After dealing with the relevant officers and generals of Luoyang Qianhu Office, Jia Heng looked through Lu Qingshan's confession and the secret records of the two governors Tian and Zhou.
It roughly records the illegal and transgressive actions of Prince Wei Kang and Prince Zheng Cheng, including but not limited to arrogance in food, clothing, housing and transportation, as well as the bullying of men and women by the vassal's children, the illegal behavior in the fish and meat village, and the keeping of child servants. The servants who guard the courtyard made private armor and weapons for this purpose.
There are so many evidences of crime that it is difficult to write down.
"Sir." Seeing Jia Heng's expression gloomy and uncertain, Princess Xianning looked at him with her beautiful eyes and asked in a concerned tone.
Jia Heng closed the book and said: "The vassal vassals are entrenched in the prefecture and county, and their evil deeds are not under the control of thieves and bandits."
Princess Xianning said worriedly: "Sir, you want to punish the two vassals? These two vassals are the emperor's nephews. They have always been tolerant in the past. My father often heard impeachments from local officials, but due to the blood relationship between the Tian family, it is difficult to deal with them."
Jia Heng said: "Your Highness, the punishment of the two vassals will be discussed by the public in Shenjing. Now we still have to get the money and food from the court from the hands of the two vassals. Otherwise, the court will not be able to support the suppression of the bandits and the compensation."
"Sir, just plan." Princess Xianning said softly: "However, I will report the matter here to my father in a memorial."
Jia Heng glanced at the cold and beautiful girl and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for speaking up."
This is the advantage of him taking Princess Xianning with him, because he brings not only Xianning, but also Empress Song, Concubine Duanrong, and King Wei behind her.
"Sir, you're welcome." Princess Xianning said softly, her beautiful eyes flashed, and suddenly her voice trembled a little as she said, "I'm afraid my father may not believe everything I wrote. .”
Most likely, the father would say that her memorial has an obvious tendency to be sparse and its credibility is lower, which is unknown.
Jia Heng smiled and said, "It's okay, it's better than nothing."
Princess Xianning: "???"
In a flash, he knew that the young man was teasing him. He pursed his pink lips and his heart skipped a beat.
While the two were talking, Liu Jixian was seen striding in from outside. He raised his hands and said, "Commander, Henan Prefecture Yin Meng Jinwen has returned and is waiting in the lobby."
Jia Heng nodded, then looked at Princess Xianning aside, and said warmly: "Your Highness, go and rest first."
"Sir, I'm not tired." Princess Xianning shook her head and said clearly.
"Your Majesty, you have been traveling all the way, and your face is covered with sweat. After you take a bath, go and rest for a while. We will have dinner together later." Jia Heng's eyes were gentle and he said softly. Seeing that the girl was still motionless, he said: " Okay, Your Highness doesn’t need to stay here anymore, I will go back to rest for a while after meeting the Governor of Henan.”
Listening to Jia Heng's slightly coaxing tone, Princess Xianning lowered her bright eyes, a faint blush crept up her face, and said softly: "Sir... I'll go over first."
"Let's go." Jia Heng said nothing else and watched Princess Xianning leave. Then, accompanied by Liu Jixian and several other guards, he went to see Henan Prefecture Yin Meng Jinwen.
At this moment, in the official hall, Meng Jinwen had been sitting there waiting for a while. When he heard footsteps, he quickly put down the tea cup and looked at the person coming.
I saw a young man in a python suit with sword-shaped eyebrows and a serious face surrounding the guards in Jinyi like stars over the moon. Knowing that he was the real master, he stood up, raised his hands and saluted, "Your Majesty, Meng Jinwen, has met Mr. Jia."
Jia Heng nodded slightly to Meng Jinwen and called out: "Mengfu Yin is not polite."
"Thank you, Lord Jia." Meng Jinwen said softly.
While Jia Heng was talking, he sat down on the pearwood chair next to the small table and asked without beating around the bush: "Meng Fu Yin, I heard from Xie Fu Cheng earlier that the treasury was short and it was difficult to supply food and fodder for the large army, so Meng Fu Yin went
The two feudal lords Wei and Zheng are asking for taxes and grain arrears over the years. I don’t know what the two feudal lords Wei and Zheng say?”
