Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 739 "Loyalty"
Yuanjiakou, Yuzhou.

Kangxi sat on the couch, his face covered with frost, he threw the bag in his hand to the ground, and shouted, "Look at it, what is this?"

The third elder brother knelt on the ground, already terrified, picked up the booklet tremblingly, opened it, and saw the letter "The left deputy capital of the Metropolitan Procuratorate Guan Shuntian Mansion Governor Yu Zhengjian reported that there was a villain pretending to be Prince Cheng parading Shanxi Wait for the discount."

In the heart of the third elder brother, thinking of what the fifteenth elder brother said a few days ago, it was really turbulent.Could it be that he really lost the favor, and the emperor started to deal with him?
Although the imperial court has a ban that the prince's elder brother is not allowed to associate with courtiers and officials, but the rules are dead, people are alive, and no one has a few slaves.

It is not a matter of one or half a year to go out, reveal the name of the master, visit the local officials along the way, and do things to win over.

Long before the prince was abolished, there were disciples of the elder brother and the disciples of the prince competing to go to the south of the Yangtze River to scrape land, as we all know.

In the 51st year of Kangxi, the third elder brother had servants who came to the place in the name of buying.The "filial piety" obtained from outside is also one of the sources of money for San Age's mansion. After all, he doesn't have the ability of Jiu Ah Ge to make money, but for the sake of good popularity, he has a lot of disciples and clean customers.

This is not a new thing at all. How come she has been so mediocre for so many years, and now she is stabbed in front of the imperial court?
Thinking of the fate of the elder brother, the second elder brother, and the eighth elder brother, the third elder brother couldn't help but tremble. He raised his head, met Kangxi's cold eyes, and bowed his head in confusion, "Huang Ama, my son has wronged you!" , I am wronged..."

The sixteenth elder brother stood beside the fifteenth elder brother, watching all this with cold eyes, knowing that the third elder brother had some braids for the emperor to catch.

Seeing the third elder brother "calling for injustice", the sixteenth elder brother twitched in his heart.This third brother is not yet old, so he is confused?Could it be that the emperor's father was full of food, and taught his son a lesson just because of the wind?

At this time, the mouth is stiff, and it is better to beg for forgiveness.

Sure enough, when he heard a "snap", Kangxi slapped the table and said angrily, "Are you wronged? Meng Guangzu is not your slave? Didn't you get your name card when you went out for a walk? Didn't you instigate the local governor to accept the gift? "

After this series of shouting and questioning, the third elder brother's face was ashen, and he didn't even dare to beg for mercy.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to commit a crime, not to mention that he still has braids outside, so does the emperor want to liquidate him?
After a while, the third elder brother raised his head and said in a trembling voice: "Huang Ama, Huang Ama, son..."

Brother Sixteen is by his side, so he already knows the general idea.Meng Guangzu, a servant of Prince Cheng's Mansion, was ostentatious outside in the name of the Prince's Mansion, and he had heard about it.

It seems that there was a censor who stabbed the censor.

It's a good thing, but the timing is wrong.Those censors seem to know something about the emperor's preferences, and they don't want the prince to seize power, but they don't know how to choose the time.

Tiger poison does not eat children.

Even if the imperial father was afraid of deposing the prince and cut off the prince's wings, he did not place the crime of "desire to force the palace" on the deposed prince.

In the heart of the emperor, the eighth elder brother is certainly not as good as the abolished prince, but he is also the flesh and blood of the Tian family.

The eighth elder brother passed away in less than half a year, the pain of losing his son has not disappeared, and the emperor's father is full of compassion, how could he blame the third elder brother heavily.

Sure enough, Kangxi snorted coldly, and said, "Are you stupid for studying books? Let the slaves do mischief outside, and they don't know how to restrain them. How proper is it..."

*
Beijing, Xishan, Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

When I caught up with Xiu Mu today, Cao Yong accompanied his father to Xishan to worship Buddha and listen to Zen.In the past few months since Cao Yin became an official, Cao Yong was always worried that his father would be bored and uncomfortable.

Therefore, when he catches up with Xiu Mu, he often spends half a day playing chess with his father, or going out of the house to listen to operas with him.The father and son spent more time together than in the past.

When he is in a good mood, Cao Yin will also recall his youth with his son.In the conversation, there is also a sense of loss and regret.In his life, for the sake of "Jun En" and "family", he gave up his ideals and hobbies and went with the flow.

