Henan government office, back hall
After dealing with the relevant officials and generals of Luoyang Qianhu Office, Jia Heng looked through Lu Qingshan's confession and the secret records of the two governors Tian and Zhou. It roughly records the illegal actions of Prince Wei Kang and Prince Zheng Cheng, including but not limited to arrogance in food, clothing, housing and transportation, as well as the illegal actions of the vassal's children bullying men and dominating women, the fish and meat village, and the keeping of servants. He thought he was a servant guarding the courtyard, so he secretly made armor and weapons for this purpose.
There are so many evidences of crime that it is difficult to write them down.
"Sir." Seeing Jia Heng's face gloomy and uncertain, Princess Xianning looked at him with her beautiful eyes and asked in a concerned tone.
Jia Heng closed the book and said: "The vassal vassals are entrenched in the prefecture and county, and their evil deeds are not under the control of thieves and bandits."
Princess Xianning said worriedly: "Sir, you want to punish the two vassals? The two vassals are the emperor's nephews. They have always been tolerant in the past. My father often heard impeachments from local officials, but due to the blood relationship between the Tian family, it is difficult to deal with them."
Jia Heng said: "Your Highness, the punishment of the two vassals will be discussed by the public in Shenjing. Now we still need to get the money and food from the court from the hands of the two vassal kings. Otherwise, the court will not be able to support the suppression of bandits and pensions this time."
"Sir, just plan." Princess Xianning said softly: "However, I will report the matter here to my father."
Jia Heng glanced at the cold and beautiful girl and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for speaking up."
This is the advantage of him taking Princess Xianning with him, because he brings not only Xianning, but also Queen Song, Concubine Duanrong, and King Wei behind her. "Sir, you're welcome." Princess Xianning said softly, her beautiful eyes flashed, and suddenly her voice trembled a little as she said, "I'm afraid my father will not believe all the memorials I have hurt. .”
The father would probably say that her memorial has an obvious tendency to be sparse, and its credibility is lower, which is unknown.
Jia Heng smiled and said, "It's okay, it's better than nothing."
Princess Xianning: "???"
In a flash, he knew that the young man was teasing him. He pursed his pink lips and his heart skipped a beat.
While the two were talking, Liu Jixian was seen striding in from outside. He cupped his hands and said, "Commander, Henan Prefecture Yin Meng Jinwen has returned and is waiting in the lobby."
Jia Heng nodded, then looked at Princess Xianning aside, and said warmly: "Your Highness, go and rest first."
"Sir, I'm not tired." Princess Xianning shook her head and said clearly.
"Your Majesty, you have been traveling all the way, and your face is covered with sweat. After you take a bath, go and rest for a while. We will have dinner together later." Jia Heng's eyes were gentle and he said softly. Seeing that the girl was still motionless, he said: " Okay, Your Highness doesn’t need to stay here anymore, I will go back to rest for a while after seeing Henan Prefecture Yin.”
Listening to Jia Heng's slightly coaxing tone, Princess Xianning lowered her bright eyes, a faint blush crept up her face, and said softly: "Sir... I'll go over first."
"Go." Jia Heng said nothing else and watched Princess Xianning leave. Then, accompanied by Liu Jixian and several other guards, he went to see Meng Jinwen, the Yin of Henan Province.
At this moment, in the official hall, Meng Jinwen had been sitting there waiting for a while. When he heard footsteps, he quickly put down the tea cup and looked at the person coming. I saw a young man in python suit with sword-shaped eyebrows and stern face surrounded by the guards in Jinyi. He knew he was the rightful owner. He got up, raised his hands and saluted, "Your Majesty, Meng Jinwen, has met Mr. Jia."
Jia Heng nodded slightly to Meng Jinwen and called out: "Mengfu Yin is not polite."
"Thank you, Lord Jia." Meng Jinwen said softly.
While Jia Heng was talking, he sat down on the pearwood chair next to the small table and asked without beating around the bush: "Meng Fuyin, I heard from Xie Fucheng earlier that the treasury was short and it was difficult to supply the army with food and fodder, so Meng Fuyin went The two feudal lords Wei and Zheng are asking for taxes and grain arrears over the years. I wonder what the two feudal lords Wei and Zheng will say?"
When Meng Jinwen mentioned this matter, he sighed and complained: "The lower officials may try their best, but Prince Wei's palace still shirks the treasury of the palace because it is empty. In the end, he is only willing to give out 3,000 stones to support the imperial court in suppressing the bandits."
