Jiang Qing

In half a month, Pingdu had just entered summer, and before Fan Hongxin had time to hear the cicadas singing again, he was already in jail.

With His Majesty's permission, Uncle Qin Yuan sent someone to watch at the Ministry of Punishment, forcing Qi Rong to spin around for several nights to check the evidence, and finally cleared up the roster with red eyes, and handed it to His Majesty after confirming that it was correct.Not long after, the higher-ups issued a reply, and Fan Hongxin would inevitably end up being killed in the fall.

Chen Qiyun's confession was correct everywhere, except for the ghost market she mentioned, Qi Rong sent people to Qianjintai, a gambling house on the night of the interrogation of the three divisions, surrounded it tightly, searched it inside and out, and was stunned. It was because they didn't find any trace of secret passages, but they caught a few officials who were gambling money.

Zhao Zhen, who hadn't been able to live in peace recently, finally settled the matter. Seeing that Daoist Wuwo rarely entered the capital, he called him over to play a few games.

Only halfway through the game, Zhang Jiudai came to disturb Qing Jing.

Frowning lightly, Zhao Zhen suppressed the displeasure in his heart.

Even if Bai Bingchen was not involved in Fan Hongxin's matter, it would be inconvenient for him to intervene in the case after all. Zhang Jiudai took the opportunity to show his face in front of Zhao Zhen several times with Wei Pengju.

Zhao Zhen understands Zhang Jiudai's hint, and he also knows that Wei Pengju's seniority to succeed as Minister of the Ministry of War is not something beyond the rules, but he just doesn't like being forced to make a decision in secret.

Sensing Zhao Zhen's ups and downs, Wu Wu saw that he had to deal with political affairs and was about to step down, but Zhao Zhen stayed behind.

"It's not an important matter, Daoist, just sit here, I will come back and end this mess."

He ordered Fushun to lead people to the outer hall, Zhao Zhen straightened his clothes and went out.

Sure enough, Zhang Jiudai was followed by Wei Pengju, and...Mei Shao?

Zhao Zhen glanced at him unexpectedly, but was drawn back by Zhang Jiudai's words.

Hearing Zhang Jiudai chattering and praising Wei Pengju's words secretly and openly, Zhao Zhen felt a little headache. Normally, he didn't realize that this obedient and honest official who followed Fan Hongxin was actually Zhang Jiudai's person.

"It's because I didn't think carefully, but the Ministry of War needs a person in charge, so Wei Qing has worked hard."

Zhao Zhen let go, and a smile appeared on Zhang Jiudai's face, and he said again: "Your Majesty has always been very clear about rewards and punishments, and those who have made merit in this case should also be rewarded. Thanks to Mei Shao's keen awareness, he got the roster. After Fan Hongxin's charges were confirmed, I think it's better to let him practice in the Ministry of War so that he can relieve His Majesty's worries in the future."

After smiling at them, Zhao Zhen realized Zhang Jiudai's intention to bring Mei Shao here today.

However, in just a few months, at the dinner party, when Zhao Zhen wanted to pardon Mei Shao's status as a criminal slave, the scene of the anger of the officials is still vivid. Now he can let the left minister of the court personally invite officials for him. That's right.

"Minister Zhang seldom recommends, so I will make it happen naturally, so I named him the Minister of the Ministry of War, just to fill the vacancy left by Wei Qing after his promotion, how about it?"

Naturally, Zhang Jiudai was not dissatisfied with seeking an official position for his own people, and received the imperial decree to go back. Only Mei Shao was left to speak.

The four eyes met, and it was very different from the last time they met.

Zhao Zhen stared at him for a long time before slowly opening his mouth: "I said that I look forward to the day when I can meet your monarch and ministers. I just didn't expect that your actions are so fast that Zhang Xiang can ask for your life in person. With With his help, it is quite logical for you to step into the court. But why didn't you choose Bai Qing?"

Capturing every tiny change of emotion on his face, Zhao Zhen said again: "Bai Qing was your former classmate, why didn't you choose him?"

"Your Majesty should know that even if my father was at fault in the old case, as a son of man, I really have resentment towards him, and I don't want to have anything to do with him." Clutching his hands in his sleeves, Mei Shao reluctantly put away his minions, He knew that Zhao Zhen was testing his attitude towards the old Cangshan case.

As a minister, if you don't cut off the seat with such a "rebel", it is disloyal; as a son, if you have no complaints, it is unfilial.

Sure enough, Zhao Zhen laughed and asked: "What about me? The Mei family was killed by the late emperor's order, and I shed the blood of the late emperor. If you hate Bai Qing so much, what about me?"

"The subject has never complained to His Majesty." Mei Shao replied word by word after pinching her palms with pain.

"No, or dare not!" Zhao Zhen said sharply with a sudden change of expression.

The sudden question forced Mei Shao to respond head-on.

"To speak of rebellion, although Your Majesty and the late Emperor are related by blood, but your temperament and disposition follow that of the late Empress Dowager. When the Cangshan incident happened, Your Majesty did not gain power. How can I complain to Your Majesty?"

Mei Shao knelt down and said these words, the hall was quiet for a moment, he could feel Zhao Zhen's scrutinizing gaze on his head, forcing beads of sweat to roll off his forehead.

While suffering, only a chuckle was heard, but it was Zhao Zhen who was blaming Fushun: "Your errands are getting better and better. Seeing Mei Qing kneeling, she didn't know how to help her up. For a long time, won't it be said that I am not close enough? Give me a seat."

