At the mouth of the alley, the night is like water.

Yu Xin's car slowly turned, gradually sinking into the darkness, and the sound of horses' hooves and wheels gradually drifted away, gradually becoming inaudible.

"Master, Lord Yu has already gone far, let's go back too, it's so cold, don't catch a cold!"

Seeing Guo Ren's silent and thoughtful appearance for a long time, the housekeeper Guo An was a little anxious, he looked at the sky, stretched out his hand to feel the cool breeze, and hurriedly took a cloak from the car, ran over to put it on his master, and at the same time whispered persuasion.

"Oh," Guo Ren stomped his feet lightly as if he had been suddenly awakened, shrunk his body into his cloak, and felt that his body was indeed a little cold, so he nodded and said, "I think things are a little preoccupied, let's go back!" ”

"Okay!"

When getting into the car, Guo Ren suddenly turned around and said in a low voice: "Guo An, tomorrow you go to Mrs. to get some money and go to the prison of the Criminal Department to visit Lord Xia." ”

"This," Guo An frowned, subconsciously looked around, and leaned closer: "Xia Yuanji is a Qin criminal, it seems, it doesn't seem to be very good!" ”

"......" Guo Ren groaned slightly, waved his hand and said: "It's okay, do what I say, and by the way, set a set of Lord Xia's ......"

Guo Ren said this, but suddenly stopped and didn't speak, Guo An, who was waiting, waited for a while, but there was no follow-up, and he couldn't help but look up and ask, "Master, what's wrong?" ”

"Forget it," Guo Ren waved his hand and said, "If Lord Xia asks about your intentions, you can ask him if he has any unfinished business to entrust, and there is no need to say anything else!" ”

"Yes, sir!"

"Remember, in prison, don't talk nonsense, including today's events!"

"Today's thing? Oh okay, little one understands! ”

After instructing Guo An, Guo Ren sat in the carriage, listening to the sound of horses' hooves outside the carriage, but his heart was still turbulent, and he could hardly help himself.

Just now, Guo Ren almost asked the doubts he had always had in his heart, but in the end he gave up, because reason told him that there would be no result.

Guo Ren sighed, and a scene came to his mind:

"Lord Yu, haven't you noticed anything about Wei Zhe's rebellion?"

"Of course not, if it is found, the old man will definitely report it to His Majesty."

"However, Wei Zhe has mobilized so much grain and grass, isn't the adult suspicious?"

"There are indeed some doubts, but Wei Zhe does things meticulously on weekdays, and when the saint returns to Beijing, there are not a few people in Jiangbei who need grain and grass, so the old man ignores it."

"What is the basis for the consideration of the Lord Qi to go north to the saint?"

"Hehe, to put it bluntly, it's just a feeling!"

"Oh!"

......

In fact, not only Guo Ren thinks so, but the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty, including Zhu Yunwen, all have this kind of thought, Xia Yuanji, the head of the household department with a bright future, rebelled, and there are dozens of large and small officials involved in the household department, and his boss Yu Xin, who is known for his meticulousness and meticulousness, didn't he notice it at all? At least there should be a crime of negligence, but to the surprise of most people, Zhu Yunwen did not blame Yu Xin, but let him continue to preside over Wenyuan Pavilion, and the impeachment seal was left behind. The reason why Guo Ren stayed out of the matter was because he was collecting grain and grass from all over the south of the Yangtze River at that time, and Xia Yuanji was responsible for transporting grain and grass to Jiangbei, both of which were dispatched by Yu Xin, and Yu Xin was in charge of the central dispatch, and Yu Xin had to assist the prince in handling political affairs in addition to the affairs of the household department, so most of the daily affairs of the household department were handled by Xia Yuanji.

However, after Xia Yuanji was arrested, although he was punished, because the big case was presided over by Zhou Xin, the waiter of the Criminal Department, he opposed the use of heavy punishment and heavy punishment, so the Investigation Department and the Security Department were a little shy and did not punish Xia Yuanji, and Xia Yuanji only confessed to a few officials of the household department, and the other people involved in the case were just deceived by him according to his statement, including Yu Xin and Guo Ren.