With that, he narrated the journey to Prince Wei's Mansion in detail.
Jia Heng frowned and asked, "Where is Zheng Fan?"
"Zheng Fan also said the same thing. Prince Zheng Cheng said that there are still rice grains in Taicang, and using the stored rice to feed the army will be enough to support the war." Meng Jinwen said with a bitter look on his face.
What he is doing now is just a slight depletion of personnel. With his own strength, he is simply not enough to suppress the Zheng and Wei vassals. No matter what, if he shows a positive and running attitude, the young man in front of him will not be able to attack him.
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Mengfu Yin, I have been ordered by the emperor to lead the army to suppress the bandits. According to the usual practice, most of the military grain and fodder should be transported from the Henan vassal treasury. However, so far, the grain and fodder are not ready, and the existing rice grain can only be It lasted for three to five days, so delaying military and state affairs. Does Mengfu Yin know what his crime is?"
"Xiaoguan knows." Sensing the hint of warning in his words, Meng Jinwen's face changed slightly, he stood up quickly, cupped his hands and said, "But Xiaguan is helpless, Wei and Zheng vassals owe taxes and grain, Xiaguan After repeated reminders and excuses, I really can’t think of any other way.”
Jia Heng frowned and said, "As the Governor of Henan, can't you impeach the Wei and Zheng vassals to the imperial court?"
"This..." Meng Jinwen's heart sank and he said hesitantly: "Sir, the two vassals have been in Henan for a long time, and he is the emperor's nephew. I'm afraid it won't be easy to impeach, right?" Jia Heng said with an indifferent expression: "Wei and Zheng vassals owe money. If Meng Fuyin is impeached and reported to Shenjing for grain rice and grain fields, so that all the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty can hear the evil of the two vassals. Of course, I will report it together with Meng Fuyin. Is Meng Fuyin willing to impeach? "
Impeachment is only the first step, because it cannot be punished without teaching. Only by letting all the princes in the court know the corrupt faces of the two vassal kings of Henan. In times of crisis, they are still ignorant, stingy and selfish, then from top to bottom A consensus between the government and the opposition can be gathered at the next step, and then we can sharpen the sword and have a basis for public opinion.
What happened in Henan made even the emperor vomit blood in a hurry. Aren't these princes worried at all?
Meng Jinwen's face darkened, and he nodded quickly and said, "I will write an impeachment memorial right now."
At this point, he has no choice.
Jia Heng said: "Come here, prepare pen and paper."
After they finished writing the memorial, they handed over their brocade clothes and reported to the capital on horseback.
Waiting to sit down again to talk.
Xu Shi jointly participated in the impeachment. Meng Jinwen made up his mind and did not seem to be alienated just now. He asked: "Master Jia, even if the two vassals are impeached, the imperial order cannot be achieved at once. Now that the military situation is urgent, how can we pursue the Wei and Zheng vassals?" Asking for food?"
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and whispered: "This matter still needs the cooperation of Meng Fuyin, but before that, we must first deceive these two kings.
At the end of the sentence, my eyes were deep and I had a plan in mind.
"Scam out?" Meng Jinwen murmured, full of doubts.
Jia Heng did not explain, but instead ordered: "Liu Jixian, have someone collect the books submitted by the two governors, summon the Tiqi, and later invite the Zheng and Wei vassals to come to the government office for questioning."
Facing the Jin Yiwei, the feudal king will be instinctively afraid, so he can kidnap the person first.
Liu Jixian handed over his hand.
Jia Heng said, then looked at Meng Jinwen with an aggressive look: "Mr. Meng can organize the tax collectors of Henan Prefecture to go to the Wei and Zheng vassals. When the two kings come out, they will immediately seize the treasury and demand the payment of grain taxes."
From some reports from the Jinyi Mansion, we can see that the Wei and Zheng vassals have hoarded a lot of food in the palace, and he will lead the troops to go on an expedition tomorrow. He really does not have time to accompany these vassal kings to play "treat guests, behead people, and accept the food." Dog” game.
The only way is to cut through the mess quickly.
The previous statement about blocking the Gaoyue bandit gang before and after does not mean to "wait, stop, and lean" to delay time. It also means to use rapid force to complete the encirclement of the Gaoyue bandit group as quickly as possible.
Meng Jinwen's expression changed slightly and he said in a low voice: "Master Jia, both vassals have palace guards and nearly thousands of servants. If you rely solely on the yamen servants, you will not be able to collect food and crops at all."
