The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

The crimes committed by Li Cunyi were already set in stone.

He then ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to conduct a thorough investigation.

Zhu Yuanzhang originally wanted to find more traitors so that he could wipe them out in one fell swoop!

Li Shanchang, in particular, a meritorious official of the Ming Dynasty, was also a major concern and urgently needed to be given a final verdict!

As a close advisor to the emperor, how could Mao Xiang not understand the emperor's intentions?

In the past few days, apart from assisting the Crown Prince and the Six Ministries in bringing the Guo Huan case to a close, all the remaining energy has been devoted to this matter!

He knew in his heart that as a lackey of the imperial family, only by demonstrating more value could he be given important responsibilities.

Otherwise, they will only become pawns and end up like Wu Yong of the Criminal Division!

rustle!

Zhu Yuanzhang leaned against the armrest of the dragon throne, flipping through the documents with one hand.

The examples listed above are unremarkable.

But when he saw the eight major pieces of evidence related to Li Shanchang's crimes, his eyes narrowed.

Moreover, the last few items are clearly new charges, enough to result in the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire clan!

At the same time.

The advice of his eldest son, Zhu Biao, and the words of his wife, Ma Xiuying, echoed in his ears.

Snapped!

A quick sweep was done.

Old Zhu suddenly closed the book, dispelling his thoughts, and asked, "Tell me in detail about the crimes of Li Shanchang, the Duke of Han!"

Mao Xiang lowered his head, his entire body almost touching the ground, not daring to miss a single detail, and said, "Yes!"

"Besides the letters and other evidence I mentioned earlier, Li Cunyi and his son have now confessed that their treason and embezzlement were closely linked to the Duke of Han, and that they even shielded him!"

"Firstly, from the twelfth to the thirteenth year of the Hongwu reign, Hu Weiyong sent Li Cunyi to the Duke's mansion several times to persuade Li Shanchang, promising that he would be granted the title of Prince of Huaixi after the matter was accomplished."

Upon seeing this, Li Shanchang initially rebuked him, but later said, "I am old, and when I die, you will take care of it yourselves," which was tacit approval; he knew about it but did not report it!

"Secondly, the secret letters between Hu Weiyong and the Northern Yuan and the Japanese pirates were dictated to him by Li Cunyi, but Li Shanchang did not report them to His Majesty and sat idly by, acting as if he were an accomplice!"

"Thirdly, according to the investigation of the grain theft case, several years ago, Li Cunyi and his son, together with local officials, embezzled 450,000 shi of autumn grain from western Zhejiang. Of this, 100,000 shi were converted into 3,000 taels of silver and sent to the Han family mansion to expand their hometown residence..."

After Mao Xiang finished speaking, he added, "Your Majesty! Now that we have all the witnesses, testimonies, accounts, and letters, there is absolutely no suspicion of false accusation!"

"Your Majesty, please make the decision..."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened, and he said, "I ask you, if punished according to the law, what crime should Li Shanchang be charged with?"

These words could be clearly heard in the stillness of the night.

Mao Xianghu's body trembled, his hair stood on end, and his back was soaked with sweat.

He knew the weight of those words all too well, being so familiar with the emperor.

This person is determined to kill!

Li Shanchang, the Duke of Han, was once called "my Xiao He" by His Majesty himself. He held a certificate of merit and served as Grand Tutor and Left Chancellor, ranking first among all the dukes.

He was also Princess Lin'an's father-in-law and a member of the imperial family...

Even if one possesses wealth and honor, and holds the highest position in the court, so what?

Those who dare to defy the Emperor's will will meet a predetermined end!

Mao Xiang dared not hesitate, not even blinking, staring at the ground, and said, "I must tell Your Majesty that, according to the Great Ming Code, this is truly an unforgivable crime!"

"Anyone who commits treason or rebellion, regardless of whether they are the ringleader or an accomplice, shall be executed by slow slicing, and all their property shall be confiscated by the government!"

"Fathers, sons, and brothers aged sixteen and above shall all be beheaded. Those under fifteen, as well as mothers, daughters, wives, concubines, and sisters, shall be given to the families of meritorious officials as slaves..."

