Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

"Not a single one of the thirteen family members survived?"

Zhu Qiyu put down his teacup, his voice filled with suppressed extreme anger.

After receiving a report from Xing'an, Zhu Qiyu learned what had happened the previous night.

After a midnight interrogation, Lu Zhong finally managed to extract useful information from Wang Lu, the accountant of Shengtai Company.

According to Wang Lu's confession, Shengtai Company's private transactions of saltpeter and sulfur in recent years were all facilitated by an intermediary named Zhao Dechang.

On the surface, Zhao Dechang was the owner of a general store outside Chongwen Gate, but in reality, he was a front man for certain officials.

Lu Zhong immediately sent men to arrest Zhao Dechang.

They then discovered Zhao Dechang's superior: Cao Wenbin, a senior official in the Ministry of Works.

The Yuheng Qingli Si was in charge of mining in the mountains and marshes, as well as pottery and utensils.

The Bureau of Ordnance and the Bureau of Weapons, which manufactured firearms, were under its jurisdiction.

In the evidence that Lu Zhong had already obtained, there was no obvious direct contact between Cao Wenbin and the three businesses.

There are only a few vague records of "respect for the deceased" and "respect for the deceased".

After learning of Cao Wenbin's name from Zhao Dechang, Lu Zhong immediately led fifty elite cavalrymen to Cao Wenbin's residence.

However, by the time Lu Zhong led his troops to Cao Cao's residence, it was too late.

The Cao residence was completely engulfed in flames.

By the time the Shuntian Prefecture fire brigade extinguished the open flames, the entire Cao Mansion was reduced to ruins.

After identification, it was found that Cao Wenbin and his wives, concubines, children, servants, a total of thirteen people, all perished in the fire.

Zhu Qiyu walked silently to the window.

Brilliant tactic, truly brilliant tactic!

From the time the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigated Zhao Dechang to the time the Embroidered Uniform Guard went to Cao's residence, no more than two hours passed.

In such a short time, Cao Wenbin's entire family perished in the fire.

Zhu Qiyu understood that Cao Wenbin was merely a pawn, and also a discarded one.

The real big fish is the one behind him.

But now that the fishing line has broken, Zhu Qiyu has no chance to catch the fish again.

However, even if he had the chance, Zhu Qiyu felt that he was not capable of taking down this big fish.

At least not at present.

Lu Zhong's investigation was handled entirely secretly by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with no other departments involved.

As soon as Cao Wenbin was identified, he wiped out his entire family.

Either someone within the Embroidered Uniform Guard tipped them off.

Either the Embroidered Uniform Guards are being monitored at all times without their knowledge.

In either case, it shows that there is a powerful force in the court that is not only influential but also ruthless and treats human life as worthless.

Zhu Qiyu's face was grim: "Where is Lu Zhong now?"

Xing'an: "The investigation is still ongoing at the ruins of Cao's residence."

When Zhu Qiyu turned around, his face was no longer showing any emotion: "Tell Lu Zhong to close the case to the outside world as an accidental fire for now."

They continued to secretly investigate all people, events, and things that had been associated with Cao Wenbin.

In particular, who he has recently been in contact with and whether he has exhibited any unusual behavior.

Remember, let him investigate secretly on his own.

"I obey your decree."

After Xing'an withdrew, Zhu Qiyu paced alone in the hall.

Are you angry?

Of course I'm angry.

Only a few days after ascending the throne, someone dared to challenge his authority in such a brutal way.

But after the anger came a deep sense of powerlessness.

He is the emperor now, but he is not yet an emperor who truly holds absolute power.

The various factions in the imperial court were deeply entrenched, and war on the border was imminent.

He needs stability; he cannot launch an uncontrollable purge at this time.

"Your Majesty, Minister Yu has arrived," Cheng Jing announced from outside the door.

"Announce."

After Yu Qian bowed, Zhu Qiyu gestured for him to sit down: "What is Minister Yu's opinion on the matter of Cao Wenbin?"

Yu Qian hesitated and said, "Your Majesty... I do not know."

Zhu Qiyu stared at Yu Qian: "Minister Yu, do you think I'm inferior to Emperor Taizong of Tang?"

Yu Qian quickly cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Your subject dares not!"

Zhu Qiyu: "Then why don't you say anything? You did yesterday in court, and you still do today!"

