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

Chapter 21 Execution without prior notification: a special privilege granted by imperial authority!
"What happens today should serve as a lesson for the future."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers twitched at the corners of their mouths.

What's going on? Is His Highness the Crown Prince preparing to lecture us?
"Hu Weiyong, you are the Vice Chancellor of the Secretariat. Tell me, how do you intend to judge this?"

Zhu Xiong Ying's question immediately jolted Hu Weiyong awake.

this.
Why are they targeting me?
Is this an accusation, or just a question?

"Your Highness, I believe this is due to a lack of understanding among the officials. They should be reprimanded immediately and then learn from this lesson."

Hu Weiyong glanced cautiously at Zhu Xiong Ying. This seemingly innocuous suggestion was actually a test.

Upon hearing this, Lan Yu immediately glared at him: "If such remonstrances can qualify one to become a Vice Minister of State Affairs, then I, Lan Yu, can also enter the Secretariat."

He had no interest in the petty squabbles and infighting among these civil officials.

But if you, Hu Weiyong, try to fob me off with just a few words, that won't do!

Upon hearing this, many military officers burst into laughter.

Military generals are biased towards their own. The matter of Liu Bowen is over. When His Highness the Crown Prince questions you, Hu Weiyong, you're just trying to fool him!

After Lan Yu left the court, he didn't block your door, which is already considered kind to you!

Hu Weiyong blushed, but dared not say anything.

The sounds of flogging outside gradually subsided, but their morale had plummeted to rock bottom!
"The Vice Minister of State Affairs speaks well!"

However, Zhu Xiong Ying, standing on the high platform, smiled slightly and said, "But it's not good enough!"

"Just scolding them won't teach them a lesson!"

Once these words were spoken, everyone in the court understood.

Why ask Hu Weiyong? Our Crown Prince is clearly just going through the motions; he doesn't take this position as Vice Chancellor of the Secretariat seriously at all!

"What does Your Highness think we should do?"

Xu Da spoke in a deep voice.

He only said one sentence from beginning to end.

But this sentence carries considerable weight!
This isn't asking for instructions, it's offering support!

The civil officials' momentum had been suppressed, and when Xu Da, the number one military meritorious official of the Ming Dynasty, spoke, no one could refute him!
"I think so."

Zhu Xiong Ying pretended to think, and then paused for a moment.

Hu Weiyong couldn't help but wipe his sweat with his sleeve.

He always felt that this prince was not so simple, and definitely had some ulterior motive, otherwise how could he have spoken so fluently?

"Hanging a sword over one's head might make everyone more aware."

Even someone with a terrible memory will still be afraid, right?

Zhu Xiong Ying slowly began to speak.

What he said stunned everyone!
A sword hanging over one's head?

What does it mean?
"Yuhuatian!"

Suddenly, Zhu Xiong Ying shouted.

Yu Huatian strode down the high platform, walked to the center of the Fengtian Hall, and respectfully bowed: "Here!"

Zhu Xiong Ying declared in a loud voice: "Today, the Western Depot is established, and you, Yu Huatian, are appointed as its director, overseeing all officials. The Western Depot will also have spies sent to infiltrate all parts of our Great Ming Dynasty to inspect those who disobey!"

"The Western Depot has appointed Wu, who is specially authorized and has the ability to solve cases!"

"Any official who is negligent in his duties, or any rebellious person, or any remaining member of the Northern Yuan, may be arrested and interrogated."

Upon hearing this, the pupils of all the civil and military officials trembled violently!
West Factory?

To supervise all officials, spies were also stationed to patrol and investigate those who disobeyed.
Most importantly, do they have the ability to solve cases?
Doesn't that mean that such power has already surpassed that of the Censorate, and even the officials?
This is even more terrifying than Emperor Hongwu's Embroidered Uniform Guard!

"Your Highness, this is inappropriate! If it were merely an inspection or investigation, it wouldn't be so bad." "But this investigative ability..."

