From Zhangde to Zhending, from Huaiqing to Nanyang, there are bandits everywhere. Where there are no bandits, there are bandit caravans everywhere. The price of food in the city has risen to the point where ordinary people cannot afford it. That's it, it's just that.
Often you cannot buy food with money.
Because of the severe drought, the Yellow River, which originally had a lot of water, has slowly dried up. Except for the middle section of the river, there are only shoals left, covered with withered grass and reeds, which are constantly undulating with the cold wind.
There were frozen corpses everywhere in the reed stalls, including men, women and children. The color of the corpses had turned black and their clothes had been stripped off. Groups of wild dogs were in and out of the reed stalls, dragging out human internal organs.
Everywhere, when they saw the cavalry appearing on the embankment, the wild dogs did not scatter in surprise, but bared their white fangs at the cavalry.
Looking at the corpses eaten by wild dogs, the cavalrymen of the Liaodong Army felt their throats choked, and everyone felt pain in their hearts.
Cao Bianjiao stared blankly for a long time, then let out a long breath.
.............................
Jingshi, Dongchang.
Since returning from Gusu, Cao Huachun has lived and ate in Dongchang and will not go anywhere. Unless summoned by the emperor, he will never enter the palace. His uncle Cao Xuan from his hometown sent a letter saying that the old lady was sick, but he thought it was nothing.
He was seriously ill, so he had to work hard for a while before going to visit. Cao Xuan urged her several times, but Cao Huachun only relied on the emperor's orders to evade her. Unexpectedly, three days later, the old lady passed away.
Thinking of his grandmother's kindness, Cao Huachun regretted it endlessly. He cried bitterly and gave his uncle a lot of scolding. He promised to bury the old lady in a grand ceremony, but now he couldn't leave her. He had to put the old lady's affairs aside first.
Ask your hometown to store the old lady's coffin in Zhihua Temple first, and then wait for an opportunity to mourn her.
On this day, an old acquaintance of Zhou Yingbi sent 40,000 taels of silver, saying that he wanted to ask Cao Huachun to help an old friend in Beijing. When Cao Huachun was wondering who Zhou Yingbi said the old friend was, Jia Hong, the head of the East Factory's Thousand Households, came in and reported with a smile.
: "Mr. Factory, two friends who we played with since childhood came to my hometown. They came all the way from the south of the Yangtze River and wanted to meet the Mr. Factory. I see that the Mr. Factory has been busy with state affairs and family affairs these days. He is so busy that he didn't dare to disturb me.
, I have been ordering them to wait for the letter."
"Who?" Cao Huachun raised his head and asked.
When Jia Hong heard that he did not refuse to see him outright, he smiled charmingly and said: "The factory owner has met one person, and the other person may have heard about it."
Cao Huachun frowned and said: "Just say it! There is no one else here. Why are you worried about Dongchang Yamen? You are so evasive?"
"Yes, yes..." Jia Hong didn't dare to blink anymore and hurriedly said: "One is named Dong Tingxian, the other is named Wu..."
Before he could say anything, Cao Huachun interrupted him, "Is it Wu Changshi? They are both disciples of Zhou Yanru's house. You let them into the city privately six days ago, huh..."
"Mr. Factory..." Jia Hong's legs felt weak. He didn't expect that Cao Huachun would find out about this matter, and he was horrified. "Mr. Factory makes atonement. They are very reliable. If there is something urgent to see the Mr. Factory, he will make the decision even though he is humble in his position... This
It's their filial piety..." As he said that, he took out a banknote from his sleeve and presented it respectfully.
When Cao Huachun saw that it was a three thousand tael silver note with the words "Pingyao Pigment Guild Hall of the Capital, Shanxi Rishengchang Old Name" written on it, which was issued by the most famous bank in the Capital, Cao Huachun frowned, took it and put it in his arms, and asked
Said: "What do they want from our family?"
"There are many people here and it is not the place to pay a visit. Please condescend to meet Cao Huachun in this humble house." Jia Hong was a little embarrassed, and it seemed that the person asking for the request wanted to pay a visit to Cao Huachun in person.
"You go back and prepare first, I will be there soon."