If he was not born in the Cao family, but was just the son of an ordinary family, he would have passed the imperial examination to enter the official career, and then entered the Imperial Academy.In his heart, he also wanted to stand in the court hall, discuss military and state affairs with the emperor's officials, make meritorious deeds, and become famous.

Seeing that the weather is fine and the spring breeze is pleasant today, the father and son left the city to listen to Zen at the Reclining Buddha Temple in Xishan.

The master master here once had an appointment at Qingliang Temple in Jiangning in the early years, and he is an old friend with Cao Yin.After listening to the Zen and eating the fast meal, when the father and son left, Cao Yong thought of Zhiran and wanted to ask the master if there was any news about him; but he hesitated for a while, and still did not mention it to Cao Yin.

After leaving the mountain gate, Cao Yong sighed inwardly when he saw Cao Yin's white hair.Zhiran has been in Beijing for the past two years, and he persuaded him to return to vulgarity with sincerity.

Seeing his son's silence, Cao Yin asked, "Yong'er is worried about Brother Nine?"

Cao Yong shook his head and said: "No, the son will remember his father's explanation, and never forget the word 'loyalty' in his heart."

This is not Cao Yong's attitude towards life, but the philosophy he is willing to abide by.

Any speculation has risks, and only by adopting an attitude of "loyalty to the emperor" can we stand the most secure.

Seeing this, Cao Yin nodded in relief, and said: "This is very good, as long as you keep this, even if you make mistakes occasionally, it doesn't matter."

"Well, my son understands." Cao Yong responded, and said: "Father, the emperor has read his son's book, will he agree? The Ministry of Internal Affairs will control the gold store, and it can earn a lot of money."

"It's not up to us as courtiers to decide whether to allow it or not. But Yong'er is still steady, and he is not dazzled by the money, knowing that the money will not be earned." Cao Yin looked at his son with more loving eyes.

Cao Yong smiled wryly and said: "Buying an official and selling a noble is not only a bad reputation, but also easy to be accused of crimes. Don't say that our family is not short of this money now, even if it is, my son will not do such things. "

The father and son, not in a hurry, chatted all the way, and did not enter Beijing until dusk.

After returning to the mansion, I heard the report from the concierge that Yi Duli, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, came to visit and waited in the living room for a long time.The father and son looked at each other, knowing that the matter ahead was settled.

Cao Yin nodded and told Cao Yong to meet the guest, while he went directly to the second gate.

In the living room, Yi Duli kept looking outside with excitement.

It is against the rules to pay a visit directly without posting a post.Because he is related to the Cao family, he and Cao Yong have been colleagues for many years, so he didn't pay attention to that.

Even after he came here, he heard that the Cao family and his son hadn't come back after leaving the city, he still waited here because he couldn't wait.

Today, the emperor's decree arrived in the capital, ordering the Ministry of Internal Affairs to discuss the "gold donation" of the capital with Jiu A Ge, Cao Yong and others, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Jiu A Ge will be in charge.

This is the first job after the Ito Legislative Council's Office of Internal Affairs, so naturally they are very excited.In addition, there is also the matter of Cao Yong, which makes Yiduli feel more at ease, knowing that it is time to make meritorious service.

I don't know if it has something to do with money, but Kangxi's will is so fast.Cao Yong cursed endlessly in his heart, and strode into the living room.

Seeing him coming in, Yi Duli stood up and said with a happy face, "Fu Ruo."

"Uncle." Seeing that he was wearing ordinary clothes, Cao Yong met him privately: "I don't know that Uncle is visiting, Cao Yong is late, Uncle, don't blame him."

Yidu immediately beamed with joy, and said the order from above, with sparkling eyes, he said: "Furuo, what the emperor means, this year's donation of officials will be made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Brother Nine, right? Before I came, I had After checking the property of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, although there are many shops in the capital, there are no gold shops. Look, do they need to be requisitioned?" After speaking, he rubbed his hands together, full of excitement.

When Cao Yong saw this, he felt that something was wrong, so he heard Yi Duli continue to say: "It just so happens that Yang's silver building has also been doing gold business for the past six months. Together with the one under the name of Brother Jiu, two gold shops are enough. It's..."

Cao Yong was startled when he heard the words, he quickly waved his hands and said, "Uncle, no!"

Yi Duli was not surprised to see Cao Yong's words to stop him, and said with a smile: "If Fu is afraid that I will offend others? If the Ministry of Internal Affairs intervenes, it will cut off the wealth of other dignitaries and officials, and they must offend others. But it's okay, God When it collapsed, there was a tall person to hold it up, and besides, I still have my life on my shoulders, who can say 'no'?"

