1

Cao Yin instructed the brothers of the Jing family to take care of their injuries, deal with the fields and come to Taihe to get together, set off first, walked for more than ten days to the gate of Taihe County, found Menzi, showed the official certificate, Menzi was shocked, first let another door quickly report to the county Cheng Jiang Yuan, and he respectfully introduced Cao Yin into the county Ya.

Cao Yin and the door were walking inside, only to see three people hurriedly running out of the public hall, and after seeing Cao Yin, he hurriedly sorted out his official uniform and bowed and saluted: "The lower officials don't know that the county order is coming, and they are disappointed, so they should be damned." ”

Cao Yin looked at the official uniforms of the three people, and guessed that it should be the county Cheng, the lord Bo and the canon, and said with a smile: "You are the county Cheng, the lord Bo and the canon, right?" ”

The three of them replied in unison: "It's Xia Guan." ”

Cao Yin said: "This official is in a hurry, and he will come straight to the state capital in the future, I don't blame you, we will speak in the hall." ”

"My lord, please," Jiang Yuan and the three respectfully saluted Cao Yin first.

After entering the inner hall, the four of them sat down in a priority manner. Cao Yin said: "This official has just arrived, and he doesn't know anything about Taihe County, and he also asked the three adults to submit the details of the list of officials in Taihe County, the various yakus, money, grain and horses, the household registration of the population, the prisoners in custody, and the townships and villages. ”

Jiang Yuan, the county magistrate, said: "Don't worry about adults, the handover documents are all ready." ”

Lord Bo Tian and Yong hurriedly presented a bunch of documents, Cao Yin took it and flipped it a little and put it aside, and asked Dian Shi Ding Xin: "Now that there are riots in the north, thieves are rampant, and the people are not making a living, how is the public security in this county?" ”

Ding Xin replied: "Lord Hui, there was a small group of people in the county last year, which was exterminated by the former magistrate, and now there is no major chaos in the territory, only a few groups of thieves often disturb the people in the mountainous areas, and there is no big problem." ”

Cao Yin's face was slightly gloomy and said, "What is Lord Ding?" Since it disturbs the people in the mountainous areas, the parents and officials should immediately eliminate the hidden dangers and eliminate the harm for the people, what does it mean that there is no major problem? ”

Ding Xin nodded hurriedly and said, "Yes, yes, the lower official is speechless." ”

Cao Yin said to the three people: "This official will look at the documents today, familiarize himself with the situation in Taihe County, and discuss business another day." Jiang Yuan and the others hurriedly settled accommodation, servants and other matters for the county order, and then retreated, leaving Cao Yin to check the documents on the desk in the back hall.

Although he was demoted from the Ministry of Criminal Affairs to a seven-grade county order, Cao Yin did not feel lost, but was full of spirit and vigor, and made up his mind to do a good job in this Taihe county order for the court to see, and the current emperor will one day understand that there is no other way to govern the country, just practice the law.

Although he is close to his age, what is this, didn't Jiang Ziya meet King Wen at the age of seventy-two? In order to express his aspirations, he wrote a couplet of letters and posted them on both sides of the Yamen gate:

The law is the emperor's order, and it can be held to calm the world.

The law is the god of the people, and if you ask for it, you will receive sweet rain.

On this day, Cao Yin took a few entourages to visit the people, and saw two people riding horses in front of him on the way, and the entourage said: "The first two are the township chief Zhao Jianming and the pavilion chief Zhu Kaimin. ”

Cao Yin listened, and hurriedly ordered someone to catch up with the summons, Zhao Jianming and Zhu Kaimin turned around and saw that it was the county order, and hurriedly dismounted and bowed to each other, Cao Yin asked: "What are you doing here?" ”

Zhao Jianming said: "Adults don't know, our township has people from Guangxi distant relatives to bring some herbivorous seeds, this grass grows very fast, can be used as pigs, cattle, sheep food, the county government wants to try to plant ten acres, if it works, next year in the county to promote, in the future the people with this kind of herbivore to feed livestock, can save a lot of food." In order to try to see the efficacy of this grass, the county Cheng Jiang sent a special teaching Wang Han to reside in the township, and the planting costs we need are borne by the county. ”

Cao Yin became interested when he heard it, and praised the two: "This is a good thing, the two of you have worked hard." ”

Cao Yin followed the township chief and pavilion chief to the township office, everyone sat down in the clerical room, Cao Yin said: "By the way, the teaching of a county should be to raise people to be born, why did Lord Jiang let him take care of this matter?" ”

Zhao Jianming replied: "My lord is new and I don't know the details, although this teacher in our county is from a person's background, but it is extremely absurd, sloppy dress, perfunctory, the previous county magistrate arranged him to do anything badly, every day only know to play in the mountains and rivers, drink and have fun, not do business, the county magistrate saw that this person was overwhelmed, so he had to let him play, just as the county government did not have such a person." ”

