It's almost fifteen, and the weather is getting warmer.

Early in the morning, it started to rain. It's not big, it's fine and dense. Tearing down between heaven and earth, it is like a veil, shrouded in Yidu City, and the pavilions in the distance and the houses in the near distance are hazy and picturesque. From time to time, there will be a touch of fresh greenery on the wide or narrow streets, full of vitality, jumping into the eyes of pedestrians dressed in robes. But when they came near, they saw nothing.

Inside the Yanwang Mansion.

Deng She sat alone in the study, under the window lattice, while listening to the dripping water from the eaves, "tick tick tick"; While carefully flipping through the secret music sent by Zhao Guo, he turned the pages silently. The room was quiet and warm. The atmosphere seemed to be peaceful. However, if the maids kneeling on the side raised their heads, they would find that His Royal Highness King Yan, who had always been restrained and deep, was constantly changing his expression at this time.

Sometimes frowning, sometimes gritting teeth, sometimes clenching fists, sometimes flushing with anger. Before he finished reading the secret recital, he was so angry that he couldn't restrain his feelings, and he shot the case, and a voice similar to a roar came out of the window: "It's tolerable, it's unbearable!" A stack of voices called people in.

The truth of Laiwu's greed is far greater than what he knew earlier, and far more than he once imagined. Zhao Guocai arrived in Laiwu for a day, and the problems he found were not only the private sale of grain to grow cattle and the mistaken spring ploughing. Zhao Guo wrote in a few lines in the tantric recital:

"When the minister went to Laiwu, he did not reach the outside of the city, so he visited in plainclothes first. Entering the teahouse and restaurant, pretending to be a businessman, chatting with the people. When asked about the case of grain cultivation and cattle farming, the people all said: 'This is a trivial matter. The minister was astonished, but asked, "Spring ploughing is a trivial matter, but I don't know what else can be called a big thing?" ’

"The people have the courage to say, 'Let the stranger not know.'" However, what the Tartars have come to commit in Chahan, you should have heard of it? He replied, 'I have heard of it.' The people also said: "Then when Chahan's power is great, the county magistrate plans to sacrifice the city to surrender the matter, do you know?" ’

"The minister was shocked and asked: 'Even if the magistrate of the county plans to dedicate the city, he will think about it. You are just a small people, how do you know? ’

"The people said, 'Although I am only a small people, I have rich relatives at home. Hao Shen is my uncle. I had a lot of dealings with the stewards of his house. The steward is good at talking, and he is a close confidant of my uncle, and he has nothing to do with confidential matters. Once, he was drunk and talked to me. So I know it. ’

The minister still refused to believe it. After repeated cross-examination, I found out the details. It turned out that Mi Mou, the original Mengyuan official, was suddenly promoted to the top of the city, and the reason why he was able to take the important position of the place was because of the two dedication of the city.

"His first dedication to the city was when Mao Gui came, because he saw his great momentum, so he and the seven or eight gentry in the city privately discussed the dedication of the city. Although the plan to dedicate the city did not come to fruition, it also had a slight internal and external contribution. In terms of meritorious deeds, he is a judge who has been brought into the stream. Later, Shicheng benefited from the capital, and Mi still had a secret discussion with the big households, and he was the first to advocate it. It is also meritorious. Then he entered the county. Until now, it has been more than a year.

"After that, although Mi was not the first to advocate the benefits of Haidong, he also contributed to the city. was supposed to be rewarded, but because of Chahan's sudden attack, he didn't take care of it for the time being. Fortunately, because of Chahan's offense, and because of Ju Yanyuan's clear observation, the lord can understand his traitor in time. Otherwise, with this person's habitual skill of 'sacrificing the city' to seek official fortune, if he can enter Dayi, or even enter the province, the consequences will be unimaginable. ”

Explain the ins and outs of the matter. Zhao Guo wrote later: "So far, the minister has only heard about it. Just because the stakes are so high, I dare not not play in the morning. As for whether it is true or not, the minister should carefully investigate it, and when there is evidence, he will report it to the lord to know. If there is no such thing, it is false, how to convict the people, and ask the lord to show it when the time comes. ”

Zhao Guo was extremely cautious, if he didn't have the slightest certainty, just relying on the sound of the empty valley and a little rumor, he wouldn't have reported it to Deng She immediately. Now that he dares to take this matter to the table, it shows that he is at least seventy or eighty percent sure of it, which is enough to prove that this matter is true.

