Chapter 214 Let’s go to the Imperial Prison together
As soon as Xu Qin came in, he reported Zheng Ci, which stunned Zheng Ci, Zhu Di, and Xia Yuanji. This kid hit someone and still reported it. How could he do that?

“Sakyabao, you are slandering me!” Zheng Ci shouted at Xu Qin.

“How am I slandering you? Just tell me, it’s been such a long time since the fire in the Eastern Palace, have you investigated anyone? Have you arrested anyone? The officials in your Ministry of Justice were all arrested by the Jinyiwei, and those criminals around you were all caught by the Jinyiwei. What have you done as the Shangshu?” Xu Qin stood there and shouted at Zheng Ci.

“You, you, you…” Zheng Ci was so angry that he couldn’t speak.

Xu Qin continued to shout at Zheng Ci, “Can’t you say anything? Am I right? Do you dare to say that you didn’t commit dereliction of duty? As the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, you were indifferent to the petitions of our children. We waited for you at the Ministry of Justice for more than ten days, and you didn’t take any action. You didn’t commit dereliction of duty?”

“Me, you!” Zheng Ci was so angry at this moment.

Seeing this, Xia Yuanji immediately went over to help Zheng Ci rub his back to relieve his breathing, fearing that Zheng Ci might be unable to breathe. He then said to Xu Qin: “No matter what, you beat up a minister in the court, you should be punished!”

“I admit it. I didn’t say I didn’t admit it, right? I went to the Imperial Prison, but he and several key officials from the Ministry of Justice also needed to accompany me to the Imperial Prison. They were seriously derelict in their duties. We asked them many times, but they haven’t conducted any investigation at all. Such serious dereliction of duty, shouldn’t they be punished?” Xu Qin said indifferently.

“This!” Xia Yuanji and Zheng Ci were dumbfounded. Xu Qin said that he was willing to go to the imperial prison and accept punishment, but Zheng Ci was unwilling to do so. The officials of the Ministry of Justice would not agree either. In addition, the ministers outside would not agree either.

But now Xu Qin said he wanted to go to the imperial prison and wanted to take Zheng Ci and others with him. This was troublesome.

“Well, Minister Xia, tell me, is there any reason for Xu Qin’s impeachment?” Zhu Di was happy at this moment. If this kid was willing to go to the imperial prison, then it would be easy to deal with. He could then take action against the Ministry of Justice.

Through this experience, I can also reorganize the Ministry of Justice, which will be very helpful for the later pilot projects.

This was a pleasant surprise for Zhu Di.

“This!” Xia Yuanji looked at Zhu Di, not knowing how to answer.

Zhu Gaochi also came to his senses and immediately said to Zhu Di: “Dad, there are many ministers outside. You can summon them in and let them discuss this matter together.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di nodded and immediately turned to look at Jia Xing next to him. Jia Xing went out immediately and soon all the ministers from the six ministries came over.

Zhu Di looked at Xia Yuanji and said, “Tell the ministers what is going on now!”

After hearing what Zhu Di said, Xia Yuanji sighed and began to introduce. When the ministers heard that Xu Qin wanted to impeach Zheng Ci and the Minister of Justice, they were dumbfounded.

Moreover, although the reasons for impeachment are a bit far-fetched, they are reasonable. If we want to investigate, the Ministry of Justice is indeed responsible.

“Your Majesty, I plead guilty and accept the punishment. I will report to the imperial prison now. However, I also request the Minister and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, as well as some officials from the Ministry of Justice, to accompany me to the imperial prison for interrogation.” After Xia Yuanji finished speaking, Xu Qin immediately bowed to Zhu Di and said.

Zhu Di looked at Xu Qin with a smile in his eyes, thinking to himself, this kid is so smart, he actually went on his own without the need for impeachment by those ministers.

“Your Majesty, I am innocent!” Zheng Ci also felt that things were a little beyond his imagination. He came here to impeach Xu Qin and hoped that Zhu Di would severely punish Xu Qin, but why was he implicated now?

“It’s unjust, how can it be unjust? You tell me. Besides, if it’s unjust, let’s go to the Imperial Prison and let the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate it. Let’s go to the Imperial Prison together!” Xu Qin said as he walked over and grabbed Zheng Ci’s arm, wanting to drag Zheng Ci out with him.

“Don’t be in a hurry, don’t be in a hurry, it’s better to make it clear first.” When Xia Yuanji saw that Xu Qin was about to drag Zheng Ci away, he hurried over and grabbed Xu Qin.

“What is there to say? We, the sons of military honors, are upright and honest. We beat people and we admit our guilt and punishment. How come you, the civil officials, don’t even have this much courage? Do you dare to say that you didn’t commit dereliction of duty? Do you dare to say that you didn’t shield your subordinates? You still beg for mercy. Do you have the nerve to do so? They were very brave to burn down the Eastern Palace, and you are not small either. How dare you beg for mercy in such a matter!” Xu Qin pointed at Zheng Ci and shouted.

Zheng Ci was speechless. He wanted to argue, but he didn’t know what to say.

“Let’s go, let’s go, otherwise we will miss the prison meal. It’s not worth it to skip a meal. I’ve eaten anyway, so it’s okay. Lord Zheng, you can try it later!” Xu Qin said as he dragged Zheng Ci away.

“Wait a moment, wait a moment!” Minister of Works Song Li shouted hurriedly.

“Do you want to go too?” Xu Qin turned his head and asked Song Li.

Song Li quickly waved his hands and said, “No, no, no, it’s just that this matter should be made clear.”

