When Wang Yongxian, the prefect of Jiaxing, hurriedly came to the outside of the city with the guards of the yamen, he saw Zheng Michang and He Maocai from a distance.

At this moment, Zheng Michang and He Maocai each rode a brown-red war horse, and with the scarlet official uniforms they were wearing, they looked majestic.

Behind them, there were many guards of the yamen and guards of the guards.

When Wang Yongxian saw this battle, he knew that something was wrong, after all, as the prefect of Jiaxing, he didn't get any news beforehand.

"Could it be that the newly appointed governor thinks that my king Yongxian is unreliable?"

"Otherwise, something like this should be notified in advance!"

Thinking of this, Wang Yongxian couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, he knew very well in his heart that he had to do something to remedy it next, otherwise, his career might end here.

Immediately, I saw Wang Yongxian suppress all the chaotic thoughts in his mind, and he didn't care about anything else, and trotted all the way to Zheng Michang and He Maocai, and said respectfully: "Wang Yongxian, the prefect of Jiaxing, has seen two adults!" ”

When Zheng Michang and He Maocai, who were riding on horses, heard this, they just glanced at Wang Yongxian and responded quite casually.

After that, I saw Wang Yongxian withdraw his gaze from the guards behind Zheng Michang and He Maocai, as well as the heavily armed soldiers, plucked up his courage, and said cautiously: "Lord Zheng, Lord He, you two are ......."

When Zheng Michang heard this, he replied without thinking: "Not long ago, the government received a report that the Yuan family in Jiaxing was secretly hiding weapons at home and intended to rebel. ”

After Wang Yongxian learned the news from Zheng Michang's mouth, his face was full of panic that could not be concealed, and he lost his voice: "What, secretly hiding weapons, intending to rebel, this and this ......"

"Why, Lord Wang, you seem to have something to say?"

He Maocai, who was on the side, took in the expression on Wang Yongxian's face, and asked with a smile.

When Wang Yongxian heard He Maocai's words, he suddenly came back to his senses, waved his hand in a panic, and explained: "No, no, it's not like this, according to the inspection envoy, you misunderstood, the lower official just didn't expect ......"

But Zheng Michang didn't give him a chance to explain, but interrupted coldly: "Okay, you don't have to explain anymore, if you have anything to say, let's talk about it when the case is investigated!" ”

After Zheng Michang finished speaking, he waved his hand violently, and the guards and soldiers behind him rushed into the city after receiving the order.

Subsequently, I saw Zheng Michang and He Maocai following suit.

Seeing this, Wang Yongxian had no choice but to swallow the words that had not yet had time to speak back into his stomach, and beckoned the guards of the yamen to follow.

At this moment, Wang Yongxian's face was full of solemnity, and he felt an unprecedented sense of crisis.

Wang Yongxian, Zheng Michang, and He Maocai also know each other, and they have some friendship with each other.

But before, Zheng Michang and He Maocai put on a businesslike appearance, clearly not wanting to have anything to do with him.

Combined with the fact that he was the prefect of Jiaxing, but he did not get any news in advance, the answer was already coming out - that is, the new governor of Zhejiang, Zhao Zhenji, thought that he was unreliable, so he did not inform himself in advance.

Not only that, but even the guards were transferred from Hangzhou Mansion.

This is a very dangerous signal for Wang Yongxian, maybe after cleaning up the Yuan family in Jiaxing, it will be his turn next!

Right now, the ship of the Yuan family in Jiaxing has sunk, and he has to find a way to go ashore quickly.

Generally speaking, the crime of deliberately rebelling against the private possession of weapons is aimed at keeping the family in order.

After all, no one can afford this crime!

"Hurry up, hurry up for this official, and keep up with Lord Zheng and Lord He!"

"Yes, Prefect!"

After entering the city, the brigade commanded by Zheng Michang and He Maocai quickly marched towards the location of the Yuan family in the city.

On the street, the crowd saw this posture and avoided it one after another.

After the team went away, some passers-by wondered: "Look at this formation, it can't be to get people, right?" ”

"Yes, it looks like going to get someone, by the way, did you just see it, the two adults on the horse seem to be of good rank, and even the prefect has someone to follow them quietly!"

"But it seems to be the street where Yuan's house is located, hiss, no, who ate the bear's heart and leopard gall, and actually dared to go to Yuan's house to get someone!"

"Let's go and have a look!"

……

Soon, the brigade rushed to the Yuan family's mansion in the city and surrounded it.

The mansion of the Yuan Mansion is located on the most prosperous street in the city, covering an extremely wide area, with a tall and thick exterior wall, and the steps at the door are extremely high, which is difficult for ordinary people to cross.

On each side stands a lifelike stone lion, which is expensive just by the stone used, and two huge gilt copper buckles on the red gate.

