Emperor Yongzheng

Chapter 126 Inspector Qing Hongli patrols the river to fight against the cruel government and the scholar stops the scientific examination

Hongli did not meet with the officials in Kaifeng for several days. Every morning when he got up, he called Xing Jianye and others in and ordered them to go to the towns on the outskirts of the city to inquire about the harvest situation of farmers in the city, and the rice stores selling grain. price.How much grain is there, how much livestock comes in and out of the mules and horses market, how much feed is expensive, how much is imported from other places, how much is produced locally, fork handles, brooms, ox cage mouths, and hoes, mills, shovels, plowshares, axes, sickles, and shovels. Everyone must listen carefully and register.Everyone didn't know what he was doing these things for, and they didn't dare to ask. They saw that he went out every day, and in a daze, he asked the price when he saw the goods, and refused to buy even after asking. When he came back that night, he returned to Liu Tongxun and reported the business. After a few days, , all feel extremely trivial and boring.Hongli was not at the posthouse during the day, because the township examination hall was about to open. The shops and hotels in Xiangguo Temple, Huiji River Street, Baofukeng, and Nanshi Lane were full of talents from all prefectures and counties who came to the province to take the examination.Today we are invited to have a drink, and tomorrow we are going to have a date with each other, it is very lively.Hongli hung out among these people and sometimes didn't come back until midnight.Six days passed, and the exam was about to start on the next day. Hongli came back earlier that day and ordered someone to "call Liu Tongxun over."

"Fourth Master, this is the price list of department stores collected as of yesterday." Liu Tongxun rubbed his eyes that were a little dizzy from the exertion, gently placed several thick books on Hongli's desk, and said with a smile: "In addition to bamboo, jade, The sedan bars, silk and satin, and even soy sauce, vinegar, firewood, tea, and vegetables were all made. I didn’t have a master, so I copied them all by hand. It will be easier for you to check."

Hongli nodded and read each book one by one. He passed by with a smile on some places, but looked at other places very carefully. Sometimes he closed his eyes as if reminiscing about something, and murmured something in his mouth, but he didn't know what he was saying. It was enough. It took me an hour to finish reading it.He stood up in a daze, and walked around the room a few times with a bit of hesitation and calmness on his face that he had just woken up. He said to Liu Tongxun, who was sitting upright and looking at him: "Several booklets, ask someone to copy one and keep it." .Your original document shall be sealed and submitted to the Emperor.”

Liu Tongxun was stunned, staring at Hongli with his mouth open, and after a long while he said: "I understand!"

"You may not understand." Hongli smiled and said, "There are only two of us here, so I might as well tell you bluntly. I hate Tian Wenjing very much, and I have to admit that he is an upright and good official, a rare and capable person! This That’s all you know, I won’t admit it if you tell me.”

"Fourth Lord!"

"Look at the price of grain," Hongli casually opened a book, pointed to a column and said, "The price of wheat is three cents and four. Last year it was three cents and seven, and the year before last year, when there was a disaster, it was six cents; the year before last, Tian Wenjing changed the price of wheat from Six cents dropped to four cents and five cents. Usually the price of wheat at this time was around six cents and five cents. This means that when Tian Wenjing presided over the government affairs in Henan, the price of grain in the disaster year was similar to that of the past normal years - three cents and four cents, Tai It’s cheap, almost the same as the price of rice in the harvest season in Jiangnan. But we also have to think about the fact that the wheat harvest in Henan is about to begin, and the grain store owners have to vacate their warehouses. It’s natural to sell at a low price. They are local. If Henan’s wheat harvest fails this year, he will have to sell it at a low price. The settlement is strange. And you see, the price of Wang Er's pockmarked sickle and the local Cai's iron shop's sickle are the same, both are five cents. Excluding the shipping fee of Wang'er's pockmarked sickle, the local sickle is half a cent more expensive. Don't underestimate it. What are you laughing at? This is the people's livelihood and the people's livelihood!" Liu Tongxun said with a smile: "How dare I laugh at you? I just think it's interesting. I never thought that this book would be of such great use and knowledge. I have been ranked as a Jinshi in two places. These economic methods are not mentioned in the sages’ books!”

