Chapter 20. Building momentum and showing off (middle).
"Wait a minute!!"
Hearing Zhao Junchen's voice, Liu Changan couldn't help but be startled. He didn't understand why Zhao Junchen stopped him, and quickly advised: "Sir, Zhang Qicheng destroyed the sacrifices and slandered the court officials at will. He committed a heinous crime and must be punished. Otherwise, the principles cannot be clarified!!
"
Zhao Junchen glared at Liu Changan covertly, and then said slowly: "I have always been honest and upright in my work, and everything is known to the public. Zhang Qicheng is certainly guilty, but since he questioned me in person, I will also fight with him.
Let’s argue and give him a chance to speak.”
Noticing the warning in Zhao Junchen's eyes, Liu Changan hesitated for a moment, and finally followed Zhao Junchen's instructions and asked the government officials to let go of Zhang Qicheng.
As for Zhang Qicheng, not only did he have a fearless look on his face when the government officials arrested him, but after the government officials let him go, he even had an expression that had expected this. He didn't say much, and just continued to talk to Zhao with provocative eyes.
Junchen insisted.
On the contrary, the scholars around Zhang Qicheng gradually looked a little uneasy, but they still gathered around Zhang Qicheng to show their support.
It is obvious that although Zhao Junchen is determined to change his image as a corrupt official, even if he can deceive ordinary people, he cannot deceive these scholars who "know the world's affairs without leaving home".
After the officials released Zhang Qicheng, Zhao Junchen asked: "You just said that there are corrupt officials here who are acting cowardly to deceive the people. Are you talking about me?"
"It's you Zhao Junchen!!" Zhang Qicheng said with hatred on his face: "Your Zhao Junchen's corruption, bribery, and frame-up of Zhongliang are known to the whole world!! You have served as the Minister of Household Affairs over the years.
You have deceived your superiors and concealed your position, and you have embezzled how much money you have from the national treasury. Do you think no one knows? Not to mention other things, your mansion in Beijing covers an area of up to 100 acres. It is still being expanded and has been invested successively.
How much money? Can you afford it with your small salary? Senior Li Wenxuan, the former Wenyuan Pavilion scholar, because you took part in this matter, you repeatedly slandered and slandered him in front of His Majesty. Poor Li Wenxuan
The old gentleman was originally the leader of the Scholars, and he had a good reputation all over the world. In the end, he died unjustly in prison for the unfounded crime of disrespect!! Who among the Scholars didn't know about this? Who else?
Don’t you hate it? Don’t think that by showing off here, you can confuse right and wrong and deceive the people. I, Zhang Qicheng, will not be fooled by you!!”
After hearing Zhang Qicheng's words, the people around the altar were talking a lot. Zhang Qicheng was quite famous in Lu'an Mansion. Hearing Zhang Qicheng's evaluation of Zhao Junchen, the people's hearts just formed "Zhao Junchen is a good official."
The concepts were shaken involuntarily.
………
Zhao Junchen, who is now Li Daitao, does not know these things Zhang Qicheng said, but after hearing what Zhang Qicheng said, Zhao Junchen felt more at ease.
Without him, Zhang Qicheng had no evidence but came forward recklessly. In this case, one cannot blame Zhao Junchen for confusing right and wrong.
On the other side, Zhang Qicheng became even more impassioned as he spoke. He actually took out an article from his sleeve and said loudly: "These are the eight deadly sins I have summarized for you, Zhao Junchen. Every one of them is unpardonable."
A capital crime!! Today I will read them out one by one in front of the people, so that the people can see your true face!!"
However, Zhang Qicheng had just opened the article in his hand, and before he had time to read it, Zhao Junchen had already raised his voice to stop him: "Stop, stop, I gave you a chance to speak. Now that you have said so much, shouldn't I also say it?"
How many sentences are there?”
Zhang Qicheng looked up at Zhao Junchen, who was still standing on the altar, and sneered: "Why, are you afraid?"
