I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 238 Counterattack! Shen Nian: I suggest using Grand Secretary Zhang as a scapegoat.

On the 21st day of the twelfth lunar month, at midnight (12:00 AM).

The Northern Garrison Command's office was brightly lit.

The garrison commander Cao Wei, the chief officials of the three judicial departments, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, the officials on duty of the six ministries, and a host of criminal officials all gathered in the front hall.

Not a single person felt sleepy.

A quarter of an hour ago, Feng Bao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, relayed an oral edict from the young Wanli Emperor.

If the perpetrator cannot be found by midnight on the 25th of the twelfth lunar month, all civil and military officials in charge of the case and those responsible for guarding the capital will be suspended from their duties and given fifty strokes of the cane.

The murderer first killed the foreign envoy, then insulted Confucian orthodoxy, and then killed the eunuch to provoke the imperial power.

If they are allowed to remain at large, the imperial court will lose face immensely.

In the future, many petty traitors and rebels may use this method to stir up trouble in the capital and challenge the authority of the imperial court.

Currently, the difficulty in this case lies in the fact that the murderer's three killings are unrelated and seem to be intended to provoke the imperial court.

If the murderer then chooses to kill some nameless clerks or eunuchs or throw a dead dog in front of a government office, it will be impossible to prevent, and will cause even greater panic among the people of the capital.

At this time.

A physician from the Ministry of War spoke up: "Gentlemen, I believe the murderer's actions are very much in line with the style of the Tumans. They hate the Anda tribe, hence the killing of Baji. They have repeatedly invaded our northern border and have been wiped out by us. Therefore, they are trying to save face through this assassination, hoping to force us to negotiate peace with them. Combined with the news from the trade envoy that Tuman spies have entered the capital, and the fact that this method of attack is exactly what the Tumans, who have long been hunting in the wild, are good at, I believe the murderer must be a Tuman..."

“That’s possible. Besides, if the Siamese delegation was really made up of Siamese merchants in disguise, they might have been hired by the local barbarians. Siamese merchants will do anything for money, and they were able to kill Baji through inside-outside cooperation,” an official chimed in.

"I suggest that we should focus our attention on the Siamese delegation right now, arrest them all, and interrogate them one by one!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Qing, the Minister of Justice, frowned slightly and said, "Where is the evidence? Are we going to arrest the entire delegation without any evidence? The Court of State Ceremonial has already sent people to verify the authenticity of the Siamese delegation. They will definitely be able to confirm the truth within a month, but by then it will be too late. If we force them to confess, they will absolutely not admit it, because admitting it would be a capital offense. Not only will they not confess, but it will also allow their accomplices outside the Southern Meeting Hall to hide, making this case even more difficult to investigate. This is the worst possible strategy."

"Sigh!" Cao Wei sighed deeply and said, "The most frustrating thing right now is that we don't have a single clue. If we could find even one person, we could follow the trail and find all the murderers!"

The Embroidered Uniform Guards were masters at following clues and uncovering the truth.

Within the capital, finding someone is easy, but the murderer in this case left no clues. In addition, the increased flow of people in the capital during the year-end season greatly increased the workload of the investigation.

At this moment, Chen Kai, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, spoke up: "I think we should solve the problem by following the most likely scenario we can imagine."

“Let’s assume that the murderers were the local barbarians, and let’s assume that the Siamese delegation was hired by them. Then the fact that they traveled all the way to the capital couldn’t possibly be just to annoy us. They must have a bigger goal!”

A senior official from the Dali Temple stepped forward and said, "If I were a Tuman, I would go to great lengths to have people impersonate members of the Siamese delegation. I would not be satisfied with just killing a few nameless people. I would definitely assassinate an official who poses a great threat to the Tuman tribe and then frame the Siamese delegation for it!"

“That makes sense! The barbarians’ strategy of using war to force peace is not going to work. In addition, we have been isolating them. They might be trying to solve the problem through assassination!”

