"Your Excellency. It's not too early to color today. The lower official took his leave. While disturbing the rest of adults. Wang Dezhao finished talking about business. And he's pretty much full. And it's really not early. I'm ready to leave. Over here. He always felt a little uncomfortable. There's always a feeling you can't let go.

"Hmm. There you go. Zhang Fan said to Wang Dezhao. Remember. Don't talk about things so early. Wait until a few days. Otherwise, those people will be suspicious. ”

"Your Excellency. You can rest assured that the lower officials will do their jobs. The lower officials will never make any mistakes for you. Wang Dezhao bowed again. After 10 million guarantees. Facing Zhang Fan, he slowly withdrew from the door. Left.

After Wang Dezhao left. Zhang Fan didn't move. Still sitting in the seat all the time. Keep your eyes on the slightly flickering candle flame on the table. I don't know what I'm thinking.

"Your Excellency." Wang Meng's voice suddenly appeared at the door. interrupted Zhang Fan's thoughts. "Then Wang Dezhao is gone."

"Oh. I know that. Zhang Fan seemed a little absent-minded. Said this casually. Then he asked. "Wang Meng. You're here to find me something. ”

"There's nothing wrong with being humble." Wang Meng replied. "It's just that I saw that Wang Dezhao had been away for a long time. But the adults have not yet come out. So come and have a look. ”

"Oh. That's right. Zhang Fan still looks like he can't give up. I don't know what's going on in my heart.

"Your Excellency...... Humble ......" Wang Meng suddenly spoke. It's just a bit of a mouthful. "Humiliation is not questioning the decision of an adult. It's just that this method of adults really works. ”

"I can only think of the least hurtful way to do it now." Zhang Fan replied. This method is actually speculating on people's hearts. Of course. Basically, there will be no problems. But you need to know. This man's heart is the most unpredictable. There may be some variables in it. No one knows about this. When the time comes, it can only be a soldier. The water has come to Tutun. "All in all. Zhang Fan means that. The direction is correct. As for whether there will be any deviations in the way of walking. That's not necessarily the case.

"Just. Will the adults hand over this matter to this Wang De and do it? "Wang Meng is worried about this." This Wang Dezhao doesn't look like a reliable person. In case something goes wrong with him. Wouldn't it ruin the great plan of the adults? ”

"This Wang Dezhao. Seems a little stupid. Some greedy. But you must have heard what I said to him just now. "When Zhang Fan was greedy for this topic. A smile appeared on his face. "We didn't check on Wang Dezhao in the first place. That's because Wang Dezhao's first impression is that he is definitely a corrupt official. Plus his kind of snob. Seeing that my uncle was a bully. I was going to get some oil and water out of him; The next moment, I knew that my uncle had a nephew with such a big status as me. That's an instant puff of praise. The attitude towards my uncle also changed immediately. How could such a person not be a corrupt official?

"But it's just right. He is the least greedy here. Cleaner than those well-known incorruptible officials. This is ridiculous. His Highness told me a few days ago. He said that the prefect of Yangzhou is not bad. Although the people look at him unpleasantly. But Wang Dezhao managed Yangzhou in an orderly manner. There's nothing wrong with that. At that time, I heard Jun'er say this. The first thing that comes to mind is that this Wang Dezhao hides his true nature very deeply. Now even the crown prince of the dynasty has fallen for him. But now it seems. I was wrong. Wang Dezhao is like this.

"As for the money he was greedy for. Let's not talk about how greedy this Wang Dezhao is. Just talk about the number. Wang Meng. Look at the entire Ming Dynasty. And who is an official who is not greedy? Even my mentor. He has been in the Cabinet for many years now. Although it is self-love on weekdays. But for a few things. It's not like to pay a bribe to that Feng Bao. If you are not greedy, Hai Rui is one. But look at what happened to Hai Jui. Now it's a lonely self-appreciation. Officials who have a little heart to serve the country admire him. But no one wanted to be with him. Although His Majesty also has the heart to reuse him. But all the people in the entire court. It doesn't matter if there is political agreement or not. It's all about letting go of the barriers. are all against His Majesty's reuse of Hai Jui. Give him high-ranking officials. In this way. Even His Majesty admires Hai Jui. He Hai Rui is also not reused. What's the use of that?

