The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

In Lixiang Courtyard, it was the first time for all the Jia family men to encounter this situation. They had lived in the shadow of the Jia family's wealth since birth. People who have stood at the top of trees all their lives can only see smiling faces and flattery when they look down.

The glory built up by this layer of sweet words was pierced by the sudden appearance of Chen Heng with a sharp sword. In Jia Jiaerlang's heart, he felt more helpless and panicked, as well as unspeakable shame and embarrassment.

They froze on the spot, completely unresponsive to Chen Heng who was about to leave. Seeing that none of these people could be used, Xue Baochai was so anxious that he ignored the restraints of etiquette and came up directly and said: Chen... Mr. Chen, wait a minute.

Chen Heng stopped as he was told. He and Xue Baochai were just nodding acquaintances. But as soon as Xue Baochai spoke up, Chen Heng remembered that he had something to say to these people.

Master Chen, my brother...

Chen Heng shook his head directly. Time was running out. He couldn't listen to these arguments, and he didn't need to. Interrupting Baochai's words, there is no need to speak harshly to a weak woman. He said: If you are guilty or not, you will naturally be tried by the government. Afterwards, there will be a review by the Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate. You don't have to worry.

But you guys... Chen Heng looked around the room and said with a hint of threat, In the Beixiaoshikou case, there are several servants in your house who were also involved. In this case, Shuntian Mansion Office It will take some time for the trial to proceed. Please do not let one or two people escape, as this may endanger yourselves.

Jia Rong had a rebellious mentality after hearing these words. The moment Baochai spoke, he woke up the man's consciousness. It is true that Jia Rong is usually unhappy when seeing Xue Panhu pretending to be a tiger. Now, it is true that others are coming to Jia's house to arrest people. He immediately said: I am a rank-5 dragon forbidden officer. I want to complain before your majesty, saying that you arrested a good person by mistake.

Master Jia. Such a false title could not scare Chen Heng. He did not even look at Jia Rong, but said impatiently, If you feel that this matter is not big enough, just cry and make trouble. There is no need to follow I croak.

If he were Jia Rong, what he should ask at this moment is why the Wucheng Army and Horses Division came instead of the Shuntian Mansion Office. The Jia family's slowness in court affairs is evident. Chen Heng was helpless and sighed.

Anyone in your Jia family who is willing to go to court can understand the situation at this time. The matter is no longer as simple as Xue Pan beating someone to death, it is a battle between the three families of the DPRK and China. I said so much in the previous episode, but the Jia family still couldn't understand half of the words. Chen Heng also stopped thinking about playing the piano.

Stepping out of the porch in one step, Chen Heng led the officers, soldiers and prisoner Xue Pan into the courtyard. Aunt Xue in the back room just woke up from a dream, and quickly chased her out, shouting and crying: My son, my son. Master, Master Chen, if you want to arrest me, just arrest me. My son is innocent. .”

Fortunately, Baochai and Baoyu came to their senses and held Aunt Xue tightly, preventing them from causing trouble to Chen Heng. Wherever they went, the servants and maids in the mansion all bowed their heads and retreated, fearing that they would also be involved.

After walking out of the door without any obstruction, Chen Heng, with a sullen face, jumped onto his horse. Lu Yingxiong tilted his head and waited for the other party's instructions. Chen Heng thought for a moment and said, Go to Shuntian Mansion.

Snowflakes are still flying in the sky, and large flakes of snowflakes are blowing towards travelers. The snowflakes fell on the face, and were moistened by the remaining warmth, giving it a cold touch. In the wind and snow, he saw many noble disciples standing on Ningrong Street who had heard the news. Chen Heng saw Feng Ziying among them, with a look of disbelief on the latter's face.

Chen Heng was riding on the horse and looked at the group of people with his eyes. He knew that these people had no guts to disturb him. Although these people are usually domineering, they are actually good at watching others eat. At this time, when you come up to touch your brow, you just put your head on your belt.

A group of indignant noble disciples turned their heads away under Chen Heng's gaze. Just listening to Xue Pan's cries silently, a look of intolerance gradually appeared on his face.

There was no need to say anything more. A group of officers and soldiers took Xue Pan under guard and walked neatly in the direction of Shuntian Mansion Office.

Chen Heng thought about it, he had to walk slowly. Now that he is outside the palace, he must buy time for his teacher. Within the new party, if consensus cannot be reached immediately, the situation will only become more passive.

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While his students were fighting for time outside, Lin Ruhai was also trying to persuade them in Linjing Hall. Li Zhi's expression was livid from the moment he came down to the court. That is to say, he has suffered too many grievances over the years, but he can still suppress his inner irritability.

