The Red Mansions

Chapter 557 Jia Heng: Take this dog down!

King Wei's Mansion

This is a palace city that occupies a vast area and exhausted the system of seven or five princes. The bottom is made of huge stones, the top is built of bricks, and Zhou Fangzhi is surrounded by lush forests. The guards of the palace and the household guards with knives are on guard. There are pavilions, pavilions, palaces and waterside pavilions in the manor. The interior is nothing short of magnificent.

In the hall with the inscription "Duan Li", the Arhat bed under the Ming Hall is covered with soft mattresses and blankets. Prince Wei Kang sits peacefully in a dragon suit. The woman, in her early twenties, with a beautiful face and gorgeous flowers, is the new concubine of the prince.

The prince was in his early forties, with a slightly fat body, fair skin, and a mole under the corner of his mouth.

Zhuo Xian'an, the Chief Historian of the Palace, knelt behind a lacquered wooden desk on the left, holding a wine glass in his hand, looking at the dancer who was on the jade steps, with a smile on his face.

After a few cases on the right hand, Meng Jinwen, Yin of Henan Prefecture, who was wearing a third-grade scarlet official robe, had a look of anxiety on his face under the black black gauze hat. The music and orchestra behind the curtain are completely moody.

Previously, the imperial court expedited the delivery of the imperial edict by six hundred miles, the first-class man of the Han Dynasty, the Minister of Military Aircraft, the deputy envoy of the Jingying Jiedu, and the governor in Jinyi had already led the Jingying cavalry to Luoyang to suppress the group of Kaifeng Mansions. Bandit bandits, who were awarded the Son of Heaven Sword by the sage, can kill local officials first and then play, and so many soldiers and horses rush to help Luoyang.

"Mengfu Yin enjoys singing and dancing with peace of mind. These are girls bought from Gusu. They are good at singing and dancing. If Mengfu Yin likes one later, he can take it back, haha." Seeing that Meng Jinwen was on pins and needles, Prince Wei Kang put down With the wine cup in his hand, he smiled and persuaded.

Meng Jinwen faced Prince Wei Kang, who was in his early forties from the third rank, cupped his hands and said, "My lord, the people in Kaifeng are in great chaos now, and the imperial court has sent a large army from the Beijing camp to help. , but the current situation of the treasury, the prince also knows that the income is beyond the means, and there is no food in stock. The taxes and grains that the prince has delayed paying all these years, shouldn't... also be part of it, so as to relieve the urgent need of the treasury. "

Prince Wei Kang frowned, and said impatiently: "Mengfu Yin, I didn't say something earlier. Luoyang has its own guards from Henan and Luoyang. It can be said that it is as safe as Mount Tai. Now that the people in Kaifeng are in chaos, the imperial court has sent troops to suppress the bandits. This king There is nothing to say, but the imperial court can definitely send troops to bypass Luoyang and go straight to the Kaifeng mansion, insisting on staying in Luoyang, which will disturb the place."

As he said that, Prince Wei Kang waved his hand to signal the dancer to step down, and Qu Le also paused for a while, saying: "Meng Fu Yin, I am not talking about you, even if you borrow from this king, there is no food left in the treasury of this prince's house." , The harvest has been sluggish these years, and the Meng Fu Yin is not unaware of it."

On the opposite side, Zhuo Xian'an, the Chief Historian of the Palace, said: "Yes, Mr. Meng, now the Prince is also saving on food and clothing in order to survive the disaster year."

Meng Jinwen frowned, and said: "Your Majesty, but now this Lord Jia has received the imperial order and holds the Tianzi Sword in his hand, but he can kill the local officials first and then play them. I can't keep my head."

If this Grand Marshal Jia really hacked him, he would have nowhere to reason, and the court's official documents were harsh this time.

"Then there is nothing the king can do to help. Besides, these are the affairs of the local officials. Why don't Meng's government apportion the salary?" Prince Wei Kang rolled his eyes and said with an idea.

Meng Jinwen looked distressed, and said: "My lord, the people in Luoyang are struggling to make a living now, and besides, there is no special order from the imperial court, and the lower officials dare not send additional salaries."

"Then ask the merchants in the city to donate. This king remembers that Mr. Zhou was not like this last time. He asked a few families in Kaifeng Mansion to donate, and all of a sudden it made up the capital of Henan Province?" Prince Wei Kang opened his mouth to take a grape, vaguely Unclear said.

Meng Jinwen frowned and said, "Zhou Futai was beheaded by bandits a few days ago. I heard that the heads were all hung on the flagpole."

Prince Wei Kang's face was ugly, as if he was disgusted by Meng Jinwen's words.

