In the early morning of March 16, on the street of Dengshikou, two young scholars sat in front of a food stall. At this time, scholars were the most popular group in Jingshi, and Shengdou Xiaomin had no way of determining who among the diners would be the new science and technology jinshi and who would be the future Hanlin, so any scholar was very attentive and willing to speak. These two scholars are also kind, so it is easier to get the favor of the boss. While eating rice porridge, the two asked about the bloody incident that happened here two days ago.

The owner of this food stall does not rush to the market, but has been operating here for a long time, and he is not in the same circle as the vendors who are in the market, and they are not too familiar with each other, but the fight is very noisy, and he did see it. Seeing that it was a scholar who asked, he was also happy to introduce: "Those people are very fast, and I don't know how, people are cut down." Originally, we had a set, and there were a lot of fast arresters and guards guarded by the old man in brocade, and ordinary thieves didn't dare to make trouble. But that day it was too fast, and the people heard only one or two noises, and then they saw that people had fallen, and a few people ran away. The yacha couldn't catch up, and Jinyiwei was standing far away at the time, and everyone ran away before coming. I heard that I was going to arrest it, but I didn't agree to catch it, I heard that it was a foreign accent, and it was difficult to find someone. Speaking of which, it's still good during the Hongwu period, you have to lead the way wherever you go, and this foreigner can't enter Beijing, so he won't come to cut people. ”

A young scholar said with a smile, "If it was still the system at that time, you would not be able to open this stall now, either farming outside the city, or being ready to repair the Yellow River at any time, or going to the border to be a master and transport military rations to the army." At that time, there was no such depreciation of silver. We are not afraid of any time when we study, and we have been exempt from tax and service since the year of Hongwu, and we can go wherever we want. If you want to praise those years, it should be our scholars' business, not the ordinary people's business. ”

The shopkeeper also smiled: "It's still right that you scholars are right, you will be doing well at all times, and we will not be successful." Work hard, and don't eat what you don't eat. For example, in this year, as long as you have a future, and then come here, the small one will kowtow to you. ”

After two hahas, another scholar said: "Brother Huisi, are you considered a private visit to Weifu?" ”

The handsome scholar looked at him, "Brother Yi, the younger brother is still white, and he can't be considered a micro-service, let alone a private visit." There is no public even business, and where can I talk about privacy. Of course, it's not right to say that there is no identity, reader, these three words are the biggest identity. Scholars cannot be bullied. The people around us were cut down, and some people made trouble before the palace test, but the government ignored them. If you swallow this breath, doesn't it mean that the scoundrels can bully us scholars? I also know that it is not so easy to solve the case, and those officials are not all rice buckets, some hereditary arrests are very fast and some family heirloom methods, compared to us scholars, we may have a higher ability to interrogate thieves and ask for confessions. Besides, we outsiders are not familiar with the place, and it is difficult to find out what we can find out just by asking. But we've been reading books for so long, and it's useless to say that we can't do anything by ourselves without catching them. The kind of scholar who can only read can't contribute to the country, even if he is famous, he can't go through any general affairs, and he is either pinched by officials in the local area, or he runs into walls everywhere. ”

These two scholars are naturally Fan Jin and Tang Xianzu. Ever since the meeting test was announced, Tang Xianzu has been running for Fan Jin, trying to explain Fan Jin's talent to his friends and acquaintances, and trying to prove that his identity as a huiyuan is actually deserved, not the result of a black-box operation.

There are a lot of talented people in the lift, Tang Xianzu's talent is not big enough to command the heroes, and his prestige and talent are not so good, whether this explanation can play a role, or how much it can play, even he can't say. However, as a victim of Sun Shan's undergraduate name, his efforts to defend himself can save some of Fan Jin's image. As far as Fan Jin is concerned, what he cares more about than his image is this friendship.

The two met in Changsha, and they didn't talk about it for long, and it is impossible to talk about how deep the friendship is. It's just out of the love of drama, there is a common language, and I am a confidant. is willing to run so much for a confidant who meets in Pingshui, which can also prove that Tang Xianzu is enough to be called a gentleman.

