I play the role of Jiajing in Zongwu: What crime have I committed?

"Prepare a generous gift for me to congratulate him on his promotion."

"Understood."

The trusted aide cautiously replied, "Your Highness, I will prepare rare and precious books in your name, along with a congratulatory letter written in your own hand, to show my sincerity."

"Um."

The crown prince nodded in satisfaction and then waved his hand.

"Go, and make sure you handle it properly."

Once his trusted confidant had left, the calculating look in his eyes became clear.

The Ministry of Justice has always been Prince Yu's territory. If Zhao Mengjing can be won over, a foothold can be established within the Ministry of Justice.

The situation will then be disrupted.

He slowly clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white, his voice as cold as ice.

"Mei Changsu, how dare you choose Prince Yu instead of me, the Crown Prince? Aren't you telling the world that I am not the wise ruler you, the Kirin Talent, envisioned?"

"We'll see about this. I'll make sure you die!"

On that very day, Qin Banruo's informant in Binzhou sent an urgent report.

Xia Dong, the head of the Suspended Mirror Bureau, is on his way back from Binzhou.

However, her people were so focused on Xia Dong's every move that they were completely unaware that there was another force in Binzhou, namely Cao Zhichun and his group.

He left Binzhou even earlier than Xia Dong, and traveled day and night at breakneck speed, quietly returning to Jinling.

Upon returning to the capital, he went straight to the palace.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhu Houcong was listening to Yan Song read a memorial with his eyes closed.

"This servant, Cao Zhichun, greets Your Highness."

As soon as Cao Zhichun entered, he prostrated himself in respect, his voice respectful and steady.

Zhu Houcong didn't look up, but simply asked indifferently.

"How's it going?"

Cao Zhichun took out a secret memorial from his bosom and presented it with both hands.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, in the case of the land encroachment in Binzhou, all witnesses and physical evidence are complete, and the evidence is irrefutable."

"Duke Qing, your crime is unforgivable."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong frowned slightly, and his tone became low and cold.

"Only the Duke of Qing?"

Cao Zhichun was taken aback upon hearing this, and fine beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead, while his back felt cold.

He knelt on the ground, momentarily at a loss for words.

Because he couldn't figure out what His Majesty meant by those words.

Upon seeing this, Yan Song immediately rebuked him sternly.

"Cao Zhichun, how did you handle this job?"

"As the saying goes, what the superiors do, the subordinates will follow. The Duke of Qing has a very high prestige in the Northern Army. If he really dares to invade the territory and amass wealth, how could no one support him?"

Were there not a single military commander involved?

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhichun suddenly looked up, a look of realization flashing in his eyes.

That's it!

Your Majesty is trying to use this opportunity to implicate a group of generals!

He sighed inwardly, thinking that his master was far too calculating, always leaving his subjects to decipher his thoughts rather than stating them explicitly.

"Reporting to my master!"

Cao Zhichun quickly kowtowed, his tone urgent yet resolute.

"This matter is indeed not limited to the Qingguo Duke's family. Taking advantage of the territorial encroachment, he secretly cultivated relationships with military generals and transferred benefits to them, which does indeed raise suspicions of forming cliques for personal gain."

Zhu Houcong slowly opened his eyes, his gaze shifting slightly, and asked suspiciously, "Is this really true?"

"It's absolutely true!"

Cao Zhichun kowtowed repeatedly, "This servant is willing to stake my life on it!"

"What I need is evidence."

Zhu Houcong's tone suddenly turned cold, "I'm not asking you to make unfounded suspicions."

"This servant understands."

"Go down."

"Yes!"

After Cao Zhichun left the hall, Zhu Houcong sighed deeply, a look of deep sorrow appearing between his brows.

"I have always shown great favor to the Duke of Qing, yet he has so blatantly betrayed me; it is utterly outrageous!"

Yan Song immediately bowed and offered his advice.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Qing's factionalism and corruption are utterly rebellious. If he is not severely punished, how can the court be governed with integrity?"

"The Duke of Keqing enjoys great prestige in the northern border. If he is dealt with abruptly, the morale of the northern army will be unstable. How can I be at ease?"

"Your Majesty, since Hu Ruzhen is a descendant of military strategists, why not let him guard the northern border in Your Majesty's stead?"

Zhu Houcong pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Let's see if Cao Zhichun can produce any solid evidence."

