Chapter 1336 Daqian Ministry of Justice Assistant Minister
On April 30, the Ministry of Justice of Yijing
Although the case of Chu Zhiyi and Ye Dong came to an end with the last court meeting, the Ministry of Justice still did not get a moment's rest.

They had to investigate and try 17 censors including Liu Zhen, and they also had to investigate the case in which Zhu Xiaowen, the Minister of the Dali Temple, impeached Hu Ming.

The case of Liu Zhen and others is not complicated. It is nothing more than taking money from people and helping them get rid of disasters. In addition, Ye Mingsheng has expressed his attitude of investigating the matter thoroughly, so the matter only needs to be investigated and handled step by step.

Now it’s just because there are so many people involved, and it’s been a long time and there are so many things that need to be investigated, so the case is large and will take some time.

What really gave the Ministry of Justice a headache was Zhu Xiaowen's impeachment of Hu Ming!
This is not to say that Hu Ming's methods were so clever that everyone lost their clues during the investigation. In fact, Zhu Xiaowen had provided a lot of evidence in the impeachment of Hu Ming. The evidence was very detailed and effective. Everything pointed to the fact that Hu Ming had committed serious crimes such as profiteering and forming alliances for personal gain.

But the key to the problem is that Hu Ming's case involves some sensitive people, and His Majesty's attitude on this matter is unclear. He did not give an order to investigate thoroughly like he did on Liu Zhen's case. Therefore, the Ministry of Justice is a little hesitant about this matter, not knowing which areas should be investigated in depth and which areas should be let go...
At 1:00 p.m., kerosene lamps were still lit in the Ministry of Justice. In order to submit a report to Ye Mingsheng as soon as possible, dozens of staff members of the Ministry of Justice were working overtime. In a separate classroom, Zhang Mang, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice who had just taken office for less than a year, was writing furiously.

Zhang Mang was originally a Yuwenlang of the Qilu Qingli Division of the Ministry of Justice. Later, he was appreciated by Ye Mingsheng for his outstanding performance in the Qilu Qingtian case and was promoted to Langzhong of the Yunbing Qingli Division of the Ministry of Justice.

Later, because the former Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Cui Zibo, was unable to work normally due to illness, Ye Mingsheng not only allowed Cui Zibo to go home to recuperate, but also promoted Zhang Mang to temporarily take over the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. After Cui Zibo's death, Zhang Mang was successfully promoted to the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

After being promoted to a regular employee, Zhang Mang did not slack off. He continued to work wholeheartedly and willingly. His attitude was appreciated by Li Jian, the Minister of Justice. This time, the case of investigating Hu Ming was handed over to Zhang Mang.

After the recent investigation, Zhang Mang is also preparing to submit an interim report to Li Jian to help Li Jian better understand the current situation of the case.

Because it was already 12:00 p.m., it had already gotten dark outside. Zhang Mang, who had been working at the yamen since 7:00 p.m. in the morning, had already worked for almost six hours today. Although he had taken a half-hour nap during lunch break, Zhang Mang had still been working for more than two hours straight.

So even though the brush in his hand did not stop, Zhang Mang still looked a little tired. However, the Minister of Justice of Daqian did not stop because of this. He just asked the clerk outside to pour him a cup of tea and get him a basin of cold water.

After washing his face with cold water and drinking a cup of tea, Zhang Mang's fatigue subsided a little. He immediately threw himself into work again. He had to write the report as soon as possible. Li Jian, the Shangshu, was waiting for the report. He couldn't delay...
In such a time-sensitive situation, Zhang Mang finally finished the report at 2:15 pm. Although the report was written, Zhang Mang did not give it to Li Jian immediately. Instead, he read the report three times, and after confirming that there were no omissions or typos, he got up and went to Li Jian's classroom with the report.

Because Li Jian had given instructions before, the clerk beside Li Jian saw Zhang Mang coming and let Zhang Mang walk into Li Jian's classroom without informing anyone.

"Sir Shangshu! This is the current investigation report on the Hu Ming case!"

Li Jian took the report and said to Zhang Mang, who looked tired, with concern:
"Zhang Mang, you've worked hard!"

"This is my duty, to share your Majesty's worries! I dare not say that it is hard work!"

