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

Chapter 228 Public Trial
Why are all these people looking at that piece of paper? Have the people of my Great Ming become so fond of reading? Zhu Yuanzhang was somewhat excited. He had tried more than once to cultivate some scholars, especially those from poor families, to break the monopoly of these powerful clans on official positions, but the effect was not particularly significant.

Now, each of these people was holding a piece of paper, which struck him as rather novel. Jiang Huan, standing beside him, said, "This is the Great Ming Daily, which His Highness the Crown Prince came up with. It was compiled by the loyal censor Liu Bowen. It's similar to a government gazette, but it's meant for ordinary people. Most of what's written on it is in plain language, just something to make people laugh!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately became interested: "There's such a thing? Go and buy one so I can take a look!"

Most of the things the imperial court did were for the benefit of officials and scholars; it rarely wrote anything specifically for the common people.

Jiang Huan hurriedly ran out and bought all the newspapers that had been there from the beginning.

These outdated newspapers are no longer worth much. While older newspapers might still be worth a penny, a penny can buy three or four of these newspapers.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the thick newspaper and immediately became interested.

There was also a lot of content in it that interested him.

"Excellent, excellent! This is perfect for ordinary people. Those scholars, relying on their higher education, look down on everything and all they know is classical Chinese!"

"How much can the common people understand? This is so good. All the people in the world can see some of it and learn more characters. Xiong Ying is very thoughtful." On his way back, Zhu Yuanzhang had already learned about Guo Huan's matter, which made him furious.

A vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue took the lead.

So many officials, both in the capital and in the provinces, have been implicated; these guys are truly outrageous.

When they heard that Crown Prince Zhu Biao and Grandson Zhu Xiong Ying had arrested all these people without showing any leniency, they were shocked.

Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied. These scoundrels who brought disaster to the country and the people should all be beheaded to vent his anger.

Just then, the group suddenly heard the sound of gongs and drums. Many officials were brought over, bound and ashen-faced. The leader was Guo Huan, who had just returned and hadn't yet...

After finding out exactly what had happened, Zhu Yuanzhang and the others came out, and Xu Yungong was somewhat worried.

"Your Majesty, there are too many people here, and we don't have enough manpower. I think we should leave!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was somewhat dissatisfied: "What's there to be afraid of? With Erhu here, and you here, and Jiang Huan here, who would dare to lay a hand on me?"

Xu Yungong was extremely anxious. Who knew what might happen? If something happened to Zhu Yuanzhang, he would be completely finished, the kind of situation where he couldn't even protect his own father.

At this moment, Jiang Huan looked at a restaurant and said, "Your Majesty, the view from here isn't very clear. From upstairs in this restaurant, you can see everything that's happening below. Why don't we go upstairs and find a room to watch through the window?"

After thinking about it, Zhu Yuanzhang agreed, and soon the group arrived at the restaurant, where there were already some people.

When they realized that Jiang Huan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had revealed the token in his hand, these people had no choice but to leave obediently.

Xu Yungong and his men stood guard nearby, never leaving his side. Almost no one knew about Zhu Yuanzhang's response to the news of the Heavenly Capital, and he dared not reveal the news.

Otherwise, they would have to request a battalion of troops from the Five Military Commands.

At this moment, Jiang Huan walked over and said, "Your Majesty has investigated and found out that it was His Highness the Crown Prince who wanted to convict these corrupt officials in front of all the people of Yingtian Prefecture." Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, not understanding what Zhu Xiong Ying was trying to do. The court has its own dignity. No matter what happens above, no matter how absurd things are, they will choose to suppress the matter. Once the people of the world know about this matter, it will be extremely damaging to their imperial dignity. Zhu Yuanzhang was furious. He really didn't know what this guy was thinking. He dared to announce such a thing. Zhu Yuanzhang was a little worried. If this matter spread, it would be detrimental to the Ming Dynasty.

The authority of the imperial court would have a tremendous impact.

Jiang Huan hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, should we send someone to inform His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Grandson of the Crown Prince to end this farce?"

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "No need. Since it was that rascal's idea, let him try it. I'm quite curious about what this rascal is up to. Soon a group of officials were brought to the high platform!" Then a minor official read out the crimes committed by this person.

Some people committed extremely serious offenses, which greatly angered the people below. They lived a very difficult life and often went hungry.

These officials are truly incompetent.

He embezzled public funds, accepted bribes, and bullied men and women.

It is truly despicable.

Some people are inherently righteous and hate evil, and in their extreme anger, they shout that they want to kill these people.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also furious that these guys could become officials.

Do you know how the Minister of Personnel selects people?

"I think it's time to replace the Minister of Personnel. What have become of the officials in our Ming Dynasty?" Jiang Huan secretly remembered Zhu Yuanzhang's words.

Thinking to himself that he would secretly investigate the Minister of Personnel thoroughly when he got back, he decided to do so.

In case His Majesty needs it someday, we must be prepared.

The Minister of Revenue in the imperial court suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and shivered.

That's strange, that feeling just now was really weird.

This was an official who picked up a thick law book and said!

This document is the Great Ming Code. From this day forward, if any official of the Great Ming commits a crime, punishment shall be based on this Great Ming Code!

He then recounted all the crimes committed by these people in the Ming Dynasty Code and sentenced them accordingly.

Everyone was extremely surprised. Although the Great Ming Code had been in effect for a long time, most people did not pay much attention to it.

The law is only prescribed for ordinary people like them; who among the truly powerful and influential would follow it?

In this world, might makes right, but today's incident has made people realize that the law does seem to have some effect.

Some of the sons of nobles who had committed crimes were covered in sweat.

Although there are laws and regulations in the imperial court, there are also human relationships.

If you act without considering human feelings, you will eventually incur the resentment of others.

In the imperial court, the remaining officials trembled with fear.

Today is the grand court assembly, but unfortunately the number of attendees is very small, even fewer than in previous smaller court assemblies.

(End of this chapter)