It's not because of offending people, but because of being careful to kill the donkey, or being used as a scapegoat.If there is any accident or inappropriate words in the donation, it will be pushed out to take the blame.

Cao Yong and Yiduli are two relatives-in-law, colleagues and friends.

Although there are differences in all aspects of temperament and temperament, but after these years of communication, Cao Yong also regards him as a person who can make friends.

"Uncle, think twice, this matter of managing the 'gold donation' is enough to be ordered to assist the ninth elder brother. It is really not appropriate to show your face and get involved too much. If you are too tall, everyone will be jealous, and if you are too tall, it will inevitably be slandered by villains. Isn't that right? The gain outweighs the loss?" Cao Yong said earnestly after thinking about it.

Yi Duli heard this, hesitated for a moment, and said: "Fu Ruo, now that this job falls on me, even if I am innocent, the outsiders will designate me as corrupt...It is better to bear the name for nothing..."

It seems that in the past six months, Yi Duli made money by "exchanging gold", thinking that the money was easy to make.

"My lord, there are two things my lord has forgotten. Elder brother Yijiu is a generous person. Can the second emperor hear or see nothing when he is on the dragon chair?" Said, the words have revealed solemnity.

Yi Duli is also a smart person, but he is only fascinated by the words.

Hearing Cao Yong's words, he woke up, patted his forehead, and said with a smile: "It's all because of me being confused. After being teased by Mrs. Yang for a few words, he started to faint. After all, he is a woman with long hair and short knowledge. , can't believe..."

Speaking of this vacancy, how can it compare to the job of the Ministry of Internal Affairs?

Seeing Yi Duli's determination, Cao Yong felt a little worried, and recommended him for promotion, not to harm him.It is inevitable that Cao Yong told Yi Duli again the "loyalty" that the father and son had said just now.

Although Yi Duli is older than Cao Yong and has a higher seniority than him, he is very open-minded and educated, repeatedly saying that he is...

*
Jiubeizi Mansion, study room.

After listening to the disciple's report, Brother Jiu knew that the decree had come to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.He hummed, and said to himself: "Cao Yong, you are not greedy..."

He thought for a while, called a steward, and said: "Take the master's name card and send it to Cao Yong's mansion, and say that the master has something to discuss, and invite him to come and have tea tomorrow after he leaves the office."

The steward went out in response, and Brother Jiu stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, looking at the blooming magnolia branches outside, with no joy on his face.

He didn't know what he wanted or what he was tossing about.After the eighth elder brother passed away, he just felt that he had lost his backbone, and he couldn't even arouse interest in earning money...

He remembered something, turned around and walked to the desk, took out a scroll from the bookshelf, and spread it out on the desk.

On the screen, it is a young woman in Tsing Yi, with plain makeup and only a plain hairpin on her hair.Between the eyebrows and eyes, there is no charm, but a coldness, which makes people look at it without feeling profane.

"You lost your mother when you were born, you lost your father when you were young, you lost your husband before you got married, you are also a poor person..." Brother Jiu caressed the portrait, inexplicably adding a little bit of pity.

It seems that in this world, not only is he lonely...

*
Cao Mansion, at the gate.

Seeing Yi Duli's back going away, Cao Yong couldn't relax.

The imperial court is short of money, and using donations to fill the treasury is really an act of drinking poison to quench thirst.Take the person who donated an official as an example, what is the plan for spending thousands of taels to buy a magistrate of Shique County?Could it be the annual salary of tens of taels of silver?

Being an official for thousands of miles is only for money. If the official of the imperial examination system knows how to set up a memorial archway, not all of them are greedy.Those who have read many sage books like Ma Jun still have conscience and morality in their hearts.

These donated official background, the purpose is big and undisguised, it is for the money.

Scraping the land and increasing miscellaneous donations in various names led to the bankruptcy of the local people, and the sale of the land by the landlords, which came and went again and again, made the number of self-cultivating farmers less and less, and the land was concentrated in the hands of bureaucratic landlords.

These bureaucratic landlords, relying on their fame, mostly do not have to bear taxes.In this way, the treasury revenue will only decrease but not increase.

It's a vicious circle.

There is no other way to replace the donation.

Kangxi prosperous age, this is the "prosperous age"!
At this moment, Cao Yong was in a daze.Is it too early for me to wear it? If I wear it 100 years later, during the period of the collapse of the feudal system, do I have the courage to reshape a China...

Just in a daze, I heard someone say: "Master, Master sent someone to ask if the guest has left. If he sent you away, please come over and talk."

