Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 267 "The Bandit"

It began to snow on November [-]th and stopped on the [-]th. The snow on Mengyin Road was nearly a foot deep.Although the weather was cold and firewood wasted, the peasants were very happy.

The past two years have been dry, and the harvest in the field has decreased a lot.It is also necessary to rent half a cent for partial birth, which makes people's livelihood very difficult.Now that the heavy snowfall is coming, it will be of great benefit to the crops in the next spring, and it will catch up with the Long Live Lord Jiazi Shengshou. The people in Shandong have reduced their money and food, and it seems that they can save some surplus food.

The situation of Cao Yong's case is not good. Who would have thought that the brothers of the Du family would go through trial and trial, and the entanglements would become more and more widespread.Du Xiong did know a leader named Qin in the Yimeng Bandits, and he had some contacts in the early years.

According to his account, the head of the family surnamed Qin came to Mengyin more than ten years ago. When they first settled in Yimeng Mountain, they had contacts with Du Xiong's father because of rice grain.Although the finger pull is a token of communication, it is not Qin Bajia's, but a relic of Du Xiong's father.

Du Xiong's father used to run a silk cloth business in the south in his early years. After saving money, he sent his sons back to their hometown to buy property.According to Du Xiong, regarding Qin Bajia, his father only mentioned that he was the son of an old friend.In addition to occupying Yimeng Mountain as the leader of the bandit, Qin Bajia seems to have colluded with the pirate Zheng Jinxin. He once harvested grain in Mengyin in March.

However, what happened to Du Kui was not done by Qin Bajia and others.After the incident happened, Du Xiong once sent someone to deliver a letter to the mountains, knowing that someone had faked his name.Because there have been a lot of people doing evil under the name of "Yimeng Mountain Bandits" in recent years, so the truth was not found out in the end.

Not only Mr. Zhuang, but also Cao Yong knew that such rhetoric also connected this bandit with the Hongmen backbone who had been reclusive in the early years.It's just that compared to Mr. Zhuang's excitement, he still has some hesitation in his heart.

If the legendary "chivalrous" character has evil deeds, then he is not innocent, but what if he has no evil deeds?
Mr. Zhuang has asked someone to send a pen and paper, and asked Cao Yong to make a report to the chief secretary's yamen. In addition, he also asked An Zhezi to mention this matter to Kangxi.

It's okay to go to the chief secretary's yamen, after all, it is directly under the superior, but to Kangxi, it is suspected of leapfrogging to claim credit.Cao Yong was a little puzzled by Mr. Zhuang's intentions, and didn't know why he should be so solemn.

Seeing Cao Yong's bewilderment, Mr. Zhuang looked a little dignified, and said: "Long Live Lord is most afraid of matters related to the previous dynasty, otherwise the '"Nanshan Collection" case" in the spring will not be involved. It’s so wide. Shandong is next to Zhili. If the rebellion really takes root here and something happens, what’s the face of the court? Besides, it’s connected to the pirates. Who knows if there are other forces entrenched in the north. This matter comes out , The designation of movement is not small. At that time, in addition to those who want to get credit, I am afraid that there will also be those who want to shirk their responsibilities. It’s not in vain to get some credit, and let you go outside!”

Cao Yong thought about it for a while, frowned slightly, and asked: "I heard that there are bad habits in the army. In this matter of suppressing bandits, in order to promote officials and money, some people risk killing good people to pray for merit. This matter has caused a lot of trouble. , will it harm the people of Mengyin?"

After listening to Cao Yong's words, Mr. Zhuang shook his head disapprovingly, and said, "Fu Ruo wants to learn from Zhang Boxing? You know, the words 'Love the people like a son' are on your mind; you just want this reputation, but it's not easy to get it." You need to be careful, otherwise it will be too much. Like Zhang Boxing, he is loved by the people, but it is too much!" Speaking of this, he hesitated for a while, and said: "The reputation of Han officials can only be set off by the ministers. It's unbearable. If one goes up and down, even the court will lose popular support, this is a taboo for officials!"

