Jingming

Chapter 172 Who Became a Traitor? !

Inside and outside the city of Guangzhou, news spread that the governor, wearing the sword bestowed by the emperor, went to the local village sage Zheng Juren's bookstore.

Zheng Juren was preparing for the exam with all his heart, and he could only donate 500 taels of silver to show his heart in a catastrophe. The people in the Guangzhou prefecture city knew about this matter - since this period of time, many people in the city have spread the news.

How much food was donated by which gentry and wealthy businessman, and who will be honored by the imperial court next year as the governor is a topic.

Now, the Governor has gone to the bookstore where Zheng Juren used to study in Guangzhou Mansion.

"Master Zheng will definitely be recommended by Mr. Futai. He is also a literary star. If he can go to high school next year, maybe the Guangzhou government can produce a champion!"

"...I think it's a bit weird. If Master Futai heard about Mr. Zheng's virtuous name, why did he wear the sword given by His Majesty? Mr. Zheng is a scholar. How could he wear a sword when he came to visit? He has seen blood..."

The people near Zheng's house were talking about it, and the news had already spread to many families in the Guangzhou mansion.

"Futai went to Zheng Cunzhong's house with a sword and a lot of people?" The well-to-do rich man asked tremblingly, "You read that right? How does Futai look?"

"...The young one just happened to go there to buy some snacks for Aunt Wu, I didn't see Futai's expression clearly, and it was raining again at that time..."

"... Hurry up! Hurry up! Prepare the horse, I'm going to the country village!"

"Sir, the rain hasn't stopped yet."

"Prepare the horse!"

In Nanhaiweili outside Guangzhou, Zhao Jun stood on the school grounds, waiting for the soldiers to gather.

Beside him, there are thousands of households in the guard, and the commander of the commander of the Guangdong capital.

They all know Zhao Jun's identity: the former Jinyi Wei Lingnan Walking, the former minister of His Majesty's hidden residence.

What is the purpose of rushing troops in the rain now?
Zhao Jun was very calm.

Although the decree has not yet come, Chen Jin, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, and Zhu Qi, the commander in chief, have both confessed that everything is under the arrangement of Zhang Fujing.

Just now, he heard the arrangement with the general officer of Guangdong.

Now, General Jiang should also be mobilizing officers and soldiers from the front, rear, left, and right four guards in Guangdong.

All the guards transferred some soldiers to serve on errands, and Zhao Jun knew that the soldiers on hand might not be enough.

Zhang Fujing was taking a big risk: after all, the court's decree had not yet come down, and Zhang Fujing decided to lay the groundwork first.

All because of this hurricane.

No one knows whether there will be a new round of hurricanes in the future.

That's why Zhang Fujing said that he bears the big responsibility!But for the follow-up disaster relief and late rice, there must be no one to make troubles!
Now, Zhang Fujing nodded in front of Zheng Cunzhong, and said words of approval: "You are really familiar with the teachings of the sages. But I don't understand one thing. Since you are so obsessed with fame, why do you have to be distracted to make troubles?" so that the servants are constantly running around, not only frequenting Beijing and Nanjing, but also always going to Chaozhou and Guangzhou counties?"

Zhang Fujing said seriously: "They are all very tired."

"...students have been taking exams for several years, and have more friends."

"'Brother Lu, don't worry about playing bullets. Although Yang Yongxiu didn't take donations from the squires for his own use, there is evidence for accepting bribes and asking for beauties when he participated in politics. I will invite Brother Lu and his family to bring evidence and then come to Beijing. Brothers and brothers There are more than [-] acres of fertile land under my name, and this time the disaster is not serious...'"

Zhang Fujing didn't read the letter again, but stared at Zheng Cunzhong, whose face was pale, and said: "'Guangdong is governed harshly, which has caused a lot of resentment among the people, and the gentry in Guangdong can't bear it. Now the hurricane is raging, and the cruel officials are rampant. From the governor to the governor, down to the government The county yamen is always sending servants, and the common people already sell their sons and daughters, and change their sons to eat each other!" Zheng Dacai, with your dedication to state affairs, I should recommend you to your majesty. Zheng Cunzhong, a son of the Zheng family in Guangdong , is really a genius, when you ask him to be your prime minister, the world will be brought into order. What do you think, a great genius Zheng?"

