Chapter 691: Deep Danger Moves a Thousand Miles

Great Zhou Palace, Ganyang Palace.

Xu Kun heard Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's cold words, and a sense of awe couldn't help but stir in his heart.

At the same time, he couldn't help but feel some regret. Zhen'an Prefecture's Liu Binfang received the report, and his actions were too fast.

If he had gone to investigate the Zhen family villa half a day later, the thirteen silver boxes of the Zhen family's First Branch would definitely have been sent into the Beijijing Prince's Prefecture.

By that time, Prince Beijijing Shui Rong would not be able to wash himself clean even if he jumped into the Yellow River……

Xu Kun, as the Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander, had many eyes and ears under his command and was a person who listened to all directions.

He naturally knew that the Emperor had no good feelings toward Prince Beijijing Shui Rong.

He had many feelings of contempt and annoyance toward his style of cultivating reputation, being polite to scholars, and associating with celebrities.

Once the Zhen family's thirteen silver boxes were sent into the Prince's Prefecture, the charges of the Prince's Prefecture colluding with criminal officials, disregarding national law, and implicating misconduct would never be escaped.

A Prince of a different surname colluding with a criminal official involved in the private manufacture of firearms—how much change would the Zhen family case derive……

The Embroidered Uniform Guard, as the Emperor's eagle dog, naturally had to expand the imperial will and topple a Prince of a different surname.

The so-called "times make heroes," he, this Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander, would definitely become famous in the world!

Xu Kun thought of this, and a bloodthirsty pleasure couldn't help but rise in his heart.

It was just that, in the end, the matter was one move short……

……

When he heard Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao suddenly ask about the reporter, Xu Kun felt somewhat discouraged in his heart.

He said, "Reporting to the Emperor, according to Liu Binfang, the reporter was a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy, slightly fat, with a dark face, looking like a person of the market and labor."

"He claimed to live near the Zhen family villa and saw the people in the villa acting suspiciously morning and evening, so he reported it to the government, wanting to earn some reward money."

People in the market who make a living by selling news and earning government rewards are not uncommon, so Zhen'an Prefecture was long accustomed to it.

Until Liu Binfang investigated the Zhen family villa and found the accident, he had the yamen runners go to the boy's residence to summon him for questioning according to the name and address left by the boy.

But when they arrived at the place, there was no such person. Asking the neighbors nearby, someone had seen a boy with a similar appearance appearing in the vicinity in the past two days, but no one knew his background.

From this, it can be seen that this person is absolutely not making a living by selling news, otherwise, he would not have disappeared after reporting, and wouldn't even want the government's reward money.

According to the minister's speculation, this person is either instructed by someone or has a grudge against the Jin Ling Zhen family, which is why he had such strange behavior."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao muttered to himself, "If this boy was instructed by someone to report, the person who instructed him must have known about the Zhen family's secret matter long ago."

"But the Zhen family hiding silver in the Love Shenjing is a lawless act, and they must have wanted to cover their tracks and act low-key. How did he know?"

……

Xu Kun heard Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's words and couldn't help but tremble slightly, feeling somewhat guilty in his heart.

Because he knew in his heart that there were naturally many people who knew about the Zhen family sending silver into the capital in advance……

Wang Zhangjiang, the thousand-household of the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard, is such a meticulous and capable person. Could he have no knowledge of the Zhen family secretly transporting a large amount of gold and silver out of the city?

According to Xu Kun's understanding of this subordinate, such a thing would absolutely not happen.

Because ten days before the imperial decree to dismiss Zhen Yingjia from office for investigation was issued, Xu Kun received the last secret letter from Wang Zhangjiang.

On it were such vague words: The Zhen family is facing the danger of disaster, and it is suspected that they have sent people to the capital to lobby.

Since knowing the results of Zhen'an Prefecture's investigation of the Zhen family villa, Xu Kun was even more certain that Wang Zhangjiang had long been aware of the Zhen family's move to the capital to hide silver.

The reason why Wang Zhangjiang didn't state it clearly in the secret letter was perhaps because the imperial decree had not been issued that day, the Zhen family's crime had not been determined, and there were aspects that were inconvenient to investigate deeply.

There was also a hidden reason, which was Wang Zhangjiang's method of "letting them go to catch them," planting the cause to seek the fruit, and weaving charges.

Such sinister tricks were not rare in the Embroidered Uniform Guard yamen.

