King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

In the courtyard.

Following Yuan Meng's instructions one by one.

The entire chain of evidence has been connected.

The connections and involved matters were exactly as Zhu Gaoxu, Zhang Ziming, Wang Yan, Duan Li and others had guessed.

It really was the Zhong family and Xijiang Provincial Governor Zhong Kairan who were behind the plot.

The Li and Yuan families came to Linchuan City to do business. They launched a business war against the Zhang and Wang families, and cooperated with Duan Li to suppress the Zhang and Wang families. Everything they did in Linchuan City was assigned by the Zhong family.

It can be said.

Both the Li and Yuan families are controlled by the Zhong family.

Although the people of these two families boarded Duan Li's big ship and did their best to suppress the Zhang and Wang families, snatched their businesses, cut off their various commercial interests, and lived a prosperous life in the entire Linchuan city.

But behind the scenes.

As much as 70% of all the profits from the business of the two families in Linchuan City would be handed over to the Zhong family through various covert means.

The Li and Yuan families.

To put it harshly.

He was almost like a servant of the Zhong family, working hard and making so much money.

But only a very small number of them can fall into their own pockets.

The big guys all need to pay tribute to others.

It was precisely because of the uneven distribution of profits that the Li and Yuan families saw that nearly 70% of the money they had worked so hard to earn went into other people's pockets, and that they had always been humble in front of the Zhong family and had no autonomy at all.

Money and silk touch people's hearts!

People always want change.

The people from the Li and Yuan families were no exception.

As time went by, the minds of the two families gradually changed under the involvement of huge interests.

A great deal of resentment and dissatisfaction towards the Zhong family gradually arose in his heart.

Trying his best to get rid of the Zhong family.

Even if they cannot get rid of the Zhong family, they also want to share the profits equally with them and gain more benefits for themselves.

Of course, this is because Zhong Kairan is the governor of Xijiang.

The people from the Li and Yuan families are not fools either.

They definitely wouldn't dare to rush forward to share the benefits without any support.

After all, if he really had to go up like that, and without any support, and confront Zhong Kairan or even the Zhong family, that would undoubtedly be like hitting a rock with an egg, and would definitely be courting death and making things difficult for himself.

Zhong Kairan was appointed as the governor of Xijiang Province.

In the entire Xijiang River, it is no exaggeration to say that he is a local tyrant.

After all, all officials in the entire Xijiang area are under the jurisdiction and supervision of Zhong Kairan.

Therefore, people from the Li and Yuan families slowly began to plan for themselves.

Collect as much evidence and evidence as possible about the Zhong family.

They attempt to gain greater benefits for themselves, and at the same time use the evidence they find to protect themselves.

Don't say yet.
Huang Tian deserves a caring person.

As the Li and Yuan families investigated the entire Zhong family in depth, they actually found what they wanted. The evidence and handle that could push the entire Zhong family into the abyss.

This handle is divided into two parts.

One of them is about the grievances between the Zhong family and the Zhang, Wang and Duan families.

At the same time, people from the Li and Yuan families finally understood why the Zhong family had arranged for their two families to come to Linchuan City.

The two of them also discovered some clues about the murder of Duan Li's family.

The second is that in all the prefectures in the entire Xijiang area, it seems that not only the Li and Yuan families in Linchuan Prefecture serve as tools for the Zhong family to make money, but almost all the prefectures in the entire Xijiang area have such families.

These families playing roles are either former old families incorporated into the Zhong family, or, like them, new families secretly supported by the Zhong family. Once a new family is supported, those old families that are unwilling to be incorporated into the Zhong family will be charged with various crimes, or encounter accidents and disappear in the long river of history without making any waves.

Some solid evidence was also obtained between the two articles.

It was also with the in-depth understanding of the entire Zhong family.

Knowing about the Zhong family's almost crazy and cruel methods.

This really frightened the Li and Yuan families, who had originally wanted to resist and propose a redistribution of benefits. It was also like pouring a bucket of cold water on them, leaving them feeling completely chilled.

After the two parties meet to discuss.

Everyone knows that small arms cannot bend big legs.

