Hearing this, Zhang Pu subconsciously said: "He won't want it, he..."
As soon as he said this, he couldn't help but be startled: He wouldn't want it, why would he want it?
After hearing this, Zhang Pu's mother was a little surprised and confused and asked: "Why doesn't he want it? Is he a child of a noble family and the family is not short of money?"
Hearing the voice, Zhang Pu came back to his senses, looked at his mother, and said with a complicated expression: "He is from a poor family. In the eleventh year of Chongzhen, he became a refugee due to the military disaster and almost starved to death. Only by the grace of the Holy Spirit did he become a refugee." Entered the East Factory."
When Zhang Pu's mother heard this, she was surprised again and said a little puzzled: "His family must have no money, so why doesn't he want it?"
"Because he is from Dongchang, and his function is to supervise all officials; and because he hates corrupt officials..." Zhang Pu said, his voice slowly getting lower and lower, "Or maybe the emperor has beaten Dongchang Factory, the factory guards have been reorganized..."
At this point, his face suddenly straightened up and he said to his mother: "Mom, let's forget it. Although the money is a favor, the child feels a little uneasy."
When Zhang Pu's mother heard this, she was a little reluctant and asked him: "My son, don't you have the Sacred Heart very much? Are you afraid that the emperor will believe him but not yours?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Pu suddenly became more determined, and immediately said to his mother: "Mom, you don't know, my son is on an errand because he was ordered to do it, and if he does it well, he will be valued by the emperor. What if he doesn't do it well?" Obtain the Sacred Heart. When I think about that time, I still feel scared..."
Mother and son have been dependent on each other for many years, so naturally they have nothing to say. As he talked, Zhang Pu talked about the time when Emperor Chongzhen summoned him to see him and gave him his decree, and told his mother everything.
Looking back on that year, Zhang Pu was really scared. At that time, he felt that he was being held tightly by the emperor. Facing the emperor, he felt like he had nothing to hide.
"Your Majesty...is your Majesty that powerful?" Zhang Pu's mother was very surprised and asked in disbelief after hearing this.
After hearing this, Zhang Pu immediately nodded vigorously and said without any doubt: "Mother, you don't know that every time a report is sent from the imperial court, the children will be more in awe of the emperor. Today's emperor can infer from clues. The truth of the matter can be said to be exhaustive. Mother, Zhuge Liang, you know, right?"
"The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" was already very popular in the late Ming Dynasty, and storytelling was everywhere. Although his mother didn't have much interest in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", she still knew Zhuge Liang's name, so she nodded.
Seeing his mother nodding, Zhang Pu said extremely seriously: "Nowadays, in the official circles, some people are saying that the emperor is more Zhuge Liang than Zhuge Liang. So, do you understand how smart the emperor is?"
"..." Zhang Pu's mother was stunned when she heard this. She couldn't imagine that the current emperor was so powerful? Then if his son wanted to fool the emperor, wouldn't it be like the old man hanging himself and seeking death?
In order to fear that his mother would not believe it, Zhang Pu took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and said: "Please read, mother, this is the latest Di newspaper. It contains the emperor's speculation about the war on the grassland. It happened just as the emperor expected. Now it has happened." Lead the army into battle.”
At this point, he suddenly felt a little more frightened and said: "The emperor has led the army on many expeditions. He is used to seeing dead people and killing with iron blood. He is probably used to it. He is definitely not comparable to other emperors who grew up in the palace!"
After hearing what her son said, Zhang Pu's mother finally got scared. She quickly grabbed Zhang Pu's hand and said, "My son, I made a mistake because of my mother. You can return all the money. As long as you can be good to my mother, that's all." It doesn’t matter if we continue to live the hard life we had before.”
Zhang Pu was originally a smart man, otherwise he would not have been the son of a maidservant. He was bullied when he was young, but he finally managed to stand out. Previously, under the attack of sugar-coated bullets, it gradually expanded and became a little forgetful. Of course, this is also related to the officialdom habits of this period.
Now, after being reminded by Jiang Dong and having a comparison, he immediately came back to his senses.
The emperor is not a mediocre emperor, but is far wiser and more powerful than ordinary emperors. Now that he often leads troops to fight, he has become even more iron-blooded. In the past, without blinking an eye, he removed more than a hundred officials from various places in one go, which proves this point.
You can deceive others, but you must not deceive the emperor, otherwise the emperor will easily detect the truth with his shrewdness. In that case, can I withstand the emperor's thunderous wrath?
