Who killed the Ming Dynasty?

"Thump—thump—thump!!!"

As soon as the words were spoken, three drumbeats sounded, carrying a sense of resolute certainty that everything had finally settled.

It's already noon!

The lingering sound echoed on the bluestone pavement and in everyone's eardrums, lingering for a long time.

Through Zhu Cilang's reasoning and analysis, the mysteries of the entire theft of the military pay were unraveled one by one.

Zheng Xuan, the Councilor of the Imperial Canal, nodded and stroked his beard, praising:

"Young sir, your extraordinary talent and ability to see through this predicament is truly a blessing from Heaven for the Ming Dynasty."

"Switching cargo ships is such a deceptive scheme that even a seasoned official in the Ministry of Justice might not be able to detect it."

"This young scholar is able to trace back to the source; he will surely become a pillar of the nation in the future."

Lu Zhenfei's gaze remained fixed on Zhu Cilang for a long time.

His eyes, reddened by the river winds year-round, flashed with surprise as they swept over the boy's coarse cloth clothes.

He suddenly straightened his robes and performed a deep bow, startling the officials in charge of the granaries on either side, who nearly stumbled.

"The young master's discerning eyes are like torches, illuminating even the most monstrous and wicked creatures, leaving them nowhere to hide."

"If this case remains a muddled mess, the Junior Sima's head will likely have to be offered as a sacrifice to the Dragon King of the Grand Canal."

"The 30,000 soldiers must hold their weapons on empty stomachs—please accept my bow."

Zhu Cilang suddenly took half a step back and sidestepped to avoid the greeting, his coarse cloth heel crushing half a locust leaf:

"I am merely picking up scraps from others. If it weren't for the tireless efforts of the officials in the public office in recording and archiving my statements, even with my limited intelligence, I would have had difficulty solving this case."

The entire courtyard was instantly filled with a buzzing sound.

In the shadow of the pillars, an elderly man with white hair stroked his goatee and sighed:

"Watching this young man solve cases is like watching a master butcher dissect an ox; he clearly has the makings of a prime minister!"

"When Hai Zhongjie was young, he probably didn't have much of a presence like this."

A young man, visibly excited, couldn't help but whisper to his companion beside him:

"This young master must be the reincarnation of Zhuge Liang!"

"If he hadn't figured out the secret, our heads, those of us peasants, would have been chopped off like watermelons by the soldiers long ago as a sacrifice to the flag!"

The Taoist priest with a mole on his face resembling the Big Dipper suddenly had his pupils shrink, and his withered, yellow fingers convulsed like chicken claws as he performed calculations:

"How wondrous! When Yin and Mao meet, purple aura pierces the Big Dipper; it is truly a dragon using water to escape its form—"

"This young man's brows hint at the shadows of mountains and rivers; he is clearly destined to be an emperor, yet he is dressed in simple clothes. Could it be that he is a 'hidden dragon in the abyss'...?"

The Taoist priest suddenly shivered, hurriedly covered his mouth with his hand, and his cloudy eyes darted nervously left and right.

Amidst a cacophony of praise.

Zhu Cilang looked up and gazed northwest—

Iron-gray clouds have gathered in the sky, resembling thousands of armored cavalrymen surging through the air.

He quickly approached Lu Zhenfei:

"The wisdom of the Grand Canal,"

"The Jurchens have been plotting this for a long time. Their overland routes are easily detected, so they will surely take the Weishan Lake waterway now!"

"At the normal speed of a post horse, the pirate ship should be approaching Lülianghong by now—"

The fingertip pointed to the Caohe waterway.

"Please send an urgent message over 500 li to order Xuzhou Garrison to erect a heavy sluice gate at Fangcun Gate."

"If it were to suddenly enter the Yellow River channel, the 180,000 taels of silver would truly be lost to the sea along with the Yellow Dragon!"

Lu Zhenfei struck the pillar with his palm, causing the paint to peel off in a flurry.

"Gao Yourong, select your elite cavalry to march north along the Zha River."

"This governor shall immediately issue the warrant and order the garrisons along the route to block the waterway, covering a total of four hundred cargo ships—"

He paused, then his tone suddenly became more forceful.

"Even if it bears the banner of the Duke of Yansheng, I will confiscate it!"

Gao Jinzhong ripped off the hem of his scarlet battle robe with his backhand, and with a "rip" sound, coarse linen was wrapped around the mouth of the horse-slaying beast.

"Men, prepare your chains and hooks!"

"Upon seeing a 400-ton ship, immediately anchor and block the river. Anyone who dares to disobey, whether they're a dragon or a worm, tie them up first!"

As he leaped onto the yellow horse, the two copper bells on the saddle were shaken off and fell to the ground.

A hundred warhorses thundered, their hooves shattering the locust tree shade; the cavalry, in a formation resembling wild geese, cleaved through the scorching heat.

Startled, the sandpipers resting on the canal bank flew away like silver arrows piercing the moon amidst a flurry of white feathers.

The flowing mane swept across the blazing sun, leaving hundreds of golden streaks of light in its wake as the horse neighed.

As the sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance, Lu Zhenfei waved his hand and removed the encirclement.

As soon as the yamen runners unlocked the chains, the people poured out of the canal office like water bursting its banks.

Zhu Cilang rubbed his still sore wrists and was about to go with the flow when he was suddenly stopped by the personal guards of the grain transport brigade.

Upon learning that a reward would be given for recovering the lost silver, the young man unconsciously rubbed the few pieces of silver in his sleeve with his fingertips, his eyes suddenly brightening like a hungry hawk spotting a rabbit.

