On this day, Chen Tingjing inquired left and right and found Zhang Xiangfu's home. Liu Jing stepped forward and knocked on the door, an old man poked his head out to look, Chen Tingjing asked, "Dare to ask if this is Mr. Zhang Xiangfu's house?" ”

The old man replied, "Exactly, is there something wrong?" ”

Chen Tingjing said: "I am a foreigner, passing by here. Mr. Mu Xiangfu's name came to visit. ”

The old man shook his head and said, "My son-in-law has been very bored these days and doesn't want to see guests. ”

Chen Tingjing said: "I won't bother too much, I just want to meet, say a few words and leave." ”

The old man hesitated for a moment and invited them into the courtyard. Chen Tingjing asked the people who went with him to stay outside and went in alone. When you enter the door, the small courtyard is extremely elegant and refreshing. Zhang Xiangfu heard the guests, and it took a long time to greet him lazily and said, "The small door is really cold." Dare to ask what advice does Mr. have? ”

Chen Tingjing said: "The old man's surname is Chen Mingjing, a foreigner, who has traveled all over the world, has also read a few sentences, is elegant and elegant, and likes to make friends with famous people all over the world." ”

Zhang Xiangfu looked listless and smiled: "What kind of celebrity am I!" Guarding some ancestral business, reading a few idle books, and living a miserable life! ”

Chen Tingjing smiled: "I see that you are living very comfortably!" ”

Zhang Xiangfu had no intention of keeping guests, but he invited guests into the house to drink tea in order to save face. Seeing that the walls of the guest hall were covered with ancient calligraphy and paintings, Chen Tingjing secretly marveled in his heart and asked, "Mr. Xiangfu, can you let me feast my eyes?" ”

Zhang Xiangfu said: "Sir, please." ”

Chen Tingjing stepped forward to take a closer look and sighed: "Authentic works, so many famous masterpieces, it's really rare!" There is a way to collect antiques in prosperous times, and collect gold in troubled times! ”

When Zhang Xiangfu heard this, he was unhappy in his heart, and said: "These are all things handed down by my ancestors, and they have nothing to do with prosperous and troubled times." Hangzhou has recently been in turmoil, and it is still prosperous! ”

Chen Tingjing turned around and asked, "What's going on in Hangzhou lately?" ”

Zhang Xiangfu said: "Yuhang County Yali has prepared hundreds of beauties, saying that they are ready to take over. The people heard that the emperor was going to draft a draft in Hangzhou, and the daughters in the family looked a little good, and they were all vying for someone to get married! ”

Chen Tingjing deliberately asked, "Is there really such a thing?" No wonder the sedan chairs come and go all day long on the street! ”

Zhang Xiangfu said again: "The yamen also forced me to write poems to praise the saints, and if I didn't write it, I would have to ask for it!" Think about it, what I have heard and witnessed is that the emperor's southern tour has made the people uneasy, can I write it? ”

Chen Tingjing shook his head and said, "I think things are all crooked from below!" ”

Zhang Xiangfu looked at Chen Tingjing and said angrily: "Everyone in the world is this problem!" always said that the emperor was originally good, but it was all bad things for the corrupt officials below. However, these corrupt officials are all appointed by the emperor! Could it be that they are doing nonsense below, and the emperor really doesn't know? If I really don't know, then I am a faint king, and what other holiness is worthy of my poetry to praise? ”

Chen Tingjing said with a smile: "I heard that the current emperor is really a saint. ”

Zhang Xiangfu sighed and shook his head constantly.

Chen Tingjing said: "Mr. Xiangfu, the old man thinks that if you don't want to write poems, you won't write them, and you won't be convicted because of this." ”

Zhang Xiangfu sighed: "Whether you write poems or not, it is naturally up to me." I'm sad that there is a family heirloom treasure that was snatched away by Yuhang County! ”

It turned out that in the yamen, in order to take over, all those who have treasures hidden in the house, regardless of ancient calligraphy and paintings, rare mountain stones, pearls and jade, must present one to the emperor. Zhang Xiangfu's family has a Mi Fu's "Spring Mountain Ruisong Map", the ancestral treasure of the town, also called Yuhang County Ya to take away.

