Every time he thinks about the martial arts in the forty-sixth year of Wanli, it has been a full twenty years since then, and Chen Hongfan can't help but sigh. Twenty years is enough to make the dark temples glow a little silvery, make the originally tight and hard muscles gradually relax, and transform a frivolous young man into a deep middle-aged man.

Hongshui River, Juyongguan, Denglai...... Twenty years have passed like a white horse, and it is too late to remember what has happened. Chen Hongfan said that he was not a nostalgic person, but walking in the corridor, with the stone steps up and down, between the ups and downs, the pictures of the past suddenly appeared in front of him. The more I thought about it, the more I thought about it, the picture in my mind slowed down a lot. At the moment, Xiong Wencan, Zhang Xianzhong, Zhao Dangshi and other characters appeared one by one, and the rain outside the corridor was flying, and he couldn't help but be distracted.

Last year, because he absconded in Liaodong, the imperial court dismissed him. He had his grievances, thinking that the imperial court's measures were unfair, appealing several times to no avail, and almost disheartened and even planning to return to the field from now on. But it was also God's eyes, and then he was introduced, and climbed into the relationship between Cao Huachun, the then eunuch of Sili Bingbi and the governor of Dongchang, and spent a lot of money to worship his father-in-law. At that time, one of Cao Huachun's lieutenants happened to be ordered to go to Fujian to inspect the governor Xiong Wencan, and eventually facilitated Xiong Wencan's transfer to the Central Plains. Chen Hongfan was lucky to catch a ride and make a comeback. Others saw that he had a smooth journey, but he had unspeakable hardships.

Every family has a scripture that is difficult to read, just this year, Cao Huachun to old age and decrepit, to Emperor Chongzhen even begged for leave to return home, although not allowed, but as long as there is some sense of smell, it is not difficult to detect that Cao's decline is on the verge of death.

However, Wang Chengen, who was most qualified to succeed Cao Huachun, was not very interested in Chen Hongfan, and Chen Hongfan naturally had a sense of self-danger of losing his foundation. It's better to rely on others than on yourself, since you can't get a new backer, Chen Hongfan can only do what he is doing first. For him, this opportunity in Huguang was not easy to come by, and it must not be missed again.

Xiong Wencan insisted on using appeasement to suppress the flattening gangsters, and Chen Hongfan could only follow his policy. The results of appeasement are beginning to take shape, Liu Guoneng, Zhang Xianzhong, Zhao Dangshi and other big men have been appeased, and it seems to be smooth sailing, but in fact, as a person in the bureau, Chen Hongfan can feel the undercurrent the most. Compared with blindly killing, the appeasement is naturally small in cost and quick in effect, but the risk is correspondingly large. Just like curing a disease, since you don't choose to take strong medicine to get rid of the disease, you can only accept the long process of careful conditioning. The current Chubei, Xiying, and Zhaoying seem to be a harmonious group, but in Chen Hongfan's eyes, they are actually explosives ready to be moved. In order to properly dispose of them and avoid burning themselves, the word "checks and balances" is particularly important.

In his letter to Xiong Wencan, he clearly pointed out that using Kou to contain Kou is the foundation of appeasement, and it is the best strategy that can make the imperial court spend no money and let Xiong Wencan and himself not spend a single soldier. Just looking at the current situation, Zhang Xianzhong, as one of the best powerhouses after Gao Yingxiang's death, is undoubtedly far superior to Zhao Ying's strength. The situation in northern Chu is focused on the west and the two camps of Zhao are under control, so it is indispensable to support the development of Zhao camp. And at least from the process of getting along several times, it can be seen that compared with the arrogant and domineering Zhang Xianzhong, Zhao Dangshi is more low-key and introverted, and knows how to advance and retreat, Chen Hongfan actually faintly hopes in his heart that supporting Zhao Dangshi is not only to restrain Zhang Xianzhong, but also to provide strong support for his own development in the future.

"Lord Chen." He walked to the end of the porch, where a servant stood.

"Have you arrived here?" Chen Hongfan collected his thoughts and exhaled lightly.

"It's all in the study."

"Okay." Chen Hongfan nodded, straightened his clothes again, and then continued to walk with his head held high.

