Chapter 113: Jiangxia Hou Zhou Dexing and the late Chengyi Bo Liu Ji were both involved in the case
After returning to the palace, Zhu Yuanzhang went straight back to Kunning Palace. As for today's government affairs, he handed them all over to Zhu Gang and Zhu Biao.

In the words of Zhu Yuanzhang, from today on, the Crown Prince will be regent, and the Prince of Jin will assist in government affairs.

As the emperor, he naturally had to delegate power to them and let them do their work well.

Although the Zhu Gang brothers were helpless about this, they could do nothing about the old man and could only take a detour to the Imperial Study.

While Zhu Biao was concentrating on handling government affairs, Zhu Gang was lying leisurely in the courtyard of the imperial study, looking at the stars in the sky, with a hint of emotion in his eyes.

But in fact, it is more complicated. After all, after the ancient red tape is completed, Zhu Gang will get married, and getting married means having offspring.

This caused a ripple in Zhu Gang's heart.

There is still a hint of expectation.

"What are you thinking about?"

As soon as Zhu Gang stepped into the door of the imperial study, he saw Zhu Gang lying in the yard and saw a smile on Zhu Gang's lips. He immediately became curious.

"You don't understand even if I tell you."

Zhu Gang came back to his senses and waved his hand.

"How can I understand if you don't tell me?"

Zhu Chong rolled his eyes.

"It's because I don't know what I'm thinking, so you won't understand even if I tell you."

Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Chong unhappily.

"It turns out that you also have times when you feel worried."

In response to this, Zhu Chong laughed jokingly.

Generally, he didn't know what he was thinking, he was just worried. But it was really rare that there was something in this world that could stop Zhu Gang.

"Not worried."

Hearing this, Zhu Gang shook his head again.

"Then don't think about it. Dad asked me to tell you something. After the morning court tomorrow, I will accompany you to the Daxiangguo Temple to pray for blessings."

Zhu Chong looked at Zhu Gang helplessly, then stretched out his hand and pulled Zhu Gang up.

"Don't go."

Zhu Gang refused without even thinking about it.

"Don't be so petty. Getting married is a big deal. You have to pray for a good omen."

Zhu Chong stretched out his hand again and patted Zhu Gang on the shoulder.

"Why? Only with the blessing of Buddha can I get married?"

Zhu Gang still curled his lips.

Zhu Yuanzhang was born in a poor family. Before he became rich, he did everything, especially being a monk.

Therefore, from then on, all descendants of the Zhu family had to go into a temple and pay their respects whenever they came across one.

Especially the Daxiangguo Temple in the capital, no matter how reluctant the prince was, he had to go there once a year.

What's more, Zhu Gang and his brothers were legitimate sons, and Empress Ma was a person who loved to worship Buddha, so they went to the Daxiangguo Temple more frequently.

When Zhu Gang was still in the capital, he would often accompany Empress Ma to the Daxiangguo Temple.

But after he went to Taiyuan, Zhu Gang never set foot in a temple again until he returned to the capital, let alone worship Buddha.

"We have to give our mother some face. We should go when we need to. Don't let her nag us all the time."

Zhu Chong still spoke earnestly.

"Ah."

Seeing this, Zhu Gang could only nod in agreement.

After all, in the Zhu family, it is normal that you can defeat Zhu Yuanzhang, but you definitely cannot defeat Queen Ma.

This is enough to show how arrogant the throne of Empress Ma's family was.

"Haven't you finished today's government affairs?"

Afterwards, Zhu Chong looked towards the brightly lit imperial study and frowned.

"How can it be that fast? I just came back. It will probably take at least an hour to process it. And judging from the situation, it will take at least two hours."

Zhu Gang said without even thinking about it.

"Being an emperor is really tiring."

Hearing this, Zhu Chong couldn't help but complain again.

Naturally, these words also reached Zhu Biao's ears, after all, there was only a wall between them.

In response to this, a hint of resentment flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes. These two little bastards were really ungrateful. Why didn't they come in and help him?

And they're still making sarcastic remarks outside. It's really a waste of love for these two little bastards.

"By the way, you've been in Jiangnan for so long, have you made any progress on that case?"

After saying this, Zhu Gang glanced at the guards around him, pointed his finger, and shook his head slightly to Zhu Chong.

Use the word "case" instead to prevent the news from leaking out.

"Well, I'll bring someone here in a few days, and you'll know the truth once you ask. The scope of the case here is simply shocking."

As he spoke, Zhu Chong glanced around again, then leaned close to Zhu Gang's ear and whispered, "Jiang Xia Hou Zhou Dexing and the late Chengyi Marquis Liu Bowen are both involved in the case."

"Lord Chengyi, I can understand. After all, he was an official in the Yuan Dynasty, so it is understandable that he is doing it for his own benefit."

