Life (Seven)

The world was amnesty, and corrupt officials were not forgiven. Thinking of the decree issued by Zhu Yuanzhang under the age of 198, the Grand Secretary Wu Chen felt cold after his neck. God liked to joke with him. It started snowing in the New Year's Eve, and it was all going down for three days and three nights. He was lit in the water stove in the house and his bones were tight. After finally putting it on the sunny day, Grand Secretary Wu ignored the slippery road and quickly sent his eldest son and wife to the King of Maoshan Palace to get incense for him, begging the gods to bless him with his new year's official fortune.

The officials in the capital, regardless of whether they were born in the imperial examination, have never refused to learn the path of immortality. Think about it, every day, they have been intrigued, done so many things that are ignorant, and said so many words that are ignorant, can they be at ease in their stomachs? So during festivals, cigarettes in Maoshan Taoist Temple, more than 100 miles away from the capital, can be seen dozens of miles away. That temple is said to be quite effective. Some corrupt officials are free and happy under the emperor's nose, and the officials are getting bigger and bigger. As for the great righteous words that the Master said, those who do good to the people are like the Wuliang Heavenly Venerables who are talking to Taoists every day, can deceive good men and women, and put them on their heads, and they will never believe them.

In his identity, Grand Secretary Wu is not a corrupt official. To be honest, he is still a little famous. He can only be a horse in front of his house. Unlike those who cannot distinguish between officials and thieves, in the position of Grand Secretary, Wu Chen has always worked diligently and rarely accepts bribes from others. Even if his family members took him with treasures and jade artifacts on his back, Wu Chen ordered him to return after he knew it, which made the gift-giving person very embarrassed. Originally, a clean person like him, Wu Anguo was very willing to make friends with him, but he did not make plans. Grand Secretary Wu disliked the new policy from head to toe, so he had a very shallow relationship with the Minister of Revenue Guo Heng and others, and had a closer relationship with the Minister of Revenue Guo Heng and others.

"What does the emperor's imperial edict mean? Is it just to pray for the queen?" With years of alertness, Wu Chen instinctively thought of the implicit meaning of the imperial edict. He asked the boy named Wu Fu, the emperor rarely killed officials since the Hu Weiyong case. Could it be that he had the intention to kill again this time? The more he thought about it, the more he felt uneasy, and most of his family accompanied his wife and son to burn incense and did not return. The whole yard was deserted. As usual, he did not attend court these days. It was inconvenient to walk privately. He communicated with his colleagues only by relying on the subordinates to convey information. The unblocking information caused Wu Chen to understand the emperor's original intention from the imperial edict.

"Table," a firecracker outside scared Master Wu and made a cold war. He almost sprinkled half a cup of tea in his arms. "Boy, come to my doorstep to set off fireworks. Didn't your family tell you to distinguish between elders and younger?" Wu Chen cursed in his stomach. The fireworks this year were set off very fiercely, making people sleep peacefully every night. These firecrackers are very particular. The richer the family is, the more they need to buy high-quality ones, as if this can set off their identity. Chen Qingdai, a strange woman in Beijing, went to Beijing to meet the saints according to the order of Queen Ma, and the gifts she brought to the queen were two ships of fireworks. On New Year's Eve, Zhu Yuanzhang was the night of New Year's Eve.

I ordered people to set up a boat on Xuanwu Lake, which was colorful and beautiful. What is rare is that this big girl from the Chen family understood the emperor's thoughts. The fireworks exploded in the air, and most of them were the words "Fu and Shou". That night, there were people in the capital, and it was not until the ugly time passed before it became quiet. The next day, several more fireworks from the Chen family arrived in Beijing. Before they could unload the goods, they were all sold out by the officials and people in the capital. The Chinese people pay attention to the New Year. Starting from the 23rd day of the 11th lunar month, it was half over the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. It was a pain that Master Wu liked to be purified and was clamored by the sound of firecrackers all day long.