Hongli raised his body, his delicate eyebrows slowly frowned, and after a long time he said: "The sage set the path and has a bird's-eye view of all things, how can he care about these details? In fact, this is what the first sentence of "The University" talks about. "The University" The Tao is to be close to the people and to strive for perfection. Educating the people and diligently pursuing goodness are all integrated into this Tao." He paused and said, "Someone used Huang Lao Wuwei's words to persuade Emperor Amma, saying that it is "Do nothing but do everything" seems to be the universal Tao. In fact, we don't understand that the Tao is not dead, but flowing like air and water. The world is complicated and should be rectified with leniency; the world should be lax and carefree. You have to pay attention to the little things when it is complicated. So it is said that 'one piece of work and one relaxation is the way of civility and martial arts' - this is the lesson that Master Zhu taught our elder brother the first time he started teaching." Just as he was saying this, he saw Yu Hongtu hurriedly walking in from outside. , while saluting in the courtyard, he said, "Fourth Master, this servant is talking to Zhang Xingren. Xing Jianye just met the servant and was a little late. Please forgive me, Fourth Master." Hongli said with a smile: "It's not too late, now Tianchang, there are still two hours before dark; I want to go to the embankment of the Yellow River. Let's ride horses and watch the embankment and talk at the same time." As he said this, he left the hall.Liu Tongxun just said, "Fourth Master——" Hongli said with a smile: "There is nothing to avoid, you can come with us." The Xing brothers had been waiting on the corridor of the west wing, and they went to the backyard to pick up the horse and wear it again. Weapons and weapons were also followed at a distance on horseback.

"Fourth Master," Yu Hongtu said thoughtfully as he mounted his horse and followed the bridle, "According to my servant, something will happen in the Kaifeng Examination Hall." Liu Tongxun behind him trembled in shock, but he heard Hongli say: "I know this well. Didn't you listen to what Zhang Zhimei said?" Yu Hongtu looked around and said, "I have talked with Zhang Xingren and let's stop taking the exam. This has never happened before in the founding of the Qing Dynasty, and it was very rare even in previous generations. Please pay attention to Brother Zhimei. He said that he has announced that anyone who causes unprovoked troubles or harasses the examination room will be strictly investigated without leniency. I have opened my door wide. If everyone does not come to the examination, there will be no mercy. What method? - It seems that Zhang Zhimei has made up her mind and wants to see how good-looking Tian Wenjing is?"

Hongli looked at the sparse pedestrians in the alley and said for a long time: "This Zhang Xingren doesn't know the general situation. He forgot that he is an academic and political official, a court official in charge of academic and political education in Henan!" Yu Hongtu said: "Listen to his words , Prime Minister Hengchen gave him a letter. He said, my uncle was bitten by a snake once, and was afraid of well ropes for ten years. Zhang Tinglu is a master, and committed bribery. Isn’t it a joke to compare me with him? Some people say that I Thanks to Zhang Tingyu's influence, He Tian Wenjing stood up. In fact, just look at my resume. If Zhang Tingyu hadn't been pretentious, would I have been more than just a provincial academic? People say I rest under a tree, but I still think I'm a grass. He will not grow taller if he is covered with sunlight!" Liu Tongxun asked hurriedly: "Zhang Xingren is still from the Zhang Tingyu clan?" Hongli nodded and sighed: "He is the grandson of the uncle of the clan in the fifth service. Zhang Tingyu is a famous prime minister in the clan. People both benefit from him and suffer from him."

He paused and then asked: "What did the Yamen say? Have they found out who was the leader who instigated the scholars to quit the exams?"

