Chapter 0711 Want to use the Cao family as a spearman?
"If it really comes to that point, can the three of us clean up the mess?"
Zhang Zhibai asked doubtfully.
Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng closed their mouths and were speechless.
When the world is really in turmoil, the three of them may not be able to clean up the mess.
Wang Zeng thought for a long time and said in a deep voice: "It is useless to say so much now. No matter what the official thinks, since he is unwilling to tell us, then we will pretend not to know about it."
Lu Yijian let out a long sigh and said, "It's easy to pretend not to know, but if there's really going to be turmoil, the three of us can't just do nothing, right?"
Wang Zeng said with a headache: "We will suffer when the time comes."
"Why……"
Lu Yijian sighed again.
At that point, nothing they do is right.
Accompany Zhao Zhen in restructuring. If Zhao Zhen fails in restructuring, they will have to suffer with Zhao Zhen.
They blocked Zhao Zhen's reform. If Zhao Zhen succeeded in reform, they would definitely suffer.
If you do nothing, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty will not agree.
The three of them are at the center, at the center of power, at the center of the storm. How could they do nothing?
The three people left Ruian Town with their own thoughts and returned to Bianjing City.
In the next few days, things were calm on the surface in Bianjing City, but there was a turbulent undercurrent behind the scenes.
The relatives of the emperor went to the Yamen of the Ministry of Punishment to collect their crimes. Some were sent to prison, some were sentenced to beheading, and some had their property confiscated.
Some were beheaded by their entire families.
For example, Chai Zongqing.
It seems that Chai Zongqing's serious crime of killing the whole family does not need to wait until the autumn.
After being convicted, he will be taken to Caishikou and beheaded.
Officials involved in the military salary embezzlement case were also executed.
When Chai Zongqing was beheaded, many people ran to watch.
The blood-stained vegetable market entrance stimulated many people.
Many unwilling relatives of the emperor began to secretly collude and prepare to fight back against Zhao Zhen.
Some Wu Xun who felt the danger also began to make small moves behind the scenes.
The people of Bianjing City lived happily and peacefully as usual, but the dignitaries and dignitaries of Bianjing City were in a tense atmosphere.
As Zhang Zhibai began to investigate the whereabouts of military pay in previous years, the tense atmosphere became even more intense.
Cao Mansion.
Cao Wei, who resigned from the post of Privy Councilor and resigned as a first-class public servant, became a completely idle old man.
I get up every day, do some boxing and kicking, eat some simple meals, and then start playing with flowers, birds, fish, and insects.
Don't think that Cao Wei is a military minister, just think that Cao Wei is a rough guy who doesn't understand flowers, birds, fish and insects.
In fact, in Bianjing City, except for the deceased princes, there are few people who understand flowers, birds, fish and insects better than Cao Wei.
He opened an orchid garden in his house, and in just a few months, dozens of rare plants were planted there.
Some of these treasures will be moved even by literati who have been tinkering with flowers, birds, fish and insects all year round.
Cao Wei likes to fertilize orchids himself, so people in the Cao family often see him squatting in the flower fields like an old farmer.
Cao Wei squatted in the flower field and used a short hoe to loosen the soil for an orchid. He moved his waist slightly and prepared to loosen the soil for the next orchid. Cao Wei, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but said: "Fourth Uncle
, now that the city of Bianjing is in chaos, you still have the leisure and elegance to plant flowers here."
Cao Wei held the short hoe in his hand for a moment and glanced sideways at Cao Yi.
Cao Yi stood there. He couldn't stand it, so he waved his hands and said, "Squat down and talk..."
Cao Yi quickly squatted down.
Cao Wei continued to use a short hoe to loosen the soil for the flowers. While loosening the soil, he said: "Bianjing City is in chaos. What does it have to do with my Cao family?"
Cao Yi said in a deep voice: "The official issued a decree that the emperor's relatives should only last for three generations. Now Zhang Zhibai has been sent to investigate the whereabouts of military pay in previous years. I heard that the official will also implement the decree that lasts for three generations among military honors.
My Cao family is not only a martial artist, but also a relative of the emperor..."
