A few people quietly stretched out their feet and gathered the melon seed shells on the ground under their feet.
Jiang Shen walked over with his hands behind his back and stepped on the orange peel that someone threw. He stumbled and almost fell over. He quickly held on to the corner of the table and was speechless for a long time.
There was silence in the official hall, a dead silence.
Jiang Shen is usually the most easy-going person. Even when facing a lowly seventh-grade official, he never puts on the airs of being the head of the civil service or the elder of the cabinet. He just has the calmness of being a person who has been in power for a long time. The aura of self-prestige cannot be concealed by being easy-going.
But it was the first time that he was as cold and solemn as today.
After a long moment of silence, one of the cheerful officials who was eating melon seeds didn't hold back, and fell to his knees with a thud. He trembled and begged for mercy: "I'm sorry, I'm guilty. I beg you, sir." Forgive me."
When he knelt down like this, he whirled and fell down.
After all, he was not the only one eating melon seeds, nor was there just a group of people eating melon seeds, including people peeling peanuts and eating snacks.
Although eating the snacks in the stomach is equivalent to destroying the corpse and eradicating traces, unlike the shells of melon seeds and peanuts, there are still snack powders on the corners of the man's mouth, and he can't get rid of them even if he wants to.
There are six long windows on the north and south walls of the official hall. At this time, the long windows are wide open, and the bright and golden sunlight shines into the hall. The eight vermilion columns standing in the spacious hall are particularly bright.
The sunshine in the spring afternoon was warm, but the atmosphere in the hall was a bit cold, so cold that it made people shiver.
Seeing that the momentum was almost done, Jiang Shen said with a cold face: "Although this pavilion has always been tolerant, if you go too far, this pavilion will not tolerate you."
Several officials who were jumping up and down suddenly became honest, and they knelt down and kowtowed: "I'm going to be the official, I'm going to wait until I'm convicted. I'm guilty."
Jiang Shen sneered and turned his head away from talking about the matter. However, he did not ask these people to stand up and allowed them to kneel down.
Although the people kneeling on their knees are all low-ranking officials, because they work in the Sixth Department, they are used to being arrogant and arrogant. Except when facing the top of the mountain, they have never frowned. Being offended like this has made me quite delicate and precious. After kneeling like this for a long time, I can't stand it any longer.
Waves of heart-wrenching pain lingered in his knees, like needles and needles. Someone shook, and fine beads of sweat oozed from his head. With a splat, they dripped onto the blue brick floor and penetrated quickly.
Jiang Shen stopped, looked down at the swaying people kneeling, and the sneer on his face widened.
If you can't bear even this little crime, it's no wonder that you can only be a lowly official.
When meeting the saint, it is common to kneel for half an hour and an hour. Who would dare to kneel so crookedly, waiting to make a decision?
There was no sarcasm on his face, he just said calmly and solemnly: "Everyone, get up."
As if they had received an amnesty, these people stood up holding on to the ground. Just as they breathed a sigh of relief, they were hit head-on by another blow.
"Sanlin, write down the names of these people. After the provincial examination, move them to a place." Jiang Shen turned to Mu Rongyun and said.
Mu Rongyan glanced at these people and said yes.
After hearing these words, several people suddenly turned pale.
Why move somewhere else? To put it so euphemistically, it was clear that he wanted to beat them to the end.
But no one dared to beg for mercy. They were lucky enough to be dismissed from office rather than punished, so they all lowered their heads and walked to the end.
One hundred and twenty desks and beds for one person were neatly placed in the hall, complete with pens, ink, paper and inkstones. During the day, these officials did their business here.
Jiang Shen lifted up his clothes and sat behind the large desk at the top. He glanced around coldly and raised his hand: "Everyone, please sit down."
Everyone responded in unison, sitting uneasily behind their desks according to their official positions.
Jiang Shen was quiet for a moment, then asked expressionlessly: "You all know about today's rumors, right?"
Everyone looked up with surprise on their faces.
Jiang Shen added: "Otherwise, your melon seeds and peanuts wouldn't be able to taste so delicious."
Everyone was immediately embarrassed. It was neither right to say yes nor wrong to say no. They were in a dilemma, as if they were sitting on pins and needles.
