Zuo Liangyu suddenly died of illness two months ago, leaving Zuo Mengeng without a master. Fortunately, he had two close advisers around him to advise him, that is, to cope with all changes by remaining unchanged. We have money and food in our hands. With soldiers and horses, I don’t believe that the imperial court will go too far!
However, he did not expect that the imperial court would respond to his changes and an imperial edict would tear the country that his father had built for him into pieces.
The imperial court did not settle his father's old debts, and there was no chaos in Wuchang. Then Wang Yuncheng moved into the General Military Mansion, and Ma Jinzhong settled in Hanyang.
But he, the direct descendant of Zuo Liangyu, the former warlord commander, only became a fourth-grade general, and his troops were divided into twos and threes. He could not enter the general military mansion and moved to a large house in the north of the city. In the name of keeping filial piety, one should stay behind closed doors.
Keeping filial piety did not delay other things. Zuo Menggeng, who was stunned by the court's punches, finally came to his senses after spending this period of time behind closed doors and thinking about his mistakes, and he became increasingly unwilling to accept it.
The family property that I have worked so hard to acquire becomes someone else’s when it changes hands!
The court was behind this incident, but he didn't dare to express his anger at the court, at least he didn't dare to show it, or even say no. After all, based on what his father had done before, the court didn't take the opportunity to deal with him, so how could he dare? He was looking for trouble, so he turned around and blamed the two ungrateful things, Ouma.
However, at this moment, he could only feel hatred in his heart. He cursed several times inside the house and did not even dare to leave the house.
Because he knew that the city's Jin Yiwei and Dongchang spies were staring at him now, for fear of being found out and caught.
Of course, this does not prevent him from setting up spies to pay attention to every move in the city. Not only the whereabouts of the two old foxes, he also knows whose wife is stealing.
So when Chang Yu first entered the General Military Mansion for a while, Zuo Menggeng, who was staying at home, received the news and immediately panicked, why did he come and what was he doing?
Yesterday, Huang Shu was killed in the street, and today the eunuch came. Why have he been hit by evil spirits these past few days? All kinds of troubles have been crowded together, but Zuo Mengeng did not doubt that Huang Shu's death was related to Chang Yu. What does it matter? From his point of view, people like Huang Shu couldn't get into the eyes of the great eunuch, and there was no need to go through all the trouble to kill him.
Moreover, at this moment, he had no time to deal with Huang Shu's death. What he was worried about was the sudden death of the eunuch, so he quickly asked Liu Jingting.
Still staying the same in response to all changes, Liu Jingting thought for a while and asked Zuo Menggeng to stay in the house. If the eunuch calls, then go. If you don't call, we will pretend not to know.
As for whether the eunuch suddenly came to Wuchang to deal with them, Liu Jingting also had concerns about this. He was also not sure. Fortunately, he was also well prepared. If he was really pushed to that point, he would not It can only be a dead end.
It was late at night, and Zuo Mengeng was still lighting lamps and boiling oil. He was so flustered that he couldn't sleep, not for any other reason, but because the shadow that Chang Yu brought to him was too great. A quick glance outside Jiujiang City already made him feel scared. I even often have nightmares about it.
Liu Jingting comforted him, don't worry, he is here, no matter good or bad, he will meet you.
As soon as he finished speaking, a confidant hurriedly knocked on the door, and the eunuch came with nearly a hundred people.
Ah, Zuo Mengeng's hand shook, and the tea cup fell to the ground, bouncing hard. Liu Jingting's expression also changed instantly, and then he narrowed his eyes and said to his confidants: "Let Zhang Chao and others wait, and protect the young master and fight out if necessary." .
Which wealthy family does not support a few dead soldiers? What's more, a big warlord like Zuo Liangyu, in addition to the guards who guard the hospital, of course also raises a large number of dead soldiers.
Outside the door of Zuozhai, Chang Yu looked up at the plaque with a half-smile on his face. It was funny to think that the nouveau riche in later generations would always hang a plaque on the door and write "So-and-so Mansion" to make their faces look good. And that In TV dramas, every wealthy family has the name "XXXX" on their door.
That’s nonsense!
Imperial palace, royal palace, official residence, and civilian courtyard.
The word "fu" was first used on the plaque on the door of the house. It was stipulated in the Tianguan Book of the Zhou Dynasty that the residence of hundreds of officials was called "fu". That is to say, only the homes of civil servants who were officials could be called "fu". In addition, even if you have Not even money.
Is it very strict? No, the Zhou Dynasty was quite relaxed.
It was really strict in the Tang and Song Dynasties. Except for princes and generals, no one was allowed to call it a mansion. Even officials, from the ninth to the first rank, could only be called a residence!
Do you think the Tang and Song Dynasties were very strict?
No!
The Ming Dynasty was truly strict!
I don’t know if Lao Zhu has a special preference for the word "fu". The entire Ming Dynasty is only allowed to be used by his family and no one else is allowed to use it. In other words, there is only one mansion in the Ming Dynasty, Zhu's Mansion!
For more than two hundred years in the Ming Dynasty, only the descendants of the old Zhu family could use the word "mansion". Even in the mid-to-late period, even the chief minister like Zhang Juzheng could only have a Zhang residence in his family!
The Manchu and Qing dynasties continued many systems of the Ming Dynasty, and the word "fu" became exclusive to princes and nobles. Only princes in the Eight Banners, and those above the county prince, could use it. For example, Beizi Bile could only use "di", according to the theory of family status. That is to say, from this time on, there were some high-ranking Han Chinese officials like Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang, and Zuo Zongtang. Their merits and achievements were higher than those of the Manchu princes, but they could only use a house at home. Now we see It is ridiculous and nonsense that Li Hongzhang's former residence in some places is hung with Li Mansion.
