The treatment that visitors to the Qin Mansion receive while waiting can be roughly divided into three levels. The highest level is to be invited to the outer study room to be accompanied by a retainer to talk.
The next best thing is to be invited to sit in the concierge and served with tea and the like; the worst treatment is to stand outside the gate and wait for a reply from inside.
At this time, there were two people standing outside the gate of the Qin Mansion. One of them was a Taoist priest and the other was a government official. Obviously, in the eyes of the Qin Mansion, these two people had no status at all.
This Taoist priest is called Xi Yuanren, and he is a disciple of the famous Taoist Duan Chaoyong in recent times. He works tirelessly to pray for rain in Chaotian Palace.
I visited the Qin Mansion today to invite Tao Xiuxuan Tao Fairy, who was enshrined in the Qin Mansion, to go to the Chaotian Palace to participate in the rain praying ceremony.
The official was Song Laoliu, a government official from Shuntian Prefecture, who was sent by the government to assist Taoist Xi in his work.
In the eyes of Song Laoliu, Taoist Xi was like a complete idiot for daring to come to the Qin Mansion to ask for a woman.
Now that the message has been sent in, the two of them are waiting for the result outside the gate.
But Song Laoliu's calves were trembling a little, and he kept thinking about how to distance himself in front of the Qin family.
While waiting, Song Laoliu couldn't bear it anymore, so he asked Xi Yuanren: "Everyone knows that Scholar Qin is from the stars in the sky and descended to earth. How dare you people who worship immortals come to the Qin Mansion to ask for someone?"
Taoist Xi only felt that Song Laoliu was too timid, but he still needed the help of this acquaintance in the capital to run errands, so he encouraged him and said:
"We, Duan Immortal, are ordered to pray for rain. No matter the officials, soldiers or civilians, everyone must cooperate, and the Qin Mansion is no exception! Look at your Shuntian Mansion Yamen, didn't you also send you to assist?"
Song Laoliu curled his lips secretly, feeling that these Taoist Taoist priests from out of town really didn't understand the rules of the operation of power in the capital.
Do you really think that as long as there are two words "in accordance with the decree", everything will be smooth?
Taoist Xi also secretly despised Song Laoliu. How could such a rough man understand the subtleties of leveraging power?
Could it be that Duan Xianchang, who was capable of scheming and deceiving even the emperor, didn't know that Qin Dewei would definitely refuse to hand over Tao Xiangu?
However, the result that Duan Xianchang wanted was for Qin Dewei to directly refuse!
Refusing to hand over Tao Xiangu is tantamount to refusing to cooperate with the emperor's decree to pray for rain. This makes sense!
If we use more force to make the matter bigger, we might be able to drag Tao Zhongwen into it.
While the two were scorning each other, suddenly the left and right side doors of the mansion opened at the same time.
Immediately afterwards, six or seven tough men who looked like wolves and tigers rushed out, and in an instant they surrounded the two people outside the door.
Before Song Laoliu could react, these people hugged Taoist Xi and entered the door again.
After all, he was also an accomplice who came together. Song Laoliu subconsciously wanted to chase him in, but was stopped again.
Then Zhang San, the concierge of the Qin Mansion, pointed at Song Laoliu and shouted sternly: "It has nothing to do with Song Chai, don't meddle in other people's business!"
Song Laoliu was just a government servant, so how could he dare to challenge the people of Qin Mansion? Just when he was about to say a few nice words, he suddenly heard screams coming from the gate of Qin Mansion.
Suddenly, Song Laoliu didn't dare to say anything and just stood outside the gate.
Immediately inside the gate, several screams sounded one after another. Song Laoliu could tell that this was the voice of Taoist Xi, but he could do nothing.
Then, the screams suddenly disappeared, and the silence inside and outside the gate of Qin Mansion returned, as if nothing had happened.
Song Laoliu waited outside the gate until the sun turned westward in the afternoon, but the Qin Mansion did not see Taoist Xi thrown out.
The experienced Song Laoliu suddenly realized that something bad was going on! Maybe it was a small matter to a family like Qin Mansion, but to him, Song Laoliu, it was definitely a big deal!
After all, Song Laoliu was sent to assist Taoist Xi. If Taoist Xi had any shortcomings, Song Laoliu would not be able to explain it easily.
So Song Laoliu no longer waited in vain and ran towards Chaotian Palace in the northwest of the city.
As dusk approached, Song Laoliu, who had unleashed his full potential, came to Chaotian Palace. After reporting, he was led to Duan Chaoyong.
Duan Chaoyong asked: "Didn't you go to the Qin Mansion? Why are you panicking? Why is Xi Yuanren missing?"
Song Laoliu gasped for breath and briefly explained today's encounter, and then said: "Hao Jiao, the old immortal, knows that Taoist Xi will be gone!"
Duan Chaoyong said doubtfully: "How can you be sure?"
Song Laoliu replied confidently: "I have been in the capital for a long time, and I know that these wealthy families are the most domineering, and beating people to vent their anger is commonplace.
If Taoist Xi was only injured, he would definitely be thrown out after the beating. Then the people from the Qin Mansion would say some harsh words to me, a fellow traveler, as a deterrent.
