Zhang Ren and Xie En exited the imperial study room.
But Zhu Yuanzhang's heart was not at peace. Zhang Ren was very powerful in martial arts at a young age. At the same time, he was not greedy for money or merit, knew how to advance and retreat, and could do good deeds. These seemingly beautiful qualities could not be seen in one person. It must be a good thing.
In Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, Zhang Ren had accomplished all these things at such a young age and was already considered a monster. Zhu Yuanzhang was confident that he could suppress Zhang Ren when he was in power, but what about after his death? Can the prince still control Zhang Ren?
It's hard to say this kind of thing. If it weren't for Zhang Ren's terrible academic performance and his hostility to many court officials, Zhu Yuanzhang would have killed Zhang Ren without hesitation on an unfounded charge.
As for now, let this kid live first. Although the Nine Sects are destroyed, they are deeply involved. As long as they are used properly, maybe this kid will become a good sword.
Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it, picked up the three memorials on the case to impeach Zhang Ren, handed them to the eunuch on the side, and ordered: "Send these three memorials to Jinyiwei and let Jiang Yu check them carefully. If these three people It has something to do with the Nine Gates, so just do whatever you want."
The eunuch took the memorial and rushed to Jinyiwei.
Although the matter about the Nine Gates did not spread in Jinling City, almost everyone in the upper echelons of the Ming Dynasty knew about it.
Zhang Ren almost wiped out all the Nine Sects this time, and now the business formerly controlled by the Nine Sects is also at a standstill. I don’t know how many officials in Jinling City have received benefits from the Nine Gates. Now that the Nine Gates are gone, the financial path of these officials will also be cut off.
Destroying someone's wealth is like killing one's parents. These officials wanted to kill Zhang Ren with a knife, but most officials were smart and rational. Although they were angry, they did not go to court for impeachment. Now they are erasing all the evidence between them and Jiumen. That's the key.
Therefore, after this incident, only three people were impeached by Shangshu. It seems that these three people are not very smart.
Time passed so peacefully. The destruction of the Nine Gates did not bring about any changes. Daily court meetings were still held. However, both the courtiers and the Emperor chose to remain silent. No one mentioned the Nine Gates. , and no one said anything about Zhang Ren killing many people that night.
Only the three empty seats in the court seemed to remind everyone of what had happened.
Of course, there are still many changes in Jinling City. For example, all the underworld in Jinling City were led by Ji Gang. Although Yu Zhaosen and Gao Jian were still not found, He Xianzu from the Dichu Sect was still found. He was directly recruited by Ji Gang without committing any murder or arson. As for all the businesses of the original nine gates, he was also taken over, and many women were rescued from Nagato.
Since then, there has been a strange scene in Jinling City. Those rough and fierce-looking gangsters have actually started to do good things. They have helped old ladies cross the road, mediated neighborhood disputes, helped the government maintain order in the city, and even Go to Moss Village outside the city to do volunteer work and care for the beggars. This also makes Jinling City look more prosperous.
As for the money earned by the underworld, in addition to being distributed to the brothers below, the rest was also handed over to the state under Zhang Ren's leash.
…
That day, as soon as Zhang Ren returned to his home after practicing martial arts, Zhang Fu rushed over excitedly.
Zhang Ren was confused and asked quickly: "Brother Fu, why are you so excited?"
Zhang Fu looked happy and said: "Brother Ren, I heard that the military report from the imperial court has arrived. General Lan Yu led his army to attack Yuerhai. The Yuan army was defeated. Only the Yuan Lord and dozens of cavalry were able to make it. After escaping, there were more than 120 princes, concubines, and princesses captured in this battle, 3,000 officials, 70,000 soldiers, and countless other livestock and gold and silver. A great victory! A great victory!"
This is indeed exciting news for Ming Dynasty, and it is also good news for the brothers Zhang Fu and Zhang Ren.
After hearing this, Zhang Ren also looked happy and said happily: "So, uncle will be back soon?"
Zhang Fu nodded and looked very happy, "No, the army has already been deployed when the military report was sent out. I think the day when my father will come back is coming soon."
In the era of cold weapons, wars were fought with human lives, and because of backward health and medical care, in the
The survival rate for injuries sustained on the battlefield is very low.
Since Zhang Yu followed Lan Yu to send troops, the two brothers have been on tenterhooks. Now that they know that the army has returned triumphant, can the two brothers be unhappy?
Zhu Yuanzhang was very happy when he got the news. He even praised Lan Yu in front of all the courtiers as being comparable to Wei Qing of the Han Dynasty and Li Jing of the Tang Dynasty.
The Han people were oppressed and enslaved. In the past, they were not even allowed to give names and could only be replaced by numbers. Even His Majesty the Emperor was once named Zhu Chongba.
Now that the Ming Dynasty has completely destroyed the Yuan Dynasty, how can the people of the Ming Dynasty not rejoice?
Time passed day by day, and the weather turned from hot to cool. In anticipation, the army finally returned to Yingtian Mansion. The army was stationed outside the city. The generals also could not return to their homes. They could only wait until the next day to report to the court before going to the Ministry of War. Only then can each return to his own home to find his own mother.
The next morning, Zhang Ren rarely slept in. He put on new clothes early and followed Zhang Fu in setting up the brazier at home. Then he quietly sat down in the hall and waited for Zhang Yu's return.