Pushing the door into the study, what caught my eye was a pair of framed and hung cursive script, on which were written the four big characters "advance and retreat freely". This is the authentic handiwork of the calligrapher Dong Qichang, and it is also a gift from Cao Huachun during the worship of his father at that time, and Chen Hongfan has always taken it with him. There are two solid wood chairs under it, both of which are seated, one is Zhu Yiming, the king of Xiang, and the other is white-faced and thin-eyed.

"The boy listened to the rain song upstairs, and the red candles were dim. In the middle of the boat, the river is wide and the clouds are low, and the broken geese are called the west wind. Seeing Chen Hongfan enter the room, Lin Mingqiu, who was sipping tea by himself, said leisurely, "Mr. Zhushan's next sentence is, 'Now listening to the rain monk's house, the temples have stars', but I said, 'Now listening to the rain studio, waiting for people is in a hurry'." ”

Chen Hongfan greeted the two first, sat down behind the main seat and said apologetically: "I made you two wait for a long time." Chen went to the county prison for a while, and Zhao Ying's kid had thick muscles and bones, and he didn't look serious. ”

Lin Mingqiu put down the teacup and said, "The county prison is good, if it is locked up in the government prison, there will be many constraints, and Lord Li can't take care of it." ”

Zhu Yiming said: "We both know about it. I have heard of Zaoyang Chu's family for a long time, and I don't want to be bold enough to provoke Zhao Ying. ”

Chen Hongfan said: "The matter of Zaoyang Chu's family, General Zhao mentioned it to me earlier. His ambush and kidnapping of the generals of Zhao Ying this time was really unexpected. He added, "General Zhao will find out the reason and tell me." Chu wanted to escort the general directly to Xiangyang Mansion to appeal, and the officials in Xiangyang Mansion mostly had old friendships with him, but they were afraid that they would have ventilation earlier. I preemptively sent someone to intercept them at the Dongjin Ferry, and informed Master Li to put them all in prison. ”

Lin Mingqiu twisted his beard and said: "I can't see that General Zhao is also quite thoughtful. If he makes his own move, he will inevitably be charged with a private arms fight, no matter whether the matter is right or wrong, this crime cannot be washed away, and Lord Chen has the responsibility to investigate Xiangyang Guanjin, and it is natural for you to take action. And said, "It's also a good trick to send them to the county as soon as possible, otherwise the government will be involved in the case, and there will be more trouble out of thin air." ”

Chen Hongfan agreed: "What Lord Lin said is true. General Zhao has always abided by the law and obeyed the imperial court, and at the same time was committed to maintaining peace and stability in Xiangyang Prefecture, and was a loyal and good general. I also took a fancy to him and helped with this. ”

Lin Mingqiu said: "I have seen General Zhao, Shen Yi is heavy, has a degree of conversation, and has a loyal color. ”

Zhu Yiming said at this time: "Zaoyang Warden Chu Xidi is not an ordinary character. I heard that it is not harmonious with Zuo Town, Henan. ”

Chen Hongfan said: "I also know that Chu Xidi has some connections in the court, and he can be regarded as covering the sky with one hand in Zaoyang. The county's fields and mining are mostly controlled by it. General Zhao will be stationed in the deer head shop, so as not to have a conflict with him. ”

Lin Mingqiu said with a straight face: "Conflict is conflict, as long as it does not exceed the national law, it will not hurt." ”

Chen Hongfan replied: "But this time, Chu Xi used the soldiers in Zaoyang County to secretly set a trap to arrest the military attache of the imperial court, which can be regarded as lynching. General Zhao took into account the law of the country, did not retaliate privately, and just wanted the court to uphold justice. ”

Lin Mingqiu was puzzled: "The Chu family dares to take the risk of kidnapping tickets, but the teacher is famous?" ”

Chen Hongfan replied: "Listening to General Zhao's statement, he was afraid that Zhao Ying would lose power because of Zhao Ying's presence in Zaoyang, so he wanted to use the excuse to exclude Zhao Ying from the county several times. Speaking of this, he said to Zhu Yiming, "Previously, the prince was bound by thieves in Zaoyang, and the Chu family was like leading this disaster to Zhao Ying's head. I heard that on the way back to the city escorted by Zhao Ying, the prince was also surrounded by Zaoyang County soldiers in the White Horse Temple. ”

