Ouyang Hong prostrated himself and kowtowed, and said loudly: "Forgive the minister for his capital crime!" The monarchs of the former Ming Dynasty did not follow the law, often imposed non-punishment on their ministers, often skinned and fed to dogs, indiscriminately punished six parts, and put six parts in a useless place. This is the defeat of the Ming Dynasty, so the minister is called the voice of the country! Kangxi Gege smiled and said: "The death of the former Ming Dynasty was due to the rampant bandits in the East and West Factories, and the dictatorship of eunuchs, what does it have to do with the emperor's punishment of corruption and violence?" It's unheard of. Ouyang Hong said: "The country has its own laws and regulations to punish corruption and eliminate violence. How could there be no one who killed tyranny and peace in the grass and green forest, how could the imperial court surrender its identity and be with them? Please make a wise decision. According to the opinion of the ministers, the beetle of the country will be handed over to the ministry, and the canonical punishment will be made clear according to the law, and the subjects of the world will be revealed. In this way, the corrupt officials will be deterred, and they will not dare to take chances, and they can also avoid the historian from saying that our lord killed people with non-punishment, isn't it good? ”

"Hmm!" Ouyang Hong didn't say it explicitly, Kangxi already understood his intentions: killing Feng Shengyun like this is no different from robbing the rich and helping the poor in the green forest. On the living note, it was written that he fell into the name of non-torture murder. There is even a case, and the descendants of later generations will follow the example, won't it lead to the rampant evildoers like Dongchang, which is really an endless legacy. With this bit of foresight, Zhang Tingyu beside him can't reach it! Kangxi then smiled and said: "Prevent the slightest and make sense." But you can only say this, Zhang Tingyu is in the middle of it, and if you say it, you will inevitably be suspicious. ”

Zhang Tingyu really didn't expect this, and when he heard Kangxi fighting for his face, he couldn't help but be moved in his heart, and said: "Long live, Ouyang Hong is a talented person, and the minister can't reach it, so he should simply pull out the official to serve the country!" Kangxi nodded with satisfaction, and was about to speak, Ouyang Hong trembled, kowtowed, and said: "The ministers bow to the prosperous age, meet the Son of Heaven, and blaspheme the dignity of all vehicles with the body of cloth, which is already the grace of the world." I didn't dare to think about it anymore, and I turned to the temple with a shy face. Long live the Vision! ”

"People can't wait to be an official," Kangxi saw that he refused, not like a pretentious, so he smiled and said, "You are blessed to see me, wouldn't it be a pity to miss such an opportunity?" Ouyang Hong kowtowed, trembling and crying: "Don't hide it, the minister is not surnamed Ouyang, nor is he called Hong, in order to escape the crime, he used a fake name......

Kangxi and Zhang Tingyu were both taken aback, and glanced at each other, Zhang Tingyu asked, "What is your real name?" ”

"Sinner...... Fang Bao...... Ten thousand deaths! ”

Kangxi's heart sank suddenly: the one who knelt down was actually the criminal in the case of Dai Mingshi's "Nanshan Collection", the main offender had already been executed, because Fang Bao was famous in the world, several imperial brothers interceded with the minister of the study, and let him go home, and he didn't want to meet here! Kangxi looked at the dark night outside and didn't speak for a while. I only heard a gust of autumn wind passing, and the willows in the courtyard swayed, making a slight rustling sound. After a while, Kangxi said: "You are pardoned by me, why do you have to change your name and surname, and you are scared like a cat and mouse?" Fang Bao kowtowed and said: "There was no amnesty in prison, at that time I only heard that the imperial court was going to clean up the prison, investigate and deal with the 'slaughtering of white ducks', and the prison released people overnight, and the criminals thought they were wrong, so they escaped overnight, long live, not to mention, the criminals still think that the imperial court is still arrested...... "Kangxi also felt funny. Thinking of the situation when Fang Bao was released from prison, Kangxi felt terrible again, sighed, and didn't say anything more.

"I'm also from Tongcheng, and I've read your article. I forgave you at that time, and I went to seek you, but you were gone. After a long time, Zhang Tingyu said, "I'm very strange, why shouldn't you try to be an official if you are so knowledgeable, but follow Dai Mingshi to talk nonsense and misinterpret the sage's scriptures?" Fang Bao smiled bitterly: "When asked about the reason for my crime, it is difficult to explain. I have taken the test a few times, Kangxi 26 years Nanfu dismantled the volume, I am Xie Yuan. Later, when he met the chief examiner Zuo Yuxing, he frowned and said, "How can you go to see the holy driver?" 'Depose me to the last place.' In a fit of rage, I brushed my sleeves ......"

