Chapter 048 I am a good person
The first thing Chen Cao did when he returned to Nanjing was to go home. Family was the most important thing and everything had to be put last.
"Husband..."
When Chen Cao saw Li Xiang again, he felt that she had lost weight again, so he quickly held Li Xiang in his arms and asked, "How is the child?"
"Hao'er is fine. He just went to bed." Li Xiang leaned his head on Chen Cao's arms, enjoying it very much: "Daddy's business."
"My father-in-law's affairs have been settled. Will he be sent back to his hometown for burial?" Chen Cao stroked her hair.
"Well, Zhao Xin sent Jin Yiwei to clear the way for him to be sent back, and the court also added a posthumous title. It can be regarded as an end." Li Xiang said, feeling a little depressed.
Chen Cao patted her back: "Everyone is subject to birth, old age, sickness and death, let alone my father-in-law. Furthermore, he was used as a weapon, and my husband has avenged him in the capital. You can rest assured. If I die in the future, Now, you have to take good care of this family."
"What nonsense did you say... you can't die even if I die." Li Xiang said and gave Chen Cao a hard blow on the chest.
Damn...
"By the way, husband," Li Xiang raised his head: "My little sister is getting older now, and many wealthy lords in Jinling have sent people to propose marriage. I can't make the decision, so I leave it to you."
"That's right..." Chen Cao let go of Li Xiang, then sat on the chair, frowning: "My little sister can't marry an ordinary person."
"I know, there are even several old marquis mansions and even the Duke of Guizhou's mansion who are proposing marriage, wanting to propose marriage for the bastard in the family." Li Xiang said, waving his fingers.
Chen Cao laughed loudly: "The ordinary people I'm talking about are not from noble and wealthy families. If Chen Qing wants to marry, she must marry someone in the military. I already have a candidate."
Li Xiang was stunned, and then tested: "My husband means to tell my little sister to...Song..."
"That's right," Chen Cao said with a serious face: "My father died in the war and my grandmother died of illness. As the elder brother, I am her guardian. I will marry whomever I say I will marry." Chen Cao was stunned: "I have a close relationship with Shi Xiu, and he will be of great help to my husband in the future, so I have to marry him... By the way, why are these people here to propose marriage at this time?"
"This group of people heard that my little sister's three-year filial piety period was coming, so they all rushed to propose marriage." Li Xiang said disapprovingly.
"Three years of filial piety? Ah..." Chen Cao screamed.
"Husband, what's wrong with you?" Li Xiang approached.
...
The location of Junfu in Tieling Township is relatively good, and the Li family is not short of money. Anyway, the whole family moved here. Although Li Rubai committed suicide, the Li family still has several elders such as Li Ruzhen, Li Runan, and Li Rugui in Liaodong. The younger generation also has Li Shaokuan. The general will not completely decline.
"Hey, Master Chen is here." The servant guarding the gate recognized Chen Cao and was very enthusiastic: "I will go and report it now."
"No, I'll go in by myself."
Chen Cao walked into the door and turned around the screen wall, and heard someone talking. When he looked carefully, he saw that a group of female members of the Li family were embroidering and talking in the garden of the side hall. Chen Cao, who was watching, began to talk in a low voice.
The maid recognized Chen Cao and ran quickly into the backyard. From time to time she walked out and saluted Chen Cao: "My lord, please come back. The young lady is not feeling well. Please talk to me another day."
What do you mean?
Chen Cao could hear the urge to drive people away, but he was not a good person: "What's the matter? I, the commander of Nanzhen Fusi, have important military matters to see your hometown commander. If you don't get out of the way, be careful as I am armed." Rushed in."
"you dare..."
Chen Cao looked around and saw Li Waner standing at the door of the lobby holding a long sword: "Why, Mr. Chen has such great authority..."
Um? Why does this sentence sound so familiar?
"Wan'er..."
"Presumptuous..." Li Wan'er scolded: "You can also call me by your own name?"
"Which song is this song from?" Chen Cao couldn't figure it out.
"Mu Guiying beat up Yang Liulang..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Waner pulled out the long sword in his hand, made a sword move, and stabbed towards Chen Cao. At the critical moment of life and death, Chen Cao didn't even move, and the long sword stabbed straight at him.
Seeing that Chen Cao had no intention of hiding, Li Waner swung her sword sharply, and the sword originally aimed at his throat still penetrated his left shoulder blade...
The blood immediately stained his robe red...
Bangdang...
The sword fell to the ground.
"Asshole," Li Waner rushed forward and cried instantly: "You bastard, why don't you hide? Get the golden sore medicine quickly..."
