serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 246 Slap in the face!

Although it was still snowing heavily, Gulou East Street was full of onlookers, who gathered together to peek and discuss in low voices.

In the distance, soldiers sent by Wucheng Bingma Si stood densely on the snowy ground, each of them was looking excitedly at the mansion with the open gate in front of them, waiting to raid the house.

The soldiers of the infantry commanding the yamen lined up in two rows, standing upright on both sides of the gate with guns and knives. The door plaque above the lintel in the middle has disappeared, only the two "Yang Mansion" red flags hanging under the dripping eaves of the inverted building in the doorway are left. Silk lanterns sway in the snow wind.

A burst of crying came from the door.

The wails were mixed with "I want to see the emperor! I want to see the emperor! I just accompanied Guanglu Siqing to the Taihe Building twice, and I didn't know that he was entertaining people from the Qing Dynasty. I am innocent! My lord , Your Excellency, you can’t let my family be ruined!” shouted.

"I want to see the emperor! I want to see the emperor!" Amidst the clamor, an official of the Ministry of War led a team of guards to carry the official surnamed Yang who had been stripped of his official uniform and came out.

The onlookers crowded over excitedly.

Suddenly, the sound of clapping horseshoes and squeaking wheels came from the street, and everyone paid attention to it.

In the heavy snow, a group of cavalry escorted a luxurious carriage from the street.

The military officials recognized it at a glance: "It's Ning Guogong!" Immediately commanded the guards: "Quick! Blast away those who stand in the way!"

All the guards: "Yes!" They rushed to drive away the crowd of onlookers.

The onlookers dispersed in all directions.

The soldiers of Bingma Division stopped staring at Yang's mansion, and stood on both sides of the street to maintain order.

The military official did not step forward, but stood by with his hands down, silently waiting for the convoy to pass by.

Lin Sanyi took the lead and led ten soldiers in front.

Just when the carriage was about to pass the gate, the official surnamed Yang took advantage of the guards to relax his vigilance, broke free from the shackles, ran over, and shouted loudly: "Mr. Ning, you have been wronged!"

"presumptuous!"

"Bold!"

The two guards guarding the carriage rolled off their horses, one kicked the official surnamed Yang to the ground, and the other drew out his waist knife to protect the car window.

Immediately afterwards, the twenty guards behind the carriage also got off their horses, drew out their long knives at their waists, and protected the carriage.

Lin San rushed over with ten soldiers when he heard the sound, was shocked when he saw this, and pulled out his sword.

It was snowing heavily, and the entire street was silent, and everyone was there in astonishment.

Looking at Yang Jian, a doctor from the Ministry of Industry who was pinned to the ground by two soldiers, the official of the Ministry of War came back to his senses, staggered forward, and knelt down.

The officers of the Ministry of War also quickly knelt down.

Seeing this, the people from the Infantry Yamen and Bingma Division knelt down.

No one dared to move, they were all waiting, waiting for the people in the carriage to speak.

"What's going on?" Jia Hu's voice came from the carriage.

The military officials knelt in front of the soldiers, Lin San looked at him and said, "Come here."

"Yes."

The official of the Ministry of War hurriedly replied, got up, walked to the window of the car, and said: "If you go back to the Lord, the next official is ordered to arrest Yang Jian, a doctor in the Ministry of Industry who is collaborating with the enemy and treason."

"I did not collude with the enemy and treason!" Yang Jian shouted over there.

"Yang Jian?"

Jia Hu put the book in his hand on the coffee table. Jia Zheng never took the initiative to communicate with his colleagues in the officialdom, but Yang Jian, a doctor from the Ministry of Industry, was just an exception. He was almost a friend of Jia Zheng in the officialdom. Going to Rongguo Mansion, Jia Hu had someone check him out, he is a pure scholar, how did he get involved in this matter?

Thinking of this, Jia Hu opened the window of the car and said to Lin San, "Let Yang Jian come over."

Lin San: "Yes." He waved at the two soldiers.

The two soldiers let go of their hands, Yang Jian got up, staggered to the side of the carriage, cupped his hands and said: "Master Guo, I just went to the Supreme Harmony Tower at the invitation of the Minister of Guanglu Temple. Those who are from the Qing Dynasty are Manchus, and the officials have been wronged!"

The official of the Ministry of War said, "Reporting to the Lord, Yang Jian took money from the Manchus twice, totaling 8000 taels."

Yang Jian swallowed her saliva: "Then, that's the finishing fee."

