According to the ancient regulations, when the biological parents died, the children were required to undergo the highest level of mourning, which lasted for 27 months. After that, the funeral can be ended, which is called "removal", after which the marriage is no longer restricted. And it has been several years since the Ruan family and the Jiang family got married. So Ruan Yuan heard his father talk about the marriage, and he didn't hesitate anymore, and in December of that year, everything was ready, and the wedding with the Jiang family began.

The day before the wedding, Ruan Chengxin also prepared a simple crown ceremony for Ruan Yuan. After entering the Qing Dynasty, due to the forced change of clothing and hairstyle, there were fewer and fewer people who performed the crown salute. However, some good ancient scholars occasionally do it, and it is also a common thing, and there is no strict prohibition. After the crown ceremony, Ruan Chengxin also prepared a word for his son: Bo Yuan. Ruan Yuan's character Bo Yuan started at this time. (One said that Ruan Yuan has another word Liang Bo, but it is rarely used.) And the two words are parallel, often there are, here is simplified. ）

Jiang Fang was naturally overjoyed when he learned that Ruan Yuan was about to get married, and the dowry was naturally a lot, and he prepared a new home for the Ruan family in Luowan. This move is not only for the need to marry a daughter, but also to pray for the Ruan family to come and run. Ruan Chengxin was of course reluctant at first, but he couldn't stand Jiang Fang's kindness, so he agreed. The new house is not big, but it is very exquisite, which reduces a lot of expenses for the Ruan family.

The ninth day of December was an auspicious day, and Ruan Yuan also personally went to Jiang Mansion to welcome his wife through the door. Since the Ruan family is no longer the same as it was back then, it is Ruan Yuan's marriage, which is much simpler than that of his grandfather. Luowan is in the south of Dongguan and west of Pishi Street, not far from Jiangfu, so everything is very convenient.

Seeing that the greeting and worship are complete, all the etiquette has been completed. The newlyweds also went into the cave house. Ruan Yuan slowly lifted his wife's hijab, and saw that his wife was dignified, beautiful, and gentle, and gradually fell in love. But after thinking about it, in February next year, I will go to Yizheng to participate in the county examination again. Even if the county exam is passed, there will be a government exam in April, and a hospital exam next year, this first year of marriage, I am afraid that there will be no time to take care of my wife. I couldn't help but lean slightly and sighed.

Jiang Cai said with a smile: "When the master saw me, he didn't say a word, but sighed first. Do you think my sister is ugly? ”

"Where." Ruan Yuan said: "Mrs. Mei Ruozhilan, and Mrs. is fortunate to have three lives. It should be a blessing to stay with you in this life. It's just that...... It's just that in the first year of marriage, you and I can't help but suffer from some differences. ”

Jiang Cai was puzzled and looked at Ruan Yuan with a smile.

Ruan Yuan said: "It's December now, and this year will pass in a blink of an eye. In February next year, I'm going to take the exam. In previous years, due to ...... Because of family matters, I had to not go out, and next year will be a little late. Moreover, my family used to occupy the nationality, and now I live in Yangzhou, so it is a little troublesome. ”

Jiang Cai said: "My family knows about the affairs of your family, and I have been very sad. But Master doesn't need to worry, where will anyone say that you are not because of the most important thing in the world? It's just that you said that you occupy the nationality, I don't understand this very well, and my family has never cared about this. In fact, the Jiang family's original hometown is not in Yangzhou, but in She County, Anhui Province, but it has long been changed to Yangzhou nationality, and Jiang Cai's lack of understanding of these is also a common thing.

Ruan Yuandao: "My family was originally from Jiangdu, Yangzhou, but my great-grandfather's generation, in order to facilitate the entry of officials and schools, bought a tomb property in Yizheng near the left, and became a naturalized Yizheng person. If I really pass the exam, I will have to go to Yizheng to study for a year. Even if I can be admitted in the next college examination, it will not be until the year after next. In the past two years, I may only be able to be with you for three or four months at a time, so I feel sorry for Mrs. ”

Jiang Cai groaned softly: "The grass is withered, the eagle's eyes are sick, and the snow is light...... Does Master remember that he once recited this poem more than ten years ago? Or should I call you...... Brother of the Ruan family? ”

Ruan Yuan was startled, staring at Jiang Cai, and the past of that year gradually came to mind. When he was eight years old, he was in Jiangfu, and he was favored by Hu Tingsen for his poems. At that time, I remembered that there was a little girl about the same age as myself on the wall, who was secretly watching herself recite poems, and I thought it was Jiang Cai.

