31-40

Chapter 31 Oh, I vomited!

Empress Dou personally escorted Qin Zheng out of the palace.

——Originally, as she had just had a miscarriage, the queen wanted to rest her for another two months and then give her some money to let her leave the palace secretly, but Qin Zheng insisted on leaving the palace first. The queen thought of a compromise and let her go to the imperial estate under her name to recuperate.

"Here is twelve thousand coins." Empress Dou took out enough money for a family of five to spend in a year, and walked Qin Zheng to the carriage. She covered the floor with thick blankets to keep her out of the cold. "Take it well. When you get better, use some of the money to buy a new business."

Daxia did not restrict women from going out to earn money to support the family, either by selling wine or opening teahouses. There were women selling food on the streets, changing soup and pouring wine for diners in hotels, women hired to carry sedan chairs, women hired to be cooks for banquets, women invited to practice medicine at home... There were all kinds of women, and there was no need to worry about Qin Zheng eating up all the money.

Qin Zheng sobbed as she got on the carriage. She suddenly lifted the curtain again and said, "Your Highness..." The girl's fingers moved nervously on the wooden side of the carriage, "Why are you so nice to me?"

She bit her lip lightly: "I... am not a faithful wife and have brought chaos to the palace..."

Shouldn't they just order someone to drag me away and beat me to death with sticks?

Empress Dou firmly pulled down her hand, stuffed her into the carriage, and wrapped her in a quilt: "You can't catch a cold." Then she said: "Your Majesty has recounted the scene to me. He said..."

——The emperor's retelling was filled with anger and disdain, and his tone of comment was very contemptuous. At this point, he only said: "They hid in the cave and lived in obscurity. What's with the 'You smell so good' and 'Your Highness, don't be like this'? It was all pretentious and artificial, and they were half-hearted."

But the Queen saw it...

"You're shouting 'no' to the Grandson."

Empress Dou looked at Qin Zheng and said, "You said: Don't be like this."

Qin Zheng's whole body was shaking.

Her voice was trembling: "If I was reluctant to accept it!"

Empress Dou's voice was still gentle and calm: "I can't judge that every woman who says 'no' is not being coy, but I can't let the world become such that every woman who says 'no' is being coy."

Qin Zheng was already in tears.

She cried and said incoherently, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I'm sorry. I didn't intend to cause trouble in the palace. I know a little bit of medical skills. Before entering the palace, His Majesty didn't force me. I was too cowardly and only dared to say that I was not a virgin. His Majesty said that he didn't care whether I was a virgin or not, so I didn't dare to refuse. After entering the palace, there was fish soup for lunch. I felt nauseous, so I took my own pulse, and then I found out that I was pregnant. I didn't dare to say it. I'm sorry, Your Highness..."

She knelt down on the quilt, crying louder and louder: "The crown prince came in, I asked him to leave, but he refused. He dragged me to the rockery, I said no, he thought I was flirting, and I thought, he loves me so much, so I gave him my life, and I didn't die to prove my loyalty."

"But I got scared in the end. I didn't dare to die. I wanted to live, so I said I was pregnant with the Crown Prince... Your Highness, I am not a chaste woman. I don't deserve your treatment. In the end, I only thought about saving my life instead of dying for the Crown Prince..."

But how can a chaste woman still think about saving herself at a time like this!

Qin Zheng couldn't stop crying.

She felt that she had let down Empress Dou's love for her.

Then, a hand gently touched her head, as warm as the mother in her memory.

She remembered her mother. When she was a child, she didn't like silk flowers and hand drums, but liked to hold her mother's fingers. That's what her mother did at that time, stroking her head with her other hand.

Qin Zheng understood without words.

Empress Dou never blamed her for revealing that she was pregnant in order to save her own life.

"A Zheng." Empress Dou asked her, "The eldest princess will be leaving for her fiefdom soon. She has mentioned several times that your dancing is beautiful. Would you like to follow her to her fiefdom after the New Year and teach the princess dancing? The monthly tuition is three thousand coins."

——Are you willing to accept the protection of the Princess's Mansion?

"You saved that rebellious grandson, but he repaid your kindness with hatred. I cannot do that. If you don't want to, I can assign you a few guards from the Dou family, okay?"

Qin Zheng smiled: "Your Highness."

She said seriously, "I want to receive the gift."

——I want to live on this.

＊

At the execution ground.

Ji Sui was hugging his granddaughter tightly, and was very moved: "Nannan! I am your grandpa!"

The female prisoner raised her head and asked cautiously and softly, "Grandpa?"

Ji Sui felt even more distressed and hugged her tightly: "That's right! Nannan! I really am your grandpa! I have been looking for your mother for more than 30 years!"

The female prisoner was in a daze: "But my grandfather fell into the pit and drowned!"

A choking pain in the last year.

Ji Sui resisted the urge to push him away, and with goosebumps all over his body, he continued to speak emotionally: "That's your mother's adoptive father! I am your real relative..."

The execution ground was not far from the Sky Prison. Xu Yanmiao ran over breathlessly, leaning on his legs, and looked at the two people on the execution ground in a daze.

【Wrong, wrong! 】

He was extremely anxious.

[That's not the daughter of you and your ex-wife's daughter, that's a fake one! She's a death row inmate in prison! ]

Ji Sui pushed the man away and took three steps back anxiously, covering his churning stomach.

Two words echoed in my mind: cesspool... cesspool...

"vomit--"

He started to retch.

[Oh, I vomited! ]

Ji Sui was bent over and retching, his veins throbbing.

Xu Yanmiao! Why are you everywhere?

[Now my mysophobia is kicking in! Although I thought this person was your granddaughter, I still couldn't resist the impact of my mysophobia! ]

No, no!

Ji Sui almost broke his teeth.

If she really is my granddaughter, I wouldn't care whether she is dirty or not!

Ji Sui looked at the guards surrounding the execution ground, took out the official seal to prove his identity, and then pointed at Xu Yanmiao.

"Drag him away!"

Xu Yanmiao: "Huh?"

Xu Yanmiao: "Ahhhhhhhh?!"

The person was taken away, but Ji Sui could still hear Xu Yanmiao's voice from afar.

[Forget it! I understand! Ji Gong kidnapped his granddaughter at the execution ground, but couldn't help vomiting. Of course, he didn't want a small official like me to know! ]

Ji Sui: "..."

I really want to hit someone!

＊

At night, Xu Yanmiao heard that Ji Sui's granddaughter was still beheaded.

He robbed the execution ground and angered the old emperor, who ordered him to divorce Princess Qinghe. He was also stripped of his post as the Left Censor-in-Chief - according to the tradition of the Great Xia Dynasty, one must first serve as the Left Censor-in-Chief before becoming the Prime Minister. This post was also privately called the Deputy Prime Minister.

Originally, Prime Minister Dou was old, and when he retired, Ji Sui would definitely be granted a title of nobility and appointed as prime minister. Now he could only be sent to a prefecture outside the capital, and it was unknown when he would be able to return to the central government. However, the affairs of inspecting temples in various places in Kyushu that were previously assigned to him were not taken back. I think when he returns to Beijing to report the completion of the mission, he can meet his colleagues in the central government again.

Xu Yanmiao hurriedly checked the system and after browsing the gossip for a while, she found the matter of Concubine Qin. She breathed a sigh of relief after reading it.

"Fortunately, fortunately, the one who died was the prisoner who was supposed to be executed in the autumn. Concubine Qin is still fine."

"Eh? When did the old emperor use the Royal Guards to find out the identity of Concubine Qin? And did he tell Ji Sui?"

"What about my note?" Xu Yanmiao suddenly became nervous: "I locked it up before. The Jinyiwei is so powerful, they won't find me out, right?"

Rolling around in bed.

"If I get caught, how can I explain my source of information? Can I just say that Concubine Qin and Lord Ji are somewhat similar?"

rolling around.

"Oh, Ji Sui is going to meet his granddaughter, eh? Why did the Queen call Ji Sui over first?"

＊

Pepper Palace.

"Ji Sui, I know you want to ask about your daughter. A Zheng has told me all this."

Empress Dou said bluntly: "A Zheng is now uneasy, let me talk to you."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Ji Sui sat upright. The 46-year-old Ji Gong was as uneasy as a child who had the honor of listening to a great scholar's lecture.

"A Zheng told me that her mother was the daughter of a farmer. During the great epidemic in Quanzhou in October of the ninth year of Tiantong, her mother's family was destroyed and she ended up living in a brothel. She was only seven years old at the time."

Ji Sui had a blank expression on his face, his hands clenched into fists beneath his sleeves.

"When her mother reached the age of 15, she was about to get married, but that year you vigorously cracked down on brothels everywhere, and the brothel her mother worked in was closed down. She was lucky enough to get out of the brothel and later married a farmer. The farmer was simple and honest, and treated her mother very well. He was also a good man."

Because... he cracked down on the brothel, so his daughter was spared in the end?

In an instant, Ji Sui's brain went blank.

It was not until Empress Dou spoke again that he came back to his senses.

"But growing up in a brothel took its toll on her body. Her mother was only 26 when she passed away. Her father passed away when she was three. Her mother, a widow, raised her with great difficulty until she passed away when she was ten."

"A Zheng can dance and has some medical skills, all taught by her mother. Later, these two skills helped her save the crown prince and also helped her escape from him."

"..."

This man with cold actions and gloomy temperament; this man who hates brothels and despises gentry, and has many heads of landlords and powerful people in his hands, is regarded as the emperor's lackey and deputy prime minister in the eyes of these people, and his reputation is comparable to that of cruel officials; this man who is sought after by the Modern Literature School, regarded as the hope of Modern Literature, and the leader of the Modern Literature School who will ensure the endless literary culture, the Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion is now kneeling on the cushion, his back straight, tears slowly flowing down his cheeks.

He cried.

Empress Dou sighed and said, "The child is now recuperating in my villa."

...

In the villa, the newly assigned maid helped Qin Zheng dress up and said with envy and excitement, "Miss! Your grandfather is the Left Censor-in-Chief, the Vice Prime Minister of the court, the Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion, the Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace, and the Prince's Grand Tutor, the leader of the Modern Literature School!"

The person involved, Qin Zheng, was much calmer. She lowered her eyes, her face still pale from excessive blood loss, and spoke softly, "Is that the Grand Secretary Ji who discussed women's virtues and precepts with His Majesty?"

The maidservant said in confusion: "I don't know about this, but there are no other Grand Secretaries with the surname Ji, right?"

Ji Sui came at this time.

With a heart full of guilt and excitement, and an indescribable sense of homesickness, he pushed open the door.

When he saw the thin girl, all the words he had been organizing along the way were thrown away, and he said in a trembling voice: "A Zheng! I am your grandfather!"

The other person looked up at me, his eyes clearly black and white, and he stood up and saluted without any mistake. His politeness and distance were visibly visible to the naked eye.

After the ceremony, the girl respectfully called him, "Mr. Ji."

Ji Sui was struck by lightning. When he came back to his senses, his heart was throbbing with pain, and even his fingertips began to tremble.

The author has something to say:

Women's workmanship refers to the Song Dynasty:

【teahouse】

There is also the teahouse owned by Wang Mama in Zhongwane, which is also called Yikugui Teahouse, the Che'er Teahouse on the main street, and the Jiang Jianyue Teahouse, all of which are places where scholars and officials would meet with friends.

——"Dream of the Red Chamber"

＊

【Selling food】

Song Wusao's Fish Soup Outside Qiantang Gate

——"Dream of the Red Chamber"

For example, Song Wusao's fish soup was once praised by the emperor, and she became a wealthy old woman.

——"The Complete History of Palace Poems"

＊

[Serving tea and water to guests]

There are also women from the neighborhood, with blue and white cloth handkerchiefs tied around their waists and their hair tied into a bun, who change the soup and pour wine for the customers, which is commonly known as "焌渣".

——"Dongjing Menghualu"

＊

【Carrying a sedan chair】

The sedan chairs for women in Quanzhou and Fuzhou are painted with gold and women are hired to carry them.

——《Chicken Ribs》

＊

【Cook】

After the banquet was cleared, the cook straightened her collar and bowed again, saying, "Today we are testing the kitchen. Thank God for your kindness. You must give me generous gifts as usual. The guard is slow and difficult." The cook said quickly, "Isn't it waiting for the inspection?" She reached into her bag and took out a few pieces of paper and presented them to the guard, saying, "This is the award slip I received from a certain official yesterday." The guard looked at it. According to the rules, every exhibition, silk and silk were given, sometimes hundreds of pieces of money, sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars. No one was wasted. The guard was poor and tried his best to help. He secretly sighed and said that we are weak. Such banquets should not be held regularly. Such cooks should not be used regularly.

——"Song Bai Lei Chao"

[Translation: The governor hired a cook. After a banquet, he found out that the cook wanted "a hundred pieces of silk and three or two hundred thousand yuan". After paying reluctantly, he privately lamented that it was too expensive. He suggested that he should hold fewer banquets like this and hire fewer cooks like this in the future.]

＊

【Practice】

Zhang Sheng, a surgeon in Xiuzhou, was a local official in the county. His wife met a divine man who called himself the King of Leather Field. He gave her a book called "Different Prescriptions for Carbuncle and Ulcers" and taught her the general techniques. She became famous as a doctor and was called Miss Zhang. She then taught her husband.

——"Yijianzhi"

＊

Chapter 32: Ying! Why are we always the ones who get hurt when the Emperor and Xu Yanmiao are angry with each other?

Before Ji Sui could even sit down comfortably, the old emperor called him over again.

The old emperor didn't care about Ji Sui's mood as he had just found his granddaughter and learned that his daughter had died. Instead, he was afraid that Ji Sui's body couldn't bear it and he would faint, thus preventing him from asking questions, so he asked the kitchen to bring him a bowl of blood swallow's nest.

Then, he asked directly with an unhappy look: "What happened back then?"

Ji Sui ate two mouthfuls of blood swallow for the sake of politeness, but it was tasteless.

"then......"

Ji Sui still remembers that year, which was the last battle before the founding of the country. He was fortunate to become the commander-in-chief of the rear army and was sent to be responsible for the logistics of this battle. He was almost never on the ground. His ex-wife also stayed by his side, saying that she wanted to take care of his health so that he would not be too busy to fall ill.

"My wife stole the information I kept in my study, from military dispatch instructions to the location of food and fodder."

The old emperor frowned and recalled: "But back then..."

"Your Majesty is right. Something went wrong back then. The intelligence she stole was an abandoned decision. I am used to keeping the real decision in my mind."

Ji Sui said this without feeling proud. He just sat there and said it almost masochistically: "My wife is not an orphan. She is actually the daughter of the Prime Minister of the Great Zhou. She was separated in the war and then resolutely stole intelligence and returned to the country. On the day when the Great Zhou was destroyed, I rushed to see her. She committed suicide in front of me... and died for her country."

Blood sprayed all over his face and body. Since then, he has always felt that his body is sticky and cannot be washed clean.

"Before that, she was pregnant. After returning home, she gave the baby away as soon as it was born. All I could find out was that it was a girl."

"That is the way it is, Your Majesty."

——The reason why he had always resisted contacting Xu Yanmiao in advance was because he was afraid that Xu Yanmiao would reveal that his daughter was the granddaughter of the prime minister of the previous dynasty.

The daughter is gone, but the daughter still has a daughter.

Ji Sui stood up, knelt before the old emperor, and his forehead hit the ground with a "dong".

"I failed in my duty as commander-in-chief. I did not discover that someone was planning to steal intelligence. I failed in my duty as a husband. I did not notice my wife's contradictions in time. I failed even more as a father. I forced my daughter's biological mother and her family to death. My daughter has been wandering outside since she was born and no one knows whether she is alive or dead..."

"I feel I am unworthy of marrying and having children again. I only want to find my daughter back."

"Qin Zheng is totally unaware of this. She doesn't know that she is the descendant of the former prime minister. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and spare her life! I am willing to exchange my life for hers!"

...

"The old emperor actually has such a big problem with the prime minister of the previous dynasty." Xu Yanmiao smacked his lips: "Back then, the prime minister pretended to surrender, and almost succeeded in the internal and external cooperation, and also killed one of the old emperor's vanguards. The old emperor was so angry that he said he would leave his body in the wilderness."

——Although he finally let the other person go and gave him a proper burial along with his family who had died for their country.

"No wonder Ji Sui didn't dare to tell the old emperor the truth. In order to conceal his daughter's bloodline of the prime minister of the previous dynasty, he reached an agreement with Princess Qinghe who accidentally found out about this matter. He would not interfere with the princess's keeping a lover, and the princess would give his daughter the status of a county princess, the only daughter of the legitimate princess of Daxia."

Muttered a few words.

Turn your head.

He rattled out a long list of food names to the street vendor without taking a breath.

"That's it. Give me one of each! Thank you!"

