Chapter 74

A small case involving a company commander actually escalated to the point where two major eunuchs in Liaodong had to intervene, which was truly unbelievable! Many people secretly looked at Hong Fugao and secretly gave this official a thumbs up. Just after arriving in Liaodong, he managed to secure such strong support from Zhang Ye, truly demonstrating his extraordinary abilities.

However, Hong Fugao had his own bitter thoughts. He had always looked down on eunuchs and never thought of befriending them! Zhang Ye's involvement must be related to his disciple. How many cards does this kid have up his sleeve!

Zhang Ke, on the other hand, was not concerned about his teacher. His attention was entirely focused on Zhang Ye, pointing at the fat man's shoulder, hoping he would be powerful enough!

"He, he should be punished!" He Bian squeezed out a few words through his teeth, his pale face turning red.

"Senior Brother, I have served the Emperor for over twenty years. I have no other faults, but I have learned one thing: to protect my subordinates! Why do I protect them? Is it for my own face? No! It is for the Emperor and the ancestors! No matter how much reason outsiders have, they cannot touch our people or tarnish the dignity of the palace. Senior Brother, do you think I am right?"

Zhang Ye smiled slightly. "Senior Brother He, dignity is earned. We, these people, rely on the Emperor's grace and the ancestors' protection to live like half-decent human beings! This is the most fundamental thing. If we forget this, we do not deserve to be the Emperor's servants! In recent years, the Emperor has been calm, and the ancestors have been devoted to serving the Emperor, becoming even more lenient. Yet some people do not appreciate the Emperor's kindness and act beyond their bounds!"

As he spoke, Zhang Ye stood up, walked to Xiong Tingbi, and bowed deeply. "General, as a high-ranking official trusted by the Emperor, you do not need to be too polite with these servants. Just follow the rules!"

Zhang Ye's words were powerful, essentially pointing at He Bian's nose, accusing him of forgetting his place, being arrogant, and losing the demeanor of a servant! Asking Xiong Tingbi to handle the matter was a direct slap in the face.

He Bian was so angry that his whole body trembled. He pointed at Zhang Ye and said, "Eunuch Zhang, I am the supervisor of Liaodong, and military affairs are under my jurisdiction! Eunuch Zhang, you are overstepping your bounds!"

"Ha ha ha, Eunuch He, rest assured, I do not want to take your position, nor do I have that intention. As for whether I am overstepping, look at this!"

Saying this, Zhang Ye took out a string of prayer beads from his chest and presented them to He Bian.

He Bian, upon seeing the prayer beads, felt dizzy and almost fell to the ground. He trembled and grabbed them, unable to take his eyes off them!

"Is, is this the ancestors' prayer beads?"

"Ha ha ha, Eunuch He, you have a keen eye! Do you understand the ancestors' meaning?"

Zhang Ye snatched the prayer beads and sat down, looking as calm as the legendary Jiang Taigong. The expressions of the officials and military officers present changed instantly, clearly treating him as an imperial envoy.

However, only Zhang Ke knew what was going on. The prayer beads were precisely what he had given to Zhang Ye. When he learned that He Bian was involved, Zhang Ke thought of using a eunuch to counter a eunuch. To deal with eunuchs, he had to get a eunuch to intervene.

Therefore, after capturing Xiao Wuzi, he did not rush to the governor's office but first went to the residence of the Liaodong mining supervisor eunuch, showed the prayer beads, met Zhang Ye, and brought this powerful figure out.

Zhang Ye, upon seeing the prayer beads, said nothing and put them in his chest. Zhang Ke wanted to get a promise but did not know the full power of the prayer beads, so he held back. On the way, he was anxious, but now he saw that the prayer beads were even more powerful than he imagined, almost like an imperial sword! Giving them to Zhang Ye was a bit wasteful, but he realized that only Zhang Ye could make use of them. He could only accept it and watch the showdown between the two eunuchs.

Zhang Ye revealed the prayer beads, and He Bian, like a defeated rooster, could not say a word. Instead, Zhang Ye smiled and said, "Senior Brother He, I don't think it's a big deal, just a story to listen to."

"Zhang Ke, explain the entire case from beginning to end!"

"遵命！" (Complying!)

Zhang Ke took a few steps and stood before the two eunuchs. "This case began on the 27th of Winter, when Company Commander Zhang Feng seized a convoy transporting contraband goods. He immediately reported it and requested a thorough investigation. Three days later, Governor Zhou and his officials came to inspect. They found that the seized vehicles contained military rations. At this time, the merchant Zhu Jinhai hanged himself, leading to Zhang Feng's death sentence!"

"However, after investigation, it was found that Zhu Jinhai did not die but had a driver with a similar appearance take his place. Zhu Jinhai himself was hiding outside the city, living a carefree life. Therefore, the charge of forcing the merchant to death was a false accusation. Moreover, Zhu Jinhai faked his death to hide the truth and then incited Liaodong merchants to pressure the court to execute Zhang Feng, spreading rumors and framing loyal officials, which is a crime punishable by death."

