[Qing] Fourth Master, learn about health preservation

Knowing that Geng Yi likes Chef Ma's craftsmanship, Brother Si took Cook Liu with him when he went out this time.

A few elder brothers were hurrying ahead, while Chef Liu walked slowly behind with his apprentice and the carriage of pots and pans.

Chef Liu was both happy and apprehensive. After all, his skills were not as good as Chef Ma's, and he was afraid that he might not be able to serve a few older brothers.

In addition, the fourth elder brother would take him with him because Geng Yi couldn't do without Cook Ma's craftsmanship, and Cook Liu should be younger and able to withstand the tossing and whipping on the road.

But it was always an opportunity to show off their talents, so Chef Liu beat up several apprentices, told them to work hard and not be lazy, packed up their things, loaded them into the carriage, and followed the fourth elder brother to the city gate to meet them.

On the other side, Elder Fourteen rushed into Concubine De's bedroom, and the passers-by were too late to follow, and Concubine De was startled: "Why are you so frizzy, what's wrong?"

The fourteenth elder brother didn't say anything about the previous court, and said: "The emperor Ama just sent me an errand, and I'm about to pack up and set off, go to the south of the Yangtze River, come back in a few months, come and talk to Er Niang .”

After he finished speaking, he turned around and was about to leave, but Concubine De was quick to grab her: "Wait a minute, you didn't make it clear. Besides, after going for a few months, how do you pack your things? Let the nanny do it for you. Mammy followed, and there were people around to wait on her."

Elder Fourteen quickly waved his hand and said, "The third brother and the fourth brother are also going together. They didn't bring many waiters, just two eunuchs and a cook are enough. I also need to bring any nanny. I don't care about packing things." Yes, won't the people around you know? Er Niang doesn't have to worry about it, I will take care of it."

He didn't stay this time, he just turned around and left. After all, he didn't have much time, so he had to hurry back and pack his luggage.

Concubine De saw Fourteenth elder brother leaving in a hurry, refusing to accept a nanny, and wanted to give him something to take away, but it was too late, she sighed and said: "This child is getting more and more detached, like his butt is on fire. Can't sit still."

The mother laughed and said: "The emperor sent an errand to the fourteenth brother, and the fourteenth brother is in a hurry to do the errand, which is a great thing."

On the one hand, the emperor began to put more emphasis on Elder Fourteen, and on the other hand, Elder Fourteen became sensible and able to take responsibility since he was a half-grown child.

Concubine De nodded and smiled and said, "You're right, it's just that the child grows up too fast suddenly, I'm not used to it, and Xiao Shishi has reached the age when he doesn't need me very much, and can make decisions on his own."

But at least the fourteenth elder brother still remembered to tell himself before leaving, instead of turning around and running away, letting others tell him, he was finally a little more sensible.

Concubine De probably would not have imagined that if it hadn't been for the reminder from the fourth elder brother, the fourteenth elder brother only wanted to set off, so why would he remember to tell her!

The fourteenth elder brother asked his confidant eunuch to go back to the mansion to start cleaning up. After going back, he looked around and felt that nothing was missed, so he waved and said: "Okay, hurry up, don't let the two brothers wait for a long time at the city gate. .”

He hurried over and saw that the third elder brother and the fourth elder brother were already waiting at the city gate, and quickly apologized: "It's my younger brother who delayed a little, so I made my elder brother wait."

The third elder brother said indifferently: "It's okay, we just came here too, let's go."

The fourth elder brother nodded, and several people rode directly on the road, followed by several carriages.

When they were tired, they got into the carriage to rest for a while, ate something and drank some tea, and then continued to ride, even when they were resting, they did not delay their journey at all.

Hurry up, they arrived in Jiangnan in half a month, the guards went in first and found something was wrong, and the elder brothers disguised themselves and went to the city to investigate in a low-key manner.

The fourth elder brother hurriedly called the local magistrate, and learned that the magistrate was arrested. Now he is temporarily letting the master take care of him. Brother."

He asked: "What's going on, why are those scholars gathered at the gate of the magistrate, and they haven't left for a long time?"

The master wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and lowered his head, "Ever since we learned that the magistrate and several examiners had accepted bribes to rank the rankings, the scholars were very angry. At first, only a few people came, but after being driven away by the guards, there were more and more people. up."

