As the year drew to a close, the internal guards released Le Lan from prison. He should have been punished for his crime, but Ding Mei begged the King of Qin for his favor. This person confessed a lot of information about the Shu Kingdom, which was regarded as meritorious service. Because Ding Mei had already taken advantage of the Taoist priest from Xianyang to go out.
I took the opportunity to check his residence, but found nothing like a roster, so I decided to wait and see if anyone else could contact him. In this case, I couldn't kill Le Lan as a crime and alert the Taoist priests and others.
The King of Qin was not willing at first. Ding Mei said: "Shu has spent several years of effort but failed, so it will not give up. Let Mr. Le be used as a hook, and maybe the next official Bi will come to him."
.”
The King of Qin was still unhappy. Mr. Cui said: "Master Le only agreed to persuade the prince to form an alliance with the Kingdom of Shu. He had no intention of betraying the king for glory. Besides, the old scholar Le followed the late prince from the capital to the Western Qin Dynasty and made great contributions. Your Majesty,
He must remember his father."
After talking like this for a long time, King Qin reluctantly agreed. He also sent a young eunuch to tell Old Scholar Le Lan: "If Mr. Cui had not repeatedly begged for mercy, King Gu would never have bypassed Le Lan." The next day, the old man came to express his thanks in person.
Ding Mei then arranged for people to monitor the Taoist priest, slowly collecting detailed records of Shu, but rarely arrested. Le Lan did not need to worry about it. After all, the Le family and the whole family could not leave Qin, but he would not let it go if he had the opportunity to make meritorious deeds.
Pass.
No one in Chang'an City knew what happened to the palace and the inner guards. Although the Fuyuntang case involved many people, people who were not involved were still dealing with old age issues. It was already the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, and Ding Bozhang sent an urgent message.
The steward came to the inner guard yamen and asked to see Ding Mei. The man kowtowed and said, "Just because we have to worship our ancestors in two days, the eldest master sent his servants to see Miss Mei and asked her if she would go back home."
Ding Mei said with a smile: "Have we reached this point? I am so busy that there is no one in the mountains, and it is cold and I don't know the New Year. Since I am worshiping my ancestors, I might as well go back and have a look. I will prepare to take my mother out of the house after the New Year, and I will tell you
"Uncle." The steward froze and responded half-heartedly.
On New Year's Eve, civil and military officials from all over the court came to the palace to congratulate them. Because there were still many officials in prison, the number of court officials was sparse, which was frightening to watch. Ding Mei, as a female officer and the commander of the internal guard, was waiting.
When he entered the court, he and his uncle and nephew from the Zhu family gathered together to talk, which was very conspicuous. In addition, many officials in the court often went to Chunfeng Tower and recognized Miss Mei, so it was a bit awkward to meet in the court. Ding Mei was very generous and greeted everyone with a smile.
.
Suddenly the King of Qin came. The young man expressed his fatigue, looked at the crowd and said: "The lonely king knows that all of you have your own thoughts, and he also knows that no fool will die serving the country to death. It's just that you are the officials of the imperial court, and you are easy to live.
Think about it, has the state of Qin ever been unable to tolerate you, has the lonely king ever been unable to tolerate you, and have the people ever been unable to tolerate you."
All the ministers knelt down and shouted in unison: "I don't dare—"
King Qin shook his head and said, "That's it for this year. Next year we will be able to reorganize the government affairs and go back to have a good year." He waved his hand and left the court.
The ministers exited the hall, and there was a lot of discussion. Because Ding Bozhang was the leader of the court, everyone gathered around him. Ding Bozhang said nothing. Looking up, he saw that the old man Zhu Wei was also surrounded by people, but his niece was sullen.
When he was talking to Zhu Tong, Zhu Tong also looked cautious. Maybe others were afraid that they would say something confidential, and both of them had recently become officials, so they had no good friends for the time being, and no one was around. Ding Bozhang thought for a moment.
, walked over quickly.
Zhu Tong and Ding Mei immediately shut up. Zhu Tong raised his hands in front of him and said, "Mr. Ding."
Ding's eyebrows were also graceful and blessed, and he did not shy away from anything and shouted: "Uncle." Many officials followed Ding Bozhang and were shocked when they heard this!
When Ding Bozhang heard the three words "uncle", he felt calm. He stroked his beard and said kindly: "Your aunt and others have gone to see the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother, and they will probably be late. Can you go back with me?"
"
Ding Mei thought for a while: "That's fine. There are many people here, so we won't wait for them."
Ding Bozhang nodded and looked at Zhu Tong. Zhu Tong said: "It's time for me to go back to worship my ancestors. Don't forget to promise my wife, Mr. Xiao Ding."
Ding Mei smiled and said, "It's hard to say, I'm a very busy official."
Zhu Tonggong cupped his hands and turned around to leave. An official quickly stopped him: "Master Xiao Zhu, please stay."
"Lord Wang?"
Mr. Wang was a little impatient and whispered: "Sir Xiao Zhu, what did the prince mean just now?"
Zhu Tong said: "Isn't this clear? Let's celebrate the New Year first, and what will happen after the New Year."
