No one expected that the officers and soldiers would confront each other in the bandit village for half a month.

That's right, it's half a month, and even the Kang brothers didn't expect this result. There is no other reason, just because Li Tingchen slaughtered the village before, and it was transmitted back to the village.

Even if the officers and soldiers shouted every time, the people in the stockade did not believe that the government was really "recruiting to surrender". After Yin Yuqi led people to the Shenzhi Village, the village organized a breakthrough on the side of the village, and dozens of people died in vain.

Next, there is the confrontation.

The officers and men wanted to fight a quick battle, but naturally they did not prepare any sufficient logistical supplies. After sending the quartermaster, they encountered interference from other "bandits".

Because of the slaughter of Xiaowangzhuang and other Zhuangzi, another person echoed the Kang brothers, and also entered the mountain to set up a village, and within a few days, thousands of people were gathered.

In the past few years, the cost of crop harvest has not been good, and there are many harsh taxes and miscellaneous taxes, which have really forced the people to have no way to live. In addition, the use of teachings to fool the people and say that the party leader has the ability to "scatter beans into soldiers" has reduced the fear of the ignorant people for the officers and soldiers.

The governor's yamen could not do it, so he could only continue to send people into the mountain. Henan is not rich in the first place, and in recent years, it has been scraped by officials, and it has to bear the military needs of the northwest for the imperial court, which is really poor and white.

For the sake of these 3,000 men, Zhang Shengzuo had to ask for help everywhere, so he reluctantly sent troops.

In the past half a month, Cao Song killed three people.

Although this was recorded in the books and counted as his military exploits, he was not happy at all. Before the two sides fought, he still regarded the people in the stockade as "thieves", and he was eager to get rid of them as soon as possible.

When the blade entered the flesh and the flesh and blood died in front of him, his expression gradually calmed down, and he felt shameful and hateful.

A man's blade does not exalt himself on the frontier, does not cut at the neck of the enemy, but swings at his own people, which is really not pleasant.

However, he did not hesitate at all. When these people put up the anti-flag, they are already the ones to be killed. It's just that in addition to these people, there are still people who deserve to die, I hope my brother can see everything and not let go of these corrupt officials who force innocent people into "jackals".

* Luoyang City, post station.

Although Cao Hao came by order of Qin, he was a civil official and was responsible for verifying the escape case of the Kang brothers. Therefore, he did not meddle in the affairs of the governor's yamen. When the case was almost clear, he waited for the decree.

If such a big thing happens, someone has to come out of the top tank. The emperor wants to be famous, and the court wants to be decent, and they will not take on this role. Li Tingchen is just a prefect, and he is not big enough. Zhang Shengzuo is a superintendent who has only been in office for a few months, and this matter cannot be held accountable to him.

When Yin Yuqi broke through the Shenqi Village and "returned victoriously", Kangxi's will came down. Just one sentence "This is a matter of the former governor Li Xi's tenure" pointed out the weather vane. At the same time, it was also demanded that all the thieves be arrested, and Zhang Tingshu, the secretary of the Criminal Department, and Le Shibu, a cabinet scholar, rushed to the post to strictly investigate and interrogate them in detail.

It seems that there is nothing to do with Cao Hao.

It's just that the box of jewelry and other items that were transported from Cao Xiang's house were all transported back one night. Lu Juchu was still ignorant, and Cao Hao only asked Zhao Tong to bring two words, "Holy Gift".

Cao Xiang had fled from the stockade for half a month, and it stands to reason that he should have returned to Luoyang as soon as possible, but he didn't show up until a few days ago.

According to the confessions of the people in the village, there are really all kinds of things. Some said that they offended the Kang brothers and were killed with a rod; It is said that they ran away in front of the siege of the officers and soldiers.

For this reason, Cao Song was so bluffed that after reporting with Yin Yu, he went back to Luoyang first to visit his younger brother.

On Cao Hao's side, he had already gotten the news of Cao Jia and knew the details of Cao Xiang. This involves "favoritism", and if it is inappropriate, it will hinder Cao Xiang's future.

Therefore, he did not immediately call Cao Xiang back, but asked someone to make arrangements.

As a result, there were hunters in the mountains who "unintentionally" rescued Cao Xiang, who was "seriously injured", and sent him to the county seat. Before Cao Xiang came out of the stockade, he was beaten by dozens of boards, and before he could heal, he hurried out of the stockade, and his body was already unable to withstand it.

This toss is really sick. It was still Cao Hao's side, who "got" the news and personally went over to pick up his cousin and returned to Luoyang.

From beginning to end, Cao Xiang was a person.

This is an internal story, half-truths and half-truths, only saying that he had a dispute with the traitor, was beaten on the board, and the people saw pity and released him out of the village privately, and as a result, he got lost in the mountains.

