The leakage of secrets by the Supreme High Command is an extremely serious and major incident. It is impossible for Zhu Pingjin to give up the investigation easily because of a few fucking words.

In the end, Wang Sizhong was able to lock up among the many suspects who leaked secrets because Wang Sizhong misbehaved and died by himself.

Logically speaking, as long as we start the investigation from the source of the secret, follow the secret transmission channel, delineate the secret contacts, follow the vine, eliminate them one by one, and then narrow down the scope of suspicion and investigate one by one, we can find out the leakers.

However, Zhu Pingjin could not do this. Because once he conducts a public investigation, it will have the negative effect of "there are no three hundred taels of silver here". will not only indirectly confirm what Zhu Pingjin did in Yazhou, Renshou and Pengshan, but also cause cracks in the mother-son relationship between Zhu Pingjin and his mother. Therefore, Zhu Pingjian, who is unwilling to have a time bomb around him, uses logical reasoning and a little luck.

Cao Sanbao accepted the princess's instructions and reported Zhu Pingjian's words and deeds in Mingshan, Tianquan, Yazhou and Renshou to the princess in a timely manner, which was not Cao Sanbao's betrayal of Zhu Pingjian, but on the contrary, Cao Sanbao's absolute loyalty to the princess. Everyone hates the matter of making small reports, Cao Sanbao is an old man in the palace, and he should be very clear about this. He took on this unfortunate errand without hesitation, and he could not have done without some self-sacrificing spirit.

Besides, Cao Sanbao is the attendant of the prince Zhu Pingjin from childhood to adulthood, and he is actually the nanny sent by the princess to Zhu Pingjian's side. No matter what Zhu Pingjin did or what mistakes he made, he had no right to make an evaluation, but he had the obligation to report it. Even after Zhu Pingjin's wedding, if the princess asked Cao Sanbao about Zhu Pingjin's living situation, Cao Sanbao was obliged to report it completely without concealment.

For example, according to the regulations of the imperial court, Zhu Pingjin, as the legal heir of the Shu domain, must make a record of any woman he had. It is necessary not only to record, but also to be highly responsible for history, and to record important information such as the time, place, person, and time of the child in the official file, so that it can be checked in the future to determine whether a child is of royal blood. Therefore, in the entire leak incident, Cao Sanbao was performing his duties and was not at fault.

Because of this, Zhu Pingjin took Cao Sanbao all the way to Mengdingshan, Tianquan, Yazhou and Renshou. Only Niujiaozhai and Jiangkou fought twice, and Cao Sanbao did not accompany him because of a cold.

Cao Sanbao, as Zhu Pingjin's attendant eunuch, wanted to pass Zhu Pingjin's message back to the princess, and he didn't have time at all. To deliver information to the government, he must have a reliable intermediary. It was impossible for Cao Santai and the people of Mengding Mountain Tea House to complete this task, because Cao Santai was left in Tianquan Jianyi by Zhu Pingjin and had only recently returned.

The only suspect is Cao Sanbao's godson Wang Sizhong. Wang Sizhong served as the liaison officer between Zhu Pingjin and the Shu Palace, the caravan guard, and the Yazhou Wangzhuang, the so-called eunuch of the decree, until Zhu Pingjin returned to Chengdu Mansion, and this mission ended.

In order to verify his conjecture, Zhu Pingjin deliberately arranged a few thrilling stories about the Battle of Jiangkou, and then told them to the princess together in the middle of the business. The princess knew everything about the data, but she made a fuss about the thrilling story made up by Zhu Pingjin, and she didn't seem to know it in advance. Only then did Zhu Pingjin conclude his conjecture. Cao Sanbao stayed in Renshou County to recuperate because of a cold at that time, so Wang Sizhong, who was in Yazhou, could get no more information except for the written reports sent by Zhu Pingjin and several staff members to the Yazhou side. And what the princess knew was the contents of these written notices.

