The horse galloped wantonly on the streets of Fangli, splashing the residual snow and making bursts of rapid and cheerful hoofbeats, until it stopped in front of the red gate of Rongguo Duke's mansion.
Being in a high position all year round did not seem to affect Zhao Kuangyin's agility. He jumped off the horse easily and made a crisp sound when he landed. He lowered his head and looked at the snow slag on the ground, and immediately moved towards the front door of the mansion and said to the guard: "Let someone clean up the snow slag in the place. The servants in my mansion are all lazy. This place is in a mess. Can't you see it?"
"Yes!" The guard in front of the door obviously maintained the style of the army. He responded without any hesitation as if he was listening to military orders. He was not responsible for the left and right.
Zhao Kuangyin was dressed in a way that did not match the winter scenery. The purple robe was a bit gorgeous, but what was redder than the clothes was his drunken face. This time, he was summoned into the palace by Emperor Liu to drink and chat with him. Judging from his demeanor, it was obviously a pleasant exchange. Recently, there are fewer and fewer ministers who can enjoy such treatment from Emperor Liu. Those who are qualified Also gradually withered.
He threw the riding crop to his entourage coolly, started walking, and headed straight back to the house. As soon as he entered the mansion, he saw Zhao Dezhao who came out to greet him after hearing the news: "Dad, my fourth uncle has been waiting for a long time to come over to the mansion!"
"Oh?" Zhao Kuangyin was a little surprised, but he quickly smiled and said, "Kuang Mei is here! It just so happens that our brothers haven't seen each other for some time, so I just want him to accompany me to have a few more drinks!"
Zhao Kuangyin used to be a good drinker, but now he can be described as an alcoholic, and his method of communication is often through drinks. The closer he gets, the more he gets drunk. Knowing Zhao Kuangyin's hobbies, Emperor Liu not only invited him to drink with him from time to time in these years, but also specially rewarded him with some good wine whenever he received it to show his trust. Therefore, in the wine cellar of Rongguo Duke's Mansion, , there is no shortage of fine wines for royal wine.
"Dad!" Seeing the excitement on Zhao Kuangyin's face, Zhao Dezhao hesitated slightly.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Kuangyin noticed the ambiguity on Zhao Dezhao's face.
Zhao Dezhao cupped his hands and said, "I'm afraid my fourth uncle is here to have a drink with you. I see that he is very worried and seems to have encountered some difficulty!"
"What's the matter?" Zhao Kuangyin's expression finally returned to calmness.
Zhao Dezhao shook his head: "Fourth uncle refuses to say!"
"Where are the people?"
"I will lead my fourth uncle to the study, serve tea and wait!"
"Let's go! Go take a look!" Zhao Kuangyin quickened his pace.
In the study room of the palace, a young man was sitting silently, his posture was not very straight, and he looked a little depressed. It was Zhao Kuangyin's fourth brother Zhao Kuangmei. His face was solemn, and he was slightly absent-minded. The tea on the small table was already cold, and he did not ask the servant to refill it.
It wasn't until he heard the noise outside that he came back to his senses. He couldn't wait to stand up. When he saw Zhao Kuangyin's burly figure, he hurried forward and greeted him as if he had seen a savior. He said with a little awe: "Second brother!"
The relationship between the Zhao Kuangyin brothers has always been good. The eldest brother is like a father, and Zhao Kuangyin also cares about his younger brothers. Looking at Zhao Kuangmei's forced smile, Zhao Kuangyin nodded, sat down behind the desk, looked at his fourth brother who seemed a little overwhelmed, stretched out his hand, and said in a deep voice: "Sit!"
Probably because he had a backbone, Zhao Kuangmei could sit more firmly, but his body was a little tight. Zhao Kuangyin, who had been observing his performance, stared at it for a while and said softly: "You haven't come to the house for a long time!"
Hearing this, Zhao Kuangmei opened her mouth, her face felt a little hot, and she didn't dare to look at her brother. She hesitated and said, "I'm here to see my second brother!"
Zhao Kuangmei's reaction was clear to his eyes. Zhao Kuangyin pondered for a moment, shook his head and said, "There is nothing we can't talk about between us brothers. If you have anything to say, just say it!"
Perhaps what he wanted was Zhao Kuangyin's words. Zhao Kuangmei suddenly became excited, but with a sad face: "Second brother, you have to help me!"
Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin's heart suddenly sank and he scolded: "Tell me something!"
"Second brother, Zhang Jin's case..."
As soon as he started, Zhao Kuangyin glared and said in a very stern tone: "You are also involved!"
If there was any sensational event in the court during the twelfth lunar month, it would be the Huazhou corruption case. Although the officials who committed the crime were not of high rank, the circumstances were serious and it was a case that the emperor and the prince were watching closely.
More importantly, no matter what Zhang Jin's identity is, he is a core member of the Xungui Group family. Although it is just a small Zhang Jin, it is inevitably reminiscent of him.
There have always been twenty-four ministers in front of them, and these nobles and their descendants have been shrouded in a layer of glory, which is a kind of preferential treatment that is almost immune. Although the privilege is not expressly stated, they do enjoy this heavy favor.
Even if something is committed, even if it is dealt with according to the law, as long as the bottom line is not exceeded or the offense is committed in the hands of some strong people, there is room for maneuver.
However, this seemingly unbreakable halo seems to be fading and losing its effectiveness. Just like the case of Han Qingxiong back then, almost everyone knew this time that Zhang Jin was finished. Unless Emperor Liu granted a pardon, no one could save him.
However, Emperor Liu's edict has been issued long ago, and his attitude is strict and clear. He will be investigated and punished severely, so this person's fate is almost certain. Although Zhang Jin's death is not a pity, it is inevitable that things will harm their own kind, and people will share the same sorrow.
Compared to Han Qingxiong, Zhang Jin may be even more miserable. At least one of Han Qingxiong's deaths was extrajudicial, and he was left with a posthumous son who could inherit the title and pass on the next generation of incense.
But Zhang Jin, perhaps after ordering the execution, implicated the political force of Yu Guogong in a complete defeat and depression, until it disappeared from the upper echelons of the Han Dynasty.
This was probably the unfriendly part of the Han nobility system formulated by Emperor Liu. Wang Zhang had no sons, which meant that his fame and legacy could not be passed down, and he would only end up in three generations.
But no matter what, Zhang Jin is Wang Zhang's closest bloodline. Considering Emperor Liu's "nostalgia", there is no mercy this time, which inevitably makes some people worried.
And things seem to have no end to Zhang Jin's side. The influence is expanding and the involvement is increasing. What was originally just a corruption case of river workers has intensified and turned into a large-scale campaign to clean up officials.
Originally, it only involved the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and Huazhou. However, ten in a row, ten in a row, this anti-corruption campaign gradually expanded, and its influence continued to ferment. More and more people were involved in the case, and more and more officials were taken down. more.
By now, it is no longer limited to the Huazhou case. The investigation of many cases is often like this. With the deepening of interrogation and investigation, more and more related crimes have been implicated. There have been 13 cases filed by the Ministry of Punishment alone. So many.
There are some things that you really don’t know if you don’t check them. If you check them, you will be shocked. Facts have proved that the so-called political clarity of the Han Dynasty also has great limitations. Under the sun, there are always shadows.
As the matter progressed, more and more people were implicated, and the court began to feel uneasy, and even everyone was in danger. A political wave caused by corruption seemed to be surging.
Zhang Jin naturally has a circle, and the people who belong to his circle are undoubtedly the descendants of nobles. When his case is revealed, it is inevitable that his relatives and friends will be involved. Even if it is not the Huazhou case, other things will be exposed. come out.
As for Zhao Kuangmei, she was a member of that circle. Originally, she was just a little surprised by this matter. However, as the impact of the Huazhou case became more and more important, even some noble children were imprisoned due to various incidents. When the Ministry of Punishment invited him to the court, Zhao Kuangmei became frightened.
When you encounter trouble, there is no doubt that the first person to seek help is your own brother.
The atmosphere in the study was shrouded in low pressure. Zhao Kuangmei's eyes were a little dodgey, and she was too frightened to speak in the face of Zhao Kuangyin's stern questioning.
Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin became angry and said: "Let me tell you, if you are involved in the case, then I can't save you. You don't need to come to my house for help. Go to the Ministry of Criminal Justice and surrender. All I can do is keep a thick face." , interceding for you, that’s all!”
"Say!" Zhao Kuangyin said sharply, making Zhao Kuangmei tremble in shock.
