Pick all the cold branches

Zhang Siyuan changed into ordinary clothes in the inner room, pretended to be a silk merchant, and followed Zhen Xian out.

Not far from the door was an unremarkable ox cart.The driver was a hunchbacked waiter. When he saw Zhen Xian leading Zhang Siyuan out, he bowed his head to greet them, and sent the two of them into the car respectfully. Then he steadily drove the ox cart for a while before stopping in Nanjing city.

Zhang Siyuan got out of the car and took a look, he was a little surprised when he saw that he had come to a secluded study.Zhen Xian acted like a host, pushed open the door and invited him in.

The small courtyard once you enter is not big, and the shelves in the main house are filled with all kinds of books and picture scrolls. It really looks like the residence of a calligrapher and painter.

This scene suddenly reminded Zhang Siyuan of being in Suzhou Ji Garden and being in Lu Lan's studio with Zhen Xian.

At that time when Zhen Xian entered the door without saying a word, he first read through the picture scroll that hides the Lu family's annual accounts, and remembered everything in his mind.

Those picture scrolls have probably been turned into ashes with the cremation that Lu Lan personally lit.

After all, it is the original physical evidence. If Chen Shiqin can be defeated in the future, it will be the key to life and death. It is a pity that it was destroyed like this.If I had known this, I might as well have taken it away by force, even if I couldn't present it to the imperial court immediately, it would be good to hide it.

Zhang Siyuan sighed inwardly.

When he saw Zhen Xian standing in front of the easel on one wall, he wanted to go up to him and ask him what he meant by bringing him here, but suddenly he heard the sound of the wooden door creaking again from outside the courtyard.

Zhang Siyuan followed the sound subconsciously, and at a glance, he saw Hu Jingcheng, the governor of Zhejiang Province, wearing a straight-fit uniform with dark embroidered smoke and holding a long and narrow wooden box in his hand. He walked in solemnly, and suddenly saw him and Zhen Xian was obviously taken aback.

Zhang Siyuan was also taken aback.

Just now when Zhen Xian said that he had sent another person to invite Hu Jingcheng, he thought he was the trusted guard of His Royal Highness Prince Jing, but he never expected that Hu Dutang would come alone.

The location of this study is extremely remote, and the interior is even colder. If Zhang Siyuan hadn't trusted Zhen Xian, he might feel very strange, suspicious and deceitful, and would not even enter the door easily.

And Hu Jingcheng's appearance clearly shows that he was "deceived" without knowing anything.

Given Hu Dutang's prudence, what method did this Mr. Zhen use to invite him to come to the appointment alone like this?

Zhang Siyuan couldn't help being surprised again and turned to look at Zhen Xian.

At this moment, Hu Jingcheng was only much more shocked than Zhang Siyuan.

His Highness Prince Jing did not summon him before leaving Nanzhili, and instead, a scroll of paintings was delivered to his mansion a few days ago.

The picture scroll was sealed in a box, and it depicted the neighbors and clansmen in his hometown and Lu Lan during the eight years of talking about whether it was long or short—to be exact, the people behind Lu Lan at that time. Every "business" transaction between the Weaving Bureau and the eunuchs of the Ceremony Supervisor.One of them, who has the closest relationship with him and who can't get rid of it no matter what, is his eldest son.

The scroll is so long that it is as tall as a person when hung up.

Hu Jingcheng broke out in a cold sweat from fright.

He vaguely felt that this was "the end is approaching".

Three years ago, the Holy Majesty used His Royal Highness King Jing to clean up the southeast, and after killing Lu Shiquan, Gan Tingyu and Hang Ningyuan, it was like a thunderbolt. Everyone thought that His Majesty was still protecting Chen Shiqin, but Hu Dutang knew very well in his heart that the Holy Majesty was really It was Hu Jingcheng who kept it.

He has been in Zhezhi these years, even if he is not greedy, there will never be fewer people who are greedy in his name, and it is useless for him to control it, and he can't control it at all.

If the investigation continues, Chen Shiqin will definitely be the first to drag him into the water.This is what His Majesty the Emperor does not like to see.The Holy Majesty wanted to keep him in Zhezhi, in order to escort His Royal Highness Prince Jing.

But the fact that the Holy One did not punish him three years ago does not mean that he will never be moved today or one day.

When His Highness Prince Jing left Nanzhili, he didn't have any explanations with him, as if deliberately avoiding him.

Immediately afterwards, such a scroll uninvited appeared in front of him.

The sender of the painting asked him to come to this study alone today to see him.

Is Dongchang coercing him with this?

