Chapter 117 Sister-in-law, I want to eat dumplings.

Qin Wangfu.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin and His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin."

As soon as Zhu Gang and Zhu Chong stepped into the main hall, Zhou Dexing quickly stood up and bowed.

"Uncle Zhou, this is a bit too formal. Why are you so polite?"

After Zhu Chong sat back in the seat, he looked at Zhou Dexing, shook his head and smiled.

"The etiquette cannot be abolished."

Zhou Dexing said.

"After all, he is still my nephew, and this is not the court. Uncle Zhou, it is better to be casual."

Zhu Gang sat opposite Zhou Dexing and also laughed softly.

"Thank you, Your Highness Prince Jin, Your Highness Prince Qin."

Zhou Dexing then nodded slightly, and his stiff expression relaxed.

But I still didn't dare to be too casual. After all, I needed help from others today, so it was better to be cautious.

Furthermore, Zhou Dexing did not have much contact with his brothers.

Not to mention the Qin Wang Zhu Chong and Jin Wang Zhu Gang in front of them, there is no friendship at all between them.

As for calling each other uncle and nephew, it was only for Zhu Yuanzhang's sake, so it was obvious whether they were sincere or not.

"The third son of our family is about to get married, so His Majesty asked me to accompany him to the Daxiangguo Temple to pray for a good omen. That's why I'm not at home. I hope Uncle Zhou can forgive me."

After some greetings, Zhu Chong looked at Zhou Dexing and said.

"Congratulations, Your Highness Prince Jin."

When the voice sounded, Zhou Dexing looked at Zhu Gang and bowed.

"Thank you, Uncle Zhou."

Zhu Gang also returned the greeting.

But after the words fell, there was a flash of silence in the hall. The three of them were silent, and the scene was a little weird for a moment.

"Uncle Zhou, what brings you here today?"

Seeing this, Zhu Chong gently rubbed his aching head and then spoke.

"I came here today to ask your highnesses to save my life."

Hearing this, Zhou Dexing took a deep breath, then stood up and knelt in the tunnel.

Seeing Zhou Dexing kneeling down, Zhu Gang and Zhu Chong did not stand up, but just looked at Zhou Dexing coldly.

"Uncle Zhou has the Iron Scroll of Immunity in his hand, so why would he be afraid of death?"

Zhu Gang looked at Zhou Dexing who was kneeling on the ground, and a hint of amusement flashed in his words.

"Huaixi's violation of the law is different from that of the ministers, and your majesty has repeatedly ordered the meritorious officials of Huaixi not to break the law knowingly and test the law with their own bodies."

"But the big mistake has already been made. So if we put this matter aside and let the truth come out, Zhou Dexing can be spared from death, but it will also cause unrest."

Zhou Dexing sighed softly and told the truth.

The impact of this incident was so great that the iron scroll of immunity from death could save his life, but it also had a significant impact on the reputation of the imperial court.

It even caused the public sentiment, which had been maintained with great difficulty, to become unstable again.

"So what do you mean?"

Zhu Gang first glanced at Zhu Chong, and seeing that he had no intention of speaking, he spoke.

"I will accept the punishment from the court, but I hope Your Highnesses will not make it public."

"After all, this is Zhou Dexing's fault, and he should bear the consequences, not the court."

Zhou Dexing's voice sounded again.

It has a bit of the flavor of serving the country and the people.

But the dirty and filthy things he did had nothing to do with serving the country and the people.

"It is handled within the court and will not be made public."

"Uncle Zhou really works for the country and the people."

A chilling voice sounded, and Zhou Dexing shuddered suddenly, his body trembling slightly.

The source of this voice was naturally Zhu Gang.

As a veteran general in the army, Zhou Dexing knew very well how terrifying Kuyuk Temur was.
He was a famous general whom even Xu Da did not dare to underestimate.

But Zhu Gang's victory in one battle made Kuyuk Temur die with regret.

This is enough to show how creepy the chill emanating from the words of the person in front of him is.

"I want to ask you, you are from Huaixi, but why do you own a lot of land in Jiangnan?"

"And it is managed exclusively for you by the gentry and powerful people in Jiangnan?"

"And if it weren't for the strict investigation by the Royal Guards, how could this piece of land be so easily found out?"

"So what are you doing in Jiangnan? What kind of benefits did you promise to make so many people keep the secret for you?"

Without waiting for Zhou Dexing to reply, Zhu Chong spoke again in a cold voice.

"Coercion."

After a moment's silence, Zhou Dexing spoke.

"Hehe, do you have any misunderstanding about the whole family being executed?"

"Even though they are facing the threat of their entire family being executed, they are still keeping the secret for you. Can this be coercion?"