According to the Han system, the vassal king had a retinue of palace guards, commanded by Dianjun, and led 330 personal guards to serve as guards of honor and guards. Of course, this was a regular imperial military registration and was mobilized by the Ministry of War. As for the servants the vassal king kept privately , in fact, it is among the violations.
Jia Heng sneered and said, "Don't worry, Mengfu Yin. As soon as King Wei and Zheng come out, I will immediately surround the two palaces and not allow anyone to enter or leave."
Jia Heng sneered and said, "Don't worry, Mengfu Yin. As soon as the two kings of Wei and Zheng come out, I will immediately surround the two palaces and not allow anyone to enter or leave. The officials of Henan Prefecture will go in to count the grain and collect the shortfall. Move the grain, and then reconcile the accounts one by one until they are written off."
"This..." Meng Jinwen was shocked.
"The military situation is like a fire, urgent matters need to be followed by authority. The bandits are becoming more powerful day by day. I supervise the army with the Emperor's Sword. How can I let the two vassal kings delay the military plan?" Jia Heng's face was calm and his tone was understated, but there was no room for doubt.
In the name of "protection", he could take over the palaces of the Wei and Zheng dynasties with soldiers and horses, seal their treasury, and count the rice grains.
As for whether the two vassals will go to Beijing to impeach him, it is actually not a big problem. As long as the two vassal kings of Wei and Zheng are not stabbed with a sword, then there is room for maneuver in everything, and it is nothing more than a verbal spat.
Even if the emperor learns about it, he will secretly give it a thumbs up, and then pretend to say that he will obey the authority in urgent matters and will not do it again.
As for the Supreme Emperor, he may not say anything. The Supreme Emperor is just old and not confused.
For example, if the first-generation vassal kings of the two vassals were still alive, they would still have some incestuous feelings, but these would be passed down to the second generation, and basically only some family-friendly feelings would remain. However, just now, Princess Xianning said that Queen Mother Feng's relatives were also in Luoyang, and she could act as an intermediary to persuade the Wei and Zheng vassals to demolish the house and open the windows as a finishing touch. Otherwise, even if he visits the two vassals in person, he will most likely be sent back like Meng Jinwen. If he falls out again at that time, the price he pays will not be smaller than it is now. The Wei and Zheng vassals were on guard, and they thought he was He has scruples in his heart, and then he gets more serious and tries to do whatever he wants.
Therefore, it is impossible to be polite first and then fight, to fight wits and courage, and then wait until the conflict is acute and the two parties lead to trouble, but to beat the hatred with a stick, the two vassal kings are dumbfounded on the spot.
Meng Jinwen's face darkened slightly and he said, Master Jia is really young and energetic, he is determined to fight with these two fallen kings.
After Meng Jinwen listened to Jia Heng's instructions, he left and went to prepare manpower.
After Meng Jinwen left, Jia Heng gave Liu Jixian a few more words of advice and said, "Liu Jixian, if anything happens over there, send someone to report it at any time. If something happens over there, he can come to the rescue."
"Don't worry, sir. I'm going to leave my humble post right away." Liu Jixian understood and left as ordered.
As soon as Liu Jixian left, Jia Heng summoned Cai Quan again and whispered: "Cai Guerrilla, as soon as the Zheng and Wei vassals invited them, he immediately sent two thousand cavalry to surround the two palaces, saying that the bandits were powerful and protected. Empire.
Cai Quan also accepted the order.
When everyone left, Jia Heng also felt tired and tired, so he ordered his people to keep an eye on the news coming from Jin Yiwei, call him if there was something urgent, and go to the back office.
Walking into the backyard, I saw Xia Houying, who was wearing a beautifully embroidered flying fish suit and holding an embroidered spring knife in her arms, sitting on a huanghuali wooden chair in the flower hall. She was sitting on the chair with her eyes closed and taking a nap. A little bit, maybe he heard Jia Heng's footsteps, he was suddenly excited, opened his eyes, and cast a cold gaze.
"Miss Xiahou, just sit down." Jia Heng smiled, looked at the female Jinyi, and lowered his voice and asked: "Did your Highness the Princess have a rest?
Xia Houying listened to Miss Xiahou's words and frowned slightly, saying: "After His Highness took a bath, he changed his clothes and rested in the backyard.