Your Majesty. Lin Ruhai bowed again and advised, Don't get angry easily. This matter needs long-term consideration.

Wei Yinghong immediately expressed his agreement and echoed: Your Majesty, you should put national affairs first.

Li Zhi let out a long breath, stopped Wen Shiqian who was about to speak, and said with vigor, I know that I have worried some of my dear friends. After gathering his thoughts, the Lord of the Ninth Five-Year Plan put his arms on the table, My dear friends, Please discuss this matter first.

All the monarchs and ministers gathered together and began to unravel Gu Zaiyong's intentions. They had already lost the first move. If they couldn't figure out the opponent's intentions right away, they would just follow the opponent's pace and become pawns in Gu Zaiyong's hands.

Lin Ruhai believed that Gu Zaiyong was trying so hard to win over the four princes and the gang members who followed them into his hands. The top priority is to stabilize the four kings and eight princes. Let them believe that they have no plans to attack them yet. As long as the four princes and eight princes continue to remain neutral, the New Party will still have a chance to win.

Wen Shiqian immediately asked, how can His Majesty win the trust of the four princes and eight princes?

After all the talk about this matter, there is still a connection that is causing trouble. They say flies don't bite seamless eggs. Previously, Li Zhi was reluctant to give Prince Teng an official position, which gave Gu Zaiyong an opportunity to take advantage of him.

Everyone knows this reason, but they dare not say it openly. Seeing that the ministers were trying to protect their own dignity, Li Zhi took pleasure in the pain and said, My dear friends, you don't have to worry about me. He shook his head and paused briefly, I don't want to wait any longer.

We fought hard with the enemy at the border and couldn't win. The confidants who were painstakingly cultivated in the court gradually ascended to important positions. Chen Heng was on hand to help open up a way to make money, which solved his urgent need. After so many years on the throne, Li Zhi has never had such a comfortable life.

When an ordinary person raises his head, he doesn't want to live a life of relying on others, let alone a 95-year-old Supreme Being.

Your Majesty, it's not too late to mend the situation. Lin Ruhai was afraid that Li Zhi would be stubborn. The best way to resolve this matter is to handle Xue Pan's matter lightly and leave a ray of leeway for each other.

After hearing Lin Ruhai's opinion, Li Zhi neither agreed nor refused. I don't know what he was thinking, but he suddenly said: Lin Qing, do you still remember Yuankang's tenth year?

How could Lin Ruhai not remember this year name? This was the last reign title used by the Supreme Emperor, and it was also the year Li Zhi changed his throne.

On that day, what we told the people of the world was to kill the traitors and bring peace to the people. Li Zhi stood up, stepped down from the throne, stood in front of the window, and looked at the Fengtian Palace in the distance.

This giant building had a terrible fate. When Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty built it, it encountered several fires. When Taizu Dayong captured the capital, only fragments of the original Fengtian Palace remained.

At that time, Dayong's national power was not strong. It had to resist foreign enemies and be diligent and frugal in state affairs, so it was impossible to spare any time to rebuild the Fengtian Palace. Its complete reconstruction was actually the work of the Supreme Emperor. The huge consumption of Fengtian Palace is one of the reasons why Li Zhi never liked it.

Lin Ruhai is Li Zhi's adviser. Li Zhi's words can impress Wei Yinghong and Wen Shiqian, but Lin Ruhai must analyze the current situation from the perspective of the current situation. The new party cannot accept that the old party is mixed with the nobles. The latter two can include almost seven levels of officials in the court.

Your Majesty, don't let all your efforts go to waste.

I know, Lin Qing, your difficulties and thoughts. I understand them all. Li Zhi continued to look at and think about it. Liangcai still didn't make a decision. Let me think about it. Let me think about it again.

How could Li Zhi not know the benefits of compromise? But he is a nine-five person, and he has his own pride. This time, the person kneeling at the door was just a commoner, and he could lower his head. But what happens when a group of people kneel outside the palace in the future?

Prince Li Xian and his son Li Jun had been listening for a long time, and both of them noticed Li Zhi's fatigue. The attention of his children and grandchildren naturally attracted the emperor's attention. The Tian family is ruthless, and being able to get the care of their children at this time did soothe Li Zhi's heart to a certain extent.

Li Zhi suddenly thought of a question. He cheered up and asked, Lin Qing.

I'm here.

How do you think Gu Zaiyong, an old man, is so sure that Wang Ziteng will side with them?

Li Zhi's words directly touched Lin Ruhai's heart, which was also where the latter was confused. Gu Zaiyong always does things in a systematic way. Lin Ruhai would never believe it if the other party had no back-up plan.

