Chapter 486

Great Zhou Palace, Ganyang Palace.

It had rained several times in a row in the past few days. Entering the tenth month, the autumn colors were thick. One autumn rain brought one cold, and the temperature in the Love Shenjing had dropped quite a bit.

The Ganyang Hall was empty and spacious, with a trace of coldness compared to the past. Although it was not yet necessary to light the incense cage, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was served with thickened clothes, and warm tea was prepared on the imperial desk at all times.

After the morning court session, he sat at his desk to review the memorials as usual.

Jia Cong solved a major case in Jin Ling, and the civil and military officials in the auxiliary capital were pacified. Now it can be considered calm.

However, waves rose again in the two Huai regions. The sale of private salt rose again, giving birth to many strange and cloudy waves, and the collection of salt taxes in the two Huai regions of the Great Zhou was difficult.

Lin Lin Ruhai, the Imperial Censor of the two Huai salt, submitted a memorial, describing that in the two Huai regions, private salt was becoming increasingly rampant. Salt smugglers everywhere used every means to seek huge profits, and their forces were born, which had many hidden dangers.

Just as Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was frowning and thinking about countermeasures for the memorial in his hand, he saw the Deputy Chief Eunuch Guo Lin walk into the hall with small steps.

He said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I am following Your Majesty's oral edict to pay attention to the recent movements of the Eastern and Western Prefectures of the Jia family. Jia Cong's Eastern Prefecture has no movement. Since the mourning period, he has been staying in the prefecture behind closed doors and rarely goes out."

"Jia Lady Lian of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture and his wife seem to be plotting the Deng Hongchun Fur Shop left by Jia She. Jia Lady Lian's confidant servant went to the Zhen'an Prefecture to operate, checking the transfer documents of the Deng Hongchun Fur Shop."

"However, this matter has been operated by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and ordinary people can't find out the bottom line at all."

"News came from the Empress Dowager's palace that the Old Lady Jia of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture submitted a greeting memorial to the Empress Dowager."

"It mentioned Jia She's death and the inheritance of the Lady Rongguo hereditary title, which has been stagnant and unclear. The meaning is to ask the Empress Dowager to mediate."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao didn't take Jia Lady Lian and his wife's plotting of the fur shop to heart at all, but asked, "Did the Empress Dowager say anything after receiving the greeting memorial from Jia Shi?"

Guo Lin replied, "It is said that the Empress Dowager just looked at the memorial and didn't say anything. Today, the Empress Dowager and the Retired Emperor drank tea and chatted, and didn't mention a word about this matter."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao smiled slightly and said, "The Empress Dowager is a wise person. How can she be compared to the city government of an inner-chamber woman like Jia Shi? The inheritance of noble titles is a national government, and the Empress Dowager will not speak easily."

At this time, the eunuch on duty outside the hall came in to report: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Xu Kun, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, is asking to see you outside the hall, claiming that there are urgent official duties in Datong."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao felt refreshed when he heard this. A month ago, he asked Xu Kun to send the elite of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to Datong border town to investigate the matter of Jia She and Sun Sun Zhanying, the Datong Commander, colluding to sell materials.

Now that Xu Kun was asking to see him because of urgent official duties in Datong, it must be that the investigation of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Datong had already sorted out the relevant results.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao put down the memorial in his hand and said in a deep voice, "Summon Xu Kun into the hall!"

Xu Kun entered the hall with the memorial, performed a single-knee military salute in front of the imperial desk, and said, "I am following Your Majesty's oral edict to send the elite of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to Datong to investigate, and have already gained something. I am specifically reporting to Your Majesty."

Guo Lin took the memorial and presented it to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao. Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao took the memorial, opened it and browsed it, while saying to Xu Kun who was kneeling in front of the imperial desk, "Speak!"

Xu Kun replied, "After the Embroidered Uniform Guard personnel arrived in Datong Town, they went in and out of the market to visit, investigated the trade routes in Datong, and secretly arrested three civilian firms selling contraband."

"It is known that the Sun family of Datong, because of their hereditary military position, has been entrenched in Datong for several generations, and is intertwined in the market, operating many industries such as restaurants, foot-porters, and shops."

"According to the confession of the secretly arrested merchants, the Sun family members do some legitimate business on the surface, but secretly trade contraband such as tea, salt, and iron with the grassland outside the pass, earning huge amounts of gold and silver."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's face was gloomy and angry, and he closed the memorial in his hand with a "pop". The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became oppressive and solemn.