Zheng Cunzhong heard his yin and yang strangeness, so he could only bite the bullet and say: "The student was born in Guangdong and grew up in Guangdong. Hearing the tragedy, he couldn't help himself, so he made a statement..."

"Then how did you know the facts about accepting and extorting bribes for participating in politics?" Zhang Fujing sneered. ?”

Zheng Cunzhong gritted his teeth, looked directly at him and said, "Students don't know why Futai is staring at the student's house. The students communicate with each other, that's one or two facts. The students have seen and heard it with their own eyes in the Guangzhou mansion. If Futai Came here to handle the case, students can testify who showed it to the students.”

He asked himself that apart from this letter, other things were discussed face to face through various banquets, and the messages passed by the servants did not fall into words.

Although he didn't know when he was being targeted, he was certain that Zhang Fujing was sitting here so patiently now that he had no other evidence in hand.

As for this letter, what happened to Guangdong scholars who were filled with righteous indignation and wrote to the same subject to appeal?
Inform Lu Yushi that the damage to the 700 mu of land his brother bought in Guangzhou is not serious, so what?
Zhang Fujing smiled: "It's been a long time since I played chess, I don't know if you have the pleasure to chat with Ben?"

"... Futai has a life, so I should accompany you."

Zhang Fujing's reaction made him feel extremely uneasy. After ordering the trembling housekeeper to fetch the chess pieces, he looked at Zhang Fujing.

"Ben Fu came to Guangdong for the sake of coming. How about I go ahead with Bai?"

"……Please."

Zhang Fujing picked up a chess piece with a smile, and lightly placed it on Tianyuan.

Zheng Cunzhong looked at the chessboard in astonishment.

Starting with Tian Yuan instead of Bian Xing, does Zhang Fujing not know how to play Go or is his chess skills extremely advanced?

"Historical Records" has a saying: When a king changes his surname and accepts an order, he must be cautious about the beginning.Correct the Shuo, change clothes easily, push the original Tianyuan, and obey Jueyi.

Tianyuan symbolizes the king.

Zheng Cunzhong looked up at the calm Zhang Fujing: he came here under the emperor's order.

Disdain the corners and the ground, but firmly occupy Tianyuan to town the corners?
What is going on outside the house?
How can he confirm that he is the head of this event?
Who made the traitor? !

……

Huo Tao is the imperial censor of Guangdong, and what Huang Zuo placed in front of him now was a stack of papers that made his face turn pale.

"Huang Shenyi, you are also from Cantonese." Huo Tao looked dryly at the young Huang Zuo, "You are asking me to cut myself off from my elders in Guangdong!"

"It's not that I want you to cut yourself off from anyone, it's that the elders in Guangdong want to see if you open up this land for the folks!" Huang Zuo's face was full of gloom, "After the hurricane came, didn't Huo Xunyan notice the tragedy of the people? Wind, next year there will be a strong wind, why do so many households lose their food when there is a strong wind? Where did the food go? Did Mr. Liang recommend you to go out of the mountain to let you turn a blind eye? Or Said, Huo Xunsong thought it was enough to oversee the constitution with his heart when clearing the land last year? You also want to follow the example of Fang Xianfu you recommended to sue for illness?"

Huo Tao's face was flushed red by him.

But after staying in his hometown for ten years as a Jinshi, the Huo family is not so clean.

The court was arguing endlessly, and Huo Tao finally had a bit of luck in his heart.

Until now, seeing the stack of papers in front of him, he said in a shy voice: "If I submit this memorial, with so many prefectures and counties in Guangdong, who will guard the land and the people in a hurry? Master Futai didn't finish them last year. , isn’t it because I know that there will be chaos if everything is done? Even if the court can choose someone to take over as soon as possible, what about the subordinates? Can they do it all? You know this is changing the soup instead of the medicine!”

"I just sent you these crimes under the order of Futai and Fantai. Don't worry about the rest of the matter!"

