Idle courtiers

Chapter 346 Hidden Explosion
Speaking of Chen Hong, Zhou Nan had already contacted him twice.

The first time was when he was double-guided by the Ministry of Rites, and Eunuch Chen arrested Shenyang, the imperial envoy.The second time was in Baigezhuang, where the eunuch asked himself to go to Li Wei's house to send him to death.

Through these two incidents, Zhou Nan felt that this person was a brainless, fierce and impulsive person.It can be summed up in one sentence: do things unscrupulously, and have no position.

Chen Hong first formed an alliance with King Jing, hoping to help him win the throne of emperor.Seeing that King Jing was expelled from the capital, he immediately changed the banner of Tingyi to join King Yu.

This is an untrustworthy second-five boy. It is simply unbelievable that such a person can get into the high position of the East Factory Governor in officialdom.

If you think about it carefully, it is actually understandable.

Eunuchs are slaves of the royal family, they are thugs, and they have to do dirty work. Chen Hong's greatest advantage is that he can be ruthless and ruthless.As long as the emperor gave an order, anyone would dare to arrest and beat anyone to death.

Over the years, the number of officials who died under his imperial staff has double digits.The gentlemen of the imperial court hated him to the bone and feared him like a tiger.

Whether it is Jiajing or the future Emperor Longqing, there must be such a mad dog. In contrast, the other fathers-in-law of the Supervisor of Rituals are all from the inner school after all, so they must be stained with scholarly spirit, self-respecting status, unwilling to dirty hands, and scruples in doing things Also many.

This is also the reason why Emperor Longqing still reused Chen Hong later. If the royal dogs can be obedient, they can bite people.As for character, it has never been considered by the emperor.

Zhou Nan didn't think he was a timid person, but he had completely turned his back on Chen Hong, and his scalp was still a little numb when he was going to see him this time.

Seeing Lord Zhou's concerns, Shi Wenjiang said: "Your Excellency, don't worry, it's different now, just go, Chen Hong is not so bold as to harm you."

Zhou Nan immediately realized that, yes, although Dongchang had the power to arrest and interrogate criminals without going through legal procedures, that was when handling imperial cases, and what was being executed was the will of the emperor, so naturally it could override the three justices.He is no longer the little rascal he used to be, a dignified sixth-rank official. If something happens, Chen Hong will not be able to explain it to the world.

Shi Wenjiang raised the invitation card in his hand, and suddenly said with a smile: "I've heard of this place, and it has something to do with Mr. Zhou."

The place where Chen Hong and Zhou Nan met tonight was a royal garden, located in the south of Shichahai, in the northwest corner of the imperial palace, named: Ruiqing Palace.

It used to be a Taoist temple, quite dilapidated.In the 11th year of Jiajing, the royal family took this land into their own and renovated it as a place for the emperor to clean up.

Later, Jiajing felt that it was too noisy to be close to the imperial palace, so he didn't go there much.

Zhou Nan wondered, "What is the relationship between Ruiqing Palace and my lord?"

Shi Wenjiang said with a smile: "During the Chinese New Year this year, Princess Jiashan entered the palace to accompany the emperor to watch the new year. His Majesty was overjoyed, so he rewarded her with this place. I heard that Princess Jiashan has a good eye for adults, and she wants to recruit her as the consort's captain. Do you think it has anything to do with adults?"

Zhou Nan had already got the emperor's personal promise on this matter, so it was over.However, seeing Shi Wenjiang's strange expression now, he was still very embarrassed: "I have my own old wife, how can I be the son-in-law of the royal family, don't mention it again."

Shi Wenjiang: "My lord, don't you think there is something wrong with Chen Hong asking you to meet and talk at Ruiqing Palace tonight?"

Zhou Nan: "What's wrong...it won't be..."

Shi Wenjiang nodded and analyzed: "Since Chen Hong borrowed Princess Jiashan's Ruiqing Palace instead of inviting you to his residence, what does that mean?"

