The Jiuqing meeting was held for several days, and Mingzhu was self-defeating, and a list of more than 50 Mingzhu henchmen was listed. Chen Tingjing understood what the emperor meant, and repeatedly said that it was not appropriate to involve too many people. But the Jiuqing meeting is now headed by Suo Etu, and he can't listen to other people's words, only saying that he will support him when the sky falls. Chen Tingjing couldn't persuade him, so he didn't say more.

The emperor saw the excerpt, and immediately summoned Suo Etu, Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue, etc., and scolded: "I can see it, you all want to take advantage of the Mingzhu, the party is the same and different, and the power is self-respecting!" There are more than 50 people mentioned in this excerpt, including Shangshu, Shilang, Governor, Fu, and Dao. If I remove all these people, won't the kingdom be over? "The emperor slammed the fold on the dragon case.

Chen Tingjing said: "The minister has repeatedly said that you should not involve too many people. ”

The emperor interrupted Chen Tingjing's words and asked Suo Etu: "You presided over the Jiuqing meeting, you can talk about it." ”

Suo Etu said: "The minister thinks that the pearl friends are all over the world, and only by eliminating the evil can we ensure that the future is clear!" ”

The emperor glared at Suo Etu and said, "Don't be high-sounding. You have a vendetta with Mingzhu, who in the world doesn't know? I still let you go out on an errand, but you are so open-minded, how can you convince people? ”

Suo Etu hurriedly kowtowed and pleaded guilty: "The minister is guilty!" ”

The emperor scolded Suo Etu for a long time and said: "Only a few people mentioned in Zhang Pengxi's excerpt will be investigated, and no one else will be investigated!" ”

Xu Qianxue arched his hand and said: "The emperor is benevolent and generous, and all officials in the world must know that they are vigilant!" ”

Suo Etu was still unwilling and wanted to speak. The emperor didn't wait for him to say anything, so he said: "Suo Etu has to talk about it!" Let's pass on the pearl to meet you! Don't go. ”

After a while, Mingzhu's face was like earth, and when he entered the hall, he knelt on the ground and cried, kowtowed, and said, "The guilty minister Mingzhu knocks to see the emperor." ”

The emperor said: "You just kneel, I won't tell you to get up and talk today." ”

Mingzhu kowtowed again and again, and said, "The minister deserves death." ”

The emperor glanced at Mingzhu and said, "You shouldn't be saying kind words, right?" Indeed, you have sinned heinantly! But I'm not a man who likes to offend ministers, and I'm always thinking of your good. Ping San Domain, you are meritorious; You also have merit in receiving Taiwan. I remember your past achievements, and I can't bear to treat you seriously. Remove you from the post of scholar of Wuyingdian University and secretary of the Ministry of Justice, serve as the Minister of the Interior, and hand it over to the Minister of the Guard! ”

Mingzhu knocked his head with a bang: "Thank you for the emperor's grace not to kill!" ”

When Suo Etu heard that he had handed over the pearl to the ministers of the guard, he couldn't help but show a look of pride on his face.

The emperor said again: "Chen Tingjing will be transferred to the Ministry of Officials, and the Ministry of Officials will be appointed separately." ”

Chen Tingjing hurriedly knelt down to thank him. Although he had already known the holy will, he was still afraid. He didn't want people to say that he was the secretary of the ministry and Mingzhu stepped down in one place, after all, Mingzhu's henchmen are still all over the world.

The emperor said: "You all step down, Mingzhu stays." ”

Suo Etu, Chen Tingjing and the others all retreated, and Mingzhu lay on the ground and cried again.

The emperor asked, "Why are there so many tears?" Afraid, or aggrieved? ”

Mingzhu said: "Playing the emperor, Mingzhu risked death to say a word, and the minister is really unconvinced!" ”

The emperor said: "I know that you are not convinced, so I left you behind." You have to point out all your bad deeds before you are convinced, right? ”

Mingzhu knew that he was crying and did not answer. The emperor said: "Just because you instructed Wang Jiwen to conceal the money and grain left by Wu Sangui, you should be killed!" ”

Mingzhu suddenly raised his head and said in horror: "Huh? Emperor...... The minister is guilty...... But this ...... This...... It's all Chen Tingjing who planted him! ”

The emperor scolded: "I really don't know what to do! You have to thank Chen Tingjing! Chen Tingjing is generally knowledgeable, and he will not let me make the bad things you and Wang Jiwen public, otherwise you and Wang Jiwen will be dead! Not to mention how many governors, fu, provinces, and counties you have sold! ”

Mingzhu didn't dare to say more, just kowtowed.

