When the head of the White Union was hung at the gate of Nanjing for public display, the crackdown on the White Lotus Sect by the local governments in Nanzhi was also completely launched.

The believers and cultists who had been hiding everywhere and were unknown to the public had nothing to hide this time, and they didn't have time to make the decision to escape, so they were blocked at home by the officials and soldiers who came to the door, and then they were quickly arrested and brought to justice.

In less than 10 days, no less than 1,000 White Lotus disciples were arrested and brought to justice, and finally escorted to Nanjing to be convicted and sentenced by Wei Guogong and the Nanjing Criminal Department.

When these news came back one by one, and saw that there were so many thieves hiding among the people, even Xu Chengzong couldn't help but be bluffed: "I didn't expect that this White Lotus Sect was silent and had such a scale." If this encounter really makes them get a plan, I'm afraid that my Nanjing will be occupied by its doves......" As he spoke, he felt even more afraid and regretted.

In the matter of eradicating and arresting the Nanzhi White Lotus Sect, Lu Jin, the imperial court, did not come forward, because he knew that this credit was greatly needed by Xu Chengzong, and only in this way could he give an explanation to the imperial court. However, because the errand on his body had not been completed, he never left, so he stayed by the other party's side at this time, and said with a smile when he heard this emotion: "This is actually a matter of course, if there is no such person, then Xu Ziyang would not dare to do such a thing." And if what I expected, there are still more White Lotus cultists among the people who have not been found. ”

"Huh? The White Lotus Sect's power could actually be even greater than this? Xu Chengzong asked with some disbelief.

"Otherwise, how dare Xu Ziyang say that he can rely on this to turn against the imperial court? It's just that these members of the church should be just ordinary people who don't matter, and unless there is a change in the world, they don't dare to do anything that violates the law of the country. As long as the local government is well watched, there will be no trouble. Lu Jin explained comfortingly.

Xu Chengzong groaned slightly, then nodded and said, "You are right. Not only the people, but I'm afraid that there are White Lotus thieves hidden in the guards and soldiers in Nanjing. I have to be careful not to make similar mistakes again. ”

"Brother Xu can think so, I am relieved." Lu Zhen smiled at him with satisfaction: "In two days, it will be the big day when you officially become the Duke of Wei, I hope you can be like your ancestors in the future to defend this Nanjing city for the imperial court, so that internal and external thieves will not have a chance to take advantage of it." ”

"It's nature." After experiencing this incident, Xu Chengzong looked much calmer than before, and nodded resolutely in response.

Two days later, hundreds of officials in Nanjing gathered in the Wei Mansion again, but this time it was a completely happy event, and everyone came to congratulate Xu Chengzong on being officially named the Duke of Wei.

After the grand celebration, the Xu family held a banquet in the front yard and enjoyed with a group of officials. Lu Jin, as a member of the imperial court, was naturally offered a high position, and it was a good entertainment, until after dark, he was drunkenly helped to the room to rest.

Another day later, when the officials and people of the whole city were still discussing various matters of the new Wei Guogong, Lu Zhen finally led nearly a thousand officials and soldiers to escort more than a dozen White Lotus Sect chieftains out of Nanjing City and sailed north. Among them, there is naturally Xu Ziyang, the White Lotus Sect Master, who has been secretly imprisoned in the Jinyiwei Prison before.

Although after the previous Great Purge, the White Lotus Sect's power in the Nanzhi area has almost been uprooted, and it is impossible to pose any more threats. However, for the sake of safety, Nanjing still sent nearly 1,000 elite soldiers to escort them all the way north. At the same time, there was also Xu Chengzong's younger brother Xu Jizong.

Originally, Xu Chengzong had the intention of going to the capital in person, so as to ask the Son of Heaven for guilt and a little justification. But because such a big thing had just happened in Nanjing, Wei Guogong, who was the town guard, really didn't dare to leave lightly, so he finally had to retreat and send his younger brother to Beijing on his behalf.

Fortunately, this time there is also Lu Jin, who is here, presumably even if the court and the Son of Heaven want to blame him, he can help say a few good words.

This time, escorting many White Lotus Sect traitors to the capital was much smoother than before, and there was almost no delay, and it only took more than ten days to return to Beijing City against the current.

It's June, and it's the hottest time of the year. Lu Zhen and the others entered Beijing, and they did not delay much, seeing that it was still early, he immediately entered the palace first to hand over the decree to face the saint, and at the same time, he also excused the Xu family first.

Soon after handing the sign to let people pass through the Son of Heaven, it was announced that he had entered the internal recital, and it was obvious that the emperor also wanted to know many details of the accident in Nanjing after receiving the previous recital.

Under the guidance of the eunuch, he entered the palace, and after kowtowing to the Son of Heaven sitting on it as usual, the gentle voice of the Son of Heaven came from above: "Lu Qing, it's really hard for you to go to Nanjing this time." ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lu Zhen stood up, and after looking at the emperor not far away, his heart was tight, but after more than a month, the emperor seemed to have lost a lot of weight, and his cheeks were flushed, not so healthy.

