Chapter 116 Another Promotion
The next morning, Emperor Chongzheng received another report from Zhou Yi.
Emperor Chongzheng opened it with great interest. He thought watching Zhou Yi's memorial was more interesting than having sex with his concubine.
It started with a greeting from Zhou Yi, which is nothing to say, and then Zhou Yi wrote: "Your Majesty, when I learned that Tao Qiao had no evidence, I thought of a plan to lure the enemy into the bait. I guessed that Mr. Ma would definitely do something, but I never expected that he would dare to risk the world's disgrace and directly attack the guards sent by you. My God, I was fooled at that time..." See Here, Emperor Chongzheng was also angry, and he slapped the table, "Rebellious ministers and thieves, who gave them such courage, even the imperial envoy I sent would dare to do it!!!" After Emperor Chongzheng got angry, he looked down eagerly
, He also wanted to know how Zhou Yi escaped from danger.
"But your majesty, you must have thought of it, otherwise you wouldn't have sent the imperial army. When Mr. Ma was about to make a move, it was too late, but the minister also called for action, so all the people he brought were put to death by the imperial army. Your majesty, I really scared this minister to death. If it weren't for the forbidden army you sent, I'm afraid I would really stay in Yuanping Mansion forever. Your majesty, you saved my life again, and the rest of my life will be fine. It is not enough to repay your kindness to you!..."
After reading Zhou Yi's memorial, although Emperor Chongzheng was initially offended by Majiu Yin's treason, now Zhou Yi is right again. He is grateful, he thinks that Zhou Yi should be devoted to him now, to have such a loyal and capable minister, and the case of Yuanping Mansion can be regarded as solved, generally speaking, Emperor Chongzheng is still happy. But this Ma Jiuyin seems to be the prince's cousin, but it is not known whether the prince is involved. Emperor Chongzheng frowned at this thought. If the crown prince was involved in this, Emperor Chongzheng would undoubtedly be angry, but if Zhou Yi really got to the bottom of it and dug out the prince, Emperor Chongzheng would also be unhappy. Even a king is still a human being after all. His children were criticized by his courtiers. Moreover, as the crown prince, if the world finds out that he is actually involved in a corruption case, Emperor Chongzheng's face will be ashamed. Thinking of this, Emperor Chongzheng looked at the report spread out on the table: Zhou Yi, let me see if you are really smart.
A charge of treason hangs over his head, but corruption is insignificant in comparison, at least it will not implicate the whole family.
In order to get rid of the crime of treason, Ma Jiuyin and a group of Yuanping officials knew everything about Zhou Yina. Since they became officials, they have confessed all the corruption cases.
In the end, they add up to a staggering number.
But Zhou Yi also found that especially in the past five years, a large amount of money that Ma Jiuyin had corrupted was missing.
A torch was lit in the prison, and Zhou Yi's face turned red under the light of the fire: "Where did more than half of the money you coveted go?
" He also explained everything he said in detail, until Zhou Yi asked this question, he raised his head, his expression couldn't tell whether it was ridicule or helplessness; "If I really tell you, Mr. Zhou, do you dare to listen? I'd better not go It’s good to worry about those unnecessary thoughts, you are still young, and you don’t know that the most rare thing in life is to be confused.”
Zhou Yi stared at Ma Jiuyin, smiled: “Is it true, maybe I am not as good at life as Master Ma, right? Otherwise, why is this official judging you now, but you have become a prisoner!"
Ma Jiuyin smiled and did not answer.
Zhou Yi looked at Ma Jiuyin for a while, and then stepped out of the prison.
He probably knew who the person behind Ma Jiuyin was. Thinking of what Ma Jiuyin said, Zhou Yi smiled wryly. What Ma Jiuyin said was right, even if Ma Jiuyin dared to say it, he would not dare to listen.
In the 22nd year of Chongzheng, the dam of Yuanping Mansion in Dayue burst, the emperor sent imperial envoy Zhou Yi to investigate and deal with corrupt officials, and finally involved most of the officials in Yuanping Mansion.
According to the explanations of Ma Jiuyin and other criminal officials, Zhou Yi finally seized about 10 million taels of stolen silver from the homes of dozens of officials headed by Ma Jiuyin, as well as countless rare treasures.
Not only Zhang Zhijing and Feng Daolun, but even Zhou Yi stared straight at him. Damn, these guys are greedy for too much money.
At the moment when the corrupt officials were found out, all the victims in Yuanping Mansion clapped their hands and cheered. Some cried bitterly, knelt down on the street and shouted: "Father, mother, these dog officials have been caught. If you are alive, you can do it!" Rest in peace."
