The emperor sent Chen Tingjing's temper in the Qianqing Palace, and Zhang Shande later instructed the father-in-law on duty that no one was allowed to show half a word out. Outside, even Chen Tingjing himself didn't know that the emperor said that he was going to kill him. Although Fu Shan provoked the emperor's thunderous anger, this matter has finally passed. Fu Shan returned to Yangqu, and the official gentry looked at the door and threw themselves into the door, and the guests were like clouds. That's all for later, so let's not talk about it. At this time, Chen Tingjing is still not at ease with the overall planning method of large households, and he is really afraid that the people of the world will be miserable. He regretted that he had not anticipated the matter and had been in such a hurry. If all the land under heaven is occupied by the great families, he is a sinner of the people.

Chen Tingjing was sad about this all day long, and he was described as haggard. It happened that there was an imperial historian named Zhang Pengxi in the Metropolitan Inspection Academy, and one day he went to the Hanlin Academy to do business and asked how the big households were co-ordinating. Chen Tingjing knew that Zhang Pengxi was an impatient and upright person, so he didn't want to say more. But the more secretive Chen Tingjing was, the more suspicious Zhang Pengxi became, so he said: "Maybe the big household co-ordination is the stuff of the wicked mermaids and the common people, and I want to make a break." ”

Chen Tingjing hurriedly persuaded: "Master Zhang, don't play it anymore, even if the emperor knows that this method is inappropriate, he will implement it." The imperial court beat Wu Sangui and asked for money and food! ”

Where is Zhang Pengxi willing to listen, he said that he would write an excerpt when he went back, and after a few days, he would play it when he looked at the emperor's palace gate and listened to the government.

Chen Tingjing persuaded him bitterly: "Master Zhang, if you are on the fold, not only you will have to suffer yourself, but the old man will also suffer with you!" ”

When Zhang Pengxi heard this, he became angry and said, "I can't imagine that Lord Chen has also become a layman who takes care of his own life!" Zhang Pengxi said and walked away. Chen Tingjing thought to himself that he really couldn't hide from this disaster.

The erudite and scholarly call for the test is over, and the candidates are all awarded the fame. Gao Shiqi gave Zhan Shifu Shao Zhan Shi and four kinds of food. Chen Tingjing has not yet been officially reinstated, and he is still a fourth grade. Gao Shiqi used to call Chen Tingjing Lord Chen, but now he has begun to call him Tingjing. Chen Tingjing saw Gao Shiqi's pride, and he didn't take it to heart.

In recent days, the emperor has lived in Changchun Garden, and after one day of political affairs, he was interested and wanted to go to the garden to have a look. Mingzhu, Chen Tingjing, Samuha, Zhang Ying, Gao Shiqi and other attendants.

The emperor looked at the garden full of spring and said: "I just look at this garden, a hundred flowers are vibrant, and thousands of trees are competing for spring, and I know that this year will be a bumper harvest!" ”

Mingzhu hurriedly said: "The emperor is benevolent, touching the heavens and the earth, he will be smooth in the wind and rain, and the country and the people will be safe!" ”

Samuha said on the side: "Your Majesty, since the implementation of the overall planning method for large households, the money and grain in various places have been put into storage much faster. It is estimated that 27.3 million taels of silver and 6.9 million quintals of grain can be levied this year. ”

The emperor looked at Chen Tingjing and said, "This method is for you to play the court, and you have made great contributions!" ”

Chen Tingjing bowed his head and thanked him, and didn't say more than half a word. The emperor understood Chen Tingjing's thoughts, but he only pretended to be confused. Gao Shiqi deliberately wanted to break the words: "Your Majesty, it is indeed a good way to coordinate large households, but the minister has recently heard people talking behind their backs. ”

The emperor didn't want to provoke this matter, but Gao Shiqi said so, so he asked, "Chen Tingjing, did you hear someone say?" ”

Chen Tingjing said perfunctorily: "The minister has never heard anyone talk about it. ”

When the emperor heard this, he didn't care, just watched the garden. Samuha pondered the emperor's thoughts, and said: "Enlighten the emperor, Huguang implemented the method of co-ordination of large households, not only did the money and grain go into the treasury last year, but also paid off the arrears accumulated over the years. The salaries of the imperial court were also directly released from Huguang to Guangxi, and the soldiers were united to kill the enemy bravely! ”