Zhao Junchen said solemnly: "I am not afraid of the shadow of my body, so what is there to be afraid of? I just want to ask you, you just said that I am a corrupt official, a treacherous minister, embezzlement and bribery, false accusations of loyalty, and you have summarized for me
You have committed eight deadly sins, and have you seen any of these with your own eyes? Or have evidence in your hands?"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhang Qicheng couldn't help but be stunned.
He was just a scholar with a reputation as a scholar, so how could he have any evidence against Zhao Junchen?
However, Zhang Qicheng's father, Zhang Xuan, was once a minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and had many old friends in the officialdom. After Zhang Xuan died of illness, these old friends took great care of Zhang Qicheng and let Zhang Qicheng know a lot about Zhao Junchen, so
, although there is no evidence, Zhang Qicheng has always firmly believed in the view that "Zhao Junchen is a corrupt official".
In fact, Li Wenxuan, the scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion who was falsely accused by Zhao Junchen and imprisoned, is one of Zhang Qicheng's old friends from his father's generation. Zhang Qicheng has received a lot of favors from him over the years. It is precisely for this reason that Zhang Qicheng will treat Zhao
Junchen was so resentful.
But these reasons cannot be explained clearly, so Zhang Qicheng can only answer Zhao Junchen's question: "As a commoner, where can I find evidence? And who in the world doesn't know what Zhao Junchen has done? Where can I find it?"
Do you need me to see it with my own eyes? How can the people in this world misunderstand you?"
Zhao Junchen sneered and said: "Even if the sage is rich in the world today, if you want to convict someone, you need to find evidence first. Why is it that when you are here, Zhang Qicheng, the evidence becomes dispensable?"
Seeing that Zhang Qi was speechless, Zhao Junchen continued: "However, since you said so, it means that the charges you have charged me with are all based on what others say and what others have heard?"
Zhang Qicheng was speechless again and didn't know how to respond. He just felt that everything was very different from what he imagined.
In Zhang Qicheng's original imagination, as long as he stood up to question Zhao Junchen and read the "Eight Deadly Sins", Zhao Junchen would either be intimidated by his "righteousness" and end up hastily; or he would become angry and become angry.
He was questioned and thrown into prison. No matter which case he committed, Zhao Junchen's true face could be exposed in front of the people.
But Zhang Qicheng did not expect that Zhao Junchen, as a high official of the imperial court, would debate with him here with great enthusiasm, and his eloquence was quite good, and he hit the key points repeatedly.
In the final analysis, all Zhang Qicheng's previous assumptions were just the opinions of a scholar and were taken for granted.
On the other side, seeing Zhang Qicheng continue to be speechless, Zhao Junchen took advantage of the victory and said: "Since you only heard rumors that I am a corrupt official, then I ask you, who did you listen to? Oh? I don't want to say? Then I
Let me ask you again, did the person who spread the rumor have ever seen his official engaging in corruption, accepting bribes, and falsely accusing Zhongliang? Or was the person who spread the rumor just following others' words?"
Seeing that Zhang Qicheng still didn't know how to answer, he looked angry and embarrassed, and had been cornered by Zhao Junchen's successive questions. Zhao Junchen snorted and asked again: "I see that you are a scholar, so you know that the three of you are a tiger."
What is the story about "Confucius Family Tales in E Chapter 20"?"
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zhang Qicheng already knew what Zhao Junchen wanted to say. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to refute something, but in the end he chose to remain silent and just gritted his teeth and glared at Zhao Junchen bitterly.
Zhao Junchen sneered and said: "I saw that you dared to question me face to face. I thought you were a talented person. Although you were a little reckless, you still had courage. But I didn't expect that not only did you have no independent opinions, you only knew how to follow what others said. Now you are even more...
You haven’t even read the words of the sage! Where is Magistrate Liu!?”
Liu Changan quickly replied, "I'm here!"
Zhao Junchen said: "Let me explain to Zhang Qicheng and the people around him Chapter 20 of Confucius' Family Sayings in E. If you speak in vernacular, people in the province will not understand."
"I obey your orders." After Liu Chang'an accepted the order, he turned around and looked at Zhang Qicheng. Seeing Zhang Qicheng's expression changing, he felt extremely happy in his heart. In the past, Zhang Qicheng relied on the shadow of his father's generation and repeatedly made things difficult for him. Unexpectedly, there were also
today!!