"Wu Fu, invite the master to my study room." After dusting the water droplets splashed on the new clothes, Wu Chen whispered. Youdao is the master of Shaoxing and the account room in Peking. These two crutches in the capital are inseparable from these two crutches. The emperor was filled with a fascination by Wu'anguo. The court talks like to dig into the bottom of the matter. Some things require accurate numbers. Probably, maybe, it is probably best not to appear in the memorial. Last summer, a censor impeached the governor of four provinces, Guo Pu, blocked the mountains and cultivated forests, and did not allow the people to cut down trees above the 30-degree hillside, resulting in the poor people having no firewood to make fire. He was accidentally asked by the emperor, "How steep is the hillside above the 30-degree hillside?" He hesitated and could not answer.

When he came up, he was in a mess in front of all officials. The dark-hearted Wu Anguo took the opportunity to fan the flames and said, "Trees are the fur of the land. After ten years of trees, they were destroyed by an axe. The people of Peking used coal as firewood, and less than one ten thousand of them could not eat because they were not allowed to cut trees." He also asked the censor to list how many people in Peking had no firewood to make fires in the summer. The final result was that the censor was sent to Peking for investigation of specific data, and he had not returned to the capital until the Chinese New Year. With this painful lesson, every minister hired accounting rooms to help review the loopholes in the memorials. The best one was a scholar who had studied in the Peking Academy for a few days, but did not like doing business after graduation and was not selected as an official.

The sound of footsteps was heard outside the door. After Shaoxing's master reported through the curtain, he pushed the door and walked into the room. A cold wind blew in, which made the Grand Secretary Wu Chen frowned repeatedly. However, the master didn't care about the boss's unhappiness. He walked a few steps to the sandalwood carving's heating window, and covered his cold red hands on it and rubbed them back and forth.

"Chongwen, is it cold outside?" Grand Secretary Wu Chen looked a little ugly and said to his master's back. This master was surnamed Zhou, born in a scholarly family, and was successful in his youth. He won the first place in the township examination. Because his family was deeply involved in the Hu Weiyong case, he was implicated and could not participate in the provincial examination, so he had to go to the Peking Academy to find a new job. He originally hoped to be selected for the customs and take the shortcut to Zhongnan, but when he finished his studies, the customs was full. His career was broken, and he looked down on the chores of the business group, so he had to join the Wu Mansion as an aide by the introduction of his relatives. This person was a little unrestrained, but he always got famous. In less than half a year, he was promoted to the master and accountant of the Wu Mansion and took the salary of the chief adviser. Wu Chen needed to use his mind, so he did not deliberately ask for his behavior.

"Mr. Wu, it's a weather outside that dogs don't stick out their tongues. The capital hasn't been so cold for decades. If you don't believe me, go out and try it. Many cold plums that bloomed early have frozen to death. The power of heaven is unpredictable, and the power of heaven is unpredictable." Zhou Chongwen turned around and showed a bit of mystery in his smile. This person is white and pure. He is about 1.80 meters tall in Beijing meters, half a head taller than Wu Chen. His nose is straight and square, and his eyes are phoenix eyebrows. If it weren't for the bitterness and frivolity in his eyes from time to time, he would have a rare good appearance.

Grand Secretary Wu Chen was slightly stunned. Master Zhou was like a worm in his stomach, and he even knew everything he wanted to ask. He restrained his temper and said, "Yes, he was cold and didn't even say hello."

"But those who are frozen to death are all those who are shallow but do not know how to fight for spring. This old tree with deep branches may be fine. When the snow passes, it may still shine and win the attention of everyone." Master Zhou seemed to continue the topic of the weather casually, but his hands quickly took out a newspaper from his sleeve and gently placed it on the desk, "Let me guess it, Mr. Wu came to me for this."

The newspaper is an old news from the New Year. The front page of "Peking Spring and Autumn" is the horoscope of "The world is amnesty, and corrupt officials are not forgiven". The people who write comments are sharp, with sarcasm and sarcasm between the lines, listing the ugly behaviors and consequences of corrupt officials in ancient and modern times, and comparing them to the city foxes and club mice, lice in their crotch and roundworms in their stomachs, which makes readers applaud.

