Chapter 206: Self-Inflicted Evils Cannot Be Escaped

Weng Duli was actually there to watch the excitement; his investigative direction had diverged from that of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

According to past murder cases, the probability of a crime being committed by an acquaintance exceeds eighty percent. That is to say, in a murder case, if one truly wishes to solve it, one can search among the eighty percent of people surrounding the deceased. Moreover, among the impoverished and laborers, the probability of a crime committed by an acquaintance exceeds ninety percent.

As the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Weng Duli, upon discovering that the maid He Hua had an affair with the butcher Lu Jin in the Zhou Shichen murder case, naturally arrived at the conclusion that the butcher Lu Jin was the murderer.

Zhou Shichen's ancestors were quite illustrious; he was the younger brother of Lady Zhou, the birth mother of Emperor Xianzong. Over a hundred years had passed by the Wanli era, and the family held two hereditary titles: Marquis of Qingyun and Earl of Changning. Lady Zhou, Xianzong's birth mother, had served as Empress Dowager for seventeen years during the Hongzhi era.

The infighting among the maternal relatives during the Xiaozong era was mainly concentrated between the families of the Empress Dowager and Empress Zhang.

Zhou Shichen's ancestors had also been wealthy, but by his generation, Zhou Shichen's life had become very difficult. If Zhou Shichen did not gamble, relying on his salary as a hereditary Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander, one could not say his life was very comfortable, but at least he could survive.

After Zhou Shichen's legal wife died, Zhou Shichen was unable to remarry, so he lived with the maid He Hua. Their life could not be considered extravagant. He Hua harbored resentment in her heart and conspired with her lover to commit murder, and the lover happened to be a butcher. Everything was so logical.

Because it involved the major case at Meishikou, the Embroidered Uniform Guard intervened, making arrests everywhere, and finally dug out the true mastermind behind the scenes.

According to Great Ming custom, one could actually allow the Imperial Son-in-Law Xu Congcheng to commit suicide to preserve the bonds of kinship, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard still surrounded the residence of the Commandant heavily and brought Zhang Juzheng to justice.

"What right do those lackeys have to arrest you! You are His Majesty's uncle-in-law! You have even held His Majesty! Those hounds, get out of your house!" Zhang Juzheng heard the commotion, immediately came to the back hall, and roared angrily.

Xu Congcheng was addicted to gambling, but relying on the prestige of the Empress Dowager from years past, the family still had some foundation. However, in the gambling den, he was slaughtered like a pig and tricked into becoming heavily indebted. The gambling den, the servants, and the clamoring gamblers were all arrested. The documentary evidence was the IOU written by Zou Yuanlun himself, and the physical evidence was a piece of heirloom court attire that Xu Congcheng had pawned to the gambling den.

"Your ministers respectfully send off His Majesty." Wang Chonggu stood up, and the officials bowed in greeting.

"I knew my brother-in-law was scaring me!" Zhang Juzheng only then breathed a sigh of relief and continued to wolf down his food. As he ate, tears dripped down. Until he truly could not eat anymore, he stopped and drank a few cups of wine.

What is the difference between suicide and being forced to commit suicide? Both are suicide.

Xu Wenbi had reminded His Majesty that this matter could only be handled by His Majesty personally.

His Majesty went to great lengths to open the Xishan coal mines, fighting round after round with the court officials. Was His Majesty looking for trouble? Was it not to let the people of the capital breathe a sigh of relief?

Li He did not answer.

Xu Fu did not move from his place; he accepted the memorial and had a minor eunuch bring out an imperial edict, saying: "His Majesty's edict says: How can one be suspicious of being full and overly insist on humility? You should embody Our deep intentions and not firmly decline again. The Ministry of Personnel is informed. Respect this."

Zhu Yijun looked at the person before him. For the sake of Great Ming's revitalization, His Majesty had poured out so much heart's blood. Many things, in Zhu Yijun's view, were completely unnecessary for His Majesty, who was born noble, to do. Yet, as a favored subject, Zhang Juzheng not only failed to cooperate with His Majesty's revitalization but also relied on his status as an imperial relative to commit crimes and act recklessly.

