Chapter 111: Killing two birds with one stone, a knife hidden in the scabbard

"So, the group of mine bandits who murdered Zhang Chucheng were raised by the Prince of Dong'an, Zhu Xianhuai?"

Hai Rui and Li Zaiting looked at each other, then looked at the Heir of the Prince of Wugang, who was spitting as he spoke.

Zhu Yingyou slapped his thigh and said vividly: "Of course! Who on the road doesn't know!?"

"That kind of exiled villain Shi Chaofeng, clearly a man from Shaanxi, came to Huguang; isn't it because my uncle has a notorious reputation for stealing mines?"

"Not to mention the distant ones, that group of mine bandits in Huizhou in the third year of Longqing, after committing a major case, fled to Huguang overnight to seek my uncle's protection."

He was originally sitting upright, but as he spoke, he slid down and leaned back.

Li Zaiting's expression shifted: "Is the Heir talking about May in the third year of Longqing, when the mine bandits attacked Wuyuan County in Huizhou, raided the prefectural treasury, and burned the government offices!?"

He naturally had an impression of this matter; at that time, he was a new official and hadn't seen much of the world, so he was surprised for a long time when he heard about it.

Especially since the Wuyuan Magistrate Li Shixue at the time let the enemy go without defending; the Registrar Zhan Xiangwu fled in a panic, abandoning the treasury; and the Commander Zhai Fengxiang stood by and watched.

Although they were all punished, it was ultimately unforgettable.

It was just unexpected to hear the follow-up to this matter today.

Zhu Yingyou nodded repeatedly: "That's the case! There are many more like this! Now, I don't know how many such violent and lawless people have gathered around my uncle."

"Otherwise, how could an ordinary person commit such a major case as murdering an Imperial Envoy? Only those kinds of heinous villains, raiding treasuries and burning county offices, have likely practiced their hands!"

Hai Rui suddenly interrupted him.

He asked straight to the point: "Does the Heir of Wugang have evidence?"

Besides representing the Emperor, he also represented the civil officials and the Censorate; handling a case could not be like the Embroidered Uniform Guard, rushing to someone's mansion as soon as they heard a clue.

Zhu Yingyou frowned, his expression somewhat dissatisfied.

He had already said so much, could it be false?

Still wanted evidence? Was he not trusted!

Zhu Yingyou waved his hand: "This matter is known to everyone in the Prince of Chu's mansion; could I possibly lie to deceive the Heavenly Envoys? Anyway, I have provided the clues; the Heavenly Envoys might as well investigate properly!"

Seeing that the two Imperial Envoys were staring at him without speaking.

Zhu Yingyou then added impatiently: "As far as I know, that group of mine bandits is now in the area of Xingguo Prefecture and Daye County; the two Imperial Envoys might as well send people to search and arrest them!"

"I heard that these are all core leaders."

"What relationship they have with my uncle, and whether the Linxiang County case was done by them, the two Imperial Envoys will know as soon as they interrogate them!"

Xingguo Prefecture, Daye County...

The two were energized!

The Zhang Chucheng case had Zhu Yingyan of the Yueyang Prince's mansion on the front stage, the water bandit matter fell on the Lishan Prince's mansion of the Min fief, and finally, only the moles in the Three Commissions and the mine bandit matter remained.

Now that there were leads on the mine bandit matter, the Huguang mission was basically settled.

However... whether this Heir was credible, and whether he had other motives, was another matter.

Hai Rui's mind raced, and he glanced at Li Zaiting, who immediately understood and turned to leave.

The former continued to pursue the question: "Then the murder of Zhu Yingyan of the Yueyang Prince's mansion was also done by the Prince of Dong'an?"

Zhu Yingyou immediately stood up and said hatefully: "It must be him!"

"The Yueyang Prince's mansion was split from my Chu fief and has always followed the orders of the Chu mansion."

"Only my uncle could kill Zhu Yingyan without anyone knowing!"

Hai Rui was already used to the self-righteousness on the surface of this Heir.

He asked patiently: "Does the Heir have evidence?"

Zhu Yingyou didn't say a word this time, holding his head high: "Where would I need any evidence!"

