Emperor Que Shaohua

Two days later, Emperor Tianyi decreed that King Ning's Household Department inspect and clear up Tianyi's money, food, taxes and expenditures since 18 years ago, check the imaginary deficit, act cheaply, and give the imperial order a gold medal.At the same time, a decree was issued that the Ministry of Industry would appoint Zhong Lin to serve for three years, be loyal and diligent, and be promoted to be the Minister of the Household Department of the fourth rank, and he will take office within five days.Since the Shao'an tax was discussed in the imperial court, Zhong Lin insisted that the Ministry of Household Affairs need to report more clearly and detailedly the money and grain expenses over the years, and King Ning also spoke out against increasing the tax.

After the two decrees were made, everyone could see the holy intention, so the Shaoan tax has completely stopped. Instead, it is the Ministry of Households, the responsibility for the deficit of the granary, and the investigation by King Ning. It can be said that misfortunes never come singly.

In addition, Luo Pingyuan received another imperial decree on the same day, which was to award one hundred gold ingots and two hundred silver ingots to the inner treasury.The Jingyu Guard defeated the Pinwu Hall outside the Yumen Pass a few days ago, and the guard also received a reward. Except for Yu Chiyan and other cavalry guards who went to the northern border to protect food, they would discuss their merits individually. Received silver rewards, even ordinary sergeants each received five taels of silver.So everyone was elated.The amount of silver is second to none, and it is very face-saving to be rewarded by the emperor.

But Luo Pingyuan was not very happy in his heart. After returning to the mansion, he stayed at Lancang Residence for the past two days to accompany the sick King Jing.King Jing was a little dumbfounded at this time, because he also received a reward, which was the imperial chariot and horse that sent him into the palace on July [-]th. I am very relieved.

This kind of bestowment is very popular, and it can be explained in any way, such as guessing how much he cares about his family and country, or just the emperor pity him for his frailty and sickness, as if it represents a different kind of honor, although no matter whether it is this cool car itself Whether it's the protection that is shown outside, he actually doesn't want it.Thinking of how he would feel and react if Mu Shaoqing found out, he just wanted to smile wryly.

Emperor Tianyi will not give him what he really needs, whether it is Zhaoxue who has been wronged, the exposure of the real murderer, or the antidote for Bihai Chengxin.

For the past two days, he has been thinking about Luo Pingyuan being sent to the Ministry of Household Affairs. This is the beginning of getting involved in government affairs.Emperor Tianyi was obviously dissatisfied with the six departments under the control of the crown prince. No matter how much determination to rectify and how long it lasted, at least for now, the emperor has decided to use Luo Pingyuan's youth and vigor to break the situation.King Jing always felt that Luo Pingyuan's disposition was more calm and restrained than showing his sharpness, and he should be allowed to accumulate thick and thin, instead of just blindly unsheathing his sword and pointing his sword in all directions, which would only waste him Talented and beautiful.Then the director of the household registration department needs to help the younger brother to grasp the propriety.Officialdom is more dangerous than Jianghu, and officials who have experienced accidents are far more difficult to deal with than Jing Yuwei. I believe that after this experience, King Ning will get the support of some good officials in the court and experience in governing the country.

While thinking about it, Yang Yue sent Zhang Chengjue who issued the decree and a group of servants out of the mansion.King Jing watched the leaving figure disappear behind the hill in the distance, and was about to turn around when someone held his arm: "Brother Emperor, it's windy outside, let's go back to the room to rest."

"I'm much better now." King Jing smiled faintly, Luo Pingyuan always tried his best to stay in Lancangju, it seemed that the surprise attack on the night of the full moon really worried him.

He thought about it and said: "I'm tired from lying down, how about Ping Yuan walking with me?"

His fever has subsided, but his face is still lacking in color. Fortunately, his spirit has recovered a lot.Luo Pingyuan didn't want to displease the emperor's brother, so the two walked slowly on the bluestone path.

The Imperial Palace sent guards from the Sun Palace to examine the corpses of the assassins. There were 23 of them, six of them were from the Western Regions. It can be seen from the fatal wounds of the guards in the palace that nine of them died under King Ning's sword, and the rest were from the Western Regions. Killed by the hidden guards in the mansion.Prince Jing didn't let them see all of them, but ordered the other [-] corpses to be disposed of quietly in advance. He didn't need Emperor Tianyi to see the strength of Prince Jing's mansion too clearly, but he couldn't let the palace underestimate too much.

