Chapter 117: Treason

"you……!"

Wang Ze was shocked. How could the letters between their Wang family and Wu State fall into Yuan Qichang's hands?

Could it be that……

He turned back suddenly and looked at His Majesty in horror.

"His Majesty?"

"Send it up!"

The eunuch Taiyou presented the letters and placed them respectfully on the table.

Zheng Yi opened it and although he had already read the contents of the letter, the more he read, the more frightened he became, and the angrier he became.

He suddenly pushed the letter on the table to the ground and said angrily: "Wang Ze, Wang He, what else do you have to say?"

The two men shuddered and fell to their knees. Wang Ze still wanted to resist, but gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, Yuan Qichang is just a small fifth-rank censor. How could he have obtained such an important letter?"

"This letter must be a forgery. I hope Your Majesty can see clearly!"

"Forgery? Fine, fine..."

Zheng Yi laughed in anger. Are you still struggling at this time?

"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

Suddenly someone else spoke up, and everyone turned around to find that it was a martial artist wearing green court robes with a third-grade tiger pattern on the upper garment who stepped out.

General Chaoyi, Jinpeng!
This person was not a court official, but was from the Longxiang Army. He was the leader of Xu Mu's personal soldiers and a general who had made great contributions.

He returned to the capital half a month ago to report on his work and at the same time reported to the court on the specific affairs of the two newly occupied states of Wu.

At the same time, he is also Xu Mujun's representative in the court.

Zheng Yi said calmly, "Lord Jin, what do you want to report?"

"Return to your majesty!"

Jin Peng said: "General Xu Mujun sent news a few days ago that he dispatched tens of thousands of surrendered soldiers to clean up the Black Mountain Pass and dig out all the ruins and rubble inside the Black Mountain Pass."

"In the government office of Turga, the commander of Heishan Pass, we found a large number of correspondence with noble families and merchants in Bingzhou, Youzhou and other places. The family with the most trees belongs to the Wang family of Taiyuan in Bingzhou."

"In addition, we also dug out a large number of weapons and armors engraved with the 'Dayu Border Army' from the ruins. These weapons are brand new and have not been opened. It is obvious that someone sold them to Heishanguan!"

"We also found a large number of account books about transactions between Bingzhou merchants and the Wu State garrison in the warehouse, which recorded in detail the details of each sale..."

Before Jin Peng could finish his words, Wang Ze and Wang He fell to the ground, their bodies shaking violently, their foreheads covered in sweat.

The other officials who had been following the two men also had extremely ugly expressions on their faces. They stood there trembling, and some of the timid ones even collapsed directly to the ground.

Xu Mujun!
Since he was able to send Jin Peng to report the matter, it has been proven that the matter is 100% solid evidence.

The Wang family is finished!
After Jin Peng finished speaking, Zheng Yi looked indifferently at Wang Ze and Wang He who were kneeling on the ground, and said, "My two beloved ministers, do you have anything else to say?"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I, Your Majesty! These are the words of General Xu Mujun..."

"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

Another person stepped out and attracted most people's attention.

The most surprised person among them was the Minister of Rites Kong Xiangsi.

Because the latest person to come out was from his Ministry of Rites.

The head of the Ministry of Rites, Cai Dashi.

This person is in charge of diplomacy. He does not have much power but his position is very important.

Cai Dashi was not prominent among all the officials in the Ministry of Rites. He relied on his wife's family to get to his position. He was usually looked down upon and ostracized by others in the Ministry of Rites.

The most important thing is that Cai Dashi was not from Dayu, but from Wei State, which borders Binzhou.

Although he was from Wei, he served as an official in Dayu. One can imagine his literary talent and ability.

Unfortunately, because of his identity, he was ostracized by his colleagues, feeling frustrated but unable to resist.

Finally, after investigation by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he caught the eye of Zheng Yi and was accepted as a member of the Imperial Party.

After joining the Imperial Party, Cai Dashi finally found the direction of his efforts and tried his best to repay His Majesty's kindness.

"His Majesty!"

