I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 214 One Strike Kills! Who Says the Hand That Holds a Pen Can't Kill?

The front hall of the first courtyard of the Duke Yansheng's Mansion.

Xue Zheng and Shen Nian walked towards each other almost simultaneously.

At this moment, the people behind both sides were extremely tense. If either side suddenly made a move, the two sides would inevitably fight to the death.

Xue Zheng looked at Shen Nian, his heart filled with excitement.

If this "young Grand Secretary" can be recruited into the Loyal and Trusted Society, his becoming the next Marquis of Yangwu will be a foregone conclusion.

soon.

The two walked together, only two steps apart.

Xue Zheng gestured for Shen Nian to extend her hand, and he would write her name on it.

Although Xue Zheng is the head of the Loyalty Society, at present, his ability is at most limited to controlling You Jixun, the prefect of Yanzhou Prefecture, who is a fifth-rank official.

Higher-ranking officials.

Although he had leverage over the other party, he only used it to save his own life and had no ability to use it. His relationship with the other party was actually one of cooperation and mutual benefit.

immediately.

Xue Zheng wrote a name on Shen Nian's hand.

After finishing writing, he smiled and said to Shen Nian, "Scholar Shen, I've shown enough sincerity by offering you a second-rank position! Rest assured, becoming a member of the Loyalty Society will only bring you benefits, not harm. You will most likely become my powerful backer in the future. I will serve you like a slave, as long as you can ensure the Xue family's prosperity and wealth for generations to come!"

Xue Zheng was extremely arrogant.

Because he used such despicable and shameless methods too often, he felt that even if a cabinet minister passed through Qufu County, he could turn the other party into his "close friend" if given the opportunity.

After all, imperial power did not extend to the county and township levels.

In Qufu County and even Yanzhou Prefecture, his men were everywhere, and Xue Zheng's authority was completely above the "Great Ming Code".

A smile appeared on Shen Nian's face.

"Then, I will have to rely on Lord Xue's guidance from now on!"

Upon hearing the title "Lord Marquis," Xue Zheng was overjoyed, and the yamen runners and soldiers behind him breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that today's matter was about to be resolved satisfactorily.

at this time.

Shen Nian suddenly grabbed Xue Zheng's right arm with her left hand. Before Xue Zheng could react, she lifted her right leg and pulled out a gleaming dagger from her calf with her right hand.

In that instant, Shen Nian did not hesitate at all.

"Pfft!"

The dagger plunged straight into Xue Zheng's chest.

Xue Zheng looked incredulous. After spitting out foamy blood, his head lolled to the side, and he instantly lost his life.

this moment.

The yamen runners and soldiers opposite were dumbfounded and quickly drew their bows to prepare to shoot.

"I have come here on the Emperor's secret orders. Anyone who dares to resist will be considered a rebel and their entire family will be executed!" Shen Nian shouted, firmly blocking Xue Zheng's corpse in front of him.

County Magistrate Bai Youlu never expected that a Hanlin scholar could commit such a bloody act and act so decisively.

He immediately collapsed to the ground.

Xu Liang, the prefect of Yanzhou, raised his broadsword and said coldly, "Kill them. If they escape from here tonight, we will all die!"

"Wait!" Shen Nian shouted coldly.

at the same time.

Shi Qing and several Imperial Guards had arrived at Shen Nian's side. Shi Qing had instructed the Imperial Guards that if Shen Nian died in front of them, all of them would commit suicide to atone for their sins.

The Imperial Guards were also quite surprised by Shen Nian's "one-hit kill" move.

Even they, under such high-pressure conditions, might not have performed as well as Shen Nian.

Shen Nian looked at Xu Liang.

"Xu Tongpan, do you think that Shi Qianhu and I arrived in Qufu County by accident, and then accidentally discovered that Magistrate Tang was under house arrest, so that the capital is unaware of the current situation?"

"Isn't that right?" Xu Liang asked with a doubtful expression.

If Shen Nian and the others knew about this, they would all have been arrested and imprisoned long ago.

Shen Nian took a folded booklet from his bosom and threw it over.