When Meng Jinwen mentioned this matter, he sighed and complained: "I have tried to persuade the officials, but Prince Wei's palace still shied away from the empty treasury of the palace. In the end, it was only willing to give out three thousand stones to support the imperial court in suppressing the bandits."
With that, he narrated the journey to Prince Wei's Mansion in detail.
Jia Heng frowned and asked, "Where is Zheng Fan?"
"Zheng Fan also said the same thing. Prince Zheng Cheng said that there is still rice and grain in Taicang, and it can be used to feed the army, which is enough to support the war." Meng Jinwen said with a bitter look on his face.
What he is doing now is just a slight depletion of personnel. With his own strength, he is simply not enough to restrain Zheng and Wei. No matter what, if he shows a positive and running attitude, the young man in front of him will not be able to attack him.
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Mengfu Yin, I have been ordered by the emperor to lead the army to suppress the bandits. According to the usual practice, most of the military grain and fodder should be transported from the Henan vassal treasury. However, so far, the grain and fodder are not ready, and the existing rice grain can only be
It lasted for three to five days, thus delaying military and state affairs. Does Mengfu Yin know what his crime is?"
"Xiaoguan knows." Sensing the hint of warning in his words, Meng Jinwen's face changed slightly, he stood up quickly, cupped his hands and said: "But Xiaguan is at a loss what to do. The Wei and Zheng dynasties owe taxes and grain, Xiaguan
After repeated reminders and excuses, I really can’t think of any other way.”
Jia Heng frowned and said, "As the governor of Henan, can't you impeach the Wei and Zheng vassals to the imperial court?"
"This..." Meng Jinwen's heart sank and he hesitated: "Sir, the two vassals have been in Henan for a long time, and he is the emperor's nephew. I'm afraid it will be difficult to impeach him, right?"
Jia Heng said with an indifferent expression: "The two vassals of Wei and Zheng have owed grain and occupied grain fields. If Mengfu Yin impeaches him and reports it to Shenjing, which will cause hundreds of civil and military officials in the dynasty to do evil to the two vassals, of course, I will cooperate with them."
Mengfu Yin also presented the report, is Mengfu Yin willing to impeach?"
Impeachment is only the first step, because it cannot be punished without teaching. Only by letting all the princes in the court know the corrupt faces of the two feudal princes of Henan. In times of crisis, they are still ignorant of the general situation, stingy and selfish, then from top to bottom
This will build a consensus between the government and the opposition, and then sharpen the knife to create a basis for public opinion.
What happened in Henan made even the emperor vomit blood in a hurry. Aren't these princes worried at all?
Meng Jinwen's face darkened, and he nodded quickly and said, "I will write an impeachment memorial right now."
As of now, he has no choice.
Jia Heng said: "Come here, prepare pen and paper."
After they finished writing the memorial, they handed over their brocade clothes and reported to the capital on horseback.
Wait until we sit down again to talk.
Xu Shi jointly participated in the impeachment. Meng Jinwen made up his mind and did not seem to be estranged just now. He asked: "Master Jia, even if we impeach the two vassals, the imperial order cannot be achieved at once. Now that the military situation is urgent, how can we pursue the Wei and Zheng vassals?"
Asking for grain?"
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said in a low voice: "This matter still needs the cooperation of Meng Fuyin, but before that, we must first deceive these two kings."
At the end of the sentence, my eyes were deep and I had a plan in mind.
"Scam out?" Meng Jinwen murmured, full of doubts.
Jia Heng did not explain, but ordered: "Liu Jixian, have someone compile the books submitted by the two governors, summon the Tiqi, and later invite the Zheng and Wei vassals to come to the government office for questioning."
Facing the Jin Yiwei, the feudal king will be instinctively afraid, so he can kidnap the person first.
Liu Jixian handed over his hand.
Jia Heng said, then looked at Meng Jinwen with an aggressive look and said: "Mr. Meng can organize the tax collectors of Henan Prefecture to go to the Wei and Zheng vassal houses. When the two kings come out, they will immediately seize the treasury and demand the payment of grain taxes."
From some reports from the Jinyi Mansion, we can see that the Wei and Zheng vassals have a lot of food stored in the palace, and he will lead the troops to go on an expedition tomorrow. He really does not have time to accompany these vassal kings to play "treat guests, behead people, and accept the food."
Dog" game.
