Survival countdown

Zheng Chuzhi fainted after vomiting blood. When he woke up, he called for a doctor with great fanfare, claiming that he was ill and would not go to the Ministry of Criminal Justice.

After much deliberation, he still chose to ask his old father in Dingzhou for help.

Leaving aside the fact that old Zheng Guogong, who was in his sixties, received a letter from his eldest son, and his head froze, how he scolded him as an ass, he said that Zheng Chuzhi's illness could last for a while, but not forever.

When Emperor Yuanshou learned that Zheng Chuzhi was sick, he ordered the imperial physician to go to the house to check the pulse. Zheng Chuzhi, who was pretending to be sick, had to be really sick this time.

Zheng Chuzhi soaked in cold water that night and went to blow the wind in the severe winter night, and was successfully knocked down by typhoid fever.

When the imperial doctor came to check his pulse, he found that he was already wrapped in three layers of winter quilt, talking nonsense.

The imperial physician prescribed medicine and explained the precautions before returning to the palace and returning to the palace. Emperor Yuan Shou naturally saw Zheng Chuzhi's careful thinking, and he was not in a hurry. Make sure that the medicine is cured as soon as possible.

The presiding judge fell ill, but the progress of the case could not be delayed. Fortunately, there were still three jurors, Shaoqing of Dali Temple, Minister of Criminal Affairs and Kang Wang, who continued to interrogate the case.

***

Zheng Guogong's mansion.

With the jury in front, Zheng Chuzhi breathed a sigh of relief, lying on the bed with a pale face, and asked, "Is there any news from Dingzhou?"

The housekeeper in the mansion: "Master, not yet."

Zheng Chuzhi: "Where is the East Palace? Is there any movement in the East Palace?"

The staff stepped forward and cupped their hands: "The East Palace is stable as usual."

Zheng Chuzhi's eyes were empty: "Your Majesty put Kang Wang in the jury, because he knew that Kang Wang would not be selfish, but he would not tolerate my changing my confession out of selfishness, and the 1 million taels of disaster relief money was moved from Jichang Villa Yes, it is written in the file. Whether it is King Kang or His Majesty, as long as they see the words "Jichang Villa", they will know that the case is related to King Jing. This is why the prince is confident. He doesn't need to bother to prove his innocence. I just need to Writing Jichang Villa in the dossier is to help him get rid of the suspicion of being involved in river corruption, Zhang Conglu's murder, and disaster relief money robbery!"

He was so excited that he coughed, and the steward rushed forward to serve him. Zheng Chuzhi waved his hand, and continued after he breathed a sigh of relief, "But it's not a lie that Sima Jiao embezzled Huainan's taxes and colluded with An Huaide to set up troops. I think An Huaide made up his mind to keep King Jing." Even if it cannot be kept, his confession can also cause a devastating blow to the Prince's Clan, but why is the East Palace so calm?"

The staff racked their brains: "Xu Shi... Xu Shi is helpless, just sit and wait for death?"

Zheng Chuzhi: "Although the talent and heart of the current crown prince is not as good as that of His Majesty when he was young, he is not a fatuous and incompetent person. He must have some other tricks." I guessed at the first step that the mastermind behind the scenes was Prince Jing, and I also knew that Prince Jing had the gold medal for avoiding death, so I was sure to be in a difficult situation, and I was sure that I would not dare to expose this serious case!"

The staff hurriedly persuaded: "Master, you should recover from your illness first. Has there ever been a big case that has not been completed for three to five years? This big case involves Prince Jing and the East Palace, and it also involves the Huainan officialdom. It’s not something that can be solved overnight in a few words. The big deal is to use the word ‘drag’ until His Majesty forgets it, and it’s hard enough for the East Palace to compromise on their own—”

"Procrastinate? Your Majesty can let me procrastinate? Do you think that the imperial physician does not go to the house every day to see a doctor, and that His Majesty really cares about the old minister? It is clearly to remind me to get well soon and solve the case in Huainan!" Zheng Chuzhi patted the edge of the bed and sighed: "Your Majesty Guessing my intention to pretend to be sick and escape, tell me, what should I do?"

The staff suggested: "It's better for you to read your own book and let His Majesty choose another good official. At worst, you will be reprimanded, and you will not be dismissed because of this."