The two wives who were serving were also pale, and said: "My lord, these bandits are really powerful."

Meng Jinwen said: "The merchants in the city have always voluntarily donated and lost, and the imperial court is not good at forcing them. In fact, as long as the prince pays back even [-]% of the grain taxes owed in the past few years, the army will have food. There is an explanation from top to bottom.”

If it is a donation, it is not impossible, but it is necessary for him, the governor of Henan Province, to come to the door to force him, offend the vassal, and also use excuses to urge the arrears of taxes. Gentlemen and businessmen, not to mention that they don’t lose much, they offend even more people.

"Meng Fu Yin, what do you mean?" Prince Wei Kang frowned, with a sullen expression on his face, and said: "Those old accounts have been written off by the former Henan Fu Yin, and Meng Fu Yin has not accepted it. Bar?"

Meng Jinwen stared at Prince Wei Kang, and said: "But I have never seen a record in the office documents that the previous governor, Mr. Liang, exempted the prince from paying taxes on the fields under the prince's control. Besides, I heard that Mr. Liang was involved in the case of sitting in the Gongling Mausoleum. , arrested for Jinyi, and is now on the way to Shenjing, and it is not easy for the lower officials to ask him for proof."

The former Fu Yin was Liang Yuan, the current Minister of the Household Department, who is now in Yangzhou. He has won Jinyi and sent him to the capital.

Prince Wei Kang's face was ashen. This Meng Jinwen, the little Governor of Henan Province, usually gave him a lot of benefits.

However, he didn't know the pressure that Meng Jinwen was facing. The government of a province was destroyed by bandits, and the imperial court was supervising and suppressing it with military officials. He might use himself as a raft at any time.

"But now the government treasury has no money and food. The Governor of Meng, even if the lawsuit is brought to the emperor, the king will still say the same thing. Now Henan has experienced nine droughts in ten years, and the harvests in various places have been poor. Last winter, rice was transferred from Bashu and Jiangnan to Beijing. The imperial court has withheld some food for Henan, and according to this king, the imperial court must bring grain, fodder and supplies to suppress bandits, and let them bring money to raise their own money, so why disturb the restless place." Prince Weikang complained.

Meng Jinwen frowned, and said: "But most of the prince's mansion is fertile land, as far as I know, the harvest is not bad."

Prince Wei Kang interrupted: "How about it, Zhuo Changshi, I will give three thousand shi from the treasury to Mengfu Yin, so that he can also go on a business, which can be regarded as my contribution to the imperial court's suppression of bandits. "

At the end, there was a bit of heartache on his face.

Zhuo Xian'an hastily responded and was about to get up.

"Three thousand shi of grain, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain it to the court." Meng Jinwen said solemnly, "My lord, otherwise, the lord's 30% here is 40 shi, and the other side of Zheng Wang's mansion 80% more, that is [-] shi, [-] shi on both sides, the officials think it is almost the same, how about getting over this hurdle first?"

"30 shi? Even if the king drinks the northwest wind, he can't gather the food." Prince Wei Kang said, displeased: "Minister Meng, look at the many people inside and outside the palace. , I have to eat with every mouth open. The three thousand shi was saved by the king wearing his belt, and the 30 shi was returned. Is there any food left? Let it be used by the army first, so why let the autumn wind blow on my king's side."

Meng Jinwen's expression turned ugly, and he said, "Taicang food is life-saving food for the common people, and the officials dare not act recklessly."

"These three thousand stones are also my king's life-saving food, and they must not be tampered with." Prince Wei Kang refused to budge.

Zhuo Xian'an quickly smoothed things over, and said: "Master Meng, Lord Meng, the officials and the prince are aware of the difficulties of the government, but no one can change the food. It is impossible for the imperial court to suppress the bandits this time without bringing For gold and silver, Luoyang is the thoroughfare for water transportation from north to south, and there are many grain merchants, so let that Jia Jieshuai buy it with silver."

Prince Wei Kang saw his parent historian winking at him, so he eased his tone, and said, "Meng Fu Yin, this king also means the same thing. After all, you are old friends. You should let the three thousand stones Bring it over, count it as my king's thought, if there are many, this king really doesn't have any."

Meng Jinwen's face was as cold as ice, and he didn't say a word. As a member of the third rank, he had his own temper.

At this time, a scribe suddenly entered the hall, glanced at Prince Wei Kang sitting above him, hesitating.

Meng Jinwen was getting angry, and said coldly: "Say."

"My lord, just now Xie Fucheng asked Zhou Butou to ride a fast horse to report, and the military minister Jia sent by the imperial court has led the troops to the government office." The scribe said in a low voice.