But because such methods were too dark and greatly violated the positive laws of justice, it was easy to leave handles and pretexts, becoming a source of disaster for being convicted in the future.

So they would mostly act vaguely, and even colleagues in the same yamen would not speak clearly to each other.

Xu Kun, as the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, naturally understood these hidden rules and would not speak clearly even if he saw through them. Everyone knew it without saying it.

If the Zhen family really entered the capital to lobby and was caught by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and convicted, the merit would naturally not lack Xu Kun's share, and he would be happy to see it.

So, he would absolutely not be honest with Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao about such sinister matters, even if he claimed to be loyal to the monarch again, otherwise, his position as Commander would be over……

……

Therefore, he received Wang Zhangjiang's last secret letter and sent people to pay attention to the movements in the city.

Yao Shouan and Liu Baozheng's wife entered the city on the first day and hadn't even settled down before they went directly to Rongguo Prefecture, impatiently looking for Wang Xifeng to lobby.

They temporarily avoided the Embroidered Uniform Guard's eyes and ears in the city, but when they moved into the Zhen family villa that night, Xu Kun received the news.

Recalling what Wang Zhangjiang said in the secret letter, he naturally arranged for people to keep a close eye on the movements of Yao Shouan and others.

It was just that these people entered the Jia family of the Love Shenjing twice, and no other abnormalities occurred. Xu Kun originally wanted to observe the changes and wait for the rabbit, waiting for the gains.

He really didn't expect that at such a critical moment, someone would report it to Zhen'an Prefecture, causing the matter to break out too early.

Since Jin Ling's Wang Zhangjiang could detect the Zhen family's move to the north, naturally there would be other interested people who would investigate the Zhen family's move this time.

This person finally didn't know what reason he had, secretly sent someone to report to Zhen'an Prefecture, which was also a matter of course.

……

Xu Kun had absolutely no fondness for the person who had reported this matter and ruined things, nor for the potential mastermind behind the scenes, but for the moment, it was difficult to investigate.

"Reporting to the Emperor, the reporter is indeed very suspicious. The minister has arranged for people to search for this person, but there is no clue yet."

"Regardless of the reporter's intentions, the Zhen family is a family of criminals, secretly transporting family wealth into the capital to hide, escaping national law and criminal law, and cannot escape the crime, so they should be punished."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said, "Xu Aiqing's words are reasonable. Yesterday, according to the Three Judicial Offices' case review, I have already issued an imperial decree to convict the Zhen family."

"I originally considered that the Zhen family's ancestors had merit to the country, and the Zhen Old Imperial Consort had just passed away, so the method of disposing of the Zhen family had already been lenient."

"I didn't expect Zhen Yingjia to have been a court official, having received imperial grace repeatedly, having committed crimes, not knowing how to repent, ignoring national law, and doing such greedy and foolish things."

"The Zhen family is a noble family in Jin Ling, with quite a reputation in the six states and one prefecture of Jiangnan. Their words and deeds are a model for the noble families of Jiangnan."

"Their family was originally involved in the private manufacture of firearms, causing the reputation of the people to be corrupted, and now they are acting recklessly again."

"If the noble families of Jiangnan all follow suit, where is the custom of the people, and where is the discipline!"

"If they are not severely punished to warn others, in the long run, the land of Jiangnan will definitely be in chaos!"

"Guo Lin, pass this matter to the heads of the Three Judicial Offices. Zhen Yingjia has committed illegal acts again, so choose a day to open the court to discuss the crime."

Xu Kun's heart trembled slightly. He knew that the Three Judicial Offices had confirmed the investigation of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Yesterday, the Emperor issued an imperial decree to dismiss the Zhen family's First Branch from office, raid and confiscate 70% of their family wealth, to warn others.

Today, Zhen Yingjia's new crime was issued again, crime upon crime, I am afraid he couldn't escape the disaster……

……

Xu Kun said again, "Reporting to the Emperor, Zhen Fangqing has been missing for more than a month since leaving the capital, and her whereabouts are unknown."

"The minister received the Emperor's instruction and ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to search along the way. Once received a tip, someone saw the Zhen family's carriage team appear on the waterway."

"But afterward, they lost their tracks, and this matter is quite strange."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said leisurely, "I remember the Zhen family's Second Branch, Zhen Yingquan, although he had no official position, he was proficient in the way of merchants."

"The Zhen family could be wealthy in Jin Ling, all relying on this person's merit in business, and this person was deeply involved in the Jin Ling Guard Army case, a person with quite a means."