Wang Chonggu had a total of two uncles-in-law.

"Grand Minister of Justice, accompany Us to take a look at the Yongsheng Woolen Mill."

In three days, Zhu Yijun pried open the mouths of those involved in the case and completely filled in the chain of evidence. Luo Sigong had the magical ability to dig three feet into the ground, digging out all the hidden physical evidence.

Li He, in his conduct and work, had always advocated letting the wind blow for a while to see the effect of the political decrees before making plans.

"Your Majesty, I request that, out of the bonds of kinship, you show leniency." Li He changed his angle; the bonds of kinship—after all, he was His Majesty's relative.

Li He's mouth twitched, and he looked at the three Dukes. The three Dukes did not help him at all. This case, in the final analysis, was a contradiction and conflict arising from the preparation of the Xishan Coal Bureau. Before the preparation of the Xishan Coal Bureau, the Emperor had called the three Dukes to this side hall, and the three Dukes had long since chosen to surrender.

Of the eight sons of the Jiajing Emperor, only one had descendants, and that was the Longqing Emperor. Of the Jiajing Emperor's five princesses, only two had descendants: one was the Grand Princess Ning'an, and the other was the Princess Princess Jia Shan. And Zhang Juzheng was married to Princess Princess Jia Shan.

"Brother-in-law, save me! Brother-in-law!" Zhang Juzheng knelt on the ground, grabbing Li He's trousers, holding on tightly and refusing to let go.

Three days after Zhang Juzheng was arrested, Wang Chonggu summoned the Imperial Son-in-Law Xu He, the Duke of England, the Duke of Ding, the Duke of Cheng, the Earl of Qian'an Qi Jiguang, the Senior Grand Secretary Zhu Guocheng, the Junior Grand Secretary Lu Diaoyang, the Minister of Justice Zhou Shichen, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Lu Guangzu, and the Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate Hai Rui and Ge Shouli to the side hall of the Wenhua Palace.

The Emperor's other uncle-in-law, Imperial Son-in-Law Xu He, after hearing what Zhu Yijun said, frowned slightly and said: "With such a large family and business, it is inevitable that there will be some pests. The Commandant operates coal mines, and some shopkeepers below, in order to please the head of the family and to earn some money, do some dirty deeds. How can one say that it was directed by the Imperial Son-in-Law Xu Congcheng?"

"I believe this is very good." Zhu Guocheng bowed and said. This was giving Zhang Juzheng face, and also giving the imperial court face.

As a result, there were no objections at all; everyone was singing praises.

The young Emperor anticipated Zhu Guocheng's anticipation. Zhu Guocheng was about to pull out a memorial to decline; he had prepared a total of five.

Zou Yuanlun looked at Li He, pondered for a long time, and asked: "What does the Master think?"

This was also what Zhu Guocheng taught the young Emperor. The *Book of Rites, Liji* says: "Three declines and three yieldings, and then one arrives."

The three Dukes chose to offer their property, Li He chose to continue mining as before, and Zhang Juzheng chose to resist the clear edict of the imperial court. The meritorious officials all had their own choices; everyone had a beautiful future.

He declined for the first time, saying his virtue did not match his position, saying he had been in the cabinet for nine years and the country had slightly revitalized but still had not solved the main contradictions, saying his merits were insufficient. And Wang Chonggu's handwritten letter was an affirmation of Zhu Guocheng's merits.

"You are an imperial relative, enjoying the country's salary. You do not think of the country's revitalization, and you do not help Us. Instead, you have committed such a major error. Uncle-in-law, on what grounds should I show leniency?"

The Embroidered Uniform Guard Commandant Zou Yuanlun said very solemnly: "In early March, the Imperial Son-in-Law Xu Congcheng began to direct cunning scoundrels to set a trap for Xu Congcheng, causing Xu Congcheng to lose the little remaining wealth in his family, and he also owed a gambling debt of 1,700 taels. In order to repay the gambling debt, Xu Congcheng tried every means to turn things around but still could not pay it off. By this winter, Zou Yuanlun sent servants to incite Xu Congcheng to commit arson."