"Furthermore, to create the illusion that Zhang Feng had seized the grain convoy, Zhu Jinhai colluded with General He Guangxian to massacre a genuine grain convoy. Eunuch Xiao Wuzi helped bribe Captain Jin Sheng to replace the seized goods with grain. The merchants, officials, and eunuchs worked together to distort the truth, almost killing a meritorious official while letting a black-hearted merchant go free, disregarding the laws of the Ming Dynasty. The common people have witnesses and evidence. He Guangxian and Zhu Jinhai are kneeling below, pleading for justice from the eunuchs!"

Zhang Ke did not implicate anyone else. He knew that one must take things step by step. First, he had to thoroughly resolve his brother's injustice. With this case, he would not worry about the involved officials escaping!

There is no fear in accounting! Zhang Ke clenched his teeth in his heart.

"嗯，把小五子带上来。" (Well, bring Xiao Wuzi up.) Zhang Ye said softly.

A series of footsteps followed, and two men dragged a disheveled little eunuch up. As soon as he saw He Bian, the little eunuch burst into tears.

"Father, save your son! They are going to kill me, Father!"

Hearing Xiao Wuzi's heart-wrenching cries, He Bian felt a pang of pain. He wanted to speak but saw Zhang Ye's half-smile and closed his mouth.

"Xiao Wuzi, did you meet Captain Jin Sheng and have him release the seized goods, replacing them with grain to frame Zhang Feng?"

"这个……" (This...)

Xiao Wuzi's face turned pale. He glanced around and suddenly said, "I was wronged! I did introduce Jin Sheng to Zhu Jinhai, but I was just a go-between. I know nothing about their discussions, please investigate clearly!"

Hearing Xiao Wuzi's words, He Bian secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Not bad, his protégé was not too foolish. As long as he held his ground, there was still a way out!

Zhang Ye, expressionless, said, "Do you really know nothing?"

"Nothing!" Xiao Wuzi shook his head fiercely.

Zhang Ye's gaze shifted to Zhu Jinhai and asked, "Is what he said true?"

Zhu Jinhai sat cross-legged on the ground. Hearing the question, he chuckled, "Eunuch Zhang, I may be stupid, but I understand some things. I have said what I should say. The rest is what I should not say and cannot say. Don't waste your time!"

"Hum, indeed a cunning merchant! Bring him in for interrogation!"

"Wait!" Zhang Ke suddenly spoke up, taking out a waist tag from his chest and presenting it to Zhang Ye with both hands.

"Isn't this a palace waist tag? How did you get it?"

"Reporting to the eunuch, my brother found this when Governor Zhou inspected the grain. I believe this tag proves that a eunuch was involved in the switch. Xiao Wuzi's claim of ignorance is a lie!"

Zhang Ye, seeing the waist tag, nodded in satisfaction. "Eunuch He, what do you think?"

"Hum, useless!" He Bian cursed Xiao Wuzi in his heart. He had just thought him clever, but he had lost even the waist tag. Truly beyond redemption, utterly stupid!

Zhang Ye smiled slightly. "Alright, with solid evidence, there's no need for torture. Strictly guard Xiao Wuzi, Zhu Jinhai, and He Guangxian. Preserve all other evidence and witnesses. I will prepare a report. Governor Xiong, will you also submit a report to the Emperor?"

"Of course!" Xiong Tingbi agreed without showing any emotion.

At this moment, Hong Fugao suddenly stood up and said sternly, "Eunuch Zhang, Governor, I believe there are many more doubts in this case that need thorough investigation!"

"Oh? Please speak, Governor Hong!" Xiong Tingbi said.

Hong Fugao said, "First, what were the goods Zhu Jinhai was transporting? Zhang Feng initially reported them as old iron and medicine. These items are prohibited from being sold to the Jurchens. Someone dared to violate the imperial ban, which is a serious crime of treason, and must be investigated! Second, a mutiny due to food shortages occurred at Fengji Fort, coinciding with a Jurchen invasion that killed over a thousand people. The timing was perfect, almost pushing Zhang Feng to a certain death. Was it a coincidence, or did someone inform the Jurchens? This case is not just about an injustice but also about the defense of Liaodong. If someone colluded with the Jurchens and betrayed our military intelligence, the tens of thousands of troops in Liaodong would be in grave danger. I implore the Governor to thoroughly investigate, and no one should be spared!"

Hearing his teacher's words, Zhang Ke's heart suddenly tightened!

The teacher was too hasty! Based on Zhang Ke's observations, the officials in Liaodong, from civil to military, were mostly corrupt except for a few. Such a large-scale action might provoke a backlash, which would not be good. However, Zhang Ke knew his teacher's temper and knew he would not hold back.

Xiong Tingbi's face darkened. After a moment, he said, "Governor Hong's words are reasonable. Since you are familiar with the case, you will assist me in the investigation!"

Hong Fugao said happily, "I will comply and ensure no criminal is spared!"

As he spoke, his gaze swept the room, and many people shrank back, avoiding his eyes.

Zhang Ye suddenly laughed. "Very good, very good! Clearing this injustice is a virtuous deed. By the way, bring the wronged company commander Zhang Feng here. I hear he has accomplished much and is a loyal and brave warrior. I will invite him for a drink and apologize!"

...

PS: A friend reminded me to mention those who have rewarded me. I remember each of you. Since I have been reminded, I will write it down. Today, I received rewards from two friends: Liulangmaoye and Huishouwang. Thank you all!

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