Song Yi

Chapter 384
Both of them heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this, and Ke Yao put on a strong face and said, "At first I remembered it clearly, but I forgot it when I got nervous, otherwise, I would have won this round!"

Xue Fei'er sneered and said: "Afterwards, everyone will be Zhuge Liang, I will talk about it if I have the ability to win."

"Okay, brother, you continue to ask!"

Du Wenhao was about to agree, when suddenly Yingzi came in and said, "Young Master, Master Pang Da and Master Yin Cai of the capital are here to visit! We are waiting in the flower hall."

This Master Pang is Pang Yuqin's father, Pang Jinghui, an official in Kaifeng Prefecture, the capital city.Du Wenhao, the governor of the capital, had never dealt with him before.Hearing that the two of them came to visit together, I was a little puzzled. I didn't know why, so I hurriedly put on my official robes and walked to the flower hall.

Entering the living room, I saw a row of large gift boxes of nanmu in the corner. Pang Jinghui and Cai Fuyin were having tea and talking at the guest table. When they saw him coming in, they both stood up.

Du Wenhao rushed forward and bowed to Pang Jinghui: "My son-in-law has met his father-in-law!"

Pang Jinghui nodded, with a smile all over his face, stepped aside to the person beside him, and said to Du Wenhao: "My son-in-law, this lord is Mr Cai Jingcai, the governor of our capital!"

Cai Jing?The name is so familiar, Du Wenhao thought like lightning, and immediately thought, this Cai Jing is the Grand Master Cai who tossed about the birth date in "Water Margin"?If it was really him, then this old boy was one of the most treacherous ministers in the late Northern Song Dynasty, and he was as famous as Gao Qiu.But looking at it now, this person is only about forty years old, with a straight nose and square mouth, and a dignified appearance. He doesn't look like an obscene and traitorous minister, so he doesn't know if he is or not.Most of the ancients had a single name, so there were a lot of people with the same name and surname, and I can't remember the name and name of the treacherous minister Cai Taishi in the Water Margin, and whether he was the governor of Kaifeng, it is difficult to distinguish.

Cai Jing saw that Du Wenhao was staring at him, his face was cloudy, he didn't speak, he didn't show courtesy, he didn't know what he was thinking, so he hurriedly bowed his hands and said, "I've seen Master Du before!"

This Cai Jing is the prefect of the Kaifeng government in the capital city, and his rank is from the third rank. Du Wenhao is the criminal officer who handles various criminal and prison affairs. Song Shenzong was very upset, deliberately suppressed him, and only gave him a fourth grade.Originally, he was one level lower than Cai Jing, but because Du Wenhao was bestowed with a purple-clothed goldfish bag, which is a sign of a senior official above the third rank, Cai Jing called himself a lowly position.

Du Wenhao came back to his senses when he heard the salute, and hurriedly bowed to salute, and respectfully led him to his seat.Yingzi served Du Wenhao tea on a black lacquer and gold tray, then bowed and retreated.

Cai Jing laughed, and said: "I heard that Mr. Du donates money generously, is generous, often helps the weak and the needy, and his humble position thinks that his mansion must be rich in gold and silver. Unexpectedly, when I arrived at your mansion today, I saw that the furnishings are simple and there are few servants. I heard from Mr. Pang Da that Mrs. Du and his wife do everything by themselves, and the maid who is close to her is only Yingzi, who was married as a dowry. Mr. Du is in an important position and is the arm of the Holy One. It is so simple and unimaginable, which really makes the lowly admiration , and feel ashamed again."

Du Wenhao was stunned for a moment, looking around, he really felt that his house was a little rough, especially the servants. This was mainly because he didn't regard himself as a master at all, and he was not used to people even serving in the latrine, and Pang Yuqin also It's just Xiaojia Biyu, not to mention Lian'er, Xue Fei'er and Lin Qingdai. The family doesn't feel like a big family. They like to do many things by themselves, so they just buy some servants.Hearing what Cai Jing said now, he smiled, cupped his hands and said, "Lord Cai came to the humble house, isn't he here to remember bitterness and sweetness?"

Cai Jing was taken aback for a moment, and then laughed loudly: "My lord is really very funny, hehehe." Then he glanced at Pang Jinghui.

Pang Jinghui hurriedly said: "Lord Cai has long heard that your son-in-law's medical skills are as good as gods, and he wanted to get to know him, but it has been inconvenient. Later, when his son-in-law was appointed to Yazhou, he immediately went to various medical places and put him in jail, until he returned to the capital recently. So let me make a recommendation. Mr. Cai heard that your son-in-law is a big drinker. It just so happens that Mr. Cai is also a frequent visitor to the cup. He originally wanted to invite your son-in-law to drink in a wine shop and conspire to get drunk, but the emperor and the empress dowager died recently. Even if there is no prohibition on singing and drinking in the court, there is no joy, so today, when I visit the door, I only drink tea as wine to meet my virtuous son-in-law."

Du Wenhao hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Lord Cai is too polite."