Thinking of this, Zhang Pu thought deeper.
I am running an errand now, and I don’t know how many people I have offended. However, precisely because the emperor was supporting him, those people were helpless against him.
However, once you do something you shouldn't do, it is easy for someone who is spying on you to take advantage of you. Whether it is revenge on you or threats to yourself, it is difficult for you to deal with it.
Thinking of this, Zhang Pu suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. In just a moment, his whole body was wet, and the sweat on his forehead kept pouring out: How could he have forgotten that it had been gone since he was ordered to go to Beijing on business? Any escape route. Why do you forget this fundamental point when you are being flattered by others now!
"My son, what's wrong with you? Don't scare your mother!" Zhang Pu's mother couldn't help but become frightened when she saw him like this, and asked very worriedly, "What's wrong with you? Can something happen to you?" Ah, if something happens to you, what will mother do?"
Hearing this, Zhang Pu was shocked again. Yes, if something happened to me, would my mother still have a way to survive?
Thinking of this, Zhang Pu couldn't help but take a deep breath, forced a smile, and comforted his mother: "Mom, it's okay. The baby is fine. It's okay. I just figured out some things, and I was almost doomed..."
When he said this, he saw his mother's somewhat puzzled expression, so he explained in detail: "When a child is an official in the court, he is the enemy of everyone in the world. Only by obtaining the Sacred Heart can one be rewarded with nothing, not to mention glory and wealth. . The kid almost forgot this fundamental by accident!"
Hearing this, Zhang Pu's mother couldn't help but wipe the corners of her eyes, and said a little worriedly: "But...but just now...what to do about that person from Dongchang? He said he would report the truth!"
Hearing this, Zhang Pu was stunned for a moment. But he quickly came back to his senses, and his expression suddenly became a bit ferocious, and he looked very fierce.
His mother was a little surprised when she saw his situation, and she didn't dare to speak for a while.
This son of hers was certainly not a soft-hearted person, and she knew this very well.
Suddenly, Zhang Pu moved. He turned his head and looked around. Then he saw a decorative sword hanging in the corner. He stepped forward, held it with one hand, and pulled out the sword with the other. "Clang" sounded, and the cold light was dazzling.
"My son, what are you doing?" When Zhang Pu's mother saw it, she couldn't help being frightened again, and said quickly, "You must not, he is from Dongchang, you can't beat him..."
Hearing this, Zhang Pu couldn't help but feel a little speechless. His mother was actually worried that she couldn't beat him instead of persuading herself...
"Don't worry, mother, I have already made up my mind on this matter!" After Zhang Pu comforted him, he immediately took the sword in hand and stepped out. Soon he arrived at a yard in the front yard, where the Dongchang guards rested.
The two guards standing guard at the door were a little surprised when they saw Master Zhongchen coming with a sword in his hand. When they were about to ask questions, they heard Zhang Pu had already asked, "Is the stall here?"
"I just came back. I'm inside!" After hearing this, a Dongchang officer immediately replied. He stared at the sword and wanted to say something, but saw Zhang Pu had already stepped in.
In the past, everyone was used to coming and going, not to mention that Zhang Pu was a person protected by Dongchang and an imperial envoy on a mission. No one would stop him.
At this time, even if he saw the sword in his hand, Dongchang Fanyi didn't think much. He just thought something had happened and was worried that there was an assassin, so he immediately followed him in.
Zhang Pu stepped into the lobby and saw Jiang Dong immersed in writing.
The noise coming from outside made Jiang Dong raise his head when he heard the sound. When he saw Zhang Pu walking in with a sword, he couldn't help but have a look of surprise on his face. Holding the brush in his hand, there was no movement for a moment: What is Mr. Zhongcheng doing? Could it be that he wanted to silence him because of what he just said?
When he thought of this and saw Zhang Pu followed by several curious Dongchang officers, Jiang Dong himself didn't believe it. How dare Zhang Pu, a scholar, dare to swing his sword at him? Crazy?
As he was thinking about it, he suddenly saw Zhang Pu bowing deeply to Jiang Dong, and then said sincerely: "What I said just now was like an enlightenment. I was wrong in the dispute just now!"
Hearing this, Jiang Dong couldn't help but feel a little comforted. After all, they had been together for so long, they had some feelings for each other, and he was able to listen to his own advice, so he was somewhat accomplished. However, since you came here to talk about this matter, why are you still holding the unsheathed sword?
