The morning court session started just like this. It seemed no different from the previous ones. Everyone was worldly-wise, so even though they knew that something big was going to happen, they all looked very calm.

Since the Crown Prince is not in a hurry, naturally others should not be in a hurry either. Especially, they should not show too much joy in public, as that would be disrespectful to the emperor and a serious crime.

Perhaps because Zhu Yunhuan’s birthday is getting closer, many people are becoming more and more anxious, because everyone understands that it is a very critical time point.

Before Zhu Yunhuan's birthday, even though he was in power, observing politics and managing government, on the surface this was the reign of Emperor Hongwu, and no one would question it.

But after Zhu Yunhuan's birthday, the new emperor would ascend the throne and the abdication of Emperor Hongwu would be officially announced.

Chen Di and others are naturally working overtime, and the Hongcang case is continuing to advance. For some people, such a big case is like a knife hanging over their heads, which may fall at any time.

Time waits for no one. If these people don't seize the time to get things done, it will obviously not satisfy others. This is a time bomb.

In the court, many people were listening carefully to reports. When it was time to discuss matters, they discussed them, and when it was time to express their opinions, they expressed them.

After the court session, Zhu Yunhuan went straight back to Wenhua Hall and began to summon a series of ministers.

As soon as Bao Zhao arrived at Wenhua Palace, Zhu Yunhuan asked directly, "How long will it take for you to give me a reply on this Hongcang case?"

The nervous Bao Zhao immediately said decisively, "Five days, within five days, we will definitely settle the case and deal with the offending officials, scholars, and gentry."

Zhu Yunhuan was basically satisfied with this answer, but he still emphasized, "Five days, I can wait. But you must remember, even if you are in a hurry to handle the case, don't make up any wrongful cases for me."

Bao Zhao naturally agreed quickly. The Hongcang case broke out at an inappropriate time, which must have been a great pressure on him. The pressure from all aspects must have been great.

The most direct pressure came from the emperor and the crown prince. These two cared too much about this case, so Bao Zhao and others had to hurry up and handle the case.

But investigating and trying a case is never an easy task. Clues need to be sorted out and verified, and some criminals may resist stubbornly, which all takes time and energy.

What's more, when such a major case breaks out, forces from all sides will appear, some will plead, some will obstruct, and some people may seem to be helping, but they also have ulterior motives.

However, now that Bao Zhao has given a clear attitude, Zhu Yunhuan is naturally very satisfied.

In fact, he also understood that this case was not completely closed. It was only a phased result. It was just to clarify some major issues and to thoroughly characterize the case. There would definitely be a lot of things to do later.

Looking at Bao Zhao, Zhu Yunxun reminded, "How are the Ministry of Justice planning to deal with these criminals and the main offenders now?"

This is a matter of life and death. Bao Zhao quickly replied, "Your Highness, the court has its own laws. I think the court's laws should be followed and all criminals should be severely punished."

Zhu Yunhuan also felt that there was nothing wrong with what Bao Zhao said, "That's not bad, but do you think it's appropriate to kill someone and execute him around my birthday?"

Bao Zhao immediately made his position clear, saying, "Your Highness, we will execute the principal offender and the most important criminal within three days. If there are any others who have escaped the net, we will find them and deal with them later!"

Although Zhu Yunhuan was the grandson of the emperor, he was still the crown prince. It was obviously inappropriate to kill people on his birthday. And it was even more inappropriate to kill people when he ascended the throne.

This may also be the reason why some prisoners are taking chances now, thinking that this time point is too important for the Crown Prince, and they may choose not to kill for the sake of their good reputation.

If they gritted their teeth and held on now, they would not lose their heads. According to their understanding of some things, the new emperor's ascension to the throne would mean a general amnesty for the whole country, and by then they would be able to turn danger into safety and land smoothly.

Even if you might suffer some pain or even if you might incur considerable losses, those are not the most important things. Saving your life is the most important thing.

The government is now racing against time to settle some cases before the crown prince ascends the throne. For many criminal officials, what they need to do now is to delay, and it is best to drag out a way out.

After letting Bao Zhao leave, Zhu Yunxun called Lian Zining to Wenhua Hall and said, "Tell me, how did the three judicial officials' investigation go this time?"