Or is there another will from the Holy One?

The situation was too paradoxical, Hu Jingcheng came alone after thinking about it.

However, he saw Zhang Siyuan and Zhen Xian together in the study.

At first glance, I was naturally shocked.

Not because of Zhang Siyuan, but because of Zhen Xian.

Zhang Siyuan was the Holy Majesty's hand in the south of the Yangtze River. From the very beginning, it was Eunuch Zhang who came to the south to investigate the weaving bureau under the secret order, and thus pierced the abscess that had been painful for many years.It is not surprising that Zhang Siyuan appears here.

But Zhen Xian is just a small Hanlin scholar, and even a sinner who was bestowed to death by the Holy One.

When it comes to "factions", Hu Jingcheng is a student of Mr. Cao Ge. Although he had official contacts with Zhen Xian's grandfather and father, he did not have a close relationship with him. Too many impressions, even after the Southeast War, I have never had a few face-to-face meetings.

Zhen Xian's relationship with Hu Dutang was just a rumor.

But Zhen Xian is "His Highness Prince Jing's person", Hu Jingcheng still knows this.

Hu Jingcheng had also speculated that His Royal Highness Prince Jing treated this childhood friend really differently, and even this Mr. Zhen was probably really capable, otherwise, with His Royal Highness Prince Jing's ambition, he would definitely not be able to keep him by his side.

But Zhen Xian is neither a member of the Holy Majesty's close ministers nor an official of Prince Jing's palace, so it seems abrupt and out of place to appear in this study at this delicate moment, even with Zhang Siyuan.

Especially the moment their eyes met, Zhang Siyuan's eyes clearly showed surprise.

Hu Jingcheng immediately judged that Zhang Siyuan had no knowledge of his arrival.

Therefore, Zhang Siyuan, like him, is a pawn on the chessboard that has not yet cleared the fog.

And it was probably Zhen Xian who invited him and Zhang Siyuan to come here at the same time.

What does this mean?

Since Mr. Zhen showed up, could it be His Royal Highness Prince Jing's order?

But how could His Royal Highness King Jing know about the accounts of the Lu family?

Where did that scroll come from?

Who is the person behind this black and white arrangement?

Hu Jingcheng didn't know that Zhen Xian had once looked through the picture scrolls that contained Lu's account books, nor was he like Zhang Siyuan, who was close to the king and knew many secrets, so naturally he couldn't see through the key points, he just felt that this was extremely strange.

But after all, Hu Dutang is a battle-hardened official in frontiers, and not just anyone can wear the black hat of the governor of the two provinces.He stared at Zhen Xian for a moment, then calmly asked: "Is Mr. Zhen the one who is looking for Hu?" He was neither humble nor overbearing, and he had the air of being at ease when he came.

Zhen Xian smiled slightly, and replied: "Yes, and no."

He invited Hu and Zhang to take their seats and served tea with his own hands.

But Hu Jingcheng refused to accept it.

He just put the box containing the picture scroll on the case, and asked again in a deep voice: "In what capacity is the young master sending this picture scroll to Hu Mou?"

The deterrence contained in this question is much more serious than the previous sentence, and the pressure quietly increased.

"Hu Dutang——" Zhang Siyuan subconsciously stood up, trying to smooth things over a bit.

He never expected that Zhen Xian would dare to "spoof" Hu Jingcheng directly.After all, he is the current governor of Zhezhi. If there is a collision, it will always be bad, and it will not be good for His Royal Highness Prince Jing.He didn't know what Zhen Xian's plan was, but the situation in front of him made him unavoidably anxious.

But Zhen Xian was calm.He didn't answer Hu Jingcheng's questioning, but smiled slightly, and asked: "Is it the fact that is contained in this scroll?"

He asked straightforwardly, but Hu Jingcheng didn't answer for a while.

The lengthy silence made the atmosphere somewhat awkward and dignified.

Zhang Siyuan's cold sweat dripped down his forehead.

Although he didn't know what was painted on the scroll, he could tell that Zhen Xian used this scroll to grab Hu Jingcheng's vitals.

It is too bold.

What if Hu Jingcheng is angered?

In the past, Zhang Siyuan only thought that His Royal Highness Prince Jing often took a slanted sword, but he never thought that this Young Master Zhen would be so "unconventional".

But now is the time to employ people, and there is really no point in pushing people out.

Zhang Siyuan was already sweating.