Clearing his throat, Liu Chang'an raised his voice and said: "Back then, Saint Kong and his disciples were besieged in the land of Chen and Cai. They were short of food and clothing and hungry. Zigong brought back a little rice in exchange for it and gave it to Yan Hui.
He cooked porridge for everyone. While Yan Hui was cooking porridge, Sage Kong happened to be passing by. He saw that Yan Hui was eating secretly. He couldn't help but get angry and went to question Yan Hui. After Yan Hui explained, Sage Kong knew that Yan Hui was eating porridge secretly.
Hui didn't eat it secretly, but dust fell into the porridge. Yan Hui was afraid that Confucius would eat it up, but he didn't want to waste food, so he ate it first. After learning the truth, Confucius couldn't help but sigh, even what he saw with his own eyes
Everything may be wrong, let alone hearsay."
After the explanation, Liu Changan looked at Zhang Qicheng with a smile and asked: "Zhang Xiucai, do you understand the truth stated in "Confucius' Family Sayings in E-20"?"
On the other side, Zhang Daoquan suddenly stood up and said to the people and Zhang Qicheng under the altar: "People, please don't be deceived by Zhang Qicheng. In the past few days, what the imperial envoy has done for Lu'an Mansion, I
They all saw it one by one. The total price of the disaster relief food funds allocated by the imperial court was as high as hundreds of thousands of taels. The imperial envoy did not touch a penny and handed it all to the Lu'an government office. Not only that, the imperial envoy saw that Lu'an
There are many people in the mansion, and we are worried that there will not be enough money for disaster relief. In the past few days, we have been running around to raise money and food for the people of Lu'an Prefecture. The imperial envoy inspects the place on behalf of the emperor. How noble is he? For the sake of the people of Lu'an Prefecture, he has spared no effort.
He bows his head and begs for help everywhere!! And today, in order to lead everyone to exterminate the locusts, under the witness of heaven and earth, I am willing to bear the punishment of heaven on my own! Everyone thinks, can such an official be a corrupt official?!"
Although Zhang Daoquan was just a magician, his reputation in Lu'an Mansion was much higher than that of Zhang Qicheng. As he expressed his attitude, the people finally believed him and, under the leadership of Zhang Daoquan, cheered for Zhao Junchen.
"Master Zhao is such an official!!"
On the other side, Guo Linxiang, He Zeng and other Shanxi merchants, as well as Liu Changan and other local officials also shouted in fun.
Zhao Junchen glanced at Zhang Daoquan and nodded slightly to show his appreciation. Noticing Zhao Junchen's actions, Zhang Daoquan was secretly happy, knowing that he had made the right bet.
…
At this time, Zhang Qicheng felt as uncomfortable as he wanted. Unlike ordinary people, although he had no evidence, he knew Zhao Junchen's background through various channels. Now that he saw Zhao Junchen fooling and deceiving the people in this way,
He just felt extremely angry, and the strange looks that the people around him looked at him made him even more uncomfortable.
In fact, even the classmates and students who had always been good friends with him looked at him with a little more suspicion at this time.
After this incident, at least in Lu'an Mansion, Zhang Qicheng's comment that he was "reckless and has no independent opinion, only follows what others say, and has not even read the words of saints" has been settled.
Seeing the people around him cheering for Zhao Junchen, officials, businessmen, and squires also obeyed Zhao Junchen's orders, but Zhao Junchen stood calmly on the altar, without any expression, just watching silently
Seeing all this, Zhang Qicheng suddenly felt a little scary in his heart.
"This Zhao Junchen is not only despicable, but also has such methods. Sooner or later, the Ming Dynasty will be in trouble in his hands!!"
Thinking like this, Zhao Junchen did not become angry from shame. Instead, Zhang Qicheng became angry first. He pointed at Zhao Junchen and shouted loudly: "Zhao Junchen, you corrupt official and traitor!! You think you can hide it from the people of the whole country, and you can hide it from the people of the world."
Do you think that if you can hide it for a while, you can hide it for the rest of your life? Zhao Junchen! Your true face will be exposed sooner or later!!"