Swish!
At that moment, the same figure appeared in the minds of everyone in the hall.

Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng.

The Tuman tribes repeatedly invaded the border but were retaliated against, mainly due to Zhang Juzheng's foreign policy and the presence of two great generals, Li Chengliang and Qi Jiguang.

If Zhang Juzheng were assassinated, on the one hand, the Ming Dynasty would collapse, and on the other hand, Li Chengliang and Qi Jiguang would inevitably be transferred away.

This is exactly what the Tuman tribes love to do.

At present, assassinating Zhang Juzheng is the only shortcut for the Tuman tribe to survive and grow stronger.

Everyone's thinking became much clearer, and the more they thought about it, the more they felt that this conjecture might be the truth.

"Could it be...could it be...their ultimate goal is to assassinate Grand Secretary Zhang? Even if they had the guts, they wouldn't have the chance!" someone said.

Grand Secretary Zhang rarely went out; he spent his days either in the Forbidden City or in his residence.

The defenses were so tight that the other side had no chance at all.

Cao Wei's expression was somber.

"Perhaps the person they've always wanted to assassinate is Grand Secretary Zhang, but they just haven't found the opportunity yet. However, there will be two more opportunities coming up."

Cao Wei had barely finished speaking.

An official from the Ministry of Rites then said, "There will be one opportunity during Grand Secretary Zhang's inspection tour of the southern suburbs the day after tomorrow, and another opportunity at the luncheon on New Year's Day."

At the end of the year, there will be a sacrificial ceremony in the southern suburbs. As the chief minister, Zhang Juzheng should, according to custom, go to inspect it the day after tomorrow. This time, even with a large number of guards, he will be exposed in the wilderness and easily assassinated.

In addition, at the New Year's Day lunch banquet.

As was customary, Zhang Juzheng would clink glasses with envoys from various countries.

If a fake Siamese envoy were to suddenly attack Zhang Juzheng, it would be impossible to defend against.

At this moment, everyone felt they were getting closer and closer to the truth.

The local barbarians, one inside and one outside, were plotting an assassination at the New Year's Day lunch banquet, while the other, hiding in the capital, was plotting an assassination during an inspection tour of the southern suburbs.

If the court had not received intelligence about the entry of Tuman people and had not been suspicious of the Siamese delegation.

After they succeeded, they could even pin the blame on the Siamese.

The Tuman people are incredibly wild; they are willing to fight one-for-one in battle. As for how they persuaded the Siamese to fight for them, there may be other ways.

At this moment, the hall fell silent.

All of this was just speculation without any evidence, but everyone felt that this speculation resolved all their questions.

The assassin's motives, purpose, reasons for disguise, etc., are all traceable, forming a closed loop.

After a moment of silence, Cao Wei turned to Lu Hai, a member of the Imperial Guard standing beside him, and said, "Lu Hai, immediately send more men to guard Grand Secretary Zhang, and bring all the bows, crossbows, and firearms!"

At this time, Shen Nian stood up.

"I also think this conjecture is reasonable. However, I don't recommend increasing the number of people protecting Grand Secretary Zhang. Right now, there must be someone secretly watching everything he does. Suddenly increasing the number of people might make them feel that it is difficult to carry out the mission and cancel it. I suggest leaving some loopholes so that they think this is a golden opportunity. In addition, lift the ban on the South Meeting Hall and allow the people inside to have contact with the people outside. In this way, as long as they show their faces, we can follow the clues and catch them all in one fell swoop!"

Shen Nian's meaning is simple: use Zhang Juzheng as bait!
Minister of Justice Yan Qing curled his lip and said, "Ziheng, we must not allow Grand Secretary Zhang to be in danger!"

Shen Nian looked at Cao Wei.

"Whether Grand Secretary Zhang is in danger does not depend on whether we reveal any flaws, but on whether the Embroidered Uniform Guard can completely protect Grand Secretary Zhang's safety from the shadows. If not, then let's wait and see!"