Li Jian nodded slightly and said:

"It's already the 11th hour, Zhang Mang, you should stop here today and go home to have a good rest. I'll have the patrol camp escort you back. I'll read this report tonight and give you my opinion tomorrow!"

Zhang Mang wanted to hand in the report and go home early, so he did not refuse Li Jian's arrangement and immediately bowed and said:
"Thank you for your consideration!"

"Then go home and have a good rest! Our Ministry of Justice is very busy these days, and you, Zhang Mang, are the main force!"

"Your Excellency is too kind! It's all thanks to your good leadership, Minister!"

After complimenting Li Jian, Zhang Mang said goodbye and left, and got on the carriage back home under the escort of the patrol battalion.

Because Yijing has had good economic development under Daqian's governance in recent years, it has been able to provide a large number of jobs, and coupled with strict laws, the public security is still very good. It may be an exaggeration to say that there is no one picking up things on the road, but cases of murder, fighting, etc. have also been significantly reduced...
Therefore, in the past, these high-ranking officials of Daqian had no escort from the patrol battalion whether they were going to work at the yamen from home in the morning or going home from get off work at the yamen at night. Even those who paid more attention to their own safety would only be accompanied by a few of their own servants for protection.

However, with the outbreak of the Liu Xinjie case, this situation has changed. These Daqian G gentlemen are more cautious about their lives, fearing that they might accidentally follow in Liu Xinjie's footsteps and lose their lives and be unable to enjoy a good life.

Therefore, they all hope that they will be escorted by the patrol battalion when going to and from work. However, the patrol battalion has very limited manpower, and there are thousands of G-members in Yijing. Therefore, currently only G-members above the third rank can enjoy the treatment of being escorted by the patrol battalion. As for others who want to be escorted back to the mansion, they can only arrange their own manpower.

After an incense stick of time, Zhang Mang returned to his mansion. When he got home, he rewarded the captain of the patrol camp with ten taels of silver, and then walked into his home after the captain thanked him profusely.

Zhang Mang was born into a wealthy peasant family. Although his family could afford his studies, they could not provide any help in his official career.

After Zhang Mang gradually rose to prominence in the Ministry of Justice, he also tasted the benefits that power brought him, and the rewards from nobles made his pockets bulge, and he was no longer as stingy as before.

After returning home, Zhang Mang had not had time to spend time with his wife and children before he met someone who surprised him...

"Master Chen, why are you here? Does the Imperial Concubine have any orders?"

Under Zhang Mang's surprised gaze, the tall, thin, middle-aged scholar smiled and bowed to Zhang Mang, saying:

"Mr. Chen has met with Minister Zhang! I heard that your mother will be celebrating her 60th birthday in a few days, so I was asked to bring some gifts!"

Hearing what Master Chen said, Zhang Mang smiled and nodded, but he knew in his heart that Master Chen's visit was not as simple as giving a gift. After all, his mother was indeed going to celebrate her 60th birthday soon, but not in a few days but next month.

Master Chen, the lawyer under the Imperial Concubine, has always been a meticulous person. There is no way he could have made a mistake in this matter, so there is no doubt that sending a birthday gift was just an excuse for the presence of his wife and children. In fact, Master Chen came to see him for another purpose.

Thinking of this, Zhang Mang found an excuse to send his wife away so that he could meet with Master Chen alone. Master Chen did not hide anything and asked Zhang Mang directly:
"Minister Zhang, the Imperial Concubine wants to know how the investigation into Hu Ming's case is going?"

When Zhang Mang heard Master Chen asking this, he thought to himself, "As expected." He knew that Master Chen's visit to him would not be so simple.

Although he didn't know why Murong Qingwu wanted to ask this, Zhang Mang was a little embarrassed at this time. After all, according to the regulations of the Ministry of Justice, the case was top secret and could not be disclosed to the outside without permission...

Seeing Zhang Mang's embarrassment, Master Chen said calmly:

"Minister Zhang has a good old saying: When you drink water, remember the well digger. Your Majesty has always valued you very much!" After listening to what Master Chen said, Zhang Mang pondered for a moment and finally did not stick to his principles. He sighed helplessly and said:

"The investigation is still ongoing! But judging from the evidence currently in the hands of the Ministry of Justice, Hu Ming is doomed to die!"

Master Chen frowned upon hearing this and then said:

"Is there any possibility that Hu Ming can escape punishment?"