Zheng Chuzhi: "What if he is really dismissed?"

The staff is in a dilemma: "I don't think it's possible to..."

"As for!" Zheng Chuzhi was extremely excited: "At present, there is no one available in the imperial court except me, and no one is suitable to be the presiding judge of this case! How can I get such a grueling job for myself? Donggong... Donggong can't be indifferent, you People are staring at the movements on both sides of the East Palace and the Fifth Prince's Mansion, they must plan before making a decision, and there is another trick waiting for me to jump in! Right now must be the calm before the rain is about to come!"

The aides felt that Shangchai was underestimating himself: "Maybe the East Palace is just pretending to be calm, maybe the people in the palace are panicked."

Zheng Chuzhi's cheeks twitched, his eyes were vicissitudes: "You don't understand. Although you are full of knowledge, you are not as good as the intrigues in the capital. We have been away from the capital for too long, how do we know how deep the water is in the capital? How do we know that these capital officials are full of benevolence and righteousness? Morality, in fact, a heart stinks!"

Zhao Baiyu, who is not as weak as the crown, can pretend to be used by him without changing his face, watch him fall into a trap, and pretend to be a wronged victim. Played the young imperial envoy.

"It's really scary! Such scheming at the age of 19, we have been stationed at the border all year round, and we are all bold generals who come and go, and do everything with sharp swords and spears, even if there are tricks and schemes, they are not so thoughtful!" Zheng Chuzhi couldn't help complaining. : "These Beijing officials are very hearty. They play with you with a hundred or eighty hearts. How can they play?"

Staff: "..." Your Excellency must be sick and confused.

***

Dingzhou, Jizhou military camp account.

The white-faced young general in vermilion lacquer armor opened the curtain of the tent, folded his hands and saluted: "The last general has seen the marshal!"

In the middle of the tent is a low table, on the right is a sand table about four to five meters wide and long, simulating the terrain of Turkic and Dingzhou, on the left is a sheepskin map hung high, and the rest of the armor, pen and ink, etc. all available.

Sitting behind the short table was a grey-haired but hale and hearty old man, who was studying the letter from Kyoto Prefecture. He was Zheng Guogong.

Hearing the young general's voice, Zheng Guogong waved kindly: "When you don't talk about official business, you don't need to be called superior or subordinate."

"Yes." The fair-faced young general raised his head, his skin was wheat-colored due to years of marching, not the rosy white that is advocated in Kyoto, but his face with sword eyebrows and starry eyes was particularly handsome, with a graceful bearing, which was extraordinary. "The grandson has met the grandfather."

This person is the current Sixth Prince Huo Zhaowen, who is nineteen years old and has been in the army for four or five years.

"Come here and read these two letters from Kyoto. One is from your uncle, and the other is from the Eastern Palace."

The sixth prince took the two letters and read them quickly, basically understanding the current situation in the capital and where Zheng Guogong's mansion is trapped. At the same time, Zheng Guogong observed the expression changes of the sixth prince.

"how?"

"This situation is difficult to break." The sixth prince lowered his eyes and analyzed calmly: "Grandfather, you know the grievances between the emperor and the eighth uncle best. Now that you have found Jichang Villa, there is also the tenth uncle among the jurors. Father already knows that the case has something to do with Ba Shu, so it depends on whether Ba Shu's case in Huainan is serious or not. I guess Father has a plan in mind, but he doesn't know how far Ba Shu's hand stretches."

"Of course." Zheng Guogong stroked his beard and was very pleased. "Although you are far away from the border, you can speculate about the situation in the court in the capital through the few words in the letter. You are indeed a genius. From what I know about His Majesty, his calmness at the moment shows that Indeed, he has a certain understanding of Huainan officialdom and this major case, or in other words, it is under his control."

"Prince Jing is a thorn in His Majesty's side. The Northwest Army in his hands is His Majesty's confidant. It is impossible for His Majesty to let him hide in Yangzhou without supervision, so there are some things that His Majesty knows well. It's just that the sky is high and the emperor is far away. There are ways to hide Chen Cang, such as... garrisoning troops to rebel!"

Zheng Guogong told the sixth prince: "It's unbearable for a general to support his own self-respect, let alone stationing troops to usurp the throne. So I guess His Majesty doesn't know about stationing and raising troops, otherwise he won't be able to calm down, and the East Palace doesn't have such a leisurely letter to trade with you."

