"It's really going to the point where the three of us can clean up the mess?"
Zhang Zhibai asked suspiciously.
Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng closed their mouths, speechless.
When the world is really going to cause trouble, the three of them may not be able to clean up the mess.
Wang Zeng pondered for a long time and said in a deep voice, "It is useless to say so much now. No matter what the officials think, since he is unwilling to tell us, then we will pretend not to know it."
Lu Yijian sighed for a long time, and said: "It's easy to pretend that you don't know, but you really want to start moving, can't the three of us do nothing, right?"
Wang Zeng said with a headache: "We will suffer at that time."
"Hey… "
Lu Yijian sighed again.
At that time, they did nothing right.
Accompany Zhao Zhen to restructuring together. If Zhao Zhen fails in the restructuring, they will have to suffer along with Zhao Zhen.
Obstructing Zhao Zhen's restructuring, if Zhao Zhen is restructured, they will definitely suffer.
Do nothing, the Manchu civil and military will not agree.
The three of them are in the center, in the center of power, in the center of the storm, how could they do nothing.
The three left Ruian Town with their own thoughts and returned to Bianjing City.
In the next few days, the surface of Bianjing City was calm, but the dark tide was raging in the back.
The emperor’s relatives went to the criminal ministry’s yamen to pick up the crimes. Some were distributed, some were sentenced to beheaded, and some were robbed of their wealth.
Others were beheaded by their families.
For example, Chai Zongqing.
It seems that Chai Zongqing does not need to wait until the fall of autumn for his family's serious crime.
After being convicted, he will be escorted to Caishikou and beheaded.
The officials involved in the corruption case were also executed.
When Chai Zongqing was beheaded, many people ran to see him.
The blood-stained vegetable market has stimulated many people.
Many unwilling relatives and relatives of the emperor began to secretly connect, preparing to fight back against Zhao Zhen.
Some Wuxun who felt the danger began to make small moves behind their backs.
The people of Bianjing City, as usual, lived joy and peace, but the dignitaries of Bianjing City were in a tense atmosphere.
As Zhang Zhibai began to investigate the whereabouts of military pay in previous years, the tension became more intense.
Cao Mansion.
Cao Wei, who was relieved of the post of privy envoy and resigned as a first-class man, became an idle old man.
After getting up every day, playing a set of punches and kicks, and eating some simple meals, I started playing with flowers, birds, fish and insects.
Don't think that Cao Wei is a military minister, just think that Cao Wei is a big boss and doesn't understand flowers, birds, fish and insects.
In fact, in Bianjing, apart from the late kings, few people know flowers, birds, fish and insects better than Cao Wei.
He opened an orchid garden in the mansion and planted dozens of treasures in just a few months.
Some of these treasures, even some literati who fiddle with flowers, birds, fish and insects all the year round, will be moved by them.
Cao Wei likes to fertilize orchids personally, so Cao's people often see him squatting in the flower field like an old farmer.
Cao Wei squatted in the flower field, used a short hoe to loosen the soil for one orchid, and moved his waist slightly, ready to loosen the soil for the next orchid. Cao Tong, standing beside him, couldn't help but said, "Sibo Now, the city of Bianjing is in a mess, and you still have the leisure and elegance to plant flowers here."
Cao Wei held the hand of the short hoe for a while, and glanced sideways at Cao Tong.
Cao Tong was standing, and he was a little uncomfortable, so he waved his hand and said, "Squat down and talk..."
Cao Tong squatted down quickly.
Cao Wei continued to use a short hoe to loosen the soil for the flowers, and while loosening the soil, said: "The chaos in Bianjing will cause chaos. What does it have to do with my Cao family?"
Cao Yu said solemnly: "The official decree, the emperor's relatives, and the relatives, only for three generations. Now Zhang Zhibai is sent to check the status of the military pay in previous years. I heard that the officials will also implement the three-generation decree in the military service.
My Cao family is both a martial artist and a relative of the emperor..."
Before Cao Tong could finish speaking, Cao Wei said, "So what? The wealth of my Cao family was acquired by our own credit, and it was not purely based on the shadow of our ancestors.
