Chapter 83 torture

The reason why Ruan Dacheng hastily resigned without waiting for the end of the banquet was because he got a report: On the pillar of the Ministry of War office, someone posted a couplet that insulted him "viciously".The officials under him didn't dare to tear it up casually, and now they just temporarily sealed the couplet, waiting for him to go back and deal with it.When Ruan Dacheng heard this, he was really surprised and annoyed, because he never expected that, now that he has already ascended to a high position and has power in the government, someone would dare to be so bold as to openly stroke his "tiger beard"!However, he immediately thought that this kind of thing appeared at the moment when he was planning to go deep into the case of chasing the false prince. mess up. "Hmph, it's just a daydream to think that I, Lao Ruan, can be intimidated by this kind of flamboyance!" He thought with a sneer.Having said that, he was a little uneasy in his heart, and naturally it was inconvenient to explain to Qian Qianyi face to face, so he had to interrupt the banquet and rush back to see what happened.

Now, he has come to the Yamen of the Ministry of War.Ruan Dacheng got off the sedan chair and went straight to the gate.Sure enough, on the two pillars on the west side, two long strips of red paper were pasted side by side, from a height of more than one foot to the foundation of the pillars.A few yamen servants with tense expressions stood by the side as if they were facing an enemy. Under the red paper, there was probably that hateful couplet. "Well, what's written on it?" Ruan Dacheng asked angrily as he walked towards the pillar. Hearing the sound, the gate officer flinched a bit: "I don't dare to speak for my lowly position."

"Uncover it!" "yes!" The door officer agreed, and took two steps in three steps, stepped forward, directed the servants, and peeled off the outer layer of red paper.At this moment, Ruan Dacheng saw clearly that it was a pair of white couplets, on which were written two lines of bold characters in thick ink: Ruan Dacheng felt a little confused at the first moment when the words of the couplet came into view, because literally, the upper couplet seemed to be called a "rogue" - Chuang Wang Li Zicheng, and the second couplet was based on the Southern Song Dynasty Marshal Wushu of the Kingdom of Jin leading troops to invade the south , as a metaphor for the southward march of the Qing soldiers, which has nothing to do with Ruan Dacheng himself.However, after thinking about it again, he realized: This is actually a pair of dismantled characters - "There is no way for thieves", and the rest is the word "horse"; "The culprit has ears" is clearly a word "Ruan" .It was Ma Shiying and Ruan Dacheng who pointed the sharp edge!Originally, before seeing Lianyu, Ruan Dacheng could still maintain his composure, but at this moment, as if someone had spat hard on him, the nameless anger in his heart rushed straight up, rushing his mind to the ground. There was a rumbling sound, and it burst out from the eyes, ears, mouth and nose.

"Ah, tear it off, tear it off right away!" He waved his fists and growled terribly. The door officer who was waiting anxiously at the side trembled, and quickly agreed, and together with the yamen servants, they slashed with knives and teased with guns, and in a blink of an eye, they tore the couplet to pieces. "You are all idiots!" Ruan Dacheng was furious, looking around at the servants who were waiting for orders, and yelling, "You should all be tied up and sent to Yingtian Mansion to beat three hundred boards!" However, scolding is all scolding, when he thought that his opponents had the ability to stick such a conspicuous pair on his gate in broad daylight without being noticed, he couldn't help but feel a little hairy. "Well, if they want to take my head, wouldn't it be just as easy?" Thinking of this, Ruan Dacheng's scolding voice suddenly dropped.He involuntarily looked at the surrounding roofs and eaves, probably the criminal who committed the crime hadn't left yet, and was hiding in the dark waiting for an opportunity to assassinate.

"Master..." A timid voice sounded beside him.Ruan Dacheng turned his head abruptly, and found that the door officer had come back, hesitant to speak. Ruan Dacheng didn't respond, but he didn't walk away either.Seeing this, the door official hurriedly reported: "Ma, Mr. Ma Ge's family just came, and they said they have something to ask, please see the master." "Well, where's the person?" At this moment, Ruan Dacheng admitted the truth. "The villain knocked on the master, and my master asked Master Ruan to come over immediately." A bright voice promised behind him.

Ruan Dacheng turned around, only to find that Ma Shiying's personal follower, Ma Liuer, was standing behind him. "Oh," Ruan Dacheng nodded, and then asked again, "Do you know what's the matter with letting me go?" Ma Liuer glanced at the door officer and shook his head.After Ruan Dacheng swung the latter back, he lowered his voice and said, "To teach the master to know that someone has posted a pair on the gate of my house!" "Oh? What's written on it?" Ruan Dacheng, who was taken aback, hurriedly asked. "This—the villain dare not say it!"