I remembered that when I was nine years old, I was bullied by several unscrupulous children in the Jiang family, and a girl from the Jiang family was upset and kept comforting herself. At that time, because he was angry, he didn't want to go to the Jiang family to study anymore, and after thinking about it, he was ruthless to that girl. The girl called herself that day, and she was the "brother of the Ruan family". I was extremely moved for a while, hugged Jiang Cai, and said: "Thank you for God's favor, I can let you and I meet again, I left the Jiang family that day, I was already sorry for you, and in the future, I should always protect your peace and joy." ”

Jiang Cai said with a smile: "It's not God's favor, it's the way you looked that day, Master, which makes me believe that you are the husband I want." If Grandpa Heting is not marrying you, I don't want to marry yet. ”

Ruan Yuan was a little puzzled, and hurriedly asked why. Jiang Cai often praised Ruan Yuan about Jiang Chun at home, and once told Jiang Fang about the marriage between the two and told Ruan Yuan one by one. He also said: "Grandpa Heting is a first-class Guanglu doctor, and there are several red-topped people I know." Grandpa is at home, and he always says that you will grow up to be promising. I don't know many people, but I think that everyone is not as good as you in learning to read, whether they are righteous and upright. But I haven't been out of Yangzhou, and I've never seen what it's like outside. But since Grandpa Heting said that, you must be amazing. ”

Ruan Yuan smiled: "Uncle Quanta has never seen me, why would he say that?" "In fact, Jiang Chun's character is long, the number is Heting, and Quanta is the name of the firm, and there are many people who call it Quanta or Heting on weekdays, and the two here use different terms, but they can both understand.

Jiang Cai smiled: "When you were studying, your grandfather often looked at you from behind, so you naturally didn't know it." Someone my grandfather knew, I didn't even think of it before. There was a major event in Yangzhou three years ago, does the master know? ”

Ruan Yuan said with a smile: "Three years ago, there was a lot of schoolwork, and Mr. Li was urging him tightly, so he didn't have time to go outside to ......" but suddenly remembered that when it came to major events, there was only one one thing that Yangzhou could count recently. Then he said: "What Madame said, is it the emperor's southern tour?" ”

Jiang Cai nodded, at this time, Qianlong had been the emperor of the Qing Dynasty for forty-eight years, and he had inspected Jiangnan five times. But during the first three southern tours, neither Nguyen Yuan nor Jiang Cai were born. The fourth time was in the thirtieth year of Qianlong, and the two had just been born, so they had no impression. The fifth southern tour was the 45th year of Qianlong, which was the era that the two of them personally experienced. Qianlong went to Yangzhou five times, and five times he was taken over by Jiang Chun, known as "Jiang Chun took over" in history. Jiang Cai grew up in Jiangfu, so he will naturally know this.

Jiang Cai said again: "When the emperor came to our house, there were many big officials behind him, all of whom were red-topped, with gems and corals...... Grandpa Heting is very powerful, the emperor asked him, and he answered exactly the same. Grandpa always said that he knew dignitaries, I didn't believe it before, but when I saw that those officials and grandpa were respectful, I realized that it was true! ”

Ruan Yuan smiled: "So, you thought I would have a chance at that time?" When I think about it like this, I feel so stressed! ”

Jiang Cai said: "I believe in grandpa, so I believe in you, this kind of thing will definitely not be difficult for you." Since you will definitely be successful in the future, why should I care about this year's time. Master don't be pressured, but don't play badly. As for the normal exam, what do you want to say, maybe one day in the palace of Baohe, the master can also see the emperor! ”

Ruan Yuan said with a smile: "I haven't gone to school in this county yet, how can I talk about the Baohe Palace, such a distant place, I haven't thought about it." ”

Jiang Cai was quite serious and said: "Grandpa Heting often said that Huaiyang is famous all over the world, but after all, Huaiyang is only a corner of the world, and it is still inferior to the capital to gather talents from all over the world. With the master's knowledge, he should not only stay in Huaiyang, but always go out and take a look outside. ”

As he spoke, he leaned on Ruan Yuan's arms, looked at the night sky, and said, "I don't know what the sky in the capital looks like?" ”

Ruan Yuan does not have a clear direction for the future, but he also believes that life in the world is to make a difference. At this time, after listening to Jiang Cai's words, I also looked at the sky with her, thinking that beyond Yangzhou, there was a bigger world......

The capital imagined by Ruan Yuan and his wife is like this in reality.

The 49th year of Qianlong came as scheduled, and after the end of the New Year's ceremony, the imperial court also began to discuss military affairs. In front of the Qianqing Gate on this day, many ministers have been gathered one after another. The Qing Dynasty usually held a large-scale court meeting, on this Qianqingmen Square, the emperor sat in the door, commonly known as "the imperial gate to listen to the government".

