Chapter 274: Dao Tong

"Because I just said, if Zhu Liangzu really did something bad, the local officials wouldn't dare to intervene, but Dao Tong dares to, which shows he has a lot of nerve."

"Big‑nerve people are either true heroes or true fools," Zhu Yong said with a grin.

He didn't deduce anything; he simply knew the course of this case—that Dao Tong was being wronged. Historically, after Zhu Yuanzhang learned that Dao Tong had been wronged, he personally wore mourning attire for Dao Tong and wept, saying, "I have wrongly executed a loyal minister!"

Zhu Biao laughed, "So what does second brother think—hero or fool?"

Zhu Yong scratched his head, "I don't know yet; we have to investigate to find out."

Zhu Biao nodded, "Then we'll wait for the investigation before speaking."

The two walked to Fengtian Gate, and Zhu Biao suddenly said, "Second brother, if Zhu Liangzu really has a problem, how would Imperial Father deal with it?"

Zhu Yong thought a moment then said, "Imperial Father despises corrupt officials most; if Zhu Liangzu truly was corrupt, Imperial Father would certainly not spare him."

"But he is, after all, a meritorious vassal who helped Imperial Father conquer the realm."

"What's wrong with a meritorious vassal? If a meritorious vassal breaks the law, he's the same as a commoner," Zhu Yong said naively.

Zhu Biao looked at him and suddenly laughed.

"Second brother is right; a prince who breaks the law is guilty the same as a commoner."

He patted Zhu Yong's shoulder and said, "Alright, let's go back! Guanyin Nu and the children must be waiting anxiously."

Zhu Yong nodded, and the two part ways at Fengtian Gate.

……

10th day of the third month.

The Embroidered Guard Commissioner Mao Xiang hurried into Qianqing Palace, followed by two Embroidered Guard Colonels.

"His Majesty, the matter in Guangdong has been clarified," Mao Xiang reported, kneeling.

Zhu Yuanzhang set down the memorandum and said, "Speak."

Mao Xiang said, "Prefect of Panyu Dao Tong has no corruption or illegal acts; on the contrary, Marquis Yongjia Zhu Liangzu is rampant in Guangdong, forcibly seizing civilian fields, oppressing the people, and even allowing his son Zhu Xi to collude with the gentry and sell illicit salt."

"Dao Tong submitted a memorial to impeach, but was detained by Zhu Liangzu; later Dao Tong sent people secretly to the capital, but Zhu Liangzu discovered it, rushed to submit a report, falsely accusing Dao Tong of obstructing military affairs and forming a faction for personal gain."

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression grew increasingly grim.

"Anything else?"

Mao Xiang paused, then continued, "I have found that in recent years Zhu Liangzu in Guangdong has embezzled taxes amounting to 200,000 taels and forcibly seized 3,000 mu of good farmland."

"His son Zhu Xi was even worse; he coveted a common girl, forcing her entire family to commit suicide, and the local people dared anger but not speak."

"Bang!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slapped the table with one hand, causing the tea cups on it to jump up.

"Zhu Liangzu! What a Zhu Liangzu!"

He stood up and paced back and forth in the hall.

"We sent him to garrison Guangdong, trusting him, and he repays us by oppressing the people, embezzling, breaking the law, and even falsely accusing upright officials!"

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong happened to come in from outside, heard Zhu Yuanzhang's words, and exchanged a glance.

"Imperial Father, what's wrong?" Zhu Biao asked.

Zhu Yuanzhang tossed the Embroidered Guard report to him and said, "Read it yourself!"

Zhu Biao took it, skimmed it quickly, and his complexion also changed.

"This… Zhu Liangzu actually…?"

Zhu Yong leaned over, looked, and said naively, "I told you, Dao Tong daring to impeach the marquis means Zhu Liangzu definitely has a problem."

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him and asked, "Did you already know?"

"I didn't know; I was just guessing," Zhu Yong said, scratching his head.

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted irritably and asked Mao Xiang, "Where is Zhu Liangzu now?"

"Replying to His Majesty, Zhu Liangzu is still in Guangdong; he heard the court sent people to investigate and is already preparing to go to the capital to defend himself."

"Defend himself—does he even have the face to do so? Issue an edict: Zhu Liangzu is to be escorted to the capital immediately, imprisoned in the imperial prison, and his son Zhu Xi captured as well!" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered.

"Yes!" Mao Xiang took the order and left.

Zhu Biao pondered, "Imperial Father, Zhu Liangzu is after all a meritorious vassal; if we punish him too harshly, we may chill the hearts of the old ministers."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him, "Then what's your suggestion?"

