After two and a half years of vigorous work to clean up the deficit, Yinxiang was transferred and died in name. Since the beginning of autumn, all provinces have stopped collecting debts. Shi Shilun and You Mingtang finally ended up safe because of Kangxi's protection. It was only the petty officials in the provinces who were sent to do things that they were sent to, but when the situation changed, they were like rats crossing the street, and everyone shouted and beat them. Of course, when these debt collectors were dismissed, it was not said that it was due to "harsh debt demand". However, the knowledge in the officialdom is extremely large, and any "old and weak", "weak", "stubborn and self-serving", "inferior political performance", and "obscene character" can all be used as crimes. Within a few months, these debt collection heroes were all dismissed. Less than half a month after Alinga took office, he ordered the opening of the treasury to "help the poor" and "poor" Beijing officials, and issued 100,000 yuan in silver, called "Yanglian" silver. Although the number was not large, it immediately became a law when it was passed down, and the provincial treasury also opened its doors and followed suit. As soon as the limelight changed, first a group of ministers and ministers who had retired from their homes and ministers expressed their feelings in unison, begging the imperial court to forgive the repayment of national debts. Some of these people have made military exploits, and some have been driving for many years, with blood and tears, and they write very pitifully; Then, the governor of other provinces asked to stop the collection of debts, and they also flew into the Forbidden City like snowflakes. There are also some recitals praising Alinga's arrival and how he did his best for the imperial court, so that the people were happy and grateful for the emperor's grace. Although no one dared to say anything bad about Yinren, Yinren felt that he was at a loss, and simply stopped interfering in the affairs of the household, Yinzhen and Yinxiang were secretly angry in their hearts.

Kangxi knew the beginning and end of this matter, and he was silent. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Li Delun was sent to the household department to ask, and the state treasury had lost 14 million taels of silver again. But Aling's official voice was loud, and there was a cheer everywhere, although Kangxi hated him in his heart, he was afraid that he would be taken out at once and there would be an uproar again. According to his original idea: first maintain the results of the household department in clearing debts, and then use the fifth brother incident to start a killing and punish a group of corrupt officials in the administration of officials, so as to make a good start for refreshing the maladministration. Unexpectedly, on the third day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Yinyu and Yinyu jointly handed it in, saying that the previous Shangshu and Shilang of the Criminal Department were all Qing officials who had attracted the attention of the government and the opposition, and that "only one or two villains were in trouble" in Zhili, Shuntianfu and the Yamen of the Provincial Division, "so that the Yamen of the National Law Department was unclean." He participated in more than 30 provincial, prefectural, and county officials who openly accepted bribes and disregarded people's lives and misjudged and wrongly convicted cases. As for the case of "slaughtering the white duck", "it was verified that there was only Zhang Wuge alone." The original offender Qiu Yunsheng "because he was a single person from five doors, his concubine was pregnant, and he didn't know whether it was a man or a woman, so he had no choice but to go bankrupt and bribe He Min, the secretary of the Criminal Department, to change his age without authorization", "The criminal officer of Shuntianfu and Xu Tongtong cheated and exchanged Zhang Wuge in". As for the woman defiled by Qiu Yunsheng, she is not a fierce woman, she is a tenant who repaid her debts and entered Qiu's mansion as a slave. According to the law, Qiu Yunsheng can only be punished for his spine and cane - Qiu Yunsheng's original case has almost all been overturned, and only Zhang Wuge, who is "guilty of salt trafficking", has been succumbed to it!

"!" Kangxi watched the recital, so angry that his hands and feet were cold, he threw it aside, punched it on the case, and sighed. Pacing to the entrance of the Heart Nourishing Palace, Kangxi stroked his shaved head, looked at the courtyard blankly, and asked Zhang Tingyu who was standing behind him, "Have you seen this excerpt?" What did the crown prince say? And Ma Qi and Tong Guowei, what do you think? ”

Zhang Tingyu's expression was very melancholy, and he bowed down and replied after a while: "The minions have seen it." The crown prince didn't say anything when he saw it, but only asked him to forward it to the imperial review. Because it is a holy bow to appoint Yinxi to do the errand, it is naturally inconvenient for the prince to intervene. Only ask the servants to ask for instructions, and if there are any orders from the saints of the Criminal Department, the prince will immediately obey the instructions. As for the servants and others, they thought that it was still an effort for the eighth elder brother to run an errand, and the disposal of these thirty or so people was also very appropriate. It's just that the matter of 'slaughtering the white duck' is too coincidental, and almost all the cases have been overturned, which seems to be a bit ...... It's just what the minions themselves think. Ma Qi and Guowei didn't say anything, long live the Holy Judgment! ”