"But it's okay to say!" After all, Ma Liu'er was his master's personal servant, so he was more courageous.He hesitated for a moment, then said: "Then, don't be angry if you hear that, my lord—the pair wrote: the prime ministers of the two dynasties, this ox and the horse, are both animals; It's the wizarding trail." Ruan Dacheng blinked.The "bull" in the upper couplet clearly refers to Niu Jinxing, the prime minister of Li Zicheng's Dashun Dynasty; while the "Liu" in the lower couplet refers to the leader of the Donglin Party and the Metropolitan Procuratorate who was expelled from the court by Ma Shiying in October last year. Liu Zongzhou, the censor of the left capital.However, the couplet openly called Ma Shiying a "beast", but it was more vicious than the one on my door. "Oh, it turns out that Ma Yaocao is not cheaper than me, and she has been 'filially respected'!" Ruan Dacheng thought about this, but calmed down: "Well, I said a few days ago that I would borrow Dabei's bald donkey Let’s catch all the cases together. The old man Ma refused to agree, but now he is spitting phlegm on his face, let’s see what kind of smiling Bodhisattva you can pretend to be!” Thinking of the current situation, it’s okay This became a powerful excuse to carry out large-scale revenge, Ruan Dacheng couldn't help but twitched his beard, and let out a "hey" grin in his heart.He waved to Ma Liuer and said:

"Okay, now go to your master's house!" It was not far from the Yamen of the Ministry of War to the Xihua Gate, and after half a day, Ruan Dacheng had arrived in front of Ma Shiying's mansion where two stone lions were squatting.He found that by the pillar outside the gate, several servants were still carrying buckets and bamboo brooms, busy cleaning the traces left by the pair.Ruan Dacheng didn't pay attention, and Ma Liu'er led the way, and went straight to the west side courtyard through the corridor. After learning that the prince was coming to Nanjing, Ma Shiying lied about being ill, asked the emperor for leave, and stayed at home to "recover".This is also a coping strategy he adopted after secret business with Ruan Dacheng and other confidantes.Because they estimated that once the "Prince" arrived, the court would have to examine the authenticity of his identity as usual, and Ma Shiying, as the chief assistant, would inevitably be appointed to preside over this work at that time.Although out of their own interests, the group of them had already reached a tacit agreement: no "prince" would be allowed to emerge at this time to endanger or even change the established pattern of the court.However, the development of the situation is sometimes beyond their absolute control.If the identity of the real prince is finally confirmed, Ma Shiying, who is the host of the trial, will be passive because of his negative attitude, and will be held accountable if things go wrong, and even collapse.Therefore, to be on the safe side, Ma Shiying decided to claim to be sick, retreat behind the scenes, and push the errand of presiding over the review to Wang Duo, the second assistant; The buddies took control of it and kept secret reports of the trial to him at any time.In this way, it would be best to prove that the prince is a fake. In case of failure, Ma Shiying will not be held responsible.And as long as Ma Shiying is kept, the court will still be their world.Judging from the current situation, the development of the situation is quite beneficial to them.Although there are many contradictory doubts, and it is still impossible to confirm that the prince is a fake, at least it cannot be proved that it is true.As long as this is done, it is enough for them.According to Ruan Dacheng's plan, the next step is to track down the behind-the-scenes figures involved.Now, the couplet incident happened again, and it happened to be all boiled in one pot!Therefore, when Ruan Dacheng excitedly boarded Ma Shiying's library, stepped into the living room, and found that besides the owner, Li Zhan and Zhang Sunzhen were also there unexpectedly, his mood became even more impatient.

"Hey, Mr. Yao, the student came late because of an occasional social meeting, so I pray for forgiveness!" He arched his hands and said, without waiting for an answer, he turned to Li and Zhang, and said casually, "The two brothers are also here." , Qiao extremely, Qiao extremely!" Then, turning around again, he hurriedly asked: "Old Yao is summoned today, what advice do you have?" During the few months when Ruan Dacheng's comeback was blocked and he was depressed, every time he came to Ma Shiying's house, he would be cautious and cautious, calling his old friend a "teacher" and calling himself a "student".But since he became Minister of the Ministry of War, he gradually reverted to his old ways, changed his attitude and address all over again, and even showed off intentionally or unintentionally.For example, a few months ago, because Xu Shiqi resigned on his own initiative and there was a temporary vacancy in the Ministry of Officials, Ma Shiying originally planned to use Qian Qianyi's protégé, the easy-going Zhang Guowei, but Ruan Dacheng insisted on appointing Zhang Jie, his old friend who went against the case.Ma Shiying was still hesitating, when suddenly the imperial decree came out: Zhang Jie was appointed Minister of the Ministry of Officials.Ma Shiying was taken aback.From then on, although out of interest, he still couldn't do without Ruan Dacheng in many things, but when getting along, he often deliberately didn't give each other face that much.Now, seeing Ruan Dacheng's agitated look, Ma Shiying just waved his hand and said calmly:

"Well, sit down and talk!" Ruan Dacheng blinked and had no choice but to sit on the chair, but he was a little unwilling.When the servant brought the tea, he took it and said, "Old Yao, it's not my brother who is in a hurry. It's all because of the treacherous people in the city who are using the case of the false prince. They are so rampant that they will insult you. The words between Elder Yao and younger brother are openly published in the family, it is really..." "Well, let's not talk about that right now!" Ma Shiying made an indifferent gesture, blocked half of his words, then turned to Li Zhan and Zhang Sunzhen, and asked: "You two are ordered to interrogate the fake prince Wang Zhiming today, and I don't know the result. how?"

Since the "Prince" came to Nanjing, there have been a total of three joint trials.The third joint trial was arranged to be held inside Dali Temple, and it took place this morning.Ma Shiying probably didn't know the specific situation yet, so he asked this question. "Well, the student is about to report to the teacher," Li Zhangong, the presiding judge, replied, "Today, according to the order of the interrogation, the Sanfa Division, Jin Yiwei and all the censors are all present, and the student and Mr. However, Wang Zhiming, Gao Mengji, and Mu Hu were all stubborn and refused to confess. Mu Hu also said that the family letter was ordered by Gao Cheng to be handed over to his uncle Gao Mengji, but he did not know what was in the book. What is the word to write. Gao Mengji said that because Mu Hu was arrested when he arrived in Beijing, he did not see the family letter, so he did not understand the meaning of "Fujian and Chu". Therefore, he had to suspend the trial for the time being, intending to wait for Gao Cheng to be arrested. Ask again." "President Li has sentenced all three of them today— "Hmph, the two of you are quite timid. If you ask me to interrogate, how can he call the first emperor or the emperor Taizu? I don't think that my brother will let him go!" Ruan Dacheng, who was listening on the side, couldn't help but He interrupted without hesitation. "No!" Ma Shiying shook her head and said decisively.Then he stood up, stroked his goatee, walked a few steps in the room, stopped again, and turned his face to the three accomplices who were looking at him suspiciously: "Since they refuse to admit it, there is no need to ask any more questions." !" After a pause, seeing the astonished look of his fellow party members, he added: "The reason why this case was retried after the first trial is simply because it concerns the continuation of the blood of the late emperor and the safety of the present emperor. Now that it has been found out that the prince is a fake, we should end it as soon as possible. If it continues, it will only cause trouble, and it is really inappropriate to give others a handle!" Hearing what he said so resolutely, Li Zhan and Zhang Sunzhen didn't say anything, but Ruan Dacheng became impatient.Because he saw very clearly that although Ma Shiying did not have a good impression of Donglin and Fushe, he was different from himself after all.Ma Shiying has never suffered as much as himself, so the desire for revenge is naturally not so urgent.What's more, old man Ma is currently in control of the power, he is extremely rich, he can be said to be full of ambition, and he doesn't want to ask for trouble.In fact, at present, Shi Kefa, Zuo Liangyu, and Zheng Zhilong, the chief military officer stationed in Fujian, are all supporting troops outside. If they go too far with Donglin and Fushe, they will inevitably attract their opposition and intervention. This is undoubtedly Ma Shiying unwilling.Therefore, Ruan Dacheng devised another plan, trying to use Ma Shiying's panic towards the prince to persuade the old man to kill his political opponents.Originally, Ma Shiying had already agreed, but after a few days, the old man backed down again.It was no wonder that Ruan Dacheng was both surprised and anxious. "Ah, Mr. Yao, the crown prince is Wang Zhiming's impostor. He has already made a confession, and everyone in the court and the public know it, so why are you afraid of giving others a handle?" He asked with wide-eyed eyes. Ma Shiying took a look at him, walked towards the desk without saying a word, picked up a stack of handfolds, and sent it to Ruan Dacheng's face: "Everyone knows about it? Hmph, come and see!" Ruan Dacheng took it in doubt, and quickly flipped through it, and found that it was a few copies of Shangshu, including not only He Tengjiao, Governor of Sichuan and Lake who had a close relationship with Zuo Liangyu, Yuan Jixian, Governor of Jianghu, and Zuo Liangyu himself, There are even memorabilia written by Jingnan Hou Huang Degong and Guangchang Bo Liu Liangzuo in the four towns of Jiangbei, all