Emperor Qianlong: the beginning of his glory

Chapter 88 Reunion, reunion, and reunion
Qianlong said nothing, got up, opened the door and came out to stand under the eaves.I saw two eunuchs by the side door on the west side of the snowy fog were stopping an eighteen or nineteen-year-old woman. The woman was crying and screaming, and she kept saying that she wanted to see the "biggest official" here: "You said it was a 'small matter', let it go." We are a big deal! My father’s body, how can he stand on the cold kang in the yamen? Fantai, Xuetai and others are corrupt and sell the law, what has it to do with us seven-rank sesame officials? Just one after another Desperate! My God... my mother is still sick..."

"Tell her to come here." Qianlong waved his hand and entered the room.Carefully sorting out the documents on the case, he said: "Ji Yun, send these to Prince Zhuang, and ask Ertai to read them and send them away." The woman came in sobbing, Qianlong turned around and saw clearly , he shuddered all over, and immediately recognized that it was Wang Tingzhi who met by chance at the Youxiandu Hotel in Xinyang and was ill in Zhenhe Temple!In an instant, the old shop of the Yao family, the old course of the Yellow River, the hail, the rain... the almost fatal illness all came to my mind at the same time - it was the woman in front of me who sat beside me all day, feeding food and serving medicine , How much tenderness and sweetness in the middle is unforgettable.At this moment, unexpectedly, they meet again under such circumstances!Qianlong sat on the edge of the kang blankly, looked at Ting Zhi with lost eyes, and couldn't ask any questions for a while.

Ting Zhizha came in from the snow, the room was very dark, he couldn't see anything clearly, he saw a few people around him bent and bowed like mud tires in a temple, silent.She knew that the young man above him had a lot of background.She was a young woman, she didn't dare to stare, she didn't recognize Qianlong.In the unbearable silence, Ting Zhi licked her messy temple hair, squatted down to bless two blessings, and said in a low voice: "My lord is auspicious!" Then she stepped back and stood sideways, saying, "I want to see you because I want to invite you." My lord made the decision and told the yamen to let my father go. My mother has old asthma and her bones are not strong. This day is even more unbearable. She has coughed up blood for a few days. My father is an upright official and only knows how to repay the emperor's favor. To tell you the truth, he took our mother and daughter to the post, not to make us his wives, but to save a few servants' money. I heard from my father... the East Courtyard is occupied by high-ranking officials, older than the governor. When I was in a hurry... I forced my way..." As he spoke, he covered his mouth with a handkerchief and only choked up his sobs.

"Your father's name is Wang Zhenzhong, right?"

"Yes……"

"How does he know I'm older than the governor?"

"Father said that there are a few people who don't grow beards, and those with bad voices are... eunuchs." Ting Zhi was a little bit shy, and said on tiptoe, "Father said that even the minister of military aircraft is not qualified to order eunuchs."

Only then did Qianlong realize that it was the eunuchs Bu Ren and Bu Yi who had exposed their possessions. He breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Wang Zhenzhong is a smart man. We are a little older than the governor—Bu Zhi, take this to see Sun Jiagan Tell him to put Wang Zhenzhong back alone." He took the bright yellow crouching bag on the big welcome pillow and gave it to Bu Zhi, then turned to Wang Tingzhi with a smile and said, "You should feel relieved now?"

"Thank you sir!" Ting Zhi didn't expect to finish the matter so easily, she was so moved that she shed tears again, kowtowed and said: "Then... I'll go back and wait." She looked up Qianlong glanced at him and was startled for a moment, but he didn't say anything, and slowly turned around and left.

"Slow down." Qianlong waved his hand with a smile, ordered the eunuchs to retreat outside, and then said, "Why don't you ask me who I am?" Ting Zhi lowered her head and said, "Father said that people in this courtyard If there is something urgent, we are not allowed to inquire about it." Qianlong smiled and asked again: "What about acquaintances?"

Only then did Ting Zhi stare at Qianlong seriously, her face became extremely pale, her lips trembled, and she said: "You—you are not Tian—you are the emperor!" For a moment, she was so flustered that she couldn't stand up. , rubbing the hem of his clothes in bewilderment.

The room was extremely quiet for a moment, and even the sound of water from the tea stove next door could be heard clearly.Qianlong stared at Ting Zhi in a daze, but Ting Zhi seemed to have infinite thoughts, she bowed her head and remained silent.After a long time, he sighed silently.After an unknown amount of time, Qianlong suddenly smiled:
"That's right. Not the prince, nor Tian Shenggong!" He said with a smile, "Anting Zhilan is so beautiful—you are still so beautiful! It's just that you just cried, and you look like a pear flower with rain." He is a veteran in love , A few words made Ting Zhi's ears warm, and she bit her nails and just wriggled.Qianlong couldn't stand it anymore, he hugged her in his arms and said with a smile: "Little dear, let me see your hand, are you burnt?"

