Catching Monsters

Chapter 579 What are they doing at the Crown Prince's residence?
Wu Qinzhong's face was grim, his lips moved slightly, and he still wanted to argue: "I just remembered it wrong, Lord Jiang, does that prove that I have a problem? Isn't it too hasty of you to do this?"

Jiang Yun remained calm and slowly said, "Whether I was hasty or not is my business. What Lord Wu needs to do now is to honestly tell the truth."

Wu Qinzhong's face was ashen as he denied in a deep voice, "I... I really don't know anything..."

Just then, Qi Da strode in from outside with a happy expression and said loudly to Jiang Yun, "My lord! My lord! That Eunuch You has confessed everything."

"According to Inspector You's confession, this whole affair was orchestrated by Wu Qinzhong; he was coerced..."

Hearing Qi Da's words, Wu Qinzhong trembled and hurriedly stood up, instinctively shouting, "No, Lord Jiang, I was forced into this. Eunuch You forced me. That poison was also Eunuch You's doing..."

At this point, Wu Qinzhong froze, unable to speak.

really!

According to Sun Lianyu, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the process of preparing tea for His Majesty was supervised by these two men, and then Feng Yu would deliver the tea to the Imperial Study.

The probability of problems arising from the tea leaves during this process is not very high.

As for Feng Yu, he spends every day with His Majesty the Emperor. If he really wanted to plot against Xiao Yuzheng, he would have had plenty of opportunities and wouldn't have waited until now.

If the problem lies with Wu Qinzhong and Eunuch You, then the only possibility is...

Both of them are hiding something.

Therefore, Jiang Yun interrogated the two separately, and unexpectedly, he gained something from the experience.

Wu Qinzhong realized at this moment that what Lord Jiang said might not be true. If Eunuch You had really confessed, they probably wouldn't be wasting their breath talking to him here.

Unfortunately, Wu Qinzhong was just a cook by trade, spending his days in the imperial kitchen researching recipes. If someone were experienced and had some experience in dealing with interrogations, such tricks might not be effective against him.

Jiang Yun squatted down beside Wu Qinzhong and slowly said, "We've come this far, Lord Wu, aren't you going to confess?"

“Your whole family wants to live, but that’s out of the question. But if you tell the truth, I can find a way to have one of your sons exiled to the North.”

“Exile may make it difficult to survive, but at least there is some hope, to leave a spark for your Wu family.”

Wu Qinzhong's mind was already numb. He was trembling all over and said with deep regret, "I am also a victim in this matter. Lord Jiang, please spare me. I will tell you the truth and you can spare my life."

"I have worked hard to cook for His Majesty for so many years. Even if I have not made any great contributions, I have certainly put in a lot of effort. Besides..."

"Don't rush." ​​Jiang Yun's tone softened at this moment. She gently patted Wu Qinzhong's shoulder and comforted him, "Tell me what happened first."

Wu Qinzhong took a deep breath before saying, "Yes, it was last night when Eunuch You came to me privately."

"Over the years I've worked in the Imperial Kitchen, I've earned quite a bit of money from purchasing tea. Over all these years, I must have accumulated over ten thousand taels of silver."

“Every single account was recorded in the ledger. I don’t know how the ledger ended up in Eunuch You’s hands.”

"Eunuch You held the account book and forced me to poison him with him..."

"I had no choice. If that ledger were exposed, I would be doomed. I had no choice but to take the risk."

Wu Qinzhong knelt before Jiang Yun: "Yes, yes, Eunuch You said that many ministers in the court are involved in this matter."

“These days, His Majesty has gone mad. If he really investigates corruption, anyone who finds out will lose their head and have their property confiscated. Many ministers in the court are terrified.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun's expression hardened. These guys are really audacious...

However, this also indirectly proves how difficult it is for the Zhou state's officialdom to thoroughly investigate corruption.

In the imperial court, it might be unfair to say that everyone is corrupt.

But if you randomly take nine out of ten people out and behead them, there probably wouldn't be any wrongful convictions.

It wasn't unexpected that Xiao Yuzheng's mass killing of corrupt officials would provoke resistance from the court officials; what was surprising was that these guys would dare to poison Xiao Yuzheng.

Zidane remained silent and composed, recording each of these words.

Jiang Yun asked, "Do you know which ministers were involved in this matter?"

Wu Qinzhong lowered his head: "Perhaps Eunuch You knows, but how could I possibly know?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun knew that Wu Tanzhong was no longer of any use. He turned to Qi Da beside him and said, "Take him back to the Imperial Prison."

