In the summer of the forty-sixth year of Yongjia, it seems that even God is lamenting the death of this heroine, and the summer of this year is full of rain. The rain continued for many days, but some of the courtiers who flattered and offered praise to the emperor and the emperor have linked the empress dowager's driving with such a celestial phenomenon. Even though the saint is sad and incomprehensible, he is also a wise and holy king, and he is noncommittal about these red-mouthed and white-toothed strange words. But the flood was the first thing that came to mind. It is necessary to issue an order to urge the local officials of the state capitals to repair the river embankment and clean up the river channel, so as not to block the river embankment and ruin the people's livelihood and fertile land.

At this time, there are few courtiers who praise the benevolence and love of the people today. And the ordinary people who are far away from the temple, throwing food in the soil every day, are more worried than the big men in the court.

Originally, the rain in summer was infrequently, and it was a common sight for heavy rain to rain down and cover the sun. But like this year, it is really rare to see the sun for more than half a month. Those experienced old croppers began to feel bitter when they saw such a day, for fear that the year would be bad and there would be floods, not to mention waiting for the transaction tax to be collected, that is, their own chewing grain for the year would not be enough. No matter how difficult it is, the hard days of selling children and daughters in order to survive are not without it.

The common people who are familiar with Jiaxuan may not understand any big truth, but they know that it is useless to sit on the kang and worry about the sky and the earth, and it is better to carry the guy into the field every day to drain the drain, even if it is hard, it is better than the crops are soaked and the harvest is lost.

Be diligent and take precautions.

But many people don't understand such a simple and simple truth. At least the ministers of Henan, Hebei, Anhui and other places do not understand. It was not until the Yellow River broke that it flooded the states along the river, so that the bad news of the displacement of hundreds of thousands of victims spread to the capital, and even the excerpt of the local imperial history impeaching the officials of the two rivers for colluding with the governor of the river to embezzle 2.8 million taels of river repair work was sent to the sage's imperial case. In order to conceal the past—

“…… How to hide it? Now the impeachment of the officials of the two rivers for colluding with the governor of the river for embezzlement of money for ink is on the sage's imperial case, and the news of the displacement of hundreds of thousands of victims in the states along the river is even more popular with the government and the public. If this happened at an ordinary time, I am afraid that there would still be a cover-up, but after the Empress Dowager drove it, the saint took pity on the people and ordered officials from all over the country to repair the river embankment. It can be seen that they are not only deceiving the saints and greedy for money, but also resisting the decree and disrespecting. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince only made it clear in front of His Majesty a few days ago that he intended to defend the system for the Empress Dowager for three years, but now he has entered this troubled water. I'm afraid that those people will see it, and even more will say it. ”

In the study outside the East Palace, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and all his henchmen were talking secretly in the outer study. What was discussed was the 800-mile urgent report that the officials of the two rivers had colluded with the governor of the river to pay for the construction of the river, so that the embankment had fallen into disrepair for many years, and the heavy rain had burst the embankment and flooded the people's fields.

Because most of the officials of Liangjiang are under the prince's disciples, Lu Huanzhang, the governor of the river, was also recommended by His Royal Highness the prince. Now that everyone has made such a big omission, the prince, as the prince of the country, has such a relationship with everyone, and this son is rarely impeached in the eyes of people who have a heart now. The lighter ones were guilty of negligence, and the heavier ones were the three princes, and they almost didn't point out in front of the saints that he was the culprit who was greedy for ink and silver, causing the river embankment to fall into disrepair and flood. Even those little royal brothers with inexplicable positions also took the opportunity to fall into the well, openly and secretly reminding the current prince of the rich filial piety that his subordinates often offer on the third festival and two birthdays in order to please the prince-

If this matter is ordinary on weekdays, but at this juncture, it becomes more and more inseparable from the fact that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is inseparable from the embezzlement of ink and labor funds by officials in Liangjiang.

As the so-called three people become tigers, even if the saint attaches great importance to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and trusts him very much, seeing this bad debt, he can't deceive himself and say that this matter has nothing to do with the prince.