Zheng Guogong: "The situation is difficult to break, and it's not that there is no way to protect yourself. Tell me, what are the plans of the East Palace and the Queen? How can Zheng Guogong's government get out of this situation and benefit?"

The sixth prince: "The game is hard to break, but it can reduce the difficulty of the game. Father knows one thing but not the other, so we just revealed the 'one' of the situation and covered the 'second' as he guessed. The East Palace gave up the Northwest Army in the hands of King Jing, and cooperated with Zheng Guogong's mansion. An Huaide could use An Huaide as a breakthrough, and use the account book embezzled by Sima Jiao in his hand and the letters from these years, in exchange for their crime of raising troops in Huainan. Forever a secret."

"Prince Jing killed the court officials and mobilized disaster relief money, but he has the gold medal in his hand, but the death penalty can be avoided, and the living crime cannot escape. As long as the East Palace promises to take care of it in the future, it may be able to convince An Huaide. On the contrary, if the Huainan garrison is pierced Raising soldiers is a crime that absolutely touches the heart of the father, the East Palace and Zheng Guogong's mansion are not easy, and King Jing is definitely not much better. If you can't punish the nine clans, you will raz the three clans. If you can't kill King Jing, kill his wife and children. Darling, even if Ling Chi is cut out alive, Prince Jing has to watch him helplessly, so that his life will be worse than death in the future, and he will be in so much pain—"

When the sixth prince mentioned Ling Chi, his expression didn't fluctuate much, he didn't feel cruel, he just said: "There are many ways to make life more painful than death. What can the father who hates Prince Jing deeply do?" out?"

Zheng Guogong smiled, and stared deeply at the sixth prince: "The wild frontier, narrow and cramped like a lake and fish pond, is no longer suitable for you to display your talents. Only the capital, and only my beautiful rivers and mountains in Dajingchao, are worthy of your ambition and talent." The governance of a big country is nothing more than a balance between the economy, politics and the military. You have gained a firm foothold in the military, and the two rivers have noble concubines and the government to lay the economic foundation. Apart from this, only court affairs are practiced. You need to go in and experience it for yourself. The civil and military dynasties, the three divisions and the second government, and the three provinces and six ministries, only if you tame them and control them, are you really qualified to fight for that position, otherwise you will sit down if you earn it. Can't live."

The sixth prince bowed deeply: "Grandson respectfully obeys the instruction."

Zheng Guogong patted the Sixth Prince's arm and said: "You are no worse than the Crown Prince, and your majesty may not mean to value you. When you arrive in the capital, remember to think twice before you act. Everything will be done if you hesitate, and if you don't hesitate, you will fail."

The sixth prince: "Grandson understands."

Zheng Guogong suddenly thought of the eldest son and shook his head: "Your uncle has lived to this age, he is not as calm as you! He is not a gambler, and he is not greedy for money and sex. He is very happy! Whether in officialdom or in the army, the most taboo is to make great achievements, and it is easy to advance rashly. Once He was caught in a trap when he rushed forward, and he didn't know how to die! He has been in the army for many years, and he has been told for many years. As soon as he returned to Kyoto, he ran away and fell into the trap dug by the little imperial envoy. Still young!"

The old Zheng Guogong still has a fiery temper, slapping the table and cursing: "I've thrown my face into the cesspit! The little county king of Lin'an is more than a round younger than him. He used to have to compete with the little county king in terms of marching and fighting skills. I can't compare it. Once back in Kyoto, I compared my mind and strategy with an imperial envoy who was two rounds younger than him, and I was made to look like a turtle! I heard that the little county king and the imperial envoy are still husband and wife? Ah, tell me, If you can’t beat a husband in a martial arts competition, or a daughter-in-law in a competition, I’ll be ashamed of him!”

Zheng Guogong scolded his son not every day or two, the vocabulary is huge, the sixth prince is used to it, not to mention he is his elder, no matter how much he persuades him, it is better to keep silent.

The sixth prince stared at the letter paper on the case, recalling the little imperial envoy mentioned in his letter by his overjoyed but not stupid uncle.

Zhao Baiyu, Zhao Shishiro... now he should be called Goro.

