It is said that Lin Hai discussed with more than a dozen adults who lived with him for several days, and finally decided to return to the capital first, so he wrote a note to General Liu. The next day, they received the last note from General Naliu, which read: "The last general was entrusted by someone to send you to a far place, but for some reason they could not make the trip, and they were blocked by a small garden, and I apologize." Then they speculated as to who had entrusted them, where they had been taken, and why they had not been able to do so. Only Lin Hai and Su Zheng knew that it must be Jia Cong and others who asked General Liu, so he guessed that the "far away" was probably the Taiwan government.

In fact, this matter was just that Liu Xianglian suddenly remembered that Jia Cong had said before leaving, and he casually coaxed Qin Sangu to say that he had sent Lin Hai and others to Lingnan; In order to give him a lie, he broke these two sentences. It's just that Lin Hai and others are pure and kind, and they have no doubts.

The thirteen scholars of the Wuyuan Yuan discussed and discussed, and one by one they fell asleep. Lin Hai was angry in his heart: What he told Jia Huan a few days earlier was in vain!

When they awoke, they found themselves lying on their knots in a thatched hut. The old men dusted off the straw on their bodies and looked around in all directions, and there was a large bag of steamed buns and four large water bags in the shed, which were obviously prepared for them. Everyone was already hungry, and they didn't care about eating and drinking first. After eating, he came out to look, stretched his neck for a long time, and saw a farmer walking over, and hurriedly asked him where this was and how far it was from the capital.

The man pointed out, "There is a path from this ridge, and the road is only half a mile west of the road, and when you get to the road, you will know that the gate is very close." ”

The adults were amazed and delighted, and they rushed forward one by one, without caring for their manners, and no one saw the farmer tearing off his fake beard. They walked to the main road as they said, and there happened to be a tea vendor at the intersection, so they surrounded and asked. The peddler pointed out, "Well, isn't that the city gate?" ”

The adults looked at his fingers, and the one that was high in the distance was really the gate of the capital! He screamed with joy and rushed over with a running belt. Naturally, I don't know that as soon as they left on their front feet, the hawkers closed their stalls on their back feet.

This incident immediately shocked the government and the public.

Thirteen elders were kidnapped from the edict prison and returned to Beijing mysteriously. The adults didn't know anything except that the leading general's surname was Liu! The courtyard called the Wuyuan Garden was immediately probed around, but no one could find out.

Situ Pan knew that even if he could hide it from others, he couldn't hide it from Lin Hai, and he didn't think about how to meet him for a while, but only discussed with a few henchmen to guess what the origin of these people was.

Qin Sangu promised Jia Cong not to tell Situ Pan, and also knew that he had coaxed Situ Pan that day, and if he said it, he would be afraid of arousing suspicion for him, so he really didn't say it. When I heard "quite far away", I naturally thought it was Guangzhou, but I thought about it for a long time when I "couldn't make it for some reason". Jia Cong's person who coaxed her to rob the prison that day was borrowed from Wang Ziteng, and she really couldn't think of why Wang Ziteng's people could not make the trip back to Lingnan.

However, Feng Ziying suspected that the person entrusted to him was only afraid that it was Jia Cong. Situ Pan said: "I also had doubts about him. It's just that Jia Cong takes his two gentlemen very seriously, and their family has a lot of property in the suburbs of Beijing, so he will never borrow someone else's yard, he is not at ease. ”

Feng Ziying said: "How can you see that the courtyard is not theirs?" ”

Situ Pan said: "It is still beautiful to be a cardamom, and it is fragrant to sleep and dream." These two sentences are not close to the writings of the Jia family. Look at Jia Cong's pair at the last literary meeting: ten years of blue blood turning over the sea, and a piece of Dan's heart shines on the flag. The ambitions of the two writers are at odds with each other. Situ Pan has not read Jia Baoyu's poems.

Feng Ziying was right when she heard it, so she put it down.

