"The money and food haven't been touched yet, as long as you bite to death, you won't have time to send it to the mining area, no matter who comes, there's no way to take Lao Tzu!"

That's it.

Qian Mengchuang took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

A moment later.

Outside the house, there was the sound of hurried footsteps.

Then the door was kicked open.

Several guards with knives in armor walked in murderously!

He was followed by a middle-aged man dressed in cloth and wearing a fox fur.

"Are you Qian Mengchuang from Suishui Zhixian County?"

Hai Rui's sharp eyes stared directly at Qian Mengchuang.

Qian Mengchuang hurriedly saluted:

"It's Xiaguan!"

"Take it!"

Order.

The two guards didn't say a word, and kicked Qian Mengchuang's knee.

A sharp pain hit.

Qian Mengchuang wailed and knelt on the ground uncontrollably.

After a while, he breathed a sigh of relief and said loudly:

"Why do you want to treat your subordinates like this!"

Hai Rui didn't bother to talk nonsense with him at all, and waved his hand:

"Take it away!"

"Yes! My lord! ”

The guards grabbed Qian Mengchuang and picked him up and walked out.

Qian Mengchuang didn't expect that Hai Rui didn't give himself a chance to explain at all, and he was instantly stunned.

I saw that I was going to be dragged out of the house.

He no longer dared to pretend to be stupid, and hurriedly said:

"The adults arrested the lower officials, but because of the distribution of money and grain in the mining area!"

Hai Rui ignored him, just tightened the fox fur on his body and walked around the room.

Seeing this, Qian Mengchuang became even more flustered, and said anxiously:

"My lord! The money and grain allocated by the imperial court to the mining area were all kept in the warehouse, and the lower officials had never been greedy for ink! ”

Hai Rui ignored him, sat down in his chair, and looked through the paperwork on the table.

See this scene.

Qian Mengchuang gritted his teeth, struggled desperately, broke the can, and shouted:

"Hai Jui! I am an official of the court! Even if you are the imperial history of the left capital, you can't take people for no reason! ”

"The court has its own laws, so you can't be arbitrary!"

"You two dog things! Let go of this official! ”

Qian Mengchuang knew in his heart that once he entered the dungeon, it would be difficult to come out again.

Therefore, try your best to stay in the house.

While struggling, he explained why the money and food were not delivered to the miners.

In short, the weather was so bad that all the money and grain that had been sent to the mine were stranded in the warehouse.

He was not greedy for money and food, and Hai Jui had no right to send him to the dungeon.

It's just that.

It's been a fuss for a long time.

Until he was dragged out of the house by the guards.

Hai Rui didn't even look at him.

This month or so.

Hai Jui ran to three states and eleven counties.

Among the three states, only Ningzhou Thorn Shi was greedy for 8,000 taels of silver.

The other two stabbed Shi very peacefully.

As much money and grain as the court allocated to them, they distributed it to the counties, and they had no greed for a penny.

eleven counties.

There were problems with money and food in four counties.

Some magistrates said that when they were transporting grain, they were attacked by mountain bandits, and all the money and grain allocated by the imperial court were robbed.

Some magistrates said that they had offended the villain, and the villain secretly set fire to the warehouse and framed him.

Some magistrates said that the officials guarding the warehouse were stealing and did not know where they had escaped.

All in all, each has its own reasons, and all of them are deeply and convincingly stated.

It's just that.

No matter how high-sounding they are, Hai Rui is too lazy to listen.

As long as there is a problem with the money and food, no matter what the reason, it will be taken!

After that, the conviction is based on the severity.

The previous three magistrates were all beheaded.

This Suishui Zhixian is very cautious, and the money and grain are still left in the warehouse.

Therefore, Hai Jui did not intend to cut off his head, but only dismissed him from his official position, put him in a dungeon, and never be released!

As for the Ningzhou Thorn History who was greedy for eight thousand taels......

Like the rest of the magistrates, they raided their homes and beheaded them.

Merely.

Although Hai Rui has already made a decision, in order to avoid startling the snake, he has not yet sent someone to implement it.

"Approaching the end of the year, it's time to use thunder to deter those corrupt officials!"

Hai Rui's deep eyes burst out with a sharp light, looked at the guards beside him, and commanded:

"Pass the order to the cavalry commanders who remain in various places, and act according to the plan!"

The guard saluted and said loudly:

"Yes! My lord! ”

The guard turned to leave.

Hai Rui looked at his back, his eyes shining.

After a while, he stood up again, found the county secretary and the main book, and after some instructions, he left Suishui County and went to the next goal.

............

Zhangzhou, the state city.