Because the prince is the prince of the country, for the sake of the prince's face, Emperor Yongjia has never admonished and reprimanded in front of people. However, after the court meeting dispersed, the prince was still announced into the Qinzheng Palace and scolded a dog. If it weren't for the fact that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince proposed the benevolence and filial piety of the Empress Dowager for three years with the courtesy of ordinary people when the Empress Dowager was driving, which aroused today's fatherly feelings, I am afraid that under the anger of the son of Longyan, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's situation would be even more wolfless.

However, even the saint did not want to hold His Royal Highness the Crown Prince accountable in public for negligence in this matter (or more severe than negligence). But I have to admit that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was disgraced by this incident, not only did he lose the good reputation brought by the previous acts of purity and filial piety for the country and the people, but more dangerously, he almost lost his saint's favor because of this incident.

The latter is what scares the prince the most. That's why after leaving the Qinzheng Palace, he immediately gathered his confidants and courtiers to discuss how to deal with this matter.

The one who spoke just now was Zhao Yin, the prince's companion, and because of the sage's attitude, he did not agree with His Royal Highness the Prince's mediation and cover-up of this matter. I hate those foreign officials who are dull and greedy, not only can they not help the prince and share the prince's worries, but they poke out such a big basket to affect the prince. Now they still want the prince to stand up and settle the matter for them. Doesn't it make the prince fall deeper and deeper?

When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince heard Zhao Yin's words, he just frowned tightly and didn't say a word.

Seeing such a scene, Shi Rong, the prince's brother, had to take a step forward and said, "Lord Zhao is very true. However, the officials of Liangjiang and the governor of the river were all subordinates of the prince, and if the prince stood by at this time, not to mention that the prince would be guilty of negligence, the Manchu civil and military thought that the prince did not have the ability to know people...... I'm afraid that it will also chill the hearts of the people below. ”

It must be known that the Liangjiang officials are only a part of the prince's subordinates. If something happens to this part of the people and the prince stands by and watches, then what do other people think? After all, everyone is loyal to the prince, and they don't want the prince to be cold-hearted and cold-hearted, regardless of the lives of the people below.

As soon as these words came out, everyone looked at each other and did not answer.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looked at everyone, you look at me, I look at you, no one could think of a good way, and I didn't feel more and more headaches. Reaching out and pressing the faintly beating temples, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looked at Chen Qi, who was standing behind everyone without saying a word, and his heart moved. Then he opened his mouth to ask Chen Qi for advice.

Chen Jue's official position is humble and his family is shallow, although he has won the green eyes of the prince before, he is fortunate to be accompanied by the East Palace. But most of them met with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince alone, and what they talked about was anecdotal and irrelevant. It is the first time that he can participate in this kind of secret discussion as a strategist, and this is the credit of Chen Qi after admonishing His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to "double-entry bookkeeping" and "raising honest silver".

The ministers present also knew that although Chen Jue was not very proficient in articles and studies, he really had some talent in practice. Seeing His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asking like this, he invariably looked over.

Chen Qi listened silently to the discussions of the ministers, he was originally a delicate, sleek and thoughtful person, who spoke and acted on weekdays, and was the most unwilling to offend people. At this time, when I learned about the cause and effect of the Yellow River's burst, I was a little angry in my heart.

The sage said that a gentleman loves money and takes it in a good way, and there is an old saying that it is only for money to be an official for thousands of miles.

It is not that those who are officials cannot be greedy, but they must distinguish between the important and the important, and Chen Qi boasts that he can't do anything that damages yin and morality for his own selfish desires and displaces millions of disaster victims. Just because of such measures is not only greedy, but also stupid.

Being an official is not afraid of being greedy, but he is afraid of being stupid. Corrupt officials also have capable ministers and officials, so that the people under their rule have a smooth wind and rain, and they do not close their doors at night. But stupid officials are going to harm others and themselves. What's even more ridiculous is that there are such stupid people nowadays, who don't know that they are stupid, but want to be smart and affect others......

Chen Qi raised his eyes and looked at the prince and the ministers, and arched his hand and said: "Dare to ask His Royal Highness the prince, the government and the opposition know everything about this matter. Even if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince makes a move, can he be sure that the concealment will not leak? ”

Of course not, otherwise the crown prince and the ministers would not be so embarrassed.