Now there are hundreds of people sitting at the gate of the magistrate, and they don't make trouble, they just sit quietly, surrounded by many people watching, which increases the pressure on the master, but he doesn't know what to do, just waiting for the elder brother sent by the emperor deal with it.

The third elder brother frowned and said: "You didn't tell the scholar, the emperor already knew about this matter, and sent us to deal with it, and start a new one?"

The master continued to wipe his sweat and said: "The subordinates said it, but the scholars didn't believe it, and thought it was perfunctory to them. They planned to suppress the matter and let it go, so they ran to the door, fearing that the subordinates would follow suit. .”

Now there are only a few servants in the government office besides the master, and they are afraid that these scholars will break in.

The fourteenth elder brother sneered and said: "Why, are you still afraid of these powerless scholars?"

Most of the scholars can't lift their shoulders or lift their hands, and the guards are all burly, but are they afraid?

The fourth elder brother looked at the fourteenth elder brother angrily for a day, and the third elder brother whispered to him: "The government is at fault first. If you accidentally injured those scholars in the chaos or trampled them to death, this matter will be even more troublesome." gone."

So the guards are not afraid that they will not be able to beat the scholars, but they are afraid that these tofu-like scholars may die and be injured if they bump into each other!

Brother Fourteen was speechless, but fortunately these scholars were only sitting at the door for the time being, and did not really rush in to frighten the guards.

The third elder brother and the fourth elder brother glanced at each other, and signaled to the master to go back first, and the people they brought also retreated outside the city. The fourteenth elder brother didn't understand: "Fourth elder brother, are we going out?"

They have just arrived, and they are about to leave. Don't you care about things here?

The fourth elder brother laughed and said: "No, let's re-enter."

He waved his hand to ask Su Peisheng to get ready, and then took the dazed Fourteenth Brother back to the carriage and changed into the most gorgeous and eye-catching robes.

The fourteenth elder brother looked down at himself even more at a loss: "Fourth brother, are we going to enter the city?"

What is this, shocking appearance?

The third elder brother also changed into a carriage, which was more conspicuous than the fourteenth elder brother's robe. The gold and silver threads shone in the sun, almost blinding people's eyes.

Brother Fourteen thinks that no matter how good he is, he doesn't need to be as conspicuous as a nouveau riche, right?

The third elder brother said unhappily: "It is to be conspicuous. How can the whole city know that we are here if we are not conspicuous? Huang Ama asked them to come, isn't it just to deal with the fraud in the examination room here. If we enter the city in a low-key manner Come check, who will know that brothers are coming?"

It is necessary to let everyone know that the emperor did not give up the scientific research in this area, and even sent his own son to handle the matter!

The fourteenth brother seemed to understand but nodded, anyway, he just followed the two brothers.

Su Peisheng didn't know where he got the guard of honor, there were quite a few people in front and back, plus a group of guards full of murderous spirit, they entered the city in a mighty group.

Not long after entering the city, everyone in the city knew that the emperor sent three elder brothers to deal with the fraud!

All the officials, big and small, who were not arrested around rushed over to pay a visit, and there were even more people at the gate of the government office, and there was an endless stream.

However, the brothers didn't see anyone, but met the scholars first.

The third elder brother looked at the scholars below and said: "The emperor already knew about this place, and he was very angry, and he was so angry that he couldn't afford to lie down. I only know that Jiangnan has always been a place where talents are selected, and I have never seen such a dirty thing. We specially dispatched a few of us to deal with this matter."

"Everyone don't have to worry. None of the officials involved in fraud or the scholars who bribed officials will escape. And innocent scholars don't have to miss this scientific examination. They will re-select highly respected people as examiners, and reissue an examination paper. One There will be another scientific test in a month!"

The previous words made the scholars feel less indignant, but not without disappointment.

However, the latter words cheered them up immediately, and re-examined the scientific research, proving that they don't have to go back this year and delay for a few more years?

This is undoubtedly a great happy event. After all, not all the scholars rushing for the exam are from wealthy families. Some of them have survived these years, copying books to subsidize their families, and saving money to save money.

If they wait a few more years, they may not really be able to persevere.

It's all right now, there's no need to wait any longer, the scholars will retake the scientific examination this year if they still have the chance, naturally they look happy.

However, the third elder brother also said: "I will send someone to re-examine the identities of the scholars, so as not to slip through the net, all of you have to cooperate."

Of course, there is nothing unwilling for those who have no ghosts in their hearts. The fourth elder brother noticed the flickering eyes of a few of them, so he asked Su Peisheng to write it down, and went back to check carefully.

