Chapter 94: The Hidden Dragon

Prince Yong is the fourth prince Yinzhen, who was named Prince Heshuo Yong. Eight years ago, when Cao Yong was in Hangzhou, he was rescued by the fourth prince and the thirteenth prince.

For Cao Yong, the Fourth Prince is naturally not as simple as savior, but also the cold-faced emperor he knew about, and he was very disliked by the Emperor of the Cao family.

After hearing the report from the eunuch, he knew that Prince Yong was coming. The Thirteenth Prince's face was a little decadent and immediately became more energetic. He struggled to get up: "The Fourth Brother is here, please invite me quickly!"

Cao Yong and the Sixteenth Prince naturally stood up and waited, and looked at the door together.

Although it was not the first time he met the Fourth Prince, Cao Yong was still a little nervous. After all, when he was rescued, he could not speak and had no words to communicate with the Fourth Prince. Although eight years ago, the Fourth Prince was a young prince with a kind tone and a gentle expression, who knows what he looks like now? Moreover, Kangxi once gave him a "happy and anger" comment. Cao Yong was really unsure of the verbal standards when talking about such a person.

The Sixteenth Prince also changed his appearance in front of the Thirteenth Prince, with a little restraint and nervousness. He always had awe for the Fourth Prince, the brother.

As footsteps sounded, a person walked into the door. The first thing he wanted was a bright golden python robe, stone green woven gold satin, collar and horse hoof sleeves, embroidered nine pythons, and opened their skirts from front to back to left and right. Looking up, he saw that the man was in his thirties, with short beards, thin appearance, and slightly drooping eyes, showing a little deepness, but there was no trace of joy or anger on his face.

Prince Heshuoyong Yinzhen was no longer the young prince, but began to have the kingly demeanor. Cao Yong took a deep breath. He thought of Nian Gengyao he met a few days ago. He had already gone to the governor of Sichuan, and history slowly followed the known track. Cao Yin served as the salt administration of Liangjiang, and Cao Shun died young, and the history of the Cao family seemed to have not changed. Could it be that he really had to face the fate of premature death and really approached death day by day? Cao Yong suddenly felt very depressed.

"Fourth Brother!" The Thirteenth Prince wanted to approach him, but because his legs were inconvenient, his body tilted.

When the fourth prince saw this, he quickly took two steps to support him, but his brows frowned unconsciously: "Why is the prescription from the Imperial Hospital not working yet? It's been two months since we've seen you yet!"

"Second Brother Fourth!" The sixteenth prince's voice was a little weak.

"The third-class guard Cao Yong has met the prince, please help me!" Cao Yong greeted him in a regular manner.

The fourth prince personally helped the thirteenth prince to his seat, then nodded to the two of them as a gift. He said to the sixteenth prince: "I met the master who went to the study a few days ago and asked about your studies. I heard that you have become more and more negligent after the winter. Now even the younger generation of princes will surpass you. You are so embarrassed to be an uncle!"

The sixteenth prince was afraid of being taught a lesson by this brother, and did not dare to be as smiling as before. He honestly responded: "The fourth brother taught a lesson, my brother knew that he was wrong! I will definitely be good at it in the future and not embarrass my brothers!"

When Cao Yong heard this, he was surprised. When did the sixteenth prince become a good baby? I am afraid that he would not be so respectful in front of Kangxi.

After the fourth prince and the sixteenth prince finished speaking, they finished their seats before saying to Cao Yong: "Cao Yong? I haven't seen you for a few years, and you are so old. Has the wounds that year been healed?"

When Cao Yong heard him mention Jiangning's past, he remembered the scene of him rolling the rotten peach bones to this foot under the scorching sun. After breaking the nests of those bad guys, the fourth prince held himself in his arms and wiped his face without hesitation... Although many years have passed, he remembered all kinds of details clearly and vividly. He was sincerely grateful in his heart, and his fear of the future emperor was reduced a little. He sincerely thanked: "Thank you, the prince, for asking, Cao Yong is fine!"

The fourth prince nodded indifferently: "It's good that there is no injury left. The tea you sent in April and October is very good, but your family is tight at the moment. These are valuable items, so I'll save you from it in the future!"

"Prince, these are all sincere filial piety from Cao Yong. He asked someone to go to the tea garden earlier and specially set aside a few tea trees, which were not mixed with the others." Cao Yong looked at the Fourth Prince, his face full of gratitude and sincerity.