The hot and fragrant snacks were being prepared, and Xu Yanmiao's eyes were particularly enthusiastic: "Add more spiciness! Add more spiciness to everything!"

There are so many delicious things at Daxia's night market! You can also add as much spice as you want!

Turning his head, he saw Ji Sui walking in the bustling East Market, obviously absent-minded. Behind him was a man dressed as a servant, looking at him nervously.

"Hmm..." Xu Yanmiao glanced at Ji Sui hesitantly, then looked at the fried food that was about to be taken out of the pot. After going back and forth three or five times, he stepped forward hesitantly: "Mr. Ji?"

Ji Sui suddenly woke up and looked over: "...is it you?"

Xu Yanmiao blinked.

Ji Sui looked at him and suddenly said, "Do you remember the great famine in Henan two years ago?"

Xu Yanmiao's eyes drifted for a moment.

The year before last, he hadn't traveled through time yet.

"Such a disaster, of course I remember it!"

Ji Sui: "..."

Well, he didn't know.

But now he has been transferred to become a local official and can no longer hear this man's voice, so he doesn't know why he doesn't know.

Ji Sui: "I went to supervise the relief and transferred grain from Henan. I found that officials there colluded with officials from the Ministry of Revenue and embezzled official grain. This led to the drought in Henan the year before last not being stopped in time, resulting in a great famine and people eating each other."

Xu Yanmiao was stunned: "Why...tell me this?"

Ji Sui: "..."

Ji Sui could only guess Xu Yanmiao's thoughts with difficulty, and chose his words carefully: "I am no longer an official. I want to present the evidence I have collected, but I am afraid that someone will interfere. You have a good relationship with Princess Wanshou..."

Ji Sui said a lot, and Xu Yanmiao just listened quietly. He didn't know what he was thinking. Anyway, in the end, Xu Yanmiao nodded and said, "Okay, if I meet Princess Wanshou, I will give these evidences to her."

Then Xu Yanmiao left.

After he left, Ji Sui was silent for a long time.

It lasted so long that the servant behind him began to speak up: "Master?"

"I can't hear you anymore..."

"Varied......"

Ji Sui stood under the lights of the night market, his shadow stretching out very long.

The voice was slightly melancholy.

"I can't hear you anymore."

When Ji Sui could hear Xu Yanmiao's inner voice, he felt annoyed and annoyed, but when he really couldn't hear it, it was like seeing a door slam shut in front of him.

Only officials in the capital can hear Xu Yanmiao's voice. Local officials, even if they have official seals, even if they are temporarily standing on the land of the capital, cannot hear Xu Yanmiao's voice.

He was previously transferred to be a prefect. Although he understood that his official career had come to an end and the emperor would never let him return to Beijing, he had not yet clearly felt the difference emotionally. There were still many people who stepped on his doorstep, his connections were still there, he was still the leader of the Modern Literature School, and even his best friend was the current crown prince.

However, there was never a moment like when he could not hear Xu Yanmiao's inner voice. At that time, Ji Sui deeply realized... things were really different.

——He has been excluded from the field of power.

But without real power, those things will never be implemented and will just sound good in name only.

The servant didn't know how to start the conversation, so he racked his brains and said, "The young lady is still waiting for the master to come back."

This was actually a lie. Qin Zheng had always been cold to him, so how could she possibly wait for him to come back?

Ji Sui looked at the direction Xu Yanmiao left with complicated eyes, then thought of Qin Zheng, and his expression suddenly softened: "Let's go back."

It doesn't matter if A Zheng doesn't recognize him now, because he did something wrong, and he will spend his whole life begging for A Zheng's forgiveness. It doesn't matter if she doesn't forgive him, he will do his best to make it up to A Zheng.

He also remembered that someone had passed him a message saying that the gentleman who wrote "Legitimate Women" had been released by the emperor, and that he would return to his hometown and start with the people around him to expand the influence of "Legitimate Women" bit by bit.

Coincidentally, the other party's hometown happened to be the area where he would be the governor in the future. He was also fortunate to be forgiven by His Majesty, who allowed him to take his family with him to take office.

I thought of that gentleman and "Instructions for Women".

Ji Sui sneered.

Want to expand the influence of "Nujie"? Just give it a try.

＊

Xu Yanmiao came to the court with dark circles under his eyes.

He spent the whole night thinking about how to expose the corruption.

This matter involves quite a lot of things, and Princess Wanshou may not be able to handle it.

——Xu Yanmiao never thought that Ji Sui's so-called conveying the message to Princess Wanshou was just an excuse. He just wanted Xu Yanmiao to understand the matter and say it in his heart in the court one day... In this way, all the credit would be Xu Yanmiao's.

Ji Sui really hated Xu Yanmiao's noise, but he was also very grateful to Xu Yanmiao for helping him find his granddaughter.

Xu Yanmiao was distracted and completely ignored the look and voice of the clerk from the Ministry of War who was trying to remind him.

The Ministry of War was extremely anxious.

Xu Lang! Don't be distracted! His Majesty is obviously very unhappy today. If he is discovered...

"Xu Yanmiao." The old emperor's voice was calm.

But...Xu Yanmiao was distracted.

The old emperor: "..." He took a deep breath and raised his voice: "Xu Yanmiao."

Xu Yanmiao was still distracted.

The clerk of the Ministry of War opened his eyes wide and almost got cramps from winking.

Xu Lang! Xu Lang? ! !

Following the old emperor's hint, the Royal Guards trotted over and said, "Secretary Xu! His Majesty is calling you!"

Xu Yanmiao suddenly came back to his senses and quickly walked out of the train: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

The old emperor raised the corner of his mouth, thinking of the shock he received at the execution ground yesterday, and began to openly... find fault.

That's right, she was just looking for trouble, and it was so obvious that the court officials couldn't bear to look at it and strangely felt sorry for Xu Yanmiao.

Listen, what are those——

"Did you transcribe this document? Look! The handwriting is almost on the outside of the paper!"

"Why don't you make three copies of the document? The rule is two copies. Can't you be more proactive? You have to do what the rule says before you do it?"

"Also, why do you usually eat alone? You are so withdrawn! How can you be an official!"

It's just looking for trouble.

However, His Majesty actually noticed that Xu Yanmiao usually eats alone...

Many court officials felt very jealous.

Also, this kind of finding fault... Who has ever seen an emperor so unhappy that he would just make trouble for others like this? Even in the officialdom, this kind of trouble is not considered a warning. This is just a temper tantrum, and a childish temper at that.

If they had this kind of treatment, they would wake up laughing in their dreams.

What is Xu Yanmiao standing there for? Why doesn't he quickly recognize these mistakes and say a few nice words to appease the emperor!

However, the college student who hadn't slept well the whole night because of the corruption Ji Sui mentioned was hesitant...

【What happened to the old emperor? 】

Suddenly, he was terrified: [Could it be that he knew that someone in the Ministry of Revenue had colluded with Henan officials to embezzle government grain?! ]

[Would he suspect that I was involved?]

[This! The fact that 5.71 million koku were supposed to be stored in the warehouse, but only 2.36 million koku were actually stored in the warehouse has nothing to do with me! ]

【I never embezzle! 】

The old emperor was in a good mood, but suddenly he fell from heaven to hell.

The smile that was rising on his face suddenly froze.

The warehouse was stocked with 5.71 million shi, but only 2.36 million shi were actually stocked...

Nearly 60% less?!

Who did it!!!

The entire Ministry of Revenue, from the Shangshu to the Siwu, from the second rank to the ninth rank, broke out in a cold sweat. They almost knelt down on the spot and swore to the sky that they had nothing to do with it!

Everyone was desperate.

Why are we ministers always the ones who get hurt whenever the emperor and Xu Yanmiao are angry with each other?

The author has something to say:

Ji Sui is the commander of the rear army. Reference from the Ming Dynasty:

The first commander of the Central Army of the Five Armies was Zhang Yu (Ming Rongguogong); the first commander of the Left Army was Zhu Neng (Chengguogong); the first commander of the Right Army was Li Bin (Fengchenghou); the first commander of the Front Army was Xu Zhong (Yongkanghou); the first commander of the Rear Army was Fang Kuan (Si Enbo). Since Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty appointed Qiu Fu as the commander-in-chief of the Five Armies only after Zhang Yu died in battle, there is reason to believe that the first commander-in-chief of the Five Armies was actually Emperor Chengzu himself.

[The rear army is actually responsible for the logistics of the entire army, including the civilian workers and family members who are responsible for logistics, responsible for food and other supplies, and providing rear guards for the large army. ]

＊

For corruption case, please refer to the Guo Huan corruption case in the Ming Dynasty.

At that time, 4.5 million shi should have been stored in the warehouse, but only 2.6 million shi were included, which means that more than 40% was embezzled.

＊

Chapter 33: Shock! The man crawled on the ground and called his brother affectionately. Why?

Someone touched the government grain.

The old emperor stared at all the officials in the Ministry of Revenue with his dark eyes. He did not show any anger, but looked very calm.

However, the officials standing in the front row who were able to notice the emperor's emotions felt a chill coming through their thick official robes, which was bone-chilling.

They knew the emperor well, and sometimes speaking out loud in anger was not the right way to express their anger.

The old emperor spoke: "Xu Yanmiao, stand back."

Although Xu Yanmiao sometimes didn't quite understand the meaning of the words, he always obeyed orders. He didn't ask any more questions after hearing it, and stood back to the end of the line, the position where a ninth-rank official should be.

[It seems that the old emperor is very angry, so the corruption of government grain has been exposed, right? ]

[Be careful, don't step on the landmine! You must not let yourself be the victim! ]

Xu Yanmiao shrank back into the team, no longer like before, when she would cautiously stick her head out to peek at what was happening in the front row just to eat melons.

[However, the Minister of Revenue...]

The Ministry of Revenue had two assistant ministers, one on the left and the other on the right. When the two assistant ministers felt the old emperor's gaze, it was like a nightmare.

I kept complaining in my heart.

"Which minister is it? Please tell me clearly!" The left minister's forehead was covered with beads of sweat, and his face was pale.

The air was filled with heavy low pressure, as if it was going to crush the hall into dust.

The right assistant minister was shaking with fear, as if he was very afraid of being implicated, and his face was full of panic.

[One hundred thousand official fields, the old emperor specifically ordered that the official fields be levied at half the amount after the disaster. Tsk tsk, I didn't expect that the right assistant minister Yang Cheng would levy the full amount and even remember to leave 40% for you!]

There was silence in the court.

The Right Assistant Minister, who was still hoping for a lucky break, rushed out, clapping his head several times: "Your Majesty! I...I am guilty...I..."

I hesitated for a long time but couldn't say anything.

The Left Assistant Minister felt so exhausted that he almost fell down and was sweating profusely.

He was scared to death. He knew that he did not embezzle any money, but he didn't know if someone had used his name to embezzle money. In the officialdom, if one person committed a crime, his master, apprentices, and fellow students would be punished together, and so would the party.

The Right Vice Minister finally came up with a line: "Your Majesty!" He knelt forward a few steps, weeping bitterly: "I was just confused for a moment!"

Old Emperor: "..."

The old emperor: "Haha."

I saw that you were quite sober at that time, but now you are confused due to fear.

＊

Xu Yanmiao heard a commotion ahead, vague sounds coming from the distance, and she was eager to take a look.

No! Xu Yanmiao! You have to control yourself! You can't offend the old emperor!

After Xu Yanmiao admonished herself, she continued to keep her head down and passed the time by looking through previous corruption cases.

By the way, I expressed my feelings: [Hey, at least I saved 40% from my teeth for you——]

[What does it mean to beg on your knees? ]

The tone was ups and downs and full of emotion.

If they didn't know that Xu Yanmiao was unaware that they could hear his thoughts, they would have thought that he was going to kill the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was flustered: "Your Majesty! No! I didn't! I never meant that!"

I just want to get some bribes!

The Minister of Revenue glared at him with disappointment.

In this officialdom, except for a few individuals, everyone wants to be greedy and take a little, but you are not allowed to take that much!

Sixty percent!

Are you afraid that the emperor won't find out?

The old emperor looked at the minister solemnly, tapping the faucet with his fingers again and again, and each tap echoed in the Hall of Yama.

【And there is Commander Mokan! 】

——The Mokansi department was responsible for verifying and inspecting the money and grain accounts of the whole country, and its chief was the Mokan Commander.

When Commander Mokan heard Xu Yanmiao call his name, every hair on his head stood up and he knelt down in the queue: "Your Majesty!"

He crawled out on his knees, not daring to say anything, and just bowed his forehead to the ground, which became numb and his back and waist ached.

【hiss--】

[I received a lot of bribes for helping people settle their accounts! Let me see... Wow! Two hundred rolls of fine silk! Thirty rolls of grosgrain! One million taels of silver! ]

[It's a lot of money! I've never seen so much money! ]

Commander Mokan: "..."

Xu Yanmiao! Can you shut up! If you want to say I took bribes, then just say I took bribes! Why are you so sad about the huge amount of money?

Haven't you noticed that the more you sigh, the more murderous the aura on the golden stage becomes?

After a moment's silence, he began to kowtow.

"Your Majesty! I am guilty! Your Majesty! I am guilty!"

He kowtowed and gnashed his teeth.

Why can't Xu Yanmiao just shut up!

[Wow!!!] Not only did he not shut up, his inner voice became even more excited: [So they can come up with such a clever excuse, and they can actually do this! They really deserve to be caught and beheaded! Commander Mokan is really exhausted helping him settle these accounts.]

The old emperor suddenly sneered.

Only the Jinyiwei commander could hear his words—

"Come up with excuses? I want to see how they can do this."

[The freight for water transport is 100 wen, and the freight for land transport is 300 wen. The people also have to pay for the food and lodging of the transporters and horses. It's a full 100 wen! What food is so expensive! ]

[Huh? Warehouse management fees also need to be paid? One hundred coins? People also need to pay for the cattail and bamboo baskets used to hold money? One hundred coins each? Do you need two baskets to hold money? This is too much!]

[Fuck! There are even worse ones! ]

[In case the ship encounters strong winds and waves on the river, we need to pray to Buddha and burn incense. Do the people have to pay for the incense? ! ! 100 coins? ! ]

The college student, who had never embezzled money or thought of making money by making false pretenses, was shocked. He stared at the system screen, not noticing any of the officials around him. He shuddered all over.

They all felt what it meant that a storm was coming.

I was almost begging Xu Yanmiao in my heart not to leak any more information, as this involves a lot of people!

Xu Yanmiao calculated the number.

[No way! The old emperor only collected 1,800 coins for tax! These people made up all sorts of excuses and asked for an extra 900 coins on top of the 1,800 coins!]

[The tax has soared to 2,700 yuan per stone of rice! ]

What is the tax? It means that originally, farmers were required to pay one dan of rice directly, but now they were required to pay directly to farmers. The grain chief would then use the money to buy rice from other places, and then transport the rice to the designated places in each region for tax payment.

Xu Yanmiao was amazed.

[This is the place where the Buddha passed by. They had to scrape the gold powder off the Buddha statue, right?]

Commander Mokan even wanted to change direction and kowtow to Xu Yanmiao!

The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue knew that he shouldn't do this, and that the phrase "begging on his knees" was particularly bad, but at this moment, seeing his fellow commander, Commander Mokan, being forced to sweat profusely by Xu Yanmiao's repeated revelations, he suddenly couldn't help but said, "Puff——"

I'm sorry, but when I see someone more unfortunate than me, my heart suddenly feels balanced.

[Hey, what did the 18 imperial censors who were sent to Henan to supervise the relief work do? The local warehouse officials mixed water into the grain and soybeans to increase the weight. When the weather got hot, the grain was directly steamed by the heat! ]

[Seven million shi of grain all rotted! Local officials were afraid of being discovered, so they buried them all underground!]

[Seven million grains of food were wasted! ]

The eighteen imperial censors who were in charge of inspecting relief immediately knelt down in sweat.

[Ah! This Xue Yuanji! The old emperor asked him to comfort the disaster victims, but he, a deputy minister of the Ministry of Justice, actually asked a death row prisoner to do his work for him, and he was just being lazy! ]

The deputy minister of the Ministry of Justice suddenly turned pale.

[And this Minister of Works surnamed Chen! He was amazing! After receiving the money, he told the old emperor that in addition to the drought in Henan, there were also locusts, and he cheated a lot of disaster relief funds. ]

The Minister of Works staggered a step, his blood running cold and shivering all over his body.

【ah!......】

【Wow!......】

Xu Yanmiao stood too far back, and without deliberately listening, he could not see or hear what was happening in front of him. At this time, he made up his mind to be a quail, and he buried his head in gossip.

He was having a great time reading. The 1,188 officials in Beijing who came to attend the court broke out in cold sweats when they heard him sigh. When they heard the name read out and found that it was not their own, their legs immediately weakened to the point that they could hardly stand. But when the next sigh came out, they were nervous and terrified.

Everyone changed color when they heard the sound.

