Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 95 Hidden Dragon
Prince Yong is the fourth elder brother Yinzhen who was named Prince Heshuo Yong.As early as eight years ago, when Cao Yong was living in Hangzhou, he was rescued only with the help of the fourth elder brother and the thirteenth elder brother.

As for Cao Yong, the fourth elder brother is naturally not as simple as a life-saving benefactor, but also the cold-faced emperor he knows in the future, and he is the emperor who does not want to see the Cao family.

Hearing the report from the little eunuch, and knowing that Prince Yong is coming, Elder Thirteen's slightly decadent face immediately became brighter, and he struggled to get up: "Fourth brother is here, please hurry up!"

Cao Yong and the sixteenth elder brother naturally got up and waited, and they all looked at the door together.

Although it is not the first time to see the fourth elder brother, Cao Yong is still a little nervous.After all, when he was rescued, he couldn't speak, and he had no verbal communication with the fourth elder brother.Although the fourth elder brother was a young prince with a kind tone and gentle expression eight years ago, who knows what he looks like now?What's more, Kangxi once commented on him as "mood and anger". Cao Yong really didn't know the scale of words when he talked about such a person.

The sixteenth elder brother also changed his Pippi appearance in front of the thirteenth elder brother, with a bit of restraint and apprehension, he always had a respect for the fourth elder brother.

Following the sound of footsteps, a person walked in outside the door. The first thing that came into his sight was the shining golden python robe, the collar and horseshoe sleeves trimmed with stone blue gold satin, embroidered with nine pythons, and the hem was open front, back, left, and right.Looking up, he saw that the man was in his thirties, with a short beard, a thin face, his eyes drooped slightly, showing a bit of deepness, but there was no trace of happiness or anger on his face.

Prince He Shuoyong, Yinzhen, is no longer that young prince, but has begun to look like a king.Cao Yong secretly took a deep breath.Thinking back to Nian Gengyao who I met a few days ago, he has already served as the governor of Sichuan, and history is slowly advancing according to the known track.Cao Yin concurrently served as Liangjiang Salt Administration, Cao Shun died young, and the history of the Cao family seemed to have not changed.Could it be that he really wants to face the fate of dying early, is he really getting closer to death day by day?Cao Yong suddenly felt very depressed.

"Fourth brother!" The thirteenth brother wanted to come forward to pay respects, but because of his inconvenient legs and feet, he staggered.

The fourth elder brother saw it, and quickly walked two steps to support him, but his brows were unconsciously frowned: "Why is the prescription from the Tai Hospital still not effective? It will be two months, and I haven't seen you get better!"

"Fourth brother!" Elder Sixteen's voice was a little weak.

"Cao Yong, the third-class bodyguard, has seen the prince, please greet him!" Cao Yong respectfully greeted him.

The fourth elder brother personally helped the thirteenth elder brother to the seat, and then nodded to the two of them as a return gift.Then he said to Elder Sixteen: "A few days ago, I met the master who went to the study room and asked about your homework. I heard that you have become more and more negligent after winter, and now even the elder brothers of the younger generation are going to surpass you. .It's a shame for you to be an uncle!"

The sixteenth elder brother was afraid of being taught by this elder brother, and he didn't dare to smile like he used to, and replied honestly: "The fourth elder brother taught me that the younger brother knew that he was wrong! In the future, he will definitely fight hard and don't give it to the elder brothers. Shame!"

When Cao Yong heard this, he was very surprised. When did the sixteen elder brothers become a good baby?Even in front of Kangxi, he was not so respectful.

The fourth elder brother and the sixteenth elder brother finished talking, sat down, and said to Cao Yong: "Cao Yong? I haven't seen you for a few years, but you are so big. The wounds from that year have all healed?"

When Cao Yong heard him mention Jiangning's past, he recalled the scene where he crushed rotten peach bones to this man's feet under the scorching sun. The scene of the face... Although it has been many years, he remembers all the details clearly and vividly.He was sincerely grateful in his heart, and his fear of the future emperor was reduced a bit, and he sincerely thanked: "Thank you, my lord, for asking, Cao Yong will do my best!"

The fourth elder brother nodded lightly: "It's good that there are no injuries left. The tea you sent in April and October is very good, but right now your family is in a tight situation. These are valuable items, so I won't leave them in the future." !"

"My lord, this is Cao Yong's sincere filial piety. I asked people to go to the tea garden earlier, and specially set aside a few tea trees, which are not confused with others." Cao Yong looked at the fourth elder brother, his face full of tears. It is gratitude and sincerity.

