Chapter 60: 60. Chapter 60: Sins Accumulated, Recorded in the File

60. Chapter 60: Sins Accumulated, Recorded in the File

The Northern Division of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was a division under the Embroidered Uniform Guard, in charge of prisons, with the power to patrol, arrest, and interrogate, without having to go through the Three Judicial Offices, and was especially specialized in using torture to suppress corrupt officials.

It had the power to handle cases and was a secret service agency that belonged only to the Emperor.

Wang Ruyan's case was exposed to the Northern Division by his subordinate.

This subordinate was named Xu Fuyuan, who was originally a Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel; in the seventh month of this year, because he was evaluated as impetuous and his memorial on his own gains and losses was not appropriate, he was personally instructed by the Emperor to be demoted to Judge of the Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner's Office.

This person failed the Emperor's grace and felt guilty, so he decided to serve well at his post.

But as soon as he arrived at his post, he discovered that his superior, Wang Ruyan, was corrupt and shocking, and after Xu Fuyuan could no longer bear the torment of his conscience, he secretly collected evidence and exposed Wang Ruyan.

Xu Fuyuan was currently in the Northern Division; of course, he was not detained, but was being looked after.

Logically speaking, a case that the Three Judicial Offices wanted to inquire about should not have the person looked after in the Northern Division.

But Xu Fuyuan was a cautious person, only saying that the matter was of great importance, and would rather sit in jail than leave the Northern Division for even half a step, for fear of being poisoned.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had no choice but to look after him with good food and drink.

To the point that in the jail of the Northern Division, there appeared the spectacle of wooden tables, low beds, good wine, and delicious food.

When Hai Rui came and saw such a cell, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

He was followed by the Junior Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Chen Dong, and the two of them were handling the case together.

Luo Sigong followed half a step behind, following closely, even in the Northern Division, he was carefully observing left and right.

Hai Rui pushed open the door of the jail, looked at Xu Fuyuan, and confirmed: "Judge of the Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner's Office, Xu Fuyuan?"

Xu Fuyuan was originally leaning on the low bed resting, and seeing that the two people who entered were both wearing scarlet official robes, he immediately understood that these were big shots in the court.

He hurriedly got up to salute: "Judge of the Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner's Office, Fuyuan, has met the two superiors."

Xu Fuyuan was not a criminal, only a witness, so his official status naturally remained.

Hai Rui and Chen Dong looked at each other and sat down one after another, pulling open the chairs.

The former pushed the wine and food on the wooden table to the side, took out the file, placed it on the table, and went straight to the point: "You reported Wang Ruyan? What is it about?"

Chen Dong waved his hand to let the accompanying clerks retreat, and personally picked up a pen to record on the side.

Xu Fuyuan, as a witness, did not need to stand, and took the opportunity to sit opposite.

He did not answer directly, but instead looked at the two of them with some hesitation, confirming: "I don't know what official positions the two superiors hold?"

Hai Rui straightened his back, sat upright, and replied: "I am the Investigating Hai Yushi in charge of Lianghuai salt taxes, Hai Rui."

As soon as the words fell, Xu Fuyuan seemed to have been pressed by a switch.

Without waiting for Chen Dong on the side to speak, he immediately straightened his posture and said loudly: "If Hai Yushi Hai has questions, this subordinate will say everything he knows!"

Chen Dong's introduction, which was on the tip of his tongue, was swallowed back, and he simply shut his mouth and said nothing.

Hai Rui nodded, signaling that he could answer.

Xu Fuyuan did not stop at all, telling the ins and outs of the matter: "This subordinate was previously a Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel, and had some general impressions of officials in various places."

"After being demoted to Lianghuai, I saw that my superior was Wang Ruyan, so I kept an eye on him."

"I had seen the file when I was in the Ministry of Personnel, and remembered this person; this person was originally a Secretary in the Zhejiang Division of the Ministry of Revenue during the Jiajing years, and his rank was not low."

