My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 438 Death penalty can be avoided, but living crime cannot be avoided

"Commander Mao, don't keep us in suspense. Tell us what it is!"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not hide his strong curiosity. This matter was already incredible enough, and it could also arouse Lao Li's interest, which showed that this matter was even more bizarre than he had imagined!

"Your Majesty, the official silver in the Guangji Treasury is displayed on trays."

Mao Xiang answered immediately. He kept the secret only to arouse His Majesty's interest, but he couldn't keep it a secret forever. Otherwise, it would not be the way to be an official, but a way to death.

Several people were staring at Mao Xiang, while at the same time they were brainstorming fiercely in their minds, analyzing what Mao Xiang said.

"But because the silver ingots in the treasury are too huge, they are placed in special boxes. After the theft, everyone only noticed the disappearance of the silver ingots, but ignored that the box containing the silver ingots also disappeared!"

When Mao Xiang said this, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to be thinking about something. Liang Fu also seemed to understand a little bit, but he just couldn't grasp the key point of the words. However, Wei Junmin didn't understand what Mao Xiang meant.

He bravely asked Mao Xiang: "Commander Mao, I don't understand. Since the silver ingots were stolen, then the boxes containing the silver ingots were also stolen. Isn't this normal?

Besides, wouldn't it be more convenient and secretive to put the silver ingots in a box?"

"No, no, Mr. Wei, this matter cannot be understood in this way." After Wei Junmin said this, Liang Fu understood.

"From a stealth perspective, it would be more covert to take the silver ingots directly. At least when the second shift is handed over, the warehouse manager will see that the box is still there and will not immediately suspect that the silver ingots have disappeared. If there is really a thief with great magical powers who stole the silver ingots from the Guangji warehouse, he will not fail to consider this point."

"Liang Fuyin is right." Mao Xiang also agreed:
"But there is something even more puzzling. After the first silver ingot was found, no trace of the box was found. In other words, the box disappeared more completely than the silver ingot!"

"Could it be that the thief thought that the box was more important than the silver ingot, so he threw away the silver ingot and took the box?"

Liang Fu said this half-jokingly, but this matter was too incomprehensible and completely contrary to common sense.

No one responded because the matter was too mysterious, which made everyone fall into an indescribable atmosphere of uneasiness. After a long time, Zhu Yuanzhang finally spoke.

"This matter needs to be investigated further. Mao Xiang and Liang Fu, listen up. Reopen the Guangjiku silver theft case, but don't make a big fuss this time. Do everything in secret to prevent the news from leaking out and causing panic among the people!

Don’t miss any unreasonable signs this time. If there are any new discoveries, I want to know them as soon as possible! "

"The minister obeys the order!"

Mao Xiang and Liang Fu responded in unison.

Afterwards, Zhu Yuanzhang wrote a handwritten note to Mao Xiang to investigate the incident at Mount Kalwabo, and then the three of them took their leave.

On the way out of the palace, Mao Xiang hurriedly asked Wei Junmin about the matter of Mount Kalwabo. After learning the ins and outs of the matter, he couldn't help but be a little dazed.

My goodness, this matter is quite bizarre. I don’t know why His Majesty suddenly wants to thoroughly investigate these two old events. Is there any connection between these two events?

Could it be related to the strange man? Thinking of this, Mao Xiang became even more nervous.

After returning to the Northern Pacification Division of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he immediately ordered someone to find the "Great Ming Chronicles" and read it again with his own eyes. He found that things were even more bizarre than what Wei Junmin had said.

The herdsman entered the cave, but when he came out, it was already three years later. What is this? A dream? Or a story of the Peach Blossom Spring? What exactly did the herdsman encounter in the cave? The book does not give a clear description. Why did his clothes and appearance remain unchanged after three years? What he ate and drank is not clearly recorded.

These literati just don't have the spirit to get to the bottom of things. Why didn't they let Ding Feng get to the bottom of such a bizarre matter?

I was thinking that this time I should send someone south to Yunnan to find Ding Feng and investigate thoroughly!
He has already developed a strong curiosity about this matter.

He selected a brave and resourceful centurion and explained the matter to him in detail. After the order was issued, he handed Zhu Yuanzhang's handwritten edict to him.

Immediately afterwards, Mao Xiang selected more than a dozen best fighters from the Jinyiwei and went to Yunnan to investigate together with the centurions.

Everyone put on their badges, wore their Feiyu uniforms, carried their embroidered spring swords, prepared their radio handhelds, mounted their horses, and set off overnight.

Mao Xiang himself personally devoted himself to the more tense reinvestigation of the Guangjiku theft case.

……

Ever since they set foot on the Eastern land they had longed for, Macaros and Father Antonio have been detained in a courtyard. Although they have enough food and drink every day, they do not know what their final fate will be.

That day, just after the two of them finished their meal, a few people who looked impressive suddenly came into the courtyard, along with the Arabic interpreter.

Among these men, the leader was wearing a red robe. He was strong and powerful, with a dignified face and sharp eyes. People dared not look directly at him, especially the long knife on his waist, which seemed like he would pull it out and chop off his head in the next second.

Although the other few people were not as majestic as that adult, they were also dignified and should have held high positions and received a good education.

Has his final judgment finally come? Are these the Ming officials who are here to judge him?
I don’t know whether they are the Inquisition of the Ming Dynasty or the elders of the court?
He didn't know whether he was being guillotined or burned to death.

He looked for help to the Saracen interpreter named Ali, hoping to get an answer from him, while Father Antonio had already folded his hands and confessed his sins to God.

Just as he was anxiously waiting for his trial, the adult in the red robe began to speak something that he could not understand at all.

However, the tone of this gentleman was not as harsh as he had imagined. Could it be that this was his concern for him before his death?
Just like the Inquisition would send priests to pray before executing criminals.

After the gentleman finished speaking, he said a few words to Ali, who bowed in a flattering manner, and then said to Macaros and Father Antonio:
"You two have blatantly invaded Temasek's territory and seriously violated the interests of the Ming Dynasty. You should be executed for your crimes!"

When the two heard this, their legs suddenly went weak and they fell to their knees, trembling all over. They wanted to say something but didn't know how to start.

Father Antonio kept making the sign of the cross on his chest and chanting "God forgive my sins" and so on.

However, Ali changed the subject and said, “But the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is kindhearted and considers that you two are first-time offenders, so he will spare you the death penalty, but you will not be able to escape the punishment of life!
From today on, the two of you must clearly explain your origins, life experiences, and backgrounds, write them down on paper, and present them to His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty!
Makaros, as the Count of Castile, you should explain your family background, your relationship with the royal family, the current situation in Castile, and even the relations, trade, and politics among European countries. "

Makaros's brain was still buzzing at this time, and he just nodded mechanically.

At the same time, Ali said to Father Antonio: "Father Antonio, you should explain all the details of the Holy See so that His Majesty the Emperor can know!"

(End of this chapter)