It was just dawn, and before the emperor left the Linqing Confucian Temple, more than fifty people were already standing in front of Liu Zhenyuan at the South Water Gate.
"Ten people stay behind, and the rest, ten people in a boat, who are good at water, go into the water!"
Shandong was going to try out a new law, and Liu Zhenyuan accompanied him as an escort, bringing with him not only the future Shandong special service team, but also experts in dealing with the risks of the canal.
After going south to investigate the Meng Chun case, Liu Zhenyuan was promoted from the Fusi Prison in the north town to become a member of the special service office.
The rank of the jailer is not high, but it is quite important. The current rank of Zheng Qianhu in the special service station is still not high, but for the emperor, it is naturally the most important among the 15th Jinyiwei now.
Liu Zhenyuan gave the order, and his men began to carry out what they had done all the way to Linqing.
"Keep an eye on me, I'm going to report to His Majesty."
Liu Zhenyuan ordered his deputy, Deputy Qianhu, and rode towards Linqing Prefecture City in the northeast.
Behind him, ten people guarded the two banks outside Nanshui Gate. After people were loaded into the two small boats, one of them rowed to the other bank.
Between the two boats, there was something like a fishing net. A small iron ball dropped from the bottom edge of the net. As the boat rowed to the other shore, the people on the boat held the net in their hands and kept letting it go. It looked good.
It was twenty feet wide, making it difficult for the wrists of the people on the two boats to hold the net.
"Be careful and let's get started. There is a lot of debris in the river. It needs to be cleared out ten miles within an hour. Get into the water!"
Following the order, more than 20 people got into the water.
There were people in the water, boats on both sides, and a special trawl net between the boats.
The Beijing forward selection team has closed this section, and they are used to it.
It is impossible for Shopkeeper Wu to appear here. What kind of protection regulations are there for the emperor's patrol now? He has no way of finding out because of the heavy guards blocking the road, otherwise his face will look ugly.
Liu Zhenyuan soon arrived in Linqing Prefecture City. When he entered the Confucian Temple, he reported to Huang Jin outside the Pan Palace Room: "Your Majesty arranged for the guards to investigate the Pu family, and the results have been obtained."
"Liu Qianhu, wait a moment, Your Majesty is having breakfast."
Huang Jin walked inside after taking the secret report, and soon came out and called Liu Zhenyuan to come in.
Zhu Houcong looked at the secret report without looking up: "Does Luo An know about it?"
"Your Majesty, there are three secret reports. One is sent to the commander, one is sent to Huguang to see Commander Luo, and one is sent to the capital. Since I have received it here, Commander Luo should also be aware of it."
"Sure enough, they are remnants of the Pu clan." Zhu Houcong frowned, "It's just that the Quanzhou Pu clan and the Guangzhou Pu clan have been separated for three hundred years. They are the nine Pu Zitong clans. They have nothing to do with the Guangzhou Pu clan and them."
Liu Zhenyuan did not express an opinion.
Punishing the Nine Tribes is indeed the greatest punishment. Zhu Houhuang lives in this era, whether from a political point of view or from the needs of the new party around him, this is how he must deal with Pu Zitong, Zhan Huabi and other chief culprits of rebellion.
of.
The clan concept is very strong at this time.
Pu Zitong couldn't figure out why Tang Peiyu did that. It was because Zhu Houcong agreed with He Quan'an's plan.
Because He Quan'an told Yan Chunsheng that Yan Chunsheng had entered Hengyang City, coupled with the many arrangements made by the court, Tang Peiyu's guard collapsed and he recognized that the rebels would be defeated this time. When He Quan'an told Tang Peiyu's hiding place of his family's address and Dan Zhao's
Nian, an illegitimate son, finally came up with the emperor's special decree that he could be punished for his crimes and avoid being punished by the nine tribes, so Tang Peiyu was willing to use his own head to help Yan Chunsheng.