It cannot be said that the little Xue eldest son can still be more powerful than the power in his hands in the eyes of Wang Ziteng?

So what other methods does Gu Zaiyong have?

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This is a dead end. Gu Zaiyong put down his tea cup, unable to hide the pride on his face, We will definitely win.

Yan Hu sat opposite him and said happily: Brother Gu's plan is naturally very clever.

It is now Youshi, and the lights in Gu Zhai's study are brightly lit. It is said to be a study room, but actually it is enough for a family of three outside. Such a spacious study room, in addition to displaying famous calligraphy treasures, secretary's vase of flowers and other objects. Behind the bookshelf on the right side of the middle, there is also an Eight Immortals table.

It is interesting to say that the two leading civil servants of the dynasty were sitting at opposite ends of the Eight Immortals table. There were only some home-cooked dishes on the table. Looking at their private attire, they are not as luxurious and exaggerated as the noble family.

During the dinner, Gu Zaiyong couldn't help but pull Yan Hu and talk about the court affairs during the day. His intelligence is already extraordinary, but in this matter, he just made a few ordinary moves and turned everything around. Even if Gu Zaiyong spent his whole life planning, he couldn't find a better strategy than this one.

Now people like Lin Ruhai must be in trouble. Gu Zaiyong said excitedly, They often claim to be elegant scholars and like to say nice things about praying for the people. If the Xue family's crimes are to be proven, the four kings and eight princes will be evil. If Avoid the important and take the easy...

Yan Hu laughed and said: Then what's the difference between them and us? They talk about benevolence, justice and morality, and they are the common people and the country. After taking off their official robes, everyone is the same black.

I want to be a good person and a high-ranking official at the same time. Gu Zaiyong sneered, How can I let them take all the good things in the world?

This feeling of forcing a good girl into prostitution is really soothing to both body and mind. Yan Hu nodded in agreement, waved to the mute servant beside him, raised the wine glass in his left hand, and gestured to pour himself wine.

But they can't do nothing. If they delay for another day, Wang Ziteng will have more doubts. Yan Hu said while drinking.

After all, in Wang Ziteng's eyes, he still has to guess whether the old and new parties will get together, or whether there is a possibility of taking the opportunity to reach an agreement.

The new party can stay out of this situation, but Wang Ziteng's life and death will all depend on the old party's thoughts. This case, the old party said it was big if it said it was big, and small if it said it was small. There are many ways to force Wang Ziteng to submit. If a new party enters the situation, Wang Ziteng will return to his previous suspicions.

In this plan, Gu Zaiyong can be said to have accurately calculated everyone's psychology. Li Zhi wanted to show off his temper, and the New Party was in the limelight. The four princes and eight princes where Wang Ziteng lives may seem to have unlimited glory, but in fact they are already in danger.

Do you think Wang Ziteng won't come to us? Yan Hu asked a question. This is the worst-case scenario. If Wang Ziteng remains on hold, it will only give him and Li Zhi a way out.

No. Gu Zaiyong said resolutely, If he does this, he will not be Wang Ziteng.

You can't control the four kings and eight princes just by swallowing your anger without some scheming.

It is said that only those who can understand people's hearts can be officials. Gu Zaiyong smiled very easily, In my opinion, Wang Ziteng must be thinking about what we have in our hands to make him obey.

Hmph. Yan Hu also agreed with Gu Zaiyong's guess and sneered, Then let him guess. The more he guesses, the more restless he becomes.

The two of them were talking happily when the door to the study room was suddenly opened. Gu Zaiyong was immediately annoyed when someone broke in at such a confidential moment, and he was about to raise his eyebrows and get angry. When he saw the person clearly, he suddenly turned his anger into joy and hugged the little child who ran in quickly.

Hui'er, if you don't just stay in your room and read, why are you here with daddy?

This boy is Gu Zaiyong's old son. Because he is very popular with Gu Zaiyong, he is very courageous. As soon as he sat in his father's arms, he pulled out Gu Zaiyong's beard and said, Dad, what's so interesting about books? I will be like my father in the future, be a high official and govern the world.

Okay, okay. I named you Zhihui in vain... Gu Zaiyong raised his head and glared at the servant taking care of his son, then picked up a chopstick of food, handed it to his son's mouth, and coaxed, Then you You have to eat well and study well.

Hahaha, Hui'er, if you want to be a high official in the future, it's useless to ask your father. You have to ask Uncle Yan and me.

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In the cell of Shuntian Mansion, Chen Heng was ready to sleep here tonight. Although it is freezing cold right now, the prison is even more eerie. But today's idiot Xue has no idea how many people's fates he will affect. Chen Heng really didn't dare to leave him in the cell and ignored him, so he went home to sleep.

