There are now two most powerful relatives in the imperial court.
One family is the Zhang family, and the other is the Zhou family.
The younger brother of Empress Dowager Zhou, Zhou Yu, was in his fifties and was granted the title of Chang Ning Bo. Like Zhang Yanling, he was ranked as the Governor and Tongzhi.
The Ming Dynasty had a system, and the queens, crown princes, and princesses of all dynasties were all selected from poor families. This is to prevent relatives from becoming more powerful.
Therefore, the level of Zhang and Zhou's relatives is not very high.
Their low level can be seen from the matter of amassing money.
The two families previously used the most primitive and notorious way to make money - annexing people's land.
This spring, Emperor Hongzhi tactfully reminded Empress Dowager Zhou and Empress Zhang to control their natal children and stop seizing people's land.
The emperor spoke, and the way to annex the land was blocked.
The two families found another way and set their sights on the fishing market in the capital. That's right, two prominent relatives started Gao Qiqiang's business: selling fish!
The homes of nobles, wealthy households, and upper-class people in the capital have seafood to eat in winter.
The fishermen in Tanggukou catch fish, shrimps and crabs and transport them to the capital on ice.
Maoyanyanzi Street in Nancheng is the largest fishing market in Beijing.
The Zhang and Zhou families were no different from the Heisehui of later generations. He directly sent servants with wooden sticks to beat away more than a hundred vendors on the entire street.
Then the two families opened a fishing business together. Monopolized the seafood business in the capital.
Only our Zhang and Zhou fishing shops can sell fish! I, Zhang Heling, said it!
Having monopolized the downstream market, they still felt that the money came in too slowly. He also sent evil servants to Tanggukou to purchase supplies.
The fishermen should be given one tael of silver, but the most they can give is three cents. Just like a pirate.
If fishermen dare to sell their catch to others. The servants of both families beat the fishermen to death without saying a word!
Their behavior, in the words of later generations, is typical of black people who use violent means to monopolize the upstream and downstream industries.
The noble cousins and uncles are so shameless just to make money!
On this day, Zhou Yu entered Shouninghou Mansion aggressively.
In the living room, Zhou Yu said angrily: "Zhang Heling, do you think I'm a fool? This month the fishery made a profit of four thousand taels. You just give me a thousand taels? Where are you sending the beggars?"
"What about the two families who agreed to add two to one to make five?"
Don’t underestimate the seafood business. The two companies monopolize the seafood business in the entire capital and control the supply of goods.
One hand buys at a low price and the other hand sells at a high price. The turnover and profit of the fishing industry are huge figures.
Zhang Heling smiled and said: "Old uncle, please be patient. Who told you that you will make a profit of 4,000 taels this month?"
"There has been a lot of wind and waves in Tanggukou recently. The fish caught are half dead and cannot be sold at a high price. I only made two thousand taels this month."
Zhang Yanling interjected: "Yes, yes. We agreed that two to one will be added to five, and half of it will be exactly one thousand taels."
Zhou Yu slapped the table: "I'm three rounds older than you! But you treat me like a child and fool me?"
"Do you think the accountant I assigned to the business is deaf or blind? I made a profit of 4,000 taels this month, which is just a lot more!"
"Stop talking nonsense and get the money quickly!"
Zhang Heling became angry: "We brothers regard you as a fool, so what do you do! If you don't accept it, you can withdraw your share capital! Let's break up!"
Zhou Yu was furious: "I came up with the idea of the fishery business. Why should I withdraw my equity? If you want to get out, you two little bastards will get out too."
Zhang Yanling sneered: "Ha, I'm sorry, we are the younger brothers of the current queen, not just bastards. If you call us bastards, you are insulting the mother of the country and the queen!"
Zhou Yu slammed the tea cup to the ground: "What about the Queen? Is it different for her to call me 'Royal Grandmother' when she sees my sister?"
"You two little bastards, you still have to call me uncle!"
