The next day, Zhao Tong went out early in the morning and went straight to the military prison outside Tokyo.
The current military prison is no better than last year. The four prison walls are much taller and thicker, and even the gates have been replaced with round new wood.
There are many tents around the military prison, and there are forbidden troops standing outside. After the prisoner car arrived yesterday, the forbidden troops stayed here to guard the camp.
Seeing Zhao Tong's arrival, the supervisor in front of the door hurriedly saluted, then opened the door and invited Zhao Tong to enter.
The warden's grade is still the same as last year, but he looks a lot fatter. Apparently, Zhao Tao spent a lot of money allocated for the construction of the military prison to his own family.
Also with the prison guard were Zhou Xiao and Shi Zhanye, the commander of the Jiu Battalion on the left wing of the Dragon Guard Army. The three of them met together and Zhao Tong asked, "How are you?"
Zhou Xiao said: "The shackles have been removed, and I have no shortage of food and drink. I just live in a prison. However, the prison in the military prison cannot house people for a long time. It is not so much pickled and is still dry."
Zhao Tong nodded. Yesterday he did not give too detailed explanations, and Zhou Xiao did what he said. "Bring Shi Wenkui to see me."
After a while, Shi Wenkui entered the room. By this time, he had changed his clothes and tied his hair up, but his eyes were still a little dull. When he saw Zhao Tong, he fell into a trance and immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, help me!"
Zhao Tao looked at him. He should not have been punished on the way from Yanggu to the capital, but it was hard to say when he entered Dali Temple. If the crime of framing his colleagues was really proven, and Ximen Qing died and his house was confiscated, then this would be a big deal. .
Zhao Tong looked at Shi Wenkui and said, "Shizhi County has suffered, please sit down."
Shi Wenkui almost burst into tears when he heard this and said, "Wen Kui doesn't dare. The prince is here, where is there a place for Wen Kui to sit."
Zhao Tong shook his head and said, "Sit down and tell me what happened."
Shi Wenkui looked at the chair and hesitated. Su Shi said to the side: "The prince asked you to sit down, what are you talking about!"
Shi Wenkui then sat down and then talked about how he was captured and brought to Beijing.
It turned out that after Zhao Tong left, Shi Wenkui thought about it. Since he had been a local official for a long time, he knew that a weight could not hold down a scale, so he did not dare to say anything extra and did everything step by step.
Ximen Qing naturally wrote that when he went to investigate, the other party suddenly resisted and resisted arrest and was beaten to death. The other important people should be detained or released directly, and then reported layer by layer with documents and evidence.
At this time, nothing happened. Officials from the state road came to investigate, scraped off the money and left. Because Ximen Qing had an official status and was involved in the bandit rebellion, his family members were taken to Tokyo for trial.
Then Shi Wenkui hid the property and disposed of it in the herbal medicine shop, and continued to be the county magistrate with peace of mind, without showing any trace of arrogance. He only waited for Zhao Tan to send word in the future to promote him.
But unexpectedly, just a few months later, someone suddenly came to the capital and arrested his whole family without saying a word. Even the state and road officials all changed their faces, scolding him for scheming his colleagues and embezzling the property of good people.
Then there was a search and then he was escorted to Beijing. During this period, he was interrogated several times, but because he had to be handed over to Dali Temple in the end, no punishment was used.
After hearing this, Zhao Tong said: "The other party just said it was a trap and didn't give any reason?"
Shi Wenkui said: "Your Majesty, there is no reason. I heard the official say a few words when he was being interrogated. It seems that it was Cai Taishi's birthday this year. When he was calculating the gift list for his adopted son Gan'er, he didn't see Ximen Qing, so he asked, and then Mr. Cai San The matter was found out.”
Zhao Tong heard this and said: "Cai Chen? But everyone in Ximen Qing is dead, and he is accused of colluding with bandits and treason, and there is evidence. He is just a local rich man who clings to the Cai family. There are not even one thousand but eight hundred such people. Why would Cai Yi continue to meddle in such nosy matters?"