If only relying on the shadow of my ancestors, can my Cao family be rich and honorable to the present
Although the officials' actions have harmed the interests of all families.
But he is also encouraging everyone to make progress in disguise.
Whether it is the power field or the wealth field, it is a killing field, bloody everywhere.
It is difficult to stay in it for a long time if the people who are not doing anything, are muddled and obscure.
If you don't live up to it, the officials have given eight generations of wealth, and you can't keep it. "
Cao Tong smiled bitterly: "Li is the truth, but after all, there are still some people who are dissatisfied with the official's move and are ready to resist the official."
Cao Wei said indifferently: "If they make trouble, let them make trouble. My Cao family will not participate in this matter."
Cao Yu hesitated and said: "The government orders for three generations of the official family have little effect on my Cao family. But the official dispatch of Zhang Zhibai to check the places where the army paid in previous years has a great impact on my Cao family.
Some members of my Cao family did not drink less blood in the army.
Some people who are attached to my Cao family's family also drink blood in the army.
If the officials have investigated and dealt with this matter, if Daxing is jailed, many people who are attached to my Cao family, as well as some clansmen, may be arrested.
If my Cao family doesn't help them, the people who are really set in the future will probably have some opinions on us, and no one will be attached to my Cao family. "
When Cao Wei heard this, he was taken aback for a moment, and looked at Cao Tong and said, "After Kou Ji returned to Beijing, have you ever visited the mansion before?"
Cao Tong looked stunned and shook his head slowly.
Cao Wei didn't say anything, and continued to ask: "Who are you hanging up with these days?"
Cao Yu was taken aback for a moment, and said frankly: "Pan Su..."
Cao Wei nodded slowly, "Pan Su of the Pan family, did Pan Su tell you what he said just now?"
Cao Tong hesitated, but nodded.
Cao Wei glanced at Cao Yan and said in a deep voice: "After you took charge of Jiaozipu, you not only didn't make progress, but regressed a lot. Can you believe Pan Su's stupid things?"
"But... Pan Su is not a fool..."
"Pan Su is naturally not an idiot. He tells you this because he wants to use my Cao family as a gunman and let me be the leading bird in the Cao family."
"This matter..."
Cao Tong's face was very ugly.
Cao Wei stared at him and said, "You are not to blame for this matter. You just didn't visit Kou Ji and didn't know the situation clearly. That's why you were misled by Pan Su. The three-generation government decree implemented by the government has dealt with me. The Cao family does have a certain influence.
The officials ordered Zhang Zhibai to investigate the issue of the staying of military pay in previous years, which had a greater impact on my Cao family.
My Cao family is bound to give up some interests, and it is bound to sacrifice some clansmen and clansmen.
You were moved by Pan Su because you wanted to protect the interests of my Cao family and the people and clansmen of our Cao family. "
Cao Tong nodded decisively when he heard what Cao Wei said.
He really thought so.
Cao Wei sighed, "But what is the use of so many people and clansmen in my Cao family?"
Cao Tong looked stunned.
Cao Wei sighed and said: "I have been Dingding in the Song Dynasty for decades. Not only the royal family has raised a bunch of worms. We have also raised a lot of worms. The relatives of the imperial family do not want to make progress and rely on the royal family's tenth. Nonsense.
The same is true for some of my family members and clansmen of the Cao family.
They relied on having me, Cao Clan, backing them up, and doing nonsense outside.
Instead of doing anything to help us Cao, he caused me a lot of trouble.
Right now, my daughter of the Cao family rules the sixth house in the palace, and my first-class father-in-law is still alive, so they are causing much trouble.
My Cao Mansion can find a way to remedy one or two.
So my Cao Mansion is not afraid of the trouble they cause, so I just raise them.
But once I died, my daughter of the Cao family fell out of favor.
Keeping them is a hassle.
Not only can they not help my Cao family, but they will use countless troubles to drag my Cao family into the quagmire until the death of the family is destroyed. "
Cao Wei stared at Cao Yu and said with a heart-to-heart: "The official punishes the emperor's relatives and relatives, and the government has issued three generations of orders to solve this problem. It is to avoid the imperial relatives and relatives when the Song Dynasty is weak. .
