Aspirations

Chapter 86
"It's really weird." Lian Ruohan was also greatly surprised, "I didn't want such a difficult problem, but I was told by a completely irrelevant Lu Dongdong. Things in the world are sometimes really miraculous and unpredictable."

"Yeah, just like the meeting and acquaintance of this official and the little lady Lian, it is also unpredictable." Xia Xiang made a joke and glanced at Lian Ruohan. After learning about this, I rushed to Dexianju and told this official. The official decided to arraign Fu Ke overnight. Before arraigning Fu Ke, let someone take Wu Laosi and learn about Fu Ke from Wu Laosi's mouth. The fact that Ke and Wei Zhongqiang poisoned Dong Xian and Ma Xiaosan and his wife."

"So the matter of Dong Xian's ghost is also pretending to be a ghost?" Lian Ruohan understood most of it, and also figured out the mystery of Xia Xiang's ability to judge the yin, and covered his mouth with a smile, "But the little girl is not too frightened, if Xia Xianzun really has the ability to judge Yin, no matter what big unjust case in the future, just bring the ghost to the first trial and you will know, as long as Xia Xianzun tries the case, there will be no good people in the world who have been wronged?"

"Haha, even the little lady is joking. Even if this official really has the ability to judge yin, there will still be unjust cases in the world. With the power of this official alone, only one party can be kept safe." Xia Xiang shook his head slightly, and added, "This official Although the official knew the whole story and won the fourth brother Wu, but the fourth fourth Wu only knew about the plans of Fu Ke and Wei Zhongqiang, and did not see the three of Dong Xian jumping into the river with his own eyes, so he had to think of a way to let the man Tuo hid behind the screen and used ventriloquism to learn Dong Xian to speak, deceived everyone, and made Fu Ke mistakenly believe that it was Dong Xian's ghost, so frightened, he confessed all. Unfortunately, Fu Ke only confessed that he killed himself The deadly fact did not reveal the real culprit behind the scenes."

"The little girl has something to say, I don't know if I should say it?" Lian Ruohan said that she didn't know whether to say it or not, but she said it directly, obviously she just wanted to make fun of Xia Xiang, "Dong Xian murder case, It's until Fu Ke. People behind Fu Ke should not be held accountable."

"Why?" Xia Xiang was stunned, but he didn't expect Lian Ruohan to persuade him to stop.

"Xia Xianzun is a smart person, and knowing that he can't do it is not a wise move." Lian Ruohan sighed, "Xia Xianzun first entered the court, his foundation is unstable, and there are three princes who are eyeing you at any time. Take it. Find out what kind of big man behind Fu Ke is, isn't it under the enemy?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Lian, this official has accepted it." Xia Xiang said generously, "Reading is for the sages, and for the official, the king is the king. If the official is afraid of the powerful and does not ask for orders for the people, what is the use of reading the books of the sages? What is the use of this magistrate? During the imperial examination, this official was never afraid of Wen Changju. The three kings were determined to kill this official, why did this official back down? No matter what the sacredness behind Fu Ke is, this official must Find out to the end and find justice for the dead Dong Xian and Ma Xiaosan and his wife!"

Lian Ruohan was in awe. She was overwhelmed by Xia Xiang's impassioned enthusiasm and stood up and said, "There is a festival before the unearthed, and even Lingyun has no intention of going... The little girl admires Xia Xianzun's heart for the people of the country."

Xia Xiang laughed: "Having said that, when you really want to encounter the powerful and difficult, you should detour and detour, and you must deal with it. Although you can't be compromising, you can't bend it. When the governor is slow, it will be round."

"Hey..." Lian Ruohan was amused by Xia Xiang's teasing again. He was both amused and helpless. The funny thing was that Xia Xiang was not a pedantic scholar, and knew how to be flexible and retreat. It is too dangerous to track down the real murderer behind Fu Ke.

Xia Xiang also laughed, and the atmosphere eased a little: "Does even the little lady know who the real murderer behind Fu Ke is?"

"I don't know." Lian Ruohan shook his head, "But it is not difficult to see from what Fu Ke did, that he was coveting the Dong family's money, and he had no grievances with Dong Xian, so why did he go to great lengths to poison Dong Xian? Besides, as a person of Fu Ke, he wanted to kill Dong Xian, and he would kill him with one knife. How could he lie to Dong Xian to come to Zhen Ding, poison him and then throw himself into the river? Fu Ke did not have such a scheming. The person who took great pains to poison Dong Xian must be someone with a deep mind."

