Chapter 565 564 Change of Confession

"This is the confession you, Zhang Yongming and Lin Run made during the trial."

Xu Jie received Huang Guangsheng in the study, carefully read Yan Shifan's confession that he brought, and asked with a frown.

Xu Jie was so sophisticated that he could see at a glance the pit dug by Yan Shifan in his confession, and his words were true and false, false and true.

"What do you mean, Lord Chief Assistant, that this confession is not enough to convict Yan Shifan?"

When Huang Guangsheng saw Xu Jie's expression, he knew that there might be some omissions in this confession.

"Yan Shifan's crime will definitely not be cured, and your black hat will definitely not be saved."

Xu Jie was very rude and said directly.

Seeing Huang Guangsheng's puzzled look, Xu Jie also knew why he couldn't understand. He shook his head slightly and said, "Those people Yan Shifan confessed admitted that he killed everyone, but do you know?

For some of them, it is not the Yan family that really wants to kill them, but today.

If you overturn the verdict for them like this, you are slapping that person in the face, because it is that person who is blind and does not regard the loyal and upright minister. "

Xu Jie's words immediately made Huang Guangsheng break into a cold sweat.

You can imagine what would be waiting for them if this confession was handed over to Emperor Jiajing.

"Please also ask Mr. Ge to make it clear that those people need to be removed."

By this time, if Huang Guangsheng didn't know what to do, his years as an official would have been in vain.

You can't do anything against the emperor. Of course he is not stupid.

Since Xu Jie mentioned that some people actually died because they offended Emperor Jiajing, naturally their names could not appear in the confession.

Xu Jie glanced at Huang Guangsheng and still shook his head, "You don't understand His Majesty."

As he spoke, Xu Jie walked to the desk, spread out a piece of rice paper, picked up a pen and started writing on it.

Huang Guangsheng thought Xu Jie was writing a list for him and asked him to modify his confession according to the list, but he was stunned when he stepped forward and saw the words written by Xu Jie.

“Collaborating with pirates.

Communicate with Japanese pirates and plot evil.

Recruiting outlaws”

Xu Jie wrote seven or eight crimes in one breath, but Huang Guangsheng was very surprised when he saw them.

Most of these crimes cannot be verified, and even if they can be verified, it will take a long time, which is different from what they initially said.

In the eyes of Huang Guangsheng, Zhang Yongming and others, how Yan Song and his son persecuted Zhongliang is the fastest way to establish a solid case. Since Mr. Xu Ge said there was something fishy in it, they would just pick out some people.

How can Yan Shifan be convicted if he writes like this?

At this moment, a servant outside the study called out: "Master, there is Eunuch Li of Prince Yu's palace outside the house asking to see him."

"Which Eunuch Li?"

Xu Jie had already put away his pen and asked.

"Li Fang, Eunuch Li."

replied outside the door.

"Invite him in quickly."

Xu Jie said immediately.

The person outside the door agreed, and then the sound of footsteps coming from near and far was heard.

"Prince Yu's Mansion sent this confession."

Xu Jie turned to look at Huang Guangsheng.

At this moment, Huang Guangsheng's mind was still filled with Yan Song's crimes written by Xu Jie, so he just nodded subconsciously.

Of course Xu Jie knew why Huang Guangsheng was like this.

He is the Minister of Punishment, and the crime he is convicted of must have solid evidence.

But what did Xu Jie write?

Huang Guangsheng didn't know how Emperor Jiajing would evaluate the officials who were handling the case if the Ministry of Punishment sent this confession to Xiyuan.

Not long after, Li Fang was led by the housekeeper of Xu Mansion to the study room and greeted Xu Jie first.

"Mr. Xu Ge, I'm sorry for disturbing you."

"Eunuch Li, please stop doing this."

The two exchanged polite greetings, and then Li Fang raised her hands to Huang Guangsheng and said, "It's a coincidence that Huang Shangshu is also here."

Huang Guangsheng gradually came to his senses and hurriedly bowed his hands to Li Fang.

"Eunuch Li, I don't know the reason for this trip."

After the housekeeper went out, the three of them were left in the room.

In fact, the three of them all knew it well, but they still had to be polite.

"Prince Yu asked your servant to deliver something to Mr. Ge."

While talking, Li Fang handed over the note written by him, which was actually the two charges proposed by Wei Guangde, and said: "What King Yu means is that Yan Shifan's crimes don't need to be too complicated. Old things from many years ago." Just don’t dig it out.”

When speaking, Li Fang's eyes were looking at Huang Guangsheng, and they all understood the meaning.

Xu Jie stroked his beard and said with a smile: "What His Highness said is absolutely true, and I am also talking about it."

As he spoke, he took the note from Li Fang's hand and looked at it.

There were not many crimes listed on the note, only about ten words.

"Tongwa, Luo Longwen is the evidence; he stole the dragon's veins to build a mansion, which looks like the king's house."

"Your Highness has true knowledge and insight, and he has a commanding position."

