The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 168: Execution
Zhu Chong and others began to look through the case files, although they were a little nervous about presiding over a case for the first time.

However, as young people, they would also have some expectations at this time, as these things were things they had never encountered before.

Looking at the file carefully, Zhu Di suddenly asked, "Uncle, this person who claims to be our father's nephew, is he one of our family members?"

Ma Xun asked, "Old Four, how many people are there in your family? Don't you know?"

There is no need to think about it. The relatives on my father's side are my uncle's family and Zhu Shouqian. On my mother's side, there is only my uncle now.

Zhu Di then said with some embarrassment, "Uncle, this man seems to be my father's old neighbor. His father once herded cattle and farmed with my father."

"Has your father ever seen him or held him in his arms? Has he ever raised him or does your Zhu family owe him a favor?" Ma Xun asked directly, "How many old neighbors does your majesty have? Can you ignore the law even if you have nothing to do with him?"

Zhu Gang said quickly, "Uncle, I think this man should be convicted. He forcibly abducted women and robbed people by force. He is clearly a scoundrel. Having such an old neighbor will only bring shame to my father."

Seeing Dama Xun nod, Zhu Di quickly said, "I didn't say I would forgive him. What he did is enough to deserve beheading."

Ma Xun also spoke seriously, "You guys must remember this. When one person becomes virtuous, all his family members will benefit. I am the Queen's younger brother, so I am rich and powerful. I went from being a refugee to being the Queen's uncle. If I break the law, how will the Emperor and Queen deal with me?"

Zhu Di immediately flattered him, saying, "My uncle's character is known to the world. My father and mother have always praised him, and the civil and military officials in the court also praise you."

Ma Xun glared and said, "What if I am breaking the law? What if other noble families fail to discipline their children and servants?"

Zhu Chong understood immediately and said, "Then I will definitely discipline the people in the mansion in the future."

Ma Xun nodded, and then reminded, "First, you must take care of yourself, and then restrain the people in the mansion."

Zhu Chong asked, "Uncle, since the evidence is conclusive, then we can just sentence him according to the law."

Ma Xun naturally had no objection. He would not have any sympathy for those who took advantage of their "close relationship" with Zhu Yuanzhang to do evil.

Many people dream of having a relative like Director Qi, but most people may meet Director Qi’s nephew or niece, the scum who raped girls and still gets away with it.

Ma Xun then asked, "How are you going to try the case?"

Zhu Chong was a little surprised. "Opening a court trial? Is there anything wrong with that?"

Ma Xun said earnestly, "This is the imperial hometown. Some of them are your majesty's fellow townsmen and old neighbors, and there are also many people who migrated here. This time, we want to let them see the strict laws of the court."

Zhu Di seemed to understand, "Uncle, do you want the people to watch us try the case?"

Ma Xun nodded and said, "We must let the people know that our Ming Dynasty will not protect those criminals. We must let the people see that our Ming Dynasty does not protect officials. Those people who commit crimes and those officials who break the law should be brought to justice."

Zhu Chong immediately nodded and said, "Then I will have someone build a small temple next to the government office so that future generations can learn from it."

Ma Xun didn't know what to say for a moment. The so-called small temple was not for worshipping immortals, Buddhas, or land gods, but for skinning and stuffing criminals with straw. This was a warning to officials.

Ma Xun had no sympathy for these corrupt officials. "It is better for one family to cry than for everyone to cry. You should remember the county magistrate who ruined the family and the prefect who wiped out the clan. The court administration needs to be rectified now. Sometimes severe punishment should be used."

Zhu Chong nodded repeatedly and said, "My brother has taught me before that being kind cannot be applied to everyone. There are always some people who break the law. We should be harsh to these people to warn other officials."

Ma Xun then asked, "What do you think of the relatives of the criminal officials?"

"Follow the law." Zhu Chong said without thinking, "Those who should be exiled should be exiled, those who should be fined should be fined, those who should be sent to the barracks should be sent to the barracks. Those who should be beheaded should be beheaded."

Ma Xun did not object. It seemed that Zhu Chong was aware of some things.

What counts as implicating innocent people or implicating too many people depends on the circumstances.

As the saying goes, "Don't let the family members suffer from misfortune." This depends on the situation. If you really live a rich life because of corruption and abuse of power, you should be prepared for a tragic fate after the crime.

Don't enjoy the benefits of your family members' corruption and lawlessness while continuing to live a life of luxury and debauchery, and then curse the court for its injustice and cry out for your family members who have been brought to justice.

Don't use your parents' stolen money to live a life of luxury and then try to show off your presence all the time, that would be disgusting.

Ma Xun felt that Zhu Chong and others were still doing well now. After all, they were still teenagers and it was not time for them to let go.

Teach him well. Even if he is not a wise king in the future, he should not become a cruel and inhumane bastard prince.

Some clues were quite detailed, making it almost no difficulty for Zhu Chong and others to investigate the case.

As long as these princes did not pervert the law or cover up criminals, then judging the case would be a simple and clear matter.

Zhu Chong asked for advice, "Uncle, how about we hold a trial tomorrow?"

Seeing Ma Xun nod, Zhu Chong and others were obviously a little excited. As young people, they must have some passion in their hearts, not to mention that this was the first time that Zhu Chong and others had real contact with government affairs. Now they were no longer princes, but law enforcers with actual power.