Hearing this, Hai Rui couldn't help but shake his head secretly; what a reckless person.

He couldn't help but feel a bit of regret in his heart; he had thought there was something real.

Just as he was thinking this, he heard Zhu Yingyou continue: "I have evidence that my uncle and Zhu Yingyan were in cahoots! It is enough to show that in the Zhang Chucheng matter, Zhu Yingyan was acting as a knife for my uncle!"

Hai Rui was startled and finally became serious: "Where is the evidence?"

Zhu Yingyou snorted: "The evidence is in the Prince of Chu's mansion; the Heavenly Envoys should take the guards and go with me to the Prince of Chu's mansion; I will confront him face to face, and you will understand!"

Hai Rui pondered for a moment and looked at the somewhat flamboyant and reckless Heir.

Finally, he made a decision and said: "The guards are unnecessary; I will go with you myself!"

In the end, he compromised.

Zhu Yingyou was extremely confident and urged Hai Rui to hurry.

Hai Rui did not delay at all and hurriedly followed.

It was just right; it was time to meet this head of the Huguang imperial clan, the person in charge of the Chu fief.

If the Provincial Governor's Yamen, as the temporary residence of the Imperial Envoys, caused visitors to be endless.

Then the Prince of Chu's mansion, as the head of the Huguang imperial clan enfeoffed by the Grand Progenitor, naturally had the same scene of its threshold being trampled flat during these days.

Visitors from all sides had come to the gate of the Prince of Dong'an's mansion.

The Prince of Dong'an, Zhu Xianhuai, was even somewhat exhausted from dealing with them.

Unfortunately, there were some people he had to see.

Today was the same; he had even invited the person himself, a life of toil.

Zhu Xianhuai sighed, picked up the teapot, and personally poured tea for the younger generation in front of him.

The two sat opposite each other across the tea table, the atmosphere somewhat tense.

Zhu Changling sat opposite the Prince of Dong'an with a fierce look on his face and said in a deep voice: "Prince of Dong'an, this cannot go on!"

"You led the matter; now that the situation is out of control, don't you dare ignore it."

Too arrogant!

A mere domestic slave actually dared to slaughter members of the imperial clan!

Although they were only Generals who Assist the State and Generals who Serve the State in collateral princely mansions, this knife was cutting into all members of the imperial clan!

That scoundrel Zhu Xizhong, just because he got a little clue, dared to lead guards into the Prince of Min's mansion and slaughter members of the imperial clan without restraint!

If he continued to investigate downward, how would he, Zhu Changling, conduct himself!

Zhu Xianhuai filled the teacup and pushed it to Zhu Changling: "Heir of the Prince of Jing, calm down; asking you here is precisely for this matter."

His actions and expression showed that this Prince of Dong'an was calmer.

Perhaps because of his age, having experienced all kinds of storms—usurping the throne, harming his own clan, beating local officials to death—his temperament was naturally much stronger.

He poured himself a cup of tea and said with some regret: "It's a pity that Zhu Xizhong didn't kill the Prince of Min as well, even killing the Prince of Lishan would have been fine."

After saying this, Zhu Xianhuai shook his head and took a sip of tea.

Zhu Changling was in no mood to argue with him, just sneered coldly: "Prince of Dong'an, stop talking in riddles to me, otherwise I won't have the patience and won't bother listening anymore."

"If we fight our own battles then, don't blame me for ruining things."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Xianhuai gave a bitter smile.

He said helplessly: "At this time, how could I have the leisure to talk in riddles with the Heir? It was just a feeling of regret."

"If Zhu Xizhong had killed a Commandery Prince on this trip, making our fellow clansmen sufficiently resentful and suspicious, the plan to make the Imperial Envoys stop would have a 30% higher chance of success."

Zhu Changling looked at Zhu Xianhuai quietly, waiting for his follow-up.

He had the posture of leaving immediately if he didn't get to the point.

Zhu Xianhuai drank the tea in his cup in one gulp, finally restrained his expression, and said seriously: "In my opinion, these Imperial Envoys are likely not just here to investigate the Zhang Chucheng case, but are targeting us members of the imperial clan!"

