Just when Lao Zhu wanted to test Zhu Fan's temper, and Zhu Biao was waiting with peace of mind, a memorial set out from Taiyuan, Shanxi, all the way to the capital, and fell into the hands of Zhan Hui, the Minister of Civil Affairs.
As soon as Zhan Hui got the memorial, he went directly to the emperor with the memorial without waiting for the Secretary of General Affairs to report it to the emperor.
"My minister Zhan Hui asks to see the emperor. Please pass the message."
"Master Zhan, please wait a moment. I will report to the emperor right now." A eunuch guarding the door of the hall bowed slightly towards Zhan Hui, then turned and walked into the hall without waiting for his reaction.
Not long after, the eunuch came back. With a whisk in his hand, he said, "The emperor has a decree to summon Master Zhan to see you."
Zhan Hui bowed his hands in thanks and followed the eunuch into the palace.
"My lord, Zhan Hui, pays homage to the emperor. Long live my emperor."
"I love Qing Pingshen." Lao Zhu said calmly.
Lao Zhu still likes Zhan Hui very much. Dare to fight and work hard, and not afraid of offending others in the officialdom. He is deeply respected by Lao Zhu. Otherwise, Zhan Hui would not have been able to rise from a failed scholar to become the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the first of the six departments of the Ming Dynasty, in just one and a half years.
In fact, Lao Zhu also valued one person more, and that was Han Du. However, although Han Du was very obedient in front of Lao Zhu, he always felt that Lao Zhu was slipping.
Han Du will fulfill the instructions given by Lao Zhu to the letter. You can even find new ways to achieve better results.
But the bad thing is this new approach. Sometimes Lao Zhu wants to let Han Du pass some things, severely punish some officials, and even kill some heads to scare the monkeys.
But Han Du was able to find another way, blurring things here and there, turning this bad thing into a good thing, allowing officials who should have lost their official positions, or even their lives, to finally save their lives and even avoid punishment.
This is what Lao Zhu dislikes the most.
After a while, Lao Zhu simply stopped looking for Han Du to do these things. He began to look for candidates again, and only then did Zhan Hui, a man who obeyed his words and dared to fight, come into Lao Zhu's sight.
Zhan Hui is the second-rank minister of the imperial court, and Lao Zhu is also willing to give him some face. After Zhan Hui stood up, Lao Zhu casually put aside the memorial in his hand, ready to hear why Zhan Hui came here.
"Why are you here, dear?"
Hearing this, Zhan Hui immediately held the memorial in both hands and said: "Your Majesty, the memorial in Taiyuan, Shanxi, by Wan Jin, the prefect of Taiyuan, impeached the King of Jin for hiding troops and making weapons, and he had the intention of treason. And he leaked the information in order to protect him, which is even more insane. Ordered the massacre of the village, resulting in the death of more than 200 villagers, men, women, old and children at the foot of Wutai Mountain. The crime is extremely heinous. Please take a clear look at it and provide justice to the people of the world."
The expression on Lao Zhu's face suddenly froze, his eyes fixed on Zhan Hui who was bowing in obeisance, and he didn't know what to say.
Lao Zhu had never thought about making a fuss about Zhu Fan in the court, and thought he could handle the matter quietly. Although Lao Zhu also hated Zhu Fan's actions of massacring the people, people cannot be resurrected after death. Moreover, Zhu Fan killed everyone, even if he wanted to make some compensation, there was no way.
But Zhu Fan was his biological son. Although he caused such a big disaster, he couldn't behead Zhu Fan after all, since he was his biological son.
It is precisely because of this that Lao Zhu kept Zhu Fan's matter airtight. Even the ministers of the imperial court did not know why the emperor recalled Zhu Fan to the capital, nor did they know that Zhu Fan was crying day and night in the palace.
But looking at Zhan Hui who was bowing in obeisance and the memorial in his hand, Lao Zhu knew that this matter could not be as good as he thought.
Seeing Zhan Hui bowing in obeisance, Lao Zhu had no choice but to signal the old eunuch to bring up the memorial.
Of course the old eunuch knew about King Jin, but when he saw the emperor pretending to have just heard about it, he quickly kept his expression and posture consistent with the emperor's.
