Chapter 171 I Want You to Die

Deng Qianqiu's words were extremely damaging.

Hu Weiyong's expression changed suddenly.

At first, he just used a little trick, hoping to take this opportunity to eliminate Deng Qianqiu.

He has experienced this countless times in his life!

For anyone, if you can win them over, you will win them over; if you can't win them over, you will frame them. It's really not worth mentioning.

But he never expected that Deng Qianqiu not only did not accept the gifts, but also did not take bribes. Instead, he chose to make a big deal out of it.

As a result of the uproar, the case of corruption and lawlessness of a mere thousand households was directly elevated to a higher level, forcing the court to pay huge attention to it.

Of course, if things get this far, they are still within the controllable range.

So... what Deng Qianqiu said now is equivalent to making things even bigger.

The problem is no longer the corruption and unauthorized deployment of troops that everyone is concerned about, but now... it has become a huge conspiracy group targeting the prince.

During the Hongwu Dynasty, targeting the crown prince was tantamount to treason, and even more serious than treason.

As a result, the whole thing went out of control, to the point where even Hu Weiyong was unable to control it.

If we say that just a moment ago, Hu Weiyong was still a calm chess player who continued to make plans, even though the current chess game was beginning to be somewhat unfavorable for Hu Weiyong.

Now, Hu Weiyong was turned into a pawn by Deng Qianqiu's words.

Hu Weiyong never expected that the situation would escalate again and again and eventually reach this point.

If he had known this, he would never have been willing to pay such a huge price for Deng Qianqiu.

So, his face turned pale and his eyes were slightly gloomy, but he still did not comment, and even... he was a little confused.

After hearing what Deng Qianqiu said, Zhu Yuanzhang became furious as the officials had expected.

Deng Qianqiu's words make a lot of sense. Such a big fuss can't be aimed at Deng Qianqiu, so... who is it aimed at?
Thinking about the several princes studying under Deng Qianqiu, and then thinking about the relationship between the prince and Deng Qianqiu, and the Chunhe Palace Qianhu Suo.

How capable do these people have to be able to cause such a stir in the city?
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were cold and he sneered, "Lu Zhongheng, you tell me!"

Lawrence Lu was already frightened out of his wits.

Although he was greedy, he was not a fool! How could he not know that when Deng Qianqiu said this, the lethality had reached a point that he could not bear.

As for the previous mistake, he could still explain it as a misunderstanding, and even rely on the fact that he was a meritorious official, perhaps he could strive for a lighter sentence.

But now, he knew very well that there was no room for maneuver.

So he trembled all over.

He looked at Hu Weiyong as if asking for help, hoping that Hu Weiyong could come up with an idea, but he didn't dare to look up. He was so confused at this moment that he didn't know how to respond.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him for a long time without saying anything, narrowed his eyes, and said viciously: "Lu Zhongheng, I think of your hard work and great contributions, so I give you a chance. What else do you want to hide from me?"

How could Lu Zhongheng dare to say anything? Now that he has revealed his relationship with many people in Huaixi, will His Majesty believe that Hu Weiyong and his people really just want to win over Deng Qianqiu?

Obviously, impossible!
The more people are dragged into the water, the angrier His Majesty will be.

Think about it, there are so many princes and dukes, headed by the right prime minister, so many civil officials, and even many local officials. If all of this were exposed, even if it was not treason, according to Zhu Yuanzhang's temperament, he would have to eradicate all the evil.

So he panicked. For him, the less impact this incident had on him, the better. Because if he implicated anyone, he would be doomed.

At least... it won't involve other people. In order to protect themselves, others might... be able to find a chance to rescue him. But once other people are involved, it will be all over.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Lu Zhongheng cried, "I know nothing. I was falsely accused of bribery. After the news came out, I was frightened and uneasy. Suddenly, Deng Qianqiu brought his soldiers to arrest me. I mistakenly thought that Deng Qianqiu wanted to slander me. I also saw that he did not have an imperial decree, so... so... I am guilty of a thousand deaths. I was reckless..."

Zhu Yuanzhang uttered two words in a calm tone: "Really?"

Lawrence Lu was extremely frightened, and could only grit his teeth and say, “I dare not speak falsely.”

Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes and seemed to be reviewing something in his mind.

However, the fear brought by this silence still frightened all the officials.

Deng Qianqiu, this bastard, is so scary. He is like an arsonist carrying kerosene, setting fires everywhere.

In this court, who can ensure that this fire will not burn themselves?
Even people like Wang Guangyang and Liu Ji would not dare to say with confidence that they would not be implicated in the end.

After all, they are respectable people. They value fighting without breaking things. Many things are tacitly understood. At least, everyone has a tacit understanding not to overturn the table.

But when you meet a young man like Deng Qianqiu...

Therefore, no one dared to breathe.

Only Deng Qianqiu remained calm and composed. Anyway, I, Deng Qianqiu, don’t care.

It was you who wanted to provoke me. Since you provoked me, I didn't take anything, I'm clean-handed, and I haven't enjoyed any benefits at all, but you still want to kill me.

