Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 294 Great gains

In the West Nuan Pavilion of the Yangxin Hall, ambergris incense is burning in the cloisonné enamel crane, river cliff and seawater pattern cauldron. Light smoke curls up from the crane's mouth. Spring fills the room. Emperor Xifeng has just had lunch and took a short rest. After a break, he started reviewing the memorials again.

Dai Quan came in silently like an old cat, bowed and said: "Long live the Lord, I just got the news that early this morning, Dang Koubo took people to Beizhen Fusi to 'collect' food and wages, and emptied the Beisi warehouse. He said that he also took away all the files and prisoners.

Even Tang Yan, the governor of Beizhen, was 'invited' back to Nansi, saying that he would assist in the investigation. "

Emperor Xifeng was slightly startled and said with a smile: "I knew this boy was not a good person, and the Jinyi Guards must be rectified by him. Where is Wan Jin?"

"Commander Wan heard the news and rushed to him, but there was nothing he could do. He watched helplessly as the people of the Southern Division evacuated the Northern Division. Dang Koubo's extraordinary skills were outstanding. He was really brave and resourceful. He opened up the situation in an instant. It shows that His Majesty knows People are wise." Dai Quan smiled.

Emperor Xifeng said: "I hope this kid doesn't just care about his head and body. Grabbing things is not considered a skill, only his ability can be defended. If you point at me to support him, then he has made a wrong calculation."

Dai Quan said: "I think privately that Dang Koubo is a border general with both civility and military prowess, both wisdom and courage. He should not act recklessly and must have a plan. Otherwise, wouldn't he be living up to His Majesty's kindness of knowing others?"

Emperor Xifeng nodded: "I hope so. Let people keep an eye on him and don't let him get into too much trouble, especially if it involves that side."

"Yes, I understand." Dai Quan bowed and stepped back, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes. This boy Jia Cong really caught His Majesty's eye. He wanted to use him, but he was also afraid that something might happen to him.

Emperor Xifeng looked at the dark clouds outside the window, and was lost in thought for a moment. A cold and stern look flashed in his eyes, and he asked Jia Cong to stir up the muddy water and throw stones to ask for directions.
-

In the inner hall of Fusi in Beizhen, the commander Wan Jin's face was as gloomy as dripping water, and all the four thousand households in Beizhen were full of anger.

Wan Jin took a sip of ginseng tea and said, "You are also old men of Jinyiwei. Tell us your thoughts."

Guo Jin, who was in charge of the execution of thousands of households, said in a deep voice: "Jia Cong is arrogant and deceives others too much. We must severely interfere with him. Not only in front of me today, but also to report to the Emperor Ming and ask him to tell me. If the Emperor has a purpose, Then everything will be settled."

Everyone nodded.

Wan Jin said: "I will tell the Second Saint about this matter, but you don't have to have any hope in it."

Everyone was busy asking why.

Wan Jin said: "Jia Cong is the current one. Even if I participate in the performance, it will just be a result of staying in and not playing. This is not difficult to predict. As for Ningshou Palace..."

"How? Jia Cong is so rebellious and dishonest. Doesn't it matter that the Supreme Emperor doesn't care?" the crowd asked.

Wan Jin sighed: "What happened today, Jia Cong seems to be bold, but in fact he is quite measured. Stealing money can be said to be receiving food and wages. They have not received a penny of money for several years, shouldn't they? Take away the criminal files , it can be said that it is the right to exercise supervision, which is also the right reason.

It can be said that hurting others is because the subordinates have no respect and inferiority, and the subordinates offend the superiors. Jia Cong, this kid, is both rough and thin, but he doesn't leave any clues. Tell me, how does the Supreme Emperor issue an edict? What's more, Jia Cong is behind Jin Shang, so the Supreme Emperor has to think carefully and will not touch him rashly. "

Everyone nodded, Commander Wan's inference was reasonable and reasonable.

"It's not polite to come back but not go back. We must show some tricks, otherwise the prestige of Beitang will be lost." Qiu Quanshi, who is in charge of thousands of households, said coldly.