The fourth prince was still waiting to refuse again. Seeing Cao Yong's appearance, the thirteenth prince smiled and said, "Fourth brother, I've agreed that even if you are exempted from your palace, I can't help it. In the past six months, the good tea sent by Cao Yong has made me feel bad. If I let me drink black tumbled tea again, I can't stand it! But a few kilograms of tea, I can't drink him poorly! There is also that jasmine tea, which is not in the north. Your younger brothers and sisters love it very much, I think all sisters-in-law are the same!"

The Fourth Prince was amused by the words of the Thirteenth Prince. He was also a knowledgeable person and did not stick to this matter anymore. He said to Cao Yong: "The Buddha fragrance is good. Although it looks simple, it tastes excellent. It is different from what you buy on the market. Where can I get it?"

"If you want to go back to the prince, this is specially made by monks in Qingliang Temple in Jiangning." Cao Yong replied.

After hearing this, the fourth prince couldn't help but look at Cao Yong a few more times: "At a young age, I can't be willing to be honest!"

The Thirteenth Prince picked up the bottle on the small table and handed it to the Fourth Prince: "Fourth Brother, what do you think this is?"

The fourth prince's eyes lit up and he looked at the Thirteenth prince: "Is this the snake oil essence that the Thirteenth brother praised last time?"

The Thirteenth Prince nodded and pointed at Cao Yong: "This was specially found by Xiao Cao Yong. Now he has even found the prescription. He is my little benefactor!"

The Fourth Prince's expression added a little gentle, and he thanked Cao Yong solemnly. Cao Yong hurriedly said that it was right and he dared not thank him. He complained in his heart that he could not blame the future generations all said that the Fourth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince had a deep brotherly relationship. Now it seems to be true. The Buddha incense he gave him specially to his preferences did not give this Fourth Master Leng a good face, but as soon as he knew that Cao Yong sent snake oil essence to Thirteen, his cold face immediately warmed his face, and he was much warmer.

The sixteenth prince sat honestly on the chair, listening to everyone's conversation, some of which were clear and some of which were not. But knowing that the two brothers had always had a good relationship, the fourth brother was afraid that something would happen to him this time, so he said a few more words and pulled Cao Yong to leave.

*

It was not until he left the Thirteenth residence of the Prince's House that the Sixteenth Prince was relieved. Seeing Cao Yong was relieved, he couldn't help but smile and said, "My fourth brother, I have been a little less heat since I remember. I have been chanting Buddha's name all day long, and I feel even colder!"

Cao Yong remembered in his heart that many years ago, after the Fourth Prince rescued him and Ping'er, he was gentle and considerate to him and Ping'er. Although he didn't say anything, he definitely had nothing to do with Leng Bingbing.

Seeing Cao Yong pondering and silent, the Sixteenth Prince asked, "I originally thought that you were close to the Thirteenth Brother because I saw you in Jiangning a few years ago. Why do I hear you speak as if there is something else? You were injured when you were a child?"

No matter how much suffering he suffered at that time, after all, eight years have passed, and Cao Yong can calmly tell the nightmare experience.

The Sixteenth Prince was dumbfounded when he heard this. He didn't even think that Cao Yong had suffered such a serious crime when he was a child? When he heard that Cao Yong was hoarse in his throat and broke his leg, he was so angry: "Langlang Qiankun, there are such evil people, and he deserves to die!"

When the fourth prince and the thirteenth prince saved Cao Yong in the end, the sixteenth prince suddenly realized: "I can't blame you for sending tea and medicine again. This kind of failure to avoid suspicion is very inconsistent with your daily behavior. I still wondered, I was afraid that my uncle had some thoughts on my cousin's side and was trying to socialize like this. I was thinking about whether to persuade you, but I didn't expect that there would be such an allusion. The grace of saving your life is not considered a presumptuous act."

Cao Yong smiled bitterly and said, "I am already in a bad mood. In order to avoid suspicion, the Thirteenth Master is fine. I have come to invite you twice. But I have only been to the Fourth Prince's Mansion once and have not met the real master yet."

The sixteenth prince smiled and punched Cao Yong: "No wonder you feel guilty when you see the fourth brother! Haha, you are so cautious!"

*

After leaving the palace, he returned to Cao's mansion. After dinner, Cao Yong went to Rongyuan to find the village seat and told him about the situation when he met the Fourth Prince today.