"But Jiang Xiahou is our old man's fellow villager and childhood friend, and there is no conflict of interest. Why would he get involved?"

In response to this, Zhu Gang frowned and whispered.

Zhou Dexing, Marquis of Jiangxia, was a childhood friend of Zhu Yuanzhang.

In June of the 13th year of Zhizheng in the Yuan Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to his hometown to recruit soldiers. It was at this time that Zhou Dexing joined Zhu Yuanzhang and in the same year he followed the army to conquer Chuzhou and Hezhou.

He was deeply trusted by Zhu Yuanzhang and was one of the Twenty-Four Generals of Huaixi, so how could Zhou Dexing be involved in the murder of the Young Ming King?

"Do you still remember that Marquis Jiangxia and the nobles of Huaixi were not close, and were even a little distant."

Zhu Chong did not answer Zhu Gang's question. Instead, he looked at Zhu Gang and asked in a low voice.

"Of course I remember that after the old man conferred titles on his meritorious officials in the third year of Hongwu, Jiangxia Hou Zhou Dexing gradually drifted away from Huaixi."

"Apart from attending court meetings and military duties, I barely stepped out of the front door or the back door."

"Privately, I have no contact with Huaixi at all."

"For this reason, the old man even praised Jiang Xiahou to me, saying that he never formed cliques or factions in the court."

Zhu Gang thought about it before speaking.

If Zhou Dexing had not been involved in the murder of the Little Ming King, Zhu Gang would have really thought that Zhou Dexing was well versed in how to protect himself.

He wanted to use this opportunity to fade out of the court, so he chose to distance himself from the Huaixi nobles.

But from today's perspective, there are probably still some secrets about what's happening here.

"That's right, but in my private investigation, Jiang Xiahou is entangled with officials in Jiangnan."

"There are even many acres of land in Jiangnan that belong to Marquis Jiang Xia."

"It's just that I suppressed this matter and haven't reported it to the court yet."

"So I guess Jiang Xiahou will come to look for me tomorrow. After all, last time, all of our uncles collectively admitted their mistakes, except Jiang Xiahou."

There was a flash of depth in Zhu Chong's eyes, and he just said.

"Why are you so sure?"

Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Chong with some curiosity.

"In addition to the procedures that are open to the public, there are also procedures that are carried out in secret."

"Then even if Jiang Xiahou did it in secret, there would be some flaws."

"And the Jiangnan nobles who manage the land for Jiangxia Hou will either be executed or imprisoned by me."

"After all, this is a matter concerning a marquis of the imperial court, and he is also a founding hero. If my father doesn't open his mouth, I won't dare to act rashly."

"So I am certain that Jiang Xiahou will come to find me."

Faced with Zhu Gang's curiosity, Zhu Chong told him everything without any hesitation.

"Then let's put this matter aside for now. There's no need to report it to the old man. Let's wait and see what happens."

"I want to see what these people are up to."

Zhu Gang's mouth curled up into a cold smile. "Brother?"

Zhu Chong pointed to the door of the imperial study.

"The court has been very busy with government affairs recently, and the eldest brother is already overwhelmed. As his younger brothers, we must share his worries."

"So don't tell him yet. It won't be too late to tell the boss when the truth comes out."

Zhu Gang shook his head.

"it is good."

Zhu Gang was the backbone of their brothers, so Zhu Chong naturally could not refute and just nodded.

"By the way, Jiang Xiahou has some subtle relationship with Lü Ben, who has been exterminated."

"Although this is only one-sided, I don't think it's groundless."

After a pause, Zhu Chong looked at Zhu Gang again.

"What subtle relationship?"

Hearing this, Zhu Gang frowned again and said, "Could they be relatives?"

"Your guess is correct. There is indeed a rumor that Jiang Xiahou and Lu Ben are related."

Zhu Chong's eyes flashed with surprise, and then he nodded and said, "But I can't confirm it yet."

"There's no need to confirm this, just ask tomorrow."

"After all, with the ability of the Jinyiwei, it is not difficult to find some clues."

"Besides, the investigation of the death of the Little Ming King is a top secret of the imperial court. Apart from all the trusted Jinyiwei, even Mao Xiang is unaware of it."

"And no matter how smart General Xiahou is, I don't think he can guess that we are just dancing with a sword, aiming at Pei Gong."

"So it's better to ask openly. If it can be confirmed, then he must be related to the death of Xiao Ming Wang."

"The iron scroll of immunity from death can save him once, but it can't save him a second time."

Zhu Gang smiled nonchalantly.

After all, he was asking for help from others, and it would be a bit impolite if Zhou Dexing still kept it secret.

"After the Great Xiangguo Temple tomorrow, you will come back with me to the Qin Palace, and we will wait for Jiang Xiahou."

Zhu Chong thought about it and said.