Where had the little guy in charge of guarding the door seen such a battle, and he was so frightened that he didn't dare to move.

After controlling the little guy in charge of guarding the door, I saw Zheng Michang holding the reins, looking at his subordinates on the side, and commanding in a deep voice: "Go knock on the door!" ”

"Yes, sir!"

After the response, I saw Liu Zhongxin on the side wave his hand violently, and in an instant, several guards stepped forward and knocked on the side door.

After that, I only heard an impatient voice from the mansion: "In broad daylight, who has been knocking on the door of my Yuan family, I don't want to live, right, how can I enter the door of my Yuan family......"

As the words fell, the door was opened, and a servant came out with indignation.

When the servant who opened the door saw the guards outside the door who were fully armed and eyeing the door, the whole person was dumbfounded, and he subconsciously wanted to close the door again.

"Take it for this official!"

"Yes, sir!"

Immediately, I saw several guards step forward and control the slave who opened the door, and then, those guards who had been waiting for a long time, as well as the guards of the yamen, rushed in through the side door.

After that, Zheng Michang and He Maocai, escorted by the guards, stepped into the Yuan Mansion.

On the other side, the inner courtyard of the Yuan Mansion.

At this moment, Yuan Yongyu was pacing back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, his face full of restlessness.

"What the hell is going on, why hasn't the housekeeper been back for so long, could it be, something happened?"

Seeing this situation, Yuan Cheng on the side hurriedly comforted him: "Father, you don't have to worry too much, maybe the housekeeper is on the road, and something is delayed!" ”

After listening to Yuan Cheng's comfort, the uneasy look on Yuan Yongyu's face did not fade in the slightest.

Then, I saw him turn around, look in the direction where Yuan Cheng was, and said in a deep voice: "No, I haven't come back for so long, something must have happened!" ”

"You go and pack your bags and get ready to leave through that secret passage in the ancestral hall!"

When Yuan Cheng heard this, a look of hesitation suddenly appeared on his face, he looked in the direction where Yuan Yongyu was, and said comfortingly: "Father, the child feels that the matter is not so serious, there is no need to ......."

Before Yuan Cheng's words were finished, he was coldly interrupted by Yuan Yongyu: "Don't hesitate any longer, these people are clearly coming for my Yuan family, take advantage of the opportunity now, hurry up!" ”

The voice fell, only to hear a noisy sound outside, noise, crying, and the sound of broken ceramics.

When Yuan Yongyu saw this, his whole face changed instantly.

He was about to say something, when several guards with swords burst in.

When Yuan Yongyu saw the weapons in the hands of those guards, his face suddenly turned like ashes, as if he had lost the strength of his whole body, and the whole person fell back to the chair weakly.

He knew it was all over.

……

In the hall where the Yuan family was originally used to entertain guests, I saw Zheng Michang and He Maocai sitting at the top, and not far away, there were people from the Yuan family.

Surrounded by heavily armed guards, their blades shining in their hands were chilling.

Although he knew that the other party was not good, Yuan Yongyu still didn't want to give up and wanted to fight with reason.

Then, I saw him raise his head, look in the direction where Zheng Michang and He Maocai were with a look of indignation, and asked, "Lord Zheng, Lord He, what do you mean by this?" ”

"My Yuan family has always kept to themselves, but now, the two adults openly led people with swords and broke into my house, what do you think of the Ming Law, you must know ......"

Before Yuan Yongyu's words were finished, he was interrupted impatiently by Zheng Michang: "Before this, the government received a report that your Yuan family was secretly hiding weapons and intended to rebel. ”

Zheng Michang's words, like dropping a bombshell on calm water, soon caused an uproar.

"What, secretly possessing weapons with the intention of rebellion, this is a crime of killing the head, how can we ......?"

"Yes, that's right, could it be that someone deliberately framed us!"

"My lord, we are all innocent!"

Those Yuan family, you look at me, I look at you, I don't know what to do.

When Yuan Yongyu heard Zheng Michang's words, his heart suddenly sank, he knew that the other party was planning to put himself to death.

After all, whether there is a hidden blade or not is not a matter of the other word.

Things really didn't go out of Yuan Yongyu's expectations, and not long after that, several guards hurried in from outside the house, each holding several swords in their hands.

"My lord, these weapons were all searched by us from the Yuan family's mansion!"

After throwing those weapons on the ground at random, I saw the guards come forward and report in a deep voice.

When Zheng Michang heard this, after bowing his head slightly, he said unhurriedly: "Well, it seems that the previous report is true, your Yuan family really has weapons in private possession, and you have bad intentions!" ”

At this moment, even the most stupid person has reacted, and the other party wants to put himself to death.