A report came outside the door, and the Prince of Ping was Neersu.

Cao Yong hurriedly went out and arrived at the front hall. When he saw Nersu, he was pulled by him before he could even beat Qian'er to pay his respects.

Nersu looked serious: "Brother, talk inside." After that, he didn't be polite to him and came directly to the study.

Cao Yong rarely saw Nersu as serious as he was, and he was very confused, so he followed him into the study. After tea, he sent out all the servants who were standing inside and outside.

Nersu then said: "Someone inside passed me, saying that the Governor of Liangjiang, Gali, impeached his father-in-law and Li Xu."

Cao Yong frowned. As soon as the deficit came out, there were complaints of impeachment of the Cao family in the court, but they were suppressed by Kangxi. Kangxi knew exactly how the deficit of the Cao family came into being, so he naturally had to protect each other. However, in the past, most of the censors made impeachment, and the senior officials knew that Kangxi's favor to the Cao family would not rashly cause trouble. This time, the Governor of Jiangnan impeached the memorial...

"Is it a matter of deficit again?" Cao Yong asked.

Nersu held the corner of his mouth, showed a sarcastic smile, and said, "Improve the use of national funds."

Cao Yong was stunned: "Invade the national treasury?!" What is this? Who doesn't know that the Cao family is now selling their property to block the holes of the emperor's consumption in the southern tour, and even says that the Cao family invades the national treasury!!

Nersu said: "Well! It is said that it was impeachment of Li Siqi, a salt transport envoy in Lianghuai, with a loss of 3 million taels, of which his father-in-law and Li Xu invaded 800,000 taels."

When he heard that it was an invasion by the salt maid, Cao Yong immediately understood what was going on.

The salt gap is a shortage. A few years ago, the Cao family borrowed money from Lianghuai Salt Transportation Bureau for the sake of taking over the horse. The so-called invasion was also used for the previous few times. Although the Cao family currently has income from tea gardens, they owe too much debts, and all the local and ministries of the Revenue Department were all available. In the past few years, they could pay back the treasury first. It seems that before the Salt Transportation Bureau was taken into account, some people thought that they had caught the Cao family's handle. The key to this matter depends on Kangxi's attitude. Kangxi wanted to admit the account, that was to coordinate and balance the local finances; if the emperor refused to admit it, that was the Cao family misappropriated the treasury silver. It was really unreasonable.

Seeing Cao Yong pondering and silent, Nersu hurriedly advised: "Your brother, don't worry too much. It is said that Gali submitted three memorandums, and both of them immediately approved and issued them. Only impeachment of father-in-law, who was left behind, is clear!"

Cao Yong thought to himself that Kangxi knew better than anyone else where the money went. He would just admit it, and he chanted, "Luckily, I know the truth and clearly."

Nersu nodded: "Long lively, I trust my father-in-law, but this Kali is not a small character. You should write a letter to my father-in-law. I think he will be more careful when he comes."

Cao Yong nodded and said yes. Nersu reminded him a few more words and said goodbye and left.

*

As soon as Nersu left, Cao Yong immediately invited Zhuangxi and told the gentleman word for what Nersu had just said.

After hearing the name of Gali, Zhuang Xi shook his head, and a sarcastic look appeared on his face.

When Cao Yong saw him, he remembered that when Nersu talked about Gali just now, he looked sarcastic and asked him in confusion: "Who is this Gali? It seems that he is quite..."

Zhuang Xi sighed: "The people in Jiangnan are going to suffer, but this person is so embarrassed to impeach others. He is the most greedy man in the world." Speaking of this, he briefly told Cao Yong about the matter of Gali.

Gali, surnamed Dong E, was a native of Zhenghong Banner of Manchuria. He was the great-grandson of He Heli, one of the "Five Founding Ministers", and a true son of a famous family.

Gali was appointed as the head of the Ministry of Personnel from Yinsheng and later promoted to the doctor. In the 35th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi, when the emperor personally conquered Galdan, he followed the military commander.

He transported the Central Army's food and salary first to the emperor's garrison, and resolved the crisis of food shortage at that time, so he was favored by the emperor. In the 36th year of Kangxi, he was awarded the title of Bachelor of the Cabinet and Governor of Shanxi in the 38th year of Kangxi.