Compared with "conspiring to dedicate the city", "mistaken spring ploughing" is indeed insignificant.

It is not uncommon for magistrates and local tycoons to collude with each other, to be embarrassed by each other's appearances, and to think that they are embarrassed. Otherwise, why did all dynasties have regulations: locals cannot be local officials? That's what to prevent. But it can't be prevented. In the peaceful era, when you are an official in a different place, there will often be a phenomenon of collusion between power and money, not to mention troubled times? Many of the magistrates were indigenous. Moreover, there are many fires and wars.

Especially these places like Shandong and so on, the land of the four wars. Ten out of twelve months of the year are spent at war. The top of the regime can't control it, and they don't have the energy to manage it, so they spend all their energy and energy on fighting wars; As for the middle level, as long as the local government gives food to people and can ensure that the task is completed on time, the officials are a little corrupt, and they often turn a blind eye and just ignore it.

The collusion of officials and gentry, collusion, and cruelty to the common people are even more commonplace and very common.

is more serious, like Mi in Laiwu County. Not only did he kill the people, but also fell with the wind, without the slightest bit of solar terms, taking advantage of the troubled times and the disintegration of the upper and lower levels, stealing the position of the governor of the city, not thinking about loyalty and righteousness, and filling his own pockets, but even for his own selfish interests, as if he regarded the official land as a taboo, and regarded the place as his own territory. This kind of person is actually not uncommon.

As far as Haidong is concerned, there are now two typical representatives. One is Ji Zongzhou, who is in the province and occupies a high position, and the other is Mi Mou in Laiwu Zhi County. Like that Ji Zongzhou, although the official position is higher than Mi, it is better to give an honorary title in the province, not real power, just put it aside. When it comes to harm, people like Mi are even more serious. The more Deng She thought about it, the more frightened he became.

The sound of rain outside the window, the breeze enters the room.

On the desk, there are a few books that Deng Sheping often reads. The top one is "Zhuangzi". Reading the Zhuangzi in troubled times may be a bit anachronistic, as it does not seem to do much good to help govern the country. However, because of Deng She's identity, he was very interested in the story of "Zhuangzi Dream Butterfly". Therefore, whenever I have leisure, official duties, or reading history, I will also try to pick out this book and read it aloud.

Qingfeng is illiterate and flips through books casually. I happened to turn the page of the book to the chapter of "Zhuangzi and Xuanzhen", and a few sentences loomed in it: "Those who steal the hook will be punished, and those who steal the country are princes." ”

What should a person who steal a place and keep it forbidden?

Ma Debao came into the study. Deng She's anger still did not subside, and said: "Take me with the order and go to Laiwu quickly." Explain to Zhao Guo, be sure to investigate this matter to the end! Anyone involved in this case, regardless of the official gentry, will be dealt with severely! He handed the written decree to Ma Debao.

The ink on the decree has not yet dried. Ma Debao didn't know why, and didn't understand why Dun She was so angry. Hurriedly glanced up, only to see "......, cut in half,...... Kill the head, kill without forgiveness,......, raid the family, punish the clan ,......,show the public" and so on.

Although the others were funny, they didn't know the severity, and their hearts trembled suddenly, and they thought: "The guy surnamed Laiwu Mi doesn't know what evil things he has done. Looking at the movements of the lord, I am afraid that it is not as simple as selling cattle privately. As soon as this order arrives, I am afraid that Laiwu will definitely set off a bloody storm. ”

Ma Debao respectfully accepted the order. He was promoted by Deng Sheba to be the palace envoy, and it was his main duty to go out to announce orders. Don't dare to say more, regression.