Kangxi sighed: "You don't have to say it, the examiner has offended you, and you can't be guilty of following others to scold me!" As of today, Hugh will mention this matter again - you should retire for the time being, I and Zhang Tingyu have something to discuss. Seeing Fang Bao walk out, Zhang Tingyu hesitated and asked, "Long live, look at this, ......" Kangxi half leaned back in his chair, looked at it for a while, and sighed for a long time:

"Thou shalt send a decree that he shall enter the study and wait in the study on the same day."

Zhang Tingyu was stunned, he couldn't figure out Kangxi's thoughts at the moment! The upper study has six departments, which is the place of the central cardinal, and the officials are not divided into sizes, and as soon as they step into the upper study, the hundred officials are regarded as prime ministers. He muttered for a long time, and Zhang Tingyu said: "Master, this ......"

"What's inappropriate?" Kangxi sat up straight and said coldly, "How much talent does Mingzhu have?" He has been in power for nearly 20 years in the upper study; Gao Shiqi is also famous, isn't it good to go to the study? You must know that there are still a cadre of literati scolding the streets, saying that I can't accommodate the Han people, and I just want them to see my strength! Go to the study and go to the study, after all, it's a study, can't afford to raise a literati? I didn't have a study when I was young, and only one Mr. Wu Ciyou got along day and night, which was very good! He's just a lifter. Are you worthy of Mr. Wu? - Let him in! ”

This question was very serious, Zhang Tingyu didn't dare to reply a word, bowed silently, withdrew and came in with Fang Bao. Fang Bao knelt and listened to Zhang Tingyu's decree, he didn't seem surprised, tears swirled in his eyes, he kowtowed, and sighed: "The criminal minister is already a yellow flower of tomorrow, I am afraid it will be difficult to meet the emperor's high hopes...... Alas! The sunset is infinitely good, but it's just near dusk! ”

"Providence has mercy on the grass, and the world is sunny at night!" Kangxi groaned. He was also very emotional, and said in a deep voice, "I didn't ask you to hunt leopards and hunt bears, why do you sigh like this?" I asked you to go to the study, different from Zhang Tingyu and Ma Qi. You still retain your true colors, and I don't plan to make you an official! Hearing this, Zhang Tingyu couldn't help but widen his eyes, but he heard Kangxi say deeply, "Man is the spirit of all things, but when it comes to being a man, it's really not easy." Civil and military officials, rich and wealthy giants, who doesn't have a study? Whose study is like me here, high in the ninefold. When the ministers arrived here, they were like, 'The emperor is shengming, and the ministers deserve death'! He smiled bitterly, "I'm old, and I have neither a spring forest to retreat from, nor the joy of my family." You can't imagine how desolate and lonely I am—alone, alone. All in all, it's just alone......" said with tears in his eyes, tears sparkling down his eyes.

Zhang Tingyu and Fang Bao were stunned for a while, and lowered their heads together. Kangxi's monologue comes from the heart, and every sentence is the truth. There is no word to advise, and there is nowhere to admonish. When he was stunned, Kangxi asked, "Tingyu, do you understand what I mean?" ”

"Minions...... Got it. Zhang Tingyu somehow choked in his throat.

Kangxi nodded, cheered up and smiled: "It's good to understand-Fang Bao, Zhang Tingyu is young, tell him to kneel." You are my friend, get up and sit! This time on the southern tour, you accompany me to go a few more places, and we will enjoy him happily for a few days! Fang Bao realized the true meaning of Kangxi's order to enter the study in white clothes at this moment, and was very moved. Seeing that Kangxi was happy, he kowtowed and got up and said with a smile: "Although the minister does not dare to climb His Majesty as a 'friend', he reluctantly follows the holy order to grind the inkstone and wash the pen for the emperor, and be a guest in cloth." After that, he looked at Kangxi and smiled.