The fourth elder brother was still waiting to refuse, but the thirteenth elder brother laughed beside Cao Yong and said, "Fourth elder brother, it's agreed, even if you are exempted from the palace, I can't be exempted from this. For half a year, the good tea sent by Cao Yong had spoiled my appetite. If I was asked to drink dark tuancha again, I would not be able to stand it! But a few catties of tea leaves would make him poor! And the jasmine tea, but the north side No, your younger brothers and sisters are all very dear, and I think you sister-in-laws are too!"

The fourth elder brother was amused by the thirteenth elder brother's words.He is also a man of understanding, and he didn't stick to this matter any more, and said to Cao Yong: "That Buddha incense is good. Although it looks simple, it tastes very good. It is different from the ones bought on the market. Where is this?" Got it?"

"If you go back to the prince, this is specially made by the monks in the Qingliang Temple in Jiangning." Cao Yong replied.

After hearing this, the fourth elder brother couldn't help looking at Cao Yong again: "You are so young, it's hard for you to have a heart!"

The thirteenth elder brother picked up the bottle on the small table and handed it to the fourth elder brother: "Fourth elder brother, what do you think this is?"

The fourth elder brother's eyes lit up, and he looked at the thirteenth elder brother: "Is this the snake oil essence that the thirteenth brother praised last time?"

Elder Brother Thirteen nodded and pointed at Cao Yong: "Little Cao Yong specially found this one, and now he even found the recipe, he is my little benefactor!"

The fourth elder brother's expression added a bit of gentleness, and he thanked Cao Yong very solemnly.Cao Yong hurriedly said that it should be done, but he dared not thank him.He swears in his heart, and he can't blame future generations for saying that the fourth elder brother and the thirteenth elder brother are brothers, and now it seems that it is not true.The Buddha incense he sent specially according to his preference didn't change the fourth master Leng's face, but once he knew that Cao Yong had sent snake oil essence to Shisan, his cold face immediately became warmer and warmer .

Elder Sixteen sat obediently on the chair, listening to the conversation of the people, some of them understood and some did not understand.But knowing that the two elder brothers have always had a good relationship, this time the fourth elder brother might have something to do with his visit, so he said a few more words and pulled Cao Yong to leave.

*
It wasn't until I got out of Elder Brother Shisan's residence that Elder Sixteen breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that Cao Yong was also relieved, he couldn't help laughing and said, "My fourth brother, since I can remember things, I have lost a little bit of enthusiasm. Those who pray and chant Buddha all day are getting colder and colder!"

Cao Yong remembered that many years ago, after the fourth elder brother rescued him, he was very gentle and considerate to both him and Pinger. Although he didn't say anything, he definitely had nothing to do with the coldness.

Seeing Cao Yong pondering and not speaking, Elder Sixteen asked: "I thought you were close to Brother Thirteen because I met him in Jiangning a few years ago. Why do you listen to you today, as if there is something hidden? Were you injured as a child?"

No matter how hard he suffered at that time, after all, eight years had passed, and Cao Yong was able to calmly tell about that nightmarish experience.

Brother Sixteen was dumbfounded when he heard that, how could he have thought that Cao Yong suffered such a serious crime when he was a child?When he heard that Cao Yong's legs were broken due to the poisonous hoarse voice, he was already very angry: "Long Lang Qiankun, there are such villains, it really deserves death!"

Hearing that it was the fourth elder brother and the thirteenth elder brother who rescued Cao Yong in the end, the sixteenth elder brother suddenly realized: "I can't blame you for delivering tea and medicine, so you don't avoid suspicion, which has nothing to do with your usual behavior." It doesn't match. I'm still wondering, I'm afraid that my uncle had some idea, ordered you to socialize like this, and was thinking about whether to persuade you, but I didn't expect there to be such an allusion. Thank you for saving my life, you act like this, It’s not presumptuous either.”

Cao Yong said with a wry smile: "I've already lost my heart. In order to avoid suspicion, the thirteenth master's side is okay, and he has come to ask for peace twice; the fourth prince's mansion has only been there once, and he has not met the rightful lord. .”

Brother Sixteen smiled and punched Cao Yong: "No wonder you feel guilty when you see Brother Four! Haha, you are too cautious!"

*
After leaving the palace and returning to Cao's mansion, after dinner, Cao Yong went to the banyan courtyard to find the Zhuangxi, and told him about the situation of seeing the fourth elder brother today.

