Force a good concubine

Although he has not yet been in charge of the government, and the court affairs are co-organized by Luan Yisi and the cabinet, the emperor is the emperor after all. The daily approval of Luan Yisi and the cabinet is still in accordance with the old emperor's old practice. Afterwards, it was sent back to the cabinet, and the staff of Zhongshushe copied and archived the drafted decree, and then invited the imperial treasure from the Shangbao Bureau to seal it and distribute it to the world.

Yujiwanfang, no matter how peaceful the world is, there are endless things to do, and when the autumn flood season is approaching, the emperor has been out of the palace for a day, and the memorials on the case have accumulated several feet. She hastily stopped writing when she saw Xushi at noon. After eating, he put down his chopsticks to wash his hands and mouth, and sat back cross-legged in front of the royal case without moving. Cui Chengxiu brought in some tea and saw that the emperor was frowning at the memorial. , Young master must take a break from writing after eating, firstly to rest your mind, and secondly to dissipate and relieve fatigue, so as to save time and exhaust your body."

The emperor ignored it, frowned and pondered for a while, then suddenly said: "Who is the cabinet minister on duty today? Where is Luan Yisi?"

Cui Chengxiu's heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at the female officer in charge of the case, who answered fluently: "Mr. Zheng is in the Luan Ceremony Division, and Master Wu of the Ministry of Punishment and Master Qin of Yushitai are in the Cabinet."

"I'm looking for them." The emperor put the two copies together on the memorial box, and motioned for the female officer to put the box out, "Send these two copies to the adults to look at together, and also share the records of the two sides of the Hongjiang River over the years." Check the weather and rain meter, and teach them to discuss it, I will wait in the Hall of Qinghe."

Because they wanted to assist the emperor in studying government affairs, the female officials of Luan Yisi and cabinet ministers had always explained clearly to the emperor the scripts that the emperor could not understand or were dissatisfied with. The emperor was the most unwilling to be sloppy in government affairs. Immediately recruited people to ask for advice, so there are people on duty at the two places every day, in case the emperor asks.

Today's government affairs seem to be very difficult and complicated. Several adults accompanied the emperor, explaining and arguing with each other until the third watch. The servants were not allowed to listen to the political discussions. Cui Chengxiu stayed at the gate of the palace until dawn. A few cups of tea, a round of supper, and only a few scratches and half claws - it is strictly forbidden to go wrong in front of the imperial court, and no one dares to watch, listen, or ask more questions, but it can't help the people who are interested in guessing over time. Zheng Tingji, the impeached Governor of Water Transport, added to his bad luck.

The weather in the past few years has not been good. Relying on the abundance of the national treasury and showing compassion for the common people, the imperial court issued an order three years ago to exempt taxes on both sides of the Hongjiang River for three years, and spent a lot of money to order the water transport office to rectify the river affairs. Tuo Feiren, the governor of water transportation is extremely ineffective. Not to mention being impeached by the imperial censor who went on tour in Beijing for corruption and dereliction of duty, he even had the audacity to kill and kill the water bandits. The censor of Beijing.However, although the evidence for this matter is conclusive, it has a lot of implications, and Yisi Luan and the cabinet have some disputes over how to investigate and deal with it. Because the emperor has gradually raised his own opinions in recent years, he is quite decisive, and he simply drafted both opinions to the imperial court. Lan, sure enough, the emperor recruited people to discuss matters in front of the imperial court that day, and when everyone explained the ins and outs of the matter clearly, he said: "It is really rare to act so arrogantly, I don't think it will take until August, and now I will investigate hard! At first I also feel that it is not too late to mobilize the crowd first, and it will not be too late to do it after the autumn flood, but now it seems that the water transport yamen and the water camp are actually colluding! They are like tigers and wolves, and they may not care about Xiaomin's life and death. If they change immediately If someone goes to investigate the river affairs, maybe we can make up for it.”

The emperor has always been cautious in his words and deeds, and he has never been in charge of the government. He seldom made long speeches to his courtiers on weekdays. Today, it is obviously outrageous. Luanyisi and Yushitai advocated an immediate investigation, and they are very pleased. Zuodu Yushi Qin Xiangdao: " The Yushitai has ordered the inspectors of the prefectures and the county magistrate along the river to immediately check all the embankments, now that Zheng Tingji is in prison, and the hurdles have been removed, I am afraid it will be easier to investigate."

"This case involves a lot of connections, and all the errands must be separated first." Zheng Jia, the director of Luanyi, said, "Investigate corruption in water affairs, rectify water camps, inspect river embankments, and assign a few people to each. They will go to three stations together, so as to avoid the fall of the autumn flood.”

"There is one more thing," said Wu Jiangdao, Minister of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, "there have always been some talented candidates who took the exam and sent their sons to Beijing by water boat, and some of them were born in Cao people. It will take a lot of time to produce evidence in court, are these people exempted from arraignment as usual?"