Although Mr. Zhuang told the truth, Cao Yong still felt uncomfortable. In this world, good people and good officials cannot be done, otherwise he would become a person who is "unfaithful and unfilial" and "unpredictable" in the eyes of the emperor.

It's just that human life is not worthless after all. Although it is not as great as self-sacrifice, I still want to kill less within my ability.Cao Yong hesitated in his heart, unable to write for a long time.

Mr. Zhuang has been by Cao Yong's side for several years, and he also knows his soft-heartedness, he can't help frowning, and said seriously: "If Fu Ruo don't forget your own responsibility, it is to guard the place for the imperial court. Maybe this 'Yimeng Mountain Bandit' will Ensnaring some innocent people, but if Fu Ruo has ever thought about it, how can ants shake a big tree in this peaceful and prosperous world? Thinking about it now, it is the civil disturbances in spring, which can make it to that point, maybe they are also contributing to the flames, otherwise the people How could they be so restless, and caused a lot of casualties for no reason. If they are allowed to prepare properly, and take advantage of the bad times to deceive and encourage innocent people, it will only end in both the people and the court. The people lost their lives, and the court lost face , will only make those who have ulterior motives proud!"

At the end, he added another sentence: "Since this matter has been noticed, even if Fu does not make a report, I will report it to Beijing! No matter what the guise is, a 'bandit' is a 'bandit', People who plunder people's capital and get something for nothing, even if they are their lives, why should they be pitiful!? If Fu Ruo really cares about the people and is afraid that the officers and soldiers in the bandit suppression will make trouble, then he will find a way to take care of this errand when the time comes. You are equivalent to No. [-] Marquis of Yuwu, there is no military officer higher than you in this Shandong Province. As long as you give orders to restrain, no one will dare to disobey your orders!"

Cao Yong heart secretly ashamed.Yes, no matter what the reasons are, these heroes who "occupy the mountain and become kings" cannot be called good people. Whether it's "killing the rich and helping the poor" or "donating righteousness and donating money", how many people are willing to support themselves?It's just a slogan of "justice", using some means of getting something for nothing, and being a free eater.

However, it was too embarrassing for him to fall off his horse, so Cao Yong had no choice but to use Chunqiu's brushwork to mention it in one sentence, and then explained these unintentional discovery of bandits according to Mr. Zhuang's intention.

After writing the articles and notes, Cao Yong thought that there might be Hongmen under the banner of "anti-Qing and Fuming" among them. I am afraid that even the governor's yamen can't make decisions in private, so he has to ask the emperor for instructions.If this contact is delayed, it may be too late a year ago.

Feeling somewhat depressed in his heart, Cao Yong asked casually: "What happened to the brothers of the Du family? Why did they happen to meet us that day? I always feel that there is something wrong."

Mr. Zhuang nodded and said: "That's true. The second child of the Du family has already admitted it. He overheard someone from here mentioning it in the restaurant that day. He knew that he was going to Yizhou, so he used some tricks to make him The steward of his elder brother decided that they were also Qiqi, and the purpose was to make his elder brother suffer, and it would be better to cause some lawsuits, so as not to take care of competing with him for property."

Maybe it was because he had seen all kinds of methods when he was in the capital. After Cao Yong felt that something was wrong, his first instinct was that he didn't know who was plotting against him.Now, when I heard this "truth", I really couldn't laugh or cry. I was wrong, but I was almost killed by the two brothers of the Du family.

Thinking of the arrogance of the brothers of the Du family, Cao Yong's sympathy for the young lady of the Du family disappeared immediately.Disregarding the safety and death of others, this can be regarded as a "bully" in the countryside. How can he be pitiful?
Really boring, Cao Yong asked Mr. Zhuang: "Look, sir, how long do we need to stay here? Now that we have figured out the reason and have to wait for the order from above, let's go back to Yizhou first?"

Mr. Zhuang thought for a while, and said: "Well, it's good to go back! The Du brothers and their family members have been imprisoned, and they will be escorted to Jinan Mansion after the governor's office orders. Suspicion of "greedy" is not flattering inside and out, so why not go back to Yizhou now. It is safe to have the hundreds of people from the Anton Guard station guarding here!"