"Yes! We must not swallow our anger. It doesn't matter who his favorites and confidants are. If we don't give him some color, he is afraid that he will think that there is no one in the Jinyi Guard." Everyone said in unison.

Wan Jin nodded and said: "It depends on your abilities. Jia Cong's rise was short-lived, and he mainly experienced it in Liaodong. The mountains are high and the roads are far away, and Yang Xiong is protecting him. It is quite inconvenient to investigate and collect evidence..."

Qiu Quanshi sneered and said: "That's all Jia Cong. Could it be that all the more than a thousand members of his Jia family are clean? Now that he is the leader of the Jia family in the officialdom, if the people below him make mistakes, how can he, the head of the family, do anything wrong? Escape intact?"

Guo Jin touched his palm and smiled and said: "That's a very good thing to say. Using the Jia family members to get on top of him is our specialty."

Master Qianhu Chetu said thoughtfully: "It's just that all the files are lost now. If we want to start from the beginning, I don't know how much effort it will take."

Mao Qianshan, who is in charge of thousands of soldiers, said: "It's not difficult. As long as Mr. Wan says hello to Eunuch Xia, and the files from the East Factory are lent to us, it's the same thing. The factory guards are from the same family, and I think Eunuch Xia is also happy. Do us this little favor.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Xia Shouzhong, the eunuch of the Sixth Palace, was a confidant of the Supreme Emperor. He also served as the "Imperial Envoy Governor Dongchang Official School Service Eunuch", referred to as "Admiral Dongchang", commonly known as the Factory Lord or the Governor.

Many of the thousands and hundreds of households in Fusi, Beizhen, worked part-time in the East Factory, and they were all secret agents supported by the Supreme Emperor himself, so it was said that the factory guards were all from the same family.

Wan Jin said: "I'll go see Eunuch Xia later, and we'll see what happens. I just want to say that this matter must be handled properly, so that outsiders can't see our joke, and Jia Cong must be impressed." "

"Yes! I understand."
-

Nanzhen Fusi, guard prison.

"Master Xu, Master Fan, Master Gao, Master Tian, ​​all my lords, I have wronged you to stay here for a few days. I will find out the truth and then report it to the court to restore your innocence." Jia Cong cupped his hands and said with a smile. Various monastery officials were sent to cells.

Everyone hurriedly cupped their hands and thanked him.

"Uncle Robert, I'll wait for good news."

"Uncle, you have taken the trouble, and we are deeply grateful."

"I can't believe that among the Jinyi Guards, there is such a chivalrous and courageous person as my uncle, my emperor is a wise man!"

Jia Cong smiled and said: "My lords, you are welcome. How can we, who are in charge of the judiciary, not distinguish between loyal and traitors? The cold winter has come, and the prison is simple. I am afraid there will be neglect. My lords, please write a letter and call your family to send some warm clothes, wine and food." Come, I will send someone to deliver a letter to your house." He waved and ordered people to bring paper and pen.

"Thank you for your kindness, sir. I will never forget it." All the officials were moved to tears. Such a clean cell, such caring Nanzhen envoys, and no need to be tortured made them feel like they were in another world.

"Hey, they are both working for the imperial court, so why should we distinguish each other? Cong is not that thing in Bei Division that eats people without spitting out their bones. He will definitely be punished impartially."

"Your Excellency is wise, and I admire you." Everyone bowed their hands together.

"Okay, gentlemen, please have a rest. Please take good care of the person who is coming, and have hot water and tea ready. Don't neglect it. There is no need to close the cell door. The adults can walk around in the prison if they have nothing to do." Jia Cong ordered. Just two sentences and left.

"Yes." The two primary schools agreed hurriedly.

"We will send you off to your uncle." All the officials bowed to the ground afterwards, all grateful.

Jia Cong turned around, his expression turned cold, thinking about rescuing and letting go of these corrupt officials, he felt quite uncomfortable. After all, he was not a mature politician, and it was his first time to do such a dirty political deal, and he felt very uncomfortable.