The Investigation Department and the Security Department met with the saint many times and asked for a heavy sentence, Zhu Yunwen thought about it again and again, but still believed in Zhou Xin's ability to handle the case and let Zhou Xin decide the scale of torture. Such a result naturally made the Investigation Department and the Security Department very dissatisfied, but they did not dare to have the slightest resentment against Zhu Yunwen, and their dissatisfaction was mainly focused on Zhou Xin. For those convicts of official crimes, most of the flesh and blood sufferings were exempted, and Zhou Xin's benevolence and righteousness were praised.

As for Yu Xin's saying that he would recommend him to take over as the head of the household department, Guo Ren was grateful but not moved, because if Xia Yuanji was there, Yu Xin would definitely recommend him to take over, and now that Xia Yuanji had an accident, although the newly promoted squire Tan Bo was very trusted by His Majesty, he presided over the Bank of Communications, the College of Engineering, the College of Agriculture and so on when His Majesty was the prince, but he did not serve in the Ministry of Household for a long time, and it was unlikely that he would take over as the head of the Ministry of Households, but if His Majesty was arbitrary, Yu Xin's recommendation would not have any effect, so everything was under His Majesty's control. This order is not to be confused.

In addition, Guo Ren also has reservations about Yu Xin's evaluation of himself and Xia Yuanji. From the perspective of work ability, Xia Yuanji and himself are between the best, but in the comparison of dedication, he is undoubtedly better; is more loyal, Guo Ren thinks that he is much better than Xia Yuanji, and even above Yu Xin.

Yu Xin is taciturn, has a city government, and is thoughtful, and although Xia Yuanji is not very old, he is also cautious and never lies, in the rebellion of King Yan, Yu Xin and Xia Yuanji were just ordered to do things, raise and transfer grain and grass, and can only be said to be decent. However, Guo Ren was not the case, he was impassioned in arguing about the army, advocating that the first strike should be strong, and before the rebellion of King Yan, he would transfer troops to the north and surround Beiping with a thunderous force, and King Yan could only be captured, and he would not have caused such a big disaster later. It's just that, due to various reasons, Zhu Yunwen did not adopt it.

Guo Ren gently pressed his temples, felt a little sore, subconsciously leaned his body on the sofa, and muttered, "Why did Xia Yuanji rebel?" Did he know something I didn't know? Could it be that Yu Xin told him? ”

......

Sanma Lane, Hou Tai's mansion.

After Yu Xin sent the housekeeper to hand over the name post, Hou Tai personally went to the door to greet him, after the two exchanged pleasantries, Hou Tai led the way, the two came to Hou Tai's study, and the guests sat down, Hou Tai made people serve some side dishes, poured some wine, and then everyone retreated, leaving only Yu Xin and Hou Tai to sit opposite each other.

"Hehe, at this time, I can eat such fresh cucumbers and leeks, the old man is really oral." While talking, Yu Xin sandwiched a few pieces of garlic cucumber and ate a few bites of leek eggs, and the fatigue of the day seemed to dissipate a lot.

"My lord said and laughed, these things are not as rare as in previous years, since Your Majesty founded the Agricultural College and invented glass, Your Majesty's Imperial Village began to grow greenhouse vegetables, and the output has become larger and larger over the years, in addition to supplying the palace, Your Majesty will also reward the noble ministers, these are all rewarded by Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty's reward? When? Yu Xin was a little surprised.

"Today, when the official faced the saint, he angered His Majesty, and when he returned to the headquarters office, His Majesty sent Liu Jing and Xie Jin to deliver the decree, demoting the official to a squire, and at the same time ordering the official to study behind closed doors and not to go out if he had nothing to do."

"So, after the official explained the affairs slightly, he went home, and when he got home, he found out that His Majesty actually sent someone to send some greenhouse vegetables, His Majesty's thoughts, it is really incomprehensible!"