Now the garden has been cleaned up, as if that bloody night never happened.Luo Pingyuan dispatched more than a dozen Jingyu guards to patrol and guard around Prince Jing's mansion temporarily. His four personal guards were left behind when they returned to Luo City, but they also came back last night with Chu Huan and others. , so King Ning did not send more subordinates into the mansion, so as not to be inconvenient if there were too many people.

The beginning of autumn has passed. Although the sun is still scorching during the day, the air no longer has the steamy stuffiness of the hot summer. The trees in the back garden are cool with shade, and the water lilies have already passed their flowering period.When King Jing cast his eyes on the lush forest, his expression became more sad. Two Xuanshuang secret guards were killed in that area the day before yesterday, and one of them was Zeng Hao who recognized the hidden stake in the East Palace. I remember that he was a careful young man with agility and agility. When he saw him, his expression was always a little shy in respect.He silently lowered his eyes.

Luo Pingyuan noticed that his mood was low. For some reason, Brother Huang's behavior made him feel more at ease. At least he showed his true emotions in front of him, instead of being calm as if there would never be another wave.

He then talked about what he had seen and heard in the area after leaving Beijing, and described the furnishings of the Liu family's mansion. They were all trivial topics, intending to divert attention, and said: "Brother Emperor, although the picture of fast snow and sunshine is only a copy. , I saw that the brushwork was fine, and I thought it would be appropriate to hang it in your study, so I took it back." Jing Yuwei had already brought the calligraphy, painting and medicinal materials he wanted back to the mansion, and he chose a few to give to the emperor brother .

King Jing couldn't help but smile when he thought of the extra scrolls in the study. Once upon a time, the original work of Kuaixue Shiqing's stickers hung in his study in Changning Palace, and now he doesn't know where it has gone.When Luo Pingyuan got something interesting when he was a child, he would always eagerly show it to himself, wanting to be praised, even though times have changed, this feeling still makes him feel warm.

The two of them didn't talk much in the past few days, mainly because they were not in good spirits. At this time, they were walking to the edge of the water, and he sat down on a big rock in the shade: "Ping Yuan, have you ever thought about why the father wants to talk to you?" Send you to the Ministry of Accounts?"

Luo Pingyuan didn't expect him to raise this serious question suddenly, pulled his mind back from leisure, and thought for a while before saying: "The household department first wanted to increase the tax, and then was found to have falsely reported the grain in the warehouse. tax revenues and deficits.”

"That's true, but it's more than that." Jing Wang said, "In recent years, except for the Ministry of War, most of the affairs of the six ministries have been handled by the prince, and King An also helps from time to time. , Luo Junping is also impetuous and interested in profit. Over the past few years, the officials of the six ministries have been corrupt and colluded, and there have been many evils. Although the father did not explicitly say that he was dissatisfied with the prince, from last year to this year, he reprimanded King An many times to prevent him from doing it again. Intervening in the six departments shows his attitude. If I read correctly, checking the household department may be just the beginning."

In Luo Pingyuan's mind, he thought of the resentment sometimes shown by King An, and the various situations he had seen in the court over the past few months. In view of this scandal, Prince Yu really didn't want to be slapped in public, and he couldn't fight back, so he sent an assassin in anger?

"Then according to the emperor's opinion, what purpose does the emperor want to achieve by checking the household department?" He asked thoughtfully, "I only think that the northern border is still fighting, and if we want to clean up the six departments, I'm afraid there will be too many changes."

"That's true," King Jing said, "I think that Father was supposed to look at the battle situation in Shao'an before making a decision, but when the matter of Qian Shilang came out, he couldn't bear it, so he wanted to use this opportunity to start from the household department." , Tap six parts."

As he spoke, he casually picked up a small stone and threw it into the pool, watching the ripples ripple on the water: "Money, food and taxes are the foundation of the country. Manpower is required for everything from fighting in the north, controlling floods, and dredging rivers." Material resources have to be raised for the salaries of hundreds of officials, so even if the treasury cannot be filled immediately, some problems can be solved, and then the government will be cleaned up, and the corrupt officials who do not do anything will be removed and replaced by people who do practical things. Only the decrees issued can be carried out smoothly in Yu and Zhou." Further clearing up the land, reforming taxes, and curbing the mad merger of the gentry, each of which is destined to be full of difficulties, but if you want to govern the country well, it is a must. road.Governing a big country is like cooking small fish, how can it be so easy to be the master of ZTE.