This makes sense, Xia Xiang nodded: "Then according to Miss Lian's opinion, this person tried his best to poison Dong Xian and let Dong Xian die in the river from Shile to Zhending, to cover up his real purpose? "

Lian Ruohan pondered for a moment: "This person is too serious, maybe he really has a grudge against Dong Xian, or maybe Dong Xian is just one of his pawns, in any case, Xia Xianzun must be careful in the future."

"Many thanks to Miss Lian for reminding me." Xia Xiang thought of Xu Wangshan and Ma Qingyuan again, and asked, "Xu Wangshan and Ma Qingyuan want this official to abolish the new law, and they are deeply harmed by the new law."

Lian Ruohan said calmly: "Xu Wangshan and Ma Qingyuan are not the only ones who have suffered greatly from the new law. The two of them have only been affected by the new law. Those displaced people are suffering."

"Even the little lady is in favor of repealing the new law?" Xia Xiang asked tentatively.

"Xia Xianzun has a heart for the people, and the little girl admires it very much. Just abolishing the new law rashly, fearing that the official position is unstable and life is not guaranteed, this matter should not be taken too hastily, but it should be done safely." Lian Ruohan closed his forehead. Lu Qingsi said, "Xia Xianzun also knows that behind Fu Ke's murder case, I don't know which high-ranking official and powerful person is behind the murder case. If the investigation continues, it may only be a big person who offends. The new law is the law that Hou Xianggong and his party members strongly promote. To abolish the new law, it will be the enemy of Xianggong Hou and all the high-ranking officials who implement the new law. Nowadays, the Manchu civil and military are advocating the new law. Does Xia Xianzun want to be unconventional and become the target of public criticism? Or he wants to raise his arms and become a flagpole against the new law. ?"

How could Xia Xiang not understand the meaning of Lian Ruohan's words, and investigate Dong Xian's case, maybe he was just an enemy of a high-ranking official.The repeal of the new law is an enemy of Hou Xianggong.As an enemy of Xianggong Hou, he is an enemy of the world. He believes that with his current rank and strength, not to mention the enemy of Xianggong Hou, even Cui Fuzun, who is across the river, can make him unable to use it. hands and feet.Of course, he did not raise his arms to form a party with all the officials in the world who oppose the new law.

Xia Xiang chuckled: "As a true magistrate, I just want to benefit one party for the official position."

"So, Xia Xianzun is going to reject Xu Wangshan and Ma Qingyuan?" Lian Ruohan is very curious about how Xia Xiang will manage Zhending next.

"Xu Wangshan and Ma Qingyuan are highly respected in Zhending, and the officials still have something to rely on. How could they reject them? Not only will they not reject them, but they will also be asked to expand the granary and prepare more crops." Xia Xiang looked serious, "The original I thought it would be a peaceful place, but as soon as I took office, there were many things to do, and I was very busy. I just have time today, so it’s time to visit Cui Fuzun.”

Although Lian Ruohan still had doubts, he didn't ask much, so he got up and said goodbye.Xia Xiang was sent outside the study.

The doormen Lu Dongdong and Lu Buqi were already in place.Especially Lu Dongdong was very grateful to Xia Xiang. He wanted to think that he would just do nothing and eat and wait for death. The nephew Lu Buqi, if he dares to betray Xia Xianzun in the future, he will make him unable to go home and die and not enter the family tree.

Although Lu Buqi didn't have the same heart of repaying Xia Xiangshi's death for his confidant like Lu Dongdong, he was very grateful for Xia Xiang's appreciation for him.He originally had ten acres of Susukida, but because of the new law, he sold the land to repay the loan and became a landless vagrant.Fortunately, his uncle Lu Dongdong took him in, otherwise he would become a beggar and live on the streets.

Although he was taken in by his uncle, it was inevitable that he would be ridiculed. After all, as a man, he was strong and strong, but it was embarrassing that he had nothing to do every day.When he was depressed, he didn't want to be accepted as a doorman by Xia County Zun. For him, it was like joy falling from the sky.Therefore, his gratitude to Xia Xianzun is beyond words.

