In the seventh year of Hongzhi, spring.
Chang Feng was watching Zhuang Zhuang playing with Xiao Hu in the front yard.
Zhang Cai, a doctor in the official department, walked in worriedly. Zhang Cai and Chang Feng have a very good personal relationship, so they don't need to go through the formalities to enter the house.
Chang Feng smiled and said: "Brother Zhang. I just got a copy of "Po Kiln Ode" written by Lu Mengzheng, the number one scholar in the Song Dynasty. Can we appreciate the wonderful works together?"
Zhang Cai seemed to have something on his mind and frowned: "Brother Chang, I am here to beg you today."
Chang Feng asked: "Oh? What's the matter? Let's talk in the living room."
Zhang Cai and Chang Feng entered the living room. A strange incident was told.
There was a man of the same age as Zhang Cai named Zhou Wen. The two have been playmates since they were young. They were selected to be Scholars, Scholars and Jinshi in the same year.
It's no exaggeration to say it's good enough to wear a pair of pants.
However, Zhou Wen's official fortune was far inferior to Zhang Cai's. In the palace examination, he only won the 201st place in the top three. Ranked fifth from the bottom on the gold list.
If you rank low on the gold list, you will naturally not be able to enter the Hanlin Academy and the Sixth Ministry.
Zhou Wen was appointed as "Chief of the Yinjiang Barbarian Chief Division under the Xuanwei Division of Sinan, Guizhou".
The official name is quite long, and the word "sir" sounds quite bluffing, but in fact it is just a county-level official hall.
In addition to the administrative divisions of provinces, prefectures, prefectures and counties, the Ming Dynasty also established the Xuanwei Department in areas where foreign ethnic groups lived together.
There are more than a dozen barbarian officials under the Xuanwei Division, which is equivalent to a county. There is one chief officer, whose rank is from the sixth rank; there is one deputy chief, whose rank is from the seventh rank.
The chief has jurisdiction over several chieftains and barbarian officials.
The Yinjiang barbarian court where Zhou Wen worked was privately called the "Ghost Yamen" by local officials in Guizhou.
Since the Chenghua year, four officers have died here one after another.
A chief serves for three years. Within three years, the officers were safe and sound.
As long as the three-year term expires, the official office will be haunted by ghosts, and the officer will definitely die mysteriously in the official office.
Zhou Wen’s predecessor was named Huang. To save one's life. Chief Huang even dug a large trench around the government office to protect it, and hung a suspension bridge to prevent outsiders from entering and exiting.
Basically, it is the state of "my watchtower is impregnable".
However, the day before leaving office, the "ghost" still appeared and killed Chief Huang.
Zhou Wen was named on the gold list. When it came to the official department, there was a real shortage of candidates.
Originally, he thought to himself: I am the top 201, and it will be a big deal if I can successfully become a seventh-grade county official.
Unexpectedly, Yuan Wailang from the Literature and Selection Department asked him to go to Yinjiang and become a barbarian officer of the sixth rank.
Zhou Wen was overjoyed to be awarded the sixth rank. I happily went to Guizhou to take up my post.
After taking office, he found out that he had entered the "Ghost Yamen". He was the "decapitator". He was tricked by the officials.
In early summer of this year, Zhou Wen's term will be completed. He was afraid that he would follow in the footsteps of his four predecessors and die in mysterious circumstances. He wrote many notes to explain the situation to the court.
However, since he was of low status, the information needed to be conveyed by the high-level official.
Sinan Xuanweisheng was an old scholar and said, "I don't have words to say, but my powers are strange and my spirit is chaotic. What does this fold look like when you hand it over?"
When the zhezi arrived at the Xuanwei envoy, it was seized.
Zhou Wen was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot. In desperation, he remembered Zhang Cai of the same year who was far away in the capital and had a prosperous official career. Wrote a letter asking for help to Zhang Cai.
After Zhang Cai finished speaking, Chang Feng took a sip of tea and said, "Brother Zhang, I never believe that there are ghosts and gods in this world. Gods are also pretended to be humans, and ghosts are also pretended to be humans."