Meng Jinwen's face was serious, and his heart "thumped".

Why did he not hesitate to offend Wei and Zheng Erfan, apart from the limited influence of the two feudal clans in the court and their limited restraint on him, there is also the consideration of being afraid of this Jia Ziyu.

He had found someone to look through the mansion newspapers from years to years after the year. This powerful man, with a prosperous official career and a holy family, Youlong, now leads the Beijing camp to suppress the bandits, and hangs the emperor's sword to supervise the place. If you don't deal with it well, and you are killed by him to make an example to others, there is no place to call out your injustice.

Prince Wei Kang said: "Meng Fu Yin, since Mr. Jia is here, Meng Fu Yin should also go to receive him."

Meng Jinwen stood up, expressionless, cupped his hands and said: "Then I will visit the prince later."

Then, without further words, he led the scribes away.

After Meng Jinwen left, Prince Wei Kang threw the wine cup in his hand down the steps and cursed angrily, "What!"

Zhuo Xian'an's face suddenly changed, he got up quickly and said: "My lord, calm down."

"This man surnamed Meng is too deceitful!" Prince Wei Kang said angrily with a gloomy expression.

Zhuo Xian'an's complexion changed, and he said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, take a break from the thunderous anger. The Minister of the Meng Mansion is also afraid of things. I heard that the official document sent by Shenjing urgently said that this time, Jia Ziyu, who was in charge of the army, was arrested. The imperial court bestowed the right to kill first and play later, and this kind of power was only granted to some princes when the Taizu and Taizong were founded when the country was founded, and it is common sense that the ministers of the Meng family were afraid."

Prince Wei Kang said coldly: "He is a dignified third-rank official. As long as he doesn't know that he violated the order, anyone who dares to touch a hair on him will not believe it. Those civil servants in the cabinet will let Jia Heng do it!"

"Your Majesty doesn't know, this Jia Ziyu has advised His Majesty to set up the Military Plane Department, and now he is the Minister of Military Plane, so he may not be afraid of those civil officials." Zhuo Xian'an persuaded again.

Prince Wei Kang's face was gloomy for a moment, and he asked: "Zhuo Changshi, the official document does not say that he should control the local area. This king is not among the local officials. No matter how powerful he is, he can't move this king, right?"

"My lord, it's hard to say. This Jia Ziyu is still the governor of Jinyi. The imperial court has been monitoring the clan all these years. Although Lu Qianhu..." Zhuo Xian'an said, he quickly stopped talking, obviously the latter words were a little sensitive .

It's fine for the idle clan to dominate the local area, but it's inevitable that they will feel jealous when the court officials come down. Don't worry about how to retaliate after the fact, there are many ways to concoct you now.

"In this way, we need to discuss it with Prince Zheng's Mansion." Prince Wei Kang also felt worried, muttered, and then turned his back on the two wives beside him.

Zhuo Xian'an said in a low voice: "My lord, I'm afraid that Prince Zheng's Mansion is also in dire straits now, and they owe even more grain taxes."

Prince Wei Kang said in a cold voice: "If this person surnamed Jia dares to act recklessly, this king will jointly impeach this person surnamed Jia with Prince Zheng's residence. .”

Zhuo Xian'an nodded yes.

He did not mention that Prince Weikang was worried about Jia Heng's coming to Henan, but said that in the back hall of the Henan government office, Jia Heng, Princess Xianning, Xia Houying, and Liu Jixian came to the main hall.

"I have seen the governor in my humble position." Liu Jixian came close and said with cupped hands.

Qianhu Lu Qingshan from Luoyang Jinyi Qianhu Office, who was already fidgeting on the chair, quickly stood up, bowed to the young man in the python suit and said, "Humble post, Qianhu Lu Qingshan from Luoyang Qianhu Office, see you!" Over the governor."

Jia Heng's face was indifferent, he walked past his eyes, sat down, looked at Lu Qingshan who was in his early thirties and wore a flying fish suit, and asked in a deep voice: "Lu Qianhu, you are guilty!"

Lu Qingshan's face darkened, he raised his eyes and said, "I don't know what crime did you commit in a lowly position?"

"Take this dog down!"

"Yes." Liu Jixian promised, and Jin Yi pushed Lu Qingshan down behind him.

"I am wronged by my humble position, Commander, what kind of crime has my humble officer committed, and I want to get rid of my humble position?" Lu Qingshan was in a hurry, his neck was stuck, and he looked at the young man in python suit who was sitting next to the small table, drinking tea from a teacup.

