After the Dragon Boat Festival, Qiu Yinming went to Shiheng Mansion to visit and resign. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 infoIn early summer, the weather is gradually getting hotter, and the Hou Mansion is hung with cicada yarn before and after, which is cool and pleasant. Under the shade of bananas outside the living room window, the fiery red pomegranate blossoms are blooming brilliantly, and several pink butterflies are whirling and flying. Qiu Yinming was drinking the best Longjing tea while listening to Shi Heng's complaints. Shi Heng is middle-aged and very afraid of heat, although someone on the side keeps fanning, he can still see sweat oozing from his forehead, and when he is excited, his face is flushed. I only heard Shi Heng say: "Xu Youzhen, he is obviously going to the doctor in a hurry." Knowing that the saint was already wary of him, he shamelessly searched for rumors everywhere and wanted to join me. Hmph, he's killing himself. ”

It turned out that after Xu Youzhen was plotted by Cao Jixiang, the resentment in his heart was indescribable, although he did not show it on his face, but in the past few days, he secretly summoned several imperial historians who had made friends on weekdays, searched for evidence, and wanted to correct Shi Heng and Cao Jixiang. Xu Youzhen is really dizzy this time, Shi Cao can have today, and there are countless natural eyeliners in the court. Sure enough, the day before yesterday, Wang Hong leaked the matter to Shi Heng, saying that Xu Youzhen and others would play it the day after tomorrow.

Qiu Yinming listened intentionally or unintentionally, while slowly looking at Shi Heng's mansion. Since the "seizure of the door", Shi Heng's mansion has been greatly renovated, and a lot of land has been expanded in the southeast to make a garden, not to mention the carved beams and painted buildings, the garden has strange flowers and plants, and there are countless rare birds and beasts, and in the hall where he is sitting now, a coral tree that is half a person high may not even be seen in the palace. Qiu Yin secretly thought to himself: Shi Heng is a martial artist, and with his skill in winning the door, he has no one in his eyes, he is poor and extravagant, and he is becoming more and more domineering. Now that Xu Youzhen has been removed, seeing that Shi Heng is now collecting money and enjoying himself without restraint, it is better to do what he likes, instigate him to collect bribes, gather the treasures of the world, and be happy, when the time comes, not only the courtiers will not tolerate him, but the emperor will not tolerate him.

Qiu Yinming said: "Uncle is too worried, and now Xu Youzhen has long lost his trust in the saint. If the uncle takes the first step to explain this matter to the Holy One, the Holy One will naturally give justice. ”

Shi Heng nodded and said, "Exactly." To tell you the truth, Gonggong Cao also means this. ”

Qiu Yinming said: "Since this is the case, uncle should not hesitate. As far as I can see, the saint is benevolent and still quite grateful to Xu Youzhen, if Xu Youzhen is allowed to take the lead, I am afraid that the saint will be soft-hearted for a while, and it will become a stalemate again. ”

Shi Heng said: "I have asked someone to draft a recital, listing Xu Youzhen's many crimes over the years, and the important members of the DPRK and China will jointly play it. The excerpt is now in my study, and the virtuous nephew is very good, would you like to take a look? ”

Qiu Yinming said: "Since my uncle doesn't mind, then I might as well be respectful." ”

When he arrived at Shi Heng's study, Qiu Yinming took the fold and unfolded it. Xu Youzhen's manipulation of the cabinet and the rally of party members to eliminate dissidents mentioned in the compromises are all facts known to the government and the opposition. After thinking about it, presumably the evidence of Shi Cao's crimes collected by Xu Youzhen and his cronies was not just a "rumor" in Shi Heng's mouth. This kind of game is not the manpower of the ministers behind it. Qiu Yinming took a cursory look at it, and there were already fifty or sixty ministers signed by the end of the recital, and there were several honest and honest veterans from the Zongren Mansion and the cabinet, and the rest were all over the Inspectorate, the Six Ministries, and important officials among the military generals in the capital. Qiu Yinming picked up the pen next to him, added his name to the back, and said: "Xu Youzhen deserves it." The little nephew has so much trust from his uncle, and he should do his duty for the government and justice. But in his heart, he said: It's so close to coercion, I don't think it's impossible not to sign.

