Chapter 172: Convincing people with virtue
Hu Weiyong smiled with his face but not his heart. He just looked at Deng Qianqiu deeply.

In fact, by now, he already knew that there was nothing to talk about.

He just sighed and said, "What a pity, what a pity!"

Deng Qianqiu asked: "What a pity?"

Hu Weiyong said, "It's a pity that Captain Deng doesn't understand that those people who made many military achievements when the country was founded originally put their heads on their belts and killed people without a trace. If such people were forced to death, what they would do is really unimaginable. Captain Deng, you were still young at that time and didn't know how dangerous it was. What you see now is just their good side after the world was at peace. But their evil side is unimaginable to Captain Deng."

Didn’t you say that I was threatening you?

This is the real threat!

Hu Weiyong said this briskly and looked at Deng Qianqiu with a smile.

Deng Qianqiu certainly understood what Hu Weiyong meant, so he asked, "You mean, I will soon be able to see the evil side of these people?"

Hu Weiyong said with a fake smile, "It all depends on Captain Deng. Of course, I am just giving a small warning. Sigh... I have been through that time, and I have seen many people cannibalizing each other, killing people as easy as eating and sleeping. Captain Deng is a very smart person who can follow the dragon and stand out from countless people to be made a marquis and a prime minister. Of course, he knows that none of them will be so simple."

Hu Weiyong paused, then continued, "These people would be demons in troubled times. Now that the world is peaceful and Your Majesty has shown great love for them, granting them official positions and titles, allowing them to enjoy high positions and have many children and grandchildren, they will naturally lose their hostility. But once...something awakens their desire to survive and teaches them to realize that everything they have may be lost at any time, then...they will do anything! Captain Deng, please think twice."

Deng Qianqiu said, "Oh, I see."

Hu Weiyong saw that he had no expression of joy or anger on his face, so he said, "Then Captain Deng, we'll meet again later."

Then he started laughing.

But at this moment, a eunuch suddenly came hurriedly.

Seeing Deng Qianqiu, the eunuch panted and said, "Captain Deng, it's easy to find... His Majesty has an order..."

Deng Qianqiu smiled and said, "I have seen the emperor before, how could I not know about his will?"

"It was His Majesty's previous order. I went to the Marquis' Mansion to look for him, but learned that Captain Deng had already entered the palace, so I followed him to the palace... Captain Deng, please accept the order."

Deng Qianqiu was a little surprised, but he didn't dare to neglect it, so he hurriedly said, "I accept your order."

When Hu Weiyong heard that it was an imperial decree, he was a little surprised and immediately slowed down his pace.

This imperial edict did not go through the Secretariat, which means it was entirely the emperor's will.

The eunuch said, "The Emperor, in accordance with the Will of Heaven, says: Thousand Household Deng Qianqiu has made many contributions and has made outstanding achievements. Although he has not made any contribution to the founding of the country, he has the talent to support the country. I often think of him and remember his great achievements. I decree that he shall be made the Earl of Weiwu County. I respect him."

This was obviously a very simple decree, but the words inside shocked Hu Weiyong, who had not yet left.

After the founding of the country, Deng Qianqiu was the first person to be awarded a title for his contributions!
Although he is just a county earl and is not a big deal, this first place clearly shows the intention of His Majesty.

Hu Weiyong thought again that this was the imperial edict issued before Deng Qianqiu entered the palace, and he immediately understood what was going on.

Then his expression became more solemn.

At this time, Deng Qianqiu shouted: "Long live the emperor."

Hu Weiyong could naturally feel the joy that could not be concealed.

Hu Weiyong was in a hurry. He returned to the Secretariat and sat there for a long time.

He sat in the public housing in a daze, not saying a word.

"People……"

After a long time, Hu Weiyong finally shouted.

A clerk hurried up to Hu Weiyong and stood there with his hands behind his back.

Hu Weiyong's face was cold, and he asked, "How many years have you been following me?"

The clerk said, "I have been following Hu Gong since he was in Jiangxi."

Hu Weiyong added: "It's not easy. It's really not easy over the years, but..."

He paused and said, "There is one thing I want you to do."

This clerk was very perceptive. Although he was just a clerk, in fact, everyone who could be in front of Hu Weiyong was his confidant. If this clerk were put outside, even the prefects and county magistrates would have to curry favor with him, and ordinary ministers would have to show respect to him.

He bowed hurriedly and said, "Student, please let Mr. Hu show you."

Hu Weiyong closed his eyes, but said, "Deng Qianqiu can no longer be kept. If he is kept, something bad will happen. Now, Lu Zhongheng and Fei Ju are in his hands... It seems... It's time to take action. Tonight, go find the person from the Yiluansi and tell him that now... It's time to take action. At this point, blood must be shed. Otherwise, none of us can expect to live a good life anymore."

The Yiluansi was the emperor's personal guard and the prototype of the Jinyiwei. They were basically Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes and ears and confidants. The Yiluansi person Hu Weiyong was referring to was obviously not a simple character.

