After giving the order, about a quarter of an hour later, Yan Tuo returned to the palace and paid homage to Emperor Liu, who was already in high spirits: "Officials, the drummer is waiting for the order outside the palace!"
"Xuan!" Emperor Liu instructed with a calm expression.
Soon, the young man walked in under the guidance of the visitor. In this splendid hall, it was really difficult for him to hold his nerve. He acted particularly awkward, his face was nervous, and his eyes were hesitant.
Before entering the palace, the visitor urgently explained some precautions, but when His Majesty waited, all he remembered was that he knelt down.
Emperor Liu looked at this person, and he had to say that he didn't like the dark color on his face just from his appearance. Seeing his trembling look, Emperor Liu couldn't help but think to himself, how dare he come to complain? Not even as good as the old farmer back then.
"Who are you? Where are you from? Where are you from?" Emperor Liu asked calmly.
Facing these three consecutive questions, the man seemed to have come back to his senses, and answered with his head bent: "Your Majesty, my name is Xue Che. I am a member of the Dunqiu family in Kaifeng Prefecture, and my family is engaged in business."
"What are you suing for? Who are you suing?" Emperor Liu's tone gradually became harsh.
After hearing the question, Xue Che was obviously a little nervous, but after a brief hesitation, he gritted his teeth and said: "Return to your majesty, the people do have a grievance to complain about! The people sued Zhang Jinjie, the inspector of the Imperial City Department, for murdering people. , destroying families and seizing wealth. The whole family of the common people has been harmed by it. They only escaped with their own lives and have no way to appeal. Now I risk my life to appeal, and I beg Your Majesty to make the decision for the common people to avenge their injustice!"
When the Imperial City Secretary mentioned Zhang Jinjie, Emperor Liu's heart moved. He narrowed his eyes slightly, and his eyes seemed to condense into sharp blades, pointing directly at Xue Che, who was kneeling down: "Oh? Be more clear, that Zhang Jinjie How did Jie ruin your family?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Che's eyes suddenly turned redder, bursting with intense hatred, and even this look in his eyes could add a bit of conviction. Xue Che said: "The small private family originally did some jade business. After three generations, they have achieved some success and have no worries about food and clothing. My father, Xue Xian, bought a piece of Hetian jade more than 20 years ago. It was of excellent quality and hired skilled craftsmen. , according to its shape, it will be carved into a jade Buddha and enshrined in the home as a family heirloom.
However, last year, I don't know where Zhang Jinjie learned about the Jade Buddha. He went to his father and asked for the Jade Buddha. At that time, my father loved this thing very much and politely refused. Then he discussed it with the common people, but he still couldn't feel comfortable.
The Chief of the Imperial City was famous, and Zhang Jinjie was the son of the Chief of the Imperial City. After careful consideration, the father and his son were afraid that this would lead to disaster, so they decided to sacrifice the Jade Buddha. But the next day, the Dunqiu County government sent arresters to surround the house, ransacked the house and locked up people. The shop he ran was also sealed. The villain escaped after hearing the news just because he was outside.
He wanted to try to rescue him, but within three days his parents and brothers were sentenced to death, his family members and servants were all sent to Anxi, and the common people were wanted and hunted down, and they were on the run.
The common man wanted to go far away and hide his name in order to save himself. However, every time he thought of his parents and brothers who were murdered, he felt pain and grief, so he had the courage to sneak to Luoyang and risk his life to appeal. Please give your Majesty a clear warning..."
As he spoke, Xue Che also took out a blood sample from his arms and held it in his hands. His description was very emotional and inevitably made people feel pity, but Emperor Liu listened with an expressionless face.
He took the stained blood picture from Yan Tuo's hand, browsed it for a while, put it down, thought about it for a while, and then asked: "Is what you said true?"
"Every word of what the common people said is true! Never dare to deceive His Majesty the Emperor!" Seeing that the Emperor seemed suspicious, Xue Che panicked and immediately kowtowed heavily to show his certainty.