I don’t know how many generations of the Song Dynasty can be passed down, but the official’s move will help the Song Dynasty extend his life span for decades as long as his successors do not make changes.
The same applies to my Cao family.
How many generations can my Cao family be rich and honorable, I don't know.
But if we can bear the pain and continue to cut off the malignant tumors on our bodies, the wealth of my Cao family will continue for a few more years. "
Cao Tong hesitated and said: "But if you do this, it's easy for the tribe to renounce morality."
Cao Wei laughed when he heard this, but his smile was full of sarcasm.
"Centralized and lied? It's just a lie. In the vanity fair, only fame and fortune are eternal, and everything else is deceptive. As long as you are famous and advantageous, everyone will follow you."
Cao Tong frowned.
Cao Wei took a deep look at Cao Tong, and said in a low voice, "If loyalty and virtue are reliable, when Taizong becomes the throne, the Wuxuns will turn back."
Cao Tong stared in horror.
Cao Wei was unwilling to say anything more. He patted Cao Tong on the shoulder and said: "What the officials do to the relatives and relatives of the emperor, you do to the people of my Cao clan and clans, the officials are doing well, you You can borrow it.
Since the official handed the matter to Kou Ji to deal with it, he didn't mean to rush to kill him, so no matter what others say, don't panic.
If someone in my Cao family is found drinking the blood of soldiers, it will be handed over to the court.
It is up to the court to decide whether to fight or kill.
My daughter of the Cao family is now the official's pillow. Don't let the official neglect her because of our fault.
Whether my Cao family can be wealthy for three generations depends on her.
You go to visit Kou Ji, talk to Kou Ji more, and less contact with Pan Su. "
After saying this, Cao Wei stopped talking, and continued to sullen his head and start to loosen the soil.
Cao Yu stood there in silence for a long time before he recovered. He stared at Cao Wei with a complicated expression: "Si Bo, now my Cao family is faintly elected as the head of the martial arts. Even if we want to bear the pain, other martial arts The Honours will not agree."
Cao Wei said without looking back: "When is it their turn to take charge of my Cao family's affairs?"
Cao Tong gritted his teeth and said, "I'm afraid they will come to look for him tirelessly."
Cao Wei was taken aback for a moment, and said in deep thought: "I suddenly remembered that Gong Gong invited me to teach in the Wenchang Academy. You can send someone to see how the martial arts school building in the Wenchang Academy is built.
If it has not been completed, you can send some people over to help.
I will move to Wenchang Academy in two days.
When someone comes to find me, you can ask them to find me in Wenchang Academy. "
When Cao Tong heard the words, all the worries in his heart were gone, and there was still some dumbfounding on his face.
Cao Wei hid in the Wenchang Academy, but the Wuxuns really couldn't find the door.
With Kou Zhun and a group of veterans who resigned, and a group of great scholars, the Wuxuns ran into the Wenchang Academy just to ask for trouble.
If Kou Zhun and others ran into them, they would definitely curse.
Afterwards, will Kou Zhun and the others file a complaint
Cao Wei hid in the Wenchang Academy, completely avoiding this storm.
Cao Tong saluted Cao Wei's back and exited Cao Wei's Orchid Garden. After instructing people to go to Wenchang Academy to listen to the news, he prepared a generous gift and rushed to the Kou Mansion Courtyard.
After Cao Wei left, Cao Wei put down the hoe in his hand and murmured in a low voice, "A bunch of idiots, why did you go early? The official family is in Xingqing Mansion, and most of the troops in northern Xinjiang are allocated to his cronies." When you are inside, you don’t stop, what's the use of jumping out now
Nowadays, most of the troops of my Da Song are in the hands of Kou Ji and the officials.
We have lost the power to resist, and we are obediently at the mercy of others, and we have to jump out and die.
Officials are not bloodthirsty, and Kou Ji is not a butcher.
