Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

Hearing Chen Tianping's words getting sharper and sharper, and opening his mouth to talk to him, Xun Zhan, who had been trying to stay calm just now, finally couldn't hold on any longer. He covered his chest with one hand and coughed violently.

Seeing that he was coughing badly, Chen Tianping quickly reached out to help him and asked with concern: "Are you okay?"

"roll"

Xun Zhan angrily scolded Chen Tianping, but suddenly he coughed harder. While coughing, he used his trembling right hand to smash the tea cup on the table against Chen Tianping, and cursed: "You bastard, I will spare you today." No."

Xun Zhan certainly had reason to be so angry. We don’t care whether Chen Tianping, Prince Annan’s grandson, was real or fake. But what is certain is that once it was confirmed that the Champa State envoy was disguised as a pirate, then Xun Zhan, as the chief officer who received the envoy, He must bear the main responsibility, which means that as an outstanding Jinshi in the second year of Jianwen, his career will inevitably encounter huge setbacks, which Xun Zhan simply cannot accept.

You must know that since putting on this scarlet robe (the first to fourth ranks wear scarlet robes, the fifth to seventh ranks wear green robes, and the eighth to ninth ranks wear green robes), Xun Zhan has been in the presence of Yang Rong, Jin Youzi and others. In front of him, he felt very proud. After all, ordinary Jinshi might not be able to wear this scarlet robe in their lifetime, but he had reached this position in his thirties, and his future was limitless.

Not to mention how upset and angry Xun Zhan was, Chen Tianping quickly dodged and the teacup smashed into countless pieces on the ground, but it still jumped up and crossed Chen Tianping's cheek, leaving three blood-red streaks. scars.

Jiang Xinghuo listened for a long time and felt thirsty. He just took a sip of tea and looked at Xun Zhan's furious look. He put down the teacup heavily and asked.

"Xun Shaoqing, have you lost the face of the imperial court?!"

Seeing Xun Zhan lose his composure and Jiang Xinghuo reprimanding him so aggressively in front of him, Wang Jing was a little worried. He stroked his silver beard and warned calmly: "Be careful if you get angry and hurt your heart."

Xun Zhan was horrified when he heard this. His benefactor was not telling him this, but he was explicitly telling him not to ruin his career! Nowadays, the temple is in a period of great struggle. Reform and conservatism are fighting each other, and if you are not careful, you will be shattered to pieces.

Xun Zhan was sweating coldly, and he raised his hands and said: "This subordinate is reckless, please punish me by the minister!"

Wang Jing waved his hand and said, "Let's go and interrogate the envoy from the Kingdom of Champa together."

Although the Champa mission had been disarmed and subdued, they were still stubbornly resisting. They did not admit that they were pirates, and insisted that they only had a gambling relationship with Chen Tianping. As for why they stabbed Pei Boxi, it was because Pei Wenli ridiculed and angered him. got them.

The two sides were in a stalemate for a moment. The envoy of the Champa State's mission stood up and said something to Jiang Xinghuo. After the interpreter translated it, it meant that they had a complete set of letters and seals, and they were the mission of the Champa State. As for why they can't speak Chinese, it's because the last batch of missionaries who could speak Chinese were tortured badly by the Annan people on their way back to the country and were injured, so they didn't come with them.

Subsequently, the envoy of the Champa State mission presented another official letter given by the Ming Dynasty.

However, Jiang Xinghuo said lightly: "My Ming Dynasty regulations, anyone who forges official documents or letters from the imperial court will be punished. You can think about it, Ming Dynasty will not escape punishment just because you are not the people of Ming Dynasty."

After the interpreter translated, the Champa State’s mission suddenly became commotion.

Everyone knows that the so-called forgery or not is not a matter of a single thought by the National Preceptor opposite?

In other words, if Jiang Xinghuo determines that they are fake, then no one can escape today and will all die!

Seeing his subordinates panicking, the envoy of the Champa State envoy roared angrily. After being translated by the interpreter, it probably meant: "What? Why do you care so little about human life?"

Ji Gang smiled at this time: "Taking human life seriously? Don't you know what the Jin Yiwei does? How can you question the laws and regulations issued by the Ming Dynasty?"

Seeing Ji Gang acting hooliganly and openly, the envoy of the Champa State mission was immediately speechless.

But it has to be said that Jin Yiwei's investigation efficiency is very high. At least in the area of ​​Nanjing, Jin Yiwei with sufficient insight is still very powerful. Soon, various evidences were laid out.

The facts are before our eyes. In addition to various obvious flaws, the missions of the Champa State these days are indeed making huge profits by selling the goods they carry, and some of these goods are not serious tributes or specialties of the Champa State. It didn't attract anyone's attention before, but everyone just thought it was the private goods they were carrying. Now that I think about it carefully, it's a bit abnormal, because the number of "private goods" is really too much.

The envoy of the Champa State mission still refused to admit it. He looked like he was suppressing his anger and put his neck to the Jin Yiwei's blade.

The interpreter said: "If the Imperial Master must do this, then I will die to prove my innocence. Please let my subordinates go."