Before Cao Yi could finish his words, Cao Wei said, "So what? The wealth of my Cao family was earned through our own merits, and we did not rely purely on the legacy of our ancestors.
If we only relied on the legacy of our ancestors, how could our Cao family be so wealthy now?
Although the official's move harmed the interests of everyone.
But he also encouraged each family to make progress in disguise.
Whether it is a field of power or a field of wealth, it is a killing field, with blood everywhere.
It is difficult for people who are inactive and ignorant to stay there for a long time.
If you don't live up to your expectations, even if the officials have given you wealth for eight generations, you won't be able to keep it."
Cao Yi smiled bitterly and said: "This is the reason, but after all, there are still some people who are dissatisfied with the official's move and are ready to resist the official."
Cao Wei said calmly: "If they make trouble, let them make trouble. Our Cao family will not participate in this matter."
Cao Yi hesitated and said: "The government decrees that lasted for three generations have little impact on my Cao family. However, the government sent Zhang Zhibai to investigate where the military pay went in previous years, which had a great impact on our Cao family.
Some members of my Cao family often drink the blood of soldiers in the army.
Some people who are attached to my Cao family also drink the blood of soldiers in the army.
If the officials investigate and deal with this matter and open a large prison, many people who are attached to my Cao family, as well as some clan members, may be arrested.
If we, the Cao family, do not save them, the Zhending clan members may have objections to us in the future, and no one will become attached to my Cao family."
When Cao Wei heard this, he was stunned for a moment, looked at Cao Yi and said, "After Kou Ji returned to Beijing, have you ever visited Kou Ji at his house?"
Cao Yi looked stunned and slowly shook his head.
Cao Wei didn't say anything and continued to ask: "Who have you been hanging out with these days?"
Cao Yi was stunned for a moment and said frankly: "Pan Su..."
Cao Wei nodded slowly, "Pan Su from the Pan family, did Pan Su tell you what you just said?"
Cao Yi hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Cao Wei glanced at Cao Yi and said solemnly: "After you took charge of Yizijiaozipu, not only did you not make progress, but you also regressed a lot. Can you believe Pan Su's stupid words?"
"But...Pan Su is not a fool..."
"Of course Pan Su is not an idiot. He is telling you all this just because he wants to use my Cao family as a spearman and make my Cao family the leader."
"This matter..."
Cao Yi's face looked very ugly.
Cao Wei stared at him and said, "I don't blame you for this. You just didn't go to visit Kou Ji and didn't understand the situation clearly, so you were misled by Pan Su. The government's decree that lasts only for three generations has no impact on me."
The Cao family will indeed have a certain influence.
The official ordered Zhang Zhibai to investigate the issue of military pay in previous years, which had a greater impact on my Cao family.
Our Cao family is bound to give up some interests and sacrifice some clan members and disciples.
You were persuaded by Pan Su because you wanted to protect the interests of my Cao family and my Cao family’s clan and followers."
Cao Yi heard Cao Wei's words and nodded decisively.
That's exactly what he thought.
Cao Wei sighed: "But what is the use of having so many clansmen and disciples in my Cao family?"
Cao Yi looked stunned.
Cao Wei sighed and said: "I have been in charge of the Great Song Dynasty for decades, and not only the royal family has raised a bunch of borers. Each of our families has also raised a lot of borers. The royal relatives do not want to make progress, relying on the royal family's ten points, in the Song Dynasty
Misbehaving.
The same is true for some of my disciples and clan members of the Cao family.
They relied on me, Mr. Cao, to back them up, so they went out to do whatever they wanted.
Not only did he not do anything for our Cao family, but he caused me, Cao family, a lot of trouble.
Right now, my Cao family's daughter is in charge of the Sixth Palace in the palace, and I, the first-class Duke, am still alive, so they are causing a lot of trouble.
I, the Cao Mansion, can all think of ways to remedy the situation.
Therefore, our Cao Mansion is not afraid of the trouble they cause, and we will take care of them as long as we can.
But once I pass away, my Cao family’s daughter will fall out of favor.
Keeping them is a hassle.
Because not only can they not help my Cao family, but they will also use countless troubles to drag our Cao family into the quagmire until they die."
