1

The palace maids in the Qianqing Palace were busy serving tea and fasting for the emperor, Wei Zhongxian hurriedly ran to play: "Oh no, Your Majesty, there is bad news from Guizhou today, Governor Wang Sanshan's lone army was besieged by the traitor An Bangyan, and the general Wang Jianzhong, the deputy chief soldier Qin Minping, and the general Liu Yili died in battle, and Governor Wang was also captured and martyred." ”

Emperor Apocalypse was shocked when he heard this, and asked, "What countermeasures does Wei Aiqing have?" ”

Wei Zhongxian said: "Traitors are rampant, and they will be dispatched in front of the military department to suppress them." ”

Emperor Tianqi said: "This matter is good to handle, don't make any mistakes." ”

Wei Zhongxian said: "The emperor Shengming, the minister will let Cui Chengxiu dispatch this matter, I hope to surrender the rebels as soon as possible and return the peace of the Ming Dynasty." ”

Emperor Tianqi sighed: "What is Taiping, don't say that there are wars in the frontier, even the court is full of smoke." ”

Wei Zhongxian understood that what the emperor was referring to was the impeachment of the ministers against him, so he said: "It's all to blame the ministers for not handling things well, which caused the ministers to misunderstand and add worry to the emperor." ”

Emperor Apocalypse said: "It's not all your fault, they formed a party for personal gain, and I already knew about it." ”

Wei Zhongxian said: "The emperor is sage, but Cao Yin in the criminal department is deeply respected by the first emperor, this person is dedicated to practicing the law and never forming a party, although he also impeached the unchievous ministers, the unchievous ministers admired him. ”

Emperor Apocalypse praised: "It's hard for you to have such a mind, Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou and these people have half of your measurements." ”

Wei Zhongxian said: "Lord Cao is proficient in the laws of the past dynasties, focusing on changing the law day and night, and has not yet married, the minister heard that Cao Yin is an official who is extremely clean and incorruptible, although there is a seventy-year-old mother in the family, but there is no maid and a slave, and the mother and son live extremely poor. ”

Emperor Tianqi was greatly moved when he heard this, and said: "It's rare, it's rare, no wonder the first emperor gave him Tongtianwa, it seems that this person is indeed a loyal minister, and I should use it again." ”

Wei Zhongxian said: "The emperor is wise, the minister asked Qiao Yunsheng, the secretary of the criminal department, to take him into the palace on a certain day, such an honest minister should be an example for us, and the minister dared to implore the emperor to give the maid to Lord Cao, one to show the emperor's benevolence, the second to let Lord Cao grow up early, and the third to make Cao's mother have something to support her in old age." ”

Emperor Tianqi said: "Well, Wei Aiqing understands righteousness and doesn't care about personal grievances, it's rare, you and Cao Aiqing are both loyal ministers, you can handle this matter." ”

Wei Zhongxian got the will, that is, to send the four beauty pageants to Cao's mansion, Cao Yin was flattered, and bowed to the ground and said: "The minister has no merit, how dare he accept this favor." The eunuch leaned forward and said with a smile: "Of course, the emperor knows that Lord Cao is not a womanizer, but he heard that Lord Cao's family has an old mother who has no one to take care of, so he gave his maid to support people. Cao Yin listened, so he accepted it with peace of mind, thanked the emperor, and after sending the eunuch away, he placed a beautiful woman to serve his mother.