Chen Tingjing listened to Zhang Xiangfu's details, and said: "Mr. Xiangfu don't have to be sad, the emperor won't want your baby, at most play for a few days, and return it to you as it is." ”

Zhang Xiangfu was willing to believe it, but just shook his head. Chen Tingjing said with a smile: "I would like to make a bet with Mr. Xiangfu that your treasure will be returned to Zhao after all the safekeeping." ”

Although Zhang Xiangfu didn't believe Chen Tingjing's words, he saw that this gentleman was not bad, so he wanted to leave him for a few drinks. Chen Tingjing wanted to find out more about the affairs of the Yuhang County Yali, so he followed the master's wishes with a few polite words.

Today, Liu Xiangnian was also quietly found by Prince Cheng's people, and he was sent away without saying a few important words. Liu Xiangnian was not familiar with the rules in the palace, and when he saw Prince Cheng, he just kowtowed. When he came out of the inn, he only remembered that the three dogs were very scary, and he did not see Prince Qingcheng's appearance. He was admitted to the Jinshi and stayed in the Hanlin Academy for three years, and then released the magistrate. He later became the prefect, and he was recommended by Chen Tingjing. Recently, it was rumored that the emperor in Hangzhou sent a secret visit to the emperor, could it be that this Prince Cheng was talking about?

At night, Liu Xiangnian was thinking hard about the meaning of Prince Nacheng's summoning him, when a person with a northern accent entered the prefect's yamen. This person refused to report his name and surname, but said that he was from the capital and wanted to see the prefect. The door was passed in, and Liu Xiangnian was afraid that it would be Prince Cheng's person again, so he let that person enter the back office.

When the man saw Liu Xiangnian, he didn't say who he was, but said: "Lord Liu, your master of Taiwan, Ah Shan, has already joined you." The emperor was very angry when he saw the secret music! ”

Liu Xiangnian asked, "What did he do with me?" ”

The man said, "Isn't it disrespectful?" ”

Liu Xiangnian smiled and said, "Ah Shan's whole person is resolute!" ”

The man said, "Lord Liu doesn't have to worry too much. Lord Xu Qianxue asked me to send a message to you, first, let you have a bottom in your heart and think of a way to deal with it; Second, Master Xu asked me to tell you that he will mediate to keep you safe. ”

Xu Qianxue's name Liu Xiangnian naturally knows that it is the current secretary of the Criminal Department and a bachelor of the cabinet. Liu Xiangnian said: "Thank you, Lord Xu." Please go back and tell Lord Xu that if you can do your best in the future, you will definitely repay it! ”

The man smiled and said, "Lord Liu, Lord Xu will go all out to help you resolve this difficulty, but he still has to dredge up other colleagues to convince the emperor." You also know Lord Xu's incorruptibility, he can't keep other people's money! ”

Liu Xiangnian looked at the visitor suspiciously, and asked, "What do you mean, Beifu still has some silver?" ”

The man bowed his head and drank his tea, and said, "I can't say this to me, you can do it yourself." ”

Liu Xiangnian asked: "Beifu doesn't understand the market, you can give a number." ”

The man bowed his head and said, "A hundred thousand taels of silver." ”

Liu Xiangnian laughed, stood up and said, "Brother, even if I, Liu, sell this prefect's yamen, it won't be worth 100,000 taels of silver!" ”

The man finally raised his head and said, "Lord Liu, I'm just passing on the word, Lord Xu really wants to help you, you weigh it yourself!" ”

Liu Xiangnian laughed again and said, "I weighed it, my Liu someone's black gauze hat is worth more than this prefect's yamen!" ”

The man asked coldly: "Lord Liu, don't just play haha, do you say a word, do you give out the silver or not?" ”

Liu Xiangnian smiled and said: "Please tell Lord Xu, Liu has thanked you!" Liu's black gauze hat is not worth so much silver. ”

