On the 13th day of May in the 16th year of Yongkang, the night was bright and the moon was bright.

Yu Guang, who had finished handling the official affairs of the yamen, took a deep breath, and the tiredness on his face couldn't be stopped.

Judging from these official documents, He Jingwen, the magistrate, is actually capable, but it's a pity.

However, when he thought that Song Ren was willing to humiliate his reputation and act as a dog's leg to help these corrupt officials fight lawsuits and collect criminal evidence, Yu Guang's eyes felt a little chilly.

What literati value most is fame!

A person whose fame is just a talent can do it so much, He Jingwen is a Jinshi, why is he so confused!

Yu Guang thought about it, got up and walked to the second hall.

He thought it was time to meet the old fox.

The stagnant water in the courtyard was illuminated by the moonlight, and the branches and leaves of the old locust tree on the side were gently swept by the evening breeze, and it was silent.

Yu Guang saw that there was a candle in the house, and he didn't knock on the door, but pushed the door directly.

He Jingwen, who was lying on the bed, wanted to continue pretending to be asleep, but he didn't have time to hide the half-bitten cake in his hand, so he could only get up and smile and say, "Brother Bosheng hasn't rested so late." ”

Yu Guang sat on the chair without any expression on his face.

He pondered for a moment, his brows furrowed slightly, "Brother Jingwen is not feeling well, and this official has no choice but to go beyond his behalf, and deal with the affairs of this yamen, but there are many tasks, so he has to come to visit late at night." ”

When He Jingwen heard this, his face showed embarrassment, "Shame! The foolish brother was deceived by the villain of Chai Dafu, blamed the good people, and bothered the old brother to help the foolish brother handle official business, really... Alas! ”

He raised his hand and brushed his face with his sleeve, pretending to wipe away tears.

Yu Guang sneered and quietly watched He Jingwen act.

He Jingwen wiped it for a long time, but he couldn't get a reason, he waited for Yu Guang to continue to be polite with him, but he couldn't wait for the next words for half a day.

He had no choice but to sneak a glance, but saw Yu Guang take out a booklet from his arms and put it on the table.

Books!

He Jingwen was shocked, and roughly guessed the purpose of Yu Guang's coming this time, so he had to silently lower his arm and restrain the expression on his face.

"The total amount of summer tax wheat in Jiangdu County this year is 2,100 stones, and it seems that the harvest of the entire Nanzhili is not very good, and the amount is around here, but this official checked the accounts of recent years and found that the grain is getting less and less, but I have not heard of a natural disaster in recent years."

"In addition, there are 10,000 households in Jiangdu County, but why is this commercial tax also getting smaller and smaller, and the total number of accounts is nearly 80,000 taels less, Brother Jingwen, your account is too blatant."

Yu Guang's finger tapped on the account book, and there was no expression on his face.

He Jingwen moved his body, the fat on his face trembled, he didn't answer this question directly, but pulled the topic elsewhere, "Lord Yu, have you been to Jinling on this trip?" ”

Yu Guang frowned, "Naturally." ”

"Also, the county lord of Yong'an is with him, so he must have seen the king of Han."

He Jingwen suddenly smiled, "The lower officials heard that this Han King is generous, and he likes to use the golden beans to give away, dare to ask Lord Yushi, how many golden beans have he received?" ”

"What do you mean by that?"

Yu Guang was a little angry.

He did see Zhu Gaoli, the king of Han, and really took a handful of golden beans that others grabbed casually.

Then there are seven or eight of them, and they are heavy on their hands.

But these are just kept as stolen goods, and they will be handed over to His Majesty in the future.

Lord He smiled coldly, "What do you mean?" Let's be colleagues, since Lord Yu has a showdown, I won't play official with you anymore, who has the final say in the entire Nanzhili? Naturally the King of Han, I am just a seven-rank petty official, in the jurisdiction of others, there are some things that I can not do, if you want to expose my greed for ink, then you can go, but don't blame the lower officials for not reminding you, just afraid that your exposure, the entire Nanzhili has no officials! ”

Yu Guang was not surprised that He Jingwen dared to say these words in a grand manner.

This time Nanzhili made an inspection, passing through more than a dozen prefectures and counties, large and small, and he had already received bribes from hundreds of officials.

There are those who send beautiful women, those who send silver tickets and jewelry, precious calligraphy and paintings, and even more, those who send house title deeds and daughters.

The King of Han only ruled Nanzhili for one year, and he turned this place into such a miasma!

The emperor knew about this, and the prince also knew about it, so he sent him over to check how many officials were left in Nanzhili who really did things for the people.

But this investigation, Yu Guang was completely desperate.

He knew where He Jingwen's confidence was, and the other party was determined, and His Majesty didn't dare to swing this bloody knife.

