King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

"call……"

After reading the evidence revealed by the Li and Yuan families in the small square box.

Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but let out a long breath, and then turned to look at Yuan Meng with an extremely complicated gaze.

After a long time.

Simply calming down his restless emotions, he slowly closed the small wooden box.

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly opened his half-closed eyes, pointed at Yuan Meng who was standing not far away, and said quietly:

"You are so brave..."

"People from both your families dare to investigate these matters in depth."

"You're really not afraid of death!"

"but…"

"Fortunately, you are not stupid. When the Zhong family noticed it, you checked each other and threatened each other."

"Fortunately, I didn't play all of your cards. I kept the most important and deadly ones, and didn't use them to increase my bargaining chips."

"otherwise…"

At this point, Zhu Gaoxu paused, then suddenly changed the subject and said in a deep voice:
"With this thing you have hidden."

"If the Zhong family knew that you had found out what you have here, what you have found out."

"I'm afraid they will do whatever it takes to completely wipe out both of you. Even if your so-called checks and balances and threats are useless, the Zhong family will not care. Even if the Zhong family has been planning for so many years and is about to take revenge on Zhang and Wang, and you are an indispensable part of the Zhong family's revenge on Zhang and Wang, the Zhong family would rather let all these years of planning go to waste than let any of your family live."

"I really don't know what to say...what are you guys saying!"

"But this is also good. No matter how secretive the Zhong family is in this assassination, they still haven't deliberately erased the evidence or traces you showed them before."

"It doesn't matter anymore."

"With something like this..."

“Even if the Zhong family had nine lives and countless heads, they would not be enough to be chopped off.”

"Pooh…"

Say it.

Zhu Gaoxu could not help but spit fiercely on the ground, his eyes full of murderous intent, and asked back:
"When you knew there would be such a result, why didn't you report it directly?"

“Why do you choose to remain silent?”

"Aren't you afraid that the Zhong family will find out?"

"Aren't you afraid of being completely silenced?"

After hearing this.

Yuan Meng, who was standing next to him, was startled. His expression changed involuntarily. He lowered his head subconsciously, and his words trembled slightly:

"My lord..."

“It’s not that we don’t want to report it.”

"I really don't know how to report it."

"And even if these things are reported, we are still worried... considering the relationship between the Zhong family and others, it will be completely useless."

"Not only will it fail to destroy the Zhong family, but it will actually backfire. The Zhong family will get the news and try to silence our two families!"

"after all…"

"The two of us, and even the entire Xijiang area, are all aware of how ruthless the Zhong family is."

"And knowing that you were able to organize two assassinations just now, we not only have a deep understanding of the Zhong family's ruthlessness, but I think you, Your Highness, also have a more intuitive understanding after experiencing this incident."

"Who would be willing to risk the lives of their family members if they can just survive?"

"If you succeed... it won't necessarily bring you any benefit. If you fail, your family will be destroyed and you won't even have a place to bury your body."

"Your Majesty... We are all the lowest merchants and common people..."

"I really can't afford to gamble, I don't dare to gamble, and I don't want to gamble."

"I beg your Majesty to forgive me..."

"I'm waiting... there's really nothing I can do!"

"It's really helpless."

Say it.

All the people from the Yuan family, as well as those from the Li family who had gathered at the government office, knelt down and kowtowed in unison.

Seeing the situation in front of me.

Zhu Gaoxu was stunned for a moment, looked around at everyone, his expression became extremely complicated, and his face seemed slightly moved.

Although I feel very disappointed with the attitudes and actions of the two families, I also understand them more.

Just as the two families said.

Others serve the people!
The person being sued or even reported is an official.

Throughout history, how many people have fallen on such a road, destroyed and disappeared by inexplicable human destruction?

To know…

In Zhu Gaoxu's modern and rapidly developing world, people could lie with open eyes, have no place to appeal for injustice, or...something even worse could happen.

The Li and Yuan families lived in the feudal era.

The information is blocked and there is no clear place to report or accuse others.

There are also many records handed down...many reports of various incidents of humanitarian destruction encountered during the journey, and there are even such examples around us.

