Darkness enveloped the place, and lanterns were hung high.
It was almost Xuzheng time, and there was still light rain falling in the sky. The willow trees in the courtyard had already sprouted some new buds, which were eye-catchingly green.
In the study outside Ning Mansion, the candlelight is bright and the figures look longingly.
Jia Heng was dressed in a round-collar brocade robe at home, sitting behind the desk, looking down at the files submitted by the Five Cities Military and Horse Division.
What it contains is the case the day before yesterday when the Censor of Shanxi Province of the Metropolitan Procuratorate and his servants blocked Tang Bingwen, the Censor of Henan Province. Now the Censor of Shanxi Province has been detained at the Wucheng Bingma Si Yamen.
Jia Heng put down the file and raised his eyes to look at Qu Lang, who was sitting upright not far away.
Qu Lang looked respectful and said in a low voice: "My lord, I have just received a tip. The Chief Historian of Prince Zhongshun has been investigating the smuggling case of General Shenwei outside the city in the past few days and has collected many clues. Prince Zhongshun intends to impeach Shenwei tomorrow. General, the governor should take precautions in advance."
Jia Heng nodded and ordered: "You will compile the smuggling files of General Shenwei, as well as the clues and evidence of the Shanxi merchants involved in the case later, and have them delivered."
Of course, his move was not to defend Jia She in the court, but to show Emperor Chongping that since he took over Jinyi, he had started investigating Jia She's case and had some evidence.
The reason why it was not revealed was not to protect the tribesmen, but to take a long-term view, catch a big fish, and investigate the clues about the case of Shanxi merchants smuggling to the Hulu.
Compared with King Zhongshun acting as his own enemy, the situation must be one level higher, and the leadership of the smuggling case must be handed over to the Ministry of Punishment or the Dali Temple for trial. At least it cannot fall into the hands of King Zhongshun, otherwise he will be allowed to be cruel and frame up. , it will be difficult to end.
As for the case of exposing the corruption in the imperial mausoleum, firstly, the key evidence has not yet been obtained, and secondly, King Zhongshun must get rid of Jia She first.
Qu Lang was a little surprised when he heard this, but he didn't feel like asking in detail, so he could only nod in agreement.
Jia Heng picked up the tea cup again, raised his eyes and asked, "Is there any progress with the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs?"
Qu Lang's face straightened, and he said in a deep voice: "We also investigated Pan and Lu, the second minister, and gained some understanding of their family assets, industries, and their interactions with merchants."
As he spoke, he took out the paper from his leather briefcase, stood up, and handed it over.
Jia Heng took the densely packed piece of paper with small regular characters and looked at it carefully under the light of the lamp. After a while, he said in a deep voice: "It will be useful to register his family assets and properties in order to recover the stolen goods in the future."
Qu Lang nodded in agreement.
Jia Heng explained a few more words before letting Qu Lang go back. A little later, Jia Heng locked up the relevant files received from Jia She's case before returning to the inner hall.
But over here, Jia She was having dinner in the black-painted gate courtyard, while his concubines Jiao Yun and Cui Yun were waiting on him.
"A visitor from the Sun family said that the marriage will be finalized as soon as possible. Why is that girl Yingchun having trouble again?" Jia She put down his chopsticks and asked Mrs. Xing who was sitting not far away with an unkind expression.
It turned out that Sun Shaozu had borrowed a lot of money in the past few days and mortgaged a business in Beijing to the Shanxi Chamber of Commerce. After that, he collected 20,000 taels of silver. This morning, he asked Jia Lian to come over and ask Jia She, ready to discuss a good life. , the marriage contract was finalized.
Mrs. Xing sighed and said: "Master, the old lady just told me that the second girl is still young, so there is no need to rush the marriage. After all, the eldest girl's affairs have not been settled yet, so it is not easy to get over her."
"Study girl? I'm quite old now, but I've been delayed a lot." Jia She sneered and said, "My own daughter can't make the decision anymore?"
With Jia Zheng completely idle at home, only Jia She in the Rongguo Mansion had a title, and he was not without a trace of complacency in his heart. This is human nature.
Mrs.
Jia Mu Xu noticed some changes in Jia She's mentality, and when it came to the Yingchun wedding, it became the focus of the "fighting" between mother and son.