The man's face changed, he raised his sleeves, and said, "Lord Liu, don't regret it!" ”

Liu Xiangnian also lowered his face and arched his hand: "I won't send it far!" ”

The man walked out of the prefect's yamen, bumped into a person without a head and brain, almost fell, scolded in a low voice, got on the horse and left. The person who came was Zhang Xiangfu, who had a personal relationship with the prefect, and came in after saying hello to the concierge. It turned out that Zhang Xiangfu sent Chen Tingjing away, thinking that he was really angry about what he had encountered recently, so he went to the prefect's yamen. Liu Xiangnian didn't expect Zhang Xiangfu to visit at night, so he hurriedly welcomed him into the study to speak.

Zhang Xiangfu was not angry and asked: "Lord Liu, on the territory of Hangzhou Mansion, is you big or Li Qilong bigger?" ”

Liu Xiangnian didn't know what was going on, so he only asked: "Xiangfu, you just asked this with your head and face, what's wrong with you?" ”

Zhang Xiangfu said: "Although I, Zhang Xiangfu, have no money and no power in Hangzhou, I am still a face-saving person. He, Li Qilong, also knew that I had a friendship with Lord Liu, but he just climbed on my head and! ”

Liu Xiangnian asked: "Tell me, what happened to you with Li Qilong?" ”

Zhang Xiangfu said: "He dragged me to the county government to study and kowtow for three whole days, and forced me to write poems to praise the saints, and also snatched my ancestral ancient paintings, saying that he wanted to enter the emperor!" ”

Liu Xiangnian couldn't help but scold: "Li Qilong is such a bastard!" ”

Zhang Xiangfu asked: "You can't take care of him?" ”

Liu Xiangnian sighed: "Behind him is Ah Shan!" ”

Zhang Xiangfu originally came to seek justice, but when he saw that Liu Xiangnian was not in a rut, he said: "Li Qilong is standing behind Ah Shan, and behind Ah Shan is the emperor." Now it's all right, we people don't want to live. ”

Liu Xiangnian hurriedly shook his hand and said, "Xiangfu, you can't say this!" The current emperor is indeed a saint. ”

Zhang Xiangfu smiled and said, "Hmph, it's this cavity again!" You all only know that the emperor is good, but the following corrupt officials and corrupt officials are bad! Today, there is an old gentleman who said that he traveled all over the world and came to my house to talk, and he also spoke the same tone as you! ”

Liu Xiangnian comforted him for a long time, and then remembered what Zhang Xiangfu had just said, so he asked, "What did Xiangfu say just now?" ”

Zhang Xiangfu said: "A foreigner, around sixty, claims to be surnamed Chen Mingjing. ”

Liu Xiangnian asked carefully for a while, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said, "Chen Jing? Chen Tingjing! It's him! Zhang Xiangfu was so surprised when he saw Liu Xiangnian like this, it was really strange, and asked, "Who is Chen Tingjing?" ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "He is a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion and a scholar of the Ministry of Officials!" Chen Zhongtang originally had a single honorific name, and when he was a jinshi, he was given the word 'court' by the first emperor. Liu Xiangnian originally thought that the rumored Qincha might be Prince Cheng, but at this time, there was another Chen Zhongtang, and this matter became more and more confusing.

Zhang Xiangfu was also taken aback at this time, and said, "It turns out that the old man is a prime minister? ”

Liu Xiangnian nodded and said, "He is my father-in-law!" More than 10 years ago, the emperor allowed ministers above the fourth grade to nominate honest officials, Chen Zhongtang and I never knew each other, only knew that I was an honest official, so he promoted me, and I became the prefect from the prefect. I finally lived up to Lord Chen's trust, and as an official, I must at least keep the word 'incorruptible'. It is precisely because I admit this reason that my prefect has gone from Suzhou to Yangzhou, from Yangzhou to Hangzhou, and I have always been suppressed by my boss! This time, I'm afraid that even the prefect won't be able to do it. ”

