Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 485
In front of Cui Dehai's mansion,
Zhang Jinyu heard Shen Zhongxin's somewhat naive words. It was simply unbelievable. When had corrupt officials become so worthless? If a corrupt official with a reputation only has 10 taels of silver in his house, wouldn't he be just a beggar? Who are you looking down on? Woolen cloth!
"Ahem, Mr. Shen is really funny. Corrupt officials have become poor. If these people took money, let alone 10 taels of silver, I'm afraid 30 taels of silver wouldn't be enough to fill their teeth."

"Uh, no way. Isn't the Marquis exaggerating? 10 taels of cash, plus the mansion and other things, it's already 30 taels of silver. It seems to me that it's a lot, after all. Many officials in the capital are still renting houses and living off their salaries."

Shen Zhongxin still didn't believe what Marquis Luo Yun said. He was not a noble businessman, nor was he a member of an aristocratic family. He had a lot of income from his family business. The officials in the capital who could have what he saw in front of him were already incomparable. Could it be that the family wealth of these officials was still high? Is there more?

Zhang Jinyu didn't explain any more. This little money was really not worth it, so she smiled and said,
"Master Shen, as the saying goes, seeing is believing and hearing is false. Let's wait and see. Wait for a while. When the people from the Imperial City Division check out the money, count it carefully. How much is there? Cui Dehai is in charge after all. He has been in Jingcang for four years. If he gets less, he is capable of this decapitation business and would not be willing to trade it with anyone. As for Tian Fangzheng, although he is not a big official, he has a steady stream of work. During this period, he has served as a grain orderer for nearly ten years. Over the years, he must have gained weight, so if you don’t believe me, wait and see.”

"Okay, I'll take a gamble with the Marquis."

Shen Zhongxin became more interested and even took a small gamble with great interest.

And inside the courtyard,
Ji Yunhui led the guards of the Imperial City Department and began to conduct a thorough inspection of each room to see if there were any hidden compartments or secret passages. After all, he had experience in searching mansions in Jiangnan. Generally, hidden compartments were in the main room. The man entered the main house, carefully holding the wooden stick and knocking it around.
suddenly,

An echo was found under the bed in the inner room. There must be a hidden compartment or something, so Baihu shouted,

"Sir Qianhu, there is a secret grid here."

"Well, where,"

Ji Yunhui came over with his people. Baihu pointed under the bed. Qianhu immediately understood and ordered,

"Someone, please turn over this bed."

"Yes, my lord."

After saying that, Imperial Guard Sikon came over with an iron bar and pried it up at the bed board. There was a snap sound and the bed board was lifted up. They saw that the bottom of the bed was paved with silver. Everyone was shocked. He swallowed secretly.

Ji Yunhui saw this and reminded him,
"Pack up all the money and move it out, but don't have any thoughts that you shouldn't have. If the Marquis finds out, I won't be able to protect you, do you hear me?"

"I heard it, Lord Chihu."

The people surrounding them quickly looked away, knowing that the Marquis was very strict in managing the army. If everyone violated his taboos, they might not be able to go back. Besides, the Marquis would be rewarded afterwards, so they were not in a hurry.

Then I started to carry it with my hands, being careful at all times for fear of counting wrongly.

Ji Yunhui searched carefully and found another sandalwood box. He took it and found it was locked. He put it on the table, took out his knife, and then slashed through it, and the copper lock broke.

Ji Yunhui took the box and opened it. He saw neatly stacked banknotes in the box, estimated to be at least 20 yuan. Ji Yunhui was so frightened that he immediately closed it and put it in his arms.
"Please be careful, I'll go see the Marquis."

"Yes, Master Qianhu."

Then he stepped out of the main room and ran straight to the door outside the mansion.

Outside the house,

Zhang Jinyu and Shen Zhongxin talked and talked about something else.

suddenly,

Not far behind,
Yan Cong patted his clothes and walked towards Cui Dehai's mansion. He felt someone following him. When he turned around, he saw that it was his friends Lu An and Qi Liang.
"My dear brothers, how come you guys are following me? I don't want to involve you two brothers in this matter. I will bear it on my own."

"Haha, what Brother Yan said is wrong. They all studied the studies of saints and followed the upright path. How can Brother Yan go there alone! Even if there are mountains of swords and seas of fire ahead, we, the disciples of saints, have to go there. , how can you bow your head for the powerful?"

Lu An laughed, quite like a clean-blooded person, Qi Liang also clasped his hands and said loudly,
"Haha, what Brother Lu said is true. We are walking the way of saints. How can you go first on this road? I, Qi Liang, have no talent, but I still have the character of a scholar. I don't want to be a stinker, but I still want to accompany you. You all go together!”

"Okay, good brothers, let's go together!"

The three people mustered up the courage to rush in from the outside. Their steps were heavy and their bodies were bleak. They had a tragic and heroic attitude of rustling in the wind and cold water. The heroes were gone and never came back. The people who didn't understand what they saw were spontaneously Make way.