Half a month later, Qiao Yunsheng, the secretary of the Criminal Department, summoned Cao Yin: "Lord Zhou Yingqiu, the left waiter, recommended you in the palace today, and the emperor decreed that you will be summoned to enter the palace tomorrow to face the saint, Lord Cao must be fully prepared, don't let the emperor down." ”

Cao Yin was overjoyed, rushed home to prepare, just arrived at the door, saw Zhou Yingqiu walking on the street with a sad face, sighing while walking, Cao Yin bowed and said: "Thank you Lord Zhou for your recommendation." ”

Zhou Yingqiu looked up and saw that it was Cao Yin, and hurriedly returned the salute: "Oh, it turned out to be Lord Cao, the emperor is seeking talent, what credit do I have?" Lord Cao is full of talent, but he has been aggrieved for four years, like a bird trapped in an iron cage, a dragon in a ditch, and tomorrow's golden palace will face the saint, and from now on he can make great progress, gratifying, congratulations. ”

Cao Yin said: "It is the lifelong wish of the lower officials to practice the law and prosper the Ming Dynasty, but if you really want to realize the law and stabilize the society, you have to rely on the joint efforts of all the virtuous ministers in the court." Seeing that Zhou Yingqiu was worried, he asked, "Why is Lord Zhou sad?" ”

Zhou Yingqiu waved his hand and said: "Alas, it's hard to speak, it's hard to speak, it's hard to say it, and it makes Lord Cao laugh." A few days ago, my father went to calculate a hexagram for this, saying that before August 15, I would find a woman with a black mole on the back of my neck to get married, otherwise, I would never be able to worship in this life. Speaking of this, Zhou Yingqiu's voice was choked, and he cried and cried: "Tomorrow is August 15, and my father is depressed and sick because of this, I'm afraid I won't be able to do it." ”

Zhou Yingqiu wiped away his old tears with grief and sorrow, and sighed miserably, looking like he was in pain.

Cao Yin comforted: "How can you be credulous about divination? ”

Zhou Yingqiu said: "Of course, I know that it is all nonsense, but the old father is convinced, if such a woman is not found tomorrow, she will be young, and the old father will die of depression, so how can Zhou be an only child?" Zhou Yingqiu said that he leaned down and squatted on the ground and cried bitterly.

Cao Yin hurriedly helped him up and said: "Lord Zhou doesn't have to be sad, it's also a coincidence, half a month ago, the emperor gave Cao Yin four maidservants, one of whom had a black mole on the back of her neck, in this case, Cao Yin gave her to the adult as a concubine." ”

Zhou Yingqiu suddenly stopped crying, stood up and grabbed Cao Yin's hand and asked, "Really?" Master Cao, don't try to trick me. Seeing Cao Yin nodding with a smile, Zhou Yingqiu shook his head and said, "No, how can Zhou take the love of Lord Cao for his own selfishness, this matter must not be." ”

Cao Yin said: "Okay, this girl is only the maid of the lower official's mother, so what's the harm in giving it to Lord Zhou?" Besides, Lord Zhou's official position is prominent, and his father is extremely filial, this woman has to accompany Lord Zhou, and she will not be buried. ”

Zhou Yingqiu was overjoyed, bowed and said, "In this way, the old father is saved!" ”

2

Cao Yin followed Qiao Yun into the palace and was led into the inner study hall by a eunuch alone. Cao Yin thought darkly: The emperor summoned his ministers in the Baohe Hall or the Qianqing Palace, and sometimes in the Yangxin Hall or the back garden, the inner study hall is a place for eunuchs to study, and it is under the supervision of the priest, why did the emperor summon me here?

When he was suspicious, he heard a sound of laughter coming from a distance, Cao Yin got up to greet him, and saw Wei Zhongxian striding in with three eunuchs, and couldn't help but be secretly surprised.

Wei Zhongxian smiled: "Let Lord Cao wait for a long time!" ”

Cao Yin arched his hand and said, "What does Gonggong Wei have to say?" ”

Wei Zhongxian said happily: "Lord Cao, please take a seat." ”

Cao Yin wondered very much, hungry wolves have always wanted to eat meat, how can they be kind to lambs? didn't sit down, and asked directly: "May I ask Gonggong Wei, when will the emperor summon me." ”

When Wei Zhongxian saw Cao Yin refusing to sit, he suddenly turned from joy to warmth, his face sank, he sat down by himself, and said coldly: "The emperor is busy with political affairs, how can he have time to gossip with others." Wei Zhongxian took a sip of tea and said slowly: "Lord Cao has repeatedly asked to meet the emperor, I don't know what to say, let's let our family listen to it first, if there is really a good way to govern the country, our family will hear that the emperor has called you." ”

Cao Yin was furious: "So, you summoned me this time, not the emperor?" ”

Wei Zhongxian said with a smile: "How can our family have the right to summon Lord Cao to come, our family's every word and deed is all to listen to the emperor." ”

Cao Yin said angrily: "Taizu law, eunuchs are not allowed to interfere in political affairs......"

