Fang Zheng was finally kicked out of the imperial study by the emperor, and the two stolen wine bags were also thrown out of the study. Finally, the emperor coldly said: "A man with lofty ideals will not drink water from a stolen spring."
This person was stunned and shouted outside the study for a long time: "Your Majesty, that's not spring water, that's wine... What kind of spring is Stealing Spring?"
The door to the imperial study room was closed tightly, and there was no echo inside. Fang Zheng picked up the leather bag thrown at the door with distress, and walked out angrily, muttering as he walked: "How pretentious, I drank more than half of it, and now you are again
If you told me not to drink the water from the stolen spring, wouldn't I have saved myself if I had told you so earlier..."
When he was about to reach the palace gate, a hand came from an incredible angle and grabbed Fang Zheng's ear with incredible precision.
"Ah - who is it? If you don't let go, I will bite you!" Fang Zheng shouted in pain.
"You bastard! Where have you been these days? You didn't even say you came to see me!" His voice was sweet, but his words were as vulgar as a pure man running around in the world.
You don't need to look to know that this person is Princess Changping, Master Fang's future wife.
"Let go first! Damn! Someone is watching. Your husband and I have lost all face." Fang Zheng shouted.
Chang Ping turned his head and saw that the Imperial Army sergeants guarding the palace gate were looking at them with curiosity and teasing. Chang Ping blushed and quickly let go of his hand. Then he glared and said fiercely: "Look.
What are you looking at! Look at me digging out your eyeballs again!"
The sergeants immediately stood as tall as pine trees, without squinting.
Chang Ping pulled Fang Zheng's sleeve and walked towards the palace. When he reached a deserted place, he stopped, turned around and glared at Fang Zheng and said, "Say! I was imprisoned in the palace by my father for so long.
Why don't you come and see me?"
Fang Zheng smiled and said: "Your Highness, we will get married in a few days, so there is no need for you to be so anxious? Aren't I busy with our wedding these days..."
Chang Ping asked suspiciously: "Really? Have you ever hooked up with other women?"
"No! Absolutely not!" Fang Zheng promised solemnly, and then he walked to Chang Ping with a smile and said: "...Your husband, I have been recharging my energy recently, just waiting for our wedding night, what should I say?
Coming? I dedicate my youth to you..."
Changping blushed with embarrassment and cursed with a smile: "Go to hell! Do you think I care about you? Tell me, did Sister Feng seduce you after I left that day?"
Fang Zheng said strangely: "I'm really confused, Yanran, you can accept Xiaolu, why do you always dislike Sister Feng? Did she provoke you?"
Chang Ping snorted coldly: "I just don't like her! I get angry when I see her charming look. She always looks at you with her eyes straight, as if she wants to seduce your soul, huh!"
It seems that there is a long way to go to accept Sister Feng into the harem. The future eldest mistress of the Fang family does not agree. My parents definitely do not agree with their son marrying a widow. Yanran and Xiaolu may not object, but
They obviously have no say. Even Sister Feng herself is probably not willing to come in and be looked down upon by others. This matter is a bit difficult to handle...
Fang Zheng shook his head in distress, family affairs, state affairs, and world affairs, everything is so troublesome!
Chang Ping glanced at him and said aggrievedly: "What's wrong? I just said a few words to her, and you're not happy? Are you really seduced by her?"
Fang Zheng said with a bitter face: "To be honest, I was actually the one trying to seduce her, and I failed..."
"..."
Fang Zheng, who had enjoyed a feast of fists and kicks, was kicked out of the palace by Chang Ping, who said viciously: "Be honest with me these days, and wait until you marry me! Let me know where you are going to find him again."
Hu Meizi, I will strangle you to death!"
Then under the sympathetic eyes of the Forbidden Soldiers, the heavy palace door slammed shut.
Fang Zheng was so angry that he rushed forward and kicked the palace door hard, and said something very non-threatening: "...Don't blame me for criticizing you if you do this next time!"…
Patting the footprints on his butt angrily, Fang Zheng smiled at the Forbidden Army soldiers guarding the palace gate and said harshly: "...this bitch will lose her memory if she doesn't clean up for a day."
The Forbidden Army soldiers smiled and nodded in agreement: "I understand, I understand..."
-----------------------------------------------
In the next few days, Fang Mansion fell into a state of chaos.