I'm afraid there are quite a few fish that have slipped through the net this time, and if you want to fish in troubled waters and come among the scholars at the gate of the magistrate, how many are still at large?

The fourth elder brother also asked the fourteenth elder brother to send guards around the city gate, and he had to step up his inspection.Because of the need to re-register their identities, no scholar can leave at will for the time being.

If anyone sneaked away, he must be a guilty scholar and just arrest him.

Brother Fourteen got the order, and Pidianpidian took the guards to various city gates to set up, while he disguised himself and mixed in with the crowd, patrolling one by one near the city gates.

After the third elder brother comforted the scholar, he began to look for examiners.

Even if some of the original examiners were ignorant, the suspicion has not been cleared for the time being, and suspicion needs to be avoided.

He consulted the list of local and nearby officials and Confucian scholars, designated a few people with outstanding talents and virtues who were praised by the local people, and sent people to come to invite them to be examiners.

Some people have trouble with their legs and feet, and they are old and dim-witted, thinking that they can't take responsibility for the matter, so they politely refuse.

As long as the rest can move and their minds are clear, they will all agree to come over without saying a word.

It is a great honor to be an examiner, and those scholars who take the scientific examination must respectfully call them teachers.

For scholars, it is not in vain to be an examiner once and have a family full of peaches and plums.

After half a month, people came one after another, adding up to a total of eleven examiners, all of whom were placed together by the third elder brother. Let the gentlemen who traveled long distances rest for a day, and then they will start to retake the examination papers.

Moreover, the third elder brother also sealed off the yard, and the people brought by these gentlemen can only leave one waiter, and the rest can't come in at will, let alone pass the news, this is to prevent someone in the middle from leaking the test questions like before.

The ingredients are delivered to the door, and the people in the kitchen cannot be in contact with the purchase. There must be more than two guards watching in the middle.

There are guards inside and outside the yard, who seem to be on guard, as if guarding several gentlemen.

The great Confucianists don't mind, the more tightly guarded it is, the more tightly guarded they will be, and the scholars outside can feel more at ease when something like that happened before.

Sure enough, the scholars were originally worried that Elder Brother would be perfunctory when he came here. Who knew that the yard was surrounded so heavily that even bees couldn't fly in, let alone people, so they were completely relieved.

In addition to not being able to go out, great Confucian scholars are surrounded by people who serve them, and are taken care of for food and clothing. They just need to work hard to think about the topic every day.

The third elder brother stared inside, did not write the topic without authorization, but waited for the great Confucians to read it carefully after they finished writing, and asked them to look at each other and choose the most suitable topic.

The difficulty can't be too difficult, but it can't be too easy, just appropriate.

It cannot float on the surface, but must have depth.

Great Confucians are all talented and learned people. After having a framework, it took some effort, and finally a volume of topics was published after half a month.

However, the third elder brother said: "Thank you for your hard work, I have to come up with another set of questions."

Hearing this, the Confucian scholars were all startled, but soon realized that Brother San was planning to do two sets of questions, and the one that would come out that day was likely to be taken randomly.

In that way, if you don't worry about a set of questions being leaked, there will be another set of backup questions that can be used. It can be said to be cautious.

One set has already been produced, and the other set is much simpler, and it took only seven days to complete it.

The third elder brother is ready to stop here, and the fourth elder brother led the interrogation to the end.

These officials are paid to do things, no one is tough, and they are willing to say anything.

One said, followed by a series.

This string of strings, good guy, almost all the officials, large and small, in the south of the Yangtze River have been involved.

Even if he didn't reach out, he knew about it, and the fourth elder brother didn't intend to let it go.

If you don't touch your hands or take money, but you don't report what you know, then you are an accomplice, how can you let it go lightly?

In the future, anyone can do this, as long as they pretend not to know, they can take care of themselves, is this possible?

The fourth elder brother was stern and selfless, and arrested all the people as soon as he made a move, not letting anyone go. He ransacked the house and counted all the property and returned it to the state treasury.

There is a censor in the court who thinks that it is not advisable for the fourth elder brother to sweep the entire Jiangnan officialdom in such a simple and rude way, that he can't tolerate a grain of sand in his eyes.

With all the officials withdrawn, wouldn't the officialdom in Jiangnan be paralyzed and unable to function?

