The female officials behind her were trembling, awaiting the Empress's command. Upon hearing her instructions, they dared not delay and, with a call, the imperial carriage returned to the palace.
While Empress Ma was seeking trouble with Zhu Yuanzhang, a household servant of Li Shanchang had already purchased a residence on the outskirts of the capital.
...
The residence was not large, but it was quiet, and all daily necessities were provided. Crucially, it was located close to the Ministry of Justice prison.
This servant could visit Li Shanchang at any time and relay messages to him.
Su Bosheng, a Fourth-Rank Assistant Official at the Ministry of Justice, escorted Li Wei, the household servant, to the outside of the prison. He then said to Li Wei, "Brother Li, I have already spoken to the Ministry of Justice prison. You can visit Li Ning once every day from now on."
Seeing that Su Bosheng had made such thorough arrangements for him so quickly, Li Wei, with gratitude, handed him a bank draft for one hundred thousand taels of silver.
Su Bosheng hesitated for a moment before accepting it.
With the care of Assistant Official Su Bosheng, the prison wardens at the Ministry of Justice dared not make things difficult for Li Wei, and he was soon led into the prison.
As they walked towards the cell, the warden explained the prison rules to him while cautiously probing about his background and origins.
"The inmates in these cells are mostly minor officials and clerks of some status. Lord Li Shanchang was originally the Left Prime Minister of the Central Secretariat, so he is naturally held in the deepest part of the prison, though the conditions there are much better than here..."
As they passed the outer cells, Li Wei nodded slightly upon hearing the warden's explanation, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.
He was an orphan, later adopted by Li Shanchang and given the surname Li.
It was precisely because of this that he was loyal to Li Shanchang; even when the tree fell and its branches scattered, he did not leave.
This was his first time seeing the inside of a prison, and he was naturally very uncomfortable. Not to mention the harsh conditions within the prison, nor the dirty and numb appearance of the inmates.
Just the stench that permeated the air made him want to vomit several times. Now, to hear that his master, Li Shanchang, had better conditions than other cells...
He breathed a sigh of relief.
They chatted as they walked, and after about half an hour, they reached the depths of the prison.
Unlike the cramped, dirty, and insect-infested cells in the outer areas, the cells here were clean and spacious, with all the common living utensils provided.
There were not only beds, tables, and chairs, but also teapots, teacups, and even a fumigator to repel mosquitoes.
The cells also contained books, go boards, and writing materials. The surrounding guards were also very polite.
Although the warden had said that the conditions here were much better than in the outer cells, Li Wei was still surprised to see this scene.
Seeing Li Wei's surprised expression, the warden smiled and explained, "The inmates here were originally high-ranking officials of the court, mostly of Third Rank or above. Although they have temporarily failed or are unlucky and have ended up in prison.
However, no one knows if they will rise again and be reinstated.
No one knows if they still have friends or relatives in the court, so we dare not offend them easily...
Instead, we must provide them with good food and drink. If they have any reasonable requests, we will try our best to fulfill them and will never let them suffer any grievances.
A distinction has long been drawn between commoners and officials, two entirely different classes.
A commoner steals ten taels of silver, and an official embezzles a million taels of silver. Both are thrown into prison when discovered.
However, the former often suffers greatly in prison and is constantly humiliated, while the latter still enjoys the treatment of a person of high status, even if the latter's crime is a thousand times greater than the former's!
In a way, this is a very ironic thing, but it has always been the case throughout history!
Hearing the warden's explanation, Li Wei, due to his own circumstances, did not think too much about the deeper implications.
He was simply relieved that his master would no longer suffer.
As they spoke, the warden pointed to a cell not far away and said, "The person you are here to see will be staying in there for the time being."
"According to Lord Su Bosheng's instructions, you are naturally free to meet with him, and we will not set a time limit for you..."
"However, it's best not to exceed half an hour for each visit, otherwise it will be difficult for us."
Following the warden's direction, Li Wei looked and finally saw the figure of his master, Li Shanchang.
At this moment, Li Shanchang was sitting by a table, holding a thick ancient book and reading it with great concentration. Beside him was a pot of tea and a plate of pastries, giving him an air of leisure.
In Li Wei's heart, Li Shanchang was the image of a perfect master.
