Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 89

Chen Tingjing said: "I haven't found out what unclean Wang Jiwen himself has with money."

The emperor sighed: "This Wang Jiwen, why bother to come!"

Chen Tingjing privately thought that being an official is only greedy for profit, but greed for fame and power is big greed.Since ancient times, there have been some officials who have been honest and honest, in order to gain a clear name and become a high-ranking official, they have done some things that are harsh on the people.Wang Jiwen is such a greedy person. The people in Yunnan don't pay taxes for the time being, but they will have to double the tax in the future.Chen Tingjing originally wanted to say this to the emperor, but he swallowed the words after listening to Zhang Shande's instructions.

The emperor was still angry, and asked: "After all, Wang Jiwen lost money to the Treasury, and concealing the money left by Wu Sangui is especially serious. How do you think I should deal with him?"

Hearing the emperor's tone, Chen Tingjing understood, and said: "The minister thinks that Wang Jiwen cannot be dealt with too harshly at this time. To discuss his crimes, we can only say that he has made great achievements by embezzling treasury bank for payment. I have no corruption at all. It should also show his achievements in the pacification of Wu Sangui, his actions in managing Dianchi Lake and reclaiming fertile land, and exonerate him from some crimes."

After Chen Tingjing finished speaking, he lowered his head and waited for the emperor's will.But the emperor didn't answer, he just said: "Ting Jing, you can walk around the garden with me."

Today is cloudy and windy, and the garden is extremely cool.The emperor said: "Ting Jing, I originally wanted to build a garden in Rehe, but you said that the country's strength is still difficult, and it is not suitable for large-scale construction. I listened to your words and stopped repairing it. This is an old garden left by the previous Ming Dynasty. I have someone repair it a little bit. , and it is still livable.”

Chen Tingjing replied: "Every time I say something, I have to ask myself whether I really think about the emperor."

The emperor said again: "Ting Jing, you are my veteran and loyal minister. I know that everything you do is done with loyalty. But sometimes I still have to blame you, do you know why?"

After the emperor finished speaking, he stopped and looked at Chen Tingjing.Chen Tingjing cupped his hands and bowed his head, saying word by word: "I don't know current affairs!"

The emperor smiled and said: "Ting Jing finally understands. Let's talk about the case of Wang Jiwen in Yunnan. As soon as you bring it up, I know that I should investigate it. But should I investigate it now, or in the future? There is something particular about it. I originally planned to clean it up first. Galdan, check the treasuries of the provinces. After all, conquering Galdan is the biggest thing for the court at present! The garden in Rehe is not being repaired now, but it will be repaired in the future!"

Hearing the emperor's words, Chen Tingjing really felt a little ashamed.Chen Tingjing didn't talk much, and only listened to the emperor's instructions: "Wang Jiwen is really hateful. You said that you don't strictly investigate and deal with it, which is very in line with my wishes. Only then did the big corruption case of Zhang Qian occur. Corrupt official Wang Jiwen, where is the face of the court? Wang Jiwen knows it well in his heart. An official like him has talents, but he is too addicted to being an official, and he is eager for quick success. He invites merit and rewards to his superiors, and acts virtuously to his subordinates. This kind of person The bigger the official, the more far-reaching the disaster."

Chen Tingjing said: "Your Majesty knows the lesson! Moreover, some officials of this kind have to wait many years after their death before they can see their treachery!"

The emperor sighed and said: "I really missed it!"

Hearing this sigh, Chen Tingjing understood that it was indeed difficult for the emperor, and said: "Your Majesty, you don't need to blame yourself, but fortunately Wang Jiwen's face has been exposed. Your Majesty, I have another suggestion."

Chen Tingjing looked up at the emperor's face, and then said: "The more than 3000 million taels of silver left by Wu Sangui is for the poor in Yunnan, and 1000 million taels will be allocated to replenish the silver in the Yunnan treasury, and the other 2000 million taels will be sent to Beijing quickly! Seal it up and keep it under the care of the governor's yamen in Yunnan, and it will be used as military pay in the future."

The emperor thought for a while, and said: "I will do as you wish. It's just that the disposal of Wu Sangui's silver and grain must be handled in secret, and don't make it known to everyone!"

When talking about the new taxation law in Yunnan, the emperor said: "I have looked at it carefully, and it is a good method. It can be approved for implementation, and other similar provinces can learn from it. Ting Jing does have a means of managing money."

Chen Tingjing said: "I dare not be greedy for the merits of the sky. This new tax law was proposed by Kan Zhenzhao and his son. I just made a slight modification based on the court's established practice."