The leader, Yan Cong, saw this, raised his hands high, and shouted loudly,
"Marquis Luo Yun, you are so brave, you actually searched the residences of officials in the capital privately, and you still care about the court, the king's law, and the emperor."

"That is, this is an important place in the capital, and you are lawless. Lord Shen, as the Minister of Household Affairs, actually helped Zhou to commit evil acts, and acted recklessly with the people of the Imperial City Department, which is treason."

Qi Liang did not complain about Marquis Luo Yun's discomfort. Instead, he cursed and scolded Shen Zhongxin. Lu An also followed closely behind.

"Common people, in broad daylight, you can search officials' residences at will. What is your intention?"

The people around him didn't know what was going on and were discussing in private. They didn't know what was going on. Instead, more and more people were watching the excitement. Ning Bian behind him saw the three people talking arrogantly and was about to curse, but Zhang Jinyu stopped him. Looking at Shen Zhongxin and asking,
"Who are these three people and where did they come from?"

After Shen Zhongxin heard those words, he felt quite sullen in his heart. Who would be better off being scolded for no reason? He looked at it carefully and saw that the leader was Yan Guan Zong, but he was from Qingliu. Although the two people behind him looked familiar, they didn't recognize him. He replied ,
"Master Hou, except for the leader, Yan Cong, who is an official in the capital and comes from Qingliu in the south of the Yangtze River, I don't recognize the others although they look familiar."

"The clear currents in the south of the Yangtze River speak to officials."

Zhang Jinyu looked at the angry Yan Guan below and muttered silently, knowing that trouble was coming.

Although the so-called Yan Guan has no name or reputation in the capital, the officials in the capital are afraid of Yan Guan's mouth. If they really get entangled with them, then during the court meeting, it will be like being bitten by a dog. Let it go, not to mention how much the damage is, it is quite disgusting.

Seeing the three impassioned and somewhat tragic people, Zhang Jinyu felt as if she had swallowed a fly. She felt so sick that she did not speak at first, wanting to hear what the three people were yelling about.However, Yan Cong, who had been talking for a while, was a little dry-mouthed. Although he seemed to be unafraid of the powerful and impassioned, and the eyes of the onlookers were all focused on him, Yan Cong felt a little embarrassed when he looked at the indifferent Marquis Luo Yun.
He shouted again and asked,

"Marquis Luo Yun, why don't you speak? Could it be that you are at a loss for words and embarrassed? I agree with what the official said."

"Hey, hey, wait a minute, what are you talking about? You are speechless and embarrassed. Which one of your eyes saw it? I am not talking here. I am just watching the three of you acting there. Go on, I am not talking. Listen."

Zhang Jinyu saw the excitement and didn't think it was a big deal, and even made some sarcastic comments. Yan Cong was so angry that he took a few steps forward and asked,
"Knowing your words, Marquis Luo Yun, although your official position is low-key, but as an official of the capital court, you have the responsibility to supervise all officials. You cannot ignore the matter when you encounter it. I don't understand something, and I want to ask, Mr. Marquis Do you dare to answer?"

"Why don't you dare? There is nothing that I dare not answer. Just ask. After all, it's hard work, so how can it be in vain?"

Following his words, Zhang Jinyu did not stop him from asking. Yan Cong snorted coldly, rolled down his sleeves, and asked with a serious face,

"Marquis Luo Yun, today, I dare to ask the Marquis, what is the Marquis' intention when he brings troops to Lord Cui's house?"

"Haha, good question!"

Zhang Jinyu suddenly burst out laughing, attracting many onlookers, and also arousing the confusion of Yan Cong and the other three, and asked again,

"Master Hou, why are you laughing?"

"Haha, of course I'm laughing at you. Since you asked me why I came here, it's natural that I came here to ransack my house. Why did I ransack my house? Folks, do you know who owns this mansion? Does anyone know?"

Zhang Jinyu rode on the horse and bowed his hands to the people around him. The people also knew that the speaker was Marquis Luo Yun. Finally, someone in the crowd boldly shouted,

"Master Marquis, you know that this house is the residence of Mr. Cui Dehai, a doctor in the household department."

"Okay, it seems that someone knows Cui Dehai's residence. This person was assigned by the Ministry of Household Affairs to guard the official warehouse in Jingcang. But last night, there was a fire in Jingcang, burning 11 large warehouses and 10,000+ stones of grain. Do you know? The grains that were burned were the rations for everyone in the capital. After interrogation by this Marquis and Mr. Shen of the Ministry of Revenue overnight, the fire was burned artificially. The evidence of crime and physical evidence were all there. Is this kind of corrupt official keeping it for the New Year? Mr. Yan, What do you think?"

Zhang Jinyu stared into Yan Cong's eyes, talking about the reason for this, and finally asked, many people around him did not buy rice today, and the price has tripled, and there are even many people who don't know what happened today. It was confirmed from the mouth of Luo Yunhou that they were all filled with righteous indignation and hated the same enemy. They all cursed,

"Ah, damn corrupt officials,"

"Yes, there is definitely something fishy. Why did you burn down the granary for no reason?"

