Chapter 1057: By the Fisherman's River (two updates in one)
Chapter 1066 By the Yusou River (two updates in one)
Cai Mansion in Beijing.
What we are talking about is the current residence of Cai Que, the censor of Zhiza and the magistrate of Sinong Temple.
Nowadays, Cai Que's mansion is full of guests.
Because news came from Beijing that Cai Que was about to be promoted to official position and promoted to Yushi Zhongcheng.
Because Deng Runfu, the former censor Zhongcheng, and Wang Zhongzheng was appointed by the official family, after Li Shun signed a letter to manage the affairs, a group of young officials came to stop him and object.
As a result, these officials were transferred out of Beijing under Wang Gui's pretext.
After that, this matter stirred up a hornet's nest. Several officials under Deng Runfu, such as Peng Ruli, Cai Chengxi, and Zhou Yin, jointly opposed the matter.
Shu Zhongyun said, ‘Since the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty, Yang Sixu, Yu Chaoen, Cheng Yuanzhen, Tutu Chengcui have been used as generals.
If you have meritorious service, you will be arrogant and arrogant, and you will betray the ministers; if you have no meritorious service, you will damage the country's prestige and make the four countries laugh.
Now, your Majesty is entrusting officials and soldiers, and the success or failure cannot be predicted by the ministers. However, in the past, supervision of things was bound to be harmful. Your Majesty is benevolent, saintly, powerful, and controls heroes. Although he has served for hundreds of generations, he does not care about what he can do, and he has no long-term thoughts.
But thinking about it, is it for the future?
How can it be written in the history of the country that the people in the country will lead the army from your majesty?
If future generations follow the old example and take it for granted, and then use them to hold the handle of weapons, the world will suffer unspeakable disasters.'
After they got married, the official was very angry and asked Deng Runfu, "If your younger brother can't take care of it, what do you mean?"
Deng Runfu said that I mean the same thing.
Cai Que and Deng Runfu had also been at odds for a long time, so they took advantage of the situation and said a few words in front of the king to add fuel to the flames.
So Deng Runfu took the cold shoulder, complained at home, and treated Zhang Yue together.
Therefore, Cai Que took advantage of the situation to be promoted to Yushi Zhongcheng, and immediately became the fourth leader.
The official circles were all moved by the news, and countless officials came to congratulate Cai Que in advance.
This time Zhang Yue fell ill, and Cai Que came to visit him twice. Seeing him like this, he was also very angry. He didn't know why Zhang Yue was so stubborn with the officials about the expedition to Xia.
After Cai Que returned home, the official's family sent a servant to Cai Que's house and gave him a note.
Cai Que looked solemn after seeing it.
After thinking for a moment, Cai Que sent someone to invite an official named Zhou Qing to come over.
Zhou Qing was the post-officer of Zhongshu Xingfangtang. He was surprised and happy when he heard that Cai Que had summoned him.
Cai Que looked at Zhou Qing and said: "As far as I know, there is a murder case in Xiangzhou."
Zhou Qing was a smart man and immediately said tentatively: "Yes, this case involves Chen Anmin, Wu Anchi, Han Zhongyan and others."
After hearing this, Cai Que's eyes narrowed and he said, "Please tell me carefully!"
This is a case in the fourth year of Zhiping. A robber took two young men who had just joined the gang to rob him. On the way, he gave instructions that if anyone stopped him, he would be killed.
As a result, they robbed a family's home, and the three of them grabbed the person, punched and kicked them, and interrogated them. A neighbor couldn't stand it and tried to persuade them, but the younger brother killed the person who tried to dissuade them verbally.
Then the gang of three was caught, and according to the theory of murder for life, all three of them would be sentenced to death.
But there was a problem with the sentencing. Originally, the principal committed the death penalty, but the accomplices could get a lighter sentence. Although the two younger brothers committed the murder, they were accomplices.
Or maybe the person who killed the person who tried to dissuade him was an accomplice named Feng Yan, and the other accomplice had no murder to mitigate.