Where to find so many officials to fill in all of a sudden, this is obviously too much!

In addition, some ministers agreed with the fourth elder brother's approach: "If you don't punish if you make a mistake, and those who know the mistake and make the mistake stay, it will always be a disaster in the future. It may make other people think that this is just a small mistake, so dare to do it in the future!"

If you don't clean up these court cancers, there will only be more and more in the future!

The emperor has been recuperating for a while, and finally healed slowly, but his spirit is still not as good as before, and he has lost a lot of weight. He listened a little impatiently and said: "Why, they did something wrong and withheld tax revenue in private. You have to keep people? Can't you find someone who can replace you in this up and down?"

There are so many people in a big country, talents come out in large numbers, and a few replacement talents can't be found. Doesn't this mean that the emperor is incompetent?

The censor didn't even dare to say so, and said: "The fourth elder brother decided to behead all these officials to show the public. There are hundreds of criminal officials. It really hurts the peace of heaven."

Killing so many officials at once shocked everyone else.

The emperor squinted his eyes and said: "In Aiqing's opinion, how should we deal with these people?"

The censor cupped his hands and replied: "I think these people are indeed guilty, they can confiscate their homes and parade around the city, and then exile them for three thousand miles. There is no need to kill them all, and it will also damage the reputation of the fourth elder brother."

The emperor nodded and said: "Your last sentence is also correct. It is indeed bad for the fourth brother's reputation. Come, let someone go to announce the decree, and say that it is my intention to deal with these officials."

"They withheld tax revenue first, and then cheated in the examination room. They deserve what they deserve."

He looked down at the censor who persuaded the peace again and said: "Those criminal officials are the ones who hurt the harmony of heaven. They have killed so many talented people, and let them go away in depression. They didn't stay to do business for the court. It's really true." It's a great pity."

Those talented people whose rankings have been taken by cheating scholars, if they are from rich families, they can change their livelihoods, and if they are the sons of poor families, they will obviously try their best to pass the exam.

Some people may not be able to persevere, and they have to give up if they fail the exam.Some people may not be able to figure out why they were named Luosunshan, and they returned to their hometowns without face, and died in depression in other places.

What's wrong with these scholars, isn't it caused by these corrupt officials?

They are the ones who hurt Tianhe. The emperor felt that he was kind enough to beheaded and killed for public display. It couldn't make up for the fact that they had ruined the fairness and justice of Jiangnan's imperial examinations over the years. A joke!

The emperor waved his hand and said: "The censor is indeed able to speak freely, but it's fine if he has a righteous heart to persuade him. It's a mistake to let my general be wrong? I think it's not good to kill too many people. Why didn't those officials think about suppressing how much tax revenue and ruining the country?" How many scholars have a bad future?"

"Go on, my court doesn't need you to excuse sinners like this, with a pity on the surface, but you're just a bird of a feather!"

These words were extremely serious, Yu Shi lowered his head and backed away slowly.

The emperor looked around, and the other ministers hurriedly said: "The emperor is wise."

Hearing this, the emperor twitched the corner of his mouth and said, "If there's nothing else, let's go."

He looked around, Li Dequan nodded slightly, and sent someone to Jiangnan with the emperor's message.

The emperor returned to the royal study after he came down from court, and asked, "How did the fourth brother deal with those vacant positions in the south of the Yangtze River, and who was promoted to fill them?"

Li Dequan bowed his head and replied: "Going back to the emperor, the fourth elder brother called all the small officials from various places, sent people to check them, and left those who have no problems to deal with the vacancies in various places. If you do well, you can continue to stay, no Just replace it with someone else.”

After listening, the emperor stroked his beard and smiled slowly: "It's a good idea."

After all, the petty officials were literate and proficient in document processing, so they were indeed the perfect candidates to take over the vacant positions.

Although scholars are literate, they have no experience with specific affairs, and they will not be able to get started at all for a while.

But small officials are different. They may not be smooth and thorough in dealing with major issues, but they are not very familiar with the things they are arranged to do.

As long as the fourth elder brother grasps the general direction and assigns specific affairs to these small officials, it can be said that the officialdom in the south of the Yangtze River will be affected, but there will be no serious problems in its operation.

Even if this method seems simple, if it weren't for the presence of the fourth elder brother, it might not be possible to do it.

The fourteenth elder brother had a great time every day and went to run around every city gate. After half a month, he caught many scholars who wanted to sneak away. .