On Mingzhu's way home, it was already dark. Antu followed behind with the sedan chair, not daring to say more than half a sentence. Mingzhu Fujin knew that there was a lot of luck today, so he waited at the door early. When she saw the sedan chair coming, she hurriedly greeted her and carried the old man into the house.

The family had prepared a table of good dishes, but Mingzhu didn't want to eat a grain of rice. Fu Jin said: "Master, I specially ordered this table of dishes to be prepared below to surprise you." ”

Mingzhu said forcefully: "What are you surprised? What's so scary about the old man? ”

Mingzhu said it, snorting hatefully. Fu Jin smiled: "That's good, that's good." The lord knows that I don't drink alcohol on weekdays, but today I want to drink a glass of wine with the master. Come, I wish the lord peace and security as soon as possible, or Ji Tai comes! ”

Mingzhu saw that Fujin had good intentions, and he couldn't help crying, and said: "The old man Xie Fujin is so virtuous!" ”

The couple clinked glasses and looked at each other and smiled.

Antu took the servant's wine jug, poured the wine, and said, "The little one thinks that the master will be fine soon." Don't say that the emperor didn't kill Ao Bai before, just say that the emperor is also very kind to Suo Etu? Your weight in the eyes of the emperor is much heavier than Suo Etu! Suo Etu has been hanging for a few years, isn't it out of the mountain again? ”

Mingzhu shook her head and smiled bitterly, thinking that her weight was much heavier than Suo Etu, but what she committed was much heavier than Suo Etu.

Antu said again: "Isn't it just to hide Wu Sangui's money and grain?" If the emperor doesn't pursue it, won't it be fine? ”

Mingzhu still didn't speak, he knew that if this matter was left there, he would never want to turn over. Whenever the emperor wants to offend him, he can bring up the old matter again. Chen Tingjing is indeed kind to him in this matter, but great kindness is like hatred!

Thinking of this, Mingzhu was very resentful, and had a plan, and said: "Antu, when the old man repairs a book, you will send it to Suo Etu's mansion." ”

Antu took Mingzhu's letter and sent it to Suo'etu's mansion overnight. I heard that the housekeeper in the Mingzhu Mansion sent a letter, but Suo Etu only said that no one was seen, and he didn't answer the letter. The family explained that you can not see the people in the Zhu Mansion, and the letter is still to see. Suo Etu was angry when he heard this, and said, "What kind of letter do you read?" is nothing more than begging me to speak for him in front of the emperor, the old man finally waited until today, wishing that he would be broken into thousands of pieces! ”

The family said, "The master should look at his letter and see what trick he wants to play." ”

Suo Etu was so impatient that he yelled for someone to bring the letter in. The letter was delivered, and the family opened it and handed it to Suo Etu. I saw that the letter read: "Lord Suo Etu, Mingzhu has worked with Your Excellency for thirty-six years!" There are many teachings, and there are many benefits. Although Mingzhu is a sinner, he is still worried about national affairs. Xiang Mingzhu competes with Your Excellency, not to invite grace alone, but to serve the court more. However, the competition is inevitably business-like, and it often backfires. Suddenly looking back, I regretted it. Fortunately, there are Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue, and Gao Shiqi in the court, who are excellent in learning, valuable in character, and all of them are talented in the prime of their lives. Mingzhu wishes that Your Excellency will be broad-minded, live in harmony with all the princes, and work together with the Lord. ”

When Suo Etu read this, he laughed and said: "How to be a courtier, how to be loyal to the emperor, and use his pearl to teach the old man!" Mingzhu wants me to work in harmony with Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue, Gao Shiqi, etc.! He really understands righteousness! These Han officials, not a day does not wait to see the old man's jokes, they? Hum! ”

Suo Etu's heart moved, thinking that Chen Tingjing secretly poured out the pearl, just to replace it, he didn't have this dream! Chen Tingjing will overthrow the pearl today, won't he overthrow my Suo Etu tomorrow? The old man never wanted to let go of Chen Tingjing! And that Xu Qianxue is not a good thing! Let's look at the old man's means!

