In June of the 17th year of Chongzhen's reign in the Ming Dynasty, there were still many idle officials or former officials in Dengzhou City.
The former followed Zhu Cixiang all the way to Dengzhou. No matter whether it was useful or not, they were the heroes in overcoming difficulties. So after arriving in Dengzhou, everyone had a share of money and food, and they also arranged accommodation. They could go to the palace or the Generalissimo's Mansion every day. It should be Mao.
The latter were former officials who came out of Beijing and ran to Dagukou after Li Zicheng was defeated and left Beijing. The reason why they were "predecessors" was because they all had the stain of being thieves or suspected thieves. Zhu Cixiang did not ask them about their crimes, but they would all be exempted from their official positions, titles, and honors. He would not give them any more money or food, and would just let them fend for themselves.
Compared with the "heroes who overcame difficulties", this group of people was of course relatively poor. They had no money, food, or accommodation arranged by the Denglai governor's office, so they had to rent private houses or live in the Penglai Pavilion (Taoist Temple) next to Dengzhou Water City. .
Shi Kefa's cousin Shi Kecheng is such an unlucky guy who lost his official position and fame. Now he rents a guest room in Penglai Pavilion with a group of like-minded former officials.
However, unlike most of his "predecessors", he did not worry about his official career, nor did he appear to be in poverty. Instead, he met with three or five colleagues every day, traveled around, recited poems and wrote poems, and lived a very happy life.
Moreover, those idle heroes who overcame difficulties did not reject him, but were willing to make friends with him. Who gave him a hot cousin named Shi Kefa?
Today, it started to rain lightly in Dengzhou Prefecture. Shi Kecheng, a white-faced scholar in his twenties, did not go out. He sat leisurely and contentedly in a clean guest room in Penglai Pavilion with his legs crossed on the coffee table in front of him. A pot of fragrant tea, and a book in his hand.
The surroundings of the guest room are very quiet, with only the sound of wind, rain, and sea waves reaching my ears, which makes me feel like I am watching the world with a smile.
There was a wooden floor outside the door. It was old and people would occasionally make creaking sounds when walking on it. Shi Kocheng suddenly put down the book in his hand, listened attentively, and then said with a smile: "Who is it? Come in quickly."
A respectful announcement came from outside the door: "My nephew Stewie heard that my uncle is here and came here to visit."
Then he saw the door of the room being pushed open, and a man wearing Confucian clothes walked in, holding a wet umbrella in his hand. It was Shi Kefa's adopted son Shi Dewei.
Shi Dewei concealed his identity and followed Tang Yun to Dengzhou, so he was not summoned by Zhu Cihong or Chongzhen, but wandered around the city to inquire about news. Hearing that an uncle of his was living in seclusion in Penglai Pavilion in Dengzhou, he came to visit him.
"My nephew has met his uncle." Stewie put down his umbrella and saluted again.
Shi Kecheng recognized Shi Dewei, but was not close to him, but today he stood up and came forward warmly, took Shi Dewei's hand, asked him to sit next to him, and poured him a cup of tea.
"Long Jiang, why did you come to Dengzhou?" Shi Kecheng asked, "Did Daolin (Shi Kefa) send you here? Where is Daolin now?"
"Uncle," Shi Dewei said, "it was my father who asked his nephew to come to Dengzhou to investigate the situation. My father personally led King Qin's army to go north. Now it is time to arrive in Yanzhou."
"Arrived in Yanzhou?" Shi Kecheng calculated in his mind, "We should arrive in Dengzhou in three to five days, right? I have to go and greet him."
Of course he hoped that Shi Kefa could come north to Dengzhou as soon as possible. Shi Kefa was the most distinguished official in the capital, and he also controlled the military power of Southern Zhili. He was also a big boss of Donglin, so he naturally had a lot of face.
If Shi Kefa led King Qin's army to the north, the prince would definitely pardon him for surrendering to the enemy and reinstate him.
"Father can't come to Dengzhou for the time being," Shi Dewei's words surprised Shi Kecheng. "Uncle, why don't you leave Dengzhou with your nephew?"
"Why?" Shi Kecheng was stunned, "Dao Lin is the Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing, and he also led the troops north to go to King Qin. How can he not come to Dengzhou to meet the king?"
"Uncle, don't you know who is in power in Dengzhou now?" Shi Dewei asked, "And where did the power of Prince Fujun come from?"
