At the beginning of August. The cavalry sent from Beijing finally arrived in Nanjing, and Liu Fulai, the former eunuch of Nanjing, was free. Lu Jiude was transferred to Nanjing to guard.

The will was so sudden. The officials in the city of Nanjing, even Liu Fulai himself was confused, but this will was genuine, the seal was complete, and Liu Fulai, who was still in a collegial discussion with the Nanjing Military Department and the Nanjing garrison on the first day, had to hand over his own power.

In Nanjing, he was in office for less than five years. But this Nanzhili territory is the richest place in the world. The eunuch Liu Fulai did a decent job. No one said he was greedy, and no one said he was shocked. The silent ones in their hands also accumulated hundreds of thousands of taels of silver.

The palace of the eunuch could not be inhabited. Liu Fulai and his family moved from there to a large inn. It is said that a rich man has no problem living a prosperous life for several generations.

But suddenly, the official position was cut off, and the old eunuch had little background in the inner court. And it's such a high-level change of office. No matter who you are, you have to feel that Liu Fulai is coming next. When he left the house, he took nearly forty family members with him, but within a few days, he actually ran away more than half of them, and his hands and feet were not very clean before leaving.

Liu Qian is a native of Eunuch Liu's hometown, and he is an absolute cronie. I won't run away, but I was extremely angry when I saw those subordinates ungrateful stealing things without saying goodbye, and strengthened my guard. Who would have thought that the one who was sent out to buy the carriage and horses today actually secretly left in his heart, but he was angry. Come and complain to the old eunuch.

But the current Nanjing town guards the eunuchs. It is indeed an idler who has no power and no position, so what is the means of tracking, B'1 is to report to Ying Tianfu, I am afraid that it is also a false story, and now the officials and nobles of Nanjing City are waiting and watching to see what the follow-up means of the imperial court are.

Everyone didn't feel that the eunuch was suddenly taken down. Then there was not a little wind and waves. But to everyone's surprise, it was really calm.

Relative to the surrounding people's warmth. The subordinates turned their backs, Liu Qiandi said angrily, and Liu Fulai, the eunuch guarding the town, was calm and calm. It's a bit of a retirement home. Five or six days out of the town guard's mansion. Every day, there is a rattan chair in the courtyard of this inn to bask in the sun. Sending people to call for food from the restaurants around the restaurant is also very pleasant to watch.

Today, Liu Qian came to complain. The old eunuch was not angry. Just respond leisurely. Liu Qian said for a few decades, and the anger in his heart subsided a lot, but he still couldn't help but complain:

"Master, it's not a long-term way for us to stay in this inn all the time. Why don't you go back to your hometown in Henan......"

He spoke by himself, and he couldn't help but keep his mouth shut, Henan is now a ruined land. The thieves crossed the border again and again. Then the officials and troops requisitioned again and again, fought back and forth in the localities, and in addition to the continuous disasters and famines, the localities were already destroyed and did not look good. What are you going to do when you go back.

Liu Fulai, the eunuch guarding the town, picked up the teapot next to his mouth and took a sip, and said slowly:

"Liu Qian, I have also prepared a few thousand taels of silver for you here, if you are worried, take this silver to find a place to do some small business, and it will be enough for the rest of your life!"

Liu Qian was stunned. Hurriedly spoke:

"Sir. If Liu Qian hadn't come from your hometown, I'm afraid you would have starved to death by now, and you would have to serve the master by your side in life and death!"

Liu Fulai's eyes that had been half-closed opened to look at Liu Qian, who was standing aside, and then narrowed up again, and said slowly:

"How much money do we have. You also know that it's not that our family is stingy, it's that I don't know what the court is going to do with my old bones next, if I give too much silver. I've caused you trouble!"

Listening to Liu Fulai, the eunuch guarding the town, talk about this matter of life and death in such relaxed words, Liu Qian couldn't bear it anymore. plopped down on the ground, cried to Liu Fulai and said:

"Sir, don't say such unlucky words. Your lord has worked hard all his life. Maybe the imperial court is sympathetic to your hard work and let the lord enjoy his old age in peace?"