"You little bastard, you dare to steal your uncle's money?"
Zhang Yanling rolled up his sleeves: "Zhou Yu, I call you your ancestor! It's shameless, right? If you have the ability to fight in a one-on-one fight!"
Zhou Yu gets stronger and stronger with age, and is a typical bad guy getting older. He also rolled up his arms and sleeves: "If you have a one-on-one challenge, let's do it one-on-one!"
Zhang Heling said, "Are you good at fighting? Being able to fight is of no use! To get around in the capital, you need to talk about power and background."
"We are all decent people with status! If we want to fight, we can't fight in person."
"Old man Zhou, let's do this. In three days, we will each take people to Maoyanzi Street to compete."
"You don't care how many people we bring. We don't care how many people you bring."
"When the time comes, let's have a group fight. Whoever loses will get out of the fishing line. How about that?"
Zhou Yu thought for a while and said, "Okay! It's a deal!"
The notorious Hongzhi Dynasty's relatives competed with the people for profit, jointly engaged in business, and the two families were angry, resulting in a farce of mass fights and fights, and the farce was about to be staged.
The two brothers Zhang Heling usually go around the market in a swaggering and illegal manner. It has already attracted a lot of local gangsters and the like.
This time they had a group fight with Zhou Yu, and the two brothers offered a reward of ten taels each for victory, and five taels for defeat.
The local ruffians enthusiastically assisted in the fight.
Including the servants and evil servants in the house, they counted a total of 1,500 people in three days.
Zhou Yu was the uncle of the country during the Dabaozong era. Treat the capital as your own territory. Not to mention more concessions, a thousand people were included.
How could such a massive "war preparation" escape the eyes and ears of Jin Yiwei?
On this day, Jinyiwei commander Tongzhi was on duty.
Qian Ning found Chang Feng: "Master Chang, Shouning Houfu and Changning Bofu seem to be going to fight."
He told Chang Feng the news.
Chang Feng didn't take it seriously: "The two families are just bickering and showing off! They can't fight."
"Two are the younger brothers of the Queen, and one is the younger brother of the Empress Dowager. I don't believe that they can disregard their dignity and fight on the street like gangsters."
"They have to have some dignity."
Chang Feng made a mistake. He underestimated the shamelessness of brothers Zhang Heling and Zhou Yu.
Qian Ning regards Chang Feng as his master. Never speak against him.
Qian Ning said: "Master Chang is right. After all, both parties are uncles of the country. We shouldn't be able to fight. Let's just talk about it."
Chang Feng said: "But these two families are too mean. They don't even let go of the benefits of the fish market."
Qian Ning echoed: "Who says it's not the case? A few days ago, my wife complained to me that the price of fish and shrimp bought by the cook increased by 30%. It was them who caused the trouble."
Chang Feng said: "When I get the chance, I have to talk about those two little bastards."
Chang Feng didn't take the news from Qian Ning seriously. As the saying goes, if you are careless, you will lose Jingzhou.
Three days later. Cat Butt Eye Street.
There were 2,500 people on both sides, crowded and crowded, filling the entire street from the north and south.
Since it is a group fight. The leaders of both sides will naturally yell at each other before starting the fight.
Zhou Yu shouted: "Boys from the Zhang family, how many days have you been relatives of the emperor? The water in the capital is too deep, and there are strong winds and waves. You can't control it!"
Zhang Heling sneered: "Don't forget what kind of business we are in! Fish sellers! The bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish!"
Zhang Yanling shouted loudly: "Brothers, fight!"
The men and horses on both sides rushed towards each other like two torrents.
But there is still a shred of sanity on both sides. Their thugs all had solid wooden sticks, and no one had any iron tools.
After a while, the two sides fought. That scene was really bloody and violent.
Although a solid wooden stick is not as good as an iron weapon, it will still draw blood when swung on the head. There was blood all over the street, and wooden sticks and fists flew together.