Subsequently, Yuan Cheng resolutely stood up regardless of the obstructions of the people around him, looked in the direction where Zheng Michang and He Maocai were, and asked: "Hmph, it's really shameless, this is clearly a frame-up!" ”

When Yuan Cheng said this, he paused for a moment, and then continued: "As officials of the imperial court, the two adults don't think about helping the people and benefiting the people, but they actually rely on the power in their hands to do such a pickled thing!" ”

Seeing this, the guards on the side suddenly changed their faces, and just wanted to step forward to hold Yuan Cheng, but they were stopped by Zheng Michang on the side with his eyes.

After looking Yuan Cheng up and down, Zheng Michang chuckled lightly and asked, "Presumably this is Yuan Cheng, the eldest young master of the Yuan family, right?" ”

When Yuan Cheng heard Zheng Michang's words, he turned his face away, his face was full of disdain.

Seeing this, Zheng Michang's face was full of inexplicable smiles, and he sighed with emotion: "No wonder I was able to pass the exam, it was really a scholar!" ”

After that, I saw Zheng Michang's words change sharply, and he continued: "The scholarly spirit is good, but it's a pity that it was used in the wrong place!" ”

"You said earlier that this official doesn't want to benefit the people, wrong, this official is just benefiting the people, your Yuan family can have today, I don't know how many unsightly things you have done behind your back!"

"Could it be that these lands owned by your Yuan family fell from the sky, no, this is what you took from the hands of those people by unscrupulous means, and you don't know how many people there are behind your back, so your family is ruined!"

"Behind your daily food and clothing is the blood and sweat of those people, and the reason why this official came here today is to seek justice for those people who have been oppressed!"

When Zheng Michang said this, he looked righteous and awe-inspiring.

Yuan Yongyu on the side heard Zheng Michang's words, his face suddenly turned blue and purple for a while, he didn't expect that Zheng Michang would be so brazen.

Because he was too angry, Yuan Yongyu's body began to tremble uncontrollably, and then, I saw him trembling and stretching out his fingers, pointing in the direction where Zheng Michang was, gritting his teeth and saying, "It's really shameless, dog official!" ”

When He Maocai on the side heard this, he immediately stood up and said in a deep voice: "Bold, you dare to insult the officials of the imperial court, come here, beat this official to death!" ”

"Yes, sir!"

After answering the call, the guards on the side quickly stepped forward and began to beat them violently without saying anything.

"What's coming at me, don't hit my dad!"

When Yuan Cheng saw this, the whole person immediately panicked, only to see him desperately pull those guards and say loudly.

Subsequently, those guards may have been annoyed, and they also beat Yuan Cheng together.

……

Seeing that the fire was almost over, I saw Zheng Michang give He Maocai a look, and the latter quickly understood, and stopped the guards: "Okay, almost, let's retreat first!" ”

"Yes, sir!"

The guards answered, and then stepped back aside as if nothing had happened.

"Father, are you alright?"

Then, I saw Yuan Cheng help Yuan Yongyu, who had a blue nose and swollen face, from the ground, and his face was full of concern that could not be concealed.

Yuan Yongyu is pampered on weekdays, where can he withstand this level of beating, so it took a while to recover his strength.

After that, I saw a decadent look on Yuan Yongyu's face, and he responded weakly: "Cheng'er, it's okay, Dad is fine!" ”

At this time, Yuan Yongyu's heart was very clear that the other party was clearly aiming to destroy his family.

It doesn't matter if you die, but the incense of the Yuan family can't be broken like this.

After thinking about it, he could only use the account books to blackmail Zheng Michang and He Maocai in front of him, and find a way out for Cheng'er.

Thinking of this, I saw Yuan Yongyu suppress all the chaotic thoughts in his mind, raised his head, looked in the direction where Zheng Michang and He Maocai were, and then said: "Lord Zheng, Lord He, I know what you are here for this time, I can hand over the account books to you!" ”

When Zheng Michang and He Mao heard this, a trace of excitement flashed on their faces, although it was only for a moment, but it was still captured by Yuan Yongyu.

"Say, what you want, as long as it's not too much, we can meet your requirements!"

After exchanging glances with each other, I saw Zheng Michang and He Maocai looking in the direction where Yuan Yongyu was, and followed suit.

Then, I saw Yuan Yongyu staring at the direction where Zheng Michang and He Maocai were staring with a pair of eyes, and said word by word: "I want you to let Cheng'er go, he has nothing to do with this matter!" ”

"No, the case hasn't been investigated clearly, and we can't make claims!"

After listening to Yuan Yongyu's request, Zheng Michang refused without thinking about it.

Seeing that the other party refused his request without hesitation, Yuan Yongyu also put on a look of unyielding, looked away, and threatened in a cold voice: "Since the two adults don't agree to my request, then you don't want to get the account books for the rest of your life!" ”

When Zheng Michang heard Yuan Yongyu's words, the expression on his face suddenly became extremely gloomy, and he looked like he was choosing someone to eat, he planned to repeat the old trick and use the previous means again.