"Fortunately, he died at sea six years ago. If he could live to this day, this person who is not willing to be lonely, I don't know what kind of wind and clouds he would stir up."

"Compared to him, Zhen Yingjia is greedy and short-sighted, quite inferior."

"Zhen Fangqing is his only daughter, and her talent is not weaker than a man. Now thinking about it, she has quite the style of her father."

"This woman suddenly disappeared at this time. If she didn't encounter an accident, she must have seen the situation early and developed a heart to avoid disaster."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard should continue to search and must find her whereabouts. I want to know what her intentions are. Even if the Retired Emperor asks, I will have an explanation……"

……

Gusu City South, here is far from the bustling city. The summer is hot, and wild fields, green grass, swallows flying, cicadas chirping, river willows, and lush green can be seen everywhere.

Several carriages looked at each other from head to tail, driving on the village field paths, and finally stopped in front of a villa shaded by green trees.

A middle-aged matron got off the carriage and walked quickly to the carriage behind, helping a beautiful woman get off.

The woman was sixteen or seventeen, the most beautiful age for a girl, with a slender figure, a waist like a willow, and a graceful posture.

Although she was a pampered daughter, her eyes were clear and stable, her brows had a heroic spirit, and her behavior did not show any weakness, appearing generous and decent.

After the woman got off, she turned around and helped a middle-aged woman get off.

The woman looked at the strange environment around her, her face full of confusion.

She asked, "Fangqing, we were living well in the city, why did we suddenly move away? That was the property your father set up back then."

Zhen Fangqing smiled, "I know that was the property father set up, the place is spacious and exquisite, convenient to enter and exit, and I was very satisfied living there."

"Father didn't include that property in the public list when he bought it, and very few people know about this residence, but there are many people in the family, which doesn't mean no one knows."

"Now that the family is in this situation, I have to be more careful. This time I picked you up from Jin Ling, mother, just to avoid the family turmoil, so you won't be shocked."

"Xian Shu has received news from Jin Ling. Ten days ago, the court issued an imperial decree, and the eldest uncle has been dismissed from office for investigation. This disaster of the Zhen family, no matter what, can't be avoided."

"Now the Love Shenjing's Three Judicial Offices have sent officials to review the case, which is just a formality. The overall situation of the family has been decided, and it is difficult to save it."

"According to the time calculation, at this time, the Three Judicial Offices' review has mostly been decided. I am afraid the Love Shenjing will soon issue another imperial decree, and by then, it might be raiding the house and convicting them."

……

Zhen Second Mistress's face turned pale, and she said, "Has the matter really reached such a bad point? The eldest master has already been dismissed from office, isn't that enough?"

Zhen Fangqing said, "Mother, the Third Brother of the First Branch participated in the private manufacture of firearms, which violated the Emperor's taboo, and the Zhen family is the leader of the noble families in Jiangnan."

"If the Emperor doesn't severely punish the Zhen family, how can he deter the Jiangnan scholars, how can he be majestic, and how can he warn others? The general trend of imperial power, the Zhen family can't escape."

"And Xian Shu heard news that the First Mistress's brother took more than a dozen boxes north, wanting to hide the First Branch's private wealth in the Jia family."

Zhen Second Mistress's face changed, and she said, "If she wants to hide silver, she should go to the Beijijing Prince's Prefecture, why the Jia family?"

"What on earth is the First Mistress thinking? Isn't this just causing trouble for Cong Ge'er for nothing."

Zhen Fangqing's corners of her mouth pulled slightly, and she said, "I guess they want to leave a fallback, feeling that I have a connection with Yuzhang, so the Jia family will definitely sell this favor."

"However, it is easy to hide this from ordinary people, but it is very difficult to hide it from that Wang Zhangjiang in Jin Ling."

"Once this matter is exposed, the eldest master will definitely be guilty of an additional crime, and by then, it will be more than just raiding the house."

Zhen Second Mistress was somewhat worried and said, "Yuzhang won't be hindered by your feelings and really accept the First Branch's silver, right? If it is discovered, it will ruin things."

Zhen Fangqing's bright eyes flickered, and she said, "Mother, don't worry. Yuzhang is not that foolish."

"Originally, these things were the First Branch's crime, and our Second Branch might still be able to stay out of it, but if the situation changes drastically, whether the Second Branch will be implicated is hard to say."

"Now the Second Branch is left with only two women. If we really suffer a disaster, how can we withstand it? I have to be careful."