Zhen Xian did not retreat but advanced, seeing that Hu Jingcheng refused to answer, he said again:

"When I was young, I heard my grandfather mention Mr. Hu. He said that Mr. Hu is steady and strong, he has the ability to plan the country, and he is a practical talent. Today's Hu Dutang is still the "pillar" that my grandfather said. After all As described in this scroll, it was not Dong Liang's work."

Hu Jingcheng remained silent, only the brilliance in his eyes flickered, which was complicated and unspeakable.

He is half a century old, but the young man in front of him is only in his twenties. In terms of seniority, he is a senior. In terms of age, he is more than enough to be Zhen Xian's uncle.

But Zhen Xian questioned him without hesitation, and with such a sharp blow, he grabbed his sore spot, even though his words were tactful, he didn't spare any sympathy.

This "rising star" really doesn't follow the "rules" of officialdom.

However, he was irrefutable.

I don't know when, the vigor that Han Chuang had when he studied hard for the imperial examination and became an official has quietly gone away from him, and what is left is the decadence of walking on thin ice.How many lofty ambitions have been smoothed out in the game, really old.

If he was also 30 or [-] years younger, he would probably want to do so, no, maybe he would have to denounce his current self even more angrily.

But if he has never changed, is there still Hu Jingcheng, the governor of Zhejiang Province, today?

And can this formidable young man who is emerging in front of him really be able to remain unchanged and spotless?

Looking back on today after 30 years, what should we do?

After being speechless for a long time, Hu Jingcheng could only smile wryly.

"Zhen Ge is too famous, and Hu is ashamed. Then, what is the purpose of sending this scroll painting? You don't just want Hu to feel ashamed."

He looked at Zhen Xian sadly, there were too many indescribable and self-evident in his weather-colored eyes.

But Zhen Xian still didn't answer him.

He just looked at Hu Jingcheng quietly, and continued to ask:

"Hu Dutang once sent six words to His Royal Highness Prince Jing, how did His Highness answer, Hu Dutang still remember?"

Hu Jingcheng couldn't help being slightly taken aback, as if he didn't expect the other party to mention this suddenly.

Of course he couldn't forget.

Seeing that the big battle was about to happen that day, he sent the six words "Ding Shanhe, bear the common people" to King Jing Jiafei, hoping to use King Jing's hand to break free from the shackles that had imprisoned him for eight years.

And His Royal Highness Prince Jing gave him a human head and eight characters.

"Ke Ding the mountains and rivers, live up to the common people."

The mountains and rivers must be determined, and the common people cannot be burdened.

These are the bold words of His Highness Prince Jing.

Hu Jingcheng is actually still skeptical.

He felt that this was impossible, that it was the prince's wishful thinking, or a gesture he had to make.

What exactly is the so-called common people?

The so-called "living up" is ultimately nothing more than giving up as little as possible.He chose "stable", while His Highness Prince Jing chose "fast", that's all.

Although judging from the results, His Royal Highness Prince Jing won.

But this time, what about the next time?Every time in the future?

Not every time you wish.

Zhen Xian was probably putting pressure on him, wanting him to bow his head and confess his guilt on his own initiative.

Hu Jingcheng felt that he had gradually guessed what Zhen Xiandu was doing when he brought him and Zhang Siyuan to this secluded study.

His Majesty the Emperor wanted him to be the support of His Highness Prince Jing, but wanted to restrain his actions.Zhang Siyuan is the one who restrains him, but what is recorded in this picture scroll is the "crime" that binds him.

The emperor probably wanted Zhang Siyuan to serve as the garrison of Nanjing in order to disperse and weaken his military power in the hands of the governor of Zhejiang Province.

The person who planned this game of chess is still the Holy One.

Since it was the divine will, he had no other choice but to obey.

Hu Jingcheng thought about it, and immediately bowed his head and bowed, "Hu has a debt of grace, and he has a debt to His Royal Highness King Jing."

This is indeed the posture of a man who knows current affairs as a hero.

Zhen Xian watched quietly for a moment, noncommittal.

He stood up first, then turned to look at Zhang Siyuan, with a clear voice.

"Shangyu: Zhang Siyuan, the admiral and weaving eunuch, who is also the garrison in Nanjing, is in charge of the garrison of the five armies of Southern Zhili."

As stated in the decree, it is not surprising.

Zhang Siyuan immediately bowed to receive the order.

Zhen Xian helped him up, and said: "The commissioned documents will be sent to the weaving yamen in the palace. I can't take out the imperial edict written by the Holy Majesty to read it with Zhang Gong at this moment, and I can't tell Zhang Gong in detail. But Zhang Gong is the Holy Majesty. The appointed person, I don’t need to say too much if I think about it.”