They have already put on a posture that they will not rush to exterminate them, are they still making trouble? Not fast enough? "
After a pause, Cao Wei sighed, "Among Wuxun, I am not the only wise man. I am afraid that there are many people who can see the key to the problem. The reason why they still make trouble after knowing the key to the problem is nothing but reconciliation. That's it.
But what can you do if you are not reconciled? Isn't the example of the Gao family enough to alert you? "
After Cao Wei finished speaking, he no longer had the mind to continue serving the flowers and plants, and he took a short hoe and left the orchid garden.
When Cao Wei left the Orchid Garden, Cao Tong had prepared a generous gift and was ready to go out.
Cao Tong went out, got on the carriage, and swayed all the way to the gate of the Kou Mansion.
The door of the Kou Mansion knew Cao Yu, so he did not stop Cao Tong outside the door, but greeted Cao Tong to the side hall of the Kou Mansion.
Cao Tong sat in the side hall not long.
Kou Ji appeared in the side hall, and Cao Tong hurriedly got up to salute.
Kou Ji smiled and said, "My family, don't be so polite, sit down and talk."
Cao Tong nodded and sat in the seat.
Kou Ji smiled and said, "I heard that you have been very close to Pan Su recently."
Cao Ji got up and looked at Kou Ji, with an embarrassed expression: "Fourth brother... I..."
Kou Ji waved his hand and said with a laugh: "Okay, don't be nervous, sit down and talk. I am not a domineering person, nor a paranoid person. If you can be a brother with me, Cao Tong can naturally be a brother with others.
I never thought, and never said, that my brother can't be called brother to other people.
You and Pan Su grew up together and have known each other for longer than us. You should move around with each other. "
When Cao Yu heard Kou Ji's words, his expression became even more embarrassed. He clasped his fist to Kou Ji and said: "The fourth brother was honest with me, but I almost obeyed others' words and went against the fourth brother. It's really..."
Kou Ji didn't wait for him to finish speaking, so he interrupted him, saying, "Okay, public is public and private is private. You can't confuse it. You Cao's family has a big business, and my Kou's family is the same.
Being in a position like you and me involves issues of interest, and it is difficult to make huge concessions for personal affair.
The government decrees implemented by the officials are indeed detrimental to the Cao family.
In order to protect the interests of the Cao family, you should sit down and negotiate with Pan Su. That's right.
If this matter falls on me, I will probably also sit and negotiate with Pan Su. "
Comparing the heart to heart, when Cao Qi and Pan Su walked around in private when encountering this kind of thing, Kou Ji could fully understand.
It is true that Cao Tong is brothers with him.
But brotherhood is brotherhood, interest is interest, and official business is official business.
Only when all aspects are clearly distinguished can we get along with each other in peace and stability.
If there is no separation of public and private interests, and there will be no separation of interests. Sooner or later, because of interests or public and private issues, the two will fall apart, and the old will die.
Otherwise, it's impossible to say "Brothers, settle accounts" and so on.
More importantly, brothers belong to brothers, and no one has the right to restrict each other to make other friends and other brothers.
Everyone has a different life for everyone, and everyone has a different social circle for everyone.
It cannot be said that if he has a good relationship with you, he can only have a good relationship with you, not with other people.
Brothers, friends, classmates, not husband and wife.
There can be no possessiveness in the middle.
With possessiveness, the taste changes.
Cao Yu saw that Kou Ji was very sincere, and he was relieved. Kou Ji took the initiative to mention his Pan Su. He thought Kou Ji was complaining that he was dealing with someone who was about to become an opponent, and was a little unhappy.
Now it seems that Kou Ji is not dissatisfied.
Kou Ji seemed to see Cao Su's thoughts, and smiled: "The reason why I mentioned Pan Su is to remind you to stay away from Pan Su. He is doing something that may hurt the whole family. You got involved in it. , The end will not be too good."
Cao Tong smiled bitterly, "I'm about to ask my fourth brother about this."
Kou Ji put away the smile on his face and stared at Cao Tong and said, "What do you want to know?"
Cao Tong hesitated for a moment, and frankly said: "My fourth uncle said that the official didn't mean to hurt the killer, but left room. Is it true?"