It was in the past few days that Zhang Wang confessed some things, and Suo Etu was overjoyed and immediately met the emperor secretly. The emperor was not angry and asked, "You are so anxious to see me, what is the big deal?" ”

Suo Etu said: "Your Majesty, Zhang Wei confessed that Mingzhu, Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue, and Gao Shiqi have all received his silver!" ”

The emperor said angrily: "Why is Zhang Wang so rebellious? Seleng and Yu Chenglong have checked successively, and although the results of the investigation are diametrically opposite, they have never heard of these people taking bribes. Now that you have taken over the case, there has been another incident! ”

Suo Etu said: "The minister just wants to clarify the facts of the case and avoid being unjustly imprisoned!" ”

The emperor sneered and said, "What an unjust prison! I can see it, now that the pearl has fallen, you want to quickly clean up Chen Tingjing and a few of them, you will be the first in the world! ”

Suo Etu kowtowed again and again, sincerely frightened, and said: "Your Majesty, Zhang Wang is very convincing!" He said that he was old, and God blessed him to be a political envoy, and it was Mingzhu, Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue, and Gao Shiqi who asked him to be the governor and governor. If you want to do it, you have to give silver. Your Majesty, if it weren't for Zhang Wang's confession, how would the minister dare to be so bold! ”

The emperor said coldly: "I know your guts. Okay, I'll see it. ”

Suo Etu said again: "The minister didn't dare to assert whether a few of them were innocent, but Zhang Wei said that Gao Shiqi was greedy for silver, and the minister didn't believe it. Gao Shiqi lives in the forbidden city, how can others get in? ”

When the emperor heard this, he was even more angry, and said: "You don't say what you say before you speak, you don't believe that Gao Shiqi is greedy for silver, but you believe that other people are greedy?" Gao Shiqi is your old friend, I know! ”

Suo Etu did mean to protect Gao Shiqi, but in order to show that he was doing things fairly, he had to name Gao Shiqi and then speak for him. Suo Etu actually concealed Gao Shiqi's crime of bullying the king. It turned out that this time Zhang Wang's eyes were red, and he confessed all the things about Gao Shiqi's fake paintings to the emperor. Suo Etu privately ordered someone to delete Zhang Wang's confession, but he didn't tell Gao Shiqi about it. In his eyes, Gao Shiqi was originally a little grasshopper, and he couldn't go to him to show his merits. And Gao Shiqi bullied the king or not, Suo Etu didn't care, he just needed Gao Shiqi to be his minion.

Suo Etu retreated, and the emperor picked up the fold and looked at it for a long time, and fell heavily on the case. Suo Etu's intentions, the emperor can see clearly. But whether Zhang Wang's confession is true or not, the emperor is not sure. In the past few months, Zhang Wang, Zu Zeshen, Wang Jiwen, and Mingzhu have been involved in one case after another, and the emperor is very troubled. These scholars have been successful in the examination for ten years, and they were originally innocent, but it is difficult for them to defend themselves after being officials for a long time. The emperor sighed for a long time, called Zhang Shande, and asked him to pass on the decree separately, so that these people could make it clear by themselves.

Chen Tingjing was dealing with the documents at the yamen of the Ministry of Officials, and suddenly heard that someone from the Qianqing Palace was coming, so he hurriedly went out to greet him. I saw Zhang Shande come in and said, "Chen Tingjing takes the order!" ”

Chen Tingjing knelt down. Zhang Shande said: "The emperor dictated, Zhang Wang confessed, saying that in order to be the governor and the governor, he successively sent silver to Chen Tingjing; Now that he has committed a crime, he sent silver to Chen Tingjing and asked him to take care of it. Chen Tingjing quickly took a break and saw what he said. Chin this! ”

After Zhang Shande finished announcing the edict, he hurriedly asked Chen Tingjing to get up. Chen Ting stood up and looked at Zhang Shande for a long time before he spoke: "Father-in-law Zhang, what's going on?" Did you hear what the emperor said? ”

Zhang Shande shook his head and said: "Zhang Wang has confessed you and Mingzhu, Xu Qianxue, and Gao Shiqi, the emperor is very annoying!" ”

Chen Tingjing listened, and he already understood eight or nine points in his heart. When he went home and talked about this, Chen Tingjing was very troubled. Jia Yao felt that her face was gloomy, and said, "How could my father-in-law be like this?" ”

Yueyuan said: "Your father-in-law must blame your father for refusing to help save him, so he bit him back!" ”

Zu Yan felt that there was no place to put his face, and said, "Father-in-law, I'm really sorry!" I didn't expect my dad to make such a decision! ”

Chen Tingjing said: "Mingzhu They are only afraid that they really received the silver, so I can't say it clearly!" It's hard to tell the real from the fake! ”

