After investigation by the Criminal Department and factory guards, the case has come to light.

Jia Gui, the chief steward of Pengcheng Bofu, collaborated with the enemy and killed the nine tribes.

According to Mantulu's admission, there are still a large number of Tatar spies in the capital. Most of them were brought in from Liaodong, and the best way to hide their identities is as fur traders or medicine traders.

The Jin Yiwei immediately went out on a large scale to hunt down merchants from Liaodong throughout the city.

After investigation, it was found that Zhang Kejian, the uncle of Pengcheng, was not the main culprit. He was exempted from the death penalty and was stripped of his title and demoted to a commoner.

One of the two stones in Zhu Qizhen's heart finally fell.

Ever since Tumubao, he had always suspected that there was a traitor in the capital. Now it seemed that the people who were secretly colluding with the Mongols were not the officials in the court, but the businessmen.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China by Zhu Yuanzhang, Ming Dynasty and Bei Yuan Dynasty have been mortal enemies of each other. Therefore, they have not opened up mutual markets for a hundred years.

Mobei is barren, and living materials are extremely scarce and cannot be obtained through normal channels from the Central Plains. Therefore, many smugglers have spawned.

The two most important routes for transporting goods from the Ming Dynasty to the grasslands are: one is from Datong and Xuanfu, and the other is from Shanhaiguan and Liaodong.

The former are mainly Shanxi merchants, and their trading objects are the Oara people.

In fact, the Shanxi merchant group has been active throughout the Ming Dynasty, and has been engaged in smuggling activities for a long time. It even heavily funded the establishment of slaves during the turmoil in the mountains and rivers at the end of the Ming Dynasty. These are the eight famous imperial merchants in later generations.

This line was uprooted shortly after Zhu Qizhen returned to Beijing, completely cutting off the Oara tribe's supplies and information.

The latter colluded with the Tatar tribe, and to this day has also suffered heavy losses.

After eradicating all these two lines, it will be almost impossible to obtain information from the Ming Dynasty, whether it is Oara or Tatar.

Now, Zhu Qizhen still has the last stone left in his heart...

Two sealed letters were placed on the desk.

The first letter was a list with three names on it.

The second letter contains the results of the investigation.

After secret inspection by the Juesheng Guards, it was found that the Jinyi Guards commanded Zhu Ji, who was Yu Qian's son-in-law. This man was tolerant, respectful, filial, upright and honest, and worthy of trust.

What's more, with Yu Qian's relationship, Zhu Qizhen made up his mind to leave this job to him.

"Your Majesty, Jin Yiwei Zhu Ji would like to see you."

"Xuan!"

Not long after, Zhu Ji walked into the imperial study.

"I humiliate you Zhu Ji, long live my emperor!"

"Pingsheng!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After Zhu Ji stood up, he lowered his head quietly and waited for instructions.

Zhu Qizhen looked carefully. He was about thirty years old, tall and handsome. If he hadn't been wearing a black fish suit, he would have thought he was a scholar.

"Yuan Bin personally recommended it to me, saying that the Qing family is worthy of a big job. I have no doubts about employing people, and I have given you an important job."

Zhu Ji hurriedly said: "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

"Not that serious!"

Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said: "I will personally go on the Northern Expedition soon. Yuan Bin will accompany me on the expedition, and the imperial guards in the capital will be left to you."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my best!"

"I'm not worried about the capabilities of the Qing family."

Zhu Qizhen shook his head slightly and said, "I ask you to check on a few people secretly!"

"Please give me your orders, Your Majesty!"

"Wang Wen, the censor of the right capital of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Xu Bin, the young minister of Taichang Temple, and Zhang Qian, the military governor of the Central Military Governor's Mansion of the Fifth Army."

Zhu Ji seemed a little puzzled and asked: "What does the emperor need me to investigate?"

"At the beginning, when I announced my personal expedition to Mobei, I told all officials that if something unexpected happened to me and King Tan succeeded to the throne, do you know what this means?"

Zhu Ji thought for a long time and said: "The emperor means that if someone has a secret disobedience, he may take action while the emperor is away from Beijing?"

Zhu Qizhen was very satisfied. This person had a flexible mind and could make sense at a glance. He was much better than those reckless men.

Over the past few days, after secret investigations by the Juesheng Guards, it is true that some officials are dishonest and have some secret ideas. However, they are just some ideas. Before leaving the capital, they are determined not to take any action.

"I will leave you an imperial edict. If anyone is found to have evil intentions, the Jinyi Guards have the right to kill them first and report them later!"

"I humbly obey the order!"

Zhu Ji paused and asked again: "Your Majesty, where is King Tan..."

When I said these words, I worked hard and made up my mind.

It is true that Jinyiwei is loyal to the emperor, but when it comes to King Tan, it is hard to say.

Because he may become the next emperor at any time!

What's more, when it comes to the royal family, even the Jin Yiwei can't interfere.

If you are not careful, heads will roll and blood will flow into rivers.

Zhu Qizhen suddenly asked: "What do you think of King Tan?"

With a pop, Zhu Ji knelt down directly.

"I am humble and only loyal to the emperor!"

"Don't be nervous, I'm just asking casually."

"I am humble and dare not speak nonsense!"

"Okay, okay, get up, I won't ask anymore."

Zhu Ji stood up tremblingly. His face was pale and his forehead was covered with cold sweat.

Zhu Qizhen thought for a while and then asked: "What do you think...Prince Xiang?"

Plop!

Zhu Ji's knees softened and he knelt again.

These are all gifts!

"I told you, I'm just asking casually, don't be so nervous!"

Zhu Ji thought to himself, "If you don't even look at what you're asking, how can I not be nervous?"

Okay, when I stand up here, you can say again, how about King Zheng?

How about I just kneel down and not get up?

"Let me ask another question..."

Zhu Qizhen thought for a while and asked: "What do you think of the current situation of the Ming vassal kings?"

Zhu Ji was about to cry and said: "I am humbled only by the emperor. Even if I am a vassal king, as long as the emperor says a word, I am humbled..."

"I didn't mean that!"

Zhu Qizhen hurriedly interrupted him, then pondered for a long time, and then said: "Since Emperor Taizu, the children of the Zhu family have been enfeoffed to guard the border. But later, the fiefdoms were gradually moved to the Central Plains, and the vassal kings gradually became greedy for pleasure.

, has made no achievements at all. If things continue like this, more and more vassal kings will appear in the Ming Dynasty, and in the end, won’t they be incapable of being sealed?"

Zhu Ji looked confused. How did the Ming vassal king change from Sai King to Xian King? Who are you asking?

But having said that, there are more and more vassal kings, and they are all freeloaders. Each vassal king occupies a large amount of land and resources. What will happen when all the land in the Ming Dynasty is enfeoffed?

But why are you asking me this kind of question?

I am a Jin Yiwei. I can arrest people and handle cases. But for national affairs, you go to the cabinet!

Zhu Ji felt extremely regretful at this time. Why was he so arrogant? Why did King Titan do so well?

Who knows, Zhu Qizhen had long planned to change the status quo of the vassal king. Today, he heard Zhu Ji mention it and suddenly asked a few questions.

Naturally, he knew in his heart that this kind of thing could not be accomplished overnight and needed long-term planning.

"Stop kneeling and get to work!"

"yes!"
Chapter completed!