"In what name did the Imperial City Division and Dunqiu County seize homes and lock people up? What charges were ultimately used to sentence your family to death?" Emperor Liu asked again.
Xue Che cried and said: "The Xiaomin family was falsely accused of being involved with the Kang family, and they were sentenced to death for treason! The Kang family was originally a wealthy family, with great wealth and power. How could it be that the small Xue family could cling to it? It was the only one with something to gain. The implication is that he sold a piece of jade to a Kang clan member in the early years..."
Emperor Liu finally frowned a little, pondered a little, stared at Xue Che and said: "What you said is only one side of the story. Is there any evidence?"
Xue Che knelt and said: "The tragedy of the Xue family has been spread by neighbors in the county and Zhang Jinjie is rampant. With a little investigation, the truth will be revealed!"
After looking at this person calmly for a long time, Emperor Liu sighed softly: "Just for a jade Buddha, is it worth going to such a big fight to destroy your family?"
"The common people dare to appeal to Your Majesty. It is not just the Xue family. As far as the common people know, there are dozens of good businessmen and good people in Gyeonggi Province who have lost their families and fortunes due to the Kang family's crimes. The Imperial City Secretary is interested in this. , there is only one jade Buddha, but it is also the wealth of the Xue family!"
"Is there still such a thing?" Emperor Liu glanced sideways at Yan Tuo.
Noticing the expressionless look on Emperor Liu's face, Yan Tuo thought about it quickly and said, "I don't know. However, because of the Kang family case, many merchant families have been implicated. As for whether there are any injustices, it still needs to be said. It depends on the specific investigation situation..."
At the bottom, Xue Che seemed to have thought of something else, and continued: "In addition, I also heard a piece of news that Zhang Jin wanted to offer my Jade Buddha as a birthday gift to His Majesty..."
After saying this, Emperor Liu's old eyes narrowed again, with a slightly dangerous light. However, his suspicious eyes fell squarely on Xue Che. By now, he had a basic judgment about this person.
Staring at Xue Che, Emperor Liu's old face was frighteningly serious, and he said in a deep voice: "Raise your head!"
Xue Che slowly raised his head, revealing his haggard young face full of storytelling.
"Tell me honestly, who ordered you to beat the drum and complain?" Emperor Liu asked slowly.
Hearing this question, Xue Che looked shocked, a flash of panic flashed across his face, and then bowed: "The common people have deep hatred and injustice, and would rather die with the evil thieves..."
"Answer me directly!" Emperor Liu said coldly: "When you are in front of the emperor, you still dare to talk to me with lies. I don't care whether your case is unjust or not. If you dare to evade your words, I will first punish you for deceiving the emperor!"
"Your Majesty, Xiaomin... Xiaomin..." Seeing Emperor Liu's anger, Xue Che's face suddenly turned pale again and he hesitated.
"Speak!" Emperor Liu's face already showed a little murderous intent.
Seeing this, Xue Che no longer dared to hesitate and kowtowed: "I dare not deceive Your Majesty. The common people went to Luoyang Mansion before filing a petition. The common people heard that Yin Lufu of Luoyang was fair and impartial and not afraid of the powerful, so he came to visit him. Go and clear up your grievances.
Lu Fuyin said that the case was serious. The Imperial City Department belonged to the imperial government and Luoyang Prefecture did not have the power to enforce the law. If the common people wanted to clear their grievances, they could only go to the imperial court to report their grievances. Your Majesty is the only one in the world who can repay the grievances. Xiaomin’s parents and brothers are innocent and fair..."
Lu Mengzheng appears again! Emperor Liu's heart gradually stirred up, and this matter seemed to be becoming more and more "interesting".