Therefore, as soon as Li Wei saw Li Shanchang, he felt an overwhelming sense of excitement, as if he had seen his own parents.
Meanwhile, the warden shouted to the surrounding guards, "My brother here needs to see Lord Li in Cell A, quickly open the prison door!"
At the warden's command, Li Shanchang, who was in the cell, put down his book and smiled slightly.
It had been more than half a month since they last met.
During this period, Li Shanchang had been eagerly awaiting Li Wei's arrival in prison day and night.
It was not that Li Shanchang missed Li Wei that much, but rather because Li Wei was an important pawn for him to relay messages.
After the cell door was opened, the warden led the guards away, leaving the space entirely to Li Shanchang and Li Wei.
As soon as he entered the cell, Li Wei rushed forward and knelt on the ground with a thud.
He said excitedly, "Master, according to your plan, the ladies have been waiting outside the imperial palace gate for several days and successfully encountered Empress Ma today?"
Upon hearing this, Li Shanchang interrupted Li Wei, exclaiming, "Good, good, good! This means more than half of my plan has succeeded..."
With that, Li Shanchang earnestly instructed Li Wei, "The first part of the plan has been completed by them. The future plans will all depend on you..."
Hearing Li Shanchang's words, Li Wei was taken aback for a moment, then puffed out his chest, vowing to complete the task his master had given him.
Meanwhile.
Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma had a huge argument, smashing a lot of things. Even some antique calligraphy and paintings did not escape their wrath.
By the end of the fight, Empress Ma was furious and pointed at Zhu Yuanzhang's nose, scolding him until he was speechless.
"From now on, when you speak to me, do not start with 'Zhen' (I, the Emperor). The word 'Zhen' makes me sick..."
"When you were a soldier, I married you. Did you not say 'Zhen' then? How could you not say 'Zhen'?"
Zhu Yuanzhang trembled with anger, his face flushed red, but he dared not, nor did he want to, truly strike his wife.
...
The fight was over, and both of them sat on their beds and chairs, beginning a long period of contemplation. Anna sat in her editor-in-chief's seat, lost in thought.
Zhu Yuanzhang was contemplating which was more important: the gains and losses, or years of brotherhood.
Empress Ma, on the other hand, was not thinking so deeply.
She was only thinking about how to persuade Zhu Yuanzhang to release their brothers who were suffering in prison.
The time of one incense stick, half an hour, one hour, two hours, three hours...
Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent, and Empress Ma waited patiently.
Both of them clearly understood that this was a major matter, a very important matter that concerned the stability of the entire Great Ming Empire.
In fact, if it were purely a matter of public interest, executing the high officials of the Huai Xi faction in prison, who had lost their ability to resist, would be the best and most correct choice.
After all, if these officials of the Huai Xi faction, who had lost their ability to resist, were released and regained power.
If some of them harbored resentment and intended to launch a coup or rebel, it would truly cause great turmoil to the entire Great Ming Empire.
No one could bear that possibility.
Not even the Emperor and Empress.
But Empress Ma was now letting personal feelings override public duty.
Therefore...
"Chongba..."
Empress Ma finally spoke, her expression very serious. "Please release these brothers who fought for the empire with us. You can strip them of their real power and give them nominal positions. I believe you understand what I mean!"
Nominal positions meant positions that sounded good but actually held no real power.
At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, walked around his chair several times, his expression extremely solemn.
"Sister, I cannot grant your request. For the safety of the entire Great Ming Empire, even a one-in-a-million possibility must be nipped in the bud."
"Chongba, oh Chongba, everyone says you changed after becoming Emperor, and now it seems to be true!"
"Your heart is truly ruthless. It is ten thousand times more ruthless than Liu Bang killing Han Xin, a thousand times more ruthless than Li Shimin's Xuanwu Gate Incident. It is unprecedented and will have no successors."
"In the four thousand years of recorded history, you are the most ruthless emperor who wishes to kill all the brothers who fought with him."
"We are both sixty years old, already in our sixties. How many more years do we have to live? How many of these brothers who fought with us will live much longer?"
(The new book is constantly being updated, please collect, vote for recommendation, share, and subscribe. Support the genuine work. Come to Zongheng Chinese Network and help me out with more. Thank you, friends. Your support is my motivation!)