Cao Yin frowned and said: "Then how can you do it, since you eat the emperor's grain, you should work for the people, how can you let it go?" ”

Zhu Kaimin said: "This person doesn't read the books of sages, but only reads some strange books of Buddha and immortals, and thinks about traveling all day long. ”

Cao Yin sighed and said: "It's okay to read these books, but it's wrong to indulge in them, waste your studies, and miss your own errands. ”

Zhao Jianming echoed: "No, this person is not as good as an ordinary servant, I really don't know how his fame was obtained." The former magistrate wanted to promote him several times, and he changed several errands and did a mess, it's really muddy and can't get on the wall! ”

Cao Yin let out an "oh" and said: "I think this person must have read too much, so that he is pedantic, which really insults the reputation of the reader, alas, it's a pity." ”

2

Cao Yin has been an official in the imperial court for several years, although he strongly advocates the rule of law, but his ideas are not tolerated by those in power in the imperial court. Later, he found that the Donglin Party was innovative and similar to his own concept, so he took the initiative to contact the Donglin Party Dali Temple Shaoqing Hui Shiyang, Zuo Yushi Zuo Guangdou, the Ministry of Rites Wailang Gu Dazhang, Zuo Yu De Miao Chang, and the Criminal Department to Xie Xuelong, etc., and strongly recommended that the law can govern the country and the law can be Anbang, but unfortunately they are also unscrupulous about this. Cao Yin was helpless, and finally had to go straight to the palace with Tongtianwa, but was rejected by the eunuchs.

Over the years, Cao Yin's ambition has been like a cake in a painting, and it has always been difficult to become a reality.

In the imperial court, a small criminal department is nothing at all, but here, Cao Yin is the head of a county, although he has been demoted by two levels, he can just display his ambitions, so he is demoted to come here, Cao Yin is secretly happy in his heart.

Half a month later, the Jing brothers came as promised, and Cao Yin had an assistant, like a tiger. What's even more exciting is that the good news came from the capital, Emperor Chongzhen asked Wei Zhongxian for sinking, Wei thieves were afraid and killed themselves, and many eunuchs were investigated and dealt with by Yousi. Cao Yin: The new emperor Shengming, this great change, loyal ministers will be reused, the new atmosphere when Emperor Guangzong ascended the throne has reappeared, and my Cao Yin's return to the court is just around the corner. Thinking of this, I was full of joy, I couldn't help but dance, and when I was happy, I laid out the paper and picked up the pen to make a poem:

I am confident that my blood is as red as the sun, and I can dye tens of thousands of miles.

Who said that the mountains and rivers are sunshine and the moon are dark, and the blood is sprinkled to reward the king.

Putting down the pen, Cao Yin said: "The four thieves who made trouble in Huangmei County don't know where they are, such murderers Xiao Yao is out of law, where does the majesty of the Ming law exist?" He also told Si Jing Dao: "Your brother must pay more attention in the future, if the whereabouts of the four of them are found, no matter how far away, I will arrest them and bring them to justice" Jing Kui said: "Teacher, and relieved, my four brothers must make a secret visit, and they will bring the four Yeyang to justice." ”

Cao Yin made Sijing his own guest, and made drastic reforms in Taihe, eliminating bad habits, severely punishing corruption, rewarding the people to sue illegal county officials, and strictly prohibiting landlords and rich tycoons from annexing the people's fields. When the people heard that Emperor Guangzong's imperial gift to the Qing Dynasty official Cao Yin had come to Taihe to take charge, those who had grievances came to complain one after another, and the five masters and apprentices were busy all night trying grievances and resolving grievances, and more than 200 cases were overturned in March.

Cao Yin said: "There is no other way to govern the country, just to practice the law." As an official, there is nothing else to do, from morning to night, there is only one thing, the law of the country is practiced by the people, where someone violates the law, whether it is a big evil or a small fault, I and other parents and officials, as long as they do everything to arrest him and bring him to justice, in this way, the traitor is afraid of the law like a tiger, and the good generation respects the law like a father, and the territory is naturally peaceful. ”

Sijing is good, the master and apprentice five people in Taihe County are vigorous and resolute, law enforcement is like Ding, the government decree is unimpeded for a while, the weather is new, and many burdens are relieved of the people, and everyone is vying to praise the new county order.