Now that Deng Qianqiu has begun to be in charge of the imperial case, and this case is of no trivial importance, then... Hu Weiyong will have to start taking drastic measures.

After hearing this, the clerk quickly understood Hu Weiyong's meaning and said nothing more, "I obey your command."

Having said that, he left in a hurry. Hu Weiyong seemed to be relieved, and then he slowly opened his eyes, revealing the sharp light in his eyes.

…………

When Deng Qianqiu returned to the Qianhu Suo, the first thing he did was to go see Empress Ma, who was secretly recuperating there.

In his opinion, no matter how important the matter was, it was best to meet Empress Ma first.

Seeing Deng Qianqiu's exhausted face, Empress Ma showed a trace of concern and asked, "I heard there was a big commotion in the capital?"

Zhu Jingjing stood aside, serving tea to Empress Ma, her beautiful brows slightly furrowed.

Deng Qianqiu said: "I never thought that my little thing would alarm Her Majesty. I will die, I will die."

Queen Ma asked, "Is the matter over?"

Deng Qianqiu had originally planned to talk about this matter with Queen Ma. Wasn't this what he was waiting for?
So he said: "Some people with ulterior motives spread rumors and slandered me for embezzling money. I was so angry that I went out to seek justice from them. That's why the commotion got a bit out of hand, but in the end, it was finally clarified that I am incorruptible and these are pure slander."

Queen Ma couldn't help but frown: "How dare someone be so bold!"

She didn't ask any further questions.

Zhu Jingjing couldn't help but say, "The Deng family has plenty of money, why would they care about the little money from outsiders? These people are really hateful."

Deng Qianqiu suddenly felt a headache and said hurriedly: "That's not the case, that's not the case. Corruption and abuse of power are not about whether you have money or not. Who would complain about having too much money..."

Deng Qianqiu thought to himself, "Princess, please don't make things worse. I'm trying to create an image of myself as an incorruptible person!" When you say that, it seems that the price they offered is not enough.

Deng Qianqiu continued, "What's more, the so-called corruption and abuse of power is not just about corruption, but about using corruption to link the interests of many people together! In this way, officials can protect each other and take care of each other, thereby... obtaining various other benefits."

Empress Ma nodded, looked at Deng Qianqiu with appreciation and said, "Qianqiu sees through this point."

Deng Qianqiu showed a solemn expression on his face, and said: "But I have received the grace of His Majesty and the guidance of the Queen from time to time. How could I be in collusion with these city foxes and community rats? Of course, I will never go along with them. I would rather be a lone minister than associate with others."

As he spoke, Deng Qianqiu arrived at the southeast corner of Qianhu Suo.

Here, dozens of captains are on high alert.

Lu Zhongheng and Fei Ju were also imprisoned.

The most urgent task right now is to get some real evidence from them.

Because what can be dug out from these two people is extraordinary.

Because of this, Deng Qianqiu did not neglect the matter and asked Zhu Di to guard the gate personally.

When Zhu Di saw Deng Qianqiu coming, he said with a tired face: "The person has been detained here... Master... do you have any other instructions?"

"Come with me to interrogate him." Deng Qianqiu smiled, looked at Zhu Di and said, "Remember, don't talk later."

Zhu Di raised his eyebrows curiously and asked, "Why?"

Deng Qianqiu said: "This kind of interrogation is more of a test of one's IQ."

"Oh." Zhu Di nodded, and then his expression changed as if he suddenly realized something: "Hmm?"

Deng Qianqiu ignored him and immediately arrived at the cell.

Lu Zhongheng had already been shackled. When he saw Deng Qianqiu coming, he sneered, "What, are you finally going to interrogate me? Captain Deng, I underestimated you, and that's why I'm in this situation today. But...it doesn't matter, you can't ask anything from me."

Deng Qianqiu smiled and said, "Don't call me Captain Deng. I have been granted the title of Earl of Wuwei County. You can call me Earl."

Lawrence Lu was stunned for a moment, then forced himself to remain calm: “Humph.”

Deng Qianqiu said: "Believe it or not, I will ask you to tell the truth within one stick of incense."

Deng Qianqiu spoke as he sat upright on a chair.

Zhu Di was very indignant at being insulted by Deng Qianqiu, but when he heard Deng Qianqiu say that he would teach Lu Zhongheng to speak within an incense stick of time, he couldn't help but feel curious.

Zhu Di certainly knew that Lu Zhongheng was a brave general who dared to be the first to charge and break into the enemy's territory!
Such a person is not afraid of death. Moreover, the matter involves such a big issue, it is not easy for him to speak easily!

Zhu Di felt that his mentor seemed to be exaggerating a little bit this time.

A stick of incense...

Lawrence Lu laughed wildly, "Really? You underestimated me. Well, if you have any skills, just show them off! I, Lu, would like to open my eyes."

Deng Qianqiu looked at him with a half-smile and said, "Don't worry, I won't torture you. I like to win people over with virtue."

Then he glanced at Zhu Di and said, "Come, record it."

(End of this chapter)