The official of the Ministry of War: "Nonsense! Guanglu Temple officials have recruited, saying that you provided the Manchus with drawings of the Yellow River water system." Speaking of this, he snorted coldly, "The calligraphy in the Yellow Valley is only 5000 taels of silver, and your calligraphy can Worth so much silver?!"

Yang Jian's face turned pale: "No, no. He asked me to write the epitaph for his deceased grandfather and father through Guanglu Temple Minister. The first time was 3000 taels. Later he said that my handwriting is good and the article is better. Alright, just, let’s change the finishing fee for the second article to 5000 taels.”

The official of the Ministry of War rolled his eyes: "You went to the Taihe Tower and collected 8000 taels of silver from the Manchus. Then the Yellow River broke its embankment and diverted its course. You said it wasn't you, what's the evidence?!"

Yang Jian: "I, I"

Jia Hu understood that the Manchus had already made up their minds and were just waiting for this day. It is estimated that there will be many officials like Yang Jian who received money from the Manchus without knowing it, and they still cannot prove their innocence. And the other party has all the witnesses and material evidence.

Either Guanglu Siqing and others tell the truth, or the emperor decrees a pardon.Perhaps, the Manchus would use what they had in their hands to make deals with the imperial court.

Thinking of this, Jia Hu turned his gaze to the military official: "Can we not arrest him first?"

The officer of the Ministry of War was taken aback, hesitated for a while, and replied: "He is on the list, and there is nothing I can do about it."

At this moment, an old man with the appearance of a butler rushed out from the gate, fell to his knees, and cried, "Master, Madam hanged herself!"

Like thunder and lightning, Yang Jian's already pale face turned even paler at this moment, plopped, and sat on the ground slumped, and suddenly laughed like crazy, the laughter was so desolate.
Jia Hu sighed, thought for a while, and said to the officials of the Ministry of War: "Don't search the house for now, I'll talk to Duke Shan."

Military official: "Yes." He hurriedly said to Yang Jian, "Why don't you thank Lord Ning?"

Yang Jian burst into hope, and hurriedly kowtowed: "Thank you, Duke Ning, for your kindness!"

Looking at Yang Jian, Jia Hu sighed again from his heart: "I hope you're not lying." Then he said to Lin San: "Go to the Ministry of War." Saying that, he closed the car window.

On the other side, Chongwenmen Street was full of cries and shouts, and countless old and weak women and children were driven to the Chongwenmen camp by the soldiers of the infantry yamen.

Martial law had long been imposed on the streets, and soldiers armed with guns and knives stood upright in the flying snowflakes.

In the street-facing box of the restaurant on the side of the street, E Bi was wearing a tight-fitting leather jacket, sitting there drinking his own food.

A burst of wailing came from the street, E Bi smiled lightly, stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.

The cold wind blows snowflakes head-on.

In the boundless snow, the prisoner's family stumbled from a distance, crying all the way.

At this moment, the door of the box opened, and a man in a cloak and cloak with only two eyes showing came in.

E Bi closed the window, turned around, walked to the table and sat down, and said, "You're an expensive man. Don't you want to recite scriptures?"

That person took off his cloak and cloak, and it turned out to be Wuya Ruixing who had been hiding in the Daxiangguo Temple to eat fast and chant Buddha.

Wu Ya Ruixing sat down opposite E Bi, and lowered his voice: "The young master trapped and killed the Heilongjiang general in Shengjing, and completely controlled the Eight Banners soldiers in the Liaodong area. The main force of the Jilin general has crossed the Yalu River. The war is on."

E Bi: "If you still want to follow the master, you have to change your words."

Wuya Ruixing slapped himself on the mouth: "It's the master." Then, he poured the wine in the thermos pot for O Bi, filled it up for himself, held it up with both hands, and said to O Bi: "Advance Congratulations to Mr. E, the Xilin Jueluo family has a queen." After speaking, he drank the wine in the glass.

E Bi also picked up the wine glass, a shadow flashed across his face, and he was filled with smiles in an instant: "Congratulations! Congratulations!" He drank it up in one gulp.

Wuya Ruixing's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, "Could it be that the rumors are true?" But he didn't show his expression, and asked, "What is the meaning of Mr. E's words?"

O Bi stared at him: "You don't know?"

Wuya Ruixing was at a loss: "Know what?!"

E Bi pondered for a while, before saying: "Your sister will marry the enthroned master, imperial concubine, as the daughter of the Wuya clan!"

