Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

Chapter 152 Going South

Zhu Qiyu looked at the assembled officials below and said, "There is something to discuss today."

Last September, a batch of firearms was transported from Nanjing for the defense of Beijing.

After the batch of firearms arrived, the Ministry of Works found that the scrap rate was as high as 23%.

""

The hall was completely silent.

Many people knew about this, but no one expected Zhu Qiyu to bring it up at this time.

Zhu Qiyu continued, "This matter concerns the vital interests of the military and the nation, and must be investigated."

I have decided to send people to Nanjing to thoroughly investigate the matter of firearms scrap.

Nanjing was the secondary capital, and its administrative affairs were complex.

In recent years, the imperial court has also neglected many matters concerning Nanjing.

During this joint inspection, all instances of malpractice were ordered to be rectified.

He looked at Yu Shiyue: "Minister Yu."

Yu Shiyue stepped forward and said, "Your subject is here."

Zhu Qiyu said: "I hereby appoint you as the Minister of Justice to oversee the grain reserves in Nanjing and Southern Zhili, and concurrently manage the affairs of the Six Ministries in Nanjing. You will be in charge of thoroughly investigating this firearms case."

Officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Revenue accompanied the delegation, forming an investigation team that traveled to Nanjing.

Yu Shiyue bowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Zhu Qiyu then looked at Shi Pu: "Minister Shi, the Ministry of Works will send someone skilled in firearms manufacturing to accompany you."

Assist in verifying the manufacturing records of the Nanjing Ordnance Bureau and the Military Equipment Bureau.

Shi Pu stepped forward and said, "Your subject obeys the imperial decree and recommends Zhao Rong, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works."

This man is an expert in firearms manufacturing and has participated in the reform of the Beijing Garrison's firearms; he is qualified for this position.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Approved."

He then looked at Jin Lian: "Minister Jin, the Ministry of Revenue will send personnel to inspect the grain storage accounts of the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue and Yingtian Prefecture, as well as the materials and funds consumed in the manufacture of firearms over the years."

Jin Lian stepped forward and said, "Your subject obeys the imperial decree and recommends Li Xian, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

This person has worked in the Ministry of Revenue for many years, and there has never been a mistake in the accounts.

Zhu Qiyu nodded slightly, then looked at Yang Shan: "The Censorate will send an imperial censor to accompany you, along with an investigation team and officials from Nanjing."

Yang Shan stepped forward and said, "I recommend Liu Dun, the Supervising Censor of Fujian Circuit. He is upright and incorruptible, and fearless of powerful figures. He is suitable for this position."

A low murmur arose in the hall.

Liu Dun impeached Jin Lian just a few days ago, and now he has been sent to Nanjing. Is this a coincidence or intentional?

Zhu Qiyu did not hesitate at all: "Approved. Besides, Nanjing is a long way away, and the investigation team may face risks on this trip, Lu Zhong."

Lu Zhong stepped forward and said, "Your subject is here."

Zhu Qiyu said, "Send a team of Imperial Guards to accompany the investigation team and protect the safety of all the ministers."

If the investigation is obstructed by lawbreakers, you may act as you see fit.

Lu Zhong bowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree. Your subject recommends Men Da, the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to lead the team."

This man is quick-witted and decisive; he can ensure the safety of all the ministers.

Upon hearing the name Menda, many officials' expressions subtly changed.

He was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the second-in-command of the Northern Garrison, and a ruthless figure specializing in handling major cases.

It's called "protection," but everyone knows that the word "protection" has another meaning behind it.

Zhu Qiyu seemed oblivious to the expressions on their faces, and simply nodded: "It's settled then."

The investigation team will depart in five days. The necessary carriages and ceremonial regalia will be arranged jointly by the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites. The court session concludes.

Not long after Yu Shiyue returned to his post at the Ministry of Justice, someone came looking for him.

The visitor was Chen Tai, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, an old friend of Yu Shiyue.