Jia Heng said: "There is chaos in Henan. The Jinyi Mansion sent a letter from a flying pigeon to inquire about Runing. You are a thousand households in Luoyang. If you don't send people to investigate carefully, you need the Jinyi Mansion in Shenjing to come here. Are you innocent? I Jinyi has his own family law, Liu Jixian, the people will interrogate him strictly, and investigate his illegal affairs since he was in Henan."

Liu Jixian handed over should be.

Jia Heng's face was like black water, and he said in a deep voice: "Also bring all the deputy Qianhu and town governors of the Qianhu Office, and I will question them one by one."

Liu Jixian clapped his hands in response, and then dragged Lu Qingshan, who was ashen-faced, and walked out.

Waiting to take people out.

Princess Xianning was surprised and said: "Sir, this man? Don't you want to ask?"

"Among Jinyi, orders are obeyed, and I don't have time to listen to him prevarication. The chaos in Henan required the Jinyi Mansion in the capital to send personnel to investigate the situation of Runing Mansion. It can be seen that they have occupied the place for a long time, have great power in their hands, and have been controlled by the place. The gentry and merchants have no respect for Shenjing, so they will torture them first, and then ask other Jinyis to investigate illegal matters, and deal with them together." Jia Heng put down the teacup and said.

Jinyi Mansion is also a human being, which doesn't mean it's isolated from the world, free from power and temptation, and even if nothing happens, he still has to take advantage of the trend to clean the local brocade clothes.

Princess Xianning nodded, and suddenly said: "So that's how it is."

Xia Houying's eyes flickered, and she secretly agreed with this statement.

This is the rule of the Jinyi Mansion, as long as the superiors feel that the subordinates are dishonest and disloyal, they will be replaced immediately.

While speaking, Fan Qunjie, Deputy Qianhu of Luoyang Qianhu Office, Zhenfu Tian Xicheng, Zhou Zongheng and others came in one after another and saluted the boy sitting in the python suit.

Several people had already learned that Lu Qingshan, a thousand householder in Jinyi, was sentenced to "family law", and when he entered the hall, there was a lot of fear on his face.

Jia Heng asked: "Shenjing asked several times to ask Luoyang Thousand Households to investigate the situation of Runing Mansion. Why did you wait so long to report?"

Fan Qunjie's complexion changed slightly, and he said in a trembling voice: "Captain, Lu Qianhu is the one who handles this matter. He is in charge of Qianhu. His humble position is only in charge of the book, and he doesn't know the details."

Jia Heng's complexion was iron, and he said in a cold voice: "Lu Qingshan has dereliction of duty and has already been resigned for investigation. I also suspect that he is in Luoyang, or has corrupted the law and colluded with the local government. You and the others are working with the government, so you should know the inside story. , if there is someone who reports the evil, let the capital inspect and find out, and the family law will take care of it."

As he spoke, he put the teacup in his hand on the small table beside him, and made a "da" sound.

Jinyi Mansion's family law is not only dealing with oneself, but also involving family members.

Fan Qunjie's complexion changed slightly, and beads of sweat oozed from his forehead.

Jia Heng snorted coldly, got up, walked in front of Tian Xicheng and Zhou Zongheng, and said in a deep voice: "Tian and Zhou are the governors, and the two in charge of punishment, don't you have anything to say?"

Tian Xicheng and Zhou Zongheng looked at each other, and Tian Xicheng said: "Commander, I know that Lu Qingshan has framed crimes in Luoyang, blackmailed big merchants, and demanded ransom."

"that's it?"

"Also, Lu Qingshan framed a family of three to death for robbing a family's daughter." Tian Xicheng said in a low voice.

Princess Xianning was listening on the sidelines, and there was a trace of disgust in Wuzhu's longing eyes. Such facts are abhorrent.

Jia Heng looked indifferent, turned to look at Zhou Zongheng, and asked, "Where is Zhou Zhenfu? Do you have anything to say?"

Zhou Zongheng's complexion changed, and he cupped his hands and said, "Commander, Lu Qingshan is flirting with Prince Wei's mansion, concealing and reporting the crimes of King Wei's mansion many times, Deputy Fan Qianhu turned a blind eye to it, and covered it up in every possible way."

As soon as this remark came out, Fan Qunjie's face turned pale, and he secretly thought something was wrong, and said angrily: "Zhou Zongheng, you are spewing blood!"

Jia Heng looked at Fan Qunjie sternly, and said coldly, "Vice Fan Qianhu, you are so courageous!"

He was only presumed guilty just now, but he didn't expect to cheat out of Luoyang Qianhu Office.

Jin Yi, who was monitoring the feudal lord, flirted with the feudal lord, no wonder Luoyang Qianhusuo didn't listen to greetings very much.

