Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 213
Yizhou, Daotai Mansion, Yamen.

With the rapid drumming outside, except for Anton defending Tian Jian and the two generals, these three military officers, because they are not involved in local civil affairs, have little to do with them, so they feel at ease.The other magistrates, Tongzhi, and county magistrates felt a little uncomfortable.

The big drum hanging outside the gate of this yamen is not something that anyone can easily beat. There are layers of complaints, and those who can go to the Daotai yamen to beat the drums must have already filed a case at the magistrate's yamen or the magistrate's yamen.

Even Ye Fu, the magistrate of Yizhou, was also thinking about whether there were any cases of unsolved grievances in the Yamen in the past six months.When Xindaotai took office, it was the time when the "three fires" were gaining popularity. Everyone didn't want to get involved at this time, making them feel ashamed and not talking about it, or they might lose their careers.

"Beat the drum to complain", Cao Yong looked at the officials with different expressions below, and somehow remembered the "knocking" in the capital last year in his mind.

Although it was a "disappointment" for those officials who came to greet the chief official, the Daotai Yamen was still promoted.

The more than a dozen officials were separated into two rows, and there were Yamen servants and others holding intimidating sticks. Cao Yong tidied up his top hats, went to the hall and sat down.In the entire yamen lobby, apart from him, there were only two criminal masters who acted as temporary secretaries sitting in the corner.

The person who played the drum was brought up, and before Cao Yong could question him, he fell to the ground crying: "My lord, my lord Qingtian, you have to make the decision for the little old man!"

Unexpectedly, he also had an accent. Cao Yong listened to it twice at the beginning, but he didn't understand it, but it was not easy to show timidity in front of his subordinates.Fortunately, the old man repeated these two sentences over and over again, so he understood the meaning.

The old man had gray hair, wrinkled face, and a hunchback. He looked like he was in his 60s, but he looked like he was 50 or [-] when he heard his loud voice.

When he saw that the "grand master" sitting behind the case was a young man with no hair on his mouth, the kneeling old man was taken aback for a moment, perhaps because he was frightened by Cao Yong's serious face, or the common people just kept his official uniform. Heart of fear.He kowtowed, and said again: "Master, the little old man has no way to live! Woohoo!" As he spoke, he began to cry loudly.

Cao Yong saw that he was just crying blindly, but did not explain the cause of the case. He patted the gavel and said, "What is wrong with you? Can you hand over the pleadings?"

The old man was startled by the gavel, stopped crying immediately, and took out a crumpled paper from his bosom.

Cao Yong asked someone to pick him up and sent him to the case. After watching, his complexion became heavy.He looked at the magistrates standing in the hall, and finally his eyes fell on Liang Shunzheng, the oldest magistrate of Mengyin County among the crowd.

Sweat broke out on Liang Shun's forehead immediately, and he was trembling, and he felt a little unsteady on his feet.

Cao Yong looked at Liang Shunzheng, and asked: "Magistrate Liang, this old man Qiu is from Balizhuang, Nanshan Township, Mengyin County. Last October, when his son and daughter-in-law returned to their natal home, they encountered bandits. His son was severely injured and died. The daughter-in-law was robbed and sued to the county government, but there was no result for a long time, is there such a thing?"

Liang Shunzheng went out and said: "My lord, it's not that my subordinates are trying to evade, but they really have more than enough energy! If it's really bandits who committed the crime, the [-]-mile Yimeng mountain area, the Mengyin county policemen and servants are counted, but there are only a dozen people. , There is really no way to investigate! Besides, the injury on Old Man Qiu's son was not man-made, but a fall, and there is no statement that there are bandits."

The old man Qiu looked at Liang Shunzheng, gritted his teeth, and was full of grief and indignation: "A good person, why did he fall? Even if he fell, why did he happen to hit his head? Someone saw the bandit with his own eyes, why did the magistrate still protect him?" Not allowed to investigate? He also said that the little old daughter-in-law may have been indiscreet and ran away with others! That poor child, what is the reason for being green hated by the county magistrate after death?" said Here, weep again.

