Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 762 Brothers Gather

No one expected that the officers and soldiers would face off in the bandit village for half a month.

That's right, it was half a month, and even the Kang brothers didn't expect this result.There is no other reason, but because of Li Tingchen's slaughter of the village before, it was reported back to the stockade.

Even if the officers and soldiers shouted every day, the people in the village did not believe that the government was really "surrendering".After Yin Yuqi led people to Dashengou Village, the village once organized a breakout, but failed after dozens of people died.

Next, is confrontation.

The officers and soldiers wanted to make a quick decision, so naturally they didn't prepare any sufficient logistical supplies.After the quartermaster was dispatched, he encountered interference from other "bandits".

Because of the massacre of Xiaowangzhuang and other Zhuangzi, some people responded to the Kang brothers and entered the Shanli village. Within a few days, thousands of people gathered.

In recent years, the cost of harvesting crops has not been good, and there are so many levies and miscellaneous taxes, which have really forced the people to have no way out.Coupled with the use of religious methods to fool the people, saying that the party leader has the ability to "scatter beans into soldiers", the ignorant people also reduce their fear of officers and soldiers.

The governor's yamen had no choice but to continue sending people into the mountain.Henan was not rich in the first place, and in the past few years, the land was scrapped by the officials, and they had to pay for the military supplies in the Northwest for the imperial court. It was really poor and white.

For these 3000 troops, Zhang Shengzuo had to ask everywhere before sending troops.

In the past half a month, Cao Song killed three people.

Although it was all recorded in the book and counted as his military merits, he was not happy at all.Before the two sides fought, he still regarded the people in this village as "rogue thieves" and wished to get rid of them as soon as possible.

When the blade pierced into the flesh and the flesh and blood died in front of him, his expression gradually calmed down, feeling shameful and hateful.

A man's blade does not show its power in the frontier, and instead of slashing at the enemy's neck, it swings at his own countrymen, which is really uncomfortable.

However, he did not hesitate at all.When these people raise the flag of rebellion, they are already people who should be killed.It's just that besides these people, there are still people who deserve to die. I hope that my brother can see clearly and not let these corrupt officials who drive innocent people into "wolves" be spared.

*
Luoyang City, post station.

Although Cao Yong came here by imperial order, the civil servants were also responsible for verifying the prison escape case of the Kang brothers.Therefore, he did not intervene in the governor's office.After the investigation of the case is almost done, he will wait for the imperial edict.

When such a big event happens, someone must come out to top the tank.The emperor wants fame, the court wants face, neither will accept this relationship.Li Tingchen is just a magistrate, not enough weight.Zhang Shengzuo is a governor who has only been in office for a few months, and this matter cannot be held accountable to him.

Kangxi's decree came when Yin Yuqi broke through Shengou Village and "returned victorious".Just one sentence, "This is a matter of the former governor Li Xi's tenure", pointed out the weather vane.At the same time, it is also required that all the thieves should be captured, and Zhang Tingshu, Minister of the Ministry of punishment, and Le Shibu, a scholar of the cabinet, will go there in a hurry to investigate and examine carefully.

It seems that there is nothing wrong with Cao Yong.

It's just that all the jewels and other things that were transported out of Cao Xiang's house in that box were transported back in one night.Luju was still ignorant at the beginning, Cao Yong only asked Zhao Tong to bring the two words "Holy gift".

Cao Xiang had fled from the stockade for half a month. Logically speaking, he should have returned to Luoyang early, but he didn't show up until a few days ago.

According to the account of the people in the village, there are really all kinds of things.Some said that they offended the Kang brothers and were executed with sticks; some said that they ran away before the officers and soldiers surrounded the village.

For this reason, Cao Song was terrified. After reporting with Yin Yuqi, he went back to Luoyang first to visit his younger brother.

On Cao Yong's side, he had already heard from Cao Jia and knew the details of Cao Xiang.This involves "selfishness". If one is inappropriate, it will hinder Cao Xiang's future.

Therefore, he did not call Cao Xiang back immediately, but asked someone to make arrangements.

So, there was a mountain hunter who "unintentionally" rescued the "severely injured" Cao Xiang and sent him to the county seat.Before Cao Xiang came out of the stockade, he had been hit by dozens of boards. Before he fully recovered, he left the stockade and set out on his way. His body could no longer bear it.

This tossing is really sick.On Cao Yong's side, he got the news and went to pick up his cousin back to Luoyang in person.

From beginning to end, Cao Xiang was alone.

The inside story told to the outside world is half-truth and half-false. It only said that he had a dispute with the rebel, was beaten, and the people saw that he was pitiful, and let him out of the village privately, and lost his way in the mountains.