No one was frightened by him. Jiang Xinghuo's expressionless gaze fell on the other deputy envoys of the Champa State mission and he said calmly: "My Ming Dynasty has always been very polite and has never treated you badly, but since you don't know how to praise, then... Don’t blame me for being rude.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Xinghuo waved his hand and ordered: "Pull them all down and chop them down!"

The soldiers who were already preparing to attack immediately rushed in and suppressed the two deputy envoys of the Champa State mission.

The two deputy envoys of the Champa State mission looked panic-stricken and struggled.

The older man among them shouted with sweat profusely:

"Master, please spare your life. I don't dare to do it anymore. I really don't dare to do it anymore!"

His voice was sharp, filled with fear and fear.

——The most important thing is that he actually spoke Ya dialect.

Yahua, commonly known as "Yahua", has been finalized in the Southern Song Dynasty. It is a type of Hakka dialect. The so-called "There are eight counties in Fujian, Ting is adjacent to five ridges, but the customs and customs are quite similar to Zhongzhou" refers to Yahua.

Obviously, this was a major breakthrough. Wang Jing, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, even expressed his intention to interrogate this person alone. However, Jiang Xinghuo's expression remained indifferent, unmoved at all, and he did not even look at this statement. The person who spoke Chinese only glanced at another younger deputy envoy of the Champa mission and said:

"Drag it out."

Without any hesitation, the attendant immediately stepped forward, pressed the deputy to the ground, held him tightly, and then tied him up like a rice dumpling and dragged him out.

The younger deputy envoy of the Champa mission desperately begged for mercy, but Jiang Xinghuo didn't even look at him, as if he didn't exist, and said calmly: "Cut off their heads one by one and hang them at the door of the Huitong Hall. Show it to the public on the flagpole, and by the way, tell these foreign countries that whoever dares to deceive the Ming Dynasty next time will suffer the same fate."

A flash of sword light flashed outside the courtyard, and the younger deputy envoy of the Champa mission did not even scream, but was beheaded by the soldiers.

Blood spilled from his neck and onto the ground.

The courtyard fell into silence.

The originally noisy and noisy atmosphere disappeared instantly, and everyone held their breath and remained silent.

Jiang Xinghuo's face turned extremely cold. He walked slowly up to the person who just spoke Chinese, stared at him, and said slowly: "You can speak Yahua, I think you should also be able to understand Mandarin." , you should understand what I mean, right?"

Not only did the "deputy envoy" understand, he was even able to understand the profound meaning behind Jiang Xinghuo's words.

At this time, he could feel that death was extremely close to him, which made it difficult for him to remain calm. He knocked his teeth together and said, "I'm sorry, my lord, but I don't dare to do it anymore."

A smile appeared on Jiang Xinghuo's face. He reached out and patted the deputy envoy on the shoulder, saying warmly, "That's easy to say."

"Aren't you still recruiting?"

Ji Gang pulled out the Xiuchundao, a cold light radiating from it.

Unlike Jiang Xinghuo, Ji Gang's face was extremely gloomy, and the corners of his eyes and brows were full of murderous intent. This cold and biting murderous intent seemed to make the entire hall become cold.

The deputy envoy was trembling all over, his face was pale, his forehead was dripping with cold sweat, and there was a war between heaven and man in his heart.

He could understand that since His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty sent the Jinyi Guards to investigate them, if they still resisted, what awaited them would be endless torture, and eventually they would be tortured to death.

As for his leader, his hands cannot reach the Ming Dynasty. You must know that at this moment, in front of the powerful Ming Dynasty, looking at the entire world, no force other than the Timur Khanate can face the pressure of the Ming Dynasty.

At this thought, he gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and said in a trembling voice: "Imperial Master, spare your life, it was our leader who asked us to do it!"

"Who is your leader?" Ji Gang asked with a knife.

"Chen Zuyi! It's Chen Zuyi!"

Everyone present was stunned when they heard this.

There is no other reason. This person is very famous and is a very well-known legendary figure. The Ming officials responsible for receiving the Fan envoys have more or less heard this name from the mouths of the Fan Bang envoys who came to pay tribute.

If pirates also have a "king", then Chen Zuyi is undoubtedly the pirate king of this era, or in other words, he is indeed a real king.

Chen Zuyi was originally from Chaozhou, Guangdong. During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, maritime trade was prosperous. Generations of the Chen family relied on maritime smuggling business to make a living. During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, affected by the maritime ban policy, the family fled to Nanyang and became pirates at sea.

The home base of the Chen family is located in the Bolin State of Srivijaya. Chen Zuyi became a general under the king Manazha Wuli. After the death of the king, Chen Zuyi proclaimed himself king and became the king of the Bolin State. Renamed "Old Port".

Old Port, also known as Palembang in Jiang Xinghuo's previous life in Indonesia, is the capital of South Sumatra Province in Indonesia, the largest port and trade center in southern Sumatra, and the fourth largest commercial port in Indonesia. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, many Chinese including Chen Zuyi settled here. It was an out-and-out strategic maritime location.

With this solid base, King Chen began his career as the "Pirate King".

