The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

The Korean government office.

Inside the outer study.

Li Shanchang, dressed in a plain brocade robe with dark patterns, sat comfortably in a rosewood armchair, sipping his tea.

Two figures sat on the round-backed chairs below: Yu Xi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Jin Wenzheng, Assistant Instructor of the Imperial Academy.

These two men were greatly supported by Li Shanchang in the past.

We've come to meet today, each with our own thoughts and concerns.

After Yu Xi spoke, he recounted everything that had happened in the White Day Palace.

It seemed that she knew what the two were worried about.

Li Shanchang put down his teacup, raised his eyelids slightly, suppressed his agitation, and said, "Since His Majesty has made up his mind, there's no point in saying anything more!"

"Remember this well: go back and express your gratitude behind closed doors. Do not conspire, do not submit any memorials, and never visit the Duke's mansion again..."

"I'm saying this for your own good!"

In fact, more than a month ago, they heard that the royal family had discovered a smallpox vaccine, and then there was a series of imperial edicts.

He understood that the outcome was already decided!

Standing on the basis of law and righteousness.

No one could stop the emperor's subsequent investigation into corruption!

Everything that is happening right now has directly verified this.

Seeing that the Korean Duke's attitude was firm, and that he was about to offer tea to see the guest off.

Yu and Jin exchanged a glance, their faces turning deathly pale, their hearts filled with dread.

"I have another matter..."

On this side, just as he stood up, before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Boom boom boom!

Seeing this, Li Shanchang frowned, stopped stroking his beard, and said, "Come in!"

A moment later, the servant rushed in, knelt on the ground, trembling uncontrollably, and said, "Master...Master, something terrible has happened!"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guards have stormed in through the back gate! Over a hundred of them have sealed off the gates!"

"They've already gone to the west courtyard, to the second master's residence!"

"The leader said he was ordered to arrest the Second Master!"

Snapped!

"What?!"

Li Shanchang suddenly stood up and slammed his hand on the table, clearly not expecting that the emperor in the palace would actually dare to take action against the Li family!

The sound of footsteps and fighting noises nearby indicated that this was not a hallucination.

Upon hearing this, people like Yu Xi were filled with resentment.

They happened to come today to test the Korean king's intentions and help resolve a troublesome matter.

Unexpectedly, they encountered the Embroidered Uniform Guard arresting people.

For a moment, I felt as if I had fallen into an ice cave, unsure whether to leave or stay.

Just then, curses rang out from outside.

"You are blind! I am the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud, an official appointed by the imperial court. My family even possesses an imperial edict and certificate bestowed by His Majesty... How dare you arrest me?"

"Big brother, save me!"

Just as Li Cunyi and his son were being arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, their bodies chained and being dragged out the door.

Li Shanchang finally managed to bypass the side gate and rushed over from the outer study.

Upon seeing his elder brother, Li Cunyi felt as if he had grasped a lifeline; his fear vanished, replaced by overwhelming joy.

The servants and guards instantly gained confidence, took up their weapons, and confronted the Imperial Guards.

The front side was illuminated by the dim light of torches.

When Mao Xiang saw Li Shanchang's figure, his eyes were also filled with apprehension.

This Duke of Han assisted the Emperor in unifying the North and South. He was exceptionally talented and made outstanding contributions, ranking first among the meritorious officials!

Just standing here is like looking up at a towering mountain!

Composing himself, Mao Xiang cupped his hands and said, "I greet the Duke of Han!"

"Now that I am ordered to apprehend a wanted criminal, I implore Lord Han to make way... do not put me in a difficult position!"

"Big brother!"

"Uncle!!"

"master!!"

Amidst the calls and calls.

Unexpectedly, Li Shanchang, his beard fluttering, glanced at them briefly, then closed his eyes without much expression, gritting his teeth and saying, "Let them go!!"

Once a word is spoken, it is done.

Li Cunyi and his son instantly turned ashen-faced.

Didn't they realize that the pillars of the Li family were abandoning them?

Once taken away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, death was the only outcome.

Mao Xiang breathed a sigh of relief, straightened up, and bowed again, saying, "I'll take my leave!"

"take away!"

After watching his younger brother Li Cunyi and the others being dragged away like dead dogs.

Li Shanchang stood there, his fingers trembling slightly.

Your Majesty, are you trying to exterminate them all?

very good!

In an instant, a sense of fear and helplessness rushed to my head, and my body became unsteady.

"master!"

"Master Li!"

Those who were nearby quickly stepped forward to help him up.

After one night.

The next morning.

The situation regarding Li Cunyi's arrest.

The court officials had already heard the news.

The atmosphere at the morning court session was quite different from usual!

Even the number of people presenting memorials has decreased significantly.

The entire court assembly ended rather abruptly before we knew it.

They await their return to the Huagai Hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang summoned the crown prince and several important officials for an inner court meeting.

Seeing that Xu Da and the others had left, Zhu Biao, the eldest son, voluntarily stayed behind.

Old Zhu knew the inside story.

He did not ask any questions, but remained seated at the imperial desk.

After a moment, Zhu Biao bowed and said, "Father! Last night, the Imperial Guards were mobilized, causing a great commotion throughout the city, and rumors are spreading everywhere!"

"During today's court assembly, although no one spoke out openly, all the officials in the court were in a state of fear. Even the censors of the Censorate dared not submit memorials. I am very worried..."

"Oh!"

Zhu Yuanzhang scoffed.

He handed the dossier to the eunuch so he could pass it to his beloved son, saying, "This is all the work of Li Cunyi and his gang! Biao'er, take a look! How can we let this go so easily?"

"But we've captured members of the Li family. If they have nothing to hide, why are they panicking..."

Zhu Biao unfolded the file and quickly scanned it.

He knew his father was pondering this, but he was considering the bigger picture…

In particular, the Duke of Han, Li Shanchang, had many disciples and former officials. Most of the civil officials came from his school, and the military generals of Huaixi had even more camaraderie with him!

If they are implicated and imprisoned, the hard-won stability of the situation will be disrupted again!

After the Guo Huan case, the Ming Dynasty still needed to recuperate and rebuild its official system. Other matters, including the elimination of the Hu faction, could be postponed.

After all, the Korean prince is already old.

Time has always been on their side.

But the Emperor always felt a sense of urgency, wanting to accomplish in one year what would have taken three years!

In addition, there was that hands-on approach and rigorous supervision.

Officials throughout the court and the countryside all felt as if someone was whipping them from behind, daring to be angry but not daring to speak out!

As the crown prince, it is necessary for him to take the initiative to stand up at critical moments, maintain the stability of the court, and even redress the grievances of some innocent officials!

He strongly supported the "debt of forgiveness" proposed by his beloved son, Zhu Xiong Ying, in order to avoid too many deaths and injuries.

The dossier was handed back to the eunuch.

Zhu Biao let out a breath and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not question your decision. Li Cunyi colluded with the traitor, and it is only right to arrest and question him according to the Great Ming Code!"

"But the Li family is closely connected to the nation, so we must be extremely cautious!"

"To those in charge, the stability of the court depends on the hearts of the people. The grain theft case remains unresolved, and the Hu faction case continues to unfold; many are still on edge..."

The Crown Prince spoke each sentence.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression darkened, and he thought to himself: My Biao'er has really grown up and become too independent! He doesn't even listen to me anymore!