Seeing that the emperor was taking away the memorial, Zhan Hui straightened up and said: "Your Majesty, what King Jin did is simply an injustice to the world. If there is no severe punishment, where is the justice of the world? Where is the support of the people of the world?" "
Lao Zhu had just received the memorial handed over by the old eunuch. When he heard Zhan Hui's words, his hands couldn't help but tremble, and then everything returned to normal.
But even such a small movement was seen by the old eunuch. He straightened up and took a look at Zhan Hui, sighed helplessly, and stood aside without saying a word.
Lao Zhu opened the memorial and read it carefully from beginning to end. Generally speaking, Wan Jin's impeachment is well-founded, and the content is no different from what Lao Zhu learned.
In other words, what Zhu Fan did in Taiyuan had actually been watched for a long time.
"Your Majesty, the King of Jin not only had the intention of treason, but also had the audacity to send people to intercept the Taiyuan magistrate's report to the court. So that after the King of Jin left Taiyuan and returned to the capital, Wan Jin could continue to report to the court to impeach the King of Jin. The King of Jin is so lawless, so I ask the Emperor to severely punish him as a warning to others." Seeing that the Emperor had not spoken for a long time, Zhan Hui couldn't help but continue.
Lao Zhu suddenly flew into a rage, slammed the memorial on the imperial case, slapped the case and cursed angrily: "It is said that King Jin has entered the palace."
Zhu Fan was frightened when he was confined in the palace, especially when he was imprisoned for many days without any sign that his father would spare him, which frightened him to the point of trembling with fear.
Based on his understanding of the prince, even if he did such a treasonous thing, the prince would definitely intercede on his behalf. But after such a long time, there was no news, or the prince did not intercede on his behalf. But this is impossible. Seeing him in trouble, the prince cannot ignore him.
Then the prince could only plead for him in front of his father, but it was of no use.
Even the prince's pleas were in vain...Zhu Fan was truly frightened in an instant.
These days in the palace, I feel uneasy every day. Now that he heard that his father had finally summoned him, he thought that the prince had settled his matter and that his father had forgiven him of his mistakes.
He came to Fengtian Hall with a happy face, walked in and was about to admit his mistake to his father, but suddenly he saw Zhan Hui standing here, and the prince he thought was nowhere to be seen.
Coupled with the livid look on his father's face, Zhu Fan suddenly felt cold and realized that things might not be what he thought.
"My son..."
Before Zhu Fan could pay his respects, Lao Zhu immediately threw the impeachment memorial at him, "You bastard, look at the good deeds you've done."
Zhu Fan didn't dare to dodge and let the memorial hit him on the head impartially. He picked it up and opened it and saw that it was indeed a memorial to impeach him, but hadn't he told his father about these things one by one?
Before Zhu Fan could ask questions, Lao Zhu angrily took the paperweight on the imperial desk, walked down from Danbi angrily, and suddenly hit Zhu Fan with the paperweight.
Zhu Fan didn't react in time and was hit by Lao Zhu, and he screamed immediately.
The paperweight in Lao Zhu's hand was made of golden nanmu. It was extremely hard, as thick as a wrist, and over two feet long. There are two in total, one on the left and one on the right, placed on the imperial desk. It is engraved with exquisite and complicated lines, and the entire paperweight is full of sharp edges and corners, which is extremely sour when hit on the body.
Zhu Fan was hit once and never wanted to be hit again. Seeing his father holding the paperweight high as if he was going to hit him, he quickly got up and ran away.
Zhu Fan was running away in front, and Lao Zhu was holding a paperweight in the back and chasing after him...Zhu Fan couldn't fly without his wings!
"Father..." At this moment, Zhu Biao appeared at the door and shouted quickly when he saw the scene in front of him.
After he got the news that Zhan Hui had gone to see his father with a memorial to impeach the King of Jin, he hurried over. Unexpectedly, he saw his father beating his third brother violently.
Everyone in the hall was startled by Zhu Biao's roar. Lao Zhu and Zhan Hui both raised their heads and looked at Zhu Biao.
Zhu Fan took this opportunity and hid behind Zhu Biao, desperately rubbing the place where his father had just hit him. These places are so painful that it can't be done without rubbing them gently.
Lao Zhu was still angry. He walked up with a paperweight and said sternly to Zhu Biao: "Get out of the way. I must beat this traitor to death today."