"Enjoy your old age in peace...... Working hard in the palace that day, our family didn't expect to have today. Now our family has experienced this high-powered life, and it is worth it in this life. ”

Liu Qian, who was kneeling on the ground, kowtowed desperately. But suddenly it was as if he remembered something. He looked up sharply and said:

"Master, why don't we go to the young nephew in Shandong, and it is also a matter for the nephew to provide for his father, not to mention that the master has taken so much care of him over the years......"

Speaking of which. Liu Fulai opened his eyes. Looking at the sky and muttering:

"Uncle and nephew? What uncle and nephew...... His surname is Lee. Our family's surname is Liu. And it's our family who owes him a favor!"

But these words are self-talking. Liu Qian didn't hear what he was talking about.

Eunuch Liu was indeed waiting for the imperial court to deal with him, and the eunuch Lu Jiude led troops in the area of Fengyang Mansion. Although the will of Jingshi deliberately arrived two days earlier than Nanjing, it would take time to hand over the soldiers and horses, and it would take time to rush to Nanjing City with his own soldiers, and the eunuch Lu Jiude would give Wang Chengen a lot of silver every year, hoping to withdraw from the front line where he led the troops to collect the thieves. But I didn't expect the order to come so suddenly. is also ignorant.

After Liu Fulai was stripped of his position. Although he also knew that being idle among the people was tantamount to torture, he felt that since someone in the DPRK and China had taken action against him, there must be a more powerful follow-up move. But he can see it. It doesn't matter if you're dead or alive. It's worth it in this life.

No one thought of it. This is such a significant transfer. It's just that the local merchants under Li Meng, the general soldier of Shandong, and Ding Xudi, the supervisor of the Caiqian mine, did not negotiate the purchase and sale price.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lu Jiude officially became the eunuch of Nanjing. With 1,200 pro-troops, he was officially stationed near the imperial city of Nanjing. Then he began to guard the eunuchs, and there was still no one to care about the former eunuch Liu Fulai. A group of officials and nobles waiting for the results of the disposal are inexplicable. Gradually, this matter was put behind everyone's minds.

Once a person sees it, his state of mind is naturally different, and once a person in a high position leaves his job. After losing the strength of the extreme. Often, because of the huge gap in mood, people's mood and body deteriorate rapidly. The so-called evening scene is the best portrayal.

But how many years has Liu Fulai been poor in the inner court. has always been a small role, and suddenly by fate he will become a celebrant and a eunuch. came to Nanjing again to be a town guard eunuch, if ordinary people are poor and poor, they suddenly become rich. is often carried away, but Liu Fulai is old, and he has seen a lot of ups and downs in the inner court. I've always treated it with a peaceful attitude, but after being cut this time, I didn't feel sad. It's just that those cronies have gone so much. But the old eunuch was very emotional.

As for Liu Qian, he proposed to go to Li Meng, Shandong. The old eunuch didn't want to think about it, and followed him for so long. The subordinates who have received countless favors from themselves all run away with money. Strictly speaking, Li Meng's side and himself are more pure interest exchanges. Now the other party is also in a high position. This situation is unknown. Don't be bored.

On August 28, Lu Jiude, the new eunuch of Nanjing, had been in office for ten days, and he seemed to have forgotten that his predecessor had existed. The officials and nobles of Nanjing also handled it in this way, although Liu Fulai was strange. However, I am still sure that I should not worry about my life next. This kind of exile in disguise is not too harsh punishment for him, it is nothing more than leaving the officialdom and political life of the Ming Dynasty.

After Liu Qian's report, Liu Fulai took the initiative to settle the money for people to be dismissed, and the amount was not large. However, it can make them eat and dress for a lifetime, and the so-called "old man's kindness" and "follow the old man for a lifetime" polite words on weekdays have no effect in the face of cold reality. As a result, there were only five people left.

Since there is nothing to do. Eunuch Liu was not prepared to continue to live in Nanjing. I am going to arrange for my subordinates to go to Yangzhou City to find a house. I plan to retire in the most prosperous place in the world.

The five servants in the remaining land looked gradually peaceful, and they were all gradually relieved. These five people are actually after Liu Fulai Xianda. I came to my hometown to join me. is regarded as a person of the same clan and clan, and has a close relationship with Eunuch Liu. There is nowhere to go.

