The next day, An Xiaoliang brought two people with him. One was a local jeweler named Duan Kui, and the other was clearly a man of martial arts, dressed in plain cloth, with a somewhat dejected appearance.
An Xiaoliang said, "Gentlemen, Grand Scholar Zhu is a Grand Academician, the Minister of War, the chief officer of the Zhoushan Public Office, and was personally appointed to oversee the Jiangnan academic cases. Whatever Grand Scholar Zhu asks, answer truthfully and without any concealment."
The two men rose simultaneously and said, "Lord An, rest assured."
An Xiaoliang added, "Grand Scholar Zhu, these two are old friends of my family; we have known each other for over twenty years. This Duan Kui is even related to me by marriage. This Bo Yourong has been my sworn brother for twenty years, risking life and death together. Grand Scholar Zhu can be completely at ease! If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave."
Mmm, all right.
After he left.
Zhu Mo asked, "Master Bo, you appear to be a man of martial arts, is that correct?"
Bo Yourong stood up and bowed, saying, "Grand Scholar Zhu, I did indeed serve in the guard as a chiliarch, and later rose to the rank of a guerrilla commander through merit. Later, I fell afoul of the law and was dismissed from my post and returned home."
Although his tone was still tinged with melancholy, he seemed to have no strong emotions. Strangely, though this man's official position was not high, he seemed to carry a great burden in his heart, as if harboring a profound injustice.
Zhu Mo nodded and said, "In this life, one only seeks contentment. Matters of promotion and demotion are truly not worth dwelling on..."
As he spoke, he quietly observed Bo Yourong, seeing a hint of righteous indignation, guessing that something weighed heavily on his mind. He smiled again and said, "General Bo, you can speak freely about whatever troubles you. If you don't trust me, then let's have a drink together..."
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Bo Yourong looked at Zhu Mo, then at Li Zhi. Thinking of the immense injustice he suffered, if he didn't speak now, he would never have another chance. Gritting his teeth, he knelt on one knee with a thud and said in a deep voice, "Grand Scholar Zhu, I have a tremendous injustice to reveal!"
Good, good.
Zhu Mo said, "Please rise and sit down to speak."
Bo Yourong sat down, his face growing even more dejected and pale. After a moment's thought, he organized his words and said, "Grand Scholar Zhu, ah, let me put it this way! I, since childhood, joined the army in the guards. Later, we fought against Mo Dengyong of Annam. I served as a personal guard to the former Duke of Qian, Mu Chaofu. Due to my meritorious service in escorting him, I was promoted to guerrilla commander... Scholar Zhu, I don't know how to say it... This Mu Chaofu has a younger brother named Mu Chaobi. He, he is truly a despicable wretch!"
As he spoke, he began to curse.
Zhu Mo and Li Zhi exchanged glances.
He was cursing the current Duke of Qian.
Bo Yourong continued,
Original text from ~
"In any case, I'm not afraid! At worst, I'll die! If I don't say this, then I, surnamed Bo, am no better than a wretch!"
The two saw that he seemed lost in past memories, his face shifting from righteous indignation to shock, then to sorrow. It was clear he harbored a great injustice.
Zhu Mo said gently, "General Bo, take your time. There are no outsiders here; you can speak freely..."
Bo Yourong cast a grateful look at the two men and continued, "Duke Mu died young, that's fine! But his two sons, so young, they also died... I, alas... Scholar Zhu, you are a scholar, and I am illiterate, but the principles are the same! Later, I investigated. The elder son, Mu Rong, died at three years old. The second son, Mu Gong, died at four. Finally, Mu Chaobi inherited the dukedom! This beast, he even took his brother's wife! I, I, I damn it! Alas... Scholar Zhu, I see you as a celestial being, so I'm telling you all my heart's burdens. Whether you kill me or dismember me, I will accept it!"
After he finished, his breath turned to deep despair and sorrow.
Zhu Mo and Li Zhi listened, dumbfounded.
This was too outrageous!
How could the Mu family produce such scandal?
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But at the same time, they were deeply impressed by this man's loyalty. Zhu Mo, in his life, most admired loyal and righteous individuals. He immediately stood up and made a deep bow, saying, "General Bo, you have such righteousness! Please accept my bow!"
Bo Yourong quickly knelt on one knee again and said, "I dare not! You humble me too much."
Sitting down again,
Zhu Mo thought, with the Mu family in such a state, Mu Chaobi was undoubtedly guilty. However, since the lineage of Mu Chaofu had died out, and the Emperor had already accepted this fait accompli, there was nothing that could be done. From all aspects, if this man was capable of murdering his nephews and usurping his sister-in-law, he was likely capable of anything else.
He immediately asked, "Then how could Mu Chaobi inherit the dukedom? Did the imperial court simply approve it?"
Bo Yourong said, "The imperial court sent people to investigate twice, but they found no faults! But isn't it obvious? I also inquired, and the servants in the Mu mansion discussed it. Later, it was said that Mu Chaobi and Madam Chen had already had children. The imperial court then sent Madam Chen's maternal relatives, an aunt from the Marquis of Ningyang's family, to investigate. This clarified things, but it was still considered a scandal. They vehemently denied it, and the imperial court could do nothing. Some people in the court spoke for him, saying 'distant officials can be forgiven,' and he was only fined two years' salary. Alas, the Duke died tragically. We brothers are all indignant, but we have suffered enough from Mu Chaobi over the years. Alas, Scholar Zhu, I only wish to speak of this matter; I can do nothing else."
Mmm,
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Zhu Mo nodded, thinking: This matter is indeed difficult. The imperial court has few options, but a fine of two years' salary is too outrageous. This is clearly problematic!
"You say someone in the court said, 'distant officials can be forgiven'? Who said that?"
Zhu Mo suddenly recalled the phrase, and his heart gave a sharp jolt.
Bo Yourong said,
"Who else could it be? I heard it was Yan Song! This matter, it happened just two or three years ago. At the time, the whole world was indignant, and many commoners offered incense to the Duke. Everyone said the court's laws were like child's play, so why not just discard them!"
As he spoke,
Duan Kui suddenly interjected, "Reporting to Grand Scholar Zhu, it was indeed like that at the time. Many local officials were also criticized. Lord An's residence was even pelted with stones at night, and the disturbance lasted for several months. The common people and many minor officials were unhappy, all saying that the Great Ming was full of corruption!"
Hiss!
As these words came out, Zhu Mo felt something was not right—
What did "distant officials can be forgiven" mean? Yan Song was truly insidious. If he truly intended to shield Mu Chaobi, nothing would have been revealed. How could the scandal itself have been brought to light?
This indicated that Yan Song might have deliberately engaged in "feigned protection," actually making the noble families the target of public anger. "Distant officials can be forgiven" meant, in general terms, that "noble officials" could be forgiven, implying that noble officials could commit any crime without consequence, but other officials were different. The law was specifically used against those officials who lacked background and came from the imperial examinations! This was what was meant by the Great Ming being full of corruption.
If it were in the past, Zhu Mo would never have thought of this point. But after experiencing so much, he could see things more clearly. This tactic was extremely vicious. By seizing upon a single mistake of the noble families or princes, they were attacked relentlessly. While ostensibly targeting Mu Chaobi and others, they were in reality striking at the Great Ming itself. By casting these princes and noble officials into a cesspool of corruption, the Great Ming could then be smoothly overthrown.