It's a perfect statement, after all, Cao Xiang is just a low-level official, if he doesn't have the background of the Cao family, no one will pay attention to him, and naturally no one would think that he would cheat.

When Cao Xiang woke up from his groggy, he was already in Cao's house in Luoyang.

Looking at Luju who was serving medicine in front of the bed, he could not move his eyes and his nose was sore.

When Luju saw him wake up, she was also a little moved, grabbed his hand, and said tearfully, "Master, you're finally awake."

Seeing her haggard look, Cao Xiang couldn't bear it, he stroked her hand and said, "I'm tired of you these days." Speaking of this, he thought of his son, but he couldn't see his son's cradle around, and said, "Where is Tianyang?" ?”

Tianyang is their son's nickname. Because he was born in Luoyang, he took the word "Yang".

"I'm afraid I'll make a fuss, so I asked my mother to carry her to the wing room." Luju lowered her head and wiped away her tears, and replied.

Although Cao Xiang missed his son, he was afraid of getting sick, so he was not in a hurry to see him.He only felt that his throat was dry, so he sat up and coughed a few times.

Seeing this, Luju hurriedly poured half a cup of herbal tea and handed it to him.

After drinking tea, Cao Xiang couldn't help being stunned, and then remembered that he seemed to have forgotten something.He couldn't help but widen his eyes, looked at Luju and said, "I came back alone?"

He only remembered that he and Jiaojiao were walking in the mountains, accidentally fell and lost consciousness.Later, I was in a daze, as if I heard my cousin's voice.He also wondered, he just thought he was dreaming, otherwise how could people from the capital go to Henan Mansion?

Luju listened to his question without beginning or end, she was puzzled and said: "It was the uncle who sent the grandfather back, so is there someone else?" So far.With a bit of emotion, he said: "Master, I should thank you very much. I only heard that my uncle treats my second master well. This time I made a special trip to Henan Mansion for my grandfather, and I am very kind to you."

When Cao Xiang heard this, he was a little horrified.Did he lose Jiaojiao?

He was puzzled when he heard a woman outside telling: "Grandpa, aunt, grandpa and second master are here."

While speaking, he heard hurried footsteps coming from the yard.

"Fourth!" Cao Song was anxious, and he called out before anyone could enter the door.

When he saw Cao Xiang's dark and thin appearance, even Cao Song, who always thought he was a man, couldn't help but choked up.

Cao Xiang was looted for more than a month, and he survived almost dead, as if he had been completely reborn.He looked at the two elder brothers, about to roll over and get off the ground.Perhaps because of lying down for a long time, his feet were weak and he almost fell.

Cao Yong was beside him, supported him, and said, "My brother, don't use these vain things, just lie down and talk."

On Cao Song's side, his expression was already a bit ferocious, and he said bitterly: "Fourth brother, did the gangster beat you? When Kang Da broke down the stronghold, he had already hanged himself, and Kang Er was escorted to the governor's office. This hatred, brother I must report for you!"

"The stockade is broken?" Cao Xiang was not surprised when he heard the words, and asked, "Second brother, Mrs. Duan, the mother of Kangda, what is the whereabouts?"

"Mrs. Duan?" Cao Song frowned and thought for a while, and said, "Among the arrested people were Kang Er, Li Yilin's two brothers, and three nephews. I didn't hear that there was Kang Bandit's mother among them. That's right." When Kang Er surrendered, he wore sackcloth and thought he was wearing mourning for his elder brother, but it seems that he was wearing mourning for his mother."

After Cao Xiang heard this, he couldn't help feeling sad when he thought of the old woman who treated him lovingly and tenderly.

Seeing that their brothers had something to say, Lu Ju went down with her maidservant after serving the tea herself, and left the house to their brothers.

Cao Song saw that his expression was wrong, and said: "The fourth brother knows this old lady Duan?"

"Second brother, she is my brother's benefactor. If it wasn't for her protection, my brother would have died under the gangster's plank. My brother was able to escape from the village because of the old lady Duan's help." In front of his brother, Cao Xiang had nothing to hide. , truthfully.

Hearing this, Cao Xiang thought of the two county magistrates rescued in the village, and said happily, "Fortunately, the fourth child came out first. Those two county magistrates, although they still have breath, are just breathless."

Cao Xiang thought of the missing Jiaojiao, hesitated for a moment, looked at Cao Yong, and asked: "Brother, the person who is traveling with my younger brother..."

Cao Yong glanced at him, and asked back: "Fourth brother, what is the reason for the Cao family to settle down in the capital?"

what else?Isn't it the kindness of the ancestors to bring up the present, and the friendship of the uncle who accompanied him when he was old?After Cao Xiang heard Cao Yong's words, some wontons came to his mind.

