Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 146 Jiajing: How will he react to my unwavering loyalty? (First Update)
"Are Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling, those two traitors, dead or alive?"

"Your Majesty, there is absolutely no way the two Zhangs could have been replaced; the executioners have already verified their identities..."

"You've all seen those two people before. I'm asking you, were the dead Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling?"

"We were behind the execution table at the time, so we couldn't see clearly, but the execution process was absolutely flawless..."

Yao Jingyang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Zhang Run, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Tang Mu, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Xiao Zhen, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, knelt on the cold floor tiles and answered tremblingly.

Zhu Houcong looked at them coldly, his eyes flashing with a chilling light.

Why did Zhu Houcong treat Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling, who were nominally the emperor's brothers-in-law, so cruelly?

It's not that they're truly acting in the people's best interests, or that good and evil are rewarded accordingly. There are three main reasons for this.

Firstly, he deeply resented the Zhang family. Empress Dowager Zhang had made them kneel and humiliated them repeatedly, and still maintained her sense of superiority as a holy empress dowager. The two sides had a long-standing feud.

Secondly, regarding the case of the Princess's residence, the thief caused Princess Yongchun to fall into a coma and lured Empress Dowager Jiang out of the palace with the intention of assassinating her. Regardless of the true purpose behind the scenes, such a heinous act requires the punishment of a sufficiently heavy number of criminals in order to appease the public.

In the end, the Zhang brothers, with their reputations ruined, were executed in the marketplace. This not only won them popular support but also intimidated officials, thus promoting the reform of the bureaucracy.

It can be said that, aside from the Zhang brothers, there are many benefits.

As for the harm...

Naturally, it earned them a harsh reputation.

But Zhu Houcong really didn't care.

The Confucian orthodoxy was meant to govern the people, not to restrain the emperor. When he was eighteen, he decisively killed the official who was crying and remonstrating at Zuoshun Gate, and he fully understood this principle.

What he wanted was the consolidation of imperial power, the prosperity of the country, to be remembered in history, to be a restorer of the dynasty, and to let future generations know that it was the great fortune of the Ming Dynasty that Emperor Wuzong had no son and that he, a prince, was the one to inherit the throne!
However, after the Zhang brothers died, their goal was not achieved, and instead, unexpected twists and turns occurred.

Within just over ten days, not only among the common people, but even within the palace, people were talking about how the two imperial brothers-in-law who were executed in the West Market were actually not dead. They were said to have been imposters, and that the real ones had left the capital and found a secluded place to continue their tyrannical rule.

The eunuch who spread rumors in the palace was quickly caught and his mouth was beaten black and blue. But after several interrogations, he admitted that he had heard gossip outside the palace and couldn't help but gossip about it when he returned, which led to the rumors spreading quickly.

Zhu Houcong was furious and immediately summoned the four officials who had been executed in the West Market that day for questioning.

Seeing His Majesty's gaze grow increasingly cold, Zhang Run, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, was the first to break down: "Your Majesty, I believe the most urgent task is to investigate the source of these rumors!"

Tang Mu, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, hurriedly said, "This matter has spread so quickly; I fear there are treacherous individuals stirring up trouble behind the scenes!"

Zhu Houcong looked at Xiao Zhen, the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard: "What do you think, Minister Xiao?"

Xiao Zhen frowned inwardly. This task was indeed going to fall to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He slowly said, "Your Majesty, I believe that there is no smoke without fire. Is there some hidden reason behind the story of faking death to escape?"

After he finished speaking, he deliberately turned his head to look at the Vice Minister of Justice next to him.

When Yao Jingyang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, sensed the gaze, his expression changed instantly, and his whole body tensed up.

As expected, Zhu Houcong said, "In your opinion, the substitution of death row inmates has happened before in the capital, which is why the people believe it this time? Minister Yao, please speak!"

Yao Jingyang trembled: "This matter... this old minister is unaware of... this old minister was only transferred to the Ministry of Justice before the New Year!"

He originally intended to say that it was absolutely impossible, but changed his mind at the last minute. Although this inevitably left him with an impression of mediocrity, it also shifted the blame to someone else.

Xiao Zhen, however, did not let it go: "The three judicial departments have always shared information when handling cases. If the Ministry of Justice is unaware, then there's also the Censorate and the Court of Judicial Review..."

The other two men's expressions also changed drastically. Zhang Run, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, immediately said, "Your Majesty, our Censorate has always upheld justice and enforced the law impartially. How can we tolerate such a rebellious act? The truth will be revealed, and the sun and moon can bear witness!"

Whether they are the ones who are clean or not, whether the corrupt ones are the Embroidered Uniform Guard, is unknown.

Seeing the four men begin to shift blame onto each other, Zhu Houcong's eyes grew increasingly cold, and he couldn't help but wonder if someone would actually dare to defy the odds and rescue the two Zhangs.

If this were to happen, the authority of the imperial court would be greatly damaged, and it might even be exploited by those with ulterior motives to incite popular uprisings.

If the new policy fails, not only will the gentry whose land was seized want to protect their interests, but the officials who were idle and incompetent will also resist the reform. In the end, it will become the people's opposition. What a high-sounding reason!
"Go back!"

The argument continued in his ears. Zhu Houcong was furious, but his face slowly returned to calm as he waved his hand.

"Yes!"

The three officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review hurriedly stood up to receive the imperial decree. Xiao Zhen, from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, vaguely felt that he had done something foolish, but there was nothing he could do but leave together.

"What time is it?"

Zhu Houcong composed himself and spoke again.

"Your Majesty, Scholar Xia is about to give a lecture at the Wenhua Hall!"

"Show off!"