Since he was now forgotten by Nanjing City, the old eunuch Liu Fulai no longer sat and waited in the courtyard. On the contrary, he often goes out for a stroll during the day accompanied by his subordinates. Take a look at the scenery of Nanjing. Dinner and lunch are all settled in the restaurant outside, and I began to enjoy life in a real way.

The weather is cold, and at the end of August, even the area around Nanjing City has a vague autumn mood. When the sky is a little overcast, you can feel the cold. There was no sun on August 28, and I was even more sensitive to things like cold and warmth when I was older. Eunuch Liu, accompanied by Liu Qiandi, walked around outside. I returned to the inn early.

The guy and the shopkeeper of this inn were still quite affectionate to Eunuch Liu, and when they saw the old eunuch come back, the shopkeeper greeted him with a smile on his face and said:

"Uncle Liu, there is a guest in your courtyard, and I have been waiting for you for half a day!

There are guests, at this time, what will be the guests, Eunuch Liu glanced at Liu Qian on the side, but saw a panicked look on the expression of the subordinate, Liu Fulai couldn't help but smile and said:

"What's the panic, you have to come where you should come. Our family is so old, what else can't be seen. ”

There is still some distance between the single courtyard behind the inn and the door of the inn, on this road. But the servant who had left the ground came over with trepidation on his face and whispered:

"Old ...... Master. There are a few men with knives in the courtyard, and they will come after you go out for a while. ”

Liu Fulai was a little confused, "a man with a knife", and now that he is in such a situation, he wants to clean it up. Do you still use a few people with knives? All it takes is a guard to come. Solve any problem. The servant who ran out to report the news was already frightened, and when he saw his master walking towards the front without stopping, he couldn't help but say behind him:

"Sir. Don't go into the yard. Let's go!"

Hearing this, Liu Fulai came up with a burst of anger and scolded:

"Go there! Go there, how old and weak can we go there!?"

After scolding. On the contrary, he quickened his pace and walked towards the courtyard, the old eunuch felt in his heart that this inexplicable resignation, drinking the disposal of the idle residents was really too strange, and he knew that the methods of the inner court were well known, and Dongchang and Jinyiwei had all kinds of powerful methods. is so frightened, why don't you give it a good time. Looking at the situation in front of him, the old eunuch Liu Fulai felt a little relaxed in his heart.

The courtyard door is empty, and the inside is also quiet and abnormal, Rao is old eunuch can be regarded as having seen wind and rain. At this time, I can't help but feel a little dry in my throat. Liu Qian's face beside him also looked like he was looking at death. Stretched out his hand and pushed open the courtyard door......

On the steps of the house, there were four men in thick cloth clothes sitting there, talking and laughing in a whisper, Eunuch Liu felt a little awkward, these men looked like martial artists. However, this behavior was very measured, and they did not do it when there were chairs on the side, but on the cold stone steps. This is not one of those arrogant errands.

Really. These warriors saw Eunuch Liu enter the door. Several people stood up, and one of them didn't know what to whisper. The four men knelt on the ground in unison and said respectfully:

"The villain sees the old lady, the small lands are under the command of Master Li, the general soldier of Shandong, and they are specially ordered to take the old lady home......"

As soon as he said that. Eunuch Liu, who was about to move forward, was stunned. Half-ringing didn't react. Liu Qian beside him originally had the idea of dying, but he didn't expect it to end like this. The mood quickly changed from great sorrow to great joy, and there was some reaction for a while. followed the stunned there, and after a long time, I heard the old eunuch next to me mutter:

"That's really...... What a ......."

On the tenth day of August, Liu Yuanbin, the superintendent, knew the news, and he also had connections and news channels in the inner court, and the eunuchs of Nanjing Town were replaced. This is also extremely important information, although Liu Yuanbin, the eunuch of the prison army, is discussing with Yan Jizu, the governor of Shandong, the people below do not dare to delay. As soon as he confessed, he said the situation in Liu Yuanbin's ear.