He ran to look for the fourth elder brother, looked at the various files on the table in the study, and felt a headache when he shrank his neck.

The fourth elder brother heard footsteps, looked up and saw that it was the fourteenth elder brother, he beckoned and said, "Have you caught a scholar again? The prison in the government office must not be released, right?"

Some anxious scholars wanted to escape in the first few days, and some were more calm, feeling that they were caught almost in the front, and then they might relax their vigilance before leaving. It might be easier, so the arrests have been better in the past few days.

Fourteenth elder brother nodded and said: "Fourth brother sits in the study every day, but knows everything, so he knows that there is nothing that can be kept from fourth brother."

The fourth elder brother smiled and said: "I can't hide it. It's not that the fourteenth brother came to me every day to tell me how many people were arrested. Calculate the size of the prison in the government office. Naturally, it should be full."

Elder Fourteen scratched his head a little embarrassedly and said: "I didn't expect there to be so many. I grabbed a few at the front and thought it was almost the same. There was no movement for half a month in the middle. Who knew it started again in the past few days."

"Those people were just thinking that the vigilance would not be too long, and took a chance to escape later. It was because you were vigilant enough, Fourteenth Brother, that they didn't let them succeed."

Unexpectedly, I was praised by the fourth elder brother, and the fourteenth elder brother said with embarrassment: "Actually, I think that I have calmed down for several days in a row, so I am ready to evacuate people. It was Lao Li who stopped me, saying that there might be some people Waiting and watching. I also laughed at him for being too cautious, who knows that I took it for granted."

The fourth elder brother knew who Lao Li was as soon as he heard it, and he also knew that this man was met by the fourteenth elder brother in Xidaying. He was a good-natured and good-tempered soldier.

Lao Li has a good relationship with Brother Fourteen, and he can persuade him. Now it seems that it is right to keep him by Brother Fourteen.

The fourth elder brother nodded and said: "It is also the fourteenth brother who is willing to listen, otherwise it will be useless to persuade Vice General Li."

Faithful words are harsh to the ear, but not all generals can listen to them, it is good if they can listen to them.

Elder Fourteen grinned, his cheeks flushed a little from the praise: "Brother Four suddenly praised me so much, I'm really embarrassed."

The fourth elder brother smiled and said, "You should praise if you do well. Of course, if the fourteenth brother does something wrong, I will not be stingy with criticism."

Brother Fourteen shrank his neck, thinking that he didn't seem to have done anything bad recently, so he stretched out his neck: "By the way, Brother Four is going to push those people out and behead them for public display? Those scholars read, Will everyone be scared silly?"

The fourth elder brother asked strangely: "Did the fourteenth brother hear something?"

Brother Fourteen shook his head and said, "I just thought that each of these scholars is more timid than the other. Don't be scared and sick and fail to take the exam. Wouldn't it be disappointing for the papers that Third Brother worked so hard for?"

The fourth elder brother smiled and said: "Don't worry, if they are afraid of this thing, then if they pass the exam and become an official, they will always encounter the same thing. Could it be that they didn't do it because they were afraid?"

So he didn't intend to change the plan, especially by beheading all these officials before the exam started, to prove his determination to rectify the scientific exam, and never leave anyone who ruined the fairness of the scientific exam!

The emperor's messenger came from thousands of miles away, and he wanted to announce the decree in front of everyone in the city, telling the emperor that the beheading of the guilty minister was the emperor's decision, and the adulterer must not be tolerated!

The scholars and the common people knelt down and shouted long live the wisdom, the scholars were even more red-eyed, and some were in tears, thinking that these officials should be damned, they ruined the fairness and justice of the imperial examination without telling the emperor, fortunately they were found and punished.

After the messenger announced the decree, he also said to the fourth elder brother: "The emperor has ordered that the guilty officials be executed on the spot on the day the decree is announced, and there is no need to choose another day."

The people below who heard it were suddenly stirred up by the officials, wishing they could tear these criminal officials to pieces!

The fourth elder brother nodded, indicating to bring the criminal out of the prison, and the messenger said again: "The emperor still has one life, let the fourteenth elder brother preside over the execution ground."

The fourteenth elder brother came here in a hurry after knowing it, and the fourth elder brother was still a little worried: "How about I go to the execution ground with the fourteenth brother?"

Although this younger brother looks carefree, he is not very old after all, and he has never seen blood stained with human life outside, the fourth elder brother is still a little worried that he will not be able to bear it.