When he came out of Shiheng Mansion, it was almost dusk. Qiu Yinming repeatedly recalled in his heart the names of the ministers on the joint recital, and several names were really a bit unexpected to him. For example, Liu Guangheng, the secretary of the Criminal Department, has always been a person who does not fit in, acts impartially, does not form a party with others, and does not make enemies with others, I don't know how Shi Heng or Cao Jixiang got his support. Another example is the imperial history Zhang Chu, in the impression that this person seems to be the person on Xu Youzhen's side, but the imperial history of the court is mostly the grass on the wall, and it falls down. From this point of view, Xu Youzhen is more than lucky this time. However, he thought about it again and thought that Shi Heng said that it was Wang Hong who leaked the plan of Xu Youzhen and others to him in the matter. This Wang Hong seems to be timid and afraid of things on weekdays, where can he be so bold. Come to think of it, most of them are instructed by someone behind them.

The next morning, hundreds of officials gathered.

The emperor on the dragon throne looked left and right, and when he saw that no one spoke at the bottom of the stairs, he couldn't help but say, "Why doesn't anyone have this participation?" ”

Hundreds of officials look at each other, and each has privacy in his heart. Imperial history Li Xian and Xu Youzhen exchanged glances, and were just about to leave the class to play, but they heard the emperor say unhurriedly: "Li Xian, I know what you want to participate in." ”

The courtiers were in an uproar.

The emperor was a little proud, and continued: "Xu Youzhen, I have something to ask you. ”

Xu Youzhen was defenseless against this sudden change, trembling and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, listen respectfully." ”

The emperor said: "I heard that you, Li Xian and others have recently gathered privately and want to make false accusations and exclude dissidents, but is there such a thing?" ”

Xu Youzhen was stunned and hurriedly said: "As far as the minister knows, there is no such thing. Your Majesty must not listen to the words of others. The minister has always been loyal......" Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by the emperor: "Then what is in my hand?" I saw the emperor pick up a document from the case, handed it to Cao Jixiang beside him, and said, "This is the secret letter I received yesterday. Cao Qing, you read it to the ministers. ”

Cao Jixiang's face did not change, unfolded the book, and read it out loud. What was written in the secret letter was nothing else, it was Li Xian's hand at this time, and how Xu Youzhen, Li Xian and others were chasing after the wind and shadows, fabricating evidence in vain, and intending to impeach the cabinet ministers who had political disagreements with them. Irrelevant people felt their scalps tingle when they heard it, not to mention Xu Youzhen and Li Xian and other suspected officials. I saw that Xu Youzhen's face was already as earthy. After reading it, the emperor said to Xu Youzhen: "Xu Qing, I am not thin on you, but you have disappointed me again and again, and I can't do anything." Xuan, Xu Youzhen, and Li Xian abused their powers, framed many ministers, temporarily stripped of their official positions, and handed over to the Criminal Department for trial. ”

Seeing Xu Youzhen and Li Xian being taken out of the hall by Jinyiwei, everyone sighed secretly. The emperor also seemed to be in a bad mood at this time, glanced at everyone, and said lazily: "I'm tired, let's disperse today." ”

As many people expected, the next day, the music came like snowflakes, demanding that Xu Youzhen, Li Xian and others be severely punished. One of them, signed by more than 100 people, made the emperor particularly uneasy. Xu Youzhen is one of the primary contributors to assisting Yingzong to return to the throne, and the emperor does trust Xu Youzhen and was once a confidant. And now, the wishes of the people are difficult to disobey, even if they have the heart to protect him, they are unable to do it. On this day, the dark clouds outside the hall were overwhelming, the cool breeze was blowing, the thunder was undulating, and the heavy rain was coming. The emperor looked at the many expectant faces under the stairs with an obscure face, and said slowly: "Xu Youzhen has made great achievements, and I really can't bear to be strict." Let's degrade it to Guangdong to participate in politics. ”

The emperor insisted on treating Xu Youzhen lightly, and everyone didn't want to say more. Although Shi Heng and Cao Jixiang have regrets, after all, they have removed Xu Youzhen from power, and they are afraid that the emperor will want to recall him again at some point.

