Chapter 67 Tracing the source of the chaos

All the yamen in Nanjing are concentrated on both sides of the main gate of the imperial city, but the Ministry of Punishment is located by the Xuanwu Lake outside the Taiping Gate.It was a large area of ​​houses surrounded by many trees. In addition to the yamen for handling affairs and interrogation, the prison for detaining criminal officials was also located there.This kind of dark prison has high walls, and the walls are covered with thistles to prevent prisoners from escaping.Walking in through the coupon gate with the figure of Bi and An engraved on the top, there is an open space inside.At the top on the right, stands a hall open on three sides, in which there are gongan.There is also a plaque with the words "blue sky and white sun" hanging on the beam.That's where prisoners are interrogated.Through the open space, there is another second door with the same style.The heavy and thick iron doors on both sides are usually tightly closed with a large iron lock, and only a small round window is opened on the door.The round window was, as usual, the cell for the convicts.Each room is separated by a thick wooden fence, and the inside is dark and damp, and emits a bad smell.The harshness of the environment is self-evident.What's more, as a prisoner, he will be monitored and abused by the jailer anytime and anywhere.

Since Huang Zongxi's connection is far less than Chen Zhenhui's, they did not get the exact news until Zhou Bi and Lei Zuo were transferred from the Zhongcheng Prison under Jinyiwei to the "Tianlao" under the Ministry of Punishment, so they immediately accompanied Wu Yingji , and Fang Yizhi went to visit.At this time, four full days had passed since the incident happened. Now, the three community members rode donkeys and came to the gate of Taiping.Zhou Biao's servant Zhou Shun followed behind with a basket of food and some clothes.Along the way, we rarely talked.As far as Huang Zongxi and Wu Yingji were concerned, it was because they had been exhausted from arguing and arguing together with their commune members for several days, and they didn't want to speak again.As for Fang Yizhi, today he asked to come along because he happened to meet Wu Yingji while visiting Wu Yingji.Before that, he had been hiding in Tianjie Temple and had not participated in social affairs anymore, so he didn't know much about many situations.In addition, the doubtful account of his "disobedience and subdue the thief" is still hanging by the court, and has never been revoked by him, which also makes him unable to straighten his back.Seeing Huang and Wu's cold faces now, he couldn't help but fall silent.

Of course, being silent doesn't mean being carefree.Take Huang Zongxi as an example, I am afraid that only he himself can truly understand the anger and hatred in his heart at this moment.In fact, among the community members, he has the deepest and closest relationship with Zhou Bi.Although for a while, due to his self-righteousness and disobedience, Gu Gao seemed to be running ahead of him, but since the old man finally decided to push him out and help him become the head of the society, the relationship between the two parties has changed. was given a distinctive color.When Huang Zongxi was moved, a solemn and generous feeling of "a scholar should die for his confidant" was always stirred up in his heart.Therefore, once he learned that Zhou Bi was arrested after rescuing Ruan Dacheng on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Huang Zongxi's indignation and hatred were not limited to despicable villains like Ma Shiying and Ruan Dacheng.Even Emperor Hongguang was strongly "slandered" by Huang Zongxi because he agreed to Ma Shiying's request to arrest people: "Huh, there is no need to consult the courtiers for public opinion, and I don't care who is right and who is right, just rely on the old thief Ma's false accusation." , just abuse the power of the king, and treat the dignified scholar-lin leaders as slaves who can be abused at will. What kind of way to govern the country! In the classics of the sages, is there any article or sentence that says that a king can do so recklessly? !” However, resentment is resentment, and the brutal and unreasonable reality is so unbreakable in front of my eyes.Therefore, after several days in a row, after repeated discussions with the community members, but they could not find a feasible way to rescue Zhou and Lei, the resentment in Huang Zongxi's chest, which could explode at any time, turned into despair and depression. Extremely cold and silent.Even at this moment, when he and his friends are on the way to visit Zhou and Lei, this sentiment still remains unchanged.

However, gradually, the conversation between Wu Yingji and Fang Yizhi came from behind.At first, the voice was low-pitched and intermittent, and it seemed a bit fragmented and indistinct amidst the hoofbeats of the three donkeys.Later, as the speaker raises his voice, it becomes clearer. "The sage said, 'You can't do it, you can float in the sea'!" A stern voice said, it was Wu Yingji, "Since the emperor insists on giving Daming's country to old thief Ma as a favor, we naturally don't have to pay for him in vain Save your life! However, it’s not time to escape. First, Zhou and Lei are in prison, so I can’t just let him go; Attack me immediately."

Huang Zongxi's heart moved slightly: "Escape? Why did they already think of fleeing?" Because he didn't expect that such an idea would come from Wu Yingji, who is always known for his toughness, Huang Zongxi felt rather abrupt. "Why do you think they dare not attack?" Fang Yizhi asked.Hearing his tone, he seemed preoccupied. "They arrested Mr. Lei Jie this time on the charge of being unfilial, which he had advocated at the time of Yingli; they arrested Zhou Zhongyu on the grounds that his younger brother Zhou Jie was born as a thief, and implicated him. The two, of their own accord It is Xiang Zhuang's sword dance, which is aimed at Peigong. However, Ma Yaocao now holds the power of the country and wants to consolidate his body. The sudden rise of a big prison will shake the south of the Yangtze River and separate the government and the people. Not to mention that Zuo Liangyu is dominant in the upper reaches of Wuchang, and he is also I have to be jealous. Therefore, as long as we can deal with it properly, at least we won’t have any worries about being imprisoned!"