It's like the King of Hell calling your name.

[Hey! The Minister of Justice! ]

The other ministers all looked at the Minister of Justice, and their looks were like a group of serious examination students who suddenly discovered that someone was cheating.

No way? You're actually involved in this? What do you want?

The Minister of Justice was stunned.

Wait, did he do that?

I've racked my brains but still can't figure out what I did... This is even more terrifying! Did he do something unintentionally, or did his relatives and children use his name to do something and hide it from him? !

The Minister of Justice shuddered suddenly, and under the murderous gaze of the old emperor, who was saying, "Even you are involved," he knelt down hurriedly: "Your Majesty!" His voice was choked with sobs, and he lowered his head, his face full of shame: "Your Majesty, I have failed your grace."

[Hahahahaha, he read in an ancient book that wheat is poisonous, but he really likes to eat noodles. Every time he cooks noodles, he puts them in a bag, puts them in a vent to air dry, and then rinses them three or four times with cold water before eating! Hahahaha, how can there still be people who eat noodles like this! ]

Old Emperor: "..."

Minister of Justice: "..."

Other Shangshu: "..."

The whole court: "..."

Why! Some people can be distracted by something else while doing one thing!

The Minister of Justice was drenched in cold sweat.

He swallowed his dry saliva, and sat down on the ground with a thump. The sweat dripping from his forehead made a sound of falling to the ground, and his breathing came out in heavy gasps.

It was almost like that and the entire nine clans would have been wiped out.

＊

Prince Jin's Mansion.

The Prince of Jin is the half-brother of the current emperor. He blocked an arrow for the emperor and ended up paralyzed on one side of his body.

The emperor took pity on him for his poor health and his inability to endure the fatigue of traveling, so he made an exception. Now that he is over 30 years old, he has not yet gone to his fiefdom and remains in the capital.

Yesterday was the wedding of Prince Jin and his princess.

"Why is it so noisy outside?" He sat up from the bed and asked the housekeeper.

The housekeeper said, "Your Majesty, it is the Jinyiwei who are arresting people everywhere. It seems that these people have embezzled official grain. I heard that many people were arrested in the court, including Yang Cheng, the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Wu Shenming, the commander of the Ministry of Inspection, and Xue Yuanji, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Justice..."

Prince Jin's expression was stern: "Go and get my wheelchair quickly. I want to go see my brother."

"Your Majesty?"

"Go quickly."

The butler pushed out the wheelchair in the corner and put a half-mask on Prince Jin - Prince Jin was disfigured, and he said he was afraid of scaring people, so he wore a mask when he went out all year round - and called three or five guards to push him towards the imperial gate.

A court meeting is being held at the imperial gate.

After the prince left, the princess asked the housekeeper, "Where is the king going so quickly so early in the morning?"

Butler: "The king is in a hurry to go to court."

"That's strange. The king never goes to court." The princess was surprised, but she didn't care about it anymore. She just ordered, "Go and get the gift list. All the officials came to give gifts yesterday. I want to see how to return the gifts tomorrow."

...

Prince Jin arrived outside the imperial gate with a solemn expression.

My dear brother, I know that you are afraid of me. That is why you still refuse to let me go to my fiefdom even though I am already thirty years old.

For many years, I have not dared to marry... But now that I am old, I must continue the family line. To avoid your suspicion, I chose a concubine's daughter from a powerless and noble family as my wife, but you still...

I understand that you revealed this matter on the second day of my wedding just to warn me.

The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ministry of Survey and Design, and the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice were all those who came to present gifts yesterday. Fortunately, I have a good memory and remember this matter - you are worried that I am colluding with these court officials.

He closed his eyes in pain: How far are you going to push me? !

The King of Jin glanced at the Jinyiwei standing solemnly outside the imperial gate, then turned to the guards beside him and said, "Just leave me here, and you go down first."

After the people left, Prince Jin hardened his heart, propped himself up with both hands, threw himself on the ground, and pushed the wheelchair away.

He endured the humiliation and supported himself on the ground with both hands, trying to crawl in. As he crawled, he shouted loudly: "Royal brother! Royal brother! The corruption of the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue has nothing to do with me! I have never had any private contact with him! My heart is clear to all! Royal brother! Do you believe me——"

Brother, is this enough? Brother, is this enough?

The author has something to say:

Old Emperor: What's the commotion outside?

＊

Officials in western Zhejiang collect taxes and are more treacherous than tigers and wolves. For example, when collecting autumn grain, officials in prefectures, counties and districts distribute one dan of rice and exchange it for two strings of banknotes. They make up all sorts of excuses and demand 100 coins for water transportation, 300 coins for carts, and 100 coins for food. The warehouse also demands 100 coins for inspection, 100 coins for cattail baskets, 100 coins for bamboo baskets, and 100 coins for gods and Buddhas along the river.

——"First Compilation: Grain Tax Collection"

＊

Let prisoners help with office work:

On March 14, the 19th year of Hongwu, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Justice ...

——Continuation of the Imperial Edicts

＊

Chapter 34: Six Ministers: I deserve to die!

Xu Yanmiao caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye and was startled.

[What the hell is this?! ]

It was a wake-up call, like a wake-up call... In short, all the ministers turned their heads to look behind them almost immediately.

One thousand one hundred and eighty-eight officials turned around at the same time, and the scene was quite sensational.

Prince Jin's eyes were gloomy.

This prince really was not wrong, my brother was just afraid of him and wanted to punish him! Because they look alike - they both look like their mother!

My royal brother...is afraid that he will take the blame!

It seems that this is a dead end.

It seems that his previous destruction of his own appearance was not enough.

These officials who came looking over together were a kind of deterrent. The man on the dragon throne was silently warning him and demonstrating his control over the officials.

The King of Jin said nothing, but thought coldly: Brother Emperor! As you wish! I, your humble servant, will crawl!

Then, the old emperor saw a dark, twisted mass of something crawling towards him inch by inch.

Old Emperor: "..."

A sentence similar to Xu Yanmiao's popped up in my mind.

——What the hell is this?!

The Jinyiwei just surrounded him. Since he was a prince, they didn't dare to take forceful action without orders. They could only follow him and watch him crawl inch by inch.

The old emperor: "...help the Prince of Jin stand up and bring him before me."

Xu Yanmiao peeked in curiously.

Because he had never seen any strange creatures in ancient times.

"Who is this person?" he asked the clerk of the Ministry of War in a low voice.

The clerk of the Ministry of War also said in a low voice: "He is the King of Jin, and I don't know what he is doing here."

The Imperial Guards helped Prince Jin onto a wheelchair and pushed him slowly towards the Golden Terrace.

[Ah! This person knows the Prince of Jibei privately! But the Prince of Jibei didn't come to court today... Who is the Prince of Jibei? He looks familiar... Oh! He's the one who wears seven big pearls on his waist, and those pearls were caught by the place where he pooped! ]

——These princes and princes don't have to come to the court, anyway, they don't have official positions and real power. It's just that the King of Jin has never been to the court, and many people in the capital know it. And the Prince of Jibei, since he came to the capital, has been like a social butterfly, going out with people from time to time, going to brothels with people, visiting some officials, and occasionally coming to the court.

The old emperor's eyes were on Prince Jin.

The Sixth Brother...has a secret relationship with the Prince of Jibei?

Prince Jin caught a glimpse of Prince Jibei's secret agent in the capital, who was also an official, but not a high-ranking one. The other party was waving his five fingers at him frantically, and his expression seemed a little anxious.

The official almost screamed in his heart: Your Majesty, let's not meet tonight! If we attract Xu Yanmiao's attention, we're done!

Prince Jin tried hard not to show any strange expression.

Five fingers...

understood.

Tonight's meeting with the Prince of Jibei was changed from 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.

The Prince of Jin nodded calmly to the hidden player, indicating that he already knew the true intention of the Prince of Jibei.

——At the fifth watch, we discussed important matters.

[Hey! The Prince of Jibei is still in the bed with the courtesan! Huh? The 'Big Dipper' belt was actually given to the Prince of Jin by the Prince! The Prince of Jin often plays with it! But it's dirty, Prince of Jin! You touch it every day and don't wash your hands!!!]

King Jin suddenly felt that many people were looking at him, especially at his hands.

King Jin: "???"

What happened to his hand?

On the golden stage, his brother suddenly coughed and said, "Sixth Brother... wash your hands first before we talk. I'll give you my golden basin."

Golden Basin???

Retire from the underworld? !

Prince Jin's pupils trembled slightly.

Could it be that the emperor brother knows everything? !

Everything is under this person's control? !

How terrifying! What a treacherous method!

No! He had to dispel the emperor's suspicion!

"Royal brother! I am innocent, Royal brother!"

The old emperor sometimes wondered what sin he had committed that caused him to be surrounded by such people.

When he was sold as a slave and separated from his parents, he searched for them while conquering the world. After ascending the throne, he finally got the news that his father had died and his mother had remarried. Not only did she remarry, but the sons she gave birth to were all grown up.

This is not surprising. Whether during the war or after the war, it is very difficult for single women in rural areas to survive. Even if they get married, they must give birth to a boy so that they will not be targeted and bullied by the villagers and their family will be wiped out.

Then he took his mother, stepfather and stepbrother in. Then his mother and stepfather passed away a few years ago, and only his stepbrother is still alive.

But this cheap brother was quite normal in the past. Why is he acting crazy today?

"Royal brother! Royal brother! I am truly wronged, Royal brother!"

"Shut up!"

In the strange silence, the old emperor took a breath and said, "What are you doing?"

Then he saw that annoying younger brother startled, looking at him helplessly like a frail little white flower, and then shouted: "Royal brother! The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, the Commander of the Ministry of Inspection, and the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice for corruption..."

The deputy minister of the Ministry of Justice could no longer remain calm. He shouted at the top of his lungs: "Your Majesty! I did not embezzle anything! I just abused my power for personal gain! I let the prisoners do my job for me!"

These are two charges!

Prince Jin: "..."

King Jin frowned and thought to himself that something was wrong.

He deliberately showed a simple and reckless character, and this kind of character, in this kind of situation, should fight with the other party. But...

...Brother, is this a test from you? Is it possible that you have expected what the official from the Ministry of Justice will do?

There are many Jinyiwei here now, and he must not be exposed.

Under the mask, Prince Jin's expression was forbearing.

Then... he forbearingly raised his voice even louder than the official in the Ministry of Justice: "Brother Emperor! I have nothing to do with them! Although they came to give me gifts at my wedding yesterday, I really don't know them!"

The two voices mixed together, making the old emperor hold his temples. After a long while, he said to his upset brother, "I know you have no contact with them. You should go back first."

The King of Jin felt that he had stopped while he was ahead, so he sat in the wheelchair and folded his upper body: "Thank you for your trust, my brother."

[What is this person doing here? Is he just here to go through the motions? ]

Prince Jin was just an idle prince without any real job, so he couldn't hear Xu Yanmiao's voice at all.

The old emperor could hear a chuckle.

I want to know too.

I also want to know what the situation is between him and the Prince of Jibei.

＊

Prince Jin left with his wheelchair.

Before leaving, he did not forget to nod calmly to the official once again.

At five o'clock in the morning, I know.

＊

A small interruption could not eliminate the emperor's murderous intention. He directly ordered on the spot -

Anyone who commits financial fraud will have their entire clan executed! And I will be torn into pieces by five horses.

Those who embezzle and accept bribes will have all the money they have embezzled estimated as silk or cloth. If they embezzle one foot of silk or cloth, they will be caned 100 times with the stick, and one level more will be imposed for each piece they embezzle. If they embezzle fifteen pieces of silk or cloth, they will be hanged.

Those who abuse their power for personal gain will all be beaten to death because they are in a disaster period!

The court was suddenly filled with voices of crying, begging for mercy, and admitting guilt and accepting punishment.

The clerk of the Ministry of War looked at the group of people with a sneer, "If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have done it in the first place. You dare to embezzle government grain and take the taxes levied after the disaster... You deserve it!"

Xu Yanmiao nodded vigorously.

That's right!

Suddenly, there seemed to be a commotion in the front. Xu Yanmiao secretly leaned over to look, but could only see someone standing up straight, as if saying something to the emperor.

After a while, the Jinyiwei who was responsible for delivering the message began to loudly repeat what had happened so that all officials could know what was going on.

——In almost every area with several hundred people, there is a Jinyiwei responsible for delivering messages.

Then, Xu Yanmiao knew that the person standing upright and talking to the old emperor was the commander of Mokan who had embezzled one million taels of silver.

When the other party learned that he would be executed along with his entire clan, he kowtowed to the ground and said sincerely: "Your Majesty, I am willing to die a thousand times, but I have something to say. Nowadays, if someone embezzles one foot of silk, he will be punished with a hundred strokes of the cane. Is that too harsh? Officials are also human beings. They also need to spend money on weekdays. Who would become an official just for money? Your Majesty! When water is too pure, there is nothing..."

Xu Yanmiao subconsciously added: [When a person is humble, he is invincible. ]

The word "fish" was stuck in Commander Mokan's throat. He felt as if he was being scolded, but also as if he was not. His face turned red and his expression was very distorted.

The old emperor looked down at him from above, like an eagle looking down on a rabbit.

"Go on. I'm listening."

Commander Mokan gritted his teeth, cursed the damned Xu Yanmiao in his heart, knocked his head hard at the old emperor, stood up again, and asked loudly: "One foot of silk is ten coins! Just embezzling ten coins will result in a hundred strokes of the cane, and all officials are terrified! I hope Your Majesty will..."

Xu Yanmiao's annoying voice was yelling again: [What's wrong with ten cents! Ten cents can buy a bushel of rice! It's enough for one person to eat for two days!]

How can there be such a disgusting person!

Commander Mokan had a dull look on his face and his hands were shaking, as if he wanted to clench them into fists.

The old emperor hummed and nodded: "If you embezzle ten cents, you will be caned 100 times... Go on."

Commander Mokan continued dryly, "I hope Your Majesty will reconsider this."

"I have thought about it." The old emperor said calmly: "Ten cents is still too much. It can buy a bushel of rice, which is enough for people to not starve for two days. Officials should not take bribes. Let's change it to a punishment of 100 sticks for taking one cent."

Commander Mokan was stunned.

"His Majesty!!!"

Commander Mokan screamed: "Your Majesty, are you going to maintain the entire court by yourself? There is no official who is not corrupt!"

【Me, me! 】

When Xu Yanmiao heard the Jinyiwei's retelling, he puffed out his chest with pride.

[I don't embezzle! I haven't taken a penny! ]

Commander Mokan: "..."

[Speaking of corruption, why has no one ever given me money? I wouldn't take it even if they did, but it's too much to ignore me like this! ]

The clerk of the Ministry of War glanced at Xu Yanmiao and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Someone came to you and wanted to give you a gift. He hinted to you a thousand times, but you didn't understand a word. He said, "This fruit is a local specialty, a little gift from home. It's hard to find in the capital." But you said it was too precious and insisted that he take it back. You then thought about what the fruit tasted like for three days. On the third day, you suddenly realized something and said, "The teacher said that all fruits that are not produced in large quantities are because they are not delicious." After you figured it out, you threw it out of your mind.

Just because of this, you bothered me for three whole days!

The old emperor suddenly said: "Xu Yanmiao."

Very good. This time he was not distracted. Xu Yanmiao trotted out, stood in the middle of the two rows of officials, and saluted: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The old emperor: "I heard from the Jinyiwei that you never embezzle."

[Ah? Why do the Jinyiwei say everything? The old emperor is too careless to pick me out as a control group at this time! ]

Xu Yanmiao muttered to himself, then bowed his head slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I have never been corrupt."

"Take us to your house to have a look."

Xu Yanmiao's eyes widened.

[What? More than a thousand people all went to my house? ]

Old Emperor: "..."

Silently added: "Those who embezzle and accept bribes will follow, and all officials above the fourth rank in all departments and offices will follow."

Xu Yanmiao immediately bowed: "Yes!"

Along the way, Xu Yanmiao was distracted and obviously absent-minded.

[What should I do? What should I do? What is the old emperor thinking? Why is he suddenly going to my house?]

[I just moved to a new home! It's so big, so bright, and so luxurious! What should I do if I'm misunderstood?]

Prime Minister Dou suddenly felt his scalp tingling: "Xu Yanmiao, you..."

Listening to this voice, isn't it true that he is greedy? !

Xu Yanmiao looked over and said, "Prime Minister?"

[Calm down! Xu Yanmiao! It's okay! This shouldn't be a big problem! ]

No! It's a big problem!

The six ministers of state also felt a pang in their hearts.

It is obvious that His Majesty asked them to come to Xu Yanmiao's house in order to prove to the people of the world that there are officials who are not corrupt, and the so-called harshness is simply untenable.

But if Xu Yanmiao also gets greedy...

They looked at the old emperor, only to find that his majesty was very calm from beginning to end.