Because the Yamen lobby is semi-open, some people outside the lobby were attracted by the sound of drums to watch the excitement.Hearing old man Qiu's words, some laughed loudly, some shook their heads in silence, and a young man wearing a bamboo hat looked at Cao Yong in the hall with an unpredictable expression.

Cao Yong took a closer look at the certificate, and then at the two people in the hall, it all sounds reasonable.However, no matter whether Liang Shun is really powerless or deliberately trying to shirk, since it is true that old man Qiu's son died and his wife disappeared, there must be an explanation.

He put the case aside, and said to Old Man Qiu: "According to the "Law of the Qing Dynasty", if you leapfrog the level to file a lawsuit, regardless of the reason, you have to hit [-] boards first, do you know?"

The old man Qiu kowtowed and said: "The little old man asked the talented writers in the market, I know! As long as the old man can get justice for the little old man, let alone [-] big boards, he will take the little old man's life. The little old man has nothing to say!"

Cao Yong nodded slightly and said: "That's it right now, I'll accept your case!"

Fortunately, because Kangxi has always paid attention to "benevolent government", the boards in this yamen are all executed according to [-]%.Fifty boards, in fact, only twenty boards fell on Old Man Qiu.

The yamen servants were left behind by their predecessors. The veterans in the yamen thought that the chief officer wanted to use the old man Qiu's case to shake up the prestige of the Taoist priest, and beat the board so loudly.Although they were merciful and only picked the meat on the buttocks to beat, old man Qiu's screams could still be heard endlessly.

I don't know what other officials in the hall think, but Ye Fu, the magistrate of Yizhou, is very satisfied with Cao Yong's treatment.If it is for the sake of the new official's appointment to "strengthen his prestige" and accept all kinds of complaints, it will be difficult for the county magistrates and magistrates below to do so.

Now this case, Mengyin county magistrate Liang Shunzheng is obviously powerless, even if Cao Yong takes over, other officials will not feel uncomfortable.Not to mention, everything he said and did was in accordance with the law.Old man Qiu was punished for suing for leapfrogging. Even if others want to learn how to behave in the future, they have to weigh the consequences.

Old man Qiu couldn't stand up after he finished the board, so he was helped down to make a statement.

Because of being delayed by this "drumming" thing, everyone's interest was a little bit low.Some people couldn't help but quietly looked at Cao Yong, seeing if the newly appointed Daotai master was "diligent in politics and loving the people", even avoiding the banquet.

Who would have thought that after leaving the hall, Cao Yong's face lost the coldness just now, and he said to everyone with a smile: "My colleagues are very grateful for coming to Yizhou on purpose. I have ordered a few tables of wine and food in Jinyulou. Everyone, let's go over here!"

Although this move is not "anti-customer-oriented", it is enough to make everyone look at each other in blank dismay, confused, but the boss has an order, who will not reward face.

After this meal of wine, Wang Jian and Ma Du are very familiar with everyone. They are from the same hometown, the same year, they are obviously different by a few provinces, and they are in their teens.It was really close, if people met, they would not be able to see that it was the first time they met.

At Cao Yong's table, there are two magistrates, one guarding, and a fifth-grade Tongzhi accompanied.Ye Fu and Cao Yong have met a few times, and they have a friendship with each other, so they act more casually.

Although Yue Xiben, the Tong Zhi of Yitanhai and Jiangxi, was called by this name, his surname was not Yue.Yue Xi originally means "Tao Lue" in Manchu. He is from Zhengbai Banner in Manchuria, and his old Manchu surname is Xitala.If we talk about it, it is not only the same flag as Cao Yong, but also from Jueluo Mansion, Mrs. Jueluo is his distant aunt.It is precisely because of his in-laws with the Cao family that after Cao Yong was released to Shandong, Yue Xiben also received a letter from the family.

The Xitara family is also a serious descendant. The mother of the emperor Nurhachi, the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, was the daughter of the Xitara family.It's just that he was implicated by Aobai back then, and began to gradually decline.Otherwise, it would be impossible for a direct descendant like Yue Xiben to come to this remote place and become a fifth-rank fellow student.

Among all the people sitting here, Yue Xi should be the one who knew the details of Cao Yong the most, but since Cao Yong came out to meet everyone wearing a fourth-rank official uniform, he didn't reveal his identity as the prince's son-in-law and first-class man. Then he is not a talkative person.

