Ming Dynasty: He was ordered to give lectures in prison, but Lao Zhu eavesdropped and made people nu

Chapter 718 Visiting the Wise Men of Jiangnan
The night before the grand court assembly, at Lin Che's residence.

In the flickering candlelight, Lin Che repeatedly examined the blood-stained ledger. The copy that Old Zhang had given him before his death was more detailed than the original, not only recording irrefutable evidence of Hu Weiyong's embezzlement, but also detailing secret communications with the Northern Yuan envoys in coded language on the last page.

"My lord, it's past midnight, you should rest," the old steward gently reminded him.

Lin Che rubbed his red eyes: "Tomorrow is the grand court assembly, a matter of life and death, how can I sleep peacefully?" He gently stroked the dark brown bloodstains on the account book, evidence that Old Zhang had obtained with his life.

Suddenly, a soft "tap" came from outside the window. Lin Che instantly drew his sword and stood up, only to see an arrow embedded in the window frame, with a plain silk ribbon tied to its fletching.

Unfolding the plain silk, one finds only a few words: "At the court assembly tomorrow, beware of the poisoned wine. —An old friend from Jiangnan"

Lin Che's pupils contracted sharply. This mysterious "old friend from Jiangnan" was issuing another warning. Who exactly was he? Why had he helped him so many times? He brought the silk handkerchief close to the candlelight and faintly smelled a delicate orchid fragrance, exactly the same as the scent of the jade pendant.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, civil and military officials stood in rows on both sides. Zhu Yuanzhang sat high on the dragon throne, his piercing gaze sweeping over the assembled officials. Lin Che stood at the front of the civil officials' line, clearly feeling several cold, piercing gazes coming from behind him.

"If you have something to report, speak now; if not, the court may adjourn." The high-pitched voice of the eunuch echoed in the hall.

Hu Weiyong stepped forward first, his purple robe and jade belt gleaming in the morning light: "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present." He presented a memorial with both hands: "The agricultural reform project in Jinan has consumed national funds, yet it has been repeatedly sabotaged. I believe the project should be suspended and the suspicious circumstances thoroughly investigated."

Zhu Yuanzhang took the memorial, a half-smile playing on his lips: "What do you, Minister Hu, find suspicious?"

"I have heard," Hu Weiyong turned to look at Lin Che, a cold glint in his eyes, "that Lord Lin has used the guise of agricultural reform to line his own pockets, and has even colluded with local troublemakers, intending to..."

"Prime Minister Hu, you are mistaken!" Lin Che interrupted sharply, stepping forward. "Your Majesty, I implore you to see the truth: the agricultural reform in Jinan is hindered because of rampant corruption within the court, and we fear the matter will be exposed!"

An uproar erupted in the court. Hu Weiyong's face was ashen: "Lord Lin is making baseless accusations!"

"Is that so?" Lin Che pulled out a blood-stained ledger from his pocket and held it high above his head. "This is the secret ledger of Zhou, the clerk of the Jinan County government. It clearly records that 70% of the tax revenue intercepted from Jinan over the years went to Hu Xiang's villa!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Bring it here!"

When the eunuch presented the account books to the emperor, Hu Weiyong suddenly sneered, "Your Majesty, the origin of these account books is unclear. How can we be sure they weren't forged by Lin Che? Besides," he looked meaningfully at Lin Che, "Lord Lin just encountered an assassin yesterday, and today he produces such 'evidence'—it's too much of a coincidence."

Lin Che's heart skipped a beat. Hu Weiyong actually knew about last night's events; it seemed there was indeed a traitor within the household!
Just as the stalemate was at its peak, the Grand Eunuch announced loudly, "His Majesty has decreed that Imperial Wine be bestowed upon Prime Minister Hu and Minister Lin!"

Two eunuchs carried gilded wine cups into the hall. Lin Che caught a glimpse of the cold smile that flashed across Hu Weiyong's lips and suddenly remembered the warning from "Old Friend from Jiangnan".

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace." Lin Che took the wine cup, glancing at Hu Weiyong out of the corner of his eye as he drank it all in one gulp. He pretended to drink, but actually poured the wine into a cotton handkerchief hidden in his sleeve.

The wine cup had barely been set down when hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall. A member of the Imperial Guard, disregarding etiquette, rushed into the hall: "Your Majesty! An urgent message from the border! The Northern Yuan army is pressing in and has already breached Juyong Pass!"

The imperial court was thrown into chaos. Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "When did this happen?"

"Three days ago! Strangely," the Imperial Guard hesitated, "the enemy seemed to know our border defenses in advance and specifically targeted our weak points."