Sunlight bathed the eaves, and the departing crowd looked back every three steps.

All eyes were involuntarily drawn to the young man who had solved the "theft of military pay" case—

He was dressed simply, with a full forehead and delicate features. Although he looked young, there was a resolute look between his brows.

At this time, the Crown Prince Zhu Cilang of the Ming Dynasty was only sixteen years old!

......

Lu Zhenfei immediately signed the warrant, and Gao Jinzhong led his cavalry on a journey that took them day and night, finally intercepting the pirate ship at Hongzhakou in Lüliang.

After the fierce battle, the 180,000 taels of silver were returned to Zhao intact.

The captured prisoners confessed during interrogation:

This was done by a secret agent appointed by the Jurchens to serve as a false official in the Ministry of Revenue.

They had prepared similar cargo boats in the capital, covered them with oilcloth, and hidden stubborn stones inside, waiting for the opportunity of fog shrouding the canal to carry peaches as substitutes.

The inside agent, Li Xianggui, was killed when his plot failed and hanged himself at the bottom of the cabin. His body was suspended from the mast, swaying slightly in the fishy wind of the Caohe River.

The day after the silver was recovered, Lu Zhenfei pushed a bag of official silver into court.

Zhu Cilang smiled slightly as he took it, but the sharp edge of the silver coin dug into his palm—twenty taels of silver.

"Young master, you are exceptionally talented, possessing unparalleled wisdom and courage!"

Lu Zhenfei's voice was loud and clear, filled with sincere admiration.

"If it weren't for your keen insight, young master, that you could have seen through the Jurchens' treacherous scheme."

"Let alone the 180,000 taels of silver for military pay, the morale of the soldiers and civilians in Huai'an, and even the troops in the four garrisons north of the Yangtze River, is as precarious as a pile of eggs!"

"Such meritorious deeds, capable of turning the tide and stabilizing the world, cannot be repaid with mere material gifts."

After speaking, he took out a neatly folded document from his sleeve and handed it to him.

The paper was sturdy, and the bright red seal of the Grand Canal Governor was clearly visible.

"Although this item is not valuable, it can ensure that you, young master, can travel freely along the canal and avoid some checks."

Lu Zhenfei's gaze was deep, and his words were full of meaning.

"The Grand Canal stretches for a thousand miles, fraught with peril. Every bit of convenience reduces the danger. Take good care of yourself on your journey, young master."

Zhu Cilang's heart stirred slightly, and he solemnly accepted the customs clearance documents with both hands.

Silver is important, but this document that can save your life and allow you to pass through is worth far more than a thousand pieces of gold.

He bowed deeply to Lu Zhenfei, his posture respectful and refined.

"I am deeply grateful for the generous gifts from the Caotai government."

"It is truly my good fortune to have the opportunity to witness the wise judgment of the Grand Canal Commissioner and the integrity of the Junior Sima."

"The Grand Canal flows on, perhaps we will meet again; the world is bright and clear, we will certainly not fail the kindness we have shown today."

"If the opportunity arises in the future, I will certainly serve the court and live up to the expectations of the transport commissioner."

As the morning light began to filter through the corridor, Zhu Cilang straightened his coarse cloth short coat and turned to leave.

"Please wait, young master!"

Lu Zhenfei suddenly pushed open the carved window, and the three beams of the court hat reflected the morning sun, shimmering with golden patterns.

"The canal transport office is still short of a verification clerk..."

"My ambition is to travel and study."

The young man's sleeve rustled softly with silver threads, and his lips curled into a perfectly measured expression of aloofness.

Just then, a suppressed cough came from behind the screen.

Lian Guoshi, wrapped in bandages, propped himself up:

"Young man..."

The Vice Minister of War was barely breathing, but his eyes were sharp as torches.

"I have already dispatched someone to the capital overnight to deliver a memorial... If you wish to enter the Imperial Academy..."

The tinkling of bells outside the eaves reached his ears, and Zhu Cilang took three steps back, bowing deeply to the ground.

A morning breeze swept through the hall, and the book "A Glimpse of River Defense" on the desk flipped to the page with the sketch of the canal boats.

Lian Guoshi suddenly grabbed the attendant's wrist:

"May I ask... cough cough... what is your esteemed name, young master?"

Zhu Cilang's half-turned body was bathed in the morning light, his clear voice, tinged with moisture, drifted across the blue bricks:

"A cow lying on the path is called diligent."

The sun and moon hang in the sky, illuminating the past and present.

When the plum blossoms adorn themselves in the snow,

"Speak clearly before the Golden Palace."

......

A short story (unrelated to the main plot)

I went downstairs to buy steamed buns in the evening.

A dignified-looking man walked towards us, with a beautiful woman beside him.

I tried to step aside, but he blocked my way.

He asked in a deep voice:

"Did you write 'Who Killed the Ming Dynasty?'?"

"It is indeed my humble work!"

"What kind of rubbish is this?!"

He snorted coldly, and his hand suddenly reached behind his waist—

Finished!

Alarm bells rang in my head!

It's just typing, it can't be that serious!

But then I saw that he was holding two tickets between his fingers!

Under the streetlights,

[Monthly Pass]!

[Vote!]

The words were clear and glaring.

He slapped my chest with his right hand, displaying both the monthly pass and the recommendation pass:

"Update soon!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already put his arm around his female companion's slender waist, turned around, and disappeared into the shadows cast by the streetlights.

I stood there, stunned, clutching the two heavy tickets.

The neon lights flashed, reflecting his departing figure, leaving only the dashing silhouette of the eldest brother.