Zhang Xiangfu said: "Since it is Lord Chen, why don't you go and pay a visit?" He told me he lived in the Smoke and Rain Building. ”

Liu Xiangnian shook his head and said: "Xiangfu, since Chen Zhongtang does not reveal his true identity, it must be reasonable, and you don't want to tell anyone!" ”

Liu Xiangnian said so, he sent Zhang Xiangfu away, but he quietly visited Chen Tingjing. He thought to himself, what day is it? First of all, he was summoned by Prince Cheng in a daze, and Xu Qianxue's people came at night, and then I heard that Chen Tingjing was coming. Liu Xiangnian entered the Yanyu Building to inquire, and Dashun came out to see him. He said that it was Liu Xiangnian, the prefect of Hangzhou, and he wanted to meet Chen Zhongtang. Dashun heard the old man talk about this person on weekdays, so he reported it. Chen Tingjing also felt strange and asked Dashun to invite Liu Xiangnian into the house. Chen Tingjing hurriedly stood up, but Liu Xiangnian made a big salute and said, "Hangzhou Governor Liu Xiangnian pays a visit to Engong Chen Zhongtang!" ”

Chen Ting looked at it and said, "Oh, you are Liu Xiangnian?" Hurry up, please take a seat. ”

Liu Xiangnian sat down and said: "Hangzhou is spreading the wind, saying that the emperor toured the south and sent the minister down first, it turns out that there is indeed something going on!" ”

Chen Tingjing smiled: "Xiang Nian, I let you bump into it." The emperor instructed me to come down and have a look first, and I was not allowed to contact the local officials. The emperor did not allow the following to take over under the pretext of apportioning to the people, and did not allow the lower to be too extravagant. But I think you Hangzhou is a little weird! ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "Lord Zhongtang, I oppose Ah Shan's apportionment to the people, oppose the CCB Palace, Ah Shan has given me a secret recital to the emperor!" ”

Chen Tingjing was surprised in private, thinking to himself how could Liu Xiangnian know about the secret performance? Liu Xiangnian understood Chen Tingjing's thoughts, so he said: "It stands to reason that I won't know about the secret performance. I didn't dare to say it, I thought my head wouldn't be able to carry it on my neck for a few days anyway, and I said everything to you Chen Zhongtang again. Xu Qianxue sent someone to come to the door and tell me about the secret performance on Ah Shan, and asked me to give 100,000 taels of silver to eliminate the disaster. ”

Chen Tingjing was even more shocked, just because he talked about Xu Qianxue, it was inconvenient for him to speak at will. In his heart, he thought that Xu Qianxue liked to play power more and more, and he was hypocritical and greedy, so he had to find an opportunity to join him. Chen Tingjing thought to himself secretly, and heard Liu Xiangnian say: "I will go back, and I won't give out a tael of silver." ”

Chen Tingjing thought that Liu Xiangnian was really a Qing official, but it was inconvenient for him to comment on Xu Qianxue, so he only said: "Xiangnian, these words are said here, I know it in my heart." ”

Liu Xiangnian couldn't help but say again: "If he sends someone to the door to ask for money so clearly, he is not afraid of being denounced?" ”

Chen Tingjing said: "It has long been a trend and commonplace, but you are upright and fresh." People won't tell me if you give money or not. Don't talk about this anymore, Xiangnian, I just know it. ”

Liu Xiangnian thanked him, and listened to Chen Tingjing tell him everything he had seen and heard about coming to Hangzhou. The two chatted for a while, and Chen Tingjing suddenly asked again: "Xiangnian, what I saw along the road, most of them were not apportioned to the people, but they were all engaged in the driving project with great fanfare, where did the money come from?" ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "Not apportioning now does not mean that there will be no apportionment in the future. Just wait for the holy car to leave, and it will still be apportioned. When the time comes, use as much as you want, even if you do it mercifully, I'm afraid that all parts of the country will use the excuse of the emperor's southern tour to consume, and apportionment a lot of land! ”