Wu Chen smiled and ordered the servants to serve tea. After the guests and the hosts sat down, he replied: "Chongwen is really worthy of being Gongjin, and he is not even as smart as his ancestors. I came to you this time for this purpose. It is probably not just a general amnesty here. Wu felt that compared to a general amnesty, it seems that the meaning of "unpardon" is more important than a general amnesty. The emperor is now blinded by the sweet words of several younger generations and cannot listen to the advice of the old and successful country. I am honest and not in this order of "unpardon", but I don't want to watch my colleagues in the court fall into the situation of others inexplicably. I hope that Chongwennian will speak and teach each other because Wu has been honest for many years."

Old fox, if you really haven't done anything wrong, why bother with these corrupt officials? Zhou Chongwen cursed his boss in his stomach and said with a faint smile: "Mr. Wu, don't worry. If the emperor really has the heart to fight against corruption, he will not give this order to not pardon corrupt officials. I guess he would warn you in advance to let everyone be careful. People like Mr. Wu who are well-known are not to panic. Maybe using this opportunity to fight against corruption, they can win more trust today."

Wu Chen smiled bitterly, knowing that the master was perfunctory, sighed and told the truth about the court: "Chongwen, if I only fought against corruption, what would I be afraid of? I am afraid that after the anti-corruption, the personnel changes in the court will make the people surnamed Wu gain power, and all the officials will leave Peking, making the whole court full of money. I am afraid that those who have worked hard to study will never have the opportunity to turn over."

Zhou Chongwen graduated from Peking Academy but did not get an official position, and he was very resentful to the new policy. Wu Chen used him as his master and was interested in this. Currently, the six major clerks in the Hongwu court, Fei Zhen was hard-core in supporting the new policy. Shao Zhi is currently slowly swaying towards the supporters of the new policy. The remaining three major clerks and Wu Chen hate the set of the implementation of Peking. Originally, Wu Chen had a great advantage in his strength, and the other party could defend a corner of the endgame in the court with the help of the half-red Wu Anguo. Recently, local forces led by Guo Pu suddenly came in, and Wu Chen and others were staring in a mess. The situation immediately took a sharp turn. If there was any mistake in this operation, the new policy would be unobstructed from now on and the world would be dominated.

"Mr. Wu is really confused by the authorities. Does Mr. Wu think that the knife against corruption is just cutting to his own side? Those who support the new policy may not be relaxed at this moment. According to Zhou Mou's opinion, this may not be a chance. As long as the adults hold the hilt of the knife, it is hard to say who will cut in the end." Zhou Chongwen thought for a while and said softly.

"Hand"? Wu Chen was a little puzzled. It is true that many officials who supported the new policy accepted bribes from merchants, but most of them did it secretly. Some simply ran their own industries or became shareholders of some factories in Peking. There were few people who could really get caught. However, some of their officials were overly indecent with their salary, and they all depended on the filial piety and support expenses of local officials.

"It's the hilt. Please think, if the censors take advantage of the issue, they will definitely be chasing the deficit case of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Industry that was unsolved last year. The Minister of Revenue was originally the bottom of the old man Fei Zhen. If a problem is found, will he still have the face to gain a foothold in the cabinet? As long as we do it properly, Wu'anguo will lose another supporter. Lord Shao is weak and will definitely return to Mr. Wu. With these two people, what else can Wu'anguo do to make trouble? Let's find some mistakes from the implementation of the new five-strategic policy. Isn't it the situation that you can pinch him as much as you want in the previous year"!

"This"? Wu Chen was a little hesitant. If he made a fuss about the deficit case of the Ministry of Revenue, there would be too many people to be held. He had some connection with his former senior ministers. The more than three million taels of silver were not embezzled by Guo Heng alone, but was lost at the instruction of several senior ministers. A few of them were distributed to the Beijing stock market and the dividends were distributed by officials and businessmen. Most of them were trapped in the stock market by Wu'anguo. Last year, the censor Zhang Yan attacked, and he and the senior ministers racked their brains to delay the investigation of the account, but secretly ordered their old subordinates in Jiangnan to move money from the treasury to make up for it. Only a few people knew the details, and the key point was Guo Heng.