Zhang Mang shook his head without hesitation and said:

"The chain of evidence is very complete. Unless Your Majesty shows mercy like he did to General Ye Dong, Hu Ming will definitely die!"

Listening to Zhang Mang's words, Master Chen said nothing but just looked at Zhang Mang deeply.

Zhang Mang was also a little surprised when he saw this. After hesitating for a moment, he said:

"Hu Ming did implicate a few people, but these people have nothing to do with the Empress!"

"Don't worry about this Minister Zhang. I just want to ask Hu Ming if there is any possibility that he can escape punishment!"

Zhang Mang smiled bitterly and said:

"Master Chen, you know who wants to prosecute Hu Ming without me telling you. The Dali Temple and the Censorate are both keeping an eye on this case. Not to mention me, the Minister, I'm afraid even Minister Li wouldn't dare to intervene."

After Master Chen thought for a moment, he did not dwell on this question any more. Instead, he changed the subject and asked:
"How much impact does Hu Ming's incident have on the Hu family?"

Faced with this question, Zhang Mang said with a serious face:

"The investigation isn't over yet, but judging by the evidence we have so far, the impact is still huge. And I think they don't just want to target Hu Ming..."

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Daqian Palace,

Ye Mingsheng lay on the big bed a little tired, while Pei Zhixiu was massaging Ye Mingsheng's cervical vertebrae. While massaging Pei Zhixiu, she whispered:
"You should take breaks regularly, especially not working at a desk for long periods of time!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly to indicate that he understood. Perhaps he was too busy during this period and his neck felt a little sore. At first, Ye Mingsheng didn't care too much about it. He just asked for a few plasters to put on the sore neck and continued to work.

But for some reason, the pain was quite severe when he woke up this morning. Ye Mingsheng barely held on for a whole day, but at night he couldn't bear it anymore, so he gave up his work at night and asked Pei Zhixiu to massage his neck.

With Pei Zhixiu's massage, Ye Mingsheng could feel the pain in his neck relieved. At least he dared to move. When it hurt just now, Ye Mingsheng didn't even dare to move. The pain was so severe that Ye Mingsheng couldn't even eat a good dinner.

Seeing that the gloom in Ye Mingsheng's expression had dissipated a little, Pei Zhixiu hesitated for a moment and said to Ye Mingsheng:
"Ming Sheng, sometimes haste makes waste!"

Although Pei Zhixiu's words were rather obscure, Ye Mingsheng still understood what she meant, and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

Seeing this, Pei Zhixiu continued to persuade:

“Mingsheng, you are the Son of Heaven and God will bless you. You still have decades to realize your ambitions. There is no need to make yourself so tired…”

Ye Mingsheng was silent for a while after hearing this, then nodded with a smile and said:

"Jisu, I get it! I will keep this in check!"

After hearing what Ye Mingsheng said, Pei Zhixiu didn't say anything else and concentrated on massaging Ye Mingsheng's cervical vertebrae.

Seeing that the atmosphere seemed a bit solemn, Ye Mingsheng also wanted to ease the atmosphere, and then he casually asked:

"Is there anything interesting happening in the palace recently?"

Pei Zhixiu thought for a moment and said:
"The palace is still the same as before, nothing has happened, except that some new sisters have entered the palace through the selection. One of them, Murong Xinyun, is very much loved by the Queen Mother, so she directly ordered Murong Xinyun to be promoted to a concubine!"

Hearing the name Murong Xinyun, Ye Mingsheng also felt somewhat familiar. After pondering for a while, he blurted out:
"Is this Murong Xinyun Qingwu's cousin?"

Pei Zhixiu nodded and said:

"It seems like that, the two of them have been together a lot recently!"

Ye Mingsheng frowned and asked:
"Why did Murong Xinyun enter the palace?"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng's question, Pei Zhixiu couldn't help but ask back with some doubt:

"Mingsheng, don't you know that she participated in the selection to enter the palace?"

Ye Mingsheng couldn't help but smile bitterly and shook his head. He had handed over all the matters concerning the selection of concubines to An Miaoyi before, and he devoted himself to the affairs of the court. Recently, there were many things happening in the court one after another. How could he have the time and energy to find out if there were any new women in the harem...
(Please rest assured that I will give you, and myself, a proper ending!)
(End of this chapter)