Chapter 1494. Catch them all in one fell swoop (1).
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A quarter of an hour later, Huo Zhengyuan, Jiang Zheng, and Guo Min, two staff members, rode in a carriage and rushed outside Zhanyuan.
At the main entrance of Zhanyuan, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian greeted him personally, with Lu De accompanying him on one side.
After Huo Zhengyuan got off the carriage, he looked up at Zhu Hejian and was startled.
Zhu Hejian was seen wearing formal imperial robes and a golden Yishan crown on his head. The guards on both sides behind him were also holding crimson flags and golden drum flags.
For members of the royal family, only extremely solemn occasions will use this kind of attire and ceremony.
Curious in his heart, Huo Zhengyuan quickly walked up to Zhu Hejian, saluted each other and asked, "Your Highness, looking at your outfit, do you think you have something to do when you go out? If you don't stay in Zhanyuan and watch Xu Shoubei and I, please sit down. Did the guards interrogate the prisoners?"
Zhu Hejian smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying: "Sister Huo, you have finally arrived. After welcoming you into Zhanyuan, I will rush to Confucius Temple immediately. I am afraid that I will not have the chance to stay in Zhanyuan to observe the trial."
"Confucius Temple?" Huo Zhengyuan became increasingly puzzled: "Why did Your Highness choose to go to Confucius Temple at this time?"
Zhu Hejian's wry smile grew thicker: "Scholar Huo, do you still remember that I hosted a banquet for various forces in Zhanyuan a few days ago?"
Huo Zhengyuan was stunned again: "You mean... the public debate between the Jin gentry and the eunuchs in Guanzhuang?"
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Before the whereabouts of Jiang Xiao and the "Chaofeng" dead men were exposed, the main contradiction in the situation in Nanjing was the conflict of interests between the Jin gentry forces and the Huangzhuang forces.
Ever since Zhu Hejian officially came to the stage and fully took over the power of Nanjing's government affairs, Zhou Shangjing has been hiding in the dark to add fuel to the flames, making the conflict between the Jin gentry forces and the Huangzhuang forces intensify and completely break out. The Jin gentry accused the eunuchs of Guanzhuang of occupying people's fields, and the eunuchs of Huangzhuang To counterattack the Jin gentry's contempt for imperial power, the Jin gentry accused the eunuchs of Huangzhuang for robbing tenants, and the Huangzhuang eunuchs exposed the Jin gentry for occupying water sources...
In the end, the Jin gentry forces became even more desperate and publicly demanded that the number of imperial villages in southern Zhili be reduced.
Under such circumstances, Zhu Hejian was naturally in a dilemma.
Therefore, just five days ago, Zhu Hejian held a banquet in Zhanyuan to entertain all parties. During the banquet, he directly announced that he would invite sages from all walks of life in Nanjing to gather at the Confucius Temple in five days to watch. The Jin gentry forces and the Huangzhuang eunuchs expressed their views in public and held a public debate under the witness of all parties from the government and the opposition!
As for who is right in the conflict between the two parties, the ruling and opposition parties must make their own judgments after listening to this debate!
But just when Zhu Hejian hosted a banquet for all parties and announced this decision, a huge change occurred in Nanjing that exceeded everyone's expectations, completely disrupting the situation in Nanjing and completely disrupting the plans of all parties.
Under Jiang Xiao's order, a group of "Chaofeng" dead soldiers secretly tracked Hu Xiao and his pirate accomplices into Nanjing City. The two sides fought fiercely in the bustling city, causing a large number of casualties to the Song family's servants. This great battle The case soon shocked the entire city of Nanjing.
Then, Ying Tianfu Yamen promulgated martial law, Jiang Xiao led the "Chaofeng" dead soldiers to sneak back to Nanjing secretly to seek revenge on Hu Xiao, the Song family forces organized people to round up Jiang Xiao and the "Chaofeng" dead soldiers, Jiang Xiao and
The "Chaofeng" dead soldiers raided Huo Zhengyuan's temporary residence and pursued Hu Xiao with all their strength. The Jin Yiwei forces came to suppress the chaos and launched an indiscriminate attack. Zhu Hejian took the initiative to become a hostage to cover Jiang Xiao and the "Chaofeng" dead soldiers to break out. Huo Zhengyuan commanded
The scoundrels ambushed Jiang Xiao and the "Chaofeng" dead soldiers...