Xu Kun calmed down slightly and continued, "Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigated in many ways, Sun Sun Zhanying acted meticulously, and the Sun family has operated in Datong for several generations, with complex interests and many people covering up for them."

"We checked for many days, but couldn't find solid evidence of Sun Sun Zhanying colluding with the grassland outside the pass. However, through interrogating the secretly arrested contraband merchants, we finally got some valuable clues."

"The Sun family is involved in purchasing a large amount of tea and salt from the south, which is done very secretly. The person involved is only Sun Sun Zhanying's third son, Sun Sun Shaozu, and on the surface, it has nothing to do with Sun Sun Zhanying."

"But the Embroidered Uniform Guard secretly investigated in Datong in many ways, but couldn't find Sun Sun Shaozu's whereabouts. It is said that he left Datong nearly half a year ago, and his whereabouts are unknown now."

"The few merchants secretly arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard had traded goods with Sun Sun Shaozu many times. According to their confession, from March to May this year, Jia Lady Lian, the heir of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, traveled back and forth to Ping'an Prefecture twice."

"He communicated the trade route with Sun Sun Shaozu in Datong and handed over tea and salt goods. During this period, he also had several feasts with these few merchants, so they all knew about this matter."

"But whether Jia Lady Lian was instructed by Jia She to do these things, these merchants don't know. And there are rumors in the market that Master Qian Master Qian Shaoyang, the Datong Regional Commander, has a tacit understanding with Sun Sun Zhanying and seems to be extremely protective of the Sun family's affairs."

Xu Kun raised his head slightly, looking at Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's expression with his peripheral vision, and saw that the anger on his face had actually dissipated a little, his eyes were deep, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

He slightly organized his thoughts and continued, "In my opinion, Jia She had dealings with Sun Sun Shaozu in the Love Shenjing. According to common sense, Jia Lady Lian must have been instructed by his father, Jia She."

"He went to Ping'an Prefecture to engage in illegal activities, opened up the northern trade route with the Sun family, and the father and son used the Deng Hongchun Fur Shop to purchase contraband such as tea, salt, and iron, and sold them in the north to seek huge profits."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked, "Have the witnesses of the merchants secretly arrested in Datong been escorted to the Love Shenjing?"

Xu Kun replied, "When the Embroidered Uniform Guard sent back the report, the escort of the prisoners had already set off. According to the itinerary, they will definitely be escorted back to the Love Shenjing within three days!"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao sneered slightly: "Jia Lady Lian sold contraband to the north, which already has the suspicion of aiding the enemy. Order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to immediately arrest him, interrogate him strictly, and obtain solid evidence."

Xu Kun's expression was shocked, and he said, "I obey the decree!"

At this time, Xu Kun's heart was surging. Based on his years of experience in handling cases in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jia Lady Lian must have been instructed by his father, Jia She. Jia She was the mastermind behind the whole thing!

Once Jia Lady Lian is imprisoned, a noble son who has been pampered since childhood, where can he withstand the torture of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? He will definitely spill the beans and confess everything clearly.

The heir of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, the head of the Jia family, a major family in the Love Shenjing, sought huge profits, sold contraband to the north, aided the enemy, and was even suspected of colluding with the enemy.

As long as Jia Lady Lian confesses, Jia She's crimes will be confirmed, and the only path waiting for the Lady Rongguo Jia family is to have their home confiscated and their title removed.

Xu Kun seemed to have smelled a strong taste of blood...

The Ningrong Jia family occupied two dukedoms among the Four Kings and Eight Dukes. Even though Ningguo had been confiscated and its title removed, and the title had been sealed for three years, only the Lady Rongguo Jia family remained to support it.

But the Lady Rongguo Jia family once had two dukes as father and son, and had made great contributions to the country. Its remaining prestige still existed, and its status among the Four Kings and Eight Dukes was still pivotal.

Now, it was actually going to be confiscated and its title removed in his own hands. This matter would definitely shake the court and shock the world!

By that time, the arrogant and fierce power of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would make all officials terrified, and its momentum would definitely cover the suddenly rising Tui Shi Yuan!

By that time, the prestige of himself, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, would climb to a new height, and his future official career would also be more stable.