She is the same age as him and Zhao Yuzheng, and the time of birth is not far behind.

Zhao Zai held a high position and was deeply trusted by Emperor Yuanshou. At that time, both the queen and the noble concubine wanted to win over Zhao Boyong, so they often let the juniors play together.

The prince, third brother, and fifth brother are about the same age as the first three men of the Zhao family, and they were enlightened at about the same time. The three men of the Zhao family especially love the younger brother in the family. various activities.

No matter what the purpose was, the elder brothers in front of the sixth prince showed extreme doting and love for Zhao Yuzheng.

The sixth prince, who was two or three months older than Zhao Yuzheng, often gave way to and protected Zhao Yuzheng with Zhao Sanlang, and had also been to the Zhao Mansion, and usually gathered in Zhao Yuzheng's yard.

Once by accident, in order to catch a cat that ran away, he strayed into a remote and dilapidated yard, where Huo Zhaowen met Zhao Baiyu.

Small, five-headed, with white skin and eyes like the deer raised by the third brother, he squatted in the yard and gently scratched the white cat's chin. In front of Baiyu, he was extremely docile.

Huo Zhaowen likes good-looking people, that's why he pampers and follows Zhao Yuzheng. There is no child in the capital who is more beautiful than Zhao Yuzheng, so he saw the gentle and beautiful little Zhao Baiyu in a remote courtyard , Immediately feel good about it.

Before the nanny in the palace found him, Huo Zhaowen asked his name, and when he learned that his name was Zhao Baiyu, the good feelings in his heart immediately dissipated, turning into regret and a touch of dislike.

Children have distinct likes and dislikes and are easily influenced by those around them.

Zhao Sanlang often whispered bad things about Zhao Baiyu in his ears. Huo Zhaowen, who had no ability to distinguish between good and evil, believed Zhao Sanlang and said that Zhao Baiyu was the chief culprit of Zhao Yuzheng's illness, so he took the white cat away with a cold face.

For the sake of that pretty face, Huo Zhaowen didn't blame Zhao Baiyu for his disrespect.

That was the first and only time we met.

The sixth prince came back to his senses, he was already in the tent, and was wiping the end of the red tassel, when he suddenly threw the end of the gun backhand, hitting the red heart of the arrow.

"Huo Jingtang and Zhao Baiyu... I didn't expect these two people to be together, it's still a husband and wife relationship." The sixth prince laughed: "It's really unpredictable."

Compared to Zhao Baiyu, he was more curious about what role Huo Jingtang played in the Huainan case.

***

The letter from Dingzhou brought Zheng Chuzhi back to life, "I didn't expect that I would be on the same boat as Donggong. The most important thing right now is to convince An Huaide to hide the matter of the Huainan troops, but I don't know if he will agree to help us in the same boat. "

Staff: "Why don't you write a book and send it to King Jing of Yangzhou as soon as possible? The relief money cannot be hidden, and the Northwest Army in King Jing's hands must be taken back. Even if His Majesty doesn't care, the East Palace and the old Duke also covet it." , but we can guarantee that we will turn a blind eye to the soldiers raised by Prince Jing in Yangzhou... Prince Jing can at least have a bargaining chip to make a comeback, so I don’t believe he won’t be tempted.”

After thinking about it, Zheng Chuzhi agreed: "Just do it."

***

East Palace.

The fifth prince's face was gloomy: "Second brother, are we really going to hand over the Northwest Army? That is a brave and capable Northwest Army! It is much stronger than the soldiers we spent a lot of money secretly raising in Huainan... Those are not our soldiers, but Right now, the Northwest Army in Eighth Uncle's hands is real, and if he can hold it firmly in his hand, he will let it out? Let it go to Sixth Brother?"

Prince: "Is that something I can refuse to give up if I want? If I don't give benefits, Zheng Guogong is willing to help? Not only is the Northwest Army in the hands of the eighth uncle, but I have to ask the queen mother to speak to the queen mother to dispatch the sixth brother. Return to Beijing."

The fifth prince was in a hurry, "Didn't calling the sixth brother back let him rob us openly?"

