Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 145 Now that the person is dead, it is even more important to confirm the case!

"Zou Yuanbiao is dead?" The dissatisfaction on Wang An's face immediately turned into surprise.

"Yes." Wei Zhongxian regained his composure. When he looked up at Wang An, a look of feigned fear appeared on his face. "Master, ancestor, Zou Yuanbiao died at the hands of the Jinyiwei. I'm afraid the court will be even more turbulent!"

Wei Zhongxian offered no suggestions. As long as the emperor didn't explicitly hand the job over to the East Factory, or let the Southern Pacification Office conduct a meaningless internal self-inspection, the task of inspecting the Northern Pacification Office and even the entire Jinyiwei would definitely fall into the hands of the West Factory.

"When did this happen?" Zhu Changluo closed the memorial, put down the red pen in his hand, and asked.

"In reply to Your Majesty, I do not know the exact date of Zou Yuanbiao's death." Wei Zhongxian turned to reply, only to meet the Emperor's icy gaze. He hastily added, "At the time, I was only thinking of informing you as quickly as possible so you could make the decision. So, as soon as I received the news, I came to report it immediately. I didn't have time to ask further questions."

"Go to the Northern Pacification Office now! Find out when and how Zou Siqing died."

"I obey your order!" Wei Zhongxian kowtowed and stood up to leave.

"Wei Chao." Zhu Changluo looked at the first table on the right.

Although the emperor's expression softened slightly after Wei Zhongxian left, Wei Chao was still frightened by the gloomy tone. He strode to the imperial desk and knelt. "Your servant is here!"

"Call Xu Guangqi in." Zhu Changluo said.

"Do we want to let the foreigners go back?" Wei Chao asked.

"Take them to the side hall first. Serve them charcoal, tea, and snacks. Let them wait." Zhu Changluo thought for a moment and replied.

"I obey your command." Wei Chao accepted the order and almost ran to Xu Guangqi.

"Xu Butang, please go in quickly. Everyone else, follow me."

Long, Guo, Tang and the other three didn't understand what was going on, but they still followed the eunuch in red, whom they had never met before.

"Your servant Xu Guangqi pays homage to the emperor, Long Live the Emperor." Xu Guangqi is now in a state of confusion.

When he was performing the ceremony, the first thought that came to his mind was that he was worried about whether the three Jesuits could complete the ritual of five bows and three kowtows between the king and his subjects without him.

"Zou Siqing is dead." Zhu Changluo did not ask Xu Guangqi to stand up.

The soundproofing in the southern study wasn't very good. Therefore, while outside the palace, Xu Guangqi had already gathered a rough idea of ​​the current situation through sporadic conversations. However, the emperor merely stated his views without asking any questions, so Xu Guangqi could only wait in silence.

"Have you been to the cabinet recently?" Zhu Changluo asked.

"Your Majesty, yes. I have been to the cabinet." Xu Guangqi knew that such a thing could not be concealed. Perhaps as soon as he entered the cabinet, an eunuch would run to the Southern Study to report.

"But Zou Siqing still died."

Xu Guangqi didn't know Fang Congzhe's private actions, and he didn't know Luo Sigong had accepted Fang Congzhe's proposal, so he just felt that the emperor's words were incomprehensible. "."

"I didn't want things to turn out like this." Zhu Changluo's face was filled with sorrow as he sighed, "Besides, I still value him. Otherwise, I wouldn't have let him become the Minister of Justice."

"Your Majesty, please accept my condolences." Xu Guangqi kowtowed to comfort him.

"Mr. Xu, what do you think we should do next?" Zhu Changluo supported his head with his hands.

"We can allocate some money from the treasury to provide relief to Zou Siqing's family." Wang An didn't care about Zou Yuanbiao's life or death, he just wanted to put an end to the matter as soon as possible.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely not possible!" Xu Guangqi suddenly looked up at the imperial desk, and then fell silent.

