor.
Is this a coincidence?
Seeing that no one objected, Chen Ying stood up and said, "Let me make a statement. Duke Ying has been a soldier all his life and has made great achievements. This time, he played an indispensable role in repelling the Wala. Those who have made contributions will be rewarded, and those who have made mistakes will be punished. Although there is no precedent in our dynasty for making a king of a different surname, if we set this precedent today, everyone will be more motivated to fight the enemy in the future, which is not necessarily a bad thing. What do you think?"
After Chen Ying finished speaking, Li Zhen and other nobles expressed their agreement.
Zhu Qiyu nodded, and suddenly realized that someone was missing, so he asked, "Why didn't Earl Pingxiang come?"
Chen Huai is a great contributor, an expert in digging pits and firing kilns. How could he be absent from such an important meeting?
Chen Ying said, "Pingxiang Bo is researching cement in Xishan and he said he is too busy and has no time."
"Cement?" Zhu Qiyu asked in doubt, "Is it water or mud?"
"I don't know!" Chen Ying scratched his head and said, "Anyway, he said this thing is very important and will be used when building the Martyrs' Shrine. The construction period is tight and there can be no delay!"
"Well!" Zhu Qiyu nodded and said, "Today, let's all express our support for the Duke of Ying being crowned king..."
"I disagree!"
Everyone was wondering who this person was, so stubborn. They looked in the direction of the voice and found out it was Yu Qian.
Some people in the audience couldn't help but whisper, isn't Yu Qian the emperor's man? Why is he jumping out to sing a different tune?
Chen Ying was unhappy, and turned to Yu Shiyue and asked, "Minister Yu, could you please take a look at that account book, is there the name of Minister Yu?"
Yu Shiyue was stunned for a moment and said, "No!"
Yu Qian snorted and said, " If Marquis Taining wants to investigate Yu, go ahead, but today we are discussing the issue of rewarding meritorious service. The merits of the Duke of Ying are obvious to all, but it is against the rules to make him a king."
Chen Ying frowned and asked, "What's against the rules?"
Under the gaze of the crowd, Yu Qian said calmly: "The title of the prince has always been named after the county, such as Xu Da, the Prince of Zhongshan, Chang Yuchun, the Prince of Kaiping, and Li Wenzhong, the Prince of Qiyang. Even the royal family, such as the Prince of Yangshan, the Prince of Ningxiang, and the Prince of Shanggao, are also like this. If you want to confer the title of prince on the Duke of Ying, you should follow this form. Jiaozhi is the governor's office, and it is inappropriate to call him the Prince of Jiaozhi. Therefore, I suggest that the Ministry of Rites re-examine the title."
Everyone nodded after hearing this. This statement was well-reasoned and convincing, but...
Yu Qian, aren't you a civil official? Why are you speaking in favor of the military officer?
Even Yu Qian, a guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, has rebelled. It seems that the days of the civil officials will be difficult in the future...
Zhu Qiyu nodded and said, "Minister Yu's words make sense. Then the Ministry of Rites will re-examine and select a suitable title. The cabinet will then review it and submit it to the emperor for approval."
