The magnates in the capital of the Ming Dynasty mainly burned charcoal for heating in winter. Last year, the inner court of the imperial city consumed 20 million catties of charcoal a year.

It's the middle of winter. The business of Yu Ji Charcoal Shop is booming.

Although it was evening, the servants and handymen of various high-ranking families still pushed out truckloads of red charcoal from the charcoal shops.

Suddenly, servants and handymen scattered in small carts like frightened grasshoppers.

Just now, dozens of brocade guards poured into the charcoal shop. Chang Feng, who was the leader, shouted: "Jinyiwei handles the case, and the idle people avoid it." ”

At this moment, Chang Feng and Xu Fatzi were standing in the charcoal shop. Opposite them knelt the shopkeeper Yu of the charcoal shop.

Shopkeeper Yu was about to cry, and he was puzzled: I sold some fierce fire oil, how did I provoke Jinyiwei? If you want to provoke, you should also provoke the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses.

Chang Feng said: "It's good that you admit that you have sold the fierce fire oil of the official family." You are really bold, you dare to accept and sell the goods of the ninth girl? ”

Shopkeeper Yu kowtowed like pounding garlic: "My lord, the fierce fire oil leads the charcoal quickly, just one point." I've been buying and selling from Nine Girls for two or three years. ”

Chang Feng Xindao: It seems that those oil guzzlers at the oil depot are habitual offenders.

None of that matters, though. Chang Feng is not interested in stealing chickens and dogs.

Chang Feng asked: "Who did the two barrels of fierce fire oil that you brought in two months ago sell to?" ”

Shopkeeper Yu's answer made Chang Feng gasp: "It's all sold in bulk." Guests usually buy a cart of charcoal and a pot of oil. There are always hundreds of pots sold. ”

Xu Fatzi said: "Master Chang, it's not easy to check!" You can't go through a sieve with hundreds of people. The emperor only gave three days. ”

Shopkeeper Yu suddenly said: "There is a strange thing. ”

Chang Feng asked, "What's the matter?" ”

Shopkeeper Yu said: "Two women came three days ago. Bought a whole barrel of fierce fire oil. The two women were very cleanly dressed. looks like the wife of an official. But there were no servants with them. ”

"The two of them took a small cart and pushed the fire oil away."

"At that time, the small ones were strange. What do you need a whole barrel of fierce fire oil to do with charcoal? But they gave the money happily, and the little ones didn't ask much. ”

Chang Feng asked, "Can you still remember what they look like?" ”

Shopkeeper Yu was a little embarrassed: "I don't remember clearly." The small one is filled with countless visitors every day. How can you remember the appearance of each guest? ”

Xu Fatzi scolded: "Do you know that you are in trouble?" If you can't remember, you'll have to go to prison and eat in prison. ”

Chang Feng instructed Shi Wenyi, the chief banner: "You go back to Jinyiwei and call Shen Baihu." ”

Shi Wenyi took the order and left.

The Shen Baihu mentioned by Chang Feng is known as Shen Zhou. This person is good at portraits. Jin Yiwei's sea fishing documents were all drawn by Shen Zhou.

After a pillar of incense, an old hundred-hundred-year-old man in his sixties wearing a blue-green splendid suit walked in.

In the brocade guard, almost most of the hundred households were given flying fish suits. Lao Baihu was wearing splendid clothes, which showed that he did not mix well in Weizhong, and he had not made any great achievements.

This old hundred households is Shen Zhou.

Shen Zhou was unknown in Jinyiwei. In the history of ancient calligraphy and painting written by later generations, he is a well-known figure.

He was the founder of the Wumen School of Painting. Later generations called Shen Zhou, Wen Zhengming, Tang Yin, and Qiu Ying the "Ming Four Families".

There is such a story. In the 90s, a fat Internet writer whose father was a low-level peddler who walked the streets and alleys to collect antiques.

In the nineties, there was no Internet, and there were no treasure shows. This kind of low-level rural antique dealer doesn't know much about calligraphy and painting, and has no knowledge and eyesight. Just buy and sell quickly. Just make a little money.