Trapping Wang Sizhong does not confirm that he is a traitor, because he is also performing his duties. Besides, even if the princess knew about herself, Zhu Pingjin didn't think it was a big deal. Zhu Pingjin is the eldest son of the prince, the son of the Shu clan recognized by the imperial court, and the only son of the princess. In any respect, Zhu Pingjin and the princess are both prosperous and loss-oriented. Perhaps it was because the princess knew about Zhu Pingjian's small actions behind her back that she was willing to entrust the affairs of Wang Zhuang to Zhu Pingjian.

Wang Sizhong's final exposure was because he had a cheating girlfriend. Speaking of which, this is also thanks to Cao Yicheng beside the princess. A few days ago, a eunuch named Qin Yi under Cao Yicheng chatted with other eunuchs in the palace, and as a result, he talked about Wang Sizhong, a popular man in front of the prince. A eunuch gossiped, saying do you know? Wang Sizhong's counterpart food has changed, and he has become the palace maid Cuihua in front of Chen Chengfeng! After getting along with Wang Sizhong, the emerald flower immediately widened, and a gold-inlaid jade hairpin was suddenly inserted on his head. She also publicized it everywhere, saying that this good thing was brought from Yazhou City by her good friend, for fear that others would not know.

The crux of the problem is not the gold-inlaid jade hairpin, but "her good looks in Yazhou"! Wang Sizhong is one of the eunuchs who serve the prince, so where Wang Sizhong is, the son is there. But the news of the prince's arrival in Yazhou is top secret, except for the princess and Cao Yicheng, no one has read the small report sent back by Cao Sanbao and Wang Sizhong.

Qin Yi realized the problem inside and immediately reported it. When Cao Yicheng received the report, he was extremely angry at the behavior of his godson and grandson, and immediately instructed the Qin descendants to secretly investigate the leak, and first investigate Wang Sizhong's counterpart. Who knew that he was shocked when he checked - Wang Sizhong, a minion, actually had a mansion in Chengdu Mansion.

During the war-torn years, because the city could be sheltered by the city walls, the houses in the city were much more expensive than those outside the city. This mansion is located in the south corner of the West City, adjacent to the partition wall of Huanhua Creek, with three openings and three entrances, exquisite decoration, and a lot of value. Qin Yi personally went to see this mansion, and he couldn't buy it without three or five thousand taels of silver. Cao Yicheng served four generations of Shu kings, and was very well-connected in both the palace and the official government. He checked the real estate registration file for him through a small official in Chengdu County, and found that the owner of the property was none other than Chen En, the great eunuch in front of the prince!

The eunuch under Cao Yicheng's name actually lives in Chen En's house!

Moreover, there is something hidden in this house. It is said that many years ago, Zhu Zhishu, the king of Shu, once raised an outer room in this mansion, and the princess made a big fuss when she found out. Taking concubines outside the house is an illegal and criminal act that violates family rules and national laws. The prince had no choice but to relent, and the princess did not mention it anymore. Soon the outer chamber died of an inexplicable illness, and the mansion was empty.

A few years ago, a Chengdu businessman named Chen Ji spent a lot of money to clean up the yard again, and Cuihua moved in soon after. And this Chen Ji is Chen En's own nephew and his heir (Note 1).

Truth. Wang Sizhong turned his back on Cao Yicheng and Cao Sanbao and took refuge in Chen En.

Cao Yicheng suggested that the princess and the prince execute Wang Sizhong, but it was not recommended to do it now. Wang Sizhong suddenly lost contact, and the prince will definitely be suspicious. Let Wang Sizhong continue to stay by Miss Luo's side, and continue to send messages to the prince with confidence and boldness.

The weather around the Dragon Boat Festival is neither cold nor hot, and it is the best time in Chengdu.

The prince's garden outside the northeast corner of the Shu Palace, the sky is blue and the wind is warm, and the flowers are vying for beauty. Around the octagonal water pavilion by the lake, young palace maids dressed in colorful palace costumes played and laughed in groups.

In the water pavilion, the prince Zhu Zhishu tilted his head and lay on his side on the lap of an eighteen or nineteen-year-old beautiful young woman. He teased the baby on the brocade carpet, and every time the little one danced and babbled, it would make his parents happy for a while.

