Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 814 Operation Thunder
That very night, a bloody storm swept through Nanjing.

This is an example of someone from the central government suppressing local gangsters without consulting the local government, which constitutes an overreach of authority.

The reason why Qian Neng remained so arrogant after being "imprisoned" was that, even after his official downfall, he continued to control smuggling, robbery, human trafficking, and the operation of gambling dens, brothels, and other gray industries in Nanjing, thus controlling a very large underground business empire.

Furthermore, he possessed secrets about many people in Nanjing's officialdom, which forced those officials to work for him.

In addition, he could offer high incentives and was good at using money to silence people. Many officials from poor families also wanted to get rich with him... This led to him being able to become the king of Nanjing's underworld even while being held by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Zhang Yanling's purpose in coming here was specifically to eliminate this force that was not under the control of the imperial court, to seize control of the maritime trade channels between Goryeo, Japan, and Southeast Asia, and to increase the royal family's revenue.

Even if Zhu Yi doesn't do anything, or even secretly colludes with money, it won't affect Zhang Yanling's work.

Because the men Zhang Yanling brought were not equipped with ordinary swords and knives, but with newly developed firearms. They were transferred to the south to deal with underground criminal gangs before they were even officially used on the battlefield.

As a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Qin Yun currently serves more as Zhang Yanling's bodyguard. He previously contributed a lot to training the new army and has a much deeper understanding of firearms than the average person. The reason for bringing him here is to let him play the role of a new army instructor and rely on the Embroidered Uniform Guard and new army soldiers under his leadership to rectify the officialdom in Nanjing.

While Qin Yun led his men to raid Qian Neng's various dens inside and outside Nanjing, based on the intelligence, Zhang Yanling remained in the courtyard.

He wasn't even afraid of money coming to retaliate.

Because the men he left behind were equipped with enough firearms, including muskets, cannons, and grenades, to form a deadly firepower blockade. Furthermore, since this was within Nanjing, he was not afraid of Qian Neng's men fighting him.

As the garrison commander of Nanjing, Zhu Yi could not possibly stand idly by when gang forces and bandits attacked members of the imperial family.

In fact it is.

That night, inside and outside the city, shouts of battle rose everywhere, and the fighting was fierce. It was all Qin Yun who led his men to take the initiative and attack, sweeping away everything in their path like autumn leaves in the wind.

After a crushing crackdown, over a thousand people were detained the following morning. At the same time, many warehouses and shops were also seized, containing a large amount of contraband. Smuggled salt was a minor matter; a large quantity of gunpowder and firearms were even discovered.

As a variety of stolen goods were seized, Nanjing's officialdom quickly became lively.

Upon learning the news, Geng Yu, the Minister of War and Military Advisor in Nanjing, immediately went to the Duke of Cheng's residence to pay his respects. He found Zhu Yi looking completely bewildered, unaware of what had happened.

"Duke Cheng, what exactly happened? Was the commotion in and around Nanjing last night caused by your troop deployment?" Geng Yu immediately questioned him.

Zhu Yi called out, "Minister Geng, let's talk this out."

Geng Yu shouted sternly, "Duke Cheng, how dare you, a nobleman, interfere in civil affairs? Do you know the extent of the chaos your troops have caused among the people?"

“I saw a large number of people being detained early this morning, and the people were complaining. Those innocent merchants and civilians are just small vendors. Why should we make things difficult for them?”

Zhu Yi was both amused and exasperated, and retorted, "Minister Geng, could what you're talking about be the work of that young imperial brother-in-law who just arrived in Nanjing? I mean, the second son of Scholar Zhang of the Hanlin Academy, the imperial envoy whom His Majesty trusts implicitly? I haven't sent a single soldier here..."

"Since you knew it was Zhang Guojiu who did it, why didn't you stop him?"

Geng Yu continued to launch attacks.

Zhu Yi cried out in his heart, "This is unfair!"

You, the Minister of War in Nanjing, shouldn't stop this kind of thing yourself and make me do it?

The credit and favors are all for you civil officials, while I, a meritorious official, am left to do all this hard work, even going against the powerful and influential in the court and going against His Majesty's wishes.

Just then, Zhu Yi's son, Zhu Fu, rushed in from outside, shouting, "Father, something terrible has happened! Our two warehouses at the riverside dock have also been seized by that Zhang brat! This time it was the Embroidered Uniform Guard who did it, and they're all equipped with standard firearms... uh?"

Zhu Fu, who is in his thirties this year, seemed very impulsive. He was shouting and yelling in the yard, and only after entering the house did he find that Geng Yu was also there.

Zhu Yi glared and shouted, "Insolence! Don't you know that Minister Geng is a guest in the mansion? Such a commotion, does my Duke Cheng's mansion have no rules at all?"

Although she said that, Zhu Yi felt a little more at ease.

It was precisely because his son was "outspoken" that he was essentially telling Geng Yu, "Look, my family is also a victim. We couldn't possibly have known about Zhang's actions beforehand."