At that time, collecting antiques was similar to collecting old household appliances.

Once, the fat writer's father received a painting of Shen Zhou's "Spring Rain with Flowers" in the village where Zhang Zongchang's old house in Laizhou was located. At that time, there was no such thing as a fake.

He had only been in the industry for a year. I don't know who Shen Zhou is at all.

He took twenty dollars, and sold them for one hundred dollars that day. I couldn't be happier. I spent 30 yuan to buy two Laizhou sea bass to satisfy my hunger, and the whole family improved their food.

Twenty-five years later, about 2017. Entering the year of knowing the destiny of heaven, he saw on the Internet that Shen Zhou's "Spring Rain with Flowers" was sold at Sotheby's autumn auction. The price is HK$112 million

In the next few years, he met people and said: My family is also a person who has eaten good things. I have eaten two sea bass worth 30 million.

Naturally, this is off-topic.

Shen Zhou is a typical frustrated literati. I have been seeking to enter the office. However, he had a rough life for most of his life, and by the age of thirty, he was only a county grain chief.

The grain chief is not even a servant, and he is a miscellaneous leader.

In the first year of Tianshun, he came and went, and his calligraphy and painting were accidentally seen by Xu Youzhen, the first assistant, and he admired it very much.

Appreciated by the head of the cabinet, is this worth it? Stepping into the officialdom, Qingyun is close at hand.

However, there was a slight change in the court in the first year of Tianshun. Shi Heng framed the first assistant Xu Youzhen, and Xu Youzhen was demoted to Yunnan

Shen Zhou's great career came to an end.

As an aside, the person who paints and the person who collects the painting in 500 years are all the same fate.

Shen Zhou was then frustrated for more than twenty years. Nearly sixty years old, he no longer has the ambition of his youth, and he has broken off the idea of joining the office.

I don't want to enter the office, but I found the door! In the twentieth year of Chenghua, Shang Ming happened to see Shen Zhou's figure paintings. Feel lifelike. Directly recruited him to Jinyiwei, specializing in drawing sea fishing documents.

This is really unintentional. You must know that Director Shen Zhou is a landscape. In his opinion, figure painting is just a small skill that cannot be elegant.

In the twenty-third year of Chenghua, the dynasty was changed. Shang Ming's cronies in the brocade guard were swept away.

Shen Zhou not only did not eat Shang Ming's melons, but was promoted from 100 households to 100 households.

Because no matter who is in power, they need professional and technical talents like him.

Shen Zhou arched his hand towards Chang Feng: "Chang Qianhu." ”

Chang Feng respects Shen Zhou's inconspicuous subordinate very much, after all, the age of the people is there: "Shen Lao Baihu." You are invited to come here to draw two small pictures. ”

Shen Zhou nodded: "Mr. Shi told me." ”

He took out pen, ink, paper, and inkstone from his backpack.

Chang Feng instructed the shopkeeper Yu: "Tell the appearance of those two women to Shen Lao Baihu." ”

Shopkeeper Yu was about to cry: "I really can't remember what they look like." ”

Shen Zhou was used to seeing this situation. He comforted the shopkeeper Yu: "Don't worry. Let's talk slowly, you slowly recall. Think about the shape of their faces first, what are their faces like? Goose egg face? Horse face? Round face."

There is a specialization in the art industry. Shen Zhou followed the trick of Shopkeeper Yu and slowly drew the outlines of the faces of the two women. This is followed by the facial features.

Half an hour later, it was already the right hour.

Shen Zhou painted two small pictures.

Xu Fatzi took a look: "It's not good-looking!" These two women are average-looking. ”

Shen Zhou smiled slightly: "Master Xu, is it good to look good for people who are not depicting small appearances." It's not like it. ”

Chang Feng picked up the two small pictures and looked at them, and was shocked: "These two people turned out to be . . . Supervise the wife and concubine of Yu Shi Tang Nai?! ”

"Could it be that Tang Nai set fire to his own courtyard by himself?"