Xia Xiang first saw Lv Dongdong and the two, and when he saw that they were loyal and respectful, and their expressions were respectful and simple, he felt relieved.Just as Mantuo brought Lu Huanhuan in again, he spoke to Lu Huanhuan again.

Lu Huanhuan was born thin, but his appearance was not bad. He had a melon face, big eyes, spoke softly, walked as lightly as the wind, and his soft appearance was very pitiful.Xia Xiang was also satisfied and kept her as a personal maid.

Since it was to visit Cui Fuzun, it was necessary to be more formal. Xia Xiang brought Xiao Wu and Xu Heguang with him. The three of them rode in two carriages and went to the prefect yamen on the other side of the river.

The Zhending government office is much more imposing than the Zhending county government office. The vermilion gate is covered with copper nails, which is solemn and inviolable. In addition to two yamen officers, there are two soldiers guarding the door.After Xia Xiang's carriage stopped, the yamen stepped forward to stop it, and Xu Heguang hurriedly stepped forward and handed over the name stickers.

The yamen servant recognized Xu Heguang, glanced at the name sticker, and suddenly his haughty expression changed, he became more respectful, and crossed his hands in a salute: "It turns out to be Xia Xianzun, no respect, no respect."

Then the yamen came in to report, and after a while, one person came out to greet Xia Xiang.

"Why didn't Xia Xianzun announce in advance, and Zheng Mou also greeted him with water." The newcomer has a weak crown, a medium stature, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and he is quite bold. He walked a few steps and bowed his hands. " After we parted from the capital, we will meet again by the Hutuo River today, and when we meet in a foreign land, we will be ignorant."

It was Zheng Hao who saw Xia Xiang off when he left Beijing.

Zheng Hao is a scholar who Teng Zhengyuan made friends with, and Xia Xiang is not familiar with him, but Zheng Hao specially saw him off, which is also a friendship, and he immediately returned the gift: "Xia has always been grateful for the friendship of brother Zheng's farewell, and he never forgets brother Zheng, come here. After I really took office, I wanted to visit for a long time, but I was busy with official business, and I only had some free time today, so I came to disturb."

"Brother Xia doesn't need to be polite. Zheng Mou also heard about Dong Xian's murder case. Brother Xia is dedicated to the people, and Zheng Mou deeply admires it." Zheng Hao crossed his hands to Xu Heguang again, "Xu Xiancheng is polite."

Xu Heguang is not as good as Zheng Hao in terms of rank. Zheng Hao is a general judge of the seventh-rank Zhending Mansion and a Jinshi. He is far from what Xu Heguang's eighth-rank county magistrate can compare to. Xu Heguang hurriedly returned the gift and said repeatedly: " Don’t dare, don’t dare, I’ve seen Li Tongjue.” But in my heart, I was very grateful for Zheng Hao’s respect for him, and my first impression of Zheng Hao was very good.

Zheng Hao has been in Zhending for several days. He has neither visited friends nor wealthy businessmen. He lives in a secluded place. Many people do not know that the new general judge of Zhending Mansion has taken office.

However, Xia Xiang guessed why Zheng Hao took office in such a low-key position. Although he is the deputy prefect, he has great power. On the surface, he can check and balance the power of the prefect. send.Secretly communicating the sentence also has the responsibility of supervising the prefect, and can directly write to the emperor, which is equivalent to the emperor's eyes and ears monitoring the prefect.

Therefore, the prefect has always had the heart of preventing criminals when it comes to passing the sentence.

A group of people entered the gate. The layout of the magistrate's yamen and the county's yamen is similar, but bigger.Xia Xiang followed Zheng Hao, talking as he walked, and within a few steps, a person came in front of him, it was Li Heng.

Li Hengzheng was walking with his head down. When he looked up and saw Xia Xiang and the others, he was stunned for a moment. Then he hurried forward, first nodding with Zheng Hao, and then saluting Xia Xiang: "Xia County is respectful."

Zheng Hao's face changed slightly, thinking that Xia Xiang was visiting Cui Xiang for the first time, and he was visiting Zhending Palace for the first time. How could he know Li Heng?Xu Heguang was also taken aback, and his eyes were puzzled. Could it be that Xia Xianzun and Li Tuiguan met in private?