His illegitimate son, Dan Zhaonian, could even be saved from death and his name could be concealed. Tang Peiyu had no better way to go.
Now, because of Pu Zitong's rebellion, the emperor's wrath is actually being transferred to people with the same surname who have been separated for three hundred years. This is a bit cruel and terrifying.
Zhu Houcong put down the secret report: "Now that we have the list, let's send people from all over the place to visit and cicada masters to pay attention to these houses."
He said this to Huang Jin, who immediately sent someone to deliver the oral message.
After Liu Zhenyuan sent the secret report, he continued to clear out potential dangers on the road ahead.
Zhu Houcong came to the backyard of Pangongfang. Lin Qingping, Wen Suyun, and Zhang Qinghe were all ready.
In the past seven days, Zhu Houcong did not go anywhere by himself, but accompanied by Cui Yuan's wife, Zhu Houcong's aunt and Mrs. Zhang Fujing, the three of them did a little wander around Linqing City and even Dongchang Mansion, which was a rare experience outside the Forbidden City.
of relaxation.
"When you arrive in Huai'an, there is another scene there. Zai'an, when you go with your father to Fengyang and the ancestral mausoleum in Sizhou, you must not forget your appearance."
"...My son remembers it."
Two-year-old Zhu Zai'an replied in a sweet voice that his biological mother was Lin Qingping, who had been cautious since she was a child. Although Zhu Zai'an was curious and lively as a child, he also had a sense of stability.
"What's this?"
Hearing Zhu Houcong's question, Zhu Zaiyang subconsciously put his hands behind his back: "Son... my son knows he was wrong..."
Zhu Houcong couldn't help but glance at Lin Qingping first: Although the emperor's eldest son was born as a "concubine", Lin Qingping was really worried too early, and she usually didn't know what she would give him.
But Zhu Houcong couldn't blame her for what happened in the palace.
Originally asking this question casually, Zhu Houcong smiled and said, "Dad didn't tell you about you. It looks interesting. Is this a donated toy?"
"...It's called Wooden Xuan, and it was learned from Concubine Shu to draw it for her son."
Zhu Houcong took it and glanced at Wen Suyun curiously.
"It was said that it was a gadget that became popular in Tancheng during the Chenghua period. I thought it was interesting, so I asked someone to take one and paint it myself." Wen Suyun's face seemed to be begging for praise.
This wooden spin is a thin rod at the bottom that can be held in the hand, and the small wooden cylinder above is painted. It is colorful when turned, and it is really just a small toy.
But now Zhu Zaiyuan is playing with this little toy, with two little ears added, and Wen Suyun drew four monks and disciples on it.
Although "Journey to the West" has not yet come out, the story of Tang Monk's Buddhist scriptures has been circulated for a long time.
Zhu Houcong was suddenly in a trance.
Wu Cheng'en seems to be from Huai'an Prefecture where he will stay next. Although he does not remember his exact birth and death age, he should have existed by this time.
After being distracted for a moment, Zhu Houcong said with a smile: "When we get on the boat and nothing happens, we might as well draw a few more. I'm afraid there will be more and more little dolls in the palace next year."
After that, he handed the wooden spindle to Zhu Zaiyuan: "Have you heard the story of Tang Monk's Buddhist scriptures? When we get to the boat, dad will tell you some."
Zhu Zaiyan held the toy and nodded expectantly.
Linqing Prefecture City began to prepare for the Emperor's departure. As time passed slowly, Shandong officials had gathered on the long street outside the Confucian Temple, preparing to line up to send the Emperor to the south of the city.
Then at a certain moment, a very dull sound suddenly came from the southeast.
From here, the sound was not loud, but they all felt a slight vibration under their feet.
Zhang Fujing's face changed slightly: "Go and see what happened."
His soldiers rushed outside, and Li Quanli arrived quickly.
"Captain Li?" Zhang Fujing greeted him.
