The Most Romantic of the Three Kingdoms

Xi Zhicai guessed right, Xun Zhen really became interested in the private affair between Tieguan's apprentice and the Shen family.

Interest comes from two sources:

One is similar to "Shen Tun's starting point to win over Tieguan's disciples", and he is also attracted to Tieguan's disciples for their bravery and ability to fight. However, Shen Xun was only interested in a single iron official apprentice, but he was interested in all the iron official apprentices, and even the iron workers in the Shen family's private smelter.

Whether it is an iron official’s apprentice or a private ironworker from the Shen family, as mentioned above, these people deal with iron, fire and various dangers all the year round. They are courageous and hard-working. The management of iron officials and iron workers is very strict and harsh. In other words, these people have a certain degree of organization and discipline. Courageous, hard-working, organized and disciplined, it is a natural source of elite soldiers. With a little training, it is a force that dares to fight. This one.

Second, the main job of iron officials and smelting workshops is to smelt iron and make iron tools. Among them, there must be many skilled workers who understand iron smelting and can make weapons. If you can hold them in your own hands, they will be a powerful help in the upcoming troubled times.

…

Hearing Xi Zhicai asking if he had a candidate for the new Tieguan Chief, Xun Zhen said in his heart, "I really have a candidate." It's just that there are many people in the hall, and there are many people, so I can't say this, he said, "Brother Zhicai is joking. The rank of Tieguan is 600 shi, and the appointment and dismissal comes from the imperial court. The prefect only has the right to nominate, not to mention that I am a postmaster of 100 shi? Where do I have to say anything!"

"I have a personal choice."

"Oh? Who?"

Xi Zhicai thought: "If I were Zhenzhi, and if I was very interested in Tieguan, and wanted to control him, who would I recommend to succeed Tieguan?" He quickly thought of someone, and he said, "Shen Rong."

"Shen Rong?" Xun Zhen was taken aback. Shen Rong was exactly the person he planned to recommend to Yin Xiu.

Xi Zhicai was certain in his heart and thought: "Zhen Zhiguo intends to get involved in Tieguan, this Shen Rong must be the person he wants to report to the prefect. ... But, why did he want to get involved in Tieguan? Tie, did you still like the people in Tieguan, or did you like the oil and water in Tieguan? Or did you like all three?" In turn, he used this to contact Xun Zhen to use the Ministry of War to lure guests. When he looked at Xun Zhen again, he felt that there was an unknown secret hidden under his smile.

He thought to himself: "Zhenzhi is not an ordinary person, these actions must be intentional. If I ask him face to face, he will not necessarily tell the truth, and let me observe it secretly and ponder carefully." He replied, "Of course. Don't you think Shen Rong is very suitable?" After a pause, he said meaningfully, "It is suitable for both public and private. Both public and private."

Xuankang didn't understand, and asked, "How do you say this, Mr. Xi? Why do you say that Shen Rong is very suitable?"

Li Bo was older and more sophisticated, understood what Xi Zhicai meant, and explained on his behalf: "Recommending him to succeed Tieguan Chief can ease the relationship with Zhao Changshi's nephew."

"why?"

"Two reasons. First, Shen Rong is a member of the Shen family, and he is also a relative of Zhao Changshi's nephew. Recommending him to succeed Tieguan can be regarded as a statement: killing Shen Xun is for the law of the country, not for personal hatred. , not directed at Zhao Changshi.... Second, Shen Xun's daughter is only the young wife of Zhao Changshi's nephew, not the full wife. I think the relationship between them should be more of a relationship of interests. With Shen Rong taking over as Chief Tieguan, The money that should be given every year is quite a lot, so for Zhao Changshi's nephew, Shen Xun's death will not involve any interests."

"Nevertheless, for Shen Yun's daughter, this is the revenge of killing her father and brother! Can she agree?"

"It depends on whether Zhao Changshi's nephew loves Shen Xun's daughter. If he loves Shen Xun's daughter, then this revenge must be avenged. If not, he doesn't love Shen Xun's daughter very much. After Shen Rong takes over as Chief Tieguan, it doesn't matter if he takes revenge or not. Anyway, the interests are not harmed, and Shen Rong is also his 'in-law', so he can say it with his face."

When Li Bo said these words, his face was full of worry, obviously worried that Zhao Zhong's nephew would retaliate against Xun Zhen.

Xuan Kang didn't think much of it. He was young, and although he knew that the eunuchs in the court had manipulated power and harmed many famous scholars and scholars, but he had never seen it with his own eyes. He suddenly realized and said, "So it is!" He asked Xi Zhicai, "Xi Jun, is this what you mean by 'public and private'?"

Xi Zhicai said, "Not bad."

Xuankang lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said, "It would be good if we could use this to ease the relationship with Zhao Changshi's nephew, but this is just 'private'! Where is the 'public'?"

