Prince Yong is the fourth elder brother Yinzhen who was named Prince Heshuo Yong. As early as eight years ago, when Cao Hao was in Hangzhou, he was rescued with the help of the fourth elder brother and the thirteenth elder brother.

And for Cao Hao, the fourth elder brother is naturally not as simple as a life-saving benefactor, but also the future cold-faced emperor he knows, and he is the emperor who does not want to see the Cao family.

Hearing the little eunuch's report and knowing that Prince Yong was coming, the thirteenth elder brother's originally slightly decadent floor immediately added a lot of energy, and struggled to get up: "Fourth brother is here, please hurry up!" ”

Cao Hao and the sixteenth elder brother naturally got up and waited, and they all looked at the door.

Although it was not the first time he had seen the fourth elder brother, Cao Hao was still a little nervous in his heart. After all, when he was rescued, he couldn't speak, and he didn't communicate with the fourth elder brother verbally. Although eight years ago, the fourth elder brother was a young prince with a kind tone and a gentle expression, who knows what he looks like now? Moreover, Kangxi also gave him a comment of "moody", and talked eloquently about such a person, Cao Hao really didn't know the bottom of the scale of words.

The sixteenth elder brother also changed his appearance in front of the thirteenth elder brother, with a bit of restraint and apprehension, and he was always in awe of the fourth elder brother.

With the sound of footsteps, a person walked into the door, and the first thing that caught his eye was the bright golden python robe, the stone blue woven gold satin trimmed collar and horseshoe sleeves, embroidered nine pythons, front and back, left and right. Looking up further, I saw that the man was in his thirties, with a short beard, a thin face, and the corners of his eyes drooped slightly, which showed a little deepness, but there was no joy or anger on his face.

Prince Heshuoyong Yinzhen is no longer the young prince, and he has begun to have a kingly bearing. Cao Hao secretly took a deep breath. Thinking of Nian Qianyao I met a few days ago, he had already gone to Sichuan to serve as governor, and history was slowly moving on the track of what was known. Cao Yin concurrently served as the salt governor of Liangjiang, Cao Shun died young, and the history of the Cao family did not seem to change. Could it be that he really wants to face the fate of early death and really approach death? Cao Hao suddenly felt very depressed.

"Fourth brother!" The thirteenth elder brother wanted to come close to salute, but because his legs and feet were inconvenient, his body staggered.

When the fourth elder brother saw it, he hurriedly took two quick steps to support him, but his brows wrinkled unconsciously: "Why hasn't the prescription of the Tai Hospital been effective?" It's going to be two months now, and I haven't seen you better! ”

"Fourth brother!" Brother Sixteen's voice was a little weak.

"The third-class guard Cao Hao has seen the prince, please be safe!" Cao Hao asked for a courtesy in a proper manner.

The fourth elder brother personally helped the thirteenth elder brother to the seat, and then nodded to the two of them, which was regarded as a return gift. He first said to the sixteenth elder brother: "I met the master in the study a few days ago, asked about your schoolwork, and heard that you have become more and more sluggish since the winter, and now even the younger elder brother will surpass you." You're so embarrassed to be an uncle! ”

The sixteenth elder brother was scared by this brother's lesson, and he didn't dare to smile like he did in the past, so he answered honestly: "The fourth brother taught me a lesson, and my brother knows that he is wrong!" In the future, I will fight hard and not embarrass my brothers! ”

When Cao Hao heard this, he was very curious, when did this sixteenth elder brother become a good baby? I'm afraid that in front of Kangxi, he is not so respectful.

After the fourth elder brother and the sixteenth elder brother finished speaking, they sat down before saying to Cao Hao: "Cao Hao?" I haven't seen you for a few years, you are so big, and the injuries of that year have all healed? ”

Cao Hao heard him mention Jiang Ning, remembering the scene when he threw the rotten peach bones to his feet under the scorching heat, and the scene when the fourth elder brother broke the nest of those bad people, he didn't feel dirty and held himself in his arms and wiped his face...... Although many years have passed, he remembers all kinds of details clearly and vividly. He was sincerely grateful in his heart, and his fear of the future emperor was reduced a little, and he sincerely thanked: "Thank you for asking, Cao Hao is doing his best!" ”

The fourth elder brother nodded lightly: "It's good that there are no injuries left, the tea you sent in April and October is very good, but right now, your house is tight, these are valuable items, so you will be free in the future!" ”

"Lord Wang, this is all Cao Hao's sincere filial piety, he asked someone to go to the tea garden earlier, and the few tea trees specially set aside are not mixed with others." Cao Hao looked at the fourth elder brother, his face was full of gratitude and sincerity.