Gali was extremely greedy, and accepting bribes was the most normal behavior. It was not too outrageous among corrupt officials at that time, but he deducted more - more than 400,000 taels. What is outrageous is that he actually sent his servants to Pingyang, Fenzhou and Lu'an to force the rich people to give gifts, and often used the Jiezhou Ciyu and temples to blackmail the people to pay donations!

What's even more terrifying is that this person is not only a corrupt official, but also a cruel official! He indulged his subordinates torture the people. Sometimes the torture was used to satisfy his greed. If he didn't give money, he would have to lose his skin even if he died. During the years when he governed Shanxi, the local people were in great suffering.

Cao Yong was silent. Although the Kangxi Dynasty was called prosperous, some officials were already greedy to the point of being crazy because of their tolerance for officials. No wonder Yongzheng punished corrupt officials as soon as he came to power. If he instigated them to continue to be a meaty person, he would be afraid that the prosperous era would become the end of the world. It would be fine if those blind censors only knew how to use the guns of party struggles. Is there no one to resist the local people who were bullied like this?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but say, "Is there no impeachment from the Censor? President Yuan heard that the people wrote a letter together and the Holy Lord had also visited Shanxi, but he didn't even shout for justice?"

Zhuang Xi shook his head: "How could there be no impeachment or injustice? Since the 42 years of fighting, the censors have been constantly impeaching Gali in greed and abused officials and harming the people. The superiors only asked Gali to defend themselves. Of course, Gali to counterattack the censors and finally left it alone. In the twelfth lunar month, some people in Shanxi sued to the censor Yuan Qiao, and Yuan Qiao has listed Gali’s evil deeds. However, although the superiors asked the Ministry of Personnel to investigate, they still allowed Gali to defend themselves. This matter took more than two years until the 47th 2nd 2nd

In the month, the Ministry of Personnel's investigation resulted in Yuan Qiao's report for the matter of no evidence, and was dismissed from his post. The Censor Cai Zhen, a scholar of Shanxi, was entrusted to write the title of Liu Gali, but there was no evidence. Each was demoted to one level and fined his salary for one year." At this point, he paused and said meaningfully: "This is right and wrong, which is right and wrong, depends on the meaning of the above person. This year, Gali was transferred back to Beijing to be the left minister of the Ministry of Revenue. After three months of his release, he was promoted to two levels and sent to the Governor of Liangjiang."

Cao Yong frowned and said, "Will the people in Jiangnan be in trouble?"

Zhuang Xi smiled and seemed not worried: "Jiangnan is not as good as Shanxi, so he did not do whatever he wanted. I think he is testing the reactions of all parties at this time, including the reaction of the above. Since September, he has impeached many officials under his jurisdiction, Shao Mubu, the governor of Anhui, Yu Zhun, and Yi Sigong, the governor of Jiangsu, all of whom were greedy and deducted, misappropriated the silver in the treasury last month. Yi Sigong was dismissed from his post."

After hearing this story, Cao Yong realized why the sarcastic smiles of Nersu and Zhuang Xi came. This was simply a thief who called to catch the thief. The biggest corrupt official called anti-corruption, which was a great irony!

Zhuang Xi said: "He is now participating in the salt transport envoy of Lianghuai, and he is also taking over Lingzun and Li Xu and Lord Li, and he should still be throwing stones and asking for directions. Since the above letter is left, he should know the holy intention, and he will not continue to make things difficult for Lingzun. As I expected, if he did not leverage the Cao family, he would come to show goodwill. This is really something that Lingzun should be wary of. Only this one is deficient, and the above will not investigate, but if it is involved in greed and abuse of the people, it is a serious crime."

Cao Yong deeply agreed that it is the most troublesome to meet a person like Gali. "It is better to offend a gentleman than a villain" is a famous saying. If you offend him, you will suffer. He is afraid that he will try his best to punish you. The emperor is also a human being, so he trusts you again. If you hear too many rumors, it will inevitably be shaken. Moreover, looking at the previous incident, Kangxi is quite favored by Gali. Therefore, if you don't push him to the opposite side, try not to push him. But if you don't draw a line with him and classify him as a corrupt official in the future, it will be a big problem.

Zhuang Xi said again: "Now, it's time for Ling Zun to set off. You don't have to study the book anymore. Let's wait until Ling Zun arrives and talk to him in detail."

Cao Yong nodded and agreed.
Chapter completed!