"Yes!" Cao Wei said, raising his voice.

"Having suffered such a humiliating disgrace, we must take the initiative this time to determine whether this conjecture is true. If the conjecture is wrong, we still have time to adjust. If we wait until New Year's Day, I'm afraid our Great Ming will lose all face at the New Year's Day court assembly!"

“Alright, I’ll go and report to Grand Secretary Zhang!” Shen Nian said.

……

Half an hour later, around dawn, Shen Nian walked out of the Northern Garrison.

At this moment, on all the main streets of the capital.

The guards, soldiers, and clerks from various government offices were either on guard duty or on patrol.

They were extremely angry.

If they can't catch the assassins before the New Year, they won't even be able to keep their jobs, let alone celebrate the New Year.

At this moment, every dog ​​that shows its face on the street is likely to get slapped and then interrogated. ...

After dozing off for a while at the Hanlin Academy, Shen Nian went directly to the Grand Secretariat to find Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng quickly agreed to Shen Nian's request. He believed in the capabilities of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and was eager to resolve the matter.

After a while.

Wang Xijue, emerging from the Forbidden City, went straight to the Southern Meeting Hall and announced the lifting of the ban, allowing the three delegations to freely sell goods under the rules set by the Ministry of Rites.

Front hall of the South Meeting Hall.

The Ryukyu envoy, Mori, and the Siamese envoy, Rama, both wore smiles.

"Minister Wang, why was the ban suddenly lifted? Could it be that the real culprit has been caught?" Rama asked.

Wang Xijue curled his lip.

"The real culprit has not yet been caught, but... but... it has been confirmed that the real culprit is not from the Nantong Association, so the ban is meaningless. For the benefit of all the delegations, His Majesty has specially issued an edict to lift the ban."

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty!" The two bowed in unison.

Wang Xijue added, “Although the ban has been lifted, you still cannot run around. Be careful. The day after tomorrow, I will accompany Grand Secretary Zhang to the southern suburbs to inspect the sacrificial rites. You may not be able to find me. If you have any important matters, just go directly to the Ministry of Rites to inquire.”

"Alas! Inspecting the southern suburbs is a tough job. The Embroidered Uniform Guards are all busy catching thieves. I can only ask the clerks of the Ministry of Rites to arrange things. You all rest first. I'll take my leave!"

Wang Xijue deliberately said this in a complaining tone.

He believed that if Rama intended to assassinate Zhang Juzheng, he would definitely send someone to investigate whether Zhang Juzheng's guards had changed from the Embroidered Uniform Guard to clerks from the Ministry of Rites.

The clerks of the Ministry of Rites were far less capable of protecting their children than the Embroidered Uniform Guard!
At that moment, when the deputy envoy of the Siamese delegation, Dhammachai, who was hiding in the back, heard these words, his eyes couldn't help but gleam.

What Rama and Dharmachai didn't know was that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had already placed them under surveillance, and any contact with the outside world or unusual actions by any of them would be discovered.

Tracking targets after they have been locked on is a specialty of the Ming Dynasty's Embroidered Uniform Guard.

……

On the 21st day of the twelfth lunar month, until late at night, no one from the Siamese delegation made any move, and no one left the South Meeting Hall.

However, early the next morning.

Both the Siamese and Ryukyu delegations had members who left the Nanhuitongguan, and the number was quite large, more than ten people.

Some people went straight to shops, some went straight to restaurants, and some rode in carriages around the hutongs of the capital several times before heading to a hidden brothel.

At this moment, the skilled Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) had tracked them down without missing a single one.

The Imperial Guards were also seething with anger. In the past, they were incredibly arrogant, but they never expected to be completely outmaneuvered by recent events, leaving them all in a sorry state.

If the young Wanli Emperor were to doubt their ability to protect him, they would most likely have to take off their official robes.