He asked a rhetorical question, and seeing Zhou Nan bowed his head and looked down, he didn't let it go, and continued: "I heard that the relationship between King Yu and Princess Jiashan is very good. It has a lot to do with the position of the chief assistant of the cabinet in the future, so the palace will naturally be careful. The capital has many eyes and ears, and where is the Ruiqing Palace, how can ordinary people get in. Besides, the palace doesn't trust Chen Hong, so I want you to talk to Eunuch Chen At that time, Princess Jiashan will watch and monitor."

Zhou Nan's heart trembled, and he felt a little uneasiness. The graceful and luxurious figure he saw in Baiyun Temple that day appeared in front of his eyes.I would rather die than be the son-in-law of the royal family, fearing that I have already offended her to death.

Tonight's appointment is probably a Hongmen banquet.

With a sigh of emotion, Zhou Nan said, "Hey, Wen Jiang, you've only been in the capital for a few days, how come you know everything, you're just a god of ears."

Shi Wenjiang: "Since I want to be your lord's staff, I naturally have to prepare in advance and care about everything. Otherwise, how can I show my skills?"

Zhou Nan: "It's a pity that you don't want to be a Jinyiwei."

When it was dark, the place was not far away anyway, Zhou Nan changed into casual clothes and walked along Shicha Haixin towards Ruiqing Palace to exercise his muscles.

After walking about a pot of tea, we arrived at the land.

Then he was ushered into the front hall.

Ruiqing Palace is not big, and few people can be seen inside.In the middle of the night, only five or six candles were lit in the hall, and the silence was overcast and windy.

There was only Chen Hong in the room: "Master Zhou is here? Please come over in the middle of the night. Please don't take offense at our abruptness."

Zhou Nan bowed his hands and saluted: "Don't dare, I have a double-sided relationship with my father-in-law. It has been two months since we parted ways in Baigezhuang last time. This time, I will see you again. My father-in-law is still handsome!"

Chen Hong pointed to Zhou Nan and said: "The situation in the capital has changed in the past two months, and a new generation replaces the old. The original Zhou Xingren has now transformed into a sixth-rank Si Zheng, and, according to the report from the people below, it is strict that you are It was a great effort. These days, the officials in the capital all mention the name of your lord, and they all say that Mr. Xu Ge knows how to employ people, and he has given you such a talent."

"Our family didn't see that you were so capable of doing things at the beginning. If we knew this, we should have formed a good relationship with you. A hereditary family with thousands of brocade clothes, if you reward it, you will reward it. Hehe, our family regrets it a little bit. can make you."

Zhou Nan said sternly: "Eunuch Chen, the next official is a civil servant. How can he take shortcuts when he is focused on entering the imperial examination? By the way, last time I got along with Eunuch Wang Lian very happily in Baigezhuang. We were separated for two months, and I miss him very much. , but I don’t know how Eunuch Wang is doing now?”

What he said was to remind Chen Hong that I, Zhou Nan, am a scholar, if I don’t do a good Jinshi, how could I be a running dog for the eunuchs?Eunuch Chen, you probably forgot that Wang Lian forced me to die. What do you think you and I have to say?

"Wang Lian, he is not doing well, so our family sent him to Changping to carry stones to build the imperial mausoleum. He probably won't live for two years. I'm afraid you won't see him again." Zhou Nan couldn't understand what Chen Hong meant: "However, our family still wants to discuss it with Mr. Zhou. You should resign from the right officer of the Daolu Department! Otherwise..."

He dragged his voice and looked at Zhou Nan with green eyes.

Zhou Nan smiled faintly: "How else?"

The next step is to negotiate terms, our Master Zhou thinks so.

The last time Chen Hong asked him to touch Li Wei, the condition he promised was that one of the sons of the Zhou family would inherit a thousand households of Jinyiwei and eat hard-core crops.Of course, the prerequisite is that Mr. Zhou must die.

