Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 326 Calling the Wind and Rain

Aunt Xue stood up in a hurry to leave. This evildoer was released from the prison after being given forty sticks. What trouble did she get into again?

Jia Cong saw that Baochai couldn't help but said quickly: "Tell me clearly, when did it happen and who did it?"

Tongxi said: "When the servants of the Feng family sent it back just now, they said that today the uncle was having a drink at the Feng family, and there was a person named Liu Xianglian among them, and they had a dispute.

The man named Liu then tricked the uncle into going out and beat him. The Feng family didn't see the uncle, so they sent people to search for him. They found him outside the city and sent him back. "

"You bastard, this guy surnamed Liu has no royal skills, how can he hurt people at will? How serious is Pan'er's injury?" Aunt Xue said.

"The doctor took a look at it and said it was a skin injury, not a muscle or bone injury."

Aunt Xue was slightly relieved now, looked at Jia Cong and said, "Brother Cong, you have to make the decision for Pan'er. This time it's not that he is making a fuss, he is really being bullied."

Baoyu said hurriedly: "I went to have a drink today, but I just had a few drinks and then came back.

I know Liu Xianglian. He is a chivalrous and courageous person. He is not a frivolous person. How can he hit people casually? I need to ask him clearly. "

Jia Cong pondered for a moment and had some impression of Liu Xianglian. He was a positive character.

Because he asked: "Baoyu, who is Liu Xianglian?"

Baoyu hurriedly said: "Liu Xianglian, also known as Leng Erlang, was born very handsome and was originally a child of a noble family.

His parents died young, and he didn't like to study. He had a bold temperament and was good at everything with guns and swords, gambling, drinking, and playing the flute and zither.

He also likes to perform in dramas and is good at performing romantic dramas about the birth and the moon. He is good friends with Qin Zhong and me. "

It's him! Jia Cong suddenly thought of this person and asked, "Did he also make a guest appearance in the play today?"

"It's a drama." Baoyu said.

Jia Cong smiled and shook his head, gave Baochai a helpless look, and said: "Auntie, let's go home first. I think this is a misunderstanding.

In two days I'll get some wine, invite the two of them over, and just make peace. I'm afraid Brother Xue is at fault in this matter, so don't go into it further. "

Aunt Xue had no choice but to agree and go.

Baochai couldn't sit still and hurriedly followed.

Jia Cong said: "I'm going to see my aunt off."

Sister Feng spat: "I don't see you seeing my aunt off on weekdays."

Daiyu sneered and rolled her eyes at Jia Cong, "If Sister Bao doesn't leave, you won't say goodbye to your aunt."

Jia Cong glared at Daiyu and said with a smile, "Isn't there something going on today?" After that, he left.

"Sister Bao, walk slowly, I have something to say." Jia Cong chased Baochai and pulled Baochai, smiling and saying, "Auntie, let's go first."

Aunt Xue loved her son so much that she didn't argue and hurried away.

"What's the matter?" Baochai glanced around and withdrew his hand without leaving a trace.

"Talking while walking." Jia Cong said with a smile: "Baoyu just said that Liu Xianglian is a handsome young student..."

"So what?" Baochai said.

Jia Cong chuckled and said, "Sister Bao, I guess it's probably because your brother got interested in her, kept pestering her, and annoyed others, so she was taught a lesson."

When Baochai heard this, his face turned red immediately, he stamped his feet and said angrily: "You bastard, just tell me any nasty things you want to say." After that, he just walked away quickly.

Jia Cong hurriedly followed and said: "I have no blasphemy in my conscience, I am just stating the matter frankly. Sister Bao, don't worry, I don't have such a problem."

"Bah, the more you talk about it, the less likely it is. What's wrong with me has nothing to do with me." Baochai's face turned red with embarrassment and she wanted to sew Jia Cong's mouth.

"If sister doesn't believe it, I'll go and find out."

"Who wants to ask, I just don't care about these bastard things." Baochai spat.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "If I don't make it clear, my aunt will definitely blame me for not standing up for Brother Xue."

"You have your own reasons for doing things, who can blame you? Is my mother so ignorant of etiquette?" Baochai rolled her eyes at him.

"I'm just a villain." Jia Cong said, "It's better to speak clearly than to be confused."

"Cong'er, we will all remember your kindness to my family." Baochai whispered.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "I don't care about others, as long as Sister Bao remembers to return the favor to me."

"Then I can only repay each other by making grass and rings in the next life." Baochai said with a playful smile.