"Okay, if you don't give it, then the official will let people cut off his fingers one by one!"

"When the time comes, don't blame the official for being ruthless!"

When the words fell, I saw Zheng Michang stretch out his hand and point in the direction where Yuan Cheng was, and said in a deep voice: "Come on, tie him up to this official!" ”

"Yes, sir!"

When the guards on the side heard this, they immediately stepped forward and tied up Yuan Cheng, and then, his right index finger was also forcibly pressed to the edge of the table.

Yuan Cheng kept struggling, trying to retract his fingers, but because the manpower holding him down was too great, it didn't have the slightest effect.

After doing this, I saw a guard pull out a long knife from his waist and wait quietly.

"What are you going to do, let him go!"

Seeing this, Yuan Yongyu's tone was also mixed with a hint of panic.

"There are dozens of numbers for this official, if you don't hand over the account books, this official will let you watch your son's fingers being chopped off one by one!"

"You know, your son just passed the exam, and he lost his fingers like this, it's a pity, maybe he can only live by begging in the future!"

After Zheng Michang finished speaking, his face was full of regret.

Then, I saw that his face was cold, and he looked directly into Yuan Yongyu's eyes, and began to count: "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one......"

"Cut it for this official!"

"Wait, I'll give you the books!"

Just when the knife in the guard's hand was about to fall, Yuan Yongyu could no longer bear the pressure and chose to give in.

Zheng Michang took in the expression on Yuan Yongyu's face, and then, he gave the guard a look, who quickly understood and respectfully retreated.

After doing this, I saw Zheng Michang look in the direction where Yuan Yongyu was, raised his eyebrows, and asked, "Say, where are the account books?" ”

At this moment, Yuan Yongyu's face was ashen, and he looked like he was dying.

He knew that once he handed over the account books in his hands, he would definitely be reduced to fish on a knife and let others slaughter him.

But if he doesn't pay it, his son Yuan Cheng will definitely suffer inhuman torture.

After struggling for a long time, I saw Yuan Yongyu raise his head, look in the direction where Zheng Michang and He Maocai were, and said slowly: "Under the Buddha statue in the ancestral hall, there is a secret grid, and the account book is placed there!" ”

When Zheng Michang heard this, he immediately called his cronies and whispered a few words in his ear.

"Yes, my lord, the little one will definitely handle this matter well!"

The cronie did not hesitate in the slightest and walked away.

After the cronie left, I saw a look of doubt on Zheng Michang's face, and he turned to speak: "This official doesn't understand, why do you big families always like to hide things in the ancestral hall?" ”

Shortly after this, the cronie who had been sent by Zheng Michang soon returned to the hall with a wooden box.

"My lord, this box was found in the dark compartment under the Buddha statue by the small one, and the small one has been confirmed, and it is indeed an account book inside!"

"Well, bring it!"

Hearing this, Zheng Michang nodded, and commanded.

Then, I saw Zheng Michang take the wooden box from the hand of the visitor, open it, and take out an account book from it, and look through it casually.

Seeing this, He Maocai on the side also approached with curiosity.

"In the thirty-eighth year of Jiajing, on the eighth day of the twelfth month, Li Zhiquan, the general political envoy, 8,600 taels, Wang Yongxian, the prefect of Jiaxing, 3,500 taels, Zheng Michang, the political envoy of Zhejiang, 5,300 taels, and He Maocai, the envoy of Zhejiang, 5,600 taels......"

After hastily flipping through a few pages, I saw Zheng Michang close the account book in his hand, and said with emotion: "I really didn't expect to be able to see the name of Li Zhiquan, a dead man, here!" ”

He Maocai, who was on the side, heard Zheng Michang's words, and followed Ying He and said: "Yes, this Li Zhiquan has been dead for a while!" ”

After this, I saw Zheng Michang retract his gaze and ordered in a deep voice: "Come on, take them all down to the official, and wait for the fate!" ”

"Yes, my lord!"

……

The inventory of the property continued until late the next night.

During this period, Zheng Michang and He Maocai were highly nervous and did not dare to relax at all.

After all, before this, Zhao Zhenji had personally reminded them that the whole thing was followed up by the emperor himself, and if they dared to do something in this matter, then what awaited them would be an extremely tragic end.

At this moment, a guard came to report: "Two adults, the property of the Yuan family has been counted, including 12,820,000 taels of silver, in addition, the land occupied by the Yuan family adds up to a total of 198,600 mu, in addition, there are also house deeds, mansions, and antiques!" ”

He Maocai, who was on the side, couldn't help but gasp after learning the news, and exclaimed, "What, there are so many!" (End of chapter)