Lian Zining replied politely, "Your Highness, we have been ordered to investigate the case. We have found more than 170 officials of all ranks who have committed crimes, and more than 700 local gentry and others involved in the case."

Zhu Yunxun sneered and said, "This is probably just a drop in the bucket. These people are just the ones we found out. If we investigate more carefully, I'm afraid we can find out more people."

Lian Zining naturally had no idea how to answer this question. In fact, everyone knew that although some criminals had been found out, the investigation was being stepped up, and it was very likely that more people would be implicated.

Zhu Yunxun then asked with concern, "Where are these officials now? Which government office do you think should be held responsible for this case?"

This is something that is extremely offensive, and it is obviously a very fatal thing for Lian Zining. If he is not careful, it may ruin his career and reputation, but he has to respond.

Lian Zining gritted his teeth and said, "Your Highness, I think the Ministry of Revenue should bear this responsibility. Among the officials involved, the Ministry of Revenue is the most involved."

Xia Yuanji, who was standing next to him, was trembling in his heart, because he had a very good relationship with Yu Xin. If the Ministry of Revenue were to take on this responsibility now, Yu Xin, the Minister of Revenue, would naturally not be able to get away with it easily.

However, Xia Yuanji was also very clear that it was impossible for the Ministry of Revenue to remain unscathed in matters like the Hongcang case. Many people knew that the Ministry of Revenue would definitely be punished the most severely in this case.

Zhu Yunhuan nodded slightly, and then said, "Okay, you three judicial officials should hurry up and handle these matters. I can't delay any longer."

Lian Zining was also aware of this. After all, this current time point was very sensitive for the Crown Prince. If it continued to be delayed, both the Emperor and the Crown Prince would be furious.

Zhu Yunhuan then continued to ask, "If the Ministry of Revenue is really to be dealt with, do you think it should be the Shangshu who should be held responsible this time, or someone else?"

This made Lian Zining even more frightened. After all, he was only the third-rank Minister of the Dali Temple, which was two levels lower than the second-rank Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

However, Lian Zining was also very clear that he had to stand up. After all, the Dali Temple was in charge of the trial of criminal cases. It was the highest court in the Ming Dynasty, so it naturally had to bear this responsibility. Lian Zining replied carefully, "Your Highness, when we examined this case, we did not find that the Minister of Revenue had failed to fulfill his responsibilities, nor was he involved in corruption or abuse of power."

Xia Yuanji breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that his 'benefactor' had a chance to escape unscathed. But it was normal to think about it. He knew Yu Xin, and there was really no need for him to care about Hongcang's petty gains.

Zhu Yunxun smiled and said, "You can't say that. Although Yu Xin did not commit corruption or abuse of power, he was not strict in managing his subordinates and did not know how to judge people. I'm afraid he can't escape. Is the Hongcang case just about those students?"

At this point, Lian Zining, Xia Yuanji and the others also became nervous. They also understood that there was actually nothing wrong with what the Crown Prince said.

The reality is that the Hongcang case is just the tip of the iceberg. It seems that some students of the Imperial College were defrauding the court of subsidies, etc.

However, the case that has been investigated now has revealed that some gentry were involved. The most terrible thing is that those people directly shook some of the foundations of the imperial court, tampered with the orphanage, and shook the Ming Dynasty's policy of caring for the elderly and orphans.

This is why the emperor and the grandson were so angry. Subsidies and so on are big things. But those corrupt officials, landlords and gentry are exploiting the disadvantaged groups without any morals.

Zhu Yunhuan then said, "The Ministry of Revenue cannot escape the blame, and the Ministry of Personnel is not much better. Your Dali Temple failed to see through it in time, and the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate also failed to monitor it properly. This palace is really upset!"

What else is there to say? Lian Zining knelt down neatly and said, "I know my crime and I am ashamed!"

He certainly felt ashamed. Lian Zining was a relatively traditional scholar-official who valued loyalty to the emperor and the country as well as ethical and moral principles. The things implicated in the Hongcang case were shocking and made many people feel disgusted.

No matter whether they are students, officials, landlords or wealthy people, these people attack the elderly and lonely, which is the most despicable thing.

