Chiwuxing

Chapter [-] - Conspiracy to adulterate loyalists and worry, news of death is secretly passed on to eunuch enemies

In the morning, Ni Congwen washed and dressed under the service of a group of servants in the mansion.

A maid was helping Ni Congwen adjust the buckles of his coat. He half-raised his arms and looked normal.

Suddenly there was a "thumping" sound outside the window of the inner bedroom, Ni Congwen raised his eyebrows, took the clothes from the maid, and said, "Let me do it."

The maid retreated after hearing the sound, and after scanning around the crowd who were busy arranging clothes and toilet items, Ni Congwen said, "Don't be too busy here, let's all go down first."

The subordinates all respectfully retreated without hesitation.

Ni Congwen came to the window of the innermost bedroom, opened the window, and saw a black bird standing upright on the pole outside the window, motionless.

Ni Congwen approached with his hands, but the black bird didn't show any panic, it didn't move, and let the man take the note from its leg.

When Ni Congwen unfolded it, the white paper was smooth and clean, without a single word.

He walked into the washbasin brought by the maid just now, and as soon as he dipped in the water, faint and blurred writing appeared on the paper.

Ni Congwen took the paper out and looked at it carefully. On the wet paper, which was still dripping with water, there were two blurred words written on it:

allowed to die.

His eyes flickered slightly, and then his cheek muscles moved slightly, showing a faint smile.

Ni Congwen tidied up his clothes calmly and stepped out of the room.

The young man outside the door saluted and said hello.

"Call Taishi and the others to discuss matters in the study."

"Yes."

Everyone in the study sat around, and the long-bearded doorman who was seated closest to the main seat looked at Ni Congwen and said with a smile: "Is there a happy event coming to the Prime Minister?"

"Oh? How did you see that?" Ni Congwen was interested.

The long-bearded doorman stroked his beard slowly, and said with a smile: "Master Xiang has always been considerate of subordinates, and only interviewed alone at Sishi and Youshi in the afternoon. I came to discuss this news early this morning. It's either a joy or a disaster. I just watched Xiangye again The gait is steady and comfortable, and it is not a sign of emergency, so it is speculated that there will be happy events."

"It's also a nuisance to invite you here so early today."

"Master Xiang is polite."

Ni Congwen said: "Since Taishi mentioned it, why don't you all guess what kind of good thing it is?"

The long-bearded doorman thought: "There has been no movement in the court for the past half a year, and several new scholars who have been promoted by Xiangye have entered the court as officials... If you talk about happy events, it doesn't seem to be called..."

Hearing his words, a doorman next to him suddenly said: "So what happened in the army?"

"That's right," Ni Congwen said, "The news from the person I placed this morning, Jia Yun, has died."

The faces of all the disciples were different, and the long-bearded disciple questioned: "Master, this news is true? But I have never heard of such news. Jia Yun, as the chief general of the expedition, why didn't the army send someone to inform him about such a big matter?" report?"

Ni Congwen said: "There is no mistake in the news. As for why Jingzhong didn't receive the notice, it can only be said that the generals in the army temporarily blocked the news. It's just that it will be a matter of time before they return to the court, and the news must be made public."

"Then let's congratulate Mr. Xiang for fulfilling his wish." A guest said.

Ni Congwen shook his head with a smile, and said, "How can this be fulfilled? Since Jia Yun was injured on the battlefield in the previous battles, his body and bones have not been as good as before. Now it is just speeding up his death."

"Then Xiangye will continue to make further plans," the long-bearded doorman said, "but since Xiangye has placed someone in the army, and now a few veterans are scattered, it is not difficult to promote them separately, but it should be the same as the Privy Council. I've been accommodating a few times..."

"That's not necessary," Ni Congwen said. "The only lieutenant general in the army today, Liao Hui, is not ambitious. When it comes to Ruojiao's time, I will make another plan. In this way, Lin Ping and Jia Yun died one after another. The remnants of the eunuchs, who are rare now, are no longer a thing, and if you hold the military power, you hold... the lifeline."