Cai Dashi suppressed his excitement and said, "When I was receiving the Wu Kingdom delegation the day before yesterday, an envoy from the Wu Kingdom was moved by the might of the Great Yu and willingly submitted to the throne. He also presented the information and secret letters of the high-ranking officials of the court who had contacted the Wu Kingdom."

"Among them, they include Lords Wang Ze and Wang He, as well as the rest of our colleagues."

"These officials serve in Dayu, but they try their best to sell out the interests of Dayu just for their own selfish interests."

"Selling out national intelligence, selling military supplies, smuggling salt, iron and armor..."

"Every case is still vivid in my mind. Every letter is shocking!"

As he spoke, Cai Dashi took out a package from his bosom and said respectfully: "This is the evidence presented by the special envoy of Wu State. This evidence has the handprints of all the adults, as well as the private seals of all the adults. There is absolutely no possibility of forgery!"

"Send it up!"

A eunuch walked down quickly and picked up the package.

At this time, many ministers in the court realized that today's court meeting was a Hongmen Banquet for the Wang family!
Your Majesty already has all the evidence, and all he wants is a process and justice.

Lu Xiangqing, who was in the lead, reacted quickly. Just as he was about to step out and speak, someone was faster than him.

Zheng Xuanyue!
"Your Majesty! This case involves a lot of people, including two cabinet ministers. However, I know the righteousness of our country, so I hereby request that the two gentlemen be dismissed and investigated, and the case be tried by the three courts."

Zheng Xuanyue said righteously: "Once the truth is found out, we will deal with it severely."

Zheng Yi did not respond, but looked through the information in his hand page by page.

After half an incense stick of time, Danmo asked, "Once the truth is found out, if it is as you said, what should we do?"

Zheng Xuanyue said without any hesitation: "You have colluded with the enemy country, smuggled salt and iron, sold out our border intelligence of Dayu, and even secretly stored and sold armor... Kill all nine clans!"

"My lord, second the motion!"

Lu Xiangqing quickly stepped out and spoke.

The other officials followed quickly:

"My lord, second the motion!"

"My lord, second the motion!"

"Your Majesty!"

Wang He suddenly shouted, "Unjust! I am innocent...!"

Zheng Yi was too lazy to continue pretending, so he threw away the letter in his hand and said, "Announce the decree!"

Ma Dehai, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and the chief eunuch who followed Zheng Yi closely after Liu Chengen left, quickly pulled out the imperial edict and said loudly:
"The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and the edict says:"

"In Datong County, Bingzhou, there are eight major merchants headed by the descendants of the Wang family. They have secretly colluded with the bandits of Wu State, betrayed their country for fame, and privately sold salt, iron, weapons, armor, and even information about the border garrisons..."

"Let the three courts hold a joint trial and strive for impartiality."

"Order! The evidence in this case is solid, and the physical evidence is there. However, I have compassion for the people, and I also remember that the Wang family has done a favor for the country. I will show mercy and only execute the principal offender in this case. The other accomplices can be given lighter sentences!"

"Order the Jinyiwei and soldiers from all counties across the country to arrest all those who are related to the eight major merchants in Bingzhou. All the land, property, and shops under their names must be sealed and no one is allowed to touch them."

"After the truth is uncovered, the ringleader and his entire clan will be executed, and all of their property will be used to fill the state treasury. This is my decree!!!"

As Ma Dehai's voice fell, the entire hall fell silent, and no one could believe their ears.

Kill the nine tribes.

Another round of killing nine clans!
It has only been six years since Your Majesty ascended the throne, and how many people have been executed along with their entire clans?
The King of Tang, Yang Xuansu, the King of Yan, Tian Wenjing, and now there is another large group of people to join the Shang Dynasty.

If this goes on...

What did the court officials think?

But Zheng Yi didn't give them any chance to consider.

"Golden Roc."

"The humble position is here!"

"Where is General Xu?"

"Your Majesty, General Xu has led his troops to Bingzhou and gathered the border troops of Bingzhou. No one dares to take over!"