After going to the main hall and sitting down on the Taishi chair, with his feet up on the table and looking at the captains carrying things back and forth, Jia Cong felt a little proud in his heart. What a bunch of bullshit Beizhen Fusi, a bunch of local chickens and dogs.

Suddenly, Fang Ji and other four thousand households came to report.

"Your Majesty, the relevant people's property has been put into the warehouse and inventoried. Please show me."

"Well, let's go to the inner hall to discuss matters."

Everyone followed Jia Cong to the inner hall and sat down.

"Let's talk about today's harvest first." Jia Cong said.

"Your Excellency, I have received a total of rations today: 3251 ingots of gold, totaling 10375 taels. More than 125 million taels of silver, hundreds of antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and gold and jade utensils. In addition to some worthless sundries and some copper coins, the brothers brought Bei Si It's as empty as a warehouse." Fang Ji said with a smile. Everyone couldn't help but laugh, it was so fun today.

Jia Cong nodded and said: "It's okay. This amount of money is enough for the time being. Xiaowei, Lishi, Xiaoqi, and General Banner each receive 500 taels, 800 households and trial 2000 households each receive 3000 taels, and deputy households each receive taels. Two, each thousand households will receive taels, which will be used as wages for the past few years."

Everyone was overjoyed and said in unison: "Let me thank you for the reward on behalf of the brothers." This money was far more than the royal salary they deserved.

Jia Cong waved his hand: "I am also from the army. It is natural to serve as a soldier and eat food. It is not a reward. In addition, I announce that from now on, Nansi will set up the fifth largest thousand households, one thousand households with wealth! In charge of all money and food expenditures and income of this company .Fan Ming, please take on this important responsibility."

"Your Excellency is wise and should have set up this post long ago to prevent money transactions from being confused." Everyone hurriedly agreed in unison and congratulated Fan Ming repeatedly. It was obvious that this thin man like a scholar was a confidant of the Governor.

Fan Ming has been practicing in Liaodong for several years. He is no longer the poor scholar he was when he heard about becoming an official. Hearing this, he stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your appreciation of your humble position. I will definitely live up to your trust."

The dignified Jin Yiwei has the power of thousands of households and is a fifth-rank official. This is much more prestigious than the small experience of being an eighth-rank official in Liaodong.

Everyone knows that the chief Qianhu in the Jinyi Guard has always been in charge of the execution of thousands of families, and is in charge of the life and death of prisoners. Now Fan Ming, the chief of Qianhu, is at least the second in charge and is in charge of the money bag. What kind of power, who doesn't want it?

Jia Cong raised his palm slightly, everyone stood silent, and said: "Let's talk business first."

Zhou Wei cupped his hands and said: "Your Excellency, there are 57 prisoners transferred this time, including 14 prisoners, all of whom are Beijing officials of fifth rank or above. There are 43 ordinary prisoners. Please make your decision."

Jia Cong pondered for a moment and said: "Those 43 prisoners will not be punished in vain, they will be judged according to the law, and there will be no flaws. Nansi wants to re-establish authority, how to establish it? Honesty breeds Ming, and integrity breeds prestige. Is it clear? ?”

"Yes! Please follow your teachings." Everyone said in unison.

"The other 14 prisoners will be detained for now and will not be interrogated for the time being."

"Yes." Zhou Weidao said, and immediately glanced at Jia Cong, bowed and said, "I just humbled myself and listened to the Lord asking the prisoners to ask their families to bring food and wine. I thought it was inappropriate."

Everyone nodded slightly in agreement.

"Why? But it doesn't matter." Jia Cong said puzzledly.

"You can give away clothes, but not food and wine. Beware of the dirty tricks of the Northern Division. If they poison the food of each house and cause these dozen officials to die in the Southern Prison, we will have a hard time explaining it. We will not be able to explain. Zhou Wei said in a deep voice.

