The Ming Dynasty: Reshaping the Land

Chapter 22 Standoff

The Prince of Yan's Mansion.

Zhu Di led Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui to play on the side, while Xu Miaoyun sat with Zhu Gaochi, listening to Xu Yuan's report.

After leaving the post station, Xu Yuan went straight to the Prince of Yan's residence and told Princess Xu Miaoyun everything that had happened at the post station.

"Didn't Duke Cao say anything?" Xu Miaoyun looked at Xu Yuan suspiciously, her brows furrowing slightly at her brother's ulterior motives.

"Reporting to Miss, Duke Cao said nothing!" Xu Yuan paused for a moment before stating his guess: "However, I can tell that Duke Cao doesn't seem to have any grudges!"

Xu Miaoyun glanced at Xu Yuan and sighed, "No matter what, it's best to clarify this matter. If they hadn't grown up together, and it were someone else, it would probably cause trouble!"

"What the young lady says is true!" Xu Yuan chuckled awkwardly and echoed.

"Alright, you can go now!" Xu Miaoyun waved her hand.

Zhu Di, who was standing to the side, put down Zhu Gaosui from his arms and walked up to Xu Miaoyun: "Did you give the account books to Jiujiang?"

"They gave it to us!" Xu Miaoyun nodded, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes. "Those two are incredibly audacious, daring to collect such things!"

"What can we do? If Jiujiang hadn't reported this to Father Emperor, who could have touched Huang Bin?" Zhu Di sighed, somewhat resentful.

Just then, the steward of the Prince's mansion walked in with a bill.

"Your Highness, the accounting office just received a bill...it's from Yuexiang Restaurant!" the steward stammered.

Upon hearing the bill from Yuexianglou, Zhu Di stood up abruptly, walked over to the manager, and snatched the bill from him.

"Yuexianglou?" Xu Miaoyun's face immediately darkened, and she held out her hand: "Let me see it!"

"This... Miaoyun, stop looking at it. It must have been sent from Jiujiang last night!" Zhu Di returned the bill to the steward, his tone reproachful. "Just put it in the account later!"

At this moment, Xu Miaoyun also came over, took the bill from the manager, and after reading it, her face turned frosty. She questioned Zhu Di, "Did Your Highness go to Yuexiang Pavilion yesterday?"

Zhu Di felt a little guilty under Xu Miaoyun's gaze: "It's all because of Jiujiang. He had a few drinks yesterday and said he wasn't satisfied, so he insisted that I take him. I couldn't refuse Jiujiang, so I took him there, and he came back on his own!"

"I'm afraid it's His Highness who's going!" Xu Miaoyun naturally didn't believe it.

"Don't you know who I am? Since we got married, when have I ever been to a brothel?" Zhu Di glanced at Xu Miaoyun and said indignantly.

Birds of a feather flock together!

Xu Miaoyun snorted coldly, stood up, and instructed the maid beside her, "Wanqiu, remember to prepare a set of bedding for His Highness in the study!"

"Hey? Miaoyun?" Zhu Di tried to stop her, but Xu Miaoyun left without looking back!

"Your Highness!" The accounting steward was trembling with fear, filled with regret.

Zhu Di glanced at the steward, inwardly cursing Li Jinglong.

"Achoo!"

Inside the inn, Li Jinglong was looking at Liu Chun's confession, pondering how to press his advantage, when he suddenly felt an itch on his nose.

Looking up, I saw that Zheng Ci and Li Gui had already entered the gate and were walking towards the main hall.

"Your humble servant greets Duke Cao!" The two bowed in unison.

"You two sirs, please don't stand on ceremony!" Li Jinglong said with a smile, then instructed Li Er to serve tea.

"How was it? Did you find anything today?" Li Jinglong asked as the two sat down.

"My lord, I checked the account books in Beiping Granary and found nothing unusual! I had no choice but to bring all the account books back as planned," Li Gui said first.

"My lord, I found nothing unusual at the Tongzhou warehouse either, and I brought back the account books as well. However, I did receive two lawsuits before I returned!" After saying this, Zheng Ci took out the lawsuits from his sleeve and handed them to Li Er.

After receiving the petition, Li Jinglong glanced at it and found that it accused Liu Chun and Huang Biao of colluding to force merchants to buy grain from other places at low prices.

"My lords, don't be discouraged. Tomorrow, you two will go to the Salt Transport Office together and bring back their account books. After comparing them carefully, you will surely discover the clues!" Li Jinglong encouraged them when he saw that they had not gained anything today.

After Li Jinglong finished speaking, Zheng Ci stood up and asked, "My lord, there is something I don't understand. Today, when I was at the Tongzhou granary, the Imperial Guards who accompanied me arrested Liu Chun, the granary official. But what evidence do you have, my lord?"