"Furthermore, at the founding of the nation, His Majesty granted the Duke of Han an iron certificate of immunity from death, allowing him to be pardoned twice and his son once. However, treason is not pardoned, and those who commit any of the ten heinous crimes are not included in the pardon!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and got up to enter the hall.

He stood with his hands behind his back, glancing at the flickering candlelight, already having made his decision.

As previously thought, this was to clear obstacles for Biao'er and dismantle the old forces of Huaixi, so that the Crown Prince could recruit and win them over...

Therefore, the Korean royal lineage had to be eliminated!

Let him play the villain, and let Biao'er be the good guy.

For the Ming Dynasty, for the people, and even more so for the continuation of the Zhu family line.

It's all worth it!

Anyway, he has killed enough people, so why should he care about a few dozen or a hundred more?

"Mao Xiang, heed my command!"

Upon hearing the voice above him, Mao Xiang tensed up and replied, "Your humble servant is here!"

Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes and said, "According to my decree, you will immediately lead your troops to surround the Han family mansion. Everyone in the mansion must be arrested and captured. No one shall be allowed to escape!"

"Even officials who had close ties with the Korean government over the past few months have been imprisoned and interrogated in detail!"

"Li Shanchang himself, on charges of being an accomplice to a rebel, embezzlement, and disrespect, has been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's death row cell under strict guard! He will be handed over to the assembled officials and the three judicial departments for joint trial!"

When it comes to raiding homes and killing people, Old Zhu's professionalism is beyond doubt!

Among all the emperors of the Ming Dynasty, if he claims to be second, no one dares to claim to be first!

Mao Xiang bowed and said, "Your humble servant obeys! I dare to guarantee with my life that there will be absolutely no mishap!"

But the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard kept expressing his loyalty.

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang was somewhat irritated and waved his hand, saying, "Get out!"

……

Late at night, in Yingtian City.

The Korean government office.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, like other noble residences, brand-new ram's horn lanterns had already been hung up.

The design depicts Chang'e flying to the moon and the Jade Rabbit pounding medicine, symbolizing reunion and happiness.

When the wind blows, the tassels rustle.

The light emanating from it enveloped the lintel and the two white marble lions in front of the door.

Inside the gate, just as the gatekeeper yawned and was about to fall asleep.

A loud roar came from outside.

The man jolted awake, peered through the crack in the door, and instantly his drowsiness vanished. He exclaimed, "Quick, quick, tell the master! The Embroidered Uniform Guard... the Embroidered Uniform Guard is here again!"

In the study.

Li Shanchang leaned back in his armchair, his beard now showing a few more white hairs than at the beginning of the year.

A few feet ahead, the steward was bending over, reporting on the holiday matters.

Li Shanchang, preoccupied with his own thoughts, would occasionally offer a few words of response.

Immediately afterwards, a startled scream came from outside.

"Master!! The Imperial Guards have surrounded the Duke's mansion!"

Upon hearing this news, Li Shanchang froze, sitting there blankly for a long time without saying a word.

As he looked up towards the palace, his brows furrowed, a chill running down his spine. He murmured, "It seems His Majesty has made up his mind to kill Li Baishi?"

After a few moments of contemplation, the Duke of Han, leaning on the table, slowly rose, forcing himself to remain calm, and sternly ordered, "Help me change my clothes!"

Outside the mansion gate, the wind howled.

Mao Xiang, dressed in a scarlet flying fish robe and with an embroidered spring knife at his waist, led five hundred imperial guards to surround the entire Duke's mansion, making it impossible to pass through.

But the time was about right.

He took a large step forward, one hand on the hilt of his sword, and stood at the vermilion gate. His eyes were icy cold. He looked up and shouted, "We are ordered to arrest the traitor Li Shanchang. Everyone inside the mansion is to be taken into custody. Anyone who resists arrest or tries to escape will be killed on the spot! Do you all understand?"

"Your humble servants will obey!"

Just as Mao Xiang was about to give the order to blast open the gate.

With a thud, the door opened from the inside.