Shi Wenkui smiled bitterly and said: "Your Majesty, that's how it should be. It's just that I heard the officials whispering at the time, and it seemed that Third Young Master Cai had somehow met a concubine of Ximen Qing, named Li Jiaoer... "
"Li Jiao'er?" Zhao Tong thought for a moment and suddenly laughed. Li Jiao'er was not outstanding in appearance among Ximen Qing's wives and concubines. She was fat and pale, and her appearance was only average. Cai Feng, who was famous in Kaifeng Mansion, This title, called Mr. Tang, means that he has a Tang style and likes fat women.
Zhao Tong said: "I know it myself. Just stay here and don't worry about it."
Hearing this, Shi Wenkui hurriedly knelt down and said: "Wenkui thanks the prince for his great kindness. If he is lucky enough to die, he will tie a grass ring and repay the favor to the prince."
Zhao Tong waved his hand, stood up and walked out. Shi Wenkui wiped his sweat on the ground, his legs were shaking. What he was most afraid of at this time was that Zhao Tong killed someone and silenced him. He didn't know where he was. This was a military prison. Just kill his whole family and dig a hole and bury him. Who can do anything to Zhao Tong?
Zhao Tong went out and took a carriage back to the mansion. When he arrived at the gate of the mansion, he saw a sedan parked there. As soon as he got off the carriage, a man with frosty white temples came out of the sedan. It was Chen Chuixiang, the minister of Dali Temple.
Zhao Tie glanced at him, took out the silk handkerchief and coughed until his face turned red, then slowly stabilized his breathing.
Chen Chuixiang hurriedly greeted him and said, "Your Majesty has worked hard for state affairs and damaged your body. Chuixiang is ashamed."
Zhao Tong said: "Come in and talk."
Chen Chuixiang was greedy, but he was stronger than others and somewhat capable. Moreover, he was old and would soon become an official, so Zhao Tong did not give him a cold look.
When he arrived at the front hall and asked Chen Chuixiang to sit down, Zhao Tong said, "Are you here for the Yanggu County Magistrate's business?"
Chen Chuixiang hurriedly said: "Your Majesty Mingjian, this matter in Yanggu County is just a formality in Dali Temple. In fact, the investigation before and after the case is very sloppy, and the whole story has not been truly understood, so I don't know the Yanggu County Magistrate and the Prince..."
"Yanggu County has nothing to do with me." Zhao Tong shook his head and said, "I just met him on the road. Hearing the injustice in the prison car, I wanted to ask a few questions, but I didn't expect that your Dali Temple officials are so domineering."
Chen Chuixiang hurriedly stood up and apologized: "That man has already been punished by the lower official, and the lower official has asked him to come over later to apologize to the prince."
Zhao Tong waved his hand: "Forget about apologizing, I don't want to see him. I asked Yanggu County, but he just said he was wronged, and said he was framed, saying that he would definitely die if he entered Dali Temple. I was worried that there would be an unjust case, so I sent him to prison. Take it away first."
Chen Chuixiang smiled bitterly in his heart when he heard this. This is a mess. No matter how capable he is, he can't reconcile it: "Your Highness, I have not fully understood this matter, and I can't say for sure. It was Minister Cai who came to Dali Temple to report it. The lower official thought that there was nothing wrong, so he took care of it first."
Zhao Tong nodded: "Cai Chen, right? He is old and has no brains. Why is he so confused? If he asks about people, let him come to me. As for Yanggu County matters, I will give an answer to Dali Temple in three or two days." .”
Chen Chuixiang breathed a sigh of relief. Now that he had put the matter aside, he had accomplished his purpose. He stood up and excused himself and said, "Then Chuixiang will not disturb the prince's rest."
Zhao Tong nodded, looking at Chen Chuixiang's back and thinking in his mind, Cai Feng was currently the minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and he was considered to be a high-ranking official. He didn't know where he would play in the affairs of the Cai family. He remembered that he seemed to be siding with Cai Jing. The eldest son has been fighting alone, facing the entire Cai family.
In the afternoon, Zhu Xiaoyi arrived. As soon as he entered the study, he prostrated himself and said, "Your Majesty, I found that person!"
Zhao Tong put down the wax-core Taoist embroidery portrait in his hand and said with twinkling eyes: "You found it so quickly?"
Zhu Xiaoyi said flatteringly: "If I don't find it early, I won't be raised by the prince in vain."
Zhao Tong smiled and said, "Tell me what's going on."
Zhu Xiaoyi said: "I have a lot of people under my command. I started decorating it when I got home at midnight last night. I made everyone familiar with the portraits, and then I went to several places to squat in front of the Cai Mansion."