Prince: "He has been in Dingzhou for many years. We don't know the deployment and the number of routes. It is better to transfer back to Kyoto and observe it nearby. Besides, our power is deeply rooted in Kyoto. It is not easy to restrain the sixth brother? Besides, the eighth uncle The Northwest Army is not something we can just let go of, it’s the meat of the emperor’s lips. Saying let’s go, it’s just not to put people in, but I remember correctly, the pacification envoy of Shaanxi Province will end his term in the spring of next year. I intend to transfer Cai Zhongsheng, the governor of Jingzhao Prefecture, to serve as a comfort envoy."

A province's appeasement envoy has the right to dispatch troops and generals, and has the right to supervise and restrain the Northwest Army. The governor of Jingzhao Prefecture in Shaanxi Province is obviously a prince's party.

The fifth prince held his palm: "See why I forgot Cai Zhongsheng when I panicked? If Cai Zhongsheng is promoted to the appeasement envoy of Shaanxi Province, the sixth younger brother may not get much benefit from the Northwest Army."

Prince: "Otherwise, why would Gu give up Eighth Uncle's Northwest Army? Gu is so stupid to destroy the Great Wall by himself?"

The fifth prince laughed and said, "I'm the younger brother, I'm stupid, the second brother is wise and powerful, and he has no plans!" He turned to say: "In this way, we only need to solve An Huaide's confession."

Prince: "Leave it to Zheng Chuzhi, don't interfere. After receiving so many benefits, the people in Zheng Guogong's mansion should always do their best."

The fifth prince was in a good mood: "Naturally. Next, I'll just sit and watch the show."

***

Lin'an County Prince's Mansion.

Hai Dongqing lingered over the county palace for a long time before swooping down to bring the latest news from Yangzhou.

After reading Huo Jingtang's exhibition letter, he burned it.

Zhao Baiyu entered the room with the file in his arms, saw the paper ashes in the incense burner, and asked, "I saw Hai Dongqing lingering above the yard when I was outside. Is it news from Yangzhou?"

"En." Huo Jingtang picked up the teacup and took a sip to moisten his throat.

Zhao Baiyu: "No plan to escort Prince Jing to Beijing?"

Huo Jingtang: "It wasn't the time before, but now it's possible."

Zhao Baiyu put down the file and sat opposite Huo Jingtang: "Why? Zheng Chuzhi thought of a solution to the situation?"

"That's right." Huo Jingtang didn't want to talk too much, and grabbed Zhao Baiyu's hand to help him pinch the finger bones: "The burden of envoy has been put down, do you still plan to go back to serve as the governor of the capital?"

Zhao Baiyu was helpless, pointing to the desktop file and said: "I have only been released for a few months, and Feng Chunshan promoted the people under me to fill my vacancy on the grounds of busy work. I have to hand over to Xin Shaoyin as soon as I come back. Either go back and start working as a judge, or resign, I am too lazy to continue working under someone like Feng Chunshan, so I just resigned."

Huo Jingtang: "Xiao Lang continues to stay in the government office as a seventh-rank official, it's really inferior, it's better to be the princess of the county."

Zhao Baiyu patted the back of Huo Jingtang's hand: "Be serious."

Huo Jingtang: "The husband and wife are still pretending to be old-fashioned in their new house, why bother?"

Zhao Baiyu couldn't say no to Huo Jingtang: "To be serious, what do you think I can do after I step down from the post of envoy?"

Huo Jingtang raised his eyelids lazily: "You can't tell, I guess there will be many people who will come to snatch Xiaolang. It is unlikely that the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple will let you in. The nine temples and five supervisors are idlers, and generally no one goes. I also don’t want anyone to go, idle errands means stability, not to mention that there are no vacancies, human relations are more complicated than any department. The Ministry of War...you are not a military officer, so you can’t get in. There are two departments of officials and workers, and two departments of salt and iron and Duzhi. There is a chance to get in."

"Third Division...I think Xuan." Zhao Baiyu said: "I went to the Ministry of Officials to report on my work these two days, and there are at least thirty or forty local officials waiting for the vacancy of the Third Division, especially one vacant in the capital. If there is a shortage of merchants and tax envoys, they basically go to it."

The Metropolitan Tax Envoy is in charge of all water transportation and merchants’ tax revenues in Kyoto Prefecture. It is a lucrative vacancy. Generally, there are only three supervisors.

