Daming prepares the emperor

Before entering the city, Yuan Kai and others changed into casual clothes.

Counting the guards, their total number was not too many, and they were scattered into the city without being noticed by anyone.

After the cold winter, the spring breeze is blowing. Last night, a heavy rain has dissipated the impetuous air. Green willows sprout and yellow flowers bloom everywhere. The spring in Hangzhou is not as beautiful as the world.

There are all kinds of people on the long street, hawkers, people on the road, people visiting friends and relatives, bustling and bustling.

Although Han Baihu didn't look around, he could see everything around him from the corner of his eye. He held a sharp knife in one hand and hid it in his sleeve all the time, while the other hand naturally hung by his side to ensure that if something happened, He can immediately protect Yuan Kai who is beside him.

"My lord, where are we going first?" He leaned close to Yuan Kai and whispered, "Shall we go to the shipyard first?"

Yuan Kai shook his head: "If you don't go to the shipyard, it's useless to go there. Let's go to the magistrate's office first."

"To the magistrate's yamen?" Han Baihu was taken aback, "My lord, this prefect of Hangzhou is a newcomer. He has only been in office for a few months. He was not there when the ship was built. The subordinates think that he should not be the chief envoy."

"Alas." Yuan Kai sighed, "You are good at murdering and interrogating, but Han Baihu, I am afraid that you do not understand the twists and turns of this officialdom as well as a county magistrate. I have not been able to figure out the mystery here in half my life. .When you get old, you only understand a little bit.”

Han Baihu couldn't figure it out, but he knew that he really didn't understand the previous incident of pretending to be crazy, and it's normal if he didn't understand this time: "My lord is right, my subordinate is a rough person who doesn't understand these things, we will follow your arrangement, Let's do what you said, let's go to the magistrate's office!"

Fang Keqin, whose name is Qujin, is named Yu'an.

Fang Keqin's ancestors studied Confucianism for three generations, and his father was once a teacher in a county. In the fourth year of Zhengzheng, Fang Keqin took part in the provincial examination. I had been taught by a county school, and it wasn't until the last time I went to the Ministry of Officials to take the exam that I received a big errand and was sent to Hangzhou as the magistrate.

Just talking about him, no one may know, but his son is very famous.

——Fang Xiaoru.

It was the minister who stayed by Zhu Yunwen's side, the king of Yan Zhu Di would rather die than obey when he entered the capital. Legend has it that he was punished by ten clans because he refused to write the imperial edict for Zhu Di to ascend the throne.

Some people say that he is an incompetent waste, not only can’t give Zhu Yunxuan good advice, but also hurts his relatives and friends; some people say that he has a fearless spirit and is a rare loyal minister. Although there are different praises and criticisms, he is indeed left behind in history. A thick stroke.

No matter what, the character of the Fang family can probably be guaranteed.

When they arrived at the gate of the yamen, the yamen servants had never seen it before, but Yuan Kai and others saw many people standing at the gate with their trouser legs rolled up and their feet covered in dirt, almost filling up half of the yamen.

Each of them looked tired and angry, old and young, all men, the old elders were surrounded by people, it seemed that they were organized and planned, no one yelled loudly, but everyone's expressions All very firm.

"Go and find out the news." Han Baihu said to the person beside him.

Jin Yiwei's attire was originally straw sandals and cloth clothes, no different from ordinary people.The man nodded, stepped forward quickly, and opened his mouth in an authentic Hangzhou dialect. After inquiring about the news, he came back and said, "My lord, they are looking for the magistrate to decide."

"Look for the prefect to decide? What kind of decision?"

"It's about transporting military supplies." Jin Yiwei said, "These people are very vigilant, and the subordinates only ask so many questions."

Han Baihu looked at Yuan Kai.

Yuan Kai was silent for a moment: "Let's not go to the yamen for now, find an inn to stay, find out the news before we act."

Of course, Han Baihu obeyed. When a group of people walked through the market, he suddenly stopped and looked at a butcher shop. After a while, he turned around and leaned into Yuan Kai's ear and said, "My lord, I I saw a sign inside Jinyiwei, please go to the inn first, and I will find you later."

"Okay." Yuan Kai nodded slightly.

