Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 783
"How is the Cao family?" Cao Yong stood behind his father, heard him muttering to himself, and asked.

Cao Yin turned around, looked at his son, and said: "Yong'er, as a father, I know that you have always been mediocre to the blood of your clan. But a single tree does not make a forest, and the family reproduces. It is only right to take care of each other and support each other."

"Father, don't worry, Xiaoer and the others are all father's nephews, and in the eyes of the son, they all regard them as immortal." Cao Yong said.

Apart from the fact that Cao Song is already on a job, if the Cao Xiang brothers are on the list this time, they will also start to enter the official career.Even if his father doesn't explain this, Cao Yong will try his best to take care of it.

Cao Yin nodded, didn't say much, and entered the gate with his hands behind his back.

Cao Yong still had to go to the yamen, so he went back to Wutongyuan to change his clothes and went to the yamen.

When I arrived at the Yamen, a new issue of the Di Bao just happened to be delivered. Cao Yong opened it and read it.As mentioned above, the prefect of Gansu arranged for the affairs of the people.These are the people who participated in the civil unrest in Henan Province. Except for the bandit leader who was killed, the bandit family became an official, and more than a thousand households from the group were all placed in the bitter cold area of ​​​​the Northwest.

Obviously it is "officials forcing the people to rebel", so big things are turned into small things, and small things are turned into small things.

Cao Yong thought that when encountering such a royal taboo event, the prefects and governors involved would definitely take the blame for the royal family and die.Unexpectedly, Li Xi, the former governor of Henan Province, and Li Tingchen, the magistrate of Henan Province, planned to be executed and the other to be hanged.

Cao Yong remembered clearly because he had seen the cases involved in Henan Mansion.A small county magistrate can embezzle 7 to 45 taels of silver under the pretext of fire consumption and miscellaneous taxes.The annual salary of Qipin magistrate is [-] taels, which is a salary of more than a hundred years.

Cao Xiang served as a subordinate official under the magistrate's yamen for a year, and the various "gifts" given to him by Li Tingchen, if converted into silver taels, were thousands of taels.

Cao Yong put down the mansion newspaper. Although Kangxi became more unpredictable as he got older, his "lenient" heart towards officials remained undiminished.

Why are you so "lenient" to others, but you want the horse to run and not eat grass when it comes to yourself?

Cao Yong snorted coldly in his heart, even if he figured out a way to increase revenue, if the corrupt officials were not punished, the money would still be insufficient.He didn't have the consciousness of "dedicate yourself to death and die later"...

*
In elder brother's place, sixteenth elder brother looked at fourth elder brother and said embarrassingly, "fourth elder brother."

The fourth elder brother glanced at the wound on his forehead, and said lightly: "Does it still hurt? It looks much better than the previous few days. I can see Cao Yong, it seems that you are also relieved."

The day after Brother Sixteen's accident, Brother Four came over to take a look at him.Because he was still in a daze, the two brothers didn't say a few words.

The fourth elder brother felt a little uncomfortable. He didn't know whether he was blaming Cao Yong for being ruthless or complaining that the sixteenth elder brother was worrying too much about Cao Yong.

There are several meanings in these words, brother sixteen is not answering, nor is it not answering.He drooped his head and whispered: "It doesn't hurt anymore, it's because my younger brother is stupid and can't be driven by concubines..."

Hearing this, the fourth elder brother couldn't help frowning, staring at the sixteenth elder brother for a long time without speaking.

"Fourth brother, younger brother is wronged!" Sixteenth elder brother turned his head sideways, revealing his rare true feelings: "My younger brother is not fake, but he also has self-knowledge. He hides far away in everything, for fear of getting in the way of others' eyes. My younger brother did not I want to earn the credit for Qingtian's protection, but I don't want to die in a daze. Huang Ama is here, and my younger brother will be an idle prince. When... that day, my younger brother only wants to be an idle prince..." Speaking of In the end, his face was full of bitterness: "Is this considered demanding? Why don't they let me go?"