This beautiful young woman is the prince's favorite concubine, Concubine Liu. She and her sister were both sent into the mansion by the guard commander Liu Quanzhong as a sister-in-law, and were called Concubine Liu by the palace.

"The wind and the sun are beautiful, and Lone just composes a poem for Bi! What do you think, concubine? "The prince's interest is very high.

Zhu Pingjian's youngest brother was less than three months old, and he had been given the name Zhu Pingqi by the prince himself (Note 2). Of course, according to the patriarchal law of the Zhu family, this name still needs to be reported to the Ministry of Rites for approval before it can become a record.

Naturally, this phrase received a positive response from the beauty. But the prince's cheeks were swollen and vomited a few times, except for the beginning sentence of "The wind and the sun are beautiful and the spring is good", not a single poem came out.

The beautiful young woman was not happy and pouted her delicate little mouth.

The prince had no choice but to sit up and laugh at himself: "The widow is not as talented as the fourth brother, so what can I do!" "The fourth brother of the prince is Zhu Zhilu, the king of Taiping County.

The prince was embarrassed, and the beautiful young woman hurriedly withdrew her pursed mouth and replaced it with a smiling face. She picked up the baby and asked him to play with his father's white beard to make the prince happy (Note 3).

The prince looked at Zhu Pingqi's little face for a long time, and finally held back a sentence.

"This is me!"

"The dragon species of the prince, of course, is like the prince!"

The beautiful young woman was disgusted and coquettish: "It's a pity that Zhu'er is like the prince again, that is, the life of a county king!" If there is no heir in the future, the country will have to cut off the heir (Note 4)! ”

Zhu Zhishu, the king of Shu, listened to the young woman's words, and his face was slightly dissatisfied.

He turned his head to the beautiful young woman and said: "'There are grandchildren, but there are no grandchildren', this is the rule set by the grandfather. From the Son of Heaven to the common people, they are all cautious. Jin'er is the eldest son of Gu, and a few years ago the imperial court added the title of son. In the future, it is natural to attack the unification of the Shu domain. Don't think too badly, lest you get into trouble! ”

The king of Shu said righteous words, and the beautiful young woman was in tears. The little baby is the best at seeing her mother's face, and when she sees her mother sad, her mouth is deflated, and she immediately cries loudly. The young woman hurriedly wiped away her tears and picked up the child.

The mother and son were sad, and the prince's heart softened, so he opened his mouth to comfort: "You don't need to worry about it!" Gu Wanli has been sealed for 44 years, and he has enjoyed the country for more than 25 years. Although he is now in the age of knowing the destiny of heaven, he feels that he is in good health. When Chu'er grows up and seals the country, your natural mother is more precious than her son! ”。

"The prince is a thousand years old, and the country will definitely surpass the prince of Duan!" The beautiful young woman pounced on her and hugged the prince with her soft body.

The prince touched the beautiful young woman's soft boneless little hand, and whispered: "Lone knows that tigress doesn't like you, so naturally she won't let her bully your mother and son!" When Chu'er is ten years old, please be sealed, and he will be given a generous gold and silver fief, so that he will have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of his life! Your sister is also pregnant with a lone dragon. When she gives birth to a prince, you sisters will support each other, what are you worried about? ”

"Concubine, thank you princess!" Concubine Liu pressed the prince tighter, but a hint of gloom flashed in her beautiful eyes, "It's just that the prince has this kissing friendship, I don't know if it can be honored?" ”

"What does this mean, concubine?" The King of Shu asked puzzled.

Concubine Liu gently pushed away the prince, and combed her sideburns with her slender fingers. waited until the prince asked, and she said one after another: "The concubine heard from her brother that the prince set up a card in Yazhou to collect taxes from passing merchants, and he will collect hundreds of thousands of taels of silver a year!" He also occupies people's land in Yazhou, Renshou, Pengshan and other places, and he has to collect a lot of rent a year! ”

Chen En had already reported these things, and the prince knew it clearly. A few days ago, the scholars in Chengdu and Meizhou knocked on the book, isn't it because the prince encloses the land and occupies an area?