At one time, the ministers are all in place, the emperor is in place, slowly from the back to the front, when the royal couch is approaching, the guards will fall down the imperial opinion, the emperor is seated in the couch, the ministers kneel three times and knock nine times, and the mountain shouts long live. After the court, the discussion began.

Sitting on this couch is the emperor of the Qing Dynasty at that time, the sixth emperor of the Qing Dynasty Aixin Jueluo Hongli, and later generations officially called the temple name Qing Gaozong. On weekdays, it is known as the era name Qianlong, so later generations often call it Qianlong for convenience. At this time, it was the forty-ninth year of Qianlong's reign, and he ascended the throne at the age of twenty-five, so he was already seventy-four years old. In the "Twenty-Four History", there are only three people who are still on the emperor's throne at such an age, neither dead nor relegated to the emperor, Xiao Yan, Emperor Wu of Liang, Wu Zetian of Tang and Kublai Khan, the ancestor of the Yuan dynasty. The ancients did not recognize Wu Zetian's throne, so Qianlong was also the third person in history.

At this age, Qianlong is already gray-haired, gray in his beard, and there are not many who are not yet completely white. Fifty years after ascending to the throne, his eyes seem to be calm as water, but under the calm on the surface, there are bursts of light hidden, as if as long as there is a change in the outside world, it will attack. He is proficient in power skills, and his stillness and movement are unexpected. It was the minister who had no choice but to be respectful and respectful, and did not dare to do anything beyond the norm.

There are not many chapters on this day, and the content is nothing more than the matter of controlling water and saving famine in individual prefectures and counties, and it is not too difficult if it is just a resolution. Seeing that the political affairs were about to be dealt with, Qianlong suddenly said: "Today's affairs are not much. I have another matter, and I hope that you and others will discuss it together. ”

The ministers were speechless, everyone knew that the emperor said "consultation", but in fact, he just asked everyone to say "my emperor is shengming", that's all.

Qianlong continued: "Recently, I remembered that when Emperor Shengzu was in power, he made six southern tours, and the most holy virtue was transformed into Jiangnan. Since I ascended, I have been to Jiangnan five times, and this matter of virtue is inevitably inferior to the Holy Ancestor. I have no intention of surpassing the Holy Ancestor, but I am afraid that this time the number is less, and the kindness is not enough, if the people of Jiangnan think that the kindness of the imperial court is decreasing, is it not my fault? Therefore, I recently thought that in my lifetime, I would make another southern tour to pay homage to the holy virtues of the Holy Ancestor who went down to the south of the Yangtze River. I don't know what you mean, but it doesn't hurt to say it today. ”

There was no answer for a while.

Qianlong saw that there was silence below, so he said: "Since you have no other opinions, then this matter will be ......" Suddenly he saw a minister with a white belt around his waist walking out of the train, holding a notebook, and kneeling on the ground. Seeing this, he was naturally quite dissatisfied. But he remained silent, made a gesture, and asked a cabinet scholar next to him to present the notebook.

Qianlong looked at the playbook and said: "The area around Shifeng Fort in Gansu has been quite abnormal recently...... Wang Jie, since it's a military matter, why didn't you submit it earlier? The voice was slightly stern.

The minister who played under the stage was Wang Jie, who was the secretary of the Ministry of War at the time, and he has always been known for his seriousness and integrity. At this time, although he was nearly sixty years old, he had a long beard that hung down to his chest. Handsome and elegant, the dynasty is incomparable. Although Wang Jie heard Qianlong's stern voice, he has always been upright and not afraid. Said: "Your Majesty, this text was sent to the Ministry of War without instructions, and I think it is just as the text said, Shifeng Fort has recently moved, but it has not yet become a climate. Therefore, the minister thought that after the court meeting, the minister could present it to the emperor. However, if the emperor wants to tour the south, the ministers are afraid that they will be late to play, and they will miss the major events on the front line. It is because of this statement that there can be no further delay, so I have to submit it now. "According to the Qing system, the table was presented to the imperial court, and the emperor read it in person, and then it was sent to the ministries and departments, but all important matters should be sent to the military aircraft department for agreement. This recital involved military affairs, but without any instructions, it was directly sent to the military department, which should be because Qianlong was not aware of it for a while. Although Wang Jie's words have been slightly disguised, when such a thing was said by him in public, Qianlong naturally felt a little unbearable on his face.