According to "Yingya Sightseeing at the Old Port", Chen Zuyi "was a very arrogant man, and would rob the property of any guest ship that passed by." With repeated robberies, Chen Zuyi's power became stronger and stronger, and he occupied ten places in the Strait of Malacca. In the past few years, he has gradually become one of the leaders of the largest pirate group in the world. At its peak, his pirate group had more than 10,000 members and nearly 100 warships. They operated in Japan, Ming Dynasty, Annan, Champa and other places. , plundered more than 10,000 large and small passing ships, and even captured more than 50 coastal towns in various countries. Due to its terrifying power, some small countries in Southeast Asia even paid tribute to it.

"We are a relatively independent group of pirates under Chen Zuyi. We robbed the Champa State envoy returning from the Ming Dynasty in the waters east of Annan. Then Chen Zuyi learned about this, planned it, and specially learned Chinese Everyone was screened out to avoid revealing their secrets. I am from Champa, but my grandmother is from the Ming Dynasty, so she has been able to speak Ya dialect since she was a child, but they don’t know it. The reason why I did this was that I was also coerced."

Ji Gang interrupted him and said, "Whatever Chen Zuyi asks you to do, you will do it?"

The pirate lowered his head and replied with difficulty: "Yes."

Ji Gang sneered and said: "You are smart and know how to shirk the responsibility, but since you have done this, you have to pay the price, otherwise wouldn't everyone dare to pretend to be an envoy and deceive the Ming Dynasty in the future?"

The pirate was shaken all over. He raised his head, looked at Jiang Xinghuo and said urgently: "No, we were just following orders. We were just following Chen Zuyi's orders. I was wronged. Imperial Master, you know this for sure."

Jiang Xinghuo listened for a long time, and finally said: "Unjustly accused? How can there be such a thing as unjustly accused in this world? Are the real envoys of the Occupied Kingdom who were thrown into the sea to feed the fishes unjustly accused?"

Although they didn't understand, no one dared to speak.

Even the most ferocious pirates were silent at this time, without making any sound.

Jiang Xinghuo waved his hand, and the attendants dragged several people away. After a while, the first scream sounded, followed by several more screams.

The courtyard was dead silent.

The pirates kneeling in the courtyard were silent, and even breathing became extremely difficult.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites had never seen such a bloody scene before. At this moment, they finally felt clearly that the Imperial Master was not as gentle as jade as rumored, but was very decisive in killing.

The remaining pirates rushed to speak, fearing that they would be killed if they were too late. Even the translator was too busy.

Jiang Xinghuo was too lazy to listen to their mindless chatter and gave instructions to Ji Gang.

"The Champa State mission is indeed impersonated by Chen Zuyi's pirate group. Whether there is any other conspiracy to go to the Ming Dynasty, and the relationship with Chen Tianping, as well as Pei Boxi and Pei Wenli's father and son, we must ask clearly. Commander Ji, please send someone to interrogate them separately. , and then conduct cross-examination.”

"My subordinate understands!"

Ji Gang nodded and said. After finishing his words, Ji Gang winked at the Jinyi guards beside him and asked them to lead the group of pirates away first.

Chen Tianping successively identified Pei Boxi and Pei Wenli as spies sent by the Hu family in Annan, and the Champa State mission as pirates in disguise. The latter has been confirmed. Although the former cannot be proven theoretically, Chen Tianping's words are credible. The degree, undoubtedly, began to rise in the hearts of everyone.

Someone has been sent to the palace to explain the situation to Emperor Yongle, and several old eunuchs from Annan were found to help Chen Tianping prove himself. Pei Wenli accused Chen Tianping of colluding with the Champa State mission. Although it cannot be completely confirmed, now The probability of Chen Tianping blackmailing these pirates for hush money is obviously higher. From another perspective, the Champa State missions are all pirates pretending to be pirates, so naturally there is no such thing as a Champa State spy. However, Since Chen Tianping understands the Champa dialect, what other secrets there are obviously need to be explored in depth.

But no matter what, the pressure is now on Pei Wenli.

How should he prove to himself that he was not a spy sent by the Annan Hu family to spy on the Ming Dynasty?

Being escorted to stand on the steps, Pei Wenli looked palely at Pei Boxi who seemed to be moving his fingers in the audience: "What Chen Tianping said is all false accusations."

"How do you know that I am falsely accusing you?" Chen Tianping sneered and asked.

Pei Wenli said categorically: "Our identity is true."

"Okay, in that case, please explain to me why I met you again in the Ming Dynasty when I knew that General Pei and his son had already been killed. What's going on with this letter?"

Chen Tianping stared at Pei Wenli with squinted eyes and said, "If you can't explain these points clearly, then I'm afraid one of us will inevitably be taken away by the Jin Yiwei."

In fact, in the eyes of the officials who were watching during the Ming Dynasty, such as Xun Zhan, the young minister of Honglu Temple, it was almost a certainty that Pei Wenli had a problem with his identity. After all, Pei Wenli's confession about the identity of the envoy to capture the city was seriously wrong. At present, Unless Pei Wenli can find reasonable evidence to prove her innocence, she will definitely become a prisoner of Ming Dynasty.

Pei Wenli snorted heavily: "Chen Tianping, I admit, I only saw the money transactions between you and these pirates, but your visit to the Champa Kingdom and your identity, do you think it is really seamless?"