In fact, even without this section, Mrs. Xing, who was born in a small family, faced the always strong Jia Mu, and she would not dare to pester her endlessly as long as Jia Mu revealed her forbidden intentions.
Jia She suppressed the anger in his heart, his eyes flashed coldly, and said: "For the Sun family, I have chosen a good one for the second girl. You go call Feng Yatou and ask her to persuade the old lady. I am in a hurry. It turns out that It's a handsome young man. Once he misses going, he will make a reservation and it will not be easy to meet a good one again."
He must not back down this time. His own daughter has no control over the situation. As a father, he has done too much, not to mention how he will get Rongguo Mansion back in the future.
Mrs. Xing whispered: "Then I will go to Feng Yatou's courtyard to talk to her later."
Jia She nodded and said: "Let her help persuade him first. At noon tomorrow, when someone from the Sun family comes, I will go to Rongqing Hall to talk."
Now that Sun Shaozu has raised money, he hopes to sign a marriage contract with the Jia family this morning and prepares to come to the house tomorrow.
"Then I'll go to her courtyard and ask." Mrs.
But it was said that in Sister Feng's courtyard, although it was almost midnight, the lights in the house were still on. Sister Feng was looking at the account book while talking to Heping'er and Feng'er.
"Grandma, the servants' houses on both sides of the garden have also been demolished. Now the land is being leveled. Lai Wang, the foreman, sent someone to ask Grandma what she meant. Should we move the rocks first to avoid having to build other walls? On the contrary, the rocks are difficult to move." Ping'er put down the account book in his hand, raised his delicate and picturesque eyebrows, and asked softly.
Since the sudden fall of Lai Da, Wu Xindeng, and Shan Daliang in Rongguo Mansion, Rongguo Mansion has become completely new inside and out.
Except for the financial affairs of the inner house, which is still in charge of Lin Zhixiao's family, which is Jia Mu's confidant, the management of the outer house is basically entrusted to Sister Feng. There are hundreds of people inside and outside, from monthly distribution to the withdrawal of money and materials, monopolizing the power and quickly replenishing it. The power vacuum after the fall of Lai Dai.
Sister Feng now holds the post of general manager of the bank. Ping'er and Feng'er each have deacons, and the attendants are Sister Feng's chamberlains, Laiwang's family and Laixi's family. As for Mrs. Wang's chamberlain, Wu Xing He Zheng Hua took over the general manager of the grain depot and the comprador affairs of the back house.
Zhou Rui's family and Mrs. Wang's roommate are still in charge of the land rent.
The huge property of Rongguo Mansion is basically in the hands of Mrs. Wang and Sister Feng, and Jia She's dealings are not cheap. Wouldn't you be angry about it?
Sister Feng rubbed her brows, put down the account book, and said worriedly: "Let's talk about it in front of the old lady tomorrow, otherwise it will be difficult for me to deal with the eldest master."
Ping'er nodded, seeming to be thinking about the eldest master's inconvenience, and whispered: "That's the only way."
"It's time for the monthly payment this month, right?"
Ping'er said: "The name has been drawn up."
Rongguo Mansion has a large population, and the number of servants, maids, servants, and servants is just a monthly expense, and there is a large amount of expenditure every month, plus the purchase of clothes in the mansion.
Sister Feng ordered: "The Xiuyan girl from the eldest wife's family also arranges according to the monthly routine of several girls. Relatives and relatives, please don't neglect it."
Xing Xiuyan was Mrs. Clothes for life.
Ping'er whispered: "It has been arranged."
Sister Feng was also a little sleepy at this time. She covered her mouth and yawned.
"Grandma, let's take a rest earlier." Ping'er stepped forward and put his hand to collect the account book, smiling.
Sister Feng said "hmm".
While the master and servant were talking, the servant from outside came in and reported: "Grandma, the eldest lady is here."
Sister Feng frowned, and a trace of doubt flashed in Danfeng's eyes, and she quickly stood up to greet her.
Not long after, I saw Mrs. Xing leading several wives into the hall, casting shadows in the brightly lit wing.
Sister Feng had a smile on her face and asked, "What kind of wind blew the eldest lady here?"
