Daming: I, Yang Xian, really govern Yang!

Daotong had now completely offended Zhu Liangzu. Wang Hua knew Zhu Liangzu's character and he would not give up so easily.

But he didn't expect that Zhu Liangzu's revenge would come so quickly and his methods would be so cruel.

A letter written by the consort Ouyang Lun to Zhou Bao directly killed Daotong.

After reading this letter.

Facing the officials from the Ministry of Justice who came to Guangzhou to investigate the matter, Zhou Bao took the initiative to admit the smuggling and accused Dao Tong.

He said that his colleague was in the same group. The confession included the time and place of the crime, and the amount of money given. Everything was described in great detail.

As expected, officials from the Ministry of Justice later found a box of silver in Dao Tong's home, which completely matched Zhou Bao's confession.

Regarding this box of silver, Daotong couldn't explain the origin at all, and he couldn't argue with it.

According to Zhou Bao's confession, he went to the port to pick up the goods as usual, but the new government clerk was completely different from the previous subordinates. He didn't understand the rules at all and wanted to go directly and open the goods he had hidden in the mezzanine of the wooden box. goods inside.

Zhou Bao was so anxious that he picked up a stone and hit the opponent's head directly. Because the shot was too heavy, he missed and killed the opponent.

What Zhou Bao said was reasonable.

The best way to smuggle is to bribe the officials of the Shipping Department.

And the evidence is right in front of them, so they can't help but believe it.

Several officials from the Ministry of Justice accepted this statement and took all those involved to the capital.

Daotong, who was an official of the imperial court one moment, became a prisoner the next.

He did have evidence of Zhou Bao's smuggling.

But Daotong never expected that Zhou Bao would be one step ahead of him, take the initiative to plead guilty, and the evildoer would file a complaint first.

You must know that the crime Zhou Bao confessed to was very likely to be sentenced to death according to the "Da Ming Law"!

Now that the other party has confessed, the evidence in his hand is useless.

Ouyang Lun's letter played a key role here.

Hu Weiyong's reminder to Ouyang Lun that day couldn't be more obvious. If you don't want the dragon to be slaughtered, you can only bear the pain and sacrifice part of it.

In this game of chess, only by sacrificing Zhou Bao can the overall situation be restored.

No one in this world wants to die, and Zhou Bao doesn't want to die either, but he has no choice.

As the steward of the Prince Consort's Mansion, Ouyang Lun's wealth and wealth are all in the hands of Ouyang Lun.

And according to Ouyang Lun, as long as he followed Master Tu Jie's words, he would most likely not have to die in the end. He will do his best to get him sentenced to military exile.

In a few years, he can be secretly replaced.

In Tu Jie's view, although he didn't know what kind of evidence Daotong had in hand, as long as he was a threat to them, the best way was to get rid of him.

Under his arrangement, this frame-up took place.

Capital City, Imperial Palace.

Hall of Supreme Harmony.

"Boss, there are a lot of secrets today." Zhu Yuanzhang walked into the hall, took a look at the memorials on the table, and said.

Zhu Biao took out a memorial from the table and handed it over, and replied: "Father, regarding the case of Zhou Bao, the housekeeper of the Prince Consort's Mansion, beating someone to death in Guangzhou, the Ministry of Punishment has already concluded."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, reached out and took it, but there was no expression on his face.

"So, Ouyang Lun has nothing to do with this matter?"

Zhu Biao replied: "Father, the Ministry of Punishment has taken all the relevant people to the capital and investigated them layer by layer. Finally, it was found that when Zhou Bao went to Guangzhou to purchase goods for Ouyang Lun, he was in the middle of the container. He secretly hid his own goods and used the consort's goods as a cover for his smuggling, which lasted for more than a year."

"Among them, Daotong, the chief officer of the Guangzhou Shipping Department, was an accomplice and received a total of 3,700 taels of bribes. This time it was because of the reform of subordinate officials. The newly appointed political officer of the Municipal Shipping Department did not understand the 'rules' and discovered Zhou Bao's cargo box. This was the result of the incident and the exposure of the matter."

"Everyone's confessions are here." Zhu Biao said, taking out another folder and handing it over. "Including Wang Hua, the prefect of Guangzhou. According to his statement, Daotong, the chief official of the Municipal Shipping Department, had been persuading him at first, saying that it was his men who died and he would handle the matter. In the end, it was Wang Hua who saw that the prince-in-law was involved in the incident. That’s why I insisted on reporting it.”