I had to give up such unrealistic thoughts.

Dare not make the slightest movement.

After all, compared to interests, life is more important than anything else.

Otherwise, even if you gain more benefits or earn more money, what is the point if you don't have the life to spend it?

After this incident, the Li and Yuan families finally let go of their worries.

I quickly cut off the unrealistic thoughts in my mind.

At the same time, the people from the Li and Yuan families were so scared that they tried their best to erase all possible traces of their investigation into the Zhong family as quickly as possible.

but
If you don't want people to know, don't do it yourself.

Although the two families' investigations were conducted in extreme secrecy, how could the Zhong family not be capable enough to have set up such a large business in Xijiang?

Even though the Li and Yuan families tried their best to cover up and erase all traces, the Zhong family eventually discovered the clues and traced the matter back to the two families.

Afterwards, the two families were visited one by one by the Zhong family, who tried to sound out the Li and Yuan families in various ways, trying to find out whether they had found anything or had any substantial evidence.

Faced with the aggressive probing of the Zhong family, the Li and Yuan families instantly felt the pressure and biting chill.

This action made the people in charge of the Li and Yuan families feel deeply uneasy. They were afraid that the people of the Zhong family would become desperate and kill all the people from both families.

The heads of the two families met secretly to discuss.

Unanimously agreed.

In this matter, they absolutely cannot play dumb and hide their incompetence. Since others have traced it back to them, and with the Zhong family's aggressive momentum, will others believe them if they say they have found nothing?

The more you hide, the greater the possibility of being attacked or silenced.

Plan for today.

The safest thing to do is to reveal everything you know and lay the injustice out in the open.

Making others fearful is the only chance for the two families to survive.

Afterwards, Yuan Meng took the lead and took the initiative to meet with the person in charge of the matter in the Zhong family and put the evidence he had found directly on the table.

He also recounted his own record to threaten the Zhong family so that they would not dare to act rashly.

And things turned out just as Yuan Meng and others had expected.

As the two of them placed the evidence in front of Zhong Jiare, they can still vividly remember the expression on the face of the man from the Zhong family who was responsible for probing and investigating their two families.

Faced with such a situation.

The people of the Zhong family had to compromise.

He attempted to give up all the interests of Linchuan City in exchange for the evidence in the hands of the Li and Yuan families.

However, people from the Li and Yuan families are very aware of their situation.

He also knew what the outcome would be once he handed over the evidence.

to this end.

No matter how nicely the Zhong family spoke, neither family was moved.

He looked like a dead pig that was not afraid of boiling water.

Just don't tell the truth.

The evidence was also backed up in several copies for threat and confidence.

It can be expected.

In the end, the Zhong family had no choice but to make concessions, and the two families luckily survived.

After listening to Yuan Meng's narration, the eyes of everyone in the field changed at the same time, and there was a hint of sigh in their hearts.

After a brief pause, Zhu Gaoxu nodded without comment and said in a deep voice:

"So where do you keep the evidence now?"

"I heard from the Li family that the evidence is within your custody period, right?"

"Tell me about it..."

Feeling all eyes focused on him, Yuan Meng's expression became serious and he was about to answer.

boom…

Boom...boom...

Just then.

Suddenly, a loud thunder exploded in the entire courtyard.

The whole courtyard was filled with dust.

The surrounding houses, pillars and ground began to shake in an instant as the loud bang sounded.

Many officials who were closer to the shock wave fell to the ground due to trembling.

"come..."

"Protect the prince, there is an assassin!"

"Be careful…"

Ji Gang reacted instantly and shouted angrily at his subordinates.

At dusk.

The Jinyiwei and Ming Dynasty soldiers, who were shocked by the sudden explosion, came to their senses in an instant.

They subconsciously drew out the big swords slung across their waists and surrounded Zhu Gaoxu in the center to protect him.

At the same time, a team of people was sent out and rushed towards the location where the loud noise came from.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu frowned, half-closed his eyes and looked around, and said in a deep voice:
"Don't crowd around."

"Everyone, disperse and retreat to the back."

"Everyone, take them all to the rooms."

"Put out all the oil lamps in your hands."