"There must be the intent of the Emperor and the Grand Secretariat behind this."

"Otherwise, it would be impossible for us to have retreated to that extent, and Wu Jinghe still wouldn't give any face."

"It would also be impossible for Zhu Xizhong to dare to act on his own authority and wantonly slaughter gentry, wealthy families, officials, and members of the imperial clan."

"They are learning from Zhu Wan!"

Zhu Wan was like that back then.

As Emperor Shizong's right-hand man, he toured Zhejiang for Shizong, and under the pretext of suppressing the Japanese pirates, he plowed through the local wealthy gentry, with a very heavy killing intent.

Either he would say it was the Japanese pirates after the killing, or it was simply done by the Japanese pirates, scaring the local gentry into fleeing with their whole families.

After doing such things, the subsequent impeachments were naturally inevitable.

Gentry, censors, and ministers submitted memorials like snowflakes into Emperor Shizong's Wan Shougong.

Seeing that Shizong couldn't block them, Zhu Wan actually committed suicide by poison!

With the person dead, what else could be done? The killing account in Zhejiang was naturally wiped clean.

He didn't know if the Emperor had gotten inspiration today, or if the central government had learned the old trick and come to Huguang to play this game; what Zhu Xizhong was doing now was almost carved from the same mold.

Speaking of business, Zhu Changling also gathered his thoughts and followed the train of thought.

He asked tentatively: "So, the Prince of Dong'an means... no matter how many scapegoats are pushed out to settle the score and make merit for the Imperial Envoys, they won't stop!?"

This method was what he had just mentioned.

He could only think to this level.

No wonder the Prince of Dong'an was dismissive; it turned out that his own vision was too shallow and he hadn't seen the root cause.

Zhu Xianhuai nodded, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he gave a light laugh: "Stop? I'm afraid they can't wait to kill all of us!"

Zhu Changling's heart jumped.

A flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes; he finally couldn't hold back.

He leaned forward and questioned coldly: "The Prince of Dong'an said it was foolproof back then, with a look of confidence, enticing me to cooperate with you."

"Why? Now that it's out of control, are you going to stretch your neck and wait for death?"

Regardless of what the Prince of Dong'an thought, he would never sit and wait for death!

Once they investigated him, he would definitely fight to the death!

Zhu Xianhuai pressed his hand down, signaling Zhu Changling not to be anxious.

The former straightened his back and said seriously: "I already have a plan, which can not only force the Imperial Envoys to retreat but also fulfill the promise made to the Heir before!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Changling asked impatiently: "How to do it?"

Not hearing the 'what is the plan' in a harmonious atmosphere, Zhu Xianhuai was somewhat disappointed; sure enough, he was unlearned and incompetent, and talking to such people was a degradation.

However, the benefits were naturally easy to entice...

Zhu Xianhuai immediately gathered his thoughts, looked at Zhu Changling, and said word by word: "Does the Heir still remember the story of the Progenitor?"

Zhu Changling was stunned for a moment, went through his mind, and immediately thought of what the story of the Progenitor in the Prince of Dong'an's mouth referred to!

Back then, Emperor Jianwen listened to slander, ordered the reduction of the fiefs, oppressed the imperial clan, and bullied his relatives.

Fortunately, there was the Progenitor Zhu Di, who raised an army to pacify the chaos and restore order, only then avoiding a slaughter of the imperial clan.

So...

Zhu Changling's expression was one of encouragement, and he stood up immediately.

He was greatly encouraged, bowed, and was about to leave: "Since the Prince of Dong'an has such courage, I will immediately return to Qizhou to raise an army and respond to the Prince of Dong'an!"

*Pa! *

As soon as he finished speaking, there was the sound of porcelain shattering.

In his astonishment, Zhu Xianhuai accidentally dropped his teacup on the ground.

He finally returned to his senses and hurriedly pulled Zhu Changling back!

Meeting Zhu Changling's confused gaze, Zhu Xianhuai said angrily: "That's not what I meant!"