His voice was so loud that it overwhelmed the cheers of the people around him and reached Zhao Junchen's ears.
After Zhao Junchen glanced at Zhang Qicheng, he shouted to the people under the altar: "Everyone, be quiet!!"
When the area around the altar finally quieted down, Zhao Junchen raised his voice and said: "Common people, I know that over the years, because some people have maliciously slandered me, my reputation among the people has not been good, but as the saying goes,
, Hearing is better than seeing. I am standing here now. You can take this opportunity to see whether I am an honest official or a corrupt official. The locust plague in Lu'an Prefecture has caused everyone to gain nothing, but I promise
, I will never let any common people have no food to eat, otherwise, without others slandering me, I will admit that I am a corrupt official!!"
For the people, in times of famine, nothing is a greater benefit than "having food to eat", so after hearing Zhao Junchen's guarantee, the people cheered even louder, and faintly, there was even "
The cries of "blue sky" kept coming and going.
In this era, the threshold for an upright official is extremely low. As long as you can make the people live, you will be the great master of Qingtian!! And in the eyes of the people, Zhao Junchen has already met this standard.
Looking at the reactions of the people, Zhao Junchen nodded with satisfaction. He knew that from today on, his infamous reputation all over the world, at least within the territory of Lu'an Mansion, would be completely reversed. Taking Lu'an Mansion as the starting point
, the people's opinion of him will gradually improve, and Zhao Junchen's goal has finally been initially achieved.
However, satisfaction is satisfaction, but Zhao Junchen is not happy, because he actually does not like to fool the people. After all, he was also one of the common people in his previous life. But in order to reverse his current unfavorable situation, Zhao Junchen had to
If you don't do this - his current reputation is too bad. If you don't change it, you will really think that "no killing is enough to comfort the world."
Satisfied, guilty, helpless, or even a little proud, Zhao Junchen's mood now is quite complicated.
On the other side, Liu Changan saw that the situation had been decided. With admiration in his heart, he walked quickly to Zhao Junchen and asked: "Sir, Zhang Qicheng destroyed the sacrifice and slandered the court officials. He committed a heinous crime. What do you think should be done?"
Zhao Junchen actually doesn't hate Zhang Qicheng, and even appreciates it a little. After all, no matter in which era, there are not many people as upright and courageous as Zhang Qicheng. At least, Zhao Junchen asked himself, if he and Zhang Qicheng were in the same position
In exchange, Zhao Junchen may have to "live alone if he is poor" at this time.
Considering the influence among scholars, Zhao Junchen was not prepared to severely punish Zhang Qicheng.
Therefore, after pondering for a moment, when the people were quiet again, Zhao Junchen said to Zhang Qicheng: "Zhang Qicheng, you slandered the court officials today and destroyed the sacrificial ceremony. Logically speaking, no matter how hard I punish you, I can't punish you! But I
The official thinks that you are just being deceived by others, and there is no malice in yourself. You have extenuating feelings, and they will not punish you harshly. They will only take away your reputation as a scholar. Are you convinced?"
The reason why Zhao Junchen wanted to seize Zhang Qicheng's fame and ruin his career as an official in the future was actually because of Zhang Qicheng's consideration.
Although this Zhang Qicheng is righteous and has no shortage of courage, his righteousness and courage are often expressed in the form of recklessness. Such a person, when entering the officialdom, will definitely be played by applause without knowing it, and he will not fall into the trap.
What a good ending - just like how Zhao Junchen took advantage of him today.
In this case, it would be better to end his career as an official as early as possible and let him be a teacher in Lu'an Mansion.
Officialdom is as dangerous as the battlefield. For people like Zhang Qicheng, it is best not to participate.
I thought Zhang Qicheng would object fiercely, but to Zhao Junchen's surprise, Zhang Qicheng first looked at the people around him blankly, and then looked at Zhao Junchen blankly for a long time, and then he actually regained his composure.
"Since you have already said so, what's the use of my further objection?" Zhang Qicheng said this slowly and expressionlessly at first, then loudly asked Zhao Junchen: "Since you are so magnanimous, sir, I don't know what happened before.