An even more shocking thought emerged in their minds.

... Could it be that His Majesty was determined to make them all say that Xu Yanmiao was an honest official, even if Xu Yanmiao was really corrupt? In addition to being an example, he also had to protect Xu Yanmiao?

Prime Minister Dou fell into silence.

He admitted that he was a little jealous.

"We're here!" came Xu Yanmiao's voice.

Prime Minister Dou raised his eyes nonchalantly, and his pupils trembled on the spot.

The Minister of Personnel next to him asked cautiously, "Is this really your house?"

Xu Yanmiao looked at him with a confused look in his eyes, not understanding why the other party was suspicious: "Yes!"

"This house, is it big?"

Xu Yanmiao turned back and took a look at the house, her confusion becoming more obvious: "Isn't it big? I live alone, it's quite big."

He emphasized: "It's a private house! It has one room and two bedrooms, and a yard! The monthly rent is four strings of cash!"

"One yu, two nei" means a main room and two bedrooms, and the outer wall is only five steps away from the bedrooms, so the yard is not very big.

Xu Yanmiao seemed to feel that he had spent too much money, and quickly added: "But this is really not embezzled, it was rented with the princess's thank-you money! And I just moved in not long ago."

Prime Minister Dou, who has a mansion in the south of the city covering hundreds of acres, draws water and plants bamboo to enjoy the valley: "..."

There is a villa in the south of the city and a garden in the north of the city, each covering dozens of acres. A canal was specially dug to divert water around the house. The Minister of War: "..."

Although it was not particularly luxurious, the mansion still had a pavilion, strange rocks, and dozens of exotic flowers planted in it.

The garden is full of exotic flowers and plants. The Minister of Revenue often sits in the pavilions on the top of the rocky peaks, gazing at the flowers and bamboos, and entertaining himself with poetry and wine: "..."

There were also the Minister of Rites, the Minister of Punishment, and the Minister of Works. They thought of their own houses, which had at least dozens of rooms: "..."

Suddenly, a strong feeling arises...

I deserve to die!

——My groom/doorman lives better than him!

Even the old emperor was confused.

He believes that you are not corrupt. But have you really never taken any gifts from your subordinates?

Not at all?

Xu Yanmiao had already opened the door.

Commander Mokan was shocked: "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"Hey! Don't take my keys!"

He pushed Xu Yanmiao aside and rushed in.

There was nothing in the yard.

"Exotic flowers and plants..."

[I don't have the time to take care of it. Hiring people is so expensive! ]

"The rockery and steep rocks..."

[With such a small space, there is a rockery? 】

"Bang!" Commander Mokan pushed open the door of the master bedroom with force. After a while, he rushed out in a panic and opened the door of the side bedroom, then the main room.

The old emperor looked into the master bedroom: "...rattan bed?"

"Second-hand market... No, I bought it in the East Market. It's very cheap."

Xu Yanmiao saw that everyone was looking at him, blinked in confusion, and then suddenly realized.

"It's true!" Xu Yanmiao nodded vigorously: "It's very cheap!"

The author has something to say:

Actually... that... Xiao Xu's salary is based on the Song Dynasty (Wangtian)

At that time, I thought that at least this way Xiao Xu wouldn't have to worry about his salary. But when I checked the housing prices in Bianjing and the salary of a ninth-rank official... you'd better rent a house ()

＊

Refer to the Tang Dynasty for punishment for corruption:

Any supervisor who accepts bribes and perverts the law shall be punished with a cane of one foot long, with an increase of one grade for each piece of cane, and with a hanging of fifteen pieces of cane.

——"Tang Law Commentary"

＊

Silk prices refer to the Tang Dynasty:

4.5 zhang of silk cost about 450 wen.

——"Draft Social and Economic History of Sui and Tang Dynasties"

4.5 zhang 45 chi 450 wen, one chi equals 10 wen.

＊

Rice price reference Tang Dynasty:

The country is rich, and the price of a dou of rice is thirteen.

——New Book of Tang

Chapter 35 Alas! A ninth-rank official is still worthy of eating meat!

Other officials present: "..."

Very good, it seems that this man is not only not greedy and does not accept filial piety, but he has probably never even had a woman. I don't know whether he has ever had sex with a prostitute, but he has definitely never hired a prostitute at home.

After all, rattan beds cannot bear too much weight, and if two people sleep on them, the noise will be too loud and the bed may collapse.

How can someone be so clean? (Shock)!

Is this the reason why Xiao Bai Ze was chosen by the artifact?

Because of his innocent heart?

The Minister of Justice was sighing with emotion when he suddenly thought of something in his mind. He shuddered and broke out in a sweat. He turned his gaze to look at the old emperor and found that the old emperor's eyes were shining, as if he had found a treasure.

——The last time he shone so brightly was when he discovered that Xu Yanmiao's inner voice could be heard, and he could use this inner voice to control many things.

The Minister of Justice felt a chill down his spine and almost wanted to kneel down and hug the old emperor and say no.

Xu Yanmiao is not married, but they have a family to support! And not everyone can live as freely as Xiao Bai Ze, without having to deal with their superiors or go out to socialize! All these aspects cost money! Such poverty is really hard to learn!

Let's not talk about other things. There are only three rooms, and maybe a small part needs to be separated to be used as a kitchen and toilet. If you get married and have two more children, the house will be cramped!

The Minister of Justice thought that he was honest and incorruptible, and that he had not taken any money that he should not have taken, such as disaster relief funds. But even so, he had to accept gifts and use his job convenience to make some money in order to support his family.

It's not that the old emperor didn't pay enough. In addition to giving money to officials, the old emperor also gave land. The second-rank officials had 35 hectares of permanent land and 10 hectares of official land. They also received 500 dan of rice per year. Combined with the monthly salary, food money, and if they did not receive the 72 defense cabinets but exchanged them for money, and provided for miscellaneous expenses, it would be 23,500 coins.

But, it was really not enough! As a Shangshu, he didn't need to manage the affairs of the upper and lower classes, but it cost money to support servants, to marry off his children, and to pay for pens, ink, paper, and inkstone!

Meanwhile, the old emperor had already asked Xu Yanmiao cordially, "My dear..." The title changed quickly, "You are so honest, is there any difficulty?"

The officials present broke out in a sweat and looked at Xu Yanmiao with pleading eyes. They were really afraid that Xu Yanmiao would just say "enough" and the old emperor would cut their salaries in half.

That's simply... hell on earth!

Xu Yanmiao said hesitantly: "...No..."

Even if you don't understand the ways of the world, you know that when your boss asks if you have any difficulties, you don't really want him to answer that he does have difficulties.

The old emperor looked at him encouragingly: "Really? If you have any difficulties, just tell me. I have never been an official, so I don't know the life of an official. I need to ask people before I can adjust the policy. Now I am asking for advice. If you have any difficulties, just tell me. I can correct it after I know it."

Xu Yanmiao answered firmly this time: "No!"

"I knew there wasn't..."

【I'm not stupid! 】

The old emperor's cheerful expression froze.

What did Xu Yanmiao say?

The official who followed: "!!!"

Woo woo woo woo, what a sudden turn of events!

This time, the encouraging look shifted to the eyes of the officials who followed.

Good! Xiaobaize! Say more!

[Say yes at this time, isn't that just undermining the emperor's position? I turned the table when the leader picked up the food, I must never do such a thing. ]

The old emperor was furious: "Really? I don't believe it! Tell me! If you don't tell me, I will sentence you for deceiving the emperor!"

[...Does he really want to ask for advice? ]

"...Your Majesty." Xu Yanmiao hesitated for a moment and said, "The salary is too low..."

The old emperor: "How can it be too low? I have calculated it, this salary is very suitable!"

Xu Yanmiao lowered his head and counted on his fingers: "Your Majesty, before I moved into this house, I had to pay 500 copper coins every month for the rent..."

"Then there are still 1,417 coins for you to spend!"

"Food, clothing, housing, and transportation..."

The old emperor slapped the door frame.

He must make things clear today!

You can say he is stingy, but he can't tolerate being accused of not caring about the lives of officials!

"You can get 52 dan of rice every year. How much can you eat? Three dan? Four dan? Five dan? If you sell the remaining rice, you can earn several thousand copper coins. Isn't this the monthly salary given by the court? Isn't it enough for you to eat meat every meal?"

The old emperor was indignant.

He hadn't even counted the harvest from his official and permanent lands! One hectare of land was 20 mu, and he was given 80 mu! Wasn't that enough?

The old emperor insisted on getting serious: "Bring me the abacus! Let me do the math with you!"

The Jinyiwei quickly got an abacus.

The old emperor held up an abacus and said angrily: "Come on! Tell me how much you eat in a day!"

"I have lunch at the government office. A total of one liter of rice, five ounces of noodles, and eight ounces of meat are consumed in the morning and evening."

"Five ounces of flour can make two steamed buns! Eight ounces means you can eat half a pound of meat every day! Firewood, rice, oil, and salt must also be calculated for you..." The old emperor clicked his abacus, "Add five hundred levies of rent, that's three thousand and one coins a month! How can it be not enough? The court will give you rice, and I will also give you four hectares of land! If the salary is not enough, you can pay from the harvest of the fields, isn't that enough!"

After saying this, the old emperor was quite proud.

He also used a little trick, the two buns weighing five taels were still without stuffing - although he knew that thing was called steamed buns.

Xu Yanmiao: "There is also water consumption, and the lamp oil expenses every night..."

"Okay! I'll include that in your calculation!" He counted the beads on the abacus very quickly. "For the water you use, I'll count thirty buckets of water, and for the lamp oil you use until midnight every day... that's only seventy-five cents."

Xu Yanmiao: "..."

stare--

[A little bit adds up to a lot! This is a loss of 809 coins every month! ]

The old emperor became angry.

What a loss! Didn't I say there is still a harvest from the fields?

"Don't you know the yield from one acre of land..."

Xu Yanmiao answered quickly—mainly because it was his salary!

"Three stones!"

"Okay, after deducting the seed and other expenses, you can only keep two shi. Then take some taxes, and you see! Summer harvest and autumn harvest, you have nearly 400 coins in income! Four hectares of land, that's 12,800 coins!"

Xu Yanmiao counted on his fingers: "I still need to rent two cows, prepare farm tools, and rent them to tenants..."

The old emperor interrupted: "It's all for you. You provided the cattle, so you can get 60% of the harvest! The rental price of the cattle is three cents a day, and the fodder is 33 cents a day at your own expense. It's used in both spring and summer. You have two cattle, and you can plow five acres of land a day..."

Before the old emperor could type, Xu Yanmiao had already calculated it in his mind: "One thousand one hundred and fifty-two coins."

The old emperor looked at Xu Yanmiao in surprise, and after doing a few calculations, he was very surprised: "You also know arithmetic?"

Xu Yanmiao smiled shyly.

——After all, you are not allowed to use calculators during the college entrance examination.

The old emperor said: "That's right, 1,152 coins. You can get 60% of the harvest a year. After deducting the rent for the cattle, you still have 14,208 coins! Isn't this enough to make up for your previous monthly losses? You can still have 4,500 coins left every year! Isn't that enough?"

The old emperor was indignant: "When my family was farming, how could we have so much money left? You officials just don't know how to be content!"

Xu Yanmiao: "We also need to provide farm tools..."

The old emperor: "Every five years, that's only 40 coins a year on average."

Xu Yanmiao: "Winter clothes for the New Year, and new clothes..."

The old emperor: "One thousand five hundred and thirty coins! You still have two thousand four hundred and eighty coins!"

Xu Yanmiao: "In winter, I take a bath in the bathhouse once every three days..."

The old emperor: "Only three hundred coins for the whole winter!"

After the old emperor finished his calculation, he was very proud: "Look, there are still 2,180 coins left! I said it would be enough for my expenses! I calculated it one by one!"

Xu Yanmiao glanced at the old emperor again: "...Your Majesty is right."

[Then it must be enough for me to live alone! Getting married is not enough. If I have another child, I will have to beg for food! ]

The officer who followed: "Woo-woo-woo!"

Xiao Bai Ze! Well said! It is indeed a divine beast that understands the world! It understands the sufferings of the people so well!

Old Emperor: "..."

The old emperor was so angry that he said, "In winter, you only take a bath once every three days. Why are you so particular about it? Can't you take a bath once every ten days? Will you stink to death if you take a bath once every ten days?"

"And meat! Is this what you, a lowly official of the ninth rank, eat every day? Every day! Every meal! Is there no meat in the lunch break at the government office? Isn't it enough for you? Why do you buy meat when you go home?"

Xu Yanmiao: "...Your Majesty is right."

[But the food in the cafeteria is really terrible...]

The old emperor: "And renting cattle! You must borrow from the government! Can't you ask your friend, even... even... even what, the clerk of the Ministry of War, to borrow from him? Wouldn't it be possible to save some money and get the money out?"

Xu Yanmiao lowered her head silently.

But his voice was deafening.

【How stingy! 】

[Then Lian Hang has to spend money to raise cattle! Why doesn't he include this money? And the rent for the cattle is not the biggest expense, the cost of fodder is more expensive. Am I going to borrow his cattle and let them go home hungry for a day and come back the next day after they are full? This is too unethical...]

[In the previous dynasty, officials were given meat, salt, tea, wine, noodles, cooking materials, firewood, wormwood, charcoal, paper, fodder for horses, and food and clothing for the Yuan Dynasty's followers. All of these were given!]

The officer who followed him: "Woo-woo-woo-woo-woo!"

Yes, yes! These are all sent!

The old emperor turned around and gave them a sinister look.

The official who followed: "..."

Bow your head silently.

"There's still lamp oil!" The old emperor exclaimed in shock, "Do you have so much work to do? And you have to keep it burning until midnight!"

"...Your Majesty is right."

[Then I went to bed very early, at 10 o'clock... Damn it, so exploitative, besides working for you, can't we, the little officials, have a little private life of our own! ]

[And I couldn't even afford to buy a donkey for transportation. A donkey cost five thousand coins. I had to get up early every morning and walk across half of the city to attend court...]

Now his physical functions have reached their peak and he is stronger than when he took the physical test for the college entrance examination.

The old emperor gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, let's do as the previous dynasty does! We'll also distribute meat, noodles, and cloth!"

The official who followed: "?!"

What happened to the old emperor today? He was actually generous for once!

Xu Yanmiao also looked at the old emperor in shock.

The old emperor felt very painful, but he waved his hand and pretended to be generous: "I'm rich too! It's been 32 years since the founding of the country! I'm rich too!"

Xu Yanmiao: "!!!"

Xu Yanmiao: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Your Majesty is wise and brave! Your Majesty has a literary and martial virtue! Your Majesty..."

The old emperor coughed and said, "Alright, alright, stop flattering me!"

Xu Yanmiao immediately stopped talking.

But in my heart...

【Wuhu! Salary increase! Salary increase!!!】

The old emperor couldn't help but smile.

Oh, why are you so happy?

but......

The old emperor turned to look at the officials who followed him, and suddenly became cold and indifferent: "I have given you the money. If you embezzle again, don't blame me for being merciless."

The officials who followed immediately responded in unison.

The old emperor said: "Also, learn from Xu Yanmiao. You see, he doesn't need such a big house and so many servants. Just enough is enough. Of course, Xu Yanmiao's life is a bit extravagant. He can't afford to eat meat every day with this salary!"

The official who followed: "...Yes."

The old emperor: "And Xu Yanmiao does his job perfectly!"

Don't be corrupt, be honest, and work hard!

The old emperor turned to look at Xu Yanmiao, and the more he looked, the more satisfied he became.

"Learn! All of you learn!"

The official who followed: "...Yes."

The old emperor: "Okay, let's go back first..."

[Sizzle...]

The old emperor paused.

This voice...

[Zizi... Master... Zizi... Finally connected... Zizizizi...]

【system?!】

[Sizzle...sizzle...sizzle...]

There was another series of strange noises, and finally it became normal.

[Zizi... Host, I finally contacted you... Zizi... I contacted you... Zizi... Wait, why do you attract so much hatred? ! ]

Xu Yanmiao was at a loss.

[I don't know. I've been keeping a low profile for the past six months and haven't offended anyone.]

The official who followed: "..."

In fact, seeing as how so many corrupt officials have been caught before, it is normal for some people to do desperate things afterwards.

I'm afraid Xiao Bai Ze will face many assassinations in the future. However, His Majesty will definitely protect...

[Sizzle... It's going to be disconnected again... Sizzle... You must save your life! Otherwise, the system will collapse. Although I can take your soul away and make a new body for you, all the gossip inside will be leaked! Everyone in the world will know! And it will continue for a hundred years, constantly updating new gossip! It's scary, you must protect yourself! ]

[Sizzle...sizzle...sizzle...]

[System? System?]

Okay, I can't get in touch with you again.

Xu Yanmiao scratched his head.