Qianlong said again: "Since you said that the climate has not yet been formed, then this southern tour of the United States will be able to become a climate?" ”

Wang Jie said: "Your Majesty, three years ago, Su Forty-three rebelled against the imperial court in Gansu, and the army went to pacify at that time, which cost a lot of financial resources. The minister is a native of Shaanxi, and he often corresponds with his family on weekdays, and he knows that in the Gansu area, there are not a few people who are dissatisfied with the court. But after our army put down the rebellion, the emperor never asked about the northwest again. At this time, it is okay not to send it, in case there is a change, the court will spend an unknown amount of money on food soldiers. Therefore, the minister thought that instead of waiting for changes, it was better to prepare first, concentrate money and food, and arrest the first offender, in case of emergency. ”

Qianlong said: "This concentration of money and grain, the Ministry of Household and Industry will prepare it." My southern tour is not in the way. ”

Wang Jie said: "But four years ago, when the emperor made his fifth southern tour, he spent a lot of money all the way. The palace people bought it, and it cost a lot of money. Even...... The minister heard that some concubines purchased private things, which exceeded the palace by several times! With such consumption, if you come again this year, the minister will only ...... I'm afraid I can't deal with the northwest border affairs! Still looking forward to ...... I also hope that the emperor will put the people's peace and security first, and postpone this sixth southern tour! ”

When Qianlong heard this, his face gradually changed, but what Wang Jie said was not completely unreasonable. had to temporarily suppress his anger, thinking about how to find a reason to shut up Wang Jie. At this moment, another minister opposite Wang Jie came out to bow down.

When Qianlong looked carefully, he saw that this person was in his thirties, although he already had some beard, but his appearance was fair and very personable. The chin beard is marked, which is more mature and stable. Knowing that he is his most favored household secretary, the minister of military aircraft and Shen. I only heard He Shen say: "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that what Wang Shangshu said is inconsistent with the truth. The household department is in charge of the world's money and grain, if the money is insufficient, how can it not be reported? Besides, since the emperor reigned on the throne, the world has been peaceful for 50 years, how can there be a reason for insufficient money? Even if there are border affairs in the northwest, the national treasury can also deal with it, and the emperor does not need to worry about the southern tour. ”

Qing Dynasty officials said that the banner officials called themselves ministers in official affairs, and the private parties were called slaves. At this time, He Shen and Wang Jie discussed, whether it is the southern tour or the border defense, it is a public matter, and it is natural to be a minister. Wang Jie listened to He Shen's words, and he was also dissatisfied, and said: "Lord He knows that four years ago, the emperor toured south, and the people of Jiangnan took great pains to welcome the emperor, and did not hesitate to decorate the house. Those gardens in the south of the Yangtze River, the last time I toured the south, we have all seen them, those strange flowers and stones, singing and dancing boats, which point is not the people's fat and people's ointment? It is the emperor's southern tour, and the court still has a surplus, but I am afraid that the people have already consumed most of their financial resources! ”

He Shen said: "The foolish people are ignorant, and they don't know that the emperor is touring the south, just to appease the people with virtue." They themselves speculated about the emperor's intentions, and their speculation was wrong, do they want to blame the emperor? If the king still has concerns, the minister will ask the emperor to make an edict and inform the people along the river that there is no need for extravagance and decoration, and the matter will be solved. ”

Of course, Wang Jie knew that even if there was such an edict, the people would inevitably spend a lot of financial resources in order to appease Qianlong, and such an edict was just self-deception. But although he was upright, he didn't dare to confront Qianlong casually, so he said: "Tell the adults that the household is full of money and food, but natural and man-made disasters are always inevitable. In case something goes wrong, is there a good plan with adults? ”

He Shen said: "Actually, what Lord Wang said is very true, this household must always take out a part of the money and grain, just in case. But even so, it is enough to deal with the affairs of the northwest. As for the emperor's southern tour, in fact, Lord Wang didn't know that the imperial court had always made a lot of entries in addition to the Zhengfu. These items alone can be used for the emperor's southern tour. What Lord Wang said is still unreasonable. ”

Wang Jie sneered: "What the adults said is that you created the guilty silver." He said to Qianlong: "Your Majesty, the minister also has something to say about this matter of sinful silver." Since ancient times, officials who have been corrupted by the law should be investigated and dealt with in accordance with national law. However, since we have this money, we have said that the amount of stolen goods received is small, and the crime can be discussed with silver, so we can not blame the past. But in fact, it is actually conniving at the corrupt officials in the world! He always said to adults that those who confessed to the guilty money were just petty greed and petty filth, and they would not have been too big in the first place. But it is precisely these countless petty greed and filth that make more and more people in the world begin to be disappointed in the court! And my lord, in all fairness, the people of Gansu today are not attached, but I am afraid that it has something to do with this discussion of guilt, right? ”

He Shen looked at Wang Jie, and suddenly saw the white belt on Wang Jie's waist, and suddenly had an idea.