The fourth elder brother was still about to refuse again, and when the thirteenth elder brother saw Cao Hao like that, he smiled and said: "Fourth brother, you can say it, even if your palace is exempted, my side will not be exempt." In the past six months, I have been nourished by the good tea sent by Cao Hao, and if I am asked to drink black and slimy group tea again, I can't stand it! Just a few catties of tea, where to drink him poor! And the jasmine tea, there is no one in the north, several of your younger siblings are very loved, and I want to come to your sisters-in-law too! ”

The fourth elder brother was amused by the words of the thirteenth elder brother. He is also a knowledgeable person, and he didn't stick to this matter anymore, and said to Cao Hao: "That Buddha incense is good, although it looks simple, the taste is excellent, and it is different from what is purchased on the market, where did you get it?" ”

"Back to the prince's words, this is specially made by the monks in the Qingliang Temple in Tuojiangning." Cao Hao replied.

When the fourth elder brother heard this, he couldn't help but look at Cao Hao a few more times: "At a young age, it's hard for you to have a heart!" ”

The thirteenth elder brother picked up the bottle on the small table and handed it to the fourth elder brother: "Fourth brother, what do you see here?" ”

The fourth elder brother's eyes lit up and he looked at the thirteenth elder brother: "Could this be the snake oil essence that the thirteenth brother praised last time?" ”

The thirteenth elder brother nodded and pointed at Cao Hao: "This was specially found by Xiao Cao Hao, and now even Fang Zi has been found, which is my little benefactor!" ”

The fourth elder brother's expression was a little gentle, and he thanked Cao Hao very solemnly. Cao Hao hurriedly said that it was due, and he didn't dare to thank him. I slandered in my heart, and I couldn't complain that future generations would say that the fourth elder brother and the thirteenth elder brother had a deep brotherhood, and now it seems that it is not false at all. The Buddha incense he deliberately gave to him didn't get a good face from this cold fourth master, but as soon as he knew that Cao Hao sent snake oil essence to Thirteen, his cold face immediately warmed his face, and it was much warmer.

The sixteenth elder brother sat honestly in the chair and listened to the conversation of everyone, some of whom understood and some who did not. But knowing that the two elder brothers have always had a good relationship, and this time the fourth brother was afraid that something would happen, so he said two more words and pulled Cao Hao to retire.

* It wasn't until he left the thirteenth residence of the elder brother that the sixteenth elder brother was relieved, and seeing that Cao Hao was also relieved, he couldn't help but smile and said: "My fourth brother, since I can remember, I have lost a little heat, and the whole day of fasting and chanting Buddha has become more and more cold!" ”

Cao Hao remembered in his heart that many years ago, after the fourth elder brother came to the rescue, he was very gentle and considerate to him and Ping'er, although he didn't say anything, but it definitely had nothing to do with Leng Bingbing.

Seeing that Cao Hao was silent in thought, the sixteenth elder brother opened his mouth and asked: "I originally thought that you were close to the thirteenth brother because I had seen you in Jiangning a few years ago, why did I listen to you today, as if there was another hidden feeling, you were injured when you were a child?" ”

No matter how much suffering he suffered at that time, after all, eight years have passed, and Cao Hao can calmly recount that nightmarish experience.

The sixteenth elder brother was dumbfounded when he heard this, where did he think that Cao Hao had suffered such a big crime when he was a child? When he heard that Cao Hao was poisoned and his leg was broken, he was already so angry: "Lang Lang Qiankun, there are such wicked people, it is really a crime that deserves death!" ”

Hearing that it was the fourth elder brother and the thirteenth elder brother who saved Cao Hao in the end, the sixteenth elder brother suddenly realized: "I can't complain that you are sending tea and medicine again, so not avoiding suspicion is very inconsistent with what you have always said." I still wondered in my heart, I was afraid that my cousin had some idea on my side, ordering you to entertain like this, and I was thinking about whether to persuade you, but I didn't expect such an allusion. The grace of saving your life, you are not arrogant when you act like this. ”

Cao Hao smiled bitterly: "I'm already sorry, in order to avoid suspicion, the thirteenth master is okay here, and I have come to ask for peace twice; The Four Princes' Mansion has only been there once, and he hasn't met the main owner yet. ”

The sixteenth elder brother smiled and gave Cao Hao a punch: "No wonder you have a weak heart when you see the fourth brother!" Haha, you're a little too cautious! ”

* After leaving the palace and returning to Cao's Mansion, after dinner, Cao Hao went to the Banyan Courtyard to find Zhuang Xi and told him about the situation of seeing the fourth elder brother today.

