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

Chapter 312 Chen Ce's Reminder

Early the next morning, a "big earthquake" occurred in the imperial court.

Four Langzhong and three Zhushi of the Ministry of Works and seven middle-level officials were executed. Their children were sent to serve in the Jiaofangsi or exiled.

Such a big thing happened in just one night, and even the three judges were unclear about the reason.

This morning, the Minister of Works Xu Guan immediately promoted lower-level officials upwards, and the Ministry of Personnel recommended officials to the Ministry of Works as temporary fill-ins.

Even the cabinet didn't know what happened last night, and the entire court was in a panic.

So many people have died, but the case has not yet been reviewed by the three judicial departments. This itself is not in line with judicial procedures. The officials do not care about the execution of this group of people. What they care about is whether the power of the factory guards will revive after this wave.

However, the Ministry of Works immediately came forward to explain that after investigation by the Censorate, it was found that this group of officials were reselling military supplies and aiding the enemy in rebellion, so they were all dealt with quickly and severely last night.

This excuse naturally failed to convince the officials, but Emperor Hongzhi came forward to endorse the Minister of Works, and the Censorate did not involve other people, which temporarily calmed the court.

However, all the officials were still speculating on what had happened last night that led to so many people in the Ministry of Works being executed?

When the news reached Li Mengyang, who had just started work, he suddenly shuddered all over and felt a little frightened!

Others may not know what happened, but Li Mengyang could guess roughly in his mind. With so many people from the Ministry of Works joining forces to deal with Chen Ce, and even involving Shuntian Prefecture, no matter how powerful Chen Ce was, he would probably be killed.

But the result was beyond Li Mengyang's expectation. So many people not only failed to do anything to Chen Ce, but they themselves were all killed?

Chen Ce...what kind of background and power does he have?

……

Sophora japonica alley.

Qin Hong, with his hands behind his back, found Chen Ce early in the morning. Chen Ce's attitude was obviously different from before, and he was a little wary of Qin Hong, which Minister Qin could sense.

He explained to Chen Ce: "Hong Yushi examined the people in the Ministry of Works, and the head of the Ministry of Works said that it was Li Mengyang, the head of the Ministry of Revenue under my command, who accidentally revealed it."

"You have seen the consequences for those who participated in this matter. The emperor remembers your contribution to the promotion of Ming Dynasty's commercial reform. The execution of these people is the best example!"

"The emperor is giving you an explanation with practical actions."

Indeed, Emperor Hongzhi did a good enough job this time.

Chen Ce pondered for a moment and murmured: "Li Mengyang..."

Qin Hong said earnestly: "But don't worry, something like this won't happen again next time."

Chen Ce asked, "Why?"

Because the emperor will slowly push you to the front, he will reveal your identity bit by bit, and he will personally stand up for you. Whoever dares to deal with you in the future will be equivalent to directly dealing with the emperor!

Of course, Qin Hong did not say these words explicitly. After all, Qin Hong did not dare to guarantee something that had not happened. He just said vaguely: "Anyway, you will understand it later."

Chen Ce nodded.

Qin Hong seemed to remember something and said, "Censor Hong asked me to tell him that he admires you very much and will meet you when he comes back."

Chen Ce asked in confusion: "Where did Censor Hong go?"

Qin Hong said: "Today I have received an order to repair the border of Chaohe River. I estimate that we will set out at noon."

The Chaohe River is located at Gubeikou, Miyun, in the capital area, more than 200 miles away from the capital. It is located between two mountains and is more than 100 feet wide. When the water level rises, it becomes a huge flood, and when the water level recedes, it becomes a flat land, allowing the enemy to march straight in.

This is the gap in the defense of the capital. Hong Zhong has always suggested digging two channels here to divide the water flow, and building a stone weir outside the mouth to restrain the water. Put a hundred people inside the weir to prevent the enemy from rushing in, so as to avoid the capital's worries about the north, and to settle and cultivate the river gap.

