Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 94

Suo'etu did intend to protect Gao Shiqi, but in order to show that he acted fairly, he had to name Gao Shiqi and speak for him.Suo'etu actually concealed Gao Shiqi's crime of deceiving the emperor.It turned out that this time Zhang Qian's eyes were red, and he confessed all about Gao Shiqi's presentation of the fake painting to the emperor.Suo'etu privately ordered someone to delete Zhang Qian's confession, but he did not tell Gao Shiqi about it.In his eyes, Gao Shiqi was originally just a little grasshopper, so there was no need to show his merits in front of him.Suo Etu didn't care if Gao Shiqi bullied the emperor, he only wanted Gao Shiqi to be his slave.

Suo'etu retreated, the emperor picked up the booklet and looked at it for a long time, then fell heavily on the table.The emperor could understand Suo'etu's intentions.But whether Zhang Qian's confession is true or not, the emperor is not sure.For several months, Zhang Qian, Zu Zeshen, Wang Jiwen and Mingzhu had been involved in crimes one after another, and the emperor was very troubled.These scholars have gained fame in ten years of hard work, and they were originally innocent, but it is difficult to guard themselves after being an official for a long time.The emperor sighed for a long time, called Zhang Shande, and asked him to share the decree separately, and asked these people to explain clearly by themselves.

Chen Tingjing was dealing with documents in the yamen of the Ministry of Officials, when he heard someone from Qianqing Palace, he hurried out to meet them.Seeing Zhang Shande come in, he said: "Chen Tingjing accepts the order!"

Chen Tingjing knelt down.Zhang Shande passed on the decree and said: "The emperor ordered, and Zhang Qian confessed that he had given money to Chen Tingjing successively in order to be governor and governor; now that he committed a crime, he gave money to Chen Tingjing to take care of it. Let Chen Tingjing hurry up Here's an excerpt, let's see what he says. Here it is!"

After Zhang Shande announced the edict, he asked Chen Tingjing to get up.Chen Tingjing got up and looked at Zhang Shande for a long time before he knew what to say: "Eunuch Zhang, what's going on? Did you hear what the emperor said?"

Zhang Shande shook his head and said: "Zhang Qian confessed you, Mingzhu, Xu Qianxue and Gao Shiqi, the emperor is very annoying!"

After hearing this, Chen Tingjing understood eight or nine points in his heart.Talking about this matter at home, Chen Tingjing was very troubled.Jiayao felt that her face was dull, and said: "Why is my father-in-law like this?"

Yueyuan said: "Your father-in-law must be blaming your father for refusing to help, so he will bite him back!"

Zu Yan felt that there was no place to put his face, and said: "Father-in-law, I'm really sorry! I didn't expect my father to make such a bad move!"

Chen Tingjing said: "I'm afraid Mingzhu and the others really took the money, so I can't tell the truth! It's hard to tell the truth from the fake!"

Zhen'er comforted: "Master, real gold is not afraid of fire, there is nothing to be afraid of."

Chen Tingjing sighed: "Zu Yan, I don't care about myself, things will always be clear. What I am worried about is your father! The more he confesses, the faster he will die! The emperor originally only wanted to dismiss him. Let him go home for the elderly. If he bites now, others will put him to death!"

Jia Yao and Zu Yan burst into tears immediately, and begged Chen Tingjing to do everything possible to save her.Chen Tingjing said: "Your father is guilty, that's for sure. I have been secretly saving him, but I can't tell you clearly. I didn't expect my in-laws to be so impatient. They thought I would die and would not help, and framed me instead!"

Yueyuan said: "Master, no matter how you say it, they are all relatives. It's useless to blame him now. You have to find a way to save people."

Chen Tingjing said: "He has been an official for decades, why didn't he understand the truth? The most important thing is to save himself! Wang Jiwen has not said anything until now, and he is alone. Even the emperor already knows He doesn't say anything. In fact, the emperor doesn't want him to say everything."

Chen Tingjing's family members couldn't understand what he said, and they couldn't figure it out.

Zu Yan asked: "Father-in-law, how can the imperial court enforce the law like this?"

Chen Tingjing just shook his head without answering.

For some days, the emperor ignored Zhang Qian's confession, and Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue, and Gao Shiqi lived like years.Their notebooks have also been uploaded, and the Holy Order has not been seen for a long time.Mingzhu was relieved, he had guessed the emperor's mind, knew how many felonies he committed, and he would not lose his head.On the contrary, he was rather complacent, thinking that Suo'etu really took advantage of his trap and began to participate in people.Mingzhu specially pleaded guilty for this, and confessed that she had received Zhang Qian's money and entered the government as much as she could.

It wasn't until two months later that the emperor came to the South Study Room and said: "I didn't want to pay attention to Suo'etu's papers, but since he took over Mingzhu's trial of Zhang Pan's case, how can I be arrogant. Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue, Gao Shiqi, you are here." Excerpts, I have read them all, do you have anything else to say?"

Xu Qianxue was the first to speak, and said: "Qi Zou the emperor, I don't justify myself first, but I say a few words of justice for Chen Tingjing. Chen Tingjing and Zhang Qian are related by marriage, and I haven't seen him say a word for Zhang Qian. How can I accept bribes?" Say it?"

Suo'etu said: "Qizou the emperor, Xu Qianxue wanted to say that Chen Tingjing hadn't taken bribes, so he was innocent. But it is a fact that Mingzhu took bribes, so what does this mean? According to Xu Qianxue's reasoning, doesn't it just mean that the four of them are Did you take a bribe?"

The emperor said: "You are just a nonsense! Chen Tingjing didn't say a word, but I believe that he is innocent."