Zhang Siyuan nodded, turned to look at Hu Jingcheng, hesitant to speak.

Looking at the situation, the Holy Majesty also has a plan for Hu Dutang, and he is not optimistic.

He suspected that Zhen Xian was young and reckless.But if there is a purpose in the sage, it is another matter.

In any case, let's avoid it for now to avoid embarrassment.

What a perceptive person Zhang Siyuan is, he immediately saluted Zhen Xian and Hu Jingcheng, and said softly: "I'll wait in the courtyard first." Then he turned and went out, not forgetting to close the door carefully.

Zhen Xian waited for Zhang Siyuan to leave before turning his gaze back to Hu Jingcheng who was still bowing his head.

Hu Dutang was his elder, his temples were silvery, and his forehead was engraved with time, but he couldn't afford to kneel in front of him.Just because he's not just himself at the moment.What he holds in his hands is the supreme imperial power.

The breath stagnated suddenly.

Zhen Xian was quiet for a while before finally being able to continue speaking, but her voice had inadvertently become hoarse.

"The above decree: Hu Jingcheng, the governor of Zhejiang Province, is not strict in his rule. He allowed the eldest son and his clan to bribe the internal officials to waste public money. Thinking of his outstanding military exploits, meritorious service in defeating the invaders, and suffering from serious illness for a long time, he is exonerated and his resignation is approved. Called back to the capital to wait for the ruling. The defense of the Zhejiang guards is still under the command of Xu Dahu, the commander of the Zhejiang capital, and Zhou Wenlin, the commander of the government affairs, is no longer under the control of the governor."

After he finished speaking slowly, he held his breath and stopped speaking.

Hu Jingcheng's shoulders trembled slightly, unable to raise his head for a long time.

"Think of his meritorious service, and approve his resignation" is just a statement out of face.The Holy One has condemned him and dismissed him.

He didn't admit that he was wronged.

He should have assumed this responsibility as early as three years ago.The delay so far is already a mighty grace.In the past three years, he has resigned several times. On the one hand, he wanted to retreat bravely to avoid disputes, and on the other hand, he was really guilty of himself.

He just couldn't help being surprised by the timing of the emperor's crime and him.

He thinks that he has been able to make calculations after many years of ups and downs, and he also understands the temper and thoughts of Jinshang, but he never thought that he misjudged His Majesty.

The Holy Majesty does not want him to make the arm humerus for His Royal Highness Prince Jing.

Both Xu Dahu and Zhou Wenlin were promoted by His Royal Highness Prince Jing after he came to Southeast, and they were also one of the few people who had not been deeply involved with Lu Shiquan from the Weaving Bureau when they took office in Southeast.There are also Zhao Zhe and Zhang Siyuan in Nanzhili.However, the emperor dismissed him as the governor of Zhejiang Province, but he has not yet withdrawn from the governor's office.

From the very beginning, what the Holy Majesty wanted to give His Royal Highness King Jing was the entire southeast, only Zhejiang and Zhizhi provinces, without him Hu Jingcheng.And he is just a cicada shell used to pretend to be holy to confuse Chen Shiqin, and now he has to serve as a cover for His Royal Highness King Jing to return to the capital.

But the Holy Majesty still cared about him, that's why he was only dismissed and given a chance to make great contributions to His Royal Highness Prince Jing, instead of killing him, Lu Shiquan, Gan Tingyu and others together.Your Majesty knows his difficulties and hardships.

Hu Jingcheng couldn't help laughing out loud, leaning on the ground, like treetops swept by the autumn wind.

Zhen Xian respectfully lifted him up, carefully arranged him to sit on a chair beside him, and poured him hot tea.

"The urgent secret letter from the cabinet should have arrived at the mansion by now. Hu Dutang is a great official in the frontier, and he is a fellow minister, so don't be rude and neglectful. Please have a look at my letter of appointment."

He took out the document from his pocket and offered it with both hands.

Hu Jingcheng fetched it to look through it, and was startled.

This appointment document is different from the usual documents issued by the Ministry of Officials. It was drawn up by Zhu Bian himself, and it was not stamped with the seal of the Ministry of Officials, but the seal of the cabinet and the jade seal of His Majesty the Emperor. Mr. Cao Ge handled it himself, bypassed the Sili Supervisor, and sent it from Nanzhili.

In this letter of appointment, His Majesty the Emperor appointed Zhen Xian as the left censor of the imperial envoy Metropolitan Procuratorate to perform the duties of supervising and impeaching all officials.

