First Minister of Ming Dynasty

First Minister Section 451

Those who can get such an evaluation from Zhang Ximeng are very rare among generals.

Except for Feng Guoyong, king of Xiliang, there are only a few people like Kang Maocai.

It is not difficult for one person to lead an army and fight a war, but if he can manage a place well and do a good job in development and construction, he is considered a genius.

Seeing Zhang Ximeng's praise of Miao Daheng, Xu Da pondered for a while, and then said: "Mr. Zhang, Miao Daheng is indeed talented, but, but I heard that his relatives are not like this, especially his two sons, one of whom controls dozens of people. He is in the iron smelting workshop, and the other has many farms under his name. In addition, Miao Daheng’s brother-in-law was also implicated in the salt affairs. He was one of them who opposed the sale of salt in Changping warehouse. In the end, it was the prefect of Yangzhou Waiting for others to be killed."

When Xu Da said this, he stopped.

As the most outstanding general in command, he would never just talk about it. He was almost 100% sure that the problems of the Miao family were not small, and even shocking.

Zhang Ximeng also fell into deep thought, "This time the province is re-demarcated, and Yangzhou is handed over to Huaixi Province. Naturally, we have to come and check the family property. The official workshops should also be included in the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Industry. If the Miao family is involved, There are huge disadvantages. I am afraid that when the time comes, the national law will be ruthless, and no one will be able to save them!"

Xu Da nodded slightly, "As long as Zhang Xiang knows it well, I'll take my leave first."

Zhang Ximeng nodded and sent Xu Da away, he pondered for a while, and immediately had a provincial official called.

This man's surname is Ma, and his name is Ma Junze.

That's right, the one who Song Lian wrote the article. He lived up to Song Lian's hopes, studied hard, and passed the scientific examination. Not long ago, he passed the so-called most difficult provincial examination in history.

Become Zhang Ximeng's subordinate.

"You go to Yangzhou now... At the beginning, Yangzhou had a large population and it was difficult to provide for it. I once arranged for the people of Yangzhou to go to Chuzhou and other places to farm and farm. If anyone wants to embezzle the land, they can only move the ideas of these farms... Go and investigate , no matter what the result is, you must tell me the truth.”

Ma Jun bowed to accept the order, and then took advantage of the night to leave Yingtian... Zhang Ximeng was not kept waiting too long, and after ten days, Ma Jun returned with news.

Sure enough, it was Ma Sheng from Dongyang, who was strong in his ability to do things!

"Mr. Zhang, according to the preliminary estimate of the humble official, almost 15 mu of land has fallen into the hands of the Miao family. Here is the list!" Then Ma Jun took out several blood letters and handed them to Zhang Ximeng.

"This is handed over by the people whose land was robbed."

Zhang Ximeng took it over and looked at it carefully. The more he looked at it, the more his brows were furrowed. Finally, he took a deep breath and said helplessly, "It looks like another bloodbath is going to happen!"

He asked Ma Junze to rest first, then packed up all the evidence and put it in the box handed to Zhu Yuanzhang...

Chapter 628 Golden Cup White Blade

The night was dark and the wind was blowing, but Zhu Yuanzhang did not allow the eunuch to close the doors and windows, and let the cold wind hit his face, his resolute face was covered with an indescribable anger.

Zhu Yuanzhang can do whatever he wants with those civil servants and tyrants, as long as the evidence is solid, he has nothing to care about.

After all, in Zhu Yuanzhang's view, a person with a mud-legged background is not a person of the same world as those Confucian scholars who are so close to others.They are corrupt and break the law, and they just kill themselves.

But for those fellow countrymen, Pao Ze, the army general Zhu Yuanzhang has a different opinion.

The big guy grew up with bare buttocks, not from a village, but from nearby folks.

How the day goes, each other counts.

Who was born as a poor child, was bullied and looked down upon by others, and had to herd sheep for the landlord when he was a few years old, and suffered a lot.Finally got the chance, joined the army, and fought the country with his life.

After so many years, countless soldiers died in battle. What kind of blessing is it to be able to survive, confine their wives and sons, and retire with the country?

But why, these people don't know how to cherish?

Do you have to step on the ground with your own grace?

Do you really think we dare not kill people?

You are wrong, there is no one here in Zhu Yuanzhang who dare not kill!

Old Zhu thought about it, and didn't sleep all night.

A few days later, Zhu Yuanzhang directly ordered someone to invite Lu Zhongheng and Tang Shengzong, and the people below went. Lao Zhu got some cold water, washed it casually, cheered up, sat down in the hall, and waited for the two the arrival of people.

Not long after, the two generals who had been named marquises came together to greet Lao Zhu, and Zhu Yuanzhang asked them to give them seats.

Then he said with a smile: "Lu Zhongheng, your son Lu Xian is doing well in martial arts. We heard from the second child that he is very smart and a rare good boy. We are all fellow countrymen, and we are also monarchs and ministers. In addition, there are several daughters. We want to marry you!"

Lu Zhongheng was taken aback, including Tang Shengzong who was next to him.