Chen Tianping avoided talking about his identity and just said with a smile: "What you said is all true. I have indeed been to Champa State, but this does not mean that you can pour this sewage on me! It's still fast now." Please prove your identity, I have plenty of time, but the adults of Ming Dynasty may not have the time or patience to listen to your lies."

"You forced me."

Pei Wenli looked at her father lying on the bed and suddenly said something.

Chen Tianping sneered and continued to press: "Oh? Really? Then you should provide some evidence!"

Pei Wenli said to Jiang Xinghuo: "Master Imperial Master, if my identity is fake, then the letter Chen Tianping just handed you to prove it is the letter my father wrote to him. Logically speaking, I should be It’s impossible to read it, and you were very far away from me when I read the letter just now, and the letter paper was not transparent.”

Wang Jing, who was beside Jiang Xinghuo, looked at Pei Wenli thoughtfully and nodded.

When I read the letter just now, Pei Wenli was indeed far away. Even with amazing eyesight, it was impossible to see the content on the front through the letter paper. There were no mirrors around. Even if there were, the bronze mirrors of this era were It's not a glass mirror, even the reflection is blurry.

Seeing the senior official in charge nodding, the officials of the Ministry of Rites also agreed with this statement like pecks of rice.

Only Jiang Xinghuo seemed to be lost in thought.

"So if the content and even the handwriting I wrote are exactly the same as the letter Chen Tianping submitted just now, can it prove my identity?"

As soon as Pei Wenli said this, there was an uproar on the scene, and the officials started whispering.

"Isn't it possible? How dare he say that what he silently wrote is exactly the same as what Chen Tianping submitted before?"

"It looks like a fake. I wonder if my head is broken."

"I guess he wants to confuse the public, right?"

Pei Wenli's words caused everyone at the scene to talk about it, but generally speaking, there were still mostly doubts.

After all, in the eyes of everyone, Pei Wenli's identity has indeed become highly suspicious after the pirates' identities were revealed.

Pei Wenli said to Jiang Xinghuo: "Master Imperial Master, please have someone bring me a pen and paper."

Taking paper and pen, not a knife, was naturally allowed by Jiang Xinghuo.

Soon, a clerk from the same hall brought paper and pen, and moved a small wooden table. Pei Wenli didn't care about his image, he just knelt on the ground and started writing furiously on the table.

After a while, a piece of white paper full of writing appeared in front of everyone, but Pei Wenli did not hand it out in a hurry, but turned around to block the white paper and said.

"Master Imperial Master, do you believe my identity?"

Jiang Xinghuo lowered his eyes and looked at him: "I believe it, but is it important?"

Pei Wenli was stunned. He looked at Chen Tianping and said, "It's important."

Jiang Xinghuo nodded and said nothing more.

A smile appeared on Chen Tianping's face, and he said to Pei Wenli: "You really dare to say it, then I want to see what you, the fake, wrote silently."

Pei Wenli's tone suddenly became weird.

"I'll just show it to you, tear it up and then I'll write it."

After saying this, Chen Tianping took the paper from the hand of the clerk next to him, unfolded it and read it carefully.

However, after just two breaths, his face was filled with shock.

"This, this is impossible! What happened to the handwriting? Did you forge the handwriting?"

Chen Tianping raised his head and stared at Pei Wenli, shouting uncontrollably.

This sudden change caused the whole place to fall silent.

"Why is it impossible?" Pei Wenli said calmly: "Chen Tianping, can the content of the letter be forged? You will know if it is exactly the same after comparing it. Didn't you say that this was written by my father? This letter is indeed After our uprising, my father dictated and asked me to write the letter for the king and grandson. The content and handwriting were all written by me, but it was not written by you, the fake king and grandson of Annan!"

"No, this is impossible, this is absolutely impossible, you are lying! You must have deceived the Imperial Master!" Chen Tianping retorted fiercely, but the more fierce his rebuttal, the more he showed his guilty nature.

Seeing this scene, the originally noisy discussion in the hall gradually dissipated.

All the officials present held their breath and stared intently at the white paper in Chen Tianping's hand.

——Things took a dramatic turn again.

If the letter that Chen Tianping just handed over to prove his identity and prove that Pei Boxi and Pei Wenli and his son were impostors was written by Pei Wenli in front of him, and the content and handwriting were exactly the same, assuming that Pei Wenli had not read it just now, then This shows what?

It shows that Pei Wenli's identity is true, this letter is also true, and this letter fell into the hands of others.

"Your name is not Chen Tianping. You must have colluded with the Champa State. I didn't lie at all. I misjudged the identities of these pirates before and thought that you had colluded with the Champa State mission. It was a mistake on my part. But you It must not be the grandson of Prince Annan. Don’t ask me why I know this, because you followed Chen Yuanhui to surrender to the Champa Kingdom during the Guangtai period. At that time, your name was Ruan Kang, and you were Chen Yuanhui’s domestic slave. You served behind Chen Yuanhui. At the banquet, you You don’t remember my appearance, but I have met you, and I have the ability to never forget.”