"More than that!" Looking down at Xue Che, Emperor Liu still had the same penetrating expression and said coldly: "The details of your situation are probably not something that a wanted fugitive can find out! The case in Kaifeng is difficult for even Lu Mengzheng to find out. I know everything, and how you managed to sneak into Xijing and see Lu Mengzheng!"
At this point, Xue Che naturally couldn't hide anything anymore. He just poured out the beans and told what he knew: "Your Majesty, the report was indeed given by Lu Fuyin. Some of what the common people said came from Lu Fu." Yin.
As for the common people who were able to escape capture and successfully go to Luoyang to file a complaint, it was because of the guidance and help of a righteous man..."
"There is also a righteous man, who is quite capable!" Emperor Liu chuckled: "Who is this so-called righteous man?"
"The common people don't know, they only know that his surname is Zheng. They heard about my family's injustice, so they came to help."
"Keep a secret, you little brat!"
After asking this, Emperor Liu had no other interest in Xue Che. He waved his hand and ordered to Yantuo: "Take this man down and keep him under guard!"
Soon, the Chui Gong Palace became quiet. Emperor Liu could not bear the long sitting posture, and his whole body soon tilted down, leaning on the throne, but his expression remained calm, obviously thinking about what Xue Che said.
After a while, Yantuo called out tentatively in a low voice: "The officials have doubts about this person's accusation?"
"Why, are you also interested in this case?" Emperor Liu's words shocked Yan Tuo.
Yantuo quickly shook his head and said: "I just feel that if the little man said, the plot is really serious. He actually harmed people and made money under the pretense of preparing birthday gifts for officials. It is really shocking and heartbreaking... "
"Haha..." Emperor Liu laughed twice, then rushed to Yan and said: "Go to the Imperial City Department and inform Zhang Dejun about Xue Che's complaint. I want to see who he is. reaction!"
"Yes!" Yan Tuo's heart moved slightly, and he accepted the order and left.
Looking at Yantuo's flexible and somewhat comical back from behind, Emperor Liu's eyes also revealed a trace of suspicion.
Obviously, the old emperor had noticed that a big net was being woven towards the Imperial City Division. A Zhang Jinjie is insignificant. The real target is probably Wang Jien, the envoy of the Imperial City.
The exposed Lu Mengzheng of Luoyang Prefecture and the so-called "righteous man" surnamed Zheng are probably just the tip of the iceberg. Emperor Liu may be more concerned about who else and what forces are behind it.
As for Emperor Liu, what he was more concerned about at the moment was not how many evil things the Imperial City Division had done that were outrageous to both humans and gods, but who targeted Wang Jien, Emperor Liu's most trusted eunuch. There is no storm without fire. If there was no news before, Emperor Liu would not believe it.
The first object of suspicion was Yantuo. After all, Emperor Liu had only expressed his dissatisfaction with Wang Jien in front of him.
If this is the case... Thinking of this, Emperor Liu's heart became even colder. Yantuo was his personal eunuch and the head of the inner chamber. If he had any connections with foreign ministers, the consequences could be imagined. .
This was something Emperor Liu could not tolerate, and what he resented even more was that there were always people who liked to guess his thoughts and attitudes, and judge and act according to the holy will. The older Emperor Liu got, the more he hated those behaviors that speculated on the superior intention without authorization, and even self-righteously used the "superior intention" to achieve personal goals.
The Imperial City Department, the Grand Eunuch and the Imperial City Envoy Wang Jien also stared at the back of Yantuo's proud departure with cold eyes. In the hall, only two of Wang Jien's "Four Diamonds" were present. Except for Wang Shouzhong, who was stationed in the office to assist Wang Jien in handling general affairs, the "rightful master" Zhang Jinjie was left.
Among the four names, Zhang Jinjie is the youngest and has the best image. He has a dignified appearance and a mustache that shows his maturity. From the outside, it is difficult to imagine that he is a ruthless eagle and dog leader.
