Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

A true warrior has always dared to face the bleak life and the dripping blood.

There is no doubt that Xie Jin is such a warrior.

——He has completely transformed.

Not only do you let your own blood dripping with blood, but also let others drip with blood.

As soon as he arrived at Huai'an Prefecture, Xie Jin began to arrest officials involved in the "Assassination of Imperial Envoys and Conspiracy Cases" in the government office. He sent the notice to Fengyang, the central capital, and ordered the officials involved to confess their crimes with shackles. In contrast, , the Lianghuai Transport Salt Envoy Department does not seem to be involved, but this is only temporary.

Later, under an "accidental" interrogation, a certain government official admitted that he had transactions with some businessmen, and among them was a Yangzhou businessman named Liu Fuchun.

Following this line, Jie Jin arrested and interrogated Liu Fuchun with lightning speed, and in panic, Liu Fuchun confessed everything he could.

"What are you doing?"

At three o'clock in the morning, Dianshi was sleeping in the brothel. Several guards in golden clothes broke into the door. The woman beside him was so frightened that her face turned pale and she screamed. Then after seeing the clothes of the visitor clearly, she quickly put on her clothes and fled the scene.

Nadian Shi was very calm: "What are you doing? Don't you know that I am doing business?"

Several Jin Yiwei were delighted, and the leader, a tall Jin Yiwei wearing a silver-threaded flying fish uniform, said.

"I have been ordered to fetch someone. Stop working and please come with us!"

Dianshi bluffed and said with a gloomy expression, "What mistake did I make? Why should I be arrested?"

"You will know what mistake you made when you come back with us. This matter involves too many things, and you are not the only one. Take it down!" The Jin Yiwei said coldly.

"Don't come over! Let go"

As soon as he finished speaking, a few fingers pressed down on his head and pressed his whole head to the edge of the bed.

Immediately afterwards, the other two Jinyi guards stepped forward and held down Dianshi's legs, preventing him from moving.

Immediately, Jin Yiwei tied up his whole body with hemp ropes, even his toes.

At this time, Dianshi probably felt that disaster was imminent, so he finally stopped covering up and cursed angrily.

"You guys. You bunch of bastards"

Dian Shi struggled hard: "Quickly let go of me. I am the imperial court."

One of the Jin Yiwei sneered: "Who do you think you are? Are you worthy of being called the 'Court'?"

The leading Jin Yiwei ignored him and only ordered the remaining subordinates: "Carry him out!"

Then Dianshi was carried on all fours like a pig, walked out of the brothel step by step, and disappeared at the end of the street corner.

Soon, Dianshi was taken to a mansion.

The leading Jin Yiwei threw a key to his subordinates, opened the door, and put down Dian Shi.

"Go in and wait!"

"Where is this?"

"You'll find out later when you meet someone you know." The Jin Yiwei replied coldly.

After hearing these words, Norishi suddenly felt chills running down his spine, as if he had fallen into an abyss. His muscles tightened and his heart was beating wildly.

Not long after, several more officials were brought over, including judges and officials.

"Unjustly accused!"

Some people came in and shouted injustice.

"Unjustly accused?" Zhao Haichuan, who came in, sneered, "The treasure banknotes found from your home have conclusive evidence, and there are both witnesses and material evidence. How can I still accuse you unjustly?"

"Someone must have framed me and placed those treasures in our home."

A short, fat, wretched-looking man denied it.

"Hmph! You still dare to quibble?"

Zhao Haichuan snorted coldly and shook out a Ming Dynasty treasure banknote from his sleeve. This banknote, which had been coated with a special potion, clearly showed a certain dark pattern in the sunlight.

When he saw these treasure notes, Dianshi finally understood at this moment.

It turns out that everything today was a set up, and someone had already laid a trap, specially prepared for them!

He was certain that he would never escape.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but shudder.

"Damn Liu Fuchun! How dare you harm me!" the official said bitterly.

——————

"What? A large number of middle and lower-level officials in the Yamen were taken away by the Jin Yiwei?"