"retreat……"

The words have not yet fallen.

shhhhhh...

Sharp arrows cut through the air, and a harsh sound was heard.

A series of cold and sharp arrows shot towards Zhu Gaoxu and others.

Trying to bury them all in a rain of arrows.

However, the Jinyiwei and the Ming Dynasty soldiers are not vegetarians.

When the piercing sound of breaking air was heard, everyone bent their bodies, held long swords in their hands, and pulled the people around them, forming a circle to protect Zhu Gaoxu and retreat.

The Jinyiwei and others who had just received the order to go and check the source of the explosion also heard the noise here.

Everyone was startled and didn't bother to check the source of the explosion.

He quickly turned around and flashed towards the surroundings of Zhu Gaoxu's garden.

destination.

It is the location where the sound comes from.

In the courtyard, Ji Gang was directing the advance and retreat, protecting Zhu Gaoxu, until everyone retreated to a safe place.

Without any hesitation, he took out a special flare from his arms with a gloomy old face and fired it straight into the dark night sky.

boom……

In an instant.

A dazzling white light exploded in the dark night sky and gathered in the air to form the shape of a big knife.

The Jinyiwei who were patrolling in various places in Linchuan City secretly listened to the loud noise and watched the fireworks exploding in the sky.

Everyone couldn't help but look serious, their faces became extremely solemn, and they ran straight towards the direction where the fireworks were launched, rushing forward regardless of anything, as if they had lost their minds.

As the Jinyiwei's signal flare exploded in the air.

The assassins who had been hiding in the dark and shooting arrows just now rushed into the courtyard without caring about their lives.

but.

As soon as he rushed to the door, he was forcibly stopped by the Jinyiwei and Ming soldiers guarding the door, and a fierce fight broke out between the two sides.

During this time, human figures fell in pools of blood from time to time, and shrill wailing sounds were heard from time to time.

The disgusting smell of blood slowly spread in the air.

However, it is obvious that although these assassins have a slight advantage in numbers and are brave, they are no match for the well-trained and battle-hardened Jinyiwei and Ming soldiers.

Although he relied on sneak attacks, he caught the Ming soldiers off guard.

But it is not so easy to make up for the lack of hard power.

Confrontation and defeat are only a matter of time.

at the same time.

The place where the initial explosion originated.

One by one, figures dressed in jet-black outfits poked their heads out from the ruins of the secret passage that had just been blown up.

For a moment.

Twenty or thirty people lined up.

Then, without any hesitation, they ran straight to the courtyard where Zhu Gaoxu and others were hiding.

Each assassin moved with extreme caution, trying not to make any noise and approached cautiously.

but
There were explosions, stabbings with sharp arrows, and charges.

The vigilance of the Jinyiwei and Ming soldiers in the entire Yuan Mansion had already been fully aroused, and no one dared to be negligent in the slightest.

Cause.

The assassins who came out of the secret passage were discovered by the Jinyiwei and soldiers who were on guard at the entrance of the courtyard in the dark before they could really get close to the courtyard where Zhu Gaoxu and others were hiding:
"There are assassins"

"An assassin has entered the courtyard."

"Protect the prince."

In an instant.

As the warnings from the Royal Guards and soldiers rang out, a murderous atmosphere instantly spread throughout the entire courtyard.

However, the Jinyiwei and Ming soldiers who were on guard at the gate of the courtyard, although giving warnings, did not take the initiative to attack. Instead, they took a defensive stance, quietly waiting for the assassin to come to them.

And the reason is very simple.

Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu was in the courtyard behind them.

For them, the primary responsibility is to ensure Zhu Gaoxu's safety.

Killing enemies and assassins, on the other hand, comes later.

After all, no matter how many enemies or assassins you kill, what’s the point if your master is dead?

When the guards shouted in alarm, not only the people in the courtyard heard it, but the assassins who were hiding their steps and wanted to kill secretly also heard it.

For this reason, the assassins almost couldn't hold back from swearing.

but
As a result, the original assassination had to be turned into an open killing.

He simply stopped hiding and rushed into the courtyard with a cold sword in hand. (End of this chapter)