But in the end, Chen Anmin and Pan Kai, who were in charge of the case, summarily sentenced all three to death.
After Wang Anshi's political reform, he also attached great importance to punishment names.
He and Sima Guang had a heated debate on the A-Yun case before. Wang Anshi advocated a lenient sentencing for A-Yun, but Sima Guang opposed it and believed that A-Yun must be sentenced to death.
This is related to a very important issue: "The law of surrendering upon request".
One surrendered before being arrested, and the other surrendered after being arrested.
Originally, voluntarily confessing after being caught by the prisoner would not be used as a reference for reducing the sentence in major criminal cases (the harm caused to others is not an example of surrendering), but Wang Anshi believed that this was possible, and that anyone who confessed would be lenient.
Why was Ayun sentenced to exile in the end? One was because of attempted murder, the other was that the marriage was not established and did not constitute a real relationship between husband and wife, and the other was that Ayun voluntarily admitted his guilt after the incident.
The Ayun case was a very important event before Xining's reform, and the law of surrender was enacted according to the law. This method was widely implemented after Xining.
However, in this Xiangzhou case, if the accomplice voluntarily surrenders after being caught, according to the law of surrender on demand, all persons shall be sentenced to death. This is an obvious and serious sentencing error.
So the case was seen by Zhou Qing, the back official of Zhongshu Xingfangtang.
At that time, in order to reform criminal names, Wang Anshi ordered Zhou Qing and others to reward those who found such unjust, false and wrong cases and investigate and deal with them by promoting them to an official position, while those who failed to do their duty would be "exiled two thousand miles away."
Zhou Qing discovered the problem with the Xiangzhou case. In addition to local officials, a death penalty case was handled by Dali Temple, the Ministry of Punishment, and finally Zhongshu Yamen.
Zhou Qing proposed to review the case that year, but Dali Temple reviewed it and found that there was no problem.
Because the main criminal said that he would kill anyone who came to stop him on the road. The implication was that he would kill those who came to stop him with weapons, but he did not say that he would kill those who came to stop him with his mouth.
The two accomplices decided this murder on their own, so they are all considered principal offenders.
This conclusion was also supported by Zhou Qing’s superior, Zhongshu Prison Inspector Liu Fengshi.
Zhou Qing later found out that Chen Anmin was Wen Yanbo's brother-in-law. In addition, Wu Anchi and Wen Jifu were also involved and signed the review of the case.
Therefore, Zhou Qing did not dare to pursue the case any further. If Chen Anmin, Wen Jifu, and Wu Anchi were really ordered to follow the law, they would all be exiled for two thousand miles.
Cai Que had already asked Zhou Qing clearly about the case. There was no doubt that there were problems with Zhou Qing's case, and there was also a serious problem of mutual protection between officials.
Cai Que immediately ordered Zhou Qing to go back first.
The news that Cai Que had just learned from the chamberlain further corroborated the matter. The Imperial City Division had received news that Pan Kai, an official of Xiangzhou, had followed Chen Anmin's wishes and came to the capital with three thousand guan for activities.
The case was finally decided according to Chen Anmin's wishes, and a series of ulterior events must have occurred.
The officials asked Cai Que and the Kaifeng Prefecture to investigate closely.
Cai Que read the case and found that Pan Kai bribed Wu Chong when he was serving as prime minister, and Chen Anmin involved in the case was Wen Yanbo's in-law, Wen Jifu was Wu Chong's in-law, and Wu Anchi was also Wu Chong's in-law.
So there is no doubt that everything behind this points to one person...
Soon Liu Zuo, He Zhengchen, and Huang Yan arrived. Cai Que asked: "How is the investigation going?"
Liu Zuodao said: "It was found out that Pan Kai, the official of Xiangzhou, did take three thousand guan and went to Beijing for activities. This money was also taken by Wu Anshi, the eldest son of the Wu family."
"go on."