Mrs. Xing sat down, glanced at Sister Feng with a faint look on her face, and said, "Come here to see you. My lord has assigned me something by the way."
"Oh?" Sister Feng smiled and asked, "I wonder what the great master's order is."
Mrs. Just give me some advice, if you miss this good son-in-law, it will not be easy to find a good one."
The smile on Sister Feng's face faded a little, and she said: "Then I will persuade the ancestors tomorrow, but the ancestors have good ideas and may not listen to my daughter-in-law."
I don’t dare to pat my chest to guarantee it.
Upon hearing this, Mrs.
Sister Feng nodded in agreement and ordered her mother-in-law to see her off.
After Mrs.
Sister Feng hid the coldness in her eyes and snorted softly: "What else can I do? I heard that the Sun family wants to take 20,000 taels of silver as a betrothal gift. The eldest master must be interested."
Obviously, Mistress Lian was well-informed and had heard some rumors.
Let's not mention the conversation between the master and the servant, let's talk about the Yingchun courtyard. The night is cold and rainy, the candlelight is bright in the side room, and several girls are surrounding the chess floor.
On a bed in the back room, Xing Xiuyan was sitting on the bed, holding a book in his hand and reading it attentively. Judging from the cover, it was clearly a version of the Three Kingdoms.
Si Qi was talking to Yingchun and said with a smile: "Girl, now that the old lady has said it, I think the eldest lady will not mention this matter again."
Yingchun nodded and said softly: "This approach is also feasible."
As he spoke, he ignored other things and turned to look at Xing Xiuyan, who was sitting quietly, and said softly: "Cousin, come over and play two games of chess?"
Xing Xiuyan put down the script in her hand, smiled, sat down and said softly, "I only have a little understanding, my sister will give in later."
Yingchun picked up the chess pieces, placed one on the chess floor, and said softly: "I heard that Master Miaoyu has great chess skills. Since my cousin lives next to her, she must have a lot of knowledge in chess, right?"
Since Xichun went to Dongfu, Yingchun has never had an opponent in chess.
"She was originally the daughter of an official family. She was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting better than others. If my sister is interested, I can learn from her someday."
Yingchun nodded and said, "I rarely go to Dongfu in the past. I have never been taught chess skills. I can go and ask for help tomorrow."
Under the window, two young women in their prime were playing chess and talking in front of the flickering lights. The wind and rain outside the house gradually became more prosperous at some point, accompanied by the sound of wind, blowing on the window lattice, trees, and rocks. Suddenly, the sound of rustling came faintly, and the night became more and more peaceful.
The next day, the sky was bright, but the sky was still a little gloomy, and there were fragrant grasses all around. Jia Heng got up, put on his official robe and belt, and went to the Daming Palace to participate in politics.
Daming Palace, Hanyuan Hall
Today is not a great dynasty, and not all the civil and military officials in Beijing are present. Only the cabinet, the six ministries and nine ministers, the hall officials and ministers of the temple, and the imperial censor in charge of the capital procuratorate, as well as the six ministers, the military minister and the five ministers are present. The military governor's office discussed government affairs together with the magistrates and officials.
Therefore, there are much fewer officials than usual.
At this time, in the white marble square outside the Hanyuan Hall, a group of officials were talking together in twos and threes. Jia Heng saw Han Huang, the second assistant to the cabinet, and Xu Lu, the censor of Zuodu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, came forward to greet them.
"Mr. Xu Zongxian." Jia Heng bowed his hands and said in a low voice: "The case on Ridong Street yesterday has been reviewed and the appendix of the file has been transferred to the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Ministry of Civil Affairs for the consideration of the Ministry. "
Xu Lu's face was as pale as the eaves of the Hanyuan Palace, with a dark green color in his coldness, and he said in a deep voice: "It is really shocking for the Metropolitan Procuratorate to attack a colleague like this. I will report it to you later." Your Majesty, remove him from his post and hand him over to someone to punish him severely, as a warning to others!"
Obviously, this case has brought disgrace to the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
Han Huang's face was solemn and he said: "Zi Yu, it is really humiliating to be beaten and frightened by the procuratorate. You are in charge of the Five Cities Military and Horse Division, so you should pay more attention recently."