The maid was also frightened and hurriedly took action.
Chen Cao endured the pain and smiled: "There was once a true love in front of me, but I didn't cherish it. When I lost it, I regretted it. The most painful thing in the world is this. Your sword should be in my hands." If God can give me another chance, I will say three words to that girl, I love you... If I have to add a time limit to this love, I hope it will be ten thousand years..."
"Asshole..." Li Waner had never heard of such love words before. She cried bitterly and hugged Chen Cao, repeating the word "asshole" in her mouth like a repeater.
The maid brought gold sore medicine and gauze. Li Waner took Chen Cao to the lobby and bandaged Chen Cao herself. Chen Cao grinned in pain.
After finishing, Li Waner stared into Chen Cao's eyes and said tenderly: "Does it hurt?"
"It hurts... it hurts so much..." Chen Cao grinned and said, "Are you distressed?"
"Well," Li Waner blushed, but she couldn't change the straight-forward habit of martial arts practitioners. Although she blushed, she still looked at Chen Cao: "I'm also in burning pain..."
"Then I'll feel the pain..."
Phew..
Li Wan'er burst into laughter and punched Chen Cao with a small fist: "You bastard, you are still making fun of me at this time."
There were only Chen Cao and Li Waner in the lobby. When Chen Cao saw this, he hugged Li Waner into his arms: "It was my fault. I haven't come to see you for so long. Isn't it for your sake?"
"Nonsense," Li Waner felt very comfortable in Chen Cao's arms: "I know you went to Baifu and Shen Ji's grocery store. You know what you did."
"You sent someone to investigate me?" Chen Cao glared.
"You are my future husband. Sister Xiang'er doesn't dare to care about you, but I do." Li Waner said righteously.
"Okay, I'm scared of you..."
Li Wan'er broke away from Chen Cao's arms: "You thief, you haven't come to see me for so long. Why are you here today?"
"For love..."
Seeing this, Li Waner was about to take action again. Chen Cao grabbed her hand and said, "Okay, okay, I said, your filial piety period is coming, and when your filial piety period comes, I will marry you."
Li Waner blushed, and then said: "I have been waiting for a long time. I am alone in this house, and those aunts are not in harmony with me. I really have nothing to do in my free time except reading what you wrote, and I can't do it often. Go find Sister Xiang'er, do you know that I have been very sad these past three years?"
Chen Cao hugged Li Wan'er into his arms: "Wan'er has suffered so much. I will treat you well in the future. I have said that you will be my wife."
"What about Sister Xiang'er?"
"Too..."
Chen Cao stayed at Li Waner's house for an hour and then left. He still had many things to take care of.
"Sir," Xin Zhao looked at Chen Cao: "Your injury?"
"Don't tell my wife when you go back, just say that you were injured in the military camp." Chen Cao instructed.
"My subordinates know..."
"Drive..." Xu Kaixian galloped over on his horse: "Hello... Sir, I have your official documents... sent by the commanding envoy Si Yamen, as well as people from the capital."
In the Zhenfusi Yamen, Chen Cao thought he had received an imperial edict, but the person who came was just the General Banner of the Imperial Guards, and he was a messenger, so he sat at the main seat in the lobby and listened to the General Banner telling Chen Cao.
"With all my humble duties, I would like to congratulate you, Commander..." The general flag saluted Chen Cao.
On the third day after Chen Cao left Beijing, Wei Zhongxian asked Zhu Youxiao for an edict and promoted Chen Cao to the commander of Nanzhen Fusi, making him the actual person in charge of Nanzhen Fusi. Zhang Yanzong, a fellow commander, was completely It became a decoration.
"You're welcome, but Mr. Xu has something to say to you?" Chen Cao smiled and nodded.
"Yes..." The general flag nodded: "Qi Boyu, Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing, sent someone to have a secret meeting with Zhao Nanxing. They talked about maritime affairs. On the day of the visit, various supervisory censors and many Donglin Party officials reported to Zhao Nanxing. Jiang Navy's name is to hunt down pirates, but it is actually using the Navy's name to conduct maritime trade, and pretending to be pirates to rob passing merchant ships;
There is also the matter of the Longjiang Shipyard. The Nanjing Ministry of War Yamen wrote a letter saying that the shipyard cost a lot of money and was a waste of people and money, and requested the imperial court to order the Nanjing Ministry of Industry to close the Longjiang Shipyard. Not only that, Gu Dazhang, a member of the Ministry of Criminal Affairs, and others united with more than a dozen censors to impeach Mr. Chen. Said that you abused your power, broke the law knowingly, and..."
"What?" Chen Cao raised his eyebrows.