"But after that, he was demoted three times in a row, first demoted to Tongzhou Vice Prefect, then demoted to Jiangdu and Haimen, and then even demoted to Xinghua County Magistrate, demoted all the way to the seventh rank."

"From this, one can see this person's ability, although later because he was appreciated by Li... a certain superior, he was promoted back to the Ministry of Revenue."

"But after that superior retired, this person was demoted to Lianghuai again."

"For such a straw bag, this subordinate naturally had to keep an eye on him, to avoid being implicated by him."

"Sure enough!"

"In the following second month, this subordinate secretly observed this person, and discovered how contemptuous of the law and how deceitful to Heaven and Earth this person's actions were!"

When he said this, he swallowed his saliva.

After such a long buildup, he hadn't entered the main topic yet; Chen Dong just felt that this person was deliberately wasting his time.

He wanted to remind him, but Hai Rui was the main person in charge of the case, so he didn't speak, and it wasn't easy for him to interrupt.

On the contrary, Hai Rui frowned tightly.

He asked coldly: "What certain superior, where in our dynasty is there an official without a name or surname! Speak clearly!"

Xu Fuyuan hesitated for a moment: "It has nothing to do with this case, it is better not to mention it..."

Hai Rui stared at him quietly, his voice without any emotional color: "Since it has been spoken, it should have a name and a surname."

Xu Fuyuan looked at Hai Rui, then at Chen Dong.

His voice was extremely low, almost whispering: "It is... the former Senior Grand Secretary of the Zhongji Hall, Junior Tutor and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Li Chunfang."

Chen Dong was startled, stopped his recording pen, and looked at Hai Rui.

Li Chunfang was a native of Yangzhou; if he were involved, it was not impossible, but these words were truly ambiguous.

After all, it was only a promotion, and it might not have anything to do with the Lianghuai salt taxes.

Whether to record it or not was between the two; Chen Dong naturally had to ask Hai Rui's meaning.

Hai Rui was expressionless, turned his head, and nodded slightly to him: "Record it in the file."

Chen Dong gritted his teeth, wrote down the three characters Li Chunfang, and continued to record.

Hai Rui looked at Xu Fuyuan again: "Continue, how was Wang Ruyan deceitful to Heaven and Earth?"

Xu Fuyuan looked deeply at Hai Rui, a flash of admiration passing by.

Although he was the one being interrogated, this courage truly did not disappoint him.

He continued to speak: "Lianghuai has three subordinate divisions, namely Taizhou, Huai'an, and Tongzhou."

"Logically, they should handle 700,000 salt vouchers annually and store 210,000 vouchers of salt."

"But, this subordinate has seen the Lianghuai salt warehouse..."

Xu Fuyuan raised his head and looked at the two scarlet-robed high officials, saying softly: "I am afraid there is less than 50,000 vouchers of salt stored."

The two of them raised their heads suddenly.

Chen Dong's face changed several times.

Hai Rui was solemn, reminding him word by word: "Witness Xu Fuyuan says that the salt warehouse has a deficit of 160,000 vouchers, record it in the file."

Chen Dong found it increasingly difficult to write, but recorded it.

Hai Rui pursued: "Where did the salt deficit go, does Judge Xu know?"

Xu Fuyuan nodded: "Wang Ruyan colluded with salt merchants and sold it all as private salt."

"Not just the salt warehouse."

"Lianghuai has thirty salt fields; this subordinate has inspected the other seven fields and privately asked the salt workers; for each field's salt output, compared to the scheduled number, I am afraid it is double!"

Double, that would be an extra 700,000 vouchers.

If these 700,000 vouchers were taxed normally, logically there would be 4 million taels; this case value was already shocking to hear.

But... Chen Dong had to admit that only in this way did it conform to common sense.

The former Song dynasty had 12 million guan of salt tax every year; how did it become only 2 million taels when it reached the Ming dynasty?

Hai Rui's expression did not change, he nodded, and reminded Chen Dong, who was stunned: "Record it in the file."