These two people usually have a very good relationship, Zhu Yuanzhang called them together, saying that he was not afraid, that would be a lie, they couldn't figure out why Lao Zhu wanted to find them, could something have happened?

But now when they heard it, both of them were immediately happy.

Most likely His Majesty wants to get married, and then ask Tang Shengzong to be a matchmaker.

Lu Zhongheng bowed immediately, and said politely: "My lord, my boy, I'm afraid he won't be worthy of the princess!"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, "What's not worthy? They are all from the same hometown, so how noble are our daughters!" Zhu Yuanzhang paused for a while when he said this, and then sighed: "When we returned to our hometown to recruit soldiers, you all followed us Come here, for more than ten years, our monarchs and ministers have brought down the Great Ming Dynasty together! How much painstaking effort has been put into this, and how many brothers have died, you all know it in your heart!"

The two were startled, not knowing how to answer for a while.

Old Zhu continued: "From our heart, we are naturally willing to watch Daming prosper with you, watch our descendants, support each other, and keep going."

Lu Zhongheng hurriedly said: "The kindness of the superior, I will engrave it in my heart, and I dare not forget it day and night."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Lu Zhongheng, and found that he was still full of joy. Without doubting him, Zhu Yuanzhang simply looked at Tang Shengzong, and said in a low voice: "I heard that your family recently built an ancestral hall?"

Tang Shengzong was taken aback, thinking that His Majesty knew about this?

"If you go back to your superiors, yes, you have built an ancestral hall. My minister, I was rewarded by your majesty, the ancestors of the Tang family, the Tang family, and the tombs of the Tang family's ancestors all smoked, and the ancestors of the eighteen generations followed. Therefore, the minister built the ancestral hall to show celebrate."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, and suddenly said: "That ancestral hall cost a lot of money, right?"

Tang Shengzong was stunned for a while, but now he didn't know how to answer!

Lu Zhongheng is also stupid, he has a very good relationship with Tang Shengzong, and he also plans to build the ancestral hall to show his face in front of the people in his hometown, so Lu Zhongheng said: "Your Majesty, minister, I heard that I didn't spend too much money, let alone to pay for the ancestors. The face, too, should be."

Tang Shengzong also came to his senses at this moment, and hurriedly said: "My superiors, I spent less than three thousand guan before and after building the ancestral hall. It was all my salary and rewards from my superiors. I never corrupted the law by corrupting the law!"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not speak, but remained silent, and as time passed, Tang Shengzong simply swore, "Your Majesty, I am so grateful for the grace of the emperor. I never dare to corrupt the law and fill my pockets. I dare to swear to God!"

Lu Zhongheng also said: "Superior, I am willing to guarantee that what Tang Hou said is true!"

Zhu Yuanzhang finally sighed softly, "Get up!"

The two got up from the ground, but there was already sweat on their foreheads.

Zhu Yuanzhang said again: "You, like us, all come from bitter backgrounds, and you should know more about the sufferings of the people. The money is the people's fat and the people's anointing, and it is the life of the people. It is squeezed out of the bones of the living people! What we hate the most is Corrupt officials, especially those who come from poor backgrounds and turn their backs on poor people, deserve to be cast aside! They should be killed!"

Zhu Yuanzhang almost gritted his teeth and said these few words. Lu Zhongheng and Tang Shengzong looked at each other, feeling uneasy in their hearts. They vaguely noticed that Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to mean something, but the two of them had a little luck.

"If you return to the superior position, so will the ministers, so you absolutely dare not have the slightest act of corruption, please learn from the superior!"

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, his heart was lost, and he said to the side: "Bring the gold cup here, we want to drink with them."

Soon three golden cups arrived, and Zhu Yuanzhang poured them a glass of wine with his own hands, then filled a glass for himself, and then said: "We will remember what you said just now. It has been more than ten years, and we must make a true one." Words! You tell the truth, we love to hear it, and we are willing to believe it."

The hearts of the two people moved again, but they still gritted their teeth and said: "If you return to the superior position, I will not dare to bully the sky!"

"Okay then, let's have a drink!"

Zhu Yuanzhang raised the golden cup, drank the wine in the cup with two people, and waved them down.

Lu Zhongheng and Tang Shengzong bid farewell to Zhu Yuanzhang and walked outside step by step. The two people were emotional. Lu Zhongheng turned his head several times and looked at the hall.

"Old Tang, tell me, what do you mean when you said that the superior is going to get married again, and you said those things, and even drank with us?" Lu Zhongheng said worriedly: "Why don't we tell the superior ..."

"Shut up!" Tang Shengzong was anxious, "Old Lu, are you crazy? Can you tell the story? You don't want to live anymore? Even if the superior wants to spare us, how can they let us go with so many civil and military ministers in the Manchu Dynasty? ?”

Lu Zhongheng was still pondering, "How about, why don't we go to Zhang Xiang's place and find out what's going on?"

"No!" Tang Shengzong shook his head immediately, "Lao Lu, courting death is not the way to go. Even if something happened, with our merits, can we still lose our heads? You are gone now, not to mention that the title is gone, our children will also lose their heads." You will be implicated. Also, our subordinates have suffered for so many years, they should enjoy it. Again, there are knives to kill courtiers, but no swords to cut us!"

