At this moment,
Zhu Qi was a little frightened.
He was merely a school lieutenant of the Northern Commandery, with no authority to execute a second-rank official. In fact, even Zhu Mo held no such power. Executing a second-rank official required the Emperor’s personal approval. But now, Zhu Mo clearly intended to kill He Maocai.
Was this,
not a violation of imperial law? Although Eunuch Lu had instructed him to obey Zhu Mo’s every command, Zhu Mo was far too audacious, too ruthless!
What was to be done?
If He Maocai was truly killed, even if the Emperor did not blame them, if Yan Shifan and his ilk made a fuss, they might find a锦衣卫 (Jinyiwei) officer to scapegoat… If he wasn’t killed, it was now impossible. With evidence and witnesses present, and the laws of the Great Ming already proclaimed, how could they not execute him? If they didn't, where would the rule of law be? What would the common people say?
Perhaps he should be detained and sent to the capital first?
Zhu Qi made a swift decision, leaning closer to Zhu Mo and whispering, "Young Master, shouldn't we escort him to the capital first? Otherwise, the court might hold us accountable?"
Zhu Mo couldn't wait that long. Moreover, the focus today was on spilling blood on the spot! Ignoring Zhu Qi for the moment, he addressed Wu Ming and Wu Liang directly, "According to the laws of the Great Ming, what is the sentence?"
Wu Ming responded loudly, "According to the laws of the Great Ming—
Execution!
Immediate!
Execution."
Zhu Mo said unhurriedly, "Then what are we waiting for?"
Wu Ming and Wu Liang immediately ordered the four錦衣卫 (Jinyiwei) officers behind them, "Drag He Maocai out and execute him!"
"Yes!"
The four錦衣卫 (Jinyiwei) officers stepped forward to seize him.
...
At this time,
Everyone in the hall could no longer sit still, rising to their feet with a clamor, their legs trembling.
Many thought of the fox mourning the dead rabbit, their hearts pounding. Then, one person suddenly recalled something and shouted loudly:
"Impossible! You have no imperial decree, no royal command flag, and no right to execute a provincial governor!"
"Lord Zheng! Quickly, present your royal command flag! Anyone who dares to kill in the Governor's Yamen can be executed on the spot!"
"Yes! Lord Zheng! Hurry!"
"Quickly present the royal command flag!"
Royal command flag?
This suddenly reminded Zheng Bichang—
Yes,
A provincial governor, a second-rank official, possessed a royal command flag. Furthermore, he was in charge of logistics for the anti-Japanese campaign, and matters of state rested upon him. How could he be foolishly killed by a few錦衣卫 (Jinyiwei) officers like an Assistant Surveillance Commissioner? And after killing He Maocai, would they kill him next?
At this thought,
Zheng Bichang immediately took out a square bronze plaque from his robes and shouted loudly, "I have the royal command flag! Who dares to touch me?!"
Zhu Mo smiled indifferently and said, "Wu Ming, Wu Liang, go and confiscate his royal command flag..."
"As you command!"
The two immediately stepped forward and snatched the bronze plaque from Zheng Bichang’s hand.
Zheng Bichang was stunned on the spot and roared, "You... How can you do this? I, I am a second-rank official! You dare to seize my royal command flag?"
This move not only shook the officials present but also stunned and frightened Zhu Qi—
Zhu Mo was, after all, just a commoner. By doing this, wasn't he digging himself deeper into trouble? How would he explain this to Eunuch Lu later? And had he gone mad today? Why did Wu Ming and Wu Liang carry out the order without even asking him? He was a Thirteen Protectors too!
No!
This was not to be done. Eunuch Lu would definitely blame him...
He immediately wanted to stop Wu Ming and Wu Liang, but in a flicker of his eye, he saw the Wan Shou Di Jun token on Zhu Mo's waist again.
Alas, no wonder... I had forgotten...
Seeing the token was like seeing the person himself...
Holding this token was equivalent to Eunuch Lu personally issuing commands. How could Wu Ming and Wu Liang not obey? Even if they were ordered to do something themselves, they would carry it out without reservation. Since that was the case, he could not stop them... Alas, let it be, with that Wan Shou Di Jun token to shield him...
Thinking this,
Zhu Qi immediately gave the锦衣卫 (Jinyiwei) officers a signal. Two of them darted forward and snatched Zheng Bichang’s royal command flag.