Huo Tao was still struggling: "At this time, the counselors in the court and the Central Committee are arguing endlessly. The Futai vassal sent these, is it for the people of Guangdong or for the court struggle?"

Huang Zuo looked at him quietly.

The inspector censor is only responsible to the imperial court, even Zhang Fujing and Zhang En cannot order him to do anything.

Huo Tao can decide whether or not to impeach so many officials in Guangdong in the memorial.

Huo Tao felt very painful, he didn't want to see so many crimes.

Since Zhang Fujing and Zhang En ordered Huang Zuo to send it, there is naturally evidence.This is not surprising at all, they are officials under their noses, and some of them are the sinners in last year's batch.

Huo Tao just saw that something was wrong: Isn't the imperial court still arguing over whether to reform the law?Why did Zhang Fujing look like he was going to kill again in Guangdong?

It is certain that His Majesty will be furious when such a memorial is presented in the capital, and it is certain that Yang Tinghe will use it to silence Fei Hong.

Then is it true that taxes and labor will be imposed later?Huo Tao couldn't think of any new law that could make Guangdong's gentry collectively riot without chaos in Guangdong.

"I won the second place because your majesty asked how to make the country rich, and I answered with officials." Huang Zuo suddenly opened his mouth, staring at him and said, "Weixian, you are a Jinshi in Huiyuan High School, and you have studied in Xiqiao Mountain for ten years. Are you a sage?" Did you forget all the teachings?"

Huo Tao's eyes showed a trace of embarrassment, and he said loudly with forgetfulness: "Of course I haven't forgotten! However, Your Majesty has been in power for a long time. At this time, the purpose of the new law is still unclear! If the new law in Guangdong is implemented and abolished, wouldn't it be a torment to the people? "

Huang Zuo's eyes showed disappointment.

Huang Zuo knew about some things, but he couldn't tell Huo Tao.

But even if Huo Tao didn't know the situation behind it, it was still his duty to patrol the constitutional area.

When Huo Tao said this, it could only mean that he was watching and even looking forward to the victory of the "old party" in the court.

So Huang Zuo arched his hands: "I brought the things, and Huo Xun can make his own decision."

Say goodbye and leave.

Huo Tao, who was going to Chaozhou to help deal with the people's siege of Jieyang county government, didn't know what happened in Guangzhou. He could only watch Huang Zuo leave the post house outside Zengcheng County, ride a horse and rush back to Guangzhou city in the rain. .

His eyes fell back to the stack of papers in the room, and he frowned anxiously.

It didn't take long before there was noise in my ears, the footsteps of many people and the neighing of horses outside the station.

Huo Tao walked outside the door and under the eaves, staring at him from a distance.

"Where are these officers and soldiers?" He nervously asked his followers.

After that, he walked out of the post house in the already light rain. At dusk, when it was almost dark, he only saw a person riding a military horse.

"Commander Zhao?" He recognized Zhao Jun, "Are these soldiers going to Chaozhou?"

Zhao Jun just saluted him immediately: "I have a military order, so I won't talk to Huo Xun anymore."

After all, he has led the horse and continued to hold the line, moving forward.

Huo Tao looked at this team of officers and soldiers solemnly, and there were five hundred of them.

He doesn't look like he has much dry food with him, so where is he going?
After a while, his expression changed, and he quickly walked back into the room.

Military order!

In Guangdong, the only people who can issue military orders to Zhao Jun are the governor and the chief military officer.

Zhao Jun is no longer serving as an envoy, he has entered the command and envoy system of the Guangdong capital.

Even Dusi's soldiers were mobilized, which must have been known by the Ministry of War.

Calculating the time, after the hurricane hit the country, it was impossible for the Ministry of War to issue orders so early.

Either Zhang Fujing had no purpose to deploy troops, or he had given him permission long ago.

And Wang Xian of the Ministry of War currently belongs to the old party, how could Fei Hong agree to Yang Tinghe's use of weapons in Guangdong?
Those who can deal with such a big battle are either powerful or government!
There has not been a civil uprising in Chaozhou, so there is no way to do it!Even if something happens in Chaozhou, there are soldiers from Chaozhou Wei and Chenghai, Pengzhou, Haimen and other institutes!