At this moment, the sound of someone flapping clothes to clear the snow could be heard from the doorway. Then, Wei Chao, who had settled the foreigners, walked in. Although Wei Chao only opened a small gap to step sideways into the hall, the howling winter wind still pushed the snowballs in forcefully.

As soon as the fluffy snowballs hit the ground, they melted into a puddle of cold water. "Come here and wipe it off," Wei Chao waved to the waiting eunuch.

Zhu Changluo withdrew his gaze from Wang An and turned to Wei Chao. "Wei Chao, clear the area and get them all out."

After all the low-ranking eunuchs inside and outside the hall had left, Zhu Changluo spoke: "Xu Qing, please stand up and speak."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xu Guangqi stood up and said, "Zou Siqing's death is indeed a tragedy, but if it is not handled properly, it will surely trigger even greater changes."

"What's wrong with providing relief to the family members?" Wang An asked.

Xu Guangqi bowed to Wang An as a gesture of goodwill: "Wang holds the seal. Zou Siqing has passed away at the Northern Pacification Office at this very moment. Regardless of the cause of death, there will inevitably be an uproar at court, and this cannot be stopped in any way."

"What does Xu Butang mean?" Wang An thought for a moment and asked, "Will providing compensation be counterproductive?"

"Yes. That's what I mean." Xu Guangqi nodded and explained, "If Zou Siqing is arrested by the Jinyiwei for a case involving only one person, then the palace will naturally provide financial compensation to show the emperor's benevolence."

Xu Guangqi observed the emperor's expression and carefully considered his words, "However, Zou Siqing was arrested because of a conspiracy. The Donglin Party officials still in office and the students waiting for the imperial examination who sympathize with the Donglin Party will inevitably rise up against the Jinyiwei. Even if Zou Siqing's family doesn't make a fuss, they will definitely do so. With a little guidance, the spearhead will be diverted towards the Forbidden City. If the palace steps forward to provide relief, it will not only be a sign of the emperor's grace, but" Xu Guangqi slightly changed his words. "It will also be seen as submission."

"By then, the political tide will become even more intense! This matter will never end!" After saying that, Xu Guangqi bowed deeply to the emperor.

Zhu Changluo tapped the knuckles of his left hand with the fingertips of his right hand. He probably guessed what Xu Guangqi was going to say, but he still asked, "Does Mr. Xu have any suggestions?"

"I believe we should first determine whether Zou Siqing is guilty or not," Xu Guangqi said tactfully. "If he is guilty, then we should announce to the world that the conspiracy case has been established. After the conviction, Your Majesty can then find an opportunity to grant him amnesty and demonstrate His Majesty's virtue."

Zhu Changluo sighed and chuckled, calling out, "Wang An."

"I'm here." Wang An stood up.

"Send someone to call Luo Sigong." Zhu Changluo ordered.

"I obey your order." Wang An pushed the door open and walked out of the hall, heading towards the Imperial Household Department.

Zhu Changluo then said to Xu Guangqi, "Mr. Xu, while you have some free time, go and call those three foreigners over. Come one by one."

"I have one more thing to report to His Majesty." Xu Guangqi did not move, but lifted his robe and knelt again.

"Is there anything else?" Zhu Changluo thought for a moment and asked with a smile. "Is it what Liu Yirong told you?"

"Yes." Xu Guangqi was not surprised.

"Since Mr. Xu is willing, please tell me the private conversation between you and Liu Yirong." Someone had been following Xu Guangqi since he entered the Imperial City. However, Zhu Changluo did not know the details of the conversation and was not particularly interested.

"I want to be the new leader of the Donglin Party! I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission." Xu Guangqi kowtowed.

"what?"

------

A captain of the Jinyiwei, dressed in civilian clothes, leaped over the high threshold of the Northern Pacification Office at a frantic run. The snow was heavy and the roads slippery, and the captain fell upon entering the yamen. He didn't even dare to cry out in pain, but instead rolled and crawled, covered in snow, into the main hall.