Jia Heng said: "Don't worry, Sir. Jinyi Mansion and the Wucheng Army and Horses Department will send more manpower recently to protect the supervisory officials."
While several people were talking, Jia Heng suddenly felt something in his heart and raised his eyes.
On the jade steps, I saw Prince Zhongshun, who was wearing a prince's python suit and a jade belt around his waist, walking steadily. Wherever he passed, there were many officials saluting. After the prince returned the salute lightly, he suddenly raised his eyes, his eyes cold. Look at Jia Heng.
As the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, King Zhongshun was qualified to participate in court meetings.
Jia Heng frowned and looked at King Zhongshun's cold eyes without paying attention.
Then, with the sound of the internal prison's cleaning whip, under the gaze of the censor Jiuyi, about forty or fifty officials, each divided into civil and military groups, led by the cabinet ministers and the military minister, looked solemn and held Wat Ban, entered Hanyuan Hall and met Emperor Chongping.
In the Hanyuan Hall, the copper lamps on the beams were burning silently, illuminating the floor, making it as bright as water, and the light could discern people.
"I see you, Your Majesty."
An official in the palace bowed his hands in greeting.
"Everyone is safe."
Emperor Chongping sat on the golden chair, his expression indifferent, and his rich voice sounded.
After a chorus of thanksgiving, Xiang Dai Quan, who was standing nearby in the Daming Palace, said in a sharp voice: "If you have something to do, please report it early. If there is nothing to do, please leave the court."
Below, the cabinet ministers began to perform their duties. Yang Guochang was the first to go out, holding a jade tablet, and said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, Shandong has been hit by another freeze disaster. As many as seventeen prefectures and counties have been affected. Zhao Qi, the governor of Shandong, announced The political envoy Fu Guozhen requested that the affected prefectures and counties in Shandong be exempted from half of the annual tax for this year. This matter is of great importance, and the veteran ministers dare not rule on it, so I sincerely request the Holy Magistrate."
Emperor Chongping was silent for a while and said, "Yes."
Han Huang, the second assistant to the cabinet, frowned. Shandong, Henan and other places have been hit by disasters every year, and they have hardly paid taxes in recent years.
When Yang Guochang returned to work, Zhao Yi, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, left. Chen said: "Gao Bin, the governor of Nanhe River, submitted a memorial yesterday, saying that the Huaihe River embankment was in disrepair for a long time, and the rope embankment was cracked and dilapidated. Please ask the Ministry of Household Affairs Urgently allocate one million taels of silver to repair the river embankments to cope with the summer and autumn floods."
Chen Han established two river governors in Kaifeng Prefecture and Qingjiangpu, as special officials to manage the Yellow River, Huaihe River and other rivers. The former was called the "Governor-General of Henan and Shandong River Admiral Superintendent of Military Affairs", also known as the Governor of Hedong; the latter was called the "Governor-General Jiangnan River Admiral Supervisor of Military Affairs" , also known as the Governor of Nanhe.
Emperor Chongping frowned, thought for a while, and said: "The safety of the river embankment affects the livelihood of the people in all provinces. It cannot be ignored. I agree to report."
Yang Guochang, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, frowned and asked: "Last summer, the Ministry of Revenue just allocated 800,000 taels of silver to build the river embankment. Why do we need more money now?"
Zhao Yi explained: "Mr. Yang Ge didn't know something. Five hundred thousand taels of it were intercepted by the Hedong Governor's Yamen. The remaining three hundred thousand taels were only repaired for a section, leaving one million taels short of the share."
Yang Guochang glanced at Zhao Yi and said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, from this year onwards, the imperial court will select a censor from the capital to go out of the capital to patrol the river for emergencies."
Emperor Chongping pondered for a while and said: "According to Yang Qing's suggestion, the Metropolitan Procuratorate will select candidates and report to the cabinet to inspect the rivers east of Hedong and south of the Yangtze River."
Xu Lu, the censor of Zuodu, accepted the order. This is also the annual routine work of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
Zhao Yi, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, looked indifferent and felt unhappy.