Chen Tingjing said: "Oh, I expected it to be the same. But the emperor clearly said that everything was simple, why didn't he listen to it? ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "Although everyone knows that the emperor has a strict decree and is not allowed to take over extravagantly, no one dares to scribble. What's more, there are still people around the emperor who secretly order the next to take over the car. ”

Chen Tingjing asked, "What do you mean by Xiang Nian?" Take the car well, is this not wrong? ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "Beifu also has friends in the governor's yamen, and I heard them say that Ah Shan received a secret decree from the emperor and severely reprimanded Ah Shan for building a palace and being extravagant and wasteful; At the same time, he received a secret letter from the prince, telling him to take over the car well and not to be negligent. Ah Shan understood what the prince meant, that is, to make a big show. ”

Chen Tingjing heard this, and hurriedly said: "The matter involving the prince is not trivial. In the past year, the words will end here, the stakes are so important that we can't say it anymore. ”

Liu Xiangnian nodded speechlessly, worried. Chen Tingjing said: "You oppose the CCB Palace, this is exactly what the emperor meant, you don't have to worry about it." To take over the car well, it doesn't have to be Jianxing Palace. ”

Liu Xiang breathed a sigh of relief and seemed to be relieved. He remembered the matter of the Holy Oracle Lecture Hall again, so he said: "There is no Holy Oracle Lecture Hall in the Hangzhou Prefect's Yamen, and I originally thought that there was no need to build two lecture halls in the same city as the prefecture and county here. But Ah Shan talked about this a few days ago, although he didn't mention it in the secret music, but if he played the emperor in front of him, Beifu really didn't know what the bad luck was. ”

Chen Tingjing said: "I really can't make the decision for you about the Holy Oracle Lecture Hall. It is said that all prefectures and counties should be built, but if you don't build it now, no one will mention it, and some people will mention it, but I'm afraid it's another thing! But you have to build it before the emperor comes up, and it's too late. I can only say, in case the emperor knows, try to speak for you. ”

Liu Xiangnian hesitated whether to tell Prince Cheng about his visit to Hangzhou, because Prince Cheng said that it was a private visit to Weifu, and he was specially asked not to talk about it outside. Chen Tingjing saw that he seemed to have something to say, so he asked Dashun to take refuge for the time being. Liu Xiangnian thought that there would be no trouble if he told Chen Tingjing about this, so he said in a low voice: "Chen Zhongtang, Prince Cheng has arrived in Hangzhou, and he summoned me to meet today." The prince said that he was a secret visit, and he lived in the Shouning Pavilion, so he didn't let me talk outside. ”

Chen Tingjing was secretly surprised again, his face changed greatly, and he thought to himself that the emperor was making a secret visit to him along the road, why did he come out with Prince Cheng again? Chen Tingjing knew that the emperor was acting very secretly, so he instructed: "Since Prince Cheng told you not to say it outside, you shouldn't say it." I should not know about it, and you must not talk about it to any stranger. ”

Liu Xiangnian regretted that he shouldn't have mentioned it, and he was a little ashamed in his heart. It was not early, he thanked Chen Tingjing and got up to say goodbye. As soon as Liu Xiangnian walked to the door, Chen Tingjing asked again: "What did Prince Cheng say to you?" ”

Liu Xiangnian stopped, turned around and said: "Prince Cheng didn't say anything, just said that your Liu Xiangnian's official reputation is very good, I came to Hangzhou to see it for a few days, and seeing is believing." He said that the emperor sat on the Jinluan Palace, and when he talked about several Qing officials, he talked about you, Liu Xiangnian. ”

Chen Tingjing's heart moved, and he hurriedly asked, "Jinluan Palace? Which palace is he talking about, or which temple? ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "The prince only said Jinluan Palace. ”

Chen Tingjing asked again: "How many people does the prince bring?" ”

Liu Xiangnian replied: "There are always twenty or thirty, there are eagles, there are dogs, and the dogs are very fierce." ”

