Chapter 128: A Storm Brews

  ★★★Yesterday, I successfully exploded San Shao Ju, now the result is that there are tomato guns in front and three Shao guns far away. Eager to try, the seven votes of "far" just surpassed seven votes, send me off with a dust, let him open his pants and chase after me, dear, do you still have monthly tickets? Vote! ★★★

  Xu Zengshou said with a big smile: "Oh, Yang Xu is my friend. I and Jiujiang invited him to visit Lake Mochou, but the messenger was empty-handed. When I asked, I found out that he had been invited by you. So I came to see what's going on? Oh, if it involves secrets and can't be revealed, I won't make it difficult for you, Lord Wang..."

  Wang Hongrui hesitated: "This... does Young Master know about him and his relationship with the Yang family..."

  "Oh, so it's because of this matter"

  Xu Zengshou suddenly enlightened, laughed and said: "I know, I know, those trivial matters of the Yang family's dog skin pot, I Xu San roughly know a thing or two. It seems that since his father's time, there have been some unpleasantness with the family, so I told him, they are all just old news, the dead are gone, don't bother about it, what great achievements can those despicable people have? Why not treat them like fart and let it go, this kid finally agreed with me to forget those past grievances.

  But who would have thought that this time when he returned home, he found his house had been turned into a pigsty, and his mother's ancestral tablet had been swept to the corner. He was so furious that he almost lost control of himself. Fortunately, he still knew how to restrain himself, so instead of killing anyone in anger, he just slaughtered all the cats and dogs that had been let into their home. How did this matter end up involving you, Lord Wang? What is Jiangning County doing, with you, Lord Wang, sitting at the center of power, handling millions of things every day, still having time to bother with such trivial matters?

  "What's the big deal about a chicken feather and garlic skin?" Wang Fu Yin smiled wryly: "Young master, do you know that according to our dynasty's laws, killing a plowing cow without authorization is a serious crime..."

  "Is this true?"

  Xu Zengshou's eyes widened: "I don't know, I really don't know! Look at me, do I look like someone who knows about grains? I've eaten beef, but I've never held a plow. It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, I'm an official of the Five Armies Commander's Office, and I have no right to interfere with civil affairs. As the saying goes, 'The prince breaks the law, and is punished like a commoner.' How this case should be settled is your lordship's business, and this official will not comment."

  Xu Zengshou said, then stood up and said: "Alright, since he's already involved in this matter, I'd better avoid suspicion. I'll leave now, you can judge as you see fit. After the case is over, I'll invite him to go fishing again."

  Xu Zengshou finished speaking, stood up and walked out. Wang Hongrui was a bit dazed. After the case is settled, he invites him to go fishing? What if I beat him with a hundred big boards, beating his butt open, raising it for three months of injury, or exiling him three thousand miles...

  Xu Zengshou didn't even turn his head, and had already quickly walked to the front hall. Wang Hongrui hastily shouted: "Young Master, wait!" After finishing speaking, he lifted his robes and ran after him in small quick steps.

  "Master, Master, slow down."

  Wang Hongrui smiled and said, "So there were so many reasons behind it. I was too rash and didn't understand clearly. It seems that this case still needs to be carefully considered by me. If not for your reminder, young master, I almost made a wrong judgment and ruined my reputation for life. Thank you, young master."

  Xu Zengshou stopped in his tracks, astonished: "What? Lord Wang, you haven't even investigated the case clearly, and yet you're rushing to judgment? This isn't like you, Lord Wang. You've always been astute and decisive, how can you be so rash?"

  Wang Hongrui sighed and said, "To be honest, I had previously heard of this case from Huang Zicheng, the Temple Minister of Taichang. Mr. Huang is a man of great virtue and literary talent, renowned throughout the land. Since it came from his mouth, I didn't have the power to disbelieve him, so I didn't make further inquiries."

  Huang Zichen?

  Xu Zengshou also furrowed his brow after hearing this: "It turns out that the backing of Yang Xu's arch-nemesis is Huang Zicheng, who is the teacher of the Crown Prince. This matter is a bit tricky."