Xia Xiang's eyes swept away, and he noticed the abnormality in the eyes of Zheng Hao and Xu Heguang. He thought that it was nothing to clarify his relationship with Li Heng. He smiled and bowed: "Last time I didn't have a good time drinking with Brother Li. , the next time you come again, you will definitely not be drunk."

"Okay, don't go home if you don't get drunk." Li Heng also realized that he was abrupt. Xia Xiang first came to Zhending. Today is the first time to visit Fu Zun, but he had a private meeting with Xia Xiang, and it was passed to Fu Zun , not necessarily a good thing.But since Xia Xiang made it clear, he admitted it generously.

He is a push officer, not a general judge. He is completely under the control of the palace, but he does not need to be overly cautious.

"Xia Xianzun knows Li Tuiguan?" Xu Heguang turned around and glanced at Li Heng's back, his eyelids twitched a few times. Heng is on good terms, and the two important assistants around Fu Zun have a good relationship with Xia Xiang. Isn't every move of Fu Zun in Xia Xiang's hands?
How did Xia Xiang know that Xu Heguang was thinking about it for a while, and he would think so long-term, and replied casually, "It's an acquaintance."

Xu Heguang didn't speak any more, rolled his eyes a few times, and walked with his head down.As soon as he looked up, he was outside the second hall.

Cui Fuzun wants to meet Xia Xiang in the second hall.

The yamen servant in the mansion led the way, opened the door curtain, and Xia Xiang stepped into the second hall.

The layout of the second hall of the prefectural government and the second hall of the county government are similar. Except for the different patterns on the walls, they are almost the same, and even the scenery outside the window is almost the same.It's just that the room is very dark, it is obviously morning, but it gives people a feeling of sunset.The moment Xia Xiang came in, he felt dark in front of him, thinking he had gone to the wrong place.

Taking a closer look, I can't help but realize that there are curtains on each window.Strange thing, with the curtains drawn during the day, the room is so dark, what is wrong with Cui Fuzun?

Cui Xiangduan was sitting behind the desk and was reviewing the official documents. Xia Xiang and several people came in. He didn't notice it, and was still writing.Zheng Hao took a step forward and said softly, "Fu Zun, Xia Xian Zun has arrived."

"Xiaxian Zun..." Cui Xiang raised his head, looked for a moment, fell on Xia Xiang, got up and said, "I heard that you are from Lingshou County, and the climate of Zhending and Lingshou is the same. Okay, no discomfort, right?"

"Thank you Cui Fu Zun, everything is fine." Xia Xiang observed Cui Xiang secretly. Cui Xiang, who was about forty years old, had a slender face, a long beard, a dark yellow complexion, dull eyes, and charred ears. The color, although the appearance is dignified, is in the prime of life, but the whole person is like a dead tree, without the slightest vitality.

In addition to the darkness in the room, there was also a strong smell of traditional Chinese medicine. Xia Xiang understood a little in his heart. Cui Fuzun was afraid that he was ill, and he was still ill for a long time.

Cui Xiang went around the desk, came to Xia Xiang, looked Xia Xiang up and down, and laughed: "Sure enough, he is a young talent, yes, yes, it is the emperor's good fortune to have talents from generation to generation. , come, sit, please sit."

Xia Xiang took a step back and said respectfully: "Cui Fuzun has already won the award, and the lower officials have to rely on Cui Fuzun to give more advice."

"You and I are officials in the same place, and we are destined to share the worries of the emperor and the benefit of the people. We should fulfill our duties and be loyal to the emperor and serve the country." Cui Xiang said something routine, glanced at Xu Heguang casually, and suddenly raised his voice, "Come on , serve tea."

"Cui Fuzun, Xia Xianzun likes to drink tea lightly, it is better for the lower official to go there in person." Xu Heguang didn't wait for Cui Xiang to nod, and turned to go out. There is no hint of his unusual personal relationship with Cui Xiang.

Xia Xiang looked in his eyes and remained calm.Zheng Hao was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and smiled, thinking that Xu Heguang was so eager to show that his personal friendship with Cui Fuzun was invincible, just to make him and Xia Xianzun not despise him.

(End of this chapter)