Chapter 69

"Second Brother, Eldest Brother can't say it, that, that's the will of heaven!"

"The will of heaven?" Zhang Ke looked at his eldest brother, who was struggling in pain, and instantly understood what his brother was afraid of. Indeed, that force made Zhang Ke fear from the depths of his bones. However, Zhang Ke was all too aware of the cruelty of politics. The situation in Liaodong was too complex. As long as Zhang Feng confessed, the other side would definitely pursue him to the end.

It's a do-or-die situation, either we win big or we die trying. There's no room for a tactical retreat, let alone abandoning a blood brother, who is not a pawn to be discarded! For the sake of Eldest Brother, and for himself, there is no choice!

Thinking this, Zhang Ke suddenly raised his wrist, revealing the nanmu prayer beads.

"Eldest Brother, look, this is from the eunuch Hong Qingquan of the Imperial Stables, and this!"

Zhang Ke then pulled out the Jinyiwei badge from his chest and threw it in front of Zhang Feng.

"And this, from Jinyiwei Grand Protector Zhuo Shisan. I'm also part of the Jinyiwei. If they represent the will of heaven, what do I represent?"

Zhang Feng, seeing his second brother perform this magic trick, was instantly frightened. His mouth opened wide, his face full of disbelief. He picked up the badge and examined it carefully, rubbing it with his fingers, afraid that the engraved words would change!

"Second Brother, is this real? Don't fool me!"

Zhang Ke laughed, "Eldest Brother, why would I deceive you? Without these cards, would I dare to fight them head-on? I might as well try to break out of prison!"

Zhang Feng found it harder and harder to understand his second brother. This boy used to be a clumsy scholar with a bit of a pedantic air, but this time he was completely different! Zhang Feng even suspected that his brother had been replaced, but at this critical moment, he didn't have time to ask. He said dejectedly, "Second Brother, why didn't you tell me earlier? I was already preparing for my last drink!"

"Eldest Brother, now you can rest easy. Tell me who passed the message to you. Once we clear your name, we'll drink for three days and three nights!"

Zhang Feng gritted his teeth, "It was Guo Yuntu, Guo Yuyi!"

"Good, let's go catch him, Jia Fu!"

...

"Lord Hong, you sure have a lot of airs! The Governor-General has been waiting for a long time," Ge Chunfang said with a sneer.

Hong Fugao smiled slightly, "I am deeply grateful to the emperor, and I should do my best. If the Governor-General comes to inspect and finds no results, how can I face him?"

Ge Chunfang's face changed, and he said in surprise, "What have you found?"

Hong Fugao smiled slightly, "Lord Ge, have you heard the saying, 'You don't know until you investigate, and once you do, you are shocked'? The problems are numerous and widespread. If we really investigate thoroughly, the political scene in Liaodong will suffer heavy casualties!"

As he spoke, Hong Fugao made a gesture at his neck and turned to walk inside.

Ge Chunfang felt a chill down his neck, as if his soul had flown away.

"Lord Hong, think of the big picture, don't talk nonsense!" Ge Chunfang ran inside in a panic, but Hong Fugao was faster and had already stepped into the hall.

In the middle of the hall sat a lean, bearded old man, wearing a black hat and a red official robe, with a flying pheasant embroidered on his chest, sitting there with a dignified air.

This old man was none other than Xiong Tingbi, the Governor-General of Liaodong, who held the power of life and death!

Hong Fugao hurriedly bowed to Xiong Tingbi, who remained silent for half a minute before slowly saying, "Lord Hong, you have worked hard!"

"As a native of Liaodong and a recipient of the state's grace, I have only done my duty. I dare not speak of hard work."

Xiong Tingbi naturally heard the pride in his words. This new official, Hong Fugao, was indeed unusual, and he frowned.

"Lord Hong, I came to Shenyang specifically to investigate the case of Zhang Feng, the battalion commander. He has been excessively oppressive, plundering merchants, forcing Zhu Jinhai to suicide, and delaying military affairs, giving the Jurchens an opportunity. The people of Liaodong have suffered greatly. Such a criminal must be executed to appease the people. What do you think, Lord Hong?"

Xiong Tingbi's eyes pierced Hong Fugao, and the eyes of the civil and military officials in the hall were all on him. At this moment, Hong Fugao felt like a roast duck in a furnace, surrounded by scorching gazes, wishing to be cooked to a crisp.

I thought Xiong Tingbi, as a high-ranking official, would at least put on a show of formality, but he sat down on the side of Zhou Yongchun and the others. However, Hong Fugao had already planned this out and smiled, "Governor-General, I have also investigated this case and found many suspicious points. It is clearly a miscarriage of justice. Battalion Commander Zhang Feng not only did not force the merchants to suicide but was also a hero in capturing unscrupulous merchants!"

Zhou Yongchun, the governor, who had been humiliated by Hong Fugao two days ago, could not help but sneer, "Lord Hong, you have only been in Shenyang for two days, and you dare to say Zhang Feng is innocent? Isn't that a bit hasty?"