In the study room of the capital transfer envoy, Shi Youmin, who was wearing official robes, showed a look of astonishment after listening to the report of his subordinates, and then frowned and confirmed: "Is this serious?"

It's not that Shi Youmin doesn't believe in evil, but that his repeated question is just a subconscious move, just to give himself more time to think. He usually only uses this trick with his colleagues, but now he is really at a loss.

The confidant reported respectfully: "It's absolutely true. Jin Yiwei came to the door today with a confession and evidence of accepting bribes. It was a businessman who admitted that he wanted to carry salt but could not do it, so he was forced to bribe the officials of the salt field, and To explain clearly what happened, it’s still a document from our yamen!”

"Is this businessman the same Liu Fuchun who came here a few days ago?"

"Exactly!"

At this time, Shi Youmin suddenly thought that Liu Fuchun might be from Jin Yiwei!

He wanted to say, "If you don't want people to stare at you, why didn't you report it earlier?" However, when the words came to his lips, he turned into "Someone dares to accept bribes?"

Shi Youmin was so furious that he kicked the chair over on the spot and said sternly: "Even if the Jinyi Guards don't catch them, I will punish these worms severely!"

The close subordinates watched the performance of this capital transfer envoy and seemed to be able to keep up with the rhythm.

"It's all going well so that you can calm down a little bit."

The confidants hurriedly comforted them, and then continued: "Although some people have exposed what these people did, this matter is just the opinions of some bystanders, and it is currently impossible to determine what is going on."

Shi Youmin clenched his fists, stared at his subordinates with a gloomy face, and said in a hateful voice: "As the transfer envoy of the capital, I cannot sit back and watch this happen. I personally assisted Jin Yiwei in this case, and none of them should be arrested." Let it go, do you understand?"

After hearing the last three words, Shi Youmin bit her tightly, and her close subordinates naturally understood what was going on.

No one can be let go. This is obviously to ask him to quickly destroy possible evidence and block Jin Yiwei's investigation clues. This is how the Yanwu Yamen passed the last time they faced the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

If some evidence cannot be destroyed in the hands of certain people, then they can only commit suicide out of fear of guilt.

"Yes!" The close subordinates immediately bowed their hands solemnly, turned around and left in a hurry.

——————

At the same time that Xie Jin arrived at Huai'an Mansion with bloody evidence, Huai'an Magistrate Yang Wei, who had been running back and forth for several days, finally returned from Fengyang, the central capital.

Different from the previous panic, this time Yang Gu was full of confidence because he received guidance from a heavyweight on this trip. This person was Fengtian Jingnan Tuicheng Xuanli Military Minister, Tejin Ronglu Doctor, Zhu Guo, Longping Hou, the holder of the imperial certificate (commonly known as the "Dan Shu Iron Certificate"), Zhang Xin, the governor of water transportation, who himself could avoid death, was Zhu Di's "en Zhang".

Because the consort Mei Yin had previously stationed 100,000 second-line troops in Huai'an Prefecture, after Mei Yin was escorted back to Nanjing, most of these troops were included in Shandong's preparations for the Japanese army, and a small number were reorganized on the spot. Entered the Huanghuaidu Command Department and the Water Transport Troops.

It is well known that water transport is a waste of money, and a huge waste of money can naturally only fall on the lucky ones. There is no doubt that Zhang Xin is such a person.

Zhang Xin, like Li Jinglong, Xu Huizu and others, is a member of the Huaixi military aristocratic group, but he cannot compete with his father. His father Zhang Xing was just a pawn when he followed Lao Zhu to raise an army in Haozhou. He didn't have the savior's merits like Gu Cheng, so he fought in the north and south for many years. When Hongwu founded the country, he was only the Yongning Guard of the Xuanfu commanding the Qianshi. He was not a small but definitely not a big fourth-grade official. .

During Zhang Xing's tenure in the Xuanfu, he met a young man who was about the same age as his son, and the whole family had a good relationship with this young man, but little is known about this past. Well, this young man's name was Zhu Di.