"I'm going to see Keying first." Yu Hongtu said with a tense face, "These officials in Henan are all oil hammers, slippery and hard. He said that it is a matter of the academic government office for scholars to stop taking exams. , also fell under the jurisdiction of Zhang Xingren. There are both laws and precedents on this matter, and the government office cannot handle it." Liu Tongxun sighed and said: "The customs here are very different from those in the south of the Yangtze River. I think as soon as I entered Henan, everyone said They are all 'connections', and everyone has a 'backstage'. Zhongzhou is the place where Wuhua civilization is the earliest. It is really strange how such bad habits came out." Yu Hongtu smiled and said: "This is not surprising. How close is Beijing? It takes two days and two nights to ride a fast horse and send letters back and forth! If a stone is thrown over there in Beijing, the sound can be heard in Zhili and Henan. If the window paper is torn over there, the wind will blow here. This is different from Jiangnan. "

Hongli was silent, but he felt the same in his heart: Li Wei's side was unified in power and focused on political performance. Although there were some disturbances, the officialdom was still upright.Tian Wenjing was determined to innovate politics, but he was rigid in his approach, lacked human touch, and insisted on being tough, which made him embarrassed on all sides.Just as he was thinking about how to meet Tian Wenjing for a chat, Yu Hongtu raised his whip on his horse and pointed forward, saying: "This is the iron tower. Beyond the tall earth dragon, there is the Xuanhe River!" Hongli suddenly raised his head. , and then I suddenly realized that I had arrived in the suburbs unknowingly.

It was already dusk at this time, and the high river embankment was almost as high as the top of the iron tower, like a Great Wall without castaneous pheasants, with heavy black weight on the river bank, stretching from the west to the east.The muffled roar of the river seemed to spread across the embankment with purple-brown water vapor, and the smelly river wind swept the vast beach inside the embankment.The lush green peanut seedlings on the beach, the faint green watermelon fields, and the yellowing wheat fields in the east and west seemed to be unable to withstand the frightening roar of the river and the wind, and were swaying in the wind as if they were frightened. , making a rustling sound from time to time.The setting sun in the distance in the west is closing its last afterglow, struggling to land among the silhouette of Mang Mountain as if unwilling to sink.Hongli climbed the earth embankment on the zigzag steps, but his mood was different from the one inside the embankment.What Tian Wenjing said was not an exaggeration at all. From the top of the embankment to the river bed, everything inside was tightly built with large strips of stone, with the same color lime joints. Hongli picked at the stones in several concave bays and found that not a single stone was loose. , take a closer look at the cracks filled with glutinous rice flour.At this time, the cauliflower flood season has not yet ended, and the traces of water flowing through the upper half of the river embankment are still there, and it has fallen to the halfway point. Looking at the embankment on the other side, which is less than a mile wide, the yellow rapids are carrying weeds and river algae. , swirling, gushing down the east, the waves are higher than others, seemingly endless, coming from the center of the river, stirring up two or three feet high spray on the embankment, and then helplessly retreating. , the sound of the waves was lost in the terrible roar, like sighs that were silenced.

"It's really spectacular!" The corners of Hongli's robe were lifted up by the strong wind on the top of the embankment. His eyes shone with surprise and excitement. He turned around and said to Liu Yu and his two attendants, "Look, this is going to take a lot of time." How much work and how much money will it cost? Even if Tian Wenjing came to Henan and did nothing, this embankment would have done a lot of good. He made a thousand mistakes, but this one is still enough to make him a model governor!" "The Fourth Master is right." Yu Hongtu also joked, "In the time of the Holy Patriarch, Jin Fu and Chen Huang, who were able to control the river, never built such a major embankment in their lifetime. The slaves also think so. The common people can't bear the toil and can come back after fleeing the famine. A lost scholar will give up the exam. , you can still wait for the next subject, what is that urgent matter? Everyone who criticized Tian Wenjing should be asked to come here and take a look!" Liu Tongxun said nothing, squinting and staring into the distance as if he was intoxicated, until Hongli greeted him The embankment woke up with a start, turned around and looked eastward, and saw a man walking along the top of the embankment with his hands behind his back. He said hurriedly: "Fourth Master, that person looks like Tian Zhi Tai!" Everyone turned back and stared at it for a while. The talent approached and it turned out to be Tian Wenjing.As he walked, he looked at the river scenery and did not notice Hongli and the others.Only when they were two feet away did Hongli speak loudly from the waist of the embankment: "Tian Yiguang, murmuring, who are you talking to?"

"It's the fourth master!" Tian Wenjing was stunned for a moment before he recognized it. He walked down to the waist of the embankment. It was inconvenient to kneel on the steps, so he only bowed in salute and said, "I feel very depressed. Let's go for a walk on the embankment." I just feel more relaxed."