"I got the second place because His Majesty asked how to make the country rich, and I answered with officials."

That was Huang Zuo's last reminder to him.

Huo Tao didn't care about his wet hair, and began to grind ink in a cold sweat.

Inside and outside the city of Guangzhou, the soldiers of the Four Guards of Guangzhou were also divided into several teams, led by different banner officers or hundreds of households.

In the Gongyuan, the second exam was not over yet, and they couldn't hear the footsteps of soldiers in the streets and alleys of Guangzhou Mansion in the night.

Outside the city, there are also many teams rushing to different places in the dark.

The road was muddy, but there was violence and a hint of greed in the eyes of the officers and soldiers.

On the official road in Beizhili, a group of fast horses were still hurrying.

In the center of the horse team was a carriage, and an anxious voice came from inside the carriage: "How far is it to the next posthouse?"

"My lord, there are still about ten miles left, please bear with me."

In the carriage, Xu Guangzuo gritted his teeth with a bitter face and said, "Hurry up!"

Your Majesty has an order, so what can he, the Duke who has been appointed as the head of the former military governor's mansion, do?Huguang Dusi and Guangdong Dusi belonged to the former military governor's office.

The hurricane suddenly came, what happened to Guangdong, the center of the new legal vortex, that required him, the Duke of the country, to go to the town?
Cui Yuan refused to tell the fuck!
What does it mean to ask Zhang Fujing when you arrive in Guangdong?I am a majestic Duke, am I not qualified to know?

A handful of old bones are about to fall apart!
Zhang Fujing, who was muttered by him, dropped a white stone and picked up a black stone.

The rain has stopped temporarily, but there are still raindrops on the eaves.

The lamp was already in the palm of the hand in the bookstore, and this game of chess has been played for more than three hours.

Normally, it doesn't take so long to talk by hand.It's just that every time Zhang Fujing waited for Zheng Cunzhong to settle his son, he kept talking to him about the local conditions and customs in various parts of Guangdong without thinking about it.

Zheng Cunzhong has been suppressing the worries, fears and uneasiness in his heart and politely.

He knew that Zhang Fujing was just showing him one thing: the governors of all prefectures and counties in Guangdong knew it very well.Where are the gentry, what is the relationship between them, and what interesting stories they have had with previous local officials, the governor knows.

This is the reason why Zheng Cunzhong's fear accumulated little by little.

And Zhang Fujing didn't seem to care about winning or losing this game, he just casually stared at a certain piece to rob and kill, completely disregarding the overall situation of the game.

This game of chess, Zhang Fujing has already lost.

But at this official stage, he still insisted on taking it easy.

"...Futai, the student has given in, the game of chess has already been decided. It's getting late, and the humble house has prepared booze. Please come to Futai to enjoy the table."

Zhang Fujing smiled: "In your eyes, is there a winner or loser in this game?"

"...There is a chess game, and there are winners and losers."

"Ben Fu is not here to play chess, but Ben Fu is here to play grass. Aren't you worried that there is something wrong in Guangdong?"

Zheng Cunzhong forced a smile and said, "Students don't understand what Futai means."

Who is grass and who is snake?

Zheng Cunzhong probably had some guesses in his mind, but it was really hard to imagine that Zhang Fujing could be so rude to the gentry.

The officials of the second, third and fourth ranks have fallen, and there are a lot of people in Daming eagerly waiting to fill the vacancies, but it will take a lot of time to reorganize after they come.

Isn't it because Zhang Fujing left behind so many unclean five-six-seven-eight grades because he couldn't kill them all in one go?
But to be so rude to the gentry is to chill the hearts of the entire Guangdong base group.

Sixty to seventy percent of the land tax in Guangdong is on their shoulders!
"I didn't pass the seven tests, but I've been juren for many years." Zhang Fujing smiled lightly, "You guess how many people came to me and wanted me to buy more fields, Did they help me grow it?"

Zheng Cunzhong didn't answer the words, but just listened quietly.