Qianlong listened to the debate between the two, and Shen's words, one by one, secretly agreed with his own wishes. Even a lot of it was something that he didn't think of, and Heshen, as a subordinate, had no scruples and could say it clearly. But Wang Jie is very upright, every word, although it is unpleasant, but it is righteous and awe-inspiring, and it is difficult to argue. Although the silver was advocated by He Shen, in fact, in the early Qianlong period, there was already a matter of paying out the silver to atone for the crime, and He Shen just brought this matter to the table. Seeing that He Shen was gradually falling, he couldn't help but be a little annoyed. Suddenly, he Shen said: "Lord Wang is the most virtuous person in the world, the minister does not measure his own strength, and debate with Lord Wang, it is the minister's mistake, and please ask the emperor to punish him." ”

Qianlong was puzzled: "Heshen, what is the reason for what you say?" ”

He Shen said: "The minister has already heard that the king is filial to his mother. In the early years, Lord Wang's family was poor, and because of his mother's old age, he gave up the imperial examination for ten years and went to work as a scholar for the late Chen Zhongtang for ten years to support his mother. Lord Wang regards the relationship between mother and son as higher than that of the eunuch, and the minister secretly thinks to himself, but it is not as good as Lord Wang. The minister is ignorant, and he has debated with Lord Wang so far, which is really ashamed of himself. ”

But when he said this, Wang Jie not only did not feel any relief, but a cold sweat gradually appeared.

It turned out that when Wang Jie was young, his father died early, and since then, the situation has been exactly the same as what He Shen said. He did not go to the imperial examination for many years, but did his best under Chen Hongmou, a senior officer at the time. Just because the silver taels obtained in the curtain are much more than those of officials. Chen Hongmou has served as the governor of the past, and the income from the incorruptible silver is much higher than that of the silver, and he also has spare money to help Wang Jie support his old mother. Fortunately, Wang Jie responded and won the champion of the 26th year of the Qianlong Palace Examination in one fell swoop, and was promoted to the sixth grade. In the past 20 years, Wang Jie has worked diligently and has been a first-class soldier, but at this time, Wang Jie's mother, who was over eighty years old, unfortunately passed away.

Originally, according to the regulations, Wang Jie should return to his hometown and keep filial piety for twenty-seven months. He was filial to his mother, so he naturally resigned from his official position and returned to his hometown Hancheng first. But not long after, Qianlong suddenly issued an edict, asking him to return to Beijing to temporarily replenish the military department. The emperor made a will, and there was a reasonable reason to interrupt filial piety. He was thinking about the affairs of the court at that time, after all, it was important, so he returned to the court first, not wanting to be pointed out by He Shen one day.

"If the emperor listens to it and asks me to go back to my hometown to keep my clothes, what is good?" Wang Jie couldn't help but be a little nervous, he has always been known for his filial piety, once Qianlong pointed out, he had to leave Beijing and return to his hometown. In that case, the government itself would not have the right to ask again, and Qianlong's southern tour would no longer be hindered.

Sure enough, Qianlong had already heard what He Shen meant, and said: "I also remembered, Wang Jie, there was a shortage of people in the military department of the DPRK and Central China last year, so I specially called you back." In fact, I know that your mother is filial piety, and you must have thought about the three-year period. At present, there is nothing important to do in the military department, so I will become your beauty, and you will be allowed to return to your hometown first, and then come back to work? ”

Wang Jie was silent, looking at the minister at the head of the squad in front of him, the man looked like his hair was mostly white, but his heroic spirit was like a prime of life, and it seemed that he was Wang Jie's last hope.

But after looking at it for a while, the man didn't say anything, Wang Jie knew that this time there was only one way to resign and keep the system.

Thinking about it, although there is unwillingness, after all, filial piety is important. He was ready to take off his official hat and ask Qianlong for his resignation. Qianlong saw that Wang Jie no longer disobeyed his will, and said: "But Wang Jie, when you talk about my southern tour, it will do more harm than good to the people. If I think about it carefully, I have made five southern tours, only to see the people and happiness, where does this disadvantage come from? It's better to go with you on this southern tour to see if it's pros or cons. When we return, let's go back to Hanseong. As for the affairs of your military department, go back today and hand it over, and you will resign from the official system, and it will not be at this time. Where did Wang Jie dare to speak, he had no choice but to kowtow and thank him.

Seeing that there were no more waves in the matter of the southern tour, Qianlong set a time for the southern tour, and then went back to the palace.

