Jia Zheng through the Red Mansions

Xuezheng?Jia Zheng was taken aback for a moment. The new Xuezheng went to the prefect's yamen instead of the mansion after entering Suzhou City. What does this mean?

Jia Zheng didn't have time to think about it, so he hurried to the inner hall to change into the prefect's official robe, and then went to the door to greet him in person. He secretly impeached one of the governors. Jia Zheng, as the magistrate at this time, asked Xuezheng to give a salute to his subordinates.

Naturally, Jia Qiang's identity was not allowed to go out, so she temporarily avoided in the mansion. Jia Zheng trotted all the way to the door, only to see Xuezheng's sedan chair standing firmly at the main entrance of the mansion, and the bearers were all official servants. Standing at the door of the sedan chair was a tall man with a long knife pinned to his waist, with sword eyebrows and tiger eyes, he did not look like a Han Chinese.

Jia Zheng felt that this person looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before. Seeing the main door of the mansion open, Jia Zheng came out wearing the magistrate's official robe, said something softly to the sedan chair, and went to the sedan chair. The curtain was lifted, and the man came out with the help of the person in the sedan chair. Jia Zheng suddenly realized that the new Jiangsu Xuezheng in the sedan chair was Song Zhu, a scholar of the Wenhua Palace in the capital, and the young man was him. squire Barbu.

When Jia Zheng used to work in the Imperial Academy, one of his immediate superiors was the great scholar Song Zhu, and the two of them could be regarded as colleagues. Therefore, when Jia Zheng came forward to greet him, Song Zhu, who was always very serious, was given to Jia Zheng very rarely. a smile.

Jia Zheng welcomed Song Zhu into the magistrate's mansion, went to the main hall, and ordered the servant girl to prepare tea, and the two sat down in order of priority, Jia Zheng then asked: "It was a tiring journey, so I should have visited first."

Song Zhu glanced at Jia Zheng and said, "You and I can be regarded as colleagues, so you don't have to be so reserved, just call us 'you and me'."

Jia Zheng didn't refuse, and he accepted with a smile. He knew that Songzhu was a Manchu, and he was no more particular about these things than some Han Confucians. Walking in the study, so both father and son have a close relationship with Song Zhu, and the entertainment is inevitable. Now he has figured it out, the word entertainment is just four words, and it can be used as it is. good.

Song Zhu and Jia Zheng chatted for a while, and Jia Zhu was mentioned again. Song Zhu's eyes became a little more appreciative: "He is a good boy. I think the future is limitless, but it's a pity..." Song Zhu At this point, Zhu took a deep look at Jia Zheng, and turned the following words into a sigh.

Jia Zheng smiled wryly, but his heart became secretly nervous. Since ancient times, father and son have been officials in the same dynasty. I am afraid that it is rare for a son to have a higher official position than his father, and it is even rarer in this dynasty. Apparently he was saying that although his current official position is more than the top and the bottom is more than the bottom, it really delayed Jia Zhu's future. However, Jia Zheng was puzzled that although he and Song Zhu were both in the Imperial Academy , but the friendship is really a casual acquaintance, why did Song Zhu say such thought-provoking words to himself today?Jia Zheng knew very well in his heart that Song Zhu, who can be a first-class Wenhua Pavilion scholar, would never be able to confide in his casual acquaintance, so there is only one possibility, he is throwing the bait, trying to catch something .

Jia Zheng thought in his heart, but said in his mouth: "You also said that he is still a child. Who can say clearly what will happen in the future? If he is not in his position, he will not seek his own politics. Now I only want to manage Suzhou clearly. , it is enough to live up to the trust of the Holy Majesty."

After hearing this, Song Zhu laughed and said: "This is reasonable, so I have to ask about one thing. As soon as my sedan chair entered the city, an old woman stopped the sedan chair in the street, shouting for injustice, saying that today's In Confucianism, there are people in Confucianism who falsely framed his grandson."

As soon as Jia Zheng heard Xu Sheng, his face immediately changed, and his expression became serious. Looking at Song Zhu, Jia Zheng couldn't figure out what he meant, so he called Xu Sheng's grievance. The matter was briefly explained, and then he said: "Mr. Xuezheng was supposed to be in charge of this matter, but at that time, Mr. Xuezheng was still on the way, so he had to go beyond the rules." After talking about business, Jia Zheng took back the small talk just now. time title.

Song Zhu nodded and said: "It's not necessarily true. Let us have a joint trial of this case. Since the plaintiff and the defendant have been cleared up, why not try it as soon as possible, and then I can arrange a trial."

Jia Zheng smiled wryly in his heart. Song Zhu's arrival completely disrupted his original rhythm, but it was fine, Song Zhu stepped forward to face Jin Lingshan, but since the Zhen family also had close ties with the royal family , then he really needs to find out whether the Zhen family has any relationship with Song Zhu, lest his preparations fall short.

Thinking of this, Jia Zheng made up his mind to try his best not to speak when trying the case later, and pondered Song Zhu's meaning from the sidelines, so that he could have a bottom line in his heart.