On the second day of Kangxi's car to Nanjing, Yinren received an edict from Zhang Tingyu from Luoma Lake, and learned that the newly appointed river governor Feng Shengyun had been dismissed. Looking at the edict, Yinren also muttered a little in his heart: Feng Shengyun's official position was raised by donations, although it was through the hands of the fourteenth elder brother, but Yinren himself also got the benefit of 1,000 taels of gold, so he was quite uncomfortable. After hesitating for a long time, Yinren ordered someone to send the edict to Ma Qi, and handed it over to the department for approval to use the seal, and sent Zhang Tingyu's details of participating in the impeachment of Feng Shengyun for bribery, deducting ICBC, and flattering to seek glory to the Criminal Department.

Wang Luo, Zhu Tianbao, and Chen Jiayou all wrote abridgements in Yuqing Palace and read the folded book. Hearing that Yinren was going out of the palace to go to the Fourth Master's Mansion, Wang Luo got up and asked, "Prince, Shi Shilun's household department has not done a lot of things, so he was asked to come in to see you today." What happened to this Chenguang going to the Fourth Master's Mansion? Yinren's face sank: Why does this old man have to take care of everything? But Wang Luo was the first hero of his "reset", so he said: "Shi Shilun and the fourth and thirteenth are not the same thing?" Maybe they will all be discussing in the Yongwang Mansion this time! You can see them all this time? ”

"The crown prince," Chen Jiayou also got up and said, "You pass the fourth master, I'll call him in." Yinren smiled: "Just a few steps, I also want to walk around." Isn't it the same when I go and he comes? ”

Zhu Tianbao straightened up and said, "Of course it's different!" The third master, the fourth master, and the eighth master are now promoted to the prince, and the prince always walks around to the fourth master's mansion, what will the other brothers think? Where the great gifts of the monarch and the ministers are, the prince has to think about it carefully. Yinren listened to what they said, and felt that it was not unreasonable, but several people objected to this trivial idea, but they couldn't get down on their faces, so they sneered: "You should slap your mouth when you say this!" Haven't I been to the Eighth Master's Mansion? What is there to get along with the eighth master? and the fourth master are not particularly close. Can't our brother even say a word in private? ”

"What's the private talk?" Zhu Tianbao stiffly pushed back, "The prince is a public weapon in the world, what private words do you have with your subordinates?" ”

Zhu Tianbao's tone seemed to be almost rude, but there was a model to follow. At the beginning, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty succeeded to the throne, before entering the palace, Chen Ping privately told him at night, and Emperor Wen's close ministers blocked the car and said that the Son of Heaven had no selfish affairs, and he had official affairs to the court to say. Of course, Yinren knew this story well, but his self-esteem couldn't bear it, and he was searching for reasons to refute these three people, but he saw Yinxiang carrying the corner of his robe and hurriedly walking towards Yuqing Palace, and several eunuchs were busy greeting him. Yinren swallowed, changed his smile and said, "Old Thirteen, you are so anxious like a cat, what's the matter?" ”

"Back to the prince," Yinxiang came in and called Qian'er to ask for an answer, "The fourth prince just received the will in the signing room of the Ministry of Officials. I thought that the list of dismissed people proposed a few days ago was approved, but after reading it, I realized that Feng Sheng had bad luck. I've come here to ask about the list. ”

Yinren smiled and asked, "Is this the fourth master's idea, or yours?" Maybe Shi Shilun asked you, right? Yinxiang pondered the meaning of his words and said, "It's the three of us combined." This time, 41 corrupt officials were found to be corrupt and corrupt in the law, and although the investigation was solid, nine out of 10 stops were below the level of Taoists, and I always felt that some of them were not enough to deter the public. The emperor wants to investigate and deal with Feng, so there is a second-class member, plus two members of the household department, Huang Yushen and Luo Sijie of the Ministry of Rites make up a group, and lock up the Dali Temple together, and the momentum is considerable. ”

"Don't be busy yet, I'll think about it." Yinren waved his hand and sat down, turned his face to Wang Luo and smiled at the three of them, "You have been sitting for most of the day, so you can relax." Go to the upper study and see Ma Qi and clean up the folds of the provinces. Whenever there is a military situation of Arabutan of the Quasi-Geer Department, it will be sent to Nanjing urgently for 600 miles to ask the emperor to deal with it. The relevant river affairs and water transportation were also submitted, and the rest were brought over by category, so that we could consider it. ”

Seeing that Yinren was calling for avoidance, Wang Liang and the three of them glanced at each other together, and they couldn't imagine that Yinren was so unfair, Wang Liang calmly left his seat, and said to Zhu Tianbao and Chen Jiayou, who were pale: "Let's go." So the three of them bowed and walked away. Yinxiang asked in surprise: "What I said is a serious messenger, just one place to brainstorm, why do you support them?" ”