Wait, wait, wait, all kinds of changes are happening one after another.
In this way, under the joint action of all parties, the situation in Nanjing was turned upside down and turned into chaos. Not only the common people were complaining, but the high-level dignitaries were also overwhelmed.
At the same time, all forces have completely shifted their focus due to this series of changes, and they have all forgotten the public debate announced by Zhu Hejian.
Zhu Hejian, Xi Cheng, Wang Baoren and others wanted to cover up the truth, Zhou Shangjing, Huo Zhengyuan, Xu Shengying and others wanted to expose the truth. Around the arrested "Chaofeng" dead soldiers, various forces launched a new series of intrigues.
Under such circumstances, even Huo Zhengyuan, who has always been thoughtful, completely ignored this public debate, thinking that under the current situation, all parties had completely ignored the debate.
After all, compared with the abolition of the crown prince, the conflict of interests between the Jin gentry forces and the imperial village forces is not a top priority.
Now, after hearing Zhu Hejian's explanation, Huo Zhengyuan was surprised to learn that the public debate between the Jin gentry forces and the Huangzhuang forces would still be held as scheduled!
In order to preside over this public debate, Zhu Hejian did not even bother to observe and interfere in the concurrent tripartite joint trial!
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Surprised, Huo Zhengyuan quickly asked for details: "This... the situation in Nanjing is gradually showing signs of stabilization. There are still many things that need to be dealt with by all parties. Everyone is extremely busy and overwhelmed, so why should we hold this public event as scheduled?
Debate? Can’t it be postponed for a few days?”
Zhu Hejian explained with a wry smile: "I originally wanted to postpone this public debate, but... because the Jin Yiwei had put the head of the Song family under house arrest, the Nanjing gentry were furious and rushed to the Nanjing garrison eunuch's house, besieging the ministers and asking for explanations.
No matter how Xi Neichen explains, he can't drive them away!
They have been entangled from noon yesterday afternoon until about midnight this morning, leaving Xi Neichen exhausted and exhausted, and no longer able to fulfill his rights and responsibilities... If this situation continues, Xi Neichen will have no way to leave the eunuch's mansion.
, and could not get away from it, and jointly interrogated the arrested gangsters with the two, Huo University Scholar and Xu Shoubei!
At this time, Zhou Shoufu suddenly sent someone to send a message, repeating the public debate between the Jin gentry forces and the eunuchs of Huangzhuang. This finally diverted the attention of the Jin gentry slightly, so that they would no longer pester the ministers, but instead
He is focusing on preparing for the debate, and seems to want to use this opportunity to attack the eunuchs of Huangzhuang and force Xi Neichen to release the head of the Song family as soon as possible!
But in this case, this public debate cannot be postponed, and after all, this matter originated from my proposal, so I must rush to the Confucius Temple at the same time to preside over the debate process in person!"
After hearing Zhu Hejian's explanation, Huo Zhengyuan finally understood!
It is not difficult to guess Zhu Hejian's thoughts. He absolutely cannot sit back and watch the Jin gentry keep pestering Xi Cheng. If Xi Cheng is absent from the three-party joint trial because of the Jin gentry's constant entanglement, and the three-party joint trial becomes a two-party joint trial, he can only
Huo Zhengyuan and Xu Shengying were allowed to direct the direction of the interrogation and use whatever they wanted during the interrogation of the prisoner.
Therefore, the public debate between the Jin gentry forces and the Huangzhuang forces must be held as scheduled, so that Xi Cheng can take the opportunity to break away from the entanglement of the Jin gentry and participate in the tripartite joint trial to restrain Huo Zhengyuan and Xu Shengying.
