Chapter 054: Huai'an Cao Gang V

Taoyuan County, Huai'an Prefecture

In the entire canal perimeter, as long as it is next to the canal, there are few poor people, and the same is true for Taoyuan County, because next to the canal, there is a wharf docking, and the people's livelihood and commerce in the county are quite developed.

Zhao Tianlin led a thousand households to Taoyuan County, first pretended to survey the scene with the cooperation of Jinyiwei, and then found the local inspection department and the county government to inform the situation.

Zhao Tianlin's henchman Zao Wou-Ki had just returned to the temporary camp with his team of scouts: "My lord, there is a depression thirty miles north of the county seat, and in the mountains behind the depression is the old den of the Xiangma and the tiger. ”

Since Zhao Tianlin recruited An, he has had the aura of an official family, mostly because of his experience as a pirate leader for many years: "There is no action here in Taoyuan? ”

Zhao Wouji arched his hand: "There is no guard in the local area, only more than 200 people from the Taoyuan Inspection Division, but these people only have knives and guns, only six pairs of bows and arrows, and they are in disrepair. ”

Zhao Tianlin's hand knocked on the desk, and then said: "My lord means that we must exterminate this group of loud horse thieves, and it is best to capture Tian Laohu himself, which will be of great help to this plan." ”

Zhao Wou-Ki showed a trace of displeasure: "We robbed the merchant ships of the Japanese Kingdom a few years ago and collected a million taels of silver, and we came here to suppress the horse thieves when we came back, my lord, this..."

Zhao Tianlin waved his hand: "Lord Chen will be a person with great achievements in the future, and if he can't be a master in the family, he has to change from me, and don't have such dissent in the future, otherwise it will not be good for me." ”

Zao Wou-Ki nodded: "My subordinates know." The adult will have to rely on Lord Chen for promotion in the future. ”

Zhao Tianlin sighed: "My Zhao family wants to soar, and I have to rely on him... Okay, immediately mobilize people to surround Tian Laohu's lair, and later you will personally go to Zhang Baihu and ask him to bring the musket team to help. ”

"My lord," a pro-soldier entered the account: "Taoyuan Zhixian invites your adult to attend the meeting." ”

Huang Ming, the county magistrate, Wang Chong, the envoy Wang Li, Qin Wen, the inspector of the inspection department, and some of the gentry of Taoyuan County hosted a banquet for Zhao Tianlin, which was held in a high-end restaurant in the county.

After three rounds of drinking, Qin Wen spoke first: "Lord Zhao, I don't know if this time is to attack Tian Laohu?" ”

Zhao Tianlin had Zhao Xinchuan's order, and he still knew a thing or two about the local situation in Taoyuan, so he said: "This official came this time, it is indeed for Tian Laohu, Xia Liang was robbed in your Taoyuan County, and you Taoyuan are inseparable." ”

The scene that was still very pleasant was suddenly lost by Zhao Tianlin's words, Huang Ming didn't know the key point of this incident, but he knew the inside story, Tian Laohu had never robbed the summer grain at all, and the summer grain was robbed by others: "Lord Zhao, the lower officials are not afraid of things, but the robbery of the summer grain this time really has nothing to do with my Taoyuan." ”

Zhao Tianlin arched his hand: "Lord Huang, this official is only here to suppress bandits, for other things, this official will not ask, what do you not understand, and ask Lord Huang to go to Huai'an Mansion City to explain." ”

"Xiaguan is indeed going to Fucheng, and he will leave tomorrow, but this time I hope that Lord Zhao can raise his noble hand." Wang Li took the words, and as he spoke, he looked at Wang Chong beside him.

Wang Chong smiled awkwardly, then clapped his hands, and from time to time a group of officials came in, carrying a few large boxes: "Don't be surprised Lord Zhao, these things are the hard-earned money given to Lord Zhao by several gentry here." ”

When the box was opened, it was full of silver, and there were a lot of silver tickets on it, and there were about 10,000 taels.

Zhao Tianlin doesn't dislike money, but for the official career, money is really of no great use, and he has been a pirate for so many years, and he still has a family foundation: "I see, this official knows what you want to do today, a few, I'm sorry, this official can't stand these things, and besides, this encirclement and suppression of Tian Laohu was ordered by Wei Guogong, and no one dares to take advantage of it, if you have something to say, then tell it to the official, if it is useful, the official will convey it back, if not, Then please ask yourself for more blessings, there is something in the army, go first. ”

"Hey... Lord Zhao... Lord Zhao..."Huang Ming's continuous shouts were useless, seeing Zhao Tianlin leave,

"My lord, what are you going to do this time?" Wang Chong's face was depressed.

Huang Ming took a sip of wine, and then exhaled: "This time the matter has come to an end, the summer grain has been robbed, the official is indispensable for the crime of dereliction of duty, and the demotion and transfer to a remote place are the best results, and the bad thing is to lose his official position and resign when he goes to Fucheng, and go home to retire." ”

Everyone here has a earthy face, and even Huang Ming himself said his own ending, so what chance do they have?