In the main hall of the yamen.

Zhangzhou Thorn Shi stood by the window, looking at the snowflakes falling outside, and his face was twisted together.

"There are so many corrupt officials and corrupt officials in the world, and not everyone is as well-informed as this official, there must be people who have crooked minds and are greedy for money and food."

"But...... Why has a month and a half passed, and there has been no news from all over the country? ”

"Could it be that Qin Butang's letter is just an exaggeration, and the imperial court actually didn't want to investigate it strictly at all?"

Thinking of this, Zhangzhou Thorn Shi's brows tightened even tighter, and he only felt that he had missed countless silver.

"Hey......"

"If I knew this, I shouldn't have listened to Qin Butang's words, so much money and food, just deduct some of it, and it will be enough for the official to retire."

"Regret shouldn't have been!"

Zhangzhou Thorn Shi sighed leisurely, with mixed feelings.

At this moment, a clerk came at a hurry not far away.

"My lord! Something happened! ”

Zhangzhou Thorn Shi was slightly stunned and asked, "What's the matter?" ”

The official looked like he was in a good mood, and said: "Xiaguan received news this morning that Qian Mengchuang, the magistrate of Suishui County, was discovered by the imperial history of Zuodu and put into the dungeon because of the deduction of money and grain from the mining area!" ”

"What!"

Zhangzhou Thorn Shi was taken aback, and then his face showed anger, and he said angrily:

"The official has repeatedly admonished! This time, money and food are extremely important, and you must not move a little crooked mind, this dog-like thing dares to be deducted! It's bold! ”

The voice fell.

He suddenly thought of something, frowned slightly, looked at the official, and said in disbelief: "Who found out what you just said?" ”

The official replied: "Zuodu Yu Shi Hairui! ”

Zhangzhou Thorn Shi was surprised: "Why did the dignified Zuodu Yushi quietly run to a small Suishui County?" ”

The official shook his head and said, "The lower officials don't know." ”

Zhangzhou Thorn Shi frowned and said, "Could it be that someone is pretending to be the identity of Zuodu Yushi and swaggering?" ”

It was not for nothing that he doubted Hai Jui's identity.

Not to mention that the imperial history of Zuodu is among the princes, and generally speaking, he will not leave Beijing to inspect in person.

It is said that Zhangzhou is still separated from Jingshi by Ningzhou and Mingzhou.

If you want to check, it should be the news from Ningzhou and Mingzhou first.

After all, there are dozens of county towns in Ningzhou and Mingzhou.

It is impossible not to have a corrupt official.

The official said, "There are more than 100 Xuanjia cavalry guards around that person. ”

Zhangzhou Thorn Shi was a little surprised, and opened his mouth to say something.

Before he could speak, he saw another official coming not far away.

"My lord! Something happened in Ningzhou! ”

Zhangzhou Assassin Shi was stunned again and asked, "What's the matter?" ”

The officer said in trepidation:

"Ningzhou Assassin Shi was suddenly beheaded by a team of heavily armed Xuanjia cavalry yesterday!"

"Why?"

"I heard that it was greedy for the money and grain allocated by the imperial court to the mining area, totaling 8,000 taels."

"How can you say that he is also a feudal official, a member of the third grade, and he is only greedy for eight thousand taels of ink, so he directly raids his house and asks for beheading?"

When Zhangzhou Assassin heard the news, his first reaction was suspicion.

But soon, after calming down, I thought of Qin Butang's letter.

It turns out that what Qin Butang said is true!

The imperial court really moved the real character this time, and anyone who touched this sum of money and food will be severely punished!

Even if you are the assassin of a state and the official of the frontier, it is also said that you will kill it, and if you say that you will copy your home, you will copy your home, and you will not leave any affection!

In fact, as early as more than a month ago, the imperial court specially sent documents to remind them.

The past is not to blame for the time being.

This time, the punishment will not be granted.

It's just that some people take it to heart, and some people just think that the court is bluffing.

In fact.

If there is no letter from Qin Xingyan.

Zhangzhou Assassin Shi will not take this matter to heart.

"It's good to listen to Qin Butang's words, otherwise it would be the official who will be beheaded by the raid now!"

"One thought is the abyss!"

Zhang Zhou Thorn Shi looked at the two officials in front of him, and he was terrified, and cold sweat broke out all over his body.

After a while, I let out a breath of turbidity, glad that I had made the right decision.

"You have to be cautious this time, you must not let something like Qian Mengchuang happen again!"

Thinking of this, Zhangzhou Assassin Shi began to write again.

Meanwhile.