"Disorderly conduct..."
"Fuck..." Chen Cao swore again. These people are really not good birds: "I was implicated in Nanjing. It seems that the shipyard incident really affected their interests."
"Don't worry, Mr. Chen. The affairs in the DPRK can be solved freely. Mr. Xu will tell you from his humble position and just work with peace of mind." After saying that, the general flag took out something like an official document from his arms: "This is Yuan Hua Zhonggou The so-called 'eunuch' list compiled by Mr. Xu asked the humble officials to bring it to Mr. Chen for a look."
"Liao Yaowen, go and arrange this brother's itinerary." Chen Cao ordered, then opened the roster and read it carefully. After reading it, he handed it over to Xin Zhao for viewing.
"Bastard..." Chen Cao hammered the table hard.
"Sir, please calm down..." Zhao Xin handed the roster to Xu Kaixian and others: "These so-called Qingliu are just scum. Who knows your ambition..."
Chen Cao stared at Zhao Xin and said: "After the current emperor ascended the throne, I, Chen Cao, can be regarded as the one who gave gifts to Wei Zhongxian. Damn Yuan Huazhong actually only placed me in sixth place in the eunuch list. That guy Tian Ergen is in front of me, you bitch..."
Xin Zhao: "..."
Xu Kaixian handed over his hand: "Sir, my brother just talked about other things in the capital. Let us convey that Zhong Yu, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, is being dismissed from his post and returning to his hometown. Huang Kezan, the Minister of the Ministry of War, will be transferred to the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and Sun Wei will be the Minister of the Ministry of War."
"I know this," Chen Cao waved his hand. He knew these things when he was in Beijing.
"Also, Zhang Wenda, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, resigned, but the emperor did not agree," Xu Kaixian continued: "However, Zhao Nanxing was still appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Gao Panlong was appointed as the censor of the Zuodu, and Feng Quan participated as the right minister of the Ministry of Rites. Cabinet maintenance; and Qiao Yunsheng may have to be promoted to the capital."
"Well..." Chen Cao nodded. He didn't care about these things at all. Who was the high official had nothing to do with him. The focus of his concern was only on his own side: "Qi Boyu is so ignorant that he actually wants to close the Longjiang Shipyard. , who is in charge of the Nanjing Ministry of Industry now?"
"Shang Shu Wang Shun Ding..." Zhao Xin handed over his hand: "He is a member of the Zhejiang Party..."
"Oh?" Chen Cao raised his eyebrows: "Are you one of my own? No wonder the Shipbuilding Bureau of the Ministry of Industry and Engineering of Kaifu Shipyard agreed immediately. I didn't expect that I still have my own people in Nanjing. How is the reputation?"
Zhao Xindao said: "Wang Shangshu was a Jinshi in the 26th year of Wanli. He was a humble and virtuous man, enforced the law impartially, and had an upright reputation. Although he was a member of the Zhejiang Party, he had never participated in party struggles, so he did not suffer any consequences after the Zhejiang Party was defeated. Go to Donglin Party for liquidation."
"Well...that's good," Chen Cao stood up: "Let's go visit Mr. Wang..."
Wang Shunding's residence is in the outer city of Beicheng, close to Zhongshan. The people living here are ordinary people. To put it bluntly, only the poor live here.
The palace is not very large, but the pair of stone lions symbolizing status at the door show that this family is not simple.
"Go in and report that Chen Cao, the commander of Fusi in Jinyiweinan Town, wants to see Wang Shangshu." Zhao Xin stepped forward and said.
When one of the servants guarding the gate heard that Jin Yiwei was coming, he hurried in to report, and then came out to lead Chen Cao in: "My lord is at home, please come in, Lord Chen."
Wang Shunding heard that Chen Cao was here, so he set up a tea table in the lobby. Chen Cao entered the hall, saw Wang Shunding, and lamented how this old man who was almost seventy could survive the party struggle at the end of Wanli.
"Your Majesty Chen Cao, I have met Wang Shangshu..." Chen Cao stood still and saluted.
Wang Shunding had no airs at all and waved his hand for Chen Cao to sit down: "Master Chen is here today, but is it about the shipyard?"
Chen Cao raised his eyebrows: "I didn't expect Wang Shangshu to be so upright after speaking. Compared with those people in the capital who talk in a roundabout way, Wang Shangshu seems to be a member of the military."
"When I was young, I was in charge of the military affairs in the Yamen of the Ministry of War, and I also went to three places to inspect the local armaments." Wang Shunding said disapprovingly: "I am old now. If I talk in a roundabout way, sometimes I won't even say what I said. I can’t remember anything.”
