Qiu Yizhi then bowed and said, "According to what I have learned, it was this lay Buddhist Miaozhen and other Taoist nuns and Taoist priests who had colluded with officials in the south of the Yangtze River. As a result, the governor Yin Chengliang was afraid to act with caution and did not dare to handle the case impartially."
Then, Qiu Yizi told Zheng Rong what he had heard from "Mr. Bansong" Lin Shuhan, carefully choosing his words.
The more Zheng Rong listened, the angrier he became. The muscles on his face couldn't help but twitch. By the end, his face was clouded with gloom and he was about to get furious.
Zhong Likuang, who was standing by, remained calm and said, "A single piece of evidence is not enough. What Yizhi said is really too sensational. Where did he get this information from?"
Qiu Yizi replied, "By chance, I made friends with a famous scholar named Lin Shuhan. He calls himself 'Mr. Bansong' and is quite famous in the Jiangnan literary world. He is also from a family of officials, so it's not surprising that he knows some inside information. I think he is sincere in what he says, and he has something to ask of me, so he shouldn't lie to me."
Zheng Rong nodded and said, "So Mr. Bansong is called Lin Shuhan. He is indeed quite famous. I have heard of him when I was in Youyan Dao. But I wonder what he wants from you?"
When Qiu Yizhi heard Zheng Rong bring up the topic, he said seriously, "He has a lover named Wu Ruofei. Wu Ruofei was originally from an official family. During the reign of Emperor Shenzong, she participated in the Reform Movement, which eventually ruined her life. She was punished by Emperor Shenzong to become a pariah. She could not turn over a new leaf for the rest of her life and could only live in a brothel. This Lin Shuhan wanted to ask the emperor for an imperial decree through me to pardon Wu Ruofei so that they could stay together forever."
As soon as Qiu Yizhi finished speaking, Zheng Xin laughed and said, "I didn't expect that this guy named Lin Shuhan is also a playboy. He doesn't want to date a good girl, but instead wants to find a prostitute. It's really disgraceful."
Zhongli Kuang heard Zheng Xin's words were polite but frivolous. He glanced at him coldly, frightening Zheng Xin so much that he stopped talking. Then he said, "Your Highness, what you said makes sense. Although Lin Shuhan is famous, he has a bad character. What he said may not be taken seriously. Your Majesty, please judge for yourself."
After hearing what Zhongli Kuang said, Qiu Yizi thought: I spoke up for Mr. Lin with good intentions, but the result was the opposite of what I wanted. If my adoptive father, the emperor, really gave Mr. Lin a comment of "improper conduct", then he would never have any fame and fortune in his next life.
So he hurriedly explained: "This Lin Shuhan is a hermit who lives in seclusion in the Jiangnan officialdom. I'm afraid he won't lie. On the other hand, Cai Min and Yin Chengliang's words and deeds are consistent with what he said. In Yizhi's opinion, it should be adopted."
After hearing this, Zheng Rong pondered for a long time before speaking: "What Lin Shuhan said is not completely unreasonable, but he is just one person's opinion and cannot be trusted completely!"
Qiu Yizhi heard that Zheng Rong did not say anything final, so he quickly said: "Your Majesty is wise, and Yizhi did not think far enough. However, from Yizhi's point of view, regardless of whether the Jiangnan officialdom is really as corrupt as Lin Shuhan said, it is a good opportunity to stir it up."
So Qiu Yizi took another sip of water and told Zheng Rong in detail what Lin Shuhan had taught him under the half pine tree.
In fact, Zheng Rong had long been thinking about how to rectify the Jiangnan officialdom, but no one had ever combined the importance of Jiangnan Dao with weakening the vassal Lingnan King Zheng Gui, maintaining the imperial power, and expanding the court's tax revenue. He was secretly moved by Qiu Yizhi's words, so he asked, "What are you going to do next?"
Qiu Yizhi listened, thought for a while, sorted out his words, and then said: "Yizhi originally planned to go to the capital, seek the emperor's order, and then go back to punish those officials. However, after the emperor, the master... oh, and the prince's advice, I realized that I was too hasty. Therefore, Yizhi wants to ask the emperor to send a trusted minister to inspect Jiangnan in the name of supervising taxation or checking the grain transport. Yizhi will take the opportunity to investigate this matter thoroughly, and then the imperial envoy will issue orders from the middle. With the ironclad evidence, these officials in Jiangnan will have nothing to say."
After hearing this, Zheng Rong couldn't help but shout "Great!" and said, "There's no need to arrange for any imperial envoys. I've long wanted to visit the south of the Yangtze River. Why not take this opportunity to go south to the Yangtze River and fulfill my wish while handling the case?"
Zhongli Kuang was shocked when he heard this, and thought to himself: It has not been half a year since the emperor ascended the throne, and the situation in the court is actually not stable. Without the emperor sitting at the center of the court, he can barely hold on; but if something unexpected happens during the process of going south to the south of the Yangtze River, then the Han Dynasty will inevitably fall apart.
As he thought of this, a layer of sweat began to seep out of his forehead. Just as he was about to speak to stop him, he heard Zheng Xin say, "Your Majesty's body is worth a fortune, how can you move it lightly? It just so happens that your son has been ordered to manage the affairs of the Ministry of Justice. How about I take your place and go to Jiangnan on your behalf? If your son is not talented enough and cannot investigate the case, can your Majesty investigate it personally?"
Zhongli Kuang heard Zheng Xin's words and thought they made sense, so he quickly replied, "Your Highness, this is a foolproof plan. I hope Your Majesty will approve it."
Zheng Rong closed his eyes and pondered for a while, and finally nodded and said, "Alright! Let's send Zheng Xin to Jiangnan. On the surface, he is to investigate the grain transport tax, and on the surface, he is to investigate and deal with cases and rectify the administration of officials."