Shi Dewei, who had been in Dengzhou for three days, had already heard a little about the Huangjimen Incident - no one dared to talk about the palace incident, but there were many suggestions for military remonstrance. After all, the changes in the Huangji Sect happened in full view of the public and could not be concealed at all.
In Shi Dewei's view, the incident at Huangjimen was a coup! The crown prince's power to support the army was usurped... This prince is clearly a traitor and traitor!
"This is a royal matter," Shi Kecheng shook his head, "Can you take care of it?"
"Why did uncle say this?" Shi Dewei frowned and said, "Uncle has read the books of sages, doesn't he know what righteousness is?"
A righteous guy!
Shi Kecheng frowned and said to himself: How come you, a martial artist, are as stupid as Shi Kefa? Your uncle and I are already two ministers, so why do we care about righteousness? As long as the prince allows me to be an official! Your uncle and I have been studying the Four Books and Five Classics for twenty years just to become an official!
"Ah," Shi Kecheng rolled his eyes, "What you said makes sense! Well, scholars have to be righteous. But I can't leave Dengzhou right away, because I still have some friends in Dengzhou. Let's go now. Meet them and see if you can get them to go with you.”
"This is great." Stewie was overjoyed, "Why don't you let your nephew accompany your uncle to meet them."
"No, no, no," Shi Kecheng shook his head repeatedly, "It's not convenient for you to show up, I can just go there alone."
It was indeed inconvenient for Shi Kecheng to take Shi Dewei to meet his friends, because the name of the person he wanted to meet was Su Ziwen. He and he were Jinshi in the same year, both graduated from Chongzhen High School in the 16th year, and both were appointed editors of the Hanlin Academy.
It's just that Su Ziwen took the lead to seek refuge with Zhu Cixiang outside the Huangji Gate, and he was also a disciple of Tang Ruowang. He knew a lot of Western mathematics and chemistry, and could handle gunpowder and artillery. Now he has been put in a high position and has become Zhu Cixiang's lecturer and generalissimo's palace master. Book, located under the Grand Marshal's Office, Shibijiucheng, is also a popular figure.
Although Shi Kecheng had a cousin like Shi Kefa, he thought that there was no chance for the Ming Dynasty, so he did not run away with him and stayed in Beijing as a second minister. Now he was beaten to the end and became a commoner.
When Shi Kecheng, a civilian, asked to see Su Ziwen, the chief registrar of the Generalissimo's Mansion, Su Ziwen was working with another chief registrar of the Marshal's Mansion, Zhou Zerui, and Gong Dingzi, another official of the East Palace, to deal with Deng Lianke's affairs.
The principle of holding Denglai Ke was proposed by Li Yan - while renovating the health centers, the most powerful powerful people in Denglai must be given the opportunity to serve as officials! Su Guansheng was busy with this matter during his "big inspection" in May.
After all, Denglai is the frontier, and we cannot be too harsh on a group of powerful landlords. What if they all become the leading party? Therefore, a way out must be given, whether it is a military attache in the guard system or a scholar in the three states, seven guards and eleven counties of Denglai, they must be given a chance.
And it’s a great opportunity!
In short, the landlord class intellectuals and powerful elements in Denglai and Denglai will soon face the most critical official examination in their lives.
As one of the examiners, Su Ziwen was naturally very busy, but Shi Kefa's brother was here, so he still had to find time to meet him.
"Brother Ziwen, if I find out something confidential, I have to report it to the Crown Prince face to face."
Su Ziwen was a Jiangnan celebrity before high school, and he was known for his words, so Shi Kecheng called him "Brother Ziwen" and also called himself "Little Brother", keeping his attitude very low.
"What secret is it?" Su Ziwen asked, "Can you reveal a few things?"
Shi Kecheng looked around, then lowered his voice: "My cousin Shi Kefa sent his adopted son to Dengzhou!"
"What?" Su Ziwen was stunned, "I haven't heard of it!"
"He came here under a pseudonym!" Shi Kecheng said, "Brother Ziwen, can you introduce me to me now?"
This is a big deal! Su Ziwen thought to himself: Shi Kefa is now a great figure. He is the key to whether Qiantose Master can ascend the throne in Nanjing! And this Shi Kocheng is his cousin... If he sincerely takes refuge, it will be of great use!
"Okay!" Su Ziwen nodded, "Follow me, I will take you to see His Highness the Crown Prince!"