Outside the door, the king of Pingjun, Nersu, came.

Cao Hao hurriedly greeted him, and when he arrived in the front hall, he saw Nersu, and was pulled by him before he could ask for peace.

Nersu had a straight face: "Brother Yin, talk inside." "Anyway, I didn't say anything polite to him, so I went straight to the study.

Cao Hao rarely saw Nersu so solemn, and he was very confused, and followed him into the study. After serving tea, he sent out all the servants who were serving inside and out.

Nersu then said: "Someone inside has spread the word to me, saying that the governor of Liangjiang, Kali, has impeached his father-in-law and Li Xu by folding bullets. ”

Cao Hao frowned, since the deficit came out, there were excerpts to impeach the Cao family in the court from time to time, but they were all suppressed by Kangxi. How did the Cao family's deficit come about, Kangxi knew it, so he naturally had to protect each other. It's just that in the past, most of the small imperial histories made impeachments, and most of the high-level officials knew Kangxi's favor to the Cao family, and they would not be reckless in touching this moldy head. This time, it was actually the governor of Jiangnan who was impeached...... "It's a deficit again?" Cao Hao asked.

Narsu tugged at the corners of his mouth, showed a sarcastic smile, and said, "Impeachment and embezzlement of state funds." ”

Cao Hao was stunned: "Embezzlement of state funds?!" "What are these words? Who doesn't know that the Cao family is now selling their own property to plug the hole of the emperor's southern tour, and they actually say that the Cao family is embezzling national funds!!

Narsu said, "Hmm! It is said that the impeachment of the two Huai Yanyun caused Li Si to lose 3 million taels, of which his father-in-law and Li Xu embezzled 800,000 taels. ”

Hearing that it was the encroachment on the salt difference, Cao Hao immediately understood what was going on.

A few years ago, the Cao family borrowed silver from the Lianghuai Salt Transportation Division because of the driving, which is not an uncommon thing. The so-called encroachment was also used in the first few drivers. Although the Cao family now has the income of the tea plantation, after all, there are too many debts, both local and household. In the past few years, the treasury can be returned first, and it seems that for the time being, the salt transportation department has not taken care of the side, and some people think that they have caught the handle of the Cao family. The key to this matter depends on Kangxi's attitude. Kangxi wants to admit the account, that is, to coordinate and balance local finances; If the emperor does not admit it, that is, the Cao family embezzled the inner treasury silver. It's really unreasonable.

Seeing that Cao Hao was silent in thought, Nersu hurriedly persuaded: "Brother Hao doesn't have to worry too much, it is said that there are three folds on the Kali ceremony, and both of them are immediately approved and issued, and only the impeachment of the father-in-law is left behind, and the holy will is obvious!" ”

Cao Hao said in his heart that Kangxi knew better than anyone where the money went, and he was willing to admit it, and he had to praise: "Fortunately, Long live the Lord knows and sees it." ”

Nersu nodded: "Long live the Lord can trust his father-in-law, but this Kari is not a small role." You should write a letter to your father-in-law, I think he will be more vigilant. ”

Cao Hao nodded yes, and Nersu told him a few more words, and left.

* As soon as Nersu left, Cao Hao immediately invited Zhuang Xi and told Mr. exactly what Nersu had just said.

Zhuang Xi shook his head when he heard the name of Kali, and a mocking look appeared on his face.

When Cao Hao saw it, he remembered that Nersu was also full of sarcasm when he talked about Kali just now, and asked him puzzledly: "Who is this Karli?" The gentleman seems to be quite ......"

Zhuang Xi sighed: "The people of Jiangnan are going to suffer, this person is embarrassed to impeach others, he is the world's first-class greedy person." Speaking of which, I briefly told Cao Hao about Kali and his affairs.

Kali, surnamed Dong E, a native of the Red Banner of Manchuria, is the great-grandson of He Heli, one of the "Five Founding Ministers", and a real son of a famous family.

Kali was appointed by Yin Sheng as the head of the Ministry of Officials, and later promoted to Langzhong. In the 35th year of Kangxi, when the emperor personally conquered Galdan, he accompanied the army to supervise the transportation of military rations, and was the first to go to the emperor's residence to solve the crisis of food shortage at that time, so he was favored by the emperor. Kangxi was awarded the Cabinet Bachelor in the 36th year, and the Governor of Shanxi in the 38th year of Kangxi.