Cai Jing stroked a strand of black beard on his chin, and said with a smile: "What Da Daren said just now is exactly what I think. Your medical skills are like gods, and I am a layman to Qihuang, so I dare not ask for advice. However, I am ashamed to be in charge of the capital. Yin Yizhi suffers from being stupid by nature, afraid of losing the grace of God, and between sleeping and eating, he often thinks about how to do this job well. Hearing that the lord has unique insights into governing the country, so he came to visit and get acquainted with people like lord Zhonghaojie, secondly, I want to learn some ways to be an official, I hope you will give me some advice."

Before Du Wenhao could speak, Pang Jinghui cupped his hands and interjected: "Lord Cai and my son-in-law are here to compete. I went to the inner house to meet my daughter. I haven't seen her for nearly a year, haha."

Cai Jing hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Exactly, please go ahead, Mr. Pang Da."

Pang Jinghui bid farewell, and when he went out, he closed the door behind him.

Du Wenhao was slightly taken aback when he saw this, and knew that Cai Jing might have ulterior motives.He smiled at the moment and said, "I'm afraid Mr. Cai's visit is not just a way to ask for advice and become an official?"

Cai Jing smiled, lowered his voice, and said: "Master Du..., cough, let's talk in private, don't be so polite, it's better to be called a brother, brother Yun Fan?"

Du Wenhao said: "Okay, but I don't know Mr. Cai's words..."

"Yuanchang."

"Yunchang? Guan Yunchang, Guan Gong?"

Cai Jing was stunned for a moment, then he laughed and said: "Brother Yu, how dare you compare to General Guan Erye, the Five Tigers General Guan Erye, who has three vows in Taoyuan and assists Guoanbang. Brother Yu has long characters, and the Yuan on New Year's Day is a leader with nothing."

"Oh, sorry, I didn't hear clearly, hehehe, Brother Yun is too modest."

"Okay, Brother Yu, how old is this idiot? Since you are so humble, Brother Yu, you will offend Brother Yu first. If you are good at being an elder brother, we will address you as brothers in the future. Brother Yunfan, is it not strange?"

Du Wenhao was really a little strange, this Cai Jing had a coquettish smile on his face as soon as he came up, and he didn't know what his intention was, so he said: "Brother Yuan, I'm worrying too much, it's just right to be called a brother."

"Hey, my virtuous brother is really a straightforward person! No wonder Prince Yong values ​​your virtuous brother so much!"

"Prince Yong?" Du Wenhao shook involuntarily, as if getting an electric shock.Using knives to threaten and detain the two princes as hostages, this kind of thing is enough to ransack the family and exterminate the family. Although there has been no movement these days, Du Wenhao is still hanging in his heart. Now he suddenly heard from Cai Jing, the prefect of Kaifeng The word Prince Yong subconsciously twitched.

Cai Jing seemed to know the inside story, smiled mysteriously, and stretched out his hand to pat Du Wenhao's shoulder: "You don't have to worry, my lord thinks highly of you, even if there is any misunderstanding and disrespect, he just smiled That's all."

Du Wenhao laughed dryly, but didn't answer. He knew that it was better to have ears than a mouth at this time.

Cai Jing picked up the teacup and took a sip, then slowly put it down, and then continued: "Your brother was appointed as Chengdu Fulu, and he was not in the capital for almost a year. It's not a big deal, I'm afraid my brother is not very clear, right?"

"I really don't know."

"Brother Yu, please let me explain to my virtuous brother." Cai Jing is very eloquent, and he talked about all the major events that happened in the capital this year. These events are almost all related to Prince Yong. How about Prince Yong, how much Song Shenzong valued Prince Yong, the younger brother, and the praises of others before and after, in short, he praised Prince Yong to the sky.

Du Wenhao smiled and said nothing, and listened quietly all the time. Until now, he still hasn't figured out why Cai Jing said so many good things about Prince Yong.

Cai Jing was so frothy that he talked for almost an hour before he finally stopped, sighed, and said: "The emperor and Prince Yong have a deep brotherly relationship. Immortal, but did not leave a will to designate the successor to the throne. Therefore, the matter of the great unification has been pending..."

Having said that, Cai Jing stole a glance at Du Wenhao.

Du Wenhao, however, was as expressionless as a mud bodhisattva. In fact, his heart was full of turmoil. Only now did he realize that Cai Jing might be acting as a lobbyist.For the sake of inheriting the throne, this kind of thing is a hot potato, you can't hold it up or lose it, you must not interfere, it's best to keep it at a respectful distance, if it's not far away, then Xu Shu will enter Cao Ying and come to him without saying a word .

Cai Jing couldn't see any state from Du Wenhao's face, and he was worried, so he continued: "For the matter of who will inherit the throne, the ministers in the court have been fighting for the past few days, and they almost broke into a fight. Yes. There are only two candidates who can inherit the great power now. Prince Yong is the first choice. He is open-minded, and the emperor appreciates him very much. Prince Yong especially likes to collect rare books. After the emperor learned about it, he would send someone to send it to him every time he found a rare book. My dear brother, do you see that the two brothers are very harmonious? "

Du Wenhao's heart skipped a beat and he asked, "Your Majesty Yong likes to collect ancient books?"