Zhao Tong said: "But which family are you from?"
Zhu Xiaoyi said: "I saw the fat black man entering Grand Master Cai's house early in the morning. At that time, I thought he was in charge of the house. Who knew that he went out again less than half an hour later and went to Shilang Cai's house."
Zhao Tong said: "Are you from Cai Chen's place?"
Zhu Xiaoyi said: "That's it. I hurriedly tried to find out about this person, and then I found out that this person is Zhai Dalang, the son of Zhai Qian, the chief steward of the Grand Master's Mansion. He is now a third-ranking steward in the Shilang's Mansion."
Hearing this, Zhao Tong sneered and said, "The son of the chief steward of Cai Jing's mansion? It is said that there are seven rank officials in front of the prime minister. The chief steward of the Grand Master's house is quite extraordinary. It is said that even the seventh rank officials are lacking."
Zhu Xiaoyi said: "Originally, I wanted to kidnap Dalang Zhai when he left the house again, but then I felt it was inappropriate. After asking around again, I found out that he was a homeless man and lived in the Shilang's house. Next time I don’t know when it will come out again.”
Zhao Tong nodded and said: "You have done a good job in this matter. People should pay attention to Cai Chen. If there is any trouble, come and report it immediately."
Zhu Xiaoyi happily left after being praised. Zhao Tong sat on the chair and squinted his eyes and thought for a while, then suddenly picked up a pen and wrote a letter, and then called Lei San: "Send this letter to Cai You's house."
Lei San took the letter and went out. Zhao Tong continued to pick up the storybook and read it with interest.
At dusk, the housekeeper from the other side of the mansion suddenly came to report that Academician Cai wanted to see him.
Zhao Tong smiled and said, "Please come in quickly!"
This time, the guests were placed in the middle hall, and the tea was served first. After a while, Cai You was seen walking in from the door.
Zhao Tong saw that the eldest son of the Cai family was already in his forties, but he was well-kept, with elegant appearance, fair skin, and an impressive moustache. He looked five or six years younger than his actual age. Wearing a large purple collar with dark flowers, and a mutton-fat white jade pendant hanging on his waist, he had a smile on his face.
"Cai You takes the liberty of paying me a courtesy visit and please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"Hahaha, what are you saying, Master Cai? I'm afraid that I won't even be able to invite you here on weekdays!"
"Ashamed, how dare you be the prince? These words really make Cai You ashamed!"
"Sister Cai, sit down and drink tea."
After Zhao Tong finished speaking, he picked up the tea bowl, skimmed off the floating leaves on it, and took a sip of the tea soup.
Cai You sat on the chair and looked around. This was his first time here. In fact, no one else from the Cai family had ever been to Zhao Yu's house, because the Cai family had always supported the third prince Zhao Kai and were always wary of Zhao Yu. A distant attitude.
The third prince Zhao Kai is like Emperor Daojun in every aspect. The Cai family believes that Emperor Daojun will definitely pass the throne to Zhao Kai in the future, even if a prince is established now, and Emperor Daojun has secretly revealed this attitude more than once.
Therefore, the Cai family's ideas in this regard will not change. They have been working on this matter for many years and have attracted countless people inside and outside the court. Even if they want to change, it is almost impossible.
Cai You looked around the lobby, and there were only two words in his mind: shabby, really shabby. The prince was a dignified prince, and he held power. The furnishings in the central hall of this mansion were not as good as his own.
I don’t know much about Zhao Tao and Cai You. Most of them were in the past two years. If I say that I did write many amazing articles in the early days, but then there were no more articles. I heard that he got good at martial arts again, so he never wrote them again. Haven't paid attention.
"I heard that Your Majesty is out on business and working hard, and you are tired. Cai You should come over early to visit. I will give you a small gift today. I hope Your Majesty will accept it." Cai You took out a box from his body, opened it and gave it over.
Zhao Tong smiled. He had only been back for two days, but the news had probably spread all over Tokyo. Although not many people knew how he was doing, many people had heard about his illness.
He took out a silk handkerchief and covered his mouth, coughed a few times, and looked at the box that Cai You had given him. There was an emerald green bead in the box, which was crystal clear and faintly glowing. He couldn't help but said: "This bead is so precious, how can I let Academician Cai spend it on it?" .”