Soon, Xia Dong, dressed in the official robes of the Xuanjing Division, followed Meng Zhi steadily into the Yangxin Hall.

"Your subject, Xia Dong, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Xia Dong, thank you for your hard work on the case of the Duke of Qing."

"To share His Majesty's burdens is the duty of the Suspended Mirror Bureau, and we dare not complain of hardship."

Xia Dong's voice was cold, yet it carried a hint of stubbornness.

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly, his fingertips gently tapping the dragon table.

"The case of the Duke of Qing is related to national affairs and involves a wide range of issues. Your Suspended Mirror Division will need to put in a lot of effort."

"Your subject understands."

Meng Zhi stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Majesty, the Duke of Qing holds a high position and wields great power, and enjoys extremely high prestige in the army."

"If this case were to be tried jointly by the three judicial departments, it would probably require a prince who can maintain order and control to preside over it and gain the respect of the people."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong frowned slightly and let out a long sigh.

"You make a good point, but I don't trust either Jingxuan or Jinghuan with this matter."

"One side is eager to implicate everyone, while the other side is eager to lift the torch high and then gently set it down."

Meng Zhi looked troubled upon hearing this.

"Well, besides those two, which other prince in the court is capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility and conducting a fair trial?"

"You've reminded me."

Zhu Houcong suddenly smiled, a meaningful glint in his eyes.

"Then let Jingting handle the trial!"

"Your Majesty, I also think that His Highness Prince Jing is suitable for... Jingting Pavilion?"

Meng Zhi suddenly realized something was wrong halfway through his sentence, and his eyes widened in shock.

With a look of shock, he blurted out Xiao Jingting's name.

what's the situation?

This is completely different from what Xiao Shu expected!

Why would His Majesty suddenly think of having that unknown Third Prince preside over this case?

Zhu Houcong noticed something was off about Meng Zhi's tone and looked at him suspiciously.

"What's wrong, my dear minister?"

"Ah...no, it's nothing!"

In his haste, Meng Zhi forced out a simple, honest smile.

"I misheard you."

Zhu Houcong gave a meaningful "Oh".

“Jingting has never participated in court affairs, and has no dealings with Jingxuan and Jinghuan. It is very appropriate to hand this case over to him to give him some experience.”

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Meng Zhi spoke, but his heart was filled with anxiety.

This is bad, we have to inform Xiao Shu right away.

Chapter 39 I'll Give You a White Hat

Zhu Houcong couldn't help but sneer inwardly as he looked at Meng Zhi's absent-minded appearance.

You scoundrel, are you dumbfounded now?

Trying to outsmart me.

I trust you so much, yet you still go against me.

"Hehe, Your Majesty is wise." Meng Zhi scratched his head.

Seeing Meng Zhi's discomfiture, Zhu Houcong immediately felt relieved.

"Yan Song!"

"This servant is here."

Yan Song immediately bowed and stepped forward.

"Reveal my imperial edict!"

Zhu Houcong's voice echoed in the hall.

"The three judicial departments are hereby ordered to jointly try the case of Duke Qingguo immediately, with Prince Yu, Xiao Jingting, presiding."

"This servant obeys the decree."

"You may all step back," Zhu Houcong waved his hand.

"Yes."

Meanwhile, Zhu Houcong, controlling Zhu Qi's avatar, quietly arrived at the Imperial Guard's office.

This former imperial guard post, which was reorganized from the Xishan Camp, has been completely transformed after reorganization.

Apart from the 5,000 elite soldiers selected by the Imperial Horse Administration, the remaining 20,000 soldiers were all dispersed and reorganized, and were given the name "Feathered Forest Guard" by Zhu Houcong.

Outside the yamen, Prince Yu, Xiao Jingting, had just finished a day's official duties and was about to return to his palace.

He was dressed in a plain brocade robe, with a jade belt hanging lightly at his waist, and his composed gait revealed the air of an emperor.

Suddenly, a figure in black appeared like a ghost blocking the road.

"Amitabha Buddha."

Zhu Qi bowed slightly and said, "This humble Taoist priest, Zhu Qi, greets Your Highness Prince Yu."

Xiao Jingting paused, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

He stared intently at the Taoist priest who had suddenly barged in.

He was dressed in a black Taoist robe with cloud patterns, the hem of which was intricately embroidered with outstretched cranes in silver thread. He wore a green jade lotus crown and held a white jade whisk in his hand.