Hongli glanced at him. Tian Wenjing's face was green and yellow, his hair was a little disheveled by the river wind, his forehead and the corners of his mouth were full of wrinkles like knife carvings, but he was as motionless as a solidified stone statue.Now that he was very close, he noticed that the governor's hands were covered with calluses and the backs of his hands were as rough as pine bark.Hongli couldn't help but shrink in his heart and said: "I'm bored, I'm just in Kaifeng-" He suddenly remembered that he had issued an order to expel guests, so he stopped talking and strolled down the embankment step by step.

"Fourth Master asked just now." Tian Wenjing had no expression on his face. He followed Hongli casually on the wheat field ridge and said slowly: "This servant is talking to the emperor. Some people, some things I will never understand even to the death, and some people just sit and talk. It's like a hanging river. They don't do anything practical, but everything goes smoothly. Some people work hard and tire themselves out and want to do something for the court and the people, but they are reviled by others. Some people do things as if they are riding a smooth sailing boat, setting sail and riding on the waves. The wind is effortless; some people are constrained and frustrated in everything they do, and they can't get anything done despite all their efforts... slaves... I really hate myself for being incompetent..."

This was a suffocatingly heavy topic. Hongli lowered his head and thought for a while, then asked, "What happened?" Tian Wenjing opened his mouth and did not answer because he saw an old farmer mowing wheat in front of him.Hongli stopped asking, slowly stepped forward, and asked the old farmer softly: "Old man, why did you start the sickle so early?"

"This field was planted early, the terrain is high, and it's already ripe!" The old man just lowered his head to cut the wheat. He didn't expect anyone to talk to him at this time. He was so frightened that he trembled. He straightened up and saw several strangers who didn't look like villains. Shangcai lost his guarded look, held the "kidney" of sheafed wheat with both hands, and said: "I am scared of the water. I plant it every year. When it is about to ripen, I put the sickle on the edge of the field and turn it around. Cut as much as you like.”

Hongli looked at the land he had cut, with pieces here and there, like a ghost shaving his head. Everything that was not ripe was left behind. He couldn't help but smile: "You are so diligent and know how to plan. Where are your sons? Are they tired of your father being alone?" "

"They said they won't be able to cross the water this year. It doesn't matter if they wait for another two days, they won't come. Alas, these young people..."

"Do you think the embankment will break this year?"

"No." The old man glanced at the embankment and said without raising his head, "One year our whole family planned to open the sickle the next day. It rained that night, and the river swelled and collapsed against the sun. From then on, I became familiar with the sickle. I'm scared to cut a sickle." Hongli focused on comforting Tian Wenjing beside him, and then said: "You have to thank this levee. If it hadn't blocked the flood, your wheat fields would have been gone this year." The old man said: " I have to thank God that I didn’t risk my life while building the embankment!”

Hongli felt embarrassed and asked again: "How much wheat can be harvested from one acre of this land?"

"It's like killing five buckets of stone with one stone."

"This is a good year, right?"

"A good year requires two stones." The old man said, fanning his open-buttoned chest with a straw hat. "This year can only be considered a medium year. The land is sandy and needs fertilizer. The more grass fertilizer, manure, and smoked manure, the better." . Regardless of the thin land, we still produce food. It’s a pity that we have no money and can’t afford manure!” Tian Wenjing couldn’t help but interjected: “There is a manure field in the east of Kaifeng City. It costs a penny per load, so it is cheap. He bought dozens of stones per acre and spread it, and there is no shortage of water here, so it is a sure-fire land that guarantees harvests due to drought and floods!" The old man smiled bitterly and said: "Tianzhitai doesn't know how to calculate. He only knows how to make fertilizer, but he doesn't look at how far away the fertilizer field is from the ground. It’s far, forty miles a round trip, a hundred miles and a hundred pounds are priced one pound, and a plate of tofu is the price of meat. Money for labor is also money!”