What qualifications do you have to attempt, or what qualifications do you have to ask others to gamble with the lives and property of your family?
There is no benefit in winning the bet.

If you lose the bet, there is no recovery.

And the chance of losing the bet is extremely high.

Under such circumstances.

How dare others gamble?
Stop talking about others.

As for the role swap between Zhu Gaoxu and the Li and Yuan families, if he was not in the imperial family, and did not have the title of prince, but was just a merchant of low status like the Li and Yuan families, if he had not been forced into a desperate situation and had no other way out, he would probably not have the courage, let alone the guts to do such a thing.

Aren’t Zhang and Wang vivid examples?
He was forced into this state and exploited into this state.

They can only think of ways to maneuver around and protect themselves as much as possible, retreating again and again and not daring to take that path easily.

If he hadn't been thrown into prison and charged with false charges.

Knowing that others had murderous intentions towards their family and intended to "send them away" without leaving any alive.

Out of fear for the Zhang and Wang families, they will probably keep retreating as much as possible from the beginning to the end!
It is also impossible to take such a big risk and submit a letter to appeal for justice.

and so.

This can be seen.

In the end, Zhu Gaoxu was too presumptuous and too idealistic.

Everything is just about thinking from your own perspective.

In this matter, he put aside his status as a prince and thought about the problem from the perspective of the common people of the Ming Dynasty, the merchants, and the common people without official positions.

I don’t understand why others don’t report it or dare to sue.

"Ugh……"

Thinking of this, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but let out a long sigh, his face full of self-mockery, and he shook his head unconsciously.

Then, he slowly walked to Yuan Meng, who was kneeling on the ground and kowtowing, and gently helped him up. He glanced at the people behind him who were kowtowing after him, waved his hand and said:

"okay."

"Everyone get up!"

"This king knows, and understands your difficulties and thoughts."

"This king does not blame you for this matter."

"And also with you, and with any relationship."

"It's just that the perspectives, views and ideas are different."

“It’s no one’s fault.”

Hear this.

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu who was nearby.

Yuan Meng was stunned for a moment, but he could also feel the sincerity in his words, and his expression was full of emotion.

Then, he quickly shook his head and said:

"Don't dare...don't dare..."

"Your Majesty, your words are serious."

"I hope your Majesty can understand this matter."

"If you don't blame me and others, I will be very satisfied."

Seeing the people in front of him looking a little uneasy, Zhu Gaoxu laughed and waved his hand at them:

"okay."

"Let's leave it at that." Zhu Gaoxu then turned around and waved to the guards beside him, saying:

"Take them down!"

"Two assassinations have occurred today, so we need to be on the safe side."

"Let's arrange for all of them to spend the night in the government office!"

"Tomorrow, Commander Ji will arrest all the members of the Zhong family and bring them to justice."

"Then make a decision based on the crimes committed by all of them."

The guard who received the summons bowed:
"promise!"

Afterwards, he quickly stepped forward, waved to the people from the Li and Yuan families, and instructed:

"You guys follow me."

Say it.

The guards strode quickly towards the backyard with the people from the Li and Yuan families and disappeared into the night.

Seeing everyone disappearing at the end of the darkness, Zhu Gaoxu came to his senses and looked down at the small wooden box in his hand, falling into deep thought for a long time without saying a word.

Liu Feng quietly accompanied him without saying a word.

After a long time, Zhu Gaoxu came back to his senses from his contemplation, turned to look at Liu Feng who was waiting beside him, and said softly:

"Liu Feng..."

"What do you think, in this world, does power represent everything? Can it ignore everything and regard all the people as ants, or even worse than ants?"

Liu Feng, who was called, was stunned when he heard the question.

He opened his mouth several times, wanting to say something, but in the end he didn't know how to answer the question.

Seeing Liu Feng's expression, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but laugh, shook his head and murmured in a low voice:
“If you don’t know how to answer, don’t answer.”

"This question is indeed too..."

"Ugh……"

"But that's true!"

"Between countries, weak countries have no dignity at all, and they have to cede territory, pay compensation, marry royal families, and so on."

"What about the common people?"