I have said that I hope you will be my Wei Zheng. I need someone who dares to offer advice and speak out.

You have greatly disappointed me these past two days!

Yu Qian remained silent.

After a moment, Yu Qian took a step back, knelt down, and bowed his head, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

I believe that Cao Wenbin's actions were a desperate attempt to save himself, and also a warning to others.

If Your Majesty insists on continuing the investigation, it may cause turmoil in the court.

Your Majesty, I believe that the most urgent task is to defend the city and prepare for war.

With the trail now broken, a breakthrough is unlikely in the short term.

It would be better to set it aside for now and concentrate all efforts on defense.

It's not too late to settle scores after we defeat the Oirat and stabilize the situation.

By then, His Majesty's authority will be established and his foundation solidified, allowing him to act without restraint.

Zhu Qiyu looked at Yu Qian.

If Yu Qian's previous suggestions were all based on the national level.

So now that he's kneeling, he's truly offering advice and strategies to Zhu Qiyu.

In particular, the last sentence clearly tells Zhu Qiyu: First strengthen yourself and control the power, then you can do what you want to do.

Zhu Qiyu helped Yu Qian up with satisfaction: "Minister Yu, who do you think has such great ability to precisely silence someone just a moment before the Embroidered Uniform Guard makes a move?"

"Is there a problem with Lu Zhong's Northern Garrison?"

Yu Qian stood up and said, "Your Majesty, there may be spies within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but Lu Zhong should be trustworthy."

This case is bound to be deeply complex and involve enormous interests.

However, precisely because of its depth and vastness, we must not act hastily.

Your Majesty has just ascended the throne and your power is not yet fully developed. Even if you have a thunderous rage, you must temporarily conceal your sharpness.

"Show weakness to the enemy, and you'll lure them out."

Zhu Qiyu sighed: "If they dare to kill the entire family of a fifth-rank physician today, will they dare to put a knife to my neck tomorrow?"

Minister Yu, I'm afraid!

While Yu Qian was still pondering the meaning behind those words, Zhu Qiyu immediately followed up, saying, "Why not dispatch eight hundred soldiers to protect me?"

Yu Qian hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is protected by the Embroidered Uniform Guard; how can such laws be violated?"

Zhu Qiyu explained, "Minister Yu, I am going to the city wall to guard it. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to follow me?"

They're good at arresting people, but not so much at fighting.

Yu Qian hurriedly said, "No, Your Majesty, you absolutely mustn't! Consider the example of the Retired Emperor! What if..."

Zhu Qiyu interrupted him: "Didn't you choose me to boost morale? Is there anything more inspiring than me standing on the wall?"

If we lose this battle, nothing else matters.

As for the danger, that depends on what kind of person Minister Yu chooses for me.

Yu Qian was taken aback. He realized that Zhu Qiyu was right; nothing could boost morale more than the emperor leading the charge.

He never expected Zhu Qiyu to be so determined, after all, Zhu Qizhen had just been captured while leading a personal expedition, and the lesson of the past was right before his eyes.

After a moment's thought, Yu Qian cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise. However, I urge Your Majesty to remain on the city wall and absolutely not to descend the wall to pursue them."

In Yu Qian's plan, the entire defense of Beijing was divided into two parts: taking the initiative to attack from below the city walls and holding the city by relying on the city walls.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Of course. By the way, these eight hundred men should not be selected from the original Beijing garrison."

That afternoon, an imperial edict was issued from the palace:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

I recently heard that the residence of Cao Wenbin, a senior official in the Ministry of Works in Chengqingfang, was tragically destroyed by fire, resulting in the loss of his entire family. I am deeply saddened by this news.

The Shuntian Prefecture was instructed to provide generous compensation and ensure a proper burial.

The Five City Garrison Command and Shuntian Prefecture, among other government offices, were responsible for patrolling and fighting fires, yet such a tragedy occurred, which can only be attributed to their negligence.

The heads of all government offices were fined three months' salary and ordered to immediately rectify fire prevention measures, strengthen night patrols, and strictly prevent such incidents from recurring.

So be it.

Many ministers who were paying attention to this matter secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that although Zhu Qiyu was angry, he also knew how to weigh the pros and cons and knew what was most important at the moment.