Zhou Yi, Zhang Zhijing and Feng Daolun were in front, followed by a row of prison carts, when these prison carts passed the main street of Yuanping Mansion, all the people rushed out to throw stones and spit at Ma Jiuyin and others.
"Dog officials, corrupt officials, give back my son's life."
"Corrupt officials, you still have today."
"..."
To prevent these people from being beaten to death by the victims of Yuanping Mansion before reaching the capital, Zhou Yi ordered the team to speed up Steps out of town.
When we arrived in the outer city, there were no dead bodies all over the ground. In order to avoid the spread of the epidemic, these corpses were dug up and cremated. Everyone was piled up and burned to ashes. The ashes of their relatives were mixed together and buried outside the city.
Walking to the ashes burial place, Zhou Yi got off the horse, bowed to him, and thought to himself: I know there are people behind the scenes, but I am fledgling now, and the people behind me are not something I can offend, and I have family members to take care of. It is impossible to strike a stone with a pebble. I have done my best, now Ma Jiuyin and others bow their heads, rest in peace, may you never live in such a cannibalistic society again in your next life. After paying his respects, Zhou Yi walked up to Ma Jiuyin's prison cart, and said to him, "Lord Ma, look, the people buried here are the people who died in the disaster due to the bursting of the embankment, and ten people are buried here. Thousands of corpses, you don’t feel anything when you look at them? Huh?” Ma Jiuyin lowered his head, as if he hadn’t heard anything. Zhou Yi approached Ma Jiuyin's ear, and said in a cold voice: "I think these dead souls will be happy to come to Mr. Ma to complain about their grievances. In the near future, when you go to hell, I hope you can still be so calm." Ma Jiu Yin's body moved, and then trembled slightly. He was still afraid after all. Zhou Yi rolled his eyes, but his smile was cold.
They set off from Yuanping Mansion in the morning and arrived in the capital near evening.
The people were taken away by the Ministry of Punishment, and the silver was taken away by the people of the Ministry of Households. The rare treasures filled the emperor's internal treasury.
Seeing tens of millions of silver and countless treasures, the ruling and opposition parties were shocked.
The emperor was even more furious, a mansion could actually be greedy for so much silver, and the annual tax revenue of the court was only 20 to 30 million taels of silver.
This has already been found out, what has not been found out yet? How many officials in the world are not corrupt? These greedy bastards are digging into the foundation of Da Viet!
In the past, the officials sent to investigate corrupt officials arrested at most two small officials, and the most stolen silver seized was no more than a hundred thousand taels. Compared with Zhou Yi, it was like heaven and earth.
Because of Zhou Yi's frequent reports, Emperor Chongzheng knew more about the danger Zhou Yi was in when he was investigating this case, but he still persisted.
Looking at the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, Emperor Chongzheng looked around, and the more he looked, the more he felt that he was able to do things, and that there was only one Zhou Yi who was loyal to him.
Of course, it's not that there are no other capable people in the court, but those who are capable just know how to protect Meng Zhe's life, and they often have their own little thoughts. In this case, other people have been replaced, and at most one Tao Qiao will be arrested. Only Zhou Yi, because he is loyal to him and has the courage to put all his eggs in one basket, finally removed such a big cancer for the imperial court and added ten million taels of silver to the national treasury. .
This silly boy!
After reading Zhou Yi's memorial at night, Emperor Chongzheng sighed deeply.
What's more important is that Zhou Yi knows how to measure. It is obvious that some of Ma Jiuyin's stolen money is still missing, but Zhou Yi does not blindly pursue it.
This is for me! Emperor Chongzheng was really moved when he thought of a courtier who cared so much for him.
But prince, you really have the guts! Emperor Chongzheng snorted coldly when he thought of this.
At the same night, Zhou Yi, who returned home excitedly after handing over the silver, did not think so much as Emperor Chongzheng thought. He went to Yuanping Mansion for more than ten days. Although it was not far away, it was a long time I didn't see my family anymore, so after returning home, Zhou Yi let go of all his thoughts and had a happy meal with his family.
Wang Yan and Zhou Lao Er didn't know how dangerous Zhou Yi's trip was, they just thought that the emperor used Zhou Yi again, and seeing him back, they had no other thoughts except to be happy to see him again after a long absence.
But Zhou Jia, after dinner, he followed Zhou Yi to the study.
"Brother, the matter of Yuanping Mansion is over, isn't it?" Ten-year-old Zhou Jia has a stronger body than Zhou Yi at this age, and the edges and corners are much sharper. Now he has the appearance of an adult with a face.