"This is His Majesty's secret decree, ordering me and Commander Shi to thoroughly investigate the land annexation in Qufu County. If something happens to us, do you think you can get away with it?"

"To kill a royal messenger is an offense punishable by the extermination of his entire family!"

Shen Nian's words startled the yamen runners and soldiers behind him.

They obeyed Xue Zheng, Xu Liang, and Bai Youlu's orders, partly because the other side had leverage over them, and partly because disobeying meant death, as their brothers had already learned from their mistakes.

Before they arrived, they only knew that they were to kill two foreign officials, but they did not know that the other party was an imperial messenger.

Killing an ordinary official is completely different from killing a royal guard. The former is a capital offense with the exile of the family, while the latter is very likely to result in the execution of nine generations of one's family.

Xu Liang stretched out his hand, signaling his men not to act rashly, and then took out a memorial to read.

After reading it, he thought for a moment and said, "Although...although you came by imperial decree, His Majesty is obviously unaware of the Loyalty Society. As long as he is unaware of the Loyalty Society, we can live!"

"Do you think that's possible? You're currently in charge of Qufu County. Even if you could kill us tonight, someone above is deceiving the court and fabricating facts. Others might live, but you certainly won't!"

"Besides, do you really think we can't escape?"

The moment Shen Nian finished speaking, five Imperial Guards raised five muskets and stood in front of her.

In the present Ming Dynasty, firearms were only widely deployed in border areas. For example, in Yanzhou Prefecture, there were at most ten firearms, and they were the old-fashioned type with lit fuses.

These five hundred muskets might not be enough to defeat the enemy's many arrows, but they would be sufficient to intimidate them.

Upon seeing the firearms, Xu Liang quickly retreated behind the soldiers.

Shen Nian looked around and said loudly, "Brothers, I am Shen Nian, a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy. I was ordered by His Majesty to investigate the case after receiving a secret letter that Magistrate Tang might have been murdered. I never expected that Qufu, a county known for its etiquette, would become the county of the Xue family. We are all from poor backgrounds. If you attack us today, it will be treason. Everyone, put down your weapons!"

"He is Shen Nian and Shen Ziheng, the ones who claim that it is better for officials to suffer than for ordinary people to suffer, and who have always advocated putting the people first in their new policies and proposals!" a yamen runner suddenly said.

Shen Nian was quite famous throughout the Ming Dynasty.

Then, Shen Nian looked at Xu Liang again.

"Prefect Xu, Xue Zheng is dead. If I can't find the list of members of the Zhongxin Society and there is no evidence to convict You Jixun, the prefect of Yanzhou, you will be the ringleader. If you just shout to take action, it will be a crime punishable by the extermination of your entire family!" Shen Nian glared at Xu Liang.

Shi Qing raised his long sword and said, "Xu Liang, if you dare to make a move, and even one of us escapes, you will be torn to pieces!"

At this moment, Xu Liang's lips trembled slightly.

He was originally an executor, obeying You Jixun, the prefect of Yanzhou Prefecture, and Xue Zheng, the second marquis, in the county.

He was immediately branded with the label of "principal sinner," and he was terrified.

Xu Liang hesitated for a moment.

"boom!"

The long sword in his hand fell to the ground.

"I surrender, and I am willing to make amends for my crimes!"

boom! boom! boom!
Immediately, everyone threw their weapons to the ground, including the Xue family's servants.

At this moment, Shen Nian's back was completely soaked.

Tonight, they are in dire straits.

Shen Nian knew that Xue Zheng would really kill them if he went mad, so she killed him in advance. Then she put pressure on him as an imperial messenger, and persuaded him step by step until they were finally able to escape.

Tang Xianzu looked at Shen Nian with admiration.

Shen Nian's slash just now greatly surprised him.

He knew that Shen Nian was not skilled in martial arts and that this stab was entirely out of courage. If it failed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Shen Nian looked at Bai Youlu, who was slumped on the ground not far away.

"Magistrate Bai, please open the city gates and allow one of our brothers to deliver a message to the capital!"

"Okay, okay, okay!" Bai Youlu agreed as he stood up.

Followed by.

