Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 366 The collective wisdom of Huaiyang officials and gentry - burning the imperial envoy!
After all, house slaves have lower IQs.

After a while,
Only then did he understand why his master said that he had brought back a "jinx".

Zheng Jinsheng also regained his composure.

Start to review the ins and outs of this matter and clarify the dilemma.

"What did you do during your escape, you bitch?"

"I have committed myself to the chief of the Fu'an Salt Field, and have been asked for daily lodging and food."

"Then why don't you continue to live your peaceful life?"

"Soldiers from Yangzhou Prefecture suddenly descended from the sky to arrest me. On the way to the government office, one soldier saw that I was quite pretty, so he did me a favor and then released me privately~"

"and after?"

"Later, I met another good man and did good things for him. He said that I had offended a group of big men in Jiangbei, and now only the imperial envoy could save my life."

……

The woman was trembling and her face was pale.

There was nothing she could do; she was forced into it.

Although she also realized that there was definitely something wrong with good people and good things happening one after another.

but,

Driven by the instinct for survival, she had no choice but to grab any straw.

Zheng Jinsheng's eyes gradually became sinister and moved across the faces of the two men.

A thought gradually arose - to silence him!
The servant had already realized the fate he would face. This was a common tactic used by the masters in the capital. He burst into tears and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Mrs. Jin Yu, besides you, is there anyone else who knows about this?"

"Have!"

Faced with a life-and-death situation, this woman can only risk everything.

When he looked up, his eyes were determined, hoping to dispel the imperial envoy's idea of ​​silencing him. This was also taught by the good people.

……

Zheng Jinsheng's head was sweating.

He shouted:
"Someone is coming."

Whoosh, four guards rushed in.

"First hang this dog slave. Then find a room to lock this woman up in. Don't allow anyone to talk to her."

"Whoo."

After arranging everything,
Zheng Jinsheng sat back in his chair dejectedly and began to think about how to deal with this hot potato and the possible mastermind behind the scenes!

With his experience and intelligence, he quickly concluded that there was an 8% chance that the trouble was caused by spies sent by the fake King of Wu.

And almost at the same time,

In a bathhouse in Qingjiangpu.

Mr. Zhou, a lawyer from the Huai'an prefectural government, with a white towel draped over his shoulders and humming a little tune, is experiencing the most classic culture of the Huaiyang region.

Crackling, crackling.

The bath scrubber's technique was neither too light nor too heavy, and the tapping was just right!
Master Zhou closed his eyes and was about to fall asleep comfortably.

……

suddenly,

He heard someone talking loudly in the hot tub next door.

"A terrible thing happened today. The female criminal who was offered a reward by Yangzhou Prefecture actually walked into the imperial envoy's office with a swagger. Tsk tsk~"

"Female prisoner? Imperial envoy?"

The onlookers never disappoint and accurately grasp the most critical elements of this information.

"Yes, most likely they are together."

"Tell me the details quickly."

"This woman's name is Jin Yu. She was originally the mistress of the head of the Yangzhou Prefecture. She was quite pretty. But later on, for some unknown reason, her mistress was burned to death."

Master Zhou, who was lying on the ground, jumped up.

He pushed the master aside and rushed into the pool filled with steam:

"Who was that person who just spoke? Come out?"

Seeing him in a rage,

The people in the pool quickly ran away, no one wanted to cause trouble.

Realizing that something was wrong, Master Zhou quickly found the owner of the bathhouse:
"Seal the door and don't let anyone escape."

"Sir, what happened?"

"Don't ask any more questions. Send a clerk with my badge to the government office to mobilize troops and say that it was I, Zhou, who gave the order."

……

however,
After all, it was too late.

A team of soldiers worked for a long time but failed to find the bather who claimed to know the inside story.

but,

Many guests confessed that they had heard this person's "bold and rebellious words".

Mr. Zhou,
He is Chang Huoyan's absolute confidant, and he knows very well where Jin Yu came from and how deeply he is involved behind the scenes.

After a brief thought, he made the following arrangements:
"Go to the Imperial Envoy's Office and ask if there are any strange women. If there are, find out where they came from."

