The ancestors of the Yuan family, there are also people who have been officials, and the officials are in Dali Temple, if there is no such relationship, the Yuan family will not be able to accumulate such a large family business.

But in Yuan Yongyu's generation, the Yuan family gradually declined, and no one was admitted to the imperial examination for a long time and became an official in the court.

Even in recent years, the Yuan family has accumulated a deep network in the court by subsidizing those unambitious scholars and bribing those high-ranking officials.

But these connections need to be dotted all the time, and there is a way to ask for others rather than yourself, and it is far better to let your own people in the clan embark on a career to be cost-effective.

After all, if the people in the clan climb to a high position, they will definitely be able to give back to the family in the future.

In Yuan Yongyu's view, the current Yuan family is just a humble family, and there is still a long way to go if it wants to completely transform into an official family.

And the word "Hanmen" is not something that everyone can afford, for those who have no land in their names and no formal business, at best they can only be called hooligans, no different from bandits and ruffians.

Fortunately, his son Yuan Yongyu, Yuan Cheng, successfully passed the imperial examination and became a lifter.

At this time, the imperial court issued an announcement, saying that it would open Enke again next year.

Yuan Yongyu felt that this was clearly God helping his Yuan family, as long as his son Yuan Cheng could participate in the next year's Enke, he would be able to enter the career smoothly, and when the time came, the Yuan family would become more prosperous in his hands.

At this moment, a soft call pulled Yuan Yongyu back to reality: "The child has seen his father!" ”

When Yuan Yongyu heard this, he suddenly came back to his senses, and glanced over Yuan Cheng in front of him, his face full of relief.

Then, I saw him pointing to the vacant seat on the side, and commanded: "Cheng'er is here, sit!" ”

"Yes, Father!"

When Yuan Cheng heard this, he didn't excuse himself, and after responding, he sat down on the vacant seat on the side.

Not long after this, Yuan Cheng looked at Yuan Yongyu, who couldn't hide his sadness at the moment, plucked up his courage, and said comfortingly: "Father, the child thinks that you should leave this matter of the third brother alone, if it goes on like this, he will drag down the entire family!" ”

Yuan Yongyu saw that he was the most important child on weekdays, and he actually said such things in front of him, and he didn't react for a while, and couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

Immediately, I saw Yuan Yongyu come back to his senses, looked in the direction where Yuan Cheng was with an incredulous expression, and asked, "Cheng'er, what did you just say, you mean, let my father stop caring about this matter?" ”

Facing Yuan Yongyu's gaze, I saw Yuan Cheng nodded, and repeated the previous words: "Yes, father, don't worry about the matter of the third brother, he is to blame for all this!" ”

When Yuan Cheng said this, he paused for a moment, and then continued to add: "Father, let's not hide it, the case of the third brother has already caused a stir in Zhejiang, and the government has not tried this case for a long time, which has caused the people to be extremely resentful!" ”

"Although our Yuan family has some connections in the court, no one dares to intervene in this case at this time, because if you don't get it right, you will be burned, and the gains outweigh the losses!"

After listening to Yuan Cheng's analysis, a look of hesitation appeared on Yuan Yongyu's face, and after thinking for a moment, he retorted.

"No, no, when Yan Ge celebrated his eightieth birthday last year, my Yuan family sent someone to send him a gift of great value."

"Since then, all kinds of filial piety have continued, like this kind of trivial matter, all he needs to do is give him a command, in addition, I also sent someone to find Xu Ge ......"

"Let's wait a little longer, there will be news from the capital soon!"

Yuan Cheng saw that his father Yuan Yongyu couldn't listen to his admonitions, and he still had illusions in his heart, and a trace of anxiety flashed on his face.

Then, I saw him get up from the seat suddenly, and said in a deep voice: "Father, just listen to the child this time, don't meddle in this matter again, if it goes on like this, our family will also be implicated!" ”

When Yuan Yongyu heard this, he took in the expression on Yuan Cheng's face, sighed, and said slowly: "Let's wait a few more days, and wait for news from the capital!" ”

Yuan Cheng couldn't understand why his father, who was usually extremely shrewd, became the obsessed person he is now.

