Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 47

After the emperor's imperial gate finished listening to the government, he drove to the Xinuang Pavilion of Qianqing Palace and summoned Chen Tingjing and Gao Shiqi.The emperor held a booklet in his hand and asked: "Chen Tingjing, this is a case that the Shuntian Mansion should handle, why did you come straight to me?"

Listening to the emperor's tone, Chen Tingjing knew that he really shouldn't report Zhu Qi's case to the emperor.But things have come to this point, so we have to bite the bullet and continue.He and Gao Shiqi also broke their faces, so they no longer hesitated, and only said: "Gao Shiqi knows the ins and outs!"

Gao Shiqi had long been terrified, guessing that the emperor summoned him and Chen Tingjing at the same time, it must be about his house.But thinking about it in a blink of an eye, the emperor was afraid that his heart was towards him, so he asked Chen Tingjing in front of him.Unexpectedly, when Chen Tingjing opened his mouth, Gao Shiqi's expression changed drastically.

The emperor asked Gao Shiqi: "Tell me, what's going on?"

Gao Shiqi prostrated himself on the ground: "I'm guilty! I was poor in my early years, and I was a down-and-out in the capital. I made a living by looking for libraries and selling calligraphy. Later, I was favored by the late emperor, enshrined in the inner court, and waited on the emperor to study. But my position is low and my salary is low, and I have no money to buy it. There is nowhere to live in the house. I happened to meet Yu Ziyi, a fellow from Qiantang who was doing business in the capital, and stayed at his house. Later, Yu Ziyi said that he bought someone else’s house, thinking of fellowship, and sold it to Chen at the original price. This is cheap."

The emperor asked again: "How big is the house?"

Gao Shiqi replied: "The house is not small. There are courtyards in all directions. There are more than 50 houses in total, but they are already very dilapidated."

The emperor said: "Based on your current status, it's not too much to live in such a big house. How much money is it worth?"

Gao Shiqi replied: "3000 taels of silver."

The emperor said: "It's not expensive."

Gao Shiqi said: "Although it is not expensive, I can't afford so much money. I have to live on half-borrowed half-credit, and I didn't pay off Yu Ziyi's debt until the year before last."

The emperor felt puzzled: "So, you are completely clean, why do you say you are guilty?"

Gao Shiqi suddenly burst into tears, and said: "The former emperor had strictly ordered court officials not to associate with merchants. Anyone who borrowed 1000 yuan from a wealthy gentry would be punished for accepting bribes! Your Majesty, this subject should have his head chopped off three times! Your Majesty, If you live up to the emperor's kindness, you deserve death!"

Gao Shiqi knocked his head on the ground and bang, weeping.The emperor let out a long sigh, but also became sad: "Being an official of the country is a bit hard. Shiqi, you are guilty, but I can't bear to punish you for your crime! You came from a poor background, strive for self-improvement, neither humble nor overbearing, and have the style of Yan Hui. This is what I value about you."

Gao Shiqi said: "Yan Hui is a disciple of a sage, how dare Shiqi!"

The emperor was very emotional and said: "The salaries of the officials of the Guochao are indeed a little low, but the officials of the Guochao are all reading sage books, they are the parents of the people, and they are not for getting rich. Whoever wants to get rich is like Yu Ziyi and the others. Just go into business. If you are an official, you are not allowed to get rich!"

Gao Shiqi kowtowed again: "I will remember the emperor's instruction!"

The emperor looked at Gao Shiqi on the ground with pity, and said: "However, I feel a little uneasy seeing you all so poor! Shiqi, I forgive you for your innocence!"

Gao Shiqi cupped his hands and thanked En: "I thank the emperor Long En!"

Chen Tingjing never expected that the emperor would pardon Gao Shiqi's crimes after asking such a hasty question, and then said: "My lord, the salaries of officials in the country are indeed not high, but some officials are richer than ten thousand gold!"

After hearing Chen Tingjing's words, the emperor was a little displeased, and asked, "Chen Tingjing, how big is your house?"

