I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

Hurala!

The soldiers and constables guarding the door rushed in after them.

However, all of these people stood at the door, and none of them dared to go forward.

The atmosphere in the room was tense; no one dared to speak or make any rash moves.

Zhang Bingwen slowly stood up, his face grim, and said, "May I ask who you are?"

"Tian Dunji, Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

"Tian Dunji, hehe, no... cough, cough cough!"

He was about to say he'd never heard of it when he suddenly remembered something and immediately started coughing tactically.

There was once a Consort Tian in the palace. She was said to be slender and beautiful, and also very talented. She was deeply favored by Emperor Chongzhen.

According to the Ming Dynasty's custom of bestowing titles upon relatives of the emperor, Tian Hongyu, the emperor's father-in-law, was granted the titles of Left Commander-in-Chief and Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but these were merely honorary titles, meaning he received a salary but did not perform any actual duties.

This Tian Dunji is young and unknown, yet he is a high-ranking member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Could he be... the emperor's brother-in-law?

Thinking of this, a smile returned to his face, and he said, "The case is closed, and the compensation has been recovered. May I ask what brings you here tonight, Magistrate Tian?"

Tian Dunji didn't mince words, saying, "Please ask Prefect Xiong to return and assist in the investigation!"

"I'll investigate your mother!"

Xiong Hua couldn't hold back any longer and slammed his fist on the table.

"I'm warning you... don't go too far, you Imperial Guards!"

Tian Dunji remained expressionless and said, "Prefect Xiong, please cooperate!"

Xiong Hua glared angrily: "What if I don't cooperate?"

"Then don't blame me for being impolite. Men, take him away!"

"Let's see who dares to make a move!"

Xiong Hua took a step back, then looked at the constables at the door: "What are you all standing there for? Come forward!"

In an instant, tensions rose in the hall!

Both sides drew their swords simultaneously, their cold light illuminating the entire room.

"Back off! All of you, back off!"

Seeing this, Zhang Bingwen quickly reprimanded the constables and said, "Assistant Magistrate Tian, ​​let's sit down and talk things over. We are all officials appointed by the court; such a commotion will damage the court's reputation if word gets out!"

Tian Dunji remained unmoved, his face cold as he said, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard always handles cases strictly according to the law. Today, either Prefect Xiong comes with us, or..."

As he spoke, he glanced at the armed servants and runners: "Let's see whose blade is faster!"

"What a perfectly official business!"

Xiong Hua suddenly pushed aside the constables blocking his way, walked up to Tian Dunji, and said righteously, "I am the Prefect of Jinan, a fourth-rank official appointed by the imperial court! If Vice Commissioner Tian wants to arrest someone, I would like to ask if he has an imperial warrant signed by His Majesty?"

According to the Ming Dynasty's official code, the Embroidered Uniform Guard (Jinyiwei) had to present a warrant issued by the Ministry of Justice when interrogating officials of the fifth rank or above.

However, the Ministry of Justice is only responsible for issuing the documents and going through the motions; the only one who can actually make the decision is His Majesty the present!

This rule was established during the Jiajing era, and even when Wei Zhongxian held absolute power, he dared not openly violate it.

Unexpectedly, Tian Dunji gave a cold smile: "No driver's license, so what?"

"What...what did you say?"

Xiong Hua was taken aback at first, then laughed in fury, "Doesn't Magistrate Tian want to listen to what he's saying? You dare question a fourth-rank prefect without a warrant? Are you Imperial Guards plotting a rebellion? Such blatant disrespect for the court, is there no law left?"

Zhang Bingwen's expression also changed: "Assistant Magistrate Tian, ​​arresting people without a warrant is indeed against the rules..."

"You want rules, huh?"

Suddenly, Tian Dunji pulled out a gilded waist token from his pocket and slammed it onto the table.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is the Emperor's personal army, ordered by the Emperor to investigate all officials! If Prefect Xiong feels wronged, he can go to the Court of Judicial Review or the Censorate to appeal his case, or even go directly to His Majesty to file a petition!"