"Nothing doesn't necessarily mean no idea." Kangxi sneered and said, "How can there be such a thing, I found out an unjust prison, and sure enough, there is only this one unjust prison?" I'm not afraid of big things going down, but I'm afraid that even my own son won't tell the truth! Yinren and Yinzhen stood deaf and dumb and watched coldly, Yinxiang was awkward in his heart, and several elder brothers in the Criminal Department were holding a ball of bullying the king and bullying their father, do you think I don't understand in my heart? That's really chilling! Zhang Tingyu hurriedly explained: "Long live the master's words, the brothers are afraid that they can't afford it......" Kangxi smiled coldly and said: "I am thinking, these people have grown up in the palace since childhood, and they are all people who have read the books of sages and sages as governors, and they don't look stupid. It can only be said that there are ulterior motives! ”

"How could that be?" Zhang Tingyu hurriedly said, "The emperor must not be suspicious......

"How not?" Kangxi gritted his teeth and smiled, breathing a sigh of relief. "You know these things better than I know in my heart—hum! Cats should avoid rats when they are old - they are rats bullying old cats! Thinking that I am useless, I hope that I will return to heaven as soon as possible and give way as soon as possible! ”

The August wind brought coolness, Zhang Tingyu shivered, and shrank suddenly. For a while, neither of the monarchs and ministers spoke. The west wind was blowing strongly, and the dead grass and leaves lying in the corner of the wall were also shaking in a shrunken manner, and large gray clouds galloped over the tall hall, and a group of wild geese came with a mournful roar, which became more and more desolate.

"Long live the ......" The deputy chief eunuch Xing Nian came out of the East Chamber, and saw Kangxi and Zhang Tingyu standing at the entrance of the hall in a daze, the hem of their clothes was lifted by the northwest wind, and he hurriedly took out a cloaked with a black fox trim, and said with a smile: "It's windy outside, beware of catching a cold, but what's good?" Long live Lord has been like this a lot lately, and the minions are really worried...... It's also better to walk around with a cloak on than to stand. If you are tired, you should be slightly crooked - do you want to pass on a bowl of ginseng soup? Kangxi nodded with a smile, took the cloak, put it on Zhang Tingyu again, and said, "This cloak is given to you - you can also wear it when you are on duty in the Heart Cultivation Palace." Although I am old, my body and bones are slightly better than you Zhang Tingyu! Xing Nian, go to Yuqing Palace to pass the decree, call Wang Luo, Zhu Tianbao, Chen Jiayou, and bring the prince's window textbook over, I want to check Yinren's studies! ”

While he was talking, Oro Dai came in and said, "Wang Luo and Zhu Tianbao handed over the sign to ask for a meeting, but the master didn't see them?" Kangxi smiled: "You came well, but you saved Xing Nian from running this leg and let them in." Kangxi turned back to the hall and drank a bowl of ginseng soup, and then heard someone outside report: "Ministers-Wang Luo, Zhu Tianbao, please see long live!" Kangxi sighed and said, "Wang Luo came in first." Zhu Tianbao waited. ”

And the king came in. These days, he is getting thinner and thinner, and as soon as he enters the door, he kneels three times and bows to the throne.

"Come to the warm pavilion, I'll sit here!" Kangxi saw that he was so short-sighted that he couldn't help laughing and said: "Ming'er asked Li Dequan to take you to the glasses library and pick a suitable pair to wear - in fact, you are so old, you don't have to do such a courtesy." With this heart, there is everything. ”

Wang Luo couldn't help laughing and sighed: "The slave is useless. It turned out that in the ministry, he could often look at the face of heaven. Now that he has entered the palace, it has become the end of the world. Seeing that he was so gracious, Kangxi was also emotional, ordered him to sit on the machine, and said with a smile: "I have often felt lonely in recent years, and I always want to talk to a few old people." It's just that in the past few years, there have been many things, and my heart can no longer be quiet - the carbuncle on your waist is healed, right? This disease has to be washed with a decoction of Yuquan mountain water, so I asked them to give you two burdens a day, if it is not enough, it is better to add more, only take it internally, not ginseng. This disease is not hot - it seems that you have only lost weight, as if you have been cured? Lao Wang bowed, felt that his chest was sore and hot, and said in a choked voice: "The old slave has nothing else to repay the master; Only this piece of heart. Sooner or later, I swallowed my breath, and that's it. Zhang Tingyu was dressed in Kangxi's coat, and his heart was also warm, what he wanted to say, but it was inconvenient to interject, so he just stood aside and didn't speak.