Zhu Chong sneered.

"Of course it's coercion."

"Because their bloodline still exists. If you want to preserve this bloodline, you can only keep it a secret for me."

"Ever since I started forcing people to buy and sell in Jiangnan and confiscating a large amount of land, I have been afraid that one day the truth will be revealed."

"So we selected two direct descendants from his family and brought them back to the Jiangxiahou Mansion to raise them."

"And as long as this matter does not get out, their children can be saved."

"But if this matter is leaked, their only bloodline will be destroyed in my hands."

A complex expression flashed across Zhou Dexing's eyes, and he spoke slowly.

"So scheming and calculating."

"It's really perfect. This kind of coercion would definitely not work under normal circumstances."

"After all, the interests of the family come first. If they die, they can still have another son."

"But when it comes to the survival of a family, this bloodline is especially valuable."

"No wonder they were willing to keep your secret."

A glimmer of understanding flashed across Zhu Chong's eyes.

"So, did you stay, or didn't you?"

Zhu Gang raised his head again and looked at Zhou Dexing.

"I am loyal to your majesty and the Ming Dynasty, but because of greed, I made a big mistake."

"But since you said you wouldn't kill me, I didn't want to be ungrateful, so I didn't kill you."

"Just keep him in the mansion and keep him under strict supervision."

Zhou Dexing bowed his head and replied.

"Okay, okay. Let them live. If you don't give them freedom, they'll be like birds in a cage, golden birds."

"If you never see the outside world in your entire life, your bloodline will not exist in the world."

Zhu Gang clapped his hands lightly, not knowing whether it was sarcasm or praise.

"I feel ashamed of your grace and have failed Your Majesty."

Zhou Dexing kowtowed again.

"Then let me tell you another story. I heard a secret in Jiangnan."

"It's just that I have no way to verify it, so I would like to ask Jiang Xiahou in person."

"I heard that you have some subtle relationship with the Lu family. I wonder if it is true."

In response, Zhu Chong changed the subject and looked at Zhou Dexing.

"Your Highness, yes."

Zhou Dexing's pupils shrank suddenly, and after hesitating for a long time, he said in a complicated tone.

"what relationship?"

Zhu Gang tapped the tabletop lightly with his knuckles.

"Distant relative."

After saying this, Zhou Dexing's body became a little limp.

"Distant relative? Just not among the nine clans."

"Otherwise, you have occupied farmland, knowingly violated the law, and deceived your superiors and subordinates. I'm afraid that even the iron scroll of immunity from death will not be able to save you, Jiang Xiahou."

Hearing this, Zhu Gang nodded with a smile.

"Your Highness, we are not distant relatives. We only have a trace of connection left."

Zhou Dexing broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly explained.

"Zhou Dexing, you are a meritorious official. You have made great contributions to His Majesty and the Ming Dynasty."

"Then I cannot kill you for any reason." "So, in order not to cause unrest in the court and panic among the people, I will suppress this matter."

"And as you wish, this matter will not be made public and will be handled within the court."

"It's not that easy for you to overcome my disgust for you with just a few words."

"I'm telling you, from today on, this service and this love are over."

"When you return, send all your illegal gains over the years to the Prince of Jin's Mansion."

"If you still dare to hide it, don't blame me for being merciless."

"As for the certificate of immunity from death, I'll keep it for you. The reason you came to ask me and the King of Qin for help is simply to keep the certificate of immunity from death."

"I will do as you wish."

Facing Zhou Dexing's explanation, Zhu Gang slowly stood up and spoke in a cold voice.

"I thank Your Highness for his great grace!"

Zhou Dexing felt a little complicated when he heard this, but the iron scroll of immunity from death was finally saved.

"Someone, get the fork out."

Zhu Chong snorted coldly, then waved his hand at the guards at the door and said, "Fifty military sticks, beat him hard."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhou Dexing's face instantly turned the color of liver. He was about to beg for mercy, but before he could say anything, he was forked out by the guards on his left and right.

Then, a series of howling sounds were heard in the courtyard.

This made Wang Yuemin, the wife of the Prince of Qin, hurried to the main hall. She looked at the two brothers who were still as usual and asked hurriedly, "What happened?"

"Nothing, just playing for fun."

When Zhu Chong saw that it was Wang Yuemin, he waved his hand, indicating that he shouldn't worry about it.

"You are Jiang Xiahou, are you playing for fun?"

Wang Yuemin widened his eyes again.

"If it weren't for the fact that he has been pampered in recent years, I'm afraid he can't bear it, then it wouldn't be fifty military sticks."

Zhu Chong curled his lips.

Zhou Dexing is not like those civil servants. As a military general, even if he is not proficient in martial arts, he still has at least some physical fitness.