Jia Cong was startled and nodded slowly: "That makes sense, I almost made a big mistake. Zhou Qianhu, consider everything carefully, okay. You can handle this matter as long as you entertain those officials every day." "

"Yes. Your Excellency, this is a matter of humble duty." Zhou Wei said.

"Your Majesty, today we have collected more than 18,500 files, all of which are from the past twenty years. They are divided into six categories: clan, nobles, officials, gentry, common people, foreigners, and those with humble positions and honors are stepping up. Clean up." Wen Zhen cupped his hands.

Jia Cong thought for a while and said: "Ignore the rest for now. First, sort out the files of the 14 prisoners and 43 prisoners. The Nan Division has not investigated the case for many years. Now that the case is being re-examined, there must be no mistakes!"

"Yes."

"The next step is to clean up the major and important cases handled by the Northern Division over the years, find out the unjust, false and wrong cases, and provide evidence for my impeachment of Wan Jin and Tang Yan," Jia Cong said.

"Yes, I understand." Everyone said.

"Speaking of Tang Yan, what do you think?" Jia Cong asked.

Everyone looked at Zhou Wei. He was responsible for punishing thousands of households and interrogating prisoners. This was his job.

Zhou Weiwei pondered for a moment and said, "Sir, Tang Yan is appointed by the Supreme Emperor. We invite him back to assist in the investigation. It doesn't matter. He is a veteran in prison, and ordinary punishment materials are of little use.

If severe punishment is used, if he is accidentally killed, we will be passive. If the Supreme Emperor becomes angry and blames us, he may not protect us to the death. Then the pressure will be on us, and we will be unable to move forward. "

Everyone said so.

Jia Cong also nodded in approval.

"Therefore, I want to use the punishment of 'listening to the rain' to force him to submit." Zhou Weidao.

"Wonderful, wonderful." Everyone said, stroking their palms, "It won't hurt a single hair, and it will be as charming as possible. Lao Zhou really has two brushes."

Jia Cong hurriedly asked why.

Zhou Wei said with a smile: "This punishment is very simple. All you need to do is tie the prisoner to an iron bed, blindfold his eyes so that his head cannot move, put a kettle on top, and slowly drip water droplets on the prisoner's eyebrows, day and night. It's like a continuous drizzle, so it's called 'Tingyu'."

Jia Cong frowned and said, "Such a punishment is neither painful nor itchy, is it useful?"

Everyone laughed and said, "Don't worry, sir. No matter how tough a man is, he will never survive three to five days. The best thing is that the prisoner is not harmed at all. No one dares to say that we were beaten into submission."

"Is it really so magical?" Jia Cong didn't believe it.

Zhou Weidao said: "In my humble position, I have treated five or six desperadoes and gangsters with this punishment. I have also served several high-ranking civil servants who are said to be unyielding and would rather die than surrender. No one has ever been able to survive three days without being punished."

"Okay! Tang Yan will leave it to you."

"Yes."

"Double Eagle, leave 300 personal soldiers, and deploy some Jurchen warriors and fine dogs to guard Nansi. However, if there are any small intruders, no matter who they are, they will be killed."

"Yes! Third Master." Yan Shuangying accepted the order with his hands raised.

"Well, Fang Qianhu is looking for two thousand young men with clean wealth and quick minds these days to supplement the troops of the Southern Division. If you want to use money in the future, go to Fan Ming."

"I accept my order." Everyone smiled at Fan Ming and said, "Fan Qianhu will take care of his brothers in the future."

"How dare you? How dare you. I still want to ask for two helpers from the elder brothers."

"It's just a trivial matter, what's it worth? If Brother Fan likes anyone, just take him with him, I won't give a shit." Everyone cupped their hands and laughed.

"That's it, you all go and do your own business," Jia Cong said.

Everyone stood up and left.

Wen Zhen fell behind and stopped when he saw everyone leaving.

"Old Wen, what's the matter?" Jia Cong asked upon seeing this.

(End of this chapter)