In order to handle the case well, the Emperor even went to the Ministry of Justice to get a warrant before he began to arrest Zhang Juzheng.

Li He held the case file and read it for a long time. Finally, he chose to abandon the defense that Zhang Juzheng was unaware, because Zhang Juzheng was truly aware.

"Let's eat first." Li He sat down, spread out the banquet he had brought, and took out a bottle of National Cellar liquor.

This had to be traced back to King Tai of Zhou, Taibo, and King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang.

"Zhao Mengyou killed Xu Congcheng, and the servant Zhao Zhao Shi Yin arranged for Zhao Mengyou to flee, and finally, he was arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"The major fire at Meishikou, 171 people burned alive, ten thousand catties of coal exploded and were destroyed. Just because he is an imperial relative, I must show private leniency? If so, can local gentry and powerful families also be pardoned? Can everything under heaven be pardoned?"

During festivals, the Emperor would bestow rewards, each family receiving a bottle of fine wine personally brewed by His Majesty. The young Emperor had bonds of kinship, but they were not many. If one did not commit a crime, he would still recognize the kinship. If one committed a crime, he would turn his face faster than turning a page.

That is why Li He said to Zhang Juzheng, self-inflicted evils cannot be escaped.

Zou Yuanlun looked at Li He and said: "This case is documented in detail. The executor is just one, believing in truth. How can one be negligent and falsely accuse when it involves the Emperor's kin?"

Li He stammered, not knowing how to answer His Majesty's question. Under the capital, a major case with 171 deaths, how could one show private leniency?

Grand Princess Ning'an, Zhu Luzhen, brought Imperial Son-in-Law Xu He into the palace to pay respects. They first went to the Cining Palace to pay respects to Empress Dowager Li. Empress Dowager Li, on the grounds that the Meishikou fire case was a major case of the outer court and it was inconvenient for a woman to come forward, did not receive the Emperor's aunt and uncle-in-law.

"Zhu Yijun! You wait! You will not die a good death!" When Zhang Juzheng was pressed down, he was angry to the extreme. He was an imperial relative!

"Your minister is unworthy of this." Zhu Guocheng bowed again toward the direction of the imperial palace and could only accept the appointment. Great Ming was full of boomerangs; these were all cards he gave to His Majesty, and His Majesty played them all back.

The case had not yet been officially sentenced and punished, and the court was still discussing it. Zhang Juzheng killed himself, so one could not blame the Emperor for being heartless, right? It maintained the New Policies and also maintained His Majesty's bonds of kinship.

Wang Chonggu said earnestly: "Master, for the sake of breaking the atmosphere of indulgence in Great Ming, the Performance Assessment Law, the Land Survey Law, and the Land Return Law—how many people have you offended? How many things have you done? This atmosphere of indulgence was finally stopped a little. At the very least, they dare not openly protect each other. Great Ming has a slight sense of revitalization. Uncle-in-law's meaning is to let Me indulge the Imperial Son-in-Law Xu Congcheng? If Great Ming cannot be revitalized, how can I have the face to go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay respects to the ancestors?"

Besides the daily drilling of troops and horses, Wang Chonggu also began home visits. The night before, he would randomly pick a few relatives from the list of the Capital Battalion, and the next day he would carry out surprise home visits, asking about the difficulties in the families of the Capital Battalion soldiers and recording them in a register.

Xu Fu, Zhang Hong, and Xu Jue were all close ministers by His Majesty's side and understood the Emperor very well. His Majesty only played cards with Zhu Guocheng; it was not worth playing cards with others.

Li He stood up, and Zhu Yijun walked in with the Embroidered Uniform Guard. An Embroidered Uniform Guard held a tray, on which was placed white silk.

Zhang Juzheng was gnawing on a chicken leg when he suddenly realized something. The chicken leg in his hand dropped onto the table with a thud. His mouth twitched twice, and he looked at Li He and said: "Brother-in-law, say something."