Chen Tingjing thought for a while, and then asked: "According to the rules, you should send a ceremony to honor the prince, have you sent it?" ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "I also know that it is going to be sent, but now it is a dredging river, a construction bank palace, and a road and bridge, and the silver that can be taken is less than 10,000 taels, how can I make a move?" ”

Chen Tingjing said: "In the past year, although it is a bad rule to give ceremonies, people can't help themselves in officialdom. It's just that the prince is no longer looking for you, and then he will send someone to find you, you can run to me first, and I will think of a way for you. ”

Liu Xiangnian thanked him and walked out of the inn. It was late at night, and Liu Xiangnian rode a horse and walked slowly on the street, feeling heavy and wet shoulders, and a slight chill.

Liu Xiangnian thought that the emperor would make this southern tour, and there would be two groups of secret messengers, and God knows what would happen to the emperor. Ah Shan ginseng took over disrespectfully, but he was not afraid in his heart, he handled everything according to the emperor's instructions. It's just that there is no holy oracle lecture hall in Hangzhou, if the emperor really knows, he may be guilty. Liu Xiangnian thought about it, and couldn't sleep well. On the second day, he got up early and walked around Hangzhou in a sedan chair, trying to find a ready-made house to use as a lecture hall. I turned around the city of Hangzhou several times, but I couldn't find a suitable place.

It's getting dark. The houses in the city are all owned by their owners, so where are they empty? The attendant smiled and said: "I'm afraid that the empty houses in Hangzhou City are only brothels now!" ”

I never thought that Liu Xiangnian's eyes lit up, so he asked people to carry him to Qinghefang. The entourage was anxious and asked the master what was wrong. Liu Xiangnian only said that you don't care, just go to Qinghefang.

When I arrived at Qinghefang, I saw that the lanterns on the street were sparse, and the gatehouses of many shops were dark. Seeing from a distance that there was still a lamp hanging in front of the Mantang Spring Building, Liu Xiangnian remembered that Chen Zhongtang had talked about this green building, so he stepped forward and knocked on the door. Li Sanniang scolded inside: "It's so late, who is it?" There's no girl in there, knock you to death! ”

When I opened the door, I saw that he was wearing an official uniform, and he was so frightened that he opened his mouth for a long time before he spoke: "Ah, why are you from the yamen again?" You've taken all the people you wanted, what more do you want? ”

Liu Xiangnian entered the house, did not answer, and looked the house left and right, up and down.

Li Sanniang said again: "The top brand Oiran let you get it to the Yamen, and the ones who looked a little bit also brought to the Yamen, and I don't know when I will be able to come back!" The rest of them had no business, so I told them to go home and stay. The yamen wants a girl, with the first round, maybe there will be no second or third round, who would dare to do this business? I don't want to do it. ”

Liu Xiangnian turned around and asked, "You really don't want to do it?" ”

Li Sanniang said: "I really don't do it. ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "If you really don't do it, the prefect's yamen will take you down." ”

Li Sanniang's eyes were about to fall, and she said, "It's really a strange thing!" It's very fresh for the yamen to want prostitutes, even brothels too? Dare to love the prefect's yamen is going to open a brothel? Are you kidding? ”

Liu Xiangnian didn't see a smile on his face, and only said, "Who is joking with you?" Tomorrow, I'll call someone to come and negotiate with you, and the silver won't be less for you. ”

Li Sanniang was talking nonsense, but she didn't know that the yamen really wanted to take down her brothel. She knew that there was no good fruit to eat when dealing with the yamen, so she refused to do this business even if she died.

Liu Xiangnian couldn't help but say, and threw down a sentence: "If you say it, you are not allowed to regret it, and the yamen will come to settle accounts as soon as tomorrow morning!" ”

Back to the prefect's yamen, the porter was so anxious that his tongue was knotted, and it took a long time to say that the two people who were holding eagles and dogs yesterday came again, scolding the lord that you don't understand the rules, and asking you to go to see the prince quickly. The porter said that he called people all over the street to find the master, but he didn't go to Qinghefang.