Cai You thought to himself, if I had known your place was shabby, I would have brought more things over. There are a lot of these things in the warehouse at home. On weekdays, there is no one to give them to except to give them to the officials. Most of them are given to me by others.
He smiled and said: "It's a meager thing, as long as it can catch the eye of the prince. Cai You only wishes your prince a good morning."
Zhao Tao smiled. This was because he was looked down upon by the other party. Cai You had a very strong tone. He really had a lot of money and a strong waist. He secretly thought to himself that if the entire Cai family was confiscated, it would probably cost him military expenses, food, and other things. It won’t be a problem anymore. If Yanfu Palace is copied again...
He said: "Xueshi Cai is too polite."
Cai You watched Zhao Tong close the bead cover and said, "My subordinate read the prince's letter carefully and what he said..."
Zhao Tong smiled and said: "Of course it is true, and I will never lie in the slightest. I originally wanted to talk to my husband, but I thought that my husband was too old to hear such insults. What else could happen? It would be bad if something goes wrong. I thought about it over and over again and realized that no matter in the temple or among the people, the eldest son in the family is Gu Banbian, so I wrote it to Academician Cai!"
Cai You's face moved when he heard this, and he said: "What the prince said is absolutely true, but Cai You is ignorant. After seeing the letter, he panicked and came to disturb me. I wonder who in the third brother's house has colluded with the bandits?"
Zhao Tong shook his head and said: "I said it in a subtle way in the letter. I am afraid that someone will leak it and spread the word. In fact, it is not only Cai Shilang, there are also people in my husband's prime minister's house. If it is spread out, it will be harmful to my husband's reputation." ah."
Upon hearing this, Cai You stood up and saluted: "Your Majesty, if this is really the case, please don't tolerate it. The laws of the country are like this, and Cai You will never protect you, and is willing to help your Majesty get the person."
Zhao Tong looked at Cai You and really didn't know what to say. Although Cai You has relied on Emperor Daojun and not the Cai family in recent years, is this reaction a bit too much?
However, he carefully recalled Cai You, and what he did was really not ruthless. He attacked his father and brothers without even blinking an eye.
In order to win the favor of the Taoist Emperor, Cai You set up his own family and gave him a different residence. He pulled up a small force and attacked Cai Jing's forces. The fight for power resulted in a bloody fight. After being granted the title of Shaoshi, his power gradually increased and became even more powerful. Attacking Cai Jing's family, father and son almost became enemies.
Once, Cai You visited Cai Jing's mansion. Cai Jing hurriedly asked the guest to avoid it. Cai You stepped forward and held Cai Jing's hand to diagnose his pulse and said, "My father's pulse is slow, are you feeling unwell?" Cai Jing replied, "No. ." Cai You then left in a hurry on the pretext that he had official business during the ban. The guest saw this and was puzzled by Cai You's behavior, so he asked Cai Jing. Cai Jing replied: "This person wants to use my illness as an excuse to force me to dismiss from office."
Later, when Cai Jing paid homage to the prime minister four times, he was "dazzled and unable to do anything." All decisions were left to Cai Sui, his fourth son. Cai You was jealous, so he repeatedly criticized Cai Sui's crimes to Emperor Daojun, and even persuaded Emperor Daojun to kill him. He married his younger brother Cai Sui.
Emperor Daojun also felt that he had gone too far, and finally ordered Cai Sui to suspend his duties and not interfere in the government affairs. However, Cai You still did not understand his hatred at this time, and even went to the government to force his brother to leave the capital.
When Zhao Tong thought of this, he couldn't help but coughed and said, "There is a steward named Zhai Dalang in the residence of Master Cai. Does Master Cai know about it?"
Hearing this, Cai You said, "Your Majesty knows that this man is the son of Zhai Qian, the chief steward of the Taishi Mansion, and he often comes to the Taishi Mansion."
Zhao Tong nodded: "This person colluded with the green forest gangsters and committed evil crimes. Especially, he has a close relationship with Gui Fan Lou. He is... a fish that slipped through the net of Gui Fan Lou!"
When Cai You heard this, his expression changed and he said: "Your Majesty, this is not bad, but this is simply an unpardonable crime. When are you going to arrest him?"
(End of chapter)