I thought that after the Ministry of Revenue changed its new accounting method, the original case would naturally be smoothed out and no one mentioned it. Local deficits can also be slowly recovered from the people. After the year-end, the censors who are more sensitive than dogs will definitely bring up the old things again after the New Year. Once the emperor's Jinyiwei finds clues, or if there is an official in the Ministry of Revenue, there are no tight words, I am afraid that more than one person will die by then.

Seeing that Wu Chen was hesitant, Zhou Chongwen knew that he was worried about being implicated. The Ministry of Revenue was deficient, and the cadres and officials communicated with each other. There was some rumor. Although the Ministry of Revenue's books were flat, a piece of silver must have disappeared for a while. After pondering for a moment, he said to Wu Chen in a low voice: "Mr. Wu, there is a saying in the officialdom that helping others cannot implicate yourself. At this moment, you must show the courage to cut off your arm. According to Wansheng's inference, the emperor has already

I found some clues about this case. I guess I will take the heavy move once the exam is over this spring. If you don’t take the initiative, once someone is involved, your reputation will be ruined. If you abandon some insignificant people, you will be both defeated by those who support the new policy. The Jinshi who came to the exam are all reading the books of sages and doing good essays, and they will also be added to the official position. There are more people who support us than those who support the new policy, which may not be a loss for the adults.”

When Wu Chen heard Zhou Chongwen's words as relaxed as if he was making an article, he felt a cold war in his heart. This young man was too cruel. Once this plan came out, several senior officials and some senior officials were saved, but some officials from the Ministry of Revenue may not be able to escape. He did not like corrupt officials like Guo Heng, but did not think corrupt officials could be killed. These officials had low salaries and were not greedy, and their living standards were not as good as those of a medium-sized wealthy businessman. According to the Ming Dynasty, corrupt officials had to peel their skin. Thinking that when they closed their eyes every day in the future, they would face hundreds of fur dolls. The cold sweat on Wu Chen's back was dripping.

After carefully weighing the pros and cons, Wu Chen's face, which was not very bloody, became more and more pale. He wanted to use the tea leaves to calm down his mood. He picked up the tea bowl, but he trembled for a long time but couldn't put it on his mouth. He touched the saucer and the bowl cover jingled.

"Your Majesty doesn't have to be sad for these officials. As long as we do well, the losses may not be great. The key to this matter lies in Guo Heng. If he suddenly dies of illness, all the problems will be solved. Fei Zhen is Guo Heng's ex. He will not be able to explain it clearly at that time." Zhou Chongwen said sinisterly that in his eyes, Wu Chen, a grand scholar, is a typical mediocre talent. With some false reputation and talent, he has become the leader of the Scholars in the court. He is not in a dark heart and not in a ruthless hand. At the critical moment, he must push him behind him. "If you can't put your heart down, you have to ask for it. If you stay in your mansion in this way, you will inevitably be captured by the Jinyiwei who was searching your house one day."

"Don't worry about Chongwen. When I think about it carefully, life is at stake. Moreover, the court cannot withstand big troubles. The attack on Peking is urgent. If the plan is not thorough, I may lose the loss if the Ministry of Revenue goes in." Wu Chen still hesitated. As long as he decides to sacrifice Guo Heng, the other major officials will definitely cooperate. After clearing himself, he will organize people to attack those who support the new policy. After a fight, hundreds of lives will be ruined in this conspiracy. Some are allies and some are political enemies.

"Sir, I'm not determined yet. Should I wait for Guo Heng to confess and be that schmist together?" Zhou Chongwen asked in a humble voice!

Wu Chen's face turned pale and white. He discussed this year's actions with Guo Heng on the pleasure boat more than ten days ago, but now he wants to push Guo Heng to die, which is too heartless. But if he doesn't do this, he may become a member of the hundreds of fur puppets. Gripping his teeth, Wu Chen put the tea bowl on the table and said coldly: "Well, for the sake of the safety of the famous religion and the rise and fall of the country, Wu has to be cruel. Let's talk about how to let Guo Heng die."
Chapter completed!