After Zhang Xing died and Zhang Xin inherited his father's position, he was transferred to Guizhou and fought under Gu Cheng. He performed well and caught the eye of Zhu Yunwen. During the Jianwen Dynasty, Zhu Yunwen appointed Zhang Xin as the capital of Peiping in order to reduce the vassal. After receiving the order from the imperial court, the commander Zhang Xin hurried from Guizhou to Peking with his wife, mother and two sons. After receiving the secret edict given to him by Zhu Yunwen, he finally understood the purpose of his transfer to Peking - —Monitor Zhu Di, the king of Yan, who was suffering from "madness".

Isn't this a coincidence?

In June of the first year of Jianwen, Qi Tai, one of Zhu Yunwen's Crouching Dragon and Phoenix young, captured the spy sent by Zhu Di to the capital to inquire about the news. The spy could not resist Qi Tai's torture and admitted that Zhu Di was not crazy. Eating pig shit was all an act, which forced Zhu Yunwen to speed up the pace of cutting down the vassal. He issued a secret edict to the military and political officials in Peiping, ordering the arrest of King Zhu Di of Yan. This letter made Zhang Xin worried, and his expression returned home. The panic could not be concealed at all. His mother asked him, Zhang Xin was filial and told the truth. However, his mother had known Zhu Di for many years and regarded him as her nephew, so she immediately persuaded Zhang Xin to inform and help King Yan.

This time "listening to mother's words" not only brought ten generations and two hundred years of wealth to the Zhang family, but also allowed Zhu Di, under the planning of the old monk and Jin Zhong, to order Zhu Neng, Qiu Fu and other eight hundred warriors to seize the nine gates of Peiping at night. Then began the four-year peace campaign.

Compared with his father, Lao Zhu, Zhu Di still attached great importance to emotions and was willing to share the glory and wealth with the heroes. So after the Huanghuai Chief Envoy was allocated last year, he entrusted the post of Governor of Water Transport to him. Zhang Xin.

Unlike the obedient Huanghuai envoy who was recommended by Zhu Gaochi, Zhang Xin was the local emperor in this world who controlled the sky with one hand. He basically controlled water transportation, salt affairs, and the army with one hand.

It was only with Zhang Xin's advice that Yang Wei gained the confidence.

When the two met again, their moods were completely different.

In the evening, Yang Wei was brought into a special room.

"Snapped!"

The oil lamp in the room lit up with a crackling sound, reflecting on his tired face.

Not long after, the door opened and Shi Youmin stepped in. He saw Yang Wei, who was obviously much calmer.

"I've seen you, Lord Transport Envoy!" Yang Wei stood up and saluted respectfully.

Although he is a parent official, Shi Youmin is the well-deserved number one person in this world. In terms of position, he is half a level lower than Shi Youmin. Shi Youmin can be superior to him in any situation.

Shi Youmin waved his hand and said, "Sit down."

"Thank you, Lord Transporter." Yang Wei sat back on the chair.

Shi Youmin pretended not to know and asked, "I heard that Mr. Yang Fu has been ill these past few days. Is his illness getting better?"

The so-called "illness" is naturally the reason why he went to Fengyang to meet Shangguan in person, and the other meaning is the problem they are facing together now, Jie Jin.

Yes, there has never been any empathy in this world. Shi Youmin didn't care at first because the fire didn't burn him. Only local officials were suspected of plotting to assassinate the imperial envoy.

But things are different now. A large number of middle- and lower-level officials from the Salt Envoy's Yamen have been arrested. These people are all officials who actually carry out salt affairs, which is very different from the previous cases where the Metropolitan Procuratorate only targeted high-level officials.

Just when Yang Ping was about to speak, Shi Youmin asked again: "Have you ever seen Mr. Zhang?"

Hearing this, Yang Wei subconsciously wanted to speak, but immediately realized that something was wrong. He raised his head and looked at Shi Youmin, and the title changed again.

"When did Master Shi know about it?"

"What do you think?" Shi Youmin sneered.

Shi Youmin's subtext is of course what happened in this place. How many of them do I not know?

After all, even though Shi Youmin didn't have enough connections in the central government, he had been running the business locally for nearly ten years.