The emperor looked at Chen Tingjing, and when he saw that his face was melancholy, he said: "Tingjing, I am not a faint monarch who can't listen to advice. I've been overly angry about this, but I haven't done anything to you. I know you still have something to say, so I won't say it today. You see this blossoming flowers, let's take a good look at the garden, and if we have something to say, we will clean the door tomorrow. ”

The emperor smiled and was very kind. Seeing the emperor smiling like this, Chen Tingjing felt even more dangerous in his heart and became more and more uneasy. He has been with the emperor for more than 20 years, and he can figure out each other's thoughts without saying it explicitly. At this moment, a sika deer poked its head out of the bushes and looked timidly in this direction. The fool hurriedly handed over the royal bow and arrows. The emperor shot with a full bow, and the sika deer fell in response. The ministers were busy congratulating the emperor. Mingzhu remembered the wild things hunted by the emperor over the years, and said: "The emperor's courage is unparalleled in ancient times." The ministers all remembered that as of today, the emperor had hunted a total of 93 tigers, 9 bears, 7 leopards, 8 elks, 56 wolves, 85 wild boars, and countless rabbits! ”

The emperor laughed and said, "Mingzhu, it's rare that you are so careful!" ”

On the same day, the emperor returned to the palace. At night, Zhang Ying was summoned into the Qianqing Palace. The emperor said: "Zhang Ying, since the dynasty entered the customs, it was clear that he was a good example and tried to guard against the scourge of friends. Recently, however, I have noticed that some ministers are secretly fanning the flames, slandering the government and government, and shaking people's hearts. ”

Zhang Ying didn't understand what the emperor was talking about, so he only said vaguely: "The minister only stayed in the south study, and he had no contact with the outside, so he had never heard of it." ”

The emperor was silent for a long time, and suddenly said, "I know that you are very compatible with Chen Tingjing. ”

Zhang Ying heard some meaning, secretly surprised, and said: "The minister and Chen Tingjing are of one heart and one mind, just to be loyal to the emperor!" ”

The emperor said: "I know your loyalty, but Chen Tingjing's loyalty is a little uncertain. ”

Zhang Ying had long seen that the emperor had been annoyed with Chen Tingjing for the sake of the overall planning of the big family, so he said: "As the emperor said, Chen Tingjing can be described as loyal to the country!" ”

The emperor was silent and paced with his hands behind his back. Suddenly, the emperor stood with his back to Zhang Ying and said coldly: "Tomorrow, I will listen to the government, and you will come to Chen Tingjing!" ”

Zhang Ying was shocked when she heard this, looked up at the emperor's back, and couldn't speak. The emperor slowly turned his head, forced his eyes at Zhang Ying, and said, "Do you want to resist the decree?" ”

Zhang Yingdao: "Your Majesty, Chen Tingjing is really innocent!" ”

The emperor closed his eyes and said, "Chen Tingjing is guilty!" 1. The gentleman is disrespectful and undignified; 2. Vainly slandering the government and being disloyal; 3. Calling friends and attracting classes, forming parties for personal gain; Four...... You know him best, you can make up a few more! ”

Zhang Ying knelt down and said, "The emperor actually knows that Chen Tingjing is loyal!" ”

The emperor said angrily: "I don't want to say more! I just want you to join him this time! You have to understand the general situation and take into account the overall situation! If you don't get rid of Chen Tingjing and let him bewitch you, you can either take back the overall planning method of the big households, so that the military salary will not be settled, and let the Wu thief continue to do evil! Either I have the infamy of not listening to advice, and I am a faint king! ”

On the second day, the emperor sat down on the dragon chair of Qianqingmen, and there was an inexplicable atmosphere in the hall. The wind blew in slightly, and the cigarette dragon and snake in the copper tripod furnace rolled up. Before the ministers could do anything, the emperor spoke first: "The soldiers in front are fighting bravely to kill the enemy, and the governors of Fuzhou County are fulfilling their duties, but what are some ministers around me doing?" Staring at me, I only saw what I had done wrong, what I had said wrong. ”

The emperor paused slightly, glanced at the ministers, and said, "I am not a faint king, as long as it is loyal, I can listen to it." I am by no means a sage, and there will always be times when I make mistakes, but I will correct them. However, at present, the overall situation of the imperial court is to pacify Yunnan, and anyone who hinders this overall situation is a big mistake and a big crime! ”

The emperor's voice was raised very high, and the echo shook the palace. The ministers all lowered their heads, guessing which thing and who the emperor was talking about. Chen Tingjing had already heard what the emperor meant, and knew that he was really going to suffer. Yesterday in Changchun Garden, when it came to the co-ordination of large households, the emperor clearly guessed that Chen Tingjing still had something to say, and instead of blaming him, he said good words to comfort him. He felt strange at the time, this was clearly not the emperor's usual temper.