Jiang Shen continued to use the topic with a sneer: "Since we all know it, and we are talking about it so lively, why not tell me, old man, and let me liven it up too."
Everyone shrank their necks and pretended to be quail, no one wanted to be the one who stood out.
Jiang Shen glanced around coldly and pointed out someone: "Zhang Yu."
The man named Zhang Yu stood up in panic. He got up in such a hurry that he brought the narrow bed down with him, making a loud clang.
Zhang Yusheng was short and fat, with an unattractive appearance. He was in his early twenties. He entered the Hanlin Academy three years ago. After three years, he was still a seventh-grade Zhang Gu. This time, he spent money and was selected to enter. Gongyuan is responsible for promotion.
He never dreamed that the unreachable Ge Lao would know his name.
He walked out cautiously, saluted, and shivered for a long time, but he didn't stop shivering.
Jiang Shen actually didn't know Zhang Yu. Before today, he had never even heard of this name.
But when he was in the middle of the night, he accidentally heard Zhang Yu talking about the leak of the test papers, so he noticed this person, and asked Mu Rongxun to check, and found out the person's name.
He glanced at Zhang Yu and said coldly: "Where did your previous words go?"
Zhang Yu trembled and looked up in shock, finally knowing where today's misfortune came from.
Trouble comes from the mouth.
He lowered his head and pinched the corners of his clothes uneasily, not knowing what to say.
Jiang Shen turned to Han Changmu and said, "Master Han, I will hand this person over to your Internal Security Department, how about that?"
It was only then that everyone discovered that there was an extra person behind the desk under Jiang Shen, which was usually empty.
This person's appearance is handsome, but there is an awe-inspiring coldness all over his body. Just one look at him makes his scalp numb and his whole body trembling with chills.
Even the official hall was a bit colder, as if it had entered late autumn.
When Han Changmu heard Jiang Shen's words, he knew it was time for him to appear. He stood up and saluted: "Yes, I also think that such a cunning and cunning person should try the methods of the Internal Security Department."
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.
This man is an inside guard, actually an inside guard.
How can the inner guard come to the official hall and participate in the discussion?
This man was still sitting behind the first desk under Mr. Jiang Ge. He was wearing a purple robe and a jade belt. He was obviously of high rank.
Han Changmu didn't care at all about the looks of surprise, surprise, fear, or resentment in the hall. He raised his hand and clapped twice: "Come in."
As soon as he finished speaking, two people came out from behind the black screen.
One has a green face, and is somewhat kind-hearted.
A girl with almond eyes and peach cheeks.
Everyone was even more surprised. Suddenly someone exclaimed: "Woman, how can a woman submit to the Gongyuan? This, isn't this an insult to the Holy Master!!"
He didn't say a word. Isn't it a waste of resources for such a pretty girl to become an internal guard?
The girl stopped her steps and turned her head to look in the direction of the sound. Her eyes were cold, as if she had been soaked by cold water.
The man immediately fell silent. This girl knew how to kill people, no matter how delicate she was, she couldn't kill someone.
Han Changmu pointed at Zhang Yu in the hall and said coldly: "Yao Junjun, General Meng, this person is in your hands. Be sure to pry open his mouth."
Having gone through all the drama, Yao Yao and Meng Suige agreed and dragged Zhang Yu away with sullen faces.
Zhang Yu's arms were pulled by the two men. He recovered from the huge shock, fell to his knees with a thud, and said tremblingly: "I'm wronged, wronged." He was so frightened that he couldn't bear the shaking eyes. With tears in his eyes, he shouted: "The lower official said, the lower official said everything."
He had already figured it out. These people were the Internal Guards. The person sitting at the front, the person who could make all the dignitaries treat him politely, the purple robe and jade-like coldness that made people feel cold, was obviously the new member of the Internal Security Department. Sir, Sir.
It is said that when a new official takes office, there are three fires that burn extremely brightly, but they must not be burned on him.
He, a humble official with no family background and no one in the court, can't stand it.
It is better to be dismissed from office than to be crippled and lose your life.
He kowtowed deeply and said, "When you are a lowly official, you must tell everything you know and tell everything you want."
Han Changmu raised his eyebrows and said calmly: "Take him down."
Yao Yao and Meng Suiguo said so, holding one arm and taking Zhang Yu to the next room.