It was reported outside the door that King Naersu of Pingjun had come.

Cao Yong greeted him hurriedly. When he arrived at the front hall, he saw Naersu, but he dragged him away before he could say hello to Qian'er.

Na Ersu looked serious: "Brother Yong, let's talk inside." After that, he didn't want to be polite to him, and went directly to the study.

Cao Yong seldom saw Naersu so solemn, and he was very confused, so he followed into the study.After serving tea, he sent out all the servants who were waiting inside and outside.

Na Ersu then said: "Someone inside sent me a message, saying that the governor of Liangjiang had to report to impeach father-in-law and Li Xu."

As soon as Cao Yong frowned, since the loss came out, the impeachment of the Cao family appeared in the court from time to time, but they were all suppressed by Kangxi.Kangxi knew exactly how the Cao family's deficit came about, so he naturally wanted to protect him.It's just that in the past, it was mostly the little censor who spoke out to impeach, and the high-level officials probably knew Kangxi's favor for the Cao family, so they would not rashly touch this bad luck.This time, it was actually the governor of Jiangnan who filed a memorial to impeach him...
"Are you talking about the deficit problem?" Cao Yong asked.

Neersu pulled the corner of his mouth, showed a sarcastic smile, and said, "Impeach for embezzlement of state funds."

Cao Yong was stunned: "Invasion of state funds?!" What is this?Who doesn't know that the Cao family is now selling their own property to block the emperor's wasteful hole in the southern tour, and even said that the Cao family is embezzling and using state funds! !

Na Ersu said: "Well! It is said that the impeachment of Lianghuai Salt Transport made Li Siquan short of 300 million taels, of which 80 taels were used by his father-in-law and Li Xu."

Hearing that it was an infringement on the salt difference, Cao Yong immediately understood what was going on.

The salt office is a fat vacancy. A few years ago, the Cao family borrowed money from the Lianghuai Salt Transportation Department for the sake of picking up the driver, which is not uncommon.The so-called abuse was also used in the previous pick-ups.Although the Cao family currently has income from tea gardens, they owe too much debt after all, both from the local government and the Ministry of Household Affairs.In the past few years, the state treasury could be returned first. It seems that the Salt Transportation Department has not been taken into account for the time being, and some people think that they have caught the handle of the Cao family.The key to this matter depends on Kangxi's attitude.If Kangxi wanted to admit it, it was to coordinate and balance the local finances; if the emperor didn't admit it, it would be that the Cao family misappropriated the internal treasury.There is really no reason to speak.

Seeing that Cao Yong was deep in thought and silent, Na Ersu quickly persuaded him: "Brother Yong, you don't have to worry too much. It is said that Gali submitted three papers, and both of them were approved and issued immediately. Only the impeachment of the father-in-law was retained. Holy will Obviously!"

Cao Yong thought that Kangxi knew where the money had gone better than anyone else, it would be good if he was willing to admit the account, and praised: "Fortunately, Long Live Lord knows and meets Mingcha."

Naersu nodded: "Long Live Lord can trust his father-in-law, but this gift is not a small role. You should write a letter to father-in-law, I think he will be more careful."

Cao Yong nodded and said yes, Na Ersu told him a few more words, and left.

*
As soon as Na Ersu left, Cao Yong immediately invited Zhuang Xi and told Mr. Na Ersu exactly what he said just now.

Hearing Gali's name, Zhuang Xi shook his head, with a mocking look on his face.

When Cao Yong saw him, he recalled that Naersu had a sarcastic expression on his face when he mentioned Gali just now, and asked him inexplicably: "Who is this Gali? Mister seems quite..."

Zhuang Xi sighed: "The people in the south of the Yangtze River are about to suffer. This person has the nerve to impeach others. He is the world's first-class greedy person." At this point, he briefly told Cao Yong about Gali and his affairs.

Gali, surnamed Dong E, was born in Zhenghongqi, Manchuria. He is the great-grandson of He Heli, one of the "Five Founding Ministers", and a real son of a famous family.

Gali was awarded by Yin Sheng as the head of the official department, and later promoted to doctor.In the 35th year of Kangxi, when the emperor personally conquered Galdan, he served as the military governor

The food and salaries of the Chinese army were transported to the emperor's residence first, and the crisis of food shortage was solved at that time, so he was favored by the emperor.In the 36th year of Kangxi, he was awarded the cabinet bachelor, and in the 38th year of Kangxi, he was awarded the governor of Shanxi.