Fushun was the old man who served Zhao Zhen, and with just one look, he immediately understood what was going on in his heart, and hurriedly invited Mei Shao to a seat beside him.

Feeling the cold sweat dripping down her neck, Mei Shao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that she had passed this test.

"I have high hopes for you. You are new to the court and have no real government, so your foundation will inevitably be unstable. Prime Minister Bai is at odds with you again, so I don't think he will give you a good look. A few days ago, when the governor of the capital of Wu returned to the capital, he talked about the flood season in Cangzhou. After much deliberation, I still haven't found a suitable candidate. How about Fan Hongxin's case, you can go to Cangzhou for flood control, get in touch with local officials, and train some of your own people."

Hearing Zhao Zhen's earnest words, every sentence was thinking about his own future, Mei Shao's eyes were full of surprise.

It's not that Mei Shao hasn't thought about her current situation. Even if she stepped into the court with the help of Zhang Jiudai, Bai Bingchen would not be less oppressive to her. If it is true as His Majesty said, the flood control in Cangzhou will only last three or four months. With the foundation of real government and local officials, it will be even more difficult for Bai Bingchen to drive himself out of the court.

But His Majesty is so considerate of himself. Is it true that His Majesty has begun to fear Bai Bingchen's power as the outside world said, and is ready to support himself to suppress him?

After thinking about it again and again, judging from the current situation, it is indeed the best policy to avoid the edge first, so Mei Shao respectfully agreed.

"Since you came back to Pingdu, you haven't seen Jinghe alone, right? The two of you were on good terms with Concubine Mei before she was alive. You can help me persuade her when you have time. Fan Hongxin has already ordered Qiu Hou to be beheaded and let her Don't hold on to this matter any longer." At this point, Zhao Zhen's tone was a little impatient.

According to what is written in the register, the ghost marriage of living people is far more than just Lu Yan. In order to avoid panic, Zhao Zhen only ordered people to secretly investigate and send some money to the families of those ghost married women as compensation. .

But Zhao Jinghe was dissatisfied with this treatment. She insisted on finding out the coffin of the joint burial and sending each woman back to her family's tomb.Not to mention whether the family of the buried woman will accept it again, there are more than [-] coffins of living people who were married in the dark.

Zhao Zhen had tried his best to avoid her, but she still blocked her many times. Even Uncle Qin Yuan also persuaded Zhao Zhen to send the coffin back home in words.When I saw Mei Shao today, I just remembered his relationship with Jing He, so I tried to ask him to persuade him.

By the time Zhao Zhen returned to the inner hall, the tea on the table was already completely cold.

With a tired expression, he asked Fushun to put on another cup of hot tea. Zhao Zhen looked at the Taoist Wuwu who was pondering the chess record, and laughed at himself: "It's still Anyi, the Taoist. If it wasn't for the heavy responsibility, I really want to follow the Taoist to watch Clean up for a period of time, and also wash away the worldly dust."

Wu Wo touched his long white beard with a smile, and said: "Li Guo is not an emperor who has not been born into the world. Emperor Mu Lie left his royal foundation in his first year to visit immortals to seek Taoism. He has no heirs in his life, and he has no relationship. Wugua, after passing the throne to a side branch of the Zhao family clan, he walked in style. But your majesty still has the crown prince by his side, so he is not willing to follow the old Taoist to suffer from poverty."

Speaking of Emperor Mu Lie, Zhao Zhen thought of the records in the history books, with sparkles in his eyes, and murmured: "Emperor Mu Lie lived alone and led the army to kill the enemy camp. Born an emperor, if I can do the same, I don't have to look forward and backward, and weigh it up and down. It's a pity that Emperor Mu Lie has no heirs, otherwise I should be just an idle son of the side branch of the Zhao family. life..."

As if he felt that he was wishful thinking, Zhao Zhen stopped talking, his eyes regained his tranquility, and motioned to the Taoist priest: "Please."

Wuwu insisted: "It's rare that Your Majesty's mind is not on the chess game."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhen's chess playing hand froze for a moment, and he simply put down the chess pieces without hiding it, and sighed, "Did the Taoist see it?"

"Your Majesty's reason for staying here is to see the luck of that courtier just now?" Wu Wo withdrew his hand and put it in front of him.

He was sitting cross-legged, clasped his hands on his knees, and looked clearly into Zhao Zhen's eyes.

"The Daoist may see that, as far as I am concerned, is he beneficial to the great cause?" Zhao Zhen leaned forward with nervous eyes.

"When His Majesty ascended the throne, the old Taoist said that His Majesty is walking on a path against the gods. If you are a little careless, you will never be able to recover, and your achievements will be ruined once. Your Majesty needs the help of capable ministers. Mei Shao is indeed His Majesty's nobleman."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhen's tense body relaxed, and before he had time to breathe a sigh of relief, he said again: "It's just that water can carry a boat or capsize it. If one day you make a mistake and point your sword at the court, your blood will be destroyed." There is nothing you can do about throwing gold."

Rubbing the chess piece in his hand, Zhao Zhen pursed his lips and frowned, as if hesitating whether to make a move.

After half a cup of tea, Wuwo closed his eyes and rested his mind, only heard a clear sound of falling, he opened his eyes and saw that Zhao Zhen had given up a living field and changed the place to settle.

"Since I'm the chess player, there won't be such a day." Zhao Zhen's expression relaxed, and he smiled slightly and asked me to make a move, "Please."