All the ministers wanted to see how the good show tonight would end, so they were naturally reluctant to leave immediately. The lanterns outside the palace gate were like stars, and it was as bright as day.
Sima Changshen's pace was not slow. After waiting for a while, he saw Sima Changshen coming quickly. The officials immediately moved out of the way. Sima Changshen came closer with a piece of yellow silk in his hand. With a proud smile, he shook the Huang Chou in his hand and said: "Jin Yihou, Mr. Dou, this is the Queen Mother's decree. I wonder if these two carriages can be inspected with this decree?" After saying that, he put the Huang Chou in his hand. The silk was thrown into Dou Kui's hands.
Dou Kui was already breaking out in a cold sweat. He opened the yellow silk and took a look. His face was ashen. He turned to Qi Ning and handed the yellow silk in his hand. At this time, the Queen Mother's will was in hand. Dou Kui had no ability to stop Sima Changshen. Checking the carriage, his face turned pale. He knew in his heart that as long as the box in the carriage was opened, his future would be over.
Now he only hopes that Qining can think of a way to stop Sima Changshen.
Qi Ning did not pick up the yellow silk at all, but sighed softly: "Everyone is here, and the twists and turns will be understood soon. However, despite the Queen Mother's decree, we cannot stop Zhongyi from inspecting the carriage, but there are still some truths. Let’s make it clear.”
Sima Changshen snorted coldly and said, "What's the point?"
"Everyone, it is an indisputable fact that Marquis Zhongyi interfered in the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue tonight." Qining's expression became grim: "I don't know who gave Marquis Zhongyi so much power that he even interfered with the official affairs of the Ministry of Revenue. . If you can interfere with the affairs of the Ministry of Finance today, will you be able to interfere with the affairs of the Ministry of Justice or even the Ministry of War tomorrow?" He sneered and said: "Honor of Zhongyi, why don't I go back and file a memorial, and let the emperor directly promote you to the prime minister, Liubu Yamen How about I leave it all to you?"
Sima Changshen was not annoyed and said: "Jin Yihou, your purpose in saying these words is just to stop me from inspecting the carriage. However, I am stubborn and will not give up until I achieve my goal. Tonight It’s not that I am meddling in the household affairs, but I feel that there is something strange about what Dou Kui did tonight, and we must find out.”
"I can understand the mood of Marquis Zhongyi." Qi Ning said lightly: "But there is no price. Marquis Zhongyi can do whatever he wants, and he can inspect whoever he wants. If it spreads, will it be detrimental to the reputation of the Sima family? good?"
Sima Changshen frowned and said, "What do you mean by this?"
"The meaning is very simple. Marquis Zhongyi believes that the carriage must contain treasures smuggled by Lord Dou. If this is true, Marquis Zhongyi has investigated a major case and made great contributions to the court." Qi Ning stared at Sima Chang. Shen's eyes: "If this is the case, although tonight's behavior is a bit rude and even domineering, after all, the merits have been achieved, and the merits and demerits can be considered to be equal, so we can't say much."
Sima Changshen frowned and stared into Qi Ning's eyes.
"But if Lord Dou is innocent and there are no rare treasures in the carriage as Marquis Zhongyi said, does Lord Dou deserve to be insulted like this by Marquis Zhongyi?" Qi Ning sneered: "Master Dou is also an important minister of the imperial court after all. The dignified Minister of Household Affairs was stopped in the street by Zhongyi Hou when he was on an errand, and even slandered as smuggling treasures from the palace. Now he was forcibly taken outside the palace gate and came to search the carriage with the Queen Mother's instructions. These insults were considered Ordinary people can't stand it, let alone important ministers of the imperial court?" He raised his finger and pointed at the ministers and said: "If the loyal ministers don't give an explanation tonight, then in the future, the civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty will be allowed to investigate whoever they suspect. ?”
Qi Ning's words are extremely inflammatory. Tonight, Sima Changshen is asking Dou Kui to investigate. Dou Kui is already a high-ranking minister in the court. If Sima Changshen doesn't have any evidence, even Dou Kui can do this. Forced investigation, then as Qi Ning said, wouldn't it be possible for Sima Changshen to investigate whoever he wants in the future.
The rabbit died and the fox was sad. When the officials thought of this, they inevitably felt dissatisfied with Sima Changshen and had different expressions.
Sima Changshen knew that Qi Ning was inciting the ministers, and he was angry, but he did not like to argue. At this time, he also saw that the ministers seemed dissatisfied, so he sneered and said: "Jin Yihou, what do you think I should do? Search the carriage?"
Qi Ning said loudly: "Master Dou is on errands for the imperial court. I trust Master Dou deeply, so I will vouch for Master Dou in front of everyone. If Marquis Zhongyi really finds the treasures of the palace from the carriage today, Master Dou But it is to enrich his own pockets, so even if I don’t know people well, I am willing to ask the emperor for an order to deprive me of the title of Marquis of Jinyi."
As soon as these words came out, it was like thunder exploding among the ministers, and many people screamed in surprise.
The four hereditary marquises can be said to be the supreme glory of the Chu Empire and a special existence of the Chu State. From the founding of the country to the present, the four hereditary marquises have always had an extremely distinguished status in Chu. Everyone knows that the hereditary marquises of the Chu State are all It is a real honor, and it is a reward obtained by making countless contributions during the founding of the country.