"Father," Zhu Biao quickly stepped forward and hugged Lao Zhu's arm, pleading: "Third brother knows that he was wrong. He has been sincerely repenting in the mansion these days. How about if Father spares him this time?"
"Don't even think about it!" Lao Zhu was furious and was about to rush forward to hit Zhu Fan again, but fortunately, Zhu Biao stopped him.
Zhan Hui also stood up, raised his hands and said to Zhu Biao: "His Royal Highness, I know that Your Highness has always been kind and caring for all the princes. But what King Jin committed was a serious crime of treason. How can we turn a big thing into a trivial one?" Let it go?"
Lao Zhu raised his head, glanced at Zhan Hui, and said suddenly: "What Zhan Aiqing said makes sense. The state has national laws and families have family rules. Since this rebellious son dares to do such a heinous and unethical thing, he will bear the full responsibility for his merits and demerits."
What Lao Zhu said was plausible. In fact, if Han Du were here, he could clearly hear the implication of Lao Zhu's words: Lao Zhu also wanted to let Zhu Fan go.
Otherwise, Lao Zhu would not have said that it is both national law and family rules... Of course national law is unforgiving, but family rules...
The best thing is that the Ming Dynasty belongs to Lao Zhu's family. The national law can be the family rules, and the family rules can also be the national law.
When it is a family rule and when it is a national law, it all depends on what Lao Zhu said.
If Zhan Hui realizes this at this time and takes the initiative to give Lao Zhu a step down, then this matter may be over.
Zhu Fan was punished, and Lao Zhu was able to save his face, which can be said to be the best of both worlds.
But Zhan Hui seemed not to understand the implication of Lao Zhu's words, and directly said: "The emperor understands the righteousness deeply, which is a blessing to the people of the world. I believe that the affairs of the King of Jin are important and have to be cautious. It is best to leave them to the three ministers." It is only appropriate to have a judicial trial.”
Trial by the Three Law Departments... If the third brother is handed over to the Trial Department for Trial, it will really be over.
"No, it cannot be tried by the three law divisions." Zhu Biao immediately stepped out and interrupted Zhan Hui's words, turned to his father and begged: "Father, who is not a sage and can be without fault? Third brother already knows that he is wrong, please Father, give him a chance to reform, and don’t hand him over to the Tribunal for Trial..."
Lao Zhu actually didn't have to think about what he wanted to do to Zhu Fan. He originally thought that Zhan Hui always obeyed his words, and this time would be no exception. That's why he said those words deliberately. The purpose was to let Zhan Hui find a way out for him and make this matter a big deal.
But what Lao Zhu never expected was that Zhan Hui not only failed to give him a step, but instead defeated Lao Zhu's army and blocked his retreat.
"His Royal Highness," Zhan Hui looked at Zhu Biao sternly, "I know that Your Highness is kind-hearted by nature and loves the kings very much. He is a good brother. However, the national law is ruthless. Princes who break the law are guilty of the same crime as the common people. Even if the King of Jin is a prince, , nor can we trample on the laws of the country. Otherwise, where is the justice in the world?"
Zhu Biao looked at Zhan Hui in shock and was speechless for a long time. In the past, he didn't like Zhan Hui's style and thought he handled affairs too harshly. Seeing him chasing his third brother so hard now, Zhu Biao felt even more disgusted with him.
Zhan Hui didn't know that Zhu Biao already hated him in his heart, but he still looked upright and showed an upright attitude.
Lao Zhu stared at Zhan Hui closely, trying to see him clearly.
After a while, Lao Zhu had to change his words and said: "What Zhan Aiqing said is reasonable. This traitor has made such a big mistake. How can we spare him lightly?"
"Come here, capture the King of Jin and have him interrogated by the Three Law Departments!"
"My Emperor, Holy Ming." Zhan Hui's face was expressionless and he bowed to Lao Zhu solemnly.
After hearing the emperor's order, the guards on the left and right came over immediately, caught Zhu Fan, and walked towards the door of the palace.
Zhu Fan panicked and shouted quickly: "Father, father, I know I was wrong..."
Seeing Lao Zhu standing on the throne of Dan without saying a word and looking at him, Zhu Fan shouted again: "Brother Emperor, Brother Emperor, save me..."