The day to marry Princess Changping is getting closer and closer, and many preparations must be done in advance. The Ministry of Rites sent several officials to the Fang Mansion to guide the Fang family's preparations in order to meet the standards for a royal marriage.
In this etiquette country, there are strict procedures for weddings and funerals, and no mistakes are allowed in any detail.
At the same time, the news that the Fang family was about to marry the princess spread throughout the capital and became the hottest topic.
It is not unheard of for the royal family to bestow princesses in marriage to courtiers. After all, princesses have to marry, and the royal family is the largest in the world, so the marriage of a princess is generally called "marrying down." However, in the past, the royal family always married those noble families or those who have been officials for generations.
The big families in the family intermarried, and the Fang family had been merchants for generations. It was only in Fang Zheng's generation that he became a fifth-rank official. In terms of background, Fang Zheng was just a merchant with a lower status than a commoner. The emperor was willing to
The princess married him. It must be said that this man was blessed by the Holy Family and was unparalleled.
There are many idle people in the capital. When this hot topic is mentioned, many other things are naturally brought out, such as Fang Zheng's former nickname of "Tai Sui", how he was a bastard before he became an official, relying on his father's
He was rich and powerful, bullied men and women, ate, drank, prostituted and gambled, but later he became enlightened, became possessed by the stars in the sky, performed extraordinary feats for the country, etc. The stories were astonishing and miraculous.
The Fang family was originally the richest man in the Chinese Dynasty. Now that the Fang family is about to become relatives of the emperor, it has become a powerful family. The major business houses in the capital and officials at all levels are very aware of current affairs and have come to visit and congratulate them. Mr. Fang is very happy.
No, the wrinkles on my old face have never softened, and I spent the whole night laughing and socializing, which made Mrs. Fang very angry.
One night two days before the wedding, a guest came through the small gate of the Fang family's backyard. Fang Zheng personally greeted him at the small gate with a serious expression and turned away the servants, appearing very mysterious.
The guest was Mr. Wu. After being brought in by Fang Zheng, he talked with Fang Zheng for nearly two hours in the side room of the small courtyard. The killer brother stood outside and was on guard, and no one was allowed to get even half a step closer.
, no one knows the specific content of his conversation with Fang Zheng.
After Mr. Wu left, many people entered Fang Zheng's courtyard one after another, all of whom were members of the shadow organization. Led by Wen Sen, they respectfully listened to Fang Zheng's arrangements, followed the orders one after another, and then walked in the night.
Under cover, they each ran to different places.
Watching the silhouettes of his shadow subordinates disappear under the night, Fang Zheng's eyes showed a bit of rare anxiety.
The wind picked up, it was late autumn, and the chill was pressing. Fang Zheng stood in the courtyard and sighed deeply.
"Are you afraid?" The killer brother seemed to be able to see through his heart at a glance.
Fang Zheng admitted honestly: "Yes, I am indeed afraid."
"Didn't you make all the arrangements? What are you still afraid of?" Fang Zheng did not hide Pan Shangshu's rebellion from him.
Fang Zheng smiled bitterly, he didn't know if this arrangement would work or not, he could only hope that the emperor had other preparations.
Seeing that Fang Zheng was silent, the killer brother hesitated for a moment and finally said: "Originally I didn't want to get involved in these things, but... I think I can protect you from being killed."
Fang Zheng's eyes instantly turned red. He had known the killer brother for so long and finally heard him say something heart-warming. Fang Zheng felt that human nature is still beautiful. After getting along with each other for a long time, people still have some feelings.
, think about the snobby face of Brother Killer who only recognized money and not people, and then look at the human side of Brother Killer now, how much it has changed. So, in general, in this world, the good side is always better than the ugly side.
There is much more to it - even the cold-hearted killer brother who only cares about money can change, what else can't be changed?….
Holding the killer's brother's hand vigorously, Fang Zheng was moved to tears: "I don't have to say anything anymore...The wind knows the grass, and it takes time to see people's hearts..."
The killer brother curled his lips with a half-smile, shook off Fang Zheng's hand, and said coolly: "...It's more difficult to protect you, so the price is five times higher."
