Chapter 1348
The Tong Family Escort Agency is raising private soldiers
Chapter 1348 The Tong Family Escort Agency is raising private soldiers
We can spare Master Kang's head and spare his family, but we must confiscate half of his property to fund the army, since everyone is poor and hungry.
"Ugh ugh ugh!" Madam Kangluo cried out: "Old Princess Ye, you must keep your word! My son, don't be afraid, you won't die. Your mother will wait for you to come back for the feast and get rid of the bad luck."
Tsk tsk tsk, that old woman's family has plenty of supplies, let's rob them!
dong dong dong, dong dong dong!
After all the commotion, the farce ended, and the leader of the Imperial Guard continued to display the physical evidence they had found.
Well, they're all incredibly intelligent, especially the Tong Family Escort Agency...
"This is a letter from the main culprit Zheng, who was hidden by Boss Tong. After being soaked in a special medicinal solution, two extra lines of text will appear on the letter, detailing the tasks that the main culprit Zheng ordered Tong Family Escort Agency to perform!"
"These are the ledgers of the Tong Family Escort Agency, which were hidden by the three, five, and six head镖师 (escorts), the six sons of the head镖师 (chief escort), and his concubine, detailing the evil deeds of the Tong Family Escort Agency, as well as the agency's huge profits and expenses!"
"The huge profits come from Master Zheng, Tong Fengli, and other shady dealings!" Tong the gang leader shouted anxiously. "The huge expenses are tolls paid in various places when escorting goods and people! They are all legitimate accounts, nothing shady!"
There's nothing shameful about it, so why are you yelling until your voice is split?
The huge profits were one thing, but the enormous expenses were truly alarming. This was because the Tong Family Escort Agency also used its position to support private armies for powerful and wealthy families.
Hey, that's right. The reason why the students of Wuxiang Martial Arts Academy are the private soldiers of the King of Ye is because they are raising private soldiers.
Escort agencies, horse and carriage companies, private brokerage firms, and private estates are the places where private soldiers are most likely to be stationed and maintained.
Escort agencies are also places where one can openly possess weapons and teach martial arts.
That's why Chief Tong was terrified, fearing that the truly deadly affairs of the Tong Family Escort Agency would be exposed.
This is one of the reasons why he dared to surrender with a white cloth raised... Temporary surrender is to protect his master's private army. If he makes meritorious contributions, he can become a regular Wei soldier, climb up the ranks, and become a general. At that time, his master will only praise him and give him more support, resources, and money.
Tsk tsk tsk, whichever side they lean towards, whichever side gains power, their Tong Family Escort Agency will win big!
That's why Chief Tong wasn't afraid of being besieged by powerful families for five generations, and readily surrendered by raising a white cloth.
But Tong Dad didn't expect that his subordinates were all very clever, and each of them had left behind evidence of their crimes, which scared him so much that he almost died on the spot.
Fortunately, the task of secretly helping his master raise a private army under the guise of a security escort agency was entrusted to his sons registered under another household.
Indeed, Boss Tong, Commander Lin, powerful families, Emperor Dongmo, and Dong Zisheng are all well-versed in the art of having multiple identities, starting families, and having children.
The practice of using escort agencies, carriage companies, and estates to support private soldiers was not unique to the Tong Family Escort Agency; it was prevalent throughout the entire Great Wei Dynasty.
This is why Mr. Tong said that if the investigation continues, Great Wei is in danger of being dismembered... because powerful families and clans have the military strength to do so.
Such military force cannot overthrow the Great Wei Dynasty, but we can fight to the death, especially when Great Wei is facing both foreign enemies and plague. We will surely be able to tear the world apart!
No matter how much resentment Mr. Tong harbors, he identifies himself as a Wei person, so he can kill the people of Wei, but he cannot allow the world to be torn apart.
"What's your rush? Do you think we're not suspicious enough? Are you trying to deepen our suspicions?" Uncle Qin said loudly. "Prince Ye, Imperial Envoy Qi, Lord Yan, this guy is obviously guilty. Investigate him thoroughly, focusing on his huge profits and huge expenditures. This will fill the national treasury, and His Majesty will be very happy!"