Wu Yingji's analysis made some sense, which showed that he was not lying when he said that he had no plans to escape right now.In particular, the same analysis should also be able to convince other social members who have similar thoughts.Huang Zongxi listened silently, feeling a little relieved in his heart. "Well, since Ma Yaocao has this fear, Zhou and Lei will not be in danger for the time being. Then, we can continue to try to save them!" He thought.However, the conversation he heard next made him involuntarily close his ears again. "Brother, do you recognize Xu Zeshang?" Wu Yingji asked, changing the subject.

Xu Shilin from Jintan, whose name is Zeshang, is a senior disciple of Zhou Bi's sect. Although he did not follow his teacher to Nanjing this time, many members of the community know him.Sure enough, only Fang Yizhi answered: "I know." "Zhou Zhongyu was arrested this time, and the root cause of the arrest is actually him who made it!" "What? This, how could this happen?" Fang Yizhi was clearly surprised. "Zhongyu was arrested because of Zhou Jiesheng's involvement. There are many people who surrendered to the south and returned to the south. Why did Jiesheng be punished alone? It is nothing more than saying that he once persuaded Chuangni to advance, and there are more people than Yao and Shun. Martial arts, "Fang Tang, martial arts without shame" and other outrageous and immoral words. According to his people who came to Beijing yesterday to apply for Bai, these words were actually created by Xu Zeshang, who wanted to use them to frame Jiesheng. Who knew that Zheng Yima and Ruan used their mouths to tell the truth, but it was a disaster. Yan Naishi!"

"Ah, there is such a thing! It's just that Xu Zeshang, as a gentleman's family, why did he use such despicable means to fall into Jiesheng?" Probably because he had a similar experience with Zhou Zhong during his stay in Beijing, Fang Yizhi had a good understanding of Zhou Zhong. The news seemed particularly surprising. Wu Yingji didn't answer immediately, and seemed to be deeply disgusted by this kind of cannibalism scandal in the company.The sound of the donkey's hooves rang in the silence for a long time before he said in a low voice: "Zhongyu and Jiesheng were originally talented people in the society, but because of their disapproval, they were at odds with each other. .If you only stop at guarding your own door and cutting off contact, then it’s fine, but you have to show your will and indulge the door, and you will end up with today’s strange disaster, which can be called a great change in the social situation!"

"The dispute between gentlemen has been inevitable since ancient times." Fang Yizhi agreed, "For example, Wang Jinggong, Sima Wenzheng, and Su Wenzhong in the Song Dynasty all belong to this category. Only gentlemen have their own principles of being gentlemen. Controversy is solid, and it must not He has fallen into the ranks of thieves. Xu Zeshang, as Zhou Zhongyu's first apprentice, has acted so despicably, which shows that his intentions are not righteous. In detail, Zhongyu may not be able to shirk his responsibility for knowing people!" Wu Yingji snorted, and said irritably: "Now that the matter is up to now, there is no need for Zhou's Kunzhong to discuss it deeply. But this matter came from within the society and spread, I am afraid that it will inevitably be ridiculed by the public, and it will bring shame to all of us. !"

When Wu and Fang expressed their hatred for this incident, Huang Zongxi became more and more disapproving.Undoubtedly, Huang Zongxi was also extremely annoyed by Xu Zeshang's reckless behavior and the resulting bad consequences.However, as Zhou Bi's loyal ally, he believed that the reason why this incident happened was that Zhou Zhong used his official power to do too much and be too heartless towards Zhou Bi and his disciples.What's more, Zhou Biao didn't know what Xu Zeshang did.Now that he was in prison, and Wu and Fang wanted to ridicule him, Huang Zongxi felt that they were too mean and ruthless.If it is said that before that, he felt extremely distressed because he was full of resentment and had nowhere to vent, then at this moment, this resentment has rapidly expanded.

"Hmph, what you're talking about is all useless nonsense!" He suddenly stopped the donkey, turned his head, and said loudly as if arguing, "The words of the Zhou clan are clearly intended to get rid of the relationship, so they may not be credible. Even so What happened was caused by Xu Zeshang, and what has it to do with Zhou Zhongyu? Do you think that old thief Ma would let Zhou Zhongyu go without Xu Zeshang? Zhongyu was arrested because he held clear opinions and was upright. Qunxiao is bitten by the title, so he must get rid of it quickly! Even if there is no Xu Zeshang, his generation will definitely find other excuses to harm him! Now brothers and sisters don't blame the old thief Ma, don't blame the faint king, but harshly criticize you Zhou Zhongyu, who has let the world rise and fall on his shoulders, what is right and wrong? Where is justice!" He asked sharply and angrily, and his small face was distorted by the expansion of his facial features.Wu Yingji and Fang Yizhi obviously did not expect Huang Zongxi to have such a reaction. For a while, they were stunned and at a loss by the sudden criticism.When they finally understood, they looked at each other, fell silent, and stopped talking.