When the two visitors saw Zeng Liang, they didn't feel shocked, they just looked at each other, and then smiled awkwardly: "Lord Zeng, why are you here?" ”

Zeng Liang lifted the cuffs, and replied: "This official is in charge of the household department, and it is a matter of duty to find out the flow of money and grain; But you, sneaky ones, what kind of system! ”

The two of them were humble and light, and they didn't want to offend him, so they smiled and said: "Don't blame me, my lord, I didn't know that this was your honored guest, how offended, and I hope Haihan." ”

When Zeng Liang heard this, he gradually stretched his eyebrows and sighed: "After all, you two are officials of the imperial court, and they are related to the face of the country, so this ugly matter will be hidden for you." But remember that you are not allowed to ask for bribes in the future. ”

The two breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly said a few words of compliment, invited Zeng Liang and the others to walk ahead, and then walked out of the house. When he walked to the open space, Zeng Liang suddenly stopped and looked back at the two people: "You and I didn't come all the way, and there was a quarrel in Shicai, if the craftsman was suspicious and spread rumors, it might not be conducive to the government." Why not call the people together to show peace? ”

The two of them thought so, and shouted to the crowd around them, "Everyone, everyone! You all stop what you're doing, Master Zeng has something to say! ”

The servants were stunned for a moment before they put down the boxes they were carrying and timidly approached them.

Seeing that there were people coming from all sides, Zeng Liang snorted and shouted: "Craftsmen! Do you see these two masters of the military department clearly? ”

Everyone was puzzled, but replied, "I see it clearly." ”

"Well, you two come closer." Zeng Liang turned his head and beckoned the two again. They didn't know why, and they hesitated a little, and when they were about to ask, they felt as if something was holding their necks violently, and they couldn't lift their heads.

"You two are so shameless!" Zeng Liang's gentle expression instantly became extremely stern, and he pointed at their foreheads with his finger, "Doing things for the country, I even openly asked for bribes from military manufacturers, and I want to ignore the law!" After I return to Beijing, I will first impeach your generation, and then impeach the leaf thief! ”

The two of them knew the plan, and when they saw that everyone was still dumbfounded, they took the opportunity to break free, and forcibly got out of the human wall, and fled quickly, unable to chase after them.

At this time, the beard also heard the chaotic sound, rushed out of the house, came to ask what happened, couldn't help sweating, and cried to Zeng Liang: "Lord Zeng, you are really stupid!" If you want to argue with the Ye Party, just fight elsewhere, why bother to involve the old decay, I will not be able to get rid of the crime! ”

Zeng Liang soothed: "Don't be afraid, I have my own ideas after entering the court." ”

Cai Xianqing strode forward, stepped through the threshold of the gate of the military department, brutally smashed into the small officials who were in the way, looked straight ahead, and came to Ye Yongjia's class.

"It came suddenly......"

Ye Yongjia listened to Cai Xianqing's report, lowered his head in contemplation, and blinked his eyelids nervously.

"I didn't expect that Zeng Liang and that merchant also had an exchange of interests...... Ye Yongjia said while motioning for him to sit down, "I hate that those two little officials have a corrupt character and let the thieves catch the handle." First of all, he will be fined for three months. ”

Cai Xianqing said: "Most of the officials are greedy for money, so it's no wonder. Now is not the time to be angry. ”

"I know, but I don't have a clue right now."

Cai Xianqing raised his eyes and said: "Those two people have revealed some amazing things, I don't know if it's true or not." ”

Ye Yongjia's eyes widened: "Say!" ”

"Before they entered the house, they heard the conspiracy of Zeng Liang and Fanshang, saying that he had taken tens of thousands of silver from the salt works without permission, and was going to let the latter pass over to cover it up; He also said that after the deed is completed, it will be divided in half. ”

Ye Yongjia listened, and gradually became a little more eyebrows, so he said happily: "Okay! In this way, there is no fear of Zeng Liang's impeachment. It's better to strike first and hand over this matter to make the emperor believe in us more. ”

"No!" Cai Xianqing argued, "The information we have is not complete, who knows how much the bearded merchant has told him, if he rashly makes trouble, it will only be controlled by others." Tomorrow is the court meeting, and it is not too late to observe the situation and make a decision. ”

Ye Yongjia thought: "Cai Lao has always been steady, but he is too steady, I'm afraid he is too timid to deal with all kinds ......of changes, so he didn't agree, and summoned Cui Yi and others to discuss it again."

Wan Yuzhi, Lu Tingci, and Minghuiguang were afraid of Xianqing's old age and position, and they didn't dare to argue, but they only said yes; Cui Yixin was arrogant and fearless, and thought: "Zeng Liang has set up this situation, and he must have discussed it with the Chen Party before he was willing to take risks; Now, if we don't hinder him, don't ask for change, and let him do things in a step-by-step manner, what room do we have? Ran Xianqing didn't give in, and fought with him so much that he pounded the table and slapped the case; Cui Yi was forced by the situation to reluctantly apologize and agree with his opinion.

Ye Yongjia saw that no one had any more objections, so he listened to their plan with suspicion and half conviction, so he ordered everyone to disperse and wait for tomorrow morning.

The bell of the main hall rang. Before it could ring a second time, the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty had already arrived outside the door, waiting for the eunuch to push the door open. After a while, however, the door of the temple had not heard a single movement, and the ministers cried out:

"Alas, Gonggong Shen, the time has come, why don't you let us in?"

Shen Jing stood on the stone steps, looked at them coldly, and made a gesture towards the sky: "The emperor has an order that you are not allowed to enter the palace today." ”

"What's that bell?"

"Yes, yes!"

Shen Jing said unhurriedly: "The emperor only summoned the six ministers and the ministers of Zhongshu Province to see him, and the others should come back." ”

"Isn't this the early dynasty?"

"Who told you about the early dynasty?" Shen Jing said coldly, "The emperor is going to deal with an urgent business, and he can't announce it to you for the time being!" ”

Inside the temple. Ye Yongjia and the others shouted 'Long live' several times, and knelt down in front of the curtain one after another, waiting for the emperor's voice. But the emperor did not say a word, let their heads touch the ground, and without haste, he lifted a gilded smoker, gently opened the lid of the stove, and inserted two sticks of incense; Then he fell back, closed his tired eyes, took a deep breath of the aroma, and then said slowly: "Stand up." ”

"Your Majesty." Everyone then stood up, glancing at the emperor's vague figure with their peripheral vision.

"Go, show Prime Minister Su a chair," the emperor pointed to Su Zongshan, "he has been sick with his leg recently, let him rest." ”

Su Zongshan leaned over to support his legs, and excused himself: "The old minister is just a little sick, and he has nothing to do. ”

"Alas, that's a bad statement. I have always been sympathetic to ministers, and you cannot refuse. ”

Su Zongshan arched his hand and said: "Since the emperor said that there is a big event, the old minister does not dare to slack off. Please Your Majesty first said the so-called 'urgent business', and it is okay for the old minister to sit again. ”

The emperor let out a few eerie laughs: "It seems that you still care about the country's social affairs." Chen Shangshu, you can talk about it for me. ”