Brother Fourteen waved his hand and said indifferently: "Don't worry, Fourth Brother, I won't frighten and embarrass me on the spot."

The fourth elder brother had no choice but to see that the fourteenth elder brother insisted, so he only let Lao Li go with him, keeping an eye on the fourteenth elder brother at all times, lest he would be really scared.

Lao Li handed over his promise, and followed Brother Fourteen to the execution ground.

The execution ground was full of onlookers, including ordinary people and scholars.

Some scholars angrily threw stones at those criminal officials, but they still felt that it was not enjoyable enough. The stones disappeared, and they took off their shoes and wanted to smash them, but they were stopped by the aunt next to them.

The aunt said: "Don't waste your good shoes. I have a basket of rotten leaves here. I originally planned to throw them away, but now I just use them."

The scholar looked at a basket of rotten vegetables and leaves, and an uncle next door stuffed half of the basket in. After he thanked him, he started smashing them madly, and couldn't help crying.

The uncle patted the scholar on the shoulder, knowing that he was finally able to vent his anger after holding it in for so long, so it was no wonder that he was moved to tears.

Elder Fourteen sitting on the top looked around and was about to pick up the sign and throw it out. Lao Li bent down slightly and said, "If Elder Fourteen doesn't want to look at it, you can lower your gaze to the ground later."

The fourteenth elder brother turned his head and whispered: "Lao Li, do you know why Huang Ama asked me to preside over the execution ground?"

Old Li didn't say a word, Elder Fourteen answered by himself: "Because I'm going to go to the battlefield in the future, if I'm afraid of this little scene, what kind of general will I be in the future?"

The emperor just gave Elder Fourteen a chance to adapt in advance, if he couldn't bear this scene, he would stop talking about being a general in the future.

After the fourteenth elder brother finished speaking, he threw the wooden sign in his hand: "Execution!"

The executioner had been prepared for a long time, raised the big knife, raised the knife with his hand and dropped it, and the execution ground was filled with scarlet in an instant.

Lao Li looked down at Brother Fourteen with some worry, and found that his eyes were fixed on the front, and he didn't have the slightest intention to dodge and move away.

This half-grown child said that he wanted to be a general in the future. At first, Lao Li thought he was joking, but he might give up after a few years. After all, being a soldier is not a good job. Killing the enemy is not something a half-grown child can bear.

Especially when he charged later and learned that the [-]th elder brother had a high status, Lao Li didn't think he still wanted to be the general.

Now when he looked at Brother Fourteen, he felt that he might have been mistaken.

The fourteenth brother may not be very old, he was well protected since he was a child and has not experienced any setbacks. He has a carefree temper, a good talent in martial arts, and is loved by his father and elder brother at home.

But it is rare to have the most important thing to go to the battlefield, that is blood!

A person without blood can't survive on the battlefield, let alone other things.

Fourteenth elder brother waved his hand and told people to clean up the execution ground, then he turned and left.

Lao Li followed behind him silently, until the fourteenth elder brother went to the fourth elder brother's yard, and then stopped and waited at the door.

The fourth elder brother looked up and saw the fourteenth elder brother, he was relieved when he saw that his face was normal: "It seems that everything is going well?"

Elder Fourteen smiled and said, "Yes, my younger brother is doing work, and fourth brother can rest assured. What will we eat later? Has Liu Banban cooked?"

I just saw the execution, so forget about it, he still asked for food, it seems that there is really nothing wrong.

The fourth elder brother is quite satisfied with this younger brother. If he is frightened by such a small scene, he is not the emperor's child: "Hurry up, just wait for the third brother to come back."

The third elder brother came over with a tired face, and couldn't help being surprised by the shining eyes of the fourteenth elder brother: "Why, my face is stained with ink? Otherwise, why does the fourteenth look at me like this?"

The fourth elder brother smiled and said: "He is waiting for the third brother to come back for dinner!"

The third elder brother just laughed, signaled the kitchen to bring food, and said in surprise: "Didn't the little fourteen just come back from the execution ground, can he still eat?"

Fourteenth elder brother said angrily: "Third brother is underestimating people, right?"

Seeing him so angry, the third elder brother quickly apologized: "It's my fault, I underestimated Fourteen, it should be said that he is worthy of being a great general in the future, so be brave!"

Hearing this, Brother Fourteen became happy again.