As long as there is a hereditary marquis title, there is still a more or less stable place in the Chu court. For example, Su Zhen is mediocre in talent, but because he inherited the title of Marquis of Wuxiang, he enjoys far more glory and wealth than other courtiers, and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty Even though there are many people who look down on Su Zhen deep down, they are still polite in terms of face.
The title of Marquis of Jinyi is a golden sign created by two generations of marquises. Looking around the world, no matter where the Marquis of Jinyi goes, people will take a high look at him.
However, in order to protect Dou Kui tonight, the young Marquis actually wanted to bet the Marquis of Jinyi. The first thought in many people's minds was that Qining was crazy.
Once the Marquis of Jinyi is captured, not only will the Jinyi Qi family's food and property be taken back immediately, but the most important thing is that it will be even more difficult to fight against the Sima family in the future.
Some people were already sighing in their hearts, thinking that the young man was impulsive and it seemed that the young marquis was going to destroy all the money that the Qi family had managed to save in one fell swoop.
Sima Changshen seemed to be afraid that Qining would withdraw his promise, and immediately said: "Everyone has heard that Jin Yihou used his position as marquis to vouch for Lord Dou, but I heard every word."
Dou Kui was also horrified, thinking to himself that Qining was really confused. If Qining retained the title of Marquis of Jinyi, he could still try to save himself, but once he lost the title, he would not be able to protect himself, not to mention that he could protect others. The man opened his mouth to persuade, but Qi Ning was already staring at Sima Changshen and said: "Don't you have any expressions from the Zhongyi Marquis?"
Sima Changshen didn't know what Qi Ning meant, so he was unambiguous and sneered: "Since the Marquis of Jinyi dares to use the title to protect it, I will certainly not let you suffer. If you are in this carriage, it really is not an important thing. , I will also ask the emperor for an order to deprive me of the title of Marquis of Zhongyi and Marquis of Jinyi, are you satisfied with this?"
Everyone thought that since Sima Changshen dared to gamble with the title of Marquis of Zhongyi, he was obviously very confident and determined to win it. At this time, they felt that the atmosphere was getting tense, because no matter who lost or won, the four hereditary princes since the founding of the country, tonight There will be one less person, and from now on, there will only be three hereditary candidates in Chu State.
"Wait a minute." Qi Ning raised his hand and said: "What Zhongyi Hou said is vague. You said that if there are no important things in the carriage, you will ask for an order to reduce the title. Then tell everyone, what are the important things and what are not important? Things?"
Dou Kui thought that Qining had even risked his title, so he had nothing to hesitate. He calmed down and sneered, "That's right, Marquis Zhongyi, you must say this clearly."
Sima Changshen said: "Okay, let me make it clear. If what is hidden in the carriage is not the gold and silver treasures collected by the palace, or antique calligraphy and paintings, then I will lose. Yes, if Xiao Shaozong is hiding inside, Humph, then there’s no need to say more.”
Qi Ning immediately said: "Everyone, listen carefully. This is what Zhongyihou said personally. To avoid misunderstanding, I repeat it. Zhongyihou means that if the carriage is not filled with gold, silver, jewelry or antique calligraphy and paintings, Or maybe he is not the Prince of Huainan, then even if he interferes in household affairs and exceeds his authority, he will ask the emperor to remove his title of Marquis of Zhongyi, Marquis of Zhongyi, am I wrong?"
Sima Changshen nodded and said: "You are right, this is what I meant."
Qi Ning sneered, took two steps back to the side, and said loudly: "Since Marquis Zhongyi has requested the Queen Mother's decree, I will no longer stop you." Pointing to the carriage path: "Marquis Zhongyi, please send people to search and turn the carriage over. Bottom up."
Sima Changshen didn't talk nonsense and said in a deep voice: "Come here, search for me!"
The dozen or so attendants he led before had been surrounding the carriage. At this time, he gave the order and the group of people did not hesitate. They rushed over like wolves and tigers and opened the carriage. Soon, they were all in a hurry. Four or five boxes were carried from the carriage.
The ministers gathered around, each one raising his or her head for fear of missing something.
Five boxes were placed in a row, all locked and sealed. Sima Changshen showed a proud look on his face and said in a deep voice: "Open the box!"
Several attendants immediately stepped forward, pried open the iron lock with their blades, and then opened all five boxes one by one. After opening, each box was covered with purple silk cloth, and Sima Changshen carried it with one hand behind his back. , glanced at Dou Kui, and saw that Dou Kui's face was pale, cold sweat was pouring on his forehead, and his body was even trembling slightly. A sneer appeared on the corners of Sima Changshen's lips. He glanced at Qi Ning again, and saw Qi Ning. Ning put his hands behind his back, raised his head slightly and looked up at the sky.
Sima Changshen walked to a box, stretched out his hand, and without saying a word, opened the silk cloth covering it. The officials all held their breath and stared at the box with wide eyes, just wanting to take a look. What was under the silk cloth? The moment Sima Changshen lifted the silk cloth, Dou Kui's lips curled up and he turned his head away, not daring to look.