Such a big movement naturally alerted the soldiers patrolling the streets of the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division.
The soldiers reported to their superior, Commander Xu.
Commander Xu brought hundreds of people to Maoyanyaner Street, originally wanting to stop the fight and arrest a group of leaders.
But when he saw that the leaders of the fight were two young uncles and an old uncle, he immediately stopped fighting. Order his men to stand still.
Not long after, Inspector Qian of Shuntian Prefecture came over with hundreds of government officials.
Inspector Qian asked Commander Xu: "Old Xu, why don't you bring someone up? The most virtuous area under the emperor's feet has been beaten into such a state."
Commander Xu smiled bitterly: "Do you know who the leaders of both sides are? On one side are Shouning Marquis and Jianchang Bo, and on the other side are Changning Bo!"
"Master Qian, do you want me to arrest them? Do you have the courage?"
Inspector Qian gritted his teeth and said, "I don't dare to worry if you lend me some courage."
"But looking at this situation, if we continue the fight, hundreds of lives may be lost! By then, you, the Soldiers and Horses Division, and our Shuntian Mansion will all be in trouble."
"We can't control them, but someone can."
Commander Xu asked: "Who?"
Inspector Qian replied: "Jinyiwei!"
Two moments later, Chang Feng showed up.
Chang Feng was drinking tea and reading "Interpretations of the Four Books".
Suddenly, Qian Ning rushed in: "Master Chang, this is incredible! There's a fight!"
Chang Feng asked: "Who started the fight?"
Qian Ning replied: "Shuntian Prefecture reported that three uncles were fighting in Maoyanyan'er Street! There were two to three thousand people on both sides!"
Chang Feng's expression changed: "What?"
The fight involving thousands of people at the emperor's feet was no longer a fight, but a rebellion.
Chang Feng thought for a moment: "I was careless! Gather all the soldiers in the guard! Bring all the weapons! Go to the arsenal and get fifty muskets! Let's go to Maoyan'er Street!"
Chang Feng rushed to Maoyanyan'er Street with thousands of people in brocade robes and robes.
There were two thousand five hundred ruffians and evil servants, and at least one thousand of them had fallen to the ground, wailing in pain. The fight continues.
The two brothers Zhang Heling and Zhou Yu were just like normal people. Crossing my legs, I strolled along the south and north sides of the street, drinking tea.
Chang Feng shouted: "Stop!"
His voice was immediately drowned out by shouting and beating.
The people who fought were supported by three uncles, and they regarded the people in the government as useless.
Chang Feng shouted: "Fire gun team! Light the match rope! Fire the gun for me! Kill them all!"
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" Nanzhen Fusi's gunslinger fired.
What they fired was not an empty bludgeon, but a solid iron bludgeon.
Fifty muskets flew out, and more than a dozen ruffians immediately fell into a pool of blood.
The gangsters on both sides were stunned and stopped.
Chang Feng shouted: "Jinyiwei men, come to me! Arrest them all. Anyone who dares to resist arrest will be shot to death!"
The warriors of Jinyiwei rushed forward. A few brave gangsters dared to resist, and were immediately stabbed to death with spears.
When the other gangsters saw this, they threw down their wooden sticks and surrendered.
Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling walked up to Chang Feng and said, "Brother Chang, you're here just in time! That guy Zhou Yu insulted the queen and dared to fight with me. Catch him."
Zhou Yu also came over: "Scream, I want to see who dares to arrest me! Chang Feng, I will fuck your mother! Do you dare to shoot my people and arrest my people?"
Chang Feng frowned: "Uncle Chang Ning, you are having a large-scale brawl in the capital. I enforce the law impartially!"
Zhou Yu said angrily: "I know you have a good relationship with these two little bastards! If you can, arrest me too! I want to see if you have the guts to swallow the sky!"
"If you dare not catch me, let all my men go!"
Chang Feng really didn't dare to catch Zhou Yu.