"Ha ha ha, Governor, as long as one is dedicated, the truth can be found in just a day or two. If not, no matter how much time is spent, only the innocent will be wronged!"

"You are reckless!" Ge Chunfang jumped up, pointing at Hong Fugao without any courtesy, "Lord Hong, don't think no one knows why you are involved in Zhang Feng's case."

"What do you know, Lord Ge?"

"Hmph, Zhang Feng has a brother named Zhang Ke, who is your disciple. So you, as a teacher, are helping him. I advise you, state affairs cannot be influenced by teacher-student relationships!"

Hong Fugao laughed, "Lord Ge, your information is quite good, but it's a pity. If you could put this effort into investigating cases, you wouldn't wrong the innocent!"

"You!" Ge Chunfang wanted to speak, but Xiong Tingbi, sitting in the main seat, had a terrifyingly dark face and coughed.

"What a disgrace! You are all jinshi graduates and officials of the court, yet you are bickering like women here!"

Xiong Tingbi angrily slammed the table, and all the civil and military officials lowered their heads, but Hong Fugao smiled slightly.

"Governor-General, I am not just bickering, but have found some inconsistencies. This case indeed has hidden circumstances!"

Xiong Tingbi took a deep breath, his face dark, and forced out a word, "Speak!"

"Yes, I have reviewed the entire grain transportation process and found that, according to common practice, the section from Shenyang to Fengji Fort should be handled by auxiliary soldiers and civilian laborers, that is, the subordinates of Commander He Guangxian. For some unknown reason, Commander He entrusted the military grain to Zhu Jinhai. Could there be a hidden agenda?"

Xiong Tingbi's gaze fell on He Guangxian, who felt a chill down his back and hurriedly knelt, saying, "Governor-General, my subordinates are all used to defend the various forts, and I really can't spare any. Therefore, I had to ask Zhu Jinhai for help. The Zhu family has been trading in Liaodong for generations and is reliable. Who would have thought that Zhang Feng would go mad with greed and act so arrogantly..."

"Enough!" Xiong Tingbi waved his hand, and He Guangxian immediately shut up.

"Lord Hong, did you understand? Commander He's explanation is reasonable. This small matter cannot prove Zhang Feng's innocence! If you have no other evidence, you can leave!"

Hong Fugao gritted his teeth, realizing he had to play his trump card.

"Governor-General, I have found that Zhu Jinhai is not dead!"

"What?"

All the civil and military officials in the hall were in an uproar, their eyes wide open, unable to believe their ears.

Governor Zhou Yongchun stood up abruptly, pointing at Hong Fugao and said sternly, "Lord Hong, do you know what you are saying? Zhu Jinhai was forced to commit suicide, and I, along with my colleagues, witnessed it and paid respects to him. His body is still in the Zhu family's hall. You say he is not dead, which is sheer nonsense!"

"Governor, the truth cannot be hidden. I suggest we immediately have a coroner examine the body to see if the deceased is indeed Zhu Jinhai!"

Ge Chunfang, hearing Hong Fugao's words, trembled uncontrollably, his eyes flashing with deep fear.

"Lord Hong, we all witnessed Zhu Jinhai's suicide. The Zhu family has done so much for the court. Zhu Jinhai's failure to deliver the grain on time was due to Zhang Feng. Zhu Jinhai committed suicide to atone for his mistake, setting an example for merchants. You want a coroner to examine his body, which is an insult to the dead. How can merchants continue to serve the Ming Dynasty in the future?"

His words stirred up the others in the hall, who all joined in, spitting at Hong Fugao. Sweat began to bead on Hong Fugao's forehead.

Of course, Hong Fugao was also clear that the key was still on Xiong Tingbi. He said loudly, "Governor-General, Battalion Commander Zhang Feng has repeatedly killed enemies and established merit, setting an example for the army. To execute a hero without clear evidence will make the soldiers lose faith in the court! I humbly request that the Governor-General allow the examination of the body and the severe interrogation of the Zhu family!"

Xiong Tingbi remained silent, his face dark as if it could rain.

"Lord Hong, all the colleagues here say Zhu Jinhai is dead, but you say he is not. Where is Zhu Jinhai now?"

"This... I don't know, but I am investigating and will soon have results!"

Xiong Tingbi laughed, "Lord Hong, this case has already caused a great uproar and public unrest. Just based on your word, you want to arrest the Zhu family. What if Zhu Jinhai is really dead?"

"I, I am willing to resign and take responsibility!" Hong Fugao said through gritted teeth.

"No need. Lord Hong, you should focus on your duties. By my order, execute Zhang Feng immediately!"

As Xiong Tingbi spoke, the hall fell silent for three seconds, then erupted in cheers, with flattery flowing from everyone's lips.

Just then, a loud roar echoed through the hall.

"General, hold your order! I, He Shixian, have evidence to present!"