"'Private' is beneficial to Zhenzhi, and 'public' means that the prefect will not refuse."

"The 'gong', the prefect will not refuse." It's quite understandable, but Yin Xiu definitely doesn't want to make enemies with Zhao Zhong. Since doing so can ease the relationship with Zhao Zhong's nephew, then he has no reason to refuse. Having said that, for some unknown reason, Xuan Kang felt that Xi Zhicai didn't tell the truth, especially after seeing the seemingly non-existent smile on the corner of his mouth, he felt that "both public and private" was not what he meant. - But if it doesn't mean that, what can it mean? He turned his head to the side and thought for a while, but he couldn't think of it, and he didn't ask any more.

- It is also interesting to say, Xi Zhicai thinks Xun Zhen is suspicious, and Xuan Kang thinks Xi Zhicai is suspicious. Who is suspicious? The candle shadow shook red, and there were more than a dozen people in the hall, and no one could fully understand the other party's mind. Perhaps only a young and cheerful person like Xuan Kang, or a straightforward and arrogant person like Liu Deng, would have no secrets to hide?

…

Xun Zhen also noticed Xi Zhicai's meaningful smile.

He was guilty of being a thief, and he had been seen by Xi Zhicai a few times before, so he couldn't help but think: "Zhicai is extremely smart, I see his smile as something special, could it be that he has seen that I have an interest in Tieguan?" "Public-private mutual aid", 'Public-private two-way financial aid'... Could it be? His 'public-private two aid' is what I think of 'building the plank road in the clear, crossing the Chencang in the dark'?"

The reason why Xun Zhen planned to recommend Shen Rong to take over as Chief Tieguan, what Li Bo said were only superficial reasons, there was only one underlying reason: he had Shen Rong's "handle" in his hand, and he could control Tieguan secretly through Shen Rong. This is "passing through Chencang in the dark".

- The so-called "handle" is not the illegal things Shen Rong has done, but the illegal things Shen Tian wrote down by himself. As a "subordinate son", recommending "conforming to the father" is said to be "righteousness and annihilation of relatives", but if the clan of the Shen family knew about him, they would only scold him for "selling his father to survive". Moreover, with this handle in hand, he is not afraid that Shen Rong will be transferred to Zhao Zhong's nephew after he succeeds Tieguan. You must know that Zhao Zhong's nephew's young wife is Shen Xun's daughter. She has to know this, and she doesn't hate Shen Rong.

"Ming Xiu Plank Road" means: because of the reasons mentioned by Li Bo, he can recommend Shen Rong in an open and honest manner, without worrying about causing suspicion.

Thinking about it carefully, can't "Mingxiu Plank Road" also be understood as "public"? Isn't "crossing Chencang secretly" just for "private"? Public use of Shen Rong, private use of its people. It can be called "public and private economy".

The more Xun Zhen thought about it, the more she felt that Xi Zhicai definitely meant it. He scratched his head and thought: "How strange, when did I show my flaws? How could he guess that I intend to control Tieguan?" He sighed in puzzlement.

"Zhenzhi, why are you sighing?"

"Because of jealousy."

"envy?"

Xun Zhen smiled and said, "In front of you, I can't seem to hide anything. How can I not be jealous of your talent?" This is the second time he has said in front of Xi Zhicai, "I seem to hide myself Don't worry about it."

Xi Zhicai was neither modest nor arrogant, and praised Xun Zhen neither complacent nor modest, and very self-aware. Talent is as high and ambitious as Deng Yu, who has red eyebrows to defeat; perseverance and determination are like Ma Yuan, the pillar of the country. In terms of talent, you are not as good as me. Perseverance and determination, I am not as good as you."

The conversation between the two made everyone stunned for a moment. Xuan Kang asked, "'I can't hide my heart'? So, does Xun Jun also want to recommend Shen Rong to take over as Chief Tie?"

Xun Zhen nodded.

…

There was a noise outside the hall, and everyone raised their eyes to see that it was Shen Xun's wife, son, and daughter who were all brought into the courtyard.

Shen Xun had quite a few wives and concubines, seven or eight, the oldest seemed to be in his forties, probably his first wife, the others were young wives, Yingying Yanyan, Fu Fen Shi Zhu, when the evening wind blew, The hall is full of the smell of fat powder. The eyes of Liu Deng, the Gao brothers, and Jiang Hu were immediately straightened.

Jiang Hu jumped up, cupped his hands and said, "Shen Tiao's crimes are extremely heinous, and his wife and children cannot be spared. Xun Jun, the villain will check on them for you! Let's see if any of them have done anything illegal. "

The Gao brothers jumped up and said, "Let's go too!"