Cao Wei stared at Cao Yi and said sincerely: "The officials punished the emperor's relatives and issued a decree for three generations to solve this problem. It was to prevent the Song Dynasty from being destroyed by the emperor's relatives when it was weak.
.
I don’t know how many generations the legacy of the Song Dynasty can be passed down, but this move by the officials will help extend the life of the Song Dynasty for decades as long as future generations of successors do not make any changes.
The same thing applies to my Cao family.
I don’t know how many generations my Cao family will be rich and prosperous.
But if we can endure the pain and continue to cut off the cancer, the wealth of my Cao family can last for a few more years."
Cao Yan hesitated and said: "But if you do this, it will easily alienate the tribe."
When Cao Wei heard this, he smiled, but his smile was full of sarcasm.
"Separation from morality? It's just a lie. In the world of fame and fortune, only fame and fortune are eternal, and everything else is a lie. As long as you are famous and profitable, everyone will follow you."
Cao Yi frowned.
Cao Wei took a deep look at Cao Yi and said in a low voice: "If loyalty and virtue are reliable, when Taizong ascends the throne, the warriors will rebel."
Cao Yi stared in horror.
But Cao Wei didn't want to say anything more. He patted Cao Yi on the shoulder and said, "Whatever the official family does to the emperor's relatives, you will do to my Cao family's clan and disciples. This is a good move by the official family. You
You can use it well.
Since the officials have handed over the matter to Kou Ji, they have no intention of killing everyone, so no matter what others say, don't panic.
If it is found that someone in my Cao family drank the blood of soldiers, I will hand it over to the court for processing.
Whether to fight or kill is decided by the court.
My daughter from the Cao family is now the official's bedfellow. Don't let the officials neglect her because of our fault.
Whether my Cao family will be prosperous for three generations depends on her.
You go and visit Kou Ji, talk more to Kou Ji and less to Pan Su."
After saying this, Cao Wei stopped talking and continued to loosen the soil.
Cao Wei stood there in silence for a long time before he came back to his senses. He stared at Cao Wei and said with a complicated expression: "Fourth uncle, now my Cao family is vaguely elected as the head of the martial arts. Even if we want to endure the pain and cut our flesh, other martial arts
The heroes won’t agree to it either.”
Cao Wei said without looking back: "When will it be their turn to make the decision regarding my Cao family's affairs?"
Cao Yi gritted his teeth and said, "I'm afraid they will take the trouble to come looking for me."
Cao Wei was stunned for a moment and said in deep thought: "I suddenly remembered that Mr. Kou invited me to teach in Wenchang Academy. You can send someone back to see how the martial arts school building in Wenchang Academy is being built.
If it hasn't been built yet, send some people over to help.
I will move to Wenchang Academy in two days.
When someone comes looking for me, ask them to come to Wenchang Academy to find me."
When Cao Yi heard this, all the worries in his heart disappeared, and there was still some confusion on his face.
Cao Wei went to Wenchang Academy to hide, but the martial artists really couldn't find him.
With Kou Zhun and other retired ministers, as well as a group of great scholars sitting in charge, the martial artists went to Wenchang Academy to look for trouble.
If Kou Zhun and others bumped into them, they would definitely curse.
I won’t say whether Kou Zhun and others will file a complaint afterwards. They won’t be able to get away with just scolding.
Cao Wei hid in Wenchang Academy, completely avoiding this storm.
Cao Wei saluted Cao Wei's back and left Cao Wei's orchid garden. After ordering people to go to Wenchang Academy to find out the news, he prepared a generous gift and rushed to the Kou Mansion Villa.
After Cao Yi left, Cao Wei put down the hoe in his hand and muttered in a low voice, "What are you doing, you idiots? The officials are in Xingqing Mansion and have allocated most of the troops in Northern Xinjiang to their trusted hands."
If you didn't stop me when I was inside, what's the use of jumping out now?
Nowadays, most of the troops in our Song Dynasty are in the hands of Kou Ji and the officials.
We have lost the power to resist. We just have to obey others and let them be slaughtered. We must jump out and die.
Officials are not murderous people, and Kou Ji is not a butcher.
They have already made it clear that they will not kill everyone, so why are they still making trouble? Do you think the death is not fast enough?"