This suggestion was naturally a very good one. Not only did it build a canal, it also controlled the water level and blocked the gap in the northern defense line of the capital. As long as a hundred people were guarding it, the enemy cavalry would not be able to pass through.

But Chen Ce looked solemn and said to Qin Hong: "This is not appropriate!" Qin Hong: "?"

"Why?"

The suggestion made by Censor Hong was very good, so why did Chen Ce say it was inappropriate?
Chen Ce said: "There are three reasons. First, Censor Hong has just handled a case for the Ministry of Works. He has already offended many people. If there are any mistakes in this border repair, he will be impeached by countless people when he returns."

"Secondly, the mountains on both sides of the Chaohe River have been impacted by water for a long time, and the mountains are not stable. Once he wants to dig the mountains, the mountains will inevitably collapse."

The mountains here are different from other places. If you are not careful, it will cause a landslide. If more people die, Hong Zhong will definitely be held responsible!
Chen Ce had a good impression of Censor Hong, so he gave Qin Hong a sincere reminder.

"Also, the terrain near the Chaohe River is mostly sandy and rocky, and is not suitable for farming at all. If someone investigates this in the future, his suggestion of 'cultivating the riverbed land' would be a crime of deceiving the emperor!"

Qin Hong gasped repeatedly, looked at Chen Ce in astonishment, and asked suspiciously, "Have you been to Chaohechuan?"

Otherwise, why do you know the terrain there so well?
Chen Ce naturally had never been there, but he knew Hong Zhong's resume. Repairing the Chaohe River on the border was originally a good thing, but because of the above reasons, Hong Zhong was impeached by the censor Yi Fu and the attendant Ma Yucong, and was finally transferred to the governor of Yunnan.

Chen Ce shook his head and said to Qin Hong, "Master Qin, don't worry about whether I have been to Chaohechuan or not. Now go and tell Censor Hong quickly. If he insists on going, take precautions as soon as possible."

"Especially when cutting rocks in the mountains, we must pay attention to the risk of rocks collapsing on the mountain, ensure the safety of the people cutting rocks, and avoid accidents."

"Anything that's not conducive to farming over there should be reported to the court as soon as possible. We can't just focus on repairing the border and put this matter aside."

Qin Hong nodded secretly and said solemnly: "I will go and tell him right away."

"Ah."

Chen Ce did not try to keep Qin Hong.

……

Zhengyangmen.

At noon, Hong Zhong's team was ready to set off.

Fortunately, Minister Qin arrived in time. He hurried to find Hong Zhong and told him everything Chen Ce had instructed him to do.

Hong Zhong asked in astonishment: "Has that kid been to Chaohechuan?"

Qin Hong shook his head and said, "I don't know. Anyway, Chun Jian would not do anything without a purpose."

Chen Ce, whose courtesy name was Chunjian, was given to him by Wang Yue.

At this time, Qin Hong had already started to call Chen Ce by his given name in a friendly manner, which inevitably surprised Hong Zhong. It seemed that Minister Qin really valued that kid very much!
Hong Zhong said: "I understand. Let's talk about it when I get to Chaohechuan."

Qin Hong warned: "You must remember these things in your heart."

Hong Zhong smiled and said, "I understand."

……

Miyun County Government Office.

Chaohechuan is the "gateway to Yanjing" and the "key to the capital". It is a pass to the east and also the best area for smuggling.

Hearing that the Right Vice-Minister of the Censorate was coming to repair the Chaohe River, the Miyun County Magistrate and other local dignitaries were extremely unwilling to do so.

At this time, a group of dignitaries were discussing secretly in the back hall of the county government office.

A powerful official said to the magistrate of Miyun County: "If they come to repair the Chaohe River estuary, your county office must not inform them of the specific situation over there. When they dig the mountain, it is bound to cause an accident. If so, you can impeach them for their crimes..."

(End of this chapter)