The emperor picked up the fold on the dragon case and said, "I have an excerpt in my hand, which was played by Zhang Pengxi, the imperial historian." What he said about pacifying Yunnan is related to the safety of the community, and it is naturally a top priority. However, the pacification of Yunnan will damage the people of the world, and it will also endanger the community! Therefore, I am asked to withdraw the overall planning method of large households and find another good strategy! The theory of scholars is pedantic to the extreme! If you don't have money and food, why should you fight Wu Sangui? If Wu Sangui is not removed, where will the society be safe? Where does the well-being of the people come from? ”

Chen Tingjing understood that the emperor was really going to attack him. But this was all in his expectation, and he was at peace in his heart. As a minister, what can you do? At the end of Zhang Pengxi's train, he couldn't see the emperor's face clearly, but his face was already iron-blue. The emperor threw the fold on the dragon case and stopped talking. For a while, the Qianqing door was so quiet that people couldn't breathe.

Suddenly, Zhang Ying stepped forward and knelt down to play: "Chen Tingjing's four crimes: first, the king is disrespectful and undignified; 2. Vainly slandering the government and being disloyal; 3. Calling friends and attracting classes, forming parties for personal gain; Fourth, arrogant and arrogant, suppressing colleagues. There is an excerpt here, please the emperor to take a look! ”

Chen Tingjing never imagined that Zhang Ying would join him, so he couldn't help but close his eyes and couldn't say a word. Suddenly, there were a lot of mosquitoes flying into the hall, and there was a buzzing sound.

The emperor said: "If you have something to say, you must not discuss it privately!" I can listen to advice! ”

Zhang Pengxi stepped forward and knelt down and said: "What the minister said on the excerpt is what he said in his heart, and it has nothing to do with Chen Tingjing!" Zhang Ying's participation in Chen Tingjing's crimes are all made out of nothing! ”

Zhang Wang also stepped forward and knelt down to play: "Minister Zhang Wang thinks that Chen Ting is loyal to the imperial court, and Zhang Ying's involvement is not true!" ”

Many ministers in the palace stood up to speak for Chen Tingjing, and the emperor was even more annoyed and said, "Enough! Zhang Pengxi disregarded the overall situation of the imperial court, was loyal and betrayal, and pretended to be a minister, but in fact he was a traitor! Paranoid and narrow-minded, rat-eyed, ridiculous and hateful! ”

Chen Tingjing knew that the more people who protected him, the more dangerous he became, so he hurriedly knelt down and played: "I am willing to accept the guilt!" Please only forgive Zhang Pengxi! Zhang Pengxi didn't know what the big family co-ordination was, and he heard the minister say that he was going to be on the fold. ”

The emperor glanced at Chen Tingjing and said, "Chen Tingjing secretly befriended the imperial history, slandered the government, and blatantly committed it, the crime is unforgivable!" Zhang Pengxi and Chen Tingjing are more than traitors, hateful and hateful! I will discuss with Jiuqing Mingzhu and be punished severely! ”

Mingzhu bowed his head and was expressionless. The servants were speechless, and no one dared to speak up.

The emperor said: "I have always ruled the world with leniency, and I have never found fault with the ministers. But the disadvantages of the friends are deeply harmful, and I will never tolerate them! All the ministers must take Chen Tingjing as a warning, be frank, live in a clear and honest manner, and do not shout in private, form a party for personal gain, and slander the court! ”

After the emperor's edict was completed, he conferred the title of Zhang Yinghanlin Academy's bachelor, teaching Shu Jishi, and the right attendant of the Ministry of Rites. Zhang Ying was stunned for a long time, and hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down to thank him. He felt that his official position was really dishonorable, and his face was like a fly crawling with him, which was very uncomfortable.