Luo Pingyuan has been thinking hard for the past two days since he met the saint. If he wants to check the household department in detail, he has a lot of things to say. Get in the way, or intercede.

He pondered for a while. Emperor Tianyi wanted to purge the six ministries, but how far he could go and whether he could persist was closely related to the war in the northern border.The best way is to be careful and practical inside, but don't have to be aggressive when you act.

He said: "Father has transferred Zhong Lin and others to the Ministry of Accounts, just to cooperate with me in the investigation. I will go there first to arrange the subordinates who are handling the matter, sort out the clues, and then proceed item by item. The emperor thinks that the investigation begins with the verification of the treasury. How about starting with granaries everywhere?"

King Jing smiled slightly. These two items were time-consuming and labor-intensive, and they would not cause any disturbance in the household department. He was worried that Luo Pingyuan would be too aggressive by the appointment of the emperor, and would be taken advantage of by the prince instead.Seeing that he already understood, he said slowly: "Very good, you don't have to be too restrained in your actions. You should put the laws and regulations of the country first, but it's not unreasonable. As long as you follow your heart and think about taking the world as your own responsibility. Father, now Need help, as long as you don't seek personal gain, don't follow personal interests, even if there are some mistakes, as long as he and the court officials have seen your ability and integrity, the gains will outweigh the losses." Luo Pingyuan understood the meaning of his words , nodded.

He saw Luo Yanhua let out a sigh of relief, as if he was a little tired from the conversation just now, he said: "Brother Huang, let's go back to the room."

King Jing originally wanted to sit for a while, but now he stood up according to his intention. He noticed that Luo Pingyuan was walking along while looking at his feet inadvertently, so he couldn't help being a little puzzled.In the past few days, whenever I get out of bed and walk around, I often feel the eyes of the emperor following him, watching him walk carefully, twice or three times, he asked: "Pingyuan, you always look at my feet, but what's wrong? "

King Ning was noticed by him, and he quickly looked back, and he didn't have time to think of a cover-up, and walked side by side while whispering: "Brother Huang, I was just thinking, when they put you in the court prison for torture and execution, the one who got it ordered to do it." The prison guards don’t know where they are now, if they can find any clues, it may be used as evidence of redress.”

Ever since he saw the numerous burns on King Jing's feet, every time he closed his eyes and went to bed at night after a busy day, he couldn't help but think about the situation in the court prison back then. Whether there will be sequelae, King Jing heard it clearly, and paused in his footsteps: "So, you saw it."

He looked down at his feet. After so many years, the injury had already healed, and he also learned to forget the experience of those three days.

The dark and damp cell was full of charcoal smoke, and the only light was the burning coals. The iron in the hands of the little jailer was already red from the fire, and as he approached him step by step, he said in a hoarse voice: "You Such a noble man, why did he end up here. The little one got an order, and I have to serve you well. There are not many people in this world who deserve to enjoy it. You are the first one. Don't look down on the villain Rough, the unique skills in hand are passed down from generation to generation of masters and apprentices, everyone knows that this job will not end well, everyone has his own life." As he said, his muddy eyes were greedy and excited.

He closed his eyes, he didn't want to think about the heart-piercing pain at that time, which made him faint and wake up again, and when he woke up, he passed out again in pain.At first he resisted not wanting to make a sound, but later he didn't even have the strength to cry out the pain, his lips were bitten to pieces, he only remembered that he was sobbing softly, tears flowed down his face uncontrollably, and the prisoner's unspeakable voice was always in his ears. The yin and yang voice was strangely mixed with excitement and numbness.

When he was sent out, he was completely unconscious. Except for the soles of his feet that no one would pay attention to, there were no visible wounds on his body. The guards in charge of execution in the Great Inner Court Prison have this ability: no matter how hard they hit, people will suffer from pain inside. With multiple injuries, it still looks intact on the outside, and there are no clues.

Later, when he was recuperating from illness, he kept waking up from time to time. When it was severe, he couldn't even eat. He only remembered a bowl of porridge after finally drinking it.The injury on his foot was not easy to heal. At that time, it seemed that he would never heal. He could not walk for a long time.At that time, Langhuan and the emperor were fighting and negotiating, and both sides used countless methods both overtly and secretly. Uncle Jiang Hengyuan was exhausted physically and mentally at that time, and was seriously injured, so he passed away early a few years later.In the end, the emperor and Lang Huan each took a step back, leaving him as a hostage.