It's not that Your Majesty doesn't dare, but now the Ming Dynasty is invaded by barbarian tribes in the north, and small island countries such as the Wa Kingdom and Gaoju are eyeing each other in the south.

Jiangnan is the granary of the Ming Dynasty, and it is easy to move at this time.

Otherwise, he would have become a sinner in the Ming Dynasty.

Seeing Yu Guang's uncertain face, the corners of He Jingwen's mouth rose slightly, and he felt a little more confident in his heart.

But then, he heard Yu Guang laugh a few times.

"Brother Jingwen is honest, and what he says is true, but don't forget, when this official returns to Beijing to report on his work, he only needs to take you alone, this account book, I have no problem, but you He Jingwen dereliction of duty and perverted the law, this crime cannot be escaped."

"At that time, if the Holy Lord personally interrogates you, I will hand over this account book again, do you think Your Majesty can find out the clues? Guess if you can withstand the torture. ”

"If it weren't for the official who reported you, but you confessed your guilt, would this matter be different?"

Yu Guang's words completely broke He Jingwen's psychological defense, and he secretly cursed shamelessness in his heart.

But when he thought of Long Wei being angry, He Jingwen only felt that the night at the end of spring was a little cold.

Yu Guang stood up, walked to the side of the bed, and gently patted He Jingwen's trembling shoulder, "If Lord He wants to save this little life, this official has a few heartfelt words to tell you." ”

The room was lit with candles, reflecting the shadows of the two people beside the bed on the wall.

After listening to Yu Guang's words, the expression on He Jingwen's face suddenly became solemn, and he was suddenly shocked, he looked up in a daze and asked, "Lord Yu, who are you loyal to?" Your Majesty? Prince? Isn't that the Emperor Saint Sun! ”

Yu Guang shook his head, with some disdain in his heart, but his tone was very firm: "Yu Mou, he is a courtier of the Ming Dynasty, and he will only be loyal to the Ming Dynasty in his life!" ”

This sentence was like a heavy stone falling on He Jingwen's heart, causing waves.

He looked at Yu Guang, who had grown a beard in front of him, and suddenly saw the scene of everyone participating in the palace examination many years ago.

At that time, everyone was full of vigor and had a beautiful vision of governing the world.

It's only been a few years, how did you become like this?

He thought that officialdom was like sludge, and whoever went in and rolled around would come out covered in mud.

This is what the Yangzhou prefect told him, and it has also become his self-comforting words.

But now it seems that there are still people who stick to their hearts.

The so-called officialdom is not really a mess of sludge.

......

After a long silence, He Jingwen lowered his head heavily, "It's not a pity for He to die, if this life can do something for Daming, it can be regarded as making up for it..."

Yu Guang didn't say anything, he walked out of the door directly, and when he stepped out of the threshold, he suddenly turned around and glanced coldly, "Brother Shouchang, you are a county magistrate, the parents of the people, it's time to go on a diet, what kind of body has this body become." ”

This night is destined to be an unusual night.

Some people are plotting something in the second hall, and there are also fathers and sons, who are plotting something in prison.

Maybe it's dark at night, and the brain is flexible.

The prison of Yamen in Jiangdu County is located in Kun Position, outside the Yimen in the southwest of the lobby, and is commonly known as the "South Prison".

There is a dog's head decoration in the middle of the prison gate, and the smell of moldy and damp is blowing in the face when you enter.

The houses were low, they all had a window that wasn't too big, and the floor of the room was covered with a few rice stalks, even if it was a bed.

Chai Dafu sat on the ground dejectedly, his luxurious clothes had been replaced by prison clothes made of coarse cloth, and his hair was already scattered, looking embarrassed.

He heard a noise outside, just as a prison messenger patrolling as usual, and all he thought about was the future survival of the Chai family.

"Daddy! Daddy! ”

Suddenly, outside the cell door, a young man was standing in a low voice, holding on to the wooden fence with both hands, and his round face was eager to be tucked into the gap between the wooden fences.

Chai Dafu looked up in shock, and after seeing clearly that the person who came was his son Chai Xiaogui, he propped his hands on the ground and moved his bloated body.

"Son! O my son! ”

Chai Dafu was surprised and delighted, he held his son's hand firmly, and suddenly remembered something, and scolded: "Why are you here!" Who called you! Walk! Come on! ”

"Daddy, the child is afraid that you will suffer!"

Chai Xiaogui was a little aggrieved.

He didn't wake up until he slept in the corner today, and when he woke up, he heard from the house slave that his father had been summoned by the yamen, but he didn't pay attention to it at all.

Who is Song In? It's just a dogleg wagging his tail for money.

In terms of wealth, in the entire Jiangdu County, except for the Li family, who else can compare to Chaifu?