A member of the Imperial Guard and Bai Youlu left the Duke of Yansheng's residence. In addition to carrying a memorial jointly written by Shen Nian, Shi Qing, and Tang Xianzu, this Imperial Guard was also going to personally report to the capital what had happened that night.

The official of the second rank that Xue Zheng just mentioned was none other than Zhu Qingfu, the Shandong Provincial Administration Commissioner.

Shen Nian also informed the Imperial Guard about this matter.

The departure of the Imperial Guards and Bai Youlu from the Duke of Yansheng's residence signifies that the "Zhongxin Society" will be completely exposed. Shen Nian and the others' next task is to find the list of Zhongxin Society members.

Xue Zheng was able to threaten so many people.

They would inevitably write down a lot of evidence of threats and eyewitness accounts on paper and hide it in a very secret place.

Immediately, Shen Nian issued orders.

The soldiers and yamen runners were divided into three groups.

A group of Imperial Guards followed several members of the Imperial Guards to the Xue family to search for the list of members of the Loyalty Society and to conduct a night interrogation of the family and confidants of Marquis Yangwu, Xue Bian, and Xue Zheng.

One group went to various shops owned by the Xue family, such as gambling dens and brothels, to investigate what Xue Zheng had done through these shops and what officials and clerks he was involved with.

Another group was stationed in the county town to maintain stability and prevent some of Xue Zheng's cronies from gathering people to continue causing trouble.

Subsequently.

Shen Nian then instructed Xu Liang to write a letter to You Jixun, the prefect of Yanzhou Prefecture, stating that several Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) had been captured in Qufu County, and that the leader was Shi Qing, the Jinyiwei commander most trusted by His Majesty. He asked Xu Liang how to deal with the matter.

Shen Nian guessed that after You Jixun saw this letter, he would definitely ask his superiors for instructions, and the person he would ask for instructions from would most likely be Zhu Qingfu, the Shandong Provincial Governor.

If Shandong Governor Zhao Xian and Shandong Censor Zhao Yunsheng were involved in this matter, Shandong Provincial Treasurer Zhu Qingfu would certainly discuss it with them. In that case, the Embroidered Uniform Guards dispatched by Shen Nian would definitely be able to discover some clues.

Even if we can't find the list of members of the Chung Shin Society, we can still identify these people first.

……

As dawn broke, all four city gates of Qufu County were opened simultaneously.

The county government issued a notice stating that the thieves had been captured, but news of Xue Zheng's death was not released.

Shen Nian, Shi Qing, Tang Xianzu, and others returned to the county government office with Xu Liang and Bai Youlu.

Tang Xianzu began to take charge of county affairs.

At this moment, the message has been sent out, and Shen Nian and Shi Qing are perfectly safe.

Next, we'll see how many people are brought to justice.

Near noon.

Shen Nian and Shi Qing received news that they still had not found the list of members of the Zhongxin Society.

However, after investigation, the Embroidered Uniform Guard found evidence of Xue Zheng's evil deeds, such as running gambling dens, forcibly lending money at exorbitant interest rates, and forcing women into prostitution.

Although Marquis Yangwu Xue Bian knew what the Zhongxin Society did.

However, due to his illness, Xue Zheng handled everything, and he had no idea where the name list was kept.

The Xue family members who were imprisoned were also unaware of this.

at this time.

A clerk reported that Duke Yansheng, Kong Shangxian, had come to visit and brought a sumptuous feast for Shen Nian and his companions.

Shi Qing clenched his fists and said, "Scholar Shen, apart from being born into a good family, he is utterly useless. I really want to kill him!"

Shen Nian looked helpless.

If Kong Shangxian hadn't been wearing the halo of being a "descendant of Confucius," Shen Nian would have wanted to kill him.

this person.

Selfishness only adds to what is already good, never offers help in times of need.

If he had considered the well-being of the people of Qufu County, they would never have been so ravaged by the Xue family.

"Let him in!" Shen Nian said.

After a while.

Duke Yansheng Kong Shangxian approached Shen Nian, Shi Qing, and Tang Xianzu with a bright smile.

"Scholar Shen, Commander Shi, and Magistrate Tang, congratulations on your successful suppression of the bandits! I've prepared a feast for you all. Shall we have a drink to celebrate?"