"Unavoidable." The emperor said coldly, "I know what's wrong with juzi nowadays. Many people come to Beijing early, not to study quietly, but to do some business. I heard that some people use official ships to transport private gifts in order to save a few taels of tax. When entering Beijing, I am afraid that some people who took the tank boat did not want to save money, but also had such thoughts. Such people, no matter how talented they are, what use will they be in the court in the future? If the candidates for this exam are implicated Yes, as long as the truth is found out, there will be no forgiveness—the sooner it is found out, the court may save some money!"

"This is indeed the case in the world," Qin Xiang, the censor of Zuo Du, lifted his beard and smiled, "If it is as His Majesty said, the ministers and subordinates will be less busy in the future."

"There is one more thing." Everyone saluted and wanted to retreat, but the emperor suddenly stopped, "I know that there is still a level of taboo in this case, and it is not easy for you to say it out loud. The crime is aggravated—even if the national law spares them, the ancestors' family law cannot spare them!"

This sentence hits the nail on the head.The emperor was originally the daughter of Prince Gong. She was adopted by the late emperor in the palace since she was born. At the age of five, she was established as the grandson of the emperor. Prince Gong wrote a letter to ask for a tour, and the family moved to Yunzhou to live in seclusion. The officials usually did not see each other. The eldest son of a concubine was left behind to salute at the court during the New Year and festivals in Beijing, and he would not leave the palace even if he was idle.Without serious masters, there are villains who are rampant.Concubine Gong Zheng is the eldest sister of Zheng Tingji. In the past, the empress dowager and the emperor treated the Zheng family very well, and the emperor was about to take over the government. After thinking about it, some of the courtiers felt a little disturbed. Now that the emperor has spoken clearly, everyone is relieved , Go back and assign people to do things with peace of mind.

The courtiers were relieved, but the emperor became a little depressed, and he couldn't fall asleep after returning to the palace, so he simply got up to study again.Seeing that the fifth watch was coming to an end, and the emperor didn't close his eyes all night, Cui Chengxiu went out of the palace to the imperial dining room, and when he came back, he led the eunuch serving the dining room to deliver soothing soup to the desk: "The old lady has a decree, and I want to worship the Buddha in the morning, young master There is no need to wait on him. The adults will not come here today, I have stayed up all night and drank calming soup to rest."

The emperor was feeling depressed, put down the book and gave him a cold look: "Are you going to talk to the empress?"

"How dare you slave?" Cui Chengxiu hurriedly knelt down to argue, "The slave went to the imperial dining room to supervise the Anshen soup, and just happened to meet Cui Xi in Renshou Palace to take the old lady's ginseng soup, and then the old lady sent a message—Master Mingjian!" Seeing the emperor nodded, he picked up the book again. In a hurry, he came up with an idea that was not his idea. He first signaled all the eunuchs and maids to retreat, stepped forward and said in a low voice: "Your servant heard something from Sun Dexiu." , His Royal Highness King Sui and His Royal Highness King Yu seem to be at odds."

"King Yu is making trouble again?" King Yu is a well-known dandy in the clan. Although he doesn't provoke big things, he always keeps making small things. The emperor never likes it. Sure enough, he frowned when he heard the words, "Why this time?"

"It's not a direct confrontation," Cui Chengxiu said, "His Highness King Yu recently heard a Taoist priest in Chongyun Temple talk about Fengshui well. He wanted to build another courtyard to worship, and bought courtyards everywhere in Beijing. He originally took a fancy to a family. , also negotiated the price, but the family rented the house to the foreign scholars who came to take the exam, and the people who were greedy for Yuwang's mansion paid a high price, and broke the contract and insisted that those people move out. The little lady and the others, Sun Dexiu, who was ordered by His Highness King Sui to post, happened to meet and argued with each other for a few words. Later, His Highness Sui Wang and His Royal Highness Yu Wang mentioned it and gave a few words of persuasion. His Majesty knows His Royal Highness Yu's temper , the most unreasonable to defend their own shortcomings, and broke up on the spot."

"As long as it's not a force to buy and sell to harm the people, let him go." The emperor said, "Where is Feng Shui so good? First they lived there, and King Yu later took a fancy to it?"

"My servant heard from Sun Dexiu that the place is not good. It is outside Xuanwu Gate. It is spacious and cheap, and it is also close to Chongyun Temple. His Royal Highness Yu Wang doesn't have much money, and the housekeeper, Princess Yu, can't be deceived. I heard that the people in Yu Wang's mansion I was also full of grievances, saying that I was originally ordered to find a place to perfunctory, but I didn't find any convenient places in Beijing. In such a remote place, the owner of the house is a famous rogue and settled down. How could I expect there to be exam candidates? Where are you going?" Seeing that the emperor's eyes were still fixed on the book, he didn't scold himself for making noise, so he continued to babble, "My servant heard from Sun Dexiu that Miss Gu is so good at learning, and the place she lives in is really shabby. It is tight, there are only two old beds, a broken table, and a painted chair at the end of the room. There is nothing more, and the luggage is thin. The whole thing is nothing more than a bamboo bookcase, which is light in the hand. The landlord At first, Sun Dexiu wanted to stand out, but then he thought, if such a money-greedy landlord, if he wanted to take revenge in the future, wouldn't he harm the little ladies? He wanted to simply ask the little ladies to live in Baoguo Temple, but It was convenient to chat with His Royal Highness Sui Wang about the paper, but a few young ladies declined politely, and finally agreed to live in Cishou Temple temporarily, and move when they find a place to stay. Nowadays, the exam candidates in Beijing are full, and it is hard to find a place. I heard I have been running around for a few days and still have no clue."