After walking a few steps, Deng She stopped him again, pondered for a moment, and advised: "You don't have to bring too many followers when you go to Laiwu." Three or two people, micro-service into the city. Just hand over the order directly to Zhao Zuocheng. Remember, the words of the decree are not to be known to outsiders. If there is a leak, you bring it up. ”

"Yes."

Ma Debao agreed, and when he saw that Deng She had nothing else to say, he withdrew. I heard Deng She call the guards through the window, and said, "Go to the government and find Mr. Hong." ……。 Before the words landed, Ma Debao saw a person who looked like a foreign government administrator holding a note, trotted into the study, and said: "Pan Xian'er, the Privy Council of Yidu Province, has a secret recital to present to the prince." Deng She looked at it for a while, and soon, a voice came out again, asking, "Where is Pan Xian'er now?" The steward replied, "I am outside, waiting for the prince to summon me." Deng She said: "Wait for Mr. Hong to come, and ask him to come in too." ”

At this point, Ma Debao went far away, and the words below could not be heard.

He walked along the verandah, and turned to the way out of the house alone, because he was in a hurry, he didn't bring rain gear, and stopped a little before walking out of the verandah. He looked up at the sky. I saw that the clouds were gradually dense, and the rain was dripping, covering the sky and the earth, and there was no stopping at all, and it was getting bigger and bigger. From moisturizing things silently, there is gradually a "crackling, crackling" sound everywhere. The rain falls, splashing a little bit of water. Most of them were sprinkled on the trees, flowers, and stone slabs in the courtyard, and they were washed clean.

The sky is dark, and the scenery that has been baptized by the rain is set off, but it is brighter because of it.

He looked at it for a while, only to feel that it was quiet all around, only the rain was bright, and somehow, he suddenly felt something, and remembered a few sentences in Bai Juyi's "Pipa Xing": "The big strings are noisy like torrential rain, and the small strings are cut like whispers." ......, don't have gloom and hatred, silence is better than sound at this time. He sighed softly, put down the order, and left the palace in the rain. I went back to my home first, changed my clothes, and didn't stop for a moment, and went out of the city to Laiwu.

Hong Jixun and Pan Xianer came to Deng She's study one after another.

Deng She didn't say what was going on with them, picked up Pan Xianer's Chen, read a few sentences, and said, "You have two items in Chen to deal with corrupt officials, but did you think of them yourself?" Pan Xianji replied, "Yes." Deng She nodded slightly, ignored him, and said, "Mr. Hong, you can also take a look." ”

Hong Jixun took the submission, opened it to watch, and saw that a lot of words were written on it. At the beginning, it was analyzed that the reason for corruption in Laiwu was nothing more than "in the troubled times, etiquette collapsed, and everyone was happy", and believed that only criminal punishment of corrupt officials could not necessarily have the effect of "warning future generations". If you want to cure it, there are two feasible strategies:

"First, depending on the amount of corruption, the family can be punished twice as much as the state treasury. In serious cases, they can go to the house. Second, if there is any corruption, it is not necessary to kill it. If it is a 'later person's vow', it seems that it is better to humiliate it than to kill it. Whether this minister's bad opinion is suitable or not, please ask the lord to decide. ”

Hong Jixun read it, took the note, asked Pan Xianer, and said: "The first one is okay, copying his house and not having his property, it is naturally certain, there is no need to say more." Second, what does it mean that 'it is better to kill than to humiliate'? ”

Since the war, Pan Xian'er has only seen Deng She at a few large-scale banquets. Dunsher had never summoned him. Even, Deng She did not let him interfere in the reorganization of the old army in Shandong this time. ——, Pan Xian Er originally served in the Privy Council, which was his own right. Therefore, he was very confused and restless.

When Chahan attacked, Deng She personally ordered the general, and asked him to cooperate with Gao Yanshi and Li Zifan to go out to Mount Tai and take on the important task of receiving Tai'an, he was still overjoyed. thought that from then on, it could be reused by Dunshe. Unexpectedly, the war was over, and it was treated as idle.