This interruption made Cao Yong couldn't help laughing.

Does every man have a "hero plot" in him, and he really treats himself as a dish.Others are "feeling full of warmth and thinking about sex", and I am a little bit fanciful.

Lanyuan, go to the room.

Cao Yin had already had his dinner, and was sitting by the edge of the kang, eating tea and quizzing his two grandsons on their homework.It's still the same, God bless early wisdom, already showing a bit of extraordinary; Hang Seng is a bit stupid, plus he is younger, he has been in school for a year, and his progress is limited.

Mrs. Li was at the side, seeing that Hang Seng blushed because he could not pass his grandfather's exam, he couldn't bear it, so he changed the subject and said, "Master, why hasn't Yong'er come back? It's this time, do you want to keep guests for dinner? " Having said that, he turned to Chu Yu and said, "Why don't my daughter-in-law ask someone to ask?"

Cao Yin saw his wife's intentions, but since his daughter-in-law was in front of him, he couldn't say anything.

Chu Yu responded, and went out with her maid.

Seeing that Tianyou and Hengsheng couldn't sit still, Cao Yin waved his hands and sent them back to Sunflower Courtyard.

There was only the old couple left in the house, Cao Yin said: "Ma'am, a loving mother is a loser, even a grandson should not be spoiled too much, or else he will be a piece of trash when he grows up. If it is a child from an ordinary family, it is fine and has no future. , but it only makes parents, wives and children a burden; a family like ours has a lot of holes up and down."

Mrs. Li said embarrassingly: "Hang Seng looks at his hard work, it's pitiful. Before the master said anything to him just now, tears were about to fall down, making people look unbearable. They are not the eldest grandsons, so there is no need to force this little bit." Older children suffer from this."

Hearing this, Cao Yin couldn't help frowning, and said: "Ma'am, don't forget that Heng Sheng's fate is not vulgar. Who knows what the fate of this grandson will be when he grows up. If because of our doting, the child becomes mediocre, isn't that right?" guilt."

"What the master said is that I was wrong." Li's heart was only softened for a moment, and she knew it was right after hearing what her husband said, so she couldn't refute it.

"Not only Hengsheng, but also Changsheng. Madam, please remember that doting is not hurting the child, but ruining the child." Cao Yin couldn't help but add, thinking of his youngest son.

Mrs. Li agreed, but with a bit of dissatisfaction.

Why did the master forget, when he was a spoiled grandson and young son?It was only in the past few months since he became an official that he restrained his past pampering attitude and began to bother about teaching his grandchildren.

While talking, Chuyu greeted Cao Yong at the second gate, and the husband and wife came to Lanyuan together.

In Cao Yin's heart, he was very concerned about Kangxi's reply, so he couldn't wait to ask someone to invite his son over.

He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when he heard that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Brother Nine were in charge of all the explanations.At the same time, I was a little stunned.Why did I have a heart of embankment, worried that the emperor would plot against the Cao family?

Thinking of this, Cao Yin only felt cold sweat on his forehead.Just a few hours ago, he taught his son the way of "loyalty to the emperor". So in his heart, he also began to put selfishness first...

There was nothing to say all night, and Cao Yong got a message the next day.

Yu Zhengjian, the left deputy capital censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Guan Shuntian Mansion Yin Shi Yu Zhengjian, because "the official is clean, he can't do things at all", that's all. Walk in the book repairing place with the title of sacrificial wine.

Years ago, Cao Yin was impeached by Yu Zhengjian for "lax family management" and resigned from office.Unexpectedly, in just a few months, this "loyal and patriotic" member of the imperial party lost his job.

In the eyes of outsiders, Yu Zhengjian was the enemy of the Cao family, and many people betrayed him in front of Cao Yong, making him very unbearable.

Cao Yong didn't have the mood to be jealous of this loyal dog of Kangxi.Cao Yin's resignation was well known to his father and son. It was because Kangxi did not want the Cao family to become powerful, so he asked Yushi to come forward.

Thinking of this unlucky Shuntian Fu Yin, Cao Yong didn't know why he thought of Wu Zetian back then, and there was a poem:

Under the yellow table where melons are grown, the ripe seeds of melons are separated.Picking once makes the melon good, picking it twice makes the melon thin, picking it third makes it okay, picking it fourth makes it return to the vine...

The emperor, there is also a time to protect the calf...

*
The top six in history are fierce, and Xiao Jiu continues to ask for monthly tickets. . .

(End of this chapter)