Jia Heng nodded, sat down on the wooden chair opposite, and said warmly: "It's been a tiring journey, and if Miss Xiahou feels sleepy, she doesn't need to stay here. She can go to the back house to rest."
The cold look on Xia Houying's face dissipated a little and she said, "Thank you, Mr. Jia, for your concern. I'll just close my eyes for a while."
Jia Heng didn't want to talk about anything else, so he picked up the tea cup on the side and took a sip, then turned towards the side room to rest.
But on the other side, after King Wei sent Meng Jinwen away, he had someone prepare a sedan chair to go to Prince Zheng's Mansion.
Prince Zheng's Mansion, noon
Behind the manor in the deep courtyard, there is a waterside pavilion with octagonal eaves and surrounded by water. Prince Zheng Cheng is sitting on a green and yellow rattan chair, holding a purple bamboo fishing rod in his hand, fishing with a comfortable expression.
Not far behind him, his ten-year-old grandson Chen Xiang was sitting on the embroidered pier. He also picked up a bamboo pole, and under the care of Chang Sui, he put bait on the fishing hook and threw it towards the rippling blue lake surface. Ripples in circles.
There were several servants waiting nearby, not daring to show off their anger, but only to scare away the fish in the lake.
"Your Majesty, Prince Wei is here." At this moment, from the direction of the water pavilion leading to the Moon Gate, an old man over fifty years old walked quickly. It was Sun Xun, the chief historian of Prince Zheng's palace, and he bowed to Prince Zheng. Next to him, he whispered.
Prince Zheng Cheng turned his gray and white hair
The bright-headed man, with a strange color on his thin face, asked in a clear voice: "For him to come here at this time is probably because the imperial court sent troops to pay him."
Sun Xun cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty Ming Jian, this is what Prince Wei said."
"Disappointing." Prince Zheng Cheng muttered in a low voice, handed the fishing rod to the servant on the side, stood up, stretched and said, "Sun Changshi went with me to see him."
Sun Xun responded and followed Prince Zheng Cheng out of the waterside pavilion, heading towards the Chengyun Hall where Prince Zheng usually entertained guests.
Chengyun Hall, in the main hall, Prince Wei Kang has been waiting for him for a while under the guidance of the steward.
"Brother Prince Zheng." When Prince Wei Kang saw Prince Zheng Cheng coming, he quickly stood up to greet him.
Prince Zheng Cheng smiled and said: "Brother King Wei, we haven't seen you for a long time, it's great to see you again. Why are you so free today?"
Prince Wei Kang had a slight smile on his chubby round face and said: "Brother Prince Zheng, I have nothing to do without waiting for the Three Treasures Palace."
The two of them sat down while chatting.
Prince Wei Kang said: "Brother Prince Zheng, have you seen that Meng Fu Yin?"
"Brother Wei, what about Meng Jinwen? He came here early in the morning to ask for the account. He said a lot of nonsense and was sent away by me. Prince Zheng Cheng waved his hand calmly.
Prince Wei Kang sighed and said: "Since Brother Wang has met the man named Meng, I know what his plan is. He said that the imperial army is stationed in Luo and needs military supplies, food and forest supplies, so let us return it." It seems to me that these unpaid grain taxes are being used as debt collectors in the name of the imperial court's suppression of bandits."
Prince Zheng Cheng said: "He told me that the harvests in Henan counties have been sluggish in recent years, so how can there be any rice for him."
"Yes, that Henan governor Zhou Dezhen is also a loser, and there are also the officers and soldiers of the Henan Dusi. Tens of thousands of people have allowed a small group of thieves to become powerful, and now Kaifeng Prefecture has fallen." Prince Wei Kang complained, and then looked at He looked at Prince Zheng Cheng expectantly and said: "Brother Wang, Meng Jinwen has said that he will give 300,000 dan from my house and 400,000 shi from Brother Wang's house. What can I say about passing this level? He has passed it." This is over.”
"This matter is absolutely impossible." Prince Zheng Cheng waved his hand, with a hint of coldness on his face.
Prince Wei Kang's tone was worried, and he lowered his voice and said: "Brother Wang, I heard that this Jia Heng is not a fuel-efficient lamp. I asked Zhuo Changshi to find out that this man is not as young as the weak crown, he is a lucky man, and his methods are ruthless. , now leading the Beijing camp, his power is very strong, and it is a bit difficult to deal with the troops coming this time."
