Chapter 20 Building momentum and showing off (Part 2) two-in-one chapter
"Wait a minute"
Hearing Zhao Junchen's voice, Liu Changan couldn't help but be startled. He didn't understand why Zhao Junchen stopped him, and quickly advised: "Sir, Zhang Qicheng destroyed the sacrifices and slandered the court officials at will. He committed a heinous crime and must be punished. Otherwise, the principles cannot be clarified."
Zhao Junchen glared at Liu Changan covertly, and then said slowly: "I have always been honest and upright in my work, and everything is known to the public. Although Zhang Qicheng is guilty, but he actually questioned me in person, then I will also fight with him Let’s argue and give him a chance to speak.”
Noticing the warning in Zhao Junchen's eyes, Liu Changan hesitated for a moment, but finally followed Zhao Junchen's instructions and asked the government officials to let go of Zhang Qicheng.
As for Zhang Qicheng, not only did he have a fearless look on his face when the government officials arrested him, but after the government officials let him go, he even had an expression that had expected this. He didn't say much, and just continued to talk to Zhao with provocative eyes. Junchen insisted.
On the contrary, the scholars around Zhang Qicheng gradually looked a little uneasy, but they still gathered around Zhang Qicheng to show their support.
Obviously, although Zhao Junchen was determined to change his image as a corrupt official, even if he deceived ordinary people, he could not deceive these scholars who "know the world's affairs without leaving home".
After the officials released Zhang Qicheng, Zhao Junchen asked: "You just said that there are corrupt officials here who are acting cowardly to deceive the people. Are you talking about me?"
"It's you Zhao Junchen." Zhang Qicheng said with hatred on his face: "What you Zhao Junchen did by embezzling and accepting bribes, framed Zhongliang, and what you did is known to the whole world. You kept it secret, how much money you embezzled from the national treasury, do you think no one knows? Not to mention other things, your mansion in Beijing covers an area of up to 100 acres, and it is still being expanded. How much money was invested in it? Can you afford it with your small salary? Senior Li Wenxuan, former bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion, because of your involvement in this matter, you have repeatedly slandered and slandered him in front of His Majesty. Poor old Mr. Li, I He was the leader of the Shilin, and his reputation was all over the world. In the end, he died unjustly in prison for the unfounded crime of disrespect. Who in the Shilin didn't know? Don't think that you can confuse right and wrong by showing off here. I, Zhang Qicheng, will not be fooled by you."
After hearing Zhang Qicheng's words, the people around the altar were talking a lot. Zhang Qicheng was quite famous in Lu'an Mansion. Hearing Zhang Qicheng's comments about Zhao Junchen, the people's hearts had just formed the idea that "Zhao Junchen is a good official." The concept can't help but be shaken.
………
Zhao Junchen, who is now Li Daitao, does not know these things Zhang Qicheng said, but after hearing what Zhang Qicheng said, Zhao Junchen felt more at ease.
Without him, Zhang Qicheng has no evidence. If this is the case, then we can't blame Zhao Junchen for confusing right and wrong.
On the other side, Zhang Qicheng became even more impassioned when he spoke. He actually took out an article from his sleeve and said loudly: "These are the eight deadly sins I have summarized for you, Zhao Junchen. Each of them is an unpardonable death penalty." Today I will read them out one by one in front of the people, so that the people can see your true face."
However, Zhang Qicheng had just opened the article in his hand, and before he had time to read it, Zhao Junchen had already raised his voice to stop him: "Stop, stop, I gave you a chance to speak. Now that you have said so much, shouldn't I also say it?" How many sentences are there?”
Zhang Qicheng looked up at Zhao Junchen, who was still standing on the altar, and sneered: "What, are you afraid?"
Zhao Junchen said solemnly: "I am not afraid of the shadow of my body, so what is there to be afraid of? I just want to ask you, you just said that I am a corrupt official, a treacherous minister, taking bribes, and falsely accusing Zhongliang, and you have summarized it for me. Of the eight deadly sins, have you seen any of them with your own eyes? Or do you have evidence in your hands?"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhang Qicheng couldn't help but be stunned.
He was just a scholar with a reputation as a scholar, so how could he have any evidence of Zhao Junchen's crime?
However, because Zhang Qicheng's father, Zhang Xuan, was once a minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, he had many old friends in the officialdom. After Zhang Xuan died of illness, these old friends took great care of Zhang Qicheng, and also let Zhang Qicheng know a lot about Zhao Junchen. Therefore, although there is no evidence, Zhang Qicheng has always been convinced that "Zhao Junchen is a corrupt official" No doubt.
In fact, Li Wenxuan, the scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion who was falsely accused and imprisoned by Zhao Junchen, is one of Zhang Qicheng's old friends from his father's generation. Zhang Qicheng has been favored by him over the years, and this is why Zhang Qicheng resents Zhao Junchen so much.