Zhu Mo dared to do this with good reason. When he first heard the words "royal command flag," he had inwardly gasped. But after querying the system, he immediately calmed down:
【Item: Symbol of Internal Supervision Authority;】
【Source of Authority: Cabinet;】
【Acquisition Procedure: Second-rank officials or above may request, Cabinet ministers may apply, decided by Cabinet meeting or Senior Grand Secretary; filed with the Directorate of Ceremonial;】
【Contestability: This item is limited to internal supervision and is attached to the administrative authority of second-rank officials. It is equivalent to a simplified procedure for administrative supervision. Second-rank officials may convict and deal with matters without undergoing inquiry by the Assistant Surveillance Commissioner;】
Seeing this hardcore information, Zhu Mo couldn't help but smile: So the royal command flag wasn't that impressive! Wasn't it just a simplified procedure for administrative supervision? As an imperial envoy, even if I confiscated this item, it would only be suspending this simplified procedure. If questioned, there would be plenty of reasons.
At this moment,
Seeing the royal command flag, which had been shining brightly moments ago, now casually tucked into the straw rope at the waist of a錦衣卫 (Jinyiwei) officer without any prestige, he felt like laughing again.
And just then, figures flickered outside the door. Four錦衣卫 (Jinyiwei) officers had already dragged He Maocai out. He Maocai’s legs dragged on the ground as he shouted loudly—
"Help! Wrongfully accused! Lord Zheng! You can't stand by and do nothing!"
"Zhu Mo, you will die a terrible death!"
"Everyone! You cannot just watch! Zhu Mo has no right to kill me!"
"Rebellion! Someone is rebelling! Heaven have mercy!!"
"..."
Everyone watched dumbfounded—
This Zhu Mo was actually going to execute the Assistant Surveillance Commissioner on the spot?
Although the crime was punishable by death, and there were witnesses and evidence, the question remained: how would the Emperor and the court view this? Would they tolerate it?
Thus, all the officials in the hall were struck with fear. Everyone could see that every action today had violated a major taboo, and even touching upon it would have endless repercussions.
But a few calm-minded individuals in the crowd saw the crux of the matter—why were the錦衣卫 (Jinyiwei) so obedient to Zhu Mo? This was the key issue!
Logically, the錦衣卫 (Jinyiwei) usually came on assignment, with pre-arranged tasks, arresting whomever they were ordered to arrest, never acting on impulse. But today, they received their orders on the spot. This was unusual, indicating that Zhu Mo had the authority to mobilize the锦衣卫 (Jinyiwei)!
These were people who had seen many storms. Naturally, they also saw that Zhu Qi must be an extraordinary person, otherwise, why would the锦衣卫 (Jinyiwei) respect him so much? And this person was merely Zhu Mo's follower!
All signs indicated—
Today,
He Maocai was as good as dead!
...
As expected,
Before everyone could recover, a scream sounded from outside the door!
Immediately afterward, a group of yamen runners ran out quickly to inform He Maocai's family to come to the yamen to collect the corpse. Watching the hurried figures of the runners, all the officials present trembled and shivered.
It was too tragic...
The arrogant and domineering He Maocai, a favored figure before the Junior Grand Secretary for several years, was finished just like that. He was dismembered at the waist!
And themselves?
They dared not think further.
At the same time,
Zheng Bichang was completely distraught, his face lifeless, his limbs limp as he sat in his grand chair.
...
Zhu Mo nodded.
Wu Ming then announced loudly, "Yang Hengchang, Li Song, and Wang Taiyun colluded with He Maocai and secretly communicated with the Japanese pirates. Once investigated, they will be dealt with accordingly!"
Hiss!
Everyone whose name was not called in the hall finally breathed a sigh of relief, while the three named individuals collapsed to the ground.
Zheng Bichang had not anticipated Zhu Mo to be so ruthless. His fighting spirit was completely extinguished. He thought that, no matter what, saving his life was paramount. If his usual dealings were discovered, he wouldn't fare well either. Even if the Junior Grand Secretary blamed him, that would be a matter for the future. For now, self-preservation was key.
He immediately declared loudly:
"Young Master Zhu! Please forgive Zheng’s negligence! He Maocai and others hid their collusion with the Japanese pirates from me. This, this is truly deserving of death! Young Master Zhu, you, you are the elder, please give us instructions, we will all follow your lead, alright...?"
Zhu Mo smiled indifferently, "If you had done so earlier, why would it have come to this..."
With that, he returned to his seat at the head of the right side.