Zhou Nan is not a lunatic, so naturally he will not become a dead soldier.

What happened last time was related to the seizure of the lineage, and this time it involved the selection of the first assistant to the cabinet.

Ordinarily, Zhou Nan wanted to break away from Xu Jie's camp, so as not to suffer in the imperial examination.It has nothing to do with Lao Xu whether he will be the chief assistant or not, and he should have been able to follow suit and get actual benefits.

However, if you don't serve as the secretary of the Daolu Department, wouldn't you miss the opportunity to serve Jiajing?Such an opportunity will never come across again.

This... is really a trade-off!

Chen Hong suddenly had a ferocious expression on his face: "If Mr. Zhou refuses, don't blame our family for offending."

Zhou Nan was furious when he heard the words, is this your negotiating attitude?
Naturally, I am going to ask for the price in the negotiation, and you, Eunuch Chen, can also sit back and pay back the money.

Don't give benefits, just threaten directly, I believe you evil?

"Eunuch Chen, don't you just want to deduct the money from the Daolu Department? Don't forget, this is an errand assigned by the emperor. If there is a delay, the subordinate officials will naturally be unable to eat, and I am afraid that Eunuch Chen will also take responsibility."

Everyone will lose, and it will not do you any good, Chen Hong.

Chen Hong: "Don't be afraid. It seems that Mr. Zhou is unwilling to resign? Then, our family can't say that we should invite you to the Dongji Incident Factory."

Zhou Nan was not afraid: "Chen Hong, don't forget that Zhou Nan is a dignified sixth-rank court official. If you want to arrest me, you must be charged with a crime. Ask for advice. In addition, according to the court system, the factory guards are appointed by the imperial court. The emperor must approve the case, and please bring me the relevant procedures."

After finishing speaking, he sneered: "The laws of heaven, the laws of the country, and the emperor's orders do not allow Eunuch Chen to act recklessly and frame Zhongliang."

This has completely turned his face, Chen Hong giggled: "Zhongliang, what kind of Zhongliang are you? Indeed, you are a sixth-rank official. Without the nod of the Long Live Lord, I really can't take you as a slave. Who calls our family?" Is it just a knife in the emperor's hand? The emperor told our family to chop people, so we should do it. If the knife is disobedient, it will be thrown away. Of course, I understand this rule. However, this matter has nothing to do with The government has nothing to do with it, and I don’t need to receive an imperial edict, I’ll do it myself, and it’s not against the rules.”

Zhou Nan said "Oh": "Eunuch Chen, I still ask for advice."

Chen Hongdao: "Master Zhou is really talented. Back then, Wang Lian stared at you so closely, that was called inseparable. He almost slept on the same kang with you. I still told you to escape from Li Wei. Later, you even I got Yan Song's criminal evidence. If it weren't for you, Mr. Xiao Ge would not be able to enter the sky prison, and Mr. Yan Ge would not be able to collapse. You are born as a scholar, and you have been a prisoner for ten years. If you were someone else, you would have already fallen. But But you have been an official from the yamen servant, and now you are an official of the sixth grade. In the future, you may be able to win a Jinshi. The strangeness of your encounter is really amazing. Our family is really interested in you. Ask the people from Dongchang to transfer all your resume files from Huai’an and the Ministry of Punishment. Guess what I saw?”

Zhou Nan's heart sank: "What do you see?"

Chen Hong: "Our family found that the file of your murder was interesting. The confession that was left in Huai'an seems to have been revised later. Your signature and affidavit are different from the file of the Ministry of Punishment. Mr. Zhou, you are a sixth-rank official of the imperial court. You Naturally, our family must be extremely cautious when dealing with the matter, will you follow me to the East Factory later?"

Zhou Nan's heart felt cold, like falling into an ice cellar.

One of his biggest hidden dangers has completely exploded.

(End of this chapter)