"Sir Tongzhi!" the captain shouted.

"What's wrong!" Tian Ergeng jumped up from his seat like a frightened bird and asked sternly.

"Eunuch. Ha! Huh!" The captain suddenly ran two blocks, his heart beating like a drum. "A eunuch is coming in a sedan chair! He's wearing red clothes." In the palace, only high-ranking eunuchs could wear red clothes.

In shock and confusion, Tian Ergeng looked around, and everyone he saw seemed like a hidden needle. "Did the palace find out so quickly?"

"Sir, sir! What should I do? What should I do?" Xu Xianchun's forced calmness suddenly collapsed. He knelt on the ground and looked at Tian Ergeng with pleading eyes.

"I told you not to kill anyone, you son of a bitch! Now they're in trouble, and I'm going to clean up the mess for you, right?" Tian Ergeng walked up and kicked Xu Xianchun to the ground. "Fuck!" "Sir, save me!" Xu Xianchun frantically grabbed Tian Ergeng's calf.

Tian Ergeng pushed Xu Xianchun away. "Get out of here, you bastard! Someone's coming from the palace!"

While they were arguing, people from the Western Factory arrived.

"Your Excellency has come from afar, please forgive me for not being able to welcome you in person!" Before Wei Zhongxian got off the sedan chair, Tian Ergeng came out with his men and knelt to greet him.

There were five newly appointed eunuchs in the Imperial Household Department, but Tian Ergeng had only seen Cui Wensheng, who had once followed the orders of Concubine Zheng.

Wei Zhongxian handed the white fox fur sleeve to the eunuch who was accompanying him. While examining Tian Ergeng's official uniform, he asked knowingly, "Who are you?"

"I'm Tian Ergeng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the assistant clerk of the Northern Pacification Office." The body temperature from Tian Ergeng's forehead slightly melted a layer of snow on the road.

"Yeah." Wei Zhongxian did not answer, just responded coldly and walked straight into the Northern Pacification Office.

"What are you standing there for! Come on." Fu Yingxing was a fifth-rank captain, only one level higher than Xu Xianchun, but when he spoke to Tian Ergeng, who was a third-rank officer, he used the tone of a superior.

"Yes." Tian Ergeng got up from the ground, not even daring to brush off the snow on his knees.

Back in the main hall, Wei Zhongxian had already sat in the main seat as expected.

"This is Wei Zhongxian, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department and the commander of the Western Factory." Only then did Fu Yingxing start to introduce him.

"Greetings, His Excellency the Admiral!" Tian Ergeng took the lead, and all the members of the Northern Pacification Division knelt down again.

Wei Zhongxian sat there arrogantly, saying simply, "Just kneel down and wait. Someone else hasn't arrived yet."

After that, an extremely uneasy silence swept across the entire Northern Pacification Office. In the lobby, the only sound was the howling of the wind and snow, shaking the windows and tiles.

Three quarters of an hour later, Tian Ergeng, who rarely knelt in front of others, felt his legs trembling and sweat pouring down his forehead. Suddenly, he didn't even notice the boy in the small flying fish suit passing by.

"Greetings, Factory Director." Wang Chengen bowed.

"I'm here." Wei Zhongxian stood up, as friendly as Wang Chengen's grandfather. "It's snowing so hard, why don't you take the sedan chair?"

"The master is frugal, so who would dare to carry a sedan chair in the palace?" Wang Chengen answered honestly.

"Wang Shaojian is just criticizing me." Wei Zhongxian laughed.

"That's not what I meant," Wang Chengen explained hastily. "I meant there's no sedan chair ready. It'll take a while to get the bearers, put on the oilcloth, and tie the ropes. This is a big and urgent matter, so it's better to walk."

"Does Wang Shaojian know where this sedan chair of mine came from?" Wei Zhongxian said mysteriously.

"I don't know." Wang Chengen shook his head.