"In Jin Yiwei's case files, I have seen no less than ten cases of ghosts killing people. Without exception, the truth is that people kill people."
Zhang Cai agreed: "Brother Chang, great advice. I also think that the so-called ghosts killing people are actually people killing people."
Chang Feng analyzed: "As far as I know, Sinan Xuanwei Division is located in southeastern Guizhou. Miao, Tujia, Yi, and Dong people live together."
"Since the time of the late emperor, the imperial court has wanted to implement the reform of native land and return to local rule in southeastern Guizhou."
What Chang Feng calls "reforming the native land and returning it to the local people" means abolishing the chieftain system in areas where foreign ethnic groups live together. Changed to the imperial court
Appoint officials to rule. Implement the same state and county system as the Central Plains.
Chang Feng paused and then added: "But the local chieftains are unwilling to give up their power and do not accept the king's rule. It will be difficult to implement the reform of the local chieftains."
"Thinking about it, it must be the local chieftain of Yinjiang who was fighting for power with the officials appointed by the imperial court. Only then did he take the risk and commit the crime in the name of a ghost."
Zhang Caidao: "Brother Chang, you are now the Jinyi Guard Zuo Qian. Can you send some capable soldiers to Yinjiang to protect Zhou Wen?"
"Oh, I'm not doing it out of selfish motives. Something as horrifying as the murder of four rank-6 officials in a row in Yinjiang is exactly what you, the Jinyi Guards, should be in charge of."
Chang Feng nodded slightly: "Okay! I will report this matter to the emperor tomorrow. Please order a thorough investigation."
Zhang Cai handed over his hand and said, "Thank you so much, Brother Chang. You just said that you got a copy of Lu Mengzheng's "Broken Kiln Ode". Shall we appreciate it?"
"Broken Kiln Fu" is a poem written by Lu Mengzheng, a famous minister in the Song Dynasty, after he won the first prize in the imperial examination. It can be described as an eternal poem. However, it was lost for a while during the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty.
The two of them entered the study, opened the manuscript and admired it.
All I saw was that every word on the manuscript was bejeweled.
"The sky is unpredictable, and people are prone to misfortune and fortune.
A centipede with hundreds of legs cannot fly as fast as a snake; a rooster with two wings cannot fly as fast as a crow.
A horse has a journey of a thousand miles, and it cannot go there without a rider; a man has aspirations to reach the sky, but he cannot go there without luck.
Gai Wen: In life, wealth cannot be transferred, and poverty cannot be moved.
The article is unparalleled, Confucius was troubled by Chen Bang; the military strategy is outstanding, Taigong fished in the Wei River.
Yan Yuan was short-lived, so he was not a vicious person; Robber Zhi was old, so he was not a kind person.
...
It is not my ability to say that I am noble. This is due to time, luck, and fate.
Alas! In life, you should not use your wealth to your fullest, and you should not deceive yourself about your poverty or humbleness. Just let the cycle of heaven and earth happen over and over again! "
After Chang Feng recited this poem aloud, he felt a lot of emotion in his heart: People, it is indeed time, luck and destiny.
If it weren't for that autumn night nine years ago, when I was involved in the extremely dangerous dispute between abandoning the reserve and preserving the reserve, how could I have climbed the emperor's big tree?
If not for that narrow escape on that autumn night. Now I am at best an unknown ordinary member of the family in Jinyiwei.
Maybe I'm still holding a shovel and looking for money in the cesspit of some criminal official's house.
The next day. The main hall of Qianqing Palace.
Chang Feng told Emperor Hongzhi about the strange news about the "Ghost Yamen" in Yinjiang.
After hearing this, Emperor Hongzhi thought thoughtfully: "You are right. Four consecutive officers were killed. It must be those barbarian chieftains!"
"I have decided to send you to Guizhou to find out the truth about the 'Ghost Yamen', so that you can correct the people's hearts and calm the lies."
Emperor Hongzhi's decision was far beyond Chang Feng's expectations: Zhu Ji had nothing to do, and the two uncles were the same officials in name only. I, Zuo Qianshi, am the actual boss of Jinyiwei.