Liu Zuodao: "Then Wu Anshi promised Pan Zheng to use the three thousand guans to sue Dali Temple, but Wu Anshi found out that the judgment of Dali Temple was not as Zhou Qing intended, but in favor of Chen Anmin and the three principal criminals, so in the end the money
It went into his pocket."
Cai Que laughed when he heard this: "I have known for a long time that Mr. Wu Dalang is greedy and stupid, but I didn't expect that his greed and stupidity have reached this point."
"He has harmed Prime Minister Wu!"
Huang Yan said: "Zhiza, this matter involves Duke Wen Lu and Prime Minister Wu. Is your Majesty trying to deal with the old party?"
Cai Que said: "Your Majesty is going to conquer Xia, but there is a lot of opposition from the government and the public. Deng Runfu's previous opposition to the Central Government Supervisory Army was caused by the instigation of the old party."
"So do some things before the summer expedition to avoid trouble later."
Huang Yandao said, "He is a well-educated and well-educated scholar. Wu Anshi is also an in-law of Zhang Xianggong."
Cai Quedao: "This is none of his business. He was out in charge of the army at that time. Besides, Wu Anshi, his brother-in-law, had never gotten along with him."
Huang Yan said: "But Wen Jifu and Wu Anchi have a close relationship with Zhang Xianggong?"
Cai Quedao said: "Never mind so much, I have to do something, and it's useless for anyone to intercede. When he was in the aspect of Zhang San, I was still worried about San San. Now that he is complaining at home, is it possible that he still has the excuse?
Can’t he?”
"When I impeached Duke Shu Guo and Han Zhen, what about Duke Zhang?"
Wang Anshi and Han Jiang both recommended Cai Que, but Cai Que was so merciless after becoming the censor.
Cai Quedao: "These are today's noble families, so the Kaifeng Mansion will definitely not be able to find out the reason. If they want to deal with it, they still need me to come to the Yushitai, so I plan to ask your Majesty to hand over the case to the Yushitai."
Come to Taiwan."
"These yamen always rely on their noble status, so they think that no one dares to deal with them, so what if they have been married for generations? If they encounter me, Cai Que, they will be unlucky!"
"Yes!" Everyone knows that officials like Cai Que who dares to commit crimes alone and does not avoid grudges.
After a few people left, Liu Zuo hesitated and said: "Zhiza, do you want to inform Mr. Zhang first? Although he is no longer in phase, but in the future...I mean in case he recovers from illness and comes back."
Cai Quedao: "You should be careful. Others see that Zhang San and His Majesty are very different this time. But I know that this person does not do unreasonable things, and he may be up to some insidious tricks."
"Don't worry, I will tell him personally. Yes, there is a man named He Qi under Wu Anshi. Go and check it out. No matter whether he is involved in this matter or not, you have to get evidence of guilt."
"how?"
Cai Que said with a smile: "This person had a rift with Zhang San at the beginning. As long as I kill him, Zhang San will not blame me no matter what. Instead, he will thank me later."
Liu Zuo's eyes lit up and he said, "This matter is my responsibility. I know He Qi."
…
"Ms. Sir, this is a copy of important memorials and edicts issued by the Bank of China, and this one is from the Shaanxi Military News!"
Seeing Huang Haoyi holding these, Zhang Yue said: "You said you won't read it and you still want to send it?"
Huang Haoyi nodded.
Although Zhang Yue was complaining, a copy of all the major and minor secrets of the Zhongshu and the important government affairs of the imperial court was copied to Zhang Yue. This means that although Zhang Yue is not involved in Zhongshu's decision-making, he still has knowledge of the major and minor affairs of the imperial court.
right.
At the same time, I also used the method of reading the copy to test whether my mind has changed.
Zhang Yue said: "Don't look at these, just go back intact."
Huang Haoyi said yes, and then saw Zhang Yue going to the wall to carry a fish basket.
Huang Haoyi was also convinced. Zhang Yue was now complaining that he was at home, but he was not doing his job properly. He had become addicted to fishing at some point.