It was not until the warlord era of the Republic of China that the word "fu" began to be abused.
There is no doubt that Zuo Zhai is a mansion, which is not comparable to that of ordinary wealthy gentry. After all, Zuo Liangyu is an ambitious warlord, and the gate is not small. But after looking carefully, there is still a white paper posted on the gate during the funeral. .
Chang Yu stood in front of the house door for a while, but before his men had time to knock on the door, the door inside opened. Zuo Menggen looked horrified and bowed and kowtowed: "The last general Zuo Mengeng respectfully welcomes the Governor."
A smile appeared at the corner of Chang Yu's lips, and he looked at Zuo Mengeng, who had his head lowered and his body trembling uncontrollably, and then at the middle-aged scribe behind him who also had his head lowered and his waist hunched over.
"Liu Jingting?"
"It's the grassroots people." Liu Jingting quickly knelt down as he spoke.
Chang Yu sighed and walked in: "After years of separation, things have changed and people have changed!" Zuo Menggeng hummed and didn't know what to say. Kuang Ren and others were about to enter the house when Chang Yu stopped them. , signaling Wu Zhong and Qing Yi to come in with him.
After all, more than a hundred people came in to hula, which might make Zuo Mengeng make a misjudgment.
Therefore, the fewer people there are, the better. After all, he is here to discuss things today, not to arrest or kill people. With the strength of the three of them, even if this is a dragon's pool and a tiger's den, they can at least escape unscathed. Moreover, Chang Yu believes that Zuo Mengeng You won't be so stupid and impulsive to do something irreversible.
After entering the gate, there is a screen wall ten steps away. When you go around it, it suddenly becomes clearer. It is even wider than the General Military Mansion, but the lights are much dimmed, making it feel a bit eerie and strange, and there is a faint murderous aura.
Chang Yu couldn't help but glance at the group of servants kneeling next to him, guessing how many of them were real servants. He also scanned the darkly lit buildings on both sides, and there should be people ambush here. Bar.
Qing Yi also felt the killing intent and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. He put his hand on the hilt of the sword and glanced sideways at Wuzhong next to him, only to see that this guy was picking his nose as if he didn't feel anything.
"Master Du Gong, please have tea in the hall." Zuo Mengeng hunched over in front and walked quickly to lead the way.
"There's no rush, let's go and express our condolences to Zuo Gong first." Chang Yu said lightly. When Zuo Mengeng heard the title Zuo Gong, his mind couldn't help but he said, "Master Du Gong, please come here." Chang Yu said across the hall and said that it was like a side hall in the backyard, where Zuo Liangyu's spiritual tablet is still there. There is a portrait of him.
The candlelight in the mourning hall was very dim and a bit eerie. The moment Chang Yu walked in, he felt like a shooting scene of a horror movie. Even if he was brave enough, he couldn't help but get goosebumps.
Standing in the hall, Chang Yu took the incense handed over by Zuo Mengeng and walked to Zuo Liangyu's spiritual tablet and inserted it into the incense burner. Then he stared at the portrait carefully. It was just a thin old man.
Death is like a lamp going out. One death leads to a hundred deaths. Chang Yu sighed softly, turned around and looked at Zuo Mengeng who was standing at the door: "How about we find a quiet place and have a frank talk?"
Zuo Mengeng was startled, and Liu Jingting secretly poked him, and then he realized: "How about Mr. Du Gong going to the study?"
Chang Yu nodded and couldn't help but smile when he saw Liu Jingting's actions: "I have heard for a long time that there are two wise men around Zuo Gong. Mr. Liu is one of them, and Huang Shu is the second. It is said that Huang Shu was originally the patrol officer... Oh, that's right. I heard a few days ago that Huang Shu had submitted his resignation and wanted to return to his hometown for retirement. He must have been unofficial and working hard to assist General Zuo. Why can't he be seen today? Could it be to avoid suspicion..." Chang Yu chuckled and shook his head: "Actually, it's true. There is no need, no matter he is in the government or in the opposition, or he is General Zuo, he is just contributing to the court, unless..." He looked at Zuo Mengeng: "Unless General Zuo is not contributing to the court."
No, no, no, Zuo Mengeng shook his head vigorously: "The last general is willing to serve the imperial court and do his best for the Ming Dynasty. This heart can be learned from the world!"
Chang Yu hummed and spread his hands: "That's right. Since today is a candid round, let him come over and talk."
"Master Du Gong" Zuo Mengeng looked strange: "Huang Shu died suddenly yesterday, didn't you know?"
What? Chang Yu raised his eyebrows: "Sudden death, how to die suddenly?"
Zuo Mengeng glanced at Liu Jingting secretly and saw that his face was expressionless, so he quickly replied: "Yesterday, Huang Xun was stabbed to death by a woman seeking revenge on the street."
Chang Yu opened his mouth slightly: "I heard yesterday that someone was killed in Wuchang City in the downtown area. Unexpectedly, it was Huang Shu." He turned around and said, "Ask Wuzhong, why didn't you report in detail?"
"The Governor has everything to do every day, how can he know everything?" Wuzhong cupped his hands and said, Zuo Mengeng was thinking the same thing. The eunuch had so many things to deal with every day and so much information to listen to. A murder case was not important information, so he just ignored it.
Liu Jingting breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. It really had nothing to do with this eunuch. Huang Shu, Huang Shu, what kind of evil have you done? To be punished like this and end up in a different place.
On the way to the study, Chang Yu kept asking Zuo Menggeng about Huang Shu's death. Zuo Menggen also spoke vaguely. First of all, he really didn't know the real truth. Now the whole city is concerned about Huang Shu. There are more than a dozen versions of his death. Secondly, he didn't want the chief eunuch to know how well-informed he was. He only said that he heard it from his servants.