Zhou Yi smiled and patted Zhou Jia's head: "Yes, the matter of Yuanping mansion is over. You don't have to worry, these brothers have already made arrangements." "Brother, tell me about your visit to
Yuanping this time. " What about the government, I want to know." Zhou Jia moved a chair and sat beside Zhou Yi, blinking at him.
Zhou Yi frowned, but thought that according to Zhou Jia's aura of studying, he would also enter the officialdom sooner or later, it would be better if he knew about these things earlier.
Then he said to Zhou Jia: "I can tell you, but you have to remember, you can't reveal a single word of these things."
Zhou Jia nodded hurriedly.
Zhou Yi omitted the last paragraph. It is better not to let Zhou Jia know about the people behind Ma Jiuyin. Although he believes that Zhou Jia knows how to measure, there are no absolutes. One less person who knows will reduce the risk.
Even if it was a general talk, Zhou Jia would be exclaimed again and again, and finally sighed: "Brother, you are so smart, how did you come up with these methods?" Zhou Yi smiled and said: "Think about it a little more
. If you think about it, it will happen naturally, so when you encounter things in the future, you have to use your brain more, and you can't be impulsive, you know?"
Zhou Jia nodded.
Then he shyly said that he hadn't seen Zhou Yi for a long time and wanted to sleep with Zhou Yi.
But this time Zhou Yi did not agree to him: "Tomorrow night, my brother will attend the morning court tomorrow morning, so as not to wake you up when you get up." Zhou Jia had no choice but to nod.
He was not afraid of being woken up, but Thinking of Zhou Yi traveling around for more than ten days, wasting his time and energy, he had better not disturb his brother's sleep.
At three o'clock the next day, Zhou Yi got up. He didn't take a sedan chair or a carriage, but let Qingzhu carry the lantern and walked to the Meridian Gate by himself.
Qingzhu hadn't seen Zhou Yi for more than ten days, and she was still worried that if the young master stayed outside for a longer time, would he forget about him, so she wanted to talk to Zhou Yi on the way: "Young master, you know how far you've come. How many times has Qing'er been here to inquire for more than ten days?"
Zhou Yi's heart moved when he heard this, and he smiled: "Oh, she also came to inquire." "
Of course, every time Miss Qing'er heard that you hadn't come back, she always You seem to be very worried, young master, I think Miss Li really cares about you." Qingzhu sighed.
Zhou Yi frowned, it was time to go to the Li Mansion to propose marriage.
When they arrived at the Meridian Gate, Zhou Yi took the lantern and asked Qingzhu to go back first, and walked towards the Meridian Gate by himself.
Those who are qualified to go to the early court are all officials of the fourth rank and above, and Zhou Yi is a fifth rank official, wherever he goes, no one ignores him like before, and everyone greets Zhou Yi one after another.
Everyone knows that this is a ruthless person. A fifth-rank official actually overthrew a frontier official, a second-rank official, and brought back ten million taels of silver for the court. It is conceivable that at least during this period Days later, the emperor will find Zhou Yi very pleasing to the eye. Zhou Yi pretended to be flattered, no matter who greeted him, he would return humbly, not at all elated as if he had just made a great contribution. And Zhou Yi is only seventeen years old this year, which is even more rare. Yang Zhiwen also smiled and said to Zhou Yi: "Master Zhou, this time the errand is done beautifully, and the emperor will definitely reward you greatly. From now on, the imperial court will depend on you young people." When it comes to acting, Zhou Yi doesn't give up too much.
He seemed to be blushing with embarrassment, and he said embarrassedly: "Mr. Yang Ge praised the subordinate like this. The subordinate is really flattered and ashamed."
Yang Zhiwen narrowed his eyes, boy, he is a good showman.
Xing Jing stood not far away with a dark face and hummed.
Zhou Yi didn't take it seriously, and went up to Shi Shiran to say hello to Xing Jing respectfully, but Xing Jing turned away with a flick of his sleeve.
To delay Zhou Yi's blessing, he was suspended from his post for two months. Although most of his moody look was faked, in the bottom of Xing Jing's heart, how could he not be angry with Zhou Yi.
Now it is because Zhou Yi cracked the big case and brought back 10 million taels of silver and countless treasures. The emperor was so happy that he made an exception and allowed him and Yang Laogui to participate in this morning court. After participating in the morning court today, he still has to be honest. Really stay at home for two months!
"Zhuzi!" Thinking of this, Xing Jing couldn't help cursing inwardly.
Fortunately, Zhou Yi couldn't get into Xing Jing's heart, but even if he heard it, Zhou Yi would just shrug his shoulders cheerfully, scold, scold, anyway, scolding won't lose a piece of meat, and it can get practical benefits. The benefits will do. Moreover, all thoughtful people in the court believe that if you can do it, don't quarrel, and that is the ability to kill people without making a sound. Now Xing Jing is secretly scolding Zhou Yi in his heart, which can only mean that he has temporarily taken Zhou Yi had no choice.
