The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 161: Can't be moved if there's a certificate of merit?
Lu Zhongheng and others echoed this sentiment.

"That's true. You can guard against thieves day and night, but it's hard to guard against thieves in your own home. I never expected that there would be thieves in my house. These people may have stolen a lot of valuables from my home. Please let us handle this case ourselves!"

Tie Xuan snorted coldly: "How dare you interfere in matters that have been disturbed? These people have broken the law, and they should be judged by the law. Could it be that you are all involved in this matter?"

The expressions of the marquises and earls changed drastically upon hearing this.

"Nonsense! We are all nobles of the court, how could we do such a thing? It is clear that these people are acting outside under our orders. If they are corrupt and framing us, the court will have to give us an explanation!"

"However, these people are all servants of our families. Please hand them over to us for personal trial, and they will be returned afterward!"

Tie Xuan knew very well that if he handed these people over to these noble families to handle themselves, they would just be a pile of corpses even if they were returned to him.

"This is absolutely impossible. These people have violated the law of the land. How can it be left to private individuals to handle? If anyone dares to obstruct us, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Upon hearing this, the marquises burst into laughter and led their men to surround Tie Xuan and his group.

"Who are you trying to scare, you little brat? I don't have the imperial edict personally bestowed by His Majesty that grants me one reprieve from death under any circumstances. Let alone killing this servant, even if we behead you, we won't face any consequences!"

"Since you're not going to give us face, then we don't need to give you face either!"

"Brothers, charge!"

The group of men behind them charged directly at Tie Xuan and his men.

Tie Xuan's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly called out.

"Quickly, protect the prisoners!"

As soon as the two sides made contact, a group of soldiers came out and surrounded them.

"So you gentlemen are here. Why aren't you staying home this early in the morning? Is there some excitement to be seen?"

A voice came over, and upon closer inspection, everyone realized that the person who had come was none other than Liang Guogong Lan Yu.

The men's expressions were grim and uncertain.

Marquis Zhao Yong of Nanxiong stepped forward and said in a low voice.

"Lord Lan, we're all on the same side, why go to such lengths? If we do, it won't look good when we get home!"

Lan Yu glanced at him.

"You think you can make a good impression when you get home after all the dirty things you do?"

"Enough with the nonsense. I'm here today on His Highness's orders to pick up the prisoners. Would you all be so kind as to do me a favor?"

The men looked extremely grim; they hadn't expected Zhu Xiong Ying to have arranged for Lan Yu to meet them in this location.

It seems that the chances of winning over Cheol-hyun are slim.

"Hmph, we'll remember this today. Lan Yu, don't think you can do whatever you want just because His Highness the Crown Prince is protecting you. Who knows, one day His Highness the Crown Prince might not need you anymore and will kick you aside!"

After uttering a harsh remark, the group turned and left. Tie Xuan breathed a sigh of relief after they left.

"Thank you, General Lan!"

Lan Yu nodded without saying anything more.

Although he couldn't stand these guys, he had nothing to say to Tie Xuan, since some of the people he arrested had connections to his family.

"I was only following His Highness's orders. You'd better behave yourself!"

Marquis Fei Ju of Pingliang looked at the crowd.

"Don't worry, everyone. We still have some manpower at the Ministry of Justice. As long as we kill those guys, there will be no evidence against us!"

"Besides, we have the imperial edict personally bestowed by His Majesty. As long as it's not something like rebellion, how could the Crown Prince kill us?"

Everyone nodded upon hearing this, their eyes filled with smugness. Tie Xuan escorted the prisoners into the Ministry of Justice's jail, assigned special guards to watch over them, and then went to the Hall of Diligent Governance to see Zhu Xiong Ying.

"Your humble servant Tie Xuan pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Xiong Ying helped Tie Xuan up.

"Please rise, Lord Tie. I'm in a lot of trouble with this matter!"

Tie Xuan was extremely excited to hear this, after all, the journey had not been easy.

"Thanks to the guards His Highness the Crown Prince provided for me. In Fengyang Prefecture, it was also His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince who assigned these men to me. I was just a messenger. All of this is thanks to His Highness!"

At this moment, Tie Xuan ordered his men to bring over a box.

Everyone was confused.

"This is?"

"Your Highness, these are all the documents I collected in Fengyang Prefecture. These sons of noble families are rampant in the neighborhood, and the people are living in poverty and misery. These are all evidence of their crimes. I beg Your Highness to investigate thoroughly!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the heavy box and gasped.

Although I knew that these nobles from Huaixi had committed many illegal acts in Fengyang Prefecture, I never imagined there were so many.

Zhu Xiong Ying flipped through a few books at random, his face extremely unpleasant.

These guys truly deserve to die. The few cases we've just looked at already involve numerous deaths. If this entire box is investigated, just how many people in Fengyang Prefecture have died at the hands of these nobles? These guys deserve to die.

"Rest assured, Lord Tie, I will certainly investigate this matter carefully!"

"Guards, summon Yang Siyi, Minister of Revenue; Hu Zhen, Minister of Justice; Hu Weiyong, former Grand Councilor of the Secretariat; Lan Yu, Duke of Liang; and Xu Da, Duke of Wei, to an audience!"

Soon, several cabinet members arrived at the Hall of Diligent Governance. They looked at each other, wondering what had happened.
Lan Yu had a guess in her heart, but she kept her head down and didn't say a word.

Among the people handling this matter, some were also involved with him, and he was indeed not suitable to get involved in this matter.

As usual, Duke Xu Da of Wei closed his eyes to rest, as if nothing concerned him.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the ministers and said with a smile.

"I have called you all here today because there is something I need to discuss with you. The matter is in this box in front of you. Please take a look for yourselves!"

Everyone was puzzled, but they still read through the contents, and their faces immediately turned extremely grim.

The contents recorded above were so shocking that even Hu Weiyong was terrified.

I knew these people had done a lot of dirty work, but I never expected them to go this far.

Zhu Yuanzhang and His Highness the Crown Prince are far away in Fengyang Prefecture, and they probably already know about these things. This will likely be difficult to handle.

After reading it, Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the people in front of him and said.

"Have you finished reading? What are your thoughts?"

The group of people kept their heads down and didn't say a word.

When faced with such a situation, there is probably no other way to handle it, but no one wants to say something that would offend people.

Zhu Xiong Ying turned his gaze to Hu Wei Yong.

"Lord Hu, what do you think should be done?"

Hu Weiyong spoke hesitantly and vaguely.

"Your Highness, I was terrified when I saw the contents of the document. Now I am completely at a loss and have no ideas whatsoever. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness!"

(End of this chapter)