A few days ago, I received a letter from Zijing, in addition to asking about her health, she also talked about Xiao Tianyou's vomiting of milk before. Although she has found a stable woman now, she is still a little worried, looking forward to Cao Yong Go back with Chuyu as soon as possible.

"A son is a mother's heart and soul", this is indeed true.

Chu Yu endured these two days, but when he mentioned his son, he still couldn't get rid of his worry.When the husband and wife talked about it in private, she was also sour, for fear that her son had a nanny in the past two days and would forget her as a mother.

If it weren't for the inconvenient legs and feet, and he couldn't get "human life" during the filial piety, Cao Yong really wanted to "teach" his wife a lesson, so that she would have a long memory, so that she could not have a son and forget her husband.Look, the sourness in his heart is no less than that of Chu Yu.

Cao Yong is not a person who can suffer, originally he was thinking about how to deal with Du Xiong and Du Hui brothers, and vent their anger, but now they are on the line and have become key witnesses in the big case.
I was thinking about whether I should tell Mr. Zhuang, whether I should put [-] boards on it first, and let the two people suffer, when I heard Mr. Zhuang say: "The matter of Fu Ruo's injury, apart from the superiors, you can also hide it from the outside world. Otherwise, when the bandit suppression comes out in the next year, some people will use this to make a point, slander Fu Ruo as a ruthless villain who must take revenge, and say that the bandit suppression is caused by your selfishness!"

After hearing this, Cao Yong couldn't help leaning back.Grandma, it's boring to do a good job!Among them, the twists and turns are no less than that of Liubu.Speaking of which, it was because of his youth that he was young. Over the past six months, there have been many people thinking about him at Chasi's side, trying to find something to give him some eye drops.

The so-called Qingliu is just like that, but if you have a stronger background, you can't wait to shoot you to death as a moth that harms the people.Even if they offend people, they are not afraid, they just want a good reputation.At that time, if you care about it, you will get what they want; if you don't care about it, you will only think that you are guilty.

It is the matter of the "golden house hiding the beauty" in the lotus garden. In August, someone reported to the inspector, saying that Cao Yong took a concubine during the filial piety. In the end, he sent a Taoist patrol to Yizhou to inquire about the matter. Only then did he know it was nonsense. .Afterwards, there were other people who were thinking about it, and Li Fajia, who was the inspector at the time, did not allow the subordinates to act rashly. I don't know whether he cherished the feathers, feared that his subordinates would offend others, or had the intention of defending Cao Yong.

After half a day of preparation, on November [-]th, except Mr. Zhuang, Zhao Tong and the Ren family brothers stayed behind, the others followed Cao Yong and Chu Yu back to Yizhou.

Taking the master and the yamen servants with him, he sent Cao Yong and others out of the city. Liang Shunzhengfang breathed a sigh of relief, and then he patted himself on the forehead and climbed onto the horse's back with a little difficulty.

God is playing tricks!Thinking of the signature following Cao Yong's Zhezi, Liang Shunzheng didn't know whether he was unlucky or lucky.Look, it looks like it's going to make a big fuss. If I can make it to that time, I'm afraid I don't have to do the sixth grade, and I have to go up another liter. However, if there is loud thunder and little rain in the end, the higher ups want to blame Yes, his name of "overseeing" may not escape.

This joy and sorrow, maybe which one will come, how can his little heart not tremble along with it?Thinking of the burning pot in April, it seemed a bit thrilling, and I couldn't tell Cao Yong whether he was complaining or grateful.

Now, what else can I do, I just hope that I will change my luck when I get old, and everything will go well!

Because his cousin and niece were also imprisoned, Liang Shunzheng's old wife, Wang Shi, even wiped away tears. In the past two days, she begged Liang Shunzheng frequently, but was severely scolded by Liang Shunzheng.