"Your son believes that Zhu Liangzu's crimes are extremely grave, death is inevitable, but considering his early merits, we could be lenient, granting him the option to commit suicide, preserving his whole body."

"His son Zhu Xi, who oppresses the people and forces deaths, should be beheaded."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Reasonable, then we'll proceed as you suggest."

Zhu Yong listened nearby, saying nothing.

He recalled the history of his previous life: Zhu Liangzu was indeed executed by flogging by Zhu Yuanzhang for falsely accusing Dao Tong.

But in this life, with him and Zhu Biao present, Zhu Liangzu can at least retain an intact corpse.

That can be considered a good ending.

……

20th day of the third month.

Zhu Liangzu was escorted to the capital and thrown into the imperial prison.

Dao Tong was also summoned to the capital, and Zhu Yuanzhang met him personally.

In Qianqing Palace, Dao Tong knelt in the hall, wearing a set of washed‑out white official robes; his complexion was somewhat haggard, but his gaze was steadfast.

"I, Dao Tong, Prefect of Panyu, respectfully bow before the Emperor."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him, paused, and said, "Dao Tong, do you know what crime you have committed?"

Dao Tong raised his head and said, "I do not know; I only know I impeached a corrupt official, I do not know what crime I have."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, "What a clueless one; Zhu Liangzu falsely accused you, you were almost killed by us; do you resent us?"

Dao Tong shook his head: "I do not resent His Majesty; His Majesty attends to myriad state affairs daily and inevitably can be deceived, but I only resent those corrupt officials who oppress the people and tarnish the court's reputation."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, then suddenly rose, walked to Dao Tong's side, and personally helped him to his feet.

"Well, well, Dao Tong, we've heard that you are in Panyu, upright and incorruptible, and the people call you 'Dao Qing Tian'; today we have seen you with our own eyes, truly a good official."

Dao Tong's eyes reddened slightly as he said, "I… I do not deserve the honor."

"What's there not to accept? A good official is a good official, Dao Tong. We are promoting you to Inspector General of Guangdong, to specifically investigate corrupt officials."

"Zhu Liangzu has been operating in Guangdong for years, leaving many rotten messes. You go clean them up; if anyone dares to block you, just report it, and we will back you up!" Zhu Yuanzhang patted his shoulder and said.

Dao Tong knelt and bowed his head: "I… thank His Majesty for the great grace!"

……

March 25th.

Zhu Liangzu was ordered to commit suicide, and his son Zhu Xi was beheaded in public.

The news spread, shaking both court and society.

Those nobles who once wielded power curled their tails one by one, no longer daring to act recklessly.

In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang stood by the window, watching the deepening spring scenery outside.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong stood behind him.

"Biao Er, Yong Er, do you know why we promoted Dao Tong to Inspector General?" Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked.

Zhu Biao replied, "Imperial Father wishes to tell the world that in Great Ming, upright officials are rewarded, while corrupt officials meet a bad end."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Indeed, in this lifetime, the officials I despise most are the corrupt ones. Yet they cannot all be eliminated; we killed one Zhu Liangzu, and there are still dozens, even hundreds, of Zhu Liangzus."

"We must let the whole world know: for upright officials, we promote them; for corrupt officials, we behead them."

Zhu Yong said naively, "Father is right. But with so many corrupt officials, can we finish them all?"

Zhu Yuanzhang turned to look at him and suddenly laughed.

"We cannot finish them all, but as long as we live, we will kill each day: Biao Er is here, continue killing; Yong Er is here, help kill, until no corrupt official remains in the world."

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "Then my hammer will probably wear out from all the grinding."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily.

The laughter echoed through the Qianqing Palace.

Outside the window, the spring light was bright, and willow branches sprouted buds.

On the streets of Yingtian Prefecture, the people ran to spread the news: Marquis of Yongjia Zhu Liangzu was ordered to die, and that villain who falsely accused an upright official finally received his retribution.

In the Panyu County office, Dao Tong's former subordinates were packing their gear, preparing to follow him to Guangdong for his appointment.

In Wu Wang Fu, Zhu Huanhuan was teaching her younger brother Zhu Qiong Jiong to recognize characters; Zhu Qiong Jiong couldn't sit still, squirmed around, and was tapped on the head by his sister.

In the Eastern Palace, Chang Wan was telling stories to Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Wenwen; the two children listened intently, occasionally exclaiming in amazement.

Everything was developing in a good direction.

On the distant sea, more steamships were sailing, carrying Great Ming's goods and prestige to farther lands.

This prosperous era has only just begun.