"Leave them alone. The way to control lies in the combination of grace and power. We discussed it and then discussed it with them. Yinren motioned for Yinxiang to sit down, retired the eunuch, and asked, "How did I do the things I entrusted you with last time?" Yinxiang felt a burst of light in his heart: Baba drove away a few errands, and didn't talk about a lot of tricky official business, but only asked about his own private affairs! After thinking about it, he said indifferently: "It's done, it's very clean." I found her a grave in Zuojiazhuang and buried her ashes. When I think about it, I feel bad...... Prince, there is a way that although the steel knife is fast, it does not kill the innocent......"

Yinren's eyes flashed excitedly, then dimmed, and he lowered his head and pondered for a long time before saying, "Do you think I am willing to do this?" It's all forceful...... How could Li Longji be willing to Yang Yuhuan-" He suddenly thought that Tang Xuanzong was the king of the dead country, and felt unlucky, so he changed his words and said: "She died for me, and she was martyred, and she died a well-deserved death." As for her posthumous reputation, I'll talk about it when I can call the shots - the eighth one, I can't spare him! Yinxiang thought of Sister Qiao and Alain, these two eyesores, didn't he also want to find an opportunity to get rid of them? Hearing Yinren's heartache, he choked and couldn't control himself, but he also felt that his feelings were not pitiful, and he sighed out loud. Yinren walked to the side of the case and picked up a thick stack of files, checked it, and said with a smile: "Don't talk about it." This is the list you want and the reasons for the crime, I have approved it, there are additions and decreases, I have carefully adjudicated, you can take a look first. ”

Yinxiang glanced at the file, and on the first page, it was written, "Fan Xiu and fifty other corrupt criminals will be dismissed from their posts and locked in Beijing." The Criminal Department and Dali Temple will be interrogated together, and the confession will be reported to the Holy Authority for approval. When he looked closely, Yinxiang couldn't help but gasp: the names of the officials involved in the original case were all deleted, and the new ones were all the "Eight Masters Party" that Yinren talked about on weekdays! Yin Xiang hesitated and asked, "Have they read this list of Ma Qi and Master Wang?" ”

"Mazzie is just going through the motions." Yinren said coldly and unwarmly, his cold gaze actually made Yinxiang shiver for no reason, "Wang Liang is not a courtier after all, and they can't be too deeply involved in government affairs." I want to show you and the fourth child first, if there is anything wrong, we will discuss it. ”

Since there is room for negotiation, Yinxiang felt a little relieved, he knew very well: don't say that it is approved, it is to go out with a little dew, this list will immediately cause great panic among the officials who oppose the prince, Yinxiang was stunned for a moment, and suddenly blessed his heart, and said: "The prince, since I still have to discuss, I don't have to be busy taking it out." I also got the back head of the German lord to say goodbye to the fourth brother. When I go back, I will send an edict to the fourth brother and Shi Shilun to come in, and you will order it in person, can it be done? ”

"It's fine." Yinren smiled, raised his hand and said, "It's lacking." ”

Yinzhen and Shi Shilun were still waiting for the letter in the ministry, Yinxiang hurried back, and said about the list one long and one short, Shi Shilun's head immediately broke out in cold sweat, and said: "Thirteenth master, it's a shame that you didn't bring that list!" If you want to bring this red charcoal dumpling to the ministry, we are going to have a good fire. Yinxiang said: "I have an extra heart - in fact, you Lao Shi can't be afraid, there is a debtor and a debtor, where is your turn to top the tank?" ”

Yin Zhen was roasting the fire next to him without saying a word, using fire chopsticks to stir up a pot of charcoal burned with lily incense, the red light shone on his contemplative and silent face, looking very peaceful, only the muscles on the forehead occasionally twitched. After a long time, Yinzhen threw the iron chopstick and said, "I don't think it's a problem if you don't wake up like this." The messenger who smashed the shortfall has already followed him to eat and hang, this is a matter of green melons and white water, and it can't be like last time - it has been verified, no matter whether there is kindness or enmity with him and the eighth master, it must be dealt with! If you come here, you have to do your own thing, and there is still the emperor on top of it! ”

"Fourth master," Shi Shilun muttered, "Don't forget, the crown prince is sitting in Beijing!" Yin Zhen said coldly: "I was already a Qincha when he was not in the throne, I am responsible to the emperor, he is not the emperor after all." With that, he stood up and shouted outward, "Come!" ”

Dai Duo was guarding the door, and when he heard the greeting, he stepped in and said, "Fourth master! ”

"Wen Yaozhen, the servant of the Ministry of Heralds, come in!"