It is said that since he has failed the list, he should leave the Beijing division and return to his hometown after the examination, Tang Xianzu is stranded, firstly, he is ready to see the results of the palace examination, who is the champion and who is the leader, and on the other hand, it is also to find Fan Jin.

After the test, he went to Zheng's house a few times, because Fan Jin was in Baoming Temple at the time, so he didn't see each other. Before the palace examination, he did not come to the door in order not to disturb Fan Jin's review, and it was not until yesterday that he visited after the palace examination, which was the official reunion of the two after their separation in Changsha.

Regarding Zheng Guotai's experience, Tang Xianzu is more sympathetic, but he is only sympathetic, and there is not much he can do. He is a native of Jiangxi and has nothing to do with Beijing, so he can only write a few postings explaining the attack on Zheng Guotai and the loopholes in Beijing's public security to Jiangxi officials in Beijing, hoping to attract the attention of a certain bigwig and intervene. As for whether it can be effective, he doesn't have much hope in his heart.

From the perspective of the Zheng family, it is the son of his own family who is almost incurable, and the hope of the family. But from the perspective of the court, it is just a small people and small traders in Shengdou who were cut down, and this kind of thing does not happen tens of thousands of times a day in the country, and there are a few cases every day in Beijing, which cannot be regarded as a matter at all. Thinking of this, Tang Xianzu also felt a little melancholy in his heart:

"What Brother Hui Si said is extremely true, in the officialdom today, there are too many officials who can study, and too few who can do things. When the younger brother took the exam, what he wanted was not to be a Hanlin minister, or to be an official. Instead, he wants to be a pro-people official, just like Haigong in the fifteenth run, to visit the people's suffering, to redress grievances for the people, and to be a real blue sky. Brother Fan said that the younger brother also thought about it, not allowed to serve as an official in his hometown, the new official took office empty-handed, in the face of the intertwined local relations, unable to start, if he arrived in the younger brother's hometown, those foreign officials may not even understand our local dialect. If you don't know the geography of mountains and rivers, don't know the folk customs, and don't be at the mercy of officials, it's really difficult to climb to the sky. Just like the current case of Zheng Dalang, in the eyes of the younger brother, it is a few outsiders who are evil and homeless people who are stabbing with knives and hurting people, and they are sharp blades at the feet of the Son of Heaven, most of them are robbers and bandits. You can only let Yousi visit with his heart, but if they run away after hurting people, there is no way to force those officials to die. ”

Fan Jin shook his head and said, "I don't agree with Brother Tang's words. First of all, the officials have the responsibility to protect law and order, and when such a case occurs, they have to speak to them. There are patrols on the streets to arrest people, and first, they cannot stop criminals from hurting people, and second, they cannot arrest the murderers, and this responsibility cannot be escaped in the first place. Jinyiwei is involved in this case, so a few more people will come out to confess. Regardless of this, let's talk about the second point, are these outsiders really a simple quarrel? I don't think so. You see. ”

He pointed to the street with his finger, the area around the entrance of the light market is considered a prosperous area at the moment, even if it is not in the market, people come and go quite lively. A few public servants and brocade guards collected their daily routines in front of the stalls, and then walked around the street at will.

"It may seem like they're wandering around without a purpose, but it's not. The patrol route is fixed, and behind the seemingly carelessness, there are actually unknown interests involved. Every inch of land in this area is expensive, and setting up a stall here, in addition to giving regular rules to the officials, the underworld also has to be punished. If it is really a few outsiders who cut people, it is equivalent to ruining the reputation of those bosses, and without the government's intervention, those city fox society rats will not agree. But from the time he was engaged in escaping, the government couldn't stop it first, and secondly couldn't catch people, and afterwards Lang Zhong's recommendation committee, if he hadn't met me, Zheng Dalang would probably die, don't you think these are too many coincidences? ”

"Brother Fan, what do you mean?"