"Although I don't want to admit it, I have to admit it... There is no such thing as true fairness and justice in this world. The so-called fairness and justice is only relative."

"The strong prey on the weak, natural selection, and the fittest survive."

"These twelve words apply to animals, but why not to us humans?"

"Everything in the world follows this law."

“No one can change.”

"Hey……"

Say it.

Zhu Gaoxu reached out and gently patted Liu Feng's shoulder, shook his head and continued:

"okay."

"Command down."

"Let everyone cheer me up tonight."

"The thief is so crazy today, but he has not achieved his goal yet."

"I don't know if he will do anything crazy next."

"We must not give the thieves any chance to take advantage of us."

"After tonight, Commander Ji will be able to capture all the members of the Zhong family in one fell swoop."

"We can be truly safe..."

Liu Feng's expression became serious, and the two life-threatening assassinations that happened today emerged in his mind. His face became extremely solemn, and he nodded heavily, assuring:
"Don't worry, Your Majesty..."

"I have just handed down this matter."

"I will be on guard for a while and patrol more frequently. I will definitely not give the thieves any chance to take advantage of us."

Listen to the words that are true.

Zhu Gaoxu nodded in satisfaction, without saying another word, and strode towards the inner courtyard of the government office.

……

at the same time.

It is two hundred miles away from Linchuan City.

The place where the Zhong family is located.

It is also where all the Zhong family members live.

The mansion was brightly lit.

Everyone was busy running back and forth.

Some people were packing their things and luggage, looking as if they were fleeing from famine or disaster.

It seems somewhat out of place with the huge and imposing mansion in front of it.

In the study room in the inner courtyard of the Zhong Mansion.

A middle-aged man in a brocade silk robe, with a dignified demeanor, was leaning against an armchair with a half-frowning brow, his pupils slightly narrowed, his eyes moving around from time to time, and no one knew what he was thinking about.

And this person is no other than.

He is the most powerful person in the entire Xijiang area.

He was also the one who schemed to suppress, tease and exploit the Zhang and Wang families.

Zhong Kairan, the governor of Xijiang.

crunch...

Just then.

The tightly closed study door was slowly pushed open, and an old figure walked straight in from outside the door, saluted and said:
"Old slave, I greet the master of the house."

Hearing the familiar voice, Zhong Kairan, who had half-closed his eyes in deep thought, suddenly opened his eyes, his expression instantly changed, and he glanced at the old man kneeling on the ground and asked:

"How is it?"

"Everyone in the mansion, have you packed up your things?"

"Can we start arranging for them to retreat through the secret passage in an orderly manner and leave this troubled place?"

After hearing this.

The old man kneeling on the ground had a look of embarrassment on his face. He opened his mouth several times to say something, but didn't know how to start. He looked as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

See this situation.

Zhong Kairan raised his eyebrows, his eyes filled with coldness, staring straight at the old man kneeling on the ground, and shouted angrily:
"What happened?"

"Just say what you want to say, don't hesitate."

Feeling the sudden change in the atmosphere in the study, the old man did not dare to hesitate and hurriedly explained:
"Master... Patriarch, please calm down."

"The masters who hesitated and gave a short notice retreated and left."

"There are a lot of valuables and belongings in the house, so we need to pack them up in advance."

"After receiving the order, all the masters hurriedly packed up various gold, silver, jewelry and other valuables."

"I have given many warnings on this."

"Tell the masters to ignore their property and leave this troubled place through the secret passage as quickly as possible and rush to the reception area."

"Can……"

"But the masters did not listen to me. They turned a deaf ear to my advice and even scolded me for being nosy."

"Master... I really don't have any other options."

"I beg the master to understand!"

"How about you ..."

The words have not yet fallen.

dong dong dong...

There was an urgent knock on the tightly closed study door.

The sudden noise attracted the attention of both people in the room.

Then, Zhong Kairan said:
"Come in…"

moment.

A masked man in black pushed open the door and hurried in. He glanced at the old man kneeling on the ground and spoke directly, saying:

"Homeowner..."

"Urgent matter from Linchuan Prefecture."

(End of this chapter)