The life and death of everyone in the Du family, like his future, now depends on the outcome of the suppression of the bandits.If the "suppression of bandits" goes well, the Du family will be considered to have lost their merits, but they will only lose some money; .

Even the son-in-law can give up the love of husband and wife and divorce his wife immediately; if their relatives who are three thousand miles away make do with each other, isn't it courting death?
Seeing that her husband was hard-hearted, Mrs. Wang wanted to ask someone to deliver a letter to the Wang family in Rizhao, to see if she could find a way to help her, but Liang Shunzheng said a few cruel words, so she was bluffed.It's just that she was somewhat unhappy in her heart, and when she saw the people from the Daotai mansion left, she sat in the main room, losing her face in front of her husband.

Liang Shunzheng knew that the mother-in-law was unreasonable, especially the elderly one, so he asked the servant behind him to bring a foot-high wooden box and put it in front of Wang.

Mrs. Wang was slightly puzzled, opened the box, and asked: "What is this?" After asking, she was stunned, unable to speak, and rubbed her hands, her eyes straightened.

Five taels of gold ingots, no more, no less, exactly ten ingots, 50 taels.

However, afterward, Mrs. Wang changed her expression so bluffed, she looked at the boy who had retreated by the door, and sat up on her seat. Although her eyes were filled with reluctance, she still persuaded Liang Shun earnestly and said, "Master, this...is this Those in the yamen... this can't be accepted...if someone finds out, will they have to die..."

The husband and wife are used to being poor, and Liang Shunzheng knew that his mother-in-law loved money, so he used these to make her happy. Seeing that she could say these words, he felt very ironic in his heart, and said with a smile: "This Where is it from the yamen? It's a gift from the princess. Did you mention to her a few days ago that you will marry the second boy next year? The princess said that because she came here in a hurry, she didn't bring any gifts with her. This I will give you two sets of face-to-face, one is for you, and the other is for our second boy to get married!"

The county magistrate of the seventh rank has an annual salary of only 45 taels of silver, even if he is occasionally filial in some places, it is not much.These 50 taels of gold are exchanged for silver, which is more than 500 taels, but it is the salary of the top beam Shunzheng for ten years.

Mrs. Wang also didn't care about her cousin and niece's affairs. She caressed the little gold ingots one by one, her face was full of joy, and she complained to Liang Shunzheng with a smile: "Master too! Since it was a gift from the princess, why didn't you tell me sooner?" You know, I didn't even say thank you, but it's a joke, it's really rude!"

*
Yizhou, Daotai Mansion, inner house, main house, west room.

Sitting on the kang, Xu held Tianyou in her arms and nursed him.Seeing the little guy sucking hard, she couldn't help adding a smile to her face. Looking at his little face eagerly, she turned to think of her son who died a few days ago, her heart was sour, and her eye circles were a little red.

Even though she has milk, after discussing with her husband that night, she also agreed to go to Daotai Mansion to become a prostitute, but Zijing and Ye Momo were very cautious, so they asked the doctor to show her body, and saw that apart from being thinner, there was nothing wrong with her. Other problems, dare to let her milk God bless.

I don't know if the little guy is tired of tossing around, or his stomach is getting used to it. After eating Xu's milk, he got used to it.I didn't vomit afterwards, and slept for a long time honestly, recovering some energy.

Xu's husband only said that he had a relationship with Cao Yong several times, but Zijing didn't know what happened, so he didn't dare to enter the mansion rashly.She sent a servant to take care of Liu Heng's daily life at Liu's house, and asked Cao Fang to help him find a doctor, which was considered An Xu's heart.

Xu's heart was only grateful, and he devoted himself even more to Xiao Tianyou.Grandma Ye saw it, and liked that she was sensible and thoughtful about the contract.

Because her man's identity was unknown, Zijing couldn't deal with it casually, so she advised Mother Ye not to be in a hurry, and make a decision after the uncle and princess come back.Otherwise, if it is really the wife of the uncle's old friend who is hired to be a prostitute at home and the servants regard her as the wife, it will not be very pleasant to hear about it.

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(End of this chapter)