Cao Zixing recruited, but it seemed that his recruitment was not so complete.
However, just the record of this tip of the iceberg made Song Zhong's heart tremble.
How did the Shanxi merchants allow a figure like Cao Zixing to reach the palace of the capital step by step?
From the beginning, Cao Zixing was trained by Shanxi merchants, and his past was hidden by the local residents.
People like Cao Zixing are not the only ones, but there are many. They are all selected from the Shanxi merchant families who are better at reading.
It's just that Cao Zixing is particularly good, so he can get to where he is today.
These people are the real nails. When they are in their official career, they do not need to give any help to the Shanxi merchants and they will be famous throughout their lives.
The only thing that needs to be done is for some information to quietly provide help.
Their families and their expenses are all provided by Shanxi merchants. They don't even have too close contact with the clan members. Everything is done in secret.
In other words, regarding the rumor case, the reason why Shanxi merchants were able to obtain such accurate information from the capital was inseparable from Cao Zixing.
A little money spent is not harmful at all.
“What a profound layout.”
After Song Zhong heard this, he was amazed.
What kind of family would it take to come up with such a method? In this few words, Song Zhong could feel that not only the Cao surname, but other big surnames in Shanxi merchants had been carrying out such operations.
Continuously encroaching on the power in the court, paving the way for Shanxi merchants.
In fact, if Song Zhong knew that at the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the eight great imperial merchants of the Manchu and Qing Dynasties were well known, he would not be so surprised.
The long-term collusion with Jurchen, or Mongolian and other foreign tribes, buying and selling iron tools and private salt, this is not just a matter of paying money for a few years, but a friendship that lasts hundreds of years!
It is longer than Guo Zuo of the Ming Dynasty.
Why did it take so long without being cleaned up?
The biggest reason is Shanxi officials like Cao Zixing who are lurking in the court and working silently to cover up.
There are also officials who spend a lot of money to win over.
This allowed such a huge cancer to continue to grow, and at the same time allowed all the tribes in the grassland to have enough iron tools and private salt to slowly grow stronger.
Until later, the Manchu Qing Dynasty took control of the Central Plains.
This resulted in the second time in Chinese history that China was under alien rule.
However, Jurchen culture is weaker than that of the Mongols. After taking over the Central Plains, except for some customs that were brought over, the rest were integrated with Han culture.
While being frightened, Song Zhong also realized that Cao Zixing still had many key points that he had not explained.
"Master Cao is quite happy, but now that we have reached this point, there is no need to hide it."
"Someone from the Song Dynasty would like to ask Mr. Cao to tell you how many of Mr. Cao's colleagues are among them in the capital, as well as those officials who have helped the Shanxi merchant gang and received benefits from them. "
"As the highest-ranking official in the Jin Dynasty, I think it is impossible for Mr. Cao to say that he knows nothing about these things."
After Song Zhong came to his senses, he stepped forward to untie Cao Zixing and asked people to bring him stools, drinks, and dishes.
After asking Cao Zixing to sit down, he said with a smile.
In Cao Zixing's eyes, this smile was like an evil ghost, trying to devour him completely.
After a moment's hesitation, Cao Zixing argued: "Master Song, I don't know something. What I just said is all I know. Because I am worried that there may be problems in the capital, I don't know about other situations."
"Even the other officials from the same hometown in the court rarely interact with each other on weekdays. These Lord Song will understand after a little inquiry."
"The housekeeper at home is responsible for delivering information to me. I really don't know where he is transmitting it and who he is communicating with."
Listening to these coherent words, Song Zhong did not make any move, but asked the Jin Yiwei Baihu next to him: "Where is the housekeeper of Mr. Cao's family being imprisoned? Let him come and sit down with us and have a chat."
Hearing this, the members of the Jinyiwei family replied with a somewhat ugly expression: "Boss, the housekeeper of Mr. Cao's family had already committed suicide by taking poison when we went there."
Song Zhong said "Oh" without much reaction.
Out of the corner of his eye, he kept staring at Cao Zixing.
When Cao Zixing heard this, he lowered his head slightly and felt relieved.
However, Song Zhong's next words made him tremble as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.
"Master Cao, don't blame me for not keeping my word. What I just told you, Master Cao, is indeed very good and useful. It can be regarded as a small achievement."
"but!"
"After such calculations, Mr. Cao's worst fault is even greater than before. This is not only involved in the rumor case, but also clearly has the intention of treason!"
"For such a big crime, usually everyone would be executed, but now His Majesty is furious, and Long Yan is furious."
"The files will be handed in according to the current situation. If nothing else, Mr. Song can vouch for it. In the end, all nine tribes will be executed and even exile will be impossible."
Song Zhong sighed with emotion and said.