Qin Wen was the most nervous: "My lord, do you mean that you have to die this time?" ”

Huang Ming was a lot more comfortable: "The ending of this official has been said, the ending of Wang Xiancheng and Wang Dian's envoy is estimated to be no better, the official can't do it, as for you Qin Patrol," Huang Ming shook his head: "Once the matter is revealed, you will have to raid your family and exterminate the clan." ”

"Ahh

"My lord, think of a way, we can't sit still." Wang Lijiao said.

Huang Ming was silent, and after a long time, he made up his mind and said: "When this official goes to Fucheng tomorrow, he will compare his own accounting." ”

......

Two days later

"My lord," Zhao Xin walked into the hall quickly: "My lord, Zhao Tianlin has spread the word over there, saying that he has broken through Tian Laohu's camp and captured Tian Laohu himself and many horse thieves alive. ”

Chen Cao took the official document, and then asked, "I remember that the magistrate of Taoyuan County came to Fucheng a few days ago. ”

Zhao Xin nodded: "Yes, I went straight to the prefect's yamen, and then stayed at the post station," Zhao Xin bowed his head and said: "It is reported that Tian Laohu has contacts with officials from top to bottom in Taoyuan County. ”

"You don't need to pry it open..."Chen Cao waved his hand confidently: "The news is coming, it won't be long before Huang Ming will naturally come back to me." ”

Zhao Xin was puzzled: "There is no Huang Ming in the adult's plan, what did he do when he came to the adult?" ”

Chen Cao got up and looked at the blue sky outside: "If you want to live, but the people behind you want to take you on your back, what do you do?" ”

Zhao Xin thought about it carefully and said, "The enemy of the enemy is the friend. ”

"It's on..."Chen Cao smiled slightly: "I'm his friend." ”

"My lord..."Xu Kaixian walked quickly,

Chen Cao pointed and smiled: "Say Cao Cao, Cao Cao is here." ”

Xu Kaixian arched his hand: "Huang Ming, the magistrate of Taoyuan County, took the local inspection Qin Wen outside the gate, and asked to see you, my lord, saying that there was a secret report and a brocade guard. ”

The corners of Chen Cao's mouth rose: "Call in." ”

Huang Ming came to Fucheng to inquire for a long time, only to know that Chen Cao was personally out this time, and Wei Guogong was still sitting in the yamen of the Caoyun General Army, so he had a plan after weighing it.

"Huang Ming, the magistrate of Taoyuan County, Xiaguan, meet Lord Jinyi Wei Chen." Huang Ming was very respectful and saluted Chen Cao according to the etiquette of officialdom.

Chen Cao sat on the main seat with a golden knife, and arched his hand very enthusiastically: "Lord Huang is polite, come, please sit..."

"Xia Guan doesn't dare..."Huang Mingwan refused: "Xia Guan doesn't hide it, this time I came here to ask Lord Chen to save my life." ”

Chen Cao originally wanted to talk to Huang Mingxu and the snake, but how did he know that this guy would point out the theme as soon as he came up, and he didn't go around the circle of literati at all: "It's okay, this official doesn't want to fight with Lord Huang anymore, since Lord Huang has found this official to save his life, then it depends on what confidential information Lord Huang can tell me about Jinyiwei, otherwise, the official can't measure the rewards and punishments for meritorious deeds later." ”

"Xia Guan knows," Huang Ming arched his hand: "But this matter has already involved the net worth and life of Xia Guan, so I have to ask Lord Chen to save my life, Xia Guan and Lord Chen have no intersection, but please look at the face of the saint, save Xia Guan..."

"Sit..."Chen Cao didn't like to stand and talk to people, and then asked Zhao Xin to serve tea: "This is Zhao Xin, the pacification envoy of my Nanzhen Fusi, who served you tea." ”

The envoy personally served tea, and when it was placed in Emperor Yongle, it was a certain death, Huang Ming quickly got up and saluted Zhao Xin, and then sat down.

Chen Cao asked: "Lord Huang, what can you say, but you must know that if you enter my Chen Cao's camp today, he will go out in the future, your reputation in Shilin will be stinky, and Huai'an Mansion will not be able to stay, so you have to change places." ”

"Xiaguan Province." Huang Ming bowed his head and arched his hand.

Chen Cao nodded, and then asked, "Since that's the case, let's start, Lord Huang, you can say what you know." ”

"But please ask." Huang Ming gave up.

Ooh...