Upon hearing Pei Wenli's words, the expressions of some officials from the Ministry of Rites present instantly changed from confusion to surprise.

No wonder, everything seems to make sense again.

Pei Wenli had preconceptions. After seeing the intersection between Chen Tianping's previous identity and the Champa State, she naturally thought that the "Champa State Mission" he saw again trading property with Chen Tianping was Chen Tianping working for the Champa State Mission. , so there was the initial testimony.

As the key evidence of Chen Tianping, this letter has now been confirmed to be exactly the same as the content and handwriting that Pei Wenli wrote silently, so it has lost the effect of proving it. In addition to proving that he is a fake, it cannot prove anything else. .

As for the old eunuchs from Annan who went to the palace to look for them, there seemed to be no need to summon them. After all, they were used to identify handwriting.

Ji Gang looked at Jiang Xinghuo's calm expression and suddenly realized a question: "But why didn't Pei Wenli prove herself earlier?"

While waiting for someone to be found and summoned from the palace, the officials of the Ministry of Rites were still discussing the matter heatedly.

Obviously, this is the first time they have seen such a strange thing after working in Huitong Hall for so many years.

"Now we are in big trouble. Pei Wenli can prove that she is true, but Chen Tianping cannot."

"Oh, who would have thought that so many twists and turns would happen today? It's really amazing. Even if it is adapted into a storybook for storytellers, I'm afraid it will sell for a good price."

"Who says it isn't?"

Wang Jing also said slowly at this time: "Master Imperial Master, from my point of view, it is meaningless to send these eunuchs over, right? After all, they are just to identify the handwriting, what can they identify now? "

This is what I meant to come to a conclusion with Xini as soon as possible.

The case of the envoys at the Huitong Pavilion may have spread throughout Nanjing at a speed that spreads wings.

The later it is delayed, the more things will be discovered, and the greater the embarrassment will be caused to the Ministry of Etiquette!

Li Zhigang, who was squatting in the imperial prison, was a blessing in disguise and escaped the disaster.

Well, that’s not the right thing to say. He probably fell into a big pit and couldn’t get up, so he avoided the small pit at the back.

Jiang Xinghuo looked at Pei Boxi on the bed and said slowly as well.

"Why are you so anxious, Mr. Wang? It's not too late to draw a conclusion later."

Wang Jing frowned and wanted to say something, but in the end he swallowed it.

Of course Jiang Xinghuo knew why Wang Jing was openly and covertly opposing him today.

Of course, it was not only because of the temple struggle between the reformers and conservatives, but also because Jiang Xinghuo blocked his way and ruined his future.

Yes, Wang Jing, a great literary man, is already sixty-six years old, and it has only been a few years since he became an official and returned to his hometown. If he cannot seize the opportunity to be promoted, he may never have the chance to become a minister in this life.

But the six books of ministers are like carrots and pitfalls. Except for the major changes like the Battle of Jingnan that reshaped the world, how could there be drastic fluctuations in normal years? Not to mention having a free seat.

Now Li Zhi is not easy to be screwed. Regardless of whether Wang Jing is involved or not, for Wang Jing, it is undoubtedly the last chance in his official career. Wang Jing has been deeply involved in the Ministry of Rites for many years and has become the right minister of the Ministry of Rites. After Dong Lun left, he was promoted to Zuo Shilang. If he could be promoted to minister this time, his career would be complete.

But now, Wang Jing not only heard that Jiang Xinghuo intended to recommend Zhuo Jinglai to Emperor Yongle to be the Minister of Rites, almost ending his dream of becoming the Minister of Rites, but he also had a hand in the incident to prevent him from stepping down.

Xun Zhan, the young minister of Honglu Temple, was his person. Originally, if he was asked to handle this matter, it would be a big deal and a trivial matter. However, after Jiang Xinghuo's in-depth investigation, not only did he dig out the truth of the matter, it became more and more outrageous. His face was thrown to the ground bit by bit.

In Wang Jing's view, after today, Jiang Xinghuo will be his mortal enemy!

But Jiang Xinghuo has the imperial edict of Emperor Yongle, and Wang Jing has no choice but to nourish his energy and hope that there will be no more shocking twists in this case, otherwise, his old face will be completely lost!

Time passed bit by bit, and finally, several old eunuchs from Annan were brought over.

"Master Imperial Master..." They trembled and prostrated on the ground.

"Are you the firemen who were recruited from Annan when Taizu Gao was emperor?"

Jiang Xinghuo looked at them rather gently and asked.

"exactly."

"Do you still speak Annan dialect? Say a few words and listen."

The identities of the eunuchs were all well-established. After speaking a few words in Annan dialect, and seeing the interpreter nodding, everyone was convinced that none of these old eunuchs were fake. Now the officials of the Ming Dynasty have been shadowed, and it depends on which foreign country Everyone felt that his identity was fake.

"I heard that you were in Annan's palace to help King Annan review the memorials. Your status should be very high. Why were you sent to the Ming Dynasty?"

"One emperor and one courtier."

Jiang Xinghuo nodded: "I guess you are literate. Let's take a look at this letter. Is it General Pei Boxi's handwriting?"

The old eunuchs squinted to identify it, and nodded: "It is indeed the handwriting of General Pei's previous memorial!"