At the same time, Zhu Hejian himself had to go to the Confucius Temple in person to preside over the debate, and could no longer observe or interfere with the specific process during the tripartite joint trial.
Although he guessed Zhu Hejian's thoughts, Huo Zhengyuan could not see through Zhou Shangjing's thoughts.
Why did Zhou Shangjing choose this time to mention the public debate between the Jin gentry forces and the Huangzhuang forces again, and let this public debate be held at the same time as the tripartite joint trial?
Since yesterday afternoon, the gentry have been pestering Xi Cheng for an explanation, and their attitude is unwavering, obviously at the behest of Zhou Shangjing.
But wouldn't it be more effective if the gentry were allowed to pester Xicheng endlessly, making it impossible for Xicheng to escape and absent from the tripartite joint trial?
Also, under Zhou Shangjing's control of the situation, Zhu Hejian also lost the opportunity to observe and intervene in the tripartite joint trial. He had to go to the Confucius Temple in person to preside over the public debate between the Jin gentry forces and the Huangzhuang forces. Is this just to divert the tiger away from the mountain?
Thinking back to those arrested dead soldiers, the reason why they were transferred to Zhanyuan for interrogation was originally due to Zhou Shangjing's suggestion...
Huo Zhengyuan secretly speculated that Zhou Shangjing's series of actions must be hiding a deeper consideration.
Faintly, Huo Zhengyuan had already smelled something familiar - it was the smell of serial schemes that Zhou Shangjing was best at.
"It seems that Zhou Shoufu wants to officially end the game and decide the situation! And he has already arranged the first move and is waiting to close the net... I just don't know where I am in Zhou Shoufu's chess game?
In Zhou Shoufu's mind, am I a chess piece or a chess player?"
Thinking of this, Huo Zhengyuan felt wary in his heart.
But on the surface, Huo Zhengyuan remained calm and said with a smile: "So it turns out that the situation in Nanjing is in turmoil and changes are happening constantly. His Highness the Seventh Prince is really lucky! In this case, I dare not waste His Highness's time, so let's enter the meeting now.
Yuanouchi, Xi Zhenshou, and Xu Shoubei jointly presided over the interrogation. With the concerted efforts of the three of us, this interrogation will be smooth sailing. Your Highness, you don’t have to be distracted and focus on presiding over the interrogation of the gentry and the eunuchs of the Imperial Palace.
Just have an open debate!”
After Zhu Hejian shook his head and smiled bitterly again, he welcomed Huo Zhengyuan into the vestibule of Zhanyuan.
As several people filed into the vestibule of Zhanyuan, Zhu Hejian also spotted Jiang Zheng behind Huo Zhengyuan. He knew Jiang Zheng's background and capabilities very well. When his eyes lingered on Jiang Zheng for a moment, a hint of wariness flashed in his eyes.
But in the end, Zhu Hejian did not say anything more. After introducing Huo Zhengyuan and others into the vestibule of Zhanyuan, he did not continue to lead the way. He just nodded lightly to Jiang Zheng, then turned around and left Zhanyuan with Lu De, and hurried to
Direction to Confucius Temple.
After Zhu Hejian left, Huo Zhengyuan immediately waved to summon his staff Guo Min, and whispered: "For the tripartite joint trial here, Mr. Jiang and I are enough, and you rush to Confucius Temple immediately
, observe the debate between the Jin gentry and the Imperial eunuchs for me, and if the situation changes, send someone to notify me as soon as possible..."
Guo Min nodded lightly and immediately turned around and left Zhanyuan.
Huo Zhengyuan paused and pondered for a moment, but still couldn't figure it out, and he still couldn't guess Zhou Shangjing's specific plan.
Therefore, Huo Zhengyuan simply stopped thinking about it and entered a side hall of Zhanyuan under the guidance of a Forbidden Army guard.
Zhu Hejian has sent people to tidy up this side hall, freeing up a lot of space as a place for the three-party joint trial to handle the case.
In the side hall, Xu Shengying and Xi Cheng have been waiting for a long time.