[To stir up hatred, do you mean that the old emperor regarded me as a model of an honest official, so I am hated by corrupt officials? 】

[The price of death is just all the gossip spread out. I was scared to death. I thought it would be something terrible! ]

Xu Yanmiao breathed a sigh of relief: [Fortunately it has nothing to do with me. ]

emperor:"!!!"

The official who followed: "!!!"

No! It has something to do with us!!!

The author has something to say:

Ninth rank: 2 hectares of permanent land, 2 hectares of official land, one hectare of land is 20 mu, 52 dan of rice/year, or 4.3 dan/month, salary 1,917 wen/month.

A total of one liter of rice, five ounces of noodles, and eight ounces of meat (actually half a pound) for breakfast and dinner (lunch is served in the company cafeteria)

[I am seventy-four years old. I read four or five volumes of Buddhist books every day. I eat one liter of rice, five ounces of noodles, eight ounces of meat, fish, and wine in the morning and evening.

——"Rong Zhai Essays"】

(Even if he was a prime minister, and he was wasteful or had a big appetite, when Fan Zhongyan helped the poor in his clan, he also "selected an elder and wise man from the clan to be in charge of the expenses, and each person was given one liter of rice a day and one piece of silk and cloth a year." This is the most frugal appetite for the poor.)

(And when I counted, I didn't include fish and wine)

[Then there are noodles and meat. Don't use modern standards. Modern standards may seem like a lot, but ancient standards are actually a normal amount of food.]

[For example, the travel expenses and food provided to monks in the Song Dynasty were "three liters of rice and one pound, three ounces and two fen of flour per person per day..."]

[The one bushel of rice mentioned in the previous article is enough for one person to eat for two days, which refers to the amount of food that a middle-aged laborer can eat.]

[1 liter of rice per day is 30 liters per month, which is 0.3 dan] [4.3 dan of rice can save 4 dan, and you can earn about 400 Wen by selling it]

【1917+400=2317 coins】

Rent: 500 wen

【2317-5001817】

5 liangmian a day, 150 liangmian a month, 3.2 wen/liang, 480 wen

Eight taels of meat a day, 240 taels of meat a month, that is, 15 jin of meat a month. If you only eat pork, it costs 1350 wen. If you only eat beef, it costs 1500 wen. If you eat both, the price will fluctuate between the two (occasionally eating fish will be cheaper, but it is not counted)

Secondary consumption (pickles, firewood, rice, oil, salt, etc.) generally accounts for 38.8% of the food ration (30+480+1350), which is 721.68. Let's count it as 721.

[The reason for calculating the price of rice is that although we eat rice from the imperial court, we have to pay for firewood ourselves]

【Monthly expenses: 721+480+13502551】

【1817-2551＝-734 text】

＊

Water costs 3 wen per dan, 15 dan per month, 30 barrels, 45 wen

【-734-45-779】

Lamp oil, 1-2 wen can be used until midnight, 30 wen per month

【-779-30＝-809】

The loss is 809 wen per month, which means a loss of 9708 wen per year.

＊

[The following is a mixture of prices from various dynasties, because the price categories of some dynasties are incomplete (of course, the prices of firewood, rice, oil and salt are all from the early Song Dynasty, these are basic prices, and the price of grain in the early Song Dynasty was also 10 wen/dou)]

Rice: 1 dou 10 wen, 1 liter 1 wen, 1 dan 100 wen,

Meat:

Pork 90 yuan/jin

Pig skin and pork bones 30 wen/jin,

Mutton 90 yuan/jin

Beef 100 coins/catties

Beef from cattle that died naturally 20 yuan/jin

Winter fish 100 wen/jin

Fish at other times is 30/jin (because there is Luoshui near the capital, the fish price is cheap)

condiment:

Pepper, cinnamon, onion and ginger, 1 wen can buy a day's supply, 30 wen a month.

The official well salt was 120 coins per jin, while the white salt sold by local salt and street vendors only cost 70 or 80 coins per jin (let's say 80 coins per jin).

[A family of five usually needs 2 qian of salt per day. For Xiao Xu alone, that means 0.4 qian of salt per day. 1 jin is 16 liang, 1 liang is 10 qian, which means 0.0025 jin of salt per day, 0.075 jin per month, 6 wen]

Delicatessen:

Breakfast pancake 7 wen/piece (only eaten occasionally)

Snacks are not counted

Tea, no drink

Wine, no drinking

Drinking water costs 3 wen per dan

Noodles: 32 wen/dou, 3.2 wen/liang

The normal price of charcoal in winter is 0.86 wen/jin. The price goes up during heavy snow. After being lowered by the government, the price is now 6.6 wen/jin. The price of charcoal is usually halved in summer.

Paper, tentative

Lamp oil, 1-2 cents, can last until midnight, 30 cents a month.

Yuan follows people's clothing and food, without

Bathing, bathhouse 10 wen/time

Calf, 50 wen/head, two oxen per plow, can plow 100 mu of land. 100 wen. Two oxen per day for 5 mu.

Cattle fodder fee:

Raising a cow costs 33 wen/day, raising two cows costs 66 wen, 365 days costs 24090 wen

(Raising cattle is expensive, so I won't consider raising cattle, I'd rather rent them)

Renting a cow for 3 wen/day (during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of Song Dynasty, I don't know why it was so cheap, but it was indeed so cheap, because in Shaoxing at that time, the daily rent was 42 wen)

Feed is at your own expense, 33 wen/day

[36 coins a day, 32 days, 1152 coins]

The yield per mu of land is 2-3 shi, so we count it as 3 shi, and roughly use 1 shi as the transportation cost, pounding rice cost and other costs. If you think the cost is too scary, just treat it as not that much harvest. Anyway, 2 shi will be stored in the warehouse in the end (and it does not include the seeds left, so I don't know how much seeds are left).

1 shi is worth 100 wen, 2 shi is worth 200 wen

(Officials were exempted from corvée labor, not land tax, so the tax per mu was four dou of rice, which was generally based on the price of grain, that is, 40 wen per mu of land)

(200-40160 text)

(80 mu of land, 12,800 wen, with harvests in summer and autumn, 25,600 wen)

[After paying the rent, I can get 60%, which is 15,360]

【15360-115214208】

The loss is 809 wen per month, which means a loss of 9708 wen per year.

【14208-97084500】

＊

(Farm tools are usually replaced every five years)

A hoe, medium price, 50 wen

A sickle, medium price, 50 coins

An axe weighing three pounds, medium price, 100 coins

Plow, tentative

Equivalent to 40 wen per year

【4500-404460】

＊

New Year's Eve Clothing

Silk, 4.5 zhang is about 450 wen (New Year's expenses)

Cotton, 85 wen/liang, cotton robe, add 10 liang of cotton. Jacket is winter clothing, slightly shorter than robe, add 8 liang of cotton. 18 liang, 1530 wen

【4460-450-15302480】

＊

Winter bathing, bathhouse 10 wen/time, go once every three days, 10 times a month, 100 wen, three months, 300 wen

＊

【2480-3002180】

＊

The price of donkeys is based on the Tang Dynasty. The price of donkeys in the Song Dynasty is not found. Each donkey is 5,000 coins.

＊

Chapter 36 Your grandma is already 90! She is still stunningly beautiful!

night.

Wuying Palace.

The old emperor looked around at the second-rank ministers below him with a solemn expression, as if he had encountered a national disaster.

Looking down, Prime Minister Dou frowned in deep thought, the six ministers looked distressed, the newly appointed Left Censor-in-Chief and the 69-year-old Right Censor-in-Chief were sweating, the deputy commanders of the front, rear, left, right and central armies looked at each other, and the deputy commander of the central army stepped forward in advance, with an arrogant attitude: "Your Majesty! Colleagues, the right side of Xiaobai Ze will be guarded by my eighteenth son!"

Xiaobaize was just a private name at first, but when it was made public, everything was different.

"My eighteen adopted sons are all nine feet tall and very brave. The oldest one is as strong as nine oxen and two tigers and has great martial arts skills! I will instruct them to protect Xiao Bai Ze's safety no matter what!"

The deputy commander of the front army stood up and snorted, "I don't know what to do, but I'll put my 49 servants next to the Bai Ze family. They are the elite soldiers in the army. Whoever wants to kill them! Beat my servants first! They are all very good at riding and shooting! I also equipped them with [muskets]. Whoever offends Bai Ze, my servants will beat them into a hornet's nest!"

The Minister of Revenue said without hesitation: "All the residents near Xiao Bai Ze's house have to move out. The Ministry of Revenue will pay for it."

The Minister of Works smiled and said, "Forget about touching Xiao Bai Ze's house, but the surrounding houses can be renovated, renovated, and reinforced. The Ministry of Works will be responsible for this, but..."

The Minister of Works did not finish his words and looked at Emperor Tiantong.

Next, it depends on how far the emperor intends to go.

The emperor placed a map of the capital in front of him and made a light stroke with his finger: "This place will be completely renovated."

The Minister of Works bowed, took two steps forward to look, a look of surprise flashed across his eyes, then he bowed, stepped back, and kept silent.

This attitude aroused the curiosity of other second-rank officials. After getting the old emperor's consent, they all came forward and saw that the area the emperor's finger passed was the South Thirty-Six Wards!

The deputy commander of the Central Army was stunned and said, "Your Majesty! Are all the 36 southern wards cleared?"

How many people would have to relocate?

Before the old emperor could say anything, Prime Minister Dou was afraid that after thinking it over, His Majesty still felt that this was inappropriate, so he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty! The mansion in the south of the city can be demolished! Rebuild a square! For the people to live in!"

He is so old now, he doesn't want anything else but to have a good reputation! If Xu Yanmiao died, the whole world would know how many concubines he had, what positions he used at night, how promising his children and grandchildren were, how many of them bullied men and women, and the secret conversations between him and his old wife at night. Within half an hour, everyone in the world would know...

At that moment, Prime Minister Dou suddenly remembered many faces, including annoying political enemies, favorite juniors, and respectful subordinates.

——If they knew about this, he might as well die!

Keep your innocence in this world!!!

Prime Minister Dou's tone became more firm and resolute: "Your Majesty! I think it is not a bad thing to relocate the residents of Nansanshiliufang! Nansanshiliufang has not been repaired for many years and is already old! It just so happens that my mansion covers hundreds of acres. I can demolish it and rebuild it, and the houses allocated to those residents will be new and large! If the Ministry of Revenue does not have enough silver, I can donate silver!"

Today we must demolish and relocate, and whoever tries to stop us will be killed!

The Minister of War was even more excited: "Your Majesty! I request that my twenty retainers be stationed around Xiaobaize's house to guard it day and night! We swear to protect Xiaobaize's safety!"

The Minister of Works said loudly: "Your Majesty! The landowner of the South Thirty-Sixth Block requested to rebuild and level it. We cannot let Xiao Bai Ze fall! What if he falls to his death..."

The Minister of Personnel: "Pooh! Pooh! What nonsense are you talking about!"

Minister of Industry: "Yes, yes, yes! I was talking nonsense! I was talking nonsense! It doesn't count!"

The deputy commander of the Left Army said: "Your Majesty! I think it is not enough to just send the retainers and servants! If I were to live next to him, something bad would happen! I would definitely die before him!"

In addition to these second-rank officials, other officials outside the palace also rioted.

Who doesn't have something that is not suitable for public viewing? Even if you don't want to die, you should still have some dignity!

When they heard that the old emperor intended to relocate the Nansanshiliufang, they all wrote letters of approval and said: If the court doesn't have enough money, we will donate! Relocate! We must relocate!

Many families demanded that all of their retainers or children be thrown into the South Thirty-Six Wards. They were usually good at riding, shooting and using guns. They were all brave and strong, and could fight to the death to protect Xiao Bai Ze!

Any corrupt official or person with a guilty conscience who dares to take the risk of assassination must first get through their tight protection!

They swore that before they were completely wiped out, Xu Yanmiao would not lose even a hair!

As the old emperor fought wars all over the country, Yongchang Marquis immediately began to prepare to move, leading his eighty adopted sons: "Whoever harms Xiao Bai Ze! Is against this Marquis! Whoever dares to use despicable means! Step over this Marquis's body first!"

Armour was forbidden among the common people but not weapons. The eighty adopted sons were all tall and strong, equipped with fine swords. When they were lined up in a row, they looked like a barbed wall.

The Ministry of Works started emergency work, striving to relocate all residents of the entire South Thirty-Sixth Ward, except Xu Yanmiao, as soon as possible, and put their people in.

Even though the new neighborhood has not been completed yet, the eighteen households in front and behind Xu Yanmiao's house and the eighteen households on the left and right have all been replaced - and they have been paid enough for the demolition.

The old emperor also mixed in a lot of Jinyiwei and soldiers from the Beijing camp, in order to have a mixed group of people. This way, there would be no one with ulterior motives who would directly occupy the Southern Thirty-Six Blocks in the capital and plot a rebellion.

"Nan Sanshiliufang is still called Nan Sanshiliufang. When a new fang is built in the future, it will be called Liuqingfang!"

The old emperor made the final decision.

Turning around, he told Empress Dou about this matter, with a lingering fear on his face: "I was just guessing before, but I didn't expect it to be true. Fortunately, I didn't really kill him or imprison him."

Otherwise, it's too scary. No one has secrets in the world. You just told your family something and the whole world knows it. In the long run, everyone will feel like they are wearing a yoke no matter what they say or do. They dare not say or do many things.

Empress Dou listened quietly.

After the old emperor sighed, he changed the subject and asked someone to bring several portraits that he had prepared earlier: "Sister! Come and take a look at Xian'er's bastards. Which one do you like more? Whichever one you like, I will make the one the crown prince!"

Empress Dou listened carefully, and the old emperor pointed at the portraits and said one by one: "This is Xian'er's eldest son. The Jinyiwei checked and said that he usually... This is Xian'er's third son... This is Xian'er's fourth son... and there is also a fifth son! This child is only seven years old, but don't underestimate him. A few days ago, when he was traveling with the guards, he encountered barbarians on the road. This child came out of the carriage with his bamboo sword and scolded the other party: China is here, why don't you barbarians flee!"

The old emperor was planning to give up on that grandson - anyway, his prince insisted on not letting his crown princess have a fifth child because of her difficult labor. He had no hope of having a legitimate grandson, so it didn't matter who he made the remaining illegitimate son the heir.

Thinking of this, the old emperor was worried: "How can Xian'er say that he doesn't want to be the crown prince? What else can he say? Anyway, he doesn't plan to be the crown prince, so it doesn't matter whether his wife gives birth to a son or not. He is the eldest son, and I have worked so hard to save up the family business. If he doesn't want to be the crown prince, who should I pass it on to?"

Empress Dou sighed, "In the past, I was poor and had to give birth to a child at the age of fourteen. Not only did it hurt me, but it also caused Xian'er to be weak and sickly since childhood. Later, she practiced martial arts and seemed to be able to run and jump, but in fact, she was still very weak. Xian'er was also afraid that one day after I ascended the throne, I would suddenly die and harm Daxia."

The old emperor's hands were placed on his knees, and his palms were trembling.

It is true that the prince has been weak and sickly since childhood. Not all those who can fight on the battlefield are as strong as a bull.

The prince was prone to catching cold and getting sick in winter, so whenever winter came, he was exempted from attending court. Two years ago, the prince got sick in winter and was sick for two months. He was not cured until the beginning of spring the following year.

On weekdays, he often had loss of appetite, sore throat, stomachache, and a cold feeling in the stomach. These were common in the lives of the prince. The most terrifying time was in the 17th year of Tiantong, when he went to Linying County to inspect the local population and land situation. Halfway through the inspection, he suddenly vomited blood on the ground. The guards hurriedly sent him back to the capital.

There was no sound of talking in the hall, and breathing rose and fell.

After a long while, Empress Dou said softly, "Xian'er said a long time ago that his body was not fit for the position of Crown Prince, and it was us who forced him to do so."

He was forced to stay in the position of crown prince and to raise an imperial grandson to consolidate his position.

The old emperor clenched his shaking hands into trembling fists: "Humph! What if you force me? I will force you! Since the crown prince is weak, I will arrange for a crown prince servant who exceeds the standard, and order the East Palace to set up a cabinet. The officials of the East Palace will handle official business on behalf of the crown prince, and the crown prince only needs to approve it with his imperial pen! And the crown prince, when Xian'er ascends the throne, the crown prince will be the crown prince, and it is normal for him to assist in handling state affairs!"

He quickly cheered up: "The throne belongs to Xian'er! No one can take it away!"

As for the troublesome crown prince, the old emperor had a plan in mind and decided to keep him for a few more days before selecting a new crown prince to see if anyone would jump out and deal with him together at that time.

In this case, there is no need to throw him into the prison again to temper his character.

Then, the old emperor regretted not putting this annoying thing in the prison.

＊

New Year's Eve, also known as Suichu, is the night when the emperor would give a banquet to his ministers and stay up all night with them. The ministers were not allowed to go home and celebrate the new year with their families, but had to attend the banquet.