What do you plan to do with the innocent people who attacked you today? If they are detained without trial or punishment without being released, how can you make the people feel at ease?"
When Liu Changan saw that Zhang Qicheng was not only pushing the envelope, he also secretly ridiculed Zhao Junchen - "the innocent people who attacked your Excellency"!! Since the people are innocent, doesn't it mean that Zhao Junchen deserves to be stoned? - In anger
, and was ready to rebuke loudly.
However, before he could speak, Zhao Junchen waved his hand and stopped him.
Zhao Junchen was heard speaking loudly to the people under the altar: "A few days ago, some people threw stones to attack me. According to the law of the Ming Dynasty, the light punishment can be as long as thirty with a stick, and the severe punishment can be beheaded. But I know that they are just suffering.
People were misled, so we did not intend to punish them severely. Although they were imprisoned, they were never ill-treated. Regarding this, you can ask them personally when they are released from prison in the future. I planned to imprison them for a while longer.
Let them understand that the laws and disciplines of the court cannot be violated, but now that the locust eradication is the time to employ people, I decided to release them in advance and let them exchange their merits for their crimes. If they perform well during the locust eradication period, I will not
Let’s hold them accountable again!”
As Zhao Junchen finished speaking, the cheers started again among the people.
"The Imperial Envoy is indeed a good official!"
"You can let go of the people who attacked you, even Bao Qingtian of the Song Dynasty couldn't do that, right?"
"This imperial envoy seems to really care for the people! In the past, someone actually slandered this gentleman as a corrupt official. He is really evil-hearted!"
When the words of the common people reached his ears, Zhang Qicheng understood that he had lost this battle of public opinion, and he had lost miserably.
With a sigh, he once again took a deep look at Zhao Junchen who was receiving cheers from the people on the altar. He hid his resentment and unwillingness deep in his heart. Zhang Qicheng didn't say anything more, but quietly turned around and left.
The back is lonely and desolate.
"The sacrifice to heaven is over. For the sake of peace and prosperity for the world, and for the sake of next year's harvest, common people, let us destroy the locusts!!"
Zhao Junchen did not pay attention to Zhang Qicheng's departure, but just announced loudly to the people.
………
When Zhao Junchen walked off the altar, Xu Qingyan quickly came to Zhao Junchen with a bowl of water and said, "Thank you for your hard work, young master."
Zhao Junchen nodded, didn't say anything more, and just drank all the water in the bowl.
On the altar, Zhao Junchen had been shouting at the top of his lungs in order to let more people hear his voice clearly. Now his mouth was dry and his throat hurt unbearably.
Xu Qingyan, on the other hand, looked like a villain who had succeeded, and gloated: "That Zhang Qicheng dared to provoke the young master, he really overestimated his capabilities!"
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "You can't say that. In fact, this Qicheng appeared at the right time. The image of a corrupt official has been circulating in the hearts of the people for a long time. If I want to change this impression violently, the people will definitely not adapt.
And I have doubts in my heart, and with this debate, the people will think that I was slandered and slandered before, and the effect is better. In this case, we have to thank Zhang Qicheng."
Xu Qingyan smiled and said, "The young master still understands!"
Zhao Junchen sighed softly and said: "However, we must also find some of our own people among the scholars. Otherwise, no matter what we do, we will end up treating the symptoms rather than the root cause, getting half the result with half the effort. In the end, the public opinion of the world is still controlled by those scholars.
In the hands of He Qingliu. They have a high reputation and the people believe their words. With their help in speaking up, we can save a lot of trouble. So from now on, we must not only change the people's view of me, but also change the way the people view me.
What scholars think of me. Just like today, if I were not present and Zhang Qicheng made such a fuss, all our preparations would have been in vain."
Xu Qingyan nodded repeatedly and said: "I heard from people that Zhang Qicheng relied on the shadow of his father's generation and always acted unscrupulously. It was only the young master who was able to treat him obediently."
Zhao Junchen smiled and shook his head and said: "Stop flattering, let's go."
Xu Qingyan was stunned and asked: "Where to go?"
"It's a full show. At this time, naturally I have to do it myself and go to cull locusts with the people. Where else can I go?"