  Wang Hongrui looked at his face and said, "Yes, Huang Gong is also a doctor of the Imperial Academy. He has a proud disciple who is a member of the Yang family. Presumably, Huang Gong was also biased and believed in this disciple's words. Now that we have heard what Young Master Gong had to say, there seems to be another hidden aspect to this case. It cannot be judged lightly. I plan to send Yang Xu back home and give both parties ten days to gather evidence and witnesses, then re-examine the case. What does Young Master Gong think?"

  Xu Zengshou's eyes met his, and he burst out laughing: "Haha……, Xu, a mere martial artist, doesn't understand the ways of governance. Whatever Sir Wang thinks is proper, that's what we'll do. I have other matters to attend to, so I bid you farewell."

  Wang Hongrui smiled slightly and bowed deeply: "Young Master Gong, slow down..."

  He bowed deeply and slowly straightened up, but by then Xuzeng Shou had already walked away without a trace.

  Wang Hongrui smiled faintly and beckoned to a bailiff, instructing him: "Release Yang Xu, have the plaintiff and defendant collect their evidence and witnesses separately, and this court will retry the case in ten days."

  He Daqian responded with a sound, and hurriedly left. Wang Hongrui took off his black hat, brushed off the nonexistent dust on it, and sang leisurely: "Originally a fisherman, I became a farmer; laughing at Ying Bu, Peng Yue, and Han Hou. Now I tightly grasp two cloud-holding hands, and no longer wear hemp sleeves..."

  Wang Fu Yin sang as he walked back into the hall with a swaying gait.

  Xu Zengshou walked out of Ying Tian Fu, stood at the foot of the steps, furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment, then mounted his horse and said: "Let's go, to the Imperial Palace."

  Just now, Wang Hongrui that old fox has made it clear that this case itself is not important, what's important is that two big shots have gotten involved. One is the current crown prince's teacher, the future emperor's mentor, who will inevitably be a key minister in the imperial court; one is you, the king of Zhongshan, the first family of meritorious officials of the great Ming dynasty. One represents the literary official clique and the other represents the meritorious official clique, neither of which I can afford to offend.

  Today's lawsuit, I've already given you face, Master Xu Xiaogong. The result will be known soon from Mr. Huang's side. When the time comes, I'll have to bring out this god to ward off disaster. You two gods can fight it out, and in ten days, you should be able to determine a winner. Whoever wins, this land god will listen to them. Your humble servant is insignificant and has a hard time making a living. Please, Master Xu Xiaogong, be understanding.

  Since the Shan Wang Fu has intervened in this matter, there is no reason to give up halfway. Otherwise, can he still hold his head high? So Xu Zengshou hesitated for a moment and immediately rushed to the imperial palace.

  Inside the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang and his grandson were having a conversation.

  In his later years, Zhu Yuanzhang, who had once been a heroic figure with a strong and vigorous physique, now in his sixties, has become an old man. His once robust body is slightly hunched, his thick black hair has turned white and sparse, and his originally not-so-handsome but masculine face is now like the branches of a wax plum tree in the depths of winter - deeply wrinkled and twisted.

  There is only one aura, a kind of aura that has been cultivated for a long time while being in a high position, even if he is just half-sitting and half-lying on the bed, without looking at you, it will make you look at him with fear, although he is now full of kindness because he is looking at his most filial grandson.

  Zhu Yuanzhang and Crown Prince Zhu Yunwen both wore a set of plain white robes with only the collar, cuffs, and sleeves embroidered with golden silk cloud patterns. On their heads, they only had a simple hair bun with a horizontal hairpin inserted. Under the influence of Zhu Yuanzhang, who was frugal and liked simplicity, the Ming palace's dressing style, regardless of men or women, favored plain and elegant attire. Therefore, except for formal and grand occasions in the imperial court, the dressing style within the harem had always been simple and natural.