Liu Xiangnian Pegasus went to Yanyu Building, Chen Tingjing saw his hurried appearance, guessed what was going on, and asked, "Prince Cheng summoned you again?" ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "Chen Zhongtang, you must have expected it, and you really called me again." ”

Chen Tingjing said: "Xiang Nian, you tell me what Prince Cheng said that day, word by word." ”

Liu Xiangnian didn't understand Chen Tingjing's intentions, and said what Prince Cheng said and how he answered. After hearing this, Chen Tingjing suddenly said: "This Prince Cheng is fake!" ”

Liu Xiangnian heard the thunder, opened his mouth for a long time, and said, "Fake? ”

It turned out that Chen Tingjing heard Liu Xiangnian say yesterday that Prince Cheng talked about how Emperor Ama was doing in the Jinluan Palace, and he became suspicious. Who in the palace said that the Jinluan Palace? That's what the folk theater says. I also think that the custom of the eagle should be outside the customs, and there is no reason for anyone to release eagles in Jiangnan. Chen Tingjing told his brothers in the upper study in his early years, and he recognized them. Speaking of Chen Tingjing and Prince Cheng, there is even a good story. In the autumn of the twenty-fifth year, one day Chen Tingjing was busy with official business in the cabinet and was playing against people under the window, and the emperor led the third elder brother to come. Chen Tingjing was about to get up and say goodbye, and the emperor smiled and said: "It's rare for you to be idle, so let's still play the game." "At that time, the third elder brother was only twelve or thirteen years old, and he had already been crowned Baylor. The emperor sat down to watch the chess and praised Chen Tingjing for his good chess. The third elder brother said: "Huang Ama, I want to learn chess from the master!" "The master that the third elder brother said is Chen Tingjing. The emperor gladly agreed, and whenever Chen Tingjing finished speaking in the upper study, the third elder brother could play a game with Chen Tingjing for an hour. Since then, the third elder brother has been learning chess with Chen Tingjing for two years.

Although Chen Tingjing guessed that the Prince Cheng of Hangzhou was fake, after all, this matter was very important, and if he made a mistake, he would not be able to afford to be guilty, and asked: "Xiang Nian, how old is this Prince Cheng you see?" Have you ever had a beard? ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "How dare I look at him? Characters like Prince Cheng can't tell their age, so it's estimated that they are around twenty years old. ”

Chen Tingjing said: "Prince Cheng is the same age as the dog, and the virtual age should be thirty-four years old. Chen Tingjing thought about it, and suddenly had a plan in his heart, "Xiangnian, you go to see him quickly, I just said that Chen Tingjing asked you to play chess, and the people below didn't look for you, see what he said." No matter how much he scolds you, just excuse yourself and come back and tell me. ”

Liu Xiangnian got a plan and quickly went to Shouning Pavilion. There were four people standing at the door as usual, and when they saw Liu Xiangnian, they scolded in a low voice: "I don't know what to do!" ”

Liu Xiangnian smiled and bowed his head to go in. It was yesterday that person stopped him and scolded: "Prince Cheng paid a private visit, I didn't want to see you, but I saw you when the emperor talked about you in the Jinluan Palace." You don't know the rules. ”

Liu Xiangnian said with a smile: "Beifu specially came to ask the prince for his guilt!" ”

The man turned his face sideways, looked Liu Xiangnian up and down, and said, "The prince won't see you again!" Get out! ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "This lord, you let me meet Prince Cheng, the prince finally arrived in Hangzhou, I naturally want to be filial." Hangzhou is full of golden beauties, and Beifu wants to know what the prince wants. ”

The man squinted at Liu Xiangnian and said, "Are you rare to be a prince?" Let's go inside! ”

Liu Xiangnian followed the man and walked into a big room in all directions. The candles inside were shining like day, and Prince Cheng was sitting on a chair, and behind him stood two people who looked like palace maids playing fans. Liu Xiangnian knelt down and said, "The minister asks the prince for guilt!" Chen Tingjing asked his ministers to play chess, but the people below didn't find me. ”

