Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 151 Refusal to Team Up with Xia Yan on the Case (Third Update)
"Young Master Yan!"

Yan Shifan and Zhao Wenhua, leading a large group of people, arrived at the Ministry of Justice prison in a grand procession, when they heard a somewhat familiar voice.

The reason I'm familiar with him is because his voice is truly pleasant; it's rare to find someone whose voice alone can give you a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.

He turned his head and saw that it was indeed Xia Yan, a supervising secretary of the Ministry of Justice.

"Yuanzhi, you take the men in first."

As fellow officials of the Ministry of Justice and fellow Jiangxi natives, Yan Shifan felt he should give Zhao Wenhua some face. He greeted him and stopped to wait for Xia Yan.

Xia Yan stepped forward and frowned as he watched those people, who were clearly ordinary citizens, being hastily led into the prison. "What's going on here?"

Yan Shifan said, "These people are here to identify the murderer."

Xia Yan reacted quickly, and after a slight pause, she showed surprise: "You brought the people of Dengcao Hutong here to identify Hao, the death row inmate in the adultery and murder case?"

"Yes."

Yan Shifan nodded.

Xia Yan was somewhat moved, gazing intently at the young man as if seeing him for the first time: "Are you going all in, prepared to investigate regardless of the consequences?"

Yan Shifan asked in surprise, "So even Xia, the Supervising Secretary, knows about this?"

"How many people do you think can be kept in the dark about those thieves' deeds?"

Xia Yan said calmly, "I already know that someone used the execution of the Zhang brothers to transfer many old cases that are difficult to talk about to the Zhang brothers. Now that Tang Muruo, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, has been convicted of an old case, those involved will not get away with it! Especially at this critical moment when Chief Minister Zhang is rectifying the administration, no one dares to risk being dismissed from the capital. They can only do their best to protect him!"

'This man is formidable; no wonder he dares to oppose the newly powerful figures of the Great Rites Controversy!'

Yan Shifan was taken aback. He had thought that this man had gained the emperor's favor because of his outstanding appearance and voice, but he had not expected him to be such a hidden talent.

He had captured the key prisoner, Hao Shi, which forced Tang Mu to reveal part of the truth to him as a form of blackmail. How did Xia Yan learn about this?
Yan Shifan became serious, exchanged a few more perfunctory words, cupped his hands in greeting, and walked towards the Ministry of Justice's prison.

Xia Yan didn't mind and followed him in.

He is now a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Justice, and has the responsibility of supervising the Ministry of Justice, so he can come and go as he pleases.

While the conversation was taking place outside, the identification process inside had already begun.

Haiyue did not simply and crudely ask the neighbors of Dengcao Hutong to identify Hao Shi. Instead, she had the jailer bring several female prisoners, including some from Sichuan, and placed Hao Shi among them before starting the identification process.

"It's her! It's her!"

"She often hangs the laundry out to dry, leaning out halfway to exchange glances with the men downstairs. I would never mistake her for someone else!"

"That vicious woman wasn't beheaded? Poor Zhao Bao, he was a good man, and he died such a tragic death!"

Yan Shifan and Xia Yan watched as the people lined up and filed in, each pointing at Hao Shi, who was hiding her head in the ground, and making accusations with eyes wide open.

They might not necessarily have a deep affection for the shoemaker Zhao Bao, but the shock of seeing this vicious woman who murdered her husband, who had been executed in the West Market, now appearing unharmed before them was too great. Their inherent sense of justice was aroused, and seeing the crowd's agitated expressions, they wished they could tear her apart alive.

Hao collapsed to the ground, all her last shred of hope vanishing completely.

Xia Yan's eyes lit up at this novel and effective method. He then looked at Hai Yue, who was giving orders with composure, and stepped forward to bow: "I am Xia Yan, courtesy name Gongjin. I have long admired the name of Detective Hai. Meeting you today, I can see that your reputation is well-deserved!"

Haiyue noticed that Yan Shifan had brought in a handsome middle-aged man, unaware that this was Xia Yan. Upon hearing this, she immediately returned the greeting: "I was unaware that you, Xia Jushizhong, were here. I have been negligent. I dare not accept the title of Detective. Please address me as Xia Jushizhong with your esteemed presence."

Given their ages, it's not surprising that Haiyue was so humble.

However, it was his last sentence that made Xia Yan's eyes flicker.

After all, it was a title bestowed by the emperor. Even though Jiajing was always amiable when lecturing, he never showed such appreciation. For an eighteen-year-old boy to have such glory is truly enviable.

Yan Shifan was arrogant and frivolous. He became restless and impatient with the slightest power. Xia Yan originally looked down on such a person, but he was surprised that he was willing to go to such lengths to seek the truth. He couldn't help but look at him with new respect.

Haiyue, having risen from a remote place like Hainan to the capital and attained her current status, deserves even greater respect.

Xia Yan composed himself and said, "I already know the details of the case. I'm here to discuss it with Mingwei."

Haiyue adopted a listening expression: "Please enlighten me, Xia."

"This case must not be tolerated!"

Xia Yan's words seemed to be blunt and outspoken: "Tang Mu, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Yao Jingyang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, must have been involved and their crimes are unforgivable. It is unknown how much Zhang Run, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Xiao Zhen, the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, were involved, but it is impossible for them to be completely unaware. At the very least, they knew but failed to report it, and they should all be convicted and punished. As for those who colluded with them, they should also be severely punished!"

Haiyue remained calm and listened attentively.