Fan Qunjie knelt down with a "Putong", his complexion was pale, and he said anxiously: "Commander, the lowly position has no other choice. If Lu Qingshan wanted to be arrogant, he squeezed away thousands of Deputy Zhao's households, and the lowly position had to be submissive to him, but I promise you that I have never connected with Wei and Zheng Erfan, so I ask the governor to investigate clearly."

Jia Heng frowned, and asked doubtfully, "Vice Zhao Qianhu?"

At this time, Zhou Zongheng cupped his hands and said: "The governor, it's Zhao Wanrong and Zhao Fuqianhu. Zhao Fuqianhu and Lu Qingshan didn't deal with each other. They caught Lu Qingshan's mistake and reported it to the Fusi of Shenjing Nanzhen. They were seized two years ago. I went to work, and now I am at home, and the current situation is bleak."

Jia Heng frowned, and said with a sneer, "The official said why there is a deputy Qianhu missing."

Therefore, Zhou Zongheng and Tian Xicheng revealed all the scandals about Lu Qingshan and Fan Qunjie, including accepting bribes from Wei and Zheng Erfan, not only money, but also sexual bribes. He also turned a blind eye to Lu Qingshan's deeds, such a palm-printed Qianhu, and a deputy Qianhu who managed the book, were colluding to deceive the court.

This is the characteristic of this yamen in Jinyi Mansion. Power is concentrated in one person. Under the high-pressure situation where all personnel can be changed, there is no hiding from each other at all, only reporting and exposing each other.

"Catch him, and torture him severely." Jia Heng waved his hands, and looked coldly at Fan Qunjie, who was already pale and his body was like a sieve.

"Captain, I am wronged by my humble position, I am wronged..."

Liu Jixian ordered the guards in brocade clothes, and dragged Fan Qunjie outside who kept shouting.

Jia Heng looked at Zhou and Tian, ​​and asked, "You two know everything about Luoyang. Is there a secret record of Zheng and Wei's crimes over the years?"

Tian Xicheng hastily said: "The humble official has a book hidden at home."

Zhou Zongheng's complexion turned gloomy, and he also whispered: "My lord, there is also a record of the humble position."

This is also the survival wisdom of the Jinyi Mansion. If you don't let me remember it clearly, just remember it secretly. Even if it is thrown out to save your life or frame it in the future, it will be evidence.

Seeing this sinister and sneaky scene, Princess Xianning frowned her slender eyebrows, instinctively displeased.

Jia Heng saw Princess Xianning's expression in his eyes, and said indifferently, "Now the governor is leading the army to suppress the bandits. I heard from the officials of the Henan government that the Zheng and Wei feudal clans owed more than millions of taxes and grains. Over the years, the officials of the Henan government, The two feudal lords, Wei and Zheng, are very close, the two of you compiled a booklet and compiled it, and the governor will look at it later, so let's go."

"Yes, Governor." Zhou Zongheng and Tian Xicheng obeyed the order and walked out of the yamen hall quickly.

Jia Heng picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said, "Liu Jixian, let someone keep an eye on the two of them."

Liu Jixian cupped his hands and ordered people to leave the Yatang.

Seeing that everyone was leaving, Princess Xianning sat on a chair beside her and said, "Sir."

Jia Heng smiled lightly and asked, "Your Highness, I feel a little displeased to see this."

Princess Xianning was shaken by this smile, she felt her heart skip a beat, her bright eyes turned, and she said: "Sir, you are so strict just now, but these Jinyi Mansions are reporting and guarding against each other..."

"People's hearts and ghosts are like this. Your Highness is not happy when he sees it because he is kind-hearted and kind-hearted." Jia Heng looked at the beautiful girl and said softly: "If you don't rebuild the court's eyes and ears in Henan, if you don't like it, you can't help it." Absurd things like falsification of good news will continue to happen one after another.”

Princess Xianning's cheeks turned red when she heard the words, she nodded her head, and said softly: "Mr. is overrated."

In fact, it's hard for her to say, she has also seen intrigues and scheming in the palace, and it's not much worse than these, but Mr. Surprised it as normal.

Jia Heng thought for a while, looked at Xia Houying who was standing beside him, and said, "Commander Xia Hou, lead your highness down to rest, the pommel horse was tired all the way, and I didn't have a good rest last night."

"Yes, Commander." Xia Houying responded, then looked at Princess Xianning, and said, "Your Highness."

"Sir, I'm not tired." Princess Xianning narrowed her eyes and said anxiously.

She wanted to stay by his side and watch him deal with affairs decisively and orderly, just like the people in the book.

(End of this chapter)