Yan Jizu sat opposite but didn't pay much attention, the two sides had different systems. Although an alliance was formed when Jingshi Yang Sichang agreed on the meritorious crime, it was not good enough to share information, and if there was something secret on the side of the prison army, he told himself that it was a favor and that he should not tell himself. If you have news for yourself, it must be the same.

Today the two sides are apart. It was just some trivial things, such as where to establish the prison army and the governor's mansion in Jinan City, and the governor Yan Jizu was not in a hurry, but just picked up a cup of tea on the side. Drink slowly. Wait for the other party to finish their business.

After the soldier finished speaking, he respectfully saluted the governor. Only then did he retreat in small steps. Liu Yuanbin, the eunuch of the prison army, had joy on his face, and after a little hesitation, he opened his mouth and said to Yan Jizu:

"Lord Yan. There's a happy event coming!"

As soon as he said this, Yan Jizu also became concerned and put down the teacup. Seeing that Liu Yuanbin looked around, he immediately waved his hand to let the people stand down and wait for someone to walk clean. Liu Yuanbin said with a smile:

"Just now, a good friend from Jingshi sent an urgent letter to our family, saying that Liu Fulai, the guard of Nanjing, didn't know why he had sinned the prince of the inner minister. was robbed of the position of the town guard, and let him retire in the people. Lu Jiude's fat man was lucky. I actually have to town Nanjing......"

"Oh. Don't go back to the inner court. is alive, this Liu Fulai is too miserable. ”

Yan Jizu is an official in the center, and naturally knows that letting high-ranking eunuchs retire in the people is not a preferential treatment but a punishment. Liu Yuanbin smiled there and continued:

"This Liu Fulai was just no grade back then, I don't know how to go shit luck, I entered the master of ceremonies and became a bingbi, and then I was released to be a eunuch in Nanjing, and now I fell."

Looking at Liu Yuanbin's gloating look, Shandong Governor Yan Jizu was a little impatient and said:

"Father-in-law Liu, this official wants to know where the joy comes from. I'm still a little confused, can you say it clearly!"

I didn't say this politely at all, and Liu Yuanbin, the eunuch of the prison army, stiffened his face. I also felt that my performance was too carried away. , couldn't help but sigh a few times, and said:

"Lord Yan. Who is the backer of the chief soldier Li Mengdi. It's this Liu Fulai. As soon as this Liu Fulai falls, can the arrogant and domineering Li Mengxiaoer still have no one in his eyes like this. Spread the backer. It must be a decadence, and I heard that there are countless Li Mengtian stores. Won't it be ...... then?"

Governor Yan Jizudi's face was already cold. He paused the tea bowl heavily on the coffee table on the side, and said coldly:

"Father-in-law Liu. If this is said today, the official should not have heard it. I hope you don't go out and talk about it. ”

The rules of officialdom in the Ming Dynasty. The generals who led the troops were to be restrained by civil officials and eunuchs. The arrangement of military salaries and personnel was in the hands of eunuchs and civil officials, and this system allowed civil officials and eunuchs to get a lot of cheapness. And because of this system, the status of civil officials and eunuchs is also higher than that of military generals.

Now the military generals are domineering. But the above default rules are still largely maintained. But in Shandong, it's different. At present, except for the prefects, military garrisons and provincial officials Li Meng in various places, they cannot be appointed or dismissed. All the other major and minor matters were almost decided by the Shandong General Army. The imperial court allocated the military salary, but the governor and the supervising army did not dare to deduct a little, and all of them were handed over to the Jiaozhou battalion, and even many of them should be the civil affairs managed by the governor's yamen. and the supervision of the army's side to manage the affairs of the land, all of which were handled by the officials of all sizes under the yamen of the general army.

Shandong governor Yan Jizu and eunuch Liu Yuanbin are now in this position, and they have almost become Li Mengdi's marionettes. Indignation, that's a certainty. But there is nothing to be done, and there is nothing to be done to keep the current position in that wave of countless officials losing their positions and losing their lives, relying on the military exploits of Li Meng, the general soldier of Shandong. Li Meng also has their handle in his hand.

Thousands of miles of officials are only for money. The two are almost circled in this position. There is nothing cheap to take, and all those gratitude in the days and months have disappeared, just looking forward to Li Meng's fall as soon as possible.

