Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

As the iron certificate of the alchemy book was revealed, the whole place was in an uproar.

Everyone originally thought that the Marquis of Huichang Sun Ming was going to be beheaded, but no one expected that the Marquis of Huichang's mansion actually had a gold medal for immunity from death, which made things turn around again.

But some people also realized that Huichang Hou Mansion did have a gold medal to avoid death.

The matter is naturally inseparable from the first Huichang Marquis Sun Jiming. At that time, Huichang Marquis Sun Jizong played an active role in seizing the gate, and was promoted to Marquis for his merits.

Because of the relationship between the Empress Dowager Sun, Yingzong gave Sun Jizong the title of "Meritor of Fengtian Yiwei's sincerity and Xuanli", and went to Dr. Guanglu and Zhuguo to give him an iron certificate of alchemy.

Compared with Shi Heng and others, this courtesy is unique and even obviously biased. It's just that the iron certificate of the alchemy book was indeed a gift from the Emperor Yingzong, so it was naturally authoritative.

"wrong!"

It was at this moment that Li Yu, the official minister, suddenly stood up.

Everyone turned to look at the official minister, their eyes full of confusion.

But before Zhu Youtang could ask, Changning Bo Zhou Yu asked back with a bit of disdain: "Li Shangshu, what's wrong? You may not be aware of the fact that Emperor Yingzong gave the iron certificate of the Alchemy Book to the Marquis of Huichang Mansion, but the people in the capital Everyone in the honorable circle knows this.”

The people in the hall actually didn't know, but when they heard Uncle Chang Ning say it so confidently, they didn't quite believe that the Marquis of Huichang Mansion forged the iron book of alchemy.

"Can I have a look?" Li Yu, the Minister of Civil Affairs, stood up and gave a gift to Zhu Youtang, and then made a request to Sun Nie.

Sun Nian raised his eyes and looked at his father. Seeing that his father had no intention of stopping him, he arrogantly showed Li Yu his iron book of alchemy.

The iron coupons are shaped like rolling tiles, with carved characters and painted columns. Because the words are filled with gold water, the front shows a different kind of nobility. Since each holds half, there is actually only the lower half here.

According to the normal format, the first half should be engraved with the date of granting the coupon, the name, title, town, and meritorious deeds of the recipient; the second half should be engraved with the privileges granted by the emperor to the recipient, and the emperor oath.

What the iron certificate of alchemy now shows is the oath of Yingzong, and the privilege of immunity from death given by Yingzong to Gongsun Jizong of Tan State - "I will be exempted from two deaths, and my son will be exempted from one death."

Although more than thirty years have passed, it is well preserved and the gold characters are clearly visible.

Li Yu's face suddenly showed excitement, and he pointed to the inscription on the iron coupon: "Your Majesty, this iron coupon clearly records: 'I will be spared two deaths, and my son will be spared one death.' This iron stamp is Tan's book. If the Duke gets it, he will avoid the death of Duke Tan twice, and the death of Sun Lian, the descendant of Duke Tan, so this coupon is invalid to this day!"

As soon as these words came out, Li Si, the Minister of Revenue, and others all reacted, and their faces couldn't help but burst into joy.

Unlike Wei Guogong's iron certificates of alchemy that could protect future generations, the military achievements built by Sun Jizong are not worthy of special mention, so the ordinary iron certificates given by Yingzong can be said to be a generous gift.

It's just that the format of ordinary iron coupons is "a person is exempted from two deaths, and a son is exempted from one death." Although Sun Ming succeeded Sun Jizong, his identity was Sun Jizong's direct grandson.

Just like this, although the iron certificate of the alchemy book was completely preserved, it could not save Sun Ming's life at all.

"Yes, this iron coupon of the elixir has expired!"

"Yes, we only protect his grandfather and father, what does that have to do with his grandson?"

"After doing this for a long time, I almost got deceived by him. I really shouldn't have protected him!"

…

After hearing Li Yu's words, the eyes of the people in the hall suddenly lit up. They also realized that there were flaws in the iron certificate of the alchemy book, and they echoed excitedly.

Although they have no grudges against the Marquis of Huichang and have nothing to do with Qian Fu, it is undoubtedly a great pleasure in life to see justice being promoted.

Now things have taken a turn for the worse again. Now that the iron certificate of the elixir that Sun Ming took out cannot save him from death, he will naturally have to be pushed to the guillotine.

"Li Shangshu, you only know one thing, but not the other!" Just when everyone was in a state of excitement, the little old man who followed suddenly stood up and said.

As soon as these words came out, everyone's eyes fell on this little old man.

This little old man has a white beard and fair skin. He appears to be over sixty years old, but his overall mental condition is very good, especially his eyes.

Li Yu recognized that this was Sun Zan, the eldest son of Sun Jizong. Since he was a concubine, the title of Marquis of Huichang was inherited by his direct lineage, so he glanced at him and said, "Sun Zan, I would like to hear the details!"

Zhu Youtang frowned slightly and looked at the Sun family up and down, vaguely feeling that things might change.