Xiong Hua's face turned ashen. He retorted, "Even if you are a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, you cannot be above the law! Back when Feng Bao was abusing his power, Lu Shude, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, said that arrests could not be made without a warrant from the Ministry of Justice. This is an ancestral rule!"

"Prefect Xiong has a good memory."

He sneered, then suddenly changed the subject: "Do you still remember what the laws of the Ming Dynasty say? Any official found guilty of corruption can be arrested and questioned immediately by the Embroidered Uniform Guard! Your ten thousand taels of local specialties are still sitting at the post station!"

These words were like a thunderclap, causing a stir throughout the room, and everyone gasped in shock.

Xiong Huaguan's back was covered in cold sweat, and he could only force a smile: "Is Magistrate Tian trying to frame me?"

Seeing the situation turning sour, Zhang Bingwen quickly tried to smooth things over: "Minister Tian, ​​please calm down. The case is now closed, and the criminals have been handed over. Even if Prefect Xiong was negligent, his crime doesn't warrant this..."

Tian Dunji coldly replied, "Whether Prefect Xiong failed in his duties will be determined once the truth of the case is revealed. The reason we are taking Prefect Xiong away today is because he bribed the imperial envoy and obstructed the investigation!"

Xiong Hua jumped up and down in a panic: "I didn't just send that silver all by myself..."

"shut up!"

Zhang Bingwen interrupted sharply and immediately dismissed all the servants and runners.

After everyone had left, he lowered his voice and said, "Minister Tian, ​​we're all officials in the same court, we'll see each other all the time, why make things so awkward?"

Tian Dunji remained unmoved: "Gentlemen, there's no need for further words. Today, Prefect Xiong must come with us!"

"Let's see who dares!"

At this moment, Liu Zeqing, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up.

Tian Dunji didn't even lift his eyelids: "Guards, take Prefect Xiong away!"

"Great! Excellent!"

Liu Zeqing laughed in fury, then said coldly, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard is so arrogant, do they think Shandong has no one to rely on? Today you dare to arrest Prefect Xiong, do you believe I'll make sure you don't leave Jinan alive!"

The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly upon hearing this.

Tian Dunji stared at Liu Zeqing for a long time, then suddenly chuckled: "Is General Liu planning a rebellion?"

"You son of a bitch, don't try to pin this on me!"

Liu Zeqing sneered, "I mean what I say. If you have the guts, arrest them! If not, take your men and get out of here. I can pretend nothing happened."

Xiong Hua finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Minister Tian, ​​it's best to be lenient when possible. Take your prisoners, their compensation, and local specialties back to the capital to report. Wouldn't that be better? Why make things so tense?"

After saying that, he turned around and prepared to sit back down.

Unexpectedly, Tian Dunji waved his hand and said, "Take it!"

Two captains stepped forward and, without saying a word, pinned Xiong Hua down.

Xiong Hua roared in fury, "Tian Qianshi, have you gone mad?"

Tian Dunji ignored him and stared straight at Liu Zeqing, saying, "I've arrested him, and he'll be leaving Jinan first thing tomorrow morning. Use whatever methods you have!"

After saying that, he turned around, kicked open the door, and strode away.

In the hotel rooms, only Zhang Bingwen and the others remained, looking at each other, bewildered in the wind.

After a while, the servants outside peeked inside and asked, "Master, what's going on?"

Zhang Bingwen scratched his head and said, "I don't know! They... are they crazy?"

"Damn it! I'm going back to get more troops right now, let's see if they dare to be so arrogant then!"

Liu Zeqing flew into a rage, kicking over the table, shattering bowls and plates all over the floor, with food and drinks flying everywhere.

Zeng Hualong then said, "General Liu, please calm down. This matter is extremely strange. Normally, the Embroidered Uniform Guard wouldn't be so bold!"

Liu Zeqing frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

"This matter..."

Zeng Hualong said with great concern, "This is clearly His Majesty's will!"