Chen Tingjing kowtowed his head to thank him immediately, and said, "Qizou the emperor, Zhang Bang's case has been investigated, so there should be no further entanglement. Although it is true that Zhang Bang is begging for his ministers and so on, it is only human nature, and he should not be judged because of it." new crime."

After hearing this, the emperor nodded and said: "Suo'etu, the case of Mingzhu has been finalized, don't make any further complications. The facts of the Zhang Qian, Wang Jiwen, and Zu Zeshen cases are also clear, so don't ask any more questions. I don't want to involve too many people. many."

Seeing that the emperor had made up his mind, Suo'etu had no choice but to obey the order even though he had thousands of dislikes in his heart.

The emperor talked about the principles of being a minister and a man for a long time, and then said: "Zhang Qian deceived the emperor and harmed his friends. It is really hateful to be a minister and a man. It would not be a pity to kill him. I think he was honest and self-preserving in his early years, and he did a good job in governing the local area. It can be avoided. Because of the death penalty. Resigned from his position, go home and retire! Wang Jiwen is very talented, but unfortunately he is too power-hungry and has done stupid things. Resigned from the post of governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, and changed to governor of Guangxi! Hearing about it, puffing up his lips and wagging his tongue, reading fortunes, telling people with lies, being an official is both greedy and cool, heinous, so kill him."

Chen Tingjing saw that Zhang Bang had finally saved his life, and secretly recited Buddha's name in his heart.It is really puzzling to hear that Wang Jiwen is still serving as governor.Although Zu Zeshen's death was not wronged, he was the least guilty of the three.

The emperor said again: "Zhang Penghe has made great contributions in impeaching Mingzhu. He has been promoted to three ranks, and he will go down to be a magistrate! Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue, and Gao Shiqi are clearly framed by Zhang Qian, so there is no need to ask any further questions."

Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue and Gao Shiqi all knelt down and kowtowed to thank them.However, Chen Tingjing said again: "I want to play the emperor, and I thank the emperor for his innocence, but after all, I am related to Zhang Qian by marriage. The emperor believes in my innocence, but others may not believe it. I implore the emperor to allow me to go home."

The emperor was very dissatisfied when he heard this, and said: "Chen Tingjing, why do you scholars have this problem? When you get angry in your heart, you yell to go home?"

Suo'etu took the opportunity to add fuel to the flames, saying: "Qizhuo the emperor, Chen Tingjing didn't appreciate the emperor's kindness, but clamored to go home, so the emperor let him go. There are many scholars in the world, it doesn't matter if there are more or less."

Chen Tingjing said: "Your Majesty, this subject wants to go home. It's not just a momentary mood. Ever since I was framed by Zhang Qian, I have never been afraid, careless, depressed, and forgetful. Clumsy and clumsy. If things go on like this, you may miss a big deal. Besides, in order not to let others say that the emperor is partial to the minister, the minister should also voluntarily go home to avoid suspicion. Kuangchen's father is eighty-one, and he leans against the door every day, hoping that his son will go home. I want to return to my father's side as soon as possible so that I can be filial for a few years." Chen Tingjing burst into tears when he said this.

Hearing Chen Tingjing's words, the emperor actually lowered his head and shed tears, sighed for a long time, and said: "Poor Chen Tingjing's sincere words of affection, how can I be a heartless and ungrateful person? You are allowed to dismiss the former official and remain as the chief editor of books!"

Chen Tingjing thanked the emperor for his mercy and kowtowed again and again.When Xu Qianxue and Gao Shiqi saw that the emperor allowed Chen Tingjing to return to the field, they were secretly delighted.

Xu Qianxue hurriedly said: "Qi Zou the emperor, Chen Tingjing is a role model for people and officials. After he returns home, the emperor has less manpower, and the ministers should work harder and be more diligent!"

Gao Shiqi also said: "What Xu Qian said is exactly what I think in my heart. From then on, I..."

But the emperor interrupted Gao Shiqi and said, "Okay, I understand your loyalty. When Chen Tingjing said to avoid suspicion, I think it makes sense. Since Chen Tingjing is going home, Xu Qianxue and Gao Shiqi should also go home, lest others say I favor one more than another."

Xu Qianxue and Gao Shiqi were astonished when they heard it, and they didn't know why for a while, but they made Suo'etu very happy.He already saw that Xu Qianxue was not a good guy, and he wished he could go home too.Suo'etu didn't feel a pity that he failed to keep Gao Shiqi.He could see that Gao Shiqi, the dog slave, seemed to have the intention of alienation in front of him.

One day, Zhang Penghe went to Chen Tingjing's house, and when he entered the door, he bowed his hands and pleaded guilty. Chen Tingjing was very confused.It turned out that Zhang Penghe knew that he was sent to the prefect of Qinzhou. Although he was promoted, it was actually equivalent to exile.Thinking that Qinzhou is separated from the capital city by thousands of mountains, and the water crosses hundreds of rivers, he may have to die of old age in a foreign land.This is exactly what Mingzhu said, if he is sent out this time, he may not be able to come back.Previously, Zhang Penghe blamed Chen Tingjing for not speaking up for him, because he was being used as a gun.He later found out that Chen Tingjing was also wronged, so he realized that he was wrong.

Chen Tingjing laughed and said, "Peng He, you don't want to go to Qinzhou either!"

Zhang Penghe couldn't understand what he heard, and asked, "Why?"

Chen Tingjing said: "Someone spoke for you, and let him go to Suzhou instead. Suzhou is a good place."

Zhang Penghe couldn't believe this was true, and stared straight at Chen Tingjing.Chen Tingjing just smiled and said, "You just go home and wait for the news." Sure enough, within three days, Zhang Penghe was released to the prefect of Suzhou instead.

Chen Tingjing stayed in Beijing for [-] days, entertained old disciples, and then led his family back to his hometown in Shanxi.

(End of this chapter)