The disciples below knew the pros and cons of it, and heaved a sigh of relief. The long-bearded disciples said: "Since it has been carried out according to the previous plan, I don't know why Xiangye asked me to come here today?"

Ni Congwen said: "Now I need you to do something secretly. Don't let others know about this matter, but hurry up and finish it."

"Collect information from all over the country, and make a map of the emperor including the deployment of troops in each city of Yan State."

As soon as this remark came out, all the disciples present were shocked, and the long-bearded disciple trembled and said: "Master, this is related to the country's military and political secrets, and making a picture privately is probably a felony for leaking secrets... I don't know why Master Xiang wants this picture?"

Another disciple also said in horror: "The division of troops in each city is probably a secret that only the Privy Council members know, Mr. Xiang... I'm afraid you are embarrassing me for waiting..."

"No," Ni Congwen said, "It's not for you to draw the original, you only need to draw the terrain of Yandi mountains, rivers and other terrains accurately. The distribution of Yiwei is roughly filled in according to the size of each city, and no real figures are needed. This will be done by then. I'll show you how to add the numbers, now just draw a topographical map."

All the disciples breathed a sigh of relief, but they couldn't figure out the intention of Ni Congwen's move.

Ni Congwen said: "Everyone here can rest assured, the truth of this matter has its own plans in mind, you just do it."

"……Yes."

In the afternoon, the autumn cicadas sang shrilly, already telling the sorrow and sorrow at the end of life.

Feng Ru put down his pen, picked up the written memorial and checked it again:

... Cage the interests of the world, salt and iron, in order to exclude wealthy businessmen.There is a surplus of damage and a shortage of compensation. The people of Qili used the army to conquer the east and west, and the taxes were not collected but used enough... There are also refugees who occupy the Quartet's land and use it for self-sufficiency to reduce tax evasion.There is nothing wrong with giving benefits to the people, but if it seizes the common use, it loses its division of rules and causes farmers to compete in chaos, which eventually becomes a disaster.It is recommended to add a public land office, and the Ministry of Industry will reconsider the benefits of farming and renting the land, so it can be used for special sorting...

Feng Ru frowned, thought for a long time, and changed "to exclude wealthy businessmen" to "to collect the benefits of the people", so he copied it again.

There was another soft knock on the door:

"My lord, Master Shao will let you go there now."

"Okay." Feng Ru responded, browsed through the content of the memorial again, picked up the private seal on the side and covered it, and the cinnabar was shiny:

Sealed by Feng Boyong.

He put it aside and got up to leave the room.

Feng Ru came to Shao Qian's study, and the concierge opened the door for him.

"Bo Yong is here? Sit first." Shao Qian greeted him from behind the table.

Feng Ru squarely looked at the middle-aged official in front of him, with swollen cheeks and sallow skin, showing signs of indulgence and pleasure.He frowned slightly and asked, "I don't know why your lord called the next official here?"

Shao Qian said: "Recently, Jin Duo of the Privy Council and the Ministry of Households had another dispute. Both sides played the impeachment memorial together, and the matter came to my side. You and I are in charge of the six departments in Shangshu Province. This matter should be handled properly. .”

Feng Ru frowned: "Now that the border war is not over, it is understandable to embezzle the treasury for a while to strengthen support for the border. Why is the Ministry of Households ungrateful?"

"That's true," Shao Qian said. "After all, state affairs are the main priority. The border is not stable, and the people in the city are not at ease. But Boyong, have you forgotten who Jin Duo is? That's all, but look at the number—"

After all, Shao Qian handed over a document, and Feng Ru took it from Xi Guan, and couldn't help frowning even deeper, muttering: "This... 30 taels, but it's a lot..."

Shao Qian said: "Exactly."

Feng Rudao: "As an envoy of the Privy Council, the amount of each sum of money should be recorded in the book. The supplies in the army are not classified. It is not difficult for him to make money from it, but once it is verified, he may not be able to get away with it."