Didn't we just hear the news?
Geng Yu frowned and said, "A mere brother-in-law of the emperor, not even twenty years old and without any official rank, dares to act so recklessly? What is he trying to do?"

Zhu Yi sighed, "Minister Geng, please calm down. Let me ask around for you. I know it's inconvenient for you to come forward, but I also need to find out the situation."

"The new emperor has only recently ascended the throne, and everything is renewed. Nanjing cannot be allowed to descend into chaos at this time! No matter what, this is not the capital, and I will not tolerate an imperial envoy who acts recklessly."

……

……

After seeing off the furious Geng Yu, Zhu Yi took the initiative to assume the task of communicating with Zhang Yanling.

Zhu Fu looked apologetic and said, "Father, I have misbehaved and embarrassed you in front of Minister Geng."

"It doesn't matter."

Zhu Yi waved his hand and said, "The military affairs of Nanjing are ultimately under the control of our Zhu family. It's not that I'm afraid of Geng Haowen, but I don't want to get too entangled with this old scholar... Alas, Zhang Xiaoguojiu only gave me a heads-up and then acted so recklessly. He's clearly fearless!"

"Well... it doesn't seem like a big deal."

Zhu Fu pondered for a moment and said, "He is an imperial envoy... Didn't His Majesty issue an order for us to cooperate with him? He also gave us a heads-up before taking action last night! We just didn't know he would make such a big fuss."

Zhu Yi asked, "Do you know what he came here for?"

"do not know."

Zhu Fu shook his head and said, "I heard that he met with Qian Neng in a grand manner yesterday. After talking with Qian Neng, he immediately ordered his men to search and confiscate goods throughout the city. The operation was swift, precise, and ruthless. It seems as if Qian Neng confessed on his own..."

"You're so foolish."

Zhu Yi said with a dark face, "The reason why Qian Neng is still able to rest easy is because he controls the underground forces in Nanjing. Have you ever seen someone undermine their own side?"

Zhu Fu thought to himself, others may not know, but for us meritorious officials, it is all too common to undermine our own people.

Perhaps Qian Neng wanted to use this method to make the emperor think he was loyal and reliable, so that he would donate his things to the emperor in exchange for lenient treatment or even reinstatement?

The example of Qin Chang serving three terms as the Director of Ceremonial Affairs is still there!
Zhu Fu tentatively asked, "Then... Father, if it's not understood this way, how do you explain how the young imperial uncle, upon his arrival, thoroughly investigated all of Qian Neng's men's hideouts around Yingtian Prefecture and then launched such a precise attack?"

"This one……"

Zhu Yi was clearly also full of doubts about this.

Zhu Fu continued, "If the young imperial brother-in-law of the Zhang family is so capable and so adept at navigating social situations, how could he have caused such a commotion upon his arrival?"
"As the saying goes, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. Isn't he afraid of getting into danger by causing such a ruckus?"

"You go on."

Zhu Yi said with a serious expression.

Zhu Fu said, "If he is reckless by nature and acts impulsively and recklessly, and is not to be feared, then how could he have met with Qian Neng as soon as he arrived in Nanjing? What was his purpose in meeting with Qian Neng?"

Zhu Yi frowned and thought for a moment, then murmured, "It seems he wants to use money to take over all the overseas businesses in the Jiangzhe region? Who knows if it's true?" Zhu Fu quickly said, "No matter what, this kid is definitely fearless. He only brought a thousand or so men to Nanjing, and he dares to cause such a ruckus! Last night when he made his move, he didn't even send a single soldier from Nanjing... He really doesn't know what death means."

Where is he now?

Zhu Yi asked.

"I'm sitting here as usual, at the same place I met Father and Qian Ning yesterday. I haven't gone anywhere else," Zhu Fu replied. Then he asked, "Father, are you going to see him? If you feel it's inconvenient for you to show up, I can go and negotiate with him! After all, he has touched upon the interests of our Zhu family!"

Zhu Yi waved his hand and said, "Although he is only the emperor's brother-in-law, his reputation is spreading throughout the court. His Majesty trusts him immensely. I heard that he even trained the new army, and he is also very close to Wang Weining. Such a person... has the capital to act recklessly. I should go see him! You are not of the right caliber!"

Zhu Fu felt somewhat aggrieved upon hearing this.

How old am I?

Even if he's just your son, he's still a young nobleman, someone who can do whatever he wants in Nanjing. But when he runs into a little brother-in-law of the emperor, I don't even have the right to communicate with him.
You, as a father, are really looking down on your son too much.
……

……

In a courtyard on the banks of the Qinhuai River.

Zhang Yanling was listening to the report from Qin Yun.

Qin Yun emphasized, "We've discovered two properties belonging to the Duke of Cheng's mansion, which contain a considerable amount of firearms, all acquired through Qian Neng. If we report this truthfully, it would be a violation of the law, and we must be wary of the Duke of Cheng resorting to desperate measures!"