Qin Sangu hurriedly said: "Then General Liu said that he couldn't make the trip for some reason, what could be the reason?" ”

Situ Pan said: "This is hard to guess. The capital has not stopped for several months, and they only have five hundred men and horses, and they have to take a dozen old Confucian students with them; The soldiers of the others are in the tens of thousands. ”

When Qin Sangu heard this, she also put the matter aside, and Jia Cong passed this hurdle by mistake.

A staff member slapped his head suddenly: "Lord Wang, will we be mistaken." General Naliu is not there to save people, but to rob people. ”

Situ Pan hurriedly asked, "How do you say this?" ”

The staff said: "Although these thirteen adults are the confidants of the Emperor Taishang, they are also the great Confucians of the world, the pillars of the country, and talents!" Fortunately, it was not sent away; If it is sent away, even if Xu Shu of Cao Ying doesn't say a word, others will not be able to use it. Lord, if these adults can't be returned to the court, they can't leave Beijing. The students are afraid that they will vote for King Chen. ”

Situ Pan immediately frowned and said, "King Chen's idea may not have used them. That being said, he still ordered people to secretly guard the mansion of these old men, and to report any actions immediately.

After Lin Hai returned to Beijing, he waited for seven days, and finally waited for Situ Pan to come to the door. It's just that he said that he was sick and never saw each other, so he only ordered a little boy to come out and ask Situ Pan a question. "My lord said that the court will use the world to take the scholars. If it is divided today, what should the imperial examination be like next year? ”

Situ Pan smiled bitterly. The world is divided, and the most troublesome thing is this matter except for taxes, and he really has no suitable way. I had to go back and consult with my staff.

Someone said: "The majesty of heaven is still there, and the imperial examination is still there." ”

Another said: "I just don't know if the transfer of officials is still useful." ”

Another said: "Even though it is divided, only local taxes are divided, and the appointment and dismissal of officials are still in the capital." ”

The one in front of him laughed and said, "Dare to ask who will pay the money?" ”

That one choked.

Situ Pan also had a headache. If he forcibly sends prefects and county orders everywhere, regardless of whether his brothers and nephews accept it or not, who will pay for it? Moreover, the things that the six departments lead are all national. For example, the affairs of the Ministry of Punishment cannot be put under the control of the kings; The household department is not sure what it will look like. If these are all managed by the imperial court, in addition to the money, what is more important is a large amount of money, disaster relief and river control, and so on.

Suddenly, he looked up and saw Feng Ziying and Qin Sangu talking together, so he asked, "What are you two talking about?" ”

Feng Ziying said: "I just said that Cong'er has the most eccentric idea, and there is an unusual gentleman, although he has gone to the south, it would be good if his husband was still in Beijing." ”

Situ Pan frowned and said, "Speaking of which, in the early years, we always thought that his husband was a woman. Later, I learned that the woman was only one of them, and the rest were all men. ”

Qin Sangu hurriedly asked, "Does the prince know who it is?" ”

Situ Pan said: "The name sounds like a person in the green forest, among whom there are scholars, merchants, and thieves, collectively known as the Seven Monsters of Jiangnan." ”

Qin Sangu said curiously: "I have been in contact with the people of the Green Forest for more than ten years, why have I never heard of it?" Where did the prince get the letter? ”

Situ Pan said: "Listen to what Mr. Xiao Gong said. ”

Feng Ziying nodded and said, "His words are probably true." That Mr. Gong Kun is called the tent, but in fact, he has a bit of a staff. Because Jia pardon has not done much, he has never shown it. In my opinion, it was kept by Jia Yu for Cong'er. ”

Situ Pan snorted: "It's not enough! Because Cong'er often runs to you, you rarely go to Rongguo Mansion, and you never enter Cong'er's Lixiang Courtyard. The letter heard from Rongguo Mansion said that since Jia Yu sent the sons of a group of pro-soldiers to accompany Jia Cong to study and practice martial arts, Gong Kun often lived in Lixiang Yuan to teach those children to read. It wasn't until later that Jia Cong invited Mr. Xiyang to fiddle with what bottles and cans he came back. ”