"It's a lie! Second Master Qin, please don't spread rumors about my Tong Family Escort Agency. My Tong Family Escort Agency did something stupid by relying on force, and we have already been captured by your patriarch, niece, and brother-in-law of the Prince. We admit defeat, and we are willing to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy and atone for our sins. Please don't slander my Tong Family Escort Agency anymore! Waaah!"
Huh? This burly man with a thick beard is actually trying to sob like a human. How disgusting.
Uncle Qin was about to vomit. He hurriedly looked into the Wu Garden, but only saw a carriage. He couldn't see his wife, so he could only look at Qi Tianshi to wash his eyes. Thump, thump, thump!
The sound of war drums came from behind.
Da da da, da da da!
The sound of iron hooves echoed, startling everyone who turned around in alarm.
"General Chu has arrived with two thousand cavalry!" the messengers shouted, their voices echoing throughout the area, rousing everyone to their senses.
What is General Chu doing here with his troops?
Kill the King of Ye and become the boss yourself?
To help the Prince of Ye maintain order?
Help the powerful and influential families rescue Master Zheng?
You guys really have a knack for thinking.
"This humble general pays his respects to Your Highness, the Prince of Ye!" General Chu dismounted from afar, saluted, and shouted these words, adding, "General Liang's army of over 100,000 has safely returned to the chevaux-de-frise camp, and Vice General Lang is currently overseeing the camp. This humble general has led his troops here to await Your Highness's orders!"
Wow, they're here to help the Prince of Ye maintain order.
The thousands of onlookers were shocked, the more than a thousand criminals felt they were doomed, and Master Zheng burst into wild laughter. Finally, exhausted, he whispered, "I lost, I lost."
Mr. Tong laughed too: "Hahaha, God really wasn't blind. We've lost. Let's carry out the execution quickly!"
"Waaaaah, Prince Ye, we were wrong! Please forgive us! We are scholars, and all we ever wanted to do was serve our country!" Su Wenlu, Ma Zibai, Zhang Yuanfu, Liu Qingyangming, and their group prostrated themselves on the ground, weeping and pleading for forgiveness.
Some people can be forgiven, but some must die!
"Your Highness, may I lead my troops and weapons into the arena? Please give your instructions!" General Chu made a show of supporting the Prince of Ye and the imperial court.
"Granted!" King Ye nodded and ordered, "The defense of the execution ground in front of the Wu Garden gate shall be the responsibility of General Chu."
This also showed General Chu a great deal of respect.
Qu Tongzhi: "..." I was just kicked aside like that?
"Your subordinate obeys!" General Chu then led his troops forward, forming three large sentry posts, dividing the area into three layers and providing very tight protection.
With General Chu in charge, progress accelerated.
They also requested that the Provincial Administration Commission, the Capital Prefecture, the Imperial Guard, and the Wei Army jointly verify the evidence found during the search.
Then, a series of criminals, including Master Zheng, Mr. Tong, Master Kang, Landlord Xie, Master Bai, Young Master Bai, Young Master Chen, and Master Yun, signed and confessed their crimes.
After much commotion, as evening approached, the Prince of Ye, Lord Yan, and General Chu jointly announced the sentences of the main and secondary offenders, as well as their accomplices.
"The main culprit, Zheng, took advantage of the foreign invasion to commit several bloody and major crimes of internal strife, which are unforgivable. However, since he is a member of the prestigious Zheng family, and there is a fear that the Zheng family may be implicated in this case, the three parties have decided not to behead him for the time being, but to escort him to the capital and hand him over to His Majesty for judgment!"
Master Zheng fainted before the verdict was even finished, tears still glistening in his eyes... He was a great sinner to the aristocratic family; he had disgraced them!
"The ringleader, Tong Fengli, along with Zheng, committed several bloody crimes. The evidence against them is conclusive, and they show no remorse. The three parties have decided to behead them and display their heads to appease the public and uphold the law of Wei!"
Mr. Tong must die, and that is what he desires.
Mr. Tong laughed, and after laughing, he didn't say anything, but spat in the direction of the Prince of Ye... He still hated the Wei royal family and hated the Prince of Ye, a big rat who was born to eat the offerings of the Wei people until he died!