Jia Cong thought of what the two of them were joking about that day, and pretended to be angry: "Take me as a fool. Even if I want to tie a grass ring, I have to settle my debts in this life first."

Baochai was ashamed and happy in her heart, so she spat and ignored him.

Jia Cong followed her to take a look at Xue Pan, comforted him casually, and then returned to Rongxi Hall.

He called Yan Shuangying and said: "Go find Liu Xianglian and tell him that I respect his character and will buy him a drink another day so that he doesn't have to take today's incident to heart. Don't scare him."

Yan Shuangying took the order and left.

Seeing Wan Yanwei running up and down again, Jia Cong hugged her, returned to the room, sat down, and said with a smile: "Why are you so happy?"

"Steward Lin is really experienced in his work. He has purchased more than 20,000 acres of land and forests outside the city in the past few days, and even asked craftsmen to draw a drawing of Zhuangzi. Look."

Wanyanwen took out a piece of paper from her sleeve as if she were offering a treasure.

Jia Cong took it and took a look. It was in the south of the city, more than twenty miles away from the city. It was right next to the existing farmland of Ning Rong's second mansion.

Judging from the picture, more than 20,000 acres of land are surrounded by mountains and rivers, which is quite good.

Looking at the drawing of Zhuangzi again, it is built close to mountains and rivers. The layout is spacious and clear, and the houses look like each other. You can tell at a glance that it was made by everyone.

"Not bad, has construction started?" Jia Cong said with a smile.

Wanyanwei nodded and said with a smile: "I have sent all the clan members to build it, and also asked Butler Lin to hire many skilled craftsmen.

There is a lot of wood in the mountains. Using local materials, it can be built in less than three or two months. In addition, hundreds of Tatar female slaves sent by my sister have also arrived, and they have been sent to work. "

"Yes." Jia Cong thought for a while, called Zhang Yuanba in and said, "Send the remaining 400 personal guards in Baihe Village to serve in Madam's newly built village to maintain military discipline.

No one is allowed to bully those Tatar women. "He was always a little worried about the Jurchens.

"Yes, I'll take your orders." Zhang Yuanba agreed and went.

"Don't worry, sir, I'll keep an eye on it and make sure no one dares to cause trouble." Wanyan'a said hurriedly.

"I know, it's just in case." Jia Cong smiled and said, "How is Shan'er?"

Wanyan'a pouted her lips and said, "I finally remembered my sister."

"Isn't this busy..." Jia Cong said with a dry smile. Too many women would be trouble.

"My sister wrote to say that more than half of the people you want have been recruited, and training is being stepped up, and the master is also teaching from time to time.

In addition, business in Liaodong and Zhuangzi at the foot of Black Mountain are all business as usual. "Wanyan Wen said.

"Well, did Shan'er say when she would come over?"

"My sister said that if we straighten things out this summer or autumn, we can come."

"Okay. Tell her that she worked hard and I will thank her properly when she comes back."

"How can I thank you?" Wanyan'a raised her eyebrows and bit her lower lip lightly.

"Little goblin, why are you doing this? It's to thank your sister, not you." Jia Cong said with a smile.

"Every time my sister asks you, I tell you that you ask her every day. She is very happy." Wanyan'a pouted and said.

Jia Cong laughed, kissed her little mouth, and said vaguely: "Thank you in advance."

"No, I hate it." Wanyanwen hugged Jia Cong's neck with a sweet smile on her face, and there was no hint of "no" at all.

Seeing Jia Cong carrying Wanyan Wen into the inner room, Qingwen hurriedly came out and closed the door, saying angrily: "Wanyan Wenzi is not ashamed, she didn't even close the door." Qian Xue smiled and said, "Are you jealous?"

"Bah, you are the jealous wife." Qingwen spat, her eyes couldn't help but drift to the inside.

Qianxue chuckled and teased her: "If you miss me, just go in. You know my body and bones anyway. Dealing with you two is not a piece of cake."

"I won't go in. If you want to go, you can go." Qingwen said angrily.

Suddenly I heard a call coming from inside: "Qingwen, why don't you come in and serve me? I'm waiting for you to beg me."

Qianxue covered her mouth and smiled softly, looking at Qingwen to see if you meant what you said.

Qingwen blushed and said angrily: "My father called me, I didn't go on my own. I just told you lazily." After saying that, she ignored Qianxue and went in shyly.

Little Lang Hoo! Qian Xue spat with a smile from behind.

