Go to the study.
The atmosphere was very solemn.
Zhu Yuanzhang was sitting behind the imperial court, his eyes moving back and forth on Xu Da and Lan Yu, while Zhu Biao next to him did not dare to speak.
After Xu Da realized the seriousness of the matter, he directly said:
"Sir, this matter has nothing to do with us."
"Since we returned to Beijing, we have been staying in the Beijing camp and haven't even taken a step out."
"We just finished selecting 20,000 soldiers today, and we didn't come into contact with anyone during this period."
Although Lan Yu was a mess, he was not stupid. He continued:
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"For the past few days, Wei Guogong and I have been eating and lodging in the capital camp. It is impossible to have anything to do with this matter."
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he slowly closed his eyes and said:
"This matter is of great importance. We will never let the rumor mongers go, as long as you know about it."
"Since this matter has nothing to do with you, you don't have to worry. We have asked Hu Weiyong to handle the matter. I believe he will not let us down."
"Once we find out the mastermind behind this, we will definitely make him regret being born in this world."
When Xu Da heard Zhu Yuanzhang's cold words, he couldn't help asking:
"Then the matter of dispatching troops to Shanghu County should continue?"
"Continue, now that we have decided to exterminate the Japanese pirates, we must carry it out."
Zhu Yuanzhang said categorically:
"This is the right time to borrow Li Jin's hand to catch all the Japanese pirates and the remaining gang members of Fang Guozhen and Zhang Shicheng."
"After you go down, say goodbye to your family and take Lan Yu to Shanghu County."
"According to the order."
"Go down."
After Xu Da and Lan Yu saluted Zhu Yuanzhang, they turned and left the study room.
After the two left, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and lowered his head to think.
After a while, Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhu Biao softly:
"Biao'er, who do you think is behind this?"
Zhu Biao shook his head and said:
"There have been so many people soliciting investment in the past few days, and anyone could tell the news."
"My son thought there might be a businessman who accidentally let it slip."
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't think so. He felt that someone was definitely behind this matter.
When he thinks about things, he always thinks in the worst direction, and it's the same this time. It's very likely that the person behind it has an ulterior motive.
"Let's wait for news about Hu Weiyong. We don't think it is that simple."
"I didn't expect that a small trip to the sea could cause so much trouble."
"If it weren't for Li Jin, we wouldn't have to worry so much. This Li Jin really deserves to die!"
Zhu Yuanzhang began to complain again. Li Jin was too troublesome, which Zhu Yuanzhang didn't like very much.
Zhu Biao couldn't help but persuade him:
"Father, Li Jin is serving the country and the people this time. If it weren't for Li Jin, our Ming Dynasty might really have to give up the sea."
"Li Jin is suppressing thieves for the country, and at the same time he is doing harm to the people, seeking justice for the people who were massacred by the Japanese pirates."
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said that he knew all this, but Li Jin's purpose was definitely not that simple. He had his own little calculation.
"You should take this rumor to heart and tell us as soon as possible if there is any news from Hu Weiyong."
"Let Mao Xiang's Jin Yiwei mobilize. Anyone who dares to discuss this matter on the street will be thrown directly into prison."
Zhu Biao took the order and left.
Afterwards, Yingtian Mansion hung up the Jinyi Storm again, and the figures of Jinyiwei began to appear in every corner.
Dressed in flying fish uniforms and carrying embroidered spring knives on their waists, these majestic-looking emperor's personal guards showed their fangs in front of the world for the first time.
In less than a day, the imperial prison of Jinyiwei and the prison of the Ministry of Punishment were already overcrowded.
At court the next day, the supervisory censor reported directly to Zhu Yuanzhang that the Jin Yiwei arrested people indiscriminately, causing people in the capital to panic, hoping that Zhu Yuanzhang would severely punish the Jin Yiwei.
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't waste any time. He threw the censor into prison on the spot and ordered strict interrogation.
Ask whether the person behind this person is the same person as the person behind the rumors.
For a time, the government and the public were in turmoil, and everyone was waiting with trepidation for Jin Yiwei's investigation.
Hu Weiyong has also been extremely busy these days. Seeing that the deadline given by Zhu Yuanzhang is about to expire, Hu Weiyong cannot produce results, which makes Hu Weiyong very anxious.
It's not that Hu Weiyong didn't find out who was behind the scenes, but that he didn't dare to tell.
If told, the man behind the scenes might be fine, but Hu Weiyong would lose his head.