"Then I will stay at your house for the next few days. After all, even if he doesn't come tomorrow, he will definitely come in the future, and it won't take long."

In response, Zhu Gang looked up at the stars in the sky and said softly, "After all, we can sit still, but he may not be able to sit still."

"That's right. Whether it was the Jinxiu Pavilion banquet hosted by you and your elder brother, or the old man's thunderous wrath, it failed to make Zhou Dexing stand up."

"Then there must be something wrong. Either he underestimated the Royal Guards, or he thought that the golden medal of immunity from death would definitely protect him."

"But since ancient times, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. If he really stays away from the center of power, he will not be worthy of the title of Marquis Jiang Xia."

"So whether he wants to test the waters or confess his guilt, he has to come."

"After all, I have already given face to Jiang Xiahou by not making it public, unless he doesn't even want the last bit of dignity."

A clear and chilly voice sounded, and the originally cool night breeze was also tinged with a hint of chill.

As for why he didn't lower his voice deliberately, it was simply because he wanted to spread the news through these guards.

Regardless of whether there are people from Jiangxia Hou Zhou Dexing among them, the news will always reach Zhou Dexing's ears.

And if this is the case, Zhou Dexing can still sit still, which shows his extraordinary concentration.

"Everyone, stand down."

Afterwards, Zhu Gang glanced at the guards in the courtyard and waved his hand.

"As ordered."

After receiving the order, the guards bowed and left one by one.

When there was no one left in the courtyard, Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Chong again and asked, "Lord Chengyi, will you really be involved in this case?"

"In fact, even though Master Liu did not participate in this case, he also acquiesced."

"After all, Master Liu's identity is there, so I don't believe that Master Liu didn't know about this matter from beginning to end."

"But as a subject, he did nothing from beginning to end, which means he did everything."

Zhu Chong sighed softly and said.

Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, factional struggles in the court have already emerged.

The Huaixi noble group headed by Li Shanchang.

The Zhejiang East Group headed by Liu Bowen.

The Jiangnan Group headed by Lu Ben.

There have always been open and covert struggles, and as soon as the Ming Dynasty was founded, the contradiction between eastern Zhejiang and Huaixi was infinitely magnified.

Coupled with the instigation of the Jiangnan Group, the party struggles in the court have always been in a relatively balanced state.

This balance was not broken until the death of Liu Bowen.

So this is enough to show that Liu Bowen may not have been involved in the death of King Xiao Ming, but he definitely knew about it.

After all, Liu Bowen is the boss of the Zhejiang East Group.

Then Zhu Gang could also figure out who the person Zhu Chong was talking about was.

He is none other than Liu Bowen's son.

Liu Lian.

Liu Jing.

"Zhuge Liang divided the country into three parts, while Liu Bowen unified the country."

"What a pity. Master Liu is not as good as the Prime Minister after all."

While thinking, Zhu Gang also sighed.

But think about it, everyone has personal feelings, so even if Liu Bowen is wholeheartedly serving the country and the people, he will have moments of hesitation.

Perhaps it is the best outcome that the two do not help each other.

After all, Liu Bowen also served as an official in the Yuan Dynasty, so this is a political issue, and sometimes it is really hard to explain.

But this is absolutely not allowed by the imperial power, and a loyal minister must not be two-faced.

"If Master Liu were still alive, what do you think he would do given his temperament?"

In response to Zhu Gang's sigh, Zhu Chong asked again in a low voice.

"Given the old man's temperament, he would rather dismiss his generals than destroy his country."

"To put it bluntly, anyone can die. It doesn't mean that someone with great contributions cannot die, but this country must not perish."

Zhu Gang blurted out the answer without even thinking about it.

"However, Master Liu has passed away, and given the old man's current temperament, he should be able to remember the old friendship and not vent his anger on his descendants."

"It's even possible that he doesn't want us to involve Master Liu. Even if everyone knows it, the old man will still do it."

"After all, Master Liu played a great role in the old man's unification of the world."

"And Master Liu's son Liu Lian is also a talent. He can be used, but he must be disciplined."

After a pause, Zhu Gang continued, "Let him understand that the court's forgiveness is to allow him to better serve the country and the people."

"But what about your temperament?"

In response, Zhu Chong still asked back.

"The Ming Dynasty has a lot of work to do and it is time to recruit talents. Naturally, we must use both kindness and power to retain as many useful talents as possible."

"After all, he is Master Liu's son. His character is definitely not that bad. With a little guidance, he can be entrusted with important tasks."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gang waved his hand.

"You are thinking about the country, so this is not your nature."

Zhu Chong still shook his head.

"You are wrong, this is exactly my personality."

"I have never liked wasting things since I was a child. I usually eat every grain of rice in the bowl."

Zhu Gang raised the corner of his mouth and smiled again.

(End of this chapter)