"According to your age, it's time to retire," Kangxi smiled, "I originally thought, according to Li Guangdi's example, I told you to stay in Beijing to recuperate." The prince said that there are few people, but in fact, I have to have a master like you in front of me, so that I can rest assured. So I mistook you for the year, this is what the prince meant, you can't blame me. ”

Wang Luo was stunned when he heard this, and said solemnly: "The emperor is the holy monarch of the world, and the crown prince is the prince of the country. The emperor and the crown prince know the grace of the encounter so much, and the servants can't care about anything to take care of. Kangxi nodded and said: "Having said that, you are a person of age, do everything evenly, don't be reluctant." Seeing that there is something wrong with the prince, he can tell me bluntly that I can always be complete and thoughtful if I deal with it. Wang Luo listened to Kangxi say that the prince was separated twice, and his heart suddenly became suspicious, and he sat up straight and said: "The slave just said that the emperor and the prince are one!" If the prince has a place, the slave must be guilty of straightforward advice! The emperor's words, the minions dare not obey the edict! ”

Kangxi laughed when he heard this, pointed at Wang Luo and said, "You old king! And your grandfather has the same temperament! Of course, what you said is right, but it's also a bit old-fashioned! I mean you don't have to offend him, wouldn't it be nice to be in harmony with the monarch and the ministers! I called you in, and I was about to tell you that you will go to Chengde this autumn, and the prince will be driving, so you don't have to follow, stay in Jingshi, and recover from your illness. Even if they serve the Lord faithfully, they don't care about this time or the hour. Wang Luo muttered: "The slave please see the master, but it is another matter." When I entered Yuqing Palace yesterday, I saw that all the guards had changed shifts. It is usually replaced every three years, and it will not expire until next spring. It hasn't expired yet, I don't know why I changed the guard in advance? As for going to Rehe, the emperor thought of the old and sick slaves, and the servants were very grateful. Don't know when to go? If the minion's body can support it, it should still be driven. Kangxi was surprised: "Have you changed it all?" This matter was handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and I went back to investigate. The Minister of the Interior who led the guard was Tong Guowei, and he had the right to dispatch. "Kangxi summoned Wang Luo, in fact, the original intention was to ask about this matter. Because the crown prince Yinren and a few personal guards gathered in Yuqing Palace several nights to drink, I didn't know what to say, the internal affairs office was afraid of accidents, and knew Tong Guowei, so they adjusted their defenses in advance. A new batch was selected from among the children of relatives and nobles and was on duty in Yuqing Palace. I wanted to ask the prince about forming a party, but Wang Lian said that "the emperor and the prince are one", and it was difficult to talk deeply, so he had to say: "The Tao is lacking." I left Beijing on August 19 to go to Chengde, look at your body, and make it difficult to follow. Simply go to Yuquan Mountain to live for a few days to recuperate, and you go to meet Ma Qi and Tong Guowei, and they will settle you down. Now Wang Shizhen of the Criminal Department is vacant, and Manshang Shusanterre is also vacant. I thought, your crown prince and the prince don't move, how about adding a criminal department Shangshu is really lacking - now I will give you this name first, and the matter of taking office will be determined when I return from Rehe. As he spoke, he ordered Zhang Tingyu: "Take the folded book handed over by the eighth elder brother and bring it to me for approval." ”

"Yes!" Zhang Tingyu agreed, and hurriedly went to the main hall to get the manuscript. Kangxi stretched out his yawn slightly, took up the pen and wiped the cinnabar, and wrote:

It is comforting to watch the performance. I hope that what is played is true. But the punishment seems to be gentle, and I don't think it's strange. The criminal officer Ma Jinwu had to sell his life with stolen goods, and he was originally going to be hanged, but he should be beheaded and decided. Seventeen officials, such as Zhou Demin, Liu Fang, and Huang Jingzhou, should be dismissed from their posts and never be resigned. Santerre and Tang Chengcheng were only to be dismissed from their posts and stay in office, which was also improper, and they were dismissed from their posts and sent to serve in the Xining Army. The posthumous punishment department is still poor, and it is made up by the prince and the university scholar Wang Xuan, and the full staff is drafted. Chin this! Another - Qiu Yunsheng's case is really an accident, which is strange and ingenious; I can tell Changyin Pavilion to make up a play for me to see!