Hongli felt funny. When he saw Tian Wenjing was stunned, he pulled him away and said, "It's getting late and the city gate will be closed. Let's go back." Tian Wenjing had no choice but to follow them to the post road next to the iron tower. Xing Jianye Seeing that he was not riding a horse, he hurriedly came over and offered his own horse for him to ride.Tian Wenjing mounted his horse and said with a self-deprecating smile: "If the sun doesn't shine on my sincerity, the country of Qi will be free from worries. I am too crazy. I think that if I have my heart, I must know it. I am too crazy -" He coughed twice violently and took it with a handkerchief. When he saw it was blood, his hand trembled. Pretending to be fine, he tucked the handkerchief into his sleeve. He put the bridle on and walked slowly, saying: "Fourth Master, I am really tired. It’s not easy to go out for a walk. Li Fu passed through Henan from Huguang to Beijing and hurriedly looked at the flowers. He was dissatisfied with me, which was understandable. Ashambulo, Ke Ying, Zhang Xingren and others were with me every day. In this city, they don’t know whether I am loyal or traitorous, honest or corrupt? Last night, the three of them jointly petitioned me to impeach me for “selling favors to gain credit and being harsh in government”. They specially copied a copy and gave it to me. Long live the speech. I also forwarded a note with my name anonymized, saying that I "trampled the holy way and despised the scholars." The emperor asked me to express it clearly. I thought about it all night and couldn't write a word. Maybe I really Wrong? But I don’t know where the mistake is.

"I served as an official in the Kangxi Dynasty for almost 20 years. When the Holy Patriarch died, I was just a sixth-rank minister. When Emperor Yongzheng ascended the throne, I was ordered to declare an edict to Shaanxi. I passed by Shanxi to impeach Nuo Min, the "number one minister in the world", and In the turmoil of the Lord's meeting, within three years I was promoted from the governor of Kaifeng to the governor. I also set up a governor's office in Henan and appointed me as governor. I became a very humane official in the frontier. Not to mention the principle of loyalty, filial piety and justice, I Tian Wenjing has been so kind to me, and I don’t know how to repay it with my life. Am I still considered a human being?
"But now I have become a traitor like Wang Anshi!" Tian Wenjing tried his best to suppress the anger in his heart, and the hand holding the reins turned white. "I can neither tolerate the scholar-bureaucrats nor the common people. We Henan people are lecherous. After three years of tightening the belt, the embankment was repaired, and everything can be adjusted safely and calmly. Now that the embankment is repaired, those who fled said that I forced them to leave, the people said that I pushed for work and donated donations like a tiger and a wolf, and the officialdom said that I took credit for flattery. They say that I am seeking credit for being a pet - I feel so hateful! I hate myself for being incompetent and unable to let others know my true feelings, and I also hate these short-sighted country fools! Fourth Master, you probably don’t know that I have already suffered from liver disease. I am in my 60s and dying. I know that I will die soon. I only leave this piece of loyalty in this land of Zhongzhou, and I don’t care about anything. In my year, if Henan cannot have enough food for the people in three years, Fourth Master, please ask Shang Jian Take my old head!"

The words that had been accumulated in Tian Wenjing's chest for a long time were poured out, and tears rolled out like beads.Listening to these heartfelt words, Yu Hongtu and Liu Tongxun felt sour and hot in their hearts, and they couldn't help but shed tears.

"This is the so-called 'It's hard to know people, but it's even harder to be known'." Hongli was silent for a long time amidst the sound of horses' hooves. His face was already full of joy, and he said with a relaxed smile: "Everyone in the country says they can be killed, but I I only pity you. Don't be so depressed like a dead mother. Since I am here, of course I will support you to the end. You are the emperor's model governor. You should be more open-minded and generous! I just saw it. Dadi, I am also very touched. It is incredible that you can do such a big thing with the efforts of a province without delaying other government affairs. I want to report to Emperor Ama. If anyone talks about the rights and wrongs of Tian Wenjing, he must be called first. Come and have a look at the Yellow River embankment!"