The palace servants brought in piles of firewood, millet stalks, and pine branches and piled them into a firewood tower. Then, with a whoosh, the place became bright and the fire was blazing.

This activity is called a banquet. It was the first time Xu Yanmiao saw it and she enjoyed it very much.

On the steps, the palace was brightly lit, as bright as day; the emperor, empress, concubines and imperial concubines were all dressed in their best clothes, feasting and entertaining.

On the table are all New Year's Eve food, including pepper and cypress wine, Tusu wine, sticky rice dumplings, five-spice dish, etc., which are said to help cure diseases and prolong life.

Then there's the show.

Twenty-four young men aged between twelve and sixteen, wearing masks and red hakama, were lined up in rows of six, beating drums and shouting loudly, with a wild beauty.

The person who hosts this program also has to wear a golden mask, a bear skin, a black robe and a red skirt, and hold a "shield" in his right hand.

In this group there were people leading the singing, people beating drums and blowing horns, people playing flutes, and people shouting the name of God...

Very lively.

On the surrounding sheds, many ministers and their families applauded and cheered, and because of the special occasion of tonight, they even allowed the common people to come in and watch the Nuo sacrifice.

When talented scholars and literati presented poems on such occasions, not only did they celebrate New Year's Eve, they also wanted to attract the attention of important figures and achieve the effect of soaring to fame.

Xu Yanmiao buried her head in eating preserved fruits and snacks.

Things like chengsha balls, honey ginger and fermented black beans, zhaoer cakes, small snail cakes, and five-color beans... others were playing while he was eating.

It was not until the Nuo ritual ended and the singing and dancing session began that Xu Yanmiao finally took the time to raise his head from the pile of food.

When I looked up, I found that the lead dancer was Qin Zheng.

They led a folk dance troupe to perform in such an occasion, saying that they were celebrating New Year's Eve, but in fact they were dancing "Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix". While dancing, their eyes never left the Queen and they even smiled at her from time to time.

【Yoyo～】

Xu Yanmiao took a bite of the soap cake and looked at the old emperor.

[Oh, the old emperor's face turned black! ]

Then look at the prince.

[Oh, the prince's face was filled with disbelief. "His" Ah Zheng didn't even glance at him from beginning to end, hehe! ]

[That's no wonder. Qin Zheng specially prepared the dance for many days, and dedicated it to Her Majesty the Queen! She wanted to tell the Queen that she is living a good life now. If she likes to dance, she dances. If she likes medicine, she studies medicine. Recently, she has found a female tutor and plans to learn more things to enrich herself.]

At the top, Empress Dou, who was holding the Phoenix Seal, smiled slightly when she heard these words.

Next to him, the old emperor's face turned even darker.

Below, the crown prince was still shouting "A Zheng, A Zheng" and the officials who were clinging to him were trying to remind him: "Your Highness, Lady Qin obviously only likes Her Highness the Queen..."

"Impossible!" The grandson said angrily: "My grandmother is already sixty years old!"

It was also a coincidence that the singing and dancing had just ended when he shouted. The whole audience fell silent. The shout of "My grandma is already sixty years old" was so loud that it echoed in the studio for a long time.

The old emperor smashed the cup with a "bang". Feeling that his wife was being coveted, the old emperor finally found a vent for his anger.

His face was dark, and he spoke in a louder voice than the grandson: "What's wrong with sixty! Your grandmother is ninety! She is also extremely beautiful!"

Chapter 37 Wow! This is the officialdom! Is this political struggle?

The crown prince knelt down with a bang.

"Grandpa, I'm not being disrespectful to grandma!" The Crown Princess didn't stop him in time, causing the grandson to blurt out: "I just want to say that there is such a big age difference between A Zheng and grandma. Grandma is over 60 years old. How could there be any relationship between them? A Zheng must respect and love grandma, and be filial to her like an elder. In the future, she and her grandson will take care of grandma and see her to the end of her life together."

The words seem to be very sweet, but...

The prince raised his glass and silently covered his face.

Sure enough, the next moment, the familiar arrogant laughter resounded throughout everyone's heart.

【Hahahahahahahahahaha, has this grandson forgotten that the old emperor is only five months older than the empress, and that Madam Qin used to be a noble lady, hahahahaha, there is such a big age difference, but he should be respected and loved, treated as an elder, and taken care of until the end of his life, hahahahaha, every word he says hits the emperor right in the heart, hahahahahahaha! 】

The grandson was stunned to find that after he said that, his grandfather's face became even uglier, and the atmosphere in the studio became weird.

...did he say something wrong!

——Although he is the crown prince, he has offered sacrifices to heaven and had a grand enthronement ceremony, but after all, there is still a prince above him. The prince is the real heir to the throne. He has the prince's seal and the Eastern Palace. The Eastern Palace is a small court, while the crown prince only has the title of the imperial crown prince (if the crown prince dies, he will have all the titles of the crown prince), and he cannot hear Xu Yanmiao's voice.

There was a strong dissatisfaction in the old emperor's eyes.

Why didn't you realize before that this person is not fit to be a king?

Fortunately, the incident with Concubine Qin allowed him to stop the loss in time, otherwise, wouldn't Daxia have perished in three generations?

Feeling the warmth of the queen's hand, the old emperor slowly calmed down. He said calmly, "I understand."

The prince breathed a sigh of relief instantly.

I didn't hear the sighs from the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess, nor did I notice the strange expressions on the faces of many officials.

The deputy commander of the Left Army winked at his colleagues and said, "Your Majesty has decided to give up..."

The deputy commander of the front army said: "In my opinion, he should have given up long ago. The Crown Princess prepared 3,000 taels of disaster relief silver for him, but he still swallowed 500 taels for himself. If you follow him, you will go hungry nine times out of three days!"

Mumble, mumble.

The two rough and loud voices tried to lower their voices, but it was of little use...

Princess Qinghe appeared gentle, virtuous and dignified, but her eyes drifted quietly towards the two deputy governors, and she suddenly smiled.

Oh, I thought only the nobleness of civil officials was interesting, but it turns out that the words of military officials are also so interesting. During the New Year, Daddy's surveillance should be relaxed these days, so I will find someone to play role again tomorrow.

The old emperor turned around and saw his second daughter's gentle smile, and suddenly felt very relieved.

"Sister, our daughter is the best. She is less of a worry!" He also whispered to the queen: "I was saying that our second daughter must have been traumatized before! Look at how virtuous and graceful she is now after she recovered. I was saying how impossible it is that I can't raise a normal child!"

Empress Dou: "..."

Actually, she already knew what kind of people her children were, but their father refused to believe that their personalities were more like... their father.

＊

Xu Yanmiao wiped his mouth, and while sitting in the back, he crouched down, intending to secretly go to the toilet and come back.

Less than a cup of tea later, a young eunuch hurried over and whispered a few words to the crown prince. The crown prince's voice was so surprised that it changed a little: "Are you telling the truth?"

The young eunuch nodded slightly.

The grandson laughed, "Finally, we've waited until he leaves the table!"

He stood up by the armrest, his expression serious: "Your Majesty! I have something to report!"

The deputy commander of the front army took a deep breath and said to the deputy commander of the left army, "I have never admired anyone, but I really admire this prince. He still hasn't realized where he went wrong, and he keeps jumping around - even Xiao Bai Ze didn't say anything, he just couldn't see the atmosphere clearly."

The old emperor looked at his grandson and was in a good mood. He decided to show mercy and give him a chance to speak: "What's the matter?"

Just like hanging a velvet red stage curtain, as if someone was beating gongs and drums, the crown prince loudly announced: "Your Majesty! I impeach that a foreign minister has trespassed into the harem!"

In theory, all women in the palace belonged to the emperor, regardless of whether the emperor slept with them or not. Having sex with eunuchs in private could make the emperor furious, not to mention having sex with outsiders. Therefore, if outsiders broke into the harem, it was usually a serious crime.

Following the Crown Prince's report, many people present looked haggard.

——It's a good day. Little Bai Ze has finally stopped causing trouble. Why are you saying this? Can't you wait until after the Chinese New Year? You made the emperor angry and forced them to go to work on New Year's Eve. You kneel down and say nice things to appease the emperor. What do you want?

Moreover, you are a person who has caused chaos in the palace yourself, and you report others for breaking into the harem?

The old emperor was silent for a moment before he asked, "Who?"

The prince was full of energy: "Ministry of Personnel..."

[Help—my life—]

[Help! Don't come over here, ahhhhhhh——]

Many officials covered their ears with their hands and looked painful.

This time the voice in my heart was different from before. It was really loud, as if it would pierce my eardrums.

Even louder than the one at Yulong Temple!

If the shouting at Yulong Temple spread from the back mountain to the main gate of the temple, this time the inner scream spread directly throughout the entire imperial city.

The grandson has finished speaking.

"Steward!"

"Xu Yanmiao!"

From the prime minister to the secretary, everyone's face turned pale, and many people swayed and even fainted.

The deputy commander of the vanguard army kept looking outside and was so anxious that he wanted to stand up and rush out.

——The reason he didn't rush forward was because he didn't know where Xu Yanmiao was now!

He turned around and saw the hidden smugness on the crown prince's stern face.

"Crack—" Fine cracks appeared on the white jade wine glass in his hand.

Boy!!!

Hurt me!!!

Suddenly someone stood up.

"Gao Qisheng!" There was a loud bang. It turned out to be Princess Xiangyang. She slammed the table hard, her eyes almost flashing with fire. "Xu Yanmiao would never break into the harem! He is more interested in those not-so-sweet cakes on the table than the harem. Where did you take him?"

The grandson crossed his arms and said in a particularly sinister tone: "Aunt is right, he may not be interested in the harem, he may be interested in the concubines in the harem..."

Before he could finish his words, a glass of wine was splashed on his face. The prince screamed, only to find that it was Princess Wanshou.

It was the first time for the other party to do such a thing. The fingers holding the cup turned white, but he still expressed his disgust: "Shameless!"

The grandson wiped the wine off his face, looked at the old emperor who for some reason hadn't said a word not far away, and said excitedly: "Grandpa, believe me! That Xu Yanmiao really forced his way in! Several people couldn't stop him! It was a little eunuch who happened to see it and told me!"

The old emperor looked gloomy: "Where?"

The grandson was so excited that his arms trembled: "Grandpa! I'll take you there!"

The old emperor: "Okay."

[Help, help, help! ]

[Is there anyone nearby? Help, help, help, help! Where on earth is this place!!!]

【Don't—don't ah ah ah—help! ! ! !】

The old emperor walked faster!

My dear! Wait for me!!!

All the officials stood up and walked very quickly.

Princess Xiangyang, holding up her palace dress, rushed to the front like a calf. When she passed by the crown prince, she kicked him hard and said, "You'd better not do something like killing people to silence them and leaving no evidence behind!"

The princess didn't notice that when she said this, the officials around her were filled with horror and almost started cursing.

The deputy commander of the front army was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot: "Xu Yanmiao! Don't just shout for help, also shout where the person is now!"

And I regret it so much that my intestines are turning green.

Why didn't they dare to arrange someone to keep an eye on Xu Yanmiao at the palace banquet? At worst, they could just file a request with His Majesty! They could let the Imperial Guards keep an eye on their people!

...Wait, Jinyiwei!

There should be Jinyiwei in the palace, right?

When they reached the dividing line between the harem and the front court, they saw several Jinyiwei standing there anxiously. The flying wings on their heads cast huge shadows, swallowing up the way into the palace. They stretched their necks and dared not take a single step forward.

There were one or two people missing from the Jinyiwei. The old emperor found out after asking. The two people returned to the palace to report to him, but they probably missed each other on the way.

"Your Majesty, I followed Xu Lang but didn't dare to get too close. I didn't know what he was going to do. After a palace maid started chatting with him, he took the initiative to leave with her and went all the way into the harem. Damn it, I didn't have time to stop him!"

When these Jinyiwei learned that it was the Crown Prince who was causing the trouble, they hated him to death.

If the other party had not done this, would they be accused of dereliction of duty?

The grandson hadn't noticed yet, so he said anxiously to the old emperor: "Grandson knows where he went! Grandpa! Grandson will lead the way!"

The old emperor nodded: "Run."

Grandson: "Ah?"

The old emperor looked at him coldly: "Quick!"

He revealed his true intentions: "If anything happens to Xu Yanmiao, you will be forced to do hard labor for the rest of your life."

Execution? That's too easy for this lousy grandson.

Grandson: "Ah???"

Why is it different from what he thought?

The crown prince ran in front, and a large group of people followed behind him.

The prince gritted his teeth.

"how could this be!"

The reason why he targeted Xu Yanmiao was because his men found a rolled-up note stuck in his uncle's keyhole, which told his uncle that A Zheng was his granddaughter. Later, he found out that the note was put there by Xu Yanmiao.

If there hadn't been this note, my uncle wouldn't have gone to rob the execution ground! If my uncle hadn't robbed the execution ground, he wouldn't have been stripped of his central government position and moved to another place to serve as an official! Many of his power was under my uncle's command. When my uncle left, the monkeys scattered! His power shrunk by nearly two-thirds, and many of the remaining one-third were also thinking about leaving.

It's all Xu Yanmiao's fault!

...

"You, you, you! Don't do this!"

Xu Yanmiao held her belt tightly, her face flushed, and she dared not speak too loudly, for fear that she would attract someone and kill the palace maid in front of her.

"I won't tell anyone! Go away! Or you will die!"

The maid pulled the hand hard.

Xu Yanmiao pressed hard on her belt.

"No matter whose subordinate you are, you better leave quickly! I'm not afraid of being discovered, but you may not be."

The voice was lowered so that only the palace maid could hear it.

Those who say they are not afraid, in their hearts -

【Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! 】

【Help! Aaaaaaaaaaaah!】

[How terrible! Who is harming me? Is this the officialdom? Is this political infighting? Ahhhhh——]

[It's broken, it's broken! ! ! ]

Transform into a screaming chicken! The devilish sound fills your ears!

"boom--"

The old emperor kicked the door open: "Put down the knife——"

The old emperor was stunned.

It was different from what he imagined, that someone was about to chop Xu Yanmiao off with a knife and just happened to chop off his fingers. In front of him, a plump palace maid was holding a broken belt. Xu Yanmiao rolled to the ground, hugged her loose clothes tightly, and was about to cry...

It looked like a decent woman was about to be forced.

Chapter 38 The harem is getting more and more weird, it turns out that this is where the problem lies!

The young man sat on the ground, holding up his upper body, half of his black belt flowed through his green official robe and fell to the ground with a plop. His fair skin was like jade that had never changed, and his rosy cheeks were like blood stains on jade.

He hurriedly gathered his official robes, stood up, held down his clothes with one hand, and assisted in the salute with the other hand: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, I am innocent."

Xu Yanmiao's appearance is very good-looking, so good-looking that even if there is no evidence, even if he is not the special Bai Ze, the old emperor's first reaction is: "My dear! I believe you!"

What adultery! What defiled harem! He must have been framed because he was too good-looking!

＊

The Crown Prince actually did not intend to use such simple and crude means.

However, no matter what method he had, his subordinates had to be willing to do it. He just didn't understand! Why did he order his subordinates to impeach a mere ninth-rank official, and one by one they either refused or pretended to be unwell, while some others acted righteous and said that such crooked methods should not be used in officialdom, and that one should rely on superior policies to overwhelm the other party in an upright manner.

Grandson: "???"

Is there something wrong with you or with me?

Since the officials didn't help him, he had no choice but to resort to this last resort and use the young palace maids and eunuchs.

——No matter what, he is still a crown prince.

The maid was loyal to him. When she saw the emperor coming, tears immediately appeared in her eyes. She knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Your Majesty! Don't blame Xu Lang! It was this servant who seduced Xu Lang!"

Many ministers looked on coldly.

The grandson's plan was very sinister. He probably wanted to create the impression that Xu Yanmiao forced the palace maids. However, Xiao Baize was innocent and did not roll with the palace maids. He also defended his chastity. The palace maids could not do anything to him. Now that they saw the people coming, they simply insisted that they had been having affairs for a long time and pretended to sacrifice for love.

Whether the emperor believes it or not, he will always feel uncomfortable.

The deputy commander of the former army opened his eyes wide and muttered to his colleagues: "Goodness, this is not a plot against me. Fortunately, Xu Yanmiao doesn't like to drink. Otherwise, once he gets drunk, I'm afraid he will either go along with it or get drunk and let the other party do whatever they want."

The most advanced strategies often only require the simplest methods. It cannot be said that the prince's method is ineffective. The only two mistakes are...

He didn't expect that Xiao Bai Ze had an extraordinary status.

He didn't know that Xiao Bai Ze was so unusual. Those who knew about it couldn't tell people who didn't know about it. Once they wanted to speak, they opened their mouths but couldn't say anything. They could only remind people indirectly - such as don't provoke Xu Yanmiao, he has a special identity... things like that.