On this day, Jing Kui announced: "Teacher, someone reported that Chen Qi, a palace maid, was not a palace maid, and he took three stones of grain from the imperial court every year. ”

Jing Fei was puzzled and asked, "Big brother, what is a palace maid?" ”

Cao Yin said: "The family has a daughter who is elected to the palace is the palace maid household, and the court gives the palace maid household three stone grain every year until the death of her parents. ”

Jing Kui said: "Chen Qi's great-grandfather was a palace maid, and after his great-grandfather passed away, he should not receive the imperial grain according to the law, but his grandfather, father, and even Chen Qi himself are still receiving it. ”

Cao Yin was furious: "It's been three generations, how can you still receive the imperial grain, Jing Fei, you go and call Jiang Yuan, I want to ask him how this county is done!" ”

Jing Fei went, and Jing Ying said: "The teacher is angry, and he is discussing the reason when he asks him." ”

Cao Yin nodded slightly and said, "Well, this matter needs to be investigated clearly." ”

After Jiang Yuan came, Cao Yin smiled and asked: "Lord Jiang, when Cao was in the capital, he often went in and out of the palace and knew some palace maids, I remember that there was a person surnamed Chen, I heard that our Taihe people Chen Qi is a palace maid, I don't know what the name of his daughter is?" ”

Jiang Yuan was slightly startled, and forced himself to calm down: "This, Xia Guan only knows that his family is a palace maid, but as for what his daughter's name is, Xia Guan doesn't remember." ”

Cao Yin's face sank, and he said angrily: "Someone has reported that his family has been receiving imperial grain for several generations, is this true?" ”

Jiang Yuan broke out in a cold sweat and said in fear: "Is there such a thing? Let the lower officials investigate in detail tomorrow, if this is the case, the lower officials will definitely severely punish Chen Qi. ”

Cao Yin said: "Well, you go and check quickly, there have been famines all these years, and the frontier soldiers and people are still short of food and clothing, how can you tolerate these scoundrels eating the treasury?" ”

Jiang Yuan retreated, and Jing Fei said: "The teacher asked Master Jiang to investigate, I'm afraid there will be no results." ”

Cao Yin said: "Why? ”

Jing Fei said: "Lord Jiang's expression just now told the students that Chen Qimao's receipt of the imperial grain was related to Lord Jiang. ”

Cao Yin was shocked and couldn't believe that Jiang Yuan had anything to do with this matter. Jing Si said: "What the fourth brother said is extremely true, Jiang Xiancheng's eyes are terrified, and there is a chance that this matter has an affair with him. ”

Cao Yin said: "If that's the case, let him investigate this matter, wouldn't it be a plot with the tiger?" ”

Jing Si said: "I will go to Chen Qi's house with my fourth brother tomorrow to check. ”

Jing Fei said with a smile: "Third brother, you and I may be able to check the conclusion immediately, and I am afraid that I will have to draw water with a bamboo basket tomorrow." ”

Cao Yin, Jing Kui, and Jing Ying looked at each other, and all three of them nodded yes.

After noon, Jing Si and Jing Fei came back and said: "Teacher, we have verified that Chen Qi does not have a daughter, Jiajing forty-three years, his great-grandfather Chen Quan sent his daughter into the palace and became a palace maid, and it has been sixty-four years. ”

Cao Yin asked, "What year did Chen Quan die?" Jing Si said: "According to the lieutenant chief, Chen Quan's life was the fifth year of Wanli. Cao Yin was furious: "It's been 50 years since the fifth year of Wanli, and this guy has been receiving the imperial grain for 50 years, and no one in the county government notices?" ”

Jing Fei said softly: "The Chen family is a big family in this county, and Ni Jingzhong, the head catcher, is Chen Qi's cousin. ”

Cao Yin slapped the table and said, "Can a big family break the law?" Headcatchers can be an exception? This matter must be investigated. Jing Kui, tomorrow you will take the books of the household over the years to take a closer look, see what illegal things have been done in recent years, and find out all of them for me. Jing Kui said, "Okay." ”

The next day, Cao Yin and everyone were in the lobby to deal with official business, and suddenly there was a post to send a post, Cao Yin took it, it was a post sent by the state government to notify Taihe County to report to the state capital on the fifteenth day of the lunar month. Cao Yin handed it over to Jiang Yuan, the county magistrate, Jiang Yuan took it and handed it to Cao Yin, Cao Yin was puzzled: "This is a document sent to you, why did you hand it over to me again?" ”

Jiang Yuan smiled strangely: "My lord doesn't know, although the year-end tribute post was sent to the county, but the county magistrate has to come forward in person." ”

Cao Yinqi said: "What is a tribute post? ”

Jiang Yuan said with a smile: "Adults live in temples and don't know the customs and rules of the countryside. On the surface, this post is for the state government to invite the counties and counties to report on the political affairs of the county in the past year, but it is really a good opportunity for the counties to arrange a New Year's gift. ”

Tian Heyong and Ding Xin also laughed. Cao Yin said angrily: "How can this be true, now that the new emperor is working hard to cut off the eunuch party and revitalize the dynasty, it can be said that everything is renewed, and the official thinks that if such bad habits are not eliminated, how can the officialdom be cleaned?" How can the people be well-being? ”

Ding Xin said with a smile: "My lord is upright, and the lower officials admire him, although the new emperor is wise, how can the officialdom be like this since ancient times, and the holy monarch and the sage king are helpless." ”

Tian Heyong said: "As the so-called official level crushes people to death, although this is a bad habit, we should also obey it, otherwise the state government will blame it, and we will suffer in Taihe County in the coming year." ”

Cao Yin brushed his sleeves and said: "Cao Yin is an official who enforces the law like a ding, Cao Yin is law-abiding like a mountain, I don't want to go to this matter, Lord Jiang, you go straight to report the political affairs of the county on the fifteenth day of the lunar month, and Hugh gives them a penny, see what they want!" Jiang Yuan and the others were stunned when they heard this.