Zhu Yunxun did not say much, and then said, "This time, all the criminals will not be forgiven lightly. Even if there is an amnesty in the future, these people will not be included. Do you understand?"

Lian Zining moved his mouth and replied, "I understand!"

According to the "convention", the new emperor would hold an additional special examination upon his accession to the throne, and now Zhu Yunhuan seemed to be planning to do so. However, he had no intention of granting a general amnesty, or rather, he had discounted it.

When Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne, he also issued a "general amnesty" and some criminals who were still in prison were released. However, some serious crimes were definitely not within the scope of the amnesty.

The same is true for Zhu Yunhuan now. Some minor crimes may be pardoned, but major crimes are not pardoned at all. Some people are stubborn and want to resist, but they will soon regret it.

It seems that no one involved in the Hongcang case will be pardoned. No matter whether it is the criminals or their family members involved, they will not receive sympathy from Zhu Yunhuan.

After waving his hand to let Lian Zining leave, Zhu Yunxun asked, "Master, you have also inquired about this case. Do you think there are any omissions?"

Daoyan immediately replied, "Your Highness, when I was listening to this case, I was most worried about the state government below."

Zhu Yunhuan also understood Daoyan's concerns. Hongcang basically took care of the students of the Imperial Academy, which was the highest institution of learning in the Ming Dynasty. However, the orphanage was not only in Yingtian Prefecture, but also in various prefectures.

The poorhouses under the emperor's feet were full of inferior goods, and the poorhouses in other places might be even worse. Or maybe some corrupt officials sent people who didn't meet the standards to take advantage of them.

This is normal, as all the people in the poorhouse are "five-guarantee households", but some people make some moves and their elders who live a happy life get places in the poorhouse and can get money, food and clothes from the court.

There may not be much money, food, etc., but it is worth it if you get it for free. There are too many people who are so clever that they are not even ashamed of it, but are only proud of their own intelligence and power.

Zhu Yunhuan then said, "This is what I am worried about. If it is like this in Yingtian Prefecture, it may be even more rampant in other places."

Daoyan suggested, "Your Highness, I think we can order the Censorate to send censors to inspect the prefectures and cities across the country in a few days, and we can order the princes of various regions to investigate this case."

Zhu Yunhuan thought about it carefully and said, "Let the princes of the world check it? If it is really my fourth uncle, fifth uncle, or twelfth uncle, I will feel relieved. I am afraid that most of the princes will not consider the suffering of the people."

Daoyan was speechless for a moment. If it was the King of Yan, the King of Zhou, the King of Xiang, or even the King of Shu, these princes could be basically trusted. They either loved martial arts, had a chivalrous spirit, or had a good reputation.

But looking at the actual situation, even though the King of Qin, the head of the royal family and vassal kings, seems to have restrained himself a little in the past two years and is not as cruel and absurd as before, he still has nothing to do with the wise king.

If these princes were really allowed to review this case, I'm afraid some of them would immediately seize the opportunity to blackmail and extort money.

It’s not that Zhu Yunhuan didn’t trust his own family, but that he couldn’t trust some of his own family’s conduct and integrity.

It is said that the Zhu family's country and people belong to each other, and they will prosper and suffer together. However, in the eyes of some princes, the country and people belong to the eldest brother's lineage and have nothing to do with them, so they don't worry about it.

If there is unrest, it is the eldest brother's descendants who will worry about it. These vassal kings only need to enjoy wealth and glory. This is their right and this is what they should do.

Daoyan also understood the reason and said, "Your Highness, if there is no supervision, these imperial censors may act without scruples when they go to the local areas."

The censors seem to be prosecutors, but not every censor is honest and loyal. There are also some who are hypocritical. They are cautious in the capital, but they are often bossy and take bribes in the local areas by relying on their status as "imperial envoys".

Zhu Yunhuan could only sigh and said, "We must pay attention to this matter from now on. There must be proper supervision, otherwise it will be a bad thing."

These are indeed what Zhu Yunhuan thought in his heart. Without supervision and restraint, some people are bound to act recklessly. There is no doubt about this.

Daoyan reminded cautiously, "Your Highness, the people can't wait. Winter is coming, and the people in the orphanage can't hold on!"

Yes, winter is the hardest time for some people, they really can’t wait! (End of this chapter)