Cao Huachun relied on his noble status and did not want to go with Jia Hong. Moreover, the person who came was only a few thousand taels of silver, so it must be a confidential matter. Naturally, he was extra careful. Now Wang Dehua and Gao Qiqian are keeping an eye on him because of Jiangnan affairs. , even Wang Chengen wanted to get involved. He, the eunuch in charge of the East Factory, had a hard time, so he had to be careful in everything, so as not to talk to others.
After dark, Cao Huachun changed into casual clothes and went to the place Jia Hong had mentioned under the protection of several Dongchang fans. As soon as he entered the gate, Jia Hong and Wu Chang saw Dong Tingxian and three people already bowing at the gate. Cao Huachun had just stepped out. The three of them gathered around the sedan chair, greeted him and surrounded him into the hall.
Dong Tingxian presented the bright red gift list, which was mostly filled with gold, silver and jewelry. Cao Huachun did not look at it carefully, but took it carefully and asked: "Xinkui, why do you need to spend so much money? We and Mr. Zhou Ge are not outsiders, what's the point?" Just say it anyway.”
Dong Tingxian smiled apologetically and said: "I haven't seen my father-in-law for a long time. I miss you very much. I sent us two to pay my respects to my father-in-law. What's the matter? Besides, even if there are big things, when we get to my father-in-law, the big things will be reduced to trivial matters."
"You're flattering us, but we don't have the ability to make waves." Cao Huachun knew that he was trying his best to flatter you, but he felt greatly benefited from it, and he smiled happily, "Right now, there are rogue bandits in the Central Plains, and you have come all the way here, and I understand your wishes. "
Wu Changshi cupped his hands and said, "My father-in-law is indeed very sharp-eyed. We do have something for you to worry about. My father-in-law is far away in the capital and lives in the capital. Have you heard about things in the south of the Yangtze River?"
Cao Huachun had a sudden thought and said, "Our family has been in the capital recently, how can we care about Jiangnan's affairs?"
"Mr. Qian Muzhai, a famous person from Jiangnan, do you still remember me?" Wu Changshi reminded.
"Why don't you remember? Our family saw him arguing with Mr. Wen Ge in the palace, and his face turned pale... Besides, when our family went to the inner library to study, the husband came from his disciples, so we are actually his disciples." Thinking of this. Four years ago, I visited Qian Qianyi at night at Yunyan Temple in Huqiu, Suzhou. After Qian Qianyi knew his purpose, he could not hide the fear and confusion in his eyes, and he couldn't help but sneer in his heart.
Wu Changshi didn't know that Cao Huachun had been focusing on Jiangnan in the past two years. Hearing what he said was kind, he quickly said gratefully: "Old Mr. Mu Zhai would be overjoyed if he heard what my father-in-law said. But he has been framed recently and has been involved in lawsuits. , there is nothing we can do.”
"Oh?" Cao Huachun said in surprise: "Mr. Mu Zhai has many talents all over the world, who dares to offend him?"
"Of course he is a person with quite a lot of background." Wu Changshi looked out deliberately, then lowered his voice and said: "This person has great power. Although he is in the capital, is there anything in Jiangnan that he does not control behind the scenes? Are you serious? I can't afford it! Needless to say, Mr. Muzhai is just a minister of the Ministry of Rites who resigned and returned to his hometown. He is also one of the six ministers of the dynasty. Who is not submissive and dares to complain? "
"It turns out you are talking about Mr. Wen Ge. You can't blame him for being so careful. The two have a deep grudge. However, Mr. Mu Zhai lives in seclusion in the south of the Yangtze River and writes books for his own entertainment. How could he have anything to do with Mr. Wen Ge?" After Wu Changshi said so much, Cao Huachun If we didn't know that the man was Wen Tiren, his life as the governor of Dongchang would have been in vain.
"Four years ago at the Huqiu Conference, Mr. Mu Zhai came with his disciple Qu Shichu. Mr. Wen Ge must be afraid that he would make a comeback with the help of the restoration of society, so he instigated Changshu Zhang Han Ruju Shu to criticize and escort Mr. Mu Zhai and Qu Shichu to Beijing. Locked up in the prison of the Ministry of Justice."