Wang Jie was defeated by He Shen at a critical moment, and he was naturally unwilling in his heart. But after all, Qianlong made a will, and the king's order was difficult to disobey, so he had to return to the military department, sort out the relevant information in the area of Shifeng Fort, and prepare for the handover.

As he was packing up the papers, he suddenly heard a report from the next director: "Lord Wang, Lord Zhongtang is here, saying that you should hand over the documents to him." ”

Wang Jie was lowering his head, and he didn't have time to look at who was next to him for a while, so he said casually: "Which middle ...... is it", suddenly at a glance, he saw that it was not an ordinary crane official robe, but a four-regiment dragon supplement, he suddenly woke up, raised his head and said: "The matter of the military department, I actually asked Ah Zhongtang to personally inquire about it, Wang Jie is ashamed." ”

It turned out that the person who came to the military department to pick up the document scroll was none other than the then Wu Yingdian University Scholar, Chief Military Aircraft Minister, and First Class Gong Ah Gui. Seeing that he was sixty-eight years old, his beard was gray, but he was still not inferior to a young man with a heroic spirit. Ah Gui has been fighting in the army since he was young, and he has made great achievements in Tuntian Yili, south to Burma, west to Jinchuan, and pacifying Gansu. It's just that he was originally born as a courtier, and in the late Qianlong period, he was reappointed as a civil official, and now he is the head of the courtiers.

Ah Gui looked at Wang Jie, and was not angry, but smiled: "Lord Wang...... Great? Unexpectedly, the matter of Shifeng Fort, the emperor has already decided at the military aircraft department, and I will preside over it. Are you satisfied with the delivery of these documents to me? "Ah Gui was a civil official in his early years, so he always respected the Chinese courtiers of the DPRK. But after all, he has led the army to fight abroad for 20 years, and his temperament is arrogant, informal, and sometimes his language is not rigorous.

Wang Jie looked at Ah Gui with a look of being in his chest, and he was also a little ashamed, and said: "Ah Zhongtang has been busy with flood control and disaster relief for many years. I don't want to do military affairs in the northwest, and I have to be in charge of Lao Ah Zhongtang. ”

Ah Gui said with a smile: "Great man, the emperor went down to the court for this matter of Shifeng Fort, and then discussed it with us at the military aircraft department." Everything has been decided, if there is really a case, I will personally lead the army over. Why do you want to embarrass the emperor by speaking bluntly about this matter at today's court meeting? Maybe you can't believe the emperor, do you think that the emperor will delay the military and political affairs for the sake of the southern tour? ”

Wang Jie originally thought that Qianlong's sixth southern tour was just to show off himself, and he was on a par with his grandfather's sixth southern tour, and he was only afraid that important military and political affairs would be delayed. But when I heard Ah Gui say this, I was relieved in my heart, and said: "The emperor was originally a saint, but the lower officials were stupid." ”

Ah Gui said: "I know that when the court meeting, you want me to come forward. At that time, it was for this reason that I felt that you had done so much, so you did not speak. In fact, your open-mindedness, the emperor couldn't be clearer. So for many years, the emperor has been allowing you to speak. It's just that today, when the emperor talked about the southern tour, he felt that it should have been a great joy, so why shouldn't you play it afterwards? I had to play it at the time, so I was a little unhappy. ”

Wang Jie sighed: "Great joy? Wang has been in the court for a few years, but he doesn't think there are a few happy things. Have you heard of Ah Zhongtang? The day before yesterday, I heard from a director of the household department that last year, only 60 percent of the taxes payable in Zhejiang Province were collected. On the side of the household, there has already been a large deficit. It's just that the imperial court has a lot of savings in the past, and the silver deposit is still considerable on the side of the treasury. ”

Ah Gui said: "So you want to make a speech at the court meeting?" ”

Wang Jie said: "Ah Zhongtang is not an unreasonable person, who has been in charge of this household matter in recent years, doesn't Ah Zhongtang know?" Except for Na Heshen, who else can hide from the sky and the sea, and owe so many taxes, and the emperor still wants to tour the south? and that Fu Chang'an, who also breathed out of the same nostril as He Shen. ”

Fu Chang'an was the head of the household at that time, although his father was Fu Heng, who was also a general, and his brother was Fu Kangan, who had led the army several times. But he was mediocre, although he had been promoted several times, he was always uneasy in his heart, so he gradually merged with Heshen. Within a few years, the two had basically taken control of the household.