"Prepare the carriage and horses. I want to go see Dong Weng."

……

Qingjiangpu, in a manor on the canal.

Huai'an prefect Chang Huoyan and grain inspector Yu Yunhe are holding a "monkey version of the provincial examination".

In the brightly lit courtyard,

Twenty pretty female scholars dressed in men's clothing who came to take the exam are being inspected while carrying their exam baskets.

The gate pillars of the courtyard are often inscribed with "Jiangbei Gongyuan" written by Huo Yan himself.

Although he was a scholar from a poor family, his calligraphy skills were quite high.

The "Selecting Scholars for the Ming Dynasty" and "Seeking Talents for the Country" on both sides were written by Yu Yunhe, and their level is slightly inferior.

This is a cosplay of the imperial examination in the 18th century.

However, it is not inferior to any of its later enthusiasts in any way, and the details are extremely exquisite.

"To the deputy examiner, the provincial examination is a grand ceremony of the imperial court. Don't be sentimental, you must be strict."

"Don't worry, Chief Examiner Chang. I am honest as water and will personally check it."

……

The conversation was serious.

The "soldiers" standing solemnly nearby almost burst out laughing when they heard this.

If you look closely, you will find that these soldiers wearing "soldier" uniforms and red tasseled hats are actually the servants and pimps of brothels.

The Cosplay is very professional, and all the equipment is from the current Green Camp.

……

Yu Yunhe walked into the courtyard with square steps.

Candidates are queuing up, waiting for inspection and entry.

He reached for an ID card and read:

"A student named Wu Erniang from Changmen, Suzhou Prefecture, 4 feet and a half tall, pale, with long hair, thin, big face, and a black mole. Is this you?"

A book grows up and bows:
"Exactly the students."

"How do you prove you are who you say you are?"

Wu Erniang was stunned and didn't know how to answer.

Yu Yunhe continued to ask unhappily:

"Have you ever used someone else's name or smuggled anything in?"

"I am a student who is familiar with the classics, history, and literature. I know shame and etiquette. I will never do such a shameful thing."

"Humph. In today's world, who knows if you are just seeking fame and reputation? I will check it myself."

Wu Erniang reluctantly put down the basket, took off her student hat, and opened her arms.

"Yes, no impersonation, no smuggling. And all the characteristics described on the ID card are consistent. Good, very good."

The "female scholars" around her all blushed, but did not dare to laugh.

If anyone laughs, the event that the two adults have carefully prepared for half a month will be ruined, and the consequences will be serious.

……

Wu Erniang straightened her robe and picked up the basket on the ground.

Just after taking two steps out, I heard a majestic voice shouting:
"Wait a minute!"

Chang Huoyan walked over, his eyes scanning up and down like a searchlight.

Wu Erniang immediately revealed a timid and guilty expression.

"Why are you panicking?"

“The students didn’t panic.”

"What are you hiding from?"

"The students didn't hide."

Chang Huoyan walked around her twice and suddenly said excitedly:
"Somebody come!"

"exist."

"Lift up this person's long hair."

……

Where the long hair covered, the back was covered with densely packed tiny characters.

Chang Huoyan read:
"The way of heaven and earth can be summed up in one word: they are not two-faced, so their creation is unpredictable. The way of heaven and earth is broad, deep, high, bright, long-lasting and long-lasting."

Wu Erniang was immediately terrified and knelt down, complaining:

"Sir, please forgive me. I have studied hard for ten years and I was just confused for a moment."

Chang Huoyan said sternly:
"According to the Qing Dynasty law, anyone who brings private materials into the Imperial Examination Hall will be stripped of his title as a scholar, beaten with 20 sticks, and put in the shackles for two days. This official is very strict in his academic discipline, and will not forgive you."

Two sturdy women dressed as soldiers immediately carried Wu Erniang to the side where the floor was already covered with red brocade.

Tear it~
He stripped off his gown and started beating him with a stick.

I don't know what material the wobbly board is made of.

In short, if the executioner swings the sword with ten points of strength, nine points of the strength will be consumed in the air.

……

Finished.
The soldiers then held Wu Erniang up and put her in shackles for public display.