From Sun Ming's clean confession just now to the appearance of this iron book of alchemy, it is impossible for this group of people not to know the limitations of this iron ticket.

That's right. Judging from the little old man's words and deeds, I'm afraid there is another story. Otherwise, it is unlikely that the Marquis of Huichang would be so confident.

Although Huichang Hou Sun Ming was already kneeling in the hall, his eyes flashed with pride at this moment.

Everyone thought he was seeking death just now, but they didn't know that their grandfather and father left behind not only titles and wealth, but also this death-free medal.

After Sun Zan paid tribute to Zhu Youtang, he told the whole story: "Yin Ming'er was naughty when he was young! When our Huichang Marquis Mansion received a generous gift from Emperor Yingzong, my father and younger brother went to the palace to meet Emperor Yingzong. , Empress Xiaogong Sun was also present at that time, and Yun’s father, younger brother and Sun Ming were each spared from death!”

ah? Three generations each died?

When hearing these words, everyone present couldn't help but look at each other.

If things are really as Sun Zan said, then this iron book of alchemy can still be used on Sun Ming, and Sun Ming will naturally be able to avoid death.

At this thought, everyone's excitement disappeared, and they looked blankly at Song Cheng and the emperor behind Song Cheng.

Song Cheng frowned slightly, then straightened his face: "The contract is made of iron and written in elixir. Naturally, the content recorded above is used as the certificate. How can we add the old words from the past, so the iron certificate is no longer valid!"

"How dare you, a little Shuntian Yin, dare to despise Emperor Yingzong and Empress Xiaogong Sun? What crime should you be punished for?" Sun Zan pointed at Song Cheng and sternly accused him.

Sun Ming, the Marquis of Huichang who was kneeling on the ground, suddenly panicked, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes.

This iron certificate did have a flaw. Although Emperor Yingzong agreed at the time, he did not formally replace the iron certificate with an explicit alchemy book.

If the current emperor does not acknowledge what happened back then, or even acknowledges the verbal decree of Emperor Yingzong, then his head may not be saved.

Song Cheng's face did not change, appearing tit for tat: "I have no intention of disrespecting Emperor Yingzong and Queen Xiaogong, but the iron bond should be 'deeded with iron and written in elixir'. Naturally, it must be based on what is written above." , how can it be spoken orally? And it has been a long time, so how can I rely on your words?"

"You ignorant fanatic, you are just messing around here! Your Majesty, our Huichang Marquis Mansion did not fabricate this matter. It must be recorded in the palace, please verify it!" Sun Zan accused Song Cheng, and then made a request to Zhu Youtang road.

Zhu Youtang had been observing Sun Zan's words and deeds, but he knew that this matter should be true.

After all, the price of cheating on this kind of thing is too high, and it is not difficult to find out the truth yourself. But Song Cheng is also right, and everything must be based on the iron certificate of the elixir.

It's just that as an emperor, what needs to be considered is not justice and personal likes and dislikes, but his own imperial power. Therefore, the verbal promise of Emperor Yingzong cannot be easily overturned.

Song Cheng was a person who accepted death, and was not afraid of offending the Marquis of Huichang. He said: "Your Majesty, since the iron coupon is used to withstand death, the engraving on the iron coupon shall prevail. Now it is 'I will be spared two deaths, and my son will be spared one death', so the iron coupon is invalid. Request an order to kill the Marquis of Huichang!"

"Yin of the Song Dynasty, what are your intentions in so confusing the truth and putting our Huichang Marquis Mansion to death?" Sun Zan asked, his beard standing on end with anger, and he seemed to be frothing at the mouth.

Song Cheng's eyes were very firm, and he seemed to respond matter-of-factly: "I only believe that the law of heaven is clear! The Marquis of Huichang must pay for the death of seventeen people in the Qian Mansion by destroying the whole family. This iron ticket does not exempt him from death. He must be executed immediately." !”

"The words of Emperor Yingzong and Empress Xiaogong don't count. Are you trying to trap His Majesty into being unfilial?" Sun Zan was a person who knew how to fight in politics, and he took it seriously.

Huh?

When Li Yu, the Minister of Civil Affairs, heard this question, he suddenly realized that he really shouldn't kill the Marquis of Huichang so easily.

Although Emperor Yingzong has passed away long ago, the throne of the current emperor is ultimately derived from Yingzong. If His Majesty does not recognize Emperor Yingzong's verbal promise, he is likely to be stigmatized as unfilial.

Once this infamy reaches the local area, it may become the slogan of local vassal kings' uprisings in the future, especially since Zhu Youtang does have a lot of brothers.

Song Cheng knew that some crimes were unbearable, so he explained: "I have no such intention, but use the iron book of elixir to discuss the matter. The Marquis of Huichang should be executed! Only strict laws can make the people of the world fear and obey the law." !”

The two men were going back and forth in the courtroom, arguing for several rounds, but there was still no end in sight.

"Your Majesty, I think we can temporarily imprison Changhou until the facts are verified!" Li Si, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, knew that this dispute was meaningless, so he stood up and made a suggestion.