"I believe that Zhou Bao broke the law, smuggled goods, bribed court officials, and accidentally killed someone. He should be executed according to the law. The head of the Shipping Department accepted a huge bribe and was also sentenced to death. Although Ouyang Lun did not know this, the servant committed a crime, and the master There is also the crime of being lax in controlling my subordinates. I should judge my title and salary according to the law. I should sit behind closed doors and think about my faults, and ask my father to judge me."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Biao, and finally replied with only three words, "I understand," and then said nothing more.

The Ministry of Punishment handled this case so cleanly that Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but doubt it.

Zhu Yuanzhang, a father, knew Zhu Biao's temper very well.

If it were in the past, Zhu Biao would never have reacted this way. In Zhu Yuanzhang's view, it is impossible for Zhu Biao's ability not to see that there is no problem here.

Apparently, someone had been looking for him.

He was deceived.

Zhu Biao's only shortcoming is that he attaches too much importance to his relatives.

In the original time and space, several of his younger brothers made various mistakes in the fiefdom. Every time, Zhu Biao took the initiative to plead with Zhu Yuanzhang for his brothers.

In the quiet palace, there was no eunuch or maid, only Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was still sitting in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the tea cup and took a sip. He seemed to feel that the temperature of the tea was not suitable. He frowned and smashed the cup to the ground.

Snapped! With a bang, the porcelain cup turned into broken jade and scattered everywhere.

The chamberlain who was waiting outside heard the noise and came in quickly, kneeling on the ground with a look of fear on his face.

Having served Zhu Yuanzhang for more than ten years, he rarely saw Zhu Yuanzhang like this.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at the chamberlain who was kneeling on the ground, waved his hand and said: "Everyone, get out."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The chamberlain picked up the debris on the ground with his bare hands and bowed before retreating.

Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his brows tiredly. In the dead of night, he suddenly missed someone.

"It would be great if Mr. Liu is still in the Inspectorate."

Liu Bowen dared to correct the situation and was not afraid of the powerful.

When he was there, the Huaixi Party at least restrained itself somewhat.

Nowadays, not only Liu Bowen but also Song Lian of the eastern Zhejiang faction are recuperating at home.

The new officials who have joined the officialdom in recent years are still too young, and their qualifications, official positions, etc. are not enough.

The entire Huaixi Party has almost no checks and balances.

"Mao Xiang!" Zhu Yuanzhang's hoarse voice sounded.

"My subordinate is here." Mao Xiang slowly walked out from the back of the palace.

"Go to Qingtian yourself and ask Mr. Liu to come out." Zhu Yuanzhang said.

"I obey your orders."

Qingtian, Mingji No. 1 breeding farm.

Looking at Zhu Yuanzhang's handwritten letter, Liu Bowen was silent for a moment, and then said: "Master Mao, please wait here for a moment. After my son and I explain, I will leave as you wish."

"Father, your Majesty must be up to no good when he calls you back this time." Liu Lian said with a worried look on his face.

"I'll accompany you back."

Liu Bowen stretched out his hand and patted the back of Liu Lian's hand to show relief, and said with a smile: "Is it the king's land in the world? It's a blessing, not a curse, but it's a disaster that can't be avoided. The only thing that comforts me is that now you can finally take charge of yourself, be good Stay here and ask Yang Xian if you don’t understand anything in the future.”

"I'll be back as soon as I go." After bidding farewell to Liu Lian, Liu Bowen followed Mao Xiang on his way back to Beijing.

Liu Lian was worried, so he followed closely and got on the train to Yangzhou.

a few days later.

In the palace, the emperor and his ministers finally met again after several years of separation.

Liu Bowen presented Zhu Yuanzhang with ham produced by their farm.

Zhu Yuanzhang accepted it with a smile.

The monarch and his ministers sat opposite each other, drinking tea and reminiscing about the past.

"Bowen, after all these years since you left, we have realized that the court cannot do without you. You have to know that after you left, countless people were secretly happy. They felt that they had finally removed a thorn in their side, and the court was It's theirs." Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled.

"It seems that when I was in charge of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, I offended many ministers and workers." Liu Bowen said with emotion. In fact, he knew this well.

Just like today's Discipline Inspection Commission, this is what they do.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Someone must do the errands that offend people. Otherwise, what else would the imperial court be called? Sooner or later it will become a comfortable place. Bowen, when you come back this time, you will still be in charge of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and you will be promoted to Taibao and Marquis of Sincerity." "

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Liu Bowen stood up immediately to thank him.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, indicating that Liu Bowen did not need to be polite, and even poured a cup of tea for Liu Bowen himself.

Zhu Yuanzhang pushed the tea cup in front of Liu Bowen, raised his head, and said: "Bo Wen, you invented the term Huaixi Honorable Men, right?"

"This word did come from the mouth of the minister at the earliest." Liu Bowen nodded, and then said. "But I know that as soon as the word Huaixi Xungui comes out, it will spread like wildfire and spread everywhere. It will not only cause trouble but also be hated by others."

