The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

The group arrived at Yingtian Prefecture.

Inside the main hall, a man sat behind a desk; he was Zheng Ci, the Minister of Justice who also served as the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture.

His face was solemn, his gaze deep and focused. Though he showed no anger, he exuded an air of authority. He was Zheng Ci, known for his uprightness during the Yongle era and who had impeached high-ranking officials such as Governor Sun Yue.

However, considering that Zheng Ci's impeachment objectively further provoked Zhu Di to raise an army, it seems that his contribution was not so great.

"Who is standing below, and what brings you here?"

Zheng Ci flicked the pheasant insignia on his crimson official robe, coldly sweeping his gaze over the crowd below. His rhinoceros horn belt shimmered at his waist, making him appear as unshakeable as a mountain.

As soon as the young man in brocade entered the main hall, he caught a glimpse of the official robes and the face of the person sitting behind the table. He was struck dumb, took a half step back, and turned deathly pale.

There was no official in Yingtian Prefecture. He originally thought it was just dealing with an ordinary judge in Yingtian Prefecture. How could it be the Minister of Justice personally presiding over the case?

The young man in brocade robes was shocked, but Lin Yue didn't care at all.

He strode forward, pointed at Chen Xiao, and angrily rebuked him: "Lord Zheng, you are wise!"

This scoundrel is the son of Chen Xian, a commander under the Left Commander-in-Chief Qiu Fu. Relying on his father's merits in the Jingnan Campaign, he forcibly seized women and farmland in Nanjing, beating an old farmer until his head bled. His behavior was despicable and vile, showing utter disregard for the law!

"If such wicked people are not eliminated, how can the people live in peace, and how can the law be upheld?"

Chen Xiao opened his mouth to defend himself: "It wasn't robbery, it was compensation for the farmers' unpaid rent. I beg you, Judge Zheng, to see the truth!"

Zheng Ci slammed his gavel down so hard that the ink and brush on the table trembled slightly. His voice was as authoritative as thunder: "Shut up! You brat, don't try to argue!"

His gaze was sharp as he swept over Lin Yue, then over the trembling old farmer and his daughter below the hall. His voice was loud and clear, each word ringing with conviction.

"Chen Xiao, do you know what heinous crime you have committed?"

Emperor Taizu established ancestral precepts that military officials should guard the borders and defend the land, while civil officials should govern the people and bring peace to the country. Your father, Chen Xian, followed His Majesty to restore the ancestral system and bring peace to the people, not to allow you to abuse your favor and oppress the people!

"Forcibly abducting women is a minor matter; undermining the foundation of the nation is a major one!"

Zheng Ci drew his sword finger and thrust it straight at Chen Xiao, shouting angrily.

"When the Yongle Emperor founded the dynasty, the country was newly settled. The people longed for a period of rest and recuperation. How could we allow you, a noble son, to run rampant and act tyrannically!"

If you dare to forcibly seize women and land in Nanjing today, you will dare to set up private courts in the countryside and prey on the local people tomorrow.

If the sons of those who contributed to the Jingnan Campaign follow suit, and the arrogance of military officials becomes rampant, public resentment will boil over, and the people will lose their allegiance. How can our Great Ming Dynasty then be secure?

"My lord, I was acting in accordance with the law and regulations. I had no such intention whatsoever!" Chen Xiao pleaded repeatedly, even kneeling down to beg for mercy.

In fact, kneeling and bowing were not common in ancient times. The practice of kneeling and bowing became widespread during the Yuan Dynasty, was suppressed during the Ming Dynasty, and reached its peak during the Qing Dynasty.

Apart from the Qing Dynasty, ordinary people rarely knelt before officials, and there was no such thing as being beaten with sticks.

"Do you think you can get away with it just because of your father's achievements?"

Zheng Ci completely ignored Chen Xiao's explanation and his tone became increasingly sharp.

"In the past, Emperor Wu of Han suppressed powerful clans and Emperor Taizong of Tang governed nobles, all to prevent the disaster of such arrogance!"

Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has repeatedly ordered that those in high positions should strictly abide by the laws of the country. As the Minister of Justice and concurrently the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, I am here to rectify the social atmosphere and protect the people for His Majesty!

Your actions today not only trample on national laws, but also tarnish the reputation of those who contributed to the Jingnan Campaign and chill the hearts of the people.

If we do not punish them severely, how can we convince the people? How can we console Emperor Taizu for the hardships he endured in establishing the dynasty?