In fact, Shi Youmin had received news about Liu Fuchun when he first arrived. However, there were too many similar news about businessmen coming to carry salt. After a little inspection of Liu Fuchun's origin, Shi Youmin knew This is a businessman who was born and raised in Yangzhou. He wants to make a fortune this time, so he won't pay attention to him anymore.

Yang Wei's tricks can fool others, but in front of an experienced veteran like Shi Youmin, they look extremely childish.

The chief envoy in the Huanghuai Chief Envoy Department, like Huang Huai, is a direct descendant of the eldest prince Zhu Gaochi. He hides in the Yamen every day and the dragon never comes back. This matter cannot be touched by him. Even if it is somewhat involved, he will definitely do it. Being saved by the eldest prince, Wang Yuanshan, who was the deputy of the local faction, was captured by Jie Jin at this time, which was probably in line with his wishes.

The only people who are really involved in the salt affairs, except for Yang Gu and Li Heng of Huai'an Prefecture, are these people from the Lianghuai Salt Fields, and Zhang Xin, who covers the sky with his hands above them. What did Yang Gu gain besides visiting Zhang Xin? Hint, what else could make him show completely opposite attitudes?

In the Ming Dynasty, some people disappear inexplicably every year, some are implicated in certain things, and some die unexpectedly, and they are usually called abandoned children.

Even a high-ranking official like Yang Wei, who is in a scarlet robe, is just a chess piece involuntarily at a higher place. And if Yang Wei really cannot give up, then naturally Jie Jin will not do it himself, because there are still chess pieces. Hand, you still need this chess piece.

In Shi Youmin's view, even the Governor of Water Transport and Longping Hou Zhang Xin is not qualified to be the top chess player. All his achievements today are just relying on his past achievements in changing history and the emperor's favor. In the final analysis, it is the emperor who let go The chess piece in the canal position.

Even if this chess piece is wrong, even if it has some crimes, as long as it is not a serious crime of treason, then the emperor will not do anything to Zhang Xin in order to show it to the world. After all, he carries two gold medals to avoid death.

Although it is said that the effect of the death-free gold medal depends entirely on the emperor, but since the emperor recognizes it, nothing will happen to Zhang Xin.

But just because Zhang Xin won't get into trouble doesn't mean that nothing will happen to Yang Gu under his control. This short-term sense of security is completely illusory.

The interests of Zhang Xin, the governor of water transportation, conflicted with the Salt Transport Department of the Huaihe and Huaidu capitals, so Shi Youmin did not take Zhang Xin's route.

But Shi Youmin didn't panic, because he had already taken action in the center. As long as he could calmly cut off all the clues that might implicate him like the last time he faced the sudden attack by the Metropolitan Procuratorate, he would be fine. .

Because corruption in the salt affairs alone could not be traced to him, and he himself was not involved in the case of suspected plotting to assassinate the imperial envoy.

Therefore, even though it seems to be on the cusp of a storm now, it is actually still relatively safe.

When Shi Youmin revealed the identity of the opponent's "chess piece", Yang Wei's face became a little gloomy.

Yang Gu is not a fool. He is capable of serving as a prefect. Of course he knows what happens in the temple. Nothing is guaranteed. If I swear to you today, I will stab you tomorrow. But after all, he has served Zhang Xin for more than a year. There is no lack of filial piety, and I ask myself that Zhang Xin should protect him at the critical moment.

how to say? It can only be said that at certain times, people only want to see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear.

"The matter is now over. If you feel that you are safe and sound, there is no need to visit me again. To be honest, don't you still feel unsure?" Shi Youmin no longer tried to hide it and said directly.

"Then is there a way for Mr. Shi to pass safely?" Yang Wei hesitated for a moment. He had Zhang Xin's guarantee, but he also wanted to hear what the other party thought.

"It's nothing clever. A strong man cuts off his wrist, but it needs to be more ruthless."

After saying that, Shi Youmin whispered a few words to him.

After a moment, Yang Wei responded hesitantly: "That's feasible, but..."

"Haha, okay! In that case, please trouble Mr. Yang to do something." Shi Youmin smiled lightly.

Yang Wei's expression softened slightly, he nodded and asked, "Sir, please speak!"

