Da Shuanzi explained to me seriously: "I heard that it was Mr. Pan's suggestion to reinstate the original officials."
I don't know why: "Master Pan? Who is this?"
Someone in the police immediately scoffed at my ignorance: "Master Pan, you don't even know Pan Zhuqing? Pan Taishi's eldest son, the current imperial censor Zhongcheng. Although his official position is average, the emperor thinks highly of him, saying that he is the future prime minister.
It’s not an exaggeration.”
I chuckled, and while pouring tea for everyone, I started to talk mean again: "The official position is average, which means that although the emperor thinks highly of him, it doesn't mean that Zhao trusts him." There is no way, I watch palace battle dramas and official battle dramas.
There are so many that I can’t help but guess what’s wrong with the plot while watching the excitement.
But Da Shuanzi touched his chin and said disapprovingly: "No, I heard that the emperor wanted to promote him many times, but he himself rejected all the official positions and titles, so he wanted to be a censor and a prime minister."
Another detective beside him also said with some excitement: "Isn't it? And let me tell you. This Master Pan is a great person. Many corrupt officials have fallen into his hands. He is young and is not afraid of anything."
A powerful person, even the prince must be polite when meeting him. Not to mention that the emperor likes him, even people like us admire him from the bottom of our hearts."
Before he finished speaking, the voice of the county magistrate came from behind him again: "Yes. I still remember that he and General Zhao Changyuan used both civil and military skills to control several chaotic cities here. The weather was smooth and they were as solid as gold."
It seems that Pan Zhuqing is really popular among the people. But for some reason, I seem to have some unexplainable doubts about this character: "You just said that he is the son of the imperial master?"
"Yes." Several people answered me in unison.
"That's no wonder." I smiled, and some of my doubts were solved. "How old is he?"
"Twenty-six or seven."
This child is not simple, he knows that things must be reversed when they are extreme, and he understands the rules of the game. This is the conclusion I drew for him in my heart at the moment. Men in their twenties are the most difficult to resist temptation. But he can resist it again and again.
I guess the reason why he resists the temptation of power is not because he is not interested in power. It is because he is too aware of the treacherous nature of the emperor's favor and power, and he knows the huge risks of a big tree attracting the wind and having power overturned.
However, what is noteworthy is that although this subversion of officialdom has a wide scope and involves many people, the real core dignitaries of the central government have not been touched at all.
The civil and political power is still in the hands of Taishi Pan. The power of military control is mainly in the hands of Zhao Jiajun. Although it is said that General Zhao Changyuan has long been missing, the iron triangle of warlords composed of generals Zhao Xiong, Yang Guodong and Cao Rui can be said to be invincible.
, Megatron Chao Gang.
Because of this, even if there are storms and rains in the officialdom, the whole world is still calm and peaceful.
But on New Year's Eve of the second year after I came to this ancient time, the incident took an unexpected turn when Concubine Ke committed suicide in the cold palace.
On that midwinter evening, the sun had already set low. Widow Ji and I burned a small hot pot in the backyard of the Yamen and invited the detectives and government servants on duty to enjoy it together. In the cold winter, a group of young people gathered around the hot pot to talk and laugh.
Laughing, it actually reminds me of the days when I would meet up with my colleagues from the police station to have a fireside after work.
Everyone had a strong appetite. Widow Ji and I washed, cut, and added vegetables and ran around three or four times. Just when we were in high spirits, Zhu Dali, the shop owner who had already left work and returned home, hurried into the yard.
, and shouted loudly: "Do you know, something big has happened again!"
Widow Ji was sharing the dishes and asked with a smile: "What's wrong? Why are you always so surprised lately?"
"My brother who is an errand in Kaifeng Mansion wrote to me and told me that Concubine Ke Guifei is dead."
We all continued to eat the food disapprovingly. Widow Ji also responded calmly: "I knew it earlier. I heard someone said it the day before yesterday. He has been dead for several days."
Zhu Dali walked to the table and sat down. He picked up the chopsticks and took the meat out of the pot to eat. While eating, he muttered: "But before she died, she committed a great sin."
"How do you say it?" Da Shuanzi asked.
He swallowed the food in his mouth, put down his chopsticks, and said seriously: "She left a blood letter in the cold palace, saying that she was a descendant of Sun Ji, the deputy envoy to the Privy Council who was executed by the emperor. Sneak in
The purpose of staying with the emperor in the palace is to avenge your family."
Widow Ji exclaimed: "That's it!" Not only her, but everyone else except me also had expressions of sudden realization.
Zhu Dali shook his head, and then continued mysteriously: "I haven't finished speaking yet. In the blood letter, she also mentioned the person who has been secretly training her and supporting her. Guess who it is?"
"Who?"
"Can't guess..."
"Oh, please tell me quickly!"
"Zhao Changyuan."