But I waited until the afternoon, but there was no movement, and the Qin Mansion ignored me. That can only mean one thing, Taoist Xi was afraid that he would be beaten to death!
And I heard with my own ears outside the gate that Taoist Xi’s screams gradually died down, there’s no mistaking it!”
Duan Chao slammed the tea cup on the floor tiles and cursed: "Qin Dewei is worse than a pig or a dog!"
He originally expected that after his disciple Xi Yuanren passed by, he would definitely be rejected by Qin Dewei, and it was possible that he might even receive a few punches.
Isn't that just a ready-made tactic to suffer the consequences? It doesn't matter!
Who would have thought that Qin Dewei would brutally beat Xi Yuanren to death without even saying a word!
Duan Chaoyong, who is a professional magician, has experienced this kind of contempt from the powerful many times, but nothing as hateful as Qin Dewei!
Although a little thing happened at the gate of Qin Mansion today, the owner of Qin Mansion, Mr. Qin, didn't take it to heart at all. He ate when he needed to eat, slept when he needed to, and rested at home for the whole day.
The next day, Mr. Qin went out and came to Qipan Street. This is one of the most prosperous business districts in the capital, and Yuanfeng Bank is located here.
After two years of hard work, and with a little help from the Ministry of Household Affairs, Jingcheng Yuanfenghao has developed rapidly, and the area it covers is three times that of when it first opened.
However, in order to avoid suspicion and keep a low profile, Qin Dewei rarely showed up here. Anyway, with Gu at the helm, he only needed to give guidance and work at home.
Now that he was dismissed from his official position, Qin Dewei, the boss behind the scenes, came over and showed up.
Like stars holding the moon, Qin Dewei, accompanied by a group of shopkeepers and waiters, inspected the place inside and out, and then sat in the back hall to talk.
Qin Dewei asked the shopkeepers: "Since I resigned from the official position, has anyone come to your door to cause trouble in the past two days?"
Yuanfeng Hao Bank is different from ordinary banks. Many businesses require the support of powerful officials to continue running.
But success is a failure, and failure is a failure. Once a powerful official loses power or steps down, there will definitely be problems, so Qin Dewei specifically asked about the situation.
But the shopkeepers answered together: "No."
Qin Dewei asked again: "Don't be afraid of trouble! Really?"
The shopkeepers still replied: "This is really not true! Everything in our business is normal!"
Qin Dewei said to himself: "How come there is no one who adds insult to injury and retaliates?"
The shopkeepers were speechless. Mr. Qin, are you still expecting something bad to happen?
Qin Dewei sighed, people are becoming less and less stupid these days. In the recent few times of fishing, no one has been caught, and no one else has been fooled.
Life is really lonely as snow.
So another shopkeeper put aside the process and directly boasted: "With Mr. Qin sitting in the capital, it is a small shock, and the business of Yuanfeng Hao will naturally be peaceful!"
Other shopkeepers also followed suit and praised: "It's very, very good! Even if Mr. Qin retires from the court, his remaining power is enough to ensure peace in our house! With Mr. Qin protecting Yuanfeng, who dares to cause trouble?"
Qin Dewei smiled and said: "It's better to keep a low profile. You just know it in your heart and don't have to say it openly! I guess many people will have to wait and see for a while. I think there won't be any bad things coming in the near future!"
Before he finished speaking, a boy suddenly trotted over and shouted outside the door: "Something happened outside! A group of military officers came and blocked the door!"
Shopkeepers: "."
But Qin Dewei jumped up from his seat and said to the messenger boy: "Let's go and have a look!"
When I walked to the entrance of the bank, I saw a group of Jin Yiwei officers standing inside and outside the door, but then I saw the eunuch Bingbi, the eunuch and Eunuch Qin of Dongchang, the eunuch of the ceremony, sitting on the imperial chair with a golden sword.
Qin Dewei was very surprised. He just thought it was Lu Bing who had "enlightened" again, and he couldn't wait to add insult to injury, but he didn't expect it was Eunuch Qin.
Qin Dewei walked forward with doubts, "I heard that Duke Qin asked for the emperor's favor and moved his first house to Xiyuan. It is really a great kindness! Today, Duke Qin is not going to celebrate the joy of moving, but what is he doing here?"
Originally, Eunuch Qin's first bedroom was in the Yangxin Hall, which was quite far away from the Renshou Palace in Xiyuan. This made Eunuch Qin feel very insecure.
After repeated petitions, we finally got permission to move the direct house to Xiyuan, making us closer to the emperor again.
I saw Eunuch Qin patting the handrail, standing up and shouting: "I was decorating the new room, but unexpectedly the emperor sent an imperial edict, asking me to arrest you and put you in jail!"
Qin Dewei couldn't help but sigh and said: "The emperor actually asked the factory boss to come and pick me up in person. It seems that he treats me as a chief assistant. Otherwise, it would be enough to just send a royal guard!"
Eunuch Qin was speechless. Is now the time to think about this question?
Qin Dewei raised his legs and took the initiative to walk out. As he walked, he asked: "Are you going to Jinyiwei Prison?"