The next day, the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, Chang Chao.

Jia Cong had handed over the memorial in advance and entered the Baohe Hall again to attend court.

Today, all the officials knew why Jia Cong came, and no one dared to take up his time. He reported a few things hastily, but no one spoke.

When Jia Cong saw that the previous political affairs had been discussed, he came out and said, "Your Majesty, Jia Cong, is here to report the investigation results of the short warehouse corruption case the day before yesterday."

All the officials were shocked. Although they knew that this was an internal conflict within Jin Yiwei, if Jia Cong had a seizure, there was nothing anyone could do to get two people in.

"Accurate."

"Yes. After investigation, everything said by the person who stopped the road to complain was true and has evidence.

The former minister detained dozens of people from Beizhen Fusi who were involved in the "short warehouse case" and interrogated them carefully.

All the criminal officials bowed their heads and confessed in the face of conclusive evidence and accusations from many insiders in the Northern Division.

During the interrogation, the minister did not use any punishment. He confessed on his own initiative. The emperor can send three divisions to review at any time. "

Emperor Xifeng said ‘hmm’ and said, “What did you find out?”

"Three things were found. First, all the criminal officials admitted that the Bei Division took the opportunity to implicate innocent people in the short warehouse case and made a fortune. As a result, hundreds of people were unjustly killed, and more than 200 people were unjustly demoted and exiled. The innocent people were More than eighty families copied it.

2. All the prisoners testified unanimously that the cases back then were all controlled by the commander Wan Jin and the governor Tang Yan, and most of the illegal gains went into their pockets.

3. The money that was confiscated and put into the treasury that year was only over 2 million yuan, accounting for only two-tenths of the total. "

Damn it! Upon hearing this, Emperor Xifeng's eyes flashed with murderous intent. He knew there was a problem, but he didn't expect it to be so shocking. He was greedy for more than 800 million in silver alone.

There was a burst of whispers in the court, led by Fatty Feng. He was not interested in how many people he had wronged. He only listened to two-tenths of the words behind him. He blushed instantly and couldn't help but rub his hands. This was a gold mine.

"I believe that this case is the biggest unjust case in the Xifeng Dynasty and even since the founding of the country. In view of the large amount of evidence and testimony pointing to Wan Jin and Tang Yan, I request that the two be arrested and searched immediately to uphold the law of the country!"

Jia Cong raised his voice and suppressed the discussions among the officials.

Emperor Xifeng showed no expression of joy or anger, and said calmly: "Everyone, please tell me." He looked towards the Third Division Hall.

Logically speaking, in such a major case, the three judicial divisions should take the first stance.

But Feng Yuan couldn't wait to run out, bent his knees and plopped, slid a few feet on the gold bricks as smooth as a mirror, and knelt down next to Jia Cong.

Feng Yuan was heard saying loudly: "Your Majesty, such appalling and heinous injustices have occurred in this dynasty. If we don't punish them severely, why should we punish the emperor, the emperor, and the queen? Why should we punish our ancestors? Why should we punish all the people in the world?

I respectfully request that Wan Jin and Tang Yan be thoroughly investigated immediately and those who have been wronged be given justice! Give justice to the law of the country! Give the world justice! "

All the officials secretly scolded Fatty Feng for his high-pitched words. When they heard that there was money to be made, they pounced on him like vicious dogs. However, no one objected. Jia Cong was still kneeling here. Who dared not to have a good eye and hit the knife edge? .

Emperor Xifeng looked at the impassioned Fatty Feng and couldn't help being amused. He said angrily: "Feng Qing is quite concerned about this case."

Feng Yuan said "deeply": "I dare not be careless, when I think of the money that should have been returned to the national treasury, but was exploited by these corrupt and ruthless officials.

How many important things are left to be done by the imperial court? If it had been put into storage early, I wouldn't have had to wait until the oil ran out, the lamp withered, and the bones were gone. Please investigate and deal with it strictly, Your Majesty. "

All the officials looked at his obese appearance and all secretly cursed him for being shameless. In terms of shamelessness, Fatty Feng had few enemies.

Emperor Xifeng's eyelids couldn't help but twitch, so shameless!

If he hadn't been very proficient in economics and so shameless, he would have been demoted long ago.

Too lazy to pay attention to him, he looked at Sansi.

"I believe that this case is too important. If we don't thoroughly investigate it, it will be difficult to explain it to the world and history." Lu Jie, the right minister of the Ministry of Punishment, said.

