Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 307 Conspiracy
Not long after Qin Hong left, he came back with a burly middle-aged man who looked like a military general.

Chen Ce was speechless. The person he was looking for was not a military general, but preferably someone from the judicial system.

Perhaps seeing Chen Ce's thoughts, Xu Guan introduced him to "The Right Deputy Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Hong Zhong, courtesy name Xuanzhi."

It has to be said that Qin Hong really values ​​Chen Ce. According to Chen Ce's idea, it would be enough for Qin Hong to call a low-level official from the judicial institution.

But he directly called the senior officials of the Censorate.

Hong Zhong looks like a military general, but he is actually a very thoughtful person, which is in stark contrast to his appearance. He also speaks in a gentle and easy-going manner.

When he arrived here and saw a strange boy, and also saw two famous ministers from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works accompanying him, he couldn't help but become suspicious.

If he was the prince and enjoyed such treatment, Hong Zhong could understand it, but he was not. He was just an unknown commoner. Why did he have two ministers come to visit him in person?
Qin Hong said to Chen Ce: "If you have any ideas, just tell Lord Hong."

Chen Ce bowed and then told Hong Zhong the whole story.

Hong Zhong did not comment after listening to this. He first pondered and then looked at Chen Ce suspiciously.

Chen Ce said helplessly: "Master Hong, I want to direct and act these things myself. I am afraid that things will be exposed and I will be punished. Why do I have to expose myself?"

"Besides, the matter hasn't been exposed yet, why should I plead guilty first?"

Hong Zhong nodded secretly. Maintaining a reasonable suspicion was his standard for being an official. He would not lose fairness and rationality just because Chen Ce had a relationship with the two ministers.

"Keep the goods for now. Replace this batch of sulfur with real clay and continue shipping it out. If anyone wants to cause trouble for you, there will definitely be follow-up."

Chen Ce said: "I have arranged it this way."

Hong Zhong was slightly stunned, thinking that this kid was very thoughtful and had arranged all these things in advance, deliberately luring the snake out of its hole.

No wonder he wanted to find me. On the one hand, he wanted me to testify for him, and on the other hand, he wanted me to arrest someone!
Hong Zhong thought for a moment and said to Chen Ce, "If we want to thoroughly investigate the person behind this, we need your cooperation in putting on a show."

"Someone will definitely come to arrest you. You will need to stay in jail for a few days. I will ensure your safety in jail, and then investigate the behind-the-scenes incident..."

Before he finished speaking, Qin Hong and Xu Guan said in unison: "No!"

Ok?
Hong Zhong looked at Minister Qin and Minister Xu in confusion.

Why not? If you want to catch the mastermind, you have to put on a good show. Otherwise, even if you catch him, at most you can only catch a few small fish and shrimps in front of the stage.

Qin Hong said: "He can't go to jail. He is ill and it is not suitable for him to suffer in prison. You should find another way!"

Xu Guan agreed, "That's right, you can think of another way."

amount.

Hong Zhong looked at the two ministers in astonishment, and then looked at Chen Ce with a complicated expression.

Who is this kid? Is he worthy of your two ministers' concern?
Chen Ce, who had not spoken for a long time, suddenly asked, "Why don't you try to check from a different angle?"

“Where does sulfur come from?”

When these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.

Yes!

Sulfur is an important military supply. Can civilians get such a large amount of sulfur?

Ministry of War?!
Chen Ce continued: "I have an immature speculation, please listen to it, everyone."

"If I were the other party, I would mail the sulfur out first, and then return it to its original owner after I am caught and convicted. In this way..." Hong Zhong suddenly realized, and said, "In this way, I can achieve the purpose of framing you and convicting you, but I won't let people know that the Ministry of War lost this batch of sulfur, and it won't be traced back to the Ministry of War!"

"What a good trick! They are willing to take risks to deal with you!"

If Chen Ce didn't know the two Shangshu Qin and Xu, and if he was just an acquaintance with the two old gentlemen, then this plan would be almost perfect, and it is also a common method used by officials to deal with the untouchables. At that time, as a common citizen, you will have nowhere to seek justice even if you go to seek justice!

This group of people are really vicious!

Hong Zhong couldn't help but wonder what kind of sorrow or grudge did this person have that would cause him to use such a cruel method to deal with a small businessman?
Chen Ce bowed to the two ministers Qin and Xu and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Hong is right. I still need to get involved in this matter."

"Master Hong, it seems that our plan has to be overturned. We can't use clay to replace sulfur. That batch of sulfur still needs to be sent out. They will only arrest me if they have conclusive evidence."

“Then the batch of sulfur will be returned to its place.”

Hong Zhong said: "I will keep an eye on this batch of sulfur."

After the agreement was reached, Qin Hong and Xu Guan looked at each other, and after leaving Huaihua Hutong, they headed towards the Forbidden City as fast as possible.

They must report this matter to Emperor Hongzhi!

……

Shuntian Prefecture. Since Zhang Chong was exiled to Jiaozhi, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture was replaced by Liu Yun. The Tongpan was originally Ning Cheng. After Ning Cheng was transferred to the Ministry of Rites, the former prosecutor Cheng Yi was promoted to Tongpan of Shuntian Prefecture.

It is worth mentioning that Cheng Yi and Wang Qin, the head of the Ministry of Works, were both Jinshi graduates in the 23rd year of Chenghua. Both of them were from Maoming, Guangzhou, and were classmates and fellow townsmen.

Wang Qin invited Cheng Yi to his house today to discuss a secret matter.

"Jingzhi, five hundred kilograms of sulfur is no small matter. If this matter is exposed, the consequences will be disastrous."

"You are just a private courier merchant. Why would you take such a risk?"

Cheng Yi was a little hesitant. He didn't want to cooperate with Wang Qin to do these things for fear of taking risks.

Wang Qin took a sip of tea and said calmly, "You know, he's just a private businessman. How can he expose this?"

Cheng Yi hesitated and said, "Didn't you say it, Respectful Zhi? The Minister of Works and the Minister of Revenue have a relationship with this merchant."

Wang Qin said confidently: "Smuggling sulfur is a serious crime. Even if we take a step back, do you think two second-rank ministers can have any in-depth relationship with a private merchant?"

"If something really happened, would the two ministers cause all this trouble to overturn the case of a cheap merchant? Do you really think that the two gentlemen are kind-hearted people in this position?"

"Will they pay attention to such a small matter?"

"In short, you can rest assured. There won't be any risk. This bastard's business reform has blocked the financial path of countless people in the Ministry of Industry. No one will speak for him."

"The Minister of Industry and the Minister of Revenue did not dare to come forward to protect him. These two ministers would not be the first to offend others. Sacrificing a businessman to achieve commercial reform is a good deal for them."

"When this lowly merchant dies, I will find a way to annex his property, and yours will be included in the package."

"Brother Cheng, judging by the time, that batch of express deliveries should have been sent out. You can send someone to check and arrest the person."

Cheng Yi felt relieved and nodded, "Okay!"

After Cheng Yi left, the director of the Ministry of Works slowly walked out from behind the screen. Wang Qin clasped his fists and said, "Sir, everything has been arranged. This lowly merchant will definitely die this time!"

(End of this chapter)