The Minister of Industry, Jia Jun, and others who had been silent all this time knew that the case had reached a new level, especially now that the emperor was in a dilemma, so they all stood up and agreed.

Zhu Youtang knew that he could not directly ignore the existence of the iron certificate of the alchemy book. The best response strategy now was to delay, and he immediately agreed: "It's accurate!"

Huichang Hou Sun Ming frowned slightly, but he knew that he could not escape this prison at all. After all, the iron certificate of the alchemy book he held was indeed flawed.

Although Song Cheng wanted to bring Changhou to justice on the spot, the matter involved an iron certificate of alchemy issued by the royal family. Now it was a good result to put Changhou under supervision.

"Go back to the palace!"

Liu Jin noticed Zhu Youtang's gaze and immediately shouted in a loud voice.

"I will send you off to your Majesty!" Li Yu, the Minister of Civil Affairs, and other officials saw that Zhu Youtang was about to leave, and they immediately knelt down.

"The common people bid farewell to Your Majesty, long live my emperor!" The people in the hall were glad that they could see the emperor in their lifetime, and they also knelt down to say goodbye.

Today's case can be described as full of twists and turns. At first, it was thought that the murderer was Du Ming, the Minister of Punishment, and then it was found out that it was Sun Ming, the Marquis of Huichang. As a result, Sun Ming actually produced an iron certificate of alchemy.

At this moment, the dark clouds dispersed again, and the golden sunshine fell on the kneeling people, and the bright yellow, which represented the royal color, was particularly dazzling.

Song Cheng, Yin of the Shuntian Prefecture, who was wearing a third-grade official uniform, hesitated for a moment, and then said his request: "Your Majesty, the crime committed by the Marquis of Huichang cannot be forgiven. Today's iron book of elixirs does not prevent Sun Ming's death. Please be sure to kill the Marquis of Huichang." !”

The voice was so loud that Sun Zan and other people in the Huichang Hou Mansion stared at Song Cheng, and Sun Zan's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

Zhu Youtang naturally ignored Song Cheng's request, but pretended not to hear it, walked straight to the gate, and then boarded Hou Zai's golden chariot outside the gate of Shuntian Mansion.

He didn't want to kill the Marquis of Huichang, but the iron certificate of the elixir book was related to the credibility of the royal family, and even more related to his filial name. Even if he is a high-ranking emperor, he must be cautious in handling this matter.

Although the emperor was leaving the palace this time, the Shuntian Mansion Office was not far from the north gate of the Forbidden City, so it did not disturb the people too much. He only walked through two streets and returned to the palace.

The first month of the second year of Hongzhi is destined to be a lively month.

Originally, the mass murder case of the Qian Mansion attracted wide attention from the people of Beijing, but now the dignified emperor actually came out of the palace to observe it, causing the people of the entire city of Beijing to talk about this matter.

It's just that where there are people, there are rivers and lakes, not to mention it is the capital of the Ming Dynasty.

The Shuntian Mansion case spread throughout the streets of Beijing that day, but Huichang Hou's case was far from as simple as everyone thought, and the storm suddenly arose.

"Such evil deeds are unacceptable to the Marquis of Huichang!"

"In my opinion, after all, they are relatives of the emperor, so of course your majesty wants to protect him!"

"If you ask me, the palace records must be an excuse. I think this matter was discussed in advance!"

…

Regarding the handling of the Huichang Hou case, many scholars have pointed their swords at Zhu Youtang, believing that Zhu Youtang was trying to cover up the treacherous Hou Sunming of Huichang.

"Emperor Yingzong and Empress Gongsun agreed, so they will naturally be spared from death!"

"The Ming Dynasty ruled the world with filial piety. If the emperor kills the Marquis of Huichang, it will be unfilial!"

"If it is a verbal promise, but since it is the words of Emperor Yingzong, descendants should follow it!"

…

However, in the same case, many people maintained the status of the alchemy book. If Zhu Youtang killed the Marquis of Huichang, it would be unfilial.

In the public opinion in the capital, no matter which approach Zhu Youtang chooses, he is destined to be criticized. He must choose one of the options for covering up a treacherous person or being unfilial.

The world is so bizarre. Zhu Youtang obviously considers the interests of the people in everything he does, but his reputation among the scholars in the capital is on a downward trend.

That night, something about the palace records came to light.

"Your Majesty, the humble position has been verified!" Guo Yong just came back today and led all the eunuchs of the Supervisor of Ceremonies to conduct a search, and now the results have finally been obtained.

Zhu Youtang knew that he would eventually come, so he asked calmly: "How is it?"

"There is indeed a record of this matter, and Yingzong did agree to it at that time. Please take a look at it!" Guo Yong sighed secretly and submitted the corresponding record.

Zhu Youtang took over the palace records and couldn't help but sigh to himself after seeing the relevant records above.

Although he had already guessed such an outcome, he found himself in a dilemma when he learned that it was exactly as the people from Huichang Houfu said.