Seeing Zhu Fan being dragged away, Lao Zhu waved to Zhan Hui expressionlessly, "Step back."
Zhan Hui bowed and bowed. After a few steps, he turned around and left Fengtian Hall.
Only then did Zhu Biao come to his senses and immediately knelt down towards Lao Zhu with a thud.
"What are you going to do? Do you still want to plead for that traitor?" Zhu Biao was fine if he didn't kneel down, but kneeling like this made Lao Zhu even more angry.
Zhu Biao looked a little dazed, as if he was talking to Lao Zhu, but also as if he was just talking to himself, "My son is incompetent. I'm sorry, I have tried so hard, but I still can't satisfy my father. I can't make my father agree with me." The prince who is the emperor's heart. By the way, I have no use in teaching my younger brothers, and let them make the same mistakes again and again, so that they will never recover. My son... my son..."
"What do you want to do?" Lao Zhu asked with a ferocious face and gritted his teeth every word.
Zhu Biao was a little despairing. If he had seen his father's current expression in the past, he would have been so frightened that he could not speak. But now he seemed to be indifferent.
Prostrating again, Zhu Biao begged: "The holy king rules the world with benevolence, and I beg my father to spare my third brother..."
Lao Zhu was panting instantly, staring at Zhu Biao with red eyes, and said angrily: "Are you teaching me how to be an emperor? How do you want to be an emperor? Let's talk about it after you have the world!"
Zhu Biao faced his father's murderous gaze and immediately looked at him in fear.
Lao Zhu was so angry that he immediately shouted at Zhu Biao: "Get out, get out!"
In panic, Zhu Biao stumbled out of Fengtian Hall. Zhu Biao has been held in the palm of his father's hand since he was a child, and he has never suffered any grievances. But in just a few days, he was kicked out of Fengtian Palace once by his father, and now he was kicked out again.
Such a blow made Zhu Biao extremely uncomfortable, coupled with worries about his third brother. Zhu Biao's expression was in a daze after leaving the Fengtian Temple. He staggered on his feet, walked to the bridge of the Jinshui River, and suddenly glanced into the river.
With just one look, Zhu Biao fell straight into the Jinshui River.
"The prince fell into the river..."
The eunuch screamed sharply, followed by the guards shouting in panic and the sound of jumping into the water.
Lao Zhu immediately got the news that Zhu Biao had fallen into the river, and his face suddenly changed to a pissed off one, and he hurried towards the Jinshui River.
By the time Lao Zhu arrived, Zhu Biao had already been rescued by the guards.
Lao Zhu stepped forward and hugged Zhu Biao, and said in great pain: "I asked the Third Law Division to interrogate Lao San, but it was just a delaying tactic. Why are you so stupid? Do you have to fight me desperately?"
But at this time, Zhu Biao fell into a coma and could not hear what Lao Zhu said at all.
Lao Zhu also knew that Zhu Biao's situation was urgent, so he quickly took a deep breath to stabilize his emotions, and immediately ordered: "Quickly send the imperial doctor."
At the same time, he ordered everyone on the left and right to carry Zhu Biao back to the East Palace and place him there.
Lao Zhu was about to follow him to the East Palace when he suddenly looked back at the guards who went into the water to rescue Zhu Biao. Suddenly he ordered to the old eunuch: "Give generous rewards to those guards who went to save the prince with their clothes on, and pull out and chop all the guards who took off their clothes to save the prince."
The old eunuch was suddenly startled. Faced with the emperor's cold eyes, he quickly lowered his head and said, "Yes, I obey the order."
Soon, Wu Qian, the envoy from Taiyuan Hospital, came to diagnose and treat the prince with two imperial doctors, two people carrying medicinal materials, and three officials.
Empress Ma also quickly received the news and hurried to the East Palace, only one step away from the imperial doctor.
Seeing Wu Qian coming out, Empress Ma quickly stepped forward and asked, "How is the prince?"
Wu Qian bowed and said, "I pay homage to the Queen. I replied that after the diagnosis and treatment by me and two other imperial doctors, it was found that His Highness the Crown Prince fell into the water and suffered from wind and cold, which led to his coma. I have already spoken with the two imperial doctors." The doctor discussed and prescribed a prescription, and you should wake up after taking the medicine."