He stomped his feet in anxiety, using great effort to press Zhu Changling back to the table: "I'm not asking you to learn the story of rebellion!"

Zhu Changling frowned.

Seeing his stupid look, Zhu Xianhuai secretly hated—sure enough, it had to be such a fool who would have his power usurped by his own brother.

He steadied his mood and pulled the topic back to the right track: "What I mean is not the Progenitor's rebellion, but why the Progenitor rebelled..."

Zhu Changling couldn't turn the corner and said as a matter of course: "Because Emperor Jianwen oppressed us members of the imperial clan!"

Zhu Xianhuai nodded, meaningfully: "Yes, Emperor Jianwen oppressed the imperial clan; how similar is it to now?"

Zhu Changling still didn't understand; even so, what could be done?

If it's similar, then rebel! But wasn't he told not to just now?

Zhu Xianhuai looked at the expression of this great-grandson generation and sighed helplessly.

He simply explained it himself: "The actions of this Wanli Emperor and Emperor Jianwen, by comparison, are no different."

"They are all picking bones from an egg, looking for our faults, wanting to take back all our fiefs, manors, and palaces."

"The only difference is that the current Emperor is treacherous and cunning, knowing how to divide and conquer, which is why he specifically only bullies the imperial clan in Huguang."

"It is precisely because the Jianwen example is in front; if he does too much and forces too hard, chilling the hearts of the imperial clan in the world, then there might not be a second Progenitor; at worst, he could smash half the world!"

Zhu Changling faintly grasped some threads and was thoughtful.

He thought for a while and finally realized: "So, not only do we need to submit memorials to the Emperor, but we also need to connect with the imperial clan in other provinces and tell them that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold!"

Zhu Xianhuai had completely given up on this Heir being able to follow his train of thought.

He rolled his eyes, looked up again, and explained kindly: "Not to mention the question of feasibility, even the time taken is simply too late."

Zhu Xianhuai paused and finally mentioned the point: "Instead of connecting, it is better to have a major event happen, making them feel the rabbit's death and the fox's grief, and substitute themselves into the position of the Progenitor at that time."

Zhu Changling's eyes widened, his mouth couldn't help but open slightly, looking like he had suddenly realized: "No wonder the Prince of Dong'an said it's a pity Zhu Xizhong didn't kill the Prince of Min."

Zhu Xianhuai shook his head: "That's still not enough; there is always the excuse of the Zhang Chucheng case in front, and people's hearts want peace, so they will always persuade themselves."

"I originally planned to add some ingredients with the Prince of Min's mansion, but now that I think about it, it's better to do it thoroughly!"

He looked at Zhu Changling, his expression inexplicable: "Why not... reenact the story of the Prince of Xiang, how about it?"

Zhu Changling stood up suddenly.

The Prince of Xiang! The twelfth son of the Grand Progenitor!

Back then, when Jianwen reduced the fiefs, he burned his whole mansion to death!

The imperial clan in the world was shaken, and the Progenitor felt the rabbit's death and the fox's grief, only then deciding to pacify the chaos.

Once this matter came out, the momentum naturally didn't need to be mentioned!

Not to mention forcing the Imperial Envoys to retreat, whether the Emperor could even have a good Wan Shoujie was another matter.

As for how to reenact the story of the Prince of Xiang?

Back then, the Prince of Xiang's fief was in Jingzhou Prefecture!

As the Heir of the Prince of Jing, how could he not understand why Zhu Xianhuai had called him here!

His expression was uncertain, and he said astringently: "The Prince of Dong'an wants my Prince of Jing's mansion to also have a whole-family self-immolation?"

The story of the Prince of Xiang could naturally shake the imperial clan of the world!

The problem was that the chips for the offer were somewhat unacceptable to Zhu Changling.

Zhu Xianhuai didn't look up and picked up the teapot again to pour tea for himself.

Meaningfully: "Wang Shizi came to my door to do things for me; isn't it because you want me to submit a memorial to plead for you and compete with your younger brother for the position of Prince?"

"Now that I am helping you 'persuade' them to commit self-immolation, isn't it killing two birds with one stone?"