The only way is to cut through the mess quickly.
The previous statement about blocking the Gaoyue bandit group in front and back does not mean "wait, stop, and lean" to delay time. It also means to use rapid force to complete the encirclement of the Gaoyue bandit group as quickly as possible.
Meng Jinwen's expression changed slightly and he said in a low voice: "Master Jia, both vassals have palace gate guards and nearly thousands of servants. I'm afraid I can't collect food and grain at all just relying on the yamen servants."
According to the Han system, the vassal king had a retinue of palace guards, commanded by Dianjun, and led 330 personal guards to serve as guards of honor and guards. Of course, this was a regular imperial military registration and was mobilized by the Ministry of War. As for the child servants raised by the vassal king privately
, is actually among the violations.
Jia Heng sneered and said, "Don't worry, Mengfu Yin. As soon as the two kings of Wei and Zheng come out, I will immediately surround the two palaces and not allow anyone to enter or leave. The officials of Henan Prefecture will go in to count the grain and collect the shortfall.
Move the grain, and then reconcile the accounts one by one until they are written off."
"This..." Meng Jinwen was shocked.
"The military situation is like a fire, urgent matters must be followed by power, the bandits are getting stronger day by day, I supervise the army with the Emperor's Sword, how can I let the two vassal kings delay the military plan?" Jia Heng's face was calm and his tone was understated, but there was no room for doubt.
In the name of "protection", he could take over the palaces of Wei and Zheng dynasties with soldiers and horses, seal their treasury, and count the rice and grain.
As for whether the two vassals will go to Beijing to impeach him, it is actually not a big problem. As long as the two vassal kings of Wei and Zheng are not stabbed with a sword, then there is room for maneuver in everything, and it is nothing more than a war of words.
Even if the emperor knew about it, he would secretly give it a thumbs up, and then pretend to say that he will obey the authority in urgent matters and will not do it again.
As for the Supreme Emperor, he may not say anything. The Supreme Emperor is just old, not confused.
For example, the first-generation vassal kings of the two vassals still had some affection and love while they were still alive, but these were all passed down to the second generation, and basically only some family-friendly feelings remained.
However, just now Princess Xianning said that Empress Dowager Feng's relatives were also in Luoyang and could act as an intermediary to persuade the Wei and Zheng vassals to demolish the house and open the windows as a finishing touch.
Otherwise, even if he visits these two vassals in person, he will most likely be sent back like Meng Jinwen. If he falls out again at that time, the price he pays will not be smaller than it is now. Not to mention that the Wei and Zheng vassals were on guard, they thought he was
He has scruples in his heart, and then he gets more serious and tries to do whatever he wants.
Therefore, it is simply not possible to be polite first and then fight, to fight wits and courage, and then wait until the conflict becomes acute and the two parties come to the fore, causing trouble, but to knock them out with a stick, leaving the two vassal kings dumbfounded on the spot.
Meng Jinwen's face changed slightly, and he thought to himself, Master Jia is really young and energetic, and he is determined to fight with these two feudal princes.
After Meng Jinwen listened to Jia Heng's instructions, he bowed his hands and left, going to prepare manpower.
After Meng Jinwen left, Jia Heng gave Liu Jixian a few more words of advice and said, "Liu Jixian, if anything happens over there, please send someone to report it at any time."
If something happens over there, he can come to the rescue.
"Don't worry, sir. I'm going to leave my humble post right now." Liu Jixian understood and left as ordered.
As soon as Liu Jixian left, Jia Heng summoned Cai Quan again and whispered: "Cai Guerrilla, as soon as the Zheng and Wei vassals invited them, he immediately sent two thousand riders to surround the two palaces, saying that the bandits were powerful and protected.
Empire."
Cai Quan also accepted the order.
When everyone left, Jia Heng felt tired and tired, so he ordered his people to keep an eye on the news coming from Jin Yiwei, call him if there was something urgent, and go to the back office.
Walking into the backyard, I saw Xia Houying sitting on a huanghuali wooden chair in the flower hall, wearing a beautifully embroidered flying fish suit and holding an embroidered spring knife in her arms. She was sitting on the chair with her eyes closed and taking a nap.
Little by little, maybe he heard the sound of Jia Heng's footsteps, and suddenly he was excited. He opened his eyes and cast a cold gaze towards him.