Just when Xu Kun was full of ambition, he suddenly heard the deep and unpredictable voice of Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao coming from above.

"Xu Kun, perhaps your speculation is correct. Jia Lady Lian was just instructed by Jia She to go to Datong to sell contraband, but Jia She has already passed away, and this matter is dead without proof."

"The Retired Emperor bestowed a marriage on Jia Cong, but Jia Cong was bestowed a marriage while mourning for his father, and he strictly observed filial piety and mourned for three years. Both I and the Retired Emperor feel that his filial piety is commendable and can be a model for the nobles of the country."

"Jia Cong has made many contributions to me. I don't want him to be ruined by unproven crimes and violate his act of filial piety..."

"Whether Jia She instigated this matter is already dead without proof, but Jia Lady Lian's involvement in this matter is undeniable and he cannot escape the crime. You can understand what I mean!"

After Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said these cold and deep words, the atmosphere in the hall instantly stagnated. Guo Lin, who was serving on the side of the imperial desk, only felt a chill rising in his heart.

As a confidant eunuch of Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, he could naturally understand the Emperor's deep calculations.

Xu Kun could be the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, dealing with mysterious and dangerous things every day, so he was naturally not a fool, and he naturally understood the meaning of Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's words.

The fanatical and arrogant desire that had just surged in his heart was like being splashed with a basin of cold water, and it quickly receded like a tide.

Thoughts flashed through Xu Kun's mind, and he soon understood the deep meaning of Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's words.

Jia Cong was the young minister most valued by the Emperor, and the Emperor had always despised and feared the Four Kings and Eight Dukes.

But the Retired Emperor, for some reason, actually bestowed a marriage on Jia Cong with the Third Miss of the Jin Ling Zhen family. The Retired Emperor's foster mother, the Zhen Old Empress Dowager, was born into the Jin Ling Zhen family, and the Second Miss of the Zhen family married the Prince of Beijing as his consort.

The Jin Ling Zhen family not only had a deep origin with the Retired Emperor, but also had a deep involvement with the Four Kings and Eight Dukes. How could the current Emperor approve of this marriage?

Jia She's sudden death gave the Emperor the most magnificent reason to bestow a marriage on Jia Cong while mourning. The national ritual system says that if a father commits one of the five major crimes such as rebellion, the son's filial piety will be stripped by national law to show punishment for major crimes, and there will be no son to send him off, to serve as a warning to others.

If the Embroidered Uniform Guard proves that Jia She committed a crime close to rebellion, then how can the Emperor bestow a marriage while mourning, and let Jia Cong mourn for three years to show filial piety?

By that time, how would the Emperor face the Retired Emperor who bestowed a marriage on Jia Cong, and there would definitely be criticism inside and outside the court, which would leave the Emperor with the stigma of not knowing the situation and being muddled in handling affairs.

By that time, he wouldn't need to talk about sitting firmly in his official position, he was afraid that the Emperor would find an excuse to let his head move house sooner or later.

Xu Kun quickly figured out this reason and broke into a cold sweat. If it weren't for the Emperor's hint, if he had handled this matter according to his own temper, he was afraid he would have died a miserable death.

He said solemnly: "I understand the Emperor's intention. The Emperor's love for his ministers is clear to heaven and earth, which moves me deeply. The Embroidered Uniform Guard will definitely enforce the law impartially and not fall into unproven crimes."

"Jia Lady Lian, as a son, used the shop opened by his father to engage in illegal activities, which violates filial piety and violates the law, and he cannot escape the crime. I will definitely enforce it impartially!"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao glanced at Xu Kun, smiled slightly, and said, "You are diligent and capable in handling affairs. I will definitely keep it in mind. The investigation of this case must be meticulous and fair. Go down and handle it!"

Xu Kun took the order and exited the hall. The cold sweat on his back that hadn't dried yet was blown by the strong wind outside the hall, making his whole body feel cold.

He thought of the scene in the hall just now. Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked the Embroidered Uniform Guard to cover up Jia She's crimes and strictly investigate Jia Lady Lian's crimes, which seemed to be out of concern for Jia Cong.

But Xu Kun had been rolling in the Embroidered Uniform Guard for many years and had seen too many gloomy things. He wouldn't think that Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's punishment of Jia Lady Lian alone was a leniency towards the Lady Rongguo Prefecture.