Cao Yin was angry for a while, and with a wave of his pen, he ordered: "Hang this couplet on both sides of the instrument gate to clarify the will of me and the officials." The official received the order and took the couplet and left.

Seeing the embarrassing scene, Tian Heyong hurriedly looked at the post envoy, who slowly withdrew, and said to the state government post guard who was waiting for a letter at the door: "I'm ashamed, I have kept my brother waiting, please report back, and say that Taihe County will come on time on the fifteenth day of Layue." Then he wanted to take the post man to the post station for dinner, and the post man said: "Thank you, it's getting late, and I have to rush back to the state capital to pay the errand, and I won't eat the meal." When he passed the door, the official had just pasted the couplet, and the post guard turned around to peek, but he saw the couplet and said:

The official level crushed people to death

I'm not sycophant

3

The post man who sent the official document was surnamed Zhang Mingji, who was clever, because he was anxious to wait for the reply from Taihe County in order to rush back early, and saw that Yi Cheng did not come out for a long time after entering the hall to make a statement, so he quietly looked at the door, and happened to see Cao Yin slapping the table and scolding the bad habits. Zhang Ji has been a post guard for many years, and he has never seen a lower-level official dare to accuse his superiors like this, so he was quite frightened.

After leaving Taihe, Zhang Ji quickly stepped up his horse and arrived at Ji'an Mansion in an hour. Wang An learned that the matter had been done, and wanted to arrange for Zhang Ji to go to Yongfeng County tomorrow to deliver the documents, so he came to the house, just arrived at the door, heard Zhang Ji talking to others, Wang An listened carefully, only to hear Zhang Ji said: "This Taihe county order is bold enough, even scolded the tribute post is a bad habit, refused to send a penny to the state capital, and openly wrote on both sides of the Yimen, saying that the official level crushed people to death, I am not sycophant, I am the first time to see such an upright county order!" ”

Hearing this, Wang An broke in and scolded: "You guy who begged for death, who told you to talk too much." When Zhang Ji and the others saw Yi Cheng scolding, they didn't dare to speak, and they ate by themselves. Wang An said: "Zhang Ji, tomorrow you go to Yongfeng to deliver the post, you have to go early and return early, and the post will come to my room to pick it up." Zhang Ji replied: "The villain will come and get it after eating." ”

The next day, Wang An had nothing to do, paced to the mansion, pondering Zhang Ji's words in his heart, thinking that this Taihe County Decree was indeed bold, and dared to openly slander the conventions formed over the years, and this was the first time I had encountered such a thing, so why don't I report it to the prefect to know, and I can teach the prefect to know that I am shrewd.

Wang An begged for appreciation, went straight into the door room next to the door of the house, and said to the guard: "Please inform the prefect, just say that Wang An wants to see you." ”

On weekdays, when other people want to see the prefect, they usually have to tip Menzi, otherwise Menzi will find an excuse not to report it. That disciple knew that Wang An was a post inheritance, so he was not embarrassed, and went in directly to tell him. After a while, Menzi came out and said, "My lord, let you wait in the second hall." Wang An thanked the doorman, went to the door of the second hall, and saw a couplet hanging on both sides of the gate: "I came here because of the fate of the people, and I want my heart to be worthy of the people." Wang An stepped in and saw that the middle screen was painted with "Pine Crane Longevity Map", and the plaque on the picture read "Sibutang". Wang An didn't see the prefect coming, and he didn't dare to make a mistake, so he stood there respectfully and waited.

Not long after, the prefect Jiang Xing came out of the Qinshen Hall behind the second hall, went to the desk under the "Songhe Longevity Map" and sat down, Wang An hurriedly stepped forward to salute.