While Hongli was trying his best to comfort Tian Wenjing, there was a rapid sound of horse hooves in the dim distance, and a row of beige watermelon lanterns came swaying towards him.As they got closer, everyone saw that it was the lantern of the Governor's Yamen.Tian Wenjing saw at a glance that his masters, Qian Du and Bi Zhenyuan, were also heading to Goshhari, and asked Nominee, "Are you rebellious because you are so arrogant? The Fourth Master is here, don't be surprised!" "Fourth Master, Make the platform!" Qian Du, sweating hotly, led his horse closer and said panting, "The scholars have stopped taking exams! More than 500 people surrounded the academy, please see the governor, please see Zhang Xuetai! We can't find the governor in the city. Handsome, go to the Prince's Inn, people said that the Prince went out of the city to see the river, so he came here!"

Tian Wen's camera buzzed: Every day he was afraid of not taking the exam, every day he said he would give up the exam, but he still couldn't avoid the disaster. These scholars were really red-eyed and wanted to die!He didn't have time to think about it at the moment, so he turned around and said to Hongli: "I will deal with it now. The fourth master just goes back to the post house and waits for my letter!" The reins shook, the legs clamped, and the horse neighed and splashed in the wind. Like gone.

"Fourth Master," Liu Tongxun saw Hongli hesitate on his horse and said, "it is right for Tian Wenjing to go. You are a prince and an imperial envoy, and it is not suitable for scholars to listen and see well. We will see how the province handles it. You can retreat here." On one side, there is room for change." Hongli nodded and said: "What Yanqing said is true, but it's not good if no one is here. Yu Hongtu goes for a walk - just watch, listen and don't talk, go!" , turned the horse's head and went back to the posthouse, where he played chess with Liu Tongxun, but he was restless and distracted.

Yu Hongtu rode his horse and came to the academy. He saw that the entrance to the Confucian Temple Street was under martial law. Fifty or sixty lanterns of different sizes were hung under the eaves of the shops along the street. Kaifeng government officials standing against the wall were holding ropes and chains in one hand and torches in the other. , as motionless as nails.Under the candlelights as bright as day, thousands of people, people and businessmen gathered to watch the excitement, stretching their necks to look at Confucius Temple Street.Some people were silent, some were buzzing and talking, and some were so excited that they shouted, but they also had different opinions:

"Tian Zhi Tai is here too, let's see what these idiots do!"

"The scholar's rebellion will not happen in three years. Hi..."

"These are all disasters caused by neglect of political affairs. The imperial students of the Eastern Han Dynasty caused chaos in Luoyang, isn't it because of political darkness?"

"You're farting! These things are all eaten after eating them. If you take one and cut off the head, he will live in peace!"

"Amitabha, it's my fault that you're so young, it's a pity that you lost your life!"

The list goes on.Yu Hongtu tied his horse at the street corner and squeezed for half a day before reaching the Confucian Temple street corner. However, he was stopped by two soldiers, who said, "You are blind, and you are still squeezing in? There are not scholars inside, but they are being chased out." ! Do you want to go to the Western Market with these bastards?" Yu Hongtu couldn't explain his identity in public. He explained for a long time, but unfortunately the soldier was made of elm wood, so he refused to let him go.Yu Hongtu got angry and slapped the soldier in the face, causing him to stagger a few steps:
"Go and tell Zhang Xingren that Yu Hongtu is here, and ask him if he can be invited in?"

"I don't care if your mother's fish is red and turtle is black, I was ordered to block people!" The soldier couldn't help but get angry, "Poop in your urine and take a look at your shadow - and you want to find our Zhang Xuetai! - Take it down!" Several The soldiers immediately swarmed over him, holding Yu Hongtu on his back and walking into the street.Yu Hongtu saw Qian Du coming hurriedly with several scribes at a glance, and shouted: "Qian Du, Qian Du!"

Qian Du was startled by his call. When he saw it was Yu Hongtu, he hurriedly shouted back the soldiers and said, "My lord is frightened. This is not the time to apologize. I have to go ahead to see the Kaifeng city gate leader. Call them." I'll take you to see Tai Tai." He said and hurried away.Yu Hongtu suppressed his anger for a long time, and it took him a long time to calm down. He followed the government officials to the academy located to the north of the Confucian Temple. As soon as he arrived at the entrance of the academy, he was shocked by the scene.