This calculation behind it would never be so simple. Jia Lady Lian was the eldest son of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture's First Branch and the heir to the Lady Rongguo Prefecture's title. Now that the crime was revealed, his status as the heir would be abolished, and there would be no hope of inheriting the title.

According to common sense, if the First Branch of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture could not inherit the title, it would be continued by the Second Branch.

Just as Xu Kun thought of this, he remembered something and couldn't help but tremble, subconsciously stopping his steps.

As the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he had many secret agents and eyes and ears, so he naturally knew very well about the abnormal things that happened in the Love Shenjing.

At this moment, he suddenly remembered that a few days ago, a company commander under his command reported that Jia Jia Baoyu, the legitimate son of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture's Second Branch, had insulted the Retired Emperor, and the Emperor specifically sent the Imperial Clan Court to issue a reprimand and come to the door to question him.

It is said that Jia Zheng of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, under pressure, punished his legitimate son Jia Jia Baoyu with family law. This matter quickly spread in the market and became a joke and scandal for a time, and the reputation of that legitimate son of the Second Branch was considered ruined.

Xu Kun thought about it now. Jia Jia Baoyu of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture's Second Branch was the legitimate son of the Second Branch who had the qualifications to inherit the title, apart from Jia Lady Lian of the First Branch, and this matter happened just a few days ago.

The Emperor knew very well that Jia She had hidden crimes, so he must have felt disgusted in his heart and would not let his title be inherited smoothly, but he lacked a proper reason.

Could it be that at that time, the Emperor had already calculated to use Jia Jia Baoyu's impolite words to let the Imperial Clan Court make a big fuss, ruin his reputation, and cut off the Second Branch's qualifications to inherit the title first!

And today, his confirmation that Jia Lady Lian was involved in smuggling contraband and had the suspicion of colluding with the enemy just happened to cut off the possibility of the First Branch's legitimate son inheriting the title.

If things were really as he guessed, the Emperor's calculations were truly unfathomable, which was shocking and terrifying.

Xu Kun couldn't help but look back at the towering and strict Ganyang Palace behind him, feeling a chill in his heart.

Ganyang Hall, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao looked at Xu Kun's departing back and said to Guo Lin, "Pass on my oral edict, summon Gu Guo Yankui, the Minister of War, and Shi Ding, the Marquis of Marquis Zhongjing, into the palace to discuss matters."

The imperial edict from the palace was issued, and only two quarters of an hour later, Gu Guo Yankui and Shi Ding hurried into Ganyang Hall.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao saw them arrive, took the report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and said, "The two ministers, browse this report. The son of Sun Sun Zhanying, the Datong Commander, is involved in the sale of contraband salt and iron in the north."

"Master Qian Master Qian Shaoyang, the Datong Regional Commander, is suspected of covering up, and the disaster is not small. Master Qian Master Qian Shaoyang has received the Emperor's grace, has been promoted step by step in the Datong army for nearly twenty years, but doesn't know how to be grateful."

"Datong is a major town in the Nine Borders and a key pass for defending against the remnants of the Mongols outside the pass. If the chief official of the Datong border army has the act of aiding the enemy and raising disaster, the disaster will not be small. Once verified, I will absolutely not be lenient!"

Gu Guo Yankui and Shi Ding were both people who had experienced the officialdom for a long time, were sophisticated and wise, and had rich experience.

The memorial mentioned that the Embroidered Uniform Guard obtained witnesses, and Sun Sun Shaozu participated in the sale of contraband.

Gu Guo Yankui clearly remembered that when Sun Sun Shaozu stayed in the Love Shenjing last time, he couldn't even get a real position in the Ministry of War. Such a person had limited foundation.

If there was no support from his father, Sun Sun Zhanying, behind him, he absolutely wouldn't have the courage and ability to lead the sale of contraband in the northern border town.

And Shi Ding, after reading the content of the memorial, was even more shocked. His focus was not on Sun Sun Zhanying, but on Jia Lady Lian of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture being involved in this case.

Shi Ding worried secretly in his heart. Jia Lady Lian was involved in the sale of tea, salt, and iron in the Nine Borders, which was a major crime close to rebellion. The Lady Rongguo Prefecture was about to face a disaster!

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao saw the two of them browse the memorial and said in a deep voice, "I asked you to come here to discuss relevant measures with you, in preparation for a thorough investigation of this matter!"

