Li Jinglong was imprisoned in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment.
This place of detention is worth considering. In the Hongwu Dynasty, countless nobles were imprisoned, and almost only a handful of them were able to escape. But they were all imprisoned by the Jinyiwei Zhenfusi.
As for Cao Guogong Li Jinglong, he was only imprisoned in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment.
It is said that he was imprisoned, but actually he was under observation. There was no imperial edict, no order to reprimand, and no order to interrogate him. In addition, he was imprisoned in such an intriguing place, so Li Jinglong was not wronged.
On the contrary, I received some preferential treatment.
In the prison of the Ministry of Punishment, in a clean and passable cell alone, Li Jinglong sat silently on a stool. He was still wearing the python suit given by the noble Lord, and his expression was quite calm.
In fact, Li Jinglong has lived such a long life without any setbacks, and his official career has been smooth sailing up to now. The sudden imprisonment was undoubtedly a loud wake-up call for him.
"In the past few years, I thought I had climbed up to the emperor's grandson, and I really got a little carried away!"
"I am in charge of the troops and horses of the Beijing camp again, thinking that among the nobles in the future, I, Li Jinglong, will be the only one!"
"When you act and speak, you inevitably lose the respect and caution that a minister should have!"
Li Jinglong reflected in his mind one by one, wondering if he had become a little drifting over the years! Starting website
Ever since he was a child, he has been very popular, and he speaks and does things without revealing anything. He is also very versatile, so that no one can make mistakes. But it was different from now. In the past, he could be very popular, because he did not have too important authority.
But now, he can no longer be popular, can no longer act in the same way as in the past, and can no longer think about retaining a few points in everything.
Because the emperor's grandson gave him the power to do things, not to be a human being!
Thinking of this, I felt a deep regret in my heart.
At this moment, footsteps were heard outside the door. An officer from the Criminal Department led several jailers, carrying food boxes, and pushed the door open. The door of his cell was not locked.
"I have met Mr. Cao Guo!" the official of the Criminal Department saluted.
"No!" Li Jinglong quickly helped him up with his own hands. Their identities were very different. In the past, Li Jinglong would never have seen such a low-ranking official. But now, things are different. He said with a smile, "Li is guilty."
I dare not accept your courtesy!"
The prison official laughed and said, "Your Excellency, you are joking!" Then he waved his hand and asked the jailer to put down the food box and open the lid with his own hands to reveal the food inside.
Two steamed buns, a bowl of stewed meat, and a plate of pickled vegetables.
"There is nothing good to eat in the prison. I have wronged the Duke!" the prison official said again.
"I don't dare to do this!" Li Jinglong waved his hand and said, "Li is the scapegoat. Being able to eat is already a great blessing from the emperor. How dare you ask for food!" After saying that, he looked at the food box and said again, "
Even though he is in prison and still has this kind of food and drink, Li is ashamed of himself!"
As he said that, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Excellency, you don't have to do anything for Li alone. Li will eat whatever the other prisoners eat!"
The reason why we are so cautious is what we should do. Who knows whether the official of the Criminal Department will report him later. Now it is a dragon that needs to be coiled, and a tiger that needs to lie down. Not only can we not give any excuse to others,
, but also let others see your repentance and confession.
The prison officer smiled, looked at the cell, and said, "This prison is too shabby. Would you like me to inform the government to send some covers? It's okay during the day, but is it cold in the prison at night? If it's inconvenient, let's get down there."
The official can convey it to you!"
"Absolutely not!" Li Jinglong waved his hand quickly, "Li had brought it upon himself the next day. He was not sentenced to prison and lived in a water prison. His Majesty and the Crown Prince were extremely gracious. How dare Li continue to be ignorant?"
"Your Majesty, Li has taken over your heart. But now that Li has been punished, he has chilled the hearts of the Emperor and His Highness. Now is the time to change his mind."
Seeing that Li Jinglong was so careful, the official nodded.
At this moment, a jailer stepped forward quickly and whispered a few words in the ear of the prison officer.
Li Jinglong stood very close and vaguely heard the word "manuscript", and his heart suddenly rose to his throat.
"He came with a handwriting?" asked the court official.
The jailer said, "It's absolutely true, it's even sealed with the handwriting of Lord Shangshu!"