Mr. Wang said anxiously: "What is this? Please give me Mr. Xiao Zhu's advice."
Zhu Tong said: "Xiao Gui and Cao Sui. What happened to Prime Minister Liu Feng in the first two years, and what will happen next year. If you secretly make trouble behind the prince's back, don't blame the prince for not giving him face."
An official, whose brother was imprisoned for taking bribes, also came over and asked in a low voice: "For the adults involved in the Fuyuntang case, what are your plans, sir?"
"What should we do?" Zhu Tong said, "Your Majesty only pardoned one person, Lord Le Lan. The rest followed the law."
Someone immediately shouted: "Why am I pardoning Master Le?! Can he be pardoned for the kind of thing he committed?"
Zhu Tong said: "The prince doesn't want to pardon him either. However, the key witness is dead and there is no proof. You can't make excuses, right?" Everyone was stunned. Zhu Tong took the opportunity to leave.
Others in the court did not know that Le Lan was having an affair with Shu, and they thought he was having an affair with the Cao family. They were shocked. Ding Bozhang didn't know either, so he asked Ding Mei hurriedly: "Master Le?"
Ding Mei glanced at everyone and said, "As Master Xiao Zhu said, there is no evidence."
Someone stumbled and said, "Everyone in the world knows what the adulterer committed. Shouldn't we just let him go?"
Ding Mei said leisurely: "Without evidence, not even the prince can convict anyone. My lords, please do your own thing in deciding the case in the future. The law is the foundation of the Qin State. Our Qin State is about to transform from the rule of men to the rule of law, and no one can be exempted, including
The prince himself." Everyone looked at each other with their own thoughts.
Ding Mei smiled sweetly, turned around and held Ding Bozhang's arm. Ding Bozhang was very proud, supported Ding Mei and left. Someone in the crowd vaguely sighed: "There are Mr. Lao Zhu and Mr. Xiao Zhu in the court. If so, there will be others."
It’s such a wonderful story about Mr. Old Ding and Mr. Xiao Ding.” Ding Bozhang became more and more happy when he heard it, and even raised his beard.
The uncle and nephew of the Ding family took a car back to the house, and first went to Ding Bozhang's study to sit down. Seeing that the inside and outside of Ding's house had been decorated with lights and decorations, Ding Mei said with a smile: "The house is much richer."
Ding Bozhang felt happy now that he had gained face in front of the courtiers. He also smiled and said: "The output of the factory has increased in recent years. Ping'an Prefecture has its own sales, so it is really more comfortable."
Ding Mei thought: "Besides Ping'an Prefecture, Shanghai is also an important place. If you want to open up sales in the south, you must first enter Shanghai."
Ding Bozhang looked at her and said, "Big girl, what's wrong with you, an official?"
Ding Mei smiled and said: "Uncle, which one is better, the niece of a third-grade official who is in charge of the inner guard, or the niece who is a sister-in-law in the family temple?"
Ding Bozhang said: "Of course my niece is better off now."
Ding Mei said: "Then uncle, please don't ask how my niece got where she is today. The twists and turns are not known to outsiders, not even the inner guards." Ding Bozhang took a deep breath of cold air and nodded slowly.
nod.
Although the three masters of the Ding family have all served as officials, the third one is of a slightly lower rank and cannot go to court. Ding Bozhang was busy talking to Ding Mei about court affairs at the moment and did not call the third master to come over. But the third master Ding is here today
He had sent people waiting at the gate early. When he heard that his eldest brother and daughter had returned to the house, he rushed over immediately. He did not dare to go in rashly, so he first called the two senior officers who followed Ding Bozhang to come and inquire.
The two men said: "The servants are just waiting outside the palace. The eldest master was helped out by Miss Mei. Someone called Miss Mei to be 'Master Xiao Ding'. Well, did the third master see the two guards at the door? That's right.
The one who follows Miss Mei is carrying a musket! This is the first time a musket has been brought into our house."
Mr. Ding San muttered: "Is she a promising person? How on earth did she become such an official?"
A chief followed and said, "This servant doesn't know. It's said that the servant doesn't know. We just talked to servants from other families outside the palace. Many people guessed where Miss Dumei came from, but they didn't know she was from our family.
"
Another said: "Everyone knows it now. Hey, look at the eyes of those people, as if they were complaining that the slaves didn't tell them. It's really interesting! In fact, the slaves just knew it."
Master Ding San waited for a while longer, couldn't bear it any longer, and sent someone into the study to report. Hearing this, Ding Mei slightly sneered at the corner of his mouth. Ding Bozhang was about to ask what King Qin will do in the next year, but Lao San disturbed him.
, secretly complaining that he was impatient. I had no choice but to invite him in.
If he had known that Ding Mei was a third-rank official and had just left the court, he saw his daughter wearing a crimson official robe, but he only had a green robe of the sixth rank. The third master suddenly felt uncomfortable. Ding Mei had stood up and looked at him.
It was as pale as clear water, and he bowed his head and said, "Father."
Mr. Ding San coughed twice, looked her up and said, "You seem to be making a difference."
"Please trust me, Your Majesty." Ding Mei said, "Just try your best."