Li Jinglong waved his hand, gesturing for Zheng Ci to sit down, before smiling and explaining, "That's right, I've obtained an account book containing records of Liu Chun and Huang Biao accepting bribes and oppressing merchants!"

"Hiss!" Zheng Ci and Li Gui's eyes widened instantly. This was solid evidence!

"After being apprehended, Liu Chun knew the enormity of his crimes and confessed truthfully!" Li Jinglong's words immediately delighted Zheng Ci and Li Gui.

Since Liu Chun spoke up, this trip wouldn't have been in vain. With such a case uncovered during their patrol, the two of them would certainly receive a lot of credit upon returning to the capital.

"Your Excellency acted decisively, catching the big rat so soon after the investigation. This is a great achievement!" Li Gui immediately congratulated Li Jinglong, and also flattered him.

Although Zheng Ci also stood up to offer his congratulations, he did not flatter Li Gui as much as he did, which made Li Jinglong think more highly of him.

The next day, after Li Gui and Zheng Ci went to the Salt Transport Office together, Li Jinglong stayed at the post station. Unexpectedly, Zheng Zheng brought back some great news for Li Jinglong.

"My lord!" Zheng Zheng strode into the main hall, his face flushed with excitement. "The brothers I sent to monitor Huang Haishan have returned! They not only captured Huang Biao, but Huang Haishan, who committed the crime on the spot, was also apprehended by my brothers!"

"Really?" Li Jinglong jumped to his feet. It's no wonder he lost his composure; the news was simply too unexpected!

Originally, Li Jinglong's plan was to capture Huang Biao and then interrogate Huang Haishan based on Huang Biao's confession. Who would have thought that they would kill two birds with one stone and take them all down at once!

"This humble official dares not report falsely. All four have been brought back. What should be done next? Please give your instructions, Your Excellency!" Zheng Zheng asked.

"Interrogate them separately, we must pry them open!" Li Jinglong said excitedly, clenching his fist.

"I'll do it right away!" Zheng Zheng immediately turned around and walked out of the main hall.

With nothing else to do, Li Jinglong also joined in the interrogation of Huang Haishan.

It must be said that the methods used by the Embroidered Uniform Guard in interrogation were indeed too bloody, making Li Jinglong's heart pound with fear. However, the effect was also obvious, comparable to an enhanced version of the Great Memory Recovery Technique.

Within fifteen minutes, both Huang Haishan and Huang Biao gave in and confessed what they had done.

Having obtained the statements of the two men, Li Jinglong felt much more at ease. Next up was Huang Bin.

"Summon Huang Bin!" Li Jinglong shouted.

"I'll go right away!" Zheng Zheng immediately led his men to the Marquis of Yichun's residence.

In less than half an hour, Zheng Zheng brought Huang Bin back to the post station. However, Huang Bin brought several guards with him, all of whom were strong and experienced in the military.

Li Jinglong sat at the head of the table, his eyes constantly scrutinizing Huang Bin, while Huang Bin was equally determined, the two staring directly at each other as if they were facing off from a distance.

Li Jinglong was no stranger to Huang Bin. The original owner had met Huang Bin when he came to Beiping with Li Wenzhong, but Huang Bin back then did not have the imposing presence he had today.

"Lord Huang, it's been a long time!" Li Jinglong greeted him with a beaming smile, displaying the air of a victor.

"Hmph!" Huang Bin snorted coldly, stood with his hands behind his back, and glanced sideways.

"Huang Bin, you have condoned your servants, colluded with the border granaries, obstructed the opening of the border, and endangered the frontier. Do you know your crime?" Li Jinglong suddenly changed his expression and questioned loudly.

"You...you're spouting nonsense!"

Upon hearing Li Jinglong's accusations, Huang Bin's blood boiled instantly. He pointed at Li Jinglong and glared at him angrily.

Huang Bin's reaction was exactly what Li Jinglong had expected. He immediately clapped his hands and called out, "Someone come here!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zheng led the Imperial Guards and dragged Huang Haishan, Huang Biao, and the others into the main hall.

Seeing his steward covered in bruises and blood, Huang Bin could no longer suppress his anger. Li Jinglong's treatment of his servant clearly showed that he didn't respect Huang Bin.

Huang Bin glared angrily and shouted, "Li Jinglong, you brat, how dare you!"

After saying that, Huang Bin went straight for Li Jinglong. The guards who accompanied him were about to rush into the main hall, but the Imperial Guards drew their swords and held them to their necks, so they dared not move.

However, before he could reach Li Jinglong's side, Huang Bin froze, as if he had stopped.