When Xu Jie saw the note, he instantly knew that King Yu had gone with him. He then handed the note to Huang Guangsheng and said, "Huang Shangshu, take a look."

Huang Guangsheng took the note from Xu Jie and read the entire text at a glance.

"Luo Longwen?"

He couldn't help but be surprised.

"Luo Longwen, Xu Hai, and Wang Zhi are from the same hometown and are familiar with each other. Most of the pirates traveling around the world come from these two men, so they must be very familiar with them."

Li Fang glanced at Huang Guangsheng and explained.

To be honest, they really didn't notice that it wasn't Wei Guangde who reminded them that Xu Hai, Wang Zhi and Luo Longwen were all from She County, Huizhou Prefecture. It's no wonder that Luo Longwen spent a lot of money. It can be imagined that in this era, everyone who comes into contact with the benefits of sea trade is rich. The existence of Party A.

One trip to the sea means several times or even dozens of times the profit, how can you not be rich.

Luo Longwen is also connected with the Japanese pirates along the coast of the Ming Dynasty, so Luo Longwen's ships can sail freely on the sea. As long as there is no shipwreck, it is a guaranteed profit.

Why Yan Shifan has a very good relationship with Luo Longwen, because Luo Longwen can not only provide him with "Luo Mo", but also help him make money.

Even if Luo Longwen did not make a profit through sea trade, it is likely that he stole the treasure house of Xu Hai, Wang Zhi and others.

Although "Luo Mo" is expensive, it is difficult to support his huge expenses, especially after he got together with Yan Shifan.

"The second item listed above is also added, which just forms a closed loop. Although there is no actual evidence that Yan Shifan rebelled, so many circumstantial evidences are enough to crush him."

Xu Jie spoke at the side at this time.

"Go back and talk to Yongming and others. There must be no mistakes in this matter."

Xu Jie reminded again.

Seeing that the trip was a success, Li Fang also took the opportunity to say goodbye and left Xu's house.

At this time, Yan Shifan, who was in the prison of the Ministry of Justice, was a little unpredictable about the current situation in the capital, but he was still confident in his confession. He believed that as long as Emperor Jiajing saw the confession submitted by the Ministry of Justice, he could get out of this prison.

Even when Luo Longwen was brought to trial and passed by his prison in the distance, he saw Luo Longwen's slightly decadent state and shouted loudly: "Don't be afraid, the prison will be released."

This was to cheer Luo Longwen up and let him feel at ease and bold. Their days in prison would not be too long.

On the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, all parts of the capital were still in a festive atmosphere, and the people were still in a festive atmosphere. Only the atmosphere inside and outside the court's several yamen was solemn.

This year, because of Yan Shifan's case, the six ministries and five temples did not take a holiday as usual. After opening the yamen for two days after the first day of the first lunar month, the officials consciously devoted themselves to normal work.

Wei Guangde didn't want to go to the Aoshan Lantern Festival this year. Yan Shifan's matter was always a big stone in his heart before he paid the final price.

In the evening, when it was about to get dark, countless eunuchs and palace maids had come out of the Forbidden City, and the musicians had gathered together to prepare for the Aoshan Lantern Festival tonight.

A fast horse came from the south, passed You'an Gate, and went straight to the imperial city through Xuanwu Gate.

The knight on the horse was dusty and exhausted. It was obvious that he had traveled a long distance by changing horses continuously. Even when he arrived outside Chengtian Gate, he still didn't rein in his horse and slowed down, and ran straight to the gate of the imperial city.

For a while, the square outside Chengtian Gate was in chaos, people shouted and horses neighed, eunuchs and palace maids fled in all directions to avoid the running horses, and the scene was in chaos.

When the fast horse arrived outside Chengtian Gate, the knight on the horse barely reined in the horse, but the horse was too fast and still stopped in front of the swords of the lieutenants.

"Who is so brave that he dares to run a horse outside the imperial city."

A man who was obviously on duty stood up and shouted loudly.

Behind the captains, the eunuchs in the inner court who were supposed to come up to ask questions hid in fear. The scene just now was too scary. When had they ever faced such a scene?

Just thinking about the big horse hitting them made them shudder. How painful it would be, maybe they would even lose their lives.

"Report to the Imperial Household Department as soon as possible. On the ninth day of the first lunar month, King Jing died."

The knight on the horse had already turned over and dismounted. He ignored the scolding of the Jinyiwei centurion in front of him, unfastened the lock on his chest, took off the bamboo tube on his back and handed it over, saying.

"What King Jing? Where did King Jing come from?"

The centurion asked casually before he could react for a while.

"What? What did you say just now? Are you from King Jing's mansion?"

The chief eunuch behind them heard it clearly.

The ninth day, that is, four days ago, King Jing died.

Who is King Jing?

Isn't that the youngest son of the current emperor? Another one has died.

The eunuch thought so in his heart, but he had already stepped forward to take the bamboo tube from the man's hand, and ordered the Jinyi Baihu next to him: "Take good care of him first, there may be questions later."