The emperor asked: "Father Kan Zhenzhao?" Chen Tingjing gave a rough account of the loyalty and benevolence of the Kan family. After hearing this, the emperor sighed for a long time, and said, "They are really far away from the rivers and lakes, but their hearts are close to the monarchy!"

Yueyuan and her family, Yao, Zuyan, and Zhuanglu sat opposite each other in the main room all day long, listening to the door with pointed ears.Suddenly there was a noise outside, as if the master had returned.Yueyuan's face was pale, and she hurriedly stood up to welcome her out.Jia Yao, Zu Yan and Zhuang Lu also followed out.Seeing how tired the old man looked, no one dared to ask more questions.Seeing everyone's situation, Chen Tingjing knew that they were all worried about him, so he gave a rough account of the meeting.Yueyuan just dropped the heavy stone to the ground and let out a long sigh.In the past few days, the whole family has raised their hearts to their throats to live.

The family immediately became angry.After entering the main room and sitting down, Zu Yan said: "The emperor has appeased his anger, so the child can rest assured."

Jia Yao said: "Since the emperor still favors and trusts Dad, please ask Dad to save my father-in-law."

As Jia Yao said, she knelt down again.Chen Tingjing hurriedly asked Jiayao to get up and talk, but Jiayao said that she would not get up if her father did not agree to save her father-in-law.

Chen Tingjing shook his head and said, "Silly boy, it's not whether dad wants to save him, but whether he can save it or not!"

Zu Yan said: "Originally, the servant Selen'e went to investigate the case and found my father innocent; later Zu Zeshen went to the book again, the emperor ordered Jackie Chan to investigate, and said my father was guilty. Who is who? No?"

Chen Tingjing said: "Seleng'e was corrupt and broke the law. The emperor has investigated him. Yu Chenglong is an upright official, he will not wrong a good person."

Jia Yao cried: "Father, just for the sake of your daughter, say something in front of the emperor!"

Dashun came in to report that it was Mr. Zhang Qian's aide Liu Chuanji who asked to see him.Chen Tingjing told Jiayao to get up quickly, it was not good for outsiders.Jiayao had no choice but to stand up, and Yueyuan led her into the back room.Zhuang Lu also went in to escape, only Zu Yan remained in the main room.

Not long after, Liu Chuanji came in and bowed his hands.Chen Tingjing asked Liu Chuanji not to see outsiders, but to sit down and talk.Liu Chuanji did not sit down, but plopped on his knees, kowtowed and said, "Master Chen must save our Master Zhang! He is guilty, but he has no choice! Chuanji harmed Master Zhang, if you don't save him, Chuanji will die There is no excuse!"

Chen Tingjing said: "Zu Yan and Jia Yao have both told me about the matter, so we can't blame you all. It's a bad habit to get promoted in many ways."

Liu Chuanji said: "If Mingzhu didn't know that I had engraved the official seal privately, Mr. Zhang would not be able to do anything even if he refused to pay 30 taels. I was the one who harmed Mr. Zhang."

Chen Tingjing had heard Zhang Penghe talk about this as early as last year, but he knew that Mingzhu was in the limelight now, so he shook his head and said, "Chuanji, don't drag things too far, don't talk about others."

Liu Chuanji continued: "I heard that Master Chen's investigation of Wang Jiwen's case in Yunnan is much more serious than Master Zhang's case. The emperor intends to give a lighter punishment. Why can't Master Zhang be lighter? There is no other law in the country!"

Chen Tingjing kept silent, but in private he wanted to find an opportunity to get rid of Mingzhu, one for eliminating harm for the country, and the other for perhaps saving Zhang Qian.It's just that the odds of winning this matter are unpredictable, and it's hard to say even at home until the end.Seeing that Chen Tingjing refused to let go, Liu Chuanji had to leave with a sigh.

Liu Chuanji and Zu Yan went to Xu Qian Academy at night without telling Chen Tingjing.Naturally, he went all the way in from the gatehouse, and finally met Xu Qianxue.After seeing the ceremony, Zu Yan explained the purpose of coming, and said: "Master Xu, my father often talks about you to me, he admires your character and talent the most."

Xu Qianxue was also polite, and said: "Nephew, I have friendship with your lord. It's just that the case has already reached the sky, who dares to go to the emperor to talk about it?"

Liu Chuanji said: "Didn't anyone in the civil and military dynasties dare to speak in front of the emperor?"

Xu Qianxue said: "It turns out that there are still pearls to trust, but he hides this matter when he sees it."

Liu Chuanji usually can't let go of the airs of a scholar, but now he can't take care of it, flattering: "Yongshu heard that the most important thing for the emperor is you, Mr. Xu! You Mr. Xu don't speak for our master, he really didn't saved."