At this time, Zhao Mo, a minister of the cabinet and Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, came out and said: "Your Majesty, in the seventh year of Chongping, Gao Zhongping, the governor of Sichuan, and Jiang Qi, the governor of Hubei, came to the imperial court, thieves in prefectures and counties were on the rise, and thieves were repeatedly restrained. The government offices of the two provinces Zhitai and Futai had the power to make decisions for eight years. The ministers asked for an imperial edict to take back the power of making decisions to the government offices of the two provinces. "
The appeal of the death penalty has always been the judicial power directly under the Ministry of Punishment.
After Zhao Mo took charge of the Ministry of Punishment, he had always wanted to take back the power of death penalty interrogation in the two provinces and restore the central power that had been usurped by the feudal officials. However, he was unable to deal with the two favorite ministers of Emperor Chongping, Fengjiang. As a cabinet minister, the first thing to do is to get back this power.
Emperor Chongping thought for a moment and asked: "Last year, how many cases of collusion were reported to the Qing Officials Department of the Second Province of the Ministry of Punishment? Is there a decrease compared to last year?"
After all, he had been in charge of the Ministry of Punishment when he was in Qiandi, so he was very familiar with criminal matters.
Zhao Mo's face was serious and his voice was like stone, and he said: "Two hundred and thirteen cases occurred in Sichuan and one hundred and seventy-nine cases occurred in Hubei Province. However, I thought that the officials of the Criminal Division had sentenced the suspects to excessive punishments. The number of complaints filed by family members against Dali Temple for being unjustly imprisoned has reached 40%. This does not include the cases where people-friendly officials in governors and counties set up roadblocks to intercept, beat, and intimidate family members. As far as I know, last winter, I heard that Shun Qing The governor of the Second Prefecture of Suiding will sit in the villages and towns to guard the family members of the suspects in order to prevent those who go to the capital to redress their grievances."
Jia Heng listened intently below and felt uncertain.
Emperor Chongping looked indifferent, and after a moment he said: "In the seventh year of Chongping, there were frequent civil unrests in Hubei and Sichuan, so we implemented expedient measures. Now we have to take back the power of collusion between the two provinces. Where is the Minister of Dali Temple?"
"I'm here." At this time, an old man with gray hair and wearing the official uniform of a third-grade civil servant came out to play. It was Wang Shu, the minister of Dali Temple.
"Select capable officials from Dali Temple to go to the two provinces to try and punish those who have been unjustly imprisoned and conduct detailed inspections of criminal cases." Emperor Chongping thought for a while and said in a deep voice: "Draw up another charter and send it to Dali Temple every summer and July. Officials went to various provinces for regular inspections, combing the prisons where unjust cases were committed, so as to assist in the autumn's resolution."
Wang Shu, the minister of Dali Temple, cupped his hands and said, "The Holy One is the Holy Ming."
Zhao Mo looked at it, his expression paused, and he sighed in his heart.
This was a case in which the officials of the feudal lords were punished either directly or with instructions. The Dali Temple officials were just going through the motions. However, now that they have taken back the right to make judgments, it can be considered a big gain.
Emperor Chongping immediately looked at the Minister of Civil Affairs on the side and asked: "Han Qing, is the progress of the Beijing inspection plan going smoothly?"
Inspection in the capital, inspection in the capital, and planning in the local area.
Han Huang, the Second Assistant to the Cabinet and the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, hurriedly went out to the class and said: "The consultation list, interviews with the officials, and the test plan are all implemented in an orderly manner without any stagnation."
"Don't affect the government affairs of the ministry." Emperor Chongping said, glanced at Xu Lu, and asked: "The day before yesterday, the officials of the Metropolitan Procuratorate actually acted appallingly. Where is the law?"
Xu Lu hurriedly went out to ask: "I have improper control and lax governance. Please ask the Holy One to punish me."
Emperor Chongping said: "Xu Qing has just taken up his new post, and the affairs have not been sorted out smoothly. What is the crime? The Ministry of Personnel and the Metropolitan Procuratorate will jointly review, formulate opinions and submit them."
"I thank you, Your Majesty." Xu Lu cupped his hands and said.
At this time, without waiting for other courtiers to report, Prince Zhongshun held an ivory jade saber in his hand, and an old voice sounded in the Hanyuan Hall, saying: "Your Majesty, I have this memorial!"
(End of chapter)