Kou Ji slowly nodded and said: "If the official really hurts the killer, he will not hand it to me. The reason why the official handed this to me is to see if any of you take the initiative Serve softly.
If some of you take the initiative to persuade, the official will not only not kill, but will compensate you for a way of making money. "
Cao Tong raised his brows, his face was stunned, "Officials...Officials..."
Kou Ji solemnly said: "Officials are not bloodthirsty, and you don't need to think of them so terribly. Officials are not unscrupulous people, and can't do things that neglect heroes."
Cao Tong took a deep breath and said to Kou Ji, "It has been several months since my fourth brother returned to Beijing, but it is my fault that I did not visit the house. Now my fourth brother not only doesn't care that I didn't come to visit. In fact, instead of telling me such important news, I am really ashamed of the fourth brother."
Kou Ji shook his head and said, "How can you be blamed? You didn't go out in Yizijiaozipu for several months in order to cooperate with the officials in collecting evidence of crimes from relatives and relatives of the emperor. Naturally, there was no time to come and visit me.
Speaking of which, you are considered to be very good, and you did not reveal anything about it, and sternly helped the officials clean up the relatives and relatives of the emperor.
Your fourth uncle is a person who knows how to make choices, so even if I don't tell you the inside information, he will tell you how to do it after seeing some of the inside information. .
Even if I don't say these things to you, your Cao family will survive this storm safely.
So you don’t have to thank me. "
Cao Wei smiled bitterly: "The officials and the queen specially summoned me to the palace and gave me orders. How can I dare to disclose the slightest noise. As soon as I came out of the Yizijiaozi shop, I was dragged by Pan Su to talk about a lot of things. If you are scared, I rushed back to the mansion to ask the fourth uncle."
Kou Ji looked at Cao Yan and said, "You don't want to do anything these days. Take a good look at the situation in Bianjing. After you see it clearly, you will find that it's useless for you to ask anyone.
Because from the beginning, you have no choice. "
Cao Tong was taken aback for a moment, and looked at Kou Ji with a puzzled expression on his face.
Kou Jiyu said earnestly: "In Bianjing, anyone can oppose the official, but you can't. You can only support the official to do anything wholeheartedly, and you can't have the slightest double heart."
Cao Tong was stunned again, as if thinking of something, his face became very ugly.
Kou Ji smiled and said, "Do you think you have been fooled by Pan Su."
Cao Tong shook his head, "I just think I have become stupid."
Cao Tong understood what Kou Ji's words meant.
Kou Ji was right. Anyone in Bianjing City can oppose the officials, but he can't.
Because he controls Yizijiaozipu.
A place where a huge amount of money is stored enough to shake the Song Dynasty.
He can't produce cheapness in his heart, and once he has a deviation in his heart, he is not far from death.
Not to mention that he was just a relative of the emperor, even if he was the son of the dragon, Zhao Zhen would kill him without hesitation.
Cao Yu looked at Kou Ji with a bitter face and said, "I almost made a big mistake."
Kou Ji suggested: "You should leave the Cao family's affairs to others. Your current position is no longer suitable for handling the Cao family's housework.
The official didn't care about this, because the word Jiaozi was placed in your hands, and nothing happened.
Once there is a movement, and it is also implicated in the self-interest of the Cao family, you will definitely be beheaded. "
Cao Tong's face turned pale, and he whispered: "I will hand over the Cao's family affairs as soon as possible."
Kou Ji said solemnly: "Not as soon as possible, but immediately."
Cao Qi looked at Kou Ji in amazement.
Kou Ji stared at Cao Wei and whispered: "Because Yizi Jiaozipu is about to move."
Cao Tong's face changed in an instant, becoming several times whiter than before.
"Someone wants to move the word Jiaozipu?"
"Are they crazy?"
Cao Yu shouted in horror.
Kou Ji glanced at Cao Tong, and said indifferently: "If they are not crazy, how can they be against the official?"
Cao Yu said in shock: "But the word Jiaozipu is now the lifeblood of the Song Dynasty, and moving the word Jiaozipu is to shake the Jiangshan Sheji of the Song Dynasty. What is the difference with the rebellion? !"