Therefore, he can definitely withstand these fifty military sticks.

"Sister-in-law, I want to eat dumplings."

At this time, Zhu Gang also looked at Wang Yuemin and smiled.

"Then I'll go make dumplings for you."

Wang Yuemin nodded slightly and left the main hall with her maid.

Although I don't know what it is for, as a woman it's better to ask less questions.

"Why don't you take back his immunity from death?"

After Wang Yuemin left, Zhu Chong looked at Zhu Gang in a very serious tone.

"If we take back the death-free certificate, he won't have any scruples in his heart anymore."

"Leave it to him. The function of that thing belongs to the royal interpretation."

"Besides, a piece of iron scroll of immunity from death is useless for his crime."

Zhu Gang picked up the teacup, slightly opened the lid, took a sip and said.

"I always feel that nine out of ten statements are false."

Zhu Chong said again.

"Will you say something that is not good for you?"

"What do you mean by serving the country and the people, or considering the old man? It's pure nonsense."

"If you really care about the old man, these things won't happen, so just listen to it."

"only"

Having said this, Zhu Gang paused slightly.

"what?"

Zhu Chong asked curiously.

"Send someone to investigate the relationship between him and the Lu family. I always feel that it is not that simple."

"Let the Royal Guards go to Fengyang to investigate the situation, but be careful not to alert Zhou Dexing. Otherwise, we may alert the enemy."

Zhu Gang thought about it, then looked at Zhu Chong and gave instructions.

"Ah."

Zhu Chong nodded, and the screams at the door stopped abruptly. It was obvious that the fifty beatings with military sticks had been completed.

"What crime do you want to charge these fifty military sticks with?"

Zhu Chong looked at the guard who came back to report, then turned his head and looked at Zhu Gang.

"Too lazy to think about it."

"Just pick one."

Zhu Gang waved his hand.

"Unfounded?"

Zhu Chong raised his eyebrows.

"It's not like I'm framing a loyal person, it's just an act of insubordination."

Zhu Gang glared at Zhu Chong and said.

"Your Highness, are you really checking the land?"

Yao Guangxiao, who was forgotten in the corner, suddenly spoke up.

"When it's over, you'll know."

In response, Zhu Gang waved his hand.

"Brother, I actually have something I've always wanted to give you, but I don't know if I should give it to you."

After everything was over, Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Chong with a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

"We are brothers. If you have something to say, just tell us directly. Don't hide it."

Zhu Chong was slightly stunned and said unhappily.

But there was still some hesitation in Zhu Gang's eyes.

"Did something happen?"

Seeing this, Zhu Chong was also a little confused.

"Do you know why I was able to win every battle in Taiyuan?"

After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Chong with some complexity.

"Because you are such a great warrior?"

Zhu Chong said without even thinking about it.

"Then why is it that the imperial court and the grasslands have always been victorious?"

"Is it Uncle Xu who is not strong, or are the generals in Huaixi not strong?"

Zhu Gang said softly.

"Although the imperial court and the grasslands have had their share of victories and defeats, the imperial court has always won more than it has lost. After all, they roam the grasslands and have an innate advantage."

"So it's normal for us to win and lose. It can't be said that Huaixi is not strong."

A trace of contemplation flashed across Zhu Chong's eyes.

"That's right, but how do we explain Taiyuan?"

"I had just arrived in Taiyuan in the sixth year of Hongwu, and in the seventh year of Hongwu, Kuyuk Temur sent troops to Taiyuan."

"Why did he choose Taiyuan? Don't you think it's weird?"

Zhu Gang asked again.

"You mean, the imperial court has spies from the Northern Yuan Dynasty?"

Zhu Chong also understood what Zhu Gang meant, and whispered.

"Of course there are, but when Deng Zhen returned to the court, he brought me a few letters, and I didn't give them to the old man."

"But I want to give it to you. No matter what you choose, I won't blame you."

"And this matter will be buried in the sea from now on, and no one will mention it again."

After that, Zhu Gang took out the letter from his pocket, walked to Zhu Chong, put it on the table and said, "But the decision is in your hands. As your younger brother, I can only not interfere."

"it is good."

A gloomy look flashed across Zhu Chong's eyes, and then he nodded.

And if Zhu Chong still doesn't understand now, then he is really stupid.

"Don't be so serious. I haven't opened these letters, and no one has opened them either. So are they family letters or something else?"

"It is what you say it is."

"I won't eat the dumplings. I'll try them another day."

After he finished speaking, Zhu Gang patted Zhu Gang's shoulder again and left the Prince Qin's Mansion.

Only Zhu Chong was left with a gloomy face, looking at the letter on the table without saying a word.

(End of this chapter)