Why did some officials and even the old emperor not take action against Xu Yanmiao in the past six months? Do you really think they were simply afraid of a divine weapon that would expose their secrets? It was because this divine weapon was revealed -

He has the power to influence reality.

...

"Sizzle...sizzle...sizzle..."

In the virtual space, the system is very worried.

It can feel that its own signals are constantly radiating out, as if they are connected to the brain waves of many, many people through some medium.

There is no binding, but it seems that these people are forced to abide by the "Host Rules". There are no other requirements in this rule, except that it is forbidden to actively reveal to others that they are bound to the system. If you insist on speaking, you will be automatically muted, and you can't write or use secret codes... This shouldn't have much of an impact, right?

The ancients would not have hallucinations, thinking that they were bound to the system and spreading it everywhere...right?

...

Xu Yanmiao was not surprised that the palace maid would hint that she and she had a secret affair.

He had read too many modern novels, so he must have seen at least eight hundred of these frame-up methods.

The only thing that made him frown was...

[Is this the legendary political struggle? ]

[So, could it be that the factional struggle mentioned in the book refers to a certain minister resolutely exposing to the emperor that someone has an affair with the imperial concubine, a crime that cannot be punished, and using this as an excuse to get rid of his political enemies?]

Ministers who really have political enemies and party struggles: "..."

No! We really don't need such despicable means! The worst we can do is hide armor in someone's house - the more ruthless ones can steal the dragon robe and say that the other party intends to rebel!

——The reputation is damaged.

but!

Xiao Baize also has this day, hahahahahahahahaha!

You have to check the news in the artifact every day, which makes us worried!

I haven't gloated over someone else's misfortune for more than a breath...

[Damn it! Who is framing me? Fortunately, the old emperor trusts me, otherwise I would have died here! ]

[I want to see who this maid belongs to! But I haven't offended the Crown Prince... Why did he frame me? Did someone help him, or did he ask him to help me? Or did someone use a knife to kill someone? I don't know who it is, and I haven't offended anyone. ]

Killing with a borrowed knife?

The old emperor's expression became solemn.

who is it?

All the officials paused, and many pairs of eyes suddenly glanced at others coldly.

——Compared to the Crown Prince's brainless framing of others, a group of political brains would rather believe that someone is killing someone with a borrowed knife.

Who is it? They actually want to harm them—harming Xiao Bai Ze is harming them!

When Princess Xiangyang heard her father express his belief in Xu Yanmiao, she bent down and secretly hid behind the crowd - she had previously concealed her identity and been friends with Xu Yanmiao, and now she didn't dare to reveal herself.

Then, he noticed that the Fifth Sister looked strange, so he asked directly, "What happened?"

Princess Wanshou told her as briefly as possible: "Some people speculated that a minister may have used a knife to kill someone."

Princess Xiangyang patted her chest, shocked and amazed: "Is this a political struggle?"

It's too complicated, it's hard to guard against! I thought her nephew was stupid, but it turns out it's a chain reaction!

The prince murmured: "Who have I offended..."

The censor, who was exposed for his poor fishing skills, shuddered and quickly explained, "It wasn't me!"

The Minister of War, who was kicked out of the room by his wife because he was exposed for not showering, bathing or changing socks, was shocked: "I didn't do it!"

After being exposed for his weird way of eating noodles, the Minister of Justice, who almost thought that his entire clan was going to be executed, spoke in a sincere tone as if to prove that he was not plotting a rebellion: "I still have some dignity! If Xu Lang gets into trouble, I won't live either!"

Cui Yi, who was revealed to be henpecked and demoted from the fourth-rank Right Vice-Chief Censor to the fifth-rank Deputy Director of the Ministry of Revenue, shook his head frantically: "It wasn't me! I didn't do it!"

Even Quan Yingzhang, the leader of the ancient literature school, intervened: "Although what he said about 'there are several ways to write the word '回' almost pissed me off to death, I still can't do such a despicable thing."

The officials who had visited Yulong Temple were particularly horrified: "No, no! No way! No way!"

The officials who were exposed for using regional dirty words slapped their chests with the strength of a bear, and said desperately: "I swear to God, it was not me!"

The Marquis of Jian, who felt that he was the most suspicious, burst into tears: "It's not me! It's really not me! Although he exposed in public that the eight children were not my biological children, at least I am no longer kept in the dark! I am grateful... wuwuwu... I can't thank him enough, how can I hate him!"

Prince: "..."

He finally understood. Among all the civil and military officials in the court... there was probably no one that Xiao Baize had not offended?

Several of his younger brothers - the King of Qin, the King of Han, and the King of Tang - who became vassal kings when they grew up and now come back to pay New Year's greetings are simply amazing.

They couldn't hear Xu Yanmiao's thoughts, but they could hear what the prince and the officials said and see their actions!

Not only did everyone from the emperor to the officials come to arrest people, but their father didn't even blame the minor official named Xu who shared a room with the palace maid!

Now they are trying to get rid of the charges one by one and refuse to admit that the petty official has ever offended them!

Which small official has such power!

The Tang prince was the youngest among the legitimate sons, and had the most eccentric temperament. He immediately came to the eldest brother, his eyelashes trembling, and smiled slyly: "Brother, could this person be father's illegitimate son?"

The prince sighed, very regretful: "It would be nice if it were true."

Such an interesting person, if you become his brother, there must be a lot of fun in the palace every day!

This attitude made the other kings even more curious.

And Xu Yanmiao was just there digging into the gossip system.

[What?! It's actually...]

All the officials looked at their colleagues around them vigilantly.

who!

Who is it!

[It was really the Crown Prince who acted on his own initiative and caused this kind of thing? 】

[His subordinates advised him not to do this, but he insisted on doing it.]

Officials: "...Ah?"

It turns out that someone is using someone else's knife to kill someone and playing tricks.

So it really is just that the grandson has no brains?!

The corners of the prince's mouth twitched constantly, and he looked at his eldest son as if he were a freak.

Grandson: "...Dad?"

Why are you looking at me in such a strange way?

"You..." The prince patted his shoulder, shook his head and sighed. He wanted to say something, but after thinking for a while, he said, "Forget it, it's better to be a little stupid."

This should give his parents the idea of ​​letting him continue to be the crown prince, right? Moreover, if he is so stupid, his other brothers will probably be willing to give him a meal when they ascend the throne in the future.

The grandson's face turned red: "Dad!!!"

[Oh! Wait, there is a conspiracy behind this... Let me see... Holy shit! The King of Jibei is planning a rebellion!]

Immediately afterwards, there was another earth-shattering sound.

[So the Prince of Jibei came to the capital this time to murder the Crown Prince! He almost succeeded! ]

[This action of the Crown Prince was his own idea, but when the Prince of Jibei accidentally learned about it, he added fuel to the fire a little! ]

[He knows that the prince has a bad spleen and stomach... or a bad liver? Damn, I don't understand pulse diagnosis! He can't stand cold air, gets sick easily in winter, often has a bad appetite, and has vomited blood several times. What disease is it? I only understand that the internal heat is too strong? ]

[Anyway, the Crown Prince just can't stand being humiliated, so he deliberately let the Grand Prince cause this kind of thing. He thinks that if the Grand Prince is deprived of his position as the Crown Prince, it might even affect the succession to the throne. The Crown Prince will definitely be so angry that he will vomit blood! By then, the Emperor will be in a state of panic, and Jibei will have a chance! ]

The old emperor's face suddenly changed and he turned around.

The prince who was being looked at by him blinked subconsciously, looking confused.

...Huh? Would losing the throne make him so angry that he would vomit blood?

Then, he reacted and his expression suddenly became cold.

You actually want to make me happy by losing the throne! What a clever mind! What a vicious method!

[Hahahahahahahahaha, the King of Jibei has been preparing for this for years, just waiting to make the Crown Prince so angry that he would vomit blood and die. He has secretly done it several times, but in the end, the Crown Prince was completely unharmed.]

[He spread the word that he was born without a son, and that the emperor and empress would appoint another prince as the crown prince. After much thought, he felt that his father had less than ten sons, and that they were not enough to choose from, so he took the initiative to teach Concubine Wang in the palace to dance in the plum garden on a snowy day! ]

[He also taught Duan Shunpin to get up at 12:00 am and go to the Imperial Garden to lift a sledgehammer, saying that his father liked strong and healthy people, otherwise how could the height of the women in the palace never be less than seven feet! ]

[There is also the reciting of palace rules loudly by the Taiye Lake, my father likes hardworking people; suggesting eating garlic three times a day, my father likes people who have common language with him; if you really don't want to compete for favor, I also suggest lying down and letting it go, anyway, my mother manages the harem well, you will have food and drink, and there will be festival gifts during festivals! As a result, there are a lot of people in the palace who eat melon seeds, play cuju, play croquet, and compose operas with the palace servants...]

The old emperor couldn't help but have tears in his eyes.

I was wondering why my harem has become more and more strange in recent years! It turns out that this is the problem!

If the harem wasn't so strange, would he be so eager to take Qin Zheng into the palace after seeing her? What a normal woman, with a soft voice and the ability to dance. Isn't it just that she has been with someone else before? How normal!

Girl! Why don't you take care of it?

[Empress Dou was very open to the prince's behavior: She really didn't want to sleep with him at such an old age, even if it was just to lie on the same bed. Because the old emperor snored. ]

Old Emperor: ...

The old emperor was almost crying like a tiger.

[A man pretended to imitate the prince's lame walk in front of him, in an attempt to provoke him. He watched carefully and clapped his hands loudly: "Well done! Walk again!" He also poked his head when the man was squatting in the toilet and said: "Wrong! People with disabilities don't squat like this." He scared the man so much that he almost fell into the pit. ]

[People spread anxiety, such and such a king has been praised by the emperor again, such and such a king has made great achievements in his fiefdom, such and such a king has given birth to three legitimate sons and is about to give birth to a fourth one...]

[But no matter what he did, the prince was very open-minded. He either had fun himself or others. He kept delaying his official duties and completed them on time. When he heard that someone had put gold scales on a pig to pretend it was a unicorn, and sold it to the Marquis of Pengcheng to cheat him out of 200 gold bars, he rushed faster than anyone else and rushed to the front row to watch the fun.]

[The Crown Prince was not so angry that he vomited blood, but the Prince of Jibei was so angry that he vomited blood three or four times. He had no energy and spirit during the New Year this time, so he could only let his son go to the capital on his behalf! ]

The author has something to say:

The three titles of King of Qin, King of Han, and King of Tang, yes, are just the author's bad taste. If it weren't for the difficulty of getting the title of King of Ming, he would have made up another one ()

Also, during the reign of Zhu Di, the three titles of Qin, Han, and Tang did coexist. So they could indeed appear at the same time.

＊

Chapter 39: Shock! Someone cheated in the imperial examination!

After hearing this, the prince found it unreasonable.

Is it my fault that I am careless? Why is the King of Jibei so angry that he vomits blood because of this?

Besides, I don't want to be an emperor anymore. My health is so bad that I don't know when I will die. And you're not allowing me to do the things I love?

Thinking this way, the prince felt very confident. Facing the strange gazes of the ministers, he was very calm. Not only was he calm, he also looked a little happy.

——Hearing that he was so lazy, the ministers would be very disappointed and would try to find a way to replace him as the crown prince, right? Well, when he completely loses his position as the crown prince and doesn't have to work anymore, he will move next to Xu Yanmiao's house and watch the fun every day!

The old emperor knew what the prince was thinking at a glance, and let out a toothache "tsk". He turned around and saw the stupid look of the grandson, and became furious - it was not good to cause trouble with a group of people in the harem.

"Go to Wuying Palace."

The tone was light, but it did not allow for rejection at all.

"Come here, tie up the crown prince. Send the two princesses back first."

"I won't!!!" Princess Xiangyang kicked her boots. The spoiled child stared and spoke loudly, looking down on everyone even more than her father: "Fifth sister has an official position! We will have one too after the New Year! Either you let all the ninth-rank officials go back! Or you let us go to Wuying Palace too? You can't favor one over the other! Treat us differently!"

Princess Xiangyang and the Crown Prince are the only two people in the world who dare to confront the old emperor directly after he makes a decision.

After choking, she turned her head and looked at Princess Wanshou.

"Fifth sister! Say something, Fifth sister!"

Princess Xiangyang was very loud.

"This is what we deserve! If he doesn't give it to us, we should speak up. If we don't speak up, it will be taken away from us!"

Princess Wanshou felt her heart skip a beat.

Is this... what we deserve?

She also looked at the old emperor.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Although she was so nervous that she seemed to be stifling every word, she was indeed asking for the treatment she deserved from her father, whom she once feared and who was now the emperor. "I am now a clerk in the Ministry of Revenue! I have never committed any crime. Please allow me..."

Princess Xiangyang looked at Princess Wanshou encouragingly. Princess Wanshou mustered up her courage and said firmly, "Participate in the court meeting!"

Princess Xiangyang smiled. She raised her eyes to the old emperor and saluted: "Your Majesty! I also want to attend the court meeting!"

The ministers said nothing.

The old emperor slowly twisted the jade ring on his thumb and looked at his two daughters. At this moment, the emperor was staring at his subjects with an oppressive gaze.

The two female ministers followed the manners of a minister, lowering their eyes and not looking at the king, but their backs were straight even when they bent over to salute. No matter how much pressure they faced, they stood still without moving.

Xu Yanmiao was stunned.

The inner voice was very shocked: [Gao Xiang?! ]

The friend he knew was actually Princess Xiangyang? !

The old emperor glanced at Xu Yanmiao and suddenly turned around: "Go to Wuying Palace."

This is the default.

But Princess Xiangyang couldn't be happy for the time being.

——Now the emperor has officially recognized her official status. Although the official seal is still not in her hands, this moment is different from before.

Before, she was just coaxing a child, but now, she is an official.

So, she clearly heard...

【Gao Xiang?! 】

[Princess Xiangyang?! ]

【She concealed her identity?! 】

Princess Xiangyang had her back to Xu Yanmiao and thought it was the other person who was speaking.

So his eyes wandered: "I can't see, I can't see, I can't see, I..." He muttered to himself while walking quickly forward.

Xu Yanmiao: "...Gao Xiang."

Princess Xiangyang's body stiffened, then...she lifted her skirt and ran away.

Xu Yanmiao's eyes widened: "Stop!"

But Princess Xiangyang slipped away very quickly and jumped into the crowd in no time. Xu Yanmiao had no choice but to squeeze in at this time, so she could only say angrily: [You actually lied to me! ]

That's too much!

unhappy!

Afterwards, this unhappiness was directed directly at the Crown Prince.

Just pick up the gossip system and start digging.

Pick while walking.

[Eh... I thought the grandson didn't know he was adopted, but it turns out he knows. ]

After a pause, his mind suddenly rose, obviously he saw something that interested him.

[He also hates the Crown Princess! ]

The old emperor paused.

The prince paused.

Even the other officials paused subtly.

The Minister of Revenue licked his lips to moisten them, and said to the Minister of Punishment next to him: "I remember that the Crown Princess has always been very good to the Crown Prince? For more than ten years, no one has ever doubted that the Crown Prince is not her biological son?"

The Minister of Justice immediately responded, "Not only is it good, but it's so good that she gave all her dowry and money to the Crown Prince. Even the three thousand taels of disaster relief money was given to the Crown Prince by the Crown Princess, and for the sake of the Crown Prince's face, it was announced to the public that it was the Crown Prince's money."

But the Crown Prince actually hates the Crown Princess?

The two looked at each other, and they saw the same meaning in each other's eyes——

Oh no! There is a melon in it!

Say more, say more!

The other ministers all felt the same excitement.

In fact, being an official is very boring. Every day you either work or attack political enemies. Although there is entertainment, after decades, no matter how much entertainment there is, you will get tired of it. Even if you dig into other people's private affairs, they will only dig out who is arrogant and domineering, who is inappropriate in words and deeds, and then go to court to stab the other person out of his position... How can it be as interesting as Xiao Bai Ze's voice!

Ever since Xiao Bai Ze came to the court, they rarely feel bored!

Even the innocently injured Marquis Pengcheng tried hard to forget the gold-foiled pig unicorn. He raised his hands to rub his ears and stared silently in the direction of Xu Yanmiao.

＊

The emperor and his ministers only paused for a moment before getting back on track, but their speed was comparable to a spring outing.

Xu Yanmiao didn't notice it.

——Busy eating melon!

【Let me see. Let me see.】

The gossip system cannot hear what others are saying in their hearts, but it can hear what others say out loud - not everything can be recorded, but if it is gossip...

[What an ungrateful person! He thinks the Crown Princess gave him 3,000 taels of silver as disaster relief in order to make him offend the Emperor!]

Huh? What's the idea?

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards activated his mind and tried to apply his common sense to it.