Feng Ziying said: "Therefore, he is more tight than ordinary staff. ”

Qin Sangu sighed: "Cong'er is here, but you can really ask him." His idea was quirky, but it probably worked. ”

Feng Ziying said: "Why don't you go and ask Huan'er?" ”

Qin Sangu said: "Huan'er is not honest now, but she doesn't have such a whimsical idea as Cong'er. ”

Situ Pan said: "I can't think of a way for a while now, just ask him at random, even if he doesn't have a good idea, he can't get us to come up with a good idea." Besides, he is a disciple of Ruhai and Su Zheng, and he will inevitably go to discuss with him. ”

Feng Ziying responded.

On the same day, he went to Rongguo Mansion to ask Jia Huan if he had an idea. Jia Huan puffed out his face and said, "Can I have an idea for such a big matter?" ”

Feng Ziying said: "I don't expect you to make up your mind, you just think about it, what if you come up with something?" It's okay to go and consult with Lord Lin. ”

Jia Huan pouted and said, "Actually, you just want me to ask Uncle Lin." ”

Feng Ziying smiled.

Jia Huan ran to Lin Mansion and Su Mansion every day these days, and he didn't care about running more, so he called someone to pull the horse out. When he arrived at the Lin Mansion, he saw Lin Hai pruning flowers and trees with scissors in the garden again, and said, "Sir, you are really idle!" ”

Lin Hai kept in his hands, and said: "I don't have any official business to do, and it is difficult for the imperial court to open the imperial examination, so it is useless for you to write articles." It's better to take care of some flowers and trees. ”

Jia Huan hurriedly leaned up and said what Feng Ziying said, and said, "King Xian has a headache, I don't know what to do." ”

Lin Hai snorted: "What do you have to do with me." ”

Jia Huan asked, "Sir, do you have an idea?" This matter is dry to the world. ”

Lin Hai shook his head and said, "What can I think." It is not necessarily a bad thing that hundreds of schools of thought have contended in the world since then. I only pity those scholars who study hard in the cold window. After that, he sighed and put down the scissors and was worried.

Jia Huan couldn't persuade him, so he held his cheeks and thought for a long time, and asked, "Uncle, do you think this will be done?" Since the vassal king is a vassal king, he always asks for a tribute. Let them pay annual tribute to the three provinces and six ministries. ”

Lin Hai snorted: "Are they willing to give it?" ”

Jia Huan said: "Otherwise, there is no other way, but the court must send a letter to the princes to discuss this matter." There is also the imperial examination, which the disciples still have to do. ”

Lin Haidao: "For King Xian, it is naturally good for the imperial examination. The imperial court held the imperial examination as usual, and both face and prestige could be saved. But I don't know if the princes are willing to use it. He waved his hand and said no more.

Two days later, Feng Ziying came to Rongguo Mansion again to ask Jia Huan if he had seen Lin Hai, and Jia Huan said it 1510. Feng Ziying said disappointedly: "Lord Lin doesn't have any ideas. ”

Jia Huan said: "It's just that last night I suddenly remembered Cong'er's words many years ago, as if there was some truth. Feng Ziying hurriedly asked what he said, and he said, "Actually, the court officials are almost the same as the shopkeepers of ordinary shops. Officials do things for the imperial court, and the imperial court gives them money. If he does well, he will be promoted and raised, and if he does not do well, the owner will dismiss him. Those who are corrupt and pervert the law are like the treasurer's self-enriching pockets. If you look at it this way, the imperial examination is just an exam, and if you pass the examination, this person can be the treasurer. Wherever you are a shopkeeper, you can do it. But if all the princes can look at it like this, they must be willing to ask the officials sent by the imperial court. ”

Feng Ziying smiled when she heard this: "Since many years ago, Zi Cong'er has become smaller and smaller. Obviously, this was not said by a child, but which one of the Seven Monsters of Jiangnan said it? ”

Jia Huan exclaimed: "Huh? Do you also know the Seven Monsters of Jiangnan? ”

