Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Mingze Lane, Jinling.

After listening to Zou Miner's words, Jia Cong looked at the resume document in his hand, and his thoughts surged for a moment.

The first time he met Du Hengxin was at the groundbreaking ceremony of Da Ci'en Temple two years ago.

The last time I saw him was when the improved red cannon was escorted into the Capital Commander's Arsenal.

Although he had been to Nanjing twice and had some contact with officials from various departments in Nanjing, he had only met the chief officer of the Commandery twice.

The first military officer of the Nanzhili Guards left a very good impression on him. He was amiable and calm, with a generous demeanor. He did not have the domineering air that was common among military officers, and had the gentle and benevolent demeanor of a superior.

Compared with Zhang Kangnian, his former deputy who was cold, shrewd and taciturn, Jia Cong found Du Hengxin's demeanor much more pleasing to the eye.

But such a person hides such a bizarre background. It really shows that you can't judge a person by his appearance.

Jia Cong opened Du Hengxin's resume and read it carefully.

Zou Min'er made a lot of written annotations on it, covering the entire information more completely, which shows that she put a lot of effort into this document at that time.

Zou Miner said: "This set of resume documents was collected by the staff of Jinling Zhongche Division over the years, and I retrieved it from them later.

It says here that fifteen years ago, the present emperor was still the Prince of Qi in the imperial palace. Under the orders of the retired emperor, he stayed in Nanjing and communicated with wealthy merchants in the south of the Yangtze River to raise money and food for disaster relief.

When the King of Qi finished his business in Jinling and returned to the capital, he suddenly mobilized a small flag officer from the Jinling Guard to accompany him back to the capital. This person was Du Hengxin.

Du Hengxin only stayed in Shenjing for less than half a year, that is, after the current emperor ascended the throne, and was suddenly transferred back to Jinling Guard for unknown reasons.

However, within just half a year, he was promoted twice from a small flag officer to a centurion.

During the next ten years, he did not stand out in the Jinling Guards, but he worked steadily and steadily and rose through the ranks step by step, which was not easy for someone with no background at all.

Five years ago, he was finally promoted to the high position of Jinling Commander-in-Chief, and three years ago, he was promoted to the commander of the Jinling Commandery, becoming the number one person in the Nanzhili Guards. "

Jia Cong was also shocked when he read Du Hengxin's resume.

A small garrison flag and an inconspicuous seventh-rank military officer turned around and became a second-rank frontier official in just over ten years. It was truly remarkable.

Seeing Jia Cong's suspicious expression and silence, as if he was thinking about something, Zou Min'er asked, "Do you feel something is unusual?"

Jia Cong said thoughtfully: "In the Great Zhou, the promotion of officials is very particular about both civil and military affairs.

Even if a civil servant came from a humble family, as long as he could pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, and then accumulate decades of achievements, it would not be surprising for him to enter the cabinet and take charge of government affairs.

But if you stagnate in the imperial examinations and do not become a Jinshi, you can only reach the fifth rank throughout your life. For example, I am only a Juren, and my limit is the fifth rank.

However, the promotion of military officers is very different from that of civil officials. Those who can climb to the high positions of third-rank military officers and above are all children of noble families.

It is no exaggeration to say that it is extremely rare for someone born in a poor family or with an obscure background to be promoted to a third-rank military position. In short, it is an extremely difficult task.

Du Hengxin was born into the Jinling Du family, a family that was exterminated for colluding with the Hidden Sect to rebel. This was the biggest stain on him, and was even more humble than being born into an ordinary poor family.

Moreover, the imperial court has always been very tolerant of the affairs of the Hidden Sect, and would rather kill the wrong person than let him go. How could someone with Du Hengxin's status possibly climb to the high position of a second-rank military officer?"

Zou Miner was born into a family of fourth-rank military officers, so she naturally understood the unspoken rules of a military officer's career. What Jia Cong said was exactly the current situation in officialdom.

She was somewhat surprised and said, "With such an unfavorable family background, he can only be promoted to the second rank of military commander unless there is an extremely powerful nobleman behind him to support him."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "You are right, is there any nobleman in this world more powerful than the current emperor?

Du Hengxin's resume document stated that the emperor, who was in the Prince of Qi's residence at the time, returned to the capital after finishing his business in Nanjing.

Among all the officials in Nanjing, it seemed that only Du Hengxin, a seventh-rank small flag officer, could catch the emperor's eye, so he was brought back to the capital from Nanjing, and then promoted twice and transferred back to Nanjing.

This laid the foundation for Du Hengxin's success in officialdom and his advancement.

In terms of time, the emperor brought Du Hengxin back to the capital only after the Du family was convicted and executed in Jinling.

You just said that the emperor was in Nanjing to raise funds for disaster relief in Jiangnan, but someone suddenly informed the emperor, which led to the confiscation of the Du family's property and the extermination of the whole family."

Zou Miner understood what Jia Cong meant and said with fear on her face: "Are you saying that the person who informed on the matter was Du Hengxin? How could it be him?