"We move out of the residence on Chayuan Street early, so we will be more secure early."

……

The mother and daughter talked while entering this quite exquisite and tidy residence.

Zhen Second Mistress looked around at this villa and said, "In this countryside outside the city, there is such an exquisite good house, which is also very rare."

"Fangqing, where did this house come from? Can we be secure living here, and won't be known by others?"

Zhen Fangqing smiled, "Mother, don't worry. This house was set up by Yuzhang for Xin Chun Hao, absolutely safe and reliable, you can rest assured living here."

Zhen Second Mistress was very surprised and smiled, "He is in the Love Shenjing, such a long distance, how can you still order him around?"

Zhen Fangqing said, "The day I left the Love Shenjing, Yuzhang sent me off and reminded me to be more careful when returning south this time."

"I originally wanted to be secure, so I thought I wouldn't enter Jin Ling directly, but would stay in Gusu to watch the situation. It just so happens that Yuzhang has connections in Gusu and can take care of me."

Zhen Second Mistress smiled, "You two are tacitly understanding. If it weren't for the changes in his family, you would have been husband and wife. It's just a lack of fate."

"Yuzhang is such an outstanding person. Originally you had a lifetime of support, and I, as a mother, also finished a major event, never thinking things would become like this."

"Now the Zhen family is about to decline, raiding the house and losing the business, no longer the noble family in Jin Ling. The two families are no longer as well-matched as before."

"He is now an official with a heavy title, only at the age of the dance of the elephant, and I don't know how much he will climb in the future. This marriage is probably difficult, even though the two of you are still very harmonious……"

Zhen Fangqing heard her mother's chatter about how the two families were no longer well-matched and how the two would be difficult to harmonize, but she didn't seem to take it to heart.

She subconsciously rubbed the back of her tender and smooth right hand, a flush appeared on her pretty face, and her bright eyes flowed, exceptionally moving.

Thinking of the day he came to send her off, the two drank and talked in the carriage. He was moved and held her hand tightly.

Because he held it too hard, he even left his finger marks on the back of her hand.

Clearly, a long time had passed, but she felt that the finger marks had never faded, as if they were branded in her heart……

……

Jin Ling, Taiping Gate.

The summers here were scorching; the sun had been blazing in the sky, but in an instant, the sunlight dimmed, and large dark clouds surged across the sky.

Following this, a drizzle began to fall, and before long, the loose soil at the city gate became a muddy mess.

The crowds entering and leaving the city gate hurried along, either holding umbrellas or shielding their heads with their sleeves, weaving through the rain.

The soldiers of the Military Horse Department guarding the gate had no desire to stand guard in the rain; they all hid in the gate tunnel to avoid the downpour, huddling together with their spears and swords, chatting idly out of boredom.

Suddenly, the sound of dense hoofbeats came from not far away. The gate guards saw five fast horses galloping one after another through the rain, charging rapidly toward the city gate.

The expressions of several soldiers changed slightly; they straightened up, raised their spears, and gripped their swords, intending to stop the horses for questioning.

Except in extraordinary times, galloping fast horses through the city gate was strictly prohibited; this was a standard rule for guarding the city.

Because of the flow of people at the gate, galloping horses could easily cause trampling, and charging the gate with fast horses could lead to other unforeseen dangers.

Therefore, it was standard practice for the gate guards to stop and question riders.

Several soldiers shouted at the rapidly approaching cavalry, but the other party had no intention of slowing down at all.

In just a moment, the cavalry had charged to the front of the gate tunnel, still without slowing their pace.

All the gate guards were shocked and couldn't help but dodge to the side.

The leading rider roared at a soldier who was a bit slow to move, "Get out of the way!"

The horsewhip in his hand lashed down mercilessly. The soldier hurriedly shielded his head and face, but his shoulder was struck by the whip, causing piercing pain.

He cursed loudly, "Where did you turtle-bastards come from? Your mother didn't tie your pants tight enough, letting a brat like you leak out.

Charging the city gate on horseback and daring to hit people—are you trying to rebel?"

He said to the squad leader beside him, "Boss, we can't let this grandson get away with it. Let's send some brothers into the city to find him, otherwise, where will our Military Horse Department's face be?"

The squad leader cursed, "Shut your mouth. You should have opened your eyes wider. Just now, their clothes were soaked by the rain, making them hard to identify.