  Zhu Yuanzhang was explaining the way of governance and the way of being a ruler to his grandson, since he felt that his energy was not as good as before and his body was getting worse, he began to consciously cultivate Zhu Yunwen. Some things that could be handed over were given to Zhu Yunwen to handle, and then discussed with him about the pros and cons, once something difficult happened, after handling it, also analyzed with his grandson one by one, explaining the reasons for his handling, considering which aspects.

  The grandfather and grandson were chatting in the Dong'an Hall of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, when Xu Zengshou announced his arrival. He was a frequent visitor to the imperial palace, and not only did Zhu Yuanzhang and Xu Da have a close relationship, but also as relatives by marriage, Xu Hui's ancestors and Xu Zengshou had a good relationship with the current crown prince, so for the Xu family, the palace was not an inaccessible forbidden place.

  Zhu Yuanzhang was tired of speaking and heard that Xu Zengshou had arrived, so he said: "Let him come in."

  Xu Zengshou entered the palace, immediately kowtowing to the Emperor and the Crown Prince, and asking Zhu Yuanzhang about his well-being. Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand slightly, a warm smile appearing on his aged face: "Zengshou, get up. You're such a carefree and frivolous young man, unlike your older brother who is so steady and reliable. If you have something fun to share, I'd be surprised if you didn't think of me first, haha! What brings you to the palace today? Is everything all right?"

  Xu Zengshou shrank his neck and smiled with a flattering face: "Your Majesty's wisdom is all-seeing, I came to Jiangnan today to invite Jiuzhou and Wenxuan to visit Mochou Lake. Wenxuan was detained by official business and couldn't come, so the gathering dispersed. I had nowhere to go, so I wandered here."

  Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Jing Long that child is also a playful master. Hmm... Wen Xuan, which meritorious minister's family descendant is he? What kind of official case did he get involved in?"

  Xu Zengshou slapped his forehead and said, "Ah, I was mistaken. Your Majesty doesn't know him, he's just a student, not the son of a meritorious official or a noble family. He's only friends with me because we have similar temperaments. As for this case, it's really a matter of 'each side has its own reason', they're arguing over a few pigs and cows, and the lawsuit has reached the capital."

  "Huh?" Zhu Yuanzhang gazed deeply at Xu Zengshou, and although his old eyes were cloudy, Xu felt as if he had been seen through, and couldn't help but lower his head in embarrassment. Zhu laughed and said: "There are no minor matters among the people, and it is the duty of the Prefect of Ying Tian to investigate this case personally. Zengshou, I'm feeling a bit bored, tell me about this matter..."

  As soon as he saw him move, Crown Prince Zhu Yunwen hastily stood up and carefully supported his grandfather's back, moving the pillow for him to make him lie down comfortably.

  Xu Zengshou said: "Yes, then I'll be a music player and tell the emperor, to amuse you, old man."

  At this time, Huang Zicheng was in the Hanlin Academy with a group of literary friends reciting poetry and painting. Suddenly, he received news from Wang Hongrui that the Zhongshan Wangfu had intervened in the case. Upon hearing this, Huang Zicheng was shocked - how could he possibly go against the Zhongshan Wangfu? The two were not even on the same level. If it weren't for his close private relationship with Wang Hongrui, they might have directly overturned Yang Xu's guilty verdict. Now, they were willing to drag things out for ten more days, and this friendship was already as thick as could be.

  Lao Huang's stubbornness has also come up, thinking carefully, his greatest reliance is only the crown prince, and only when the crown prince comes forward will the Zhongshan Wangfu have some scruples. Therefore, Huang Zicheng immediately sat in an official sedan chair and rushed to the imperial palace, arriving at Donghua Gate at this moment.

  PS: Yesterday, just one chapter was released, and someone said that the plot of the story had already been determined, which is so boring. Wrong, that plot twist was just a hook to get more high-level characters involved. I'm willing to bet, bring on the monthly tickets! Has the tea set been washed? Guan Guan will pour you a cup of tea ^_^