Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 2

The emperor pointed to Wu Liangfu and said: "Sage is merciful! I want to kill people! Those who blasphemed Confucius, those who gave money, those who received money, and those who gave money and were promoted, all killed! Their parents, wives, children, brothers, and teachers Teachers who gave birth to these unscrupulous students will all send Ning Guta to death!"

Five days later, the emperor's decree arrived at the Governor's Yamen in Shanxi.As soon as Wu Dao received the oracle, he took Zhang Gongming and Xiang Chengsheng first.Five days later, three imperial envoys arrived in Shanxi, where they investigated the case and re-judged the test papers.It turned out that although the emperor was furious, it was not easy for poor scholars. He could not abolish all the scientific examinations in Shanxi this year.

Among the imperial envoys was Master Wei Xiangshu, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, who was from Shanxi.The reading officer sent a policy theory, the writing style is second to none, the knowledge in it is profound, the meaning is profound, and the insight is sublime, which is really admirable.Wei read the book carefully and clapped his hands again and again, saying that this article is beyond what ordinary young people can do.After the seal was removed, it became known that the examinee was actually Chen Jing, and all the examiners in the three examination papers gave him circles.Wei Xiangshu had long heard that Chen Jing was a formidable young man, and his reputation was indeed well-deserved.According to the test paper, Xie Yuan must be Chen Jing.

Wei Xiangshu was overjoyed, but immediately became anxious.Chen Jing is involved in a lawsuit, and he will be punished to death for obeying the oracle!No one dared to take the risk of disobeying the oracle, so he ordered Chen Jing to Jieyuan.Wei Xiangshu was unwilling to reconcile, so he read Chen Jing's policy theory repeatedly, and said that this young man has great ambitions and talents, and if he wins the toad palace, he will definitely be a good minister.Several examiners who came together saw Wei Xiangshu's thoughts, but they couldn't think of a way out.Wei Xiangshu was eager to love Cai, and secretly made up his mind not to rush to set the rankings, but to think of a way to talk about it.It just so happened that Chen Sanjin, the steward of Chen Jing's family, led Dashun to complain, and quarreled with his disciples outside Xingyuan.Wei Xiangshu heard that he was from Chen Jing's family, so he hurriedly greeted his subordinates and led him in.

It turned out that as early as the day Chen Jing was arrested, Dashun rushed back to his hometown day and night.That day, within two hours of the Chen family receiving the official news, the whole family was rejoicing, when Da Shun suddenly ran back and said that the young master had been sent to prison.When the master heard about it, he hurriedly ordered Chen Sanjin to go to Taiyuan quickly, and no matter how much money he spent, he must keep the young master safe.Dashun also returned to Taiyuan with Chen Sanjin, the master told him not to go anywhere, but to stay outside the prison to inquire about news.Chen Sanjin's legs were broken, and a lot of money was wasted. After more than a month, no official lord could get in.The concierge of the governor's yamen is an unreasonable old man. Every time he accepts the door bag, he just refuses to go in and report it. He only says that no one can do anything about it. The emperor has spoken. I don't know how many people will be killed. It didn't work either.Chen Sanjin became more and more afraid and did not dare to go back. He just stayed in Taiyuan and took care of people everywhere.This day I heard that an upright official came to the capital, so he led Dashun here.

When Chen Sanjin saw Wei Xiangshu, before he could say a word, he plopped down on his knees.Dashun was young, after all, he had never met an official, he didn't know the rules, and he didn't know how to be afraid of getting into trouble, so he yelled that our young master didn't go with those scholars at first, but later he came out to watch the fun and persuaded his acquaintances to go back!I don't know how to follow behind.When we returned to the Confucian Temple, the government arrested people, and everyone else knew to run away. Our young master stood there stupidly, and was arrested by the government in a daze.

Chen Sanjin was about to scold Dashun for being ignorant, but Wei Xiangshu waved his hand and asked, "Are you following Chen Jing? Tell me more carefully?"

By the way, the elder explained how he read the list when he came out to play on the day the list was released, how he went back to tell the young master, how the young master lost his temper, how he shouted to go home, and how he came out to persuade others when he heard the noise outside.

Wei Xiangshu listened carefully, and asked again and again, he asked every word Chen Jing said.After the questioning, Wei Xiangshu knew what was in his mind, hurriedly called Chen Sanjin up, and asked, "Have you consulted the Governor?"

Chen Sanjin said: "I have been to the governor's office many times, but the governor just refuses to see him."

Wei Xiangshu said: "Chen Jing's case, the emperor has an order, I have to report to the emperor together with the governor. You must go to the governor's yamen to see Mr. Wu before noon today."

Chen Sanjin was very embarrassed, and said: "The little one just can't see it!"

Wei Xiangshu smiled meaningfully: "Worshiping Bodhisattvas must be sincere, there is no official who cannot be seen."

Chen Sanjin seemed to understand Wei Xiangshu's meaning, quickly took out a bank note, and said: "I know, I'll go to the governor's office now."

Wei Xiangshu blocked the banknote back, still smiling, and said, "I'm here to check this, so I don't need it here, it's important that you go to the Governor's Yamen as soon as possible."