"I thought that the emperor's personal army symbolized the emperor's majesty, but now I am so ignorant and greedy. If I don't find out and ask questions, it will greatly damage your majesty's wisdom." Luo Bin, the minister of Dali Temple, said.

"I believe that the authority of the national law cannot be destroyed. The ancients said that if it is wrong, it should be changed. Since an injustice has been committed, and it is such a strange injustice, it is reasonable to investigate and get to the bottom of it." Xiang Ce, the imperial envoy to the left deputy capital, said.

These three people are all senior members of the old party. The old party has reached an agreement with Jia Cong in private through Zhao Huaian.

This time, by helping him win the Beisi, he can avoid being implicated, and he can take the opportunity to rehabilitate the elite backbone who were "unjustly" demoted back then.

Seeing that the three departments had expressed their positions, many old party officials rushed out of the office and said in unison: "I second the proposal. Please investigate this case thoroughly."

Yan Ning, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, followed up and said: "If this case is not investigated, it will be unacceptable. Please investigate thoroughly."

"Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly." Many more fence-sitters followed.

Jia Cong secretly sighed in his heart, the court is like the rivers and lakes, the rivers and lakes are not about fighting and killing, but about the worldly relations, and the worldly relations are not just polite greetings, but real interests.

It's better to cooperate with Fatty Feng, but it costs a few dollars.

When working with the old party, Jia Cong always has the illusion that he is collaborating with the bad guys.

The last time he cooperated with the old party, he took out more than a dozen corrupt officials. This time he made peace with the old party again, and even wanted to avenge many of the crazy corrupt people back then. Jia Cong deeply felt that people were in the world and could not help themselves.

While Jia Cong was still sighing, Meng Huacai, the left minister of the Ministry of War, and Bian Qing, the left minister of the Ministry of Personnel, came out together and said: "The serious harm of this case is not due to the empty warehouse case. It was originally intended to eliminate corruption, but unexpectedly it was used to fight corruption." , it is absolutely ridiculous, I ask your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."

The two new party officials raised their arms and cheered, and the rest of the people all said in unison: "I second my opinion."

Emperor Xifeng looked at the row of distinguished officials again.

King Beijing hurriedly said: "I think a thorough investigation should be carried out."

The other three princely houses of the opposite sex also expressed their support.

Now that the general trend of the court is going, who dares to go against the trend and excuse Wan Jin and the others?

The Wuhou frowned, not wanting to see Jia Cong's power surge, and unable to think of any good reasons to object, so they remained silent for a while.

Qingyang Marquis Qi Feng said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, although Wan Jin and Tang Yan committed extremely heinous crimes, they were appointed by the Supreme Emperor to be important ministers. I thought that if they wanted to be dealt with severely, why not ask the Supreme Emperor to judge them.

Moreover, Jia Cong had quite a feud with Wan Jin and Tang Yan. He came to the trial and found it difficult to convince the public. Please leave it to Dongchang. "

"This makes sense. As the saying goes, it depends on the owner to beat a dog. The Emperor is still here, so we can't be reckless." The Wuhou breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly agreed.

Before Jia Cong could react, he heard an angry shout from beside him.

"Bah! A bunch of warriors know nothing about government affairs, but they dare to speak nonsense even in the Golden Palace!"

Fatty Feng stopped shouting, and his anger and hatred levels were instantly full. If Dongchang handles this case, how much money can the Ministry of Accounts make? Anyone who dares to cut off his financial path is his father-killing enemy.

"You! Presumptuous!" Qingyang Hou was so angry that he stammered and was speechless.

Feng Yuan sneered and said: "It is precisely because Wan Jin and Tang Yan are important ministers appointed by the Supreme Emperor that they must be severely punished. This is to protect the name of the Supreme Emperor. What do you mean by pushing this case to the Supreme Emperor?

Do you think that the Supreme Emperor wants to protect and condone such cruel officials? Is it to imply that the Supreme Emperor does not know people well and employs them carelessly?

Above the Golden Palace, those who uttered such unfaithful, unfilial, treasonous and unethical words, I request your Majesty to severely punish the Marquis of Qingyang! "

"I request your Majesty to severely punish Marquis Qingyang!" Dozens of court officials said in unison regardless of partisanship.

It would be better to let Jia Cong do it than let these vampires in Dongchang do it.

It is an inherent tacit understanding and unspoken rule that the civil servants group unanimously targets the outside world and suppresses nobles.

After all, facing nobles, everyone has common interests.

(End of this chapter)