"So, is this General Pei Boxi lying next to him? Is this his son Pei Wenli standing here? Does General Pei Boxe have the habit of letting his son write for him?"

Jiang Xinghuo suddenly asked a strange enough question.

Yes, this question is indeed strange to other people's ears. Since Pei Wenli's identity has been proven, why bother?

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Preceptor, makes atonement. We do not know General Pei, let alone his son. We are all in the harem of Annan Palace and cannot go out at all, and foreign ministers cannot enter the palace, so we wrote Of course I recognize it, but as for the appearance and figure, I really don’t know. As for whether General Pei has the habit of asking his son to ghostwrite, we don’t even know."

Several old eunuchs have lived in the Ming Dynasty for many years. They naturally know Jiang Xinghuo's current position of power and the rules in the Ming Dynasty palace, so they naturally dare not lie.

Jiang Xinghuo didn't force it, and nodded and ignored the topic.

"Do you know this person?"

Looking at young Chen Tianping, the old eunuchs shook their heads in confusion.

"He said that he is the grandson of Annan. Do you have any grandson of Annan named Chen Tianping?"

"Chen Tianping?"

The old eunuchs seemed to have no impression of this, and they all said that the royal family of the Annan and Chen dynasties had many heirs. Maybe they were distant branches, or they really couldn't remember clearly.

Only one old eunuch kept his head down and remained silent.

Jiang Xinghuo saw this and winked quietly at Ji Gang, who understood.

Obviously, this old eunuch knew something.

But now is not the time to get to the bottom of it. Jiang Xinghuo already has some guesses about the final answer.

"Okay, today is almost over, let's stop here. You guys take General Pei Boxi to that room to rest. Pei Wenli goes to the next door. Those pirates are thrown to the Jinyi Guards to interrogate the information related to Chen Zuyi. Chen Tianping goes to the end. That room.”

Naturally, there were Jin Yiwei who were transferred to take care of these people, so there was no chance that another vicious case of stabbing or wounding would occur.

Everyone had almost dispersed. Jiang Xinghuo looked at Wang Jing who was motionless and said, "Shilang Wang, please come back."

Wang Jing's silence finally broke out: "May I ask what kind of medicine is sold in the gourd of the Imperial Master? Why don't you continue the trial? By delaying the conclusion of the case, are you trying to embarrass the Ministry of Rites, or are you trying to embarrass me?"

This is the maximum anger a minister can express in public.

If you keep talking, trouble will come from your mouth.

From Wang Jing's perspective, Jiang Xinghuo was, of course, satisfied after he dug out the pirates pretending to be envoys from the Kingdom of Champa. After all, this incident was enough to embarrass Xun Zhan, and it was also enough for Wang Jing, the recommender, to bear the burden of identifying unknown people. notoriety.

As for the follow-up questioning of the old eunuch, although nothing was found, the case could be closed immediately and it was concluded that Chen Tianping's identity was forged. However, Jiang Xinghuo deliberately delayed it, clearly wanting to wait for the public opinion to ferment on this matter. Wang Jing was in a greater disadvantage, thus completely cutting off the possibility of being promoted to Minister of Rites, creating opportunities for Zhuo Jing of the reform faction.

How vicious are the intentions!

But Jiang Xinghuo's answer was somewhat beyond Wang Jing's expectations.

“To wait for the rabbit, you have to let the rabbit relax its vigilance.”

"What does this mean?" Xun Zhan, the young minister of Honglu Temple, was completely confused.

"What I mean is, go home and sleep, and you'll know tomorrow morning."

——————

After Wang Jing and Xun Zhan left, Jiang Xinghuo was guided by Jin Yiwei to a room, where Ji Gang had been waiting for a long time.

"If you have anything, just tell the Master. You have been in the Ming Dynasty for so many years, and you understand the methods of the Jinyiwei. If you suffer a crime, it will be worse than death. It is better to speak now. You also There are no worries and no handles, so what can't be said? If you have made a contribution, the Imperial Master will naturally report to His Majesty, and you and your old friends can spend your remaining years in the palace."

Ji Gang's words were moved by Xiao Zhi's emotion and reason, coupled with Jin Yiwei's notorious methods, the old eunuch who had been silent before suddenly told the truth as he knew it.

"He may be the grandson of Prince Annan, but his name should not be Chen Tianping."

"What's that called? Ruan Kang."

Hearing the name "Ruan Kang", the old eunuch seemed very unfamiliar. He shook his head and said: "Maybe his name is Yang Tianping. This Yang Tianping is indeed the grandson of Prince Annan, but he is not the grandson of the current branch."

The old eunuch's eyes showed a hint of contemplation. As he recalled and told the story, the mystery of Chen Tianping's identity finally came to light.

Before the Hu family (Li family) usurped the throne, the king of Annam was inherited from the lineage of Chen Shuming (temple name Yizong). However, there was also a tortuous power struggle, that is, Chen Yizong was not the eldest son. After his father After Chen Mingzong died, the throne was passed to his brother Chen Xianzong. Chen Xianzong was in poor health and died within a few years, and it was passed to his other brother Chen Yuzong.