Feng Ziying couldn't help laughing. Jia Huan knew that he must have misunderstood, and he refused to explain it, so he was busy smirking a few times with him. Feng Ziying remembered that Situ Pan said that one of the Seven Monsters in Jiangnan was a businessman, and she became more and more confident. Nai said again: "It's just Yulu? ”

Jia Huan said: "Yulu is naturally to give money to whoever works. The princes who have done a good job are willing to give a rise to the top of their lives. Whoever is too poor to afford to be an official, don't blame others for not being willing to be an official for him. ”

Feng Ziying said: "It's really troublesome to hold a imperial examination, if it's all for others, why bother with it." ”

Jia Huan said with a smile: "Brother Feng's words are ridiculous! Although it is to choose a soldier for others, it is the court that has the final say on who to choose. was chosen, even if he worked under the King of Liao, didn't he remember who his mentor was? Moreover, I, Mr. Lin, also said that for King Xian, this imperial examination is still a good one. In fact, the virtuous king is not much different from the others. It is already very difficult to get the right to choose a judge for the kings. He doesn't want it, but someone wants it. There are a lot of things going on this year, so tomorrow I will use this as an excuse not to hold the imperial examination. If you don't do it after four years, believe it or not, the prince next to you will jump out to do it? If they join forces, King Xian will suffer a lot of losses. ”

Feng Ziying nodded again and again when she heard this: "What you said is true." ”

He then went back to report the matter to Situ Pan one by one, and Jia Huan also wrote an urgent letter to the south.

Two days later, Jia's mother asked Jia Huan because she remembered something, and sent someone to find him, but Aunt Zhao replied that she was "going to Mr. Su's house". Jia Muden remembered that Su Zheng had returned to Beijing, and was busy ordering people to guard Jia Huan at the door, and as soon as he came back, he called to see him.

When Jia Huan returned to the house and saw Amber at the door, he immediately sighed, jumped down and asked, "What happened to the old ancestor?" ”

Amber said: "The old lady only ordered the slave to wait here, and the third master will ask her to meet her as soon as he returns." ”

Jia Huan was helpless, and went straight to Jia's mother house without changing his clothes.

As soon as Jia Mu heard that he was coming, her eyebrows and eyes immediately turned into a flower, and she beckoned to him: "My son, come here." ”

Jia Huan suddenly felt that something bad was wrong, so he was busy and gave her a big gift. Jia Mu said angrily: "What do you do with so many rules in a family. ”

Jia Huan hurriedly said: "Gifts are not costly. Mr. Caisu also said that I, I have been mixed with Cong'er over the years, and the honesty of the early years has been worn out a lot; He also told me to remember the word 'li'. Grandchildren have to obey the teacher's orders, right? ”

Jia Mu smiled: "You Mr. Su is a good gentleman!" Huan'er, now that Cong'er has gone to the south, is there only one disciple by Mr. Su's side? ”

Jia Huan said: "Isn't it? There was no one to help with pouring tea and grinding ink. ”

Mother Jia hurriedly said: "Your second brother is not going to study in the academy now. Since there are fewer disciples around Mr. Su, why don't you ask him tomorrow, and also accept your second brother as an apprentice, the two of you brothers study together, and it will be a good story to spread in the future, and you don't have to worry about no one to help pour tea and ink. ”

Jia Huan shuddered when he heard this: "Ancestor, I can't do this matter, I have to ask Mr." It's just that his old man has just been under house arrest for a few months, and he is not in a good mood. ”

Jia Mu smiled: "Your second brother is smart, polite and filial, and he still has a background, and he is in a good mood when he sees it." ”

Jia Huan's heart was like a dark cloud, but he couldn't refuse her old man at this time, so he had to agree, and he didn't dare to show his displeasure, so he hurriedly retreated. When he got outside, he secretly gritted his teeth and said, "Why haven't you given up after so many years!" "Jia Cong, the bear child of the Red Mansion

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Chapter 191 of the main text

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