After finding the inn, and setting up the luggage and horses, Yuan Kai sat on the couch and ate a bowl of porridge. Halfway through the meal, there was a knock on the door: "Come in."

The wooden door opened a crack, Han Baihu squeezed in through the crack, cupped his hands and said, "This subordinate is back."

"How, what news did you get?" Yuan Kai put down the bowl and asked impatiently.

"The spies in the city said that the censor surnamed Li has arrived." Han Baihu's complexion was very ugly, and his already dark complexion turned darker. "Lu Yiliang and He Yonglian met him at the Hedao Yamen. It was windy, and before leaving, he took a bag of fruit."

"fruit?"

"Yes, only the fruit skin is real, and the bottom is all gold." Han Baihu sneered, "Although the new method of accepting bribes is new, our brothers in Beijing have caught quite a few of them. The method is not difficult, but we have to find A good craftsman carves the flesh, and in order to keep it fresh, the appearance needs to be changed every day.”

Yuan Kai let out a sigh of relief.First, he didn't expect that the two censors would turn against one so soon. Although Li Yinbing belonged to Yang Xian, he thought he would at least be a little bit ethical.Second, he was shocked by Jin Yiwei's superb spying methods, and felt the horrific control over the officials by the Holy One today.

"Don't worry, my lord, what we know, His Majesty and His Highness will know." Han Baihu thought he was angry, so he restrained his temper and spoke to comfort him.

Yuan Kai didn't explain, just said: "This is also expected, is there anything else? What's the situation in the magistrate's yamen?"

"Over there at the magistrate's yamen..." Han Baihu hesitated, "The people over there are indeed arguing about military supplies. According to the regulations of the imperial court, they need to prepare military uniforms and white cloth bandages for the soldiers on the front line. The notice says They are only allowed to be escorted by land, not by water. If they go by land, many people will need to drive cars to escort them. Take the water route."

Yuan Kai knew that he was hesitating. After all, it was the decision made by the higher authorities. The only major matter in the court now is to conquer Sichuan, and everything else must give way. Even this investigation must be based on the unshakable foundation of military merit superior.

No matter who issued the order to transport civilians, it might be a bad thing if it is investigated. It may even be the emperor's own idea. count.

"What's Fang Zhifu's reaction?"

"I heard there is no response yet."

Hearing that Yuan Kai didn't bother with this question, Han Baihu felt a lot more relaxed, and quickly said: "It's just that this magistrate is as loyal as Lord Lu. The Holy Majesty had a decree earlier, as long as the people are willing to open up wasteland, it doesn't matter how much land they open up." own, and did not pay grain for the first three years, so as to encourage the people to resume production. Before he took office, the former magistrate and his subordinates secretly collected taxes. Yu once. After Fang Zhifu took office, things got better, not only reaffirmed the edict, but also divided the land according to fat and thin, which is really virtuous."

Yuan Kai's eyes lit up: "He really did it?"

"Yes, the common people call him Lord Qingtian."

When a new official takes office, the most frightening thing is not that the bad habits of "unreasonable people" are hard to change and difficult to educate, but that the local officials are secretly playing tricks.

The imperial court has a complete transfer process and assessment system. Officials sent by the Ministry of Officials should not and are not allowed to work in their hometowns. The purpose is to prevent officials from being influenced by favors and colluding with local gentry.

This is not the case for subordinate officials and yamen servants. They are all locals, born and raised for many years, and have already established their own set of interests and unspoken rules. They have relatives, friends, and backers in the local area.If new officials take office, if they do not follow their methods, they will be opposed by all the local tyrants and landlords, and they will not be able to achieve political achievements at all. If they do not achieve political achievements, they will naturally be impeached and dismissed from office. Walk.

What is even more difficult to resist is that even if the new official resists their difficulties, his boss may not be able to resist, and may even try his best to help in secret—after all, he is willing to collect money.

This is one of the reasons why it is often said that honest officials are more cunning than corrupt officials.

If Fang Keqin can really break the original interest network, it shows that he is an honest and smart person.

"I believe your news will not be wrong." Yuan Kai made a final decision, "In this way, you tell the brothers to rest first, and when it gets dark, we will go to the magistrate's yamen to find this Fang Keqin, and learn about Hangzhou from him. Case."

"Yes."