After all, Cao Xiang is just a petty official who is not as weak as the crown, if there is no background of the Cao family, no one will pay attention to him, and naturally no one will think that he will be a fake.

When Cao Xiang woke up from his stupor, he was already in Cao's house in Luoyang.

Looking at the green chrysanthemum serving medicine in front of the bed, he only felt that he couldn't take his eyes off, and his nose was sour.

Seeing him wake up, Lu Ju was also a little moved, grabbed his hand, and said with tears: "Master, you are finally awake." ”

Seeing her haggard look, Cao Xiang couldn't bear it, rubbed her hand and said, "These words, I'm tired of you." Speaking of this, I thought of my son, and I didn't see my son's cradle in the four rounds, and said, "What about Tianyang?" ”

Tianyang is their son's nickname, because he was born in Luoyang, so he took the word "Yang".

"I'm afraid of making a noise, so I asked ** to be carried to the wing room for placement." Midori lowered her head and wiped her tears and replied.

Although Cao Xiang misses his son, he is afraid of illness and is not in a hurry to see him. He only felt a dry throat, sat up, and coughed dryly.

Seeing this, Lu Ju hurriedly poured half a cup of herbal tea and sent it to him.

After drinking tea, Cao Xiang couldn't help but be stunned, and then remembered that he seemed to have forgotten something. He couldn't help but widen his eyes, looked at Lu Ju and said, "I came back alone?" ”

He only remembered that he was walking in the mountains with Jiaojiao, and accidentally fell and lost consciousness. Later, I was dazed, as if I had heard my cousin's voice. He also wondered, he only thought he was dreaming, otherwise how could the people in the capital run to Henan Mansion?

Lu Ju heard his question without a beginning or an end, and was puzzled: "It was the uncle who sent the master back, is there anyone else?" "Speaking of which. With a little touch, he said: "Ye should thank the uncle, I only heard that the uncle treats the second master well, this time I made a special trip to Henan Mansion for the master, and it is really good to treat the master." ”

When Cao Xiang heard this, he was a little shocked. Did you lose Jiaojiao?

He was puzzled, when he heard a mother-in-law outside: "Grandpa, aunt, uncle and second master are here." ”

As he spoke, he heard hurried footsteps in the courtyard.

"Fourth!" Cao Song was in a hurry, and before anyone entered the door, he had already called out.

When he saw Cao Xiang's black and thin appearance, even Cao Songping, who prided himself on being a man, couldn't help but choke up a little.

Cao Xiang was looted for more than a month, and he almost died, and he was also reborn. He looked at his two brothers and wanted to turn over and fall to the ground. Perhaps because he had been lying down for a long time, his feet were weak and he almost fell.

Cao Hao was beside him, supported him, and said, "My brother, don't use these vain, just lie down and talk." ”

Cao Song's expression was already a little hideous, and he said hatefully: "Fourth, did the bandits beat you up?" When Kang Da broke the village, he had already hanged himself, and Kang Er was escorted to the governor's yamen. This revenge, my brother will definitely avenge you! ”

"The stockade is broken?" When Cao Xiang heard this, he was not surprised, and asked, "Second brother, Mrs. Duan, the mother of Kangda, how is her whereabouts?" ”

"Mrs. Duan?" Cao Song frowned and thought for a while, and said: "Among the people who were arrested, there were Kang Er, as well as Li Yilin's two brothers and three nephews, and I didn't hear that there was a mother of Kang bandits. Yes, when Kang Er surrendered, he wore sackcloth, and thought he was wearing filial piety for his brother, but it seemed that he was wearing filial piety for his mother. ”

When Cao Xiang heard this, he couldn't help but be gloomy when he thought of the old woman who treated him lovingly and gently.

Seeing that their brother had something to say, Lu Ju personally served the tea, and then took the maid down and left the house for their brother.

Cao Song looked at him with an incorrect expression and said, "The fourth child knows this old lady Duan?" ”

"Second brother, she is her brother's benefactor. If it weren't for her protection, my brother would have died under the board of the thief. The younger brother was able to escape from the stockade, and it was also because of Mrs. Duan's help. In front of his brother, Cao Xiang had nothing to hide and said truthfully.

Hearing this, Cao Xiang remembered the two county officials rescued in the village, and rejoiced: "Fortunately, the fourth child came out first, and those two county officials, although they still have a breath, they only have a breath." ”

Cao Xiang thought of the missing Jiaojiao, hesitated, looked at Cao Hao, and asked, "Big brother, ...... the person who is traveling with my younger brother?"

Cao Hao glanced at him and asked rhetorically, "Fourth brother, what is the foundation of the Cao family's life in the capital?" ”

What else could there be? Isn't it the grandmother's nurturing grace to the present, and the friendship of the uncle's dying age? Cao Xiang listened to Cao Hao's words, and there were some wontons in his mind.

