Chapter 508: Kidnapping the Yangzhou Transport Commissioner

Chen Zhenglin never imagined that he would actually be kidnapped.

Who exactly were these people? How dare they be so bold as to kidnap a court official? And right here in Yangzhou, inside the city walls!

Chen Zhenglin was somewhat panicked, not knowing what these people wanted to do.

Although he didn't know who they were, anyone who dared to kidnap him inside Yangzhou city was definitely no ordinary person. Ordinary people simply didn't have the guts; those who would do such a thing were people who carried their heads on their belts.

One misstep and his life would be gone.

Although he forced himself to stay calm, Chen Zhenglin was still rather flustered.

Watching Chen Zhenglin being brought back, Xu Xianchun's expression did not change in the slightest.

The entire plan was devised by him, and now the plan was merely proceeding as normal.

Turning to glance at his subordinate, Xu Xianchun asked, "No problems?"

"None, sir." The subordinate shook his head and said, "Everything went smoothly. Our men first had a carriage ram into his sedan chair, then people all around crowded in, grabbed him, and stuffed him into the carriage. The sedan chair is still being carried around in circles outside; afterward they'll carry it to another location. Those sedan chair bearers have already been taken care of as well."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xianchun nodded and said, "Good, the job was done well. I've noted your contributions this time, and I'll put in a request for merit and rewards for you later."

"Thank you, sir." The people around quickly expressed their gratitude, bright smiles on their faces.

Chen Zhenglin snapped back to his senses at this moment. From the way they addressed each other, he could tell that the other party were officials.

This actually put Chen Zhenglin at ease. Since they were officials, that was fine — he just didn't know why they had kidnapped him.

Could these people be planning a rebellion?

The moment this thought appeared, Chen Zhenglin shuddered. Please, no?

"Who exactly are you people?" Chen Zhenglin said loudly with a grim face, looking at Xu Xianchun and the others. "You actually dared to kidnap me and bring me here. Do you know who I am? I am Chen Zhenglin, the Yangzhou Transport Commissioner!"

Xu Xianchun glanced at Chen Zhenglin and said in an impatient tone, "What are you shouting about? What are you shouting about? What are you shouting about?"

"We know you're Chen Zhenglin, the Yangzhou Transport Commissioner. If you weren't Chen Zhenglin, the Yangzhou Transport Commissioner, we wouldn't have grabbed you at all."

Having said that, Xu Xianchun sat down on a chair his subordinate had brought over, wearing a look of disdain.

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhenglin's face darkened.

That's right — the other party really had come for him specifically.

"Which government office are you from? You actually dared to kidnap a court-appointed official. Do you know what crime this is?"

"Let me tell you, this is the crime of rebellion. You'd better confess obediently. Otherwise, no matter which office you're from, none of you will escape!"

"Court-appointed official?" Xu Xianchun said with a mocking tone. "Take a look around — who here isn't a court-appointed official?"

"Alright, let's skip the idle talk. You don't need to probe us either. Right now I'll tell you who we are." Having said that, Xu Xianchun took his waist token from his belt and said to Chen Zhenglin, "See this?"

The Northern Administration Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Looking at the few large characters on it, Chen Zhenglin's pupils contracted slightly, and with a very ugly expression he said, "You're men of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

"That's right." Xu Xianchun nodded and said, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Xu Xianchun, Guard Commander of the Northern Provost Office. Bringing you here this time was done on the sacred decree of His Majesty. So, is there anything else you'd like to say?"

"His Majesty's sacred decree? Even His Majesty's sacred decree cannot privately detain a minister!" Chen Zhenglin said.

He seemed to suddenly gain confidence, his tone turning considerably more forceful.

Xu Xianchun didn't mind. He had seen plenty of people like this.

While they were still within the rules, they thought they enjoyed all sorts of privileges. But that was fine — soon they would understand that even within the rules, they had no special rights.

"I want to see His Majesty! His Majesty cannot do this either!" Chen Zhenglin said, craning his neck stubbornly.

Xu Xianchun shook his head, sat back down in his chair, and said, "Enough, what are you yelling about? Do you think His Majesty couldn't think of something you can think of?"

"His Majesty is supremely wise and would naturally never do such a thing. But sometimes there's no choice. Corrupt officials like you shouldn't be making a racket here."

"Nonsense!" Chen Zhenglin craned his neck and said, "I, Chen Zhenglin, have served as an official in Yangzhou and have never embezzled a single tael of silver. If I had embezzled even one tael, may I die a horrible death!"

"Yes, you indeed never embezzled a single tael of silver." Looking at Chen Zhenglin's righteous expression, Xu Xianchun said with heavy sarcasm in his voice, "What shameless boasting."

"Hold on. I can't be bothered to waste words with you. Take a look at these." Having said that, Xu Xianchun tossed the booklet in his hand onto the table and said, "Read through it, then we'll talk."