Last October, Xia Yan was not only responsible for compiling the rites for the suburban sacrifices, but was also promoted to Attendant Reader and lectured on classics and history before the Emperor. Such honor for a lowly Attendant was the envy of many court officials, and even the newly powerful figures in the Grand Rites Controversy were very wary.

When Zhu Houcong arrived at the Wenhua Hall, he saw Xia Yan already standing outside the hall with his hands at his sides.

This man had a lean face, sharp eyebrows, and bright, piercing eyes. Although he was over forty, he still maintained the handsome features of a young man. However, the few fine lines at the corners of his eyes only added to his mature charm.

"Your subject Xia Yan greets Your Majesty!"

What Zhu Houcong liked most was the other person's voice—unhurried, clear, and melodious, like jade striking jade.

"come in!"

The two entered the hall, and Xia Yan walked seven steps in front of the emperor and performed a grand salute according to etiquette.

"Rise, Minister Xia. Today, please explain the Hong Fan chapter of the Book of Documents to me."

"Yes!"

Xia Yan rose and walked slowly toward the specially set-up lecture seat on the left side of the imperial desk. His steps were steady, his clothes fluttering lightly, and each step was just right, without any sense of haste or sluggishness.

Tea, water, and writing materials were prepared at the lecture hall, and Xia Yan took his seat and began his lecture.

His performance in the imperial examinations was not ideal, but that did not mean he had not been immersed in the classics. At this time, he connected the concepts of the Five Elements, Five Affairs, and Eight Policies in the Hong Fan with the current political situation. Sometimes he quoted the words of the sages, and sometimes he combined them with examples from the current dynasty, explaining the profound meaning of the classics in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

What is most commendable is that, unlike those old ministers who were exhausted and full of energy at the beginning but quickly ran out of steam, Xia Yan's explanation lasted for nearly an hour, and his voice remained clear and bright, without any sign of fatigue.

Zhu Houcong didn't really care about the content. After years of ruling, he had figured out his own way of governing the world. The so-called lectures on classics and history in front of the emperor were mainly to win over the hearts of the scholars and officials and to put on a show for outsiders.

But he truly loved Xia Yan's voice. Every time he listened to it, he felt all his fatigue and worries disappear: "Today, listening to your explanation, you are so knowledgeable and insightful. I have benefited greatly."

Xia Yan quickly stood up and bowed: "Your Majesty, I am but a humble subject, and I am honored by Your Majesty's kindness. I will do my utmost."

Zhu Houcong relaxed and felt much more comfortable. Looking at this newly favored minister, he suddenly asked, "Have you heard about the story of Zhang Ni's substitution?"

Xia Yan said, "I have heard some of these things, but I find them quite absurd."

Zhu Houcong raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What's your opinion?"

Xia Yan said, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review are working together to handle this case. They will never allow the culprits to be switched. The two Zhangs will undoubtedly be the ones who die! However, we cannot allow such rumors to spread and shake the prestige of the court. We must find out who is behind this and why the people believe such rumors so easily!"

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly.

He had previously asked those four guys whether Zhang Erzhang was dead or alive. They were all present at the scene, yet they didn't dare to give him a definite answer. But Xia Yan dared to make such a statement and take responsibility. In just a few words, the difference in their abilities was immediately apparent.

Zhu Houcong was very pleased, feeling that he had not misjudged the person: "Minister Xia, would you be willing to investigate this matter?"

Xia Yan's heart skipped a beat, and he replied without hesitation, "Your Majesty, I am willing to share your burdens!"

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly: "In that case, I hereby appoint you as a Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Justice to oversee cases within the Ministry of Justice!"

Xia Yan was slightly taken aback, then lowered his head to accept the order, feeling a little disappointed.

He was originally very popular because His Majesty had given him the opportunity to perform, and his position should be able to be promoted.

Although he has now obtained the position of Attendant Reader, his original post is still Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, which is a rather lowly position. Moreover, he is not young anymore, and if he does not rise to prominence now, he will never have another chance. Of course, he longs for an official position.

Unexpectedly, he remained a Censor-in-Chief, only transferred from the Ministry of Personnel to the Ministry of Justice.

Although the position of the Secretary is lowly but powerful, and they are able to supervise the Six Ministries, their rank is ultimately too low. Shouldn't such an important case be handled with a higher rank and more power?

Or perhaps, Your Majesty is not satisfied with what you just said?

Zhu Houcong watched Xia Yan leave, quite satisfied.

What he wanted was for his subjects to be anxious about gains and losses, so that when they actually received his promotion, they would be overjoyed and develop genuine respect and loyalty.

This method of managing subordinates is almost always effective, except for…

Zhu Houcong suddenly thought of the Yixin Society.

Precisely because of the uproar over the disbandment, he began to pay special attention to this impromptu school.

Every move of the Imperial College's Yixin Hall was under his watchful eye. The number of people was still too small. Even if he preferred to have fewer but better people, nine people were still not enough.

Fortunately, they finally realized they were promoting their own people. However, they were still taking small steps. It was normal for a compiler in the Hanlin Academy to be transferred to a principal position in one of the Six Ministries. Even the Ministry of Rites was not a big deal. How could they show the emperor's favor by being so cautious?
Now that two cases of feigned death have emerged, Zhu Houcong's interest has been piqued again. He summoned the eunuch in charge of liaison and asked, "Go to the Imperial Academy and see if the Yixin Society has any reaction to this?"

When giving the order, Zhu Houcong did not have much hope. However, when the eunuch entered again, he reported: "Your Majesty, Yixin will investigate the truth of an old case, which involves the replacement of death row inmates and the bathing of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. The suspect in the old case has been sent to the Shuntian Prefecture."

Zhu Houcong, who was leaning against the couch, had just opened Journey to the West when he suddenly straightened up: "What?"

(End of this chapter)