In the twelfth year of the Zhengtong reign of the Ming Dynasty, Chen Tai, then serving as the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Sichuan, was at odds with Kou Shen, the Garrison Commander.

He was framed by Councilor Chen Min and impeached for "abusing his power to punish military officers and beating a sedan chair carrier to death".

He was arrested, imprisoned, and sentenced to beheading.

When Chen Tai was imprisoned and his life was in danger.

After learning about the case, Yu Shiyue, who was serving as the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, believed that Chen Tai was innocent.

He not only accepted Chen Tai's appeal.

They also compiled all the details of Chen Tai's acquittal and reported them to the emperor, pleading his innocence.

However, Zhu Qizhen did not adopt Yu Shiyue's suggestion.

During the Battle of Beijing, Zhu Qiyu urgently needed manpower.

A group of capable individuals, but whose crimes were minor or who had been framed, were released from prison.

At the same time, Yu Shiyue submitted another memorial stating that Chen Tai was innocent, and only then was he released.

He was promoted to Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate after the war.

After Chen Tai entered, he cupped his hands and said, "Minister Yu, congratulations."

Yu Shiyue smiled wryly: "What's there to congratulate me on? This is a job that will offend people."

Chen Tai said, "Offending people is also a form of imperial favor."

His Majesty's selection of your name indicates that he trusts you.

You know better than I how deep that pool of water in Nanjing is.

His Majesty has entrusted you with such a heavy responsibility; you will undoubtedly be of great importance in the future.

Yu Shiyue sighed: "Brother Chen, I won't hide it from you."

The situation in Nanjing was not so simple; the discarded firearms were just a pretext.

Chen Tai's expression hardened: "You mean—"

Yu Shiyue waved his hand: "I can't say now. In short, this trip is likely to end badly."

Chen Tai said, "Aren't you protected by Menda?"

Yu Shiyue nodded: "They say they're protecting us, but in reality they're keeping an eye on us and those people in Nanjing."

Chen Tai said, "Then be careful."

Yu Shiyue smiled wryly: "Of course I know."

After exchanging a few more words, Chen Tai took his leave.

Yu Shiyue sat alone in the duty room, lost in thought.

A few days later, the investigation team departed from Beijing.

Yu Shiyue sat in the sedan chair, lifting the curtain to look at the scenery outside.

In late autumn and early winter, the crops in the fields have been harvested, leaving only bare stubble.

There weren't many pedestrians on the official road, and those who saw the procession quickly gave way.

He lowered the sedan curtain and closed his eyes.

The journey to Nanjing is a thousand miles away, and at a normal pace it will take about twenty days.

He needs to think carefully about how to investigate once he arrives in Nanjing, and where to start.

Meanwhile, at the rear of the procession, Menda, mounted on horseback, surveyed the surroundings.

Beside him was a young Imperial Guard in his early twenties named Pang Ying, one of Menda's most capable lieutenants.

Pang Ying whispered, "Minister, what exactly are we investigating in Nanjing this time?"

Menda glanced at him: "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."

Pang Ying awkwardly shut her mouth.

Menda added, "Remember, when we arrive in Nanjing, we have only one mission: to protect the safety of you imperial envoys."

Do nothing else, investigate nothing.

Pang Ying was taken aback: "But—"

Menda interrupted him: "His Majesty has decreed that we are the guards."

As for investigating the case, that's Minister Yu's business; why should we get involved?

Although Pang Ying didn't understand, he still nodded: "I'll remember."

Menda gazed at the official sedan chair ahead, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes.

They were really just guards; the one in charge of the investigation was Lu Zhong and the team that set off the day before yesterday.

On the eighth day of the eleventh month, the investigation team entered the territory of Southern Zhili.

Once you enter Southern Zhili, the official road becomes much wider and flatter.

There were more post stations along the way, one every thirty or forty li, which was much more comfortable than when we were in Beizhili.

On the tenth day, the group arrived in Yangzhou Prefecture.

According to their itinerary, they will rest in Yangzhou for a day before crossing the river to Nanjing.