After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Chapter 127 Equal Distribution of Rain and Dew

The snow in Shanhaiguan has finally stopped.

With a cold face, Jiang Ji went to Commander Sun Gui's room.

Sun Gui was still drinking when suddenly a group of armored soldiers rushed in.

He shuddered in fright, and upon recognizing the visitor as Jiang Ji, asked blankly, "Marquis of Dingxi, what's going on?"

Jiang Ji walked straight up to him, pulled up a chair, and sat down.

His men immediately took Sun Gui's family away.

Sun Gui looked at his trembling concubine and said, "Marquis of Dingxi, I have followed you for so many years. Even if I haven't done anything meritorious, I have certainly worked hard. If you want to kill me, you must give me a reason!"

Jiang Ji took out a secret report and placed it in front of him.

Sun Gui took it with a puzzled look, glanced at it, and his expression changed drastically!

"This, this—smuggling military equipment to the Mongols, who did this?"

Jiang Ji asked, "Tell me the truth, are you involved in this?"

Sun Gui shook his head vigorously and said, "If you're talking about embezzling pay, I certainly did, but smuggling military equipment, especially to the Mongols, is something I would never do, even if you beat me to death! Don't forget how my son died in that battle of the twelfth year of Hongzhi's reign."

"I'd rather do business with Mongolians in my next life!"

Jiang Ji nodded: "Since you're not included, I'm relieved!"

Total 1

Sun Gui then asked, "What exactly happened?"

Jiang Ji said, "The matter has been thoroughly investigated. Over the years, Li Gong has smuggled a large amount of military equipment in Shanhaiguan, and even sold firearms to the Mongols!"

Sun Guiteng stood up abruptly, his eyes bloodshot.

Because his only son died from Mongol firearms.

He wondered at the time, where did the Mongols get their firearms?

Hearing Jiang Ji mention it today, my anger flared up instantly.

"That bastard, I'll kill him!"

"Don't rush!"

Jiang Ji held him down and said, "Thoroughly investigate all civil and military officials at Shanhaiguan, starting with those you trust. If anyone is involved in smuggling military equipment, whoever it is, punish them severely! As for Li Gong, I will personally arrest him and escort him to the capital!"

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the entire Shanhaiguan area was in chaos.

Zhu Houzhao and Yang Shen were drinking tea in the house, while Li Chun kept them updated on the latest developments.

"Yang, do I really not need to do anything?"

"Your Highness, just wait for the results."

"Nothing will happen, right?"

"If the Marquis of Dingxi cannot control the situation, he is not qualified to serve Your Highness."

"I'm worried that if Marquis Yixi loses control of the situation, we should run!"

"It's too late to run away now, let's just wait for the results!"

Zhu Houzhao was speechless and could only continue to wait.

That evening, Jiang Ji, dressed in armor, came before Zhu Houzhao.

Behind him were Sun Gui, Liu Huai, Gao Ying, and others.

As the group entered, they all knelt down on one knee.

Jiang Ji clasped his hands and said, "Your Highness, Li Gong has been apprehended and has confessed to his crimes! I will personally escort him to the capital tomorrow. We have also examined our own culpability and will confess to Your Majesty upon our return to the capital, requesting Your Majesty's judgment!"

Zhu Houzhao sat in the main seat, looking at the group of kneeling military officers in front of him, and was a little confused for a moment.

He opened his mouth, but suddenly forgot all the words he had prepared.

The scene fell silent for a moment.

Seeing this, Yang Shen quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Marquis of Dingxi, you've worked hard! Everyone, you've all worked hard!"

Jiang Ji raised his head, waiting for the rest of the story.

Yang Shen continued, "Your Highness's intention is to punish only the ringleaders this time. The minor transgressions committed by the Marquis of Dingxi and the others will be forgiven. Today's incident is to serve as a warning. If they commit these offenses again in the future, don't blame Your Highness for showing no mercy."

Jiang Ji was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.

He kowtowed deeply, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Highness!"

Behind him, Sun Gui, Liu Huai, Gao Ying, and others also kowtowed, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Highness!"

Jiang Ji raised his head, his eyes slightly red, his voice trembling: "From now on, we swear to serve Your Highness to the death!"

Zhu Houzhao then came to his senses.

He cleared his throat, trying to look like a prince: "Rise."

Everyone stood up.

Zhu Houzhao looked at them and continued, "My inspection tour of Liaodong on behalf of my father is also to set an example for you all. The peace and prosperity of the Ming Dynasty depend on your valiant efforts in guarding the borders. If the court ever does anything improper in the future, feel free to come to me! I will stand up for you!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ji felt a lump in his throat and almost burst into tears.

He had been guarding the border for over twenty years, and this was the first time he had ever heard anyone say such a thing.

He clasped his hands in a deep fist salute: "Your Majesty, we have remembered this!"

Zhu Houzhao nodded, picked up a memorial from the table, and handed it over: "I will continue my journey tomorrow. Here is a memorial, in which I truthfully report what I saw and heard today to Father Emperor. When Marquis Dingxi goes to the capital, please take it with you."

Jiang Ji took the memorial with both hands, his hands trembling.

Such an important memorial, you just handed it over to me to take back?

What immense trust!

He raised his head and solemnly said, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will personally deliver it to His Majesty!"

Yang Shen watched from the side and nodded slightly.

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand: "Alright, you've all been busy all day, go back and rest."

Jiang Ji and the others kowtowed again and withdrew.

The room fell silent.

Zhu Houzhao let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair: "Oh dear, I'm exhausted."

Yang Shen smiled and said, "Your Highness spoke very well just now."

Zhu Houzhao said, "Don't praise me yet. Marquis Dingxi taking Li Gong is tantamount to directly turning against the Ministry of War. Who knows what kind of trouble he might cause in the future!"

Yang Shen said, "That's why you want to marry his daughter! That way, no one will dare to touch him!"

"Huh? You really want to marry me?"

"Of course!"

Zhu Houzhao scratched his head and said, "Fine, let her marry me then. Anyway, I'll be taking concubines in the future, so one more won't make a difference."

Yang Shen said, "Your Highness is right. Tomorrow we're going to Jinzhou. Isn't it a coincidence that Han Liangbi, the commander of Jinzhou, also comes from a family that fought during the Jingnan Rebellion? His great-grandfather, Han Chun, was originally a military officer in the Yanshan Mountains. He followed Emperor Taizong in the Jingnan Rebellion and rose through the ranks to become the commander of the Right Guard of Dongsheng. Later, he was transferred to Liaodong and inherited the position of garrison commander of Jinzhou. What's even more coincidental is that Han Liangbi also has a daughter who is thirteen years old this year!"

Zhu Houzhao's eyes widened, and he asked, "You want to marry another one?"

Yang Shen shook his head and said, "It's not just one, it's many."

Zhu Houzhao: ————

Yang Shen explained, "After Jinzhou comes Ningyuan, then Guangning, and Haizhou—Since Your Highness has decided to support military generals, you cannot favor one over another. Instead, all the generals guarding the borders should receive equal treatment. Don't you agree?"

Zhu Houzhao remained silent for a long time before asking, "Did I come here to fight a war, or to marry a wife?"

Yang Shen chuckled and said, "Your Highness, don't be in such a hurry. Actually, marriage will also be beneficial to you."

"What are the benefits?"

"Think about it, these military generals guarding the border are all very wealthy. If you ever need money in the future, just ask, and none of these fathers-in-law would dare refuse to give you some."

Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up again, and he nodded, saying, "That makes sense!"