To investigate the case in Guizhou, sending a hundred households is more than enough. Why were you sent here?
Emperor Hongzhi seemed to see through Chang Feng's doubts.
He explained: "Chang Feng, I asked you to go to Guizhou not only to investigate the case. More importantly, I asked you to implement the reform of the land and return to local people."
"I will give you five thousand soldiers from the capital camp to accompany you on this trip. If those barbarian chieftains' murderous crimes are exposed, they will jump over the wall. You can kill them on the spot."
"I don't believe it. It's just like what the civil servants said, and it can't be implemented!"
Chang Feng suddenly realized: It turned out that I was sent to implement the reform of the land and return to local status! This may be a test question given to me by the emperor to test my ability to stand alone.
Chang Feng's idea is right. Emperor Hongzhi was indeed testing him.
Last year Chang Feng participated in flood control. But he always went to Lu Xi as Liu Daxia's deputy.
If Chang Feng can serve as an imperial envoy this time and thoroughly implement the reform of the country in Guizhou, he will prove that he can stand alone. Emperor Hongzhi would entrust him with a greater responsibility.
Emperor Hongzhi was an ideal emperor. Previous emperors had not been able to completely change their status quo, but he hoped to be able to do so in this dynasty.
Chang Feng kowtowed: "My lord,
Take the decree! "
Emperor Hongzhi said: "You can choose your own deputy imperial envoy. In addition, Liu Yan, the envoy of Sinan Xuanwei, has been in office for six years and has done nothing. He is really mediocre."
After saying this, he turned to look at Xiao Jing, who was standing beside him: "Shanxi Deputy Inspector Yang Yiqing went to the Ministry of Punishment to hand over some serious cases a few days ago. He hasn't left Beijing yet, has he?"
Xiao Jing replied: "Back to the emperor. I haven't left the capital yet."
Emperor Hongzhi said: "Let the officials hang a sign for him and promote him to be the envoy of Sinan."
Sinan Xuanweisheng was promoted from the third rank, and Yang Yiqing was promoted to one rank.
Moreover, Yang Yiqing was only the deputy of the inspector in Shanxi. Serving as a consolation envoy became a "small feudal territory" for the ruling party. There is only one step away from becoming the governor of the "Great Frontier".
Chang Feng said: "Your Majesty is wise! Although Yang Yiqing is a strange person with different appearance, he is capable and courageous in his work. He is indeed the best choice for Sinan's ambassador."
Emperor Hongzhi said with a smile: "Only his strange and strange face can suppress the monsters in Qianjiang!"
Chang Feng returned to Jinyiwei and found Sun Guishou, an old longevity star from Fusi Qianhu in Nanzhen.
Sun Guishou is eighty-four years old. But he was still in good spirits and full of energy.
Sun Guishou has always been responsible for collecting information about chieftains in Guizhou.
Chang Feng said: "Old longevity star. How about you come with me to Guizhou this time? Oh, this is not an order, but a discussion."
"After all, you are old. If you don't want to travel across mountains and rivers, I won't force you."
Sun Guishou smiled and said, "Does Chang Qian know what my secret is for extending my life?"
Chang Feng said: "Please give me some advice."
Sun Guishou said eloquently: "There is only one secret - make yourself useful!"
"People are very strange. If they become old and useless, just eating and waiting to die, I'm afraid they will die in the West within a year or two."
"As long as I'm still useful and can do things, I feel like I'm not old yet."
What Sun Guishou said can be summed up in one sentence: people need to "be needed."
Chang Feng smiled and said: "So, the birthday boy is willing to serve as deputy imperial envoy. Although my official position is higher than yours, my experience is far less than one-tenth or one percent of yours."
"We are going to Guizhou, and we are called superiors and subordinates. I still want to ask you for more advice."
Sun Guishou said humbly: "Often people are too modest."
Chang Feng looked at Wang Miaoxin again and said, "Mr. Wang Zhen, I want to discuss something with you."