After the two sat in the hall, Song Zhu sat in the main seat, Jia Zheng took the side seat, Xu Sheng, Jin Lingshan, and Chen Baolin were all brought up to the hall, and all three of them saw the strangeness in the hall. There was a flash of hope and surprise, and Jin Lingshan's initial impatience and arrogance also subsided a lot after seeing another person sitting upright. Chen Baolin shivered, obviously a little frightened.

Jia Zheng saw the expressions of the three of them in his eyes, and then glanced at Song Zhu, seeing that his face was sinking like water, and he was also looking at the three people at the bottom. Obviously, the thing he put on Xu Sheng His gaze was much more than that of the other two.

Jia Zheng withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the three people below, and said, "This is the new Master Xuezheng. The three of you are all students of Confucianism, so you should be called teachers."

Xu Sheng opened his mouth first, calling himself a student, and his tone was very excited. The other two also came to their senses and spoke quickly. When the official entered the city today, Xu Sheng's grandmother stopped the sedan chair and cried in the street, claiming that there was nothing wrong with it, what do you say?"

Chen Baolin was the most terrified at this time. His father was a small local merchant in Suzhou, and his family relied on the Jin family. After he helped Jinling Mountain, the Jin family promised the original benefits. At first, he was very proud Yes, but after a long time, I became a little afraid, Xu Sheng's reputation is too great, I should have persuaded Young Master Jin to pick a soft persimmon!But now that things have reached such a point, Chen Baolin thought, with the power of the Jin family, even in the current battle, Jinling Mountain might not be able to deal with it. At that time, he might be the best candidate to take the blame!

Gritting his teeth, what Chen Baolin thought in his heart was that if he took the scapegoat, he would completely miss his official career, but the benefits are also obvious, the Jin family will never lose his favor, and there will be even greater benefits in the future!

However, Chen Baolin still had some thoughts in his heart at this time, maybe this matter is not so bad, so after hearing Song Zhu's words, he insisted that he had not framed him, and said with an aggrieved face: "Mr. Mingjian, this witness is How can Xu Sheng's grandmother and immediate relatives be witnesses, the students are really wronged!"

Xu Sheng was so angry that his face flushed red, but in the lobby he didn't dare to answer without asking, and just stared at Chen Baolin bitterly.

Song Zhu sneered, took out something from his cuff, and asked the yamen servant to take it to the hall: "Take a look at what this is?"

The eyes of the three of them were fixed on the hand of the yamen servant, and they saw that it was a piece of white silk cloth with a joint guarantee letter on it. Xu Sheng's eye circles were a little moist immediately. The joint names of others, some of whom were illiterate, put their handprints on it. Xu Sheng knew in his heart that these neighbors were protecting themselves at the risk of revenge from the Zhen family and the Jin family.

When Chen Baolin saw this, his heart became more and more guilty, he lowered his head and remained silent, his eyeballs rolled around, thinking about how to excuse himself.

Song Zhu was even more displeased when he saw his appearance, and shouted in a deep voice: "What else do you have to say? I have never ordered this official to execute a sentence! Come here!"

As soon as Chen Baolin heard the word "execution", his calf twisted, and he immediately kowtowed and shouted, "I'll do it all!"

Jin Lingshan's eyes were rounded, and he turned his head to look at Chen Baolin. As soon as Chen Baolin saw it, he immediately spit out all the words he had just thought about in the worst case. He didn't know Sheng's talent, so he slandered him, and he was afraid that he would be retaliated afterwards, so he dragged Jin Lingshan into the water.

Jin Lingshan originally thought that Chen Baolin was going to sell himself, and was annoyed in his heart. Hearing Chen Baolin's words, he quickly said: "Yes, yes, I don't know anything, he did it!"

Looking at the bustling scene below, Jia Zheng looked at Song Zhu's increasingly dark expression, and he had a clue in his heart. It seemed that Song Zhu didn't want to give face to the Zhen family and the Jin family.

Sure enough, as soon as the words between Jin Lingshan and Chen Baolin fell, Song Zhu ordered Chen Baolin to be put in prison, and then said to Jin Lingshan, "Since you claim that your name is justified, it's easy to handle. The annual examination will be held in a month's time." , if you hand in the paper at that time, you will know whether you have been wronged!"

After a trial, Chen Baolin's false accusation was confirmed, and he was stripped of his qualifications. After the interrogation, he will be interrogated, and he will be sent back home for the time being. However, in order to prevent him from escaping, Song Zhu sent two guards he brought to guard the Jin family.

Song Zhu's shameless behavior really angered the Zhen family and the Jin family, but Song Zhu is different from Jia Zheng. When he got to the position of a bachelor, the Zhen family wanted to challenge him, so they really had to weigh their weight.