Jin Yiwei is the emperor's domestic slave. And Zhou Yu is the uncle of the current emperor according to his seniority!
Chang Feng could order the blunderbuss to kill Zhou Yu's gangsters and evil servants. But he couldn't catch the emperor's uncle.
Chang Feng remained silent.
Zhou Yu laughed and said, "Oh, my butcher Chang, who is the Jinyi Guard, is a courageous man! It turns out he is also a coward."
"I'm standing right here! Come and catch me! Come and catch me!"
Chang Feng continued to be silent.
At this moment, a loud shout came: "Jin Yiwei doesn't dare to arrest you, I dare to arrest you!"
The person shouting this voice is wearing a decent seventh-grade uniform and is in his early thirties.
This person is Jiang Mian, the censor of Nancheng City Patrol.
In the Ming Dynasty, there were five censors who patrolled the city and were subordinate to the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Responsible for patrolling the east, west, south, north, and central five cities for public security, criminal prosecution, and arresting thieves.
The Five Cities Military and Horse Division is nominally led by the Five Cities Patrol Censor.
This is an official position the size of a sesame seed. Roughly equivalent to the director of the district security office in later generations.
Jiang Mian strode up to Zhou Yu and said, "Uncle Chang Ning, how dare you bring thousands of ruffians into a fight at the feet of the Emperor. Where does the law of nature exist?"
"I'm going to catch you!"
Zhou Yu saw that Jiang Mian was wearing a seventh-grade uniform and said disdainfully: "Where did you come from to pretend to be a big guy? Who are you?"
Jiang Mian said seriously: "I am the censor of Nancheng City Patrol appointed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Jiang Mian!"
Zhou Yu sneered: "It turns out that I am a despicable seventh-grade censor. You dare to arrest me?"
Jiang Mian said angrily: "I am a seventh-rank official of the imperial court, and I am not lowly. In the territory of Nancheng, as long as someone violates the king's law, I have to arrest him. No matter if he is a relative of the emperor or not!"
Zhou Yu said angrily: "You try to catch me!"
Jiang Mian ordered his troops to capture Zhou Yu. The soldiers looked at each other, no one dared to move.
Jiang Mian said nothing and picked up an iron chain from the waist of a soldier. Come up and lock Zhou Yu with your own hands.
Zhou Yu resisted and scolded: "Have you eaten the courage of a bear's heart and a leopard's guts? I'll fuck your mother!"
Jiang Mian was always young and strong, and he subdued Zhou Yu in a few moments and tied him up with iron chains.
You know, a few years later Jiang Mian didn't even give him the emperor's face. Not to mention a royal relative?
Chang Feng looked at Jiang Mian with admiration. He did what Chang Feng didn't dare to do.
Zhang Heling clapped his hands: "Well done! This old guy deserves to be caught!"
Jiang Mian took the other two chains from the soldiers: "Shouning Hou and Jianchang Bo, you also have to come with me!"
Zhang Heling's expression changed: "You dare to arrest me?"
Jiang Mian said: "Shouldn't you be arrested? You three uncles are just bullying and dominating the market. You are also fighting over the fishing market."
"I am arresting you! I will never be afraid of your royal status!"
Zhang Heling said angrily: "Brother Chang, let your people kill him! Killing a seventh-grade Sesame Officer by Jinyiwei is like crushing a bed bug."
Chang Feng said: "Jiang Yushi enforces the law impartially. Why should I kill him? You two brothers really deserve to go to jail and eat twice."
Zhang Heling was so angry that he said, "Brother Chang, why are you turning your elbows outward?"
"Jiang, if you want to arrest him, go ahead! Don't regret it! I'm sure you won't be able to eat it and carry it around!"
Jiang Mian also put chains on the two brothers Zhang Heling.
He was full of awe and righteousness, and escorted three prominent royal relatives away.
Qian Ning was a little anxious: "Master Chang, are you just going to watch that little censor kidnap three royal relatives?"