Guarding Tian Yan was quite worried, not knowing if Cao Yong recognized him, and it was inconvenient to ask, so he just buried his head in drinking.He always felt that Cao Yong was very different compared to two and a half years ago, but seeing that he was silent, he just listened to everyone's gossip with a slight smile, and occasionally answered "um", "oh" and so on, and there were not many others. The words vaguely coincided with the boy I met in the restaurant that year.

*
In the Daotai yamen, Mr. Zhuang and two famous criminal masters studied the old man Qiu's case and found it even difficult.Mr. Zhuang has heard about bandits in Yimeng for a long time, because there are many natural disasters in Shandong, if the times are not good, the banditry will be more serious.

Over the past few decades, Yimeng mountain bandits have suppressed them several times, and many bandit leaders, big and small, have been killed, but they are still repeatedly suppressed.At first, there were military officers who wanted to get promoted and make money by "suppressing bandits", but in the end they fell into disgrace and even lost their titles.

After that, the Yimeng bandits were rarely touched by anyone. Fortunately, they also knew that if there was a big trouble, the court would definitely not tolerate it.After a long time, these local officials turned a blind eye.

In the past few years, Jiang Chenxi has been the governor of Shandong, and Li Fajia has served as the inspector. With the idea of ​​food relief and silver relief, the lives of the people are relatively easy, and the words "Yimeng Bandits" are rarely mentioned.

There was a severe drought last summer, and the disaster situation in Yizhou was also very serious. The crop harvest was less than [-]%. Although the imperial court ordered the tax reduction and exemption for this year, but now it is the time when the crops are not harvested, and it is the time when the people are short of food.

*
Rizhao County, Liujiawan, Wangjiazhuang.

The Wang family is a big family in Rizhao, and their ancestors have been fishing pearls for generations.From the 18th year of Shunzhi to the 22nd year of Kangxi, the imperial court issued a "moving to the sea order". Although Shandong did not move inland for [-] to [-] miles like the people in Jiangnan, Zhejiang, Fujian, and the coastal areas of Guangdong, inward migration and merchant ships were not allowed to enter the sea. The ban still caused the Wang family to lose their livelihood.

Fortunately, the family is rich and has a lot of land, so they finally survived.

In the 22nd year of Kangxi, after the imperial court captured Taiwan, the "moving to the sea order" was abolished. The Wang family took a breather and continued to make a living by the pearl-diving skills passed down from their ancestors. After more than 20 years of hard work, it has become the largest pearl fishing family in the north.

In order to preserve the family's wealth and honor, one after another the children began to pass the examinations for juren or to accept the honor of being a supervisor.In the local Andong Guard in Rizhao, there are also quite a few descendants of the Wang family, there are several Qian Zong and Ba Zong.

Today, the head of the Wang family is Wang Lusheng, the son of the eldest son. Because his uncle is the seventh, outsiders respectfully call him Qiye Wang.

Wang Qiye is an authentic Shandong man, tall and burly, with a square face. Although he is approaching his age, he is as straightforward as a young man.As early as many years ago, because of his loyalty and generosity to his friends, he was called "Huo Mengchang" by his friends in the northern Green Forest Road.

Today, he was in the living room, although he did not refuse the friend who asked for help, but his expression became a little more solemn, and he said: "Liu Er is the head of the family, and he borrowed money to buy food. Since the brothers have found me, Wang Lao Qi, then Naturally, I will save face. Even if the brothers don't come, Lao Qi still has to ask someone to send a letter to Brother Qin to chat!"

Apart from Wang Qiye, there was only a scholar in his thirties sitting in the room, who seemed to be the "Second Master Liu" that Wang Qiye called.

Master Liu Erdao smiled and said: "Don't worry, Seventh Master, of course we will take what Master Qi ordered in the first month of the month to heart, otherwise Liu would not have the audacity to ask for help!" Speaking of this, I was a little curious Asked: "I don't know the new Master Daotai and Qi Ye..."