But before Zhang Yu came, a eunuch who delivered the order came.
The edict is also quite simple: "Put a chariot in front of me to see you."
The two brothers looked at each other and felt a little strange. After the victory, the army returned to the court. A celebration banquet would probably be held at the court. Generally, family members of meritorious ministers would also be invited, but Zhang Fu was Zhang Yu's legitimate son, and Zhang Ren was just Zhang Yu’s nephew, there’s no reason why he wouldn’t invite Zhang Fu?
Although there were doubts in their hearts, the two brothers did not dare to ask any more questions.
Counting the time, it seemed that the court meeting was not over yet. Zhang Ren immediately changed out of his new clothes and put on the robe of a royal guard. He also boasted an embroidered spring knife around his waist, and then followed the eunuch into the palace.
The court meeting was indeed still going on at this moment, and Zhang Ren was taken directly into the main hall. Since he was a royal guard, he was allowed to enter with a knife.
This was his first time seeing a court meeting, so he couldn't help but look around with interest.
The strong man in front was kneeling on the ground, with his hair disheveled, wearing an undershirt, and there were traces of blood on his body, as if he had been whipped.
Zhang Ren didn't pay attention, he went forward and knelt on the ground, and said: "Long live the Five Emperors, long live the Five Emperors, today the army returns to the court, I would like to congratulate Your Majesty, and congratulate the Ming Dynasty!"
Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the main seat and said nothing. He directly threw a memorial in front of Zhang Ren.
Zhang Ren carefully raised his head and asked, "Your Majesty, what is this?"
Zhu Yuanzhang had no expression on his face and could not tell his likes and dislikes. He just said: "Read the memorial for yourself by the Marquis of Pingliang to impeach you."
Zhang Ren picked up the memorial, but it was full of traditional Chinese characters and some useless words. He flipped through two pages and couldn't stand it any longer, so he directly said: "What are all the things Marquis Pingliang wrote? Wei Chen can’t understand.”
Zhu Yuanzhang, who was sitting on the throne, snorted coldly and said: "The teachers in Zhan Shi's Mansion are all talented people like Huang Zicheng. How could they teach you such an ignorant and incompetent person? He can't even read the memorial to impeach you. Understand?"
Zhang Ren nodded and said: "It's all Wei Chen's fault. I can't do it to Your Majesty, I can't do it to Mr. Zicheng, I can't do it..."
God knows how many people he could name if Zhang Ren were allowed to continue talking. Zhu Yuanzhang didn't like to listen to nonsense, so he immediately interrupted: "The Marquis of Pingliang sued you for abusing your power and secretly placing a monk and a ruffian into the Jinyi Guards." , is this possible?"
A monk and a gangster? I think I am referring to Wu Peng and Ji Gang. This matter is not a secret. With Jiang Yu's permission, Ji Gang is now considered a new generation of secret masters in Jinling City, helping the court to take care of a lot of business. The government and His Majesty They all know this.
Thinking of this, Zhang Ren felt confident. He jumped up on the spot and said loudly: "Where is the Marquis of Pingliang? I want to confront the Marquis of Pingliang! I want to ask him why he framed me!"
"Run'er, don't be rude, why don't you kneel down quickly."
The speaker was the burly man with disheveled hair next to him.
Zhang Ren's eyes widened, he walked up to the strong man and gently lifted his hair. Who else could this strong man be if he wasn't his uncle Zhang Yu?
Looking at Zhang Yu's haggard face and chapped lips, Zhang Ren was also angry. He looked at Zhang Yu and asked with concern: "Uncle, you went on an expedition with the army. How did it end up like this?"
Zhang Yu did not answer, but said sharply: "Run'er! This is the court meeting! Why don't you kneel down quickly!"
Zhang Ren knew that Zhang Yu was doing it for his own good. He nodded and knelt back, but he still couldn't help but think in his heart: What happened to uncle? Could it be that he has committed some crime?
Zhu Yuanzhang, who was on top of the throne, did not blame Zhang Ren for roaring in the court. Seeing that Zhang Ren had knelt down again, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "The Marquis of Pingliang is still thinking behind closed doors in his mansion and has not come to the hall. As for his impeachment of you, is it true? Fake, the court has its own fair judgment. When someone comes, they should first take off Zhang Ren's official uniform and remove his sword."
Zhang Ren didn't say much and allowed others to take away his official uniform and embroidered spring knife.
Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded and said: "Okay, you kid, stand at the back first. When the meeting is over, go home and wait behind closed doors."
Zhang Ren said: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." Then he stood obediently at the back of all the courtiers, but his eyes were always fixed on his uncle.
When Zhang Ren was in trouble, he saw a big man in armor who looked like a general kneeling on one knee in front of Zhu Yuanzhang and said: "Zhang Yu embezzled military rations and deducted sergeants. Now the evidence is conclusive. Please make the decision for our officers and soldiers in the three armies and punish them severely." Zhang Yu is such a beast!"
Zhang Ren had never seen this person before, but he could guess that this person was probably Yongchang Hou Lanyu.
At the same time, Zhang Ren really couldn't understand one thing. Zhang Yu was a demoted general and kept a low profile. He even warned himself and Zhang Fu not to be domineering or cause trouble. How could such a person be greedy for money and deprive the sergeants?