"Today's officials. He has long forgotten the rules set by Emperor Taizu to punish corrupt officials. And this Wang Dezhao still remembers. He knew that what Liu Shan did was going to happen sooner or later. didn't even listen to Liu Shan's explanation and left. Although he still has to be a little greedy for money on weekdays. Whether it's for his own better life. Don't let other colleagues think he's too unsociable. He always had that fear for his life in his heart. Thus suppressing his desires. Just doing small business. This has to be said to be a kind of irony. The only official who still remembers Taizu's legacy back then. It's such a person who actually wants money in his heart. And Emperor Taizu's testament happened to him, and Emperor Taizu customized its original effect back then. Afraid. ”

After listening to what Zhang Fan said. Wang Meng suddenly felt that he was very uncomfortable in his heart. At that time, Zhu Yuanzhang set those methods to punish corrupt officials and their cruelty. But it serves only one purpose. That is to make those officials afraid. You must know that the world is big. Your own life is the greatest. If you don't have a life, then what's greed? But even when Zhu Yuanzhang was alive. The trend of corrupt officials has never improved much. Those who should be greedy continue to be greedy. The more Zhu Yuanzhang killed. On the contrary, there are more and more corrupt officials.

Until today, however. That's when a real fear of death appeared. And Wang Dezhao, who tried his best to suppress the huge greed in his heart. In a sense. More than one hundred and fifty years ago. The regulations promulgated by Zhu Yuanzhang can be said to have been formulated specifically for Wang Dezhao alone. Although Wang Dezhao was not as clean and slippery as Hai Rui, he had never done anything. But speaking of which. Hehe......

This made Wang Meng, a loyal supporter of imperial power, feel a little helpless. He didn't think Wang Dezhao was a good official. Even Wang Dezhao himself may never have considered himself a good official. But in practical terms. He, Wang Dezhao, is a good official. It's even better than the well-known clean officials. This is a great irony.

There was silence in the room. Zhang Fan and Wang Meng both seemed to have thought of this question. are also very helpless. It's just that the so-called being in the game doesn't know the situation. This is obviously an unsolvable matter. But both are at an impasse.

After a while. Voices rang out in the hallway outside the door. It seems like someone is going back and forth. And you can hear bursts of laughter. It was sent out when the maid of the Zhang family walked by. Apparently. It's getting late.

"Wang Meng. It's not too early. Zhang Fan, who came back to his senses, said to Wang Meng. There was a lot going on today. All of them are very tired. Go get some rest early. ”

Wang Meng did not retire. Instead, he asked Zhang Fan, "My lord." Are we just waiting now? Do nothing. ”

"So what do you think we can do now?" Zhang Fan listened to him. But he asked rhetorically with a smile.

Wang Meng listened to Zhang Fan's words. Think about it. Also. They really don't have anything to do now. After all, even if he was waiting for Wang Dezhao to release the arranged words just now according to Zhang Fan's instructions. It's going to be a few more days. If you say it now. I'm afraid it will arouse the suspicion of those people again. That's not what Zhang Fan wants to see.

said "retire" to Zhang Fan. Wang Meng turned around and prepared to leave. It's just that he just walked to the door. But it stopped. It seems that something came to mind again. He turned around and walked into the house. He asked Zhang Fan, "My lord." The right person thought of one thing. What should be done with the account books that were brought back from Liu Shan. ”

"Those books." Zhang Fan was said by him. I remembered it too. Merely. It's not a big deal. Those books are very important, though. But it was collected by Wang Meng. Zhang Fan is still very relieved. "You took me to put those things away. Don't lose it. That's the proof of our future reconciliation. ”

"I think I know it." Wang Meng said. "It's just an adult. There were several of those books. The lowly post just inadvertently flipped over. It was found that some of them were written by the names of people. There is a handle on it that Liu Shan has in their hands. and how much money each of these people can get each year. Some of them record the valuable utensils they received. ”

"yes. What's wrong. Zhang Fan didn't know why Wang Meng was talking to him about this.

"Then Feng Bao in the capital is not ......," Wang Meng reminded.

"Oh. That's right. There is also Feng Bao's file matter. I almost forgot. Zhang Fan patted his forehead and said. It's just that Feng Bao is in a hurry. I can't help it. That Meng Chong's handle was recorded in the same account book as those officials' money. We're going to keep that one to check the accounts. I can't take it apart and send it to him. It was useless to copy a copy and send it to him. Feng Bao will only be able to defeat Meng Chong after I return to Beijing. ”

"Then how did the Lord tell Feng Bao about this?" Wang Meng asked.

"What's so hard about that. I'll tell you the truth. Feng Bao is not the kind of person who is vexatious. Won't embarrass me. Zhang Fan said. I'm going to write a letter to Feng Bao now. You wait until tomorrow morning to send someone to deliver the letter back to the capital. ”

"Yes. My lord. Wang Meng said. So. Humble will go and prepare pen and ink for adults. "Finished. Wang Meng turned around and walked out.

After Wang Meng went out. Zhang Fan began to be stunned again. I don't know what I'm thinking. But judging by the look on his face. That's not distress.

Suddenly. Zhang Fan muttered to himself: "Alas. Mother, Ru Xue......"

It turned out that he was homesick.