He looked at Xu Fuyuan again: "The salt merchants sold official salt as private salt, and all the benefits were divided by Wang Ruyan?"

Chen Dong felt complicated on the side; reason told him that the answer to this question could not be like this; how much benefit could a mere Transport Commissioner eat?

That was, after all, millions of taels.

But, he feared the real answer from the bottom of his heart; he couldn't even imagine the people who would be involved in this case amount of millions of taels.

Xu Fuyuan shook his head: "This subordinate is not very clear about this matter."

"However, judging by Wang Ruyan's daily behavior, I am afraid he couldn't eat so many benefits."

"Furthermore, he hasn't been in Lianghuai for long, but this matter has clearly been going on for a long time and has formed a precedent."

Hai Rui heard that he had unfinished meaning.

He leaned forward and questioned: "If you have clues, speak directly."

Xu Fuyuan paused, looked outside, and Hai Rui understood, signaling Luo Sigong to stand further away.

Only then did the former speak: "There are some rumors."

"Those salt merchants, whenever the time comes, will send benefits to certain high-ranking families."

"They claim it is just human relations, but the streets all say that this is sharing the dividends."

Hai Rui pursued: "Which salt merchants? Which high-ranking families?"

Xu Fuyuan was silent for a long time, seemingly preparing mentally, overcoming himself.

After a long while, he spoke: "There are many salt merchants; I have already listed them in my notes; Hai Yushi Hai can follow the clues after arriving in Lianghuai."

"As for the high-ranking families..."

He looked outside again to make sure no one was there.

Only then did he continue: "There is the Duke of Wei's mansion..."

As soon as the words fell, Chen Dong's pen fell to the ground.

His body shook, and he came back to his senses.

He bent down to pick up the pen and gave a forced smile to Hai Rui with some apology.

Hai Rui patted his back without speaking, and turned his head to signal Xu Fuyuan to continue.

Xu Fuyuan had no turning back, and said with a look of death-defying: "Junior Tutor and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Li Chunfang."

"Junior Tutor and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Xu Jie."

"Nanjing Ministry of War Right Vice Minister Ji Lian."

"Nanjing Minister of Revenue Cao Bangfu"

"..."

Every name was like a thunderclap, exploding in Chen Dong's heart.

It was no wonder the Emperor even wanted to send troops to follow.

This lineup was only a part, and it was already shocking to this extent!

He glanced at Hai Rui, whose expression had not changed at all, and only felt admiration. "..."

"Nanjing Minister of Rites Qin Minglei"

"Imperial Son-in-Law Li He..."

When he said this, Chen Dong finally couldn't help but interrupt Xu Fuyuan: "Wait!"

When this sound came out, he didn't even realize it himself; his voice was a bit dry and hoarse.

Seeing Xu Fuyuan look at him, he remembered that he hadn't introduced himself, and subconsciously added: "This official is the Junior Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Chen Dong."

He questioned hoarsely: "Imperial Son-in-Law Li He is clearly in the capital; how can he be involved with Nanzhili!?"

He had to ask this; for this, he even stopped recording.

There was no way; the nobility was one thing, but this was a relative of the Emperor!

Li He was the husband of Princess Ning'an.

Princess Ning'an was the third daughter of Emperor Shizong, which was the current Emperor's own aunt.

In the seventh month, she was promoted to Grand Princess Ning'an; she was a person the Emperor had to salute when he saw her.

If such a person were involved, could it really be handled!?

Nobility, super-rank old ministers, the Nine Ministers of Nanzhili, and imperial relatives were all involved; how could this case be handled!

Xu Fuyuan glanced at Chen Dong and did not mean to take back his previous words, but instead said meaningfully: "Salt merchants can also enter the capital."

Chen Dong was silent, hesitating.

For a moment, he had no movement.

Suddenly, Chen Dong saw Hai Rui make a move.

The latter moved the file he was recording in front of him, looking at himself with a gentle expression: "Junior Vice Minister Chen, give me the pen, I will do it."