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "Zhu Yi is going to rebel? As one of the few powerful nobles in the Ming Dynasty, he shouldn't be so... But I think the people from the Duke of Cheng's mansion will be here soon."

Sure enough, not long after, Zhu Yi arrived, looking travel-worn.

"Lord Zhu, is there any need for such a rush?" Zhang Yanling greeted him with a smile. "I just finished some work yesterday, and you're already asking about the situation?"

Zhu Yi, relying on his age, said, "Nephew, what exactly are you doing in Nanjing? Why didn't you explain the situation to me beforehand? You've caused such a commotion, with so many censors and officials in the area. How are you going to explain this to them?"

"Confess? Confess to what?"

Zhang Yanling said dismissively, "When I investigate cases of smuggling and trafficking of gunpowder and firearms, I don't need to explain to the local officials. I just need to report the results to His Majesty."

"you……"

Zhu Yi was immediately annoyed. "Don't report everything. The matter hasn't been clarified yet, so don't jump to conclusions... Let me help you think it over before you report it."

Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "No need. I sent someone to deliver the memorial to the capital by express courier as soon as the city gates opened this morning. It's not that I'm in such a hurry, but some things just can't be delayed."

Zhu Yi thought to herself, "Who are you trying to scare?"

You reported this so early, are you sure you've investigated it thoroughly?

You're not trying to intimidate me so I won't dare do anything to you, are you?
Zhang Yanling said, "However, since the Duke of Cheng is here, we still need you to examine the results and see if it is really the case."

"This one……"

Zhu Yi, seizing the opportunity, said, "I'd like to take a closer look."

He also wanted to verify just how many secrets of Nanjing's officialdom Zhang Yanling had in mind.

After he took the compiled booklet, he was horrified to find that its contents were absolutely terrifying...

Because Zhang Yanling meticulously compiled a list of many secret gang hideouts and places where stolen goods were stored, which even he himself was not entirely aware of, as well as various individuals involved in organized crime.

Zhu Yi was greatly shocked, thinking to himself, "No wonder my son said this matter was not simple. Could it be that money can really sell itself?"

"Given the age and shrewdness of this young imperial brother-in-law, how could he have investigated so many things so thoroughly in just a few days?"
"Even if Qian Neng didn't confess voluntarily, he was still involved... Faced with the general trend and the emperor's coercion, he had no choice but to make amends for his past crimes by giving up his family property and the resources he controlled... because he knew that his power was gone."

Zhang Yanling asked, "Duke Cheng, why do your subordinates say that a large number of firearms and gunpowder were found in a place bearing your name? What are these for?"

Zhu Yi thought to herself, "Holy crap!"

Are you really that direct?
Ask me in person?

Zhu Yi smiled awkwardly and asked, "Is that so? Why didn't I know?"

"Have."

Zhang Yanling nodded heavily and said, "Not only do they exist, but the evidence is irrefutable. However, I think it's because the Duke of Cheng's mansion cooperated with Qian Neng and his cronies in the past, and purchased these things but hadn't had time to transfer them to the government warehouse yet?"

"This one……"

Zhu Yi didn't know how to explain.

Even if, as Zhang Yanling said, the crime could be mitigated, it would still be a huge pitfall.

He even wondered, is this my territory or Zhang's kid's territory? Why am I being threatened on my own turf?

Zhu Yi said, "Nephew, you shouldn't speak carelessly about things you don't know. How could such a place be attributed to the Duke of Cheng's mansion? Could it be that someone is using this as an excuse to frame you?"

"It's not impossible."

Zhang Yanling nodded slightly.

Zhu Yi hurriedly said, "It must be this situation!"

Zhang Yanling smiled and continued, "But all the people we've brought back claim to be from your Zhu family? Some even hold military positions..."

"I was wondering why soldiers would be managing a warehouse. Isn't that abusing public resources for private purposes?"

"what?"

Zhu Yi felt even more flustered.

However, a hint of ferocity appeared in his eyes.

When he realized he couldn't control this hot-headed young imperial brother-in-law, it would be impossible for him not to have the evil thought of completely eliminating Zhang Yanling.

But the problem now is that if he really dares to touch Zhang Yanling, even if he does it in secret, and if a commoner gets into trouble on his turf, he can claim that he was unaware of it, but the emperor will not let him off the hook.

Zhang Yanling represented, after all, imperial power. He was sent by the emperor to investigate the truth in the local area... but when the investigation reached you, you were gone!

You think the emperor is easy to fool, don't you?

Besides, Zhang Yanling has about a thousand men under his command, and the firearms he carries are unheard of. If a fight really breaks out, it will probably be a big battle.

At that point, it won't just be an assassination; it could very well involve the serious crime of treason and rebellion. The Duke of Cheng's family, who could have enjoyed generations of prosperity, dare to gamble?
(End of this chapter)