Chen Tingjing returned home, locked him in the study, and stroked the piano. Yueyuan and Zhen'er both knew about the affairs in the court, so they went to the study to guard Chen Tingjing. Zhen'er was very angry and said, "How can there be such an unreasonable emperor? I said, master, don't do it, you, a Beijing official! ”

Chen Tingjing was still stroking the qin, smiling bitterly and shaking his head. Yueyuan said: "I admire Mr. Fu Shan now, he said that if he doesn't become an official, he won't be an official!" ”

Chen Ting sighed: "But I'm not Fu Shan!" ”

Yueyuan said: "I know that the master is not Fu Shan, so I have to be wronged!" ”

Chen Tingjing closed his eyes and was silent, and the sound of the piano under his hands became more and more angry. Zhen'er said: "Zhen'er often hears the master talk about what Lord Zhang Ying, saying that he has good character and literary talent, why is he also a bastard?" It's all because the old man believes in people too much. ”

Chen Tingjing became irritable, and said to the qin: "What's the matter! Whenever I am in trouble, everyone counts me down! ”

Yueyuan hurriedly comforted: "Master, Zhen'er and I are all worried about you." If you don't like to hear it, we won't talk about it. Cuiping, make a pot of tea, let's accompany the master to drink tea and talk. ”

Chen Tingjing waved his hand and said, "I understand your thoughts, and I don't blame you." I want to be alone at this moment, so let's all go and rest. ”

Yueyuan and Zhen'er went out, and Chen Tingjing sat alone for a long time and went to copy the scriptures in front of the bookcase. He was transcribing the Vajra Prajnaparamita Sutra for his mother. A few days ago, he received a letter from his family, knowing that his mother's health was not very good, so Chen Tingjing made a vow to copy a few Buddhist scriptures for his mother to bless the old man with a long life.

At the time of the third watch, Yueyuan and Zhen'er had not yet slept. Suddenly, the sound of the piano was heard again, Yueyuan sighed, got up and went to the study. Jane was also careful to follow behind. Yueyuan pushed open the door of the study and said, "Master, you can rest, you have to go to court early tomorrow!" ”

Chen Tingjing abruptly stopped the piano and said, "Don't worry, I don't have to go to the early dynasty." ”

Yueyuan and Zhen'er looked at each other in fright, they didn't know how bad things were, but they didn't dare to ask in detail.

When it was almost dawn, Chen Tingjing went to bed to rest, and soon fell asleep. He slept until noon and didn't wake up, but he was woken up by Yueyuan. It turned out that the hometown in Shanxi sent a letter. When Chen Tingjing heard that there was a letter at home, he was already beating the drum in his heart. He has always had a sense of foreboding lately, and he is afraid of receiving a letter from home. After opening the letter, Chen Tingjing immediately rolled out of bed, knelt on the ground and cried bitterly: "Mother, my son is not filial, I should go back to Shanxi to see you!" ”

It turned out that the old lady had passed away. Yueyuan and Zhen'er also cried bitterly. The cry spread outside, and everyone knew that the old lady had gone, and the whole house was crying. The family cried for a long time, and no one had any ideas. Chen Tingjing was in a trance for a moment and slowly came to his senses. He wiped away his tears, and while writing an excerpt to the emperor to tell him about the leave and guarding the system, he went to the court to report the news.

Mingzhu saw that the emperor's original intention was not to re-govern Chen Tingjing, but to make it impossible for the government and the opposition to oppose the overall planning of large households. But the emperor spoke very harshly, and he didn't know how to convict Chen Tingjing. The condemnation is light, and it seems to be contrary to the holy will; The crime is heavy, which is not the emperor's original intention, and it seems that he is taking advantage of the whole person. He pondered again and again, and decided to give the emperor room for benevolence. Mingzhu Cloud covered the fog and said a few words, and the three princes and nine ministers understood what he meant. Therefore, it was agreed that Chen Tingjing would degrade Fengtian, and Zhang Pengxi would fill Ningguta.

After Mingzhu finished discussing the case of Chen Tingjing and Zhang Pengxi, he still went to the south study. Zhang Ying happened to receive Chen Tingjing's excerpt and knew that Mrs. Chen had passed away. He felt extremely guilty in the past few days, but he couldn't explain the reason to Chen Tingjing. Now that he sees that Chen Tingjing's family is in a big matter, he has an idea in his heart. Zhang Ying saw Mingzhu coming, and was about to talk to him about Chen Tingjing's family, when he suddenly saw Zhang Shande come in and make a face at them. Mingzhu and the others immediately wanted to go out to avoid it, but Zhang Shande said that the emperor asked everyone to stay inside.