Prince Zheng Cheng looked indifferent and said: "Don't worry, brother Wei, the emperor is still here, it is not the turn of such a young boy to attack us! No matter what, we have no food in our house, who does he like to ask for food?" After searching for it, it would not be that he was short of military supplies. There were still hundreds of thousands of stones of grain hidden in Taicang, which was enough for him to put down the rebellion. There were also more than a dozen rice merchants in Luoyang, who had accumulated millions of stones of grain. As long as he takes out the money and worries about not being able to buy rice, there is no need to embarrass us clan members."
"Brother Wang, that's what I meant." Prince Wei Kang said with a smile.
The most fearful thing about confronting important officials of the imperial court is being alone. If the two of them advance and retreat together, they will not be afraid of Jia Heng. At least the two emperors of Shenjing still have to pay attention to some royal dignity.
However, while the two were discussing, a servant from outside suddenly ran over in a hurry, with a look of panic on his face, and said: "Your Majesty, something bad has happened. A large number of Jin Yiti are riding outside Renxin Gate, saying they are from Shenjing. The Jinyi Guards, following the orders of the Jinyi Commandery, want to invite the prince to ask questions."
Prince Zheng Cheng's brows twitched, his face filled with anger, and he said: "Captain in Jinyi? Jia Heng, okay, who gave them the courage! They actually bullied me."
Prince Wei Kang was also startled and thought to himself, what is Jin Yiti doing riding here?
He frowned and said, "Brother Prince Zheng, the people from the Jinyi Mansion in Shenjing are afraid that the people who come here are not good-natured. Let's first see what their intentions are."
Prince Zheng Cheng said in a cold voice: "Brother King Wei, go and have a look with me, and you will meet this Jia Ziyu."
Prince Wei Kang nodded, and then he and Prince Zheng Cheng left Chengyun Hall and came to the tower of Renxin Gate.
At this moment, hundreds of cavalry in brocade clothes were riding tall horses below. They were all wearing flying fish and embroidered spring knives. Their faces were solemn and filled with evil spirits.
"Who are you, running wild in front of the feudal prince's residence!" Li Dianjun
Drink asked.
Liu Jixian's face was cold and solemn, he sat upright on his horse, cupped his hands to the side, and said in a deep voice, as loud as a bell: "I'm in charge of the Fusi of Beizhen, and I will punish Liu Xian of a thousand households."
Prince Wei Kang nodded, and then he and Prince Zheng Cheng left Chengyun Hall and came to the tower of Renxin Gate.
At this moment, hundreds of cavalry in brocade clothes were riding tall horses below. They were all wearing flying fish and embroidered spring knives. Their faces were solemn and filled with evil spirits. "Who are you, running wild in front of the feudal prince's residence!" Li Dianjun asked.
Liu Jixian's face was cold and solemn, he sat upright on his horse, raised his hands to the side, and said in a deep voice, as loud as a bell: "I am the Fusi of Beizhen, who is responsible for the execution of thousands of households. Liu Jixian, on the order of my family, has invited Prince Zheng to go to the government office to explain."
Prince Zheng Cheng, who was on the city gate tower three people high above, sneered and said in a low voice, "Who are you? Let Jia Heng come over and talk to me." Liu Jixian raised his eyes and looked at the two feudal lords on the city gate tower. Instead, the king took out the book and said in a cold voice: "According to Lu Qingshan of Luoyang Qianhu Office, Prince Zheng Cheng and Prince Wei Kang went beyond the control and trespassed, bought brocade clothes to spy on affairs, raised dead soldiers, and secretly hid armored soldiers... He is planning something evil and intending to rebel. Prince Zheng Cheng needs to explain this matter clearly to my lord, otherwise my lord will report it to the Holy One and investigate the two vassals strictly!"
In fact, only charges like rebellion could trick the two vassal princes into going to argue with Jiaheng, because Emperor Chongping's brothers Zhao Wang, the deposed prince, and Zhou Wang were all involved in rebellion, and then the clan The family is destroyed.
It's a fish and meat town, where lawlessness is rampant and no one cares about you.
When Prince Zheng Cheng heard the word "treason", his heart skipped a beat and his face turned pale.
Prince Wei Kang was not much better. He bribed Lu Qingshan just because he didn't want him to record his family's illegal activities in the report to the court. How could it become a conspiracy and an intention to rebel?
What else counts as hiding armored soldiers, raising dead soldiers, and adopting child servants to serve as housekeepers to protect the homes?