Chen Sanjin seemed to understand something in front of Lord Wei, but he was confused when he went out.Everyone in the world said that there is no money that cannot be given away, and there is no official who does not want money. Everyone believes this.But Master Wei himself did not accept the money, and seemed to imply that others would send the money.He pondered Wei Xiangshu's words over and over along the way, and soon arrived at the Governor's Yamen.

The concierge had already collected the door bags many times, but this time Chen Sanjin gritted his teeth and dismissed them vigorously, and the old man reported in.In fact, Wu Daoyi had heard that Chen Jing's family had come to intercede, but he refused to meet him.This time, he refused to show his face as usual, and said angrily, "What a joke! The housekeeper of a local rich man also wants to see Mr. Futai?"

The concierge replied: "Master, I thought you still saw him."

Wu Dao said, "Why does the old man want to see him?"

The concierge said: "My little one heard from Chen Jing's housekeeper, Chen Sanjin, that their family has a century-old foundation. The Chen family has been a Jinshi in the Ming Dynasty, and they are no longer land rich. Now his family has a Juren."

Wu Daoyi said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to keep this Juren's head! Well, let's meet him."

Chen Sanjin was afraid that Dashun would break the rules if he didn't understand the rules, so he just told him to wait outside, and went in with the concierge himself.After a long time, Wu Dao came out with a cattail fan in one hand. The concierge pointed to Chen Sanjin and said, "Lord Futai, this is Chen Sanjin, the steward of Chen Jing's family."

Chen Sanjin hurriedly knelt down and saluted: "My little one pays homage to Lord Futai. My master..."

Wu Daoyi was very impatient, and interrupted Chen Sanjin's words: "Got it! You don't need to say it, I know what you mean. You want to come to my place and give money, so that you can keep Chen Jing's head, yes ?"

Chen Sanjin begged: "I beg Futai to be the master of my Chen family!"

Wu Daoyi said coldly: "Your Majesty has already made the decision for your Chen family! Disturbing the government school, humiliating Confucius, death penalty!"

Chen Sanjin kowtowed and said: "Master Futai, I kowtow to you on behalf of our master!"

Wu Dao snorted and said: "Kowtow can save your head?" After saying that, he just shook his cattail fan and ignored it.

Chen Sanjin took out a bank note, put it on the table, and said: "Master Futai, as long as we can save our young master's life, the Chen family will always honor your old man!"

Wu Dao said angrily: "Bold! Who do you think Ben Fu is? If I take a penny for ill-gotten gains, my character is worthless! Concierge, see off the guests!"

The concierge said: "Master, the Chen family is too pitiful to see him. He won the Juren, but he wants to beheaded."

Chen Sanjin took out another silver ticket, and said, "Master Futai, I beg you to fulfill my request!"

Wu Daoyi didn't glance at the bank note, he half closed his eyes and said, "Concierge, do you hear me?"

The concierge said: "Chen Sanjin, you'd better go, don't make our master unhappy."

Chen Sanjin took out another bank note, but before he could say anything, Wu Dao threw a cattail leaf fan on the desk, just covering the three bank notes, angrily said: "Concierge, call out!" He immediately ran into the two yamen servants, Dragging Chen Sanjin out.

Seeing that it was past noon, Wei Xiangshu went to the Governor's Yamen in a sedan chair.Wu Daoyi was sitting in the flower hall having a drink when he heard the porter report that Wei Xiangshu was coming, so he rushed out to greet him.Entering the flower hall, Wu Daoyi ordered people to add wine and vegetables.After drinking a few cups, Wei Xiangshu said: "Master Futai, Zhang Gongming and Xiang Chengsheng were jointly interrogated by you and me. There are nine people who bribed them, including Zhu Xigui. The scholars who failed the ranking went to the streets to make trouble. But it's true."

Wu Daoyi respected Wei Xiangshu's wine, but said: "Master Wei, the Emperor has a strict order that these scholars who insulted Confucius and disturbed the school will have to beheaded!"

Wei Xiangshu toasted Wu Daoyi in return, saying: "Among the troublemakers is a man named Chen Jing. He won the exam himself, and he didn't bribe the examiner."

Wu Dao nodded and said: "I know, he is the Zezhou prodigy back then. Why is he joining in the fun? He won the exam well, but he is going to die!"

Wei Xiangshu was calm in his heart, but his mouth was very anxious, and said: "Master Futai, please think again, this Chen Jing can't be killed!"

Wu Daoyi asked: "He has committed a capital crime, and there is an oracle here, how can he not be killed?"

Wei Xiangshu said: "My lord Futai, I came here to find you for this reason. Now that the test paper has been re-sentenced, all the examiners drew circles after Chen Jing's three rounds. He should be the first in the rural test!"

Wu Dao was taken aback: "You mean Chen Jing should be Xie Yuan?"

Wei Xiangshu said: "Exactly! Master Futai, killing Jieyuan, it is difficult to explain to the world!"

Wu Dao grabbed the wine glass in his hand, turned it back and forth, pondered for a while, and said, "Then we won't let him be Jie Yuan!"