---

In the back room of the yamen, a room was still lit.

Fang Keqin is personally packing his son's luggage for Beijing.

"When you arrive in the capital, you must listen carefully to Mr. Song. Mr. Song is the prince's teacher. It is your good fortune that he is willing to teach you homework. You should get up before dawn every morning and go to greet him. Don't be afraid if you have any chores. Lose face, rush to do it, this is a disciple's duty."

"Yes." The young man at the table answered seriously, "The son will definitely not ruin his father's reputation."

Fang Keqin smiled: "Our family is neither rich nor noble, and your father and I are ordinary officials. How can we have any reputation? Just don't embarrass yourself."

Then, he paused: "Since Mr. Song is willing to accept you as an apprentice, he should have thought about cultivating you. If he takes you to Taixue Publishing House and other places, you have to be more generous. If he doesn't take you , you can't take the initiative to bring it up, let alone be jealous, understand."

"Yes."

"If, I mean if." Fang Keqin thought for a while, "Mr. takes you into the palace to meet His Majesty and the Crown Prince. You must know how to measure and answer what you ask. Today, His Majesty likes sincere people, and Your Highness should be the same. I don't ask you to be well-known to the princes, but I only ask you to succeed in your studies."

"Yes, my son understands."

Which scholar has never imagined that he would go to Jun Yao and Shun, and then show the appearance of Feng Suchun, Fang Xiaoru's eyes lit up immediately, and the fantasies in his heart drifted to nowhere, and he spoke cautious words with an extremely excited tone.

Young people can't be without enthusiasm, Fang Keqin didn't say anything this time, tied up the burden, put it on the couch, turned and walked out: "Uncle Wang ordered a carriage for you, you have to get up early tomorrow, sleep Bar."

Fang Xiaoru nodded, followed him to the courtyard, and said worriedly: "Father, haven't you made up your mind about escorting the military supplies?"

"Yes." Fang Keqin lowered his head and patted his son's head. He did not shy away from talking about all kinds of officialdom in front of him. For official career, "It is convenient to go by water, it will not affect the spring plowing, and it will not waste people's energy, but it is not a good thing to disobey the regulations above. If there are no rules, how can the court have laws and majesty?"

"Is father planning to ignore it?" Fang Xiaoru's always bright eyes dimmed.

"No." Fang Keqin shook his head, "If the people's illness cannot be cured, how can I do it!"

The sky full of stars twinkled behind him, and Fang Keqin's figure seemed to stand upright at that moment, so tall.

Fang Xiaoru looked up at his father, his chest filled with admiration and admiration.

The warm spring breeze brushed against his cheeks, as if urging him to say something quickly, he clenched his fists and blurted out: "Then after I go to Beijing, I'll immediately go beat the Dengwen drum for you!"

Fang Keqin was taken aback, and asked in surprise, "Where did you know about Dengwen drum?"

"Performance at the Zhenyao Office." Fang Xiaoru said, "If you don't want me to beat Dengwen Drum, I'm also willing to write a letter to Tianting for you at the Department of General Administration..."

Fang Keqin interrupted him: "Okay, Xiaoru, things are not as simple as you think. Zhengchuan is coming soon, and such things should never be brought up. It is still a trivial matter here, but it will be a big deal in Beijing." The huge waves will break the balance if you are not careful, which is something no one wants to see."

"But!"

"I will let the common people go by land, I hope that the Hedao Yamen will give me a few boats." Fang Keqin sighed, "At this time, it is heaven's eyes to meet Mr. Song who is willing to accept you as an apprentice. , something happened to me, with his old man's ability, you can still stay and leave future generations for our Fang family."

Fang Xiaoru understood something, tears gradually welled up in his eyes.

At this time, there was a knocking sound like thunder outside the door. Before the gatekeeper could open the door, the door was smashed by a pillar. A group of people rushed in like dumplings from the hole. The leader raised his eyebrows and was extremely murderous. , with an iron chain in his hand, looked around: "Who is Fang Keqin? Something happened to you, come with us!"

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The author has something to say:

Historically, Keqin was the prefect in Jining, Shandong.

Fang Xiaoru was really Song Lian's apprentice, and when Zhu Yuanzhang saw him, he asked Zhu Biao to use him well in the future.