Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Chapter 505 Li Shanchang is anxious (Subscribe!!)

"It's not up to you to decide whether it's slanderous or not!"

"It is not up to you to say whether Prince Consort Ouyang is guilty or not. Your Majesty hasn't even spoken yet, but you are eager to throw dirty water on Prince Consort Ouyang. What is your intention?"

"You are totally unreasonable, Your Majesty! The drums outside the palace have already been sounded, and the people of the entire capital will know about this. If we don't open the court for trial, it will be a loss of the royal dignity and damage your Majesty's reputation!"

"A mere slanderer can bring disgrace upon the royal family and damage the dignity of His Majesty? This is truly a huge joke!"

……

The two officials started arguing directly in front of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang also felt his head buzzing after listening to this.

"Your Majesty, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and the Minister of Revenue, Li Shanchang, requests to see you!"

Wang Zhong walked in and said.

Li Shanchang? Why is he here at this time?

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned. You know, during this period of time, Li Shanchang was like a nail in order to solve the problems of the Ministry of Revenue. He stayed in the Ministry of Revenue like a nail, and sometimes he didn't even come back for the morning court.

Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang also heard that Ouyang Lun sent people from the Tax Inspection Department to live directly in the Ministry of Revenue, just like a "battlefield supervision team", watching Li Shanchang and the officials of the Ministry of Revenue's every move, and from time to time, officials of the Ministry of Revenue would be captured!

Zhu Yuanzhang was happy to see the open and secret struggles between Li Shanchang and Ouyang Lun. Moreover, although the two were constantly fighting, the situation of the Ministry of Revenue was getting better and better.

Zhu Yuanzhang knew very well that this was not Li Shanchang's credit at all, but because Ouyang Lun was watching him too closely.

In a situation like this, Li Shanchang simply didn't have the energy to come to him again.

"Let him in." Zhu Yuanzhang didn't think for long before nodding and agreeing.

It just so happened that Zhu Yuanzhang also wanted to see what Li Shanchang thought about the Zhejiang merchants beating the drum to report their crimes.

"Yes."

Wang Zhong bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang, then turned to the main entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and said, "Your Majesty has ordered that Li Shanchang be summoned to the throne!"

As Wang Zhong finished speaking, Li Shanchang hurried in after a while.

"Old minister Li Shanchang pays respect to Your Majesty!"

"No need to be polite." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand to signal Li Shanchang not to be polite.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Li Shanchang bowed again, and then remained calm and confident.

The other officials at the scene were quite surprised by Zhu Yuanzhang's sudden arrival.

You know, ever since Wang Bi messed up his job as the Minister of Revenue, Li Shanchang's prestige has fallen to the bottom. If it weren't for the fact that the Huaixi Party was very supportive of Li Shanchang, the Huaixi Party would have probably fallen apart by now!
What's even worse is that just as Li Shanchang extricated himself from the Wang Bi incident and took over as the Minister of Revenue, the Tax Inspection Bureau came knocking on his door.

It can be said that Li Shanchang is now in trouble and unable to take care of himself, but he actually runs to the Hall of Supreme Harmony at this time with a calm and composed look on his face. There is definitely something fishy here.

"Li Shanchang, you are not in the Ministry of Revenue to handle affairs. Why do you come to me at this time?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a deep voice.

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's question, Li Shanchang showed a trace of embarrassment on his face, but he quickly recovered and responded immediately: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has Prince Consort Ouyang's Taxation Inspection Department watching over it, so there won't be any problems. It doesn't matter whether I'm here or not!"

"I just heard someone seemed to have struck the Dangwen Drum. This is a big deal. As an important official of the court, I naturally want to pay attention to it. I want to know who is being sued by beating the Dangwen Drum!"

Li Shanchang's words could be said to be spoken in anger. He was really annoyed by the Tax Inspection Bureau recently. He, Li Shanchang, was almost becoming Ouyang Lun's puppet.

According to the plan, hundreds of officials would first write a joint letter to denounce Ouyang Lun, and then several businessmen would be asked to protest their injustice in densely populated areas of the capital, further destroying Ouyang Lun's reputation.

What surprised Li Shanchang was that he didn't expect that the merchants he arranged were so brave that they actually dared to come and beat the drum to file a complaint to the emperor!
When Li Shanchang heard the sound of the Dengwen drum in the Ministry of Revenue, he also received the news at the same time that the person beating the Dengwen drum was his subordinate.

Li Shanchang immediately realized that this was a good opportunity for Ouyang Lun, so he dared to come to Taiji Hall directly in order to be able to participate in this "Ouyang Lun Imperial Case".