Jiang Xing asked, "Wang An, what's the matter with you, do you have to go to the second hall to find me?" ”

Wang An replied: "The villain has nothing to do and doesn't dare to alarm the adult, but he found a small incident yesterday, and the villain is worried about whether it will affect the ...... of our Ji'an Mansion." ”

Wang An stopped talking, and Jiang Xingwei asked, "Since it is a trivial matter, how can it affect Ji'an Mansion?" Tell me, what the hell is going on? ”

Wang Andao: "Yesterday, I sent a post to Taihe County to deliver the document issued by the Tongzhi Lord, and the post man overheard the county order Cao Yin scolding, saying that the 'tribute' post in Ji'an Mansion is a bad habit and should be changed. The villain thought that Cao Yin was an official sent by the imperial court, would he ...... to the imperial court about this matter, the villain did not know the depth, guessed without authorization, and hoped that Lord Zhizhou would forgive his sins. ”

Jiang Xing was shocked when he heard this, and pondered for a while and said, "You step down, this official will have his own reward another day." Remember, don't say anything about it. ”

Wang An hurriedly said: "The villain understands. After saying that, he slowly withdrew from the second hall.

After Wang An retreated, Jiang Xing hurriedly recruited Ma Fu and He Zhi to discuss countermeasures, and Ma Fu said after learning what happened: "It seems that this Cao Yin is not a person from us all the way, adults must be on guard, now that the emperor has first ascended the throne, he will definitely rectify the dynasty, in case he reports this matter to the court, and the court investigates it thoroughly, we will be in trouble." ”

Ding Xin said: "This is the case in all states and governments, who doesn't know about the adults in the ministry? If you want to check, won't the world be in chaos? ”

Jiang Xing said: "I have heard that this person is respectful of virtue and not respectful of strong, and Ah Zheng is not noble, it seems that in his eyes of Cao Yin, I am a person who is not virtuous and unright." Then he asked Ma Fu, "What is the best plan for Master Ma?" ”

Ma Fu said: "Cao Yin used to be very famous, but he has been unwilling, depressed for many years, this time he came to Taihe for some reason to make a small county order, whether he will rebel against the imperial court, I don't know." According to the lower officials, they can send someone to the imperial court to find out about this matter first, and then make a decision. If this person has a strong background, we will temporarily restrain it, and then slowly figure it out. If this person is already a dog in the water, he will design to squeeze him out of Ji'an Mansion, he likes to be a hypocrite, then ask him to do it elsewhere, and don't get in the way of our Ji'an Mansion. ”

He Zhi sneered: "Let him go elsewhere?" Too cheap for him. With just one word, I can reward him with a crime, so that he will die without a place to be buried. ”

Jiang Xing said: "Cao Yinben is a cloth cloth, because he is proficient in the law, so he was deeply appreciated by Emperor Guangzong, and he was given Tongtian Wat and given the privilege of practicing the law. Later Guangzong unfortunately returned to the west, and the first emperor left Cao Yin aside in the cold, but he preached everywhere in the court what 'there is no other way to govern the country, just practice the law,' and then rebelled...... Oh no, he later impeached Wei Gelding with the Donglin Party and was deposed. Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne and Wei Gelding has fallen, I don't know why, he actually came to my territory. Alas! I don't know if it's a curse or a blessing......"

Ma Fu said: "My lord, knowing yourself and knowing your opponent, you will not be defeated in a hundred battles, it is still safe to send someone to the court to investigate." ”

Jiang Xing sighed and said: "Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, the hypocrites of the Manchu Dynasty are flying high, and my uncle's life is probably not easy!" What I'm worried about is whether this Cao Yin will be sent here to find a breakthrough by some minister of the DPRK and the central government who has a gap with my uncle and wants to bring down my uncle. It's a pity that I, as the parent official of a state, dare not enter Beijing without an edict! If you write back to Beijing to ask, I am afraid of leaking! ”

Ma Fu said: "Your Excellency doesn't have to worry, your adult can't leave Ji'an Mansion, and you can go to the capital in private service." ”

Jiang Xing was overjoyed and said: "Then it's hard work Lord Ma, Master Ma can leave in the near future, one to represent Ji'an Mansion to thank Lord Shangshu Guo of the Ministry of Households, he will allocate 10,000 taels of disaster relief silver to us this year, we must thank you again." Second, he came to visit my uncle's house for me and sent me a birthday gift. Third, let's find out the details of Cao Yin. ”

Ma Fu said: "Don't worry, my lord, I will go back quickly, and I will never let you down." ”

4

Jiang Xing's uncle Shi Fenglai is a native of Pinghu, Zhejiang, the list of the Wanli Emperor, although he is familiar with the articles of the sages, but he is a villain without the temperament of the sages.