"Oh, we don't know about this yet." Cao Huachun secretly admired Wen Tiren's sophisticated methods and asked calmly: "What evidence did they collect?"
"Not afraid of clear opinions, not afraid of clear opinions, absorbing people's blood, eating the country's official tribute, controlling the government, and messing up official comments, there are no less than fifty-eight articles. Zhang Hanru is the master of the Yamen, and the crime of Luo Zhi is originally his. Good show."
"What's the point of this matter?"
"Governor Yingtian Zhang Guowei and Inspector Lu Zhenfei both defended Mr. Mu Zhai. Mr. Mu Zhai also submitted two memorials in prison, but they were suppressed by Wen Tiren and could not reach the emperor's hands."
"Well, I know everything about this. It's not a big deal. You two go back first and send a message to Mr. Mu Zhai to reassure him." Cao Huachun said, taking out a stack of banknotes from his sleeve and pushing it to Dong Tingxian in Wu Changshi. Said: "This is the 40,000 taels of silver that you asked Zhou Yingbi to give to us a few days ago. Since it is Mr. Mu Zhai's business, I can't accept it. You take it back!"
"This, this...how do you do this?" Even though Wu Chang had a good chance and had many years of experience in officialdom, he was still hesitant and embarrassed.
Jia Hong grabbed the banknotes, stuffed them into their hands, and advised: "Since the factory owner has agreed, you can go on your own without any worries." The two men hesitated and looked at Cao Huachun in confusion.
Cao Huachun said with a smile: "We also have something to ask Mr. Mu Zhai, and ask him to write a Shinto inscription for the Dowager Madam, so that she can lay a stone in memory of her. In this way, the rights will be equalized, and we will not owe each other anything. Account."
When Wuchang arrived, Dong Tingxian was elated, nodded repeatedly, and left with great gratitude.
...........
Early the next morning, Cao Huachun got the inscription written by Qian Qianyi overnight. Qian Qianyi was in trouble and had nowhere to channel his sorrow and resentment, so he took advantage of it and wrote the inscription in a rich, sad and poignant way. Cao Huachun read with emotion, as if his grandmother who had just died was right in front of him, and couldn't help but cry loudly. As he was weeping, a young eunuch rushed in and reported: "Long live the Lord's decree, and the Governor will enter the palace immediately."
Cao Huachun hurried to the palace and entered the Dongnuan Pavilion. Chongzhen threw a piece of paper in front of his eyes without waiting for him to salute and kowtow, saying: "Cao Huachun, you are becoming more and more promising. There is 40,000 taels of silver in your hand. It's so big." The courage!"
Cao Huachun hurriedly picked up the piece of paper from the ground. It turned out to be an anonymous announcement. He hurriedly read it cover to cover. It said that Qian Qianyi used 40,000 taels of silver to "pay Cao to attack Wen". He suddenly broke out in cold sweat and knelt down and kowtowed. : "This slave has definitely done nothing illegal. It must be a malicious frame-up by a traitor. Long Live the Lord knows this!"
"It's groundless. You don't know this truth."
Chongzhen's face was gloomy and his words were very stern. Cao Huachun thought carefully before sending the banknote to Zhou Yingbi and returning it yesterday. He didn't know where the flaw was, but it was leaked to others. He also thought that the emperor would reveal the note and show it. It was really a great favor. Favored, it is necessary to take advantage of the emperor's half-belief and doubt to confess the truth carefully. He calmed his mind and asked in a low voice: "You are so bold, where did this confession come from?"
"Mr. Wen played it."
"The post clearly stated that the slave was impeached based on Wang Fan's leadership, but the slave girl could not remember who Wang Fan was. There was no one with this name among the old and new friends that the slave girl knew. This person spoke with certainty, like It’s as amazing as seeing it with your own eyes!”
Cao Huachun scratched his head and thought hard. He felt that this matter was too strange and there were many doubts. But when he sorted it out, it was so confusing that he didn't know where to start.
............
It’s not good to write a few other paragraphs and stare at them all the time. It’s too bad. Alas, I’d better hurry up and compete with the Mantatars.