Gali was extremely greedy, and accepting bribes during the trial was considered the most normal behavior. It was not too outrageous among corrupt officials at the time to embezzle money to fill his own pockets, but he withheld a little more—more than 40 taels.What is outrageous is that he actually sent servants to Pingyang, Fenzhou, and Lu'an to force rich people to donate. He often used the governor's seal book to extort donations from the people by repairing Jiezhou Ciyu and temples!
What's even more frightening is that this person is not only a corrupt official, but also a cruel official!He wantonly condoned his officials to abuse the people. Sometimes this torture was used to satisfy his greed. If he didn't give money, he would peel off his skin if he didn't die.During the years when he was governor of Shanxi, the local people suffered unspeakably.

Cao Yong is silent, although the Kangxi Dynasty was called a prosperous age, but because of his tolerance for officials, some officials have become greedy to the point of madness.No wonder Yongzheng punished corrupt officials as soon as he came to power. If they were allowed to continue exploiting the common people, the prosperous times would turn into doomsday.It's just that the group of blind censors can only be used as guns for party struggles. The local people are oppressed like this, and no one resists?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help wondering: "Could it be that there was no imperial censor impeachment? President Yuan heard that the common people signed a letter together, and Sheng Jia has also been to Shanxi, so he didn't call for injustice?"

Zhuang Xi shook his head: "How could there be no impeachment and no appeal for injustice? Since 42 years, there have been impeachments by the censors, who are greedy, abuse officials and harm the people. It was a false accusation against the censor, and it was finally settled. In the twelfth lunar month of 45, some people in Shanxi submitted complaints to Yuan Qiao, the censor, and Yuan Qiao listed Gali's evil deeds. However, although the officials were asked to discuss it, they still allowed Gali to go up. Self-defense. This matter dragged on for more than two years, until February 47. The result of the Ministry of Officials' investigation was that Yuan Qiao made an unsubstantiated statement and made a clever confession, and was dismissed; Minister Zou Shicong, who was entrusted with leaving the gift of Karma, has no proof, and each of them will be demoted by one level and fined for one year." At this point, he paused, and said meaningfully: "This is right and wrong, which is right and which is wrong, and what is wrong? It depends on the meaning of the person above. No, this year, Ga Li Xianping was transferred back to Beijing as the left servant of the household department, and within three months, he was promoted to two ranks and released to the governor of Liangjiang."

Cao Yong frowned and said, "Aren't the people in the south of the Yangtze River unlucky?"

Zhuang Xi smiled when he heard the words, and he didn't seem worried: "Jiangnan is no better than Shanxi, but he didn't do whatever he wanted. I guess he is testing the reactions of all parties, including the reaction of the one above. From September onwards, He has successively impeached a number of officials under his jurisdiction, Shao Mubu, Governor of Anhui, Yu Zhun, Governor of Jiangsu, and Yi Sigong, Governor of Jiangsu, all for greedy embezzlement and misappropriation of treasury silver. Sigong has been fired."

After listening to this narration, Cao Yong knew why Naersu and Zhuang Xi's ironic smiles came from. This is simply a thief shouting "stop thief", and the biggest corrupt official shouting anti-corruption, what a great irony!

Zhuang Xi said: "Now he is participating in the Lianghuai salt transportation envoy, bringing your father and Master Li Xuli with him, and he should still be throwing stones to ask for directions. Since the above-mentioned zhezi stayed, he should know the holy will, and he will not continue to embarrass your father As I expected, he did not pry Cao's family, he will definitely come to show his favor, this is what I really want my father to be wary of. The only thing that is missing is that the higher-ups will not investigate and deal with it, but if he is corrupt and abuses the people, then But a great sin."

Cao Yong deeply thinks that it is the most troublesome to meet a person like Ga Li. "It is better to offend a gentleman than to offend a villain", this is a famous saying.If you offend him, you will suffer, and he is afraid that he will do everything possible to punish you.The emperor is also a human being, so no matter how much he trusts you, he will inevitably be shaken if he hears too many rumors.What's more, looking at the previous events, Kangxi was quite fond of this ceremony.Therefore, if you can push him to the opposite side, try not to push him.But if we don't draw a clear line with him, and classify them as corrupt officials in the future, that would be a big bad thing.

Zhuang Xi said again: "Now counting the days, your father should be leaving, and you don't need to study books anymore, and when your father arrives, let him know in detail."

Cao Yong nodded.

(End of this chapter)