Chen Dong pursed his lips and did not react.

After a long while, he stretched out his hand and moved the file back in front of him.

He looked at Hai Rui firmly: "Hai Yushi Hai, please continue, I will record."

After saying that, he wrote down Li He's name stroke by stroke in the file.

? ￠O

Hai Rui looked at him deeply, his eyes revealing approval and appreciation.

He looked at Xu Fuyuan again: "Do you have evidence?"

Xu Fuyuan nodded and confessed everything one by one.

Qianqing Palace, evening.

Zhu Yijun was burying his head in writing.

Over the past few months, he had been much more tired than in his previous life.

Court Deliberations, imperial archery, paying respects to the two palaces; these were all daily routines.

He also had to inquire about Lianghuai, the new newspaper, the new academy, intervene in personnel, and influence the Capital Battalion; it was truly exhausting.

Finally, Zhu Yijun finished writing what was in his hand and was about to raise his head to rub his eyes when he discovered that Li Jin was holding a lamp on the side.

He hadn't noticed it when he was absorbed in his work.

Zhu Yijun said casually: "If there is something, just call me; why are you learning from Zhang Hong?"

Zhang Hong had this kind of behavior; when he saw him working, he would never disturb him, and only when he came back to his senses would he make some noise.

Li Jin said respectfully: "Your Majesty's studies are heavy; how would this servant dare to disturb you."

Zhu Yijun clicked his tongue in his heart; this Li Jin was also becoming more and more respectful.

He raised his head to look at the sky outside the window and asked: "Is Hai Rui still interrogating?"

Hai Rui had entered before noon, and now it was evening; he seemed to have eaten lunch in the jail of the Northern Division.

Li Jin nodded: "Yes, he has been in the Northern Division for most of the day and hasn't come out."

Zhu Yijun instructed: "When night falls, go and remind him that there is still an elderly mother waiting at home, so he should go home early."

Devoting one's life to the country sounded touching, but he still hoped that Hai Rui would take care of his health and handle matters slowly.

The content in Xu Fuyuan's hands was too much; it was definitely impossible to finish the interrogation today.

The Censorate and the Embroidered Uniform Guard had already heard some wind about Wang Ruyan's matter.

Zhu Yijun had asked about this person from Zhu Xixiao, and then hinted to Gao Gong to let Wang Zongmu pay attention to this person.

The subsequent Xu Fuyuan was also specially demoted to Lianghuai by Zhu Yijun for a secret visit.

Accompanying him was also a Grand Tutor from the Northern Division, responsible for investigating salt merchants and gentry.

It could be said that the material this time was secretly investigated by subordinates, watched by superiors, and evidence collected by the Northern Division among the people; the three mutually verified each other, with both human and material evidence.

He was just hoping to use this to tear open a gap in Lianghuai.

There was a lot of material, a lot of evidence, and a lot of people involved, so naturally, it couldn't be finished in a day or two.

It would be better to go to Lianghuai and interrogate slowly; there was no need to rush.

He had already hinted to Hai Rui, with the premise of being slow and long-term, using Wang Ruyan as a fulcrum, and salt merchants as a handle, to continue to push toward Lianghuai.

It was just unexpected that Hai Rui would be so forgetful of food and sleep when handling a case.

Li Jin responded, but didn't leave immediately.

Zhu Yijun then remembered that he had something to do, waved his hand, and asked directly: "What is it, speak."

Li Jin said carefully: "There is a clue about Sun Yizheng's matter."

Zhu Yijun immediately turned his head to look at Li Jin, waiting for the follow-up.

This matter of Sun Yizheng had been ordered a long time ago.

Previously, when Feng Bao was raiding the house, he had intended to let Li Jin go.

But at that time, in order to get a few key positions from the Cabinet, he had to make concessions, promising not to use secret service politics casually—of course, Zhu Yijun also suspected whether Zhang Juzheng had some dirt in Feng Bao's hands, which was why he was blocking the Embroidered Uniform Guard from taking action.