Shao Qian said: "But Boyong, don't forget that Jia Yun is now the commander of the red armor and holds an important position in the army. Although he is at the front line now, the two of them have already been working together. There is no estimate for the number of military supplies. It is not clear to outsiders."

Feng Ru frowned deeply, and said: "It's just that the war is not over yet, so it's not good to refute the money rashly now... If you don't want to put it on hold for now, you can make another plan after the red armor class master returns to the court."

"Well," Shao Qian said, "but the main reason for calling you here today is to discuss something with you."

"It's better to speak out, my lord." Feng Ru saw that he deliberately betrayed others, but for some reason he recalled the habits of Jiang Hua and others, and he felt extremely disgusted.

"It's still about Jin Duo," Shao Qian said, "Yesterday, Mr. Zhang from the Ministry of Household Affairs was also discussing this matter. The Shangshu Province still has Jin Duo's memorials and transfer items from before. If they can be collected, we can wait for the war. After a short rest, the money can be confronted with the Privy Council."

"As for whose terms are more credible between Shang Shu Sheng and the Privy Council, that's beyond Jin Duo's discretion..."

Feng Ru narrowed his eyes and said, "My lord means—"

"My official's meaning is very simple," Shao Qian snatched his words, "Jin Duo embezzles and hides filth and takes money from the state privately. As an important member of the court, he must act in accordance with the laws of the state and severely punish such acts, so as to serve as an example to everyone else. .”

Shao Qian's words were eloquent, and the disgust that Feng Ru had just felt hadn't dissipated yet. Hearing about such an opportunity at this time, he was hesitant, and suddenly thought of Shao Qian's previous secret relationship with Jiang Hua, and this time he leaked such an action. , can it be someone instructed?He recalled what Ni Cong Wenxiang told him about Jiang Jia's infighting in the eunuch party, and he already had some guesses in his heart.

Seeing him hesitating, Shao Qian rolled his eyes, and said again: "Bo Yong doesn't have to be too scruples. Everything here is related to the country. Both Jin Duo and Jia Yun are the ones who disrupted the military and government of the Yan Kingdom. Since His Royal Highness King Yu passed away last year, , the border wars are endless, procrastinating to this day, it can be seen that Jia Yun has no ability to govern the army, he has been attached to King Yu for many years before he gained power, and now the Nanman war is tense, if such people are not eradicated as soon as possible, it will be the eternal life of Dayan People."

Shao Qian peeped at his expression, and said: "If Lord Xie is still here, I will definitely not let such people get involved in the foundation of the country and corrupt the military and government."

Feng Ru's expression was slightly relaxed, and then he said: "Your official understands."

Shao Qian handed over another stack of secret reports, Feng Ru took it, turned over the title page, and was shocked: "This is... the military expenditure catalog of previous years. This is the military key of the Privy Council. How did you get it?"

"This official has his own way, this adult doesn't need to worry about it," Shao Qian said with a smile, "Bo Yong, this copy in your hand is a copy, not the original, so feel free to use it for reference."

Shao Qian flipped through the piles of books on the side, and said: "I have some other records of additional payments here. If Boyong needs them, he can take them all. The household department will also let Mr. Zhang know first. The meeting is over. As long as we are of the same mind, can we let such a person harm the government again?"

Feng Ru got up: "This matter... I will sort it out when I go back. But I still have one thing to say, I have to say it directly, please forgive Master Shao first."

Shao Qian leaned his head against the back of the chair and said, "You and I have been colleagues for many years, just speak out."

Feng Ru said sternly: "Master Shao secretly informed the eunuch, and I'm afraid he gained a lot of benefits from Jiang Hua's place. It's not that the lower officials deliberately spy on this matter, but that all the officials in the DPRK and China secretly collude. , order others to catch up with Jin Duo and other dirty things?"

Looking at Feng Ru's upright figure, Shao Qian raised his eyebrows and said, "Bo Yong only listens to others, and doesn't he trust me?"