Xu Qianxue heard this very well, but he really didn't dare to intercede for Zhang Qian in front of the emperor, but he didn't want to appear incompetent, so he deliberately pondered for a long time and said: "It depends on what to do and what to say. It’s really inconvenient to say, but I can show you a way.”

Zu Yan hurriedly clasped his hands together and said, "Master Xu, please give me some pointers."

Xu Qianxue said: "You can go to Gao Shiqi."

As soon as Zu Yan heard it, he was discouraged, glanced at Liu Chuanji, and said nothing.

Liu Chuanji said: "Gao Shiqi is just a fourth-rank young master!"

Xu Qianxue said with a smile: "You don't know what people say. The subtleties are indescribable. Gao Shiqi came from a humble background, and he has read a few books. If he looks learned in front of the emperor, the emperor will appreciate him; It seems vulgar, the emperor will not blame him because of his background; even if he is a little treacherous, according to the emperor's generosity, he will not remember it in his heart."

Liu Chuanji said: "Okay, thank you Master Xu for your guidance, let's pay homage to Master Gao."

Seeing Zu Yan still worried, Xu Qianxue said, "Nephew, don't worry, I'm not saying I won't help, as long as Gao Shiqi raises his head, I will help."

The two thanked each other a thousand times and left the Xu mansion.Liu Chuanji said: "This is really a rush to the doctor!"

Zu Yan was even more anxious and asked, "Do we have a better way?"

Liu Chuanji had already had no bottom in his mind, and said, "Let's take a step and see."

Gao Shiqi lives in the Forbidden City, ordinary people cannot enter.Finally, someone asked someone to invite Gao Shiqi out to talk to a tea shop.Gao Shiqi was easy to talk to, and when they met, he said, "Nephew, don't worry, your father is an old friend of mine, and I will help."

Zu Yan was overjoyed, and Natou bowed: "Thank you from the whole family, Mr. Gao Shibo!"

Gao Shiqi helped Zu Yan to get up, asked about the health and well-being, and asked all the young and old members of the Zhang family.Zu Yan thought to himself that he might have found the right person, this Gao Shibo is really warm-hearted.After exchanging pleasantries for a long time, Gao Shiqi said: "But nephew, you know, how can you talk about things with two mouths now?"

Zu Yan hurriedly said: "My nephew knows that it costs money to entrust someone."

Gao Shiqi said: "My father and I can be said to be poor and humble friends, and we are most congenial. Don't worry, I won't take any money, but I have to trust someone!"

Zu Yan kept nodding his head, only saying that Gao Shiboen was taller than the sky.Liu Chuanji saw that Zu Yan only wanted to thank him and didn't mention anything about the money, knowing that it was inconvenient for him to ask clearly, so he asked tentatively: "Lord Gao, how much money do you want to spend?"

Gao Shiqi twitched his beard and said, "It must be one hundred and eighty thousand."

Zu Yan was very embarrassed and said: "My family has almost spent money on this lawsuit."

Gao Shiqi smiled and said: "Nephew, you have to borrow money to save people. As long as people are fine, you can try to get rid of the crime, and you can recover in the future. I am a straightforward person. As long as there are officials to do it, I am afraid Have no money?"

Zu Yan had no choice but to agree to borrow money immediately.Liu Chuanji said: "Master Gao, Yongshu speaks directly. We also asked Mr. Xu Qianxue, and he promised to speak with you in front of the emperor. He also has his share of the money!"

Gao Shiqi said: "Don't worry about this, Gao has his own rules when dealing with affairs."

Zu Yan gritted his teeth and said: "Okay, within three days, the money will be delivered."

Zu Yan took care of everything outside, and went to visit his father in prison again today.Zhang Qian read and wrote poems all day long in prison, but he seemed to be indifferent.Although Zu Yan was worried, he comforted his father and said: "Master Xu and Mr. Gao agreed to help."

Zhang Qian sighed: "Both of them are masters who ask for money!"

Zu Yan said: "There is no way to ask for money. Your old man is safe and the Zhang family can be saved."

After hearing this, Zhang Jian closed his eyes for a long time and asked, "Where is Mingzhu?"

Zu Yan said: "There is no need to send money to Mingzhu. If he wants to help, he will help; if he doesn't help, sending money is useless."

Zhang Bang felt bitter when he thought of Mingzhu, but he just swallowed the words, not wanting to say them in front of his son.

Zu Yan said again: "The emperor still forgave my father-in-law, and I will listen to his lecture some other day."

Zhang Ban shook his head and said: "Our emperor, no one is sure! Since the emperor still trusts your father-in-law, he should speak for me."

Zu Yan didn't know where to start, so he shook his head and remained silent.Zhang Qian sighed: "The wall is really falling and everyone is pushing!"

(End of this chapter)