"If you're worried about involving too many people, I'm willing to step in and have a clear discussion with them!"

Xia Yan said, "I know that many people are worried that the new elites of the Great Rites Controversy, especially Chief Minister Zhang, will take advantage of the situation to eliminate dissidents and start another major purge! Since the Heaven and Earth Sacrifice last year, I have been impeached no less than twenty times. The enmity between us is no secret. If I step forward, I may be able to persuade those ministers who have not committed serious crimes to stop participating in this turmoil. If they have a repentant heart, His Majesty will be lenient!" Hai Yue had also thought of this method, but he could not use it because he was not qualified or old enough.

Xia Yan is indeed a suitable candidate. This next powerful chief minister of the Jiajing era may have a much lower bottom line than Zhang Cong. For example, he wrote Qingci (a type of Taoist prayer) to cater to the increasingly obsessed Jiajing Emperor, and was known as the Qingci Prime Minister. However, his governing ability is absolutely beyond question.

To reiterate, Emperor Jiajing had a good eye for choosing his chief ministers. Even Yan Song didn't rise to power by simply having no principles. He was among the capable officials who were willing to flatter the emperor without limit. Without certain prerequisites, he wouldn't have succeeded.

Xia Yan's intentions at this moment were quite clear.

Join forces to solve cases and share information!
Xia Yan is still a newcomer, and his current position is only a seventh-rank official. He is not opposed to joining forces with the Yixin Society, after all, there are two Hanlin compilers, Xu Jie and Zhao Shichun, in the society!

However, after a moment's thought, Haiyue shook her head: "Xia, the censor, is courageous and magnanimous, which is admirable. We appreciate your kindness."

This means rejection.

Xia Yan asked, puzzled: "I will persuade the other officials, and you will finalize the case file and solidify the irrefutable evidence, leaving no room for the Tang father and son to make excuses. This is all to relieve His Majesty's worries. Do you have any questions?"

Haiyue said, "We have no right to interfere with what Secretary Xia does. However, we will only do our job well and not be influenced by external factors. If we get too involved, we will lose our pure heart. Please forgive us."

"Very well! I'm relieved that you can truly remain steadfast and unmoved! Farewell!"

Xia Yan frowned, clearly displeased, and turned to leave without hesitation.

Zhao Wenhua's eyes flickered, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Yan Shifan then came to his side and chuckled softly, "Yuanzhi, isn't it strange that Mingwei refused Xia, the censor? Ever since the incident of the Heaven and Earth Dividing Sacrifice, he has been quite favored by His Majesty. Why not take this opportunity to establish a good relationship?"

Zhao Wenhua did indeed have this question, but he was too afraid to ask. Upon hearing this, he said, "Please enlighten me, Brother Donglou!"

Yan Shifan solemnly said, "Of course, it's because the way to solve cases values ​​purity, and the key to doing things wholeheartedly lies in loyalty! We must remember the words of the leader, and even more importantly, we must remember that the one who is truly loyal is His Majesty, not Xia Yan who has gained His Majesty's favor... Loyalty!!"

He suddenly shouted, startling Zhao Wenhua.

Why are you yelling so loudly?

Oh, I was the one who shouted it first!

Hai Yue ignored the two men, unfolded the case file, and personally picked up her pen: "Let's begin! Let the victims rest in peace, and seek justice for the innocent. Justice has come too late; we cannot let it be absent any longer!"

……

at the same time.

Zhu Houcong picked up the envelope again, his gaze falling on the eight characters. His fingertips gently traced the surface of the paper, feeling the undulations of the ink, and a slight smile appeared on his lips: "Beautiful calligraphy!"

He already had a clear understanding of the developments in the case that Yan Song had just reported.

The secret society has not been uncovered so far because the group's actions are indeed secretive. But for the officials under his command in the capital to think they can hide it from him is truly wishful thinking. Both the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the eunuchs' spies have reported in detail the secret collusion between these officials in the past few days.

This includes threats against the Yixin Society and enticements offered to the Yan family.

Zhu Houcong waited to see how this group of people would react.

Yan Song's determination now pleased him, and he also discovered a positive aspect of him.

Yan Song's calligraphy was truly excellent.

The brushstrokes are sharp as knives, yet subtly rounded; they possess both sharpness and restraint.

These eight characters were written with exceptional solemnity, as if each stroke carried immense weight.

Zhu Houcong savored it carefully.

The characters for "poverty and integrity" are written with a lean and firm stroke, like a pine tree standing in the snow. When the character reaches the point of fearing the laws of nature, it suddenly becomes restrained, with the brushstrokes hidden within, containing reverence.

Zhu Houcong tapped the words "Heavenly Principles" with his fingertip.

Preserve the principles of Heaven and extinguish human desires.

The Neo-Confucian school of thought?
Do not!
He saw that Yan Song was taking the opportunity to express his unwavering loyalty to the emperor.

This Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was reliable in his work, never formed cliques, and was not greedy for money. He truly seemed like a minister who "only feared the principles of Heaven."

Zhu Houcong said, "Bring that jade seal inscribed with 'Loyalty, Diligence, and Integrity' and bestow it upon Vice Minister Yan..."

"Yes!"

Huang Jin, who was standing by the side, received the decree and knew that another minister who had gained the emperor's favor had been born. However, the emperor's next words made his heart tighten: "Tell him that as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, he has an inescapable responsibility to rectify officialdom and should not show any leniency to his subordinates!"

(End of this chapter)