In short, this work was finally taken over by the outer court and fell into the hands of the Prefect of Shuntian, Sun Yizheng.

But this Sun Yizheng was truly ignorant of life and death, only raiding 60,000 taels, dismissing the Emperor like a beggar.

If he didn't investigate him, who would he investigate?

He had ordered the Eastern Depot to lead and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to cooperate, secretly investigating.

Zhu Yijun had almost forgotten about this, but didn't expect there to be a result now.

Li Jin reported one by one: "This servant investigated many times and got a general number."

"The silver in Feng Bao's mansion is probably only 80,000 taels, but the calligraphy, paintings, jewelry, and jade are far more than this number."

Zhu Yijun leaned forward, his face focused, listening carefully.

If it weren't for checking the specific number, it wouldn't have taken so long.

Li Jin continued: "Roughly estimated, it adds up to about 130,000 taels."

Zhu Yijun cursed: "Sun Yizheng! Truly a grandson!"

"This dog-day, the Huguang mining tax case hasn't been settled with him yet, and now he is blatantly bullying me!"

"Truly lawless!"

In the Huguang mining tax case, Sun Yizheng was the Huguang Administration Commissioner, and now that he had arrived at Shuntian Prefecture, he still didn't know how to restrain himself!

Zhu Yijun turned his head suddenly, staring at Li Jin: "Which big Buddha is behind him, so unafraid of death!?"

Whether he, the Emperor, could get his own back was really hard to say; it also depended on the situation.

Li Jin said cautiously: "This matter hasn't been investigated clearly yet, but..."

Zhu Yijun didn't say a word, waiting for his reply.

Li Jin stammered, acting carefully: "After this, Sun Yizheng went to the Senior Grand Secretary's house."

"Subsequently, he sent a cart of goods to the Imperial Son-in-Law, Li He."

"And the father-in-law's house was not left out either."

Zhu Yijun paused.

He pursued: "Sent treasures to the Senior Grand Secretary?"

Zhang Juzheng was not kind; he had reminded him repeatedly, but he still didn't give him face.

Could it be that he had to collect the last two months and wait until the first year of Wanli to stop?

Li Jin shook his head: "He was kicked out by the Senior Grand Secretary, and the property was also returned, and then Sun Yizheng sent the property to Zhang Siwei's house."

Zhu Yijun then relaxed his expression.

As long as Zhang Juzheng didn't tear down his stage, Zhang Siwei was doomed anyway.

He pursued: "What about Li He?"

This Imperial Son-in-Law, Li He, was his own aunt's husband.

Li Jin hesitated: "Imperial Son-in-Law Li personally received Sun Yizheng; it is said that Prefect Sun sent a lot of jewelry, and the Grand Princess was also very happy."

Zhu Yijun hated secretly.

Even the nephew's family fortune was being dug out; these people truly didn't put him in their eyes!

This was called intertwined roots and branches.

A mere house raid could involve the Senior Grand Secretary, the Jin clique, the Grand Princess, and the father-in-law; who knew how many people were under the water.

That was not all; the Huguang mining tax case must be even more intertwined.

People were sent in the seventh month, and there was still no news until now.

He even suspected whether he would receive news of death next.

Fortunately, a memorial returned this month, saying that the situation was complicated and still being investigated.

Zhu Yijun's expression was uncertain.

After a long while, he ordered: "Go, send half a jade ring to my aunt."

"Just say, although I am financially strapped, I still remember who is family; hearing that my aunt loves jade, I have no reason to be stingy."

Li Jin was about to retreat, but Zhu Yijun called him back, thought for a long time, and added: "Tell the Senior Grand Secretary about Sun Yizheng's matter, just say that I want the Supervising Secretary of the Office of Personnel, Li Zaiting, to personally evaluate this person."

Li Jin waited for a while, and seeing that there was finally no more language from above, he slowly retreated. ===== CHAPTER 61 =====