Seeing Cao Yin accusing himself of interfering in politics, Wei Zhongxian was furious and said coldly: "If Lord Cao has no good plan to make a sacrifice, our family will go to the republic," Wei Zhongxian suddenly stood up and left, walked to the door and stopped, and instructed the eunuchs beside him: "Reply to the emperor, just say that Cao Yin is a busy person and has no great talent, hahahaha." ”

Cao Yin was furious, followed out of the door of the inner study, and yelled at Wei Zhongxian, who was walking away: "I have Tongtian Wat and have the right to go directly to the emperor, so why do I need to be reported by eunuchs." ”

With a stomach full of anger, Cao Yin hurriedly came to the Qianqing Palace to ask to see the emperor, and saw the guards with knives guarding the door from a distance, recalling his experience of being blocked back after several requests to see, and couldn't help but be disheartened again.

Cao Yin stopped for a long time, staring at the majestic and tall Qianqing Palace from afar, thinking for a long time, and finally returned with a helpless sigh.

Back at home, Cao Yin dragged his tired body and pushed the door in, and suddenly saw a group of brocade-clothed guards sitting at home, Cao Yin was shocked and shouted angrily: "Bold, you dare to trespass on the official's private house?" ”

The head of the flag captain said: "Cao Yin, you killed the servant girl given by the emperor without permission, and the lower officials were ordered to arrest you." Before he could finish speaking, three horsemen swooped up and tied them up.

Cao Yin defended: "Nonsense, which one did I kill." ”

The flag lieutenant said angrily: "A female corpse was found outside the city today, and it was identified as Yao Yu, the servant girl given to you by the emperor, what do you have to say." ”

Cao Yin was shocked, Yao Yu was the maidservant he gave to Zhou Yingqiu as a concubine, why did she die?

3

Cao Yin knew that he had broken the law, and the murder of the servant girl shocked the government and the opposition, and the news spread to Huguang Shantangyi, and a prisoner sighed when he heard it: "My crime is also!" ”

This prisoner is none other than the Jinshi of the 32nd year of Wanli, who strongly recommended the four sages to the Manchu Dynasty of Emperor Guangzong. After the Manchu Dynasty recommended him to serve as the squire of the Criminal Department, because he was not used to seeing Wei Zhongxian's troubles and chaos in the court, he went to the Emperor of the Heavenly Apocalypse, exposed the government and government "ten can be worried, eight can be blamed", offended the eunuch party, was cut to the people, and thousands of miles of troops came to this remote place Shantangyi.

Manchao recommended a person who was upright and alert, and when he heard the news, he secretly thought to himself: "Cao Yin's murder must be Wei Zhongxian's poisonous plan, as the so-called I don't kill Boren, Boren died because of me, this person was recommended by me to enter the court, and now he is poisoned by traitors, I should save him." ”

Man Chao recommended that he knew that Dongchang and Jinyiwei's minions were all over the country, and although he was thousands of miles away, the eunuchs still did not relax their monitoring of themselves, so he deliberately drank with his friends, and laughed after being drunk: "Cao Yin has killed someone, the boulder in my heart has finally fallen, come, I will rest today when I am drunk." ”

A friend asked: "Man Jinshi's words are confusing, Cao Yin was recommended by you to the first emperor, he committed a serious crime, you have the fault of recommending people to neglect, how can you be happy if you are not afraid of this?" ”