"Well," Yu Xin settled down and asked casually, "Didn't the person who delivered the food say anything?" ”

"Hehe, I passed on His Majesty's message, saying that I have been more angry recently, and eating some vegetables can clear my heart and have few desires, which is good for my body!"

"Oh, it seems that Your Majesty is not really angry, Lord Hou is in danger!"

Hearing Yu Xin's words, Hou Tai did not answer, but sighed, then raised his chopsticks, and said, "Lord Yu, let's eat first, and then talk after eating!" ”

"Well, okay!"

......

"Xiaguan is very grateful that the old man can come to visit, and Hou is very grateful!" After removing the wine and food, Hou Tai first surrendered.

"There's no need for this," Yu Xin returned the salute slightly, and then frowned, "Aren't there many people coming today?" ”

"Hehe, it's nothing, the tree is falling and scattered, let alone at this juncture."

"Yes, the case of the King of Chu has not yet been concluded, the military restructuring is in full swing, Your Majesty's determination has been decided, civil officials and generals are vying for power, and now the situation is changing several times a day, Lord Hou still has to be cautious and behave well."

"What the boss said is," Hou Tai smiled bitterly: "But you also know that Hou's character is like this, and when he sees things and doesn't say it, he panics, not to mention that today His Majesty actually transferred the Tuntian envoys from all over the country to the General Supervision Department, so that those students who studied hard in the cold window, the champion Jinshi with the title of the gold list, and the students of Guozijian have all become military households, how can I bear such a thing?" ”

"Ahem, ahem, ahem!" Seeing Hou Tai's appearance, Yu Xin seemed to be a little anxious, but he was accidentally choked by the tea, and couldn't help coughing violently, Hou Tai saw this and quickly got up, patted Yu Xin's back gently, and turned around and shouted: "Come on!" ”

"No...... No, the old man just choked on the water! You let them go down! ”

"Alright, you all go down!" Hou Tai hesitated for a moment, and looked at Yu Xin's face carefully before he retreated.

After a long while, Yu Xin's coughing stopped, he calmed his breathing, looked at Hou Tai's nervous expression, and said with a forced smile: "Lord Hou, the old man is fine, you can sit down, the old man wants to talk to you today!" ”

"Well, you're okay, sir!"

"It's okay, it's okay!"

Yu Xin calmed down, gently stroked his white beard, considered his words, and said: "The old man is twelve years old, you are already in the last years, and your physical strength and energy are not as good as before. ”

"What are you talking about, my lord, now that the situation in the court is turbulent, Your Majesty needs an old minister like you to stabilize the situation, and I will not agree to you sue the old man."

"Hehe, even if Your Majesty disagrees, but the king of Hades will not let go of the old man, the old man is old, and he doesn't look down on these things! Don't talk yet, listen to me! ”

"When the old man was born, the Yuan Dynasty was still there, and later the first emperor rebelled, conquered the east and west for more than ten years, drove out the Yuan soldiers and achieved the imperial industry, and worked hard for nearly 30 years, and the Ming Dynasty has today's prosperous scene."

"It's a pity that Xingzong died early, the first emperor is located in the present, and he was only twenty years old when he ascended the throne today, at that time the kings were eyeing each other, conspiring in tandem, Feng Sheng and Wang Bi left by the first emperor rebelled, echoing Mongolia outside the Saiwai, and the Ming Dynasty was in turmoil for a while."

"At that time, I don't know how many courtiers were worried that the court situation would change, and some people even secretly conspired with thieves, even the old man was a little worried that he would not be able to support it today."

"But to everyone's surprise, Jin Shang had already prepared for this, he selected generals through the creation of martial arts, and at the same time selected and transferred the elite of the army to form the Guards, even so, Jin Shang was very cautious, step by step, so it took more than half a year to pacify the rebellion of King Yan."

"In the following years, the situation in the Ming Dynasty was stable, and although there were many wars on the frontier, it did not hurt the bones."