Dai Duo agreed. Yinxiang smiled and asked, "Fourth brother still wants to be Bo'an?" I said, don't bother with this, Wen won't climb him if he dies. Why do you cut down this elm root for others? ”

"I have a weapon, and I'm not afraid that it's intertwined." Yin Zhen's face was expressionless, "You don't care about this matter!" Shi Shilun frowned and said, "Fourth Master, do you want to be punished?" Wen Yaozhen is a minister, there is a ban on interference, and the fourth master has to think twice. As soon as the words fell, Wen Yaozhen, the servant of the ministry, had already followed Dai Duo in, and Shi Shilun stopped.

"Yaozhen," Yinzhen said kindly, "This clan has been ordered to come to check the Ministry of Officials, and you are the first to be removed from your crown. I remember that on the day you wore it, we had a knee-to-knee conversation, and there was a word first, as long as you said it, why did you give Ren Bo'an 30,000 silver, the big things are all maintained by the fourth master. - Have you thought about it now? ”

Wen Yaozhen replied: "With the fourth master to maintain it, the prisoner is naturally very grateful. The 30,000 silver was borrowed by Ren Bo'an in the Ministry of Officials. It is difficult to excuse the offender. ”

"Humph!" Yin Zhen smiled gloomily, "You are a second-class member of the imperial court, why is it really difficult to shirk'!" Isn't it strange that they are willing to pay for it now? What is your friendship with him? Or do you have some control in his hands? Wen Yaozhen was stunned by this coercive question, and hurriedly kowtowed and replied: "Although Ren has retired for a long time, because he is a master in Beijing, he often goes back to the ministry to walk around. He sometimes can't borrow money when doing business, and it is common for him to borrow money from the ministry. The fourth master is clear, the Beijing officials are hard, only more than 100 taels a year, and the offender is also hoping for his three points of silver, which is not suitable for borrowing. Always be confused, beg the prince to see! Yin Zhen listened, nodded at Wen Yaozhen and said with a smile: "Thirteenth brother, listen to this slave's mouth!" ”

Yinxiang smiled and said: "I also read his confession before, it seems to be made up temporarily, the donkey's head is not in the horse's mouth, but this time I have been 'thinking' for many days, and it seems to be a matter of trouble." ”

"Ask the Thirteenth Master to make a clear decision!" Wen Yaozhen kowtowed and said, "Slaves don't dare to make up lies. Shi Shilun, a veteran of the trial, grabbed the handle and asked: "Lao Wen, half a month before you lent Ren Bo'an silver, you also opened a new pawnshop, with a minimum of 100,000 silver. Speaking of bitterness, where does this silver come from? Wen Yaozhen was stunned by the question, and only pretended to be deaf and silent.

Yin Zhen got up and paced two steps, and asked with a smile: "You are from the white flag of the Han army, right?" Wen Yaozhen glanced at Yinzhen in surprise, not knowing what it meant. I had to reply: "The slave is the one who is the red flag." Yin Zhen snorted and said, "Let me tell you, you are no longer a person who is a red flag!" A few days ago, I made a ticket with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to transfer your flag registration to the Zhengbai banner under my jurisdiction. From now on, you are my banner slave. How about following me as a master? With that, he took out a transfer document from the page of his boot and handed it over.

"This ......" Wen Yaozhen only glanced at it, her face immediately turned pale, she kowtowed in a panic, and said incoherently: "There is a fourth master to take care of, and the slave ...... Appreciate...... I don't know if my own master and the ninth master approve it? The slave knows...... The fourth master is the most considerate ...... of the subordinates."

Yinzhen glanced at Yinxiang and Shi Shilun proudly, and said, "This is the matter of the Internal Affairs Office, what does it have to do with the Ninth Master?" You know my nature, I have a clear sense of grievances, and if you really have this kind of piety, you have to respect my habit. Isn't it decreed that the minister should not be tortured? Good! How about I do the white flag to bring you to justice? ”

No one expected that Yin Zhen would not hum or ha, secretly Chen Cang, and use this killer move, and he was stunned for a while!