The so-called old people and ghosts
Chen Cao felt that Wang Shunding must be pretending to be confused, so he smiled and said: "As Wang Shangshu said, the official is indeed here to come to the shipyard."
Wang Shunding took a sip of tea after listening: "I already know about Qi Boyu's memorial. Isn't it just for the shipyard to build a large ship with more than 3,000 materials..."
Chen Cao felt that there was something in Wang Shunding's words, but there were some things that could not be revealed, so he said: "The imperial court has more than three thousand ships, which can protect our coastal waters. Wang Shangshu also knows that now that the Folangji people have occupied Macau, for Taiwan is also eyeing it, and the small boats of the Penghu Inspection Department are like shrimps to Fo Langji's three-masted sailboat..."
"You don't have to tell me this..." Wang Shunding interrupted Chen Cao: "When the shipyard reopened, Wang Gongbi took a lot of benefits from you, right?"
"Oh..." Chen Cao suddenly realized: "If you obey the rules, I will send it to you immediately."
"What are you doing? Do you think I want to collect your money?" Wang Shunding frowned: "I have never paid attention to the shipyard, but I also know that your ships and the navy have taken something from others, otherwise you wouldn't Become the target of public criticism, otherwise you, the sixth member of the eunuch party, will be blind in vain..."
"Hehe..." Chen Cao laughed awkwardly: "Behind this..."
"I don't care who is behind you, and I don't ask..." Wang Shunding interrupted Chen Cao: "I have never participated in party struggles in my life, and I won't even do it now. My neck is buried in the loess. I don't want to leave it to future generations." Call me a name..."
Chen Cao was really not sure what Wang Shunding wanted to do: "Please give Wang Shangshu some advice..."
"It's easy to say..." Wang Shunding stroked his white beard: "I have my own opinion. When the shipyard reopens, you are responsible for the money and food. The Ministry of Industry only supervises and does not suffer any losses... These words I have already submitted the original memorial..."
No more. After Wang Shunding finished speaking, he half-closed his eyes as if falling asleep.
Chen Cao stood up, bowed to Wang Shunding, and then turned and left under the leadership of the housekeeper.
"Sir, what's going on?"
After leaving the palace, Zhao Xin hurried forward to ask.
Chen Cao mounted his horse and looked thoughtfully at the gate of the Wang family: "The old man is very interesting. He protects himself wisely and won't offend anyone. Go back. Don't worry about the shipyard. Let's go and meet Qi Boyu in person."
Not to mention, after Qi Boyu learned that the nautical and ship charts were stolen, he had long wanted to find Chen Cao himself. Who knew that this guy went to the capital and never showed up on the official street of Fengtianmen after he came back? What a coincidence. , today he is on duty at the Yamen.
Qi Boyu had a bad expression on his face, and Chen Cao also had a smile on his face. The two of them sat there pretending to be cowardly for a long time. Qi Boyu couldn't help it anymore and said, "Master Chen, you have such good tricks..."
Chen Cao cupped his hands towards Qi Boyu and said, "You're welcome. Otherwise, our Ming Dynasty would never build any more treasure ships since Emperor Wen. The reputation of our country cannot be ruined in the hands of contemporary people."
"Hmph..." Qi Boyu became angry when he saw Chen Cao, and he was no longer polite at the moment, and said: "Chen Cao, I had no grudges with you in the past and now, why did you find someone to frame me?"
Chen Cao came in for so long, and for the first time, he bowed to Qi Boyu and saluted, then sat down and said, "I'm really sorry, Lord Qi. If I didn't do this, I really wouldn't be able to get the nautical and ship charts, and I would frame the Lord." It’s just a premise.”
"What about Zou Weilian?" Qi Boyu asked again: "Did he collude with you?"
"Master Qi is overthinking," Chen Cao said with a smile, regardless of exposing Zou Weilian, "I found out that Master Zou had a bad relationship with his colleagues in the Ministry of War Yamen, so I took advantage of him. He is just a stepping stone."
The words were unpleasant to hear, but they could clear Zou Weilian's suspicion. Qi Boyu slammed the table angrily: "I will write a letter and give you another copy."
"Hi..." Chen Cao waved his hand: "Is it useful?" His expression was extremely hateful: "Yuan Huazhong's "Eunuch Directory" ranked me, Chen Cao, sixth. Master Qi, think about it, this pair How important Eunuch Wei is, your impeachment memorial will have no effect."
"You..." Qi Boyu gasped, wishing he could beat Chen Cao now.