"…………"
Things in this world are quite complicated. Human nature, I can’t explain it for a while, but it’s not that simple anyway…
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The Fang Mansion is happily preparing for the wedding, and Fang Zheng is not idle either, but it has nothing to do with the marriage. He doesn't understand this aspect, and he can't help even if he wants to. He has done a lot of things these days, and it is rare that he has done a few serious things.
Business.
In the past few days, he has visited many officials in the DPRK, including Wei Chengde, the Minister of War, Yang Duqing, the Minister of Rites, Liu Yuelin, the Minister of Household Affairs, and officials from the Qing faction other than Pan Dang in the DPRK.
Then he kept running between the shadow's newly built camp and the palace, so busy that his feet never touched the ground. His correct attitude and serious expression made one have to wonder whether this guy was possessed by a ghost, and when
Seeing that he is so serious about government affairs, is it possible that once a man gets married, his whole person will completely change his appearance and look completely new?
Even Yanran didn't quite understand why he was so busy lately. One night after her passion was poured out, Yanran leaned softly in his arms, panting and asked him why.
Fang Zheng could only smile bitterly. Do you think I am willing to work so hard? I am doing this to save the lives of my whole family. If I don't work hard, in a few days, we will all have to play with three wives and four concubines.
, there is no hope for any wealth or splendor.
The weather in the capital has been gloomy recently. It is already late autumn and it is getting colder day by day. If it is not for the sake of livelihood, no one in the city is willing to go out in this gloomy and depressing weather. People setting up stalls and doing business on the street
There were a lot less people. Pedestrians came and went in a hurry. When they met acquaintances, they just held their hands in greetings and hurriedly passed by without even saying a word.
I don’t know what happened in the past two days. There were suddenly many more sergeants guarding the four gates of the capital. The interrogation of people entering and leaving the city was much stricter than before. The police officers patrolling the city had long been replaced by sergeants, and they had brought war-time weapons with them.
Repeating crossbows are allowed to be equipped, and teams of sergeants with cold expressions are patrolling the city in full armor. How can ordinary people not be nervous?
A thick shadow hangs over the people. Firstly, I have not heard of any foreign invasion, and secondly, I have not heard of any rebellion. Why has the capital become heavily guarded for no reason? Looking at this posture, it is obvious that a war is about to begin. I am used to the emperor.
The common people living a comfortable and comfortable life below were puzzled in the dull atmosphere. They suddenly felt the horror of war. What was even more terrifying was that they did not know who the Chinese army was going to fight and what they were going to face.
opponent.
Just when the people were frightened by the sudden increase in troops in the capital, an announcement was issued from the palace, escalating the tense atmosphere in the capital again.
"Imperial order: Jinling Governor Chen Jiulin's ineffective governance has resulted in frequent murders in the city, rampant thieves, and panic among the people. I am hereby issuing a special decree to remove him from the post of Jinling Governor, and throw him into a sky prison. He will be questioned by the Ministry of Punishment and will be tried in Dali Temple.
.On that day, a curfew will be implemented within the four gates of the capital from 1 to 3 o'clock until 5 o'clock in the morning. In the whole city, regardless of officials or civilians, anyone who breaks the night will be flogged for 20 days and imprisoned. I appreciate this."
This announcement was like a huge stone thrown into a calm lake. Everyone in the capital was panicked. The people closed their homes and talked about it.
"There are frequent murders and rampant thieves?... It's not that serious? We stay in the capital every day, and we haven't heard of any murders. The thieves haven't even been seen."
"Yes, if the world is indeed difficult, it is not as evil as the notice says? If you pay the curfew properly, we will no longer be able to visit at night. Our capital has not had a curfew for decades. It is the beginning of spring.
At that time, the Turkic army marched south, attacking several cities and almost reaching the capital. The emperor did not even issue a curfew..."...
"What do you know? There is an article in this notice. Mr. Chen, the governor, has been dismissed. What murder case and robber? That is just an excuse for us people. I guess there may be something big happening in the court recently. I haven't seen anyone in the city.
Sergeant? It looks like a fight is about to begin..."
"Ah? Really? What should we do? We are all common people with our duty."
"In troubled times, people's lives are like those of a dog. We should live well. We shouldn't worry and stop thinking."
"well……"
If the people are so frightened, the officials in the capital are even more frightened.
No one who can be an official in the capital is a simple person. They saw something fishy at the first sight of the announcement issued by the emperor. Because of this, they felt panicked.