He guessed that Deng She was disappointed because he thought he had no merit in this battle.

However, he does not see it that way.

Not long ago, with the help of Gao Yanshi's mouth, he told Deng She about his plan to suggest that Zhao Guo and Gao Yanshi's armies abandon Huashan and Taishan, take Jining first, and cut off the Han grain route. According to Gao Yonsei, Deng She was first shocked, then pondered, and then admired. Although he didn't say a word, he clearly expressed recognition and even praise. But why did he refuse to give him real power?

Pan Xian was puzzled.

Just a few days ago, he heard about corruption in Laiwu. I also heard that Deng She summoned important ministers many times to discuss and discuss this. It can be seen that Dunshe attaches great importance to this. He had also heard a little about what Dunsher was going to do about it. He knew firsthand that this was a rare opportunity.

So, he closed the door, thought about it repeatedly, carefully considered, deliberated, and worked out the above two strategies, and took the initiative to choose a time when Deng She was free, and sent them to the house.

First, show his intelligence. Second, it is better to take this opportunity to meet Deng She, test Deng She's mind, and see why he refuses to give him real power. - In his statement, he refused to write the second sentence "It is better to kill than to humiliate" clearly, and only briefly mentioned it. That's the intention. Write it clearly, and Dunshe may not see him. It's just that he didn't expect that Deng She also summoned Hong Jixun.

He was very jealous of Hong Jixun, restrained his mind, was respectful, and replied: "My lord, Mr. Hong, the so-called 'killing is better than humiliating'. This is what the ministers and lowly officials think.

"Blasphemy is a felony, and the law is unforgivable. But it's too easy to kill them. The minister thought that it was better to set up a separate household register, on which the names of the children and clansmen of the corrupt were recorded. Those whose names are included in this register will be taxed more severely and will not be allowed to enter the office, which is like a lowly household. If an official is greedy, his children and grandchildren will be cheap for thousands of generations. The day is under the eyes of the villagers, and the night is turned and it is difficult to sleep. Wouldn't it be faster than killing? ”

Hong Jixun glanced up at Deng She, and Deng She also happened to look up at him, the two looked at each other, and they couldn't agree in their hearts, one thought: "It's really vicious." One thought: "The death penalty can be avoided, but the living sin cannot be escaped." ”

It is not without examples in the previous dynasties that corrupt officials were confiscated and exiled, and their families were put into lowly registration, but I have never heard of any dynasty that specifically applied for another civil registration for the children of corrupt officials. Why is Qianli an official? Some are for wealth, some are famous, and some are ambitious. But there is one thing in common, the scholar is an official, who doesn't want to be a glorious lintel? As a corrupt official, not only did he not shine on the lintel, but he "flowed poison for hundreds of generations", causing harm to future generations, and he could never turn over. Let future generations be poked in the backbone forever, saying: "This is a lowly people after a certain corrupt official." "It's ruthless enough.

Deng She couldn't help but think of Hong Jixun's comments on Pan Xianer.

A few days ago, after learning about Pan Xianer's "Taishan Strange Plan" from Gao Yanshi's mouth, Deng She was very surprised, and wanted to promote it to be reused, so he first found Hong Jixun and asked for his opinion. Hong Jixun said: "Pan Xian'er is a traitor seeking glory and an unrighteous person. ”

Deng She was also very wary of Pan Xian's betrayal and disgusted. However, he said: "This person is indeed intelligent, don't be sorry." ”

Hong Jixun disagreed, and said: "Although his people are intelligent, however, the ministers look at their strategies, how good they are, and they are powerful and tactical." If you are good at risk, people will be yin, and yin will be difficult to know their hearts. If you are heavy on power and strategy, you will be ruthless, and if you are ruthless, it will be difficult to fathom your will. It is difficult to know his heart, and it is difficult to fathom his will. This tiger wolf is also. It may be used in a dangerous situation, when it is a strong enemy, it can be used as a surprise, but it must not be reused in peacetime. ”

Deng She weighed it again and again and listened to Hong Jixun's opinion. At this time, listening to Pan Xianer's two strategies, it is indeed very consistent with the word "ruthless". However, although the strategy is ruthless, it is difficult to use.