The muscles on Wuya Ruixing's face moved, and he stood up slowly. When he went to get the wine pot again, his hands were already trembling slightly. He took a deep breath, picked up the thermos pot and filled Obi's cup again. After drinking the wine, I filled it up for myself, and held it up with both hands: "Please help me, Mr. E!"

E Bi's eyes were shining brightly: "What do you mean by that?"

Wuya Ruixing was already a little excited, her hands trembled slightly, and the wine spilled out of the glass: "My girl has a very stubborn temper, she will not marry any Manchurian, this is forcing her Die! I only have such a younger sister now, if I don't have her anymore." Tears flashed in my eyes.

Obi stared at him closely.

Wu Ya Ruixing: "If I have to choose between my sister's life and Wu Ya's revitalization, I can only keep my sister's life!"

O Bi's eyes lit up.

Wuya Ruixing went on to say: "Although I am only half a Manchu, the Wuya clan will let me take care of it sooner or later. At that time, the Wuya clan will only follow the lead of the Xilinjueluo clan. The head of the country does not have to worry about the future young master. ?” He took another sip.

E Bi didn't say anything, but drank the wine too.

The two smiled at each other.

Only then did Wuya Ruixing remember: "I just heard that Mr. E used those corrupt officials to encircle many civil officials from the Great Zhou Dynasty?"

Obi nodded.

Wuya Ruixing took a deep breath and shook his head: "The court of the Great Zhou Dynasty is not full of corrupt scholars, they must be able to find the problem. This is slapping the emperor in the face! Slapping the emperor in the face. This matter It's not easy, it's not easy!"

E Bi smiled faintly: "Emperors of the Han people always want to save face. I have never seen him be afraid of even facing King Zhongshun. With the support of the military, he is so cowardly! Adou is stronger than him!"

Speaking of this, he raised his voice: "We slapped him in the face, and he will send someone to discuss with us!"

After finishing speaking, he picked up the jug and poured two glasses of wine, and said to Wuya Ruixing: "We must sell it at a good price!"

Wuya Ruixing nodded.

The two raised their wine glasses to touch each other, and they finished at the same time.

study room

Jia Hu, Niu Jizong and Shi Guangzhu sat silently in front of a big brazier, and the faces of the three of them were flushed by the blazing charcoal fire.

Song Chengliang also came, and was sitting on the chair next to the case and coughing.

Seeing that Song Chengliang was coughing more and more, Jia Hu stood up and went to the cubicle to make four bowls of tea.

He held the hot tea to Song Chengliang and asked him to drink a few sips. Jia Hu brought hot tea to Shi Guangzhu and Niu Jizong, then took a sip from the tea bowl and said to Song Chengliang: "This matter is actually very serious. Simple, send troops to surround the concierge, tell O Bi directly, either hand over the things, or go to Caishikou."

Just as he was talking, Emperor Jianwu hurried in.

Song Chengliang, Shi Guangzhu, Niu Jizong and Jia Hu stood up immediately.

Emperor Jianwu went straight to the imperial case and sat down: "What's the matter?" As he spoke, he opened the bowl of tea and saw that it was already dry. He habitually looked to the side, but Dai Quan was not there, so he turned his gaze to Jia Hu .

Jia Hu was taken aback for a moment, and asked curiously, "Where's Director Dai?"

Emperor Jianwu said angrily, "What are you talking about!"

Jia Hu was surprised: "Can it work?"

Emperor Jianwu said lightly: "You don't know how to help me." Then he said loudly: "If you agree to help me, I will make you the king of the county now!"

As soon as these words came out, Song Chengliang, Niu Jizong, and Shi Guangzhu were all shocked.

Niu Jizong and Shi Guangzhu looked at each other, and they both looked at Jia Hu at the same time.

Jia Hu didn't want to get entangled with him, so he hurried to the cubicle to fetch the copper pot, and poured tea before the case.

With a "hmph", Emperor Jianwu took a sip from the tea bowl and asked Shi Guangzhu, "What happened?"

Jia Hu spoke directly: "E Bi is slapping the emperor in the face!"

Emperor Jianwu's face was distorted with anger: "Tell me, what should I do?"

Jia Hu said loudly: "It's not the former dynasty, it's the Manchu Tartars pretending to be the grandson. We men hang murder knives on their waists, not the toys used by Suan Confucianism to deceive little girls!"

Emperor Jianwu was poked at the sore spot by these words, stood up, and walked back and forth irritably.

Song Chengliang pointed to Jia Hu, and then said to Emperor Jianwu: "Recently, I often go to Dongshi to drink tea, and I heard some words from the market, most of which are words praising your Majesty's literary and martial arts skills, and some people speak fiercely, saying that Your Majesty's administration It's too lenient. Some people say that the Tian family is selfless. Others say that the villain fears power and does not fear virtue."