The so-called "murder case", "thief" and so on are naturally not excuses to deceive the discerning person. The key is what is the emperor's intention behind this announcement. He mobilized troops into the city, implemented a curfew, and dismissed Chen Jiulin for investigation. Some people knew it well.
In the eyes of the officials, the emperor's series of actions showed an attitude that shocked all officials in the court.
Your Majesty, we are about to take action against Pan Shangshu.
----------------------------------
The morning court meeting the next day after the announcement was destined to be a day that made all the officials dizzy.
As usual, after shouting "Long Live the Mountain", the ministers lined up and stood in line. Due to the tense atmosphere and dark clouds in the capital recently, the ministers were uneasy, so when the little yellow gate next to the emperor held a fly whisk in his hand, he shouted "Something's wrong"
After the "morning report, if there is nothing to do, leave the court", none of the ministers came out to report. They had a hunch that there was someone else playing the leading role in today's morning report.
Yes, the protagonist does have someone else.
After waiting for a long time, Fang Zheng lived up to the expectations of the crowd and came out. He knelt down and played with a calm face: "I have my own intention to play."
The emperor's cold voice came from far away: "It's accurate."
Fang Zheng glanced at the empty seat at the front of the civilian class, and then smiled.
That position belongs to Pan Shangshu. Now Pan Shangshu has resigned from the court on the grounds of old age and serious illness, and rests at home to recuperate. Therefore, his position in the court has been vacant. No minister dares to stand in that position. Then
This is the position that Pan Shangshu held in the court for more than thirty years before he could reach it.
Fang Zheng withdrew his gaze, lowered his head and said in a respectful voice: "I impeach the prince and grand master, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and the Duke of Chengguo Pan Wenyuan."
Pan Wenyuan is the name of Pan Shangshu. This name has not been mentioned for many years. The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty called him Pan Shangshu, Pan Master, Pan Taishi, Lao Master, or directly called his mentor. Even the emperor also called him "Old Master".
He was called "Shang Shu", but never called by his first name.
When Fang Zheng said these words, the civil and military officials in the court were stunned.
Gambling in the court has always been done behind the scenes and instigated secretly. There is a huge hatred between the ministers, but they still maintain harmony on the surface, and they act it out for the emperor, other ministers, and even their opponents.
It is rare to impeach someone directly in the Jinluan Palace with such openness. If a minister does this, there are only two possibilities. One is that he has lost his mind, and the other is that he has conclusive evidence and is confident that the charges will be laid.
On the head of the impeached person, otherwise no one would do it.
Fang Zheng was just a fifth-rank idle official, but the person he impeached was Pan Shangshu, who had been in charge of the civil service for thirty years, had the power to control the sky in the court, and was also the prince's mentor.
The ministers looked at each other with the same thought in their hearts. Is this kid crazy? Or is this a signal that the emperor wants to take action against Pan Shangshu?
There was silence in the Jinluan Hall. The ministers were very excited and did not dare to express their anger, waiting for the next development of the situation.
After a long time, the emperor's voice came from far away: "Fang Aiqing will play in detail."
Fang Zheng took out a memorial from his sleeve, unfolded it in front of the ministers, and read it word for word: "... the crimes of impeachment of Pan Wenyuan by the humble minister include ten. One, deceiving the emperor and neglecting his superiors, two, framed Zhongliang
, three, being greedy and accepting bribes, four, forming cliques for personal gain, five, having evil intentions..."….
One by one, the charges pointed directly at the numerous evil deeds Pan Shangshu had committed over the years. The civil and military officials in the court looked at this young man who was less than twenty years old with shocked expressions, kneeling on the smooth gold brick floor of the Jinluan Palace, with a calm face and a calm voice.
The crime of writing Pan Shangshu.
"That's total nonsense!"
Before Fang Zheng finished reading the ten charges against Pan Shangshu, someone couldn't help but go out to reprimand him.
The person who spoke was Jiang Zhongcheng, the left minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, a die-hard member of Pan Dangzhong. The killer brother was sent to prison for killing his son, and was later rescued by Fang Zheng. Therefore, the one in the court who had the deepest grudge against Fang Zheng,
Except for Pan Shangshu, that's him.