Xu Fatzi was a little strange after hearing this: "How is it possible?" Who is idle and has nothing to do to burn their own house? ”

Chang Feng asked Xu Fatzi rhetorically: "How is it impossible?" Tang Nai set a fire and burned down the courtyard at home. The entire court thought that Liu Ji did it! ”

"This is a planting! Damn, I didn't expect the gossip officer to have Jinyiwei's expertise! ”

Chang Feng suddenly remembered that when he went to visit Tang Nai last night, Tang Nai's last words: "For the people of the world, Ning burned himself!" ”

What a soup mana! Catch up with my son! Strong and ruthless, even beat himself. He was so ruthless that he even burned his own house!

Chang Feng said to Shen Zhou: "It's really hard to call you over at night." I'll treat you to a drink another day. ”

Shen Zhou arched his hand: "It's just my job." It's nothing, the subordinates go home and rest first. People go to bed early when they are old. ”

After speaking, Shen Zhou left.

Shopkeeper Yu trembled and said: "Adult, the little one is willing to go bankrupt and pay a fine." Please."

Chang Feng said: "Fine? You didn't commit any crimes, what kind of fine do you pay? ”

Shopkeeper Yu said: "The small one resold the fierce fire oil from the arsenal of the military department." ”

Xu Fatzi said on the side: "I said shopkeeper Yu, why can't you understand the voice?" Our master has spared you. ”

After hearing this, Shopkeeper Yu kowtowed like pounding garlic: "Huh? Master Xie opened the net. ”

Chang Feng is a fierce and benevolent person. It is ferocious, and it can slaughter hundreds of people from eight gentry and wealthy merchants overnight.

When he was benevolent, he would never embarrass a small businessman who was trying to make a living in the capital.

Chang Feng told the shopkeeper Yu: "In the future, you will still have less goods from the nine girls." It's easy to get into trouble. ”

Chang Feng and Xu Fatzi got out of the charcoal shop. He glanced up at the moon in the night sky and stretched: "Let's go into the palace." ”

Xu Fatzi said: "Do you want to go to the palace to see the emperor?" It's not a good night. ”

Chang Feng was not silent. Got on the horse.

He was in a hurry to enter the palace to see the emperor for two reasons.

The first reason: the rush to show merit.

Look, the emperor set a three-day deadline for me to solve the case in the morning. I solved the case in the evening. The emperor will at least praise me if he knows about it.

The second reason: the arson case involved the political tide in the DPRK and China. The emperor doesn't necessarily want to make it public.

I have to hurry up and tell the truth to the emperor before tomorrow morning. Give the emperor a night of hard work to consider how to deal with it.

Chang Feng had been a close escort by Emperor Hongzhi's side for several months. He understood the work and rest of Emperor Hongzhi. The diligent Emperor Hongzhi will never sleep when he has no son.

So, Chang Feng and Xu Fatzi entered the palace overnight.

Emperor Reds have the benefits of Emperor Reds. Being able to enter the palace at any time is one of them. None of the Han generals dared to stop him.

In front of the main hall of the Qianqing Palace.

Chang Feng happened to meet Xiao Jing, the master of ceremonies who came to change his duty.

Xiao Jing is now also the governor of Dongchang. Dongchang supervises Jinyiwei, and he is Chang Feng's top boss.

Xiao Jing asked: "Chang Qianhu." If you don't go to investigate the case properly, what are you doing in the middle of the night? ”

Chang Feng gave up his hand: "Father-in-law Xiao, the case has been solved." Due to the complexity of the case, it is necessary to report to the emperor in time. ”

Xiao Jing was stunned for a moment, and then a smile bloomed on his face: "The case has been solved?" From the order to the detection, it has only been six hours! ”

"Chang Qianhu, you really give our factory guard a face! He is worthy of being valued by the emperor! ”

"Wait here for a while, I'll go to tell the emperor that you're here."

The subordinates solved the case so quickly, and Xiao Jing, the boss, also had a light on his face.

He entered the main hall and knelt down in front of Emperor Hongzhi: "Your Majesty." Chang Feng has solved the arson case and asked to see the emperor to report the case. ”

Emperor Hongzhi was surprised: "I was still wondering if the three-day limit was too short. Chang Feng solved the case in one day? ”

Xiao Jing said proudly: "The old slave has the courage to correct the emperor. Not a day. Six hours, to be exact. ”

"Our factory and guard are loyal to the emperor, and we dare not delay the errand assigned by the emperor for a moment!"