After hearing Li Shanchang's complaining answer, Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to laugh. Li Shanchang had followed Zhu Yuanzhang when he just started his army. It can be said that they knew each other very well. The only one who could make Li Shanchang feel so wronged was Ouyang Lun. Even Liu Bowen, Yang Xian, Hu Weiyong and others who have become history could not do it.

It can be seen how badly Ouyang Lun cheated Li Shanchang.

"Li Shanchang, according to what you said, I really need to take a look at the person who filed the complaint!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly.

"Your Majesty's glorious name!" Li Shanchang shouted.

"Your Majesty, I still think that we should investigate this matter secretly first. After all, Brother-in-law Ouyang has offended many people over the years, and it is inevitable that someone will take the opportunity to retaliate!" Zhu Biao stood up and spoke for Ouyang Lun.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang had already made up his mind at this time. He waved his hand and said in a deep voice: "I re-established the Dengwen Drum in the first place, so that when the people are treated unfairly and there are no officials to judge for them, they will have a chance to seek justice!"

"Since the drum for hearing the case has sounded today, I will thoroughly investigate this matter!"

After saying that, Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head and looked at Zhu Biao who was not far away, "Biao'er, father knows that you and Ouyang Lun have a good personal relationship, and she is also father's son-in-law. Father also hopes that he will have no problems!"

"But you suggested a private investigation, which is absolutely impossible! I am the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. How can I investigate a case of corruption, bribery, and oppression of the people in secret? If it is a private investigation, doesn't it prove that I have something to hide?"

After saying this, Zhu Yuanzhang did not give anyone else a chance to speak and directly ordered, "Come here, bring up those people who beat the drums!"

"It's your Majesty!"

The guards took orders.

After a while, Boss Feng, Boss Li and others were brought up.

However, at this moment, Boss Feng and others were not just in a mess, but were breathing in less than out, and looked like they were dying.

"Your Majesty, these people rang the drum to report to the emperor. According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, anyone who rang the drum must be punished with thirty strokes of the cane!"

"These people have been executed. Your Majesty, please be informed!"

The leading guard spoke respectfully to Zhu Yuanzhang.

"30 strokes of the cane! You are too cruel!" Li Shanchang frowned as he looked at Boss Feng and Boss Li, and asked hurriedly, "Are their lives in danger? They are important witnesses!"

Li Shanchang was very angry. It was not because he really cared about these subordinates, but he was worried that if these subordinates were beaten to death, how could he use this opportunity to deal with Ouyang Lun!
"In reply to Lord Li, these people were beaten for beating the Dengwen drum. One of them was killed on the spot, and the rest were seriously injured. But please rest assured, Lord Li, these seriously injured people have taken life-saving pills, and they will be fine in the short term."

The leading guard answered Li Shanchang's questions neither humbly nor arrogantly.

amount……

Li Shanchang's face was gloomy, but he didn't say anything, because Li Shanchang had noticed the change in Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang's expression. If he continued to dwell on this matter, it would be irrational and might even expose his plan.

"I'm just asking. Beating the drum is indeed against the laws of the Ming Dynasty. You deserve to be beaten!"

After Li Shanchang finished speaking, he turned his head away and no longer looked at Boss Feng and the other businessmen.

"Who among you can tell me your name?"

Zhu Yuanzhang rarely paid attention to Li Shanchang's tricks and asked directly. However, probably because they were beaten too hard, Boss Feng, Boss Li and others are still confused and completely out of shape.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony fell into silence for a while.

It seemed that such a good opportunity to deal with Ouyang Lun was about to be wasted because a few businessmen were speechless.

Li Shanchang rolled up his sleeves and walked up to Boss Feng.

"Your Majesty is asking you a question! Come back quickly!"

Snapped!
A loud slapping sound was heard in the hall.

"Ouch! It hurts me so much!"

Boss Feng was awakened by a slap in the face.

"Your Majesty, he's awake!"

Li Shanchang turned around and bowed.

Seeing Li Shanchang's actions, everyone in the hall, including Zhu Yuanzhang, was shocked.

Oh my god! Is Li Shanchang so fierce?

It seems that Ouyang Lun really pushed him to the limit! Li Shanchang would never do this in the past.

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep look at Li Shanchang, then looked at Boss Feng and asked again: "What's your name? What do you do? Why did you go to beat the drum today?"

"You have beaten the drum to report to His Majesty, and His Majesty has already heard about it. He is now interrogating you. If you have any grievances, tell His Majesty everything as soon as possible. Remember to tell the truth, and never say anything nonsense, let alone lies!" Li Shanchang said in a deep voice.