It seemed that he wanted to help Cao Zixing, but what he just explained was not helpful.
Cao Zixing still had the energy to drink and eat. He ignored the hunger in his belly and said hurriedly: "Sir Song, that's not what you said just now. You promised me that you would help me."
Song Zhong said with helplessness on his face: "Song didn't know that Master Cao's crime was so serious. Now that it has been recorded in the files, what else can be done? It seems that Master Cao's nine tribes cannot be saved!"
Cao Zixing immediately panicked. Because he didn't have any bracelets or shackles, he wanted to snatch the record of the imperial guard next to him.
"presumptuous!!!"
Song Zhong kept staring at Cao Zixing. Although he did not expect that he would suddenly take action, Song Zhong's skills were not comparable to that of a civil servant like Cao Zixing.
Snapped!
He slapped Cao Zixing directly in the face, knocking him to the ground and causing him to somersault.
"If you don't drink a toast, you'll be punished with a drink. What kind of place is this? How dare you be so presumptuous."
"I think you not only want to kill all nine clans, but you also want to try Lingchi execution, skinning and filling it with grass."
Song Zhong scolded, stood up, and stepped on Cao Zixing's forehead.
Song Zhong, who had been having fun talking over wine just now, suddenly turned his face and became merciless.
"Sir...Song...help...help me. What do you want to know? I...I said..."
Cao Zixing said with difficulty. At this moment, he was already in a state of confusion and his mind was blank.
After a lot of fighting, he was convicted of killing the Nine Clan. At this moment, his intestines were filled with regret.
Song Zhong let go of his feet and said to the Jin Yiwei Baihu next to him: "Why are you still cold? Hurry and help Mr. Cao up. All the credit of our brothers belongs to Mr. Cao."
Song Zhong felt very happy at this moment.
According to what Cao Zixing said now, this is a big case, even more serious than the rumor case involving His Highness the Grand Sun.
This is serious treason.
And being able to interrogate him by yourself is definitely a first-rate achievement. If nothing else, at least he will be truly stable in the days to come.
The future is bright.
"Sir Song, if I tell everything, can I not blame the nine tribes?" Cao Zixing asked hesitantly.
Song Zhong laughed, patted Cao Zixing on the shoulder and said, "Mr. Cao, please keep your heart in mind. Everyone in the Jinyi Guards knows that I, Mr. Song, are the most honest person."
"As long as Mr. Cao explains in detail enough, Song will give you a guarantee that Dingtian will kill everyone and will never harm the nine tribes."
Cao Zixing thought of his two unborn children in his hometown. He gritted his teeth and nodded fiercely: "I can certainly trust Mr. Song's character. Okay, I'll tell you everything."
After a pause, he said again: "I beg you, Mr. Song, to give me the next pleasure after this."
Song Zhong smiled and narrowed his eyes and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Cao, Mr. Song will do what he says."
Cao Zixing nodded again, and then began to talk about the parts that were not covered before.
Among them are those comrades in the court.
Not only those from Jin, but also some other comrades also told the story in detail.
Many other matters, including some planning and cooperation with Shanxi merchants, were also informed.
According to Jin Yiwei's internal rules, the list will be considered correct if it is repeated three times and there are no mistakes or omissions.
After receiving the dossier, the corners of Song Zhong's mouth turned up involuntarily.
And Cao Zixing, who had confessed everything, shouted with pleading in his tone: "Sir Song."
Song Zhong had already stood up and was about to leave. He wanted to hand this file into the hands of his majesty or grandson.
Hearing Cao Zixing's voice, he turned around and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Cao."
At the same time, he explained: "Master Cao cooperates with our errands, and the punishment will be waived later. Good wine and food will be prepared for Master Cao, which can be considered as a last farewell to Master Cao."
After finishing speaking, he turned around and left without hesitation.
Looking at Song Zhong's back and the instructions just now, Cao Zixing felt relaxed.
He said secretly: If you don't take care of yourself, you will be destroyed by heaven and earth. Don't blame me.
After leaving the imperial prison, the Jin Yiwei Baihu next to Song Zhong asked with some confusion: "Boss, do we really want to help this Cao Zixing?"
Song Zhong grabbed the file tightly, glanced at the hundred households with disdain, and said: "You are out of your mind. How to judge Cao Zixing's crime? What does it have to do with our Jin Yiwei? In the end, it doesn't depend on the meaning of the higher position."
"To offend His Majesty for such a traitor to the Ming Dynasty, I'm afraid you may have had too much wine."
The Jinyiwei Baihu were trained to lower their heads and muttered: "That's not just now. Boss, you acted so realistically that I even believed it."
Song Zhong turned around and glared, and Baihu didn't dare to say anything more.