"Yes." Qi Da nodded. Before being dragged away, Wu Qinzhong hurriedly said, "Lord Jiang, you just promised me that you would send one of my children into exile. Is that true?"

With a last glimmer of hope in his eyes, Wu Qinzhong said, "As long as you help me, I'm willing to tell you anything."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun remained silent for a moment before slowly saying to Qi Da, "Send two men to his house, arrest his eldest son, and exile him to the northern border on charges of theft."

Jiang Yun was able to make the decision on this matter. Although the case involved a great deal of people, exiling an unrelated person would not be a big deal.

Moreover, Wu Qinzhong may need to cooperate in the investigation later on.

Upon hearing this, Wu Qinzhong said gratefully, "Thank you, Lord Jiang, thank you, Lord Jiang."

Jiang Yun ignored him and, leading Qi Da and Wu Tanzhong's confession, went to the neighboring courtyard where You Guangcheng was being held.

You Guangcheng was tied up and sitting on the ground resting. He looked up at the sky, seemingly lost in thought. Only after hearing footsteps did he turn his gaze toward Jiang Yun and Qi Da.

"Show him." Jiang Yun turned her head and glanced at Qi Da.

Qi Da nodded and stepped forward to place what Wu Qinzhong had said in front of You Guangcheng.

“Nonsense.” You Guangcheng denied it without hesitation: “Jiang Yun, the poison was clearly administered by Wu Tanzhong. He’s trying to frame me and make me take the blame.”

“If you’re unwilling to confess, I won’t force you. I have all the necessary statements here.” Jiang Yun squatted down in front of You Guangcheng and then said, “Take him back to the Imperial Prison and subject him to severe torture. As long as he doesn’t reveal which officials are involved, the torture will not stop.”

"I want to see His Majesty! I want to explain to His Majesty!" Upon hearing this, You Guangcheng struggled to get up: "This is a frame-up!"

Soon, You Guangcheng was pinned down by a large number of Imperial Guards and dragged away.

Jiang Yun took the confession and quickly went to Xiao Yuzheng's bedroom.

The area was now surrounded by layers upon layers of imperial guards.

Even Jiang Yun was stopped upon arrival, and the Eighth Prince Xiao Jingqing had already rushed over upon hearing the news.

After all, his current position is the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards. When he saw Jiang Yun, Xiao Jingqing frowned and sent someone in to announce his arrival. Soon, Xiao Yuzheng's order came from inside, allowing Jiang Yun to enter. Only then was he allowed to pass.

Upon entering the palace, Xiao Yuzheng was sitting on a dragon throne. Although his face was slightly pale and he appeared somewhat weak, his health was no longer in serious condition. The shadowy figures inside had vanished without a trace, presumably hiding within the palace.

Li Wangxin, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Qin Hong, Feng Yu, and other close confidants of Xiao Yuzheng were all present.

As for Jiang Qiaoqiao, Feng Yu had already sent her out of the palace.

Seeing Jiang Yun enter the room, Xiao Yuzheng slowly asked, "How's the investigation going?"

At the same time, Xiao Jingqing followed him in from outside.

Jiang Yun handed over Wu Qinzhong's statement. After reading it, Xiao Yuzheng's expression did not change. He closed his eyes and casually handed it to Li Wangxin, Feng Yu, Qin Hong and others next to him.

After they read it, Li Wangxin's face turned ashen, and he gritted his teeth and said, "These bastards are so audacious! His Majesty only wanted to crack down on corruption, but they've only made them desperate."

Xiao Yuzheng sighed, closed his eyes, and said slowly, "Since I ascended the throne, I have been diligent and personally handled everything."

"Most of the ministers in the court were students of Confucianism, and what they learned from childhood was to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country."

"But now, corruption has become so rampant that they even dare to tamper with military pay and rations while fighting on the front lines."

Of course, Xiao Yuzheng, who had been in charge of the court for nearly thirty years, felt a deep sense of powerlessness at this moment.

Despite his own best efforts, these ministers continued to hold him back.

Xiao Yuzheng felt no anger, but rather a deep sense of helplessness.

Xiao Yuzheng took a deep breath and slowly said, "Li Wangxin, Jiang Yun, and the Northern and Eastern Garrison Commands are working together to solve this case. No one involved can be let off the hook."