"It's Jun'en." Cao Xiang pondered for a while and replied.

Not to mention the Cao family's generation, in their generation, starting from cousin Cao Hao, they are all lucky. In addition, it doesn't matter if his brother Cao Song's guards are lacking, or his Cao Xiang's seven-rank top.

"It's fine. You're not confused yet. That being the case, you should know what you can't do and what you can do. Cao Hao snorted coldly and said.

It's not easy to be an older brother, the younger brother is too ruthless, and he is afraid that his younger brother will lose his conscience; The younger brother is too kind-hearted, and he is afraid that he will be indecisive and have no courage to do things.

He himself was able to take in the daughter of the Wang family who was suspected of robbing the tomb, but he couldn't let his younger brother take Kang Jiaojiao with him.

Both women were felonies, but their surnames were different. The word "anti" made Cao Hao retreat.

"Big brother, brother me, brother I ......" Cao Xiang looked at Cao Hao's gaze and pleaded a little: "Her grandmother entrusted her to her younger brother, can you ask the eldest brother to think of a way to keep her safe?" ”

"Everything depends on the Holy Judge." Cao Hao looked in the northeast direction and replied.

Cao Xiang was a little surprised, and muttered, "Big brother has already reported to the Imperial Palace?" ”

Cao Hao nodded, without the slightest hesitation, and said, "Fourth brother, you have to be clear that you are an official of the imperial court and understand your position. As long as you are a citizen of the Qing Dynasty, you must learn to respect the laws of the Qing Dynasty, and don't think about defying the law. Otherwise, not only your own surname, but also your family, you should be clear. ”

Cao Xiang knew that his cousin was reasonable, his face was a little depressed, and he didn't move.

On Cao Hao's side, there is no way. Although this Jiaojiao has a poor background, if she is admitted to the Cao family like this, she will have endless disasters. He only allowed the state officials to set fires and did not allow the people to light lamps, which was also a precautionary measure. Otherwise, his cousins really relied on the power of the Cao family and did whatever they wanted, which was the foundation of breaking the family.

In the feudal dynasty where the imperial power overrode the law, although there is no excuse for the crime that wants to be added, the big tree is not afraid of the wind and rain outside, but only the silverfish inside.

Cao Song was beside him, confused, and said ignorantly: "The fourth brother who is traveling with you? Who is it? ”

Cao Hao thought about it, didn't hide it from him, and told Jiaojiao about it, wanting to see Cao Song's reaction.

When Cao Song heard this, his expression became solemn, he touched the handle of the knife on his waist, and said solemnly: "The daughter of the bandits?" One of the three people I killed was Kang's nephew. They are not only anti-thieves, but they also have a personal enmity with our Cao family, and I will never allow the daughter of the Kang family to enter the Cao family! ”

Cao Xiang's side, after being said by the two brothers, drooped his head and didn't say much.

Cao Song's surname was irritable, and when he saw that he had a stunned look, he couldn't help but be furious, got up and said: "Bastard, the news of your looting has reached the capital, and the uncle and we are both worried. When the uncle was young, he had to go to Henan in person, and he was persuaded by the eldest brother and me several times before staying in the capital. The eldest brother didn't worry about you, so he asked for the holy order, and with the reputation of 'fake public and private', he came all the way to Henan Mansion. You didn't thank you for a word, is this for the sake of a thief's daughter, to show us face? ”

But the more he talked, the more annoyed he became, and in the end, he was already so angry that his face was red and his body was trembling.

Seeing that he was so annoyed, where could he still sit still, Cao Xiang hurriedly turned over from the side of the kang, knelt on the ground, and bowed his head and said: "It is the fault of the younger brother that the uncle and the elder brothers are worried." The younger brother knew that he was wrong, and the second brother asked to calm his anger. ”

Seeing him like this, Cao Song became more and more annoyed, thinking about the half-box he saw a few days ago, he couldn't help kicking him, and said, "Can you still know what is wrong?" Don't you feel wronged? Be a hero yourself, only when we are brothers and sisters are sorry for you, and we are not worthy of being your brothers. Over the years, there has been something wrong with my wife, which is that you have been wronged. Because of this, the good of others, you can't see it? The concubine who made his own assertion went out of Beijing, and now he has taken in the daughter of the thief on his own. You jumped out of a crack in the stone, and you don't care about the life or death of others? ”

Cao Xiang was seriously ill, his body was weak, and when he got down, he fell to the ground.

Cao Song's attitude was not good, but he was telling the truth, Cao Xiang was indisputable, and he was already remorseful in his heart.

Cao Hao was beside him, not worried about Jiaojiao's safety.