"The strength of our scholars is to analyze things. For example, if we get a confession in our hands, we can logically deduce whether it is in line with common sense, and then judge whether what this person said is true or false. Do what you are good at, give professional things to professional people to do, and then manage that professional person well, so as not to be fooled. If you can do this, you will generally be able to figure out the so-called truth. Of course, this is also the time to say that when you really do it, whether you can do it or not is the time to test an official's ability. If you want to be a pro-people official, these skills are a must. In this case, it is clear that someone deliberately instructed the killer to commit the murder, and then bought the official brocade clothes to release the water. However, the person I was looking for was not a green forest strongman, most of them were poor ghosts who wanted money and didn't want to die, although they were ruthless but they didn't have any martial arts, so they couldn't kill people. Later, I bought Lang Zhong to make the next arrangement, and even those people who set off artillery outside my door at night were those people. As for who...... When I get the gold list, I'll dig them out. ”

Tang Xianzu listened attentively, nodded and said: "Brother Fan, I said a long time ago that my brother's talent is ten times better than mine, just looking at the current case, it shows that my brother's methods are clever." If he is a pro-people official, it will be a blessing to the people. ”

Fan Jin said with a smile: "When everyone values Beijing officials and ignores foreign appointments, and regards release as suffering, even if they supervise and appease Xinjiang ministers, they all want to make a great contribution and return to Beijing to be a minister, no one is willing to suffer in the local area, do you want me to be released?" Didn't you listen to what the people in Beijing said, the luck is low, put Sanxi. It would be nice if I went to Jiangxi, and we brothers happened to write a record book together. ”

Tang Xianzu also smiled:

"The younger brother's hometown is a good person, so he won't use the knife when he doesn't say a word, the only disadvantage is that he likes to sue. If Brother Fan goes to Jiangxi, he will be like a fish in water. In fact, the younger brother also knows that Jingli is more comfortable than outside. But everyone is greedy for comfort, how should the people live in the bitter cold land? The younger brother heard that some counties have been protected by the second official for a long time, and the main hall official refused to go down when he stayed in the capital, and when he didn't go to the place, many things could not be carried out, and the people below were gradually not afraid of the king's law. There are people in Beijing who dare to use knives to cut people, what should it be like in that remote state and county? If our generation can't use education to cure this dangerous mountain and bad water, and fool and stubbornly disrupt the people, how can they learn what they have learned? ”

"Brother Tang, the local stick bullies you mentioned are like the people who cut Zheng Guotai, although they are hateful, they are not difficult to treat. As long as the yamen is willing and determined, there is nothing that cannot be cured. Fan Jin took a sip of porridge and pointed to the big street at the entrance of the lamp market:

"In fact, you see, if these officials do not collude with the bandits, can abide by their duties, and strictly enforce the law, most of them will not dare to do evil at all, and a few murderers will only pull out their knives and hold him down, and no one will dare to do bad things after coming so many times. So this problem lies in the officials, but if you are as clear as water, it is difficult to prevent the officials from slippery like oil, it is useless to just have determination, you still have to have means! ”

He paused and said: "In addition, when it comes to the county seat, it is the way of the place, and the first thing is not to sin the giant room. The local gentry are much more difficult to deal with than the scoundrels. The former is still afraid of the officers and soldiers, and the latter is one with the government, so you may be able to drive the officers and soldiers to be more convenient than you, and you may not be able to compare with them in terms of relations and forces. Therefore, if you want to be a good pro-people official, you must first think about how to be close to the people, who to kiss and suppress, and who can use the upper power. Besides, in this world, there are so many black and white things, and it is not easy to get justice. ”

Tang Xianzu was speechless, and said thoughtfully: "Brother Huisi, your remarks are thought-provoking, and the younger brother has benefited a lot." Fortunately, I didn't get it in this subject, so I waited until I returned to my hometown to think about it carefully, and think about the truth of being an official. When you are a trial official in the future, you will not be a confused official. ”

"Brother Yiyi, do you really want to be close to the people? With your talent and temperament, in fact, the younger brother thinks that it is very suitable to be a word minister or a Fengxian. ”