When they got closer, it looked like the uniforms of the Imperial Guards, and the bundle on the back of the guy leading the horses was wrapped in bright yellow brocade.

You want to go into the city and cause trouble for them? If you want to die, go ahead yourself. That group is most likely here from the Love Shenjing to deliver an imperial decree."

The soldier who had been whipped rubbed his aching shoulder, his expression changing slightly as he asked, "Boss, did you see clearly? Is it really the Imperial Guards delivering a decree?"

The squad leader said, "I've been watching this city gate for years; I never make a mistake. Someone came to deliver a decree ten days ago, and the posture was exactly the same.

Not long after they entered the city, the head of the Zhen family was dismissed and investigated. This time, I'm afraid the Zhen family is in for trouble again..."

Jin Ling, Mingde Ward, Zhen family mansion, main residence.

The noisy, incessant sound of rain outside the window made Zhen Yingjia's mood increasingly irritable and uneasy, causing him to pace back and forth in the room.

When the last imperial decree from the Love Shenjing arrived, it not only dismissed him for investigation but also had the three judicial offices of the Love Shenjing send officials to Jin Ling to re-examine the case of Zhen Shiwen.

Over the past ten days or so, he had been summoned for questioning by officials from the three judicial offices multiple times, living every day in dire straits.

Just in the past ten days, his hair had turned gray, showing the depth of his inner torment.

Madam Zhen personally brought hot tea into the room and said, "Master, do not worry too much. Since things have already reached this point, you should try to set your mind at ease.

Even if you cannot be an official in the future, our family can live peacefully and securely without having to deal with the troublesome matters of the officialdom; it will be more relaxed and free."

Moreover, officials who are demoted in the officialdom are not all finished once and for all; many can still be reinstated.

Master, have you forgotten that the current Prefect of Yingtian, Jia Yucun, was dismissed by the imperial court back then because he was not clean-handed while in office?

Later, he simply used the connections of the Jia family in the Love Shenjing, and after being reinstated, he obtained the position of Prefect of Yingtian, with an even higher rank than before.

What kind of background does that Jia Yucun have? How can he compare to your origins? If he can be reinstated, it certainly won't be difficult for you in the future.

Once the heat of this matter passes, you can recuperate for a period of time. The Zhen family also has many years of foundation, and there are still many relatives and old friends in the court.

When the time comes, we can find ways to maneuver and lobby, and there may be a way out."

Zhen Yingjia felt that what his wife said made a lot of sense; dismissal and reinstatement in the officialdom were indeed common occurrences.

To make a comeback, one just needs to use connections and spend money. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a bit fortunate.

He said, "At present, the three judicial offices have confirmed the facts, and I'm afraid there will still be some fluctuations. It's hard to say what will happen to the businesses we have on the surface in the future.

In the future, if we want to accomplish things, we will have to rely on that batch of silver. Besides, if we want to get things done, we must start from the Love Shenjing, which provides an extra layer of convenience.

Shou'an and Liu Baozheng's wife have been gone for more than half a month; I wonder how things are going?"

Madam Zhen said, "According to the itinerary, they have been in the Love Shenjing for about six or seven days; they must have already reached an agreement with the Jia family.

The journey from the Love Shenjing to Jin Ling is long; even if we have a servant ride fast to report back, it will take six or seven days. I expect there will be news in these next few days.

Master, do not be anxious. Wait a few more hours, and there will surely be definite news."

The husband and wife chatted, each feeling a bit comforted. Fortunately, they had taken precautions and hidden over a hundred thousand taels of silver in advance.

With such a large sum of wealth on hand, they would have enough to rely on if they wanted to make a comeback in the future.

Just as they were feeling a bit of the fortune of surviving a disaster and harboring some wild ambitions for the future,

suddenly, the sound of chaotic footsteps came from outside the door, and the expressions of both husband and wife changed involuntarily.

Having experienced the previous decree of dismissal, they were both still a bit shaken. They didn't know if it was an illusion, but they always felt those footsteps carried a terrifying panic...

Just as they were feeling anxious, a maidservant entered with a pale face.

Her voice trembling, she said, "Master, Madam, things are bad. Many Imperial Guard agents have come from outside and surrounded the entire mansion.

Several officials from the Love Shenjing have also arrived, saying they are here to announce an imperial decree to the Master. They are now waiting in the Yuhe Hall, urging the Master to go over immediately to receive the decree."

Upon hearing this, the faces of Zhen Yingjia and his wife instantly turned as pale as paper... (End of chapter)