Then, I saw that he withdrew his gaze, his face was full of indignation, and he said in a deep voice: "Father, you will regret it in the future!" ”

After Yuan Cheng dropped this sentence, he didn't stop at all, and immediately left the room.

……

Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

At this moment, Jiajing was sitting on the dragon chair, casually looking at the music sent by the celebrant supervisor, while Lu Fang waited beside Jiajing as usual, without saying a word, like a sculpture.

Then, I saw Jiajing put aside the finished letter in his hand, turned around, looked at Lu Fang on the side, and commanded: "Lu Fang, come and accompany me to play a game of chess!" ”

When Lu Fang heard this, he immediately lowered his head and responded respectfully: "Yes, Your Majesty!" ”

Soon after this, a eunuch stepped forward and prepared the chessboard.

Then, only to hear the sound of 'click', I saw Jiajing pick up a black chess piece from the chess basket and play it on the chessboard.

When the chess pieces fell, I saw Jiajing raise his head, look at Lu Fang, and then said, "Lu Fang, it's your turn!" ”

When Lu Fang heard this, he was not to be outdone, and immediately dropped a white chess piece on the chessboard.

"By the way, Lu Fang, has anything happened in the DPRK recently?"

After dropping a black chess, Jiajing withdrew his gaze from Lu Fang's body and asked.

When Lu Fang heard this, after thinking for a while, he spoke: "Your Majesty, the slave maid got the news, it is said that there are many more letters from the Inspectorate asking the court to strictly investigate Yan Maoqing!" ”

After Lu Fang finished speaking, he unhurriedly dropped the white chess pieces in his hand into the chessboard.

After Jiajing learned the news from Lu Fang's mouth, a trace of ridicule flashed on his face, and he commented: "Hmph, not long after this Yan Maoqing died, these people can't hold it back? ”

After pondering for a while, Jiajing looked in the direction where Lu Fang was, and then ordered: "Okay, instead of cheapening them, it's better to let me come, Lu Fang, hand over the matter of raiding the house to Yan Song and Yan Shifan, and they will know what to do!" ”

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, his expression immediately turned grim, and he responded in a deep voice: "Obey, Your Majesty!" ”

After that, the Qianqing Palace was unusually quiet, except for the 'click' sound of the chess pieces falling, there was nothing else.

……

Night falls, the capital, Yanfu.

In the room, Yan Song was soaking his feet while browsing the "Spring and Autumn Period" in his hand.

As soon as Yan Song raised his feet, the maid who was waiting on the side immediately stepped forward, leaned down, and carefully wiped the water on Yan Song's feet with a silk cloth.

Just then, there was a slight knock on the door.

Seeing this, Yan Song frowned imperceptibly, and commanded, "Come in!" ”

The voice fell, only to hear a 'squeak', the door of the room was pushed open, and after a while, I saw the butler walk in with silent steps.

After entering the room, the housekeeper did not hesitate at all, immediately looked in the direction where Yan Song was, leaned down, and said respectfully: "Master, the palace has sent someone!" ”

When Yan Song heard the housekeeper's words, a trace of surprise flashed on his face, he raised his eyebrows, and asked, "Oh, who is here?" ”

When the housekeeper heard this, he didn't dare to hide it in the slightest, so he immediately lowered his head and responded respectfully: "If you go back to the master, the person sent by the palace is Feng Bao, the godson of Gonggong Lu!" ”

Hearing this, Yan Song raised his head to look in the direction where the butler was, and commanded, "Well, I know, let him in!" ”

"Yes, sir!"

The butler did not hesitate in the slightest after answering, and walked away.

After that, I saw Yan Song get up with the support of the maid and sit behind the bookcase on the side.

After a while, under the guidance of the housekeeper, I saw Feng Bao step into the room.

"I've seen Yan Ge Lao!"

As soon as he entered the room, Feng Bao leaned down and saluted Yan Song respectfully.