Prince Cheng asked, "Which Chen Tingjing are you talking about?" ”

Liu Xiangnian was secretly surprised, hesitated slightly, and asked, "Dare to ask which Chen Tingjing is the prince asking?" ”

Prince Cheng said: "I only know that the scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion and the secretary of the Ministry of Shangshu is named Chen Tingjing, and he also told our elder brother in the upper study. What did he come to Hangzhou for? ”

Liu Xiangnian thought badly, the prince in front of him must be true, so he said: "It's Chen Zhongtang, the minister only knows that he is a Qincha, and he doesn't know what he is doing in Hangzhou." ”

Prince Cheng asked, "Didn't you tell him I was in Hangzhou?" ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "Lord Wang, you are a private visit to Weifu, and you told the ministers not to say it to outsiders, how dare the ministers say it." ”

Prince Cheng nodded and said, "It's good that I didn't say it." I don't have much to say, I'm leaving tomorrow. Although your official reputation is good, you must also be careful. If you let me know anything wrong with you, I still have to tell the emperor. Go back. ”

Liu Xiangnian kowtowed and withdrew. When he walked to the door, the person who led him in just now said, "Liu Xiangnian, you have to be smarter." The prince led us out, and the cost of the whole journey was very large. Do you want the prince to open Chrysostom? ”

Liu Xiangnian bowed his head and said: "Beifu knows, Beifu knows." ”

Liu Xiangnian walked out of the Shouning Pavilion, ran quickly to the Yanyu Building, and said, "Chen Zhongtang, this Prince Cheng is not fake. Liu Xiangnian learned Prince Cheng's words to Chen Tingjing.

Chen Tingjing was shocked: "So, is it really Prince Cheng?" ”

Liu Xiangnian said: "It's really Prince Cheng, I thought he was a fake, so I raised my eyes and looked at it." This man was indeed in his thirties, with a short beard and long hair, and a dignified appearance. ”

Chen Tingjing nodded and said, "Then it's really Prince Cheng." When the prince arrives in Hangzhou, it is also a rule for you to send some silver to pay homage. Xiang Nian, you have to send it. ”

Liu Xiangnian was a tough temper and said: "It is a rule to be a courtier to respect the prince." Prince Kecheng is obviously changing his way to reach out and ask for silver, and I feel aggrieved when I think about it, so I don't give it away! ”

Chen Tingjing smiled and said: "Xiangnian, you are a roundabout. Listen to what I said, give as much as you want, and give him three or five thousand taels of silver is also a heart. ”

Liu Xiangnian shook his head and sighed: "Okay, I'll listen to Lord Zhongtang." It's too late today, so let's wait for tomorrow to send it. ”

On the second day, Liu Xiangnian rushed to Shouning Hall with a silver ticket early, but saw that Prince Cheng had been gone for half an hour. The store has been frightened for more than half a month, outsiders are not allowed to enter the Shouning Pavilion, and people inside are not allowed to go out, and the inn is about to become the Forbidden City. Liu Xiangnian asked: "Did they pay for the hotel?" ”

The shopkeeper said, "Where do I dare to ask for silver?" Keeping your head is the blessing of your ancestors! ”

Liu Xiangnian thought that Prince Cheng was gone anyway, and he didn't bother to catch up and send the silver. He was going back to the Yamen, but he thought that Chen Zhongtang might be worried about this, so he went to Yanyu Building. Hearing that Prince Cheng left Hangzhou in a hurry early in the morning, Chen Tingjing couldn't help but be suspicious again. But he didn't show his thoughts, only said: "Xiangnian, since you haven't caught up, forget it." Liu Xiangnian said goodbye and left, Chen Tingjing thought for a long time, wrote a secret recital, and ordered someone to send it secretly.

A few days later, Chen Tingjing received a secret decree and learned that Prince Nacheng was indeed impersonated by a gangster. The emperor praised Chen Tingjing for being vigilant, and told him that he had ordered the Zhejiang general Nahai to secretly arrest people.