It's okay now. Anyway, I, Deng Qianqiu, am in an absolutely safe place. As for you... whether you are blessed or cursed, alive or dead, it has nothing to do with me.

From now on, everyone should be more careful. You'd better know that if you mess with me, Deng Qianqiu, I guarantee you will have a hard time.

"His Majesty."

Finally, Hu Weiyong knew that he had to stand up. He seemed very calm at this time, and he bowed as usual, saying: "Your Majesty, this matter... is as Captain Deng Qianqiu said, there are indeed many strange things. Therefore, I think that this matter is of great importance and this case must be thoroughly investigated! I think that the officials should be ordered immediately to arrest Lu Zhongheng, Fei Juren and others, and investigate them carefully, and then give an explanation to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Captain Deng."

That's fair.

Things have come to this point, and it's not something that can be sorted out in a few words.

If we want to get to the bottom of it, let the relevant officials investigate, such as the Yiluansi, the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Censorate. Everyone should be involved to ensure objectivity and fairness.

Of course, the most important thing is... during the verification process, everyone is given a buffer time and space to ensure that everyone can rearrange their arrangements during this process.

Zhu Yuanzhang hummed and looked at Wang Guangyang.

Wang Guangyang hurriedly said, "Mr. Hu is right. This involves the Crown Prince, and it is a serious matter. We should investigate it thoroughly. Only when the truth is revealed can we give an explanation to Your Majesty and the people of the world."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Okay, I will order this case to be thoroughly investigated by the Chunhe Palace Thousand Households Office. The Chunhe Palace Thousand Households Office must arrest Lu Zhongheng, Fei Juren and others, and give me an explanation."

"..."

Hu Weiyong was a little confused at this moment.

Play like this, right?
What he meant was that the authorities would conduct a thorough investigation.

But the result was a thorough investigation by the Chunhe Palace Thousand Households.

Isn't this clearly handing everything over to Deng Qianqiu? How can this be a way to give everyone some time and space to buffer? This is clearly a way to take everyone's life.

Of course, Hu Weiyong wanted to save it again.

So he said, "Your Majesty... the Thousand Households Office of Chunhe Palace... is short of manpower... what's more..."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "I have made up my mind. If this Thousand Households Office has any difficulties, please report them to me. You gentlemen don't need to say more."

At this moment, Hu Weiyong's blood ran cold. He took a deep look at Lu Zhongheng, who was already extremely frightened and uneasy, and his worry became even greater.

But right now, there seems to be no solution.

"You may leave now, Deng Qianqiu. This time... you have been slandered, but you have also used this opportunity to clear yourself. I was right. You are indeed incorruptible. In this case, you should do your best to investigate this case for me. Do you understand?"

Deng Qianqiu said with a relaxed expression: "As ordered, Your Majesty, rest assured, I will have the result within three days."

Three days...

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't laugh at all. Since it was a big case and it took only three days, it was obviously an exaggeration.

But it doesn’t matter, he said one day is fine.

"Everyone, please leave."

……

Deng Qianqiu walked out of the hall happily. When he came here, he was still a suspect. Now... in the whole world, everyone except him, Deng Qianqiu, has become a suspect.

Now that’s good, no one will dare to throw dirty water on him, Deng Qianqiu, anymore.

"Captain Deng."

Someone called Deng Qianqiu from behind.

Deng Qianqiu stopped and looked back.

But it turned out to be Hu Weiyong.

Deng Qianqiu was amused. Aren't you the right prime minister? Don't you think you are very powerful?
Hu Weiyong smiled, caught up with Deng Qianqiu and said, "I really envy Captain Deng. Captain Deng is young and walks with great vigor. I am not young anymore and my legs are not very convenient. Sigh... It's really like the younger generation is pushing the older generation forward."

Deng Qianqiu responded smoothly: "The previous wave died on the beach?"

"Hmm?" Hu Weiyong's expression changed slightly, and then he laughed: "What do you think of this matter, Captain Deng?"

"What's the matter?"

Hu Weiyong said, "Captain Deng, please stop joking."

Deng Qianqiu immediately said, "Of course we will investigate thoroughly. I will follow your orders and whoever we find will be held responsible. We will not show any leniency."

Hu Weiyong sighed: "Captain Deng is too young."

Deng Qianqiu said, "It seems that Mr. Hu has any advice?"

Hu Weiyong looked at Deng Qianqiu deeply and said, "Honest advice is unpleasant to the ear. I am afraid that Deng Qianqiu will be angry and refuse to listen."

Deng Qianqiu said: "It's okay, tell me."

Hu Weiyong said: "Now that things have come to this, it doesn't really matter what the truth is. What's important is to think twice before you act."

Deng Qianqiu raised his eyebrows and asked, "Are you threatening me?"

Hu Weiyong did not expect that Deng Qianqiu would ask him a direct question.

He was a little confused. Logically speaking, they were all respectable people, so even if they meant it, there was no need to be so direct in their words.

But these impolite words left Hu Weiyong confused.

(End of this chapter)