Brian Clark stared for a long time before finally remembering... Ever since the establishment of the Jinyiwei, they had handled many major cases. A few years ago, they even launched a second wave of the Hu Weiyong case, implicating many court officials.

This time, the criticism against the Jinyiwei far exceeded anything before. The reason was simple: Hu Weiyong had been dead for years, and now they were dredging up old matters with little evidence, falsely accusing many innocent people, which sparked a huge backlash.

Especially the crown prince Zhu Biao, known for his benevolence, who repeatedly went to remonstrate, risking a severe beating from his father, pleading for the abolition of the Jinyiwei. He begged to stop harming court officials and to end the mass purges.

Under Zhu Biao’s persistent requests, Zhu Yuanzhang finally issued an edict to abolish the Jinyiwei and handed over the prisoners to the Ministry of Justice! All internal and external criminal cases were given to the Three Judicial Offices!

Could it be that the Jinyiwei was finished for good?

Brian Clark immediately shook his head. According to the historical records, the Jinyiwei was indeed abolished in the twentieth year of the Hongwu reign, and only restored when Zhu Di ascended the throne, at which point the Eastern Depot was added, forming the system of secret police and surveillance.

But everyone knew that after Zhu Biao’s death, during the Lan Yu case, the Jinyiwei played a major role. Surely they hadn’t come back from the dead, right?

After a brief thought, Brian Clark understood: most likely, Zhu Yuanzhang had only abolished the Jinyiwei on the surface, but secretly retained much of its power.

Put yourself in his shoes—who would be willing to stew their most loyal dog?

Killing Mao Xiang was to appease the public, and abolishing the Jinyiwei was the same. But to really force the Hongwu Emperor to bow his head and completely give up the Jinyiwei? Sorry, that’s not Zhu Yuanzhang’s style!

Old Zhu had his flaws, but at his core, he possessed the tenacity and stubbornness unique to peasants!

Brian Clark was almost certain that these people who had rushed in to abolish the Jinyiwei office would not end well... This was still a powerful thigh to cling to, Brian Clark knew this well, but Edward Green did not!

At this moment, this man’s pupils were bloodshot, his eyes turning a terrifying red!

If the court was going to abolish the Jinyiwei, then what did that make him?

What about the brothers who risked their lives for the court and died on the grasslands?

They all risked their heads for this, only to end up like this! It was truly disheartening!

Edward Green felt a ball of rage burning in his chest. He just wanted to rush forward, grab that official in red, and demand an explanation!

Just then, the gates of the Jinyiwei office swung open, and more than a dozen people walked out. Leading them was a man of about fifty, with a round face so plump that his eyes were squeezed into slits.

Edward Green instantly recognized him—this was the Jinyiwei commander stationed in Beiping, named Samuel Baker!

The Jinyiwei system was vast, not only with the north and south headquarters in the capital, but also with commanders stationed in key locations elsewhere. Beiping was the site of the former Yuan capital and the main base for campaigns against the Northern Yuan, making its status especially important.

The Jinyiwei in Beiping were all shrewd, capable, and fiercely loyal. They were divided into two main groups: one, like Edward Green, were secret agents who often operated outside; the other were those who stayed in Beiping, handling various official duties and compiling intelligence.

Samuel Baker came out, smiling, and cupped his hands toward the civil official.

“Mr. Harris, what brings you here today?”

The civil official on the other side unconsciously straightened his back, his gaze proud and arrogant! In the past, he had feared these people, but now things were different!

He gave a slight, cold smile: “William Baker, I am here because His Majesty has issued an edict to abolish the Jinyiwei. I am here to take over the office. Do you have anything to say?”

He didn’t look directly at William Baker, just gazed ahead indifferently, his narrow eyes full of contempt. If not for the crowd, he would have loved to laugh out loud!

You were so arrogant before, but who would have thought the Jinyiwei would see this day? This is what it means to reap what you sow!

But what Mr. Harris didn’t know was that, in the eyes of others, he was just another petty man who became arrogant when he gained power!

That William Baker showed no expression as he took the edict and read it.

Then he sighed lightly, “Since the edict is as such, what more can I say? However, Mr. Harris, although the Jinyiwei has been abolished, I still have an important monthly report that needs to be sent to the capital and delivered to His Majesty! Would you be able to grant me this favor?”

Mr. Harris frowned, displeased. “William Baker, the Jinyiwei has already been abolished. Why are you still submitting monthly reports? Is this your excuse to escape punishment? Let me remind you, there are already commoners who have gone to the county office to file complaints that you abused your power and took someone’s daughter. I still need to summon you for questioning! If you intend to use this as a pretext to send false messages and clear yourself, you’d better think twice. The law is merciless!”

As expected!

These civil officials were already unwilling to wait even a moment longer.

William Baker gave a light laugh. “Mr. Harris, I am still a commander of the Ming dynasty. I won’t claim to know the law better than you, but I’m certainly not worse! If I dared to tamper with the monthly report sent to the capital, I’d be waiting for the emperor to behead me!”

The honest and well-fed William Baker widened his eyes, and there was indeed a hint of murderous intent—truly worthy of a Jinyiwei man!