Kali was extremely greedy, and accepting bribes was the most normal behavior in trying cases, and it was not too out of line among corrupt officials at that time to deduct fire and consume money to fill his own pockets, but he deducted more - more than 400,000 taels. What is outrageous is that he actually sent his servants to Pingyang, Fenzhou, and Lu'an to force the rich people to give gifts, and often used the governor's seal book to extort the people to donate!

What's even more terrifying is that this person is not only a corrupt official, but also a cool official! He wantonly connived at the abuse of the people by his officials, and sometimes this torture was used to satisfy his greed, not to give money, not to die, but to shed his skin. During the years when he was governor of Shanxi, the local people were miserable.

Cao Hao was silent, although the Kangxi Dynasty was called a prosperous era, but because of its tolerance for officials, some officials were greedy to the point of madness. It is no wonder that Yongzheng punished corrupt officials as soon as he came to power, if he connived at them to continue to prey on the people, he was afraid that the prosperous era would also become the end of the world. It's just that the blind Yushi will only be the gun of the party fight, and the local people are so oppressed, and no one resists?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but wonder: "Isn't there no impeachment from the imperial history?" I heard that the people jointly wrote a book, and the holy driver had also been to Shanxi, but there was no one to cry out for injustice? ”

Zhuang Xi shook his head: "How could there be no impeachment and no injustice?" Since the forty-second year of the fight, there have been successive imperial histories to impeach Kali for being insatiable, abusing officials and harming the people, and the above only allowed Kali to fold and defend himself. In the forty-fifth year of Layue, some people in Shanxi Province voted to the imperial history of Yuan Bridge, and Yuan Bridge folded and listed the evil deeds of Kali. However, although the above asked the officials to discuss, they still allowed Kali to defend himself. This matter dragged on for more than two years, until February of the forty-seventh year, and the result of the investigation of the officials was that Yuan Qiao was dismissed from his post for participating in the performance without evidence; Yushi Cai Zhen, Shanxi scholar Zou Shixuan, and entrusted with the title of Karma, also have no evidence, each demoted one level, fined one year. Speaking of this, he paused and said meaningfully: "This is right and wrong, and it depends on the meaning of the one above." No, this year, Kali Xianping was transferred back to Beijing as the left servant of the household department, and within three months, he was promoted by two levels in a row, and the governor of Liangjiang was released. ”

Cao Hao frowned and said, "Aren't the people of Jiangnan unlucky?" ”

When Zhuang Xi heard this, he smiled, and didn't seem to be worried: "Jiangnan is not as good as Shanxi, but it's not for him to do whatever he wants." I expect him to be testing the reaction of all sides, including the one above. Since September, he has successively impeached a number of officials under his jurisdiction, including Shao Mubu, the political envoy of Anhui, Yu Zhun, the governor of Jiangsu, and Yi Sigong, the political envoy of Jiangsu, all of whom were involved in negligence, greed, and misappropriation of treasury money. ”

After listening to this story, Cao Hao knew where the sarcastic smiles of Nersu and Zhuang Xi came from, this is simply a thief shouting to catch a thief, the biggest corrupt official shouting anti-corruption, what a great irony!

Zhuang Xi said: "At present, he is participating in two Huai salt transport envoys, piggybacking on Ling Zun and Li Xu, Master Li, and he should still be throwing stones to ask for directions." Since the above fold is left in the middle, he should know the holy will, and he should not continue to embarrass Ling Zun. As I expected, if he didn't pry the Cao family, he would definitely come to show his goodwill, which is really what Ling Zun should be wary of. If you only have a shortfall, the above will not investigate and deal with it, but if you are greedy and abuse the people, it is a big crime. ”

Cao Hao thought that it was the most troublesome to meet people like Kali. "It is better to offend a gentleman than a villain", this is a wise saying. If you offend him, you will suffer, and he is afraid that he will do everything possible to rectify you. The emperor is also a human being, so he trusts you no matter how much he trusts you, and he will inevitably be shaken if he hears too many rumors. Besides, looking at the previous incident, Kangxi is also quite fond of this Karli. Therefore, if you can not push him to the opposite side, try not to push. However, if you don't draw a clear line with him, you will be classified as a corrupt official in the future, which will also be a big bad thing.

Zhuang Xi said again: "Now that it's a matter of calculation, Ling Zun should also set off, and you don't have to repair the book, and when Ling Zun arrives, let's tell him in detail." ”

Cao Hao nodded in response.

(To be continued)