As soon as this incident came out, everyone fell silent. Some of them were not strong enough and almost slipped from the bed to under the desk.
Jiang Shen and Han Changmu looked at each other, calmly picked up the tea cup at hand and took a slow sip.
The two of them knew very well that none of the people here were clean.
Who hasn’t heard the rumors last night, who hasn’t interjected a word, and who hasn’t spread a word of gossip with added fuel and jealousy?
After a while, Yao Yao and Meng Suige walked into the hall together, holding two pages of tissue paper in their hands. One page was handed to Jiang Shen, and the other page was handed to Han Changmu, and then stood respectfully behind Han Changmu.
Jiang Shen glanced at the writing on the paper, his face darkened, and he nodded slightly towards Han Changmu.
Han Changmu raised his lips and smiled. The sunlight poured in from the long window. His smile was bathed in red gold light, but it was inexplicably cold.
He clicked on the piece of paper and said expressionlessly: "Yao Canjun, General Meng, anyone whose name is called, bring them over."
Yao Yaoying claimed that it was, and a clear voice circled in the hall.
There were many names on the paper. Yao Yao clicked on one, and the person who heard his name shivered. Before the person could stand up, Meng Suige quickly walked over and dragged the person out.
Some people are so thoughtful that they pretend not to hear their name when they hear it. They shrink their heads and pretend to be deaf, but they can't resist Han Changmu's burning gaze.
While Yao Yao was calling the names, Han Changmu was holding a tea cup in one hand and scanning the surroundings as if unintentionally. When Yao Yao's voice fell, he raised his eyebrows to find the person who was called. Give people the opportunity to fish in troubled waters.
Meng Suige rushed over and dragged out the man who was pretending to be deaf and mute.
In this way, no one has any luck hidden anymore. There is no point in hiding. It is better to walk out happily when you hear your name, and avoid being dragged around by others and losing the last thing. A decent portion.
After Yao Yao read the last name, less than half of the people in the hall had already stood up.
Jiang Shen's expression was extremely ugly. He waved his hand and asked Yao Yao and Meng Suige to take everyone down quickly so as not to be an eyesore.
Mu Rongxun sat opposite Han Changmu. Ever since Yao Yao started to call the names, his face had turned pale inch by inch. The names were like thunder, exploding in his heart one after another. He tried his best to control it. His face was as calm as before, but the hand holding the tea cup started to tremble uncontrollably.
Han Changmu looked over inadvertently, lowered his head, and took a slow sip of tea.
Wang Jingzong and Ruan Ping'an sat under Han Changmu, a trace of surprise flew across their faces, and then they lowered their heads and looked at their faces rippling in the tea, pretending that they didn't see anything.
The silence in the hall was a bit eerie, even the sound of breathing was extremely low, let alone the sound of coughing.
After an unknown amount of time, the dozens of people who were singled out all returned to the official hall dejectedly. Their faces were earthy and dejected, and they didn't have any dignity as officials.
Yao Yao and Meng Suige walked in behind everyone, and handed Han Changmu and Jiang Shen a list.
According to this list, the two named dozens more people.
After this, no one of the hundred or so people in the hall was spared, and they all left two fingerprinted statements with the Department of Internal Health.
Some people feel desperate, and this confession is ironclad evidence. After the Gongyuan errand is over, they are afraid that their career will also be over.
Some people were lucky. Although the confession was left in the Department of Internal Health, as the old saying goes, one cannot blame the public, and it was just a few rumors spread by hearsay. It was not considered a serious crime, and there may not be any heavy punishment.
After getting these confessions, Han Changmu looked up at Jiang Shen.
Jiang Shen nodded and said calmly: "This is a warning to you. I want you to always remember that trouble comes from your mouth. These confessions and lists will be kept in the Department of Internal Security from today on. Your mistakes today will come from within." Secretary Wei, please note that if you commit the crime again in the future, you will be punished for both crimes." He paused slightly and looked around with cold eyes: "Do you know what I mean?"
What he said was very beautiful, and he also made himself very clean. The implication is that if anything happens in the future, don't come to him, go to the Department of Internal Health. It's all a small account kept by the Department of Internal Health.
Everyone stood up one after another and said in unison: "I understand, I will never dare to do it again."