When Yan Song heard this, his face was full of warm smiles, he pointed to the vacant seat on the side, motioned for Feng Bao to sit down, and then said in a greeting manner: "Gonggong Feng is here this time, do you have anything to explain?" ”

When Feng Bao heard this, he didn't excuse himself, he sat down on the vacant seat on the side, and responded with a smile: "Elder Yan Ge, I can't hide it, our family came here this time to follow His Majesty's will!" ”

When Yan Song heard Feng Bao's words, he immediately cheered up.

Feng Bao took in the expression on Yan Song's face, and had no intention of going around in circles with him, but chose to go straight to the topic: "Recently, there have been frequent officials in the DPRK and China who have been impeached by Yan Maoqing, embezzled and accepted bribes, and disregarded the laws of the imperial court. ”

When Yan Song heard Feng Bao's words, he pretended not to know about it, and said bitterly: "Ah, what, there is such a thing, the old man is really derelict in his duty as the head of the cabinet!" ”

Seeing this situation, Feng Bao immediately comforted him: "Elder Yan Ge, you don't have to blame yourself too much, Yan Maoqing is a two-faced person, bullying and flattering, you are busy with state affairs on weekdays, and it is helpless to be accidentally deceived by this villain!" ”

At this moment, I saw two maids come forward, Yan Song and Feng Bao, respectively, and bring a cup of hot tea.

Feng Bao took the hot tea from the maid's hand, and after taking a sip, he looked in the direction where Yan Song was, and continued: "Therefore, Your Majesty intends to hand over many matters related to the raid of the house to you and the elder of the small pavilion, what do you think?" ”

When Feng Bao's words fell, Yan Song's face was full of excitement, and he saw him get up from his seat, put on a grateful look, and said in a deep voice.

"After I tired Gonggong Feng to come down, I told His Majesty, and said that the old man must be guilty of meritorious service and handle this matter well!"

"Yan Ge is polite, this is what our family should do!"

When Feng Bao heard this, he hurriedly got up from his seat and saluted Yan Song respectfully.

After that, the two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and the atmosphere gradually became harmonious.

Seeing that the task of this trip had been successfully completed, Feng Bao did not hesitate at all, and immediately got up from his seat and said goodbye to Yan Song: "Elder Yan Ge, since the words have been brought, then our family will leave first!" ”

When Yan Song heard Feng Bao's words, he nodded imperceptibly, and said slowly: "Well, Gonggong Feng walks slowly!" ”

After Feng Bao left, he saw Yan Song summoning the servant and commanding: "Go, call Yan Shifan over to me!" ”

"Yes, sir!"

After hearing Yan Song's order, the servant did not dare to slack off in the slightest, and after answering, he left the room quickly.

……

After receiving the slave's report, Yan Shifan hurried to the room where Yan Song was, and as soon as he entered the door, he couldn't wait to ask.

"Father, do you have anything to do with the child?"

"Let's sit down first!"

When Yan Song heard this, he didn't respond in a hurry, but pointed to the empty space on the side with his finger and commanded.

When Yan Shifan heard this, he didn't make the slightest excuse, and immediately sat down on the vacant seat on the side.

After that, I saw Yan Song looking in the direction where Yan Shifan was, and said unhurriedly: "Just now, Your Majesty sent someone, saying that we copied that Yan Maoqing's house!" ”

When Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, his face was full of excitement that he couldn't hide, and he saw him subconsciously clench his fists and promise Yan Song: "Your Majesty has finally given an order, father, don't worry, the child will definitely handle this matter well!" ”

When Yan Song heard this, after looking Yan Shifan up and down, he followed up and said: "Let Zhang Runde handle the specific matters of the house, he is a waiter in the Criminal Department, and he can be said on the surface!" ”

As soon as Yan Song's words fell, I saw Yan Shifan speak without thinking: "Yes, father!" ”

After this, I saw Yan Song pondering for a moment, and then continued: "Now send someone to invite Zhang Runde to the mansion, I have something to explain to him!" ”

When Yan Song said this, he paused, and then added: "This is a matter personally explained by His Majesty, and there is no room for sloppiness!" ”

Regarding Yan Song's words, Yan Shifan naturally didn't dare to disobey, only to see him bow his head and respond respectfully: "Yes, father, the child will send someone to invite Zhang Runde to the house!" ”

After Yan Shifan finished speaking, after bowing to Yan Song, he turned around and left the room.