The wooden yoke is also specially made!
The apprentices in the coffin shop first used paste to stick 20 layers of rice paper together, then cut it into the shape of a wooden yoke, and finally coated it with ink. After it was dried, it was almost indistinguishable from the real thing!

After this stage,
The 15 students who had managed to pass the test finally took their seats. …

Yu Yunhe was in high spirits, and Chang Huoyan was beaming with joy.

Immersive experience~
A soldier dressed as a turtle was patrolling with a large mahogany sign.

It clearly says:

"Zhu Xi took a nun as his concubine and concealed the fact that his widowed daughter-in-law was pregnant. However, he was honored as Zhu Zi by later generations. Why is that?"

After walking 2 laps,
The test questions elicited countless laughs.

The two examiners drank and talked about important matters while answering the questions.

"Brother Chang, I heard that the governor of the grain transport department has already opened the warehouses to load the ships for shipment southward?"

"Yes! This time we don't need the Jiangbei camp to urge us. Let's take 1 shi of grain and send it to the military camp first. We are looking forward to the battle starting soon."

Half an hour later,
The following people reported:
"Sir, the candidates have started handing in their papers."

Yu Yunhe immediately put down his glass:
"Hurry up, we are marking the papers on site. We are selecting talents for the country. Any delay is a crime."

……

Both of them were well-read and barely qualified to mark the papers.

On the long redwood table,
A stack of test papers with names blurred out.

Although it was a monkey version of the provincial examination, it was conducted in an orderly manner.

The deputy chief examiner is the first examiner and the chief examiner is the final examiner.

Yu Yunhe suddenly slammed the table:
"This boy can be the first place in the exam."

Chang Huoyan quickly took it and exclaimed after reading it:
"Extraordinary, unique insights, our Qing Dynasty is full of talented people."

The calligraphy on this test paper is neat and standard.

The author expounds on Zhu Xi's scandal from the perspectives of private morality and public morality respectively.

In one sentence:

When selecting talents for the country, we should focus on public morality rather than personal morality.

So Zhu Xi is still a gentleman!

……

Pulling open the covered area on one side of the test paper, Chang Huoyan said with a smile:

"Hurry up and call this Yue Wuniang over."

A "female scholar" in a long green gown walked in, and her every move was quite like a man.

Even better,

The moon was flat before.

That’s very thoughtful!

Serious attitude! Solid wrapping! Professional appearance!

Unlike the other candidates whose answers were also acceptable, he was all over the place and lacked literary grace.

In official circles, having a correct attitude is more important than anything else.

Yu Yunhe was quite impressed and said with a smile:

"Give me a seat, and you can enter the Dragon and Tiger List."

"Thank you, sir." Yue Wuniang lifted the corner of her long gown and sat down casually.

Yu Yunhe's eyes lit up.

Asked anxiously:

"Can you recite poetry?"

“Students know a thing or two.”

"Can I compose an impromptu poem on the theme of defeating the bandits in the south of the Yangtze River?"

……

suddenly,

There was a commotion at the door.

Master Zhou was stopped outside the manor, and he slapped the face of the servant who tried to stop him.

"Get out of the way!"

He rushed into the "provincial examination" scene in a hurry.

Chang Huoyan frowned and asked:

"Old Zhou, you don't know the seriousness of the matter."

Master Zhou looked around the room and said seriously:

"Go back!"

After all the smoke and dust had disappeared, he grabbed a test paper and wrote on the back:
"The important witness in the Qian Feng case, the shrewish woman from Yangzhou, Jin Yu, has been recruited by the imperial envoy!"

The two were stunned for a moment.

Chang Huoyan suddenly woke up and asked in a low voice:

"Sure?"

The master shook his head:
"It will soon be confirmed that it is 80% true."

……

Just half an hour later, the person who had inquired came back with a quick horse to confirm the authenticity of the news.

During this time,

The Huai'an government office and the imperial commissioner's office had a very good relationship.

It only cost some money to find out the existence of Jin Yu.

Inside the cabin,
A domestic servant had just been killed and a woman had been detained. Many people thought it was a case of adultery and did not think deeply about it.