Li Shanchang's expression froze for a moment, then he quickly spoke.

If the Western Depot were actually established, wouldn't people never be able to eat in peace?

His Majesty's Embroidered Uniform Guard has already infiltrated every nook and cranny. Wouldn't the Western Depot established by His Highness the Crown Prince be like prying open every nook and cranny?

"What? Does Prime Minister Li think it's inappropriate?"

Zhu Xiong Ying glanced at him coldly, then said, "The Western Depot is authorized by the Emperor to execute cases first and report later!"

"If Prime Minister Li feels that even I cannot handle the case, then I will ride a fast horse and go on a tour with my grandfather!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shanchang's face immediately turned even more disgusted than if he had eaten excrement!
This is not a discussion at all!
Regardless of whether His Highness the Crown Prince is in the right or not, as long as he rides his horse to Emperor Hongwu, half of the officials in the court will be able to get things done!
Besides
Special times call for special measures. With the Crown Prince overseeing the country, the court's foundation was already weak. Establishing the Western Depot might even make Emperor Hongwu happy and praise it!

"Your Highness agrees with my opinion!"

Li Shanchang managed to utter a single sentence with difficulty.

He wanted to argue, but he couldn't!
The main problem is that the lower-ranking officials who can withstand firepower are all being flogged outside!
If Li Shanchang continues to be stubborn, he might be the one dragged out in a moment!

"Establishing the Western Depot during the Regent's reign was indeed a wise move, and I agree with it!"

Xu Da spoke in a deep voice.

However, the phrase "during the reign of the emperor" was emphasized very heavily.

On the one hand, it was to appease the officials in the court and prevent them from living in constant fear of being subjected to dual surveillance by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Western Depot.

On the other hand, it's also a reminder to Zhu Xiong Ying!

At this time, as the Crown Prince and regent, it's nothing unusual for you, Zhu Xiong Ying, to use the Western Depot for official business.

However, when His Majesty Hongwu and the Crown Prince return from their tour, Your Highness will still have to disband the Western Depot, otherwise there will be great chaos.

In a way, Xu Da was also trying to make amends for Zhu Xiong Ying.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and nodded slightly to Xu Da, acknowledging the kindness of this 'Grandpa Xu'.

"Yes!"

"Your subject, Yu Huatian, thanks Your Highness!"

Yu Huatian spoke loudly and bowed respectfully.

For some reason, when Yu Huatian officially took over the West Depot and became its head, all the officials felt a slight chill down their spines.

Looking at the spirited Crown Prince on the high platform, Liu Bowen felt a surge of emotion.

Unexpectedly, His Highness is so ruthless and forceful!
With the Western Depot, we can truly hold a sharp blade in our hands!
The principle that power comes from war is something this ten-year-old Crown Prince understands so thoroughly.

"Retreat!"

Zhu Xiong Ying uttered two words, then got up and walked towards the inner palace.

Inside the Fengtian Hall, the civil and military officials looked at each other in bewilderment!
So much happened today!

First, Liu Bowen, the Imperial Censor, was almost dismissed, and then His Highness the Crown Prince had dozens of officials flogged in court.

In the end, the situation took a dramatic turn, and a Western Depot was established to supervise all officials, inspect the rebellious people throughout the land, and even handle cases.
"teacher"

Hu Weiyong spoke hesitantly, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Li Shanchang did not immediately move towards the outside of the hall; instead, he appeared deep in thought.

He felt...
All of this seems to be part of the Crown Prince's plan!
Could it be that His Highness the Crown Prince had orchestrated all of this simply because of the unspoken implications of some officials' memorials yesterday?
But if that's really the case, then this plan...
Liu Bowen looked at the empty seat on the high platform and slowly bowed.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Xiong Ying sat in a chair with his eyes slightly closed, neither reading the memorials nor doing anything else.

他在
Wait for someone!

(End of this chapter)