of which are defending the false prince.Ruan Dacheng couldn't help getting busy.He first picked up Huang Degong's essay, and saw that it read: Ruan Dacheng looked at it and couldn't help being surprised and angry.At this time, Li Zhan and Zhang Sunzhen couldn't sit still, and stretched their heads from the side.Ruan Dacheng handed them this essay, and then looked at Zuo Liangyu's: As for He Tengjiao and Yuan Jixian, the analysis is more specific.He Tengjiao said in Shushu: Yuan Jixian said: The more Ruan Dacheng looked down, the more anger rose in his heart.Originally, he had already sat down, but at this moment he jumped up suddenly, shaking his fist and shouting: "Hmph, these people are far away in Huguang and Jiangbei, and they have never seen the prince, so they insisted that it is true. What's the reason? It is clear that there was a connection first, and there is no doubt that they were trying to usurp the throne! Mu Hu's letter must be investigated to the end!" Li Zhan also expressed doubts: "It has only been 20 days since the fake prince arrived in Beijing, and the second trial is only 10 days away. How come Zuo Liangyu and others have heard about it in Wuchang?" "He's sitting in the middle of the capital!" Zhang Sunzhen said with a sneer beside him, "In the past, Liu Mazi, the history lecturer in Beijing, has been missing for two or three years. He heard about Wuchang, and became Zuo Liangyu's guest. Old Zuo Chongxin. At the beginning of this month, he suddenly came back to Beijing again. He visited friends every day and went in and out of officials’ houses. He was well-known, but he came from Zuoying. Everyone flattered him. The trial of the false prince The news must have been reported to Wuchang by someone from Mazi! According to the students, he might be involved in the matter of Mu Hu’s submission of the letter. " Ma Shiying snorted: "It's not difficult to investigate. But if he really confessed, so what? Could it be that you dare to go to Wuchang and arrest Zuo Liangyu? If you don't dare to go, you have the law." No, isn’t it self-examination that the imperial court is cowardly and incompetent?” Ma Shiying's analysis really hit the nail on the head.Zuo Liangyu has always supported the soldiers with self-respect, and does not pay attention to the orders of the court.Even the harsh and violent Emperor Chongzhen had to tolerate him during his lifetime, let alone now.Therefore, the other three people were speechless for a moment. "Then, you are a dignified old man, are you willing to be controlled by such strong men who have no court?" After a long while, Ruan Dacheng, feeling desperate, asked through gritted teeth. "No!" Ma Shiying puffed up his chest, walking up and down arrogantly, and said at the same time, "To deal with this kind of foolish warriors, you can only outsmart them, but they cannot be defeated!" "Oh?" The three accomplices cheered up at the same time. "To deal with Zuo Liangyu, I have made three strategies here. First, cut his food and salary to shake his army's morale; second, order Huang Degong to move to Banziji to prevent him from going east; third, gift Liu Mazi to restrain him. I dare not wait for it, but I can’t defend it, the army’s morale will be scattered, and it will disintegrate by itself, and then send an envoy to lure him into the court. Once he is in my hands, at that time—huh!” Seeing Ma Shiying's domineering and confident appearance, the three accomplices couldn't help looking at each other and looking at you. "If Zuo Liangyu is desperate, will he really send troops to the east?" Li Zhan couldn't help asking, "Can Huang Degong's tens of thousands of soldiers stop him?" "If Huang Degong can't hold back, all the soldiers from the four towns will be dispatched! I don't believe that Zuo is really capable!" "Transfer the four towns? Then if the northern soldiers take advantage of the momentum and go south, how can they be born in the district?" Ma Shiying's eyes flickered under the white eyebrows.Obviously, he didn't think deeply about the consequences of the matter in advance.Most of his three strategies were based on the assumption that Zuo Liangyu would not dare to rebel.So Li and Zhang's continuous questioning made him quite embarrassed and annoyed.Even for a moment, he kept his mouth tightly shut, making the two stubborn wrinkles at the corners of his mouth appear deeper.Then, he straightened his neck suddenly and roared violently: "What are you afraid of! The northern soldiers will come if they want! I, Jiangnan, would rather perish in the Qing, and never die in the left!" This earth-shattering statement was so shocking that the three accomplices stared dumbfoundedly at the current chief minister, unable to speak for a while. ① Clamping stick, board, and shovel (zan): They are all ancient tortures.