Du Hengchang is his cousin. If he was the one who informed on the matter, wouldn't he be pushing his entire family to a dead end? This man is too cruel."

Jia Cong sneered: "How else can we explain that Du Hengxin is a member of the Du family, and the Du family suffered the disaster of confiscation of property and extermination of the clan, but he was able to escape unscathed.

He was even appreciated by the emperor, transferred to the capital, and promoted twice, so the person who informed on the Du family back then was most likely this person. "

Zou Miner was horrified when she heard this. There were many tragedies in this world that started from within the family, but it still sounded a bit sensational to hear it happen to her.

……

Jia Cong started to have contact with Emperor Jia Zhao when he thought about the false accusation he encountered in the imperial examination. Every time he dealt with the emperor in front of the emperor, it was not an easy task.

This emperor is shrewd, cunning, extremely intelligent, suspicious, and does not follow the usual rules. He is an extremely powerful person.

Du Hengxin is willing to kill even his closest relatives in order to make his own fortune. Such a ruthless person may be just what the emperor wants in some places and be a suitable weapon for him to use in his plans.

He would only keep this thought to himself and would never tell anyone else.

Zou Miner said, "We have been in Nanjing for quite some time. The China Railway Corporation collects officials' dynamics and words and deeds on a daily basis. How come such a shocking old story has never been mentioned by officials in Nanjing?"

Jia Cong replied: "In fact, this situation is not surprising. The Great Zhou Dynasty has a system of floating officials. Officials take exams every three years and are promoted, transferred, or demoted.

In short, officials usually serve in one place for no more than three years, and it is very rare for them to serve for more than five years.

Among the military forces of the garrisons, personnel changes were even more frequent, with military officers and soldiers retiring to the countryside every year due to old age.

The Du family incident happened fifteen years ago. It has been too long a time. The civil and military officials in Jinling officialdom have been replaced several times, and the old stories are hard to find.

It is extremely rare for someone like Du Hengxin to have been immersed in the Jinling Guards for more than ten years.

Besides, you also said that the officials who handled the Du family's treason case all ended up with a bad end.

This matter is also related to the change of the crown prince. It is a serious matter and the court will definitely downplay it and cover it up to avoid confusing the public.

Even if there were elderly people in Jinling who knew the truth, most of them were retired and in their twilight years. Du Hengxin was in a high position, so they dared not publicize the matter.

Therefore, it is understandable that no one among the officials mentioned or discussed the matter, and the China Railway Corporation monitored the situation and found no trace of it.

If the Zhongche Division had not had Du Hengxin's official career documents, and you had not obtained the secret from the old official in Liuhe, the two would have been able to verify each other and thus know Du Hengxin's secret. Few people would have gone to the bottom of the matter, cited a wide range of sources, and explored the root cause like we did."

……

Zou Miner continued, "Du Hengxin has a sinister heart and holds a high position in the Guards. Zhou Zhengyang and my father are both under his command. Is the Water Supervision Bureau case related to him?"

Jia Cong replied: "It is not impossible. After all, he is the chief of the Southern Zhili Guards. He holds a high position and has great power. It is probably much easier for him to do anything than an ordinary person.

However, what happened to the Du family back then can only prove that this person is a ruthless person, but it cannot prove that he is related to the major case of the Water Supervision Bureau. At least there is no relevant evidence at present.

In comparison, his then deputy minister Zhang Kangnian is more likely to be suspected.

If it weren't for Zhang Kangnian's sudden words at the Zou Mansion birthday banquet, your father might not have committed suicide on the spot, and many inside stories of the Water Supervision Bureau case would not have been lost. "

When Zou Miner heard him talk about the old days, she felt as if a needle was stabbing her heart and her face turned pale instantly.

Jia Cong knew what she was thinking, so he stretched out his hand to tuck the quilt around her and sighed, "When Zhou Zhengyang got into trouble, the Ministry of War in the secondary capital was suspected of failing to monitor the situation.

However, Zhang Kangnian seemed to have known the secret long ago. Through mediation, he allowed the Temporary Capital Military Department to take the initiative in the matter and made many brilliant moves, which made the Jinling Military Command pale in comparison.

He even used this incident to establish his prestige in the military department of the secondary capital and seize all power.

From any angle you look at it, he has benefited greatly from both.

There is a common sense in all matters of private crime: whoever benefits the most is the most suspicious. "

When Zou Min'er saw him doing this intimate act of tucking the quilt, which seemed so natural and comfortable and close, the pain in her heart was somehow alleviated by three points.

He muttered to himself: "Whoever benefits the most is the most suspicious..."

She found Jia Cong's words interesting and although a little strange, they made sense when she thought about it carefully. She didn't know how he came up with such strange ideas.

……

Jia Cong continued, "In the past, apart from searching for Zhou Zhengyang's whereabouts, we focused our attention on Zhang Kangnian. What you said makes sense, and we should pay more attention to Du Hengxin in the future.