But these reasons could not be explained clearly, so Zhang Qicheng could only answer: "As a commoner, how can I find evidence? And who in the world doesn't know what you, Zhao Junchen, have done? Why do I need to see it with my own eyes?" How can it be possible that all the people in this world misunderstand you?"
Zhao Junchen sneered: "Even if the emperor is rich and powerful, if you want to convict someone, you still need evidence. But when it comes to you, Zhang Qicheng, the evidence has become dispensable."
Seeing that Zhang Qi was speechless, Zhao Junchen continued: "However, since you said so, it means that the charges you have charged me with are all based on what others say and what others have said?"
Zhang Qicheng was speechless again and didn't know how to respond. He only felt that everything was very different from what he imagined.
In Zhang Qicheng's original imagination, as long as he stood up to question Zhao Junchen and read the "Eight Deadly Sins", Zhao Junchen would either be intimidated by his "righteousness" and get over it; or he would become angry and convict him. Put into prison. No matter which one it is, Zhang Qicheng can expose Zhao Junchen's true face in front of the people.
But Zhang Qicheng did not expect that Zhao Junchen, as a high official of the imperial court, would debate with him here with great enthusiasm, and his eloquence was quite good, and he hit the key points repeatedly.
In the final analysis, all Zhang Qicheng's previous assumptions were just the opinions of a scholar.
On the other side, seeing Zhang Qicheng continue to be speechless, Zhao Junchen took advantage of the victory and said: "Since you only heard rumors that you believe that I am a corrupt official, then I ask you, who did you listen to? Oh? I don’t want to say? Then I Let me ask you again, has the person who spread the rumor ever witnessed his own corruption, bribery, and false accusation against Zhongliang? Or is the person who spread the rumor just following what others say?"
Seeing that Zhang Qicheng still didn't know how to answer, and looked angry and embarrassed. He was already cornered by Zhao Junchen's successive questions. Zhao Junchen snorted and asked again: "I see that you are a scholar, so you know that the three of you are a tiger." What is the story about "Confucius' Family Tales in E Chapter 20"?"
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zhang Qicheng already knew what Zhao Junchen wanted to say. He opened his mouth and wanted to refute something, but in the end he remained silent.
Zhao Junchen sneered and said: "I saw that you dared to question me face to face. I thought you were a character. Although you are reckless and reckless, you still have courage. But I didn't expect that not only do you have no independent opinions, you only know how to follow what others say. Now even more so. Where is Magistrate Liu if he has not even read the words of the sage?"
Liu Changan quickly replied, "I'm here."
Zhao Junchen said: "Explain to this Zhang Qicheng and the people around him the 20th chapter of "Confucius' Family Sayings in E". If you use vernacular, people in the province will not understand."
"I obey your orders." After Liu Changan accepted the order, he turned around and looked at Zhang Qicheng. Seeing that Zhang Qicheng's expression was changing, he felt extremely happy in his heart. In the past, Zhang Qicheng relied on the shadow of his father's generation and repeatedly made things difficult for him. Unexpectedly, there were also today
Clearing his throat, Liu Changan raised his voice and said: "Back then, Saint Kong and his disciples were besieged in the land of Chen and Cai. They were short of food and clothing and hungry. With great difficulty, Zigong brought back a little rice in exchange for it and gave it to Yan. Hui asked him to cook porridge for everyone. While Yan Hui was cooking porridge, Sage Kong happened to be passing by. Seeing that Yan Hui was eating secretly, he couldn't help but get angry, so he went to question Yan Hui. After Yan Hui explained, Sage Kong knew that, It turned out that Yan Hui did not eat it secretly, but dust fell into the porridge. Yan Hui was afraid that Confucius would eat it and did not want to waste the food, so he ate it first. After learning the truth, Confucius could not help but sigh. Everything you hear may be wrong, let alone hearsay?"
After the explanation, Liu Changan looked at Zhang Qicheng with a smile and asked: "Zhang Xiucai, do you understand the truth stated in "Confucius' Family Illustrations in E-20"?"
On the other side, Zhang Daoquan suddenly stood up and said to the people and Zhang Qicheng under the altar: "People, please don't be fooled by Zhang Qicheng. In the past few days, what the imperial envoy has done for Lu'an Mansion, I They all saw it with their eyes. The total price of the disaster relief food funds allocated by the imperial court was tens of thousands taels. The imperial envoy did not touch a penny, and all of them were handed over to the Lu'an government office. Not only that, the imperial envoy saw that there were many people in Lu'an mansion. Worried about insufficient funds for disaster relief, I have been running around these days to raise money and food for the people of Lu'an Prefecture. The imperial envoy patrols on behalf of the emperor. What a noble status? For the sake of the people's safety, he is willing to bow his head and ask for help. Today, in order to lead We are destroying the locusts, and under the witness of heaven and earth, an official who is willing to bear the punishment of heaven with his own efforts, will he be a corrupt official?"