Zhen'er comforted: "Master, real gold is not afraid of fire, there is nothing to fear." ”

Chen Ting sighed: "Zu Yan, I don't care about it myself, things can always be explained." I'm worried about your daddy! The more he explains, the faster he dies! Originally, the emperor only wanted to remove him from his post and let him go home to retire. If he bites now, others will kill him! ”

Jia Yao and Zu Yan immediately cried and begged Chen Tingjing to try to save people. Chen Tingjing said: "Your father is guilty, that's for sure. I have been secretly saving him, but I cannot tell you clearly. I didn't expect my in-laws to be so angry, thinking that I would not be saved when I saw death, and in turn framed me! ”

Yueyuan said: "Master, no matter how you say it, they are all relatives, and now it's useless to complain about him, you have to find a way to save people." ”

Chen Tingjing said: "He has been an official for decades, why doesn't he understand the reason? The important thing is to save yourself! Wang Jiwenguan doesn't say anything until now, he is carrying the matter alone, and he doesn't even say what the emperor already knows. In fact, the emperor didn't want him to say it all. ”

Chen Tingjing's family couldn't understand what he said, and it was inexplicable.

Zu Yan asked: "Father-in-law, how can the imperial court enforce the law like this?" ”

Chen Tingjing just shook his head and didn't answer.

For many days, the emperor ignored Zhang Wang's confession, and Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue, and Gao Shiqi lived like a year. And their folds have also gone up, and they have not seen the Holy Judgment for a long time. Mingzhu is worry-free, he guessed the emperor's thoughts, and knew that if he added a few more serious crimes to his body, he would not make him lose his head. On the contrary, he was quite proud, thinking that Suo Etu really got into his trap and began to participate in people. Mingzhu also made a special plea for this, and confessed that he had accepted Zhang Wang's silver and became an official.

It wasn't until two months later that the emperor came to the south study and said: "I didn't want to pay attention to Suo Etu's excerpts, but since he took over Mingzhu's trial of Zhang Wang's case, how could I be rash." Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue, Gao Shiqi, I have read all the excerpts you have made, do you have anything else to say? ”

Xu Qianxue spoke first and said: "Your Majesty, the ministers will not defend themselves first, and first say a few fair words for Chen Tingjing." Chen Tingjing and Zhang Wang are in-laws, and the minister has not seen him say half a word for Zhang Wang, how can he say that he has taken bribes? ”

Suo Etu said: "Your Majesty, Xu Qianxue wants to say that Chen Tingjing did not take bribes, and he is innocent." But Mingzhu has taken bribes, what does this mean? According to Xu Qianxue's reasoning, doesn't it just show that the four of them have taken bribes? ”

The emperor said: "You are just messing around!" Chen Tingjing didn't say a word, but I believed that he was innocent. ”

Chen Tingjing immediately kowtowed to thank him, and said: "Your Majesty, Zhang Wang's case has been investigated, and there should be no more entanglement." Although Zhang Wang and his ministers are so good, it is really a matter of willfulness and human nature, and he should not be convicted of a new crime because of this. ”

After hearing this, the emperor nodded and said: "Suo Etu, the matter of Mingzhu has been decided, don't make any more extraneous branches." The facts of Zhang Wang, Wang Jiwen, and Zu Zeshen's cases are also clear, so don't ask any more questions. I don't want too many people involved. ”

Suo Etu saw that the emperor had made up his mind, and even though he was unhappy in his heart, he had to obey the order.

The emperor talked about the truth of being a minister for a long time, and then said: "Zhang Wang bullied the king and hurt his friends, and it is really hateful to be a minister and a person, and it is not a pity to kill him." I remember that he was honest and self-disciplined in his early years, and he also made a difference in governing the local area, so that he could avoid capital crimes. Get rid of his job and go home to retire! Wang Jiwen's talent is commendable, but it's a pity that he has too much power and does foolish things. He was removed from his post as governor of Yunnan and Guizhou and reappointed as governor of Guangxi! Zu Ze Shenzhen has heard about it for a long time, puffs out his lips and shakes his tongue, looks at fortune telling, confuses the public with gossip, is greedy and cool for officials, it is simply heinous, kill it. ”

Chen Tingjing saw that Zhang Wang finally saved his life, and secretly recited Buddha in his heart. I was puzzled to hear that Wang Jiwen was still serving as a governor. Although Zu Zeshen died unjustly, he was the least guilty of the three.