It's just that the matter of searching for secrets is the responsibility of your director of the China Railway Corporation. After you have recovered for a few more days and your injuries are more stable, I will help you contact the China Railway Corporation in Jinling.

Have them start paying attention to Du Hengxin's behavior, or you can transfer a woman from the car company to serve you..."

Zou Min looked at him deeply and said quietly, "I don't intend to let the people from the China Railway Corporation know that I'm still alive."

Jia Cong was slightly stunned when he heard this.

Zou Miner said: "You said that in order to protect me from another assassination attempt, you announced that I was dead.

Moreover, Mr. Zhang used the magic of golden needles, and even the coroner in Yingtian Prefecture could not detect any flaws. Now everyone in Nanjing believes that I am dead.

I believe that it won't be long before the news reaches the Shenjing Jiaofangsi, and Qing Niangzi and the Shenjing Zhongchesi will also know about it.

I am just a musician in the Jiaofang Bureau, the daughter of a convicted official who has committed a serious crime. If someone like me dies, no one will care...

This is the perfect opportunity. In the backyard of Qingyin Pavilion, Zou Min'er has been stabbed to death. From now on, this person will no longer exist in the world. Only by dying like this can we be truly clean. "

Jia Cong could hear the sadness in Zou Miner's words, but more of it was the relief of having had a heavy burden lifted off his shoulders, and he couldn't help feeling a little sad.

When Zou Miner said that only death could bring true purity, Jia Cong understood something.

Zou Miner continued, "My father was convicted of a crime, and I was demoted to the Jiaofangsi by the imperial court. The emperor's decree and iron-clad decree meant that I would be a lowly official in the Jiaofangsi for the rest of my life.

The emperor's words are golden, and his will is clear. Even if I join the Imperial Chariot Division, I will never be able to wash away my status as a lowly member of the Jiaofang."

When Zou Miner said this, she couldn't help but shed tears. The destruction of her family was the most devastating blow to her.

For a girl in the boudoir, reduced to a lowly position in the Music Bureau and having to entertain people with music for a living, this is the heaviest and inescapable humiliation in her heart.

Jia Cong reached out to wipe away her tears. Zou Miner smiled at him and said, "I have never done anything wrong. I shouldn't have ended up like this in my life. This is the best outcome."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I never thought that there would be such a benefit from telling such a big lie in Qingyin Pavilion that day. Since you think so, you should just focus on healing your wounds.

Xinchunhao has branches all over Jiangnan and has accumulated some personal connections.

No matter where you want to go in the future, I will try to help you arrange an identity, and I will take care of everything you need so that you can live a stable life."

Zou Min'er blushed and asked, "Why are you willing to help me?"

Jia Cong thought about it for a moment, and originally didn't want to say it, but he said it after all: "Back then, I went to Zou Mansion to arrest your father because he committed a crime. It was out of national law and justice, and I have a clear conscience.

But I didn't expect to let you fall into such a state. Like you said, you never did anything wrong. In the final analysis, I feel guilty about you.

The laws of nature are unpredictable, the world is full of disasters, cause and effect are cyclical, how can everything be determined by humans? Neither you nor I are wrong.

I will do my best to do everything I can for you, even if you resent me in your heart, that is reasonable."

Jia Cong's words made Zou Min'er tremble all over, as if every word struck her heart. The tears that had just been wiped away could not stop flowing again and she couldn't stop them no matter what.

It seems that there is a lot of injustice and unfairness in my heart, but also there seems to be an indescribable relief and pain. It is a mixture of emotions that is hard to describe.

Outside the window, a new rain poured down without warning, as if the heaven and earth had been accumulating energy for a long time and finally found the opportunity to vent.

The rain was falling very fast. The tiles on the eaves were crackling with the raindrops. The scenery outside the window was hazy in the heavy rain.

Only after a while, the sound of the rapid rain subsided a little, but the rain was still heavy, and the dripping rain was so dense that it seemed like a silk curtain hanging from the sky.

The bluestone slabs in the yard, the green moss on the stone steps, and the wild grass growing tenaciously in the cracks of the stones all appear increasingly fresh and green under the wash of rain, and are full of vitality as if reborn.

The transparent and moist water vapor flows into the house, making the air in the room cool and pleasant.

At some point, Jia Cong was sitting at the head of the bed. Zou Min'er leaned softly in his arms, with the tears on her face not yet dried. Jia Cong gently embraced her slender shoulders, and her hands were around his waist.

The fragrance is warm and tender, the skin is icy and the arms are soft, the love is silent.

I don't know how long this strange state lasted. The entanglements and hatreds hidden deep in my heart, and the pain caused by the sharp edges of the past, all seemed to fade away at this moment.

The world is empty and the affairs of the world are like dust. Even in the distant future, we will still be people on the wrong path. As long as we can care for each other at this moment, it is enough to walk through the dark and cold road in the future. (End of this chapter)