Not long after, the emperor came in with his hands behind his back, and asked, "Is it agreed?" ”

Mingzhu knew what the emperor was asking, so he said: "The Jiuqing meeting discussed, Chen Tingjing belittled Fengtian, and Zhang Pengxi filled Ningguta!" ”

The emperor was silent for a moment and said: "I remember that Chen Tingjing has made meritorious contributions for many years, and his parents are old, so don't go to the border, change the reprimand and go home, and never use it!" Yushi Zhang Pengxi changed to Yili, and he was never allowed to return to Beijing! ”

When Zhang Ying heard this, his heart was slightly relaxed. Chen Tingjing doesn't have to go to Fengtian, he will suffer less. Although it will never be used, there will still be days of ups and downs as time passes. It's just that Zhang Pengxi was really wronged, but the emperor was angry, and it hurt him to intercede at this time.

Gao Shiqi bowed his head and said: "The ministers are grateful for the emperor's magnanimity, and they should take Chen Tingjing as a warning and be careful of errands!" ”

The emperor sat down and said: "Since ancient times, there have been cases of civil officials misleading the country and saying that officials are chaotic. The dynasty originally set the imperial history as the third grade, and the father emperor was wise and lowered the imperial history to the seventh grade. When I was not in power, the auxiliary ministers promoted the imperial history to the fourth grade. Today, I still want to reduce the imperial history to seven grades, and it will always be customized! ”

Zhang Ying waited for the emperor to finish speaking, and hurriedly stepped forward to kneel and play: "Start the emperor, Chen Tingjing's old mother has passed away!" ”

The emperor was shocked and hurriedly asked how long it had been. Zhang Ying said: "Chen Tingjing said that when he returned to Shanxi this time, he did not go home to visit his mother because of an urgent errand. Only now did he know that his mother had been sick in bed for a long time, and he was afraid that Tingjing and Tingtong brothers would be distracted, so he didn't let him tell! Chen Tingjing blamed himself for his unfilial piety, regretted it too much, and asked for a three-year leave to abide by the system. ”

The emperor shook his head and sighed: "The dynasty rules the world with loyalty and filial piety, and as a son of man, filial piety comes first." Quasi-Chen Tingjing quickly returned to Shanxi to take care of his mother's funeral, and kept the system for three years! ”

Zhang Ying kowtowed again: "The minister asks the emperor to forgive Chen Tingjing's sins, which is also a comfort to the old man's spirit in the sky!" The emperor looked at Zhang Ying, who was kneeling on the ground, didn't spit out a word, got up and returned to the palace.

The next day, the emperor said at the Qianqing Gate: "Although the merits cannot be overcome, Chen Tingjing has been preaching for many years, and he has also made many suggestions on major affairs of the court. Unfortunately, when his old mother died, I felt pity and couldn't bear to ask for the guilt immediately. I allowed Chen Tingjing to go home and guard the system for three years, and I will talk about all the crimes he committed later! ”

Chen Tingjing himself was not present, the emperor issued an edict, and the hall was just quiet. Only then did Zhang Ying understand that yesterday he pleaded for Chen Tingjing, but the emperor did not refuse, but was unwilling to say it. The emperor was benevolent and generous, and he had the heart to forgive Chen Tingjing, but he didn't want to give this favor to others.

The emperor really said again: "Not long ago, Chen Tingjing went to Shanxi on an order, but because he was on an errand, he didn't care about going home to visit his mother. His mother was already sick in bed, but she was afraid that her son would be distracted and was not allowed to tell him. In a thought, yin and yang are forever separated! Every time I think of this, I can't sleep and eat! I ordered Zhang Ying and Gao Shiqi to go to Chen Tingjing's house to offer condolences on their behalf! ”

The emperor said that, and the palace was shocked. Zhang Ying was busy thanking the edict, but Gao Shiqi said: "Playing the emperor, the emperor sent condolences to the minister's parents, there is no precedent!" Besides, Chen Tingjing is still a criminal minister! ”

The emperor glanced at Gao Shiqi and said, "There is no precedent, so start with Chen Tingjing and always be the law!" ”

After going to the court, Zhang Ying discussed with Gao Shiqi to go to the Chen family to worship his mother. Gao Shiqi said: "Lord Zhang, Shiqi is really confused. You have a very close personal relationship with Chen Tingjing, but you have joined him; Since you joined him, why do you want to protect him in the future? The emperor said that Chen Tingjing would be dealt with strictly, but after all, he was reluctant to demote him to Fengtian, and only let him go home to enjoy Qingfu. Now that his mother is dead, the emperor has set a precedent and sent ministers to sacrifice! ”

Zhang Yingdao: "Thank the emperor for his grace." Since there is no precedent, we have to discuss it. ”

Seeing Zhang Ying's tone, Gao Shiqi felt bored and stopped talking.