Dizzy with shame, Ting Zhi fell into Qianlong's arms, closed her eyes slightly, and let Qianlong stroke and kiss her, but said in her mouth: "Don't be like this, you will be seen by others...don't touch here..."

"Where? Don't touch where?" Qianlong was burning with desire, and whispered, "I want to die... Do you miss me or not? - You say those husbands, they dare to meddle in my business? Say, do you want to..."

"I think... I have seen it in my dreams several times."

"Your father is a good official, and I want to promote him. When the time comes, I will be transferred to Beijing, and I will choose you to enter the palace and live in Changchun Garden..."

Ting Zhi woke up all of a sudden, gently pushed Qianlong's unruly hand away, sat up straight, buttoned up his buttons, and sighed: "If you have that kind of heart, you don't have that kind of life...Your Majesty, you are one step late. I... have already promised him. Just now... let me repay the emperor's favor..."

"I already know that you agreed with him." Qianlong let go of his hand in disappointment, looking at Ting Zhi, who was so graceful and graceful, he was really itchy again.Suddenly he rushed up, hugged her tightly again, and pushed her down on the kang with all his strength, yelling obediently and obediently, and said in a low voice: "If you want to repay your kindness, you must repay her honestly...you Isn’t the son-in-law the supervisor named Xu from the Guozijian? It’s very easy to get an official to stay in the capital…” As he spoke, he tore at her little coat.

Na Tingzhi can't shout, and can't hide.She also liked Qianlong's handsome and unrestrained style, but when she was teased by him like this, she fell in love with her, so she didn't protect her very much.Letting Qianlong be contemptuous for a while, he only said: "My body belongs to the emperor, you have to protect me well!"

"That's natural." Qianlong gasped and said: "If you marry, just marry, I have a way to get you, and you can still have sex!" When he was about to speak, Bu Ren coughed outside and said, "Master E, please wait a moment." Come back later, the emperor is talking to someone." Ting Zhi kissed lightly again, and said: "Your Majesty, someone is here—don't forget me..."

The two got up and adjusted their clothes, Qianlong ordered the two eunuchs Haosheng to escort Ting Zhi back, stretched his body contentedly and said: "Call Ertai to come here!"

The next day, it was still snowing heavily, and Sun Jiagan decided to close the case.He knew that Qianlong was in the city, so he closed the case in a hurry, not because of the crouching dragon bag, but because he was worried that the original and the defendant were getting more and more busy looking for witnesses to defend themselves.Provincial officials already have their own sects, and those who form cliques "are their masters", which has greatly stirred up the muddy water and turned the bribery case into a political dispute.It has been delayed for a long time, and the official business outside cannot be done, and it has left behind troubles. The affairs in Shanxi will be even more troublesome in the future.He came to Shanxi late, and the three offices of the Sitai Office were full of officials who came to "testify" from all over the country, so he lived in the Confucian Temple next door to the Xuezheng Office.The message was sent to Yang Sijing, who lives in the yamen of the Neisi Yamen. Less than half an hour later, he was told, "Master Yang came to pay a visit in person."

"I'll pick it up right away." Sun Jiagan sat at the kang table and struggled to put on a pair of Ulagrass boots. After stepping out of the snow, he hurried to the door. Seeing Yang Sijing and a group of masters had already got off the sedan chair, he hurried up to greet him and said with a smile: "Meng Xiong , the presiding court is on your side, why did you run to my side?" As they spoke, the two of them clasped their hands in the snow.Yang Sijing laughed, walked in, and said: "Since the case is going to be closed, the two of us have to discuss it in advance. There are too many people on my side, so it can't be done. You know I'm working in the official department, and I'm asking for a vacancy. You are a shameless official who has nothing to do with the case and keeps pestering you for nothing. I don’t live in peace here in Shanxi, and I am in a hurry to close the case!" Sun Jiagan said with a smile, "Of course I have to discuss it with you first. Could it be arbitrary? The minister let me know that since you are an imperial envoy now, don’t worry about them, just call them out. I don’t think as much as you do.”

While the two were talking, they entered the Nuan Pavilion in the west side hall of the Confucian Temple, and sat down among the guests of honor. Yang Sijing smiled and said, "There is only one Sun Xigong in the world. How can everyone compare with you! I am in the Ministry of Officials today, and I will be transferred to him tomorrow." Which province, how can I meet them when I call them out? Besides, some people are really difficult to deal with, and they have to make up for one shortage after another, and they have no choice but to come to find me." He took a sip of tea, and drove himself away. Feeling cold, he asked, "What's Mr. Xi's idea in these two cases?"

