Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

Chapter 83 Hu Weiyong enters the palace, the ultimate battle between imperial power and ministerial power!

At 1:15 AM, the palace, shrouded in night, was exceptionally quiet.

"Tap tap!"

Hu Weiyong walked into the Qianqing Palace with a solemn expression, handed the box he was carrying to the eunuch attending him, and immediately knelt down and bowed: "Your subject, Hu Weiyong, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Get up.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the dragon throne, raising his hand slightly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Hu Weiyong slowly stood up.

"Is the capital about to collapse, or has Nahachu from Liaodong crossed the Yellow River?"

"He actually wants my Left Chancellor to come to the palace overnight."

""

"His Majesty."

Hu Weiyong replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "The Secretariat has just received a secret report."

"Tu Jie, the Provincial Judicial Commissioner of Henan, reported that Duke Feng Sheng of Song, Duke Chang Mao of Zheng, Marquis Zhu Liangzu of Yongjia, and other dukes and marquises were seizing fertile land and committing illegal acts in Huaixi and Henan."

"Um?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and beckoned to the eunuch.

The eunuchs attending the emperor quickly ran forward, opened the sealed wooden box, and inside were a series of memorials.

rustle!"

Zhu Yuanzhang took out the first book and began to read it.

"The evidence is conclusive, Your Majesty, please see the truth!"

'

Hu Weiyong secretly glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang out of the corner of his eye.

They illegally seized household slaves, abducted women, embezzled military rations, forcibly levied taxes, and seized farmland...

Looking at the list of crimes presented in the memorial, Zhu Yuanzhang cursed angrily, "These worthless wretches!"

"What does the Left Chancellor think should be done about this matter?"

""

"His Majesty."

Hu Weiyong's expression turned solemn, and he said seriously, "I believe that it is not appropriate to suddenly launch a major purge in the newly pacified areas of the northern deserts, Beiting, and Hexi."

"But this matter is of great importance and cannot be ignored; it must be dealt with severely."

"Oh?"

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head, his dragon eyes looking at Hu Weiyong with an imposing and dignified air.

"We can't be too harsh on them."

Meeting his gaze, Hu Weiyong boldly remonstrated: "The most important thing is that Your Majesty cannot handle this matter."

"We can't be lenient, but we can't be too harsh either. What should we do, Left Chancellor?"

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly rose, crossed his arms, and looked down at this person who was the third-ranking official in the Secretariat, second only to the Left and Right Chancellors.

"!"

'

Hu Weiyong's heart skipped a beat, and he responded.

Tell me about it.

Zhu Yuanzhang said expressionlessly.

"His Majesty."

"Your subject dares to offer this advice..."

'

Hu Weiyong straightened up and methodically explained his views and specific plans.

Before you know it, a quarter of an hour has passed.

You've thought of everything very thoroughly.

""

"But do you know what state the person who wrote the petition is in now?"

'

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze was deep and unfathomable, giving people a feeling that he was completely unfathomable.

"Your Majesty is referring to Tu Jie, the Provincial Judicial Commissioner of Henan?"

""

Hu Weiyong's eyes showed a look of doubt. In just a few days, what had Tu Jie done, or rather, what had happened?

"Tu Jie disrespected the prince and acted recklessly. He was punished on the spot by the Prince of Yan, and both of his legs were broken."

"I have ordered the Imperial Guard Commandery to arrest him and bring him to justice. He will soon be handed over to the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Justice for joint investigation."

"Gao Qi was promoted to Provincial Judicial Commissioner of Henan, in charge of criminal investigations and impeachments within the province."

What?

Hu Weiyong's pupils dilated instantly.

Tu Jieke was a pawn he had planted in Henan, and now he has been removed and has committed such a heinous crime.

"I am aware of the illegal activities of these dukes and marquises."

"You can go now."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, indicating.

"Yes."

