Chapter 670
: Zhu Biao's Scheme, and the Imperial Music Bureau's Fengluan Linde's Desp
Lin De was full of anticipation, like a traveler looking forward to the dawn in the dark night, his eyes fixed on Zhu Yuanzhang.
The burning desire in his eyes was like a blazing flame that seemed to ignite the air around him.
Those eyes were filled with a firm belief in justice and an ardent expectation for fairness; they were shining but also revealed a determination to go all out.
Linde, who was born in poverty, has been struggling in the mire of the world since he was a child.
The family was extremely poor. Their shabby thatched cottage could hardly withstand the wind and rain, and each meal was just enough to fill their stomachs.
Ever since he was old enough to understand, he has learned to be cautious and careful. He takes every step with trepidation and dares not make the slightest mistake.
In this world, Linde is walking on thin ice.
Relying on hard work and forbearance, they managed to survive in adversity.
This time he thought he had finally waited for the opportunity to see the light of day, and he was confident that he could get justice.
I imagined that if this could happen, my family would be able to escape the long-standing hardship.
Live in a house that is sheltered from the wind and rain, eat safe and worry-free meals, and lead the stable life you have always dreamed of.
This longing was like a bright light, burning in Lind's heart for a long time.
But at this moment, after hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, it was like a candle in the wind, shaking and about to go out.
"Your Majesty, I have been law-abiding all my life and have never done anything that is against the will of heaven or the law.
Zhao Xiuyong was tyrannical and oppressed the people.
I am really fed up and I am here to appeal. I beg Your Majesty to make a decision for me!"
Linde's lips trembled slightly, and his voice shook like a leaf in the wind, with a hint of crying in it.
That was a sign of long-suppressed emotions about to burst.
"Your Majesty, everything I said is true. I hope Your Majesty will understand!"
Linde's body was slightly hunched, as if his back was bent by the heavy injustice.
However, when Zhu Yuanzhang's words in defense of Zhao Xiuyong reached his ears like a sharp arrow.
In an instant, Linde felt dizzy.
The scene before my eyes seemed to fall into chaos. The originally clear palace beams and pillars began to twist, and the faces of the people in the palace became blurred.
The whole world seemed to be turned upside down by an invisible giant hand, and Lind seemed to fall into a dark and endless abyss, and all his hopes were shattered in an instant.
His legs were weak and he could hardly stand.
He waved his hands in the air subconsciously, trying to grab a little support, but he only grabbed nothing.
The shock, despair and helplessness in his heart completely overwhelmed Linde like a surging tide.
This sudden change made him feel lost and at a loss as to what to do.
"Lin De, although we know the injustice you have suffered, Zhao Xiuyong is an important official of the court and has made great contributions to our Ming Dynasty.
There may be other hidden stories behind this incident, you can't sue him based on just one side of the story."
The atmosphere in the hall was as cold as frost. Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne with an expressionless face, like a cold stone statue.
His gaze was as sharp as a torch, yet without the slightest warmth.
The tone was as cold as ice, and every word seemed to be wrapped in the cold wind of December.
"From our perspective, Zhao Xiuyong did nothing wrong in this matter.
Don't talk nonsense here and disrupt the order of the palace."
These words were like a heavy hammer, carrying with it the force of thunder, hitting Lind's heart hard.
Lin De's body shook violently as if he was electrocuted.
He staggered and almost lost his balance.
His face turned pale as paper in an instant, bloodless, as if all the life had been drained out of him. His lips trembled violently and uncontrollably, like a dead leaf shivering in the cold wind, but he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.
A feeling of grievance, astonishment and despair surged in his heart like a tide, assaulting Lind's sanity.
Lind stood there in a daze, his mind going blank.
Only the echo of Zhu Yuanzhang's cold words remained, circling and reverberating in his empty mind, as if to completely crush his only remaining hope.
Lin De couldn't help but question loudly: "Your Majesty, everything I said is true, and there are witnesses and evidence.
Zhao Xiuyong forcibly occupied my land and injured my family. Why does Your Majesty still protect him for such evil deeds? "
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, "How dare you, Lin De, question me!
I have my own decision, you don't need to say anything!"
The fire of justice in Lind's heart was originally burning like the scorching sun, carrying with him a desire for the truth to be revealed and a persistence in fairness and justice.
It burns so hotly, as if it wants to burn all the injustice in the world to ashes.
But Zhu Yuanzhang's cold words in defense of Zhao Xiuyong were like a bucket of cold water poured over his head.
With a bone-chilling chill, the flames were instantly extinguished, leaving only a few wisps of green smoke that swayed weakly in the wind.
At this moment, Linde's heart was filled with astonishment, unwillingness and despair.
He was shocked that Zhu Yuanzhang was so partial to Zhao Xiuyong and ignored the truth.
I was unwilling to see the justice I had been pursuing so hard turned into nothing in an instant.
Linde was in despair that in this court where imperial power was supreme, he felt so small and helpless, without any power to resist.
All these emotions surged like raging tides in his heart.
Each wave was stronger than the last, and they seemed to completely submerge Linde.
He just felt a tightness in his chest, as if a huge rock was pressing on it.
This made Lind have difficulty breathing and almost suffocated.
Then Lin De turned to Zhu Gang and pleaded, "Your Highness Prince Jin, I was born in an ordinary artist family, and my parents are both folk opera actors.
I have always been an honest person in my life and have never made any big mistakes.
Please help me this time, considering that I have parents and children to take care of."
After a short silence, Zhu Gang frowned and said, "Now that I think about it, I am the child of an ordinary artist family. When you accepted the bribe, why didn't you think about the consequences?
You know how severe our dynasty's punishment measures for corruption and bribery are!
Now that my father is angry, I can only find an opportunity to help you think of a solution.
As for the final outcome, it all depends on the luck of you and your family."
Seeing that he and his family still had a glimmer of hope, Lin De quickly spoke up and promised: "As long as His Royal Highness Prince Jin can protect the lives of me and my family, I will follow His Royal Highness Prince Jin's lead in the future."
Zhu Gang nodded with satisfaction, "Then go back now and prepare ten times the amount of bribes you received. When I have accurate information, I will send someone to inform you."
Linde turned and left with a hunched body and staggering steps.
The footsteps gradually faded away until they disappeared deep in the corridor outside the palace.
At this time, Zhu Biao, who had been standing quietly behind the screen, straightened his clothes slightly.
He lifted the corner of his robe slightly and walked out slowly from behind the screen with steady and elegant steps.
"Third brother, do you really want to discuss the implementation of the 'crime silver' with our father?
This will probably cause a lot of controversy.”
Zhu Biao's face was solemn, with a hint of worry in his eyes.
Zhu Gang said with a hint of helplessness: "Now that the war in Yunnan has not yet been decided, my father has to arrange for Jinyiwei Zhenfushi Mao Xiang to form a guard to prepare for the Japanese invasion.
In this case, new sources of fiscal revenue must be opened up.
As for the negative consequences of implementing the "crime silver", I have already thought of a solution, big brother, you don't need to worry too much about it!" (End of this chapter)