A fire of ignorance burned in Master Ding San's belly, and he said solemnly: "You said you want to take your mother out of the house?"
"Yes. I'll pick her up in a few days."
"Bastard!" Mr. Ding San shouted, "Your mother is the wife of my Ming matchmaker. How could you take her away just as you said?"
Ding Mei smiled and said: "Then father, do you want to go to the Yamen to accuse me of disobedience?" Mr. Ding San was stunned. He originally thought of frightening her with the crime of disobedience later, but she didn't expect it. Ding Mei vomited lightly.
He took a breath and said, "My daughter reminds her father: Although there are many talents in the Qin State, it is not easy for the prince to find a commander of the inner guard. If the father does not give up, he can try to sue. My daughter dares to say that there is no yamen
Dare to accept father's petition? Isn't father accustomed to the title of internal guard? How about another way of saying it. If you sue the commander of Jin Yiwei in the capital, what will be the consequences?"
Before Mr. Ding San could come to his senses, Ding Bozhang shuddered and shouted: "Third brother! Don't be reckless and talk to your niece." He rushed to say, "Niece, this is too big.
, we have to think about it in the long term.”
Ding Mei thought for a moment and said: "How about this. Just invite my mother here and explain everything in person."
Mr. Ding San shouted: "How can there be such a rule? You go and see her later!"
Ding Bozhang thought about it, Ding Mei must have been very resentful towards Lao San for what happened back then. If the whole family was allowed to speak for themselves, there would be a quarrel. He nodded and said, "That's fine." Ding San's face suddenly turned red.
Not long after, Mrs. Ding San came. With a smile on her face, Ding stepped forward and took her mother's hand: "Mom!"
Mrs. Ding San, wearing a brand-new brocade dress, smiled and stroked her daughter's head and neck: "Here comes the eyebrow." Mr. Ding San coughed. The third wife hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.
Ding Bozhang Naidao said: "Third brother and sister, Meiyatou said she wanted to take you out to live, but the third child didn't agree. What do you think?"
Mrs. Ding San said seriously: "Mei'er has already sent someone to tell me to come over. What I mean is to follow Mei'er."
Mr. Ding San drank: "How presumptuous! Are you rebelling? You are the third wife of this house!"
Mrs. Ding San lowered her eyebrows and said: "Master, there are two eldest and two wives in this mansion. It doesn't matter if there is a third wife or not. I don't want to delay the female family members of the Ding mansion to receive guests and invite people to have New Year's wine. I have been married to the Ding mansion for more than 20 years.
I haven’t done anything, and it’s not my turn to do anything. If it’s Mei’er’s place—” She couldn’t hold back her laughter, and sighed again, “Mei’er’s yamen is the hardest. As long as I’m here, she’ll go to the yamen every day.
Is there something hot to eat? If she is very busy, I can add or take off some clothes for her."
Master Ding San immediately said: "Why don't we just ask Mei'er to move back here? There's nothing in the house."
Ding Mei coughed twice and looked at Ding Bozhang. Ding Bozhang said: "Mei'er's job, not only can't he move back, but he also has to avoid suspicion when he sees our brothers on weekdays. If the internal guards investigate the case and find relatives and friends,
On top of that, we have trouble handling people asking for help. This is because the prince is young and inexperienced. If it’s the prince who is the first, I will transfer him."
Ding Mei said: "Not to mention the distance, there are dozens of people in prison."
Master Ding San suddenly remembered something: "Mei'er, do you know how Mr. Xie Deren's case went?"
Ding Mei said: "Most of what I've been checking recently is detailed work. Master Jie's crime is not to have connections with foreign countries, so I don't know about it."
Mr. Ding San wanted to speak, but Ding Bozhang said: "Sir, these are troubled times, and Mei'er is in such a position. You should be more careful in your words and deeds. Don't go out and provoke idlers."
Mr. Ding San didn't dare to mention it anymore. He looked at the third wife again and said, "Of course she has a lot of servants in her house. Are you afraid that she won't have food to eat? At worst, you can send her wet nurse there. You don't have to go."
Mrs. Ding San bowed and said, "Master, I want to go with Mei'er."
Ding Mei took two steps forward and stood in front of her mother, Yingying Wanfu, and said with a smile: "Father, my daughter is telling her father today, not discussing with her father. I have become a third-rank official and am the prince's confidant. If father is dissatisfied, you can
Be diligent in government affairs and be a pragmatic official. How about we discuss it after my father can wear an official robe at the same level as his daughter?"
"You!" Mr. Ding San was so angry that stars appeared in his eyes and he flew into a rage: "I am your father!"
"I know." Ding Mei said, "I also know that my father is an upright official and has no private dealings with other countries."
Ding Bozhang suddenly shuddered. When he saw Lao San raising his arm and moving, fearing that he was about to come forward and hit his daughter, he shouted, "Stop!" He jumped over like lightning and grabbed his arm: "Don't be impudent! She is a third-grade official.
!”
Mr. Ding San shouted: "I am his father!" He then walked around.
"So what!" Ding Bozhang grabbed the arm fiercely, "She is the third grade! You are only the sixth grade!"