If I add money to become a layman, I can cultivate immortality

Chapter 41 Get ready to catch the big fish!
The arrest operation continued until dawn, and more than [-] people were arrested one after another and taken back to prison.

Although this operation will alert the enemy, some of the elite craftsmen will either flee upon hearing the news, lurk deeper, or destroy some evidence.

But there is no way around it. If we don't open a gap in advance, how can we follow the clues and dismantle Hou Jin's intelligence network step by step?

This kind of thing cannot happen overnight.

The news spread quickly, causing a wave of moderate fluctuations.

For those who don't know, isn't it normal for the court to arrest spies from an enemy country?No fuss.

However, for some insiders, the significance of this matter is not trivial.

Through various news channels, Jinyiwei arrested not only the Jurchens this time, but also many businessmen, and also sealed several shops.

Among them, there is an industry under the name of the famous Shanxi merchant Tian Jinshan.

There are also rumors that the master behind a gambling house called "Hongyunfang" that was sealed by Jinyiwei turned out to be Tang Yongchun, a member of the Criminal Department.

And Tang Yongchun was the brother-in-law of General Li's eldest son Li Chengxiu.

This is a little subtle.

At noon, Tang Yongchun left the Penal Department Yamen looking in a daze and was waiting to get on the sedan chair to go home.

At this time, Jin Yichuan came over with several Jin Yiwei, raised his hands to Tang Yongchun and said: "Master Tang, Jin Yichuan, who is in Fusi Xiaoqi, Xiabei Town, was ordered to ask Master Tang to go to the Jinyiwei Yamen for routine questioning."

Tang Yongchun's legs went weak and he almost fell to the ground.

Then, with a look of shame and anger, he shouted: "Get out of the way. I'm not feeling well. I'm about to go home and take medicine. If you have anything to do, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

"Master Tang, that would offend me!"

Jin Yichuan winked at several of his men, who immediately stepped forward to hold Tang Yongchun's hands and forced him into the sedan.

Then, he shouted to the pale bearer: "Get up and go to the Jinyiwei Yamen."

Tang Yongchun was so angry that he yelled, "Do you still have Wang Fa? I am a high-ranking member of the Criminal Department... um..."

Before he could finish his words, a guard in Jinyi stuffed his mouth with a piece of cloth.

"Get up!"

Not far away, a young man who looked like a boy took in all this and turned around in a hurry.

After making a big circle, he arrived at the backyard of Li Yongfang's house. He looked around, then pushed the back door open and quickly stepped in.

On the other side, at the Jinyiwei Yamen, Ding Xiu, Lu Jianxing and Shen Lian were sitting together to discuss matters.

"Brother, are you sure the person who attacked you last night was Eunuch Zhao?"

Ding Xiu nodded: "I'm absolutely sure, firstly, based on the smell on his body, and secondly, a woman once said to me that the best way to know someone is to look into their eyes.

No matter how disguised a person is, it is difficult to change his eyes. "

Shen Lian nodded thoughtfully: "Well, that makes sense...but it requires extraordinary eyesight."

Lu Jianxing sighed: "It seems that this time we have really touched Zhao Jingzhong's sore corner, so he took action personally."

“Now it seems that he and the Jurchens may have colluded, but we haven’t obtained the evidence yet.

But it doesn't matter, this is a big net, we will definitely catch a lot of big fish this time, one bite at a time, and eventually we will bite a bigger fish. "

"Yes!" Lu Jianxing nodded: "We must conduct a thorough interrogation this time. All the people we have captured have been separated, and no one is allowed to visit, in case someone conspires to confess or poisons."

While they were discussing, a shout suddenly came from outside: "The Bachelor of Arts is here!"

The name of the Bachelor of Arts is Wen Zhiyuan, a Bachelor of the Dongge Cabinet. He said some unpleasant words to Wei Zhongxian during the banquet because he was drunk, and Wei Zhongxian was almost beaten to death.

Fortunately, Han Kuang and others came forward to mediate and finally escaped.

Now he is finally proud and proud, and has become one of the top ministers in the cabinet.Ding Xiu and his party were not surprised by his arrival.

How could they arrest Tang Yongchun without the support of the cabinet?
After all, Tang Yongchun was arrested, and once his confession was obtained, the next step would be to arrest the big shots behind him.

By then, there may be a turmoil in the court.

"I have seen a great bachelor in my humble position!"

"See the old man!"

A crowd of people came forward to pay their respects.

Wen Zhiyuan raised his hand: "Haha, everyone is excused!"

After exchanging polite words, Lu Jianxing, Ding Xiu, and Shen Lian accompanied Wen Zhiyuan to the inner hall.

As soon as he sat down, Wen Zhiyuan went straight to the point and asked: "Has Tang Yongchun been arrested?"

Lu Jianxing cupped his hands and said, "Go back to the bachelor's degree. I have already sent someone to the Ministry of Punishment, and they will probably be back soon."

"Well, Lord Chief Assistant, I want you to capture the person first and lock him up. Don't try him first."

"No trial?"

Ding Xiu and the others couldn't help but look surprised.

Wen Zhiyuan said meaningfully: "Some things, it might be better to know them later than to know them early.

The Chief Assistant is discussing with the Emperor. There may be more important things for you to do next, so don't be anxious yet.

In short, people must be watched carefully, and no one should be allowed to visit Tang Yongchun, in case someone takes the opportunity to collude with him or even... poison him. "

Upon hearing this, Lu Jianxing quickly responded: "Grandmaster, don't worry, I will send someone to keep a close eye on you in this humble position."

"Well, that's right. Mr. Chief Assistant also asked me to give you a message, asking you to pay close attention to the trends in Beijing. Also, someone may put pressure on you.

No matter who you are, don’t be afraid. For this case, you can go directly to the cabinet, bypassing your superiors.

In short, the Chief Assistant has made up his mind this time to destroy the Jurchens’ intelligence network no matter what, and make them blind..."

Soon after, Ding Xiu and the others sent Wen Zhiyuan out the door with happy faces.

Wen Zhiyuan's intention is very clear. The cabinet will strongly support this operation including the follow-up investigation. Even the commander of the Jin Yiwei has no right to interfere.

If anyone interferes by force, the cabinet will step in to stop it.

Of course, Ding Xiu also knew in his heart that the cabinet had indeed given them great power, but at the same time, it also used them as guns.

Of course, destroying the Jurchen intelligence network was for the sake of the court.

However, there must be selfishness mixed in, and he wants to take this opportunity to bring down Li Yongfang.

As long as Li Yongfang falls, they can take the opportunity to liquidate all of Li Yongfang's cronies.

Most of these cronies are powerful figures in the Ministry of War and the army. After clearing out these people, many positions will be vacant, and the cabinet elders will naturally find ways to arrange their own people to fill the vacancies.

In short, they would just stand behind the scenes and let Ding Xiu and others charge into battle and offend others.

Of course Ding Xiu wouldn't care about this.

On the other hand, isn't he taking advantage of the power given by the cabinet?

When the affairs in the capital are almost settled, he will take the initiative to apply to Jinzhong to investigate the eight profiteers and start preparing food and wages for his future rebellion.

……

(End of this chapter)