Shi Qing and Tang Xianzu completely ignored him.

Shen Nian looked at Kong Shangxian and said, "Duke Yansheng, someone told me that you are also on the list of the Loyalty Society. Is that true?"

Upon hearing this, Kong Shangxian immediately became anxious.

"Nonsense! My family only upholds Confucianism and never forms cliques or engages in private affairs. Wouldn't it be a disgrace to our ancestors for me to join such an evil society as the Loyalty Society?"

"Haven't you done enough slander? A person who has read the Analects and can agree with even a single page of its content would not do something as indifferent as the Duke Yansheng!" Tang Xianzu couldn't help but say.

The Duke Yansheng looked embarrassed and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, I am truly sorry. There is an ancestral rule that the Kong family does not participate in any political struggles or factional disputes. If I help you and cause my Kong family to suffer a calamity, I will be the eternal sinner of the Kong family. That Xue Zheng is a madman!"

Shen Nian looked at Kong Shangxian.

"Duke Yansheng, do you know where the list of members of the Zhongxin Society is located?"

"I don't know!"

"I really don't know!"

"I really don't know!"

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Duke Yansheng, to help me find the list of members of the Zhongxin Society. The Kong family is more familiar with Qufu County than we are, so perhaps you, Duke Yansheng, can find it!"

“Scholar Shen, doing such a thing will offend many people. My Kong family has ancestral precepts that this is unacceptable…”

"Kong Shangxian, if you don't do everything in your power to find him, I, Shen Nian, will make sure you are disgraced after I return to the capital. If I enter the cabinet afterward, the first thing I will do is to remove the honor of Confucius's direct descendant as Duke Yansheng and make the position available to the talented. I mean what I say!" Shen Nian glared at Kong Shangxian.

"I...I'll search, I'll do everything I can to find it, okay!"

"No need to see me out!" Shen Nian said coldly.

……

Two days later.

News came from the Imperial Guards who were gathering intelligence in Jining Prefecture.

After receiving a letter from You Jixun, the prefect of Yanzhou, Zhu Qingfu, the Shandong Provincial Treasurer, immediately contacted Zhao Yunsheng, the Shandong Circuit Inspector, and then quickly sent a letter to Yanzhou Prefecture.

This suggests that Zhao Yunsheng, the Imperial Inspector of Shandong, was most likely also on the list of members of the Zhongxin Society.

The fact that censors formed cliques for personal gain is a disgrace to the court's officials who speak out, and it will have a very bad impact on the entire Shandong province.

As for Zhao Xian, the governor of Shandong, he is still under observation.

Two more days passed.

Xu Liang received a letter from You Jixun, the prefect of Yanzhou Prefecture, which contained only one word: Kill!

at the same time.

Another large group of Imperial Guards arrived in Qufu County.

Shen Nian also received a new imperial edict. Emperor Wanli ordered Shen Nian to thoroughly investigate all acts of forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices in Shandong. Even when dealing with Zhao Xian, the highest-ranking official in Shandong, Shen Nian was allowed to act first and report later.

Immediately.

Shen Nian planned to arrest You Jixun, the prefect of Yanzhou Prefecture, Zhu Qingfu, the provincial governor of Shandong, and Zhao Yunsheng, the imperial inspector of Shandong, and bring them all to Qufu County to interrogate them about their crimes.

In addition, Zhao Xian, the governor of Shandong, was also invited over.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard held secret orders from the young Wanli Emperor; disobedience was considered treason.

Shen Nian decided to let the people of Qufu County observe the trial.

The county seat of Daming has always had problems.

Historically, the powerful and wealthy in the county have always controlled the land, shops, and all profitable businesses.

The greatest significance of procreation for ordinary people is that they become their farmhands, tenants, or servants; otherwise, they become mobs, refugees, or disaster victims.

Although some powerful figures in counties and townships were not as mad as Xue Zheng.

However, the family-based system, combined with local officials and clerks, has made life like hell for the common people, making it difficult for them to survive.

Shen Nian wanted to use this incident to gradually reverse the situation and let these corrupt officials and powerful figures know the price of forming cliques, deceiving the court, and harming the people.

(End of this chapter)