Although Zhang Daoquan was just a magic stick, his reputation in Lu'an Mansion was much higher than that of Zhang Qicheng. As he expressed his attitude, the people finally believed him and, under the leadership of Zhang Daoquan, cheered for Zhao Junchen.
"Master Zhao is such a good official."
On the other side, Guo Linxiang and other Shanxi merchants actually joined in and shouted along.
Zhao Junchen glanced at Zhang Daoquan and nodded slightly to express his appreciation. Noticing Zhao Junchen's actions, Zhang Daoquan was secretly happy, knowing that he had made the right bet.
….
At this time, Zhang Qicheng was feeling extremely uncomfortable. Unlike the people, although he had no evidence, he knew Zhao Junchen's background through various channels. Now that he saw Zhao Junchen fooling and deceiving the people in this way, he was very angry. It was difficult, and the strange looks that the people around him looked at him made him even more uncomfortable.
In fact, even the classmates and students who had always been good friends with him looked at him with a little more suspicion at this time.
After this incident, at least in Lu'an Mansion, Zhang Qicheng's comment that he was "reckless and has no independent opinion, only follows what others say and has not even read the words of saints" has been settled.
Seeing the people around him cheering for Zhao Junchen, the officials, businessmen, and squires had been controlled by Zhao Junchen at some point, and they obeyed Zhao Junchen's orders, but Zhao Junchen stood calmly on the altar, without saying a word. Zhang Qicheng suddenly felt horrified as he watched all this silently.
"This Zhao Junchen is despicable and has such methods. Sooner or later, the Ming Dynasty will suffer disaster in his hands."
This is the most real thought in Zhang Qicheng's heart at this time.
Thinking like this, Zhao Junchen did not become angry from shame, but Zhang Qicheng became angry from embarrassment. He pointed at Zhao Junchen and shouted loudly: "Zhao Junchen, you corrupt official and traitor, do you think that if you can hide it from the people of one place, you can hide it from the people of the world? Do you think that if you can hide it for a while, you can hide it for the rest of your life? Zhao Junchen, your true face will be revealed sooner or later."
His voice was so loud that it suppressed the cheers of the people around him and reached Zhao Junchen's ears.
Zhao Junchen glanced at Zhang Qicheng and shouted to the people under the altar: "Everyone, be quiet."
When the surroundings of the altar finally quieted down, Zhao Junchen raised his voice and said: "Common people, I know that over the years, because some people have maliciously slandered me, the rumors about me among the people are not good, but as the saying goes, Hearing is better than seeing. I am standing here now. You can take this opportunity to see whether I am an upright official or a corrupt official. Although the locust plague in Lu'an Prefecture this time has caused everyone to lose everything, I promise , I will never let any common people not have enough to eat and starve to death on the streets, otherwise, I will admit that I am a corrupt official without others slandering me."
For the common people, in times of famine, there is no greater benefit than "having food to eat", so after hearing Zhao Junchen's guarantee, the common people cheered even louder, and there was a faint "blue sky" The cries kept coming and going.
In this era, the threshold for honest officials is extremely low. As long as you can keep the people alive, you will be the great master of Qingtian.
Looking at the reactions of the people, Zhao Junchen nodded with satisfaction. He knew that his infamous reputation all over the world would be completely reversed from today on, at least in Lu'an Mansion. And based on Lu'an Mansion, the people's opinion of him will gradually improve. Zhao Junchen's goal has finally been initially achieved.
However, satisfaction is satisfaction, Zhao Junchen is not happy at the moment, because he does not like fooling the people, but in order to reverse his current unfavorable situation, Zhao Junchen has to do this - his current reputation It's too bad. If we don't change it, we will really think that "if we don't kill, we can't comfort the world."
Satisfied, guilty, helpless, or even a little proud, Zhao Junchen's mood now is quite complicated.
On the other side, Liu Changan saw that the situation had been decided, and while admiring him, he quickly asked Zhao Junchen: "Sir, Zhang Qicheng destroyed the sacrifice and slandered the court officials, which is a heinous crime. What do you think should be done?"
Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, and after the people became quiet again, he said to Zhang Qicheng: "Zhang Qicheng, you slandered court officials today and destroyed the sacrificial ceremony. Logically speaking, no matter how hard I punish you, I will never punish you, but I miss you." You are just being deceived by others. There is no malice in it. You are extenuating and I will not punish you harshly. I will only take away your reputation as a scholar. Are you convinced?"
Zhao Junchen actually doesn't hate Zhang Qicheng, and even admires him more. No matter what era, there are not many people with righteousness and courage like him. At least, Zhao Junchen asked himself, if his positions with Zhang Qicheng were exchanged, Zhao Junchen would probably be "poor and alone" at this time.
