Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 614 Black Hand
The situation was urgent and Zhu Shenzhui didn't dare to delay for a moment.

The next day, after entrusting the naturalization to Tana, Zhu Shenzui hurriedly returned to Ming Dynasty with his men.

Because he was in a hurry, he did not bring too many people with him, only dozens of guards, all of whom were cavalry. After rushing to the area near the Great Wall, he disguised himself as Jinyiwei and Datong border troops and quickly crossed the border into Ming Dynasty.

After arriving in the territory of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Shenzui immediately sent people to contact his own people not far from the border. Hengtong's network was spread all over Shanxi. In addition, after the court abolished the post stations, Zhu Shenzui took the opportunity to incorporate many of them and used them as outlets for delivering messages and transit points for caravans.

The feedback made Zhu Shenzhui feel slightly relieved. At present, the court seemed to be not investigating the matter. Perhaps the court's response was slow, or the news had not yet reached the ears of Emperor Chongzhen. In any case, this was good news.

After resting for one night, Zhu Shenzhui continued his journey the next day. He headed south to Taiyuan Prefecture. When he arrived in Taiyuan, he went straight to Zhou Anmin's residence. Seeing Zhu Shenzhui, his sister Zhu Xiuer was very happy and quickly invited him into the house. She asked him about his health and asked why he came alone this time and why he didn't bring his wife and children. She hadn't seen her brother and sister-in-law and nephew for a long time.

"Sister, I just happened to come by to visit you this time, so I didn't bring Jingqiu and the child with me. By the way, where's my brother-in-law? And where's Chong'er and Bin'er?"

"Your two nephews are busy studying now. They are not young anymore. Originally, your brother-in-law and I discussed arranging a marriage for Chong'er first, but this kid insisted on taking the military examination. Not to mention Bin'er, he is also very enthusiastic with his brother. They are busy preparing for the examination. It's strange to say that it's obviously a military examination, and the court has to test some kind of knowledge, but these days they spend most of the day reading books with the teacher..."

"As for your brother-in-law, he is currently in the government office. I don't know what happened there these days. He leaves early and comes back late, and he can't even take care of his family. I don't know what he is busy with. I am a woman and never ask about his affairs. It's just right that you came this time. Stay at home for a few more days. I will ask someone to find your brother-in-law and ask him to come back early today. When he comes back, you brothers can have a good drink..."

Zhu Qiaoer said with a smile, and Zhu Shenzhui listened to her story at first, but when he heard that Zhou Anmin was very busy at the government office these days, he suddenly had a bad feeling. However, he did not show it on the surface, especially when Zhu Qiaoer said that she sent someone to the government office to inform her brother-in-law, Zhu Shenzhui just nodded, but secretly pondered in his heart.

I was drinking tea in the house and chatting about family gossip with my sister. Less than half an hour later, I heard the sound of horse hooves outside the door, and then someone came in from the gate with hurried footsteps. Hearing the noise, Zhu Qiaoer smiled and said, it must be your brother-in-law who has returned, and immediately stood up to greet him.

Zhu Shenzui also quickly stood up and followed his sister to go out to greet them. As soon as they arrived at the door of the wing room, they saw Zhou Anmin rushing over from the corridor. He was wearing the official uniform of the Jinyiwei and looked exhausted.

"You're back so soon? You're finally back. Look, who's here?" Seeing her husband coming back, Zhu Xiu'er said with a smile, and pointed at Zhu Shenzhui.

When Zhou Anmin saw Zhu Shenzhui, he immediately laughed out loud: "I heard that my younger brother was here, so how could I not come back earlier? I received the news at the government office and didn't delay for a moment."

"It's a relief that you still remember me." Zhu Qiaoer smiled with her hands covering her mouth. The closeness between her husband and his younger brother was the happiest thing for her.

"Little brother, you and your brother-in-law go inside and chat first. I'll go to the kitchen and make you some delicious dishes today so you two can have a few drinks."