"We are very happy."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "We are very happy about anything that makes the nobles uneasy. Bowen, this time you come back and you will punish those nobles severely and treat them well."

"Your Majesty, if I want to impose severe punishments and enforce the law, someone will definitely accuse me of being a member of the East Zhejiang Party."

"The imperial court has no Zhejiang Party, let alone Huaixi Party. It only has the parents and officials of the people of the world!"

Liu Bowen said: "Your Majesty said it well."

"After a while, we will ask someone to bring you a copy of the case file for you to take a look at. You can help us review it." Zhu Yuanzhang took a sip of tea, put down the cup in his hand, and said.

"May I ask who is involved in this case?" Liu Bowen asked.

Liu Bowen knew in his heart that this incident was probably the real reason why Zhu Yuanzhang called him back.

"A relative of the emperor, Prince Consort Ouyang Lun," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

"I dare to ask Your Majesty again why a review is needed." Liu Bowen asked.

Liu Bowen knew that things would be hot, but he didn't expect it to be so hot.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Liu Bowen, was silent for a moment, and then said: "The Ministry of Punishment has done this matter so cleanly that we are suspicious."

Zhongshu Province.

Tu Jie walked in from outside the house angrily, only to find that Hu Weiyong was playing chess with someone.

Hu Weiyong did not raise his head, and his attention was still focused on the chessboard in front of him.

However, the official sitting opposite Hu Weiyong was discerning and immediately said that he still had things to do.

"Old Li, your chess skills have improved a lot, go ahead."

After the official left, Hu Weiyong said, "Tu Jie, what's the matter?"

"Prime Minister Hu, Liu Bowen is back and takes charge of the Inspectorate again." Tu Jie said.

"I already know this." Hu Weiyong raised his hand and motioned for Tu Jie to sit down. "Look who is better at this move."

Tu Jie looked at it carefully for a while and said: "White has the advantage, but black also has a chance."

Hu Weiyong said: "Your Majesty called Liu Bowen back this time to ask him to review Zhou Bao's case."

Tu Jie was shocked. He only knew that Liu Bowen was back, but he didn't know about it.

He looked at Hu Weiyong and admired his adoptive father even more.

Even though he was sitting in the room playing chess, he already knew everything.

Tu Jie said, "Would you like me to go to the Criminal Department?"

"No need, everything that needs to be done has been done. Liu Bowen has come back. Don't do anything now, just wait and see what happens." Hu Weiyong picked up a chess piece, put it down with a snap.

Metropolitan Procuratorate.

"Master Liu, all the witnesses in this case have been interrogated by my subordinates, and they are generally consistent with the conclusions of the Ministry of Punishments. Only Daotong, the chief officer of the Guangzhou Shipping Department, is still crying out for injustice." One of the inspectors and censors said.

Another inspector, the censor, also reported: "The relevant evidence has been verified by my subordinates and is consistent with the evidence in the case."

Liu Bowen flipped through the files in his hands and fell silent.

Your Majesty is right, this case was done very cleanly.

Your Majesty's intuition is astonishingly sharp.

There must be something interesting in Zhou Bao's case.

The only breakthrough is the fellow Taoists who keep crying out for injustice.

"What do you think of this Taoist fellow?" Liu Bowen asked.

"Back to Mr. Liu, we have seen many officials like this. Of all the officials who have committed crimes, there is no one who does not cry out for injustice. After all, it is a crime of losing one's head. If you plead guilty, you will die. If you deny it, there may be a glimmer of hope." Among them. An inspector censor replied.

It is precisely for this reason that Hu Weiyong and others dare to do this.

And now that the evidence is conclusive, with both witnesses and material evidence available, no one will believe it even if the same people cry out for injustice.

But Liu Bowen's intuition from years of handling cases felt that this person might be different.

"Walk."

"Where to go? Mr. Liu."

"Go to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment and meet this Taoist fellow." Liu Bowen said.

Yangzhou, Shenhou Mansion.

"Brother Meng Zao, why are you here?" Yang Xian looked at the visitor and said.

The visitor was none other than Liu Lian, who rushed to Yangzhou after Liu Bowen left.

"Yang Guogong, you must help my father this time." Liu Lian said.

Yang Xian already knew what Liu Lian wanted to say.

His spies scattered throughout the Ming Dynasty are far more powerful than the Jin Yiwei.

"Don't be impatient yet. Have a sip of tea first, sit down and talk slowly." Yang Xian said.

As soon as he finished speaking, a servant prepared tea.

Liu Lian simply took a sip, and then couldn't wait to tell Yang Xian about the people from the court who took his father Liu Bowen away. (End of chapter)