Seeing this, Chen Qi smiled again: "That's it." Even if the crown prince makes a move, he can't turn big things into small things, and small things into nothing. Instead, there is a risk that Mud Feet will fall into the wrath of the dragon's face. In this case, why did His Royal Highness the Crown Prince make a move? ”

"That being said, if the crown prince is indifferent, how can he explain it to the courtiers who support the prince? I'm afraid that the third prince will provoke it even more because of this-"

"I'm afraid that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will make a move, and the third prince will be even happier. At that time, it will not be to provoke the relationship between the prince and the courtiers. When the time comes, just find a copy of His Royal Highness the Prince of Imperial History, and the evidence is conclusive. Wechen doesn't know what the big truth is, he only knows what makes the opponent happy, and Wechen will never do it. ”

Chen Jue interrupted Shi Rong's words with a smile, and said to the prince: "Wei Chen will say another word of adventure, the flooding of the Yellow River and the diversion of the people's livelihood have existed in all dynasties, not only my dynasty, nor only this year. This is providential, and cannot be changed by man. It's not that this year, some people are greedy for ink and silver, causing the river embankment to fall into disrepair, and if this group of people is arrested and killed, the same thing will never happen again in the future. What's more, this matter has been confirmed, even if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has the heart to make up for the shortcomings, he should start from the relief of the victims and the restoration of people's livelihood, instead of doing futile work. ”

“…… The saint is the saint who knows the suffering of the people, which is the virtue of generosity and benevolence. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the prince of the country and is deeply taught by the saints, and he should uphold righteousness. Today, there is an imperial history of impeachment of the Liangjiang officials for colluding with the governor of the river to embezzle money for the ink, most of which are the disciples of His Royal Highness the Prince, not to mention that Lu Huanzhang, the governor of the river, is also recommended by His Royal Highness the Prince. As for the result of the investigation, the Liangjiang officials were indeed greedy, and the prince was not involved, or whether some people tried in vain to implicate His Royal Highness the prince in this matter, depending on what the sage thought. ”

After everyone heard Chen Qi's words, their minds became more and more confused. Shi Rong couldn't help but ask, "Are you asking His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to do nothing?" ”

Chen Qi smiled slightly and continued: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is trying to avoid suspicion, but it is not good to get involved. On the contrary, he can recommend to the saint His Royal Highness the Sixth Prince to thoroughly investigate this matter for Lord Qincha. His Royal Highness the Sixth Prince is upright, selfless, and noble, and has no obstacles with all parties. It would be most appropriate for him to come forward to provide relief to the victims and thoroughly investigate the matter. ”

It is also the most suitable for back-to-back grievances.

Everyone didn't know the temperament of the six princes, and when they heard what Chen Qi said, they became more and more anxious. I'm afraid that the six princes, who don't recognize the six relatives on errands, will not only toss the two rivers and turn them on their backs, but the cronies of His Royal Highness the Prince, who have been cultivated with great difficulty, will definitely lose half of Thailand.

Shi Rong was anxious and angry, and he didn't wait for Chen Qi to explain, and shouted that Chen Qi had bad intentions, and he must have gained the benefits of the three princes, and deliberately came to dismantle His Royal Highness the Prince.

Chen Qi was not in a hurry, and only said to His Royal Highness the Prince: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince thinks that if it is decided by the Holy Judge, who will the Holy Judge choose to handle this matter?" ”

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince calmed down and thought about it, and had to admit that Chen Jue's opinion was very right. Even if he didn't open his mouth to recommend the six princes, he was afraid that his father would appoint the sixth minister to deal with this matter after weighing the emperor. In this case, it is better for him to speak before his father, so that he can not only show that he is fair and fair, but also show his wisdom in knowing people. It's just that......

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince frowned, still a little reluctant to the group of people in Liangjiang.

Chen Jue has been with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for several years, and naturally knows that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is a little indecisive and can't make up his mind whenever it is critical. I had to speak: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the prince of the country, and he is ordered by the saint to supervise state affairs and handle the affairs of the court. Weichen said something offensive, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the prince for one day, and the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty are all under the Prince. That being the case, why does His Royal Highness the Crown Prince divide the ministers of a dynasty so clearly. Instead, the ministers thought that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was ......"

When Chen Qi said this, he glanced at everyone lightly, lowered his voice and said, "A little bit of small profit can win over people who please you." ”

As soon as these words came out, the room was shocked. The prince looked at Chen Jue with a terrifying gaze, as if he had been hit on the head.