In order to resolve the issue of the Bingzhou families and the eight major merchants, Zheng Yi even transferred Xu Mujun back to the central government on the pretext of "reporting on his work".

The purpose is to suppress the scoundrels and ensure a smooth transition.

As for the military and political affairs of the two states of Manghuang, all the affairs have fallen on the shoulders of Zheng Zongxian.

Over the years, the Bingzhou border troops have been corrupted by the eight major merchants.

Otherwise, where did Wu State get so many Dayu-style military equipment? They were all sold by the eight major merchants!
Another thing is that the New Year is approaching, and Xu Mujun has not returned to Beijing to reunite with his family for three years.

Zheng Yi's move was also out of consideration for Concubine Xu and Xu Mujun's family.

"Retreat!"

"Retreat!!!"

When the grand court ended, many officials left like flowing water.

However, the news about the downfall of the Wang family spread like a storm throughout the court and Dayu.

"The Wang family has fallen!"

"What's going on? What happened?"

"The Wang family colluded with the Wu Kingdom, not only selling salt, iron, cloth and silk privately, but even weapons and armor!"

"The Wang family is the worst kind. They even dare to sell intelligence about the border troops!"

"They also sold the border troops' weapons and crossbows."

"Hiss... No wonder Dayu has been defeated in battles over the years. Only General Xu Mujun can suppress the northern border."

"I think it's the advantage of the new army's firearms!"

"Yes, yes, the new army your majesty has built is indeed powerful. In just one month, all the rebels in Yongzhou were suppressed!"

Countless court officials were discussing the matter, and in Bingzhou, the eight major merchants headed by the Wang family, as well as many aristocratic families, landlords, and small businessmen, were suppressed by Zheng Yi and Xu Mujun and went on to destruction.

The sixth year of the Zhengei era, November 20th.

Liu Chengen, together with Cui Xiawu, secretly detained the leaders and clan leaders of the Eight Great Merchants, and sent people to occupy the courtyards and fortresses of the Eight Great Merchants.

Another imperial decree was announced, recognizing that the eight major clans headed by the Wang family were suspected of treason and rebellion, and the entire family was suppressed and thrown into prison!

The 15th day of the 12th month of the 6th year of the Zhengei era.

The Great Yu Dynasty.

Emperor Zhengyong announced twenty-one pieces of evidence against Wang family of Datong, mainly treason, high treason and deceiving the emperor, and sentenced Wang family of Datong to death with all nine clans, to be executed in the autumn!

The rest of the accomplices were sentenced to various punishments, ranging from extermination of their entire clan to execution of their entire family or exile.

The ministers were terrified, rumors were rife, and the political situation was turbulent.

Many aristocratic families began to send a large number of people to the capital to win over the court officials and find out the emperor's movements.

In private, the aristocratic families began to unite closely, forge weapons, strengthen forts, and recruit refugees. For a time, the whole Dayu was in a tense atmosphere.

The 28th day of the twelfth month of the sixth year of the Zhengei era.

Xu Mujun led his army back to the capital, and the people lined the streets to welcome him and admire his military appearance.

On the tenth day, the emperor personally led all civil and military officials to welcome him at the Shenwu Gate of the Imperial Palace.

The emperor shook hands with the two men and said pleasantly, then walked into the palace in a strange way.

That night, the emperor held a grand banquet in Baiyujing. Concubine Xu appeared, and civil and military officials were present to congratulate General Xu on his triumphant return.

Xu Mujun's granddaughter, the fourth princess of Dayu, Zheng Yuxuan, performed a dance that was charming and lovely, winning praise from countless ministers.

Xu Mujun liked her very much and sat next to her, treating her as the apple of his eye.

Late at night, Xu Mujun stayed in Baiyujing, and the emperor personally accompanied him. The two talked until late at night. It was a supreme favor!

The next day.

The two talked all night, but they were still in high spirits. After all, they were both powerful people in the Innate Realm.

It is normal to stay awake for several days.

"Your Majesty, you are still too hasty this time!"

Xu Mujun said cautiously, "Your Majesty, what are you so anxious about?"

(End of this chapter)