He almost thought that he couldn't get better anymore. It was Qin Su who sneaked into the palace again and again, brought precious elixir, relied on his youth and early years, and recuperated internally and externally, and gradually recovered. When 11-year-old Luo Pingyuan was about to leave the palace for Cuiping Mountain, he could barely get out of bed and walk around.

During the period when he was most ill, sometimes when he woke up groggy, he would see A Su, who had always been silent and resolute, hugging him and crying. At that time, he just thought, A Su was crying too, how did he get in?

Now, the memories buried in the smoke and dust were provoked by King Ning's words, and the heart-piercing past is still vivid in his mind.He was silent for a while, and then said: "It's been too long, Concubine Han Gui will not keep his life. I said, Ping Yuan, you don't have to worry, let alone act rashly, there will be evidence, what you have to do now There are many things, so don't be distracted by this matter." His expression was still calm, but his face was almost transparently pale.

"I'm just, I can't stand you being framed so wrongly." Luo Pingyuan whispered, he wanted to say that he also had a few red moles on his feet, but something in King Jing's expression prevented him from continuing , as if all the words were too frivolous and abrupt, he regretted his recklessness.

After walking a few more steps, he continued, "Brother Huang, I just want you to tell me more, instead of just learning about it after each time, and being shocked and scared, can't we discuss it together?"

Luo Yanhua remained silent, he noticed that Luo Pingyuan had undergone subtle changes since the assassin's night attack and the onset of his illness.I can't tell where it is, but it seems that I want to help him more urgently, and I seem to be more concerned about myself.This feeling was very warm, but at the same time it made him uneasy, because he didn't want the emperor to get too involved in this direction, he didn't speak, just nodded, and let Luo Pingyuan hold his arm as he did when he came, and the two They walked back to the main courtyard together.

Cheng Yihou's mansion is at the end of Suzaku Street on the east side of Los Angeles.From the geographical location and the specifications of the mansion, we can also see the scene of prosperity more than ten years ago. The previous generation of Marquis Cheng Yi made contributions to the court and was highly relied on by the emperor. No achievements, until the death of his wife, Lianfang Princess, he was going downhill every year.Therefore, although the vermilion lacquer gate and the two stone lions in front of the gate still look magnificent, if you enter the mansion, whether it is a dry rockery pond, few flowers and plants that are trimmed, or servants who lack energy in twos and threes, Signs of decay can be seen everywhere.

Yao Qian'er was wearing a half-worn crimson half-arm, sitting in the main room in the backyard, looking coldly at Mrs. Cheng Yihou who was sitting at the head.During these days, she has been haggard a lot, and sometimes she doesn't bother to paint the little red mole on her forehead.Luo Shi was only five or six years older than her, and came from a small family. After being married by his father to fill in the house, he still behaved like a petty family, but he was afraid of being looked down upon by others, so he always pretended to be a mistress.

Luo Shi held the handkerchief in his hand, and was persuading in a considerate tone: "You have been to Qing Enbo's mansion. Although the family background is not as good as ours, it is rich and noble. If you marry, you will be the wife of the family. With our noble family Your identity, even if it is a sequel, who in his family can overwhelm you, miss, I know you are not happy, but if you think about the current situation, no one in Manluo City knows what happened to you, Do you want to wait for the turmoil to pass, can the daughter’s family afford to delay the marriage? As the saying goes, a phoenix in trouble is not as good as a chicken, whoever rides a horse, the girls of other families are fine, but your horse is shocked.”

Yao Qian'er bit her lip and said nothing. Qing Enbo was 36 years old, old enough to be her father, and it was said that his appearance was mediocre.If she married in the past, not to mention other things, she would first have to face the two legitimate children left behind by her former wife who were about the same age as her.If I have a child in the future, it will not be Chengjue's turn, so I can only ask the sage Enmeng.The only advantage is that Qing Enbo's family property has been rich in recent years, and it can be seen from the expenses of his family that it is quite luxurious.Concubine Yi proposed this marriage to her. Although she was dissatisfied, every time Luo Shi was ordered by her father to persuade her, she still listened carefully to the situation in the other party's family.Because this is already the best chance she can get after returning from the Wulan paddock.