After saying this, Zhang Yue took the fish basket to the back door and got into the carriage with Peng Jingyi, and then drove all the way out of the bustling Bianjing city, and finally arrived at a river pond on the outskirts of Bianjing.
The weather is pretty good today.
When they reached the end of the field, the carriage stopped. Peng Jingyi carried two buckets of fish food, while Zhang Yue, wearing a bamboo hat and carrying a fish basket, found a place to sit down.
There were several fishermen sitting nearby who were fishing. When they saw Zhang Yue arriving, they all laughed and said, "Is Zhang Yue here to feed the fish again today?"
Zhang Yue couldn't help but blush when he said this.
Zhang Yue ignored these people from the mountains and pointed to a certain place in the river pond and said to Peng Jingyi: "Make a nest here!"
After listening to the instructions, Peng Jingyi opened the wooden bucket, took a wooden spoon to dig out the bait, and poured it into the river one spoon at a time.
Seeing so much fish food thrown into the river, a fisherman laughed and said: "If the pile continues like this, the water downstream will rise three feet high!"
Hearing this, the fishermen on the side laughed again.
Zhang Yue smiled when he heard this and said: "Several old people often say that if you don't build a nest when fishing, you won't catch much. In the past, I couldn't catch fish because I didn't build a good enough nest or enough fish, rather than because I didn't have good fishing skills. Today
Please wait and see, some elderly people."
As soon as he finished speaking, Peng Jingyi brought two more buckets of fish food from the carriage, and the fishermen stopped laughing immediately.
"That's not how you feed fish. It's not for meritorious deeds!"
Cai Que drove over and saw Zhang Yue wearing thick clothes and covering his face with a bamboo hat while fishing.
Cai Que smiled when he saw this. The world knows that Zhang Yue is now complaining about illness, but in the end he found me fishing by the river pond, and he is not afraid that I will sue the emperor.
Cai Que walked to Zhang Yue's side. Peng Jingyi heard this and said in a low voice: "Mr. Cai Zhizao is here."
Zhang Yue woke up and saw Cai Que, but he didn't show much panic. Instead, he immediately got up and pulled Cai Que aside and said to Cai Que: "I found this fishing place with great difficulty. Don't tell me my details."
Leak it out."
Cai Que looked at the fishermen who were fishing and couldn't help but sneered: "It's just a few fishermen, what do they mean?"
Immediately, the two of them walked to the gap aside. Seeing Zhang Yue leaving, the fishermen on the side joked: "Why doesn't Zhang Yue stop fishing? Don't he feed the fish dinner?"
Hearing this, Cai Que glanced at Zhang Yue's empty fish basket, and the sneer on his face became even stronger.
Zhang Yue responded with a smile: "If you don't rush, the future will be long."
Cai Que couldn't help laughing and said: "Jiang Taigong uses a straight hook to fish, and those who wish to take the bait will take the bait, but you are addicted to making nests. What kind of fun are you doing!"
Zhang Yue also laughed at himself: "When people reach this age, they realize that fishing has great fun. Don't laugh at me. Why are you here?"
Cai Quedao: "You sound old-fashioned, but I do have something important to tell you..."
Cai Que immediately told the case of Wu Anshi, Wen Jifu and Chen Anmin.
Zhang Yue looked solemn when he heard this and said: "Since the Imperial City Secretary found out the news, His Majesty asked you to handle it?"
Cai Quedao: "That's true, but I can also cover it up for you."
Zhang Yue said: "If you want to cover it up, you won't come looking for me today."
Cai Que smiled and said: "Sanlang, after living at this age, I have understood one thing. Best friends do not come from long-term development, but from meeting each other on their respective paths."
"If you are willing to return to the DPRK, you don't need to ask me to press the case for you. But if you don't agree, then there is nothing I can do. Don't blame me if you want."
Zhang Yue said: "Then you also know why I don't want to return to the court. I am what I am today because of the grace of the Wu family. If anything happens to the Wu family, I will never stand by and watch!"