Without waiting for Xun Zhen to reply, a group of people all went down the hall and rushed to the women. Some looked at them sideways, some moved their feet, some pretended to be majestic, and some salivated to touch other people's cheeks. of. Xun Zhen didn't know whether to laugh or cry, looking around, only Xi Zhicai, Xuan Kang, Li Bo, Xiao Ren, and Cheng Yan were left in the hall.

Xu Zhong strode to the hall and said, "Shen Tun's family has been brought out, please let Xun Jun go."

Xun Zhen pondered slightly, and said, "Shen Tung is the first evil. The sins of the Shen clan can die. His wife and sons and daughters cannot escape punishment. According to the law, they should be accepted as servants. , Report it to the lord of the government, and ask him to order the admission. Before getting the reply from the lord of the government,..., Xiaoren."

"exist."

"You cooperate with the officials of my post office, and watch them for the time being."

"promise."

Xun Zhen didn't remember his subordinate officials until then, and asked, "Where are my subordinate officials?"

"They're all waiting in the corridor outside the hall."

"Call in."

The little officials came in, bent down and bowed their heads. As soon as they arrived in the hall, they knelt down and bowed to the ground: "The lower officials pay their respects to the rafters."

"Head up."

"The subordinates dare not."

"Don't dare? Why don't you dare?"

"In the past, King Xiang rescued Julu, smashed the Qin army, and shook the world. All the princes will come to see, and they will all walk forward, daring to look up. Now the rafters are punishing Shen Tiao, just as King Xiang rescued Julu. Don't dare to look up even if you are timid."

Xun Zhen laughed and scolded: "Nonsense! What a hero King Xiang is, I don't deserve to carry his shoes. . beating and insulting."

The little officials promised that they would treat Xiang Yu as if the princes would treat Xiang Yu. Xiao Ren also bowed and left.

Xi Zhicai said with a smile: "Although the metaphor of the little official is nondescript, your reverence for Zhenzhi comes from the bottom of your heart. From now on, your post office will be as iron-clad, and no one will ever be there again. Dare to receive the goods of the officials and the people, the takeaway news is here."

This can be considered a surprise.

…

There were footsteps outside the hall, and a few more people came in, but it was Jiang Qin and two strange officials. Both officials wore yellow ribbons. Xun Zhen knew at a glance that he must be the county magistrate and county magistrate. Yangcheng is a small county, the county magistrate is 600 stone, and the chief and Wei are 200 stone. Xun Zhen got up and said, "The two of you are definitely the county's chief and captain?"

Although the rank of these two county magistrates and county magistrates is only a hundred stone higher than that of Xun Zhen, they were appointed by the imperial court. However, regardless of his identity, the man fell to the ground, called himself by his own name, and said, "Yangcheng county magistrate (wei) so-and-so (so-and-so) pays respects to the rafters."

Xun Zhen motioned for Li Bo to take out Yin Xiu's handwritten letter, find out what was written to both of them, and hand it over. After seeing the two of them, they were already nervous, and they became even more nervous. They were sweating profusely, and said in a trembling voice, "The official is convicted, and the seal will be returned. Please resign and go home."

Yangcheng County's two six-hundred-stone officials, one was expelled and the other was stabbed by Xun Zhen. At this moment, kneeling on the hall where there are still blood stains, facing Xun Zhen, who is still stained with blood on his black clothes, how can he dare to distinguish and say more? It's a blessing to just hope that you can't die.

Xun Zhen asked Jiang Qin, "You didn't tell them, as long as you keep the city gates high and don't let a single iron official into the city, I'll petition the lord to forgive them of their crimes. Don't you blame them?"

"Tell them."

"The two of you, please get up, I'll do what I say. As long as the two of you can take good care of the city gate tonight and don't let anyone in, I'll ask the mansion tomorrow, and ask him to read it for the sake of your atonement and spare you all. the crime." Although the Su brothers and Xiao Xia have gone to Tieguan and Shen's private smelter, have Tieguan's disciples and Shen's ironworkers come out, and if they do, can they be stopped by Xiaoxia and others? Still unknown. Tonight, the two county magistrates and Wei still need to defend the city.

The county magistrate and Wei pounded their heads like garlic, and said, "Yes, yes. Thank you for the kindness of the rafters. The subordinates will take good care of the city gate! No one will be allowed in."

"You two please go. ..., Junqing, you go to the courtyard and tell the Gao brothers to stop making fun of those women. What are you talking about with these women! I told them to lead their own teams and assist the chief and Wei is optimistic about the city gate." Xun Zhen said here, turned her face and asked Xi Zhicai, "Zhi Cai, are the people in this place still inside and outside? Are you back?"

"Because I don't know the specific situation in the hospital, when I entered the hospital, I didn't notify them to come back."

"Junqing, tell the Gao brothers and ask them to call the people in the li to their homes by the way. If there are people from other li gatherings inside and outside, let them all go back."

Xu Zhong promised.