There are more than 500 scholars who have stopped taking exams. They are all sitting behind the screen wall outside the Sanying gate of the academy. There are hundreds of lanterns hanging high around the eight-character wall of the academy, and there are also about a few lanterns of various colors collected from the yamen. Thousands of lamps illuminate the front door of the highest university in Henan Province brightly.The scholars all wore Qingjin, which looked blue under the lamp. They sat cross-legged and upright, and barely even coughed up phlegm.Two large stone lions more than one foot tall each have a piece of white cloth hanging on them, with large blood-red cinnabar characters written on them:

The ability of subordinate officials to deceive people is the result of generations of treachery and bad government. Wouldn't the big officials and the small officials not be afraid?

Those who work hard govern others, those who work hard govern others. This is the teaching of sages throughout the ages. How can it be easier to be wise and foolish!

Drenching and energetic.Outside the meditation venue, there were more than a dozen clerks from various government offices. They were flipping through the pages of albums and looking at people as if they were checking something. In the shadow of the lamp in front of the screen wall stood three square formations of black crows. They were all sergeants, but none of them carried weapons. Therefore, although it is a scene here, it is just more dull and depressing, not as solemn and serious as the Confucian Temple Street.

"Master Yu, please come this way and go in through the Yimen." The clerk who was leading the way saw that he had finished reading and was about to go up the steps. He hurriedly gave his hand to the east and said, "The Taiwan-making platform and the Taiwan-schooling platform are all here. It’s a matter of discussion in court!”

Yu Hongtu nodded and followed him into the academy. As expected, Tian Wenjing, Ke Ying and Zhang Xingren were all in the Zigong Hall.There are only two thin candles lit here, which is much darker than outside. Under the faint shadow of the candles, the faces of the three provincial and Taiwan officials are changing. Zhang Xingren is sitting, Ke Ying is standing, and Tian Wenjing is pacing non-stop, Qing Kui From time to time, the figure of the ghost passed through the large glass window in front of the hall.Seeing Yu Hongtu come in, Zhang Xingren leaned over and said, "The fourth master has sent someone to ask Master Yu to preside over it." Yu Hongtu hurriedly relayed Hongli Jun's decree and said with a smile: "I am Xu Shu entering Cao Ying without saying a word. Fa, what should you do? Follow your regulations."

"The scholars did not rebel, nor did they insult the imperial court." Ke Ying's shaved forehead reflected the light of a wine jar under the lamp, and he said, "They just sit down and ask the adults to come out and speak. . It's not against the king's law. What do you want me to do, and who should I operate on?" Yu Hongtu silently got up his chair and sat next to him, listening to Tian Wenjing say: "Isn't it against the law to resist the imperial court's order and gather a crowd to refuse the exam? Fan Those who come here are all stubborn people. I think we should take them all down and sort them out clearly. Those who are the leader should be rectified, those who incited troubles should be deprived of their honors, and the rest will be given demerits and allowed to be tested. That's how we will do it!"

Yu Hongtu had just felt a little pity for Tian Wenjing on the embankment, but it suddenly disappeared: the students were just unfamiliar with and did not understand the court's new policy of "officials and gentry working together as errands to pay food", so they sat outside honestly Please see your lord.No matter how noble you are, you can't escape this natural principle. So go out and try to persuade him, clarify the inner meaning of His Majesty's grace, and isn't it also a meritorious deed to make big things trivial?He has bad intentions from the moment he opens his mouth and rectifies them all in one fell swoop!While he was thinking about it, Zhang Xingren had already responded coldly: "I'm afraid we can't deal with it in such a hasty manner. It's more or less a result of ten years of hard work, or there may be some talented people who will become prime ministers in the future, and their careers and fame are not inferior to ours. First of all. Writing such a thing on the file may ruin their lives. Henan's cultural atmosphere is already ordinary, and I still hope that there will be a champion among them. This can only be done in a good way. If it is to destroy, I can't make sense here!"