Hu Weiyong was distracted and walked unsteadily out of the Qianqing Palace, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

Why did His Majesty bring up the Tu Festival at this time, and why did he specifically tell him? What was the deeper meaning behind it? This Prime Minister Hu dared not think about it in detail and only wanted to leave the palace and return home as soon as possible.

"Boss."

What do you think?

,

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his gaze to Zhu Biao, who was walking out from the corner.

"father."

Zhu Biao frowned and said suspiciously, "Judging from Hu Weiyong's expression, he may not know about Tu Jie's matter and the attack on Lao Si."

"However, my son did notice something amiss."

"In Henan and Jiangbei provinces, corrupt officials run rampant and lawless. This may be why the fourth brother went to Kaifeng."

""

"I'm afraid the attack on the fourth brother is related to his trip to Kaifeng."

,"snort!!!"

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, his face displeased, and said, "Hu Weiyong thinks I am an emperor raised by women in the deep palace."

"The fourth prince had just left Henan when he submitted a memorial impeaching a group of nobles and dukes from Huaixi for their illegal activities."

"Why haven't I seen him so selfless before?"

"This is to plug this loophole before the fourth prince returns, so that neither I nor the fourth prince have a chance to make a move."

"He used the impeachment as an opportunity to pave the way for his own advancement in the court."

"If we're talking about using your brains, Feng Sheng, Chang Mao, and Zhu Liangzu are no match for Hu Weiyong. They were all nobles who fought alongside me through blood and fire, yet in the end they were manipulated by a mere scholar. They really made a fool of themselves."

,"this..."

Zhu Biao didn't know how to respond to this.

"No matter what he says, he just wants me to spare these bastards."

"Haven't I given them enough?"

'

"The allegations in the memorials are all appalling."

Zhu Yuanzhang angrily threw down the memorial, his rage uncontrollable.

He gave these old brothers who had risked their lives for him plenty of face, bestowing upon them wealth, honors, and imperial edicts. But what were these men doing? They ran rampant in Huaixi, the place where they started their power, and treated the laws of the Ming Dynasty as nothing.

Is it because they think he can't lift the sword anymore, or because they think his Emperor's Sword is no longer effective?

"father."

"With the grand New Year's ceremony approaching, the fourth brother is on his way back again."

"The envoys from various countries have arrived in the capital one after another."

"My son thinks Hu Weiyong is right; it's not advisable to make any big moves at this time."

Zhu Biao offered advice to Zhu Yuanzhang.

The Ming Dynasty destroyed the Northern Yuan Dynasty, which solidified its position as the ruler of China. People from all directions and small countries sent envoys to the Ming Dynasty, such as Annam, Champa, Siam, the Yuan Dynasty's regent Nangapa Zangbu, Qiangtang, Xifan, Ladakh, Guge, the Shui'an clan, the Shuidong Song clan, the Bozhou Yang clan, and the Sizhou Tian clan.

Taking action against Xun Gui of Huaixi now would be like airing dirty laundry in public, which is very bad.

"Of course I know that."

"Otherwise, how could I have the patience to listen to what Hu Weiyong said today?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was ashen, suppressing his anger, and he said hoarsely, "Elder."

"We regret abolishing the inspection and calibration system now."

"Father!"

Zhu Biao was shocked; he hadn't expected Zhu Yuanzhang to say such a thing.

The Inspector was a secret agent established by Zhu Yuanzhang when he conquered Jiqing Prefecture. They were responsible for investigating illegal activities, injustices, and rumors among the people in the capital. They reported directly to the emperor on all matters, big and small. They had no fixed rank and were directly under the emperor's command.

After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, in order to appease the officials, the position of inspector was gradually abolished.

Once the inspection is reinstated, people both inside and outside the government will be filled with anxiety.

"You haven't slept all night either, go back to the East Palace to rest first."

"We'll discuss it again tomorrow morning."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, not giving Zhu Biao a chance to offer advice.

"Son takes his leave!"

Zhu Biao left the Qianqing Palace with a worried expression.