The complexity of the situation in the Jing fief was no less than that of the Chu fief now.

The late Prince of Jing, Zhu Yiju, had passed away in February of the fourth year of Longqing.

But before he died, he didn't know which nerve was wrong, and he submitted a memorial to Emperor Muzong, saying that the Heir Zhu Changling was unfilial, requesting that the second son, Zhu Changxin, manage the affairs of the Prince of Jing's mansion.

As for where he was unfilial? Anyway, the Prince of Jing didn't say.

Muzong was someone who didn't ask about worldly affairs; as soon as he saw an old relative's memorial, he didn't ask anything and agreed with a wave of his hand.

But it just so happened that neither the Prince of Jing nor Muzong had ever mentioned deposing the Heir.

As a result, in the current Jing fief, the Prince Heir was the eldest son Zhu Changling, but the one managing the mansion was the second son Zhu Changxin.

Two moons in the sky, there must be great chaos.

This situation naturally could not avoid a struggle.

Zhu Changling used all his means, but he was always no match for his lack of strategy.

Now the voices in the mansion had gradually unified, and they all intended to depose the Heir and let the second son Zhu Changxin inherit the title.

They even began to prepare to let the mansion's Chief Historian and eunuchs submit a request to the Imperial Clan Court.

The reason was ready-made—Zhu Changling was unfilial and could not inherit the princely title.

This forced Zhu Changling to seek support from outside.

He found the Prince of Chu's mansion.

With insufficient talent and the position of Prince hanging over him, it was not surprising that he could do anything; he was also a sharp blade in Zhu Xianhuai's hand.

Zhu Changling was silent for a long time.

Only then did he say faintly: "How can I survive?"

With the Progenitor having set a good precedent, if the story of the Prince of Xiang were truly reenacted, it would indeed not be something a few Imperial Envoys could decide on their own.

As long as the imperial clan in the world felt the same way, the central government would have to be cautious.

The method was a good one, but the problem was... how would he, the Heir of the Prince of Jing, conduct himself!?

Seeing him waver, Zhu Xianhuai smiled slightly.

He comforted him: "Their suicide out of fear of crime is their business; the Heir has long been excluded by the mansion and knows nothing; isn't that very normal?"

"Besides... at that time, would the central government still have the heart to investigate?"

Zhu Changling was silent.

The tea room fell into silence for a while.

Only the sound of Zhu Xianhuai pouring tea remained.

Finally, after a long time.

Zhu Changling exhaled a turbid breath dejectedly and said powerlessly: "Then let it be so."

Zhu Xianhuai smiled with satisfaction.

He stood up and patted Zhu Changling on the shoulder: "My people are hiding in the mine cave in Daye County; later, take my token and go lead them away; you must handle the matter well."

His words were full of threats: "Whether you have the heart but no courage, or the matter is exposed, you cannot escape death; only this method is the only way to survive!"

Whether the Imperial Envoys continued to investigate or this matter was exposed, he could only wait for Zhu Xizhong to come to his door.

He believed Zhu Changling should still understand the principle of seeking life in death.

After saying this, he clapped his hands twice, and a trusted aide opened the door and waited outside.

Seeing this, Zhu Changling pushed away Zhu Xianhuai's hand on his shoulder, turned silently, and walked out the door.

Zhu Xianhuai walked to the door of the tea room, smiled and watched him walk away, and only when he couldn't see him did his expression turn cold.

He put his hands behind his back.

Looking up at the sky, he whispered to his trusted aide: "You go follow him; leave two living people at that time; make Zhu Changling's actions known to everyone."

He paused and smacked his lips: "Then take Zhu Changling to a place where no one is around and deal with him."

Killing two birds with one stone? Naturally, it was killing two birds with one stone!

However, forcing the Imperial Envoys to stop was one bird, that was correct.

The other bird was not to help Zhu Changling ascend to power, but to pin the matters of raising mine bandits and secretly harming Zhang Chucheng on this Heir of the Prince of Jing!

After saying this, the Prince of Dong'an, Zhu Xianhuai, turned and left unhurriedly with his hands behind his back.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 112 =====