Jia Zheng now understood that Song Zhu had nothing to do with the Zhen family, so there was only one question left in Jia Zheng's mind. This Song Zhu was apparently studying politics, but all officials knew it. Fang Xuezheng is equivalent to an invisible imperial envoy. After all, Songzhu came to Suzhou only to select students for the provincial examination, or did Kangxi have other intentions.

To be more specific, did he point the finger at the Jin family, which is inextricably linked to the Zhen family, as soon as he entered the city, was it really because of the old woman who blocked the sedan chair and the joint bond, or was he Just locked the target on the Zhen family?Among them, did Kangxi do anything in it? If it was really Kangxi's intention, then what is Kangxi's attitude towards the Zhen family? This is what Jia Zheng must figure out.

However, Song Zhu brought his cronies here, a dozen Manchurian warriors are like iron walls, and he has only a few people on hand. Jia Min's two and Jia Qiang are absolutely trustworthy. The master's attitude is ambiguous and needs to be observed again Fan, but even he can be trusted, so he went to check Songzhu based on these four people?Isn't it obvious that the egg hits the stone?But he had to do something... Just when Jia Zheng was in a dilemma, Jia Zhu's reply cleared the clouds for him.

Yu Jin, the former prefect of Suzhou, a first-class Jinshi in the 31st year of Kangxi, Wai Lang, a member of the Ministry of Rites in 45, and the right servant of the Ministry of Rites in 48... These resumes seem ordinary, but if you look at it with Jia Zhu's words later, you can see something Here comes the unusual taste, Jia Zhu is much more sensitive than Jia Zheng, he knows who was appointed to study politics in Suzhou, so although Jia Zheng didn't explain it, he has already attached Song Zhu's life to it In the 48th year of Kangxi, Song Zhu happened to be the Minister of Rites, and Jia Zhu wrote a sentence here: personal friendship is very deep.

The other aspects mentioned by Jia Zhu in the letter also made Jia Zheng feel confident. After returning to Jing Kangxi, he just reprimanded him and ordered another official position. Although he was demoted by two ranks, it was already I am very honored and favored, and one of the great conveniences of Jia Zhu walking in the South Study Room is that he can have the opportunity to see the memorials. He told his father here that the number of documents impeaching Jiangnan weaving by the censor of Jiangnan Dao is really quite a lot. Very angry.

Based on these, Jia Zheng pondered in his heart that behind Song Zhu's status as a student and political officer, he might also be serving as an imperial envoy part-time. The Zhen family's waist is even harder, but it is really a good helper who fell from the sky.

Thinking of this, Jia Zheng began to calculate the available space for Mr. Songzhu. He raised his hand and lit the letter paper on the candle, watching it all turn into ashes. The letter mentioned that the person who came to deliver the letter was his confidant, who was quite skilled, and asked him to stay to help him.

When he felt that his hands were full of frail scholars, a martial artist suddenly came, and Jia Zheng's heart became brighter in an instant, and he handed Zhao Ning to Lin Yin to take him down for resettlement. Jia Zheng called Jia Qiang out and arranged for him to do it. Regarding a few things, Jia Qiang nodded understandingly: "Second Grandpa, don't worry, Qiang'er will take care of things properly. You can wait for the good news."

Jia Zheng watched Jia Qiang leave, thinking in his heart, this move of the Zhen family should be buried first, after that, it is time to clean up the moths in the government office, this master, can be used to test those pawns good candidate.

Behind these pawns are all big tax evaders. As long as they can be held in their hands, are they afraid that the tax part will not be filled?What's more, Jia Zheng's eyes rarely flashed a cold light. When the predecessor was in office, he was dismissed because he refused to squeeze the people. , I am afraid that they all use the same method, listing tax payments in every possible way. Indeed, there is nothing wrong with doing business to make profits, but the people are so innocent that they want to become their scapegoats for tax evasion!

Well, now is also the time for them to do something for the common people. Well, the Yoying Hall will be established, and the Puji Hall will also be established. It made them bleed profusely, and they were all fat and oily. It was for their own good to squeeze out more. Jia Zheng rolled his eyes and let out a sigh of relief.

Finally, the tense mood was relieved for a moment. Jia Zheng's eyes fell on the ashes on the ground, and there was a flash of struggle in his eyes. Jie Ye was completely burnt, but every time I picked it up, the scene with Hongxi before would flash in my heart, and then I couldn't do it.

He could only polish off the handwriting on it, and then comforted himself by saying that it was just an ordinary decoration and had no special meaning, but every time he said this to himself, he knew it was self-deception.

He sometimes wonders if he is a bitch, and he has been rejected so simply, but he can't help but miss him, wondering if he has calmed down and started to regret it, thinking about the weather in the capital now It's getting colder and colder. Will he get sick?

The more he was like this, the more he spurned himself, but after he spurned, he finally discovered that before he knew it, he was already so important in his heart.

He gave himself an ultimatum in his heart. After the matter in Suzhou was resolved and he returned to Beijing, the two of them should have sorted out their moods at that time, and they had to have a good talk face to face no matter what. Whatever the final result, he can accept it calmly, it's better than it is now.