He was in such a good mood at the moment that he didn't bother to care about it and went straight to the palace.
...
Lan Yu was furious.
He took a few brothers and went straight to the Jinyiwei Yamen.
The people next to him were either Hou, Bo, Cao Zhen and others.
Two hours ago, Lan Yu came back from arresting someone on the dock, and only then did she find out from her subordinates.
Jinyiwei Song Zhong led his men to arrest a group of officials affiliated with Shanxi and send them to prison.
Lan Yu didn't think much about it at first, but after Cao Zhen's prompting, she suddenly realized it.
This is to grab credit!
These Shanxi merchant gangs don't matter, they have already killed thousands of people, and there is no very useful information so far.
Some of the things that came out of torture are already known. There is no news about the truly valuable and meritorious information.
This made Lan Yu a little irritable.
I just hope that I will make great achievements this time and go to the battlefield to kill the enemy after spring. Then I can have more trust.
Apart from anything else, if I can please His Highness Taisun, there will naturally be an increase in the number of newly developed firearms from the Gunpowder Department.
When the matchlock gun was first used, Lan Yu was involved.
Lan Yu, who has been leading troops in wars for many years, understands the huge damage caused by firearms, especially matchlocks, which are really powerful weapons for killing enemies.
As long as this new type of fire gun is equipped with enough equipment, wouldn't it be easy to achieve great success?
In front of the Jinyiwei Yamen.
"Where is Mr. Song Zhong? Let him come out quickly to see me."
Lan Yu casually caught a Jin Yiwei and scolded him.
Duke Liang's Ming Dynasty was like thunder to the entire Jinyi Guards. How could anyone not recognize him and know about him?
The little flag officer of Jinyiwei didn't dare to resist, and said hurriedly: "Report to the Duke of Liang, Song Zhenfu should be interrogating the prisoners in the imperial prison at this moment."
It's not that this little flag officer is talking nonsense, it's just that Song Zhong just left in a hurry. He just came here and didn't know the news.
Besides Xiaoqi, it was naturally impossible for him to ask the envoy of Jinyiwei Town, so this misunderstanding was caused.
The actual situation is that Song Zhongcai went out with less than half a stick of incense. If Lan Yu chased him now, he might really catch him in front of Fengtian Gate.
Just when Lan Yu was talking to Xiaoqi Guan.
Beside the gate, hundreds of households who had followed Song Zhong were hiding quietly.
The purpose of Duke Liang's grandiose effort to mobilize troops to come to Jinyiwei Yamen is easy to imagine.
After hearing the words of the little flag officer, I finally let go of my worries.
Lan Yu didn't think much about it. He didn't think that Xiaoqi, a Jinyiwei, dared to deceive him, nor did he think that Song Zhong's interrogation would be so fast.
The only idea was to snatch the person away and take him to the dungeon of the Public Security Department.
Seeing Liang Guogong and his entourage heading straight for the imperial edict, the hundreds of Jin Yiwei guards turned around and started running.
Although Song Zhong's pace was fast, it would take a while to pass through Duanmen and Fengtianmen according to the normal review process.
However, the royal guards, including some yamen, have emergency privileges and can quickly arrive at the palace under the supervision of the guards.
In front of Duanmen.
Song Zhong is waiting.
Although he is the governor of Jinyiwei Town, it is impossible for him to enter just when he wants.
Even the Duanmen guards don't let them go just when they want.
Entering the palace during non-court meetings or within specified time periods requires approval, or a verbal order from your majesty or grandson before you are allowed to enter.
Now it's time for the eunuch to go in and report.
Jinyiwei Baihu looked at the familiar figure in front of them and ran over quickly.
Hearing the noise, Song Zhong turned around and saw Baihu.
When he arrived, Baihu held his breath and said quickly: "Boss, Duke Liang has brought his people to the Yamen, and is now going to the imperial prison to find you."
Song Zhong was shocked and understood immediately.
He gave Baihu a look and quickly said to the guard: "Involved in a major treason case, Jinyi Guards Governor Song Zhong must meet with His Majesty immediately."
When the guards heard this, they looked at each other, and without asking why they didn't say anything just now, they immediately entered the door to pass the news.
Then a line of twelve guards appeared.
Song Zhong hurriedly stepped forward, and the twelve guards surrounded him, and then they ran quickly together.
When the Jinyiwei hundred households saw the city gate closed, they finally breathed a sigh of relief and gasped.
He said smoothly to the guard just now: "Thank you, brother."
The guard didn't say anything, just nodded, and then guarded the door again.
And at this time.
Lan Yu, who had already arrived at the imperial prison, knew that Song Zhong had just entered the palace with the file.
Not long after they found out, Lan Yu shouted: "Chase!!!"
()
1 second to remember Aishang:.