There are a lot of conventions in officialdom, such as someone's backstage collapse. Then the glory and wealth of this land are coming to an end, and the fall of the eunuch Liu Fulaidi makes Liu Yuanbin feel that the good life of Li Mengdi, the general soldier of Shandong, will not last long. I can regain my majesty on my side, and I am naturally very happy.

However, to his surprise, Yan Jizu, the governor of Shandong, who should be on the same position as him, turned his face cold. Liu Yuanbin couldn't help but think in his heart, could it be that the Shandong General Army and the Shandong Governor had colluded together, and the room was quiet for a while. It's a little embarrassing.

Although Yan Jizu, the governor of Shandong, made a high-ranking official's style, if you look at his actions carefully. You can see Yan Jizu's eyes scanning the doors and windows. Seeing that the atmosphere was getting stiffer and stiffer, Yan Jizu sighed. Lean forward. Said in a low voice:

"Father-in-law Liu, you are confused, then Li Er has reached the point where he is today. Do you think it's by his uncle? It was his uncle who fell. Relying on his soldiers and horses. Is the position of this general soldier unstable? At present, the ground water in Shandong cannot be splashed. He's very steady!"

was reminded by Yan Jizu. Liu Yuanbin was stunned at first, and then reacted, and the smile on his face disappeared little by little. Governor Yan Jizu continued:

"Just talk about it, don't mention it again in the future. Not to mention the soldiers and horses in Jinan City, even the officials of the yamen on errands. The guards in front of your door are all people arranged by his Jiaozhou battalion, in case there is a mistake. You think they'll listen to the yamen. still listen to Li Er's own mouth. ”

Liu Yuanbin's body froze. I couldn't help but look back at the door. For fear that someone would eavesdrop, a chill rose inexplicably. The body also shrank, and Yan Jizu saw the other party's reaction and knew that his warning had already taken effect. Straighten up the body. Soft Voice:

"This official has no hope now, he just asks his wife to finish this governor peacefully, and then go back to Jiangnan to be a rich man to enjoy the blessings, Gonggong Liu, in March. We almost lost our heads. That's all here, what's the most you can't think of?"

Hearing Yan Jizu's words, Liu Yuanbin sighed. The excited expression was completely gone, and Yan Jizu said in a deep voice:

"Father-in-law Liu, this official has an idea, you and I might as well sell my favor to General Li for this news. Anyway, sooner or later, he will know that this favor is sold, and there is no harm in you and me. ”

Liu Yuanbin was silent and didn't say anything, just nodded.

Jinan City itself has the Jiaozhou battalion's communication cavalry, this news soon reached Li Mengdi's hands, and the Li Mansion was busy with Yan Ruoran, as soon as this news came, several people in the core area were shocked. Especially Ning Qiangui and Zhou Yang, who had talked to Li Mengshen a few days ago, about such officialdom. Emotions are extremely sensitive.

I didn't care about Li Meng's mood at this time, and I directly asked to see him in the study of the inner mansion, after the meeting. Zhou Yang looked a little nervous, and said straight to the point:

"My lord, the boss has been cut to the people, and the situation has changed again, so we have to make some preparations......"

Before Zhou Yang could say what to prepare. Li Meng directly interrupted him and said:

"I thought it was something urgent, what do we have to do with cutting jobs for the people."

Hearing Li Meng say this, Zhou Yang breathed a sigh of relief, it is also a way to completely break away from the involvement, anyway, the Jiaozhou battalion has become a fledgling general. A provincial general army. It's not like you can move. Leave aside the relationship with the Nanjing town guard eunuch. Looking for a reliable place to help in the court, this is a decent idea, but he hasn't waited for Zhou Yang to nod. Li Meng stood up and commanded:

"My nephew is supporting my uncle. That's a matter of course. Arrange for someone to go to Nanjing City to pick up his old man, he has been working outside for so many years. You should also enjoy a few years of blessings, so let's arrange it quickly!"

This unexpected answer made Zhou Yang and Ning Qiangui dumbfounded. But with Li Meng's attitude, they had no way to persuade him, and Li Meng had already entered the inner hall.