"It's not convenient to ride in a sedan chair in the palace, so just prepare one outside the palace." Wei Zhongxian said with a smile.

The more the two eunuchs chatted away, the more anxious Tian Ergeng and Xu Xianchun, who were kneeling below them, became. Until Wei Zhongxian said to Fu Yingxing in a slightly dissatisfied voice, "You tactless person! Go find a high stool for Wang Shaojian."

"Ah? Oh, okay!" Fu Yingxing was just raising the corner of his mouth to admire the ugly appearance of the Jinyiwei, and he didn't react for a while.

"Wang Shaojian, please take a seat." Fu Yingxing placed a stool next to the main seat. From then on, a second person sat down in the hall.

"Tian Ergeng." Wei Zhongxian called softly in a voice neither happy nor angry.

"The humble position is here!"

"Why didn't you report Zou Siqing's affairs?" Wei Zhongxian asked.

Tian Ergeng was stunned for a moment and said, "I just found out about this too."

"I didn't hear you clearly." Wei Zhongxian remained calm. "Think it over and say it again."

"I..." Tian Ergeng's heart suddenly rose to his throat.

"Humph." Wei Zhongxian snorted coldly. "Where is Lord Zou's body?"

"Still in jail."

Wei Zhongxian kept his gaze fixed on Wang Chengen, and said, "Wang Shaojian, let the coroner examine the body."

"Okay." Wang Chengen waved to the old coroner.

All the coroners in the Western Depot were under the supervision of the Inspection Bureau. The factory supervisor had the right to bypass the Inspection Bureau and forcibly transfer them, but he had to state the reason in writing and report it to the Imperial Household Department.

"Before the coroner returns, I hope you can explain everything clearly." Wei Zhongxian emphasized his tone and continued to pressure Tian Ergeng. "When did Lord Zou die?"

"Probably last night." Tian Ergeng put his head on the floor, almost lying down.

Wei Zhongxian picked out a word: "Probably?"

"I really don't know when Lord Zou died," Tian Ergeng said earnestly. "I only learned of this tragic news when I arrived at the yamen at 9:00 PM."

"Si time? Your Northern Pacification Office is really quite busy." Fu Yingxing said sarcastically. "Don't you have to report for duty?"

"Sir. I went to the headquarters this morning, and then was kept here by Lord Luo." Tian Ergeng didn't bother to change the address.

"Why does Luo Sigong keep you here?" Wei Zhongxian asked.

"Your humble servant, your humble servant." Tian Ergeng's brain went silent with a buzzing sound.

"Director, this guy has fainted." Fu Yingxing laughed, "He really knows how to pick the right time."

"Drag him away and wake him up." Wei Zhongxian waved his hands impatiently.

Wei Zhongxian glanced at the Jinyiwei who were still kneeling on the ground. "Who tortured Lord Zou?"

No one answered, but Wei Zhongxian knew it anyway, because all the Jinyiwei's attention was focused on Xu Xianchun.

"If you faint again, it will be unacceptable." Wei Zhongxian looked at Xu Xianchun. "What's your name?"

"The factory supervisor is asking you a question, are you mute?" Fu Yingxing walked up to Xu Xianchun and shouted, "Answer me!"

"I am Xu Xianchun, the deputy captain of the Northern Pacification Division." Xu Xianchun was shaking like a sieve.

"Do you know why Tian Ergeng fainted?" Wei Zhongxian asked.

Xu Xianchun's face flushed purple. "Lord Luo didn't allow the Northern Pacification Office to conduct an investigation! It was Tian Ergeng! It was Tian Ergeng who disobeyed orders and forced me to conduct an investigation!"

"Disobeying orders?" Wei Zhongxian didn't like this answer. Because in this way, Luo Sigong could get himself out of it. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure! I guarantee it with my life!" Xu Xianchun decisively grabbed this life-saving straw. He completely ignored the fact that before the Western Factory came, he was still begging Tian Ergeng to save him.

(End of this chapter)