Chai Mansion is homophonic wealth, and you can smash Song Ren to death with money, and you are afraid that he will sue?

Chai Xiaogui thought so at first.

But then, the housekeeper Chai An and the other five house slaves were arrested and were about to be taken away.

Chai Xiaogui felt that the Dingsheng cake in the bowl was not as sweet as before.

Later, the Yamen arrest came again, bringing the news that Chai Dafu was imprisoned, and also brought official documents, ordering the Chai family to compensate Li Cuier with eighty taels.

Chai Xiaogui was completely panicked at this time, the Chai family was not like the Li family, it was a local family noble, and there were many clan elders to help discuss.

In addition to Chai Dafu, there are only six aunts left who can only scratch their heads and make gestures, and there is no one who can even negotiate.

Chai Xiaogui could only learn from his father's methods in the past and use silver money to open the way.

But when he found Li Zhutou, who he had been friends with on weekdays, he knew that even Lord He was implicated in today's lawsuit.

Chai Xiaogui originally wanted to open this road to the Yangzhou prefect, but Li Zhutou said that the case was tried by the inspector from Yanjing.

Prefect, I'm afraid it's not qualified enough.

Yes, the road seems to be completely blocked.

Chai Xiaogui felt so desperate for the first time, he could only spend money to buy the head catcher and win this opportunity to visit the prison.

But as soon as they saw each other, Dad called him back.

Didn't the five hundred taels of silver be spent in vain?

Five hundred taels, you can go to the Spring Festival Courtyard once to play a special trick.

Chai Xiaogui was really distressed about the money, and couldn't help crying.

Hearing the cry, Chai Dafu's eyes were red, he always felt that his son only knew how to find flowers and walk birds, but he didn't expect this kind of disaster to happen this time, but he saw his filial piety.

Chai Dafu's tone was a little gentle, but also a little sad, "Son, this matter is very important, I am afraid that my father will inevitably be imprisoned, you leave quickly, break off with your father, and send those aunts away, remember to burn the account books in your father's room, and you are ...... for your father."

"Dad, why don't you write it down, there are so many, my son can't remember it!"

"You!"

Chai Dafu took a deep breath, "That's it, you just remember to burn the account book that was placed in the secret compartment for your father, if the government raids the house, you can leave the title deed of the wine shop, which is enough for you to support yourself!" ”

Chai Xiaogui stopped crying, his eyes widened and asked, "Dad, didn't you leave some private money?" ”

"Nonsense! The money in the account room is untouchable, it no longer belongs to our Chai family, it is your life money! ”

Chai Dafu was so angry that his liver hurt, at this time, this rebel was still thinking about the money in his pocket.

Chai Xiaogui secretly glanced at the aisle, and then said softly: "Dad, I have already seen Song Ren's dog thing and his mother-in-law outside the yamen today!" ”

Chai Dafu didn't know why, but he secretly felt bad in his heart, and hurriedly asked, "What are you going to do?" ”

"Fuzhong Chen Nursing Yuan, I have already given him three thousand taels, let him hire a group of green forest warriors, Song Ren's dog thing is so harmful to our family, I will let him bury you with you!"

Chai Dafu's heart trembled when he heard this, he looked at his son's smug face, and longed to stretch out his hands and strangle him to death.

Lao Tzu is not dead yet, what is it called to be buried for me!

"This must not be done! That Song Ren is scheming, and he thinks about it carefully for his father, I am afraid that he has been planning for a long time in today's lawsuit, just waiting for the arrival of the inspector, this kid is clumsy and stupid, and it is more likely that he will get in touch with this inspector Yushi a long time ago, you must not do stupid things! ”

Chai Dafu almost gritted his teeth and said this.

But Chai Xiaogui turned a deaf ear, but said confidently: "Dad, don't worry, the child learned a few tricks from Chen Huyuan today, he praised me for my Tianzhong strange material, which is a rare martial arts physique, and the child also bought a few military books, and when the time comes, learn him a few tricks of the art of war, and when the warriors hired by Chen Huyuan arrive, the child will personally lead them, and he will let Song Ren die without a place to be buried, and export evil anger for you!" ”

Chai Dafu only felt that there was suddenly darkness in front of him, he firmly grasped the wooden fence with both hands, and shook his head, "My fool, you must not do stupid things." ”

"By the way, Dad, Song Ren's mother-in-law is so good-looking and beautiful, can I snatch it to be your daughter-in-law?"

"Get out! Get out of here! ”

"Daddy! Don't worry, I will try my best to make that mother-in-law give birth to a big fat boy and let your grandson kneel in front of your grave and kowtow! ”

Chai Xiaogui left the cell with confident steps, leaving his father to kneel on the ground, complaining about how he gave birth to such a thing.