"It's Jun'en." Cao Xiang thought for a while and replied.

Not to mention the elders of the Cao family, in their generation, counting from their cousin Cao Yong, they are all lucky.In addition, it doesn't matter if brother Cao Song's guards are missing, or he, Cao Xiang, is the seventh-rank top wearer.

"It's okay. You're not confused. That being the case, you should know what you can't do and what you can do." Cao Yong snorted coldly and said.

Being an older brother is not easy. My younger brother is too cruel, and I am afraid that my younger brother will lose his conscience;

He himself was able to take in the daughter of the Wang family who was suspected of robbing the tomb, but he couldn't let his younger brother take Kang Jiaojiao with him.

Both women are felonies, but of different nature.The word "anti" made Cao Yong back away.

"Brother, I am younger brother, I am younger brother..." Cao Xiang looked at Cao Yong with a bit of pleading: "Her grandmother entrusted her to younger brother, can I ask elder brother to think of a way to keep her safe?"

"Everything depends on the Holy Judgment." Cao Yong looked northeast and replied.

Cao Xiang was somewhat surprised, and murmured, "Brother has reported to the imperial court?"

Cao Yong nodded without any hesitation, and said: "Fourth brother, you have to be clear that you are an official of the imperial court and understand your position. As long as you are a citizen of the Qing Dynasty, you must learn to respect the laws of the Qing Dynasty, and don't think about it." Try it yourself. Otherwise, not only your own life will cost you, but your family will also be affected, you should be clear."

Cao Xiang knew that his cousin was right, his face was a bit depressed, and there was no movement.

Cao Yong here, there is no way.Although this Jiaojiao came from a poor background, if she was accepted into the Cao family like this, it would bring endless disasters.He only allowed the state officials to set fires and not allow the common people to light lamps, and he also took precautions against problems before they happened.Otherwise, his cousins ​​really relied on the power of the Cao family to do whatever they wanted, which was the root of breaking the family.

In the feudal dynasty where the imperial power is above the law, although there is a saying that there is no excuse for the crime, the big tree is not afraid of the wind and rain outside, but the silverfish inside.

Cao Song was at the side, listening in a daze, and said ignorantly, "The fourth brother is traveling with you? Who is it?"

Cao Yong thought about it, did not hide it from him, and told about Jiaojiao, wanting to see Cao Song's reaction.

When Cao Song heard this, his expression became serious, he touched the handle of the knife at his waist, and said: "The daughter of the bandit Kang? Among the three people I killed, one was the nephew of the Kang family. You thief, you have formed a personal enmity with our Cao family, and I will never allow the daughter of the Kang family to enter the Cao family!"

Cao Xiang's side was mentioned by the two elder brothers, so he bowed his head and didn't say much.

Cao Song was irritable. Seeing his disappointment, he couldn't help being furious. He got up and said, "You bastard, the news of your being robbed spread to the capital. Uncle and we are all worried. Uncle is sixty years old, and he will go to Henan in person. , I was persuaded several times by my elder brother and me before staying in the capital. My elder brother was worried about you, so he asked for the holy order and came all the way to Henan Prefecture under the reputation of "fake public affairs and selfish interests". You didn't even say thank you, this is for A daughter of a rebel, is she showing us face?"

But the more he talked, the more annoyed he became. At the end, his face was flushed with anger and his body was shaking.

Seeing that he was so annoyed, Cao Xiang couldn't sit still, so he hurriedly got off the kang, knelt down on the ground, bowed his head and said, "It's my brother's fault to worry about uncle and brothers. I know I was wrong. Brother, please calm down."

Seeing him like this, Cao Song became more and more annoyed. Thinking of the half-box pawnbroker he saw a few days ago, he couldn't help kicking him, saying: "You still know what's wrong? Don't you feel wronged? You pretend to be a hero." , just think that we brothers and sisters are sorry for you and are not worthy of being your brothers. Over the years, my wife has done something wrong, which made you wronged. Because of this, you can’t see the kindness of others? Self-made concubine , went out of Beijing on my own initiative, and now I have taken in the daughter of the rebel on my own initiative. You jumped out of a crack in the rock, and you don't care about other people's life or death?"

Cao Xiang was seriously ill, and his body was weak, but when he stepped down, he fell to the ground.

Cao Song had a bad attitude, but he spoke the truth. Cao Xiang was indisputable, and he felt remorse in his heart.

Cao Yong was by the side, not worried about Jiaojiao's safety.

The anti-flag was erected here, but it was just a child's play. For the sake of reputation, Kangxi would close the case with a different rhetoric.The person at the head is definitely going to kill the people and frighten the people. The other family members are more likely to be either exiled or enslaved by officials...