After Yan Shifan left the room, Yan Song was the only one left in the room, and at this time, his mood was unusually happy.

Because, in this way, many crimes can be blamed on Yan Maoqing, a dead man.

"It seems that sometimes, the dead are more useful than the living!"

Then, I saw Yan Song suppress all the chaotic thoughts in his mind, come back to his senses, and sigh with emotion.

……

On the other side, Zhang Runde, the squire of the Criminal Department, is located in the mansion in the capital.

Since he was involved in Ma Ningyuan's case before, Zhang Runde has followed Yan Song's advice, lived in a simple house on weekdays, and did not participate in any banquet communication after his duty, so as not to give authority to others.

Later, after Zhang Runde learned the news that Ma Ningyuan committed suicide in fear of crime and carried all the charges alone, the whole person couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and since then he has been relieved.

In his opinion, this matter must have come from Yan Song's handwriting, after all, Yan Song has been the head of the cabinet for more than 20 years, and he can be said to cover the sky with one hand in the court, so it is not surprising that he can do this.

Although he knew that Yan Song would make corresponding compensation to Ma Ningyuan's family, Zhang Runde still sent a letter to Ma Ningyuan's family to express his condolences, and said in the letter that they could ask themselves for help if they were in trouble in the future.

At this moment, in the room, seeing that it was getting late, just when Zhang Runde was about to blow out the candles in the room and go to bed to rest.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door from outside, dispelling the sleepiness that Zhang Runde had finally brewed.

Then, I saw Zhang Runde endure the unhappiness in his heart, and ordered in a deep voice: "Come in!" ”

When the words fell, the door of the room was pushed open, and I saw a servant enter the room quickly, leaned down, and respectfully reported: "Master, Yan Ge has sent someone here, saying that there is something important to discuss, so let you go to Yan Mansion as soon as possible!" ”

When Zhang Runde heard this, he immediately put on his coat, nodded, and then said, "Well, I know!" ”

After that, I saw Zhang Runde get on a sedan chair and hurriedly go to Yan's mansion.

……

After the sedan chair stopped at the gate of the Yan Mansion, I saw Zhang Runde get off the sedan chair, and then he entered the Yan Mansion under the guidance of the housekeeper who had been waiting here.

Under the guidance of the housekeeper, Zhang Runde soon came to the room where Yan Song was.

The housekeeper went in to report first, and taking advantage of this gap, Zhang Runde began to think about Yan Song's intention of calling him over.

"It stands to reason that if there is nothing important, Elder Yan Ge will not easily call me over, could it be that something has happened to the DPRK recently?"

Thinking of this, the expression on Zhang Runde's face gradually became solemn.

However, even though Zhang Runde racked his brains and tried his best to collect the fragmentary memories in his mind, he did not find any major events worthy of attention in the DPRK and China recently.

At this moment, I saw the housekeeper of the Yan Mansion come to Zhang Runde's side and said respectfully: "Lord Zhang, you can go in, Elder Yan Ge and Elder Xiaoge are waiting for you inside!" ”

When Zhang Runde heard this, he suddenly came back to his senses, and after bowing slightly to the housekeeper, he stepped into it.

After entering the room, I saw Zhang Runde glance at Yan Song and Yan Shifan respectively, lowered his head, and said respectfully: "The lower officials have seen Yan Ge Lao, and Xiao Ge Lao!" ”

Yan Song, who was sitting on the main seat, heard this, responded imperceptibly, nodded, and commanded: "Well, sit down!" ”

When Zhang Runde heard Yan Song's words, he hurriedly arched his hand and thanked Yan Song: "Thank you Yan Ge Lao!" ”

After Zhang Runde sat down, I saw Yan Song withdraw his gaze from Zhang Runde's body, and then said: "Just now, Your Majesty sent someone, saying that Yan Maoqing's crime has been ascertained, and it must be dealt with strictly!" ”

"The old man plans to entrust you with many matters related to the raid, what do you think?"