Chen Tingjing replied: "Back to the emperor, I don't have a house in the capital, I live in Yue Zhang's house!"

The emperor sighed and said: "Chen Tingjing, I have always treated people leniently, and I hope you will behave like this. I always think you are lenient and mature, but you are always a little harsh on Shiqi."

Gao Shiqi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, Chen Tingjing is stricter with the minister, but in his heart it is for the sake of the minister, and the minister does not blame him!"

The emperor looked at Gao Shiqi and was very satisfied: "Shiqi is an honest man."

Chen Tingjing said: "My Majesty, I have no personal grievances with Gao Shiqi, but I just feel that things should be done, so I should do so."

The emperor asked: "The lawsuit between Yu Ziyi and Zhu Qi was originally managed by the Shuntian Mansion. What do you think should be done? Do you want me to approve it to the Ministry of Punishment?"

Chen Tingjing said: "Your Majesty, Zhu Qi was imprisoned by the Shuntian Mansion for more than ten years because of filing a complaint. This time, the Shuntian Mansion asked him to set up a letter of guarantee and not to sue again, so he was released. Therefore, I think that this case will be released again. Let Shuntian Mansion do it, it's not right!"

The emperor's face darkened: "Chen Tingjing, do you mean that all the governors of the Shuntian government have been stupid officials? From Xiang Bingdao to the present Yuan Yongcai, there have been four governors, and three of them were appointed by me. Could it be that Did I use it all wrong?"

No matter how Chen Tingjing replied, he would cause trouble, but he had no way to turn back, so he could only follow the logic: "I just discuss the matter as it is, and I have absolutely no intention of doing so."

Gao Shiqi was very good at playing tricks, and said: "My Majesty, I bought Yu Ziyi's house cheaply, but I really don't know that the origin of his house is unknown. Chen Tingjing thought that this case should be handed over to the Ministry of Criminal Justice, and it was also out of public interest. I think it is not appropriate for Shuntian Prefecture to try this case again."

The emperor said coldly: "You probably forgot that Xiang Bingdao, Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, is the former governor of Shuntian Prefecture."

Gao Shiqi became more and more like an honest person, and said to the emperor: "I think that since Chen Tingjing took over the case, it might be more fair for Chen Tingjing and Xiang Bingdao to try it together."

The emperor nodded and said: "In this case, Gao Shiqi will also participate in the trial of this case with Chen Tingjing and Xiang Bingdao!"

Chen Tingjing heard that the emperor asked Gao Shiqi to come to the trial, and he knew that he should not deal with this lawsuit.Gao Shiqi cupped his hands and said, "My Majesty, I'd better avoid it. After all, Yu Ziyi and I are from the same township and have a personal relationship. Besides, I bought this house from him."

The emperor agreed: "Okay, you won't participate. It can be seen that Gao Shiqi has a public heart."

After the summoning, Chen Tingjing and Gao Shiqi left the Qianqing Palace together.Gao Shiqi bowed his hands again and again, and respectfully asked Chen Tingjing to enforce the law impartially. If Yu Ziyi really took over the house, Yu Ziyi must pay him back the money, so he can buy another house to live in.Chen Tingjing knew that he was played by Gao Shiqi, but he couldn't tell what he was suffering from, he just nodded repeatedly.

As soon as it was dark, Gao Shiqi went out.He planned to visit two people, and first went to Xiang Bingdao's residence, Minister of the Ministry of Punishment.As usual, the concierge had to be dispatched first before he had to report in.Xiang Bingdao didn't come out to greet him, but just waited in the living room.Gao Shiqi entered his seat, and without any polite words, he told about Chen Tingjing's acceptance of Zhu Qi's case, and said, "My lord, the emperor originally intended to hand over this case to Shuntian Mansion, but it was Chen Tingjing who insisted on sending it to the Ministry of Punishment! I don't know what he's up to!"

Xiang Bingdao said: "Master Chen's uprightness is well known in the world. I can't guess what selfishness he has!"