After a pause, Cao Wei sighed, "Among the martial arts, I am not the only smart person. I am afraid there are many people who can see the key to the problem. The reason why we still make trouble after knowing the key to the problem is simply because we are unwilling to do so.
That’s all.
But what can you do if you are unwilling? Isn’t this example of the Gao family enough to wake you up?"
After Cao Wei finished speaking, he no longer had any intention of continuing to serve the flowers and plants, so he left the orchid garden with a short hoe.
When Cao Wei left the Orchid Garden, Cao Yi had already prepared generous gifts and was ready to go out.
Cao Yi went out, got on the carriage, and wandered all the way to the gate of the Kou Mansion.
The gatekeeper of the Kou Mansion knew Cao Yi, so he did not block Cao Yi from the door, but welcomed Cao Yi to the side hall of the Kou Mansion.
Cao Yi sat in the side hall for a while.
Kou Ji appeared in the side hall, and Cao Yi quickly stood up and saluted.
Kou Ji smiled and said: "My family, don't be so polite, sit down and talk."
Cao Yi nodded and sat on the seat.
Kou Ji smiled and said, "I heard that you have been very close to Pan Su recently."
Cao Yi stood up suddenly, looked at Kou Ji, and said awkwardly: "Fourth brother...I..."
Kou Ji waved his hands and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, don't be nervous, sit down and talk. I'm not a domineering person, nor a paranoid person. If you, Cao Ji, can be brothers with me, you can naturally be brothers with others.
I have never thought or said that my brothers cannot be brothers to other people.
You and Pan Su grew up together and have known each other longer than we have, so it is only right that you interact with each other."
When Cao Ji heard what Kou Ji said, he looked even more embarrassed. He clasped his fists at Kou Ji and said, "Fourth brother was honest with me, but I almost believed other people's words and went against fourth brother. It's really..."
Kou Ji interrupted him before he could finish his words and said: "Okay, public is public and private is private, they cannot be confused. Your Cao family has a great cause, and so does our Kou family.
In a position like yours and mine, where interests are involved, it is difficult to make huge concessions for personal reasons.
The decrees implemented by the officials are indeed detrimental to the Cao family.
In order to protect the interests of the Cao family, you should sit down and negotiate with Pan Su. That is what you should do.
If this matter falls on me, I will probably sit down with Pan Su to negotiate."
Comparing one's feelings with others, Kou Ji can completely understand why Cao Yi and Pan Su walked around in private when encountering such a thing.
It is true that Cao Yi and him are brothers.
But brotherhood is brotherhood, interests are interests, and business affairs are business affairs.
Only when all aspects are clearly distinguished can we get along with each other in peace and stability.
If there is no distinction between public and private matters, and no distinction between interests, sooner or later the two will fall apart due to interest issues or public and private issues, and they will never interact with each other until death.
Otherwise, there would be no words such as "blood brothers, let's settle accounts clearly".
More importantly, brothers are brothers, and no one has the right to restrict the other from making other friends or brothers.
Everyone has a different life, and everyone also has a different social circle.
It doesn't mean that if he has a good relationship with you, he can only have a good relationship with you and not with anyone else.
Brothers, friends, classmates, not husband and wife.
There can be no possessiveness in the middle.
When possessiveness exists, the taste changes.
Cao Yi felt relieved when he saw that Kou Ji was very sincere. Kou Ji took the initiative to mention Pan Su. He thought that Kou Ji was complaining about him dating someone who was about to become his opponent, and was a little unhappy.
Now it seems that Kou Ji is not dissatisfied with this.
Kou Ji seemed to see Cao Yi's thoughts and smiled: "The reason why I mentioned Pan Su is to remind you to stay away from Pan Su. He is doing something that may affect the whole family. You got involved.
, the ending will not be too good."
Cao Yan smiled bitterly and said, "I was just about to ask Fourth Brother for advice on this matter."
Kou Ji put away the smile on his face, stared at Cao Yi and said, "What do you want to know?"
Cao Yan hesitated for a moment and said frankly: "My fourth uncle said that the officials did not intend to kill him, but left some room for it. Is it true?"