"Yes." Jiang Yun nodded respectfully: "Your Majesty, rest assured, You Guangcheng should not be able to withstand the torture of the Eastern Garrison for too long."

……

That evening, inside the imperial prison of the Eastern Garrison Command, piercing screams echoed continuously. You Guangcheng was bound to an iron pillar, tortured beyond recognition, his body covered in blood.

The Eastern and Northern Garrison Commands, together with more than ten skilled executioners, joined forces to carry out tortures here.

Seeing You Guangcheng's miserable state, Wu Qinzhong, who was in the cell next to him, turned pale with fright. This kind of torture was worse than death.

He couldn't help but secretly rejoice that he had confessed quickly; otherwise, he might have suffered the same punishment.

"Take a break."

Seeing You Guangcheng's condition, the dozen or so skilled torturers decided to rest for half an hour.

You Guangcheng grimaced as he felt the pain all over his body, wishing he could die immediately.

Qi Da slowly stepped forward and said gently, "Eunuch You, you are quite a tough nut to crack. But don't worry, no matter how badly you are injured, you won't die. We will have the best imperial physician heal your wounds, and we will continue the torture tomorrow."

“Day after day, as long as my father-in-law doesn’t give any explanation, this will continue to happen.”

There was no other way; You Guangcheng had entered the palace at a young age and had no family.

Not to mention children; threatening them through family members is impossible, so the only recourse is to resort to criminal law.

You Guangcheng gasped and said through gritted teeth, "Don't waste your time, I don't know anything."

Seeing this, Qi Da told the dozen or so torturers to rest for a moment before continuing, while he quickly walked toward Jiang Yun's office and study.

With such a big case, Jiang Yun doesn't plan to leave the Eastern Garrison tonight. He mainly needs to personally oversee the situation to prevent You Guangcheng from being murdered to silence him.

Upon hearing Zidane's knock, Jiang Yun said, "Come in."

"My lord, that eunuch is quite a tough nut to crack; he hasn't spoken yet." Qi Da said with a frown after entering the room, "But don't worry, my lord, based on my experience, this man shouldn't be able to hold out for much longer."

Hearing Zidane's words, Jiang Yun nodded slightly and said, "Are all the personnel ready?"

"Yes." Qi Da nodded: "All personnel in the capital are not allowed to go home. They must all wait for orders in the government office."

"As soon as that eunuch speaks, arrest him immediately."

"The capital is likely to undergo a major upheaval," Zidane said after a moment of contemplation.

"It's raining." Jiang Yun heard the sound of rain outside, opened the window, and looked outside.

Not long after, a middle-aged man holding an umbrella, looking somewhat anxious, quickly arrived outside Jiang Yun's study.

Xiao Jingzhi.

Xiao Jingzhi, who was obese, walked briskly across the muddy bluestone bricks and hurriedly knocked on the door of Jiang Yun's study.

"Brother Jiang, Brother Jiang."

With a creak, Jiang Yun opened the door. Upon seeing who it was, he showed no outward expression, but his heart sank.

Damn it, could Xiao Jingzhi be involved in this too?

"Please come in, Your Highness." Jiang Yun took a deep breath and welcomed Xiao Jingzhi inside.

After entering the house, Xiao Jingzhi put away his umbrella, patted the rain off his clothes, and sat down inside: "Brother Jiang, what happened in the palace today?"

"No news from the First Prince?" Jiang Yun asked in return.

"All I know is that the Imperial Guards suddenly went into martial law again today. My people from the First Prince's residence went to inquire, but they couldn't get any results." Xiao Jingzhi wiped the water off his face. "I heard that you brought quite a few Imperial Guards into the palace, so I came to ask you, my brother."

Xiao Jingzhi could be considered someone who had been bitten by a snake once and was now afraid of ropes for ten years.

The memory of how the Fourth Prince Xiao Jingfu colluded with the Imperial Guards and almost succeeded in his rebellion is still vivid.

Now that something unexpected has happened in the palace, how could Xiao Jingzhi possibly sit still?

Jiang Yun took a deep breath and said slowly, "If the Crown Prince hasn't done anything recently, there's no need to worry too much."

"I'm fine, but this afternoon, the newly appointed Minister of Works, Tang Yizhi, and the Minister of Rites, Miao Yuanxing, both came to my residence."

"Lord Tang from the Ministry of Works, and Lord Miao from the Ministry of Rites?" Jiang Yun narrowed his eyes slightly. "What are they doing at His Highness the First Prince's residence?"

(End of this chapter)