Only by going from top to bottom can it be lasting; otherwise, it is like a tree without roots or water without a source. It is a good thing that the craftsmen can express their thoughts through the foremen. It is an even better thing that Zhou Shichen is willing to read this opinion report and is willing to solve them.

Wang Chonggu nodded and said: "Then let it be so. Let's end the discussion here for today."

Xu Fu stood in front of the gate of the Quanchu Guild Hall, facing the imperial edict pulled open by the minor eunuch, and said: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

If one looks at it from the perspective of official rank, on the right side, the meritorious relatives, most of them are above the first rank. The Imperial Son-in-Law is of the second rank, while the highest on the left is the first rank or the junior first rank.

When Li He walked out of the prison, Zhang Juzheng no longer had any breath.

His Majesty wrote very clearly in the edict for the preparation of the Xishan Coal Bureau: powerful families can hand over the coal mines in their hands to the Coal Bureau for unified mining, or they can continue to mine as before. If they hand them over to the Coal Bureau, everyone just waits to share the dividends. If they mine as before, it is not considered resisting the edict, and the powerful families can still live as they did in the past.

In fact, when Zhou Shichen was releasing coal, he discovered the insane Zou Yuanlun's actions of hoarding coal and driving up coal prices, but he could only suspect and could not take action. It involved the Emperor's uncle-in-law. Even if the Emperor repeatedly showed that he would not indulge, Zhou Shichen absolutely did not dare to gamble.

"Sigh." Li He signaled for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to open the heavy door of the prison and looked around. Zhang Juzheng was not living too badly in the major prison; this was the top-tier prison in the Heavenly Prison. There was a bed, tables, chairs, and benches, and even a chamber pot.

The reason why it is said that Zou Yuanlun was slaughtered is that, in fact, besides him, there were many others who were slaughtered. It was not an isolated case.

This case would definitely be handled until after the New Year.

Human evidence, physical evidence, and documentary evidence—the evidence was as solid as a mountain.

"Your minister kowtows and thanks His Majesty for his great kindness."

He is simply an idiot!

Li He returned home, took five taels of silver, prepared a banquet, and went to the Heavenly Prison of the Northern Suppressing and Pacifying Division to send Zou Yuanlun on his way.

The blame lies in the fact that the executor is just one, believing in truth. Many things can be muddled through by being muddled. Xu Congcheng and Zhao Mengyou could both be scapegoats, but His Majesty insisted on investigating clearly. Finally, it was investigated clearly, and the Emperor's uncle-in-law was thrown into prison. Is this not the greatest drawback of just believing in truth?

Zhang Juzheng began to wolf down his food. He drank a bowl of wine beautifully before smiling and asking: "Brother-in-law, when can I get out?"

Imperial Son-in-Law Xu He's meaning was: Zhang Juzheng is clearly clean; court officials should not slander imperial relatives!

Just after Zou Yuanlun's home was raided, Wang Chonggu received a memorial from another uncle-in-law requesting an audience.

Zhou Shichen, a minister who hoards and profits, is best at doing things and improving production enthusiasm.

When imperial relatives cannot become the Emperor's support, one must make up one's mind to excise this piece of rotten flesh.

"Without human evidence, physical evidence, or documentary evidence to corroborate Zhang Juzheng's instructions, to conclude like this—it is all Zou Yuanlun's plotting. To judge a case by peeling the skin and seeing the bones like this, the meritorious relatives will find it hard to accept."

Wang Qian helped his father release coal and had always been very attentive to this case. Seeing the Embroidered Uniform Guard gather a group of Embroidered Uniform Guard lackeys in front of the Commandant's residence, seeing the Commandant's residence's door broken, and seeing Zhang Juzheng being detained, he revealed a smile and continued to check on the coal release.

"Respect this."

It is not that the Emperor wants to show humility; he will decline and yield three times. On the third time, he chooses to take office. This is not just the Son of Heaven; when the imperial court appoints high officials, the officials must also submit three memorials to decline. It is a matter of ritual and law.