"Your Majesty, why has it been cleared again, but you have to take care of the dragon's body." Lu Zhen couldn't help but say a greeting.

Hearing this, Zhu Qiyu's face showed a hint of relief, and he said with a smile: "Because of the hot weather, I just have some fever, so it's okay." It's you, who have done a great thing for the imperial court in Nanjing this time. ”

"The minister is just doing his duty. Nanjing is an important place for my Ming Dynasty, since there are thieves from the White Lotus Sect, the ministers should contribute. Moreover, the greatest contribution in the case of exterminating the White Lotus Sect this time was the Duke of Wei Guo, and the ministers only did their best in it. Lu Jinxi said modestly.

The emperor nodded happily: "What you said is not bad, fortunately, thanks to the Duke of Wei and his family to help the imperial court guard Nanjing, I did not let these thieves take advantage of it, I really did not see the wrong person, that Xu Chengzong is indeed a loyal and capable courtier." ”

Hearing the emperor say this, Lu Zhen knew that he really didn't know the hidden inside story, which made him a little entangled, should he tell the hidden truth to the Son of Heaven? If he said it, the Son of Heaven would inevitably be suspicious of the Xu family, and even severely punish them in anger; But if you don't say it, there is no impermeable wall in this world, once the truth of the matter is known to him, not only will the Xu family have something to do, but he will also be accused of bullying the king.

So, in the next game of the monarch and minister, half of Lu Jin's mind fell on this choice, and the answer was quite perfunctory. At the beginning, Zhu Qiyu didn't think much of it, but after talking too much, he saw that the problem was coming, and asked with some concern: "Why is Lu Qing absent-minded, but is the journey too tiring?" If that's the case, you can go back and rest, if there's anything you haven't played, you can explain it in two days. ”

The emperor's concern made Lu Jin's heart warm, and it was even more difficult to hide it from him. So, he gritted his teeth and decided to tell the truth. So he said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, the minister is not tired, but there is something hidden in his heart and he feels embarrassed......"

"But what?" The Emperor asked casually.

"This ......" Lu Zhen hesitated for a moment, and swept his eyes left and right a few times, there were several palace attendants standing there waiting for the Son of Heaven, he didn't want this matter to be heard by others.

The emperor understood, his face became solemn, and he only waved his hand: "You all retreat and close the palace door." ”

"Yes." These eunuchs had already been polished off by the emperor, and they didn't dare to be disobedient, so they quickly responded and quickly withdrew from the palace.

As the door of the palace was gently closed by them, there were only two people left. It's just that somehow, this made Lu Jin's heart nervous again, and he knelt down again after a while: "The minister is guilty, and I hope Your Majesty will punish him." ”

Seeing him suddenly come like this, the emperor was very surprised, and only after a moment did he speak: "Lu Qing, what are you doing?" You have always been loyal to me, and this time you have made another contribution in Nanjing, how can I punish you for no reason? ”

"The minister has something to hide from His Majesty, and there is no performance." Lu Jin's face raised slightly, looked at the emperor and whispered: "This matter is very important, and the ministers dare not report it." ”

Seeing his solemn appearance, Zhu Qiyu didn't feel a little nervous: "What is the big deal that makes you look like this?" Rise up and speak first, and I believe that you will never fail me. ”

Lu Jin's heart was even more ashamed of this, but he still got up according to his words and took two steps forward slightly before telling some of the inside information about the accident that happened in Nanjing.

Of course, there are still some changes in the internal situation he said, for example, when Xu Chengzong wanted to rebel before, he said that he was completely instigated and influenced by Xu Ziyang. In addition, Xu Xianzong's death was also placed here by him, and he only said that the people of the White Lotus Sect assassinated Xu Xianzong and planted the matter on the head of the court, so that Xu Chengzong mistakenly blamed the Son of Heaven and the court, and gave birth to a rebellious heart.

Fortunately, after he went to Nanjing, he saw all kinds of flaws, and relied on his friendship with Xu Chengzong to stabilize him and find out the truth about Xu Xianzong's killing, which made Xu Chengzong know his mistakes, so as to change his past mistakes, and use this to sweep away the local White Lotus thieves.

It can be said that Lu Jin's remarks are deeply rooted in the true meaning of making up lies. In this statement, almost everything is true, but Xu Chengzong's previous ambitious remarks are hidden, and the order of some things is reversed, so that a lot of Xu Chengzong's guilt can be reduced.

But even so, after listening to his story, the emperor's face became extremely ugly, and even his body began to tremble. After gasping for breath for a while, Zhu Qiyu slammed his palm on the imperial case and shouted angrily: "This Xu Chengzong is really bold, I trust him so much, he actually dares to have such a rebellious thought!" ”