Now it was the New Party that was anxious to get angry. Liu Liangcai only sent a master to keep an eye on it to prevent Chen Heng from secretly giving Xue Pan advice. The Shuntian magistrate himself can still sleep peacefully in the government office.

The master's surname is Liu, so his name is not important. Since he arrived in the cell, he has been following Chen Heng like a dog-skin plaster. Chen Heng didn't pay attention to him. He just held a book sent by Xinda and read it under the dim light of the cell.

In a place like this, Mr. Chen can still hold on to the book, which is really admirable. Master Li kept talking. Liu Liangcai just asked him to keep an eye on him, but he didn't say he couldn't talk to Chen Heng.

After all, we are all just poor people doing errands. If they really have extraordinary abilities or background, who would be sent to the prison cell as a pawn.

Master Li is right to think so. Compared with Gu Zaiyong, Lin Ruhai, Li Zhi and others, he and Chen Heng are just pawns.

In the past, when I read, I wanted to seek the teachings of a sage. Chen Heng turned over a page. The lights in the prison were limited, so he had to squint his eyes to read. Now, when I read, I just want to sleep peacefully.

Master Li chuckled lightly. He was Liu Liangcai's staff. The dignity of being away from home is greater than that of ordinary magistrates. What's the use of studying? It's not as useful as knowing how to be a good person and how to do things.

To prevent prisoners from escaping, most of the cells are underground. Under such an environment, the air is naturally not much better. The prisoners eat, drink, and take care of themselves here, and there is no cleaning or cleaning. The damp and smelly air is full of pungent smell.

The two fell into silence, not bothering to talk. Master Li looked deep into the cell, where the guards holding lanterns were patrolling. In the darkness, there were screams of pain and snores from the prisoners, as well as the flickering light of the lanterns. Master Li, who came here for the first time, really thought he was in an endless hell.

Master Li's position was near the stairs, while Chen Heng occupied the only table in the cell. The officers who had finished their inspection came up to check on the situation everywhere. Master Li tidied up the sheet, wrapped it only in it and leaned against the wall, saying, Master Chen, I'm going to sleep first. I'll ask you to keep watch for me this night.

Chen Heng paid no attention to the sarcasm in the other party's words. He only gently shook his legs to dispel the chill from sitting for a long time. After a while, someone suddenly shouted from inside: Brothers of the Chen family... Mr. Chen... Brother Chen.

As soon as he heard this voice, Chen Heng knew it was Xue Pan. Seeing that Master Li had already opened his eyes, Chen Heng couldn't pretend not to hear. He stood up and walked towards the depths of the cell.

All the way to Xue Pan, see this stupid overlord of Jinling again. The other party didn't have the usual arrogance to show off his power, so he laughed directly and said to please: Master Chen, Master Chen. I'm cold, you...can you find another quilt for me?

It was already winter in November, and when Xue Pan was taken away from home by him, he didn't even have enough clothes on. Now Xue Pan was only wearing a prison uniform. Chen Heng looked inside the cell again. There was only a sheet that had been bitten by mice on the bed.

Forget it, Chen Hengchong nodded to the guard beside him and asked him to get another quilt for Xue Pan.

It was a small matter, and the messenger came and went quickly. Chen Heng took the quilt and shook it himself. After checking that there was no problem everywhere, he handed it to Xue Pan himself.

Good guy, when this idiot took the quilt, he squeezed his face between the gaps in the cell door and whispered to Chen Heng: Master Chen, you must save me. Don't worry, I promise, I swear, I will never change my surname. Tell Liu's story.

This stupid overlord thought that Chen Heng was standing up for Liu Xianglian, and thought that he had the opponent's seven inches. In my heart, I felt the joy of surviving a desperate situation and the excitement of thinking I was smart.

Chen Heng immediately became angry and took action directly, pushing Xue Pan onto his back. If God wants to kill you, you have to die. He didn't realize that he was about to die, and thought he could act as usual.

He didn't even know that the things he had done were being used against others. Are you still trying to rely on Liu Xianglian to threaten him? Chen Heng was too lazy to look at Xue Pan again, so he turned around and saw Master Li appearing here at some unknown time.

Master Chen, who is the person named Liu mentioned by the prisoner?

Seeing his eyes staring at him fiercely, Chen Heng immediately said frankly: Tomorrow there will be an interrogation at the mansion, and won't the truth be revealed?

Terrible news, I am going on a business trip next Monday, which will take about a week. We will try our best to ensure continuous updates. If there is any delay, please bear with me. Will be back on Friday.