Later, when Chen Yuzong died, logically speaking, even if it was Chen Shuming's turn, it was Chen Shuming's turn, because Chen Yuzong had no biological heirs.

However, the drama of the story is that Chen Yuzong would rather pass the throne to his outsiders than to his biological brothers.

It is not very accurate to say that he is an outsider. The successor to the throne chosen by Chen Yuzong is Chen Rili, the son of his brother, King Gongsu, Chen Yuanyu. It seems that his nephew will inherit the throne but not his brother. Although it is unreasonable, it is not unacceptable, right?

But the problem is that Chen Rili is not the biological son of King Gongsu Chen Yuanyu, but the adopted son!

When his mother was pregnant, King Gongsu Chen Yuanyu "pleased her beauty and accepted her as his own son." So Yang Rili changed his surname to Chen and was raised by King Gongsu as his own son in the palace.

Chen Yuzong resisted all opinions and helped Chen Rili to the throne of emperor of the Chen Dynasty before his death.

However, after Chen Rili felt that his family was stable, he began to stop pretending. Because his surname was Yang before being adopted by Chen Yuanyu, he changed his name back to Yang Rili. Then his top priority was to cut down the vassal vassal and basically kill all the Chen Dynasty clan.

Yes, it can basically be regarded as an enhanced version of Emperor Jianwen.

It is said to be an enhanced version because he lasted longer than Emperor Jianwen and ruled Annan for twelve years, three times as long as Emperor Jianwen!

However, Yang Rili was eventually pushed out of office by the ministers who launched a palace coup. After Chen Yizong, who was living among the people, came to power, he deposed him as Hunde Gong and killed him soon after. His name was also erased from the history books, and the history of Annan , and then there is the matter of the Hu family usurping the country.

And Chen Tianping, or Yang Tianping, is indeed the grandson of Annan, but not the grandson of Chen Yizong and Chen Shuming, but the grandson of the deposed emperor Yang Rili!

In this way, everything seems to be explained.

Chen Yuanhui, a clan loyal to Yang Rili, surrendered to the Champa Kingdom with his young prince and grandson. Yang Tianping was renamed Ruan Kang and stayed with Chen Yuanhui as a domestic slave. Now that Yang Tianping has grown up, he happened to encounter the Hu family usurping the country, so he traveled to the Ming Dynasty in order to regain the throne of Annan. And why did the letter sent by Pei Boxi to the real Annan prince and grandson fall into the hands of Yang Tianping? In the hand, it is unknown.

"What a great show "The Orphan of Zhao"!"

Jiang Xinghuojie praised.

"It's indeed wonderful." Ji Gang couldn't help but say.

"Bring Chen Tianping over and confirm his identity one last time."

Ji Gang nodded and called a guard outside the door, asking him to lead Chen Tianping in.

After a while, Chen Tianping was brought in. When he saw the old eunuch, he seemed to have thought of something and smiled bitterly.

"Should I call you Chen Tianping, or Yang Tianping?"

Jiang Xinghuo's words were undoubtedly a showdown.

Chen Tianping no longer had any need to hide, and said calmly: "Call me Chen Tianping, I don't want to be named Yang."

Jiang Xinghuo's interrogation was not sloppy in the slightest.

"Where did the letter come from?"

"Took it from the dead."

"Why come to Daming?"

"To restore the country and regain the throne."

Jiang Xinghuo was silent for a few moments, then asked again:

"Have you met Pei Boxi and Pei Wenli before?"

"I haven't seen it." Chen Tianping shook his head and said with regret, "If I had seen it, I wouldn't know that the letter was ghostwritten by Pei Wenli. This is my biggest failure. I really didn't expect that this old eunuch It doesn’t matter if you see through my identity, all the Ming Dynasty needs is Prince Annan’s grandson, right?”

Jiang Xinghuo was noncommittal and just asked another question.

"Is he really Pei Wenli?"

Chen Tianping nodded: "I think so. The content and handwriting cannot be faked. After I got it, I never showed this letter to anyone."

"Last question, who did you hear about the death of Pei Boxi and his son? Is the news accurate?"

"I have heard many people say that the information is accurate, otherwise I would not be so sure to report him. Inaccuracy would expose my identity."

Chen Tianping frowned: "But I still can't figure it out."

"You will figure it out soon. Just sit here and rest. Don't fall asleep. You are a smart person, don't do stupid things."

"I know."

Chen Tianping was very calm: "I still have value for the Ming Dynasty. I heard that the Ming Dynasty will soon send troops to attack Annan. I am not desperate enough to take risks. There is no need."

"It's good to know."

——————

The night is as warm and cool as water.

The faint moonlight filtered through the window lattice, and Pei Wenli, who was breathing calmly on the bed, suddenly turned over and stood up.

With bare feet, he quietly walked to the crack of the door and looked out through the crack.

It was already late at night, and sure enough, the Jin Yiwei who was watching him and Pei Boxi from the two rooms outside in the yard had already fallen asleep, snoring loudly.

Pei Wenli gently opened the door. There was no shortage of money in the Huitong Hall, and it was a place to entertain envoys. The door shaft naturally had enough oil and did not make any sound.