"After Ben Fu became a Jinshi, the elders of the family wrote letters one after another, hoping that I would buy more fields from the clan to my name. Even Ben Fu's three sons were invited by many people to have a banquet, so they agreed. Please let me go." Zhang Fujing paused and sighed, "Ben Fu reckoned that although Ben Fu didn't let go, they are afraid that they have already bought fields in the village and received donations. act."

Zheng Cunzhong stared at him, feeling a glimmer of hope in his heart.

"But you should know that Ben Fu is in Guangdong, and he didn't even buy an acre of land." Zhang Fujing picked up the white son, "Ben Fu insisted on white, not for the sake of being the first, but because I wanted to be more innocent. Today, the world is filthy. The momentum is just like that of your black son. Step by step, combine vertically and horizontally, arrange the overall situation skillfully, and stabilize the frontier. From the perspective of the chess game, the victory and defeat are already divided. Even if the white chess can rob and kill a few sunspots, in terms of the overall situation, it is not The more you lose, the more you lose. If you continue to be an official, it will be a matter of time before you run out of money."

"...The Futai is clean and honest, and the students admire it the most. From the students' point of view, black and white stones are all chess pieces. If the outcome of one game is already divided, the chess pieces will still be chess pieces in another game." He tentatively asked, " Since Futai also feels that the winner has already been decided, why don't you sit in the seat first, and the students will ask Futai for advice?"

"I don't know what you mean by this one more game?" Zhang Fujing asked him seriously, "I use chess as a metaphor for state affairs. You are not stupid, so you can't understand it? This baizi is like an official with a conscience. , this sunspot is like an unscrupulous official gentry who is deliberately planning to embezzle the ground. What do you mean by another round? You might as well make it clear."

Zheng Cunzhong's face froze, and he forced a smile and said: "That's because the student is stupid, he didn't understand the meaning of Futai, the student thought that Futai was just talking about this game of chess."

Zhang Fujing shook his head: "Ben Fu has a very good memory. I remember every word you said. Ben Fu first talked about his family's purchase of land, and then he felt sorry for the game in front of him. You said that if there is another In the game, the chess pieces are still chess pieces. I don’t know how His Majesty will feel after hearing this conversation.”

"...What is wrong with the students? There is no reason to punish them if they want to commit crimes. My lord Futai, if you punish a student for chatting outside the office, the world will not accept it."

When Zheng Cunzhong heard that he was going to put a huge hat on his head, he could no longer pretend to be stupid.

"People from all over the world?" Zhang Fujing laughed, "Come on, let's play another round. This round is only a metaphor for Guangdong, so you have to play with your heart."

The chessboard is clean, Zhang Fujing still holds the white, but he said: "I will give you nine pieces."

Zheng Cunzhong only felt humiliated.Let Jiuzi, do you think I'm a child who doesn't know how to play chess?

Having spoken so clearly, he knew that he could not escape this time, so he cast eight stars without hesitation, and the last one fell on Tian Yuan, and then he raised his head and stared at Zhang Fujing.

"Good momentum!" Zhang Fujing praised, picked up the white stone and placed it casually.It neither sticks to any side star to compete for a corner, nor does it lay out in the hinterland.

Zheng Cunzhong frowned tightly, and then began to guard a corner without hesitation.

Zhang Fujing laughed, picked up the white piece and knocked it lightly on the black piece at Tianyuan, occupying its position like a chess piece, and threw the black piece into the yard casually.

Zheng Cunzhong suddenly changed color.

And outside a manor on the outskirts of Nanhai County, the servants on the wall hid behind a few wooden shields and shouted in horror: "This is the Lei family's private house! Which bandits are you pretending to be officers and soldiers? Do you know that this is the Is it the property of Mr. Song, who participated in politics in Shaanxi? There are nearly a thousand strong servants in my village, and the master of Qianwei Qianhu in Guangzhou is our master's brother!"

But a staggering man with a fat head and big ears came out from the ranks of officers and soldiers. He was covered in mud and cried, "Open the gate of the village!"

"Master, why do you..."

"Quickly open the gate for Lao Tzu!"

(End of this chapter)