After hearing these words, the several officers behind Zhang Pu realized that there was not an assassin, but that the stall owner had a dispute with Mr. Zhongcheng, so Mr. Zhongcheng came to admit his mistake?
But why did Master Zhongcheng come here with a sword in his hand to admit his mistake?
Just when everyone was confused, they saw Zhang Pu holding a sword in his hand and stepping forward to where Jiang Dong was sitting.
This time, Jiang Dong was suddenly surprised. What do you mean?
Thinking this, he immediately stood up and stared at Zhang Pu. As long as he finds something wrong with Zhang Pu, he believes that with his skills, he can definitely deal with Zhang Pu.
The few Dongchang servants behind Zhang Pu saw that something seemed wrong, and for a moment they became nervous and quickly moved closer.
I saw Zhang Pu looking straight at Jiang Dong, and said seriously and seriously again: "I had to remind him later that I realized that I had done something wrong. I was unworthy of the grace of God. I should have died to apologize, but I checked the exemption limit for officials and gentry. Such offending things as calling for unpaid taxes are not something I can boast about, and only I can sincerely do this for the emperor. Therefore, I have decided to register all the favors received. I will submit it to the Imperial Council, and it will be up to the Emperor to decide whether I can still do this job."
Hearing this, Jiang Dong couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief, nodded and said: "That's very good. I believe that since Mr. Zhongcheng has such understanding and the emperor's grace is so great, nothing will happen to him."
In fact, he knew in his heart that the emperor had kept secret what Zhang Pu had directed and acted in the past. It just depended on what he did. If it can be done well, then forget about it. If you disappoint the emperor again, maybe the old and new accounts will be settled together. I just don’t know if he made this realization to deal with himself, or if he truly regrets it?
After hearing this, several Dongchang officers behind Zhang Pu also breathed a sigh of relief, and their moods also relaxed. It turns out that is the case, but why is Lord Zhongcheng here holding the sword?
They didn't understand that Jiang Dong was also thinking in the main seat. Suddenly, a cold light flashed in front of his eyes, and Zhang Pu swung his sword.
However, he did not hide, because Zhang Pu's sword did not come towards him at all.
I saw that Zhang Pu's left hand had made a fist at some point, leaving only his little finger on the edge of the case, and his right hand held a sword, and the sword cut towards his little finger.
It was too late, but it was too soon. When Jiang Dong reacted, he saw that a section of his little finger was broken on the table, the sword cut into the table, blood spurted out, and the corner of the table was dyed red.
Naturally, Zhang Pu would not draw the sword again. His forehead was covered with sweat and his face had a look of pain. It was obvious that he was really in pain. He pinched his severed finger with his left hand, endured the pain, and said forcefully: "Today, as a witness, I cut off my finger to swear that I will never take bribes, bend the law, or take bribes. In this life, I wish to Be the emperor's eagle talon and serve as the outline of the imperial court!"
At this time, several people in the lobby finally understood that Zhang Pu came over with a sword, and it turned out that he wanted to swear by cutting off his fingers!
At this time, they had no time to think too much. Jiang Dong immediately shouted loudly: "Quickly, get the medicine and stop the bleeding of Mr. Zhongcheng. Hurry, hurry up..."
In the lobby, the Dongchang officers suddenly became chaotic. Not to mention, only Zhang Pu remained calm.
Fortunately, it was a sword wound, and Dongchang's officers were very skilled in handling it. Seeing that Zhang Pu's left hand was bandaged, it was still bloody. Looking at the severed finger on the desk, Jiang Dong immediately thought of the scholar in front of him. , before, he dared to stab himself because he didn't want to obey the order, but now he cut off his finger again. This cruelty is really more cruel than that of a martial artist!
"Master Zhongcheng, why bother?" Jiang Dong thought, then smiled bitterly and said, "You and I will tell you the truth, you should be fine!"
At this time, the severed finger area was still very painful. However, Zhang Pu could not bear it and forced himself to smile: "I am afraid that I will forget it after a long time. Only in this way will I always remember what I should do and what I should not do!"
The finger was already broken, and it was useless to say anything more.
So, as they said, Jiang Dong reported the situation to the factory owner, and Zhang Pu also reported the truth to Emperor Chongzhen. Of course, he swore on his broken fingers to express his determination to repent.
In fact, they did not report this matter. At this time, Emperor Chongzhen already knew the situation through the Class A eavesdropping seeds on Zhang Pu.