Gently drying his handwriting, he carefully closed it and handed it to Wang Yu, and said, "I know very well in my heart that the affairs of the household department have not been done as expected. But money is not as valuable as human life, the torture is improper, and the anger of the heavens and the anger of the people is resentful, so I want to borrow your old bones - you preside over the criminal department, even if you can't investigate it all, at least don't have the tragedy of 'slaughtering the white duck' again - recuperate first, and if you are a little better, you will take office, and tell me what difficulties there are. ”

Wang Luo couldn't taste the taste of Kangxi's words in his heart. It seems that Kangxi doesn't want him to care about the affairs of the East Palace anymore, but he says that he is still the prince's master. He took the edict and hesitated for a long time and said: ""Spring and Autumn Period" cloud, 'The prison of the small and big, although it cannot be investigated, must be affectionate,' the slave should do his best to do his errand - do not go to Yuquan Mountain." ”

Wang Luo withdrew, and Zhu Tianbao came in. He is only twenty years old this year, but he has been following the prince in the East Palace for three years. Zhu Tianbao was very quiet, first bowed to the throne, and then walked quickly into the Dongnuan Pavilion, and said while saluting: "Minister, Zhu Tianbao knocks on the holy car!" With that, Hei Jingjing's pupils stared at Kangxi, waiting for questioning. Zhang Tingyu couldn't help but secretly praise: This person is heroic!

"I've heard something and want to ask you." Kangxi grimaced and asked coldly, "I heard that during the Dragon Boat Festival in May and the July Festival, the prince invited a banquet for the guards in Yuqing Palace. Is there such a thing? ”

"Yes!" Zhu Tianbao was stunned for a moment and said, "There are Shangshu Geng Er, the guards Eshan, Qi Shiwu, and Tuo Heqi who are with the feast, and there are no foreign ministers. That is, Geng E, who is also the prince's guard designated by the emperor. ”

"Then why didn't Wang Luo, Chen Jiayou and you have a feast?"

Zhu Tianbao was stunned and said, "Wang Luo is sick. The minister and Chen Jiayou were on an errand in the household department and failed to return to the palace. Kangxi smiled and asked, "Do you know why he is doing this?" What was said at the feast? Although the words are not heavy, they contain bones. Zhang Tingyu thought about Kangxi's words today before and after, and moved uneasily, and his heart jumped suddenly. Zhu Tianbao hurriedly kowtowed and said: "It is reasonable for the prince to set up a banquet to entertain his close ministers, ask the emperor to learn from it!" The minister was in the East Palace, and he was a minister of the prince, and he never thought that the prince had another meaning for a banquet, and as for what was discussed at the banquet, the minister did not inquire. Since the emperor wants to know, the ministers will pass them on, and the emperor will know when he asks. ”

"Zhu Tianbao," Zhang Tingyu couldn't help but interject, "This is a long live questioning today, you are careful to lose your manners!" Kangxi waved his hand and smiled: "It's nothing." Although the prince is not good, these courtiers of his are still upright and gentlemen. Zhu Tianbao, Yinren is my son, and I don't mean to be suspicious when I ask you. However, this year's situation is slightly different, and the affairs of the household department have been interfered with by Yinren, and the messenger can no longer do it; Yin Xi went to the criminal department, and heard that Geng Er and they also complained from time to time. Geng E is Suo Etu's house slave, and the prince always mixes with these people, how can I not ask? Zhu Tianbao paused again and again: "The emperor is wise and wise, and he has rarely been able to do it since ancient times, don't you know that the father and son suspect that their family is ominous, the monarch and the minister are suspicious, and the country is difficult." But the minister thinks that the crown prince of our dynasty is indeed different from the previous dynasty, and I hope the emperor will take a deep look! ”

Kangxi smiled at Zhang Tingyu and said: "What's the matter today!" are all going around in circles! Yinren is more than weak and not strong enough, but in the decades since the crown prince was established, I have never doubted the two items of benevolence and filial piety. Zhu Tianbao, tell me, what is the difference between my treatment of the crown prince and the previous dynasty? ”