Shi Youmin's lips moved: "I want you to forge a false confession."

"Master Shi, you mean to frame Li Heng?!" Yang Wei was shocked.

Shi Youmin nodded: "Yes, this false confession is ironclad evidence of Li Heng's guilt!"

Li Heng was already an abandoned son, and the charges of plotting to assassinate the imperial envoy, accepting bribes, and even colluding with local officials and businessmen were all pinned on him, and everyone else could go ashore at risk.

"But Li Heng is not a fool, he..." Yang Wei immediately realized what was wrong with the problem.

"Li Heng is already unconscious."

At this moment, Shi Youmin suddenly said something, and it was this sentence that shocked Yang Wei.

Li Heng was in coma under the strict control of Jin Yiwei and was tried in Yangzhou Mansion. How did Shi Youmin know?

Shi Youmin dusted his collar and said calmly.

"Just write, I will find a way to make him die."

"But. This is a serious crime against the nine tribes. If it is exposed, we will all suffer!" Yang Wei was worried.

"Don't worry, I have made arrangements. As long as you do what I say, I guarantee that you will be safe. But if it goes wrong, you and I will both have to play." Shi Youmin's tone was calm, but it revealed a suffocating tone. murderous intent.

Seeing the determined expression on Shi Youmin's face, Yang Wei hesitated for a long time before speaking: "Master Shi, do you really want to take such a big risk?"

"When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs be intact? Just do it with confidence." Shi Youmin said solemnly.

Seeing Shi Youmin's confident look, Yang Wei's worries gradually dissipated. Anyway, it's all a matter of swordsmanship, so why not take a gamble!

If you win the bet, you can save your head and the black gauze hat on your head.

Yang Wei agreed to Shi Youmin's plan to cut off the strong man's wrist and said goodbye.

After Yang Wei left, a servant walked in.

Shi Youmin handed him a secret letter she had just written: "I want you to send this letter to Chef Hao."

"Where is Chef Hao now?" the servant asked after taking the letter.

Shi Youmin thought for a moment, shook his head and said, "I don't know for the moment, but he usually stays at the butcher's place in the East Market."

"Want to eat raw meat?"

Shi Youmin nodded: "Yes, don't overcook them. Be sure to kill them cleanly and wash away all the blood and water."

——————

East Market, a remote alley, is where Chef Hao lives.

At this time, Chef Hao had changed his clothes, his face was red, and he looked very happy.

There was a large pot outside the house, and firewood was lit under the pot, which was burning red and hot.

"Hurry up!" Chef Hao shouted.

"Here it comes~" came the response from outside.

Then I saw two young men walking from outside carrying a whole pig.

Chef Hao glanced at the pig and ordered: "Bring some pieces of cloth and wrap it up to prevent it from being contaminated by oil fumes."

After a few moments, the area around the cauldron was cleared.

Then several more apprentices poured buckets of steaming different liquids into the cauldron.

"so little?"

Chef Hao looked at his apprentices in confusion. They only had half a bucket every time. Why was there less today?

"Master, there is still one bucket out of stock." An apprentice reminded.

Chef Hao patted his head and walked through the "forest" filled with dried meat of dead animals, passed through the knife room of various butcher knives and kitchen knives, and came to a place.

Sure enough, there was a bucket of blood. Chef Hao suddenly smiled and quickly took it out.

Then someone puts the pig into the pot and puts the lid on.

At this time, a carriage stopped in front of the alley.

"Chef Hao, what big dish are you going to make tonight?"

"Hey, you didn't know this! Today we are going to slaughter a pig. I heard it is very fat. It will definitely be a big meal tonight."

"Hey, I need to prepare more wine. This kind of thing happens only once in a lifetime, haha..."

The servant said with a smile, and then handed him a letter.

"It's time to give birth."

Chef Hao calmly received the greasy apron in his front pocket, then came to the room where he had just carried the blood bucket and unfolded it to take a look.

There are only a few words on it.

"Chef Hao, I want to eat sheep (yang) meat."

Sacrificing seedlings "I was a rebel in the late Ming Dynasty"