After Ma Fu entered Beijing with four catchers, he heard that Shi Fenglai was at home with his resignation, and guessed that he was implicated by Wei Zhongxian, and he was shocked. Ma Fu did not dare to visit openly during the day, so he had to knock on the door late at night. The servant took Ma Fu to the second hall and sat down, Ma Fu looked around, but saw that the screen in the middle was painted with a "green bamboo thrush", and there was a four-character plaque of "loyalty, filial piety and honesty" on the screen, and there was a couplet on both sides:

A thousand years of filial piety accompany the king

Loyal ministers through the ages

Ma Fu was appreciating, and the servant led Shi Fenglai to come slowly, and Ma Fu hurriedly knelt down and said, "Xiaguan Ji'an Mansion Tongzhi Ma Fu kowtows to Lord Shoufu." ”

Shi Fenglai is sixty years old, although he has a red face, but he shows a slightly sad face. "Get up, my nephew has a letter with you?" Shi Fenglai sat down on the chair next to him, and at the same time pointed with his right hand to the chair on the side and said, "Sit down and talk." ”

Ma Fu stood up, took out the letter from his arms and handed it to Shi Fenglai, "Lord Jiang's letter is here." Then he took out a delicate box, put it on the red nanmu coffee table next to Shi Fenglai's seat, and opened it gently, revealing the "double ox ploughing field jade carving".

Shi Fenglai finished reading Jiang Xing's letter, looked at the jade carving on the coffee table, and asked, "This is?" ”

Ma Fu said respectfully: "This is the 'double ox plough field jade carving', the birthday gift specially sent by Lord Jiang, 'double ox', homonym 'double six', congratulations to Lord Shoufu is about to usher in his sixty-sixth birthday, 'plough field', which means that Lord Shoufu is old and strong, and he is still working for the country and the people. ”

"Hahahaha, my nephew is really attentive, he has such filial piety, and it is not in vain that the old man has worked hard to cultivate," Shi Fenglai was relieved, and his sad face was swept away.

Ma Fu saw that Shi Fenglai was on the rise, and further explored: "Lord Jiang has always been concerned about the body of the elder of the pavilion, a few months ago, Lord Cao Yin of the Ministry of Criminal Affairs was sent to Taihe to be the county commander, Lord Zhizhou originally wanted to ask Cao Yin about the body of the elder of the pavilion, but he didn't know the origin of this person, so he didn't dare to ask rashly. ”

Shi Fenglai had already understood the meaning of Ma Fu's words, and said with a smile: "It doesn't hurt if you have something to say, there is no need to beat around the bush." ”

Ma Fujian said, and then said: "It's not a secret, Cao Yin served in Taihe, wantonly bought people's hearts, and also pointed fingers at Lord Jiang's governance, Lord Jiang wanted to punish him, but he didn't know that he was in the middle of the bottom, and he didn't dare to make a mistake, so he entrusted the officials to ask the elder for advice." ”

After hearing this, Shi Fenglai said: "Cao Yin is humble and inferior, he likes to blame his boss, and it is also expected that he will cause trouble for Jiang Xing when he goes to Taihe." The old man originally wanted to send someone to inform you to beware of this person, but Gonggong Wei was framed, and I was under the suspicion of the emperor together with Master Huang Liji, Master Zhang Ruitu, and Master Li Guopu of Jianji Palace, and the old man had to be cautious everywhere, and he had no time to take care of this matter. Since you are here, go back and tell Jiang Xing, the emperor is a new treasure, although he is a great talent, but I think most of them are Donglin Party members, Cao Yin does not seem to be on the roster, if he wants to turn over, it is difficult, for this kind of dog in the water, he can fight if he wants, don't be taboo. ”

Ma Fu returned to the inn, had dinner with the four catchers, and the five of them went to Beihai and Drum Tower to play, strolling all the way, and walking to Dongzhi Gate, Chaoyang Gate, and Confucius Temple to enjoy the scenery. Seeing that it was dark, the four of them returned. Ma Fu left the three of them behind, and came to visit the house of Guo Yunhou, the secretary of the household department of Chegongzhuang, with the official voucher and silver ticket, but Menzi reported back: "My family resigned due to illness and returned to his hometown." Ma Fu had no choice but to leave.

Back in Ji'an, Ma Fu made a truthful report on Shi Fenglai's situation, and lied that he had given 2,000 taels of silver tickets to Guo Yunhou. Jiang Xing learned that his uncle was unwilling, and his heart was even more panicked.

At this time, Jiang Yuan, Cheng of Taihe County, asked to see, Jiang Xing summoned in, only to see Jiang Yuan crying and coming in to worship: "Cao Yin is rude, because Chen Qi received the palace maid's household grain to investigate the crime of negligence, and also caught the head Ni Jingzhong with a cane for thirty boards, dismissed and went home." Adults must make decisions for their subordinates. ”

Jiang Xing was furious and thought secretly: "Ni Jingzhong is my wife's close neighbor, and Jiang Yuan also let his cousin Chen Qi take the imperial grain for the sake of his wife's face, and now that Jiang Yuan has been beaten, if I don't ask for an explanation for him, how will I convince the public in the future?" Nai Dao: "Cao Yin deceived people too much! You go back for the time being, and the official has his own plan to deal with him. ”

5

On this day, Sijing was ordered to hunt down Zheng Zhilong, a thief in the rivers and lakes, but was rescued by several masked men, and pursued all the way out of the county. After retiring from the court, Cao Yin thought secretly: When Wang De avenged his younger brother to the capital, I have reported the suspicious points of this case to the Criminal Department, and suggested verification, I don't know if it was done, and when Sijing came back, they had to send them to Chenzhou.