Emperor Jianwu stopped in his tracks, looked at Song Chengliang, and waited for him to speak.

Song Chengliang: "Your Majesty opened up borders and lands, conquered Chahar and Khalkha Mongolian tribes, conquered the Yikezhao League and Mobei Grassland tribes, severely damaged the Manchu Tartars, established new cities outside the customs, and opened up territories. Thousands of miles. In addition, it can take a few years, or a year or two to recover the entire territory of Liaodong, and bring the whole of Korea into the territory. It can be said that your majesty is a pioneering king comparable to Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty!"

Emperor Jianwu frowned again, but said nothing.

Shi Guangzhu took advantage of the situation and said: "These traitors know what will happen to them, and they will not tell the truth. And those officials who may be wronged cannot prove their innocence!"

Niu Jizong said: "Perhaps I was wrong. Your Majesty's kindness should be given to the right people, not those villains with evil intentions. Abuse of 'benevolence' will ruin Da Zhou and kill all loyal ministers!"

Emperor Jianwu raised his head in bewilderment: "Yes, I often feel that I have done wrong. It's just that I can't help myself!"

Jia Hu couldn't bear it any longer: "Your Majesty, I'm not feeling well, so I'll take my leave first, please forgive me." After finishing speaking, he cupped his hands and bowed, and retreated.

Emperor Jianwu looked at Jia Hu who had exited the palace gate from the corner of his eye, but said nothing.

Niu Jizong and Shi Guangzhu looked at each other, and they both looked at Song Chengliang.

Song Chengliang looked sad.

There was silence.

At this moment, Dai Quan walked in, his face covered with slush, walked up to Emperor Jianwu, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, everything is ready."

Emperor Jianwu nodded.

Dai Quan hesitated for a moment, and said: "Mr. Ning Guo was so angry that he didn't even put on his cloak, and even knocked down the old slave."

Emperor Jianwu sighed, and turned to look at Niu Jizong: "The Manchu Qing Mission will be handed over to the Ministry of War."

Niu Jizong replied loudly, "Yes."

Emperor Jianwu turned his attention to Song Chengliang again: "King Zhongshun handed over the crime to the cabinet!" After finishing speaking, he turned and walked towards the apse.

It was dusk.

Here, there are about ten banquets in Jiamu's big flower hall. The banquet is over, and everyone is drinking tea and watching a play.

There is a low table next to each table, and an incense burner is placed on the table, and the royal lily palace incense is burned in it.

Fragrance all over the room.

Jia Mu leaned on the couch, chatted and laughed with everyone, picked up her glasses and looked at the little actor who was acting, suddenly Baoqin said something witty in Jia Mu's ear, which made Jia Mu laugh out loud.

At this moment, Lin Zhixiao's family rushed in excitedly, greeted Jia's mother, and then said to Lin Daiyu: "Miss Lin, the second master is back, please go to the ancestral hall."

Lin Daiyu was startled for a moment, then thought of something, her heart jumped up, and she asked slowly, "Ancestral Hall?"

Jia Mu had already sat up straight and asked hastily, "He went to the clan mansion?"

Lin Zhixiao's family said loudly: "Thanks to the emperor's grace, the clan's family has added Miss Lin's surname to the ancestral certificate of the Ningguo family!"

There was a slight commotion in the flower hall immediately.

Jia Mu quickly stood up, and said to Yuanyang, "Bring me and Miss Lin's cloaks."

Yuanyang went out in a hurry, and soon brought in four little girls, put on cloaks and cloaks for Jia Mu and Lin Daiyu, and then walked out surrounded by them.

This time, the flower hall immediately became lively.

Xichun thought for a while, then turned to Yingchun and asked, "Second sister, do you understand the meaning?"

Yingchun smiled: "I'm also confused."

Xichun blinked her eyes a few times, and said, "A while ago, I vaguely overheard Sister Si Qi saying that the second sister would add her surname to her in the future."

Yingchun blushed violently, and covered Xichun's mouth to prevent her from speaking.

Tanchun squirted a mouthful of tea on the ground, then burst out laughing.

Xing Xiuyan, who was eating melon seeds beside him, couldn't help laughing, covering his mouth and laughing.

Xiangyun looked at Tanchun inexplicably, and really didn't understand what made her happy.

Baochai was the same as usual, with a face as calm as a piece of still water, watching the play silently.

(End of this chapter)