"However, the rebellion of the King of Chu some time ago made the old man heartbroken."

"Why?" Hou Tai, who was listening intently, found that Yu Xin suddenly stopped talking, and couldn't help asking.

Yu Xin took a few breaths, then picked up the teacup and moistened his throat: "The rebellion of King Yan seems to be a challenge to the imperial court by the strong domain, but it is actually a confrontation between the border army and the Beijing army, and King Yan is like Dong Zhuo in the Han Dynasty and An Lushan in the Tang Dynasty. Historically, there must be strong troops near the capital division, and wealth fell second, as was the case in Chang'an and Yuan in the Sui and Tang dynasties, and their food supplies were mainly transported through canals. Now that Beijing is at the forefront of the fight against Mongolia, it is inevitable to station strong troops, but Beijing is too far away from Beijing, so His Majesty has always had the idea of moving the capital, which the old man actually agrees with. ”

Hearing this, Hou Tai immediately wanted to speak, but was stopped by Yu Xin shaking his head.

"The rebellion of the king of Chu and the rebellion of the king of Yan are completely different, the king of Chu is not really loyal to his army, the reason for his rebellion, according to the old man's analysis, there are two points, the first is to be threatened and affected by Mongolia and the remnants of the king of Yan, including Wang Xing, the national teacher of Wara, the late Yan princess Xu Yihua and Cao Guogong Li Jinglong and others, and secondly, some people who are dissatisfied with His Majesty's governance over the years, Xia Yuanji, who the old man once valued very much, is one of them."

"Hou already knows about the previous things, but why is Xia Yuanji dissatisfied with His Majesty?"

"Alas, this is actually related to the old man, His Majesty has planned to reform the tax over the years, and he has discussed it with the old man, although the old man does not object, but he also has doubts in his heart, so he chatted with Xia Yuanji a little, but I didn't expect him to rebel because of this."

"That, that, that" Hou Tai hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice: "Can you know what the reason is?" However, if His Majesty has an explanation, forget it! ”

"It's nothing," Yu Xin shook his head: "Anyway, it won't be announced in a long time, and it doesn't hurt for the old man to tell you, in short, it's 'spreading the land into the mu' and 'the gentry pay for the grain in one'."

"'Spread the land into the acre'?" The gentry pay in one garment'? Hou Tai repeated a few words in a low voice, and suddenly raised his head and said: "Could it be this 'gentry receive food in one piece'?" ”

"Yes," Yu Xin said with a wry smile: "Since the Han and Tang Dynasties onwards, important ministers, nobles, and scholars have all been exempted from taxes, and Your Majesty means to cancel them all, and this is what Xia Yuanji opposes." ”

"Could it be that Xia Yuanji's incorruptibility is all faked, and he has countless fertile fields in his house?"

"This is not true," Yu Xin turned his head sideways, looked at the corner of the study, as if recalling something, and then said: "He is indeed very honest, His Majesty returned to Beijing, he knew that the King of Chu had failed, and he was busy writing a confession that night, and continued to write after being imprisoned, confessing to the crime of rebellion, and also wrote the reasons for his rebellion." ”

"What is it?"

"Your Majesty once showed his confession to the old man, and the old man understood his thoughts, in his opinion, Xungui is a bloody battle in which the court rewards military generals, and there are not many of them, and it does not matter whether the taxes are reduced or reduced; However, scholars are the basis of the imperial imperial examination, if the tax reduction and exemption is abolished, then I don't know how many poor scholars will be crushed by heavy taxes and unable to continue their studies, so that the imperial court scholars will all be children of rich and noble families, and it is easy to form a new gate valve, which will cut off the hope of the poor scholars, and in the long run, these scholars may fall into Fanbang, just like Zhang Yuan in the Song Dynasty, forming a scourge of the country; And the imperial court does not have a poor scholar as an official, then the policy of the imperial court will inevitably be biased towards the rich and noble, and the hardship of the common people can be imagined......

"Ah......h