The emperor said again: "Zhang Pengxi's participation in the impeachment of Mingzhu has merit, and the official has been promoted to three levels, and he will go down to be a prefect!" Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue, and Gao Shiqi are clearly framed by Zhang Wang, so there is no need to ask any more. ”

Chen Tingjing, Xu Qianxue, and Gao Shiqi all knelt down and kowtowed to thank him. Chen Tingjing said again: "Qi the emperor, thank the emperor for his innocence, but after all, the minister and Zhang Wang are in-laws, and the emperor believes in the minister's innocence, and others may not be willing to believe it." I beg the emperor to go home. ”

The emperor was very dissatisfied when he heard this, and said: "Chen Tingjing, why are you scholars all this problem? As soon as there is a fire in your heart, you shout to go home? ”

Suo Etu took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire and said: "Playing the emperor, Chen Tingjing is not grateful for the emperor's grace, but clamoring to go home, and the emperor will let him go." There are many people in the world, and it doesn't matter if there is more or less. ”

Chen Tingjing said: "Your Majesty, the minister's desire to go home is by no means a momentary mood. Since being framed by Zhang Wang, the minister has not been frightened for a day, not careless for a day, depressed, forgetful, and clumsy in his mind every time he plays correctly. In the long run, I am afraid that the big thing will be missed. Furthermore, in order not to let others say that the emperor is partial to the minister, the minister should also voluntarily go home to avoid suspicion. The old father of the minister is one in eighty, and he leans on the door every day to look forward to his son's homecoming. The minister wants to return to his father as soon as possible and fulfill his filial piety for a few years. Chen Tingjing said this, tears in his eyes.

After hearing Chen Tingjing's words, the emperor also bowed his head and wept, sighed for a long time, and said: "Poor Chen Tingjing is sincere, how can I be a merciless person?" Allow you to be dismissed from your original position and still serve as the president of Xiushu! ”

Chen Tingjing thanked the emperor for his mercy and kowtowed repeatedly. Xu Qianxue and Gao Shiqi saw that the emperor allowed Chen Tingjing to return to the field, and they were overjoyed.

Xu Qianxue hurriedly said: "The emperor, Chen Tingjing is an official, and they are all role models for ministers. After he went home, there were fewer people around the emperor, and the ministers were more energetic and diligent! ”

Gao Shiqi also said: "What Xu Qianxue said is exactly what the minister said in his heart, and the minister has ...... since then."

The emperor interrupted Gao Shiqi and said, "Okay, I understand your loyalty. When Chen Tingjing said that he avoided suspicion, I thought it was also reasonable. Since Chen Tingjing went home, Xu Qianxue and Gao Shiqi should also go home, lest others say that I favor one over the other. ”

Xu Qianxue and Gao Shiqi were shocked when they heard this, and they didn't know why for a while, but they made Suo Etu very happy. He already saw that Xu Qianxue was not a good thing, and wished that he would go home too. Suo Etu couldn't keep Gao Shiqi, and he didn't feel too sorry. He saw that Gao Shiqi, the dog minion, seemed to have a sense of detachment in front of him.

One day, Zhang Pengxi arrived at Chen Tingjing's house, and when he entered the door, he surrendered his hand to ask for guilt, but Chen Tingjing was puzzled. It turned out that Zhang Pengxi knew that he was released to the prefect of Qinzhou, although he was promoted to an official, it was actually equivalent to exile. Thinking that Qinzhou is separated from the mountains of the capital by a thousand weights, and the water crosses a hundred crossings, he may have to die of old age. This is exactly what Mingzhu said, he will be sent out again this time, but I am afraid that he will not be able to come back. Zhang Pengxi previously blamed Chen Tingjing for not speaking for him, and he was used as a gun. He later learned that Chen Tingjing was also wronged, and he felt that he was wrong.

Chen Tingjing smiled and said: "Pengxi, don't go to Qinzhou!" ”

Zhang Pengxi couldn't hear it clearly, and asked, "Why is this?" ”

Chen Tingjing said: "Someone spoke for you, and it was changed to Suzhou." Suzhou is a great place to be. ”

Zhang Pengxi couldn't believe that this was true, and looked at Chen Tingjing with straight eyes. Chen Tingjing just smiled and said, "You just go home and wait for news." Sure enough, within three days, Zhang Pengxi was relocated to the prefect of Suzhou.

Chen Tingjing was in Beijing for more than 20 days, entertained all the old protégés, and then led the family back to his hometown in Shanxi.