"I plan to mobilize a thousand soldiers from the Shenji Camp to go north, together with a thousand soldiers from the Liaodong Firearm Camp, selected and led by Liang Liang Chengzong, the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan, to take up posts in Datong for defense."

"And issue an edict to the Five Military Governor's Office and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to send personnel north to Datong to announce the edict, dismiss Sun Sun Zhanying, the Datong Commander, from his post for questioning, and secretly investigate the suspicion of Master Qian Master Qian Shaoyang, the Datong Regional Commander, being involved! What do the two ministers think?"

As soon as Gu Guo Yankui and Shi Ding heard these words from Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, they were both shocked in their hearts. The Emperor's means for this matter were so decisive and sharp.

It was quite different from the cautious weighing of military affairs in previous years.

Gu Guo Yankui, the Minister of War, had always assisted Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao in presiding over military affairs in the court, and this feeling in his heart was even more obvious.

He sighed secretly in his heart. Ever since that young man from the Jia family of Lady Rongguo emerged, he had not only done many extraordinary and amazing things.

His series of actions had also had an influence on the Emperor that could not be ignored, and these influences were now gradually becoming apparent...

Since the current Emperor ascended the throne, although he had extraordinary power and strategy, because his power in the army was thin, his control over military power was not as good as the Retired Emperor's.

This was the fundamental reason why the Emperor was wary of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes and other old nobles, because these nobles inherited from the founding of the country had deep-rooted power in the army and great potential.

And when the Emperor was in the residence, because he had no foundation in the army, if he didn't suppress the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, it would definitely cause the power of the nobles to restrict the imperial power.

He had been on the throne for more than ten years, and he had been continuously reducing the power of the old nobles in the army by eliminating and hitting the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, but his usual measures and actions were gradual and he didn't dare to be too hasty.

Therefore, the Emperor and the nobles were in a subtle state of ebb and flow.

As long as there were changes in the army, it would easily break this balance, and it would take a lot of effort to restore the balance.

Therefore, what Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao feared most was the fluctuation in the army, especially when someone used power for personal gain, or even colluded with the enemy.

In the past, he handled such matters cautiously, so as not to cause a backlash in the army due to excessive handling.

Last year, Gu Guo Yankui was appointed as the commander of the nine provinces to inspect the nine borders, and he discovered military malpractice in Datong, Ping'an Prefecture, and imprisoned a border army Assistant Regional Commander involved in the case.

But before the Assistant Regional Commander could confess everything after being imprisoned, he died mysteriously in prison. Although the Emperor dealt with the relevant military officers after the incident, he didn't dare to implicate too many people.

Because the Datong border army was an important force to defend against the remnants of the Mongols outside the pass, if it implicated too many people and caused fluctuations in the army, the consequences would be unimaginable.

However, ever since Jia Cong initiated the art of firearms, improved muskets, developed porcelain mines, and cast new types of cannons, and used firearms to sweep away the Jurchens in Liaodong, he had broken the pattern of the Great Zhou's military power.

The Emperor adopted Jia Cong's idea of building an army with firearms, built a new firearm camp in the Five Military Camps of the Love Shenjing, later renamed it the Shenji Camp, and equipped the Great Zhou army with various new types of firearms.

After two years of accumulation, the number of soldiers in the Shenji Camp expanded rapidly, reaching nearly ten thousand, and it was still expanding.

Although the number of soldiers in the Shenji Camp was not large, its killing power against the regular Zhou army equipped with swords and spears was destructive, and the two sides could not be mentioned in the same breath at all.

The most important point was that the Shenji Camp was firmly controlled by the Emperor from beginning to end.

Moreover, the Firearm Division of the Ministry of Works, presided over by Jia Cong, specifically developed various new types of firearms, which were also tightly controlled by the Emperor. Ministers who were not the Emperor's confidants didn't know the bottom line of the Firearm Division at all.

With these two major killers, the Emperor no longer handled military storms as cautiously as before, because he already had the most solid backing and right to speak when facing military power.

Gu Guo Yankui thought of these things, and the young man from the Jia family flashed in his mind. Even he had high expectations for him, and it was not an exaggeration to call him a hero of the world.

Gu Guo Yankui couldn't help but worry that Jia Lady Lian of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture was his brother, and his eldest brother was involved in a major crime. He hoped that the impact and shock on him would be smaller... (End of chapter)