"Don't entangle, don't delay, don't get implicated." Sun Jiagan said concisely and clearly, "I heard for a few days that the two defendants were digging up old accounts and trying to muddy the water. He was an official for nine years and a governor for nine years. He has always had a lot of annoying problems. Although he does not take bribes, he has done things for others, and he has received gifts afterwards. Kaerqin and Sahalang are just I was jealous of him, so I took the opportunity to make a lot of money. Fundamentally speaking, it’s not bad if you say it’s infighting in the officialdom, and it’s not outrageous to say it’s dog-eat-dog. But Sahalang’s crimes are full of stolen goods, and Kaerqin is also ironclad evidence It's like a mountain. The imperial court tried to be a warning. Since it can't be investigated, it has to decide the main culprit and settle the lawsuit first. How to deal with the Karjishan matter, I will ask for another order to deal with it in the future. Mengxiong, you see, I think I'm right Isn't it right?"

Yang Sijing listened, nodded frequently with a smile, and said: "Xigong understands the analysis. But now there are some things that are mixed together. Pingdui is put into the warehouse, and Sahalang has the warrant of Kaer Jishan in his hand, 'Approved, fan The Secretary quickly collects money and grain and puts it into the treasury." There is a note from Kaerjishan introducing scholars to take the exam in previous years, which proves that Kaerjishan was not very clean in the past. It is hard to say that it is not because of uneven distribution of spoils, or revenge. You also met Prince Yi’s Xin Xigong yesterday. , someone has already accused us of protecting Karji’s kindness. With such a decision, if after we leave, we find out that Karji is good at embezzling ink, our business will be ruined, right?” Sun Jiagan frowned and thought about Yang Sijing After hearing these words, he said, "What do you do?" Yang Sijing said: "It's not practical for the officials to return to their posts in winter now. If you try to toss around for a while, it's simply a matter of asking them to fight each other. Disposal; even the upright officials are also revealed; the memorial is issued to the court, and those who should be killed, exiled, and imprisoned will be dealt with according to the law, and there will be no sequelae."

"I'm afraid this won't work." Sun Jiagan said, "The whole province will be in chaos if the case is tried in this way. They can't figure it out for a year. They have uncovered all the old cases of more than ten years. After further investigation, there are more and more witnesses. It's getting more and more complicated. This heavy snow has already caused people to freeze to death and starve to death, and local officials are all dragged by us. How did it happen? Spring plowing and spring sowing, disaster relief, and famine relief also rely on these "witnesses". The officialdom in Shanxi has become a pot of porridge, and they are confused, so they don't do anything except litigate?"

Having said that, the two imperial envoys were already struggling.Yang Sijing is a veteran official of the Ministry of Officials, his mind was turning faster than Cheng'er, he thought about it with a blank face, and smiled: "Xi Gong, otherwise, let's do this: all the incumbents who come to be witnesses will be sent back. Keep They are three plaintiffs and defendants, so let's have a trial. How about it?" At this point, it is clear that Yang Sijing's mind is partial to the defendant's side.Sun Jiagan's face was covered with frost, and he stood up and said: "I also have the order of the holy emperor's secret order Zhu Pi, and I will preside over this trial. By the way, you have a share of the credit; wrong, I Take it all on yourself. Please!"

"That's good!" Yang Sijing felt as fed up with eating flies, so he had no choice but to get up, "I only follow my grandson!"

The two stopped talking, walked out of the Confucian Temple in the heavy snow, and raised their sedan chairs outside the temple without sounding the gong, and the bearers creaked and stepped on the thick snow to the Niesi Yamen.

The standard yamen is completely different from the deserted Confucian temple.Dozens of yamen servants from Taiyuan Prefecture took push boards, brooms, shovels, and dustpans to sweep the snow in front of the screen wall, and piled the snow to the west of the flagpole to make room for the imperial envoys to get off their sedan chairs.The yamen servants were all panting and sweating, and they all stood aside, watching Sun Jiagan and Yang Sijing get off their sedan chairs and enter the door, they cheered and dispersed.

"Please." Sun Jiagan greeted Yang Sijing, who was slightly behind, entered the gate, and walked towards the lobby.But I have seen chaos in the corridors, under the corridors, and under the eaves. They are all state and county officials transferred from all over the province to serve as "witnesses".Pitiful, these people are usually surrounded by their husbands and horses Gaoxuan. When they arrive at the provincial capital, they all gather in the meeting hall of the yamen. There is no place to eat. They live on the cold floor. The official uniforms are all crumpled, with black eyebrows and dark eyes, like a group of beggars in costumes.Watching the two imperial envoys enter the lobby imposingly, envious, jealous, hated and helpless, they cursed everything:
"Fuck it! I've had enough food and sleep on the hot kang, it's time for Ge Laozi to ask them to fiddle with it again."

"If you want to be an official, you should still be a high official. They are still sleeping on the hot kang in Savantai!"

"Don't compare like that. We're going to try the case next, isn't it the same? When a case breaks out, people from a whole village are arrested to testify!"

"That's the bastard yamen servants trying to extort money - we don't even ask for money to go out and stay in the hotel!"

(End of this chapter)