Of course, on weekdays, Zhang Jinjie is also the most arrogant and brutal person. However, at this moment, he could no longer become arrogant. He knelt there with his head drooped, like an eggplant beaten by frost, and there was even some fear on his handsome face.
On the side, both Wang Jien and Wang Shouzhong had ashen faces. Wang Shouzhong lowered his head, frowning and thinking deeply, while Wang Jien kept pacing, and after a long time he turned around and vented his anger towards Zhang Jinjie: "Look at the good thing you did! It's just that you look so ugly when you eat, and you can't clean up your hands and feet." It’s so clean that it was reported to the officials!”
Facing Wang Jien's accusation, Zhang Jinjie also looked annoyed, not because of anything else but because of his negligence and failure to clean up the trouble.
Taking a deep breath, Zhang Jinjie said solemnly: "Father, please rest assured that the trouble was caused by my son. I will shoulder the responsibility with all my strength and will never harm you!"
However, this statement was only met with a more severe scolding from Wang Jien: "Still talking stupid things! Now that things have happened, do you think this is directed at you? Haven't you heard the story about Xiang Zhuang's sword dance with the intention of Pei Gong? You haven't See how proud that old dog Yantuo is? This is coming for me!"
Wang Jien's words shocked both brothers Wang and Zhang. Zhang Jinjie even blurted out, "They dare!"
"Father, is the situation so serious?" Wang Shouzhong couldn't help but asked anxiously.
Wang Jien's old face twitched a few times, he clenched his fist with his right hand and said in a deep voice: "Whether it's serious or not depends on how the officials will treat it!"
Wang Shouzhong immediately answered: "Your Majesty asked the old thief Yantuo to send a message. What does this mean?"
After hearing the question, Wang Jien walked a few more steps, suddenly stopped and looked at Zhang Jinjie, and said slowly: "This time, I have alarmed the officials, and I am afraid I won't be able to protect you. Jinjie, if you are punished by Ming Zhengdian, Now, don’t blame me!”
Hearing what Wang Jien said, Zhang Jinjie couldn't help but change his expression. Facing Wang Jien's cold and serious gaze, sweat broke out on his forehead. After a certain amount of mental activity, he kowtowed and said, "My father is as kind as a mountain to my son. I can't thank you enough." , how can we have any resentment? If I can avoid involving my father, I will die without any regrets!"
After saying that, Zhang Jinjie laughed twice and continued: "I have enjoyed all the glory and wealth in these years, that's enough!"
Wang Jien carefully observed Zhang Jinjie's performance and refused to let go of any detail. After a long time, he took two steps forward and reached out to caress his head: "I know your filial piety! Don't worry, as long as you can go through being a father smoothly. At this level, I will definitely keep your family small and make your family happy!"
"Thank you, father!" Zhang Jinjie heard this and kowtowed with tears.
"Come here! Put this traitor into a cell!" Wang Jien turned around and immediately changed his face, and ordered to the guard outside.
No escort was needed, Zhang Jinjie went down on his own initiative and went to the prison cell. However, for Wang Jien, dealing with it in this way not only did not relax him at all, but made him even more worried.
"Father, what can we do next?" Seeing Wang Jien's composure, Wang Shouzhong asked proactively.
"Tell me to go down and send all the people out. Also, send a message to Shouyi and Jinren to inform me of this matter. Let me investigate. Keep an eye on the relevant people and wait for investigation!" Wang Jien said coldly: "I would like to take a look. , who wants to have trouble with me, Wang!"
"Yes!" Wang Shouzhong agreed and reminded at the same time: "Your Majesty, do you want to go there?"
After thinking for a moment, Wang Jien said seriously: "This is natural, I will enter the palace immediately! Didn't some people call me a castrated dog? I beat the dog without looking at the owner?"
When he said this, Wang Jien's old face was almost twisted together. It had never looked so ugly. The anger on his face would probably be difficult to wash away even with the water of the Yellow River...
