The great victory of Datong defeated Anda Khan, severely damaged the Tatar cavalry, and snatched back many people who had been kidnapped. This news made the government and the public very excited. Even Jiajing came out of Jinshen Jingshe to personally Presided over the court meeting.
Pan Huang, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, petitioned to commend the meritorious personnel this time. Although Shen Lian was the main force in finding sorghum, Shen Lian was not greedy for merit. Moreover, Shen Lian was temporarily seconded to the Ministry of Revenue to do this job, so the Ministry of Revenue naturally There is also collective credit.
Of course, the biggest beneficiary is Liu Tong. No matter how much effort he has made, after all, he was assigned by the Ministry of Revenue to assist Shen Lian, and he is considered the number two hero. Therefore, Pan Huang, who pushed him out to take the blame, personally asked him for credit. , intends to be promoted to the position of Doctor of the Ministry of Finance!
Jiajing was in a good mood. This was a trivial matter, so there was no reason not to agree. However, Jiajing was used to letting others speak first, so he looked at Yan Song.
Yan Song came out and said: "It is a great blessing to be able to defeat the Tatars this time. The soldiers work hard. The Ministry of Households also contributed to the collection of grain and grass. I just thought about the previous cavalry rescue in the court, and the veteran had hesitation. Really guilty."
When everyone heard this, they thought, this is the sun rising in the west? Yan Song actually admitted his mistake in public? He is not such a person!
Jiajing smiled: "My dear, you don't have to be so harsh on yourself. At that time, most of the courtiers opposed the mobilization of cavalry reinforcements. They put their heads together and there was nothing wrong with it."
Zhao Wenhua suddenly stood up and said: "Long live, I originally opposed the cavalry rescue because according to common sense, it was impossible to prepare all the food and grass quickly. But I didn't expect that Shen Qianqian had extraordinary skills and miraculously completed it with the help of the Ministry of Revenue. It’s as if I’ve been aware of the mission for a long time, which is really amazing!”
He could say "surprise" instead of "admiration", just to let people understand that he was more surprised than admired. As soon as he said this, the ministers who originally opposed the mobilization of cavalry immediately expressed their support, saying that this matter was indeed unbelievable.
When Yan Song saw that the heat was coming, he said: "Although this matter is very strange, I don't believe the rumors in the government and the public that Shen Lian colluded with the grain merchant. He knew that the Tatars would invade the border, so he prepared in advance and stocked up." of.
As for the claim that Shen Lian was a Tatar who had known about it for a long time and deliberately colluded internally and externally to claim credit in order to gain a high position, I don’t believe it even more. But when the officials questioned it, it was really hard for me to explain it.”
Ding Rukui couldn't stand listening anymore. Although he didn't want to go against Yan Song, he was the Minister of War after all. He was also the beneficiary of this great victory. He couldn't just watch the biggest hero being killed.
"Long live, what Mr. Chief Assistant said is absolutely true. Shen Lian will never be a profiteer. As for the details, it is even more ridiculous. If Shen Lian is really a Tatar craftsman, will he help the Ming Dynasty defeat Anda Khan? According to General Zhou's troops are reporting good news from the front. The Tatars suffered heavy losses this time, with over 10,000 casualties!"
At this time, Zhao Wenhua, the best admirer, immediately went online: "Long live, I heard that Shen Lian traveled outside the Great Wall before becoming an official and had many contacts, not only with grain merchants, but also with horse dealers.
During the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty, Wang Qin, a spy in the Liao Kingdom, entered the official career as a Song person. He repeatedly fought for the interests of the Song Dynasty in negotiations with the Liao Dynasty, and even personally supervised the army to repel the Liao soldiers and horses. With his merits, he gained the trust of Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty.
In the end, in the battle over the national destiny of the two countries, he single-handedly framed Yang Ye, destroyed the Western Route Army, and allowed the Liao Kingdom to win the battle over the national destiny. I am so ambitious, and this strategy is not useless."
Jiajing was already suspicious, and his trust in Yan Song was much higher than that of Shen Lian, whom he had only met once. Hearing this, he couldn't help but think deeply, and turned to look at Lu Bing, who was standing beside him. Shen Lian was Lu Bing's special move. As a member of Jin Yiwei, if something goes wrong with Shen Lian, Lu Bing is also to blame.
Before Lu Bing could answer, Yan Song spoke first.
"If we want to investigate this matter, only Commander Lu has the ability. I believe Commander Lu will be able to clear Shen Lian's name. If Shen Lian is really guilty of love affairs, Commander Lu will definitely not be deceived by him."
Jiajing snorted: "Lu Bing, please leave this matter alone and leave it to the Criminal Department to investigate."
Lu Bing knew in his heart that this was to avoid him. Yan Song may not be targeting him, but he did mean to warn: Little brother, Shen Lian is dead, and Jesus can't keep him, I said so.
If you are sensible, we will still be friends; if you insist on protecting me, you will not give me face. Shen Lian is not Xiao Wannian, and he did not save your life.
Therefore, Lu Bing bowed his head and saluted: "I obey your order."