Chang Feng said: "People enforce the law like a mountain. Shouldn't the three royal relatives be arrested?"
Shi Wenyi asked for instructions: "Master Chang, how to deal with the gangsters who participated in the fight?"
Chang Feng said: "Catch them all!"
Shi Wenyi hesitated: "The imperial prison cannot hold two or three thousand people!"
Chang Feng said: "Are they worthy of being sent to prison? Just keep them all on the Weili campus."
This turmoil soon reached the ears of Emperor Hongzhi.
Three uncles, a marquis, and two earls. He actually did such a shocking thing and was caught by a little censor patrolling the city. Where is the emperor's face?
In the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Hongzhi summoned Chang Feng.
Naturally, the two qualities of Falling Out and Dragon Roaring are indispensable.
Emperor Hongzhi rarely scolded Chang Feng: "Chang Feng, what do you do for food! They were fighting in Nancheng. Didn't Jin Yiwei get some news in advance?"
Chang Feng kowtowed: "I have neglected my duty."
Emperor Hongzhi scolded again: "What's the name of that censor? You're so bold, you dare to arrest three uncles at once!"
After Emperor Hongzhi finished scolding Chang Feng, he scolded Jiang Mian but did not scold his brother-in-law and uncle-in-law.
Chang Feng said: "The name of the imperial censor of Nancheng is Jiang Mian. Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. Jiang Mian is enforcing the law impartially. It is said that the emperor breaks the law and the common people are equally guilty, let alone the emperor's relatives?"
At this moment, Emperor Hongzhi lost his all-powerful attitude: "But they are the younger brothers of the queen, the younger brothers of the empress dowager!"
"Chang Feng, please immediately pass on my instructions and ask the Nancheng Soldiers and Horses Division to release them!"
This is an imperial decree and Chang Feng cannot disobey it. In desperation, he had to go to Nancheng Military and Horse Division.
Two moments later, in front of the Nancheng Soldiers and Horses Division prison.
Chang Feng discovered that there was no jailer in front of the huge prison door. Jiang Mian was the only one sitting on a chair at the door of the cell.
In his hand he held an unsheathed sword.
Jiang Mian was afraid that he would imprison the emperor's relatives and implicate the jailers. Simply give the jailers a big holiday. He himself guarded the cell door.
Chang Feng walked up to Jiang Mian and said, "Jiang Yushi, the emperor ordered you to immediately release Shouning Hou, Jianchang Bo, and Changning Bo."
Jiang Mian said sternly: "We always know each other, but I'm sorry that it's difficult to obey my order."
Chang Feng was stunned: "The emperor's oral decree is the imperial decree. Do you want to resist the decree?"
Jiang Mian's voice was like a bell: "The imperial edict to protect the emperor's relatives who do evil is a wrong edict. I don't have to obey it!"
The little seventh-grade censor is so brave. This surprised Chang Feng.
Not only was Chang Feng not angry, but he admired Jiang Mian.
Chang Feng sighed: "What a strong-minded censor. I have seen many censors and officials, and it is rare to see someone with such backbone as you."
Jiang Mian smiled slightly: "Chang Tongzhi, I have long heard of your reputation as a butcher. If you want to rob three criminal relatives from the prison, then please step on my body and open the prison door."
Chang Feng shook his head: "I dare to kill a second-grade official who takes bribes and commits lawlessness. But I dare not kill a seventh-grade censor who enforces the law impartially!"
"Let's do this. I'll return to the palace and tell you that you refuse to release the first marquis and the second uncle."
Jiang Mian said: "It's better to leave without seeing him off."
Chang Feng walked out of Nancheng Bingma Division. He was now worried about Jiang Mian's safety.
If the matter of not releasing people was reported to Emperor Hongzhi, Emperor Hongzhi would definitely be furious. What if Jiang Mian is killed in anger?
(End of chapter)