The fourth elder brother could hear the resentment in his words, so he couldn't say anything.After all, Concubine De was among them, thinking that Concubine De was usually kind and seldom scheming, so don't think about it now, it must be because of Elder Fourteen.Thinking of this, he also felt pain in his heart, so boring.

These days, after hearing all kinds of rumors, the fourth elder brother is also somewhat suspicious of the sixteenth elder brother.After all, they are all princes, and they are only one step away from the position of Jiuding, so it is normal to have other thoughts.

Now, after listening to the sixteenth elder brother's complaints, and remembering that he had heard him mention his wish a few years ago, the fourth elder brother couldn't help but feel relieved.

Although Elder Sixteen has worked in the Ministry of Internal Affairs for several years, it is different from working in the Sixth Ministry.What he did was just the royal housework, and he never cared about court affairs.The princes who come and go are just the thirteenth elder brother and the seventeenth elder brother.

Thinking of this, his expression became much softer, and he said: "Okay, I know you have been wronged. We are all elders, and we can't care about it. Be more cautious in your actions in the future. Tolerance is great, and you can be strong if you have no desires. If you cherish your blessings, your blessings will naturally not run away." It's just a little bit of trouble, so I complain; if you want to let you go through those things in the early years, you can't be wronged to death?"

The sixteenth elder brother looked at the words and looked at the situation, and he was relieved in his heart. He still had a gloomy face and said: "It's just bullying my younger brother, who has no one to protect me. From now on, I will ask the fourth brother to protect my younger brother more."

Seeing the hopeful look in his eyes, the fourth elder brother thought that if the eldest son was alive, he would be similar to this younger brother, so he added a little kindness in his heart, and said with a straight face: "It's not a child anymore, be more cautious. Otherwise, it is the emperor If Ama loves you, I will beat you too."

He usually treats people, the harder he scolds, the more concerned he becomes.Brother Sixteen has been his brother for more than 20 years, so he knows this and said with a shy smile: "If the fourth brother bullies the younger brother, the younger brother will ask the fourth sister-in-law to go."

The Sifujin Nala family has the style of elder sister-in-law, and has always taken care of these young uncles.

The fourth elder brother saw him so smug, glared at him, and said: "Aside from relying on this and begging for that, can't you make a living by yourself? The errand of the twelfth brother has been dropped, and if you continue to support him, the House of Internal Affairs will be in chaos. In a ball..."

Brother Sixteen will take care of it for a few days, and it is almost ready.After listening to the words of the fourth elder brother, he no longer had orthopedic surgery, and the next day his leave was cancelled, and he went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to do business.

Although there was a scar about half an inch long on his forehead, it dispelled Si Prince's suspicion, wondering if it was a blessing in disguise.

The only thing that Brother Sixteen is worried about is Brother Twelve, and he inevitably feels a little guilty.He was not the instigator, nor did he have any intention of harming others, but it was because he "escaped" that made Twelve Princes unlucky.

Brother Twelve was detained in the palace for more than half a month, and was released back to the mansion in late February.

Brother Sixteen got the news and went to visit on the same day.

Elder Brother Twelve was lingering on the sick bed, his face was frighteningly pale, and frighteningly emaciated.Because during the filial piety period, you can't pluck your head, and Elder Brother Twelve doesn't wear a hat, and the newly grown hair in front is dotted with stars, and most of it is white.

"Brother Twelfth..." Elder Sixteen called out, but didn't know what to say.

This involves royal secrets, and the two of them have ordinary contacts, and it is not a relationship that can be heart-to-heart.

"The sixteenth brother is here. I'm here to treat guests. I'm neglecting the sixteenth brother." Elder Brother Twelfth said with a light smile, "Has the date of the Empress Dowager's funeral been fixed? There are many trivial things to attend to the funeral, which is enough for you to be busy."