"Your Majesty!" Zhu Tianbao said, "You treat the prince with great kindness, thirty-six years is like a day, every time the prince talks to us, he is emotional, and he sighs. In recent years, rumors have flown out of nowhere, saying that the prince once complained: 'In ancient times, how can there be a prince who has been in the world for forty years?' When the minister heard this, he was shocked and inexplicable! In fact, the prince's original words were 'for the prince for nearly 40 years, he has made no achievements in the military affairs of the world, and he is ashamed to teach his father day and night' - how far apart these two words are! He leaned back and said: "Since the matter has passed, but since there are such rumors, the minister is very suspicious that there are villains to provoke it!" ”

Kangxi stared at Zhu Tianbao with blazing eyes and said, "Maybe it's a rumor." The speaker is not guilty, and it is not necessarily the villain who spreads the word, you go on. Zhu Tianbao said: "The crown prince is deeply favored by the saints, dressed in honor of honor, and noble in appearance, which is not inferior to the previous dynasty. However, Brother interferes in politics, and there has never been a previous dynasty. The elder brothers often serve as envoys, or inspect the affairs of the ministry, or go out to patrol foreign posts, and they are in high positions, and the crown prince is in the position of counselor, and has no control over them. Your Majesty, this is a multi-disciplinary policy. Once there are villains among the ministers who mess with the government, cling to the door and wall, and contend with the prince, isn't it worrying! Brothers have been in power for a long time, in case they are confused by bandits and covet them, how to deal with them? ”

These words are indeed in one sentence! What Zhang Tingyu wanted to say for a long time was clearly said by this young man. Kangxi looked at Zhu Tianbao in astonishment and said, "You said that I also thought about this." But I think that if it is a pre-school Ming and the elder brothers divide the fiefdoms, what will be the result? Try to see that the princes of the former Ming Dynasty will not know anything except the sound of dogs and horses! Li Zicheng broke Luoyang, and King Fu's house was full of gold and silver, but he didn't pull out a dime for the soldiers who defended the city! ——In the long run, according to my ancestral system of the Qing Dynasty, let the brothers do errands, there are still more advantages and fewer disadvantages! - Qianming used the method of falling into the water and getting out of the stone; I use the way the tide rises, which one is better? ”

This reply was indeed unexpected, not only Zhu Tianbao, but even Zhang Tingyu was dumbfounded!

"Is there a downside to this?" Kangxi asked rhetorically, "Yes!" What I am most afraid of is that the elder brother will form a party and go his own way, so I want the prince to learn the skills of the ancient sage monarch with his heart; On the one hand, I want my brothers to do things for the country, and not forget to be loyal to the monarch - with these two items, after my death, the Qing Dynasty can prosper day by day. If the crown prince is incompetent, he is not afraid - anyway, it is still the Aixinjue Luo clan who inherits the unification, and he has not cheapened others. Emperor Yongle is stronger than Emperor Jianwen, is Yongle not the son of Zhu Yuanzhang after succeeding to the throne? ”

"Your Majesty!" Zhu Tianbao listened, sweated all over, kowtowed, and said, "What you said sounds creepy, although since ancient times, the prince has been a prince and a thief, but the king is a minister, and he must not be disordered, and he does not follow the rules. No matter how new the boots are, they can't be put on the head; If the hat is broken, do not put it on your feet. This is the great dimension of the country, the emperor should be cautious! ”

Kangxi smiled: "What I said later was said by my anger, not for you?" You are in the East Palace, you must assist the prince well, and don't be suspicious. I am looking forward to the crown prince becoming an emperor who will come from behind, and he will be better than me. As for the brothers, of course, they have to be called to guard the way. If there is a party for personal gain, I will use the family law of the ancestors and the rule of law in the court and the country! There must be a rule for everything. If you mess with my rules, I won't be able to tolerate him! But according to what you said, it won't work, the brothers will all go to be pampered, won't they create a group of wrecks. There is only one prince left, once the country has something, there is not even a good helper, what should I do if the rebellious ministers and thieves make trouble? Go down. ”

Zhu Tianbao retreated, and the huge Heart Cultivation Palace, only Kangxi and Zhang Tingyu were still meditating. After a long time, Zhang Tingyu asked: "Long live, the matter of driving Rehe was arranged by the minions, right?" ”

"No, ask Ma Qi to arrange, Tong Guowei will stay in Beijing." Kangxi sighed and said, "You are at my disposal." Tingyu, you may think that my words today are too flesh and blood, but in fact, the Heavenly Family has no flesh and blood at all. You're not in it, you don't know what it tastes like. I have been in power for nearly 50 years, and it is really not easy to come over! I wish future generations prosperity and peace in old age! If this is the case, we have to make some more efforts, these facts in front of us are really terrifying and lamentable! ”