In the case file, it was recorded that in August, Zhang Juzheng obtained a pair of jade beads bestowed by the Empress Dowager of the Xiaozong era from Xu Congcheng, and he specifically gathered a group of people to appreciate the treasure, indulging in elegance and composing poetry, leaving behind a collection preface.

First, the Commandant begins to report the entire process of the case.

Wang Chonggu was caught in the midst of being busy because the New Year was approaching.

In order to seek profit, he set fire to Meishikou. The Emperor, who had just been made miserable by the major fire and driven to live in the Baoqi Division, would be strange if he were not angry.

"Thanks, brother-in-law!" Zhang Juzheng, who did not yet know his fate was sealed, looked at the table full of delicacies, his face showing excitement, and said with a full smile: "Since entering prison, my mouth has been so bland that it's like a bird. The food has no oil or water. You are still the one who is good to me, brother-in-law."

On the 27th of the twelfth lunar month, when the woolen mill was preparing for the New Year holiday, on the last day before the holiday, the young Emperor arrived at the woolen mill, met with all the foremen of the craftsmen, and asked the foremen to talk about the difficulties they encountered and to offer their opinions on the official mill.

"Senior Grand Secretary, this imperial edict was personally written by His Majesty." Xu Fu specifically explained that this was personally written by His Majesty, so do not decline again. The Emperor's holy will was decided. With the Emperor's stubborn temperament, once a decision was made, it would absolutely not be changed.

However, the attitudes of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were very clear. The Empress Dowager avoided seeing them, and the Emperor received Li He when outer officials were present.

"According to the confession of the major thief Zhao Mengyou, the arson should have been carried out by four people separately. Zhao Mengyou and his three brothers, truly knowing their sins, did not dare to come forward. Xu Congcheng set the fire alone. After the arson case, the imperial court arrested them resolutely. Zhao Mengyou was afraid and wanted to seek out Imperial Son-in-Law Xu Congcheng for discussion, but could only see the servant Zhao Zhao Shi Yin."

If Zhang Juzheng were to commit suicide to avoid punishment, the face of the cabinet, the court officials, the court ministers, the imperial kin, and His Majesty would all be preserved.

"Your minister accepts the imperial order to handle the errand; naturally, I will do my best." Zou Yuanlun's face was full of smiles, and he hurriedly bowed to thank the Emperor for his high praise.

"Master, you personally received the late Emperor's last testament to assist Me in My youth. Now the four seas are peaceful, and the four barbarians are submissive. This relies on your meritorious service in assisting. Your loyalty and great merits, I cannot describe, and no official position can reward. Only may the ancestors and sages observe and secretly protect your descendants for generations to be at peace with the country. Now, based on the nine-year performance assessment, I add you as Right Pillar of the State, promote you to Grand Preceptor, grant you the salary of an Earl, keep your concurrent official positions as before, and specially, outside of the regular statutes, grant you 700 taels of silver, one set of python robes, and add 100 piculs of salary grain annually. Master, you should respectfully accept and not decline."

On one side are the meritorious relatives, and on the other side are the civil officials.

"This is the summary of the opinion reports from the foremen this year."

Zhu Guocheng still wanted to retire. Stargazing, studying mathematics, and traveling through the beautiful mountains and rivers of Great Ming—that was a beautiful retirement life.

Zhang Juzheng already knew that Li He was here to see him off. If he were truly going to be saved, there would be no need to set up a banquet for him in the prison. Moreover, when eating, Li He did not move a single chopstick. Zhang Juzheng was not stupid, but when it involved his life, his brain became a bit sharper.

Zhou Shichen thought for a while, took out a book of official mill records, handed it to Zhang Hong, and said helplessly: "His Majesty, please be informed. I didn't even know His Majesty was coming, so how could I have greeted him in advance? The foremen were terrified by the imperial majesty and dared not speak. On ordinary days, they have plenty of opinions."