Emperor Hongzhi smiled: "Chang Feng. I'm so handy! Oh, you are a governor too. Let him in. ”

A moment later, Chang Feng entered the main hall and saluted Emperor Hongzhi.

Emperor Hongzhi asked: "Is the murderer of the arson case Liu Ji?" ”

Chang Feng replied: "Your Majesty, the real culprit of the arson case is Tang Nai." ”

Emperor Hongzhi frowned: "What? Chang Feng, you're not fighting with me, are you? ”

Chang Feng explained: "The minister doesn't dare. The arson case was a bitter ploy of Tang Nai. ”

He told Emperor Hongzhi in detail about the investigation of the case.

After hearing this, Emperor Hongzhi sighed: "I didn't expect Tang Nai, a self-proclaimed clear stream, to be so treacherous. ”

Chang Feng said: "Your Majesty, dealing with traitors is more treacherous than traitors." ”

Emperor Hongzhi was stunned: "Do you also think Liu Ji is a traitor?" ”

Chang Feng replied: "If Liu Shoufu is not a traitor, then there is no traitor in the whole world, all of them are virtuous ministers." ”

Emperor Hongzhi asked: "Do you also think that I should depose Liu Ji and punish him for his crimes?" ”

Chang Feng replied: "Your Majesty." Involving the appointment and dismissal of Zaifu, it is inconvenient for the minister to say much about the appointment and dismissal of the minister. ”

Emperor Hongzhi said: "You are the personal guard of the dragon when he dived into the East Palace. There's nothing you can't say to me. Despite the word. ”

Chang Feng arched his hand: "Your Majesty." A loyal minister has the use of a loyal minister. A traitor has the use of a traitor. When the water is clear, there are no fish. ”

Chang Feng was telling Emperor Hongzhi euphemistically: Liu Ji, you still have to continue to use it.

Emperor Hongzhi was surprised: "You figured out this truth yourself?" ”

Chang Feng replied truthfully: "Your Majesty." This is what the old minister said to his ministers before his death. ”

Emperor Hongzhi nodded slightly: "The old minister is an understanding person." ”

He changed his words: "The righteous grandson that the old prime minister values the most should also be an understanding person." ”

After speaking, Emperor Hongzhi picked up the joint impeachment memo from the dragon case and handed it to Chang Feng: "You take a closer look at this recital." Tell me what you see. ”

Chang Feng picked up the fold and looked at it word by word.

Tang Nai's reasons for impeaching Liu Ji are very general, and they belong to standard rumors. There is no specific crime and no evidence.

It's just empty to say that Liu Ji is incapable, the corpse is vegetarian, and the evil of the king in the Chenghua Dynasty is like that.

There is no substantiation for this letter of impeachment.

Chang Feng thought in his heart: The emperor asked me what I saw. I don't want to hear a simple answer like "there is no evidence".

But anyone who knows the words of the brocade guard will answer after reading this fold: "There is no real evidence for this fold". Do you still need me, a celebrity trusted by the emperor?

Chang Feng's eyes suddenly fell on the last hundred or so names of the fold.

After thinking about it for a while, he gave his own answer: "Your Majesty, this fold is sprinkled with more than 10,000 words. The minister only saw two words. ”

Emperor Hongzhi came interested: "Oh? What two words? ”

Chang Feng Zhengse said: "Form a party!" ”

Emperor Hongzhi's face once again showed a knowing smile when he met his confidant: "Explain and explain." ”

Chang Feng said: "As soon as Tang Nai ascended to the heights, more than 100 Qingliu joined forces. This is a typical form of partying. ”

"Those who form a party attack dissidents en masse. For the same party, if you can shelter, you will be sheltered. ”

"No matter whether their original purpose of forming a party is good or bad, in the end they will become a small hill in the court that cannot be inserted by a needle or splashed by water!"