Zhu Yiming sighed and said: "Yes, the dog is young and ignorant, almost harmed by the thief, at that time, it was thanks to the help of General Zhao that he was spared, but he didn't want to get into trouble because of this." I think that Zhao Shen will escort the dog and the lord of Huaqing County to Xiangyang, he is a very good person, how can he have the slightest evil heart. ”

Lin Mingqiu choked his wrist and said: "I see, the Chu family has repeatedly stumbled three times, which is too rampant. ”

Chen Hongfan said: "The Chu family has a lot of connections in Xiangyang Mansion, and has handled many cases through Xiangyang Mansion in the past few years. "Moreover, General Zhao has not been attached for a long time this year, and there are still many people around him who are worried about his battalion, and the Chu family may also see this point to incite it." ”

Zhu Yiming shook the folding fan in his hand and said, "Lord Lin has been in Wuchang and Jiangling before, and he is not familiar with Xiangyang. It is conceivable that if the officials in charge of Xiangyang Mansion are in collusion with the Chu family, the case will be transferred to Lord Lin, and it will inevitably be deceived. ”

In the Ming Dynasty, the Criminal Department, the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Dali Temple were responsible for the national justice, of which the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the six ministries were the "Seven Secretaries", which entangled hundreds of officials internally and appeased the local government externally. Further, the governors of the provinces and the governors of the provinces actually belong to the Metropolitan Procuratorate in terms of establishment, but they perform the duties of the "external mission" of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and even the governors, admirals, governors, inspectors, zanli, etc., all belong to this category. Take Xiong Wencan as an example, he is responsible for the military affairs of the prime ministers Nangi, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Huguang, and Sichuan.

At first, the Ming Dynasty inherited the previous generation, and supervised the world in the central government with the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the local government with each criminal and judicial department. However, since the first year of Hongxi, the central government sent the imperial history to patrol has become a regular system, and after the promulgation of the "Constitution" in the fourth year of orthodoxy, the patrol according to the imperial history completely overrides the judges, "patrolling on behalf of the Son of Heaven", and can even control the capital, cloth, and the three divisions, and even the governor and the town guard general soldiers, town guard lieutenant officials and the whole people, and hold the decisive power with low-grade positions. Major cases in various localities must also be handed over through patrols before they can be submitted to the central authorities. Cases like Zhao Ying and Chu Xidi, if nothing else, will eventually be reported to the central government, and the criminal department will finally determine the criminal name.

After Meng Aocao disappeared, Zhao Dangshi sent Pang Jinming to investigate his whereabouts, and soon found out Chu Xidi. Zhao Dangshi directly approached Chen Hongfan, hoping to use Lin Mingqiu, who was still stranded in Xiangyang Mansion City, to take the initiative in this case into his own hands through him.

Chen Hongfan said again: "The county has interrogated the Zaoyang County archers who escorted the generals of Zhao Ying. Some people confessed that Chu Xidi wanted to use the general of Zhao Ying to frame Zhao Ying for 'thieves' and impeachment of General Zhao. ”

Lin Mingqiu groaned: "But His Royal Highness King Xiang made it clear that the prince was really rescued by Zhao Ying. Then Chu Xidi's accusation is really a frame-up. This is the crime of defaming the officials of the imperial court, and if the evidence is conclusive, the crime is not light. Then he said, "But it's strange to say, listening to the description of the prince, the Chu family can operate in Zaoyang, and he must also be a cautious person, how could he arrest a general of Zhao Ying at will, and then have the confidence to subdue Zhao Ying?" Could it be, what's so special about the generals? ”

When Chen Hongfan heard this, he chuckled in his heart, and hurriedly said: "It must be that he has been holding grudges for a long time, and he can't bear it." ”

Lin Mingqiu thought for a while and asked Zhu Yiming: "Have you ever seen that Zhao Ying general?" ”

Zhu Yiming shook his head and said, "No." ”

Chen Hongfan also said: "The dirty land of the county prison, the prince and the prince of the world, how can I go." ”

Lin Mingqiu still said: "Just listen to what Master Chen said, there are a lot of puzzles in this. This case is not small, I think I need to pass on that Chu Xi to Xiangyang after all. ”

When Chen Hongfan and Zhu Yiming heard this, they couldn't help but get up and brush their sleeves at the same time.