The news that Ningzhou Assassin Shi and the five magistrates had been severely punished soon spread throughout the entire Daqian.

In an instant, officials from all over the country, from the assassin to the magistrate, all became panicked.

The officials who had been thinking crookedly when they saw that there was no movement in the imperial court all dispelled their original thoughts.

And the officials who have put it into practice are trying to fill this hole in every possible way.

Even.

Some magistrates paid out of their own pockets to fill the vacancy.

After all.

This newly appointed Lord Yushi Hai of the Left Capital is selfless in the true sense of the word, and he moves like thunder!

Even if they lost some silver, they didn't want to face such a ruthless man.

The magistrates were in a state of panic.

The miners in the mining area were overjoyed.

As long as you work hard, you can not only fill your stomach, but also receive a tael of silver.

For them, working in the mines is simply a fairy day.

Thus.

All of them worked hard and did their best to serve the court.

For a time, the development of the entire Daqian mineral industry has increased several times!

…………

Time passes.

In the blink of an eye, it was Chinese New Year's Eve.

Chang'an City.

Houses are lit up and pasted with red couplets.

The streets and alleys are hung with flaming lanterns.

Under the lanterns, children frolic and play.

The adults were in groups of threes and twos, chatting about the harvest of the year and the expectations of the coming year, and their faces were all full of smiles.

The peddler pushed the cart and walked down the road, shouting hard.

Everywhere presents a lively and joyful festival scene.

The same is true in the Xiangguo Mansion.

All the servants of the house put on new clothes and were busy.

Someone cleaned the house.

Someone decorates everywhere.

Some people buy New Year's goods.

They have all been in Xiangguofu for several years, and they have developed a deep affection for this place, and even if they are busy, their hearts are very full and there is a sense of satisfaction.

While working, chatting at the same time also feels comfortable.

"I don't know if the old man will come back on Chinese New Year's Eve this year."

A little maid held a broom, and while sweeping the floor, she asked curiously.

The older maid next to her replied:

"Every year on Chinese New Year's Eve, His Majesty has to entertain the courtiers in the palace, and our lord is the head of a hundred officials, of course, he must also participate."

The little maid was silent for a moment, and suddenly sighed, hugging for her master:

"The lord really can't be idle for a day for our big job, and until now, for a month or two, he hasn't had much room with his wife, and he runs to the palace all day long."

"Your Majesty is really, the master is so tired, and he summons the master every day, and sometimes he calls the master at night, and he is not afraid that the master will be tired."

When the older maid heard this, she glanced at her, and stopped talking.

The little maid noticed her eyes, looked puzzled, and asked:

"What's wrong? Am I not right? ”

The older maid was silent for a long time before she said, "That's right, Your Majesty doesn't know how to pity the master at all." ”

The little maid always felt that when she said this, her eyes were a little strange, but she didn't think much about it, and continued: "Then again, Madame's temperament is indeed a little cold......

As soon as he spoke, he was interrupted by another maid:

"Let's be subordinates, there are some words, it's better to say less."

"The old man is kind-hearted, just because we can talk nonsense."

When the little maid heard this, she stuck out her tongue and said softly:

"I know, I won't talk about it later."

The voice fell.

Not far away, a crisp and pleasant voice suddenly sounded.

"Don't say anything?"

A few maids turned their heads to look and saw a girl wearing a fox fur, with a beautiful face and a graceful posture walking over.

"Sister Yuhuan."

Several maids saluted and called softly.

The subordinates of the Xiangguo Mansion are very clear in their hearts.

The beautiful little girl in front of her is deeply favored by the master.

Therefore, they all treat her as a wife.

Even.

In the eyes of many people, her status in Xiangguofu is above that of Mrs.

"The slave maid is just saying, Sister Yuhuan looks better today."

The little maid just now said with a smile.

When Yang Yuhuan heard this, his eyebrows showed a surging joy, and he asked, "Really?" ”

Several maids nodded heavily.

"Really!"

The corners of Yang Yuhuan's mouth hooked up a smile, and he didn't speak, but he was very happy in his heart.

Tonight was a very important night for her.

In the past few months, she has almost pinched her fingers to count the days, and she is looking forward to it every day.

Looking forward to the stars and the moon, I finally looked forward to this day.

Early in the morning, before dawn, I got up and dressed up.

It took more than an hour to get the near-perfect makeup that I have now.

Although at night, it doesn't make much difference if you blow out the lights and don't wear makeup.

But she still wants to present her most perfect self in front of Xiangye.

"In four hours, the next year will come."

"I'm looking forward to it, I'm so happy......"

"I don't know when Xiangye will come back......"