Cai Que sighed and said: "There is no best of both worlds. How to deal with it depends on how Sanlang handles it. I will report this case to the emperor in the future and transfer it from Kaifeng Mansion to Yushitai."
"Hopefully things can turn around before this happens!"
The cold wind blew by the river. Zhang Yue looked at Cai Queyue at the edge of the withered yellow reeds and said: "Yes, if the case is completed, you will be the censor Zhongcheng, and even ascend the throne as the prime minister. Is this Xianggong Cai?"
Cai Quedao: "I don't mean that. If you want to keep anyone, no one will let you go. But if you want to leave, even the emperor won't be able to keep you."
"But Sanlang, why do you have to fight with His Majesty? Whatever His Majesty wants, you can do it according to his will. You said before that the attack on Xia can only be 60% at most, but you know the soldiers. With your help, there will always be 70%.
Bar!"
"Even if there are only 30% and tens of thousands of people have died, what's the point of regretting your position in relation to me today? Since ancient times, one general has achieved great success and tens of thousands of bones have been withered!"
…
Zhang Yue and Cai Que spoke so loudly that the fisherman on the side looked over.
A fisherman shouted at the top of his lungs: "Except you two, what are you arguing about? Is it about fishing? The fish have all been scared away by you!"
Zhang Yue and Cai Quezheng were so angry at each other that they both laughed when they heard this.
When Cai Que heard this, he cupped his hands with a smile on his face and said, "Old man, it's my fault!"
The fisherman waved his hand after hearing this.
Zhang Yue said to Cai Que: "Brother, what are tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of people? Do you know that they are not numbers, but all living beings in the world, or they are the fisherman who just talked to you and me."
Cai Que said disapprovingly: "So what? Can hundreds of thousands of people conquer the Xia Kingdom without dying? What is the plot between your majesty and us?"
Zhang Yue said: "Your rhetoric is very similar to that of Lu Huiqing."
"Lu Huiqing?" Cai Que said with a sneer, "Is this person going to be Ding You soon?"
"Ding You?"
Cai Que nodded and said: "After all, I always get news faster than you at Yushitai. Just a few days ago, His Majesty appointed Lu Huiqing as the commander of the Yanyan Road. For this purpose, he was the main general in the attack on Xia.
Now that he's gone, I don't know who to entrust him to?"
Cai Que paused and said: "Sanlang, please remember that you are the first choice in the emperor's heart to conquer Xia, but it doesn't have to be you. If I have the talent for strategy, this matter will definitely not be your turn."
After a pause, Cai Que said: "In the final analysis, you still cherish your reputation, so it's okay to talk about benefiting the people and servants. It's just like Mencius' theory of benevolence and righteousness. You see the far side but don't see the near side."
"Is this really what you can't do after becoming prime minister? You said that the Wu family has been very kind to you, but you can't avoid your position. Is this how you repay it? After all, you still cherish your reputation too much."
Zhang Yue listened to Cai Que's words and said: "Senior brother, I won't argue with you, but I thank you for coming here to persuade me. In the future, whether you and I are on the same journey or not, with your heartfelt words today
, I will never blame you!"
Cai Que heard this and said: "If you are so stubborn, then let you go!"
After speaking, Cai Que walked away with a puff of his sleeves. Zhang Yue moved his lips slightly and let Cai Que leave.
Zhang Yue walked to the river and continued to pick up the fishing rod. Several fishermen on the side had a good harvest today. One of them smiled and said: "Thanks to Zhang Yue for making a nest outside, our trip today was not in vain!"
Zhang Yue smiled bitterly upon hearing this.
Another comforted him: "Since we are all friends, there is nothing we can't reconcile. It seems that we had a quarrel, so we made an appointment to have a bowl of fresh fish soup, and we put aside all our grievances."
"Yes, we have been friends for decades! Let's treat you and your friends to a bowl of fish soup before we leave!"
Zhang Yue shook his head and said, "Brother Cai and I are not in the same boat."
Ps: The jokes about fishing and making nests are taken from the Internet and will make everyone laugh.