Cao Yin saw that it was getting late, and it was time to disperse, so he got up and wanted to go back to the inner room. Cao Yin heard that Ding Xin's father was about to celebrate his seventieth birthday a few days ago, so he happily agreed: "Happy event, happy event, let me go back to the inner house first, and I will go to the house to pay homage to my birthday in a while." Ding Xin was overjoyed and said: "Thank you, my lord, the lower official will go home first and wait for your lordship." After Ding Xin withdrew, Cao Yin handed over the official business to the Jing brothers, hurriedly returned to the inner house, changed clothes, prepared a birthday gift, and left the county government with two servants in a sedan chair, and went straight to Ding Xin's house.

The county order came to congratulate the birthday in person, the Ding family was overjoyed, Ding Xin wanted to invite Cao Yin to the upper seat, Cao Yin saw that there were many white-haired elders among relatives and friends, so he said: "There are many elders today, how dare this official take a seat, I will sit down at the bottom." Ding Xin's father came to invite in person: "Lao Su is already an ancient rarity, Cao County Ling is the great sage of the first emperor Guangzong personally gave Tongtian Wat, and now he is here to celebrate his birthday, Lao Suo is flattered, please sit down." Everyone said: "If the county magistrate doesn't sit down, how dare we sit at the table?" Cao Yin had no choice but to obey. The cups on the banquet are staggered, so it is not lively, the old birthday star, Ding Xin and the neighbors all want to pay tribute to Cao Yin, Cao Yin is very warm, and he doesn't feel drunk.

Cao Yin thought, tomorrow the Lord Zhizhou will come to Inspector Taihe in person, I can't be drunk and misbehaved, but get up and worship: "There is still official business tomorrow, you can't drink again today, and I ask the old birthday star for forgiveness." Ding Xin saw that Cao Yin was indeed drunk, and said to everyone: "Lord Cao has always been diligent in government, I think this wine will end here." Everyone said, "In this case, don't miss the official affairs of the county government." Only then did Ding's father order the dismissal.

6

In the early morning of Yueri, Zhizhou Jiang Xing led Ma Fu, He Zhi and other thirty or forty people to Taihe County, and Jiang Yuan of the county had already urgently ordered the new head catcher Huang Lei to inform Cao Yin, and he and Tian Heyong, Ding Xin and more than ten officials of Taihe County hurriedly went out to greet him. Jiang Xing and the others got off the sedan chair, and when they saw that Cao Yin didn't come to greet them, they asked, "Where is the county order?" At this time, Huang Lei ran over and whispered to Jiang Yuan, Tian Heyong, and Ding Xin who were kneeling on the ground: "The county magistrate is still in the bedroom, and there seems to be a sound of women laughing and playing inside, and the villain knocks on the door and does not answer, and he does not dare to break in rashly." ”

Jiang Yuan and the others were shocked, looked at each other, and looked at each other. Jiang Yuan hurriedly retreated Huang Lei and said to Jiang Xing: "My lord, Lord Cao is still in the inner house, please go to the court and sit down first, and the next official will immediately go and ask Lord Cao to come out to greet him." ”

Ma Fu said angrily: "Bold, why are your county orders so rude? ”

Jiang Xing didn't answer, his face was full of anger, and he strode towards the ya, Ma Fu, He Zhi and others followed closely behind with iron faces, Jiang Yuan, Tian Heyong, and Ding Xin hurriedly got up and followed.

Everyone passed through the county yayi gate and was about to enter the lobby, when they saw three disheveled women running out of the inner house, Ma Fu shouted: "Stop, who are you?" ”

Jiang Yuan, Tian Heyong, and Ding Xin didn't know how the county government could run out of three strange women, and they were so indecent, and they were quite surprised in their hearts. The three women were reprimanded, standing there trembling and not daring to move, Ding Xin asked sharply, "Why don't you reply to Master Ma's words soon?" ”

One of the women said tremblingly: "Back to the adult, the three little girls are the girls of Cuihualou, and they came to serve the ...... on the order of the county order Lord Cao."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was stunned.

Jiang Xing was furious: "Lord He, you detain and torture these three women, Master Ma, you quickly go to the inner house to personally greet Lord Cao, and say that I, Jiang Xing, begged him to come out and see him." ”

Jiang Xing angrily entered the lobby and sat on a desk chair waiting for Cao Yin. Jiang Yuan and the others stood down, panicking one by one, not knowing what to do.