After taking the bamboo tube, the eunuch did not dare to open it, but turned and went into Chengtian Gate to report to the Silijian.

Such a big thing must be reported to Xiyuan as soon as possible. No wonder the man did not go to the Tongzhengshisi. It should be sent by the palace to report.

As for the official documents of the local government, they will also be sent to the Tongzhengshisi today and tomorrow.

However, the conversation between the few people just now did not guard against other people. The Baihu also reacted after a brief loss of consciousness and realized who the King Jing mentioned by the man was.

"Come here."

He called the captain behind him and ordered: "Help him to rest."

Then he saw the messenger's face and said: "Prepare some food for him. He has run thousands of miles in four days. Look how tired he is."

Many of the palace guards were actually selected from the guards. They were either from the Beijing Camp or the Jinyiwei. In fact, almost all the soldiers in the Ming Dynasty at that time were from the guards.

Everyone is actually the same kind of people.

The news of King Jing's death soon spread in the square outside Chengtian Gate.

Soon, almost all the eunuchs, palace maids and musicians here knew about it, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites naturally heard the news.

In addition to being surprised, they rushed to Chengtian Gate to inquire about the news.

The death of King Jing meant that the court would soon send people from the Ministry of Rites and officials from the Ministry of Travel to Huguang Anlu to deal with the matter, but it was unknown which unlucky people would be.

This kind of official business is not a sightseeing trip, it means running all the way for your life, and the arrival time set by the ministry cannot be delayed for a day.

The head of the Ministry of Rites was still complacent. Fortunately, he got the job of the Aoshan Lantern Festival this year, and it should not be his turn.

Gao Zhong was still on duty at the Silijian, but he was not feeling well recently and had been sitting on the kang.

When the eunuch guarding the gate brought in what happened outside Chengtian Gate, Gao Zhong did not dare to neglect it. He asked someone to bring a bamboo tube and hurried to the West Garden.

Although he knew that reporting this news might anger the emperor, he had no choice but to report it immediately.

The capital city was naturally not under martial law during the New Year, otherwise how could the people enjoy the spectacular Aoshan Lantern Festival.

No matter how tight the finances of the court or the inner court were, the lantern festival had to be held after all, and it could not be shabby, otherwise it would damage the royal family’s atmosphere.

As the people who came to watch the lanterns came and went, the news that King Jing, who was far away in Huguang, had died spread almost overnight.

"Where did the news come from?"

Wei Guangde heard it in the mansion, or the servants who had nothing to do went to see the Aoshan Lantern Festival and brought back the news.

Wei Guangde did not plan to go, but he did not stop the servants in the mansion from watching it, as long as it did not affect their lives.

"Li San and others went to see the Aoshan Lantern Festival. It was said that before nightfall, the guards of the King Jing’s mansion in Huguang sent news of the festival."

Zhang Ji reported.

Wei Guangde was not too surprised at the moment, after all, it was expected, but he still had to pretend to be surprised.

"King Jing is one month younger than His Royal Highness Prince Yu. I didn't expect him to die like this. His Royal Highness would be very sad if he knew."

Wei Guangde said with a fake sigh.

Zhang Ji below listened, lowered his head and did not respond, and I don't know what he was thinking.

Everyone in the Wei Mansion knew that their master relied on Prince Yu. Did King Jing's life and death have anything to do with them?

"Master, you should go to the palace."

At this time, the lady Xu Jianglan said.

"You should go."

Wei's mother also said at this time.

It's not easy to travel far these days. Wei's mother has not planned to go back in a short time since she arrived in the capital. At least she has to wait until her grandson is two or three years old and sensible before leaving.

"Zhang Ji, notify the outside to prepare the car, we will go to Prince Yu's palace."

Wei Guangde was willing to follow the advice, and there was nothing wrong with it.

It's just that he had a hand in this matter, and he really didn't dare to take credit in front of Prince Yu. I think Gao Gong was the same.

The next day, Xiyuan issued an order to send Liu Shiyan, the Earl of Chengyi, to Anlu, Huguang, to offer sacrifices. The officials handled the funeral and added two altars. The eunuch Wang Zhen was sent to manage the affairs of his palace and welcome the coffin back to the West Mountain for burial.

On the same day, Li Chunfang, the Minister of Rites, and Gao Gong, the Minister of Rites, also reported after discussion, "Prince Jing died, and the Queen Wang had no heirs. Please ask his family to live in the Beijing residence."

On that day, Emperor Jiajing nodded and ordered the official Wang Zhen to handle it together.

However, everyone knew that the affairs of the Jingwang Mansion had just begun.

Jingwang died of illness at the age of 29, without a child. After the concubine returned to Beijing, Jingwang was removed from the throne and the tens of thousands of hectares of paddy fields occupied by Jingwang Mansion were returned.

Wei Guangde knew it, but he was out of reach.

Huguang was still too far away from Jiangxi, needless to say, it was a feast for the officials of Huguang.