"Moreover, those who form a party will rely on the phrase 'the law does not hold the people accountable' to blackmail the people and bully the king. This bullying is not a deception, but a deception. ”

"Just one year and four months after the emperor ascended the throne, there were signs of a clear rumor official formation of a party in the DPRK and China. It must not be tolerated! ”

Emperor Hongzhi seemed to be testing Changfeng, and he deliberately said: "However, Ouyang Xiu once said that a gentleman has a party, and a villain has no party." ”

When Chang Feng said goodbye to Kong Hongtai in Qufu, Kong Hongtai once told him to let him study more.

On weekday evenings, in addition to engaging in major events with Liu Xiaoyan, Chang Feng is reading books. Especially the history books.

The hard work and hard work on weekdays come in handy at this moment.

Chang Feng Zhengse said: "Your Majesty, forming a party will breed disputes among friends. The prosperity of the past dynasties has been ruined by the dispute between friends! ”

Emperor Hongzhi sat back on the dragon chair, as if he was learning from a friend: "Oh? Let's talk about it carefully. ”

Chang Feng talked eloquently: "A "General Guide to Governance", the dispute between friends runs throughout. ”

"In the prosperous era of the Tang Dynasty, the Anshi Rebellion was triggered by the party disputes between many prime ministers. Bai Juyi has a poem that says: Yuyang Mo came agitatedly and broke the song of the neon clothes and feathers. ”

"According to the minister, the Tang Dynasty is ruined by the dispute between friends!"

"The dispute between the old and new friends of the Song Shenzong, you sing on both sides, and I will appear on the stage, and the party will fight against each other. So that the court is busy with internal friction. Many of the nobles were reduced to prisoners. ”

Since then, the Great Song Dynasty has begun to decline. The important minister said that it was the partisan dispute that led to Jingkang's shame decades later! ”

"The emperor first ascended to the throne and worked hard. We should learn the lessons of the Tang and Song dynasties. Strictly prevent courtiers from forming factions. In order to open the peace of eternity! ”

Chang Feng's macro theory is reasonable and well-founded, showing the vision and pattern. Therefore, people should read more books, especially history books.

After hearing this, Emperor Hongzhi said three good things in a row: "Good! Good! Good! ”

Then Emperor Hongzhi walked in front of Chang Feng: "You are on the wrong path!" ”

Chang Feng kowtowed: "Please make it clear to the emperor." ”

Emperor Hongzhi sighed and said, "You shouldn't have entered the Jinyi Guard to serve as a martial artist in the first place. You should continue to study for the imperial examination. ”

"As long as you have a two-list fame, even if you are ranked lower, it doesn't matter. I'm going to let you go to the Hanlin Academy to be a Shuji now. After twenty or thirty years of training, sooner or later you will be able to enter the cabinet. ”

"But then again. If you weren't from the brocade guard, I wouldn't know you. ”

This is already the emperor's highest evaluation of his courtiers.

Chang Feng's next words were very decent: "Whether it is entering the imperial examination or holding a military position in Jinyiwei, they are all serving the emperor, and they have the same end." ”

"The minister will set a grass title ring in this life to repay the emperor's kindness."

At this moment, Emperor Hongzhi looked at Chang Feng's eyes, not the emperor's eyes when he looked at his courtiers. It's the eyes of the confidant looking at the confidant.

Emperor Hongzhi pointed to the fold: "What do you think, what should I do with this group of people?" ”

Chang Feng said: "Hit the snake and hit seven inches." Among the more than 100 officials, the leaders were Tang Nai, Zou Zhi, Ji Ren, and Li Wenxiang. ”

"The minister will go and persuade them tonight, so that they can ask for their impeachment to be withdrawn tomorrow morning."

Emperor Hongzhi was full of confidence in Chang Feng: since this shrewd and capable guy said it, he would definitely do it.

Emperor Hongzhi said: "Well, you go." Tomorrow morning, I await the good news. ”

Chang Feng went out of the main hall. Xu Fatzi fell asleep standing directly in front of the main hall, and snored.

Chang Feng patted Xu Fatzi on the shoulder: "Don't sleep, it's an errand!" Go find Tang Nai! ”

(End of chapter)