Ah Gui said: "Maybe in the money and grain accounts, He Shen did make a move, but even so, this time in the west, the emperor entrusted me with all military affairs, and did not let He Shen participate?" ”

"He's too embarrassed to participate?" Wang Jie said angrily: "Three years ago, he conquered Su Forty-three, didn't he know what he did?" He had no way to use his troops, and he caused Lord Tuqin Bao to die in battle. Ah Zhongtang, what did he say when you passed? Say that the crowd will not listen to orders?! General Hailancha was still in the battle at that time, and he was most familiar with the art of war, did he not listen to orders, or was he cowardly and incompetent? He was embarrassed to say that the generals would not obey the order?! If it weren't for Ah Zhongtang's order to quickly calm down the army, I don't know what the front line would become. ”

"He was so prevaricating that day, he was hateful." Ah Gui is completely consistent with Wang Jie on this point. But Ah Gui always trusted Qianlong, and said: "But you have also seen that since that war, whenever the use of troops is important, the emperor will not consult with him, and will still ask me first." The emperor is the son of the Holy Heaven, and no one knows better than him who does what he does. ”

"So the emperor sent you out every year to treat floods and disasters, and stay with Shen to strengthen dissidents in the capital?" Wang Jiedao; "Right now, everyone in the capital can see that in the past two years, Heshen's power has become bigger and bigger. How many new Kedao, chiefs, and Hanlin in the imperial court, little by little, all ran to his mansion. I heard that the street in front of his house is almost overwhelmed by cars and horses on weekdays. That is, Ah Zhongtang, you are often not in the capital, so you don't know this, right? ”

Ah Gui is not ignorant of these things, and he is very upright, except for official business, he does not associate with He Shen for half a minute. just believed in Qianlong, and felt that the emperor should be fair, and said: "In fact, you and I both see Heshen's ability to do things, and you and I are all looking at it, and you say that he falsely reported the accounts, maybe it's true." But over the years, he has kept the household department in good order, and the number on the account is a lot more than in previous years, can the emperor not say it? The emperor saw that he was smart, so he asked him to preside over the household department, which was also based on his talents. As for the things which you have spoken of being empty, you have always been upright, great man, and I ought to trust you. It's just that there is no solid evidence for the time being, and no one believes it. ”

Wang Jie sighed: "If the emperor only uses his talents, then that's fine." But what about you? Seeing that Heshen continues to develop like this, in a few years, he will be on an equal footing with you. At that time, I'm afraid that there are some things, and Ah Zhongtang won't forget what he says. ”

In fact, how could Ah Gui not know about such a court battle? It's just that because of some past events in his early years, he always believed in Qianlong and didn't want to cause more trouble. At this time, Wang Jie said that Ah Gui was not easy to refute, so he had to say: "I ask myself if I am worthy of my life, what can He Shen do to me if he gains power again?" Besides, over the years, there has been no merit, and there has been a lot of hard work. The emperor is a nostalgic person, so don't worry too much about my affairs. ”

Later, in this year, Tian Wu, a native of Gansu, raised an army against the Qing Dynasty, and Ah Gui set out in time to quickly defeat Tian Wu and re-pacify Gansu.

It will take some time for the news of the imperial court's six southern tours to reach Yangzhou. In February of this year, the county exam was approaching again, and Ruan Yuan temporarily bid farewell to his father and wife and came to Yizheng to prepare for the exam again.

At this time, Jiao Xun had passed the hospital examination and became a student, Ruan Yuan was short of a guarantor, so Jiao Xun volunteered to guarantee Ruan Yuan, and there was no prohibition on this. On the day of the county exam, in front of the county school, the children entered the venue one after another, and it was Ruan Yuan's turn. Then he took out the relevant identity documents and prepared to verify his identity.

The county magistrate saw that he had read all the documents, and suddenly said, "Five hundred dollars." ”

Ruan Yuan was taken aback and hurriedly asked why. The county official said: "Didn't you look at it just now, the people who entered this examination room just now paid 500 yuan, hurry up and bring it, so that you can be let in." ”

Ruan Yuan and Jiao Xun were chatting at the time, and they really didn't see other candidates paying money. Jiao Xun didn't understand either, and asked, "What is the use of these five hundred dollars?" ”

The county official said: "Why, you think this is a workhouse, and you don't have to pay for the pen and paper used to come in for the exam?" "It was said to be used for pen and paper, but in fact what the money was used for, there is no way to know.