When he softly uttered these three words, the whole world seemed to be quiet. I didn't recognize Concubine Ke, I didn't know who Sun Ji was, and I had only heard about Zhao Changyuan. But for some reason, that face was full of
A man with a beard and tear stains, wearing filial clothes and tattered shoes, with desperate eyes will appear in my mind at this moment. "Madam, come and see me once in a while, okay..." I remembered what he said at that time. I also thought of him.
That trembling tenderness when you hold me in your arms.
"The Sun family and the Zhao family are family friends. Sun Ji has a son named Sun Zhongwen. He and General Zhao are childhood friends. Even the emperor knows about this. A few days ago, the emperor sent someone to thoroughly investigate the Zhao family. It was indeed
In the study room of the Zhao family, I found a lot of pen and ink written by Sun Ji and his son during their lifetime."
Hearing this, my heart sank, and I asked with my jaw stretched: "What then?"
The county magistrate sighed and shook his head: "The Zhao family will not be able to escape this time."
"You can convict a whole family with just a few bad calligraphy and paintings? What a bastard!" I suddenly couldn't suppress the anger in my heart, and all the blood in my body rushed to my scalp.
The men seemed a little confused by my reaction. They all blinked and looked at me without saying a word. Only Widow Ji touched my forehead and asked doubtfully: "What's wrong with you? I rarely see you so excited."
.”
I turned away with some embarrassment, trying to calm down my unknown anger, and finally said in a low voice: "I have always heard you say that General Zhao's family is loyal and righteous. Do you believe this now?"
After waiting for a long time, no one responded. I turned around and looked at everyone present, and asked again without giving up: "Do you believe it?"
"It doesn't matter whether we believe it or not, the key lies with the Emperor." Da Shuanzi said the truth with some helplessness. In such an era ruled by a feudal dynasty, do you ladies have the right to speak? However, justice lies in the hearts of the people. He raised the question
At first, he added resolutely: "But to be honest, even if you beat me to death, I don't believe that General Zhao is a traitor. I have heard people in the army say it more than once that he is the most kind general in the world. No one.
He cherishes the lives of his subordinates and people more than he does. He is neither arrogant nor impatient, gentle and polite. If such a person is also a rebellious official and traitor, will there be any good people in the world?"
Someone started, and then everyone opened their hearts without hesitation. "I don't believe it either."
"Me too."
"General Zhao is definitely innocent!"
…
I don’t know why, but looking at everyone’s sincere and touching attitude at this moment, I feel an inexplicable emotion welling up in my heart. It’s like being moved, but more like being proud. I think I’m probably a little crazy. Since I came to this era,
I, Zhao Zhao, will have unreasonable emotions about some completely unfamiliar people and things. Does Zhao Changyuan know who I am? I am really a bit sentimental.
The magistrate also found a stool and sat down, poured himself a glass of rice wine, and said something very reasonable slowly: "In fact, it is understandable that the Holy One is so sensitive. There is a saying that once
He was bitten by a snake and feared for ten years. He was also frightened by Mr. Luo, who had betrayed him. In addition, Concubine Ke was his pillow, and being betrayed by someone so close to her one after another would make anyone lose their judgment.
"
Educated people are different. No wonder they are county magistrates and we are county magistrates.
"Girl, if you are so distracted, you are lovesick, right?" Widow Ji didn't know what I was going through at the moment, and she didn't forget to laugh and joke with me in the kitchen.
I didn’t know where to start, so I responded helplessly: “Ah? Hmm.”
When she heard this, she beamed: "Do you really have a sweetheart? Who is it? Let me guess, it can't be your brother, right?" But as soon as she finished speaking, she immediately rejected her guess. "Probably not, you don't have that vision.
Oh no. Let me see, it’s probably an embolus, right?”
I saw her talking more and more outrageously, and I couldn't laugh or cry: "Wow, what are you talking about?"
"Don't be embarrassed, I think he's pretty good too. He's sensible and steady, and he'll be a good candidate for an official job in the future. He's not particularly ugly either, and he's one of the best in our yamen."
Seeing her excitedly praising the bolt with her fingers, I felt vaguely suspicious: "It seems that there is still someone who can catch your eye." I said lightly with a smile on my lips.
But my calm words were like thunder, causing Widow Ji's face to turn pale instantly. I covered the washed rice with a lid, wiped my hands, and patted her shoulder, very seriously.
Said: "This is a good thing. Fate is not inevitable. If it comes, catch him."
"You stinky girl, I'm talking about you, why did you involve me?" She turned her back, but I still caught a glimpse of her blushing face before she turned around.
At this moment, the guard walked in and a little catcher came in. "Sister Ji, sister Gong, we have to cook for one more person at noon."
Widow Ji asked: "Oh? Is there a newcomer?"
"Well, the head catcher just arrived. You will see him in a moment."
Just as he was about to turn around and leave, Widow Ji stopped him again: "Just in time, bring this tea to your lord."
He did not take the tea tray, but smiled and scratched his head, and said a little embarrassedly: "Hey, sister, I have something to do, I will be out soon."
I knew that Widow Ji had some menstrual pain today, so I immediately stepped forward and took the tea tray: "I'll go." (To be continued)