Wei Xiangshu didn't expect Wu Daoyi to say such a thing, but because of his face, he said: "Although he can be dismissed from the Yuan Dynasty, the old man thinks that he is excellent in poetry and prose, especially his vision and vision, and he will be the pillar of the country. In this way If the talented people are mistakenly in our hands, they will lose to the court and lose to the people!"

Wu Daoyi said: "Your Excellency Wei's love for talents is greatly admired by the officials, but do you dare to disobey the oracle? The officials will not dare!"

Wei Xiangshu thought that Wu Daoyi had inquired about Chen Jing's case. If he said that he had made a wrong decision, he would not be ashamed, so he said, "Master Futai, it is only because Chen Jing is young and ignorant. Confidently pleaded guilty to death, but didn't know the seriousness."

As soon as Wu Dao heard that there was something in Wei Xiangshu's words, he asked, "How do you say that he pleaded guilty to death in a muddle?"

Wei Xiangshu detailed what Dashun said before and after, and then said: "Chen Jing was going to persuade others not to make trouble, but he was coerced by everyone, and he was caught wrongly. He knew that he was fine, so he just stood there. Move, or he won't run away?"

Wu Daoyi's expression gradually became mysterious, and he asked with a smile, "Did the Chen family ask Mr. Wei?"

Wei Xiangshu knew what Wu Daoyi was thinking, and he didn't want to make it clear, so he just asked: "The Chen family must have asked Mr. Futai as well?"

Wu Daoyi laughed loudly, and said: "Since that's the case, I would like to accompany Mr. Wei to inquire about Chen Jing's case again."

On the second day, Chen Jing was taken to the lobby of the Governor's Yamen for questioning again.Wei Xiangshu had a good idea in his heart, he asked about the cause and effect of what happened that day, and Chen Jing was not guilty.He also persuaded others not to make trouble, which should be meritorious.Wu Daoyi received the money, and he thought that he and Wei Xiangshu were in touch with each other, and there was nothing extra.But after all, Chen Jing's name is in the hands of the emperor, and he has to confess his guilt before he has to deal with it.But Chen Jing has a stubborn temper, saying that he was trying to persuade others, so he got mixed up with the crowd, and he has nothing to regret.Besides, it is well known that the examiners accept bribes, and the scholars are angry and rioting for a reason. If you want to let people go, you have to let everyone go.Chen Jing refuses to repent, and if he can't continue with the bureaucracy, it will be difficult for the emperor.Wei Xiangshu was really in a hurry, and couldn't think of a way out.When Chen Jing returned to the prison, he knew that some of the other six scholars who made troubles were hit, and some were not.They were all grateful to Chen Jing for his righteousness, and they only advised him to save his head first.Chen Jing only said that everyone would die if he wanted to die, and everyone would live if he wanted to live, but he refused to write half a word.

But after a few days, the gatekeeper of the governor's yamen suddenly found Chen Sanjin and told him to go to the prison and take Chen Jing back.Chen Jing came out of the prison in a daze, only to realize that he was in the middle of the Yuan Dynasty.Looking at the notice on the wall, it turned out that Zhu Xigui and the six scholars who caused trouble were all charged with capital punishment regardless of indiscriminately.I also heard rumors from the street that the two examiners were escorted to Beijing.

After Chen Jing went through this prison, it was like a different person, and he was depressed all day long when he returned home.His mother and wife Shuxian tried hard to persuade him, but he was always frowning.People from three townships and five li all came to congratulate, but Chen Jing just reluctantly entertained, and he sighed when he backed others.He still doesn't understand why he came out alive when someone else lost his head.He was not lucky to be alive, and he felt very sad when he thought of those scholars who had been charged with capital punishment.Only Zhu Xigui was not wronged, and neither was the examiner.Seeing that the period of spring is approaching, Chen Jing has been reluctant to leave for Beijing.Old Mrs. Chen was furious every day, but Chen Jing was still as stubborn as a donkey.For this matter, no one in the Chen family dared to speak loudly all day long.

Suddenly one day, Wei sent a letter to Mr. Shu.It turned out that Mr. Wei was going back to Shanxi on business, so he happened to stop by to visit his relatives and stayed in Taiyuan for more than two months.Scholars came to visit every day. During the conversation, Mr. Wei heard that Chen Jing was disheartened because of this catastrophe.Master Wei hurriedly wrote a letter and sent someone to Chen's house in Zezhou.In his letter, Master Wei appreciated Chen Jing's theories and literary talents, saying that he is extremely talented and ambitious. If he gets high school in the future, he will be able to assist the king to stabilize the country and help the people. Loyalty is not filial piety.After reading Lord Wei's letter, Chen Jing felt a thorn in his back, and he was ashamed.He also thought that Master Wei didn't regard him as a man of fortune who only wanted his own fame, it was really a rare confidant.These days, his parents persuaded him and scolded him, but he was like an evil spirit.This time Master Wei was woken up by scolding, he was so ashamed and regretful, he knelt down in front of his parents respectfully, and promised to go to Beijing to take the exam quickly.

(End of this chapter)