Chen Cao saw his expression, and Chen Cao joked: "In the first year of the Apocalypse, I, Chen Cao, went to Beijing to play Cai Gen Tan. After I came back, the reputation of that sycophant spread throughout the Ming Dynasty. Since it has been spread so much It’s been so many years, it’s better to make it solid and well-deserved. That guy Zuo Guangdou is very ignorant, and he actually tried to spite me. As Mr. Qi said, he and I had no grudges in the past and have no grudges in recent times. , if you have to confront me, I feel that Taihedian’s kick was a bit gentle.”
"It's really Zuo Guangdou who you are trying to trip up." Qi Boyu also has a relatively high status in the Donglin Party and has a close relationship with Zuo Guangdou and others.
"Hey," Chen Cao said with an expression of sudden realization: "Now that I am an eunuch, he wants to beat Eunuch Wei, of course I have to help. However, I, Chen Cao, know the teachings of the saints well, so I just stumbled and didn't If you haven't done anything yet, otherwise with my skills, Mr. Zuo will definitely stay in bed for three to five months."
"You bitch, you still know the teachings of saints," Qi Boyu realized at this moment that Chen Cao had read "The Great Learning" and also wrote "Cai Gen Tan" and other articles about the teachings of Confucian saints. The more he scolded you, the more fierce he became: "You You are a Confucian scum, and we, the Confucian family, have such sycophants and thieves as you, I really have disgraced Duke Yansheng."
"Hey Lord Qi, what you said is biased..." Chen Cao said with a dissatisfied look on his face: "Who said I am the only one who is a Confucian scum? Didn't you read the eunuch list carefully? Lord Gu Bingqian, who is ranked ninth, is the same You Confucian apprentices..."
"You guy..." Qi Boyu was so angry with Chen Cao that he couldn't speak: "Okay, okay...Chen Cao, I can't compete with you, but it's impossible for you to do whatever you want in Nanzhili. You wait. Stay here, I will definitely not make it easy for you. Come and see the guests off..."
"Don't bother me..." Chen Cao motioned to Zhao Xin to go out and stop the visitor, then stood up and closed the door of the lobby: "Master Qi, do you understand the current situation in the court?"
Qi Boyu was also a little shocked as to what Chen Cao was going to do after he closed the door. Unexpectedly, he was stunned by just one sentence: "What do you want to say?"
Chen Cao raised his hand towards him: "Zhang Wenda, the Minister of Civil Affairs, let me call him Uncle Zhang. I know you are friendly with him. For Uncle Zhang's sake, this junior is here to save you..."
"Save me? What a joke..." Qi Boyu snorted coldly: "I am an upright and upright official, so it's up to you? Tell me, what did I commit?"
"Master Qi, don't be so harsh. It can be seen from the current personnel changes in the DPRK that your Donglin Party will not be able to deal with it for much longer." Chen Cao looked at Qi Boyu with a look of disappointment on his face: "Zuo Guangdou, Yang Lianji They broke into the palace and snatched the present His Majesty from Li Xuanshi. Although His Majesty is grateful, there are limits. And these few of them, in addition to gaining official positions and official reputation, have also controlled the government for so many years. Your Donglin Party is now It’s Ye Xianggao, I think he can still give it a try, but his resignation is inevitable.”
Qi Boyu stared at Chen Cao without saying anything, and Chen Cao said again: "His Majesty allows you, the Donglin Party, to do everything, but you are not satisfied and always push for an inch. Haven't you ever thought about why Emperor Wanli didn't go to court?"
Qi Boyu was at a loss for words. Emperor Wanli did not go to court but firmly controlled the affairs of the court. The most fundamental reason was to make the officials in the court and the middle of the court compete with each other. This is how party disputes came about.
"Although Wei Zhongxian has read few books, the Queen Mother is not a fool. Now your Donglin Party has crushed the three parties of Qi, Chu and Zhejiang. One family is the only one and controls the government. Your Majesty has no power. You have to ask Ye Xianggao for everything. Without him Nodding can't even get things done, tell me, which emperor can tolerate people like you?"
"We are Confucian apprentices and we are sharing the worries of your Majesty..." Qi Boyu defended.
"Joke..." Chen Cao disagreed: "Now His Majesty has to ask Ye Xianggao whether he agrees to take a concubine. Do you think this is something you people did?"
"You?" Qi Boyu was speechless by Chen Cao.
"Your Majesty likes carpentry, what's wrong with making small pieces of wood? Anyone who has no personal hobbies is said by a group of people from the Metropolitan Procuratorate to be a fool who is harming the country. Hey, don't saints always say that you should respect your emperor? Why have all of you forgotten the teachings of the saints?" Chen Cao looked at Qi Boyu curiously...