Ruan Yuan said: "This eldest brother also hopes to forgive me, the younger generation came here a few years ago to take the county exam, and when he entered, he didn't ask for this pen and paper." ”

The county official said: "It was that year, and when you took the exam, I didn't come here to work." You don't talk nonsense, you get in if you take the money, and if you can't get it, you leave, it's as simple as that. ”

Ruan Yuan had no choice but to touch his pocket, and only took out more than 100 yuan, Jiao Xun was originally to accompany the exam, thinking that Ruan Yuan had entered the field, so he went back to the inn to rest, and he had no money on him. Looking back and forth, there are only dozens of texts, and the total is only 200 texts. Seeing that Ruan Yuan was not easy to enter the door, he had to laugh and say: "This eldest brother, the two of us are not in a good family situation now, and we don't have much money with us." It's better for the eldest brother to be accommodating, let my brother enter the arena first, and when he enters, I'll go back to the inn to find some more. ”

"Less nonsense, you're gone, where can I find you? Right now, hurry up and get another 300 wen out, if you can't get it, you can get 500 wen next year and come back again! The county officials were already a little impatient, and the two county officials in the back saw that the front seemed to be not peaceful, and they also hurried over to help.

Ruan Yuan and Jiao Xun looked at the three county officials, and they were also quite anxious for a while, not knowing what to do. Suddenly, an old voice behind him said, "If it's only three hundred yuan, I will borrow it from you, why make such a noise?" ”

When Ruan Yuan looked carefully, he saw that it was an old official, sitting on the side, thinking that it was because of the trouble with the registration procedures, so the young county official did not let him participate. Before Ruan Yuan could answer, the county official who spoke first laughed: "Just him? Give him 300 yuan, you might as well throw 300 yuan into the river. I've seen a lot of people who have entered this venue, which Chinese style is not a decent person? I didn't have 300 yuan, and I was embarrassed to come to the exam. ”

When Jiao Xun heard this, he was quite annoyed, and he wanted to scold the past at that time. But the old official was still polite, and said as he walked over: "Two gentlemen, you don't need to listen to him, these three hundred words are not very rare for me." Do good deeds and accumulate virtue today, and tomorrow, you may be able to meet good things. As he spoke, he took out a string of money, which was exactly three hundred wen, and stuffed it into Ruan Yuan's hand.

Ruan Yuan was so moved that he wanted to ask the old official's name. Unexpectedly, the old official said: "It's not worth mentioning my name, but if I mention my name, it will seem that I am not sincere." As he spoke, he went back again. Ruan Yuan was grateful in his heart, but the exam was approaching, and it was inconvenient to delay it any longer, so he made a gesture to the old county official and entered the examination room.

The other county officials counted the money while checking their identities, and said with a smile: "Old man, I'm afraid your three hundred dollars are lost." ”

The old official smiled and said, "I dare to say that my three hundred wen will definitely help him with Chinese style." ”

Seeing that several county officials were puzzled, the old official smiled and said: "You are still young, and you don't know how to read words." When he came in, I could see clearly, talking and laughing with the friend next to me, just like this exam is a very ordinary thing. There are only two types of people who can be so relaxed, one is the prodigal children, who treat the exam as a child's play. Or, or they are confident, and as soon as the day is over, they will decide not to enter this door again. ”

Several county officials still didn't believe it, but the words of the old officials became prophecies. On this day, Ruan Yuan finished answering the paper and appeared, and he had to be admitted in three days, and he didn't need to take the second exam. So together with Jiao Xun, he went back to Yangzhou to prepare for a try.

The government test was held in April, during which time information about Qianlong's six southern tours had already reached Yangzhou. Within the Ruan family, Ruan Yuan tried his best to prepare for the exam, thinking that if he passed the government exam, it would not be too late to see if he was on the southern tour. But in Kangshanjiang Mansion, the family has been overwhelmed by the six southern tours.

On this day and night, Jiang Fang couldn't help frowning when he looked at the accounts of the southern tour four years ago. His son Jiang Zhenlu watched from the side, and couldn't help but worry, and said, "Dad, is there really so much difficulty in this southern patrol?" ”

Jiang Fang sighed: "You don't know that the Jiang family's last southern tour, I think the money was one million taels. On this day, the Son of Heaven came to my Kangshan Thatched Cottage, and at that dinner, I found sixteen of the most exquisite cooks in Yangzhou City, and moved their stores over, so that I could barely get together a set of 'Manchu Han Seats'. My Kangshan Thatched Cottage is more than two miles away from the Rujiangmen Wharf, and in order to welcome the holy driver, the drum music fills the road on the two-mile road. There are many of these strange flowers and stones in this thatched cottage, which were bought at the time and never used again, but if the emperor comes again this time, he has to replace them with new ones. The elder brother also invited the best evaluation team in Yangzhou and sang for two hours in a row...... Listen to Wu Tianxu's section of 'Zhang Yide breaks the bridge according to the water', how many of us in Yangzhou can afford to spend money on weekdays? If it comes out again this year, I'm afraid I'll have to spend millions of dollars to get in. ”