A 28-year-old young man, from a small Hanlin Academy to study for a bachelor, has become a second-rank official. This is an unprecedented case since the Kaiyuan of the Holy Dynasty.

No wonder this young man dared to speak to himself like that, dared to send such a picture scroll to his house.

Hu Jingcheng was shocked for a long time, not knowing what to say.

Ever since Chen Shiqin became powerful, the Metropolitan Procuratorate has almost become useless. Several censors, and even the imperial censors and supervisory censors under him, whoever dared to speak out for impeachment, most of them died and were relegated. Civil and military officials have almost forgotten the yamen of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

At this moment, the Holy Majesty suddenly secretly appointed a young man who has no factions in the court and no entanglement of interests as Zuo Yushi, which is really about to show off.

And this newly appointed Lord Yushi is a member of His Highness Prince Jing.

This is a sharp sword carefully forged by His Majesty for His Highness Prince Jing.

"As the censor, Mr. Zhen has an order in hand, so he can go straight to the mansion and take me. Why bother."

Hu Jingcheng hid his face in melancholy, leaned on the seat, tried a few times, but his legs were weak.

Zhen Xian stood beside him with his hands down, tall and straight, with a posture like a crane, with a soft and clear voice, without any mercy or flattery.

"I am a junior, and you are an elder. I may have political disputes with you, and I don't like to see you down and embarrassing. Why don't you ask the adults to return to Beijing in a dignified manner, face the saint, relieve the heavy responsibility, and return to your hometown with honor? Okay?"

After he finished speaking, he looked at Hu Jingcheng silently.

Hu Jingcheng couldn't help being startled.

Just now Zhen Xian asked him if he still remembered His Royal Highness Prince Jing's answer to his six words.

He didn't answer.

In fact, he knew that His Highness Prince Jing was telling him plainly: Ding Shanhe does not necessarily have to bear the common people.

He just never believed it.Until that moment, I never believed it.

But looking at this thin, handsome but tough young man in front of him, he was suddenly shaken.

His Highness Prince Jing is different from His Majesty.

Zhen Xian is even different from those officials who are arrogant and "mature".

So... Maybe this time, it really can be different.

"His Royal Highness Prince Jing, has he really gone to Qin land at this moment?"

I feel lost in a trance, and I can't tell what it feels like.Hu Jingcheng shook his head and smiled wryly.

"What does Hu Dutang think?" Zhen Xian refused to answer, but pushed the question back.

Hu Jingcheng supported the armrest of the seat with all his strength, and finally stood up slowly.

He bowed his hands and bowed to Zhen Xian.

"Your Majesty is Shengming, Your Highness is Yingrui. Now I can have an audience with Wang Jia."

Zhen Xian's eyes were visibly shocked, but he still asked: "...What does Hu Dutang mean?"

Hu Jingcheng pulled the corners of his lips in melancholy, "If His Highness Prince Jing wants to return to Beijing with me, I would never dare to let His Highness do the hard work of driving."

It turned out that he had already caught some clues.

In an instant, a look of embarrassment appeared on Zhen Xian's face.

He obviously hesitated for a while, but in the end he didn't say anything, but made a respectful gesture, stepped forward two steps, and opened the door for Hu Jingcheng.

In the slightly narrow courtyard, Zhang Siyuan stood all the time.

Even though he was worried, he couldn't eavesdrop on what Zhen Xian and Hu Jingcheng were saying in the room, so he could only keep staring at the corner of the yard in rapt attention.

Beside the fence in the corner, the stooped coachman has been feeding the cattle that pull the cart.

The cow seemed a little restless, humming, and seemed unwilling to eat well.

Zhang Siyuan looked at it absent-mindedly for a while, and suddenly he was so shocked that he almost fell to the ground, and ran up in three steps at a time.

Almost at the same time, Zhen Xian pushed open the door of the main house, walked out of the house with Hu Jingcheng one after the other, and walked quickly towards the driver in the corner.

The coachman who was suddenly surrounded was stunned for a moment, and straightened his hump-like back.

"Where did I go wrong?" He tore off all the stickers on his face and back, gradually revealing the original outline of his face with unbelievable confusion.

Zhen Xian stood one step behind Hu and Zhang, with a helpless expression of "I've persuaded you, you must not be able to do it", and held his forehead.

Compared to Hu Jingcheng, who had been relatively calm for a long time, Zhang Siyuan could hardly laugh or cry. No matter how calm and stable a person who has seen the world, he almost couldn't stand on his feet. He could only hold the fence next to him with one hand, and tried hard to control the collapsed expression on his face. .

"...Your Highness probably fed the cows for the first time."