"It's fixed, the funeral will be held on March 23." Elder Sixteen replied in a low voice.

Elder Sixteen's temperament is straightforward, but right now he only feels his chest is congested.If the twelfth elder brother had the intention of blaming him, he could still defend himself in his heart, after all, he was also innocently affected; now that the twelfth elder brother didn't complain at all, the more guilt he felt in his heart.

But the argument is indisputable, and I can't say please be considerate, because my younger brother has a lot of worries, and if I can't be unlucky, my elder brother will be unlucky.

Even if things start over again, he still chooses to do so.

Twelfth Elder Brother didn't look at Sixteenth Elder Brother, but stretched out his hand to touch the top of his head, and said, "It's also a torture, so I don't have many days left."

Hearing Elder Twelfth say this, Elder Sixteen was very surprised.

With Twelfth Elder Brother's usual timid and cautious appearance, it is rare for him to complain like this.

Brother Twelve looked out the window and murmured, "Get warm soon..."

*
Cao Xiang and Cao Fu left the examination room on February [-]th. After returning home, the two brothers went to the West Mansion to see their uncle after taking a bath and changing clothes.

Cao Yin asked them how they were taking the exam, and both Cao Xiang and Cao Fu were a bit apprehensive, and neither dared to boast that they were good at writing.

The examination is a gathering of scholars from all over the world in the capital, and many of them are already local celebrities.How easy is it to stand out from the crowd?
Not only did the two brothers have no bottom line, even Cao Yong didn't expect them to pass the exam once.This test is held every three years, and each time there are thousands of candidates, only a hundred or so are selected.Although it cannot be said that thousands of troops walk across the single-plank bridge, the competition is fierce.

Cao Yin didn't say anything in front of his two nephews, but he praised Cao Xiang's article to Cao Yong for a good job.This year's exam questions, two of which are related to people's livelihood.Cao Xiang served as a magistrate for a year, so naturally he had more concerns about people's livelihood than Confucian scholars studying hard in his study.

Cao Yong couldn't help meditating when he saw his father mentioning the imperial examination and saying that his eyes were shining.If my father took the imperial examination and did not manage Jiangnan back then, he would still be full of students now.

In the East Mansion, the Zhaojia family did not expect their two sons to pass the exam.

In front of Cao Fu, Zhao Jia couldn't help but say a few words of relief, let him see the scenery of his brothers, and don't think about holding books.Children of the Eight Banners, except for those who have no relatives to support them, or those who have fallen in the family, there are a few who count on the imperial examination to make a living.Being admitted to Juren is already a great fame.

On Cao Xiang's side, she didn't look good.

Originally, if Cao Xiang was an official outside, he would not need to spend the monthly bills in the mansion, but also save the expenses of more than a dozen people, and save money.Now that a good official is no longer an official, he comes back to take the exam and spends the family's money, so how can it not make Zhao Jia's heart hurt.

In addition to the marriage at the General's Mansion, which will be done this year, it will cost thousands of taels of silver. Thinking about it, Zhao Jia's heart hurts.The money for the marriage of the unborn Cao Xiang was left by the old lady during her lifetime.Even if she wanted to excuse that the family is difficult and spend less, with the temper of the eldest son, she would not allow it.

Cao Xiang has dealt with the officer outside for a year, and he is no longer the unhappy bastard in the gate of the mansion, and his vision has widened a lot.When he heard Zhao Jia's sour words, he also bowed down and listened, not paying much attention to them.

This kind of forbearance is also because I am grateful for the benevolence of my elder brother, and I don't want more troubles in the family.

Both of them were eighteen, and they were not boys, nor could Zhao Jia be beaten and scolded if he wanted to.

Mrs. Zhao Jia saw that the concubine was getting more and more "dull", and felt bored, and nagged him a few times, but seeing that he didn't respond, he didn't bother to slobber.She was also torn in her mind, whether it was a noble family member of the general's mansion, or a respectable young daughter-in-law, the granddaughter of the head of the house of internal affairs.