Therefore,
He has no sense of confidentiality and tells everything as soon as he sees the money.

"Quick, go find the governor."

The three men hurriedly rode away from the manor, leaving the group of actors stunned.

Yue Wuniang complained:

"My Luming Feast has not yet been finalized."

Wu Erniang, who was shackled and displayed to the public, tore off the "rice paper shackle" as if no one was around and took the gown handed to her by Guigong.

Talking about the wind:

"Oh my, the Luming Feast? Some people really think they are scholars! It's just a play, don't get too into it."

……

At noon the next day,

The imperial envoy went to the palace.

There are many unfamiliar faces in the surrounding alleys.

A young and strong man with a strong military temperament was carrying a shoulder pole. He had a stern look in his eyes and glanced inside the headquarters from time to time.

Guan, Chang and Yu were in a carriage on the next street, directing the operation on the spot.

An officer from Caobiao came hurriedly:
"Sir, he was the cook at the headquarters and saw the woman being detained with his own eyes."

Guan Mingen pointed at the arrest warrant and asked:

"What does it look like?"

"Same, very similar, too similar."

Nowadays, it is very difficult to make the graphics of maritime arrest documents 3% similar.

Yu Yunhe even had an absurd thought: did this damn painter covet this shrewish woman, or even play with her?

……

"How to do?"

"Zheng Jinsheng is such a dishonest bastard. He treated us like brothers when we were drinking, and accepted all the gold he received. I thought he knew the rules, so I raised it high and put it down lightly. But it turns out that he has been investigating us behind our backs. The shrewd woman from Yangzhou was his breakthrough. He is even more vicious than Qian Feng! He just wants to step on the corpses of dozens of his colleagues in Jiangbei to get to the top!"

"Could it be a misunderstanding?"

"What a mistake!"

Chang Huoyan swore wildly.

The sarcastic language of literati cannot express my true feelings!

Therefore, Lao Chang prefers to use rough and direct language to express intense emotions.

……

Zheng Jinsheng stood on the wooden building of the headquarters and found that there were many unidentified men on the surrounding streets.

I secretly thought it was not good.

While ordering the guards to step up their vigilance, he sent people to contact the Han Army Flag Cavalry Battalion stationed on the shore of Hongze Lake more than ten miles away.

The Cavalry Battalion came from the capital and would definitely stand on his side unconditionally.

however,
He underestimated the cruelty of the local struggle.

The liaison officer sent out was knocked off his horse by a crossbow arrow from the soldiers of Caobiao two streets away.

Zheng Jinsheng's letter for help was found on the spot.
……

Chang Huoyan exploded when he saw the content, his expression ferocious:
"Brother Guan, please make up your mind."

Guan Mingen stuttered:
"What ideas do I have? Can't we burn the imperial envoy?"

Chang and Yu's eyes widened as they looked at Guan Ming'en in surprise.

"I have always considered myself a ruthless person. Ahem, at the critical moment, I discovered that I am not as good as you!"

Yu Yunhe was obviously more rational, with beads of sweat dripping from his temples:
"My dear friends, how did the burning of the imperial envoy end? It was horrifying! Will the court spare us?"

Master Zhou, who had been silent all this time, spoke up:

"The fake King Wu did it."

The three were speechless and hesitated to speak.

For a moment, the silence in the car was so depressing that people wanted to jump out of the car.

……

Yu Yunhe whispered:

"Do you think it's possible to convince the imperial envoy to kill that shrew, turn the page and keep our distance from each other in the future?"

Guan Mingen sighed:

"This is a handwritten letter with the imperial seal, written by Zheng Jinsheng to the deputy commander of the Han army of the Cavalry Battalion. I know this person. My aunt was related to Zheng Jinsheng's confidant, his second uncle, by marriage."

Chang Huoyan looked at Yu Yunhe:
"It's better for both of us to lose than for us to lose unilaterally!"

Guan Ming'en hesitated for a while and nodded silently.

at this time,

Another soldier came to report from outside the carriage:
"The Imperial Envoy has sent out another scout, and the riders are wearing yellow jackets."

(End of this chapter)