Pan Xian Erwu didn't know that the culprit who hindered his promotion was Hong Jixun, and he didn't know that Deng She had given him the phrase "his people are difficult to use". At this moment, seeing Deng She and Hong Jixun's eye exchange, they both looked surprised and appreciative, and they were still complacent in their hearts.

He made a more and more respectful gesture, and added: "The Book of Han Yun Yun: Xiao He is the master of Pei's rafters, 'literary and harmless'; It is the way of the husband to govern the country, and the first thing is to 'be cautious'. Corruption is evil, but it is better than death. If it is because of its greed, it will be punished by one family. Although it is very happy, the lord will inevitably fall into the reputation of 'waste and harm, harsh and cruel'.

"In the past, Zhuge Wuhou ruled Shu strictly, but there was no cruelty and notoriety. Wei Wu severely punished the law, although he himself, he did not tolerate the violation of the law, and 'cut his hair instead'. But I have never heard of him being good at killing and destroying. The lord is well-read, and it is expected that he will definitely not be ignorant of these stories,......。 ”

Hong Jixun's face sank, interrupted him, and reprimanded angrily: "What? Do you think that the lord has not read the Book of Han? ”

Where does this begin? It's a disaster. Pan Xian'er was so frightened that his face changed, and his gushing words suddenly stopped, and he fell to the ground with a "plop", and even kowtowed, so frightened that his voice changed his tone, and said: "The minister,......, the minister, the minister really has no such intention." Ministers, ministers,......, ministers deserve death. ”

He had heard that Deng She was good at reading the Book of Han, so he specially quoted the sentences in the Book of Han as an argument. But who knows that Hong Jixun's dislike for him is almost deep-rooted.

This kind of hatred is not only hating his personality and disloyalty, but also selling his lord for glory. On a deeper level, Hong Jixun and Pan Xianer are actually quite similar in some aspects, such as "unscrupulous means to achieve the goal", so there is a little bit of same-sex exclusion.

Pan Xianer kowtowed. Deng She waved his hand and said, "You get up." Asked Hong Jixun, "What do you think of the two strategies?" Hong Jixun said: "'Tiangen self-people's view'. Putting the children and clansmen of corrupt officials into a separate book is like putting the second minister into "The Second Biography of the Traitor". It's a good idea. ”

Deng She glanced at Pan Xian'er, and saw that although the others stood up, the look of panic had not disappeared, his face was pale, and he was sweating like pulp. Smiling, Wen Yan said, "You have a good discussion." For the children and clansmen of corrupt officials, you can discuss with the left and right divisions, and the specific details will be left to you. ”

Pan Xianer was overjoyed when he heard this. First it was a big surprise, and now it's a big joy. He didn't know what to say, so he didn't stand firmly, and then he knelt down on the ground and bowed to his leader.

Although this person cannot be reused, it is necessary to use it appropriately and from time to time. Otherwise, if it is abandoned for a long time, it will definitely lead to resentment. When he needs to contribute, he may be passive and slack off, or even repeat the scene of his betrayal of Pan Cheng.

This can also be regarded as a way to use people.

Pan Xianer asked, "I don't know what the name of this book is going to be?" ”

Deng Shewei pondered for a moment and said, "Then I will use the name of 'greedy' household." Teach Pan Xian'er to retreat first, wait for him to go away, and say to Hong Jixun with a smile, "If this person is used properly, he will not lose the first-class Chen Ping of the Han." Hong Jixun snorted and asked, "The lord summoned his ministers, I don't know what's going on?" ”

Deng Shenai showed Zhao Guo's secret music to him to watch.

Hong Jixun sat in front of the desk, read it carefully, and knew the meaning of Deng She's summoning him, but he didn't discuss it first, but put his posture upright, sat upright, and asked a serious question. Deng She couldn't help but be stunned. Outside the window, the sky was overcast, and the rain was getting heavier. Gradually, like splashing water.