"Miss Xiahou, just sit down." Jia Heng smiled, looked at the female Jinyi, lowered his voice and asked: "Did your Highness the Princess have a rest?"
Xia Houying listened to Miss Xiahou's four words, frowned slightly, and said: "After your highness took a bath, he changed his clothes and rested in the backyard."
Jia Heng nodded, sat down on the wooden chair opposite, and said warmly: "It's been a tiring journey, and if Miss Xiahou feels sleepy, she doesn't need to stay here. She can go to the back house to rest."
The cold look on Xia Houying's face dissipated a little and she said, "Thank you, Mr. Jia, for your concern. I'll just close my eyes for a while."
Jia Heng didn't want to talk about anything else, so he picked up the tea cup on the side and took a sip, then turned towards the side room to rest.
But on the other side, after King Wei saw off Meng Jinwen, he had someone prepare a sedan chair to go to Prince Zheng's Mansion.
Prince Zheng's Mansion, noon
Behind the manor in the deep courtyard, there is a waterside pavilion with octagonal eaves and surrounded by water. Prince Zheng Cheng is sitting on a green and yellow rattan chair, holding a purple bamboo fishing rod in his hand, fishing with a comfortable expression.
Not far behind him, his ten-year-old grandson Chen Xiang was sitting on the embroidered pier. He also picked up a bamboo pole, and under the care of Chang Sui, he put bait on the fishing hook and threw it towards the rippling blue lake surface.
Ripples in circles.
There were several servants waiting nearby, not daring to show off their anger, but only scaring away the fish in the lake.
"Your Majesty, Prince Wei is here." At this moment, from the direction of the water pavilion leading to the Moon Gate, an old man over fifty years old walked quickly. It was Sun Xun, the chief historian of Prince Zheng's palace, and he bowed to Prince Zheng.
Next to him, he whispered.
Prince Zheng Cheng turned his head with gray and white hair, a strange color appeared on his thin face, and asked in a clear voice: "If he comes here at this time, it is probably because the imperial court is sending troops to pay."
Sun Xun cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty Ming Jian, this is what Prince Wei said."
"Disappointing." Prince Zheng Cheng muttered in a low voice, handed the fishing rod to the servant beside him, stood up, stretched and said, "Sun Changshi will go with me to see you."
Sun Xun responded and followed Prince Zheng Cheng out of the waterside pavilion, heading towards the Chengyun Hall where Prince Zheng usually entertained guests.
Chengyun Hall, in the main hall, Prince Wei Kang has been waiting for him for a while under the guidance of the steward.
"Brother Prince Zheng." When Prince Wei Kang saw Prince Zheng Cheng approaching, he quickly stood up to greet him.
Prince Zheng Cheng smiled and said: "Brother King Wei, we haven't seen you for a long time. It's great to see you again. Why are you so free today?"
Prince Wei Kang had a slight smile on his chubby round face and said, "Brother Prince Zheng, I don't go to the Three Treasures Palace for anything."
The two of them chatted and sat down.
Prince Wei Kang said: "Brother Prince Zheng, have you seen the Meng Mansion Yin?"
"Brother Wei, what about Meng Jinwen? He came here very early in the morning and came to ask for the account. He said a lot of nonsense and was sent away by me." Prince Zheng Cheng waved his hand calmly.
Prince Wei Kang sighed and said: "Since Brother Wang has met the man named Meng, I know what his plan is. He said that the imperial army is stationed in Luo and needs military supplies, food and fodder, so let us return these."
As for the unpaid grain taxes, I think they are acting as debt collectors in the name of the imperial court's suppression of bandits."
Prince Zheng Cheng said: "He told me that the harvests in Henan counties have been sluggish in recent years, so there is no rice for him."
"Yes, that Henan governor Zhou Dezhen is also a loser. There are also the officers and soldiers of the Henan Dusi. Tens of thousands of people have allowed a small group of thieves to become powerful. Now Kaifeng Prefecture has fallen into the hands of thieves." Prince Wei Kang complained,
Then he looked at Prince Zheng Cheng expectantly and said: "Brother Wang, Meng Jinwen has said that he will give 300,000 dan from my house and 400,000 dan from Brother Wang's house. What can he say if he has passed this level?"
We’ve passed this level.”