"Yes, yes." Boss Feng nodded repeatedly. He was a little flustered at first, but after being reminded by Li Shanchang, he immediately felt more at ease and began to calm down his emotions.

puff-

Boss Feng broke free from the two guards who were holding him and fell to the ground.

bang bang bang-

Boss Feng kowtowed three times using his remaining strength.

"Your Majesty, you must make the decision for the common people!"

"My name is Feng Degui. I am a businessman in Zhejiang Province. I mainly deal in gold and silver jewelry. I am considered a famous businessman in Zhejiang. Originally, my family was happy and my business was going well. But since the new governor of Zhejiang took office, he has used various means to force me to hand over money and grain. At first, the amount was not much, so I paid it. But the governor's appetite has been growing, and he wants more and more!"

"I asked him what he was going to do with the money. He said it was to honor his husband, Ouyang Lun."

"Not only that, this new governor also colluded with some unscrupulous businessmen to maliciously buy up my assets. I was powerless to resist, and my wealth was gradually being eaten up by them. I had no choice but to come to the capital to file a complaint! Your Majesty, please give me justice!"

"Oh, by the way, the others are just like me, they are all persecuted businessmen!"

After saying that, Boss Feng crawled on the ground and wailed.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly. Although according to what Feng Degui said, this was indeed extremely excessive.

Coupled with Feng Degui's true feelings, everyone felt sympathy for him.

But... Zhu Yuanzhang always felt that there was something wrong.

"Although the Zhejiang Provincial Governor is a high-ranking official, there are four provincial governors above him. Why don't you go to the four provincial governors to file a complaint?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"Your Majesty, of course I have thought about it, but I dare not! The governor of Zhejiang Province is a member of the Prince Consort's party. Everyone knows that the governors of the four provinces are also members of the Prince Consort's party, and they were promoted by Prince Consort Ouyang Lun. If I go to the governors of the four southern provinces to file a complaint, I am afraid that I will not be able to come out alive even if I file the complaint!"

As soon as Feng Degui finished speaking, Li Shanchang added directly: "Your Majesty, after I left the post of Governor of the Four Southern Provinces, Prince Consort Ouyang took over the position of Governor, and then the officials of the four provinces were replaced, and most of them were Prince Consort's party or officials close to Prince Consort's party."

Li Shanchang paused deliberately, and then continued: "Of course, I do not suspect that Prince Consort Ouyang is forming a clique for personal gain. After all, Prince Consort Ouyang Lun's achievements in the four southern provinces are obvious to all. It's just that..."

"As time goes on, some people will lose their checks and balances and become more arrogant. I think the analysis of this businessman Feng is not wrong!"

"Some things need to be investigated carefully!"

After saying that, Li Shanchang turned around and looked at the other merchants except Feng Degui, "You all should also tell His Majesty about your grievances!"

With Feng Degui's demonstration and Li Shanchang's reminder, the remaining businessmen immediately started to complain crazily.

"Your Majesty! I am even more miserable! My wife and daughter have been forced by Ouyang Lun to become masseurs! Woohoo!"

"Your Majesty, more than a thousand people from my family were captured by Ouyang Lun's men and sent to build the Great Wall!"

"What's even more abominable is... they took the money but didn't do the job!"

……

"Your Majesty, what these merchants said is enough to show that the problems in the four southern provinces are already quite serious. Now that the victims have arrived, shouldn't we also call Prince Consort Ouyang over? This will be fair!"

After the merchants finished complaining, Li Shanchang spoke immediately.

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and nodded slowly, "We are discussing this here, and we can't leave out Ouyang Lun. Since he is the person involved, it would be better to call him in to ask him clearly."

"I will go and invite Prince Consort Ouyang to come over right now."

Wang Zhong understood what Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang meant and turned around to call for help.

After a while, Ouyang Lun followed Wang Zhong in.

"Your Majesty, your son-in-law, greets you!"

Ouyang Lun bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Well, Ouyang Lun and his fellow merchants came all the way from Zhejiang Province to the capital, and they rang the drum outside the palace, saying that they wanted to sue you. Do you have anything to say?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a deep voice.

Hearing this, Ouyang Lun spread his hands and said, "Your Majesty, since I went to the four southern provinces to clean up someone's mess a few years ago, I have never been to Zhejiang Province again. How could I possibly bully someone?"

"Your Majesty, you know this. I want to retire in Zhejiang Province, but you don't agree!"

amount……

Hearing Ouyang Lun's words, Zhu Yuanzhang looked a little embarrassed and said unhappily, "So, have you decided the accusations of these merchants?"

"I don't even know who they are, let alone what they are accusing me of."

"If I don't veto, do I have to nod my head in agreement?"

(End of this chapter)