Su Xin behaves according to the rules, and looks good, but she is old; that Chunhua Gege is only fourteen this year, and she is at a tender age.

When she got married, she was happy; now that the concubine and the younger son are taking the exam together, she can't help but have selfishness in her heart.If the concubine fails, it's okay, and it's not eye-catching; if the concubine wins, and then marry the clan Gege, and have a "double happiness", then she will die.

Thinking like this became her heart disease.

She also asked people to invite a Guanyin, lit a few sticks of incense in the morning and evening, and asked the Bodhisattva to bless her youngest son to go to high school.If the younger son's name falls to Sun Shan, he also asks the bastard to lose his rank.One of the provinces won, and the other missed, which made the youngest son sad.

Because she didn't believe that her youngest son could pass the exam, so she kept begging and begging, only asking her bastard to fail.

This kind of ridiculous thing can only be done by Zhao Jiashi.But she didn't want to think about it, the bastard is also a son, and if the bastard has fame, he can also earn her a life...

*
In a blink of an eye, it's the fifth day of March, Ching Ming Festival.

Sheng Jia had already returned to the palace at the end of February, and today he was exempted from court, and led the princes and officials to offer wine in front of the Empress Dowager Zi Palace.Years later, apart from a few great scholars and six ministers, the clan kings saw Sheng Jia for the first time.

Many people paid attention and secretly glanced at Kangxi, wanting to see if he was as weak as the legend said.But because Kangxi mourned unceasingly in front of the Empress Dowager's Palace, the princes gathered around and knelt down for a long time, preventing others from approaching.Those who stand close can only see the emperor crying with their heads bowed; those who stand far away can only see the plain robe.

Because it was Qingming, many people in the capital went to sweep the grave.

Cao's ancestor's grave was not in the capital, so Cao Yin took Niu Niu out of the city one day in advance to visit Zhuangxi's grave in Fangshan.On the day of Qingming, Cao Yong hurried to Fangshan after finishing worship in the palace.

Seeing that the spring is sunny, Chu Yu and her mother-in-law wanted to follow Cao Yong out of the city.But if the women's relatives are traveling, there are many things to prepare for, and they are afraid that they will not be able to make it back on Qingming.

The next day is the day when the Gongyuan releases the list. Although there will be a palace test after the general test, the palace test is divided into rankings.As long as you can get it in the trial, you will definitely be among the top three, it's just a matter of ranking.

When Cao Yin and his son came back from Fangshan, it was already sunset.

Cao Yong sent Niu Niu to the Banyan Courtyard in person, thinking of the loving elder in his heart, it was very uncomfortable.I don't know if finding a famous doctor earlier can prolong his life for a few years.

On the next day, Cao Yong had nothing to do and went to the Yamen as usual.On Cao Yin's side, he sent people to wait outside the tribute courtyard early.

The Huke yamen yamen, colleagues who had brothers, nephews and nephews at home who participated in the examination also paid attention to the Gongyuan.

On Cao Yong's side, seeing his father's expectations these days, he really hopes that his cousins ​​will be on the list, which can be regarded as fulfilling his father's long-cherished wish.

As a result, he couldn't sit still, thinking about going to the Gongyuan to have a look, but was persuaded by Jiang Jian.Today's list is released, there are many people looking over there to see the list, now that this time has passed, it is difficult to squeeze to the top of the list.

When the list of tribute members comes out in the afternoon, someone should transcribe it, and it will be indispensable for Liubu.

Sure enough, when it was time to go to the Yamen, there was a handwritten note to take the transcribed list of Jinke's tribute members from the Department of Household Affairs.

More than 100 people copied many sheets densely.Cao Yong flipped through it twice, only to see Cao Xiang's name in it, followed by the word "Zhili"...

*
Happy event, ask for a monthly ticket. (*^__^*)
(End of this chapter)