He Zhi got the order and ordered someone to take down the three women, and Ma Fu took several officials to break into the inner house, and Cao Yin was still asleep at this time.

It didn't take long for He Zhi to report: "My lord, the three women confessed that they were prostitutes in Taihe Cuihualou, and last night a servant went to Cuihualou and spent six taels of silver to take the three out of Cuihualou and send them to the county office, claiming that the county made the adults unbearable Spring Festival and invited pleasures. As he spoke, He Zhi presented three ingots of silver.

Jiang Xing took the silver and looked at it, and it was engraved with the words "Ji'an Mansion", which turned out to be official silver.

He Zhi had just finished reporting, and Ma Fu came in again and said, "My lord, Lord Cao, he ......" Ma Fu wanted to speak and stopped, at this time Cao Yin hurriedly came in in disheveled, and when he saw Jiang Xing sitting firmly on the court, he was immediately shocked, knelt down and bowed: "The lower official greets Chi Mistake, the crime deserves ten thousand deaths, and the crimes deserve ten thousand deaths." ”

Jiang Xing slapped the shocked wood and said angrily: "Cao Yin, you are so bold, you actually used official money to recruit prostitutes and openly brought them into the county government to stay with prostitutes?" ”

Cao Yin was shocked, and for some reason, he didn't understand what Jiang Xing was talking about, and after a while, he asked in a daze, "Where did you start with this, my lord?" ”

Jiang Xing said angrily: "There are witnesses and physical evidence here, and you still deny it?" If someone comes, the offender Cao Yin will be detained first, and I will deal with it according to the law after I have heard about it. After Jiang Xing finished speaking, a group of errand servants had already taken down Cao Yin, and let Cao Yin defend himself in every way, five or six officials tied up the good people cleanly and forcibly dragged Cao Yin out.

"Where is Taihe County, the main book, the classic history, and the head catcher?" Jiang Xing asked majestically.

Jiang Yuan and the others replied: "Xia Guan is here." ”

"You and the officials present today should quickly write down their testimonies about what they have seen and heard today, and there must not be half a false word."

They answered, "Yes." ”

Jiang Xing ordered everyone to write a testimony on the lobby, the content of which was that on a certain day, the county ordered Cao Yin to recruit prostitutes to the county ya's inner hall, and the three prostitutes were arrested on the spot when they left the inner hall, and they were arrested on the spot, and the official silver was searched.

Jiang Wan, Tian Heyong, Ding Xin, Huang Lei, and more than a dozen people including the county officials present looked at each other one by one, and they didn't know what to do, Jiang Wan sighed: "Alas, today's events, you and I will see each other, write truthfully." When everyone saw that Jiang Wan had lifted the pen, they had no choice but to write the testimony accordingly, draw a press seal, and hand it over to Jiang Xing.

Jiang Xing took a look at the testimony of everyone, and was very happy in his heart, and said to Jiang Yuan: "The post of Taihe County Commander is temporarily replaced by you, and after the imperial court has dealt with this matter, there will naturally be arrangements. ”

Jiang Yuan kowtowed to receive orders.

Jiang Xing flicked his sleeves, his face was full of anger, and he hurriedly walked down the court, leaving Taihe and returning to Ji'an Mansion with a group of people.

7

Jiang Xing returned to the state capital, immediately spread out the pen and paper, and the pen flew like a fly, and soon a piece of impeachment of Cao Yin was completed. Ma Fu and others looked at it, but saw that the text was as follows:

Jiang Xing, Ji'an Zhizhou: Whoever is a minister, is loyal to the first; Those who are officials should be honest first; The gentleman of the world, benevolence is the head. Taihe County Ling Cao Yin, although he has been bathing in the emperor's grace for a long time, has read poetry and books, but he does not want to repay the service, which is insulting. Stealing official silver for private use is also a crime; Bringing a prostitute to court is guilty of two crimes; Disrespecting the boss and ignoring official affairs is also a three-crime crime. There are these three crimes, the emperor's grace, the people, the three crimes are committed, what is the face of the temple? The minister thinks that there are evil deeds, and the law should be famous, flowing thousands of miles, and the minister does not dare to be self-dedicated, and he is careful to play the heavens, and he looks forward to the holy judgment early.

"Wonderful, wonderful, good article," Ma Fu exclaimed.

According to the law of the Ming Dynasty, officials below the sixth grade committed crimes, and the provincial inspectors were interrogated according to the imperial history, and then reported to the Metropolitan Procuratorate for review, and then submitted to the Dali Temple for final ruling. Jiang Xing ordered Ma Fu to write a declaration submission, compiled the testimony into a book, and then attached the impeachment note he wrote and handed it to Wang An, and ordered him to report to Nanchang as soon as possible. After Yicheng Wang An went out with the official document, Jiang Xing, Ma Fu, He Zhi and others looked at each other, stroked their palms and laughed.