"Perhaps I did a good job on my mission. Before that, I was an emissary of a province. From the perspective of others, I should have a bright future. Therefore, the Ministry of Officials treated me politely and asked me to sit in the back hall and wait for the results. The back hall is separated from the front hall." One wall, and I can hear them follow the process of inspecting and questioning officials." Zhao Baiyu couldn't help laughing: "Don't say it, it's very interesting."

"how?"

Zhao Baiyu said enthusiastically: "There was a local official transferred back from a remote county town, and he described his political achievements over the years, the county magistrate for six years, and the prefect for five years. Logically speaking, the political achievements are good enough, but the officials who were asked by the Ministry of Officials lacked interest, until the local officials who asked for capital commercial and tax supervisors mentioned that he was a student of Lu Zhiyuan, one of the current prime ministers. Immediately, he was courteous, gentle and gentle. But after further questioning, he learned that the magistrate's invitation to Lu Zhiyuan's mansion took more than a month before he was received into the mansion, but it was only in a small side hall in Lu's mansion. Sitting and waiting, without seeing Lu Zhiyuan's face at all, the officials of the Ministry of Officials slapped the elder, sent him away with a few perfunctory words."

When Zhao Baiyu mentioned the rising point, his index finger unconsciously circled around the Buddhist beads on his wrist and behind the clouds.

"In the officialdom, job hunting and vacancies are all based on relationships, not on political achievements. The consensus in the officialdom is not to take the imperial examinations as an official. Generally, it is the end of the fifth rank. In fact, it is not the case. Look at the officials I met in the Ministry of Officials. All of them are regular Didn't the emperor's disciples who got through the Bajing test get kicked out because they weren't close enough to the bigger officials?"

Huo Jingtang: "Is there anything Xiao Lang likes?"

Zhao Baiyu: "There's nothing I particularly like, it depends on the arrangement. Don't bother helping me make connections, it's not necessary."

Huo Jingtang smiled: "Xiao Lang really looks down on me, how can I help you get involved?"

Zhao Baiyu was used to being praised by Huo Jingtang, and he chatted about other common topics without changing his face.

***

Lin'an County Prince's Mansion was gossip, everyday life was relaxed and leisurely, Zheng Chuzhi received a reply from Yangzhou, and Dong Gong kept a close eye on Zheng Guogong's Mansion, so he naturally knew what was going on.

After Zheng Chuzhi received the reply, he hurried to the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice to meet with An Huaide alone. He didn't know how to agree, but he only knew that An Huaide gave his testimony and pleaded guilty that night.

Sima Jiao, who was also in the prison, narrowly escaped death, felt relieved, and finally had a good night's sleep during the period from Huainan to Kyoto.

The Ministry of Punishment is where the power of the Eastern Palace takes root. Even if the crown prince is not the presiding judge, he still has a clear picture of what happens in it all the time.As soon as An Huaide's confession came out, someone came to the East Palace to report.

Many people breathed a sigh of relief that night, but the solitary lamp in King Kang's mansion stayed up all night, and the Tenth Prince, who was supervising the jury in the Huainan case, sighed helplessly and regretfully.

He received a letter from the Prince's Mansion of Lin'an County, which was intercepted from Huainan. The East Palace and Duke Zheng's Mansion were able to tolerate each other and work together for self-protection. If this focus is on serving the people and the country, King Kang must be pleased.

But for their own benefit, regardless of the safety of the country and the people, they are willing to let the tiger go back to the mountain, to protect a traitor who is trying to usurp the dynasty and usurp the throne? !

No matter whether they are ministers, princes or even princes, or as His Majesty's sons or relatives, their actions are really chilling.

King Kang couldn't sleep all night, he thought about it all night, his heart was tormented, and finally he burned the letter sent by the county prince's mansion, he knew what Huo Jingtang meant.

Whether in public or private, Huo Jingtang would not let Prince Jing go, so he would not allow the plans of the East Palace and Zheng Guogong's people to succeed.

They wanted to calm things down, but Huo Jingtang wanted to pierce the sky!

This is Huo Jingtang's cruelty, but he sent the private correspondence between the East Palace and Zheng Guogong's mansion to Kang Wang's mansion, and it was up to him to decide whether to report on the troops, or to jointly fool Emperor Yuanshou afterwards. That's Huo Jing Church's kindness.

"He is sure that I will soften my heart!"