After hearing this, Zheng Xin hurriedly stood up and bowed, saying, "I will obey the imperial decree and will not disappoint the emperor."
After hearing this, Zheng Rong also gave some advice and comfort.
Although the matter was not finalized on the spot after discussing this matter, the emperor basically determined the nature of the case and asked the Grand Prince to go south to try the case. It can be said that a considerable breakthrough has been made.
Therefore, Qiu Yizhi was also very happy in his heart, but he remembered that Lin Shuhan's request had not been fully implemented, so he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, if this case can be tried, then Lin Shuhan will also have a great contribution. He does not want to be an official to seek fame, but only asks to pardon Wu Ruofei's lowly status. Please, Your Majesty, show mercy and put his mind at ease."
Zheng Rong glanced at Qiu Yi, pondered for a moment, and then said: "When I was young, I had some impression of the case of the Wu family's failure due to Emperor Xianzong's reform. Now that I think about it, the Wu family has been following the orders of Emperor Xianzong, and the reform is not without benefits. After I handle this case, I can indeed discuss the matter of redressing the Wu family."
Qiu Yizhi was extremely happy to hear that Zheng Rong had given in, but she couldn't show that she was too excited, so she stood up and bowed deeply, saying, "Your Majesty, if you can have such a benevolent policy, you will surely win the hearts of scholars in Jiangnan."
However, Zhongli Kuang and Zheng Xin had been accustomed to serving the emperor at the central court in the past few months, and they knew that there must be deeper meaning behind the emperor's words - it was clear that he wanted to restore some of Xianzong's reform measures.
Zheng Xin was also a smart man. He had already understood the meaning of his father's words. He couldn't help but secretly feel fortunate that he was the only one among the three brothers who recognized this important political trend. He couldn't help but feel secretly happy in his heart.
Zheng Rong then said, "Today's government affairs were discussed smoothly, and Feng Yizhi returned to the capital, which is a rare happy event. So, I see it's getting late, so I'll let you stay here for dinner."
After hearing this, Zheng Xin thought that among the three brothers, he was the only one who could stay in the palace to have dinner with the emperor today. He became even happier. But then he heard Zheng Rong raise his voice and call out three times: "Someone come! Someone come! Someone come!"
Only then did they see the two eunuchs tumbling and crawling to Zheng Rong, bowing down and saying, "We were far away, but when we heard the emperor calling us, we hurried over and delayed the emperor's decree. We are truly guilty of a thousand deaths. Please forgive us, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Zheng Rong sneered and said, "It seems that you still know how to cherish your lives and didn't eavesdrop on our conversation. This is your blessing. Three things: first, set up tables and chairs in this tent. I want to invite people to dinner; second, go to the inner treasury to withdraw 100 taels of silver, and order a table of good food from the restaurant in the capital to be sent here - the imperial kitchen only has a few bland dishes, and I am tired of eating them; third, your second and third princes are doing business outside the city, you should invite them in now to have dinner with me. If any of these three things is delayed and my mood is ruined, then you will not come back alive!"
The two eunuchs were both prominent figures in the palace, but they were trembling all over after hearing Zheng Rong's light words. They agreed, exchanged glances, and rushed down to do their work.
Qiu Yizhi saw this and said with deep emotion: "The eunuchs' monopoly of power was a major symptom of the previous dynasty. The emperor is so strict in governing his people, which is a blessing for the court and the world."
Qiu Yizhi's words were not painful, but somehow they touched Zheng Rong's heart. He slowly stood up from his chair, paced and said, "Everyone here is my confidant - Zheng Xin is my eldest son, I have watched him grow up; Mr. Zhongli is my confidant and friend, and I can talk to him about anything; even Yizhi, it has been more than ten years since I adopted him from a dilapidated temple in Henan..."
Everyone present knew that Emperor Zheng Rong was going to give a long speech, so they all sat up straight and listened attentively.
Zheng Rong said, "You all know my character. Although I am an emperor who led troops in battle, I am the most merciful. I never mistreat the casualties of my army or even the prisoners of the enemy. Even if it is the fake emperor Zheng Yao who embarrasses me like this, I cannot bear to kill him. I let him burn himself to death to thank our ancestors."
Qiu Yizi knew the inner meaning of Zheng Rong's words very well—his so-called unwillingness to kill Zheng Yao was just because he didn't want to stain his own hands. What he wanted was to force Zheng Yao to death in the imperial city.
However, since his adoptive father, the emperor, had said so today, he certainly could not refute it, otherwise he would surely bring disaster upon himself.
Zheng Rong continued, "However, since I ascended the throne, I realized that relying on the word 'benevolence' and 'kindness' alone is far from enough to govern this great country. Since this year, I have abolished the taxes and levies of the whole country, expecting that the court would rather collect less and the inner court would rather take less, and pass on the benefits to the people of the world. But what is the reality? I remember that when Yizhi was about to leave the capital, he submitted a memorial to me, which clearly stated that my little favors ended up in the hands of those rich officials!"
Zheng Rong became angrier as he spoke, and began to circle around under the shed.
Zhongli Kuang was very familiar with Zheng Rong, and knew that he was extremely angry by doing this. He quickly stood up and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty is very busy, and such trivial matters should not be investigated in detail. As for the biased handling of this matter, which allowed the corrupt officials to take advantage, it was all our fault for not handling the matter properly. Please forgive us, Your Majesty."
Zheng Rong glanced at Zhong Li Kuang lying on the ground and said, "This is none of your business. Yizhi just said that I have lost weight, and I think you are even thinner than me. I know how much work you do and how many people you meet every day. This is not a long-term solution. Some things should be handed over to the people below, and it is also for the sake of our Han country to help a few new juniors." (To be continued)