This is not just a new experience, it is something they have never experienced before, and it is in line with some of the dreams that most people have when they were young.

So Zhu Chong decisively ordered, "Then I will arrange for people to post notices, beat gongs and drums, and ask the people to go to the government office to watch the trial tomorrow."

Zhu Gang also said hurriedly, "We need to let the people from the Imperial Guards maintain order. Those people have done something that angers heaven and man, so don't let the onlookers beat them to death."

Zhu Di nodded repeatedly. He decided to wear the prince's crown and robes tomorrow. When the case was tried, his second brother would not have to do it. He would just slap the criminals in the face, put them in the tongs, etc.

Anyone who dares to quibble will be beaten up in court and deserves death.

Zhu Chong and others might toss and turn and have trouble sleeping all night, but Ma Xun's sleep quality is very high. He was even a little tired these days, so much so that he seemed to get up a little late.

"Uncle, we have to go to court today to try a case." Zhu Chong couldn't help but complain, "I only knew that my uncle was a sleepyhead and a lazy beddresser, but I didn't expect him to be so lazy!"

Zhu Gang also said, "My uncle is the right commander of the Grand Commandery, and he doesn't have any military habits at all."

Ma Xun was a little embarrassed. He thought he could get up early, but he ended up sleeping until he woke up naturally. It seemed that his role model was not a good one.

Zhu Di quickly brought toothbrushes, salt, etc. It was true that his uncle came from a poor family, but now he was particularly particular. Not to mention brushing teeth and washing face, he also had to take a hot bath every two or three days in winter.

In the words of my father and my mother, we were used to being dirty before, so now we are exceptionally clean due to the inevitable turn of events.

It is not that the Prince Xu's Mansion is very luxurious now, but my uncle spent a lot of money to build a big bathing pool for bathing. He likes to take baths in the winter.

Instead of complaining, the second and third brothers would rather let their uncle wash up early so that they can try the case more easily.

"Old Four is sensible." Ma Xun spitted out his saliva, rinsed his mouth and praised him, "I will arrange something for you later. Take three people from the Imperial Guards' Mansion to inspect the local area."

Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang immediately became unhappy. When did this fourth brother learn to be so slick? He was too good at flattering others!
Zhu Di said with a smile, "Don't worry, uncle. I will definitely be diligent and take the people from the Imperial Guards' Office to inspect the local areas and search for illegal activities."

"Well, I'll test you when I come back." Ma Xun said, "The second brother stays in Zhongdu, and the third brother often goes to the garrison to inspect the troops. If there are any illegal activities by local gentry, the fourth brother will investigate the case first, arrest them, and report to His Majesty."

Zhu Chong was unhappy because he was going to become a mascot and could only guard Zhongdu.

The third and fourth sons were happy because they now had "great power" and could do many things.

As for my uncle, he will definitely rush back to the capital after arranging these things to prepare for the imperial examination.

The three princes and Zhu Shouqian, who was also wearing royal robes, strode towards the government office of Fengyang Prefecture with their heads held high. Ma Xun, dressed in casual clothes, just followed them.

There are already quite a few people watching. Now is the "lean period" and people haven't started farm work yet.

What's more, the prince is trying a case and arresting corrupt officials and local tyrants. This kind of excitement is rare and you must go and see it.

There are no yamen runners, etc., because now they are replaced by soldiers from the Royal Guard Commandery or the Yulin Guard.

Zhu Chong was full of energy and enthusiasm. He sat down and slammed the gavel, "Bring the prisoner up here!"

Ma Xun was speechless. His nephew was a little too excited.

The first person to be brought up was a young man in his twenties. When he saw Zhu Chong and others, he collapsed to the ground and trembled.

"You are such a scoundrel!" Zhu Chong was furious. He pointed at the man and cursed, "How dare you pretend to be a royal relative!"

Ma Xun coughed, and Zhu Chong immediately calmed down his excited expression. "I want to ask you, you pretended to be a royal relative and swindled people. You tricked the second daughter of the migrant Zhao family into becoming your concubine, and you accepted money from Zhang family to smooth over the government. Is this true?"

The young man cried and begged, "Your Majesty, my father is Jiang Jiuling, your Majesty's childhood friend! Your Majesty, please spare me!"

Zhu Chong suddenly became even more angry, "Since you are my father's old relative and descendant, you should abide by the law and be careful in what you say and do. My father never forgets his old neighbors and often rewards them. How dare you betray the emperor's grace!"

Zhu Chong looked at Ma Xun and said, "Duke Xu, according to the law, how should this man be punished?"

"Behead him." Ma Xun said calmly, "Confiscate all property."

Zhu Chong immediately became excited and almost started shouting at the top of his lungs, "Someone, come! Take him away and keep him under guard! Wait for the Ministry of Justice to approve and execute him!"

Zhu Gang, who was equally excited, immediately said, "Come here, confiscate his property and send the deceived woman back to her parents' home."

Zhu Di jumped up and started to move. Ma Xun coughed immediately and said that the yamen runners could handle these matters. There was no need for you, the Prince of Yan, to lead people to search the house!

(End of this chapter)