"Are you still asking? Once it's burned, who knows what's inside?"

"Damn it, I haven't bought any rice today. Corrupt officials should be killed!"

"That's right. I said, why are you rushing to buy rice today? It's all because of them. You said when there is no harvest, where is there any food left? Oh my God."

Lin Linzongzong started to curse, and the people's curses became louder and louder. They did not conceal their curses on Cui Dehai and those corrupt officials. Yan Cong and the two Hanlin officials were stunned after hearing this. How could this happen? Hou's words were reversed, and Yan Cong was naturally unwilling to give in. The matter had not been investigated clearly, so how could he be convicted based on his own words? Besides, Dali Temple and the Ministry of Punishment did not accept the case. The conclusion was inconclusive, so where could the corruption come from? He asked again,

"Marquis Luo Yun, what you said is only your side of the story. The Dali Temple and the Ministry of Punishment have not convicted anyone. You are judging the person before trial. Besides, what evidence is there?"

"Yes, maybe it was you who framed me,"

"You two dear friends are right. The case is complicated and confusing, and there is no evidence presented to the cabinet. There is no verdict in the case. How can we say that Cui Dehai is the criminal, let alone the crime of ransacking a house!"

Lu An and Qi Liang supported Yan Cong and followed closely behind him.

"Hey, wait, what do you mean by my one-sided statement? I ask you, the fire last night is indeed true. And since I said it was man-made, I must have evidence, but the matter is too important to be presented. As for being framed, tsk tsk, it’s not that I’m giving him face. Who is he? To allow me to bother with this is not to praise him.”

What Zhang Jinyu said is true. If it were the Four Kings and the regional envoys of the vassal kings, they might think carefully about it. This is just an inconsequential official. He can be crushed to death at will, and he has to use such a complicated trap. It was really flattering to him. Zhang Jinyu had a look of contempt on his face. It was really unnecessary for a doctor to say, "
"Since you asked if there is any other evidence, here is the ready-made one. Come here, take a look at the courtyard. This so-called Household Doctor has such a deep compound. He is located here. Not only is it facing the street and downtown, it is also built along the river. Located at the intersection of Shifang, it is quiet in the bustle and has a unique flavor. Regardless of its value, in the capital, this house would cost at least 20 taels of silver to buy. Yan Cong, are you right?"

The three of them were stunned when they heard the words. They each glanced at each other. Then Lu An, who stood at the end, raised his head and looked at the big house in front of him with envy. Not to mention the carved beams and painted pillars, it was also an antique big house with three entrances and three exits. He asked quietly from behind,

"Brother Qi, the Marquis is right. It's really that valuable. Isn't it just a big house facing the street? It's quite good."

"Brother Lu, what Marquis Luo Yun said is right. It's even less to say that if you meet a wealthy buyer or a merchant family, it's not to say that the house here sells for 30 taels of silver. In this area , maybe you can’t buy it even if you have money.”

Qi Liang also smiled bitterly and explained, among other things, as long as it is a house in the capital, you don't need to find a buyer when you sell it. Someone from the government office will come forward and buy it at a high price. You don't have to worry about selling it. If you want to buy a house like this , if not at that time, I don’t know how to wait until the Year of the Monkey and the Moon of the Horse.

Yan Cong listened clearly from the front, his face was slightly red, and he felt quite ashamed. Not to mention the two of them were envious of such a wealthy and powerful family, even Yan Cong was envious of him. It was a pity that he could only use a little salary to buy a small yard. It’s an extravagant request. If Marquis Luo Yun hadn’t spoken up in the end and allowed the officials in the capital to rent a small courtyard to live at extreme prices, I’m afraid they wouldn’t even have a place to live. Thinking of this, he nodded and said,
"What the Marquis said is right. You can't say enough. It's worth at least 25 taels of silver. However, just a house doesn't mean much. What else?"

Zhang Jinyu originally thought that Yan Cong would try every means to quibble and refuse to admit it, but he didn't know that he would admit it so readily. Recalling that the officials in the capital are all new officials and officials from the reserves of various ministries, they are not old foxes, and some still need to be shy. This will be easy to handle,

"Okay, Mr. Yan is indeed a disciple of the saints. I admire you. If you say so, I will not just make up random things, arbitrarily frame the court officials, and harm loyal people. Although I did not come from the imperial examination, but, I respect scholars, especially those who read books by sages, so you can rest assured.

As for other things, come on, please take Mr. Yan to the yard to see if those things are left by Cui Dehai’s ancestors or are salary from the imperial court. As for the wealth of the family, I have verified that it is one of the three tribes of Cui Dehai. There are no walking merchants inside, so where did the money come from?One can imagine! "

After Zhang Jinyu finished speaking, she pointed at the gate of Cui Dehai's mansion. The yard not far away was full of arrested people, and the empty yard was already filled with boxes of all sizes. Although the boxes were covered, I also know that there must be good things inside.

For a moment, the three of them were in a dilemma. They could neither advance nor retreat.

(End of this chapter)