The kitchen quickly delivered the meal and introduced: "This dish is called Dongmei Ningxue. It is stewed with fish maw, shrimp, winter bamboo shoots, yam and bean sprouts. The other dish is called Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea. It uses fresh mushrooms and Shanghai Ginseng stewed soup is a new dish here in the south of the Yangtze River."

The fourteenth elder brother laughed and said: "Liu Banban is quite motivated. Did you learn a new dish when you first came to Jiangnan?"

The fourth elder brother smiled, can Chef Liu not be motivated?

After all, even at this age, Chef Ma is still learning and improving. If Chef Liu doesn't make progress, he will be left behind soon.

In addition, there are wild duck vegetable rice, tofu skin buns, and a winter bamboo shoot and ham soup.

The fourteenth elder brother ate happily, but the fourth elder brother noticed that there was no bright color in the dishes on this table. They were either stewed or steamed. opened.

Even if Elder Fourteen doesn't care, Chef Liu can't make the color of the food shock you, he is very careful.

After eating and drinking, Su Peisheng brewed a pot of Jin Junmei, put it down, and quietly retreated to the door.

The third elder brother said: "Two sets of papers have been released, and the scientific examination can be started again at any time."

The fourth elder brother also nodded and said: "The people have been dealt with properly. Those locked-up scholars in the prison cannot be treated like these officials. I am going to write a booklet and go back to Beijing to ask Huang Ama. I plan to deprive them of the qualifications of the three generations of direct descendants. , and all the reputations on him must be cleared."

The third elder brother nodded and said: "That's good. After all, scholars are different from those ministers, and they can't be dealt with so simply and rudely. I was worried that the fourth brother couldn't tolerate sand in his eyes, so I had to cut those scholars. I guess those scholars I think so too, I'm afraid I'll be scared to death in the prison."

"Looking back, I know that the fourth brother spared their lives. I'm afraid these books are still grateful, and they might go back and set up a longevity card for the fourth brother!"

The fourth elder brother didn't want these people to set up longevity cards for himself. The scholars saved their lives and went back. I'm afraid that if the clan couldn't tolerate them, even if they could, life would be hard, but it's self-inflicted.

He had someone announce the disposition of the scholars at the gate of the city, and soon released them.

The scholars left the prison tremblingly, feeling very cordial looking at the dazzling sunlight outside, feeling lucky to survive the catastrophe.

Some people hurried back to their hometowns, while others were ashamed to go back and changed their names and surnames to live in another place. After all, this matter was completely resolved.

The re-examination was on the agenda, and the third elder brother didn't give the scholars any time to prepare. After dealing with the scholars in the prison, he announced that he would enter the examination room in two days.

Originally, five people formed a team and proved each other. Now there may be one or two people missing in the middle.

The pen, ink, paper and inkstone and simple food were ready, and the scholars lined up to enter the examination room two days later.

The test houses are all drawn by lot at the door, and no one knows where they are going before entering, so there is no preferential treatment for anyone.

This is the first time to do this. Generally, children from rich families will spend money to buy a better test room, so that the children can take the test comfortably for at least three days.

Now that a large number of officials have been dealt with, no one else dares to touch their hands. The third elder brother simply draws lots at the door to divide the test houses. If you are not lucky, you can't rely on others.

Some scholars who got a good position went in happily.

There were also some scholars who were unlucky and caught the examination room next to the toilet, so they cried sadly.

The examination room is orderly, and there are guards walking back and forth, firstly to check whether the scholars have brought cheat sheets, and secondly to pay attention to whether the scholars are frightened and sick or not.

There is no way, most of the scholars are weak, the papers will not be frightened into a cold sweat, they may get sick when they are blown by the cold wind, and some even die of illness not long after moving out, so we have to pay more attention.

The footsteps of the guards are very light, and the candidates who are concentrating on it will hardly be disturbed.

The papers were also put in place by the scholars, and the third elder brother came with two boxes. He didn't know which set was in the box, so he chose one at random and asked people to open it, and then hung it in a few conspicuous places for the scholars to copy. down.

The third elder brother looked at the papers he had opened and murmured: "I'm really lucky. I actually got the most difficult set of papers, but those who can answer are talented."

Lao Li, who was responsible for escorting the third elder brother and the papers, stood behind him, his ears were too sensitive, and he could not help but twitch the corner of his mouth when he heard the third elder brother's words, and began to sympathize with the scholars in the exam hall.