*
Rehe, the garden of Prince Yong's Mansion.

Today, the fourth elder brother respectfully invites the emperor's father to visit the emperor's garden.According to the annual rules, when entering July, Shengjia will start a siege and tour Mongolia.

Now, the Empress Dowager's body is ill, and the holy car has been stationed in Rehe so far.This year, there are the most princes and elder brothers who follow, and there are also many female relatives who follow, but there are only a few older elder brothers who are building the garden in Hot Sex, such as the third elder brother, the fourth elder brother, the fifth elder brother, and the seventh elder brother. several.

After the eldest elder brother was imprisoned and the second elder brother was deposed, the third elder brother became the head of the princes, and every year he would do a few tricks to please the king's garden, so as to show his status to the outside world.

This summer, he was no exception, but there was no news on the booklet, and what was waiting was news from the emperor's father Xingsi elder brother Sonoko.

The third elder brother was not angry, so he still put on a smile and followed the princes and elder brothers.

The father of the Sifujin Nala family was the Minister of Internal Affairs during his lifetime, and he was regarded as the emperor's confidant.This daughter-in-law was hand-picked by the emperor, so Kangxi treated Nala family very warmly, and talked about family affairs.

In addition to Di Fujin Nala, side Fujin Nian also came out to meet him. I heard that she is the daughter of Nian Xialing, the younger brother of Nian Gengyao, and Kangxi must encourage her to serve Fujin and the fourth elder brother well, and so on.

That day's dinner, Kangxi used it here.

Fourth elder brother believes in Buddhism, the garden is tidied up in a simple and elegant manner, which seems to be in line with Kangxi's wishes.He was very interested, and he nominated two scenic spots when visiting the garden.

When others saw it, it was nothing; but in the eyes of the third elder brother, it was very dazzling.There was a bit of panic in his heart, so he didn't believe that the fourth elder brother was sincere to the Buddha.

Among the emperor's father and sons, apart from the third elder brother, the one who was named Prince Heshuo was the fourth elder brother and the fifth elder brother.Fifth elder brother is the one who really doesn't care about world affairs, even his younger brother ninth elder brother doesn't like to get involved.

These four elder brothers have been working elder brothers since they were teenagers, and they have been immersed in the six departments for decades.

Thinking about it this way, there was a hint of spying in San Age's words, which inevitably showed a bit of sourness.The fourth elder brother had a calm attitude, as if he didn't notice the strangeness of the third elder brother.

Ninth elder brother looked at the warm scene in front of him, and thought of the garden that eighth elder brother had repaired, he just felt like a pinprick in his heart.

Just because I envy the third elder brother to "please the king's garden" every time, eighth elder brother took the trouble to repair the garden, from site selection, drawing, to the mountains, rocks, flowers and plants in it.

Where are these brothers and feet, are they all enemies?
Brother Jiu lowered his head and gritted his teeth, unable to shake off the hatred in his heart.

Seventh elder brother was by the side, saw that ninth elder brother's expression was wrong, raised the wine cup, and yelled at him: "Ninth brother, eat wine."

Brother Jiu heard this, and then he was relieved, and remembered that he was in front of the emperor.He couldn't help waking up, and quietly sat up and looked, seeing that the emperor was talking to the fourth elder brother, and he didn't pay attention to himself, so he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Turning to Seventh Brother again, seeing worry in his eyes, Ninth Brother couldn't help feeling warm, and said in a low voice, "Thank you Seventh Brother for your care."

Brother Seven smiled and said, "I'm the one to thank Ninth Brother. Besides that old ginseng, Ninth Brother also sent many valuables. I thank you on behalf of your niece."

Brother Nine heard the words, his heart moved, and he said: "It's not a good thing, as long as Er Gege doesn't dislike vulgarity. I heard that Hong Shu went to Mongolia. Seventh brother, how about being a younger brother?"

He had already mentioned before the imperial court that he wanted to return to the capital, but there was no result.

Now, as a servant in front of the imperial court, looking at the scene of "father's kindness and son's filial piety" all day long, elder brother Jiu is also very tired.

Mongolian princes are no better than clan princes, they only eat a little salary, they have fiefs, slaves and livestock, and their families are the richest.Wouldn't it be better to take a trip to Mongolia and find a way to make money than to watch everyone sing a big show in front of the imperial court.

Thinking of this, Elder Brother Nine's face was filled with joy...

*
The categories from the third to the sixth are almost the same, and it is not easy to maintain. Xiao Jiu begs everyone to vote for Xiao Cao. Jiu will work hard to code. .

(End of this chapter)