Chen Caoman thought that Huang Ming knew some of the benefits at most, but he didn't expect the old boy to open his mouth like this, thinking that there must be a lot of fierce news, so he smiled and asked first: "What is the relationship between your Taoyuan County and Tian Laohu?" ”

Huang Ming didn't hide it, and replied very honestly: "Don't dare to deceive adults, Tian Laohu is stationed in Taoyuan County as the overlord of the soil, but it is acquiesced by the county." ”

"Hmm..."Chen Cao's guess was correct, and then he asked: "But after the instruction of the Huai'an prefect." ”

Huang Ming nodded: "Liao Zhifu is just one of them, Tian Laohu's existence is actually not compatible with my Taoyuan County, even if the imperial court encircles and suppresses it, it is not my Taoyuan County's business, but the Caoyun General Army's Yamen and Huai'an Mansion's Dahewei." ”

"This official knows what you mean," Chen Cao took a deep breath: "Tian Laohu's existence is just an excuse for them to ask for money?" ”

"My lord is aware of it," Huang Ming nodded: "Arita Tiger is stuck in Taoyuan County, and passing merchant ships have to pay taxes, that is, the protection fee that the market often uses as an excuse, and..."

"Okay," Chen Cao interrupted him: "There are some things that are useless to talk too much, this official only needs to know that Dahewei and the chief soldier Yamen colluded with the horse thieves, Lord Huang, do you dare to sign and draw a pledge?" ”

"The lower official has already made full preparations when he comes here, what to do is to ask the lord to tell him, and the request of the lower official is also to ask the adult to protect the lower official." Huang Ming nodded.

"Okay..."Chen Cao turned his head to stare at Zhao Xin: "Bring a pen and paper..."

Chen Cao watched Huang Ming write what had happened, and then signed it, and said: "Since Lord Huang wrote this thing, the official will also promise you to ensure that you are thorough, and when you testify in court in the future, Lord Huang must not be afraid." Saying that, he stared at Zhao Xin and said, "Ask Xu Kai to go to Taoyuan County in person and send Jinyi to protect the family of Lord Huang." ”

"Yes..."

"Xiaguan Xie, Lord Xie..."Huang Ming said and saluted again.

"If it weren't for the robbery of Xia Liang for no reason this time, there would have been no accident if you colluded with the horse thieves, even if Tian Laohu didn't have an accident, you would have to be responsible for Xia Liang being robbed in your Taoyuan County, dereliction of duty is indispensable," Chen Cao guarded his confession: "But once Tian Laohu has an accident, you are not so simple as dereliction of duty, colluding with horse thieves is a big crime, you are an official, and the crime of knowing the law and violating the law will be added to one class, and you will not be copied and beheaded by me Chen Cao's name upside down." ”

Huang Ming was shocked, it turned out that he knew all these things.

Chen Cao said again: "This time the matter is complicated, your officials in Taoyuan County will let the sailor be stationed in permanence, and let the Jinyi Guard guard day and night, rest assured, as long as there is the protection of the Jinyi Guard, you will not be able to do anything." ”

"Lord Xie..."Huang Ming arched his hand: "Your Excellency knows this matter well, does you have a complete plan?" ”

Of course, Chen Cao couldn't talk to him, so he said: "Don't forget, I, Chen Cao, am a eunuch..."

...

The decree of the imperial court soon arrived in Huai'an, and the person who received the decree was led by the Duke of Wei, and the meaning was very clear, the Duke of Wei was fully responsible for the robbery of summer grain, but all the relevant personnel involved were determined by his dictatorship.

In the afternoon after receiving the order, Chen Cao escorted Tian Laohu to Xu Hongji's line, and then told Xu Hongji all the experience, Xu Hongji was furious, and ordered Chen Cao to personally arrest Wang Yiqing, the commander of Caoyun, and the commander of Dahewei, because the matter involved civil officials, Xu Hongji sent people to send a letter to Beijing in an urgent manner for 800 miles.

Wang Yiqing was arrested, and Yang Yipeng was terrified, but there were big people behind him, and he definitely couldn't admit defeat until he had to.

"You mean that the officials in Huai'an are more or less aware of the existence of the Ringing Horse Thieves?" Xu Hongji frowned.

Chen Cao just came back from his errands, and then nodded: "Grandpa, there are just the two of us here, and the subordinates don't hide it, and the cause of this incident is also known to Grandpa, but the key to this is still in the competition with the people in the court for the position of Caoyun Governor, in other words, it can be said that it is a contest between the Donglin Party and the Eunuch Party." ”

Xu Hongji is Lord Wufu, and it is impossible to be attached to the eunuch party, but Chen Cao is an out-and-out eunuch party, and he is definitely inseparable from the master: "What about you? ”

Chen Cao sneered: "The subordinates have been designated as eunuchs, no matter how much they wash away, and this time it was just to save people, who knows that there are so many things involved, and now it is difficult to get out even if you want to." ”

"You..." Xu Hongji actually showed an expression of hatred for iron and steel: "You are willing to fall?" ”

Chen Cao shook his head: "Attachment to the eunuch party is only temporary, otherwise it will be difficult to find a way out, grandpa, this time the matter must be big, otherwise not only will we not be able to save the father and daughter of the Weng family, but we will all have to be put in." ”

"You mean I can't get off your thief ship?" Xu Hongji asked rhetorically.

Chen Cao smiled embarrassedly: "Grandpa, don't worry, there are subordinates here, after this thing lands, not only will there be nothing to do, but there will also be a lot of silver to earn, let's just wait for the court to come." ”