Wang Qiye took a look at Liu Erdang's family, laughed heartily twice, and said, "It's nothing serious, even in front of Qin's family, Lao Qi didn't hide it! My Wang Laoqi has lived for nearly 40 years. I ask myself that it’s okay for my relatives and friends, and there is no deceit or indebtedness. Only this lord, Yu Lao Qi has a life-saving grace, and he has not had the opportunity to repay it! Don’t say it’s Zhou Ji brothers for three years, protect this lord There is nothing to do during his term of office, even if he gave up the life of Lao Qi, Lao Qi will not be ambiguous!"

Liu Erdang heard this, clasped his fists with a smile and said, "Seventh Lord is so respectful, I think it is extraordinary! Seventh Master, please rest assured, what our eldest master promised, of course we will do what we say!"

When Liu Erdang was sent away, Wang Qiye's face not only did not relax at all, but became even more serious.His original wife died of illness a few years ago, leaving behind a pair of children.He was afraid that if he married his stepmother, his stepmother would treat the children badly, so he discussed with his father-in-law and married his wife and sister Wu to fill in the house.The husband and wife are very harmonious and beautiful, and they don't hide anything.Therefore, Mrs. Wu knew about the benefactor and the people from Yimeng Mountain asking for help.

Seeing that her husband was so worried, Wu couldn't help persuading her: "Master has made all the arrangements, what else is there to worry about, since benefactor is a child of everyone, there will naturally be someone to help with the yamen's affairs!"

Wang Qiye looked at the willow branches outside the window, recalled the severe drought last year, and sighed: "Now, it's time for food shortage!"

Wu walked over, a little puzzled, and asked: "Didn't the Lord give them the money to buy food? Could it be that they will turn back their promises and come out of the mountains..."

Wang Qiye smiled wryly and shook his head: "They are called 'bandits', but they are just poor people! Every time there is a shortage of food, they will mess up. Those things without conscience are more terrifying than Yimeng mountain bandits! I can Give up some money to settle the bandits, but have nothing to do with those things, I just don’t know if Cao En Guild will take precautions!”

After all, the Wu family is a woman's family. It sounds a little confused. I really can't figure out what is more terrifying in Yizhou than the Yimeng bandits.

Wang Qiye patted himself on the forehead, and said: "No, I have to write to Cao Engong, so that he won't be confused and suffer another loss!"

Seeing that Mr. Wang Qi was in a hurry, Mrs. Wu hurriedly called someone to bring him a pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and polished the ink for him herself.

Pian Wang Qiye is a rough man, and it's fine to keep an account on weekdays. Most of the letters are written by the accountant. Now that he wrote "Cao Engong", he doesn't know how to write.

Seeing that he held back for a long time, but could not utter a few words, Mrs. Wu smiled and said, "Since I came back from Jinan years ago, I have been talking about Cao Engong. Now that I know that the county magistrate went to Yizhou to pick up the official two days ago, why not?" I just need to go there too! Rizhao arrived in Yizhou, took a short cut of [-] miles, and arrived in a day and a half! Explain clearly in person, isn't it more detailed than in the letter?"

Wang Qiye hurriedly waved his hand: "No, if it's the Wang family, it's okay for us to talk about it. There are hundreds of people here and there! In my name, to bother my benefactors, they can do it!" There is a saying that he didn't say because he was afraid of his wife's worry, that is, this "life-saving grace" is true, but there is something hidden about it, some people are not The Wang family can afford it.

*
Yizhou, Daotai Yamen.

On the day of the banquet, all the officials set off to return, only Liang Shunzheng, the county magistrate of Mengyin, temporarily stayed in Yizhou because of the old man Qiu's case, to help Cao Yong explain the details of some places and the previous investigation.

No, on the second day of March, someone from the Mengyin county government rushed to Yizhou to find Liang Shunzheng, the county magistrate, and revealed a major event. The only son of Du Kui, a squire in Mengyin County, was kidnapped by the "Yimeng Bandits".

The other party sent a palm of Young Master Du, and the ransom price offered was [-] shi of grain, and they only gave the Du family seven days to raise grain, and gave the rest of the palm and feet one day later, and the children and grandchildren three days later. baby.

Because Du Kui had already fallen ill in a hurry, only the wife of the Du family brought her nephews and brothers around to raise food and revealed the truth, and the county government knew that it was already the third day.
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(End of this chapter)