The county chief and the county lieutenant bid farewell to them and left. The Gao brothers got the order, greeted the team, and went with them.

…

At this point in the night, it was nearly two nights.

Xun Zhen sat back on the couch, taking advantage of the fact that there were few people in the hall and it was clean, he taught Xuankang to fetch a pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and wrote the memorial to Yin Xiu.

At the beginning of the chapter, in accordance with the format of the memorial, he wrote: "Northern Governor Youzhen kowtows to death and dares to speak out." In another line, he briefly talked about the resignation of the government, and then described in detail how Shen Tun gathered the crowd. Recalcitrant, how to arbitrarily adjust the affairs of Tieguan and disciples, at the end he wrote: "Zhen was worried about the people, fearing that the former Hanshen Tusheng and Su Ling would return to the present day, so they took a risk and entered the Shen house, persuaded the tame to accept the order, but the tame refused to listen, and had no choice but to do so. , kill him on the seat. Killing the minister without order, knowing that he is guilty, Fu Wei asked the Ming government to punish him." Later, he briefly described the merits of the Xia County Chancellor for defending the city. Finally, according to the format, the word "dare to speak" was written again. Take out the official seal and put it on it. Dry the ink, hand it over to Xuankang and seal it up, and just wait for dawn to send people to the county house.

After he finished this matter, he thought for a moment, and realized that most of the things that should be dealt with had been dealt with, and only one thing remained to be done. They all rushed to the front yard to stay with those iron officials and disciples. Two teams were separated to watch over them, and the rest of them all rolled up their sleeves for me and got ready to work!"

Everyone in the hall was surprised: "What are you doing?"

"Copy the house!"

"Plagiarised the house? The Shen's house?"

"good."

"But the prefect hasn't ordered yet..."

"Only the crime of Shen Tun's private transfer of iron officials and apprentices is enough for the crime of raiding the house. The order from the ruler is a matter of time."

"But there is no prefect's order, if the prefect knows?"

"Shen's family is for the sake of the family, the family will be rich, and we don't want to take away his family. We only need gold cakes, silver cakes, and jewelry, and we won't take anything else. ... By the way, there are also weapons! Yefang, there are a lot of good soldiers in Dingzang, and I choose to take some more.”

Everyone was stunned. They understood what Xun Zhen meant, where is this house raiding, it is clearly using the raiding house as an excuse to make a fortune.

Li Bo asked tentatively, "What Xunjun means is that we hide the truth from the prefect..." He wanted to say "keep guarding and stealing from ourselves", but it didn't sound good, but after getting stuck, he came up with a word, "First, 'check and count' the family members of the Shen family. ?" Stressed on the word "count".

There were no outsiders in the hall, so Xun Zhen readily admitted: "Exactly." He did not shy away from expressing his own thoughts, and said, "Tonight we are taking the risk of offending Zhao Zhong by killing Shen Xun. With such a big risk, we can still get some benefits. ?"

He has never taken money in his eyes, so it is difficult for him to make some windfall tonight. He has raised hundreds of Qing Xia, who eat horse chews and use them daily. There are also more than 100 Limins trained in Fanyangting. Although they don't need to be raised, in order to stimulate the enthusiasm of Limins to participate in training, they can't do without money. One year Come down, it will cost hundreds of thousands.

His family is only a middle-aged family, and he has no spare money. He also has no way to make money. In the past two years, he has only had two big incomes. One was the year before last year when he killed a group of thieves, and he got some rewards. As of today, seven, seven, eight, eight are almost used, and there are at most two or three hundred thousand left. To be honest, when he raided the third family's house last year, he wanted to make a fortune, but unfortunately the county closed the third family on the day of the crime, so he didn't get the chance.

It is rare to have such a good opportunity tonight. The county governor is far away in Yangzhai, there is no one to supervise the county, and there are many of his own people in the Shen family courtyard. He thought: "If you don't take the opportunity to make a fortune, how can you be worthy of me taking a risk into the Shen residence!" He is also human, and he is also afraid. Even though he seemed to be fearless when he entered the Shen residence, he was in fact worried. When he thought of this, he suddenly remembered something and asked Xu Zhong, "Jun Qing, has the country gone away?"

"Shortly after Xun Jun entered Shen's house, the person who escorted him out of the county returned. He has already left."

"Did he leave the county by bicycle?"

"Yes."

"You take two teams, go to the county court now, and carefully 'count' the belongings he left behind!"

This country has been in Yangcheng for a few years, and even the overcharged money and bribes, exploited and embezzled 30 to 40 million yuan, even if he sent home some, there would be no less. This money can't be distributed to the common people, it is better to cheap yourself than to cheap the county.

…

There was a burst of cheers from a distance outside the hall. Everyone listened and heard a lot of people shouting: "There was Xuxian Taiqiu before, and now there is Yingyin Milk Tiger!"