Jiang Shen was very satisfied with the attitude of these people, and gave a few calm words before standing up and leaving.
In fact, in today's encounter, punishment was secondary, mainly for beating, and for obtaining those confessions and lists.
There are many people talking, it is better to open up than to block.
Spreading rumors is not terrible. By spreading these rumors, Han Changmu's purpose is to find out the top few who are jumping up and down the most, and take the opportunity to peel off the cocoons, follow the vines, and then eliminate the turmoil and clear up the turmoil.
Therefore, Han Changmu didn't care what Jiang Shen said.
His reputation is bad enough anyway and he doesn't care about adding a few more.
The group of people talked as they went upstairs.
Jiang Shen said to Han Changmu: "Master Han has already obtained the East and West. The rest will be done by Master Han."
Han Changmu said politely: "You are so polite, Mr. Ge. This is the official's duty. I will do my best."
The two of them had reached an agreement for the time being, and they were getting along a bit more harmoniously, and their words were extremely polite.
Jiang Shen nodded at Ruan Ping'an and said very affectionately: "If Mr. Han has anything to do, just ask Wen Ran directly. He is familiar with it and will definitely be able to help Mr. Han."
Han Changmu smiled and said: "Thank you, Mr. Ruan. I will not trouble Sir Ruan when I am a low-ranking official." He said to Ruan Ping'an again: "Thank you for your hard work, Sir Ruan."
Ruan Ping'an hurriedly saluted: "Master Han, you are so polite."
After saying such polite words for a long time, the group of people separated at the entrance of the stairs. Han Changmu and the three of them carried two thick piles of confessions and climbed up to the third floor from a separate staircase.
As soon as Jiang Shen and others entered the meeting hall on the second floor, their minds suddenly relaxed, and they all relaxed and relaxed on the bed, not talking about any rules at all.
Jiang Shen did not find fault with the laziness of these people. He knew that they were facing heavy pressure from the Department of Internal Security. Even if they remained calm on the outside, they were still nervous in their hearts.
Mu Rongxun quickly changed the cup of hot tea and placed it on Jiang Shen's desk. He hesitated for a moment and then said: "Mr. Ge, this, let's just consider this matter in the past."
Jiang Shen glanced at Mu Rongxun and said vaguely: "This matter will be handled by the Department of Internal Security. Keep an eye on those hundreds of people and control their mouths. Don't make trouble like today again. "
Mu Rongxuan's expression froze and he responded awkwardly.
He is the Minister of Rites, and the provincial examination is the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites. From selecting the corresponding officials to confirming the printing of the examination papers, from monitoring the admission of scholars to grading and reporting, these are all within the scope of the Ministry of Rites' responsibilities.
So, if something went wrong in the provincial examination, it would naturally be the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites.
He, the Minister of Rites, is certainly to blame.
Sweat broke out on his forehead, and he could hear some unfinished meaning in Jiang Shen's words, which smelled of conspiracy.
Could it be that this matter is not over yet, or is this matter just a pretext?
He felt ominous and inexplicably timid. He shrank his hands in his sleeves and squeezed them involuntarily.
Jiang Shen didn't seem to notice Mu Rongxun's change. He turned to look at Ruan Ping'an and Wang Jingzong, and said in a deep voice: "Baowen, please consider a few more current affairs plans today and leave them to me tomorrow morning."
Wang Jingzong calmly said yes.
Jiang Shen said to Ruan Pingan again: "Wen Ran, please put together the matters at hand and hand them over to Baowen. First, fully cooperate with Mr. Han's errands."
Ruan Ping'an was stunned for a moment, then returned to normal very quickly. He said yes, paused, and said vaguely: "Then, I will be an official every day, and I still need to..."
Before Ruan Pingan finished speaking, Jiang Shen stopped him and said calmly: "No, there is no need to report back to this pavilion about your errands with Mr. Han."
He didn't want to hear what the Department of Internal Health had done and what they had found out. He had finally managed to extract himself from these dirty things. He hadn't yet completely extracted them. How could he fall headlong into them again?
He wants to walk out of Gongyuan with a clean conscience, and live his career in retirement cleanly.
Seeing Jiang Shen's firm attitude, Ruan Pingan said nothing more.