"Tian Wenjing!" Ke Ying suddenly named Dao and shouted, "The scholars gathered together to petition because they were dissatisfied with your harsh government. Why can't you condescend to go out and meet, wouldn't it be better to reconcile?" Ke Ying is the secretary Ranbu's second son, his father was a soldier during the Western Expedition with Kangxi. He was killed in Khovd while covering Kangxi's breakout. He blocked the arrows of flying locusts and protected Kangxi.Kangxi was able to escape the catastrophe, so he built a fortress for Si Lanbu in Liangzhou City and was granted the title of City God. Si Lanbu's descendants entered the hereditary and replaceable earl rank of Xianghuang Banner.Since he was a genuine banner man and had no worries, he often ignored Tian Wenjing.Henan Hetian Wenjing was in trouble, and he was the first to break the relationship.At this time, Ke Ying was so angry that his veins protruded. He spat and cursed: "You are born Zhou Xing, Lai Junchen - I will never get along with you. What the hell are you doing?" Zhang Xingren said hurriedly: "Old Ke, yes Argue with him slowly and don't use force!" "Use force?" Ke Ying's nose is not a nose or an eye, "If you let me have my temper, I still want to beat him!"

Tian Wenjing stared at the two people, his eyes flickered, and then disappeared suddenly. He squinted his eyelids, like two movable earthen walls covering his dim pupils. After a long time, he chuckled and said: "The article of impeachment against me has been read. There is nothing new except for a few wild words. The emperor's new policy has been announced to the world. The students are the emperor's disciples. They themselves have the responsibility to preach and educate them. Now they have to lay hands on them and teach them? Is this? The first strike at the founding of the People's Republic of China. If we can't seize it vigorously and resolutely, and we will follow suit in the future, who of us can bear the title of 'the one who started it'? As for what kind of cruel official I am, you can still write some excerpts!"

"Even if you are a cruel official, there will be a day when you will be put in a urn!" Ke Ying said sternly, "The people of Henan are miserable because of your 'model'!"

"The model is what the emperor said, not me. You just want to write more about it!"

"You think I dare not?"

"Of course you dare, don't you have a good old man?"

Ke Ying was so angry that he was shaking all over, and he was about to throw the chair over.But Zhang Xingren held him down tightly, and he was breathing heavily.Tian Wenjing sneered and said: "I know that Li Fu also joined me, and there are only four of you including you. I am waiting for the emperor's punishment, and I have also written a defense. But now I am still the governor, and I am still responsible for the military, civil, financial and civil affairs of Henan. Pick it up. You are afraid of being a bad person, but I am Wang Anshi and Shaozhengmao, so I am not afraid. Since the governor refuses to come forward to arrest the person, my governor's office will take action on this case. "

"Taiwan-making," Zhang Xingren stood up. Under the light, his face was bloodless, "I'll do it. But there's a compromise. I'll declare the constitutional mandate of Taiwan-making. If it's dismissed, that's it. Then. Calmly investigate the leader and ask for instructions from the Holy Orders to handle it according to the decree. Fortunately, tomorrow is the exam period. Don't add the word "stop taking exams" during today's meditation, okay? We are impeaching you in an aboveboard manner, and we will tear you apart if you feel comfortable. A gentleman's virtue of loving others is not malicious in his heart. If you don't accept my suggestion, you have no choice but to obey his orders."

At this moment, Tian Wenjing had completely calmed down.The boycott of the exam was a big case that shocked the whole world. The same "model", Li Wei's Jiangnan and Ertai's Yunnan and Guizhou, did not cause trouble. It was because he was the strongest and he stopped the exam because he was in Henan. It was very dishonorable.After thinking about it, Tian Wenjing breathed a heavy breath and said: "Okay! Let's do as you do. These are the leaders, one is Qin Fengwu and the other is Zhang Xi - I have found out, you can never be a woman. Zhiren told them to slip through the net. As long as the rest know how to take the exam on time, I will be lenient and never ask." After saying that, he took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Xingren, then turned to Ke Ying and said: "The matters here are ours. If you give it to the school, you don’t have to worry about it.”

"Master Yu, please return to the post and pay your respects to me. Master Zhang will take care of everything here!" Ke Ying snorted, bowed to Yu Hongtu, and left without paying any attention to Tian Wenjing.Tian Wenjing also snorted, and after he was far away, he left the ceremony gate alone. He glanced at the scholar who was sitting quietly, pulled the horse over with the lamp behind his back, whipped the horse's butt hard, and left.

(End of this chapter)