A sudden thought struck Lin Che, and he abruptly flipped to the last page of the ledger: "Your Majesty! This ledger contains coded messages indicating that Hu Weiyong leaked border intelligence to the Northern Yuan!"

"Absurd!" Hu Weiyong shouted, but his face suddenly turned deathly pale, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. He staggered a few steps and suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood!

"The wine is poisoned!" Mao Xiang exclaimed.

Hu Weiyong knelt on the ground, looking at the dragon throne in disbelief: "Your Majesty..." Before he could finish speaking, he had already died.

Zhu Yuanzhang coldly rose to his feet: "Hu Weiyong committed suicide out of fear of punishment, saving me the trouble of taking my life." His gaze swept over the trembling officials. "From this day forward, thoroughly investigate Hu's faction! Minister Lin, I hereby appoint you as Imperial Commissioner, with full authority to oversee this case!" After the court session, Lin Che was summoned alone to the Imperial Study. Zhu Yuanzhang was playing with the orchid-shaped jade pendant.

"I recognize this item." The emperor's voice was devoid of emotion. "Years ago, when I was traveling incognito in Jiangnan, I gave it to an old friend."

Lin Che's heart trembled violently: "Your Majesty means..."

“Xu Da,” Zhu Yuanzhang uttered softly, “Only he would help you at this time.”

Lin Che suddenly understood. Xu Da, as a famous general of the founding of the dynasty, had retired to his hometown, but his influence in the army was unmatched. No wonder he was able to learn about the Northern Yuan's movements in advance and to plant people in the imperial prison to silence Jia She.

"The Northern Yuan's invasion this time is by no means accidental." Zhu Yuanzhang returned the jade pendant to Lin Che. "I want you to secretly go to Jiangnan and invite Xu Da to take command of the army. This jade pendant is the token."

Lin Che accepted the document with both hands: "Your subject will certainly not fail in your mission. However..." He hesitated for a moment, "Although Hu Weiyong is dead, his followers are still around. Your subject is worried..."

"I have my own arrangements." A ruthless glint flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes. "While you are in Jiangnan, I will have Mao Xiang take good care of those clowns."

Three days later, on the Yangtze River, a small boat drifted downstream.

Lin Che, disguised as a merchant, stood at the bow of the boat gazing into the distance. The green mountains on both banks were like dark eyebrows, and the rice paddies stretched like carpets, forming a stark contrast with the barren Jinan.

"Sir, the Duke of Wei's villa is just ahead," the boatman said, pointing to a cluster of white walls and black tiles nestled among bamboo groves in the distance.

As the small boat docked, Lin Che had just stepped onto the pier when he heard a whooshing sound! He dodged to the side, and an arrow grazed his cheek and embedded itself in the willow tree behind him.

"Impressive skills." A scholar in a blue robe emerged from the depths of the bamboo forest, holding a longbow. "No wonder he's Lord Lin, capable of causing Hu Weiyong to stumble."

Lin Che calmly wiped the blood from his face: "So you are 'Old Friend from Jiangnan'?"

The scholar smiled and shook his head: "My name is Mu Ying, a military advisor under Commander Xu." He gestured for him to enter, "Commander Xu has been waiting for quite some time."

Passing through the winding bamboo forest, a breathtaking view suddenly opens up before you. An elderly man with white hair is fishing by the lake, his back as steady as a mountain.

"You've arrived?" The old man said without turning his head. "Sit."

Lin Che bowed respectfully, took out the jade pendant, and presented it with both hands: "Duke of Wei, Your Majesty."

“I know.” Xu Da finally turned around, revealing a weathered face with piercing eyes. “The Northern Yuan has dispatched 200,000 troops this time, led by Kökö Temür.” He sneered, “That fool Hu Weiyong thinks he can overthrow His Majesty by colluding with foreign enemies?”

Lin Che's heart skipped a beat: "The Duke already knew?"

"There's nothing in this world that I don't know," Xu Da stood up, his height even a head taller than Lin Che. "Let me tell you a secret—what Jia She wanted to say before he died wasn't 'Hu,' but 'Hu.'"

"Protect?" Lin Che asked in astonishment.

"The Duke of Protectorate, Guo Ying," Xu Da's eyes flashed coldly. "He is Hu Weiyong's biggest backer, and is currently leading 50,000 troops to 'reinforce' Juyong Pass."

Lin Che gasped. If Guo Ying and Bei Yuanli were to coordinate an attack from the outside...
"No need to worry." Xu Da clapped his hands, and suddenly hundreds of elite armored soldiers appeared around the bamboo forest. "Although I have retired, my old troops are still here. In three days, an army of 100,000 will be assembled and will accompany you north to quell the rebellion!"

(End of this chapter)