Near dusk.

The deputy envoy of the Siamese delegation, Damochai, left the Nanhuiguan and then rode in a carriage for about half an hour around the capital before turning into an alley.

Before long, a man dressed as a merchant strolled around the alley, then looked around and, finding no one, quickly climbed into the carriage.

All of this was observed by the two Imperial Guards, who considered it an important discovery.

Inside the carriage.

"Boss, you're finally out! You're living the high life at the Daming Inn, while we brothers have to hide in the suburbs after dark to avoid inspections!"

"Stop complaining, listen to me!"

"Tomorrow, that old scoundrel Zhang Juzheng will be inspecting the Temple of Heaven in the southern suburbs. I have reliable information that most of his guards are clerks from the Ministry of Rites. If you find an opportunity, lead your brothers to kill him. If we can kill him, I won't have to do it myself at the New Year's Day lunch banquet. We can even leave the capital with that group of Siamese merchants on the third day of the month. After leaving the capital, we can kill them, seize their money, and then leave the Ming Dynasty immediately. As for who the real culprit is, let those people in the Ming Dynasty guess! Maybe, once the Siamese merchants' disguise as envoys is exposed, the Ming Dynasty and Siam might even go to war!"

Damochai's tone was full of arrogance and pride.

"Alright, brothers, we've been waiting impatiently. Killing these small fry is pointless. Only by killing Zhang Juzheng will our clan chief reward us handsomely, and only then can we become heroes of the tribe!"

"If we can't kill them, we must make a safe retreat. If any brothers are injured, kill them if you can, and leave no survivors!"

"understand!"

……

About fifteen minutes later, the man dressed as a merchant got off the carriage and quickly left.

The deputy envoy of the Siamese mission, Damochai, took a horse-drawn carriage and drank a bowl of mutton soup at a mutton soup restaurant before leisurely returning to the Nan Hui Tong Guan.

All of this could not escape the eyes of the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

The two were now completely under the watchful eyes of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

……

On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, near the fourth watch, in the front hall of the Northern Garrison Command.

On a huge screen, several large sheets of paper were pasted, and on these sheets, according to Shen Nian's coordinate system, with the forbidden area as the center, the movement trajectories of eight people had been drawn.

Among them, the name of the Siamese delegation's deputy envoy, Dhammachai, was highlighted.

His conversations with strangers on the carriage were most likely about assigning tasks or exchanging intelligence.

After Zhang Juzheng went to the southern suburbs, the Embroidered Uniform Guards would keep a close eye on these eight people and everyone who had contact with them.

As soon as they make a move, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will immediately wipe them out and surround the residence where the Siamese delegation is staying.

……

Around dawn, as the sky began to brighten, Zhang Juzheng had already set off for the southern suburbs.

The officials of the Northern Garrison Command waited anxiously.

If the other side attacks Zhang Juzheng, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will wipe them out in one fell swoop, and everyone can have a good New Year.

If nothing unexpected happens, everyone is going to have a tough year.

At this moment, Cao Wei is under the most pressure.

Although he assured that the Embroidered Uniform Guard could protect Zhang Juzheng's safety, unexpected things could happen. If Zhang Juzheng were to be in real danger, the Ming Dynasty would truly collapse.

Cao Wei placed two Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) posing as clerks from the Ministry of Rites next to Zhang Juzheng.

These two Imperial Guards were of average combat ability, but they were able to shield Zhang Juzheng from swords and arrows at the first moment. As long as they could block the first wave of sneak attacks, they could protect Zhang Juzheng's safety.

Shen Nian was also a little uneasy.

He was pondering what to do with these people if his suspicions were true, as killing them would be letting them off too easily.

Shen Nian intended to use these murderers to punish the Tuman tribe and make all foreigners understand: the Ming Dynasty cannot be deceived, not even a eunuch or a dog.

(End of this chapter)