It is also a skill to make the chief assistant have no place to talk to him, a low-ranking official in the Imperial Academy!
"Dong dong dong..." The bell on the Meridian Gate rang in the silent capital, and the sound could be heard far away.
The officials filed in, and with the sound of the eunuch, the emperor arrived, and the morning court officially began.
Emperor Chongzheng lost his temper first: "It's appalling, it's appalling. As a servant, a mansion can reach 10 million taels for ink corruption. After hearing this, you don't think much of it? My annual tax revenue of Da Viet is only 30 million. Two taels of silver, one mansion, can be worth ten million taels, the wealth is incomparable to the enemy!!! It is more comfortable than my life!" This is the reason why Emperor Chongzheng felt resentful.
"The ones standing on the Golden Luan Hall are all the humerus ministers of my Dai Viet. Usually you are one by one, and you look more upright than anyone else, but now I can't believe it. Who knows if you are still standing in this hall. Another Ma Jiuyin, no, maybe not one, but two, three, a hundred!!!"
"I'm terrified!!!" Emperor Chongzheng's roar made all the courtiers tremble, and then groaned and knelt all over the place.
"Afraid? Are you still terrified? I don't know how lawless it is in the dark behind my back!" Emperor Chongzheng didn't take advantage of this sentence, as long as he thought of Ma Jiuyin daring to openly treat Zhou Yi and Ouchi The guard's action caused a crisis in the heart of Emperor Chongzheng, who thought he was in control of the imperial power.
The imperial envoys and Ouchi guards he sent, even a courtier dared to kill people to silence him, who knew how bold these courtiers who usually looked at him respectfully, were secretly audacious? Looking at the ministers lying on the ground, Emperor Chongzheng suddenly felt lonely. In this world, there is no one who is close to him, even the prince has a different heart. Emperor Chongzheng looked over the front of the hall, to the tip of the tail of the official team, saw the thin figure kneeling on the ground, his face softened a little, no, there is another person who is capable, loyal and caring to him. "Get up." Emperor Chongzheng was tired of cursing, and waved everyone to get up. "Here, I would like to praise one person. He is Zhou Yi, the servant of the Imperial Academy. When you were afraid to take this case, it was Zhou Yi who stepped forward, and with courage and insight, broke the dam of Yuanping Mansion in one fell swoop. This case should be an example for you as officials." After hearing these words, all the officials secretly glanced at Zhou Yi, their eyes were full of complexities. Back then, when this kid was murdered and took over the case, they were still watching jokes behind his back. Now, who would have thought that someone would have such ability, he not only got rid of the silt altar like Yuanping Mansion, but also almost wiped out all the officials of Yuanping Mansion. Now, she has become a big hit, becoming a celebrity in front of the emperor, and her future is boundless! ! "Zhou Yi listened to the seal..." Emperor Chongzheng said with a smile.
Zhou Yi walked out of the team, fell on the ground and said respectfully, "I accept the order."
Emperor Chongzheng glanced at the eunuch beside him, and said a word.
"Following the fate of heaven, the emperor's edict said: Zhou Yi, who is studying in the Hanlin Academy today, is good in conduct, righteous in nature, loyal in heart, tolerant of literature and martial arts, loyal to the emperor and patriotic, and is indeed an example for all officials. A bachelor of the Hanlin Academy will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver, and bestowed by the imperial court."
Everyone in the hall was in a daze, and they were promoted again.
"The humble official accepts the order."
The Grand Bachelor of the Imperial Academy, the third rank, is only under the head of the Imperial Academy, and this time he has been promoted to more ranks than the first time.
The eyeballs of some people in the court turned red with jealousy. A bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, if it is placed at a time when the Imperial Academy is valued, what a highly valued position it is, and if it lasts longer, it may be able to enter the cabinet.
Fortunately, the Hanlin Academy is just a cold-hearted yamen, no matter how high the official is, it still has no real power.
Thinking of this made these officials feel better.
"Reporting to the emperor, my minister has something to report. During his tenure as an imperial envoy, Zhou Yi, a bachelor's student, once received fifty thousand taels of silver from Ma Jiuyin, a criminal officer. As an imperial envoy, Zhou Yi was already in the important position of investigating corrupt officials. , but know the law and break the law, and really deserve such a reward from the emperor, I hope the emperor will see clearly." Just when Zhou Yi happily wanted to accept the order, the guy who ruined the atmosphere jumped out.
It was Zhang Zhijing who made the small report.