He carefully slipped out and closed the door, fearing that he would wake up Jin Yiwei who was sleeping in the yard by making any noise.

At this time, the moon was rising above the head, and the bright and cold moonlight poured down, bathing the entire courtyard in silvery white, adding a bit of light to the place shrouded in darkness.

A fragment of the teacup appeared silently in Pei Wenli's hand.

This fragment was brought out of the house by the dirt at the bottom of Chen Tianping's boots, and was picked up quietly by Pei Wenli.

Next door is his father Pei Boxi's room, and Pei Wenli's goal is right there.

Pei Wenli also opened the door next door gently, and at this time a figure was lying on the bed.

Pei Wenli couldn't hear breathing, and he didn't pay attention, not only because the breathing of a seriously injured person was extremely difficult to detect, but also because at this time, his heart was beating violently like a drum in his chest.

Pei Wenli quietly approached the bed, aimed at the neck of the figure lying on his back, and raised the fragments of the teacup in his hand high.

Just pierce this teacup fragment into his neck and cover his mouth. Even if he wakes up, he will probably die from excessive blood loss due to the deep wound!

Thinking of this, Pei Wenli could not help but feel a sense of joy in her heart.

As for whether Da Ming would discover him, he couldn't care less. Once the other party woke up, his identity would be completely exposed, and all his plans would be in vain. This was absolutely not allowed by him.

Unlike Chen Tianping, Pei Wenli did not have much value to Ming Dynasty.

"Bang!"

The fragment of the teacup in Pei Wenli's hand suddenly stabbed down, but there was no skin rupture or blood vessels gushing out. Instead, his own palm was scratched with blood by the fragment of the teacup.

Listening to the sound of hard wood clashing in her ears, Pei Wenli lifted the quilt in disbelief.

However, there is no Pei Boxi inside, it is just a carved wooden figure lying on its side.

"Bang!"

The door was suddenly kicked open, and a group of guards in golden clothes stood outside with crossbows and knives. The crossbow arrows, shining brightly in the moonlight, were already aimed at him.

Jiang Xinghuo walked in with Chen Tianping.

"Stop it, there are all Jin Yiwei outside."

——————

"I am Pei Wenli, but the seriously injured person is not my father Pei Boqi. He was sent by the Hu family to monitor me."

"Where is your father, Pei Boqi?"

"died."

"You betrayed it?"

"I'm not that despicable. It was Hu who killed him. I didn't want to die, so I surrendered."

"The purpose of your coming to Ming Dynasty."

"Exploring the reality and reality of the Ming Dynasty."

"Why was this 'Pei Boxi' stabbed by pirates?"

"Killing with a borrowed knife. I saw that there were many Champa people among the pirates, so I invited him out for a drink and gave him a drug that would make his hands and feet weak. This angered the pirates and got rid of the Hu family sent to monitor me. There is no need for people to be suspected. My identity can withstand investigation, and as long as he dies, Annan's string holding me will be cut off, and from now on, I can live completely under the sunshine of the Ming Dynasty."

"Do you know Chen Tianping's true identity?"

"I only found out after listening to you. Before, I only knew that he was Chen Yuanhui's domestic slave, named Ruan Kang. I didn't know that he was the grandson of the deposed emperor Yang Rili's branch."

"You are no longer of use to Ming Dynasty."

Screams came from inside the door.

Ji Gang walked out with the Xiuchun knife dripping with blood, cupped his hands to Jiang Xinghuo who was watching outside and said, "It's done."

Jiang Xinghuo nodded and stretched out his hand to Chen Tianping beside him.

Chen Tianping was stunned for a moment, not knowing this strange etiquette, but he still extended his hand.

After shaking hands, Jiang Xinghuo took out a piece of paper from his sleeve.

"This is the condition for Ming Dynasty to send troops to escort you back to Annan. Let's take a look."

Chen Tianping used the moonlight to look at the conditions on the paper that were insulting to the country, and his eyelids were dancing involuntarily.

"how?"

Chen Tianping took a deep breath and forced out a smile.

"This makes me feel at ease. If the Imperial Master does not mention these conditions and sends me back, I feel that I will never return."

Jiang Xinghuo looked up at the moonlight and said lightly.

"At this time, we look at each other but don't hear each other. I hope the moonlight will shine on you."

——————

The time temporarily jumps to three months later, in a teahouse in Nanjing City.

The two of them were sipping tea and reading newspapers opposite each other, and they were reading Ming Pao.

"Editor-in-Chief Xie, I read in the newspaper that the team escorting Chen Tianping back to China has set off today."

"Um."

Jie Jin put down the newspaper and looked at Pei Wenli opposite: "What, Editor Pei, do you want to go back too?"

"The editor-in-chief is joking. After witnessing the debates in the Ming Dynasty and seeing the unparalleled elegance of the Imperial Master, how could I be willing to return to a cultural desert like Annan?" Pei Wenli said, shaking her head with a smile.

Xie Jin took a sip of tea and asked, "What if the Imperial Master needs you to do something about cultural export?"

Pei Wenli put down the "Ming Pao" in her hand and said seriously.

"Being a lackey under the Imperial Master is truly a blessing for Pei!"