"Thank you, sister..."

"Go, go. Your brother-in-law has been missing you for so many days." Zhu Qiaoer said with a smile, then turned around and went to the front yard to busy herself.

As soon as Zhu Qiao'er disappeared from the corridor, Zhou Anmin, who was smiling just now, suddenly changed his expression. He quickly stepped forward and grabbed Zhu Shenzhu's arm and asked anxiously, "Why did you come to Taiyuan at this time? Are you going to die?"

"Brother-in-law, let's go in and talk!" Zhu Shenzhui looked solemn and gave Zhou Anmin a look. The two of them went into the house together and closed the door.

After entering the house and sitting down, Zhou Anmin couldn't wait to ask Zhu Shencui where he came from. He had sent someone to the grassland a few days ago to deliver a letter to him, telling him not to return to Ming Dynasty. However, he didn't expect that Zhu Shencui had just arrived in Taiyuan Prefecture not long after the letter was sent.

"I came directly from Guihua and did not meet my brother-in-law's messenger." Zhu Shenzhui explained first, then briefly told him about Kang Youfu sending him a letter, and then asked Zhou Anmin: "I just entered the Great Wall the day before yesterday. I didn't dare to delay for a moment when I arrived in Daming and went to Taiyuan to see you, my brother-in-law. By the way, you just said that you sent me a letter asking me not to return to Daming. Has the matter Kang Youfu mentioned changed?"

"Ah..." Zhou Anmin sighed, and nodded, "You guessed right, something did happen. A few days ago, the Jinyiwei of Shanxi received news from the capital. The capital asked me to immediately mobilize people to control the people of Hengtong Commercial Bank, including your chief treasurer Kang Youfu. In addition, the Jinyiwei of Shanxi was ordered to closely monitor the palaces of the Prince of Jin, the Prince of Yonghe, the Prince of Xihe, the Prince of Qingcheng, and the Prince of Ninghua. In addition, the royal families of Shanxi, including the generals' palaces of Zhenguo and Fuguo, are under close surveillance..."

"The latter is fine, but as soon as I heard the former, I knew something was wrong, so I immediately asked my confidant to contact you, but who knew you went to the grassland. As for Hengtong, Kang Youfu has been missing for many days, and even several of his important confidants have disappeared. Although Hengtong is still open, it is only run by the second and third shopkeepers, and all the core figures of Hengtong are gone." "Others don't know the situation of Hengtong, so how can I not know? At this time, news came from the capital, and I learned that there were such rumors spreading in the capital. I concluded that this matter was aimed at you, my little brother. The matter is of great importance, and I dare not take it lightly. I can only send someone to the grassland to deliver a letter to you, but I didn't expect you to find out about it in advance and run back."

Zhu Shenzhui's heart sank. He did not expect that Emperor Chongzhen and the court would act so quickly. Judging from what Zhou Anmin said, when he received Kang Youfu's urgent letter, Zhou Anmin also received an order from the Jinyiwei headquarters in the capital. It must be said that the speed of this reaction had exceeded expectations at the time.

Fortunately, Zhou Anmin was the head of the Shanxi Jinyiwei, and the Shanxi Jinyiwei had been very independent under the management over the years, and basically all of them were Zhou Anmin's people. Moreover, although Emperor Chongzhen had begun to use the factory guards to investigate the matter, he did not regard himself as the target, but the first target was the King of Jin and several county kings in Shanxi, and at most only included the middle and high-level royal family members such as the General of the State and the General of the State.

As for Kang Youfu and the core figures of Hengtong, Zhou Anmin has not found them yet, or it can be said that Zhou Anmin deliberately did not try hard to find them, just to give an explanation to the higher-ups. After all, Zhou Anmin knew better than anyone that Kang Youfu was Zhu Shenzhui's man, and Zhu Shenzhui was the real boss behind Hengtong. This matter was clearly aimed at Zhu Shenzhui, so how could Zhou Anmin really help?
"How many people know about this?" Zhu Shenzhui asked hurriedly.