The official's eyes rolled, and he cupped his hands to Li Jinglong and said, "Master Cao Guo, sit down for a moment. An old friend of yours has come to see you!"
Someone came to see me with a handwriting? I just don’t know whether it is the handwriting of the emperor or the emperor’s grandson?
Li Jinglong felt worried and happy at the same time, and couldn't help but crane his neck and look outside.
In sight, at the entrance of the prison, a young official came in with a frown, carrying a large food box.
Li Jinglong was overjoyed and leaned on the railing and shouted, "Xiaojie, Xiaojie, I'm here!"
The person who came was none other than Donggong Dudu, Xie Jin.
Jie Jin walked to the door of the cell with a sullen face, not giving the official of the Criminal Department a good look at all, "I want to speak to Mr. Cao Guo alone!"
"Yes, sir, please!" the criminal department officer bowed his head in response and helped them close the cell door.
"His Highness asked you to come see me?" Li Jinglong asked hurriedly in a low voice after everyone had gone away.
Xie Jin looked around and put the food in the food box on the table.
Braised large yellow croaker, salted duck, mushroom slices, fried vegetarian meatballs, four dishes.
"Lao Xiangji Restaurant's craftsmanship, while it's hot!" After Xie Jin finished speaking, he lifted up his official robe and sat down.
"How can I still think about eating now!" Li Jinglong said anxiously, "Tell me quickly!"
"What did you say?" Xie Jinqi asked, "I just came to see you as a friend! I don't know anything else!"
Li Jinglong asked curiously, "Didn't His Highness Taisun ask you to come and see me?"
"It's me who asked for the order from the emperor's grandson to come see you!" Xie Jin corrected.
Suddenly, Li Jinglong wilted like an eggplant beaten by frost.
Then he sat at the dinner table, looked at the dishes, and asked bitterly, "No wine?"
Xie Jin looked around again, then took out a silver wine flask from his sleeve and threw it over with a snap.
"Twenty years of Shaoxing yellow, I can't bear to drink it myself!"
"Li remembered this sentiment!" What Li Jinglong drank was not wine, but bitterness and loss.
After two sips of wine, Li Jinglong asked again, "Xiaojie, you are the person next to the emperor's grandson. What are you going to do with me? Do you hear anything?"
"I heard it, but I didn't hear it, that's all."
"It's nothing, just tell me!" Li Jinglong regained his energy and grabbed Xie Jin's sleeve directly, "Good brother, please help me, I won't thank you for your kindness. After Li passed this test, I will go to Yangzhou to buy some in person.
A pretty girl for you!"
"Which one of you do I like?" Xie Jin said, then blinked, "Vulgarity, what Xie loves is not women, but love, but talent!"
"I understand, I understand!" Li Jinglong said anxiously, "They must be all good at playing music, chess, calligraphy and painting. When you study, they will be more beautiful and talented, right?"
Xie Jin smiled and said, "We have known each other for such a long time, so there is no need to be so polite!"
"It should, it should!" Li Jinglong nodded.
"Actually, you haven't figured it out yet. How to deal with you is not up to the Emperor and His Highness, but up to you!" Xie Jin said.
Li Jinglong thought about it and said, "Speak clearly!"
"Look, was it you who committed the crime?" Xie Jin explained in a low voice, "Are you at fault? Although this fault may not really be that big, you are at fault!"
"Yes, yes!" Li Jinglong nodded hurriedly.
"Look, you've already admitted your mistake, so why are you still acting like nothing's wrong? Shouldn't you be submitting a confession letter?" Xie Jin said.
Bang, Li Jinglong slapped his forehead and understood.
His crime was caused by Xu Huizu's impeachment for his association with salt merchants. And those salt merchants were all members of King Ning.
"Then look, which way should I go?" Li Jinglong continued to ask.
The reason why he has no worries for the time being is precisely because he made friends with Prince Ning's people, or rather, Prince Ning's people came to his door.
If he was really secretly selling private salt, how could the old man be so polite? What a fool!
He also wanted to understand that the Emperor Taisun was the one punishing him for the situation he was in now.
But what he doesn't understand now and can't figure out is how far the emperor's grandson wants to take this matter.
"Let me remind you again!" Xie Jin whispered, "Just after the imperial edict was issued, King Xuanning came to Beijing!"
This chapter has been completed!