"I don't know about it! The prince of the world acts frivolously and dryly, and there is no heirloom style of poetry and books in my Shu Palace! However, our father and son are one, and he levied taxes and rents, so it is also for our family to eat. If he gets more back, the village of Zhu'er will not be worried. ”

As soon as the blow missed, Concubine Liu increased her strength.

"I heard my brother say that he also violated the rules and raised soldiers......"

As soon as these words came out, the prince suddenly stood up with a calm face.

"Shut up! Do you want my family to be assigned by the imperial court to the Fengyang high wall? ”

"The concubine has no intentions, and I ask the prince to forgive her sins!" Concubine Liu couldn't get into slander, so she had to kneel and plead guilty.

Listening to Concubine Liu's pitiful voice, Shu King Zhu Zhishu's heart softened again. He sat down on the soft seat and held the baby in his arms.

"Concubine Ai must know that the world is chaotic, and my Shu is even more chaotic. The prince raised a caravan, which was approved by him Liao Tycoon. If there is a mistake, it is he Liao Tycoon who is the top tank, and it is not our turn to be the king of Shu's mansion! If he Liao Daheng migrates in the future, or the court does not allow it, we will hand over the troops. It turns out that there are three guards in our Shu Palace, and in order to avoid suspicion, the prince handed over two guards to Grandpa Cheng, leaving only your brother's left guard. The Lone King thought that it would be better to put the soldiers who could fight in the caravan under your brother's command. In this way, whether it is the crows in the court or Shudi, there is no place to make noise! ”

"The prince wants to be thoughtful! I just don't know if the princess is willing to do it? The son has always obeyed his mother, if the princess refuses to ......"

Concubine Liu's provocation finally made the manly aura of the King of Shu explode: "What are you willing to refuse?" The father is the son, and the husband is the wife! As a prince alone, you still have to ask the tigress if she is willing? Besides, no matter how brutal the tigress is, she is also a woman! In such important military matters, where is her turn to speak? ”

"The prince said lightly, what a woman! She is the housekeeper of our palace and the god of wealth of the Shu domain. Let's have a meal, it all depends on people's faces! Concubine Liu said coldly, not taking into account the change in the prince's face, "The prince has collected other people's soldiers, and people dare not give the prince money to spend." When the creditor sues the government, your dignified prince's face will be ......."

Speaking of money, the prince smiled heartily.

"That tigress is crooked in the house (Note 5), but she has never been short of this king's silver! Didn't she fill in the hole of our 30,000 taels of silver a few days ago? She earns money and spends it alone. For the sake of this profit, I have to endure it! ”

"How many small sums of money did the prince spend a year and he was fooled? That's where the people are! If people don't want us to see the silver, there are some ways, such as transporting hundreds of thousands of stone grain to Chongqing Prefecture......"

"What Chongqing Mansion, where did you get so much food? Ai Concubine, you can't talk nonsense about such a big thing! ”

Speaking of yellow and white things, the prince was in a hurry.

Note 1: Heirs, also known as stepsons, are regarded as parents and children in the ritual law. The conditions are: the same surname, the same clan, the same generation, generally nephews, cousins.

The son of Jiang Shangqing is his heir.

The succession system in China's modern civil law is actually a continuation of the ancient heir system. The heir of a eunuch is not the same thing as a eunuch's "name", "own management", and "should be in charge" eunuch.

Note 2: The names of the clans of the Ming Dynasty were all named by the Jingshi for the reason that it was convenient to register and prevent the duplication of names.

Note 3: Zhu Zhishu Wanli was crowned the grandson of the world in the thirty-second year (1603), and the son of the world in the forty-fourth year (1616), and was crowned in that year. If according to the provisions of the "Ming Huidian", Zhu Zhishu was crowned a grandson at the age of 10, then he was 48 years old in the fourteenth year of Chongzhen (1641).

Note 4: The Ming Dynasty vassal kings inherited, and the county kings were not quite the same as the princes. The prince is a large clan, and he can inherit without a concubine. The king of the county is a small sect, and if there is no heir, the country will be excepted, and the concubine cannot inherit. The inheritance of the prince of the county must be "special" from the imperial court, that is, special approval.

Note 5: Chengdu vernacular, meaning domineering.