He really didn't take this matter as a major matter that needs to be taken seriously, and provide for the elderly. It's a matter of course, so why bother.

The two looked at each other for a moment. But Ning Qiangui couldn't help but laugh dryly, and Yan Sheng said:

"Pension is pension, after all, it is also a piece of filial piety of our master."

Zhou Yang looked at the inner door, his face was full of worry, and he sighed and said:

"Although the lord is the chief soldier of a province, but it is convenient for someone in the court to take care of it after all, from the garrison to today's position of the general army is smooth sailing is also this reason, the current boss is losing power, but I don't know what the reason is, this situation of both glory and loss, it is difficult to ensure that our adults will not be involved, if we can't find a new backer in the court to take care of. There will be trouble!"

Ning Qiangui shook his head. Persuasion says:

"This matter is still a later story, and the most anxious thing at the moment is the gap in February next year, which cannot be filled. But it all collapsed. But adults are so sure, no matter how I think about it, I feel that the risk is too great. If we have a chance, let's persuade him together!"

The two looked at each other, sighed, and turned their gaze in the direction of the door.

The Jiaozhou Camp Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau and the Lingshan Commercial Bank both had their own personnel in that area of Nanjing. The Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau is to go there to supervise the Nanjing Arsenal Workshop, and the Lingshan Commercial Bank is there to settle the land with the Fujian Commercial Bank, and there are also relevant personnel to escort it, as long as it is a fast horse to send a message to the past. There is no need for additional staff. It's very convenient.

Almost all the officers dispatched from abroad in the old camp have been dispatched, and Li Meng's side reads the local newspapers every day, so he has more free time.

Since knowing that Yan Ruoran is pregnant. Li Meng also deliberately accompanied Yan Ruoran more at home. The whole family was very happy, and Li Meng also enjoyed this rare leisure time.

Because Mu Yunyao's three daughters are also the counselors of the Jiaozhou camp at the moment, Liu Fulai, the eunuch of Nanjing, was ordered by the imperial court to give the news to the people. The third daughter naturally knew the news for the first time, and Mu Yunyao judged that this matter would not directly affect the Jiaozhou camp, but it was a malicious action against the Jiaozhou camp, and Li Meng's rise in Shandong was too unbelievable. So everyone thinks that Li Meng is supported by someone behind him.

At present, people who are interested can find out the local information, and they can know that the Nanjing town guard eunuch and Li Meng have an uncle and nephew relationship, the master of ceremonies and the master of ceremonies back then, and the later Nanjing town guard. With these two positions, it is not difficult for a military household to become the general army of one side within a few years.

Now Li Meng's side is not just a general. There are also military merits. Even the cabinet bachelor who is deeply favored by Chongzhen. Yang Sichang, the secretary of the military department, was helpless. Not to mention other people, so it is not a good idea to be embarrassed and attack Li Meng directly. According to the rules of officialdom, it is better to start from Li Mengdi's backer.

As long as it is to bring down the backer. Li Meng, who had no backer and support, couldn't hold on for long.

And the people who calculated all this behind the scenes did not know that the Jiaozhou battalion could have the scale it has today, and it completely relied on its own strength. Liu Fulai, the eunuch guarding the town of Nanjing, fell. Although it will give Jiaozhou camp some inconvenient places. But it's just to cause some inconvenience, and it doesn't have a relationship with the earth.

This conclusion was said to Li Meng at the family banquet. On the one hand, Li Meng was amazed by the sensitive and convincing analysis of politics by Mu Yunyao and those girls. On the other hand, it did dispel a trace of hidden worries in his heart, and when he said these words to Zhou Yang and Ning Qiangui the next day, the two of them also agreed again and again, and most of their worries were put down. Attention is still being shifted to fiscal spending.

In September of the twelfth year of Chongzhen, Emperor Chongzhen couldn't stand the request of Yang Sichang, the secretary of the military department. Moreover, the military situation in Huguang and Henan is urgent, and there is an urgent need for an important minister to lead the dispatch, so Yang Sichang was appointed as the supervisor to control the soldiers and horses in the world. Eliminate the anti-thieves led by Zhang Xianzhong and Luo Rucai.