Li Quanli is now in charge of Shenji Camp and appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Right Army.
Zhang Fujing is not a small person, but at this moment Li Quanli stared at him coldly: "There is someone on the canal who wants to assassinate you. Two of the Jinyi captains were killed and five were injured!"
After saying that, he hurriedly walked towards Pangongfang, while Zhang Fujing behind him felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
Outside Linqing City, someone wants to assassinate you!
Zhang Fujing couldn't think too much and hurried over to apologize first.
When they got there, they saw Li Quanli already reporting.
"...The thieves arranged for the dead soldiers to store gunpowder in iron barrels and placed them under the water in the center of the canal. Liu Qianhu and his ministers have arranged for people to continue the search. I still don't know how the thieves ignited the explosives in the barrel. Your Majesty,
I am afraid that there is still danger in the southern section of the river, so Your Majesty should postpone the journey. The incident happened only ten miles away from Nanshuimen. It is very likely that the culprit is still in the city and there are other arrangements. I will make a decision after I have thoroughly investigated the matter."
"If I do not manage well, I will not give up even if I die."
Zhang Fujing thought that if Jin Yiwei and Li Quanli's escort hadn't found out, if by the time the royal boat reached there, a barrel of gunpowder would suddenly explode under the boat...
He was sweating profusely and felt frightened and angry.
Who is so brave? Where did all the gunpowder and dead soldiers come from?
Zhang Fujing couldn't help but raise his head first: "Your Majesty, do you want the Cao Army to be controlled first?"
Knowing some of the situation, the first suspect that popped up in his mind was Qi Yuanda. As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Yuanda ran over and knelt on the ground in a pissed off state: "I deserve death for my crime, I... I... I...
"
After talking about it, there was the sound of teeth chattering.
Zhu Houcong had enjoyed some family happiness just now, but now he looked at the people kneeling in front of him and only asked: "Two dead and five injured?"
"When the net came across a huge object in the water, Colonel Jinyi thought it was some kind of reef or sunken wood. When he dived to move it away, it exploded under the water. Afterwards, he fished out some iron pieces and after a little splicing, it should be the original
It’s an iron bucket, and there’s a mutilated corpse that’s not the Colonel in Jinyi.”
The situation Li Quanli described made Qi Yuanda tremble.
How to detonate a barrel of gunpowder underwater?
The atmosphere here was very depressing, and then there was another muffled sound, this time the noise was a little louder than before.
It seems to confirm what Li Quanli said.
"People are not allowed to sell gunpowder raw materials. Where did this traitor get so much gunpowder?" Zhu Houcong's eyes were already fixed on Qi Yuanda, "Shandong Guards and the Cao Army are not so bold, are they? Or on the ship, even one person
We don’t even need to arrange Cao troops, and we can only let Cao Ding carry out the transportation?”
In order to guard against robbers, it is natural to prepare some weapons on the ship.
"I would never dare to do this, I would never dare..." Qi Yuanda was shouted at by the emperor and almost lost control.
Zhu Houcong suppressed his anger over the death of two Jin Yiwei and five injuries, and just took a deep breath with a calm face, waiting for the next report.
Just as Zhao Yunfa, the head of the Military War Bureau, reported to him at the time: Firearms were originally produced and deployed by the imperial court, such as the Military Supervision Bureau and the Military War Bureau, but starting from the Zhengtong years, there was a precedent for allowing local manufacturing. First, border towns,
Later, in the fourth year of Hongzhi, Huguang and Guangxi were allowed to build their own. In the sixth year of Zhengde, Qingzhou Zuowei was allowed to build their own. In the seventh year of Zhengde, Xuzhou. In the twelfth year of Zhengde, Liangzhou...
It is also possible that some people among the people are willing to collect a lot of gunpowder.
Is this deliberate assassination a farewell gift from Shandong or a welcome gift from South Zhili?