Man Chao recommended a smile: "You don't know, Cao Yin this person has a false name, and there is no real talent and learning, I mistakenly believe the folk rumors, and regard him as today's Shang Ying, Wu Qi, and recommended it to the first emperor for a while, and then I met with him in the court, only to find that he is really a mediocre person." ”

Friend: "Fortunately, the saint did not reuse him today, if you reuse him and find that he has no talent, your sin will be great, so Cao Yin is in prison today, you are so happy, right?" ”

Man Chaojian smiled: "Exactly, exactly." But it's okay, Cao Yin is famous, Wei Zhongxian killed him, he will definitely leave a bad reputation for killing sages, and the people of the world will definitely criticize him, good things, good things, haha. ”

As expected, the fan who monitored the Manchu Dynasty recommended was reported to the stall head, and the stall head Pegasus reported to the capital, Wei Zhongxian listened, and said to his subordinates: "I have never believed that a few bullshit laws can govern the world, Cao Yin sells his reputation and reputation, and compares himself with Li Kui, Guan Zhong, Shang Ying, and Han Fei, deceived the first emperor, and deceived the people of the world. ”

Wang Tiqian said: "I heard that Cao Yinshi is the grandson of Cao Ximing, the imperial historian of Wanli, after the death of Cao Yushi, the Cao family declined, and they were destitute. Cao Yin has loved the law since he was a child, likes to read the writings of the Legalists of the past dynasties, and has been in the 31st year of Wanli to show his talents, and has not been famous since then. He was a civilian, just because one day he went up the mountain to cut wood, cut a log and went home, and three days later he went up the mountain again, and found that the wood cut down the day before yesterday was a tree in someone else's cemetery, according to the Ming law: 'Those who steal trees in other people's tombs will have 80 rods', so he deliberately ran to the county hall to ask for punishment, and this matter spread, and the people said that he was stupid, and there were those who praised him for abiding by the law. In fact, he is just a poor talent with no name. ”

Cui Chengxiu said: "You can't kill him, do you want to let him go?" ”

Wei Zhongxian said with a smile: "Cao Yin bragged everywhere that the law was prosperous and the Ming Dynasty was ruled by law, our family was thirsty for talent, how could we be willing to kill the virtuous, our family sent him to the border wasteland, let him let go and practice the law, so that the people of the world could see what kind of character he Cao Yin was." ”

Wang Tiqian said happily: "Wonderful, wonderful, just belittle him to be a small county order, let him practice the law, and make him prove himself ugly, and then we will justifiably punish him." ”

The plan has been decided, Wei Zhongxian ordered Wang Tiqian to draft the decree, Wang Tiqian panicked, and hurriedly postponed: "The holy decree should be drafted by the cabinet scholars, how dare the villain." ”

Wei Zhongxian smiled: "Just write a few words, and ask others for help?" ”

Wang Tiqian realized something, and said happily: "The villain obeys the order!" ”

The edict was completed, Wang Tiqian led a group of eunuchs into the prison, ordered Cao Yin to kneel to listen to the order, and then read aloud:

Fengtian carrier, the emperor edict said: Cao Yin in the criminal department, kill the maidservant of the imperial gift, according to the law will not be forgiven, but the factory minister can not bear to kill the virtuous, crying blood and pleading, I also pity the talent, extrajudicial grace, degraded Cao Yin as the Tonglu County Order, I wish Qing for the herdsmen of the sky, a good life, do not lose hope. Chin this!

After five months in prison, Cao Yinben thought that he would definitely die, and after hearing the holy decree, he cried with joy. Back at home, Cao Yin told his mother the reason, and the mother and son sorted out their salutes and prepared to leave Beijing for their duties the next day.