Chang Feng planned to use official business to do a private matter this time - to help the more than 100 Tujia people of Mrs. Ninth completely solve the problem of Jinyiwei positions.
Wang Miao thought: "Whatever Master Chang gives us will be fine. There is nothing to discuss or discuss."
Chang Feng said: "There are many Tujia people in southeastern Guizhou. I need a group of capable people who are proficient in Tujia dialect to go on a business trip."
"You know, your sister-in-law has more than a hundred Tujia people in the capital."
"They belong to the Tujia people in western Hunan and have lived in the capital for a long time. They have never had anything to do with the Tujia people in Guizhou." Kanshu La
"But they can speak the native language. In recent years, they have been working in the Military and Horse Division and Shuntian Mansion as the eyes and ears of the Jin Yiwei, and they are considered competent. They are loyal to the Jin Yiwei."
"Do what you say is right. Let them follow me to Qiandongnan to investigate the case and implement the reform of the land. You must give people a name..."
How smart is Wang Miaoxin, a "little country player"? Chang Feng's intention was immediately understood.
Chang Feng gave up the position of governor of Nanzhen to Wang Miaoxin. He had to give Chang Feng face.
Wang Miaoxin took the initiative to interrupt Chang Feng: "In recent years, there has been a large-scale downsizing of the civil service department. Our Nanzhen Fusi should also engage in downsizing."
"Some of the children of the Jingnan Xun family are occupying positions in the guard and are receiving salary for free. It's time to clear them all."
"It is estimated that more than a hundred positions can be cleared in Nanzhen Fusi. It is logical to award these positions to capable ears and eyes."
Chang Feng nodded with satisfaction. Wang Miaoxin expressed his position, and those Tujia men were transformed from unemployed ears and eyes to serious and appointed captains and strongmen.
Chang Feng secretly thought: As expected
He is a small country player. Just know how to do things.
Fatty Xu said: "Mr. Chang, I am your follower. Over the years, I have always gone wherever you go. This trip is no exception."
"Hey, I haven't tried a foreign woman from Qianjiang yet."
Chang Feng coughed awkwardly: "We are going to run errands for the court. It doesn't matter if you check the customs in your spare time."
Sun Guishou is an old man who is not serious. The eighty-four-year-old man actually talked to Fatty Xu about women: "In the fifth year of Xuande's reign, I went to Southeast Guizhou on a business trip."
"The foreign women there are different from Han women and are bold and bold in nature. I once had an affair with a Dong girl."
"Looking back, it was so wonderful to be on the bed!"
Fatty Xu counted on his fingers: "The fifth year of Xuande, how many years ago was that?"
Sun Guishou stroked his white beard: "Sixty-four years ago."
Fatty Xu laughed out loud: "Old birthday boy, a good man must not mention how brave he was back then! What's more, you've already lived through a lifetime!"
In the evening, Chang Feng returned to his house and told his family that he was going to Southeast Guizhou on errands.
Liu Xiaoyan was a little reluctant: "Last year you went to Beijing to control floods for more than eight months. This spring has just begun and you are going to Guizhou again."
"I know the emperor wants to train you. But Guizhou... is too far away."
Chang Feng said: "I can't bear to leave you either. However, the emperor's order cannot be violated. You should take good care of yourself in Beijing."
Chang Feng turned around and said to Madam Ninth: "By the way, I have good news for you. From today on, your one hundred Tujia people will no longer be the eyes and ears of Jin Yiwei."
Madam Ninth frowned: "This is not good news. I don't want to see them lose their jobs and go back to their old jobs."
Chang Feng smiled and said, "You are always impatient and don't listen to people finish their sentences. Wang Miaoxin has already agreed to give them one hundred Nanzhen Fusi positions."
"From now on, they will be the serious captains and warriors in the Imperial Guard!"
"When Wantong came to power during the Chenghua period, one hundred posts would be worth eighty thousand taels of silver!"
Madam Ninth was stunned on the spot after hearing this. Then he clapped his hands: "Hey! Okay! Now brothers finally have an iron rice bowl that cannot be smashed or broken, no, a golden rice bowl!"