Could it be that the Crown Princess has a sweet appearance but a bitter heart, and on the surface seems to be unable to find fault with the Crown Prince, but in fact she is trying to praise him to death?

"hiss--"

I can't tell!

Besides, this shouldn't be the case. Xu Yanmiao has already said that the Crown Prince is an ungrateful person... However, there is a possibility that Xu Yanmiao made a wrong judgment!

At this moment, the old emperor remembered something and called for help urgently: "Mao Zheng!"

The commander of the Jinyiwei immediately stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty?"

The old emperor ordered him: "You personally take people to investigate the King of Jibei and his son, and find evidence of their rebellion."

Jinyiwei Commander: "..."

In fact, I want to listen to more excitement. I really want to know whether the Crown Princess is secretly torturing the Crown Prince, or whether the Crown Prince is an ungrateful person.

But this is a job given by the emperor.

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard responded quickly, resisting the urge to look back every few steps, and went to work after receiving the order.

...Damn it, but I really want to know what happened! It's all the fault of the King of Jibei!

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard left with a feeling of uneasiness and resentment towards the King of Jibei.

The old emperor continued to listen to Xu Yanmiao's thoughts.

[Oh no! Because the emperor took the lead in donating money for the disaster and donated three thousand taels, he felt that the crown princess deliberately made him equal to the emperor and was framing him, so he took the initiative to secretly hide five hundred taels! ]

The prince who also donated three thousand taels: "???"

Still need to pay attention to this?

He directly took out all his pocket money and collected five thousand taels. Princess Xiangyang: "???"

Donating 3,000 taels is equal, so what is her donation of 5,000 taels? Is she stepping on my father's head and making a scene?

Her father was busy doubting his own education.

——The Crown Prince was raised by him and the Queen since he was a child, to show the honor and favor to the Crown Prince. How come this brain... is neither like him nor like the Queen?

[Wow! He actually told his subordinates: "Grandpa liked me the most, so he kept me in the palace. It is also because of me that my father's position is so stable."]

Prince: "Wow!"

All the officials thought in their hearts: Wow!

His eyes were filled with satisfaction from eating the melon.

Grandson: "Dad?"

Why is there a sudden strange noise?

The prince turned around and said, "Call a few more times."

Grandson: "?"

The prince was very sincere: "After today, you may not have the chance to shout."

He would not leave anyone who resented the Crown Princess in the East Palace.

The Crown Prince was extremely confused and bewildered. He always felt as if something had happened and he was excluded from it from beginning to end.

＊

When they arrived at the Wuying Hall, this was a temporary court meeting held by the old emperor, and the ministers were arranged according to their shifts.

Xu Yanmiao, the palace maid and the crown prince stood in the middle, being interrogated by the old emperor.

It was called an interrogation, but in fact the omnipotent Jinyiwei appeared and whispered a few words to the old emperor, who then revealed the truth: "Gao Qisheng, what hatred do you have with Xu Yanmiao that you came up with such a sinister method to frame him on New Year's Eve!"

The emperor's words were golden, and the matter was settled.

The maid looked at the crown prince infatuatedly, but the man she was loyal to never cared about her from beginning to end. Instead, he stood up and said angrily: "Grandpa! Why are you defending this person so much!"

Baiguan: That's of course because...

"Because he's good-looking! I know! He's a man who only uses his looks to please others!"

Officials: Huh???

Subconsciously, I glanced at Xiao Bai Ze's face, and then I couldn't help but agree - of course, I couldn't help but agree that the face was indeed very good-looking, but this was Bai Ze! Isn't it normal for him to be good-looking!

The straight old emperor's face turned pale: "Gao Qisheng! I'm already sixty-three! And! I have your grandmother!"

And Xu Yanmiao! Why are you glaring at me! What are you so wary of! I don't like men with different sexual characteristics! I like women who are seven feet tall! You are only qualified if you are seven feet tall!

And Xu Yanmiao was already frantically looking through the old emperor's past sex history.

With the background sound of people asking who the emperor's partner was, the grandson looked at the old emperor with a broken heart: "Grandpa!"

"Did you know that he cheated in the imperial examination!!!"

Chapter 40 Ah! It's so hot!

The Crown Prince originally thought that he would shock the whole audience by revealing the cheating in the imperial examination, but...

Xu Yanmiao flipped through the old emperor's sex history with fear, fearing that she might come across gossip that the old emperor liked to have affairs with men.

All the officials listened with exclamations of "Wow!" and were trembling with fear, fearing that they would not survive the night.

The old emperor was wearing a mask of pain, his mind full of thoughts on how to interrupt this voice.

The Grandson? Hmm? Did the Grandson say anything?

The Grandson himself: "..."

What's wrong with you! This is cheating in the imperial examination! Can you respect the dangers of cheating in the imperial examination? In all dynasties, whenever cheating in the imperial examination occurred, a large number of people died, and even the chief examiner went to jail!

"Grandfather!" The prince raised his voice: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!!"

The old emperor came back to his senses with difficulty: "Ah? What happened?"

The crown prince blushed and shouted even louder: "Xu Yanmiao! Cheating in the imperial examination!"

Xu Yanmiao's thoughts suddenly stopped.

This is only the twelfth year of Tiantong...

This sentence suddenly popped up in the minds of some people in the court - including but not limited to the crown prince - and they felt a little regretful.

The old emperor calmed down and asked the eunuch to bring him a cup of tea to calm his nerves. At the same time, he felt helpless: "Gao Qisheng, if you want to slander someone, you should slander something good. How could Xu Yanmiao..." Cheating in the imperial examination.

By the way, lower your head and drink tea.

[...Ah, have we been discovered? ]

"puff--"

The chief eunuch quickly held up the handkerchief.

The old emperor coughed and wiped the tea off his chin, his whole body in great shock.

No, you really cheated in the imperial examination? Xu Yanmiao, do you have the ability to do this?

At the same time, the crown prince took out a roll of paper from his sleeve and held it high above his head: "Your Majesty! Here is the evidence!"

A young eunuch walked over with small steps, carefully took the note, and then walked quickly with small steps to hold it in front of the emperor. The old emperor stared at the rolled up note silently, and began to think about the possibility that he accidentally spilled tea on it and blurred the ink.

The ministers looked at each other in twos and threes, with very strange expressions.

Theoretically speaking, cheating in the imperial examination is definitely a capital crime, but... there is always a but. Considering Xiao Bai Ze's importance, cheating in the imperial examination is nothing!

However, we still have to give an explanation to the people of the world. At least we can't defend it too openly, otherwise it will be detrimental to the country.

All the civil and military officials in the court began to rack their brains to see if they could help Xu Yanmiao get rid of the crime.

The crown prince was completely unaware and added, "Your Majesty, I accidentally found this note outside the gate of the former Left Censor-in-Chief. After investigation, I found that it was written by Xu Yanmiao, a clerk in the Ministry of Personnel. However, this handwriting is very different from the handwriting Xu Yanmiao usually uses when copying documents, and it is different from..."

Before he finished speaking, an official lost his temper and jumped out: "Your Highness, what you said is wrong. Officials have clerks under them. On weekdays, some officials do not write their own memorials, but ask clerks to write for them. This is normal."

This is indeed a common occurrence. The emperor would ask the Hanlin Academy to draft his edicts, and officials would ask the clerks to write documents. This is an unwritten norm in the officialdom.

The crown prince was confident: "Of course I know." He raised his head proudly: "But what if his handwriting is completely different from the handwriting on the imperial examination paper?"

The crown prince stressed: "From the examination papers of the imperial examination, the provincial examination, and the imperial examination, it can be seen that this person's handwriting has never changed. Why did his handwriting style suddenly change after the imperial examination?"

In fact, there should be palace examinations and selection for scholars of lower rank after the joint examination, but the imperial examination of my original body was quite special, equivalent to a special authorization by the emperor. Those who failed the joint examination could still enter the Imperial College. My original body was only seventeen years old and not a genius, so it was normal for him to fail the joint examination. He was just able to get into the Hanlin Academy without having to take part in the palace examinations and selection for scholars of lower rank.

Therefore, there is no way to refute it by saying, "I was present at the palace examination, my handwriting was consistent, my writing was fluent, and there was no sign of cheating."

However, another official jumped out and said: "The characters for the imperial examinations were specially written for the examiners to see, which is different from usual ones. This is normal."

Then, another official jumped out and said, "What if Secretary Xu can write with his left hand?"

The Crown Prince had thought that there would be considerable resistance to this matter. After all, no normal person would admit that he had cheated in the imperial examination. Moreover, he did not have any particularly decisive evidence. He could only rely on the emperor's attitude and certain inferences to doom Xu Yanmiao.

- In modern terms, even if there is no video evidence to prove that the person committed a crime, and there is no DNA, fingerprints, etc. to prove the crime, as long as a chain of evidence is formed, a conviction can be made.

Therefore, he originally planned to cause chaos in the palace to arouse the emperor's dislike, and then bring up the matter of cheating in the imperial examination. In this way, with the emperor's preconceived notion of this person's character, even if the evidence was not very sufficient, it would be difficult for the other party to escape.

but!!!

The Crown Prince didn't expect the resistance to be so great!

Isn't Xu Yanmiao a minor official of the ninth rank? Why do officials keep coming out to speak for him?

Xu Yanmiao herself hasn't refuted it yet!

「Ah, this......」

Xu Yanmiao has a bit of a headache.

The reason why he entered the original owner's body was that the system made a deal with the original owner - the system said that they were a legitimate company and would not engage in forced sales.

Before this, the original owner was recommended as a juren, but later failed and happened to meet the policy change so he could enter the Imperial College directly. After entering the Imperial College, he was lucky enough to meet the shortage of staff in the Ministry of Personnel, and successfully got a small position in the capital, such as the clerk in the Ministry of Personnel.

Being able to stay in the capital is much better than the destinations of other failed candidates - either becoming a government official, a county official, or a teacher.

These things happened one after another within half a year, and each time the luck became better and better, and the mood became more and more exciting. As the excitement grew more and more exciting, the original owner died of excessive excitement.

Then, the strong resentment attracted the system.

For example: "I worked hard for many years to prepare for the civil service exam, and finally passed, and was hired by a central government department, but I died suddenly! I can't accept this!!!"

Knowing that it didn't matter that he couldn't be resurrected, he strongly hoped that Xu Yanmiao could help him stay in the position for at least a period of time, otherwise his heart would be so painful.

[How should I defend myself? Say that I was in a state of confusion before, and my actions were muddle-headed. Suddenly one day, my mind became clear, but everything from my handwriting to my living habits to my tone of voice was different from before? Would anyone really believe such a ridiculous excuse?]

The ruler and ministers of Daxia: "!!!"

We believe it!

Please speak up! Give us a chance to believe! We are ready to believe!

The crown prince was still shouting, "Otherwise! Let Xu Yanmiao write and we will know! If he can write the same handwriting, then I am making a false accusation! I have also collected the handwriting he wrote with his right hand recently, and it is exactly the same as the note!"

"Moreover!" The Crown Prince said excitedly, "He couldn't even recite 'Isn't it a pleasure to have friends coming from afar' correctly! He recited 'Friends coming from afar, even if they are far away, they must be punished'. Just ask, how could such a person pass the imperial examinations, the provincial examinations, and the metropolitan examinations! Someone must have taken the exam for him!"

——The Crown Prince learned about this when he accidentally heard the conversation between Quan Yingzhang and others when they talked about Xu Yanmiao.

Anyway, there is no surveillance in the imperial examination room, so if he says it is someone else taking the exam, then it is someone else taking the exam.

【Ah, it's over.】

Xu Yanmiao thought sadly.

He really couldn't memorize the Four Books and Five Classics. Moreover, after becoming a steward, he didn't need them in his work, otherwise he would have studied them with the same spirit as the college entrance examination.

[There is no way to explain it. It seems that I can only wait for death. ]

do not!!!

The old emperor and all the officials' pupils trembled.

How can we live if you die!

The Minister of Industry's heart almost stopped beating, and he stood up and said, "Your Highness, do you have any evidence that he took the exam for someone else? Please don't slander a good person."

The prince almost popped his eyes out.

What kind of powerful background does Xu Yanmiao have? He was not surprised that the officials who supervised the imperial examinations spoke out, as they had a vested interest in the matter. But how could you, a second-rank minister of the Ministry of Works, support a ninth-rank official?!

Quan Yingzhang seemed to understand the Crown Prince's thoughts, so he stood up gently. He was old and had been granted a throne by the Emperor. He did not need to handle government affairs or make suggestions on state affairs on weekdays. He just served as a living proof of the value of money and proved to students all over the world that Daxia attached great importance to and respected talents, even those who were loyal to the previous dynasty.

He stood up, and the prince had no choice but to bow to the old man.

Quan Yingzhang ignored him and bowed to the old emperor: "Your Majesty, I have spent some time with Xu Yanmiao, and he is not someone who would cheat in the imperial examination."

Strictly speaking, even if he couldn't hear Xu Yanmiao's inner voice, Quan Yingzhang didn't think that Xu Yanmiao would cheat in the imperial examination with her innocent heart.

He doesn't even know how to make money!

Xu Yanmiao was suddenly surprised.

immediately......

[Wow, there are still many good people in this world! As expected, the factional struggles and infighting recorded in history books are all exaggerated. The majority of people in the court are willing to speak up for justice! ]

There was indeed party strife and infighting, and the eyes of officials who were fighting openly and secretly were wandering with guilt.

The atmosphere in the court suddenly became weird.

But the prince pulled it back: "Of course I have evidence!"

Actually, no. But again, there is no surveillance in the imperial examination room.

The Crown Prince said confidently: "Three nights before the imperial examination, Xu Yanmiao privately met with the chief examiner, the Minister of Rites! It was precisely because of this that the Minister of Rites turned a blind eye to the cheating!"

The Minister of Rites was so frightened that he nearly passed out.

He had never met Xu Yanmiao in private! Before his inner voice burst out, he didn't even know who Xu Yanmiao was! He had always met with high-ranking officials in private!

The crown prince... this is going to kill him! If he is accused of condoning fraud, he will be demoted at the least and beheaded at the worst!

The grandson did not hesitate: "And..."

Afterwards, the crown prince dragged many people into the incident at once, completely disregarding the lives of these officials.

Xu Yanmiao's eyes showed sympathy.

[I'm sorry, but I can't protect myself right now...]

Xu Yanmiao looked through the gossip system, feeling very melancholy.

He has gossip that can refute what the crown prince said, but he can't explain the source of the information.

[They said I privately met with the chief examiner, the Minister of Rites, three nights before the imperial examination? How is that possible? That night, the Minister of Rites dressed up as a woman and stayed overnight at the general's mansion with the general...]

What with the general!

All the officials were unable to keep calm at that moment, and their eyes were filled with gossip.

Moreover! The Minister of Rites is dressed as a woman! So exciting! Are they having an affair? !

The general's body trembled, trying to interrupt Xu Yanmiao's voice: "Your Majesty!!!"

"Although there is irrefutable evidence of cheating in the imperial examination, I still think there is something fishy about this matter and it should be re-examined! Especially since Xu...Xu...Xu Yanmiao was so well-dressed! How could someone who values ​​his clothes so much tarnish his reputation!"

The crown prince couldn't believe it, his face turned even greener than the old emperor who was raped in bed before.

How dare you come up with such an outrageous reason?!

Xu Yanmiao's inner voice did indeed stop.

He then changed the topic: [Thank you! Thank you, General! You are such a good person! ]

The general nodded vigorously.

That's right, I am a good person. As for the matter between me and the Minister of Rites, let it be hidden forever...

[I swear to God! I will never tell anyone about your secret meeting with the Minister of Rites in the middle of the night, and about your suspicion that the old emperor rejected his sworn brothers, and that you deliberately asked the Minister of Rites to dress like a woman! ]

The author has something to say:

In the absence of direct evidence, the defendant may be found guilty if the indirect evidence meets the following conditions:

(1) The evidence has been verified to be true;

(2) The evidence corroborates each other and there are no irreconcilable contradictions or unexplainable doubts;

(3) The evidence in the case has formed a complete system of proof;

(4) The facts of the case determined based on the evidence are sufficient to eliminate reasonable doubt and the conclusion is unique;

(5) The reasoning based on the evidence is consistent with logic and experience.

——Information from Hualu.com

＊

Failed candidates can enter the Imperial Academy:

In the Yicho year of Hongwu, all the candidates who failed the joint examination, those who went to the Ministry of Rites but failed to take the examination, and those who resigned from the second place and did not take up the position were allowed to enter the academy.

——"Shuanghuai Suichao"

＊

Failed candidates can wait for the opportunity to become an official in the Imperial Academy:

Those who failed the imperial examinations and were selected by the imperial academy were either given a minor position in the capital, or a position as a prefectural assistant or a county official, or a teaching position. This was the general outline of the selection of scholars during the Ming Dynasty.

——History of Ming Dynasty

＊