After Yan Song finished speaking, he looked in the direction where Zhang Runde was, and quietly waited for his response.

When Zhang Runde heard Yan Song's words, his breathing inevitably became short, he didn't expect that Yan Song called himself to Yan's mansion with such fanfare, just for this matter.

You know, this matter of raiding the house is a proper fat difference, and you only need to move a little bit to make a lot of money.

Then, I saw Zhang Runde's expression dark, he got up from the seat, looked in the direction where Yan Song was, and assured quite solemnly: "Elder Yan Ge, don't worry, the lower officials will definitely handle this matter properly!" ”

Yan Song took in the expression on Zhang Runde's face, shook his head, and explained unhurriedly: "This time is not the same as before, the silver that was copied from Yan Maoqing's house must be reported truthfully, and one or two pieces of silver cannot be moved!" ”

Zhang Runde obviously didn't expect Yan Song to say such a thing, so his face was full of disbelief, and after being stunned for a moment, he said: "Ah, Yan Ge Lao, this, you are old ......"

Seeing this situation, Yan Shifan on the side immediately took over the conversation and explained: "Presumably you should know that there are still many doubts in the case of Yan Maoqing's drowning, and besides, this time, we have pushed many crimes that did not belong to Yan Maoqing on him!" ”

"If there is only a little bit of silver that was copied from Yan Maoqing's house, how can this be justified?"

When Yan Shifan said this, the expression on his face also became extremely cold, only to see him look in the direction where Zhang Runde was, and said coldly: "Silver can be earned at any time, but there are not many opportunities to clear the charge like now!" ”

"Tell them for me, whether you want the silver or your own net worth and life, let them choose for themselves!"

Zhang Runde saw that Yan Shifan had said this, and looked in the direction where Yan Song was unwillingly.

Seeing that Yan Song didn't mean to speak, Zhang Runde knew that Yan Song had acquiesced in this matter, and there would be no room for compromise in this matter!

Immediately, I saw Zhang Runde leaning down and respectfully responding: "Yes, Xiaoge Lao, the lower officials will definitely do it!" ”

Seeing that Zhang Runde agreed to this matter, I saw Yan Song, who had not spoken for a long time, stand up and comforted him: "The coming days are long, and there are still more places to earn money in the future, so we must take a long-term view, don't stick to the current gains and losses!" ”

When Zhang Runde heard Yan Song's words, a look of gratitude appeared on his face at the right time, and he responded respectfully: "Thank you for Yan Ge's teachings, the lower officials understand!" ”

Seeing that the matter had settled, I saw Yan Song wave his hand and give an eviction order: "Well, it's not too early, so let's do it first!" ”

When Zhang Runde heard this, he immediately bowed to the ground, arched his hand in the direction where Yan Song and Yan Shifan were located, and said in a deep voice: "Yan Ge Lao, Xiao Ge Lao, the next official will retire!" ”

When the words fell, Zhang Runde did not stay in the room for too long, but left directly.

After Zhang Runde left the room, he saw Yan Shifan looking worriedly in the direction where Yan Song was, and asked cautiously: "Father, do you think those people will do the same?" ”

When Yan Song heard this, he just got up from his seat tremblingly, turned around, glanced at Yan Shifan, and said coldly: "Hmph, this matter is not up to them, as long as I, Yan Song, am still the head of the cabinet, then they have to be obedient!" ”

When Yan Song said this, his face was cold, and he said to himself: "Otherwise, I can clean them up at any time!" ”

"Whether it's the silver that matters, or the net worth and life that matter, this account, presumably anyone will calculate it!"

"Thank you for your father's teachings, the child understands!" (End of chapter)