At noon the day before they went south to take up their posts, Qiu Yinming and Fan Ying pretended to leave Chongwenmen and gathered in a tavern. Regarding Xu Youzhen's participation in politics for Guangdong, Qiu Yinming has been indignant in the past few days. originally expected that Xu Youzhen's immortality this time should also be cut for the people, but the emperor was so protective of him.

Seeing that his face was not good, Fan Ying said, "Brother Xian, don't worry too much. You and I have worked hard, now that we have the results, don't be too demanding. ”

Qiu Yinming sighed and said, "I just think this world is too unfair. Why is he a villain like Xu Youzhen so favored. This time, he was clearly damned, but he retreated. ”

Fan Ying said: "I'm not reconciled." And I believe that Cao Jixiang will not be willing to let him go like this. Don't worry too much about it. He poured him wine and said, "It's you." When you go to Huguang this time, you must be careful. If you do find something, don't act rashly, send someone to tell me first, and I can secretly send a few spies to help you. ”

At this moment, I suddenly heard a noise at the door. The two turned their heads to look and saw a man in his thirties who looked like a scholar was entangled with the shopkeeper. Hearing the shopkeeper say loudly: "Ma Xiucai, you can't take credit anymore this time!" ”

The scholar said: "Little second brother, it's not the first time I've bought wine here, and I'll give you the money in two days." ”

Xiao Er didn't buy it, and said: "It used to be before, but now you don't have Lord Xu's support, who believes you." ”

When the scholar heard this, his face suddenly became ugly, and he said, "Don't talk nonsense! I, Ma Shiquan, am also a righteous gentleman, and I will be greedy for your money! ”

Xiao Er pouted and said, "Who doesn't know how many catties and taels you have." It's a mixed eating and drinking person all day long. We have a small business here, and we can't afford to lose money. Pay and go! ”

Seeing that the number of onlookers at the door gradually increased, Ma Xiucai couldn't hold this face, took out a few copper plates from his arms, and threw them to Xiao Erdao: "Snobbish people." ”

When Qiu Yinming heard the words "Lord Xu", he said to Fan Ying: "I don't know which Lord Xu he is talking about." Could it be Xu Youzhen. ”

Fan Ying thought for a while and said, "Oh, it seems that Xu Youzhen does have a doorman named Ma Shiquan." I heard that it was his fellow villager, a down-and-out talent, who worked as a clerk under his door and ate mixed rice. and Xu Youzhen have a very good relationship. I remember that once Xu Youzhen held a banquet, and he was asked to compose poems at the banquet. ”

A thought flashed in Qiu Yinming's heart, and he glanced at Ma Xiucai a few more times, then turned around and smiled at Fan Ying: "The tree is falling and scattered." ”

After the two of them finished eating, Qiu Yinming and Fan Ying parted in the market and made a detour towards Xu Youzhen's mansion. It is said that Xu Zhai has been extremely chaotic these days. Xu Youzhen had gone south to Guangzhou the day before yesterday, only bringing his family and fine softness. There are still many servants in the house, Yahuan, who have no master at this time, and most of them have swept away some belongings and dispersed. After two days, what was left was probably an empty house, and after dark, there were still many idlers who took the opportunity to enter the house to loot money.

When Qiu Yinming walked to the door of Xu's house, he saw that the door was ajar, and occasionally someone carried tables and chairs, beds and other things out of it. Seeing that no one was in the way, he walked in. Seeing an old man walking out of the hall with a large vase, he hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "May I ask if the old man is from the Xu Mansion?" The old man said, "Yes." It used to be, and it doesn't anymore. Seeing that Qiu Yinming was dressed like a person in the government, he immediately said: "Master, I'm just a subordinate, I don't know anything." He lowered his head with the vase in his hand and walked out. Qiu Yinming grabbed him and said, "I'm not an official. I just want to ask you, do you know where Ma Shiquan lives? ”

The old man was stunned and said, "Ma Xiucai." Oh, and I live in the alley at the back, across from the cloth shop. With that, he hurried out.

Qiu Yinming came out of Xu's house, and thought as he walked back: Xu Youzhen, I don't want to let you go like this. Since there is such a Ma Xiucai now, it is better to use it to provoke Shi Heng and Cao Jixiang, and Xu Youzhen will not be able to escape again. Thinking about it all the way, I have a plan.