"After all, tonight is Chinese New Year's Eve, and after the dinner in the palace, Xiangye should return home."

"At night, apply rouge again, and I don't know what flavor Xiangye likes, peach blossom, pear blossom, or osmanthus ......"

This moment.

Yang Yuhuan thought a lot.

It took a while before he came back to his senses, raised his eyes to look at the maids in front of him, and his delicate little face showed a joyful smile.

He took out a wad of silver tickets from his bosom and gave them to them.

"This is the money for you, one or two for each person."

The maids were stunned and hurriedly said:

"Slaves can't ask for it."

Yang Yuhuan looked wealthy, stuffed the silver ticket into their arms, and said with a smile:

"It's not the custom of Daqian to send out money, so take it all."

These silver tickets were all rewards given to her by the empress after the banquet in Honglu Temple.

She almost stays in the house on weekdays, does not go out of the door, does not step out of the second door, and rarely has the opportunity to spend money, so she saves a lot.

Several maids hesitated, looked at each other, and didn't know what to do for a while.

Generally speaking.

In Daqian, only the master's family will give this kind of coercive money to his subordinates.

Although in their eyes, Yang Yuhuan is no different from the master's family, but after all, there is no name.

It seems a little inappropriate to just accept it like this.

There was a moment of silence.

The eldest maid made a decision, stretched out her hand to take the silver ticket, her face showed joy, and after saluting, she said excitedly: "Thank you, Sister Yuhuan!" ”

Although she is old, she still calls Yang Yuhuan her sister.

Seeing this, the rest of the maids took the silver tickets one after another and bowed.

"Thank you, Sister Yuhuan!"

Yang Yuhuan gradually lost in this voice, and a touch of crimson rose on her beautiful little face, feeling that she had reached the age when she could marry Xiangye.

"You keep working, I'll go somewhere else."

"Sister Yuhuan, goodbye."

Yang Yuhuan said hello to a few maids and continued to wander around.

It didn't take long for everyone in the house to be sent money.

Back in the courtyard and sit on a stone bench.

I don't know what I thought, my pretty face turned crimson, and my eyes showed a look of anticipation.

"What do you think? Blushing like a monkey's ass. ”

A charming voice sounded in the courtyard, and there was a mockery in the tone.

Yang Yuhuan raised his eyes to look at Daji, snorted, and said angrily:

"You're like a monkey's ass!"

Daji chuckled and walked over to her.

Stretched out his soft jade hand, pinched her little face, raised his eyebrows, and asked with a smile:

"Why did you put so much powder on it today?"

Yang Yuhuan reached out and patted her jade arm, and snorted, "I want you to take care of it." ”

Daji pinched her little face again and said, "What do you want to eat at night, my sister will tell her subordinates to prepare." ”

Yang Yuhuan thought for a while and said, "Spring plate, and glue tooth dumplings." ”

Daji asked with some curiosity: "What is a spring plate, and what is a glue tooth?" ”

Yang Yuhuan glanced at her up and down, suddenly thought of something, and asked curiously:

"Spring plate is recorded in the ancient books of the Han Dynasty, which dynasty and which generation are you from? Why don't you even know about spring plates? ”

Daji glanced at her, but didn't speak.

Seeing this, Yang Yuhuan seemed to realize something, the corners of his mouth hooked up with a smile, and he deliberately said:

"Could it be that he is an old monster from the Xia Shang period?"

Daji was silent for a moment, and suddenly reached out and knocked on her little skull, and said angrily:

"Love to say it or not!"

With that, turn around and leave.

Yang Yuhuan was busy and said:

"The so-called spring plate is to take small garlic, garlic, leeks, brassica, and coriander, and put them together into a plate!"

"Paired with a pancake called spring cake, it has the meaning of welcoming spring!"

"If you can't get it together, just find five kinds of spicy lettuce!"

"Jiao Ya is a caramel made from wheat straw!"

As if she hadn't heard, Daji continued on her way.

Yang Yuhuan looked at her back and shouted again: "Old monster! This girl also deliberately left you a big pressure money, put it under your pillow, don't forget to take it! ”

Daji paused, a smile appeared between her eyebrows, didn't say anything, and left the courtyard.

Meanwhile.

The Imperial Palace, the Palace of Nourishing the Heart.

On the dragon couch.

Fang Xiu looked at the little empress with a serious face, and said:

"Your Majesty, today is Chinese New Year's Eve, and you have to feast on the courtiers, and the courtiers think it is better for you to prepare earlier."

Hear this.

Wu Mingkong glanced him up and down, and said suspiciously:

"Are you no longer good?"