After the incident happened, King Ning once sent someone to the mansion to say that the bodyguard was not yet married, but he was afraid that he would not be able to climb up the Marquis' mansion, so it was not good to come to greet him. The words were very polite and the meaning was very clear, but sincerely Yihou hasn't given up his plan to marry his daughter to save his family, so how could he promise to a little guard just like that, so the matter is gone.When Yao Qian'er heard about it, she also felt that it was an insult to herself. No matter how poor she was, she had been well-clothed and well-clothed. When she was young, there were more than a dozen maids serving her, so how could she condescend to marry now.

In my ears, Luo Shi said again: "Is it for the sake of the Marquis and the princess, the concubine Yi came forward to discuss marriage for you. It has been three days, and the palace is still waiting for an answer. Miss, You have to think clearly, if you push this marriage, no one will care about you anymore." Then he sighed, "I also think about you, no matter how high my heart is, I can't resist my life, and it's not about climbing. If you don't go to a noble family, but at most you're just a noble concubine, and if you don't have the chance to be a lady, are you willing to marry a little guard? Qing Enbo's mansion has already spit it out, for the sake of the empress in the palace, the etiquette must be good With all the glory, the dowry is also indispensable, although our mansion is no better than before, we will not wrong you in terms of dowry."

Yao Qian'er glanced at her, Luo Shi spoke generously, but his demeanor was full of bitterness and sarcasm.Yes, she is desperate now, and in terms of marriage, she is even worse than this stepmother she despises. Luo Shi is at least a high-marriage, and after entering the Hou family, she, Yao Qian'er, not only has to fill in the house, but also a low-marriage.

These days, she has been ridiculed and ridiculed all the time, and there is no news of the marriage that was somewhat promising before, and there is no need for an explanation.She hid for half a month, and then went out to socialize. There were meaningful eyes and whispers everywhere, and the mansion was not much better. Her father sighed when he saw her, and the attitude of the servants was not as respectful as before. The most uncomfortable thing was A few aunts and uncles, as well as concubine brothers and sisters spoke faintly of sarcasm.She has always been proud and self-reliant on her beauty, but now that she has stumbled, everyone will step up and step on her.She couldn't go on living through such a humiliating day.

Luo Shi flinched from her hateful eyes, and then a cool smile appeared on his face.As a woman with a scheming heart, she was inseparable from the fall from the horse and her intentions in it. This matter has become a king or a loser, and she has become a dog in the water. Do you still want to show off your prestige?

She said: "It's not that the concubine Yi is free, so she has to rush to be a matchmaker. The words in the palace are very clear. If the eldest lady is unwilling, just pretend it's nothing. My good words as the mistress persuaded me Luokung, you have fulfilled your responsibility. If you want me to say, this is the order of the parents and the words of the matchmaker. How can it be the girl's turn to make up her own mind? After the princess passed away, Lord Hou was too arrogant. Miss It's a spoiled guest, I don't want to say much, that's all, I was blamed for it, and I told Lord Hou that the marriage is planned slowly, the mansion is poor or poor, and there will always be enough for you to eat."

"Don't say any more." Yao Qian'er tried her best to control herself, but she was still turned blue by the squeeze. Qing Enbo has some friendship with Prince An's Mansion, and he also has face in the East Palace. His father formed this marriage, even if he officially voted for the crown prince. Under the sect, it will be much easier to find a good job, and the relationship with the clan will also improve.Therefore, even if he didn't nod his head, this marriage is inevitable, and he asked Luo Shi to ask her again and again, just because he was afraid that she would cause trouble in the mansion, and if it was spread out, the empress in the palace would be unhappy.

She stood up and said, "Ma'am, don't bother you to waste your time, you might as well tell your father that everything is up to him. What can I say as a woman. Since you all value Qing Enbo's wealth, I am worthy of the Hou family." , That’s enough for this, I’ll put my words first, three media and six hires, if there is half a point of courtesy, don’t blame everyone for not being able to get it right then!” After speaking, he ignored Luo Shi’s reaction, turned around and left Out of the hall.

Her heart was full of hatred. The mansion sold her family for the dowry and future benefits, and laughed at the three relatives, three aunts and six wives who treated her coldly, as well as the so-called handkerchiefs, and encouraged her to become the wrong Xingfen and Yi. Concubine Han and Concubine Han; but what she hates the most is King Ning Luo Pingyuan. At the moment when she bet her life on him, the Fifth Prince didn't reach out to save her. She will never forget this feeling. insult.