Feng Ru ignored his emotional tone, his eyes were calm, and he said aggressively: "Master, don't you think that the lower officials don't know about Jiang Jia's long-standing quarrel? This time, Jiang Hua's eunuch played well because he was used as a pawn. abacus!"

Shao Qian's face froze.

"So Mr. Feng is unwilling to participate?" Seeing that he spoke bluntly, Shao Qian stopped being indirect, and said directly, "In that case, then please go back. Someone is willing to take credit for this opportunity. I just want to Mr. Feng still needs to restrain his words in the future."

Shao Qian then reminded: "As a civil servant, after all, you can't talk nonsense. Even if I have admired Mr. Xie Zhi's demeanor in the palace before his death, I must say something nice. Not everyone has the strength and power to do so..."

Feng Ru recalled what he knew about Xie Zhi's conspiracy by Jia Yun, closed his eyes tightly, then opened them, stared at Shao Qian and said: "This matter will be done by the lower officials, but not in the name of adults. , and it’s not because it has anything to do with the eunuch’s internal struggle, but because of the teacher’s unfinished business, fulfilling his long-cherished wish for him.”

A long-cherished wish is also a long-cherished grudge.

Feng Ru suddenly gained some strength when he thought that his mentor still had an orphan who was left in exile, and he was willing to repay him with his life.

Seeing that Shao Qian was speechless for a while, he continued: "It is difficult for an eunuch like Master Shao to appreciate all the kindness and trust in this. Finally, I would like to advise you that if you still have a scholar's conscience, you should not do it again." This is how I have fallen! The lower officials will step down first."

Before Shao Qian could answer Feng Ru, he opened the door and went back.

Seeing Feng Ru striding away, Shao Qian leaned back in place, shook his head and smiled, a tiny drop of sweat dripped from the tip of his nose, and the sunlight outside the window lit up the room with brilliance.

In the private room of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the tranquilizing incense by the wall was faintly scattered outside the house, and a small eunuch stood aside, and put the spices in the box into the furnace again, and the fragrance was lingering.

Jiang Hua leaned on the reclining chair with his eyes closed, and a little eunuch beside him beat his legs lightly.

When Zhang Rui entered the room in a hurry, he saw this scene, he said to the little eunuch in the room: "Everyone go down first."

Jiang Hua slowly opened his eyes and said, "How?"

Zhang Rui bowed forward, then continued to beat lightly on the place where the little eunuch beat just now, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Master Shao is a reliable person, and there will be no mistakes."

Jiang Hua leisurely closed his eyes, and let out a faint "hmm" in his nose.

Zhang Rui looked up at him and said, "Director, but if you do this, don't you flatter Feng Ru?"

Jiang Hua didn't open his eyes, then closed them for a rest, and said indifferently: "This is called 'using strength to exert strength', don't worry, he won't be able to take advantage of him. The accounts between our family and him have not been settled yet, come one by one, No rush..."

He's never been one to repay evil with kindness.

"By the way, sir, there is another happy event."

Jiang Hua opened his eyes and raised his eyebrows, Zhang Rui whispered in his ear.

"Is the news reliable?" Jiang Hua squinted at him and asked in a low voice.

"It's ours, there's nothing wrong with it." Zhang Rui smiled slyly in his ear, his face full of admiration, "It's said that the news is temporarily sealed in the army, but it's true that people are dead..."

"Okay," Jiang Hua got up slowly from the reclining chair, and said with a smile in his eyes, "Go down and order the kitchen to set up a banquet and prepare the good wine brewed last year. Our family is happy today, so let's celebrate it! "

"Hey." Zhang Rui smiled all over his face and stepped down under the command.

Jiang Hua's eyes revealed a look of satisfaction, the scorching sun outside the courtyard, the always clean white face was glowing with oil.

He sighed with a low laugh:

"Jia Yingzhi, Jia Yingzhi, if you don't go on the bright road, you will go against our family. For the sake of our many years of peers, I will drink fine wine with you tonight. Don't forget our family on the way to Huangquan." kindness..."