"Okay, okay, go get the medicine quickly." Seeing Zhu Biao lying motionless on the bed, Queen Ma was so heartbroken that she panicked for a moment and quickly ordered Wu Qian to get the medicine and boil it.
"Yes, I'll go right away." Wu Qian bowed quickly, waved to the imperial doctor inside, and took away all the people he brought.
Lao Zhu also waved his hand silently, asking everyone in the room to exit.
Empress Ma secretly wiped her tears behind Lao Zhu's back, then cheered up and said, "You are so cruel in handing Lao San over to the Tribunal for Trial."
Although Lao Zhu also felt heartbroken by Zhu Biao's current situation, when it came to Zhu Fan, Lao Zhu did not think that he had done anything wrong. "Although I did not feel close to father and son in doing this, it paid off for the public in the world." Righteousness. I just want to let those princes and ministers know that even if my son makes a mistake, he cannot escape the punishment of the Ming Law."
"You have gained justice, but now you have a son in prison waiting to be tried by the three judges. A son is lying on the bed not knowing whether he is alive or dead. Are you happy now?" Empress Ma had no scruples and did not give Lao Zhu the slightest chance. face.
Lao Zhu has put all his hopes on Zhu Biao his whole life. Now that Zhu Biao is unconscious, Lao Zhu, who has been strong all his life, has to weaken. Faced with Queen Ma's question, Lao Zhu looked at him and said, "Now that the matter has come to this, sister, what's the use of saying this?"
Seeing that Queen Ma still ignored him, Lao Zhu had to let go and said: "Hey... okay, okay. I'll just wait until Biao'er wakes up and I won't scold him anymore. In addition, Lao San No matter where, I also asked someone to let him go."
Queen Ma then spoke, and said with a dissatisfied tone: "The third child made a mistake, and if you want to punish him, just punish him. But you shouldn't tease him, and then punish him again after teasing him enough. Biao'er is the elder." What's wrong with begging for mercy? Is it worth reprimanding him in anger?"
Lao Zhu immediately approached Empress Ma with an embarrassed expression, held her shoulders with both hands, and comforted her in a low voice: "Okay, okay, okay, I know I was wrong. When Biao'er gets better, I will never reprimand him again, how about that?" "
"In addition, I will let the third child go now and let him go back and stay well."
After saying that, Lao Zhu called out the door: "Here comes someone."
The old eunuch immediately walked in from the door, bowed and asked, "Please give me your orders, Your Majesty."
Lao Zhu pointed with his big hand, "Go, immediately send someone to the Ministry of Punishment to convey my decree and let King Jin return to the mansion. But he still can't go out, so let him stay in the mansion."
"As ordered." The old eunuch quickly turned around and went out to give instructions.
...
"What? The prince fell into the water and was unconscious?" Han Du was chatting with An Qing in the yard when he got the news.
Hearing this, he immediately stood up and asked in disbelief.
An Qing suddenly became nervous and quickly asked the eunuch who came to deliver the order: "How is the prince's brother?"
"Back to Your Highness the Princess, the Prince has not woken up yet. However, the imperial doctor has already seen him and said that he contracted the wind and cold due to falling into the water. The Imperial Doctor is currently treating him. Following the order of the Empress, I have summoned Your Highness the Princess and the Marquis of Zhenhai to enter the palace." The eunuch quickly bowed towards Anqing and explained.
Han Du immediately grabbed the brocade robe placed on the chair, put it on himself, and put it on as he walked: "Let's go to the East Palace quickly."
"Husband, I'll go with you." An Qing couldn't let go of the prince and quickly followed him.
Han Du and An Qing came to the East Palace and stepped in. Han Du saw Lao Zhu standing aside with an embarrassed look, while Queen Ma was sitting in front of the table wiping tears secretly.
Not understanding what was going on, Han Du greeted him first: "I pay my respects to the emperor, and to the queen."
Lao Zhu coughed and was interrupted by Queen Ma's words before he could speak.
"Handu, Anqing, are you here? Come here quickly."
An Qing glanced at Han Du, and at Han Du's signal, he quickly stepped forward to comfort her mother. "Don't worry, Queen Mother. The imperial doctor is here and the prince's brother will be fine..."
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