After entering the shift in the evening, Qiu Yinming took care of it and came out and said to Steward Chai: "I'll go out and come back soon." Steward Chai saw that he was dressed in dark blue clothes, with thin boots under his feet, and a leather bag on his shoulder, as if he was going to be a thief. After following him for so long, Steward Chai also understood his details, so he promised: "Be careful, come back early." I'm going to leave early tomorrow morning. ”

Qiu Yinming followed what the old maid of Xu Mansion said during the day, found the cloth shop in the alley behind Xu Mansion, glanced at the decent courtyard a few times, and asked Xu Youzhen to treat this fellow villager quite well, otherwise Poor Xiucai would not be able to live in this house. Slowly walked around to the side wall of the courtyard, saw that there was no one around, and jumped into the courtyard.

There are two rooms in the front and back of the courtyard, and the back one is lit. Qiu Yinming took out a black towel from his arms, covered his face, walked to the lighted room, and knocked on the door. After a long time, Fang listened to one of the people: "Who?" That voice was indeed Ma Xiucai, who I heard during the day. Qiu Yinming said: "Ma Xiucai, open the door quickly." ”

After a while, there was a sound of footsteps in the door, Ma Xiucai slowly opened the door a crack, and before he could scream, he was covered by Qiu Yinming, and pushed into the house with his backhand. Ma Xiucai tried to struggle, but felt a chill on his neck, and the man in his ear whispered: "If you dare to scream, I will cut your throat." ”

Ma Xiucai closed his eyes and nodded in a panic. Qiu Yinming slowly let go of him and said, "You do what I say, I won't hurt you in the slightest." Ma Xiucai looked at the masked man tremblingly and said, "Big, hero." You, what do you want me to do? Qiu Yinming said: "You grind the ink first." Hurry up! Ma Xiucai agreed, and hurriedly found the inkstone. Qiu Yinming asked, "Lord Xu treats you well." What are you going to do now? When Ma Shiquan heard this, he exclaimed: "Does the hero recognize Lord Xu? ”

"Don't just know." Qiu Yinming said, "Don't ask too much. ”

Ma Shiquan agreed, grinding the ink vigorously. Qiu Yinming took advantage of this time to glance at Ma Xiucai's house. I saw a large package scattered on the bed, and an umbrella was placed next to the package. There was a small package on the table. grabbed it, and it was clearly a bag of gold and silver. Ma Xiucai saw that he took the small package, and exclaimed: "Hero, let me go." Take all the silver and gold. Me, I...... Alas! Ma Xiucai sighed. A butt sat down. Holding his head in his hands, he said: "What kind of Tai Sui did I commit, you want to use me, a hard-working villain, to play tricks!" Is my life so worthless? ”

Qiu Yinming was suspicious in his heart, sat down and said, "Ma Xiucai, you tell me clearly, what happened?" ”

Ma Shiquan said: "During the day, a person from the yamen just came and gave me twenty taels of gold, and asked me to write an anonymous letter, saying that Lord Xu was really wronged, and forced me to write, write, and offend the words of the saint." Alas, it's not my life! Hero, what do you want me to write? ”

When Qiu Yinming heard him say this, he was shocked, it turned out that someone had already done what he wanted to do first. Could it be Fan Ying? Wrong. Thinking of Fan Ying's casual appearance during the day, it was probably not him. Seeing that this thing is done so neatly, maybe it is Cao Jixiang. After thinking about it for a while, I was relieved, anyway, someone walked in front, and it was hotter than myself, so there was nothing to worry about. In a blink of an eye, he saw that Ma Shiquan was still standing aside tremblingly, so he said, "Ma Xiucai, there is nothing for you here." Pack up and run for your life. Ma Shiquan looked at Qiu Yinming with a look of surprise and walked away.

A few days later, on the way south to Wuchang Mansion, Qiu Yinming suddenly received a message from Fan Ying from Beijing, saying that Xu Youzhen was resentful on the day of being demoted, and he slandered the court with insulting remarks, and was anonymously denounced, which angered Shengyan. Now a paper edict is recalled, and he has been put in prison. After reading the letter, Qiu Yinming's heart was very happy, and before arriving in Wuchang, he could finally relax a little. That night, he wrote a letter to Dongfang Yan and sent someone to Ying Tianfu urgently, firstly to state his movements, and secondly, to hope that his friends could understand his previous helpless actions.