Tang Xianzu shook his head and said: "I know my own temperament, being a Hanlin is not suitable for me, I only write some words to praise the saints, and then I just revise history and compile books together, which is not interesting." Only when you go to the people and witness the sufferings of the people and the hardships of the people can you write a good song book and let the people like to listen to it. I want the people to listen to the plays I write more than the purple robes and gold belts. It's just that...... With Brother Fan Zhuyu in front, the younger brother is afraid that he won't be able to come up with any good singing books. ”

"At that time, as soon as Wang Yizhou's Mingfeng Ji came out, some people had similar thoughts, but what was the result? Don't be presumptuous, I just have an idea here, I don't know if you dare to write it. ”

"Brother Fan, please speak."

"In the year of Dabi, the four scholars are all Jinshi, at this time, it is natural to have a literary meeting, gather to celebrate, and then the four of them look at each other more pleasing to the eye, so they decided to make an appointment with brothers" Fan Jin dictated a synopsis of the story ......of the four Jinshi of Peking Opera with white porridge, Tang Xianzu listened attentively, and couldn't help nodding and urging. Fan Jin waited for the story to finish the story, knocked on the table with chopsticks, and sang in a low voice: "Since that day of separation, we haven't seen each other for a few years......"

Tang Xianzu praised: "The drama is good, the singing is good, this story must be written." Now that the atmosphere of Shilin is corrupt, the Jinshi collude with each other, and every time they protect each other, this crooked trend will be beaten. ”

Fan Jin said: "This story is good, but it offends people, you write this play, beware of being regarded as a public enemy of Shilin." ”

Tang Xianzu smiled, "So what? Brother Fan's play is very kind to the younger brother, and when I return to my hometown, I will write out the record book and sing it in my hometown. However, speaking of which, Brother Fan's singing style is very different from Kunqu Opera, and it has a unique charm, and I am now wondering what tone I can use to sing the charm that the lyrics should have. ”

Fan Jin said: "Actually, I think we might as well study the vocal cavity, and we will make a new cavity out of Kunqu Opera." Southern opera can only spread in the southeast, and it is okay for high-ranking officials and nobles in the north, but ordinary people can't understand it, which is actually not conducive to spreading among the people. If there is a singing voice that can be appreciated by both the elegant and the vulgar, then it is the best. ”

The two walked around the entrance of the lamp market, chatting about their views on the future of the drama, and Fan Jin asked a few more hawkers who had been doing business here for a long time. The news inquired about was nothing secret, most of it was something that normal people could see, and he was a scholar, so he didn't obstruct anything. After doing all this, the two returned to Zheng's house, Tang Xianzu asked Fan Jin's opinion on the case, and the latter only smiled and said nothing, which made Tang Xianzu's heart even more itchy and wanted to find out the truth.

He also guessed that Fan Jin might be worried about leaking the news if he didn't say it, so he thought about going to the Zheng family to talk about it. But as soon as she walked into the small courtyard, Qian Caiyin walked out of the room, first greeted Tang Xianzu Yingying, and then said to Fan Jin: "Master, just now you and Tang Gongzi went out, and Xiangye sent a housekeeper to send a gift to you." ”

Fan Jin didn't come back, so the gift naturally wouldn't be opened, looking at the small brocade box, Tang Xianzu wondered: "Zhang Jiangling sent something to Brother Taiwan?" It's weird, I don't know what's inside. ”

Fan Jin didn't speak, stretched out his hand to open the brocade box, looked at the contents inside, and then smiled: "It's nothing, Zhang Xiangye just announced the gold list of this subject in advance, saving me time to read the list." ”

Tang Xianzu stepped forward and saw a blue and white porcelain bowl in the brocade box, on which were painted two crabs holding their double pincers, and a reed was sandwiched between the two large tongs. Tang Xianzu was stunned, and then bowed to Fan Jin and said, "I see, the younger brother wants to congratulate my brother on this high school!" ”