Kou Ji nodded slowly and said: "If the official family really wanted to kill someone, they would not leave this matter to me. The reason why the official family handed this matter over to me is to see if any of you would take the initiative.
Be soft.
If someone among you takes the initiative to surrender, the officials will not only not kill anyone, but will also compensate you with a way to make money."
Cao Yi raised his eyebrows with a look of astonishment on his face, "Guan family... Guan family..."
Kou Ji solemnly said: "The officials are not murderous people, and you don't need to think of the officials as so scary. The officials are not unscrupulous people, and they cannot do things like neglecting heroes."
Cao Yi took a deep breath and said to Kou Ji: "It has been several months since the fourth brother returned to Beijing, but I did not come to visit him at home. It is my fault. Now the fourth brother not only does not care about me not visiting my house.
What happened, but you still told me such important news, I am really ashamed of my fourth brother."
Kou Ji shook his head and said, "How can I blame you? In order to cooperate with the officials in collecting evidence of the crimes of the emperor's relatives, you didn't leave the Yizijiaozi shop for several months, so naturally you didn't have time to come and visit me.
Speaking of which, you are quite powerful. You helped the official family deal with the royal family members without revealing any rumors.
Your fourth uncle is a person who knows how to make choices, so even if I don't tell you the inside story, he will tell you how to do it after seeing some of the inside story.
Even if I don't say these words to you, your Cao family will survive this crisis peacefully.
So you don’t have to thank me.”
Cao Yi smiled bitterly and said: "The officials and the queen specially summoned me to the palace and gave me a lot of instructions. How could I dare to reveal the slightest bit of information? As soon as I came out of Yizijiaozipu, Pan Su pulled me to tell a lot of things.
If so, I was so frightened that I hurried back to my house to ask my fourth uncle for advice."
Kou Ji looked at Cao Ji and said, "Don't do anything these days. Take a good look at the situation in Bianjing City. Once you have a clear look, you will find that it is useless to ask anyone for advice.
Because you had no choice from the beginning."
Cao Yi was stunned for a moment and looked at Kou Ji with a puzzled look on his face.
Kou Ji said earnestly: "Everyone in Bianjing City can go against the officials, but you can't. You can only support the officials wholeheartedly in everything they do, and you can't have any second thoughts."
Cao Yi was stunned again, as if he remembered something, his face turned very ugly.
Kou Ji laughed and said, "Do you feel that you have been tricked by Pan Su?"
Cao Yi shook his head, "I just feel like I've become stupid."
Cao Ji understood what Kou Ji's words meant.
Kou Ji was right, anyone in Bianjing City could go against the officials, but he couldn't.
Because he controls Yizijiaozipu.
A place that stores a huge amount of money that could shake the Song Dynasty.
He cannot be cheap in his heart. Once his heart is deviated, death is not far away.
Not to mention that he was just a relative of the emperor, even if he was the son of a dragon, Zhao Zhen would kill him without hesitation.
Cao Yi looked at Kou Ji with a bitter face and said, "I almost made a big mistake."
Kou Ji suggested: "You should leave the Cao family's affairs to others. Your current position is no longer suitable for you to continue to handle the Cao family's housework.
The official didn't pay attention to this matter because Yizijiaozipa was in your hand and it didn't cause any turmoil.
Once there is turmoil and you are involved in the Cao family's personal interests, you will definitely be beheaded."
Cao Yi's face turned slightly pale and he whispered: "I will hand over the Cao family's household affairs as soon as possible."
Kou Ji said solemnly: "Not as soon as possible, but right away."
Cao Yi looked at Kou Ji in shock.
Kou Ji stared at Cao Wei and whispered: "Because there is going to be turmoil in Yizijiaozipu."
Cao Yi's face changed instantly, becoming several times paler than before.
"Someone wants to move Yizijiaozipu?"
"Are they crazy?"
Cao Yi shouted in horror.
Kou Ji glanced at Cao Yi and said in a neutral tone: "If they are not crazy, how could they go against the officials?"
Cao Yan exclaimed: "But Yizijiaozipu is now the lifeblood of the Song Dynasty. To move Yizijiaozipu is to shake the country of the Song Dynasty. What is the difference between that and rebellion? In that case, the family will be confiscated and exterminated.