In the thirteenth year of Chongzhen, on November 6, the back hall of the Criminal Department.

Qian Qianyi, the newly appointed secretary of the Criminal Department, Zhang Sizhi, the waiter Liu Zongzhou, and others are discussing Zhang Jinyan's case.

Zhang Jinyan was the soldier of the military department when the capital was breached by thieves, and he was highly trusted, who would have thought that he would be the one who opened the city and surrendered the thieves?

Zhang Sizhi glanced at Liu Zongzhou and said, "If only Zhang Jinyan's confession is not troublesome, the problem is that there is still an internal prison." ”

Chongzhen and Li Zicheng secretly discussed peace talks at that time, it was the internal supervisors who came and went, Zhang Jinyan planned, Li Zicheng or failed, not only Zhang Jinyan was caught by Zhou Zheng, but also those internal prisoners.

Under the two sides, it is ironclad evidence!

How could the Ming Dynasty allow the emperor to sue for peace with the thief?

Zhu Cihong in the palace did not allow it, and Zhou Yanru in the outer court and countless scholars did not allow it!

All the problems have been piled up on the heads of Qian Qianyi, Zhang Sizhi, and Liu Zong.

Qian Qianyi glanced at Zhang Sizhi, turned to Liu Zongzhou, and said, "What do you think of Lord Liu?" ”

Liu Zongzhou twisted his eyebrows, he didn't expect that he would usher in such a hot potato as soon as he entered the court.

His face was square, with a strong bookish atmosphere, and when he heard Qian Qianyi's question, he said: "This matter must not involve the first emperor, Zhang Jinyan and those who know the inside story, and must be dealt with as soon as possible, and at the same time block the news, and strictly order everyone to keep their mouths shut, not to speak, let alone leave any words!" ”

Liu Zongzhou's meaning is very simple, not only can't let people know now, but also hide it from future generations!

The first emperor must be a great Guangzheng, this is an ethical requirement, and it is also politically correct, and no one can destroy it!

Qian Qianyi nodded lightly, looked at Zhang Sizhi, and said, "What should I do?" ”

Zhang Sizhi twisted his eyebrows and was silent.

Although Zhou Yanru seems to have snatched the right to judge these reverse cases, in addition to the Criminal Department, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and Dali Temple are still in the hands of the command, plus the transcendent Dongchang and Jinyiwei.

It's okay to hide from others, but if you dispose of Zhang Jinyan and others without saying hello, Zhou Zheng will inevitably be dissatisfied.

After waiting for a while, Zhang Sizhi looked at Qian Qianyi and Liu Zongzhou, and said, "There are too many restrictions on this matter, so we can only solve it quickly." Immediately behead those who know the inside story, and arrest those who may know. ”

The matter of 'negotiating peace with the thieves' was extremely secret, and not many people knew about it, and when the case was tried, the people who were watching were arrested, and the officials present were all locked up except for the credible ones.

Therefore, those who may know about this matter are the protégés of Zhang Jinyan and others, close friends, relatives and neighbors.

These may be quite huge, and it is not just a few to catch a few, or a dozen of them can be closed and concealed.

Qian Qianyi and Liu Zongzhou's expressions changed, but there was no way to refute it.

They didn't want the case to continue to expand and punish too many 'innocent' people, but with Zhang Jinyan's big mouth and the matter of the first emperor and Li Zicheng's peace negotiation came out, they couldn't do it even if they wanted to settle the matter.

Liu Zongzhou's eyes were worried, and he looked at Zhang Si and knew: "What does Yuanfu think?" ”

Zhang Si knew: "Yuan Fu and the emperor have the same attitude, and any adverse case must not involve the first emperor, not at all." ”

Qian Qianyi nodded lightly and said, "Even so, we must control the situation, and we must not spread and expand endlessly." ”

Liu Zongzhou shook his head and said, "Jinyiwei's five thousand horsemen have arrived in Yingtianfu, and they are busy all day long. The eunuchs guarding Nanjing Town, and the Shangshu of the Ministry of War have all changed, and I have heard that Zheng Xibo is preparing to send Li Hengbing as the governor of Nanzhili, I am afraid that it will not be as we wish. ”

Qian Qianyi and Zhang Sizhi's expressions were slightly condensed, they all knew these things, and Zhou Zheng didn't think about hiding it from anyone.