Less than a quarter of an hour later, Liu Zhenyuan came again.
"Your Majesty, the thieves also had a place on the west bank of the canal, which was also exploded, and another body was found. A small opening was opened in the canal embankment, and I am ordering people to block it and reinforce it."
Zhang Fujing suddenly changed his color.
Not only do you want to blow up the boat, but you also want to try to see if you can blow up the canal embankment?
"Are they all corpses?" Zhu Houcong asked.
Liu Zhenyuan nodded affirmatively: "I picked up the iron barrel fragments from the river again, and the thief's hand bones were still stuck in the iron rings on the fragments. There was an iron house and gas well on the shore. They were not arranged in a hurry.
According to my experience, the fuse was probably ignited from the shore, and the waterproof pipe was burned into the iron barrel. In order not to expose the person behind the scenes, the thief on the shore ignited the fire with a barrel of gunpowder hidden in the iron house.
, he was blown to pieces on the spot and could not be identified.”
Zhang Fujing immediately spoke: "Since it is an iron house, casting and transshipment are not easy, there should be traces to follow. Linqing City is a big city, and the entrance and exit of all doors have not been completely banned these days, but there are inspection records in emergency situations. Your Majesty, minister
Go make arrangements!"
Zhu Houcong shook his head: "Since there is such a dead man, this matter cannot be found out in a hurry. If we don't find out, how can I stay in Linqing for several months? Liu Zhenyuan, the pension and treatment have been arranged.
Send the order, be more careful, and continue to investigate. I will drive to Huai'an as originally planned!"
"Your Majesty!" Li Quanli was a little anxious. He was very worried about his future safety.
Zhu Houcong said decisively: "The plan does not need to change. Let me see where else along the way there will be some surprises for me according to my itinerary. Mao Gong, this major assassination case in Linqing is left to you and Gao Zhong!"
"
Not long after, Lu Bu's journey set off again.
Inside Linqing City and outside Nanshui Gate, the Beijing Guards were on the highest alert.
The news has spread to the city. Someone has set up iron barrels of gunpowder ten miles outside Nanshui Gate with the intention of blowing up the imperial boat.
The emperor left in order to solve the case, and it is unknown what kind of commotion will occur in Shandong.
Is it Qufu Kong or someone else?
There is no answer now, but Yuzhou sets off anyway.
Ten miles arrived soon. Zhu Houcong looked at the west bank, where he was carrying stones and mud bags on his shoulders and filling a hole four to five feet in diameter.
If there is a large amount of explosives, it is really possible to blast a gap in this place. The canal water tilts out, water transportation is temporarily suspended, and nearby villagers are also affected by floods.
On the shore, a strange-looking iron house has been dragged up.
Zhu Houcong also took out a telescope beside him and looked at it carefully for a while.
This is a major assassination case and will eventually be investigated.
On the boat, Lin Qingping and others were a little uneasy, even though there were already more people and boats accompanying them on both sides of the strait and in front, and there were also people with good water skills underwater who were investigating along the way.
"Come on, let's continue talking about the nine-nine-nine-eighty-one difficulties."
Zhu Houcong knew that this was still a risk. If something happened, he might lose some men.
But if he wants to implement this new law, it is just like trying to obtain the true scriptures. There will always be people who will create difficulties for him.
Standing at the pinnacle of power, how could you be less likely to be assassinated in this life?
Leaving the safest Forbidden City and patrolling the south at this moment, isn't it just to let some people try this most direct and brutal method?
The news spread very quickly. Cui Yuan left the large team and rushed to Huai'an at the front.
In the city of Huai'an Prefecture, Zangfeng and Ma Cheng welcomed Cui Yuan, and his first words were harsh.
"His Majesty was almost assassinated on the canal, and you two are to blame! If something happens to Huai'an Mansion again, you all know what a shocking event it will be!"
Further south from Huai'an Prefecture is Yangzhou and Yingtian Prefecture.