There is an anti-flag here, but it is also child's play, Kangxi will close the case with a different rhetoric for the sake of fame. The person who is the leader must be beheaded and decided, deterring the people, and other family members, who are either exiled or enslaved by officials, may have a greater surname ...... * Rehe, the garden of Prince Yong's mansion.

Today, it is the fourth elder brother who respectfully invites the imperial father to be fortunate in the imperial garden. According to the annual rules, in July, the holy car will begin to march around Mongolia and parade through Mongolia.

At present, the Queen Mother is in poor health, and the holy car is still stationed in Rehe. This year, there are the most princes and elder brothers, and there are many female relatives who come with them, but there are still only a few older elder brothers who build gardens in the surname Re, such as the third elder brother, the fourth elder brother, the fifth elder brother, and the seventh elder brother.

After the eldest elder brother was imprisoned and the second elder brother was abolished, the third elder brother became the eldest of the princes, and every year he had to come to a few tricks to invite Xingwangyuan to show his status to the outside world.

This summer, he was no exception, but there was no news on the excerpt, and what he was waiting for was the news of the emperor's father, Xingsi's elder brother, Yuanzi.

The third elder brother was not angry in his heart, but he still pretended to have a smiling face, and followed the princes and elder brothers, and came with him.

The father of the Sifu Jin Nala clan was a minister of the interior before his death, and he was regarded as the emperor's confidant. This daughter-in-law was appointed by the emperor, so Kangxi was very warm to the Nala clan and talked about family life.

In addition to the Changfu Jin Nala clan, the side Fu Jin Nian clan also came out to see the driver, I heard that she is the daughter of Nian Yaoling, the daughter of Nian Qianyao, Kangxi had to encourage two sentences, telling her to serve Fu Jin and the fourth elder brother, Yunyun.

When it was dinner, Kangxi used it here.

The fourth elder brother believes in Buddhism, and this garden is cleaned up elegantly, which seems to be in line with Kangxi's wishes. He was so excited that during his visit to the park, he nominated two scenic spots.

When others see it, it's nothing; fell into the eyes of the third elder brother, and he only felt very dazzling. He was a little frightened in his heart, so he didn't believe that the fourth elder brother was sincerely to the Buddha.

Among the emperor's sons and sons, those who were named Prince Heshuo, in addition to the third elder brother, are the fourth elder brother and the fifth elder brother. The fifth elder brother is the one who really ignores the world, and even the affairs of his younger brother and the ninth elder brother are too little involved.

These four elder brothers have been errand brothers since they were teenagers, and they have been immersed in silver in six parts for decades.

Thinking like this, there is a hint of espionage in the words of the third elder brother, and it is inevitable that he will show a little sourness. The fourth elder brother had a calm attitude, as if he didn't see the third elder brother's abnormality.

The ninth elder brother looked at the warm scene in front of him, and thought of the garden repaired by the eighth elder brother, and only felt like a pinprick in his heart.

Just because he envied the third elder brother's hand of "inviting Xingwang Garden", the eighth elder brother bothered to repair the garden, from site selection, mapping, to the mountains, rocks, flowers and plants, he personally inquired about it.

Where are these siblings in front of them, all enemies?

Brother Jiu lowered his head and gritted his teeth, unable to eliminate the hatred in his heart.

The seventh elder brother was beside him, and when he saw that the ninth elder brother looked wrong, he raised the wine cup and said to him: "Ninth brother, eat wine." ”

When Brother Jiu heard this, he came to his senses and remembered that he was in front of the palace. He couldn't help but wake up, quietly sat up and looked, and saw that the imperial father was talking to the fourth elder brother, and he didn't pay attention to himself, so he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Turning to Seventh Elder Brother again, he saw that there was worry in his eyes, and Ninth Elder Brother couldn't help but feel warm in his heart, and said in a low voice: "Thank you Seventh Brother for taking care of me." ”

The seventh elder brother smiled and said, "I am the ninth brother of Xie." In addition to the old ginseng, the ninth brother also sent a lot of valuables, and I thank you on behalf of your niece. ”

When Brother Jiu heard this, his heart moved, and he said: "It's not a good thing, it's good that Ergege doesn't dislike vulgarity." I heard that Hongshu went to Mongolia, seventh brother, or is it a younger brother? ”

He had already tried to return to Beijing before the imperial court, but to no avail.

Now, in front of the imperial service, looking at this scene of "father's kindness and filial piety" all day, Brother Jiu is also very tired.

The Mongolian prince is not as good as the prince of the clan, he only eats that little bit of silver, has fiefs, slaves and livestock, and has the most rich family background. Taking a trip to Mongolia and looking for a way to make money is not much better than watching everyone sing a big drama in front of the emperor.

Thinking of this, Brother Jiu's face was a little excited......

(To be continued)