Chang Feng stretched out his hand: "Would you like me to slap you twice to prevent you from getting confused by the phlegm?"
Mrs. Jiu said: "Fuck you! I will accompany you to Guizhou this time."
"I am a Tujia. I dare not speak to the Miao, Dong, and Yi people in Guizhou. I can help when dealing with the Tujia people."
Don't look at the fact that Mrs. Ninth called Chang Feng "brother" before. In fact, she is one year older than Chang Feng. This year happens to be the threshold of thirty Ruhu.
Last year, Chang Feng was away from Beijing for eight months. She often felt unbearably lonely in the dead of night. I often go to the kitchen in the middle of the night to look for eggplants and courgettes to satisfy my hunger.
This time I left Beijing to go to Guizhou and Xinjiang on business, which would take me a year at least.
She didn't want to be a widow for a year.
Chang Feng hesitated: "It's common for Beijing officials to take their wives and concubines with them when they go on business trips, but..."
Chang Feng turned to look at Liu Xiaoyan, fearing that she would be jealous.
Liu Xiaoyan said: "I have to stay at home to take care of Zhuangzhuang and Tangtang, so I can't go. Let Sister Jiu go with you. This will save you the trouble of messing around in Guizhou."
After the principal said something, Chang Feng stepped down and said, "Okay, let Xiaojiu go with me. But I took her there mainly because she is good at interacting with Tujia people and can speak fluent Tujia dialect. "
Liu Xiaoyan rolled her eyes at Chang Feng, and there was something in her words: "I know, Ninth Sister is very eloquent. You like to be around women who are very eloquent."
Chang Feng has now confirmed the deputy envoy and most of his entourage.
Sun Guishou served as his deputy. Fatty Xu, Shi Wenyi and Madam Ninth accompanied them. In addition, there are 300 capable robes and 100 Tujia men.
The next day, he went to the capital camp and mobilized 5,000 soldiers from the capital camp with Governor Ye Guangye of the capital camp.
Emperor Hongzhi had already spoken in advance. If the chieftains in Qianjiang are in a hurry and jump over the wall, they can use force to implement the reform and return to the country.
Chang Feng and Ye Guang are old acquaintances. In the last years of Chenghua, they worked side by side to protect Chu, and they were all ministers of Conglong.
When the two met, the military commander was not as polite and friendly as the civilian officials.
Ye Guang got straight to the point: "I have selected five thousand soldiers for the Beijing camp. Most of them have fought in battles and seen blood."
Chang Feng asked: "Captain Ye, who is the general leading the army?"
Ye Guang pointed to himself and said half-jokingly: "I will accompany you personally! I set countless fires in Liaodong. Now I think about setting fires in Guizhou and Xinjiang for fun."
Chang Feng said: "You are now one of the five military commanders of the imperial court. I'm afraid you can't leave the capital easily, right?"
Ye Guang smiled and said: "There is a clear decree for me to lead troops there. The Emperor attaches great importance to the affairs of Qianjiang. If you want to send me a letter, let you, the chief manager of Jinyiwei, come on. If you want to fight, let me go."
Chang Feng said quickly: "What Governor Ye said is going to kill me. The boss of our Jinyiwei is Commander Zhu..."
Ye Guang waved his hand: "Zhu Ji squats in the mansion all day long pretending to be dead. Who doesn't know that you are in charge of Jinyiwei now?"
"If this mission in Qianjiang goes well, the emperor will directly dismiss Zhu Ji and may you be promoted to commander."
The two came to the school grounds and inspected the soldiers in the Beijing camp. As expected, all of them were men of steel and steel, with murderous intent on their bodies.
Ye Guang said with a smile: "My brothers are not like the donkeys of Guizhou. They only have loud voices but no real ability. They are serious Beijing tigers."
Chang Feng praised: "Director Ye is running the army very well, and all the brothers are elite soldiers. You ask the brothers to prepare. We will leave Beijing in two days."
Two days later, Chang Feng said goodbye to his family. Embarked on the journey to Qianjiang.