Lu Zhongheng thought over and over again, but he had no choice but to resist Tang Shengzong.

Almost at the same time, more and more news came to Zhang Ximeng and Zhu Yuanzhang... The one who helped Tang Shengzong build the ancestral hall was Miao Daheng's second son, who spent at least [-] guan. Pretty grand.

Tang Shengzong was naturally very useful. His help in the court allowed the Miao family to make a fortune and act recklessly.

"Mr. Zhang, where do you think this matter can go? Is it Tang Shengzong and Lu Zhongheng?" Zhu Yuanzhang pondered: "Will there be more involved? Higher?"

Zhang Ximeng pondered for a while, then shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, who are taller than them are the governors. They all lead their own troops. It is absolutely impossible for them to do such a thing, and they will not be involved. But if it takes a long time, Let this kind of thing spread, and even get used to it. If you keep yourself clean, you will become a different kind. If that is the case, it will be difficult for the minister!"

Zhu Yuanzhang gritted his teeth, "If that's the case, our Daming will perish forever!"

Old Zhu stood up resolutely, "No matter what, we have decided to investigate to the end, and Mister must be prepared."

Zhang Ximeng could only nod his head, what preparations, why don't you wipe your ass?

Zhang Ximeng simply didn't say anything more, and Lao Zhu immediately arranged for the guards to intensify the investigation.

The Miao family, Tang Shengzong, Lu Zhongheng, and those who were close to them also started to investigate.

The blood books aimed at the common people also need to be verified to see if they are true or false.

Lao Zhu's actions are getting more and more, and more and more people are being sent. Obviously, he can't be as invisible as before.

Just after the people from the Arch Guard Division found out some things, they took two witnesses and returned to Yingtian by boat.When the boat arrived in the middle of the river, it leaked.

Three investigators from the Arch Guard Division, plus two witnesses, all fell into the water.

The body was discovered by fishermen two days later, it was salvaged and reported to Guo Ying.

Just got the news, Guo Ying is stupid, is he so reckless?

Even dare to kill the people in my guard department?

You are really unscrupulous!

Also from Huaixi, Guo Ying treats these generals very politely and respectfully, but he never expected that someone would dare to kill someone in the Guard Division privately. This has seriously challenged his limit.

So Guo Ying hurriedly came to see Zhu Yuanzhang and told the story.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened quickly, and a strong anger surged from the bottom of his heart... It's not that he didn't give the chance, but it's a pity that he didn't appreciate it.

We gave you a golden cup, but you treat us like this!

There is no way, we can only show our swords!

"Guo Ying, your arch guard has died, and now you are asked to choose elite soldiers and strong generals, can you find out this case?"

"Yes!" Guo Ying immediately replied: "Commander Mao Xiang was originally in the army to investigate illegal activities and was in charge of military law. In the case of salt affairs, he was the one who ran the two thousand households. !"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Okay, let's go!"

Guo Ying went down in a hurry, and then Zhu Yuanzhang grabbed the sword on the wall and pulled it out suddenly, the cold light flickered, and the soul was taken away...

Chapter 629 Treating You to Prison Meals

"It's actually Mao Xiang!"

Zhang Ximeng silently dug out a volume from the file, and found the part of the Gongwei Division.

Mao Xiang, who is in command, has a strong figure, a beautiful appearance, and a vicious heart. He is Zhou Xing and Lai Junchen.

A short evaluation pointed out two major characteristics of Mao Xiang. First of all, he was a commander who rose from the general of the Han Dynasty.Can stand on duty for Lao Zhu and decorate his appearance.

This person must be good-looking and conform to the current aesthetics.

So Mao Xiang is definitely a handsome guy, and he is quite outstanding.

As for the last comment, it's a bit scary.

Comparing him to Zhou Xing and Lai Junchen, those two are famous cruel officials, the kind who kill people without blinking an eye.

Can Mao Xiang catch up with these two?

Looking at the several major cases in the early days of the founding of the Ming Dynasty, I'm afraid it will be even worse.

Zhu Yuanzhang released a vicious dog!

Zhang Ximeng thought over and over again. He felt that with his own identity and authority, he didn't need to care about Mao Xiang. This was not some inflation, but an objective fact.

There is no way, the sect under his control is so powerful.

If you go to the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies, or to the Zhongshu Province, you may not be able to figure out what is going on with Mao Xiang.

But in Menxia Province, even if Mao Xiang had thousands of households, hundreds of households, general banners, or even small banners, as long as they were officials and soldiers of Ming Dynasty, Zhang Ximeng would have a file here.

He can see the corners of the officialdom, who is what, he knows exactly what is going on.

Therefore, in front of him, the guard guard is a scum destined to be crushed.

But this issue has to be looked at separately. Zhang Ximeng is not afraid, but if some people are involved at all, they may get into trouble.

For example, Sapphire who just came back.

This guy wears his hat crookedly, and from head to toe, the words "I'm very good" are written on it.

Zhang Ximeng saw it and wanted to beat him up.