Three yieldings is the Rites of Zhou. It is roughly equivalent to saying that getting married requires first getting a certificate to be legal.

The bookies in the gambling den understood gamblers too well. They always used various methods to trick people until they were penniless and heavily in debt.

"Brother-in-law, don't scare me, brother-in-law. Say something. When can I get out?"

"It was just a confession extracted under torture." Li He still stubbornly argued a sentence.

Wang Chonggu continued: "I have discovered that what craftsmen hate most is blind command. It is indeed not easy to have an outsider supervise an insider, leading to this problem of blind command. They blindly set goals, and for these blind goals, everyone exerts all their strength but fails to achieve them, yet they are fined. This is a common means of exploitation and is absolutely not advisable."

This Ma Deli He very passive.

He waved his hand and said: "Take him away."

And Xu Fu reached out to block Zou Yuanlun's move to take out a memorial from his sleeve and said: "Master, the state ritual still requires three declines before accepting. If you decline again, I fear there will be suspicion of intimidating the monarch."

"For the sake of the imperial family's face, can you allow him to commit suicide to apologize for his crimes?" Li He proposed a compromise. Since private leniency was impossible, dying with dignity was better. Beheading in public would truly damage the Emperor's majesty. After all, the young Emperor was still young. If he were beheaded at Caishikou, I fear Zhu Guocheng would be accused of intimidating the monarch, which would definitely be inescapable. When the time came for counter-attacks, it would be one of the crimes of Zhu Guocheng, the Emperor's teacher.

If these cases were truly linked together, it was not done by Imperial Son-in-Law Xu Congcheng, but by the servants who, in order to please their master, committed illegal acts.

Zhang Juzheng's stubborn resistance to the imperial court's clear edict was in itself very stupid.

"Minister Wang, was this greeted in advance?" Wang Chonggu was very dissatisfied with this lack of opinion and criticized Zhou Shichen.

Wang Chonggu issued an edict, arrested Zhang Juzheng, took all the servants, grooms, and housekeepers in his home into custody, and began interrogation.

"Your minister has a copy of the 'Second Memorial Declining the Imperial Grace,' and I earnestly request His Majesty to examine it." Zhu Guocheng had prepared a total of five memorials of declination; this was the second one.

If Zhu Guocheng were to decline again, it would be intimidating the monarch, which would be a crime of usurpation. This would be unfavorable to Zou Yuanlun, unfavorable to the New Policies, and unfavorable to the Great Ming court. There would be censor officials in the court watching this act of declination, sparking another round of impeachment.

Great Ming has dealt with imperial relatives more than once or twice. During the Jiajing era, the handling of the two Zhang brothers was much more brutal than this.

Xu Fu happily handed the seal to Zhu Guocheng and then returned to the palace.

Li He stood up. He had tried his best to maintain the face of the Imperial Son-in-Law. At the very least, it did not reach the point of public beheading. This could be considered a decent compromise.

"Ah, this?" Zou Yuanlun never expected that the young Emperor would raise the big stick of ritual and law and hit Zhu Guocheng on the head with it, directly stunning him.

"On the 8th of the twelfth lunar month, the major thief Zhao Mengyou found Zou Yuanlun and asked if Xu Congcheng was willing to do a big job. Zou Yuanlun, forced by gambling debts, had no choice but to go to the Meishikou main street to set a fire. According to the testimonies of the maid He Hua and the servant Wang Kui, by this time, Xu Congcheng still did not know who was setting the trap for him, but for the sake of silver, he went to commit arson." Zhu Yijun presented the documentary evidence. Zou Yuanlun was slaughtered like a pig, and he was slaughtered twice.

The reason for the second declination, Zhu Guocheng's meaning was that it was completely unnecessary. His Majesty's wisdom was gradually opening, and he was already able to correctly exercise the power in his hands. He had not failed the late Emperor's expectations, so he had no need to hold the position of Grand Preceptor.

"Your minister kowtows and thanks His Majesty for his great kindness." Zhu Guocheng accepted the edict and thanked him.

"In a while." Li He only then revealed a reluctant smile and said: "You eat well first."