Jiajing was very satisfied with this attitude and took the initiative to say: "The story of Shen Lian's meritorious service has been widely spread. The Ministry of Punishment must be measured when investigating the case, and do not chill the hearts of the soldiers." This sentence was Shen Lian's life-saving talisman. , if you are guilty, the emperor will naturally kill you, and you will definitely not die in prison!
After that, Jiajing looked at Xu Jie out of habit: "What do you think, Xu Qing?"
Xu Jie immediately shook his head: "Long live the Holy Ming, what the Chief Assistant has said makes sense, and I second my opinion."
In just one day, Shen Lian went from being the greatest contributor to the Great Victory of Datong to being a prisoner in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment.
Jin Yiwei committed a crime and should have been sent to imperial prison, but since Lu Bing avoided the matter, he naturally had to move to another place. Otherwise, with Lu Bing's face in imperial prison, Shen Lian would be no different than living in a post station?
Yu Maojian, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, was already resigning and going back to his hometown. He had already gone through the retirement procedures and just escaped this case that was wrong no matter how he investigated. Liu Tai, the minister of the Ministry of Punishment, was originally a member of Yan Song, so he naturally let go of his own hands to torment Shen Lian.
Unexpectedly, Shen Lian's bones were extremely hard, and the punishment skills of the Ministry of Punishment were incomparable to the imperial edicts of Jinyiwei, so nothing was gained from Shen Lian. Liu Tai did not dare to really use severe torture to kill Shen Lian, after all, the emperor's words were there Well. But this will not trouble Liutai. All roads lead to the execution ground, and it does not necessarily mean that you, Shen Lian, will open your mouth.
Zhang Tianci got out of Miss Shui's bed and reluctantly gave Miss Shui another ingot of silver: "I have to go. If it's too late, I'll be angry."
Miss Shui smiled and said, "Since you are afraid that my wife will be angry, you shouldn't come to a place like this."
Zhang Tianci shook his head firmly: "My wife and I get along very well with each other, and I love her very much, but our interests are always at odds with mine, which is extremely distressing. Therefore, I have to come to the brothel."
Miss Shui covered her mouth and smiled: "Thousands of people come to the brothel, and your reason is the most special. Just say you are lustful, and you blame the lady."
The two of them were regular customers, and Miss Shui was Zhang Tianci's half-confidant, so Zhang Tianci didn't feel embarrassed: "It's true. Every time I am in high spirits, my wife is always very cold, either perfunctory, or simply refuses to let her go." I do. But every time when I am not interested, my wife will demand too much, which makes me miserable. Feelings are feelings, this thing really makes me want to cry."
The two chatted for a few more words, and Zhang Tianci was escorted out of Chunyan Tower by a big teapot. As soon as he took three steps, he was held down by two men with six doors, tied up and left.
Zhang Tianci shouted to Chunyan Tower: "What are you doing? Is it a crime to enter a brothel? You must be pretending to be officials! Mom, help me, big teapot, thugs, beat them up!"
My mother stood helplessly in the door and shouted: "Boss Zhang, it's not that I don't help. Regardless of whether you are a real official or not, you have left the Chunyan Building. If I help again, it will be a violation of the rules! No one came into my building to arrest anyone. , just to give you face, take care of yourself!"
Zhang Tianci couldn't help but beat him. He was sent to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment and whipped several times. He cried like a ghost and said, "I can say whatever you want me to say."
Liutai was overjoyed and told him: "Just say that Shen Lian told you to buy sorghum! You don't know anything else. Once Shen Lian is convicted, you can be let go."
Zhang Tianci hesitated: "But tell me it's not Shen Lian who buys sorghum! Isn't this harmful to others?"
With another whip, Liu Tai put his ear closer and said, "You screamed too loudly. I didn't hear what you said clearly!"
Shen Lian was in a cell not far away, watching this scene calmly, knowing that Liu Tai was trying to frame him. He didn't need more evidence, as long as Zhang Tianci bit the sorghum he asked him to buy in advance, he would jump It can't be washed even if it enters the Yellow River.
Because he had no way of explaining why he had to prepare sorghum in advance unless he knew the Tatar invasion plan in advance? And if he believed that he knew the military situation in advance and failed to report it, it would be difficult for the country to make money. As for whether it was right or not The details are not important at all. This is the viciousness of Yan Song's plan.
Judging from Zhang Tianci's appearance, he has a conscience if he persists until now. He will definitely not be able to survive tonight. Although Shen Lian is as stone-hearted, he can't help but sigh to himself at this time, my life is at stake. I only pity my two children who are still young. .
Just when everyone's torture of Zhang Tianci reached its climax, an old jailer suddenly pointed at Shen Lian and said, "What are you looking at? Do you still dare to curse?" He rushed over with a whip and gave Shen Lian a whip, then turned around and went back. .
Everyone was watching how long Zhang Tianci could hold on. They glanced here casually and had no reaction to the old jailer's whip on Shen Lian. But as the whip went down, a small paper ball fell into Shen Lian's hand. superior.
Shen Lian opened the small ball of paper, and there were only a few words on it: "Xiao Feng asked me to buy sorghum for some reason."
Shen Lian stuffed the paper ball into his mouth, swallowed it and shouted: "Stop fighting, aren't you just making him say that I asked him to buy sorghum? I admit it!"