The emperor pursed his lips, put down the book suddenly, and said, "You've been bothering me with so much chatter." He took a sip of the calming soup, and said, "Get ready, I'll go out of the palace in the afternoon."

Cui Chengxiu was overjoyed, she kowtowed her head in response, and clapped her hands lightly at the gate of the hall. Several female officials waiting at the gate filed in to wait for the emperor to change clothes and rest. Take a break" gesture.

Cui Chengxiu didn't dare to stay away, so she went into the guard's room, ordered Cui Sanshun a few words, slept on the couch for nearly two hours, got up and tidied herself up, and saw Siyi Nushi coming out with a crown and a box, serving the eunuch Waiting at the bottom of the steps, knowing that the emperor had finished grooming, he had just announced lunch, and tidied up his clothes for a while. Sure enough, the emperor asked him to enter the palace after eating, "Are you ready?"

"Yes." Seeing that the emperor had changed into casual clothes, Cui Chengxiu said happily, "Your Majesty is going out, do you want to inform His Highness King Sui? Or should someone go to Cishou Temple to make arrangements first?"

The emperor shook his head unexpectedly: "No need. Invite Xu Huan to come with me to Baoguo Temple. You scout the place together with him. The temple and the temple are properly settled. After a few days, I will leave the palace after serving my mother. I must let her old man agree. "

Cui Chengxiu was surprised at first, and then suddenly realized after leaving the palace: Cishou Temple and Baoguo Temple are only separated by a wall. The emperor just went to look for the little lady after finishing his serious business!Unexpectedly, the emperor seemed to think that his true ambition was not here, so he went to Baoguo Temple to burn incense, and chatted with the abbot about the past between Emperor Xian and Emperor Ai. After waiting, seeing that the emperor really didn't intend to get up, he went out with Xu Huan in dismay, wondering as he walked: Could it be that I made a wrong bet? "

The emperor and the abbot discussed tea art again, got up and left the guest room.Cui Sanshun followed the emperor, saw the emperor walking towards the backyard non-stop, stopped for a while, and then walked towards the low wall to the west, his muscles and bones weakened from fright, he took a few steps ahead, stopped in front of the emperor and kowtowed: "Eleventh Ladies, if you want to go to Cishou Temple, you can go out from the west corner gate, why do you need to take such risks?"

The emperor ignored him, looked at the low wall in front of him for a while, took off his fan and threw it to Cui Sanshun, and tucked the corner of his robe in his belt.

"Little—Eleventh Lady," Cui Sanshun panicked, "The old lady and the master know about it, and they want to skin the little one."

"Whisper! I will go quietly with you, sit with them and come back without anyone noticing." The emperor turned his face and glanced at him, "If you want to talk too much, you don't have to wait for someone to pick your skin. Want your head."

This is a blatant threat.Cui Sanshun lay down on the ground with a mournful face and begged for mercy in a low voice: "Young master, even ten heads can't bear it. Please be sympathetic to me, at the west corner gate——"

The emperor sneered slightly: "I go out through the west corner gate, and everyone who should know will know without you having to speak."

Seeing Cui Sanshun, he was even more panicked, stopped his loyal speeches, and said: "This is not a crime, but just trying to please me—are you waiting here, or going over with me?"

Cui Sanshun was overwhelmed, stared at the low wall with his face up and estimated, got up from the ground, and said to the emperor: "I'm afraid, let's explore the way first." He moved a stone from the corner of the courtyard, stepped on it, Shi Shi looked into the low wall, supported the wall with his hands, and jumped onto the top of the wall because the wall was not very high, so he jumped down. , the nunnery was very quiet, and the sound of landing could be heard far away, Cui Sanshun looked around, seeing no one coming, secretly said to luck, and said to the other side: "There is no one here, the little one is waiting here."

As soon as he finished speaking, the emperor had grown up on the wall and jumped down, but before he could stand still, the three of Gu Yuan had already walked around the nunnery with a bamboo pole and appeared in front of them.

"Hehe, how are the ladies? This—" Seeing Xu Xi who was at the front widen his eyes in amazement, Cui Sanshun laughed dryly and was still scratching his stomach. The emperor had already turned his face and scolded him, "My fan Can you find it? Haven’t gone back for so long, are you lazy here!”

"How dare the little one be lazy? It's just that the little one is extremely stupid, and his eyesight is not good. He searched for a long time on the ground, but he didn't succeed and hung it by the tree." Cui Sanshun suddenly realized and presented the fans in his hand together. The emperor, I admire him all the way in my heart, or the master always talks about my young master's wisdom on weekdays, and his thoughts are three points thinner than ordinary people, even if he climbs over a wall, he can prepare an excuse first!