The Meishikou fire ended with Zou Yuanlun's suicide, and the Quanchu Guild Hall became lively again. The Emperor sent the Director of the Ceremonial Palace, Xu Fu, with the Emperor's handwritten letter, to the Quanchu Guild Hall to announce the edict.

Zou Yuanlun finished explaining the entire process of the case.

Zhang Juzheng did not understand His Majesty's intention of revitalization.

"Self-inflicted evils cannot be escaped." Li He signaled for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to pull Zhang Juzheng away. The Embroidered Uniform Guard hung the white silk well, and four Embroidered Uniform Guards hung Zhang Juzheng on the white silk.

Li He, as an Imperial Son-in-Law, also participated in the Xishan kiln affairs. The Jixiang Kiln, Desheng Kiln, Gongshan Kiln, and Pushuigou Kiln were all coal mines owned by his family. The coal for the million households in the capital was all taken from Xishan. Everyone did it, and Li He naturally did it too, but Li He also constantly examined the imperial court's political decrees.

He took time to go to the Yilun Hall again, gave a lecture on mathematics, expanded the content from quadratic interpolation to universal interpolation, and also summoned the parents of the failing students. There were more than 10,000 students, and after a year, there were 17 students whose cumulative scores in the 12 monthly exams were below 12 points. One was in the capital. Wang Chonggu called his parents into the palace. If the average score in the monthly exam is one point, is it a lack of interest in learning, or a lack of interest in learning, or a lack of interest in learning?

Zhu Guocheng's meaning was very clear. If Li He wanted to defend Zhang Juzheng, he had to change his angle and say Zhang Juzheng did not know. His Majesty already knew that angle.

The bookies in the gambling den were all cunning scoundrels in the city, most of whom were protected by powerful families, doing all kinds of illegal things. According to the Great Ming Code and the Imperial Ancestral Instructions, opening a gambling den meant beheading, and sitting at a gambling table meant having one's hands cut off. However, if protected by an Imperial Son-in-Law, meritorious officials, or high officials, they could proceed blatantly.

"It is worth noting that Zou Yuanlun did not get the silver promised by Zhao Mengyou, 1,700 taels. Imperial Son-in-Law Xu Congcheng never thought about paying that money."

Zhu Yijun said again: "Reporting to His Majesty, there are testimonies from Zhang Juzheng's maid and housekeeper, which can prove that the above matters were all directed by Zhang Juzheng himself. There is documentary evidence in the Commandant's account book, which has Zhang Juzheng's own handwritten signature. Regarding the gambling den, driving up coal prices, etc., Zou Yuanlun knew it clearly. There are several treasures bestowed by the Empress Dowager of the Xiaozong era to the Zhou family, which can serve as physical evidence."

Wang Chonggu looked at Imperial Son-in-Law Xu He, who also had to try every means and do his best to protect Zou Yuanlun. If Zhang Juzheng died, the next one would likely be him, Li He.

"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, save me! I am His Majesty's uncle-in-law! How dare these hounds treat me so poorly!" As soon as Zhang Juzheng saw Li He appear, he rushed to the prison door, grabbed the door pillar of the prison, and said in surprise and anxiety.

The Great Ming Ancestral Instructions stipulated that imperial relatives could only be questioned by the Emperor. This was based on considerations from both the upper and lower levels. Those who investigated below did not dare to question too deeply. What if it involved the Emperor himself?

It truly left Li He not knowing how to continue arguing. This Zou Yuanlun was too stupid.

Wang Chonggu opened it and looked. The content inside mainly focused on salary increases, canteen improvements, factory environment improvements, mechanical improvements, etc. Wang Chonggu read this opinion report with great interest and said with a smile: "I said that without the Grand Minister of Justice, this official mill could not be run. The Grand Minister of Justice handles things appropriately, and I am very gratified."

The Great Ming court's handling of imperial relatives was not just once or twice. During the Jiajing era, the handling of the two Zhang brothers was much more brutal than this. ===== CHAPTER 207 =====