Chen Zhenglin didn't know what had been thrown over, but he still picked it up and quickly began reading.

After flipping through it once, Chen Zhenglin's expression changed.

It turned out to be an account book — the account book of a man named Zhao Wuji.

Of course Chen Zhenglin knew this Zhao Wuji. He was a great salt merchant of Yangzhou, and Chen Zhenglin had crossed paths with him many times.

What shocked Chen Zhenglin was that this account book recorded evidence of Zhao Wuji bribing him — on such-and-such year, month, and time, for such-and-such matter, what gifts were given to him. Everything on it was recorded in complete detail.

In addition, it also recorded what matters Chen Zhenglin had handled for Zhao Wuji, including several cases he had helped Zhao Wuji overturn, as well as evidence of helping bribe other officials.

Chen Zhenglin didn't know how the Embroidered Uniform Guard had obtained this evidence, but he knew that he could never explain this evidence away. Once an investigation began, these things would be the end of him — they could cost him his life.

But the question now was, what should he do? Deny it? Or obediently confess?

If he denied it, he could preserve his reputation. Even if they searched and found things, it would be a frame-up. The Embroidered Uniform Guard could do nothing to his reputation, and outsiders wouldn't believe them either.

If he obediently confessed, then his reputation would be gone, and he didn't know if his life could be saved.

Chen Zhenglin looked up at Xu Xianchun thoughtfully and said, "What a load of nonsense. I have no idea what this thing is."

"Enough, stop pretending. This is a major case personally designated by His Majesty. We dared to grab you precisely because we're confident in what we have. Stop making these pointless struggles."

"You might be able to explain these things away, but can you explain away the seventeen women in your residence? Those are all Yangzhou slims gifted to you by various salt merchants."

When he said this, Xu Xianchun's tone was extremely mocking. He continued, "All I have to do is arrest those seventeen women, and what couldn't I dig up? You'd best cooperate obediently. Otherwise, your fate will be very, very miserable."

Chen Zhenglin helplessly let out a sigh.

Sure enough, his guess was right — this was a major case personally designated by the Emperor. He knew that once the Emperor arrived in Nanjing, he would definitely not do nothing.

There were still people clinging to wishful thinking. How laughable it seemed now.

It was just that Chen Zhenglin never imagined the Emperor's major case would start with him. But he could understand it too — after all, this office managed the court's money bag. Salt was money, and moving against him was equivalent to moving against money.

Chen Zhenglin looked up at Xu Xianchun and said, "If I cooperate obediently, can my life be spared?"

"You're negotiating terms?" Xu Xianchun said in a light tone. "If you keep negotiating, it'll be execution of your entire clan. Do you really think anyone can negotiate terms? In this world, everyone wants to show their face, but that face isn't so easy to show."

Chen Zhenglin shuddered, looked up at Xu Xianchun, and said, "Thank you, Lord Xu."

Chen Zhenglin understood Xu Xianchun's meaning—Xu Xianchun was helping him.

If those words reached His Majesty's ears, it would become him threatening the Emperor. Those who threatened His Majesty would never fare well. His Majesty would never compromise, and would absolutely never let his family off.

All he could do now was obediently confess his crimes, using a good attitude and conduct to earn His Majesty's lenient treatment. This was also the path Xu Xianchun had pointed out to him.

Having grasped all this, Chen Zhenglin said directly, "Lord Xu, what do you wish to ask? This guilty official will tell everything he knows without reservation."

Hearing Chen Zhenglin refer to himself as a guilty official, Xu Xianchun nodded with satisfaction and said, "Let's begin with these account books."

Having said this, Xu Xianchun brought out another small chest from behind him and placed it on the table.

"Inside here are nine more account books, all concerning you. Let's go through them one by one, item by item, and make everything clear."

"Aside from these, who else sent you gifts? What did they send? You must confess all of that clearly as well. You only need to dictate these things—there will be someone beside you recording, and you just need to sign and affix your seal."

"Yes, my lord." Chen Zhenglin agreed.

At this point in the matter, it was simply a choice between stubbornly holding out or confessing outright.

Having reached this position, Chen Zhenglin's thinking was clear. He quickly made his choice and offered no resistance at all. Like beans tumbling out of a bamboo tube, he told Xu Xianchun everything he wanted to know.

At this same time, Zhu Youxiao had also risen. After washing up, he was eating his morning meal,

with Wei Chao attending at his side. Wei Chao gently placed a dish on the table and said, "Your Majesty, Huang Changzong from the Imperial Household Department has arrived. He's waiting outside."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Have him come in."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Chao said respectfully, then turned and walked out.

Before long, a fat man walked in from outside, wiping sweat as he came.

Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, the fat man hastily bowed and said, "Your subject Huang Changzong pays respects to Your Majesty."

Looking at Huang Changzong's clumsy manner, Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Enough, no need for ceremony!"