"This matter is absolutely impossible." Prince Zheng Cheng waved his hand, with a hint of coldness on his face.
Prince Wei Kang's tone was worried, and he lowered his voice and said: "Brother Wang, I heard that this Jia Heng is not a fuel-efficient lamp. I asked Zhuo Changshi to find out that this man is not as young as the weak crown, he is a lucky man, and his methods are ruthless.
, now leading the Beijing camp, his power is very strong, and it is a bit difficult to deal with the troops coming this time."
Prince Zheng Cheng looked indifferent and said: "Don't worry, brother Wei, the emperor is still here, it's not the turn of such a young boy to bar his teeth at us! In any case, we have no food in our house, who does he want to look for?"
After searching for grain, it is not that he is short of military supplies. There are still hundreds of thousands of grains hidden in Taicang, which is enough for him to put down the rebellion. There are also more than a dozen rice merchants in Luoyang, who have hoarded millions of grains.
As long as he takes out the money and worries about not being able to buy rice, there is no need to embarrass us clan members."
"Brother Wang, that's what I meant." Prince Wei Kang said with a smile.
The most fearful thing about fighting against important officials of the imperial court is to be alone and helpless. If the two of them advance and retreat together, they will not be afraid of Jia Heng. At least the two emperors of Shenjing still have to pay attention to some royal dignity.
However, while the two were discussing, a servant from outside suddenly ran over in a hurry, with a look of panic on his face, and said: "Your Majesty, something bad has happened. A large number of Jin Yiti are riding outside Renxin Gate, saying they are from Shenjing.
Jin Yiwei, following the orders of the Jin Yi Commandery, invites the prince to ask questions."
Prince Zheng Cheng's brows twitched, and his face surged with anger, and he said: "Captain Jinyi? Jia Heng, okay, who gave them the courage! They actually bullied me."
Prince Wei Kang was also startled and thought to himself, what is Jin Yiti doing riding here?
He frowned and said: "Brother Prince Zheng, the people from Jinyi Mansion in Shenjing are afraid that the people who come here are not good-natured. Let's first see what their purpose is."
Prince Zheng Cheng said coldly: "Brother King Wei, follow me to see Jia Ziyu. You will also meet this Jia Ziyu."
Prince Wei Kang nodded and then he and Prince Zheng Cheng left Chengyun Hall and came to the tower of Renxin Gate.
At this moment, hundreds of cavalry in brocade attire and tall horses were seen below. They were all wearing flying fish and equipped with embroidered spring knives. Their faces were solemn and filled with evil spirits.
"Who are you, running wild in front of the feudal prince's residence!" Li Dianjun asked.
Liu Jixian looked cold and solemn. He sat upright on his horse and raised his hands to the side. His voice was as loud as a bell and said, "I am in charge of the Fusi of Beizhen. Liu Jixian, who is responsible for the execution of a thousand households. On the order of my lord, I have invited Prince Zheng to go to the government office to make a statement."
Prince Zheng Cheng, who was on the three-person-high city gate tower above, sneered and said in a pale voice: "Who are you? Let Jia Heng come over and talk to me."
Liu Jixian raised his eyes to look at the two vassal princes on the city gate, but took out the book and said coldly: "According to Lu Qingshan of Luoyang Qianhu Office, Prince Zheng Cheng and Prince Wei Kang overstepped the rules and bribed them.
Detectives in brocade clothes, raising dead soldiers, hiding armored soldiers... are plotting evil intentions and treason. Prince Zheng Cheng needs to explain this matter clearly to my lord, otherwise my lord will report it to the Holy One and investigate the two vassals strictly!"
In fact, only charges like rebellion could trick the two vassal princes into going to argue with Jiaheng, because several of Emperor Chongping's brothers, King Zhao, the deposed prince, and King Zhou were all involved in rebellion, and then the clan
Destroy the family.
In this fish and meat town, if you are rampant and lawless, no one will care about you.
When Prince Zheng Cheng heard the word "treason", his heart skipped a beat and his face turned pale.
Prince Wei Kang was not much better. He bribed Lu Qingshan just because he didn't want him to record his family's illegal activities in the report to the court. How could it become a conspiracy and an intention to rebel?
What else counts as hiding armored soldiers, raising dead soldiers, and adopting children as servants to serve as housekeepers in nursing homes?