"Such behavior is by no means the fault of one person! It didn't happen overnight!" Zheng Ci changed the subject, elevating the issue to the level of the system.

"This is the fault of the military officers' sons being neglected in their upbringing, and the fault of the noble families being arrogant because of their merits!"

If Chen Xiao is not severely punished today, it is tantamount to condoning the arrogance of nobles and tacitly approving that those who have rendered meritorious service can act lawlessly. If this continues, the order will collapse, the people's hearts will be scattered, and will our Great Ming Dynasty repeat the mistakes of the late Tang Dynasty, where regional warlords carved up the country?!

Lin Yue stood to the side, stunned by what she heard.

He had originally planned how to label the people as oppressed and corrupt the social atmosphere, but Zheng Ci opened his mouth and went straight from the ancestral teachings of the founding emperor to the fate of the country, from personal misdeeds to the arrogance of military officials and the disasters caused by regional warlords, raising the issue layer by layer, and every sentence hit the vital point that Zhu Di feared most.

Lin Yue sighed inwardly: Good heavens, when it comes to values ​​and occupying the moral high ground, I'm still too green!

It has to be the veteran. This Minister Zheng directly elevated a street incident to the level of the very foundation of the Ming Dynasty, which is related to the survival of the nation. His vision and rhetoric are truly impressive. He is indeed a veteran minister who has impeached countless nobles. You can't help but admire him!

Chen Xiao was about to beg for mercy when Zheng Ci gave him a cold glance, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Guards, seize Chen Xiao and throw him into jail!"

Immediately dispatch someone to verify the matter of his family's acquisition of additional land, and summon Chen Xian to send someone to Yingtian Prefecture to report back.

Having said that, Zheng Ci stood up, cupped his hands in the direction of the palace, and spoke with righteous indignation.

"I will certainly report this matter to His Majesty and have it thoroughly investigated."

I'd like to ask Chen Xian how he disciplined his children and how he upheld the ancestral teachings of the founding emperor!

The Imperial Guards responded and stepped forward, dragging Chen Xiao, who was crying and begging for mercy, away.

After dealing with Chen Xiao, Zheng Ci turned to look at Lin Yue, his stern expression softening and his tone becoming more gentle.

"It is truly rare for Lin to stand up for justice when he sees injustice. His testimony in court just now was earnest, which shows that he is genuinely protecting the people."

Lin Yue remained unmoved, fully aware that Zheng Ci's actions were mostly a pretext to criticize the arrogance of the meritorious officials who had contributed to the Jingnan Campaign.

But he eventually got rid of Chen Xiao, and the old farmer and his daughter got justice, so he couldn't be bothered with those political calculations. He wasn't a bad person, though, and he didn't criticize anyone he met.

Lin Yue then said calmly, "Lord Zheng is decisive and acts in a way that truly benefits the people. I was merely fortunate enough to be there."

Zheng Ci nodded upon hearing this, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

Although Lin Yue is eccentric, he is not pedantic; rather, he is a perceptive person.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries and praising each other's loyalty to the emperor and the country, they bowed to each other and took their leave.

Lin Yue walked out of Yingtian Prefecture and saw the old farmer supporting his daughter, pacing anxiously at the foot of the steps. He stepped forward and asked, "Old man, it's getting late. Do you intend to leave the city and go home immediately, or do you have other plans?"

The old farmer quickly bowed and thanked him, saying, "Thank you for saving me, Lord Lin. I have a home to return to!"

The Chen family wields immense power in the village. Offending them this time will surely bring retaliation upon returning home, and I fear my life may be in danger.

After a moment's thought, Lin Yue also felt that it made sense.

"In that case, I will help you rent a house in the city. You can stay here for now, and we will make further plans after Lord Zheng has finished his investigation and the Chen family has lost power."

Lin Yue led the old farmer and his daughter south of the city, spent a huge sum of money, and only after settling them in did he return home alone.

It is well known that salaries in the Ming Dynasty were quite meager, and because officials received a large portion of their salaries in paper money, their actual wages were even more meager.

Hai Feng, one of the few honest officials in the Ming Dynasty, lived worse than ordinary people in the city. He could hardly afford to eat. Lin Yue almost emptied his savings today while helping the old farmer and his daughter find a house.

Lin Yue sat at his desk, lit a dim oil lamp, and pondered the matter of remonstrating to the death. Soon, inspiration struck him.

Why not start with these precious notes?