Qian Qianyi and Zhang Sizhi glanced at each other, and they didn't know what to say for a while.

They really don't know what the Xibo is going to do, clearly going against the people of the world, really thinking that if they master the army, they can be unscrupulous, and want to be Cao Cao and coerce the Son of Heaven to order the princes?

Qian Qianyi and the three of them were silent for a long time, and finally Qian Qianyi said: "I'll go to Yuanfu and ask Yuanfu to coordinate from it." ”

Zhang Sizhi and Liu Zongzhou can only nod, and now only Zhou Yanru can talk to Zhou Zheng and talk to each other.

The three of them discussed for a while and left.

From the clan, the nobles, to these civil and military generals, these rebellious cases have not yet been decided, and they still have too many things to do.

Liu Zongzhou came to his class room, and Erzhang followed.

"Sir, what did Qian Ge Lao say?" Zhang Bo couldn't wait to say. He entered the criminal department, and the desire to make a career burned his body like wildfire.

Zhang Cai didn't speak, and his eager expression already said everything.

Liu Zongzhou sat down on the chair, shook his head without knowing whether to shake his head or how, and said: "Zhang Jinyan bit out the first emperor, the imperial court categorically can't accept it, and we have to find a way to seal it." Prepare to screen these people. ”

Zhang Bo immediately said: "It should be so, is it the head of the Criminal Department?" ”

The corners of Liu Zongzhou's face moved, and he said: "We don't know that Zhang Jinyan and others told those people about this, and there are too many rebels, and the criminal department can't catch them." Also, it's not just the capital. ”

Before Zhang Bo could speak, Zhang Cai suddenly became vigilant and said, "Mr. is you talking about Jiang Zuo?" ”

Jiangzuo, that is, Jiangnan.

Liu Zongzhou nodded annoyedly, and said: "These things originally involve a lot of people, and it will be difficult for us to stop the Zhulian of Zheng Xibo, plus this matter, I'm afraid we can't stop it." ”

Zhang Bo looked straight and said, "Sir, if you can't stop it, you have to stop it!" He has led the army for many years and does not understand government affairs. If he goes on like this, the Ming Dynasty will be overturned by him, not in the hands of thieves, but in the national pillars, which will be an injustice for the ages! ”

Liu Zongzhou's expression was solemn, and he said with a deep color: "What you said is good. It's about my Daming Sheji, and it's also about Zheng Xibo's life's merits, we can't let go! ”

Zhang Cai's eyes were scorching, and he said: "This matter must be in your hands, it is best to hold a court discussion, and ask the emperor to approve it!" ”

Liu Zongzhou frowned when he heard this, he had already entered the court, and as he walked around, he had faintly noticed that Zhou was in control of the inner court, and the emperor was afraid that he would not be able to express his views voluntarily.

Moreover, an eleven-year-old child, if he says anything, he is afraid that he will also be questioned.

The key is Zhou Zheng's attitude!

Liu Zongzhou took a deep breath and said, "We want to wait for news from Yuanfu. ”

Zhang Bo and Zhang Cai glanced at each other, nodded, but in fact, they looked at each other, and had other thoughts in their hearts.

This night, Zhou Zheng returned home early and played with four children in the yard.

His eldest brother Zhou Fang's two little guys are already half-grown children, Xiao Deshen is almost seven years old, and Xiao Ke'er is two years old.

There is Zhou Zheng, who is out of tune, wanton and indulgent, and the yard is full of children's voices and laughter.

Xiao Dewei fell and his head was bleeding, but he still didn't feel it, and he was running all over the yard.

Xiao Jingyi's body of dirt, after teaching this and that between brothers, she is like the head of the eldest sister.

Zhou Ding and Shangguan watched from under the eaves, and their expressions were almost the same—condensation.

Zhou Zheng didn't care about the two women at this time, and had a good time by himself.