Just now Cai Jing was full of gibberish, but Du Wenhao didn't say a word. When it came to collecting books, he was able to get him to talk. He couldn't help being overjoyed. He clapped the handrail and said, "Yes, my brother also likes this way?"

Du Wenhao laughed and said, "No, no, I don't have that much leisure time, I can't even get busy seeing a doctor."

"That's right." Cai Jing also laughed twice, "Prince Yong has a very close relationship with the emperor. He has been with the emperor for a long time, and the emperor often asks him to help with some state affairs. Appreciated by the emperor. Therefore, Lord Yong is the person who can best understand the emperor's will. If he inherits the great order, he will definitely inherit the emperor's will. My Great Song Dynasty will be as golden as when the emperor was in power, and the common people will be the same Wouldn’t it be a blessing for all people to live and work in peace and contentment, brother, don’t you think so?”

Du Wenhao laughed twice, noncommittal.

Cai Jing picked up the teacup and took a sip again, sighed leisurely, and then continued: "The second candidate to inherit the great rule is the sixth prince. But, brother, you also know that the sixth prince is not It was the first five emperor brothers who died young, so he was the eldest, and now he is only nine years old, think about it, let such a child inherit the great line, how can he compare with Prince Yong's maturity and prudence?"

Du Wenhao remained silent.

Cai Jing continued: "Nowadays, the ministers in the court are divided into two factions. Most of them support Prince Yong. Of course, there are also those who support the sixth prince. The two factions do not give in to each other. Those who support the sixth prince say that their son inherits their father's career. Taizong is also a 'brother ends up with brother', there is an ancestor's precedent for this!"

Du Wenhao glanced at him curiously, it was the first time he had heard that Song Taizong was the younger brother of Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin.It's just my bad history.But still do not speak.

Cai Jing went on to say: "Ministers in the court all expect the Empress Dowager to come out and say who will be in charge of the country. After all, one of these two is her own son and the other is his own grandson. In the royal family, the ancestors of the Empress Dowager After her death, she was counted as the longest, so it was natural for her to make up her mind. However, the empress dowager, an old man, just refused to express her opinion, and she used the excuse of reciting sutras to save her life, and she was unable to retreat to hide. It has been six full days so far! It's a pot of porridge, and she doesn't care about it, alas! It's really..."

Speaking of this, Du Wenhao finally said: "The empress dowager is kind-hearted, she is a very independent person, she has her own ideas."

Cai Jing patted his thigh and praised: "That's right! My virtuous brother is indeed a sensible person. There is no more truth in what you said. After all, the Empress Dowager is too kind-hearted. She is afraid that someone will whisper in her ear, and she will be soft-hearted for a moment. , Misselecting people, that is not the blessing of the country and the people. Our Song Dynasty has reached the critical moment when we are facing an important decision. We are waiting for the king's salary and loyalty to the king. It is time for our generation to share the country's worries. What do you think, brother?"

When Cai Jing said this, he looked at Du Wenhao again, but Du Wenhao remained silent and sat there expressionlessly.

Cai Jing moved his head closer, and lowered his voice: "Now someone needs to analyze the pros and cons in front of the Empress Dowager, so that the Empress Dowager can know that her own son, Prince Yong, is the best candidate to inherit the throne! And this person who advises, It must be the virtuous brother."

"Me?" Du Wenhao was stunned for a moment, "I can't, I'm a little imperial doctor, what can I say? How can the empress dowager listen to me, a little imperial doctor. Hehe, Brother Yuan is too flattering on me gone."

"Young brother, don't be humble. Who in the Manchu dynasty doesn't know that you are the Empress Dowager's lifesaver? The Empress Dowager was murdered by Chen Meiren. She suffered from abdominal pain for more than ten years. During the dysmenorrhea, she tossed and wailed and almost died. Yes. The virtuous younger brother has rejuvenated and solved the empress dowager’s suffering for more than ten years. The empress dowager is full of praise for the virtuous younger brother, and she praises everyone she meets. The empress dowager is also very good to the adults. Even the empress dowager and Emperor Yingzong’s Yun Longxiang The Feng Ruyi pillow was given to Xiandi, if a person like Xiandi can't speak in front of the Empress Dowager, then no one will be able to speak."

Du Wenhao said with a smile: "Lord Cai misunderstood, the empress dowager just admired the medical skills of my brother Yu, it doesn't mean anything, and it doesn't mean that she is willing to listen to me, in her eyes, I am just someone who can heal diseases It's just a doctor. How can she listen to me, a little imperial doctor, for such a big matter as inheriting the throne? I'm going to say it in front of her. It's a trivial matter not to make her look down, and maybe I will be punished! "

Cai Jing smiled mysteriously, leaned over, almost lying on the coffee table between the two of them, leaned close to Du Wenhao's ear, and said in a low voice: "I'm afraid there's something that my virtuous brother doesn't know yet——last night, The empress dowager, old lady, asked about you!"

(End of this chapter)