"Currently, only the Jinyiwei know about it. The local government and the guards have not informed us. I guess the court has also considered it and may have made other arrangements. But according to my guess, this matter can't be kept secret for long. Maybe in a few days, the court will have news, either sending people over or transferring foreign troops to Shanxi. By then..."

"What about my uncle? Have you sent any message to him?" Zhu Shenzhui asked again.

"Of course!" Zhou Anmin lowered his voice and said, "I didn't tell your family. I sent someone to Luzhouwei on the same day I sent someone to the grassland to deliver the letter. According to the time, the person should have arrived by now. When my uncle in Luzhouwei learns about this, he will definitely make proper arrangements. You don't have to worry."

"Thank you, brother-in-law. I'm sorry for your trouble." Zhu Shenzhui said gratefully.

Zhou Anmin waved his hand: "Isn't your business my business? This is natural to do, but I got the news a little late. If I had arranged it earlier, I wouldn't have to be so flustered."

Zhu Shenzhui had no way to answer this. In fact, Zhang Xijun could have informed Zhou Anmin as soon as he learned the news. However, although Zhang Xijun initially fought under the banner of Shanxi Jinyiwei in the capital, he later had some connections with the Jinyiwei office in the capital because of Wei Zhongxian.

But with the fall of Wei Zhongxian, Zhang Xijun had already cut off ties on this matter. Taking other circumstances into consideration, Zhu Shenzhu no longer put Zhang Xijun and Zhou Anmin on the same line, and instead made Zhang Xijun and Kang Youfu a line under his direct control.

This is also the reason why Zhang Xijun and Kang Youfu did not inform Zhou Anmin, not to mention Wang Rong. This is of course beneficial, but it is also inconvenient. If Zhu Shenzhui was in Ming Dynasty this time, there would be no such unpreparedness later. However, Zhu Shenzhui was naturalized at that time, and it was impossible for him to get the news immediately, so the information was delayed.

"By the way, since you know about this, why did you come back?" Zhou Anmin suddenly asked again, his face full of confusion: "This matter can't be delayed for long. Once the court people arrive, it will definitely stir up trouble. Although Kang Youfu and others are temporarily missing, Hengtong is still there. If they find out something, they will inevitably find you. Besides, don't forget that there are several clan members following you in Pingyang. Once they are implicated, you will not be able to hide it."

"At this time, a gentleman should not stand under a dangerous wall. Even if Hengtong is gone, as long as people are still alive, it's a good result. Besides, you still have family property on the grassland. If it really doesn't work, you can just bring your family over. Why take such a risk and return to Daming?"

"You can't not come back!" Zhu Shenzhui shook his head and sighed, "It's not just Hengtong. If it was just Hengtong, the business would be gone, but the problem is not just that. I'm afraid my brother-in-law doesn't know the real source of this news, right?"

"What? Anything else?" Zhou Anmin asked in surprise.

Zhu Shenzhui did not hide it from him and immediately told Zhou Anmin his guess. After listening to it, Zhou Anmin concentrated on thinking about it and suddenly slapped his thigh and said, "This is right, no wonder! No wonder!"

"What's so surprising?"

"There is something you don't know. A few days ago, just after I received the order from the capital, someone secretly sent a letter of complaint to the Jinyiwei Yamen. The content of the letter directly pointed out that Hengtong was related to the Shanxi royal family. It also specifically stated that this royal family was not the King of Jin and several other princes, but other royal families who secretly did it. It also pointed out that the person behind the scenes not only has a private army, but is also the real mastermind behind the previous incident of the Jiexiu Fan family..."

"Fan Yongdou?" Zhu Shenzhui pondered for a moment and spoke without thinking.

Zhou Anmin nodded seriously, indicating that it was most likely Fan Yongdou.

(End of this chapter)