Fang Zheng unfolded a long list of memorials in his hand, and when he was shaking his head with righteous thoughts, Cheng Yaojin suddenly appeared, so he raised his head and glared at him unhappily, "Hey, do you understand the rules? I haven't finished reading yet, you
Why are you escaping out? Besides, who gave you the authority to give speeches to the class without having to kneel? I kneel to the emperor, but if you stand in front of me like this, the civil and military officials in the court will think that I kneel to you.
What, what's wrong? Do you think you are qualified to be worshiped by ministers in this Jinluan Palace?"
What Fang Zheng said was a bit serious. In ancient law, there was a very serious crime called "exceeding the regulations." Exceeding the regulations not only refers to officials and ordinary people exceeding the limits allowed by their status in terms of clothing, housing, vehicles, supplies, etc.
, which also includes the article "Using etiquette". The so-called "Using etiquette" means that officials and the people accept behaviors that are inconsistent with etiquette. What Jiang Zhongcheng is committing now is violating etiquette.
When Jiang Zhongcheng heard this, his face turned pale. When he looked at where he was standing, he was right between the emperor and Fang Zheng, giving people the illusion that he was being knelt down by Fang Zheng.
Jiang Zhongcheng hurriedly moved a few steps to the side, knelt down towards the emperor with a plop, and said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, I will die! I did it unintentionally!"
The emperor's face is covered with frost. He violated the rules and regulations. This is the most unacceptable provocation for the royal family. This crime is tantamount to deceiving the emperor and committing rebellion. If Fang Zheng's words of incitement really need to be investigated,
, maybe it can put Jiang Zhongcheng to death.
However, in front of all the civil and military officials, the emperor naturally would not blame Jiang Zhongcheng for this trivial matter. After snorting coldly, the emperor said: "That's all, what do you want to report?"
After a brief moment of panic, Jiang Zhongcheng regained his composure. After hearing this, he raised his head, pointed at Fang Zheng and said: "I impeached Fang Zheng, a regular servant of the Disciplined Cavalry, and framed a loyal minister. He confused right and wrong and lied before the emperor."
When Fang Zheng heard this, he rolled his eyes lazily and said, "May I ask Mr. Jiang, why did I frame a loyal minister? Why did I lie?"
Jiang Zhongcheng sneered and said: "Pan Shangshu has worked for the country for most of his life and has become sick from overwork. This is obvious to all civil and military officials and the people of the world. Is there any real evidence for the crimes you mentioned? Is there anyone who can provide physical evidence? The emperor is extremely wise, how can you
Will I be deceived by a villain like you?"
Jiang Zhongcheng pointed to the long list of memorials unfolded in Fang Zheng's hand and said: "Please see, Your Majesty, this man listed Pan Shangshu's crimes in detail, one by one, and he said it very seriously, but he didn't even mention the memorials in his hand.
Being taken down is enough to prove that this person is just talking empty words and maliciously conspiring. I hope the emperor will investigate clearly!"
All civil and military officials in the court said in surprise, "Huh?" and looked at Fang Zheng's hand.
Fang Zheng lowered his head and looked, Damn! He really got it down. The ten counts were all relatively brief. Fang Zheng took a few glances and remembered them. He took out the memorial and read it in front of the ministers. It was just a show.
It was just a matter of seriousness, but he didn't expect it to be knocked down, giving Jiang Zhongcheng an excuse to attack him.
Angry and angry, he closed the memorial tightly and stuffed it into his arms. Fang Zheng rubbed his neck and said loudly: "...What if I hold it upside down? I read backwards when I read, can't I? I memorized it beforehand.
Can't you? If you bring this matter up to talk about, is there something wrong with you?"
"Your Majesty! I will accuse Fang Zheng again of disobeying the minister and insulting the minister!"
"Damn! It's not over yet. Are you excited? Believe it or not, I'm flattering you?"
"Your Majesty! I have once again accused Fang Zheng of maliciously threatening the minister and intending to commit murder!"
"You think you're the only one who can file a complaint? I can too! Your Majesty, Wei Chen sued Jiang Zhongcheng for molesting an old woman on the street! The old woman was eighty years old, and he was able to do it. Wei Chen saw it with his own eyes, and she was worse than a beast...
…”
"nonsense……"
"…………"
"…………"
A courtroom quarrel in which you and I spat at each other officially began under the astonished gazes of all the civil and military officials in the court.