When Hu Weiyong was in a dilemma, Zhu Yuanzhang had already sent someone to invite Hu Weiyong to enter the palace.
Hu Weiyong was startled and knew that what was coming was inevitable.
Simply worried, Hu Weiyong took all the investigators' statements and followed the young eunuch up to the study.
When Hu Weiyong arrived in the study room, he saw Zhu Yuanzhang chatting and laughing with someone, which surprised Hu Weiyong.
But after seeing that man's appearance, Hu Weiyong's heart suddenly sank.
The man's name was Zhu Liujiu, and he was Zhu Yuanzhang's cousin.
At that time, Zhu Yuanzhang's family was deeply cared for by Zhu Liujiu's parents, and they could barely support themselves.
Now that Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, he summoned Zhu Liujiu to his side and bestowed him with glory and wealth.
And Zhu Liujiu's son, who was raised by Zhu Yuanzhang since childhood, has now served as the chief secretary of Yingtian Mansion, and he has a bright future.
Zhu Liujiu rarely visited Zhu Yuanzhang because he knew that his cousin was now the emperor and was very busy with many things to do.
But for some reason, he actually came to visit Zhu Yuanzhang this time, which made Zhu Yuanzhang extremely happy.
Seeing Hu Weiyong's arrival, Zhu Liujiu stood up and planned to leave, as if he did not want to delay Zhu Yuanzhang's official duties.
Zhu Yuanzhang stretched out his hand to stop Zhu Liujiu and asked Zhu Liujiu to listen. He had something to say to his cousin later.
He didn't want his cousin to feel that he had neglected him because of official duties. Zhu Yuanzhang still respected this cousin very much.
Zhu Liujiu was pushed down on his seat again by Zhu Yuanzhang, and then Zhu Yuanzhang asked Hu Weiyong:
"Hu Weiyong, how did you do with the investigation we asked you to investigate?"
"It's been almost three days. You don't want to tell us that there has been no progress, do you?"
Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Hu Weiyong with piercing eyes, which made Hu Weiyong break out in cold sweat.
Hu Weiyong wanted to speak several times, but as soon as he raised his head, he saw Zhu Liujiu next to him, looking at him with a strange expression on his face, which made Hu Weiyong swallow back what he wanted to say.
Zhu Yuanzhang saw Hu Weiyong's hesitation, but he was even more confused in his heart. Besides himself, who else in the Ming Dynasty could make Hu Weiyong so afraid?
This made Zhu Yuanzhang even more angry, and he shouted angrily:
"Hu Weiyong, do you want to die?"
"If you have anything to say, say it quickly, otherwise we will never let you go!"
"Yes, Mr. Hu, if you have anything to say, just say it quickly and don't make the emperor angry."
Zhu Liujiu also repeated beside him at this moment, and then emphasized:
"Our Lao Zhu family does not tolerate sand in our eyes. You must report it truthfully, Mr. Hu."
Hu Weiyong heard the subtext of this sentence. If Hu Weiyong dared to say it, he would never let him go.
But facing Zhu Yuanzhang's aggressiveness, Hu Weiyong still gritted his teeth and said:
"Your Majesty, the investigation has concluded. This is the confession from the interrogation of Wei Chen. Please check it with Your Majesty!"
Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly and asked someone to bring him the confession. He was really curious, how could this person have so much energy?
Zhu Liujiu, who was next to him, looked at Hu Weiyong with anger in his eyes. He didn't expect that Hu Weiyong was so ignorant! !
Zhu Yuanzhang only glanced at the process briefly, and then looked directly at the final interrogation result. He wanted to see who this person was.
But after seeing the name, Zhu Yuanzhang's pupils dilated instantly, then he suddenly raised his head and looked at Hu Weiyong in disbelief.
Asked loudly:
"Hu Weiyong, is what you wrote above true?"
"This report to your Majesty is absolutely true. I dare not make any lies!"
Zhu Yuanzhang slowly turned his head to look at Zhu Liujiu, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Zhu Liujiu saw Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes and hurriedly explained:
"Chongba, please listen to my explanation on this matter."
"This Ming Dynasty is the Ming Dynasty of our old Zhu family. The so-called Ming Dynasty is not the kingdom of the world. How can we leave such an important matter of going to sea in the hands of a county magistrate?"
"Even if we have to go to sea, it's time for our Lao Zhu family to go to sea and bring the people of Lao Zhu's family to make this money."
"Do you think so, Chongba?"