Gao Shiqi shook his head and said: "Your Excellency, you don't know something! Chen Tingjing keeps saying that Shuntian Mansion is not suitable for handling this case anymore and needs the Ministry of Criminal Justice to intervene. It seems that he trusts the Ministry of Criminal Justice, but he actually wants to embarrass you!"

Xiang Bingdao was puzzled and asked, "Where do you start with this?"

Gao Shiqi pretended to be mysterious, and said: "This case was handled by you when you were the governor of Shuntian Mansion!"

Xiang Bingdao was quite surprised and didn't know what to say for a moment.Gao Shiqi laughed and said, "My lord, allow me to say something bold. I'm thinking now, the case of Zhu Qi's family is probably a case of injustice. Your lord, you were probably deceived by the people below!"

Xiang Bingdao couldn't sit still, and stood up anxiously: "Ah? Even if the official was negligent, the subsequent governors have also intervened. Don't they have eyes?"

Gao Shiqi said: "My lord, you are a prosperous official and have skyrocketed. Now you are Minister of the Ministry of Punishment and a scholar of the cabinet. Who would dare to turn over the cases you have handled?"

Xiang Bingdao slumped heavily into the chair, and sighed: "If you know a mistake, you will correct it. This is how I am! Am I overpowering others?"

Gao Shiqi said: "Your Excellency's character and official rank are admired by the world, and no one will criticize him. It's just that Zhu Qi's case will be retried now. Not only is it not good for you, but the next few governors can hardly escape the blame! I think even The emperor's face is also not good."

Xiang Bingdao bowed his head and thought for a long time, then asked, "What's Shi Qi's opinion?"

Gao Shiqi sighed and said: "The matter has already reached the emperor's side, what can I say? The suspect involved in the case Yu Ziyi, although he is an old fellow from my hometown, I dare not cover it up. I just feel that Chen Tingjing's intentions are a little sinister. Guochao All the ministers are corrupt and mediocre officials, only Chen Tingjing is Bao Zheng and Hai Rui!"

Xiang Bingdao shook his head and stopped talking.Gao Shiqi accompanied Xiang Bingdao and sighed for a long time, then shook his head and left.

Gao Shiqi went out of the Xiang mansion, got into the sedan chair, and ordered to go home.Chang Sui asked: "Master, didn't you say you still want to go to Shuntian Mansion?"

Gao Shiqi smiled and said: "My lord, I have changed my mind and I won't go. I'm thinking about it. Yin Yuanyong of Shuntian Mansion will come to see me. Wait for him to come."

Gao Shiqi returned to Shimo'er Hutong, before anyone entered, Gao Daman greeted him, and said: "Master, Yuan Yongcai, the governor of Shuntian Prefecture, has been waiting for you for a long time." with.The attendant also nodded and smiled, secretly admiring Gao Shiqi's ability to predict things like a god.

Gao Shiqi entered the living room, hurriedly bowed his hands to Yuan Yongcai to apologize, and made up nonsense: "The emperor called me into the palace at night, and I didn't know that Mr. Yuan was here, so disrespectful and disrespectful!"

Yuan Yongcai didn't have time to be polite, and said anxiously: "Master Gao, your friend Yu Ziyi from the same village committed a crime, do you know?"

Gao Shiqi feigned surprise: "Ah? What crime did he commit?"

Yuan Yongcai told about Yu Ziyi's killing and being reported by Kuang Xiaomao, and Gao Shiqi was too shocked to speak.

Yuan Yongcai said: "Yu Ziyi kept saying that Mr. Gao could testify for him, so I had no choice but to come and disturb him."

Gao Shiqi looked very distressed, and said: "I, Gao Shiqi, has been favored by the emperor, but I know how to serve the court and have no selfish intentions. Yu Ziyi is my fellow countryman and friend, but he has violated the king's law. Please, Mr. Yuan, do not Forgive me. Don’t say that my friend broke the law, even if my family and myself broke the law, you have to act according to the law!”

Yuan Yongcai hesitated for a long time, and said: "Yuan asked the case, it seems that I heard that Yu Ziyi's murder case has something to do with the house where you live, Mr. Gao."

(End of this chapter)