Eunuch Qin didn't have the slightest sense of accomplishment and replied: "I want to take you to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment, and then the Justice Department will interrogate your crimes!"
Qin Dewei frowned and said: "Going to Tianlao again? I thought I could be imprisoned next time."
But for ministers, going to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment is more preferential than going to the imperial prison, which shows that the emperor has no intention of killing you.
However, Qin Dewei's arrogant and cynical attitude, for some reason, completely angered Eunuch Qin.
It is indeed a small matter that Qin Dewei killed someone, but there is something very wrong with your attitude!
"Stop!" Eunuch Qin suddenly shouted at Qin Dewei, who was walking in front.
Qin Dewei was confused and asked casually: "What's wrong with Mr. Qin?"
Eunuch Qin said coldly: "In history, there are many ministers who rely on favor and are used to being arrogant, and they don't know how to restrain themselves even after being punished!
They always think that the emperor will forgive them, but as time goes by, the emperor's kindness becomes weaker and weaker, and finally they fall into the abyss without a happy ending!
You are also someone who has read history books, haven’t you seen such examples? Young people must know how to advance and retreat, and cannot squander success resources uncontrollably just because they are successful at the moment!”
After listening to Eunuch Qin's words, Qin Dewei couldn't help but think deeply, maybe he was digesting Eunuch Qin's unfaithful advice.
When Eunuch Qin was about to say a few words, he heard Qin Dewei's calm response: "I just don't understand, what position does Duke Qin have in saying these things to me?
Isn’t it a bit too shallow to talk deeply? In fact, there is a special adjective for your tone of voice, which is called daddy."
Eunuch Qin: "."
If you have a stick in your hand, you Qin Dewei will definitely know what real daddy taste is!
In the end, Eunuch Qin could only swallow his breath and forcefully make up for it by saying: "I don't know what is good or what is wrong! I just don't want your Majesty to lose a good minister, and I can't bear to see problems arise in the Jiajing Dynasty's good story!"
There was no communication between the two men named Qin along the way. Today, Qin Dewei came out of his house, but when he returned, he was sent to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment.
Eight years have passed, and Qin Dewei was imprisoned in the prison for the third time. The appearance here has not changed at all.
Probably only the people have changed. Eight years ago, Mr. Feng was incarcerated, and later Zhang Yanling was added. Today, eight years later, Zhang Yanling is still there, but Guo Xun is in the other cell.
When Qin Dewei was escorted down the steps and into the corridor of the prison, Jianchang Marquis Zhang Yanling and Wuding Marquis Guo Xun were slightly stunned. At first they thought they were dim.
Then the two of them shouted through the iron fence: "God's way is good! There must be justice in the world! One day, Qin Dewei, you will also receive retribution!"
Two old men over sixty years old were as happy as children when they saw Qin Dewei going to the prison. After scolding him, they couldn't help laughing and mocking him.
Qin Dewei snorted coldly: "Why are you laughing! I don't understand why you can still laugh when you are all facing disaster!"
Then he pointed at Zhang Yanling and said, "You are alive today only because the Empress Dowager Zhaosheng is still here. Out of filial piety, Your Majesty cannot bear to see the Empress Dowager Zhaosheng grieving for her brother's punishment!"
As far as I know, the Empress Dowager Zhaosheng is very old now, and she has many worries! Your criminal minister's life is like a mayfly, how long can you survive?"
The Empress Dowager Zhaosheng is the Empress Dowager Zhang, the main palace of Emperor Hongzhi, the biological mother of Emperor Zhengde, and the aunt of Emperor Jiajing. Now she has entered her final years in the deserted environment.
Emperor Jiajing has not killed Zhang Yanling so far because of the Queen Mother Zhang's status, so he has been locked up. Once the Queen Mother Zhang dies, Zhang Yanling will basically be beheaded.
After hearing Qin Dewei's words, Zhang Yanling realized her true situation, her wanton smile gradually disappeared, and she suddenly fell into boundless melancholy.
Qin Dewei didn't care how Zhang Yanling, a scumbag, felt, and pointed at Guo Xun, "I'm afraid you Guo Xun only have a few days to live!"
You were imprisoned for colluding with Duan Chaoyong, but now that Duan Chaoyong has been released by the emperor, you are still in jail.
I don't want to ask anything else. I just want to ask if the emperor ever paid attention to you? Did he rescue you? Did the emperor ever think of letting you go?
I'm thinking about it, I guess a lot of people want you to die suddenly in the prison! If I were you, I would just kill myself!
I really don’t know what’s going on in your mind, but you’re still in the mood to laugh here!”
After listening to Qin Dewei's words, Guo Xun was stunned and motionless, and his whole person suddenly became depressed.
After making the two people depressed, Qin Dewei finally calmed down and took out a banknote from his arms with a clear mind, patted it into the jailer's hand, and ordered:
"Go to Taibai Tower to buy a banquet and bring it in for me! Also, go to Xiyuan Hutong and call Miss Zheng Ziyun over to sing!"
You must still have guaranteed monthly passes, hand them over!