The sky was dark, and the five of them were tired of playing, so they crowded into the middle of nowhere, roasted the fire and drank tea, and recovered their strength.

Xiao Dewei looked at Zhou Zheng with a smile on his face, and said, "Second uncle, you haven't played with us like this for a long time." ”

Zhou Zheng was wiping his youngest son's face, smiled casually, and said, "Has it been a long time?" ”

Xiao Jingyu nodded and said, "Second uncle, after you came back from Tianjin Wei, the whole person has become old-fashioned, and you don't like to smile anymore, so you don't go back to your house much." My mother said yesterday that you may have raised another woman outside......"

Zhou Dingshi happened to come over, and was startled when he heard it, and hurriedly scolded: "Dead girl, what nonsense!" ”

As he spoke, he smiled at Zhou Zheng and said, "Second uncle, don't listen to this dead girl's nonsense, you are busy with business all day long, and Shangguan and I both know about it." ”

Zhou Zheng is now in a high position and is not angry and arrogant, and Zhou Ding occasionally feels a little afraid of Zhou Zheng.

Zhou Zheng smiled, he didn't care, this kind of gossip in the backyard can't be cared about.

He drank tea, watched his sister-in-law give Xiao Deyu and Xiao Jingyu clean up, and he was also reflecting in his heart.

Since returning to Beijing, he has been under too much pressure and has barely relaxed for a moment, and he has indeed been too tense and alienated from many people and things.

It seems that he has to be quiet.

Zhou Dingshi wiped her two children, picked up Xiao Deshen's hand again, wiped it, glanced at Zhou Zheng, and said: "Second uncle, don't blame your sister-in-law for talking too much, no matter how busy you are, you can't get home, don't go home for three days, and sleep when you come back, even if Shangguan is considerate of you, you have to be considerate of her, she is no less than you in the house." ”

Zhou Zheng sat down and said with a smile: "What my sister-in-law said is that I reflect seriously." ”

Zhou Dingshi laughed, wiped Xiao Ke'er's face again, and said: "I'll just say this casually, don't take it to heart, Shangguan is not an ignorant person." ”

Zhou Zheng smiled, thinking that he and Shangguan Qing were also old husbands and wives, and after so many years, the two children were so old.

The four little guys were very tired from playing, lying on the table, letting Zhou Ding's rub and play, without any strength to frolic.

At this time, Liu Liuzhen led Sun Chuanting, and Li Hengbing walked over from not far away.

When Zhou Ding heard the movement, he hurriedly patted the four little guys and said, "Quick, go back to sleep, it's too cold here, let's go." ”

The four little guys didn't follow and were taken away by Zhou Ding's coaxing and scare.

Sun Chuanting sat down on the stool and said with a smile: "It is indeed a clever move for the adults to throw out the matter of peace, and Yuan Fu and the others are afraid that they will have a headache." ”

Zhou Zheng took a sip of tea, didn't care about it, looked at Li Hengbing, and said, "Have you figured out what to do?" ”

Before Li Hengbing took up the post of the General Anti-Corruption Administration, he was going to Nanzhili to serve as a governor for two months.

Li Hengbing looked indifferent and said, "Try the water." Clear some of the obstacles. ”

Zhou Zheng stared at him and said, "How to try?" ”

Li Hengbing said: "Take the change test, whoever stands in the way is against the party." ”

Zhou Zheng slowly had a smile on his face, and said, "I will arrange enough helpers for you, and if necessary, you can mobilize the army to suppress." ”

Li Hengbing heard Zhou Zheng's surveillance and balance his taste, his expression was completely unmoved, and said, "Okay." ”

Zhou Zheng turned to Sun Chuanting again and said, "There is a matter of peace that stumbles on their feet, you must move quickly, and in three days, I will see the herb of the Great Ming Law." ”

Sun Chuanting nodded solemnly, one of the reasons why he was 'fast' was because the New Year was approaching, and there were many complicated things, and the beginning of next year should be a good start. The second is that the decisive battle in the northwest is becoming more and more obvious, and perhaps, there will be results in three or five days!