Cao's mother said: "During the period when my son was wronged, he was helpless for his mother, and Zhu Guozhen, a scholar of Wuyingdian University, sent someone to send a hundred taels of silver late at night to receive help. ”

Cao Yin said: "Lord Zhu is a veteran of the three dynasties, a righteous person, never welcomes the powerful in adversity, and now he is concentrating on writing history books, which is admirable, even if there is no gift of silver, as a junior, I should go to resign." ”

When I came to Zhu's house that night, the servant brought it into the study to wait, but I saw a couplet hanging on the east side of the room:

Do not fight in the court

Shengyin Mountain Forest

Cao Yin thought secretly: "People say that Zhu Guozhen is in a high position, one does not fight for profit, two does not fight for fame, and three does not fight for power, he is a temple hermit, it seems that it is true." Then he turned and saw another couplet on the west side:

The fame is dazzling and dazzling, and it is very important to chase it

Power is charming and harmful, what is the use of asking for it

Cao Yin shook his head and thought: "Lord Zhu is too cautious, the eldest husband sits upright and walks upright, seeking fame to promote future generations, and holding power to benefit the people, why not?" Walking to the front of the case, I saw that there was still a couplet on the desk, and I looked at the ink before it dried, it seemed to be written half an hour ago, Cao Yin chanted while reading:

Full of right and wrong, closing your eyes and leaving nothing

A wall of thorns, looking down and seeing nothing

"Alas, there are too many ministers in the DPRK like Lord Zhu who are wise enough to protect their lives, causing traitors to do whatever they want, sad!" Cao Yin remembered Wei Zhongxian's eunuch ambition, and couldn't help but sigh.

After a while, Zhu Guozhen came slowly, Cao Yin thanked him for the gift of silver, Zhu Guozhen helped Cao Yin and said: "You are quite ambitious, but unfortunately you were born at the wrong time, you have been in government for many years, and you also know that the law can govern the country, and the law can be peaceful, but the world is the world of the people of the world, we and other courtiers, with loyalty, do your best, I am not tolerated by the people of the world, why not retreat and seek the second?" ”

Cao Yin said: "I don't know what the old man means by retreating?" ”

Zhu Guozhen said: "If today's son is blinded by traitors with a pair of discerning eyes, the upright officials in the DPRK and the central government lose power, the eunuch party is in power, and he is jealous of the new law, if you force it, you will definitely give your life in vain." If Wei Zhongxian doesn't kill you this time, there must be a conspiracy in it, and the next time it is in their hands, don't think about it again. Two years ago, the Manchu Dynasty recommended Li Chen's current affairs to be 'ten worrying and eight strange', and was confiscated as a mountain pond station. A few months ago, Yang Lian neglected Wei Zhongxian's 'twenty-four sins', and now although he is safe and sound, according to his old age, he is already a skeleton in the tomb. Since Lord Cao has the warp and weft in his mind, why not retreat without fighting, write in hiding, leave the ink treasure, and give it to future kings. ”

Cao Yin bowed and said: "I know that the elder of the pavilion has devoted himself to writing history books, which is certainly a coincidental feat, but as a minister of the Ming Dynasty, how can he ignore the illness of the Ming Dynasty, please forgive Cao Yin for not daring to follow suit." Cao Yin thinks that the god of law is in the public, the order of the law is in the faith, the essence of the order is in the action, the law is loved by the people, the law is believed in the people, and the people are afraid of the law. If our generation does not carry out the law because of the fear of power, even if we devote ourselves to writing, all we will leave to future generations is the beautiful moon in the water and the fragrant cakes on the wall, what is the use? ”

"However, have you ever thought about the worst consequences," Zhu Guozhen finally reminded Cao Yin.

Cao Yin said proudly: "Cao Yin is an official, and law enforcement is like a ding; Cao Yin is for the people, law-abiding like a mountain, Cao Yin never breaks the law and never breaks the law, how can a traitor bear me? ”

Zhu Guozhen was respectful, and he got up and arched his hand and said: "People are stupid Cao Yin respects virtue and is not respectful, and Ah Shan is not expensive. Cao Yin, you are against the odds and do not lose your mind, and you are sleepy and do not forget the people, it is really commendable, but the road ahead is bumpy, you must be very careful! ”