However, Zhang Qicheng was hostile to Zhao Junchen after all, so a little punishment was still necessary.
In fact, the reason why Zhao Junchen wanted to take away Zhang Qicheng's fame was to block his future career as an official, and he even considered it for Zhang Qicheng's future.
Although this Zhang Qicheng is righteous and has no shortage of courage, his righteousness and courage are often expressed in the form of recklessness. Such a person, when he enters the officialdom, will definitely be played by those old foxes in the officialdom without applause. Self-aware - just like Zhao Junchen was using him today.
In this case, it would be better to end his career as an official as early as possible and let him be a teacher in Lu'an Mansion.
Officialdom is as dangerous as the battlefield. For people like Zhang Qicheng, it is best not to participate.
I thought that Zhang Qicheng would fiercely object to such punishment, but to Zhao Junchen's surprise, Zhang Qicheng first looked at the people around him blankly, and then looked at Zhao Junchen blankly for a long time, and then he actually regained his composure.
"Since you have already said so, what's the use of my further objections?" Zhang Qicheng said this slowly at first, and then asked loudly to Zhao Junchen: "Since you are so magnanimous, my lord, I don't know if those who attacked my lord a few days ago What are you going to do with those innocent people?"
Liu Chang'an heard that Zhang Qicheng not only pushed for the next step, but also secretly ridiculed Zhao Junchen at this time - the innocent people who attacked the Lord, since the people are innocent, doesn't it mean that Zhao Junchen deserves to be stoned? ——Just be prepared to rebuke loudly.
However, before he could speak, Zhao Junchen waved his hand and stopped him.
Zhao Junchen was heard speaking loudly to the people under the altar: "A few days ago, some people threw stones to attack me. According to the law of the Ming Dynasty, the light punishment can be as long as thirty with a stick, and the heavy punishment can be beheaded. However, I know that they are just suffering. People were misled, so there was no intention to punish them severely. Although they were imprisoned, they were never ill-treated. Regarding this, you can ask them personally when they are released from prison in the future. I planned to imprison them for a period of time. , let them understand the truth that the court's laws and disciplines cannot be violated, but now that the locust eradication is the time to employ people, I decided to release them in advance and let them exchange their merits for their crimes. If they perform well during the locust eradication period, I will They will never be held accountable again.”
As Zhao Junchen finished speaking, the people cheered again.
Seeing such a scene, Zhang Qicheng understood that he had lost this battle of public opinion, and he had lost miserably.
Sighing, he took another deep look at Zhao Junchen, who was receiving cheers from the people at the altar, and hid his resentment deep in his heart. Zhang Qicheng didn't say anything more, just turned and left.
The back is lonely and desolate.
"The sacrifice to heaven is over, for the sake of peace of mind and for the coming year, we must destroy the locusts."
Zhao Junchen did not pay attention to Zhang Qicheng's back, but just announced loudly to the people.
………
When Zhao Junchen walked off the altar, Xu Qingyan quickly came to Zhao Junchen with a bowl of water and said, "Thank you for your hard work, young master."
Zhao Junchen nodded and didn't say much. He just took the water bowl and drank it in one gulp.
On the altar, Zhao Junchen had been shouting at the top of his voice in order to let more people hear his words clearly. Now his mouth was dry, his tongue was dry and his throat was sore.
Xu Qingyan mocked: "That Zhang Qicheng dared to provoke the young master, he really overestimated his capabilities."
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said, "You can't say that. It's just the right time for Qicheng to appear today. In the hearts of the people, the image of corrupt officials has been circulating for a long time. If such an impression suddenly changes, the people will definitely be suspicious, and some people will be suspicious." Only after this debate will the people recognize that I was slandered and slandered before, and will they be able to accept my current transformation."
Xu Qingyan smiled and said: "My lord, it's great to see you."
Zhao Junchen continued: "However, we must also find some people among the scholars to speak for us. Otherwise, no matter what we do, we will end up treating the symptoms rather than the root cause. After all, the world's public opinion is still in the hands of those scholars and Qingliu. So from now on From now on, we must not only change the impression in the hearts of the people, but also change the impression in the minds of scholars. Otherwise, we will end up getting twice the result with half the effort. If it weren't for me today, with this Qi Cheng, all the preparations would have been in vain."
Xu Qingyan nodded repeatedly and said: "I heard from people that Zhang Qicheng relied on the shadow of his father's generation and has been unscrupulous, that is, the young master was able to treat him submissively."
Zhao Junchen smiled and shook his head and said, "Stop flattering, let's go."
Xu Qingyan couldn't help but be stunned and asked: "Where are you going?"
"It's a full show. In this case, naturally I go to cull the locusts with the people."