“What is there to say? I beat him and the officials of the Ministry of Justice. I was impulsive and I am willing to be punished. But they neglected their duties. Our sons of military honors have been waiting for them for more than ten days. Not only did they not move, they also wanted to plead for the arrested officials. What does the Ministry of Justice mean? Did our sons die in vain? Don’t they need to give us an explanation?
Now you guys talk, what else is there to say, come? Who can explain it to me? “Xu Qin said, looking at the ministers. At this moment, the ministers didn’t know what to say to Xu Qin, and could only watch Xu Qin.

“Okay, let’s go, Lord Zheng, we just need a companion.” Xu Qin looked at Zheng Ci with a smile.

Zheng Ci looked at Xu Qin with fear.

“Come here, it’s Sakyabao and Zheng Ci who are going to the Imperial Prison. Also, send the left and right assistant ministers of the Ministry of Justice and the inspector of Yingtian Prefecture to the Imperial Prison for trial as soon as possible! In addition, the case of the burning of the Eastern Palace also needs to be investigated as soon as possible!” Zhu Di sat there and made the final decision.

Xu Qin happily hugged Zheng Ci and said, “Let’s go, we’ll go together. Your Majesty, don’t send anyone to escort us, we’ll go by ourselves!”

Zhu Di looked at Xu Qin helplessly, waved his hand and said, “No, you go first!”

“Your Majesty, I’m leaving!” Xu Qin bowed to Zhu Di and hugged Zheng Ci again.

“Your Majesty, I am your subject.”

“Okay, you know that I haven’t wronged you. What else are you talking about? Let’s go!” Xu Qin grabbed Zheng Ci’s neck and dragged him outside. Zheng Ci was not as strong as Xu and was quickly dragged away.

Zhu Di glanced at Zhu Gaochi, and Zhu Gaochi immediately understood that his father wanted him to arrange Xu Qin’s life in the imperial prison and not let him suffer any injustice. If he did, he would be in trouble, and of course, the third brother would be in even greater trouble.

At this moment, in Kunning Palace, Zhu Gaosui also came to Empress Xu and saluted honestly. In fact, the three brothers were more afraid of Empress Xu than Zhu Di.

“Bao’er may be sent to the imperial prison. If you let Bao’er suffer any injustice in the imperial prison, even if your father wants you to stay in the capital, your mother will let you go to the fiefdom.” Empress Xu sat there and said to Zhu Gaosui.

“Ah, mother, why is Sakyabao going to the imperial prison?” Zhu Gaosui looked at Empress Xu in confusion.

“You haven’t heard the news. Baoer beat Zheng Ci, and Zheng Ci has now gone to file a complaint with the emperor. If Baoer doesn’t go to the imperial prison, your father will have a hard time handling things, and things may get out of control. The only solution is to let Baoer stay in the imperial prison for a few days, and then your father will deal with a few civil officials, so that they will be obedient. I have sent someone to talk to your father and let Baoer go to the imperial prison. Mother will also go to the imperial prison to see Baoer later and explain things to Baoer. But if you dare to let Baoer suffer grievances in the imperial prison like last time, mother will not forgive you.” Empress Xu sat there, looking at Zhu Gaosui with a warning.

“Mom, don’t worry, I definitely won’t dare to do that. I promise to take good care of you!” Zhu Gaosui bowed and said upon hearing that. He wouldn’t dare to do that again. Last time, he let Xu Qin suffer injustice. Not only was he beaten, but his father also cheated him out of a lot of money.

At this time, a eunuch came in from outside, bowed to Empress Xu and said, “Your Majesty, just now the Earl of Haozhou and Minister Zheng went to the Imperial Prison together. It was the Earl of Haozhou who took the initiative to go to the Imperial Prison.”

“Did you go there on your own initiative?” Empress Xu looked at the eunuch in surprise.

“Yes, they went there on their own initiative, and His Majesty also approved it. In addition, not only Zheng Ci, but also the left and right assistant ministers of the Ministry of Justice, some officials of the Ministry of Justice, and also the Censor who supervised Yingtian Prefecture were all sent to the imperial prison. It was the Earl of Haozhou who impeached them for dereliction of duty and shielding their subordinates.” The eunuch bowed again and said.

When Empress Xu heard this, she was pleasantly surprised and said, “Good, good, my Bao’er is smart, my Bao’er is smart.”

Empress Xu certainly knew that Xu Qin’s action not only relieved Zhu Di’s troubles, but also reduced Xu Qin’s troubles. Then Empress Xu looked at Zhu Gaosui, who immediately cupped his hands and said, “Mother, I will arrange it right away.”

“If you need anything, ask the palace to provide it. Use the best. My Baoer cannot suffer any injustice.” Empress Xu said to Zhu Gaosui.

“Yes, mother, I’ll do it right away.” Zhu Gaosui immediately bowed and walked out.

“Mother, Baoer is so smart.” Zhang said to Empress Xu with a smile.

“That’s right, my Baoer has grown up!” Queen Xu said very happily.

But the civil officials in the court were unhappy. They had wanted to take this opportunity to deal with Xu Qin, or at least punish him and make him lose his position as the head of the Trade Bureau. However, they did not expect that Xu Qin would counterattack and had reasons and evidence. This made things difficult.

But Xu Qin was very happy. He hugged Zheng Ci and went straight to the Ministry of Justice prison under the escort of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. However, Zhu Gaosui rode faster on horseback and waited for Xu Qin at the gate of the imperial prison.

“Third cousin, I’m here!” Xu Qin saw Zhu Gaosui from afar and shouted happily.

Zheng Ci looked at Xu Qin depressedly. This was the imperial prison, why was Xu Qin so happy?
Zhu Gaosui also smiled and shouted to Xu Qin: “Come on, I made special arrangements when I learned you were coming. By the way, you take them to the cell, cousin, come on, I’ll take you to your cell.”

(End of this chapter)