Chapter 8 The eighth chapter: observing the sentiments of the people, shedding tears to suppress the anger of the saints

However, the little Taoist priest Li Yuliang had a midnight chat with Kangxi in the inn in Shahebao, and he revealed the purpose of his trip in one sentence, which was to sweep away the evil spirit of the Zifu for the Taishang Patriarch.Wei Dongting was startled suddenly.He knew that Li Yuliang's "monstrous spirit" referred to Zhou Yunlong, the magistrate of Datong; he also knew that Zhou Yunlong was the official selected by Wu Sangui.However, how did the magistrate of Datong, Shanxi offend Li Yuliang, a Taoist priest far away in Zhongnan Mountain, Shaanxi?And why did Li Yuliang travel thousands of miles to seek revenge?Wei Dongting couldn't think of a reason.He waited silently for Li Yuliang to continue.

Emperor Kangxi also had a strong interest in Li Yuliang.This young Taoist priest, who looks like a woman from his speech to his demeanor, not only has no trace of affectation between his brows, but also makes people feel that if he puts on women's clothes, he will be another Lagu Su Ma.It would be a real joy to have a monk and two outstanding women by my side.At this moment, seeing that Li Yuliang suddenly stopped talking, Kangxi said excitedly: "Okay! Daoist Yuliang is really bold, and he has the same disposition as Senior Brother Ling Hu Gongshan, which is admirable! I just don't know the name of the prefect that the chief said. Is he very greedy?"

Li Yuliang didn't answer Kangxi's question directly, but said with a sneer: "Since ancient times, any official who is not greedy has been recognized by ordinary people. But this magistrate is not only greedy, he is simply black-hearted!" As soon as this remark came out, the owner of the shop sitting on the side couldn't hold back anymore, and hurriedly interjected: "My lord is from the capital, so I don't know our difficulties here. The surname of this grand lord is Zhou, and his name is Zhou Yunlong. I heard that he In the early years, I failed the exams many times, but for some reason, I took refuge in Prince Pingxi and was selected to be sent to Datong Mansion as the magistrate. Alas! It is also the people here who are unlucky. Since the accident in Aozhong Hall the year before last, the people have just breathed a sigh of relief , I met Prince Pingxi’s West Selection Officer. Think about it, everyone, in a year, there is only a little food in the field, and after paying the rent and paying the errands, you have to pay taxes and tribute to Prince Pingxi. This Mr. Zhou Well, sitting on a coffin and selling spirit banners—death needs money. He endlessly urges donations, and he has as many tricks as an impermanent ghost asking for his life. Alas, there is no way to live!"

Kangxi asked in surprise: "Oh, no way, how can there be so many donations? Since the second year of Kangxi until now, Shanxi has exempted money and food four times. Last year, the governor of Shanxi and Shaanxi, Mr. Mo, reported the disaster again, and asked the court to be kind. Sure, the tax of Datong Mansion was exempted, what kind of tax did Zhou Taizun urge again this week? Kangxi’s words are true, this is all memorials approved by him personally, can he still not understand? But the shop owner said with a smile : "My lord is talking about the court's grace, but it's not like that. Let's just say that the fire consumes money. Mr. Mo only needs nine cents and two cents, and ordinary people can still afford it, but the Zhoufutai will be destroyed all of a sudden." Adding to four coins and three, this alone will eat up all the grace of the emperor."

Kangxi knew that the "fire consumption of silver" mentioned by the owner of the store was a major drawback of the past dynasties. It turned out that because the taxes and silver paid by the people were scattered, after the local officials collected them, they had to be recast into large ingots before they could be sold. Once it is delivered to the warehouse and put into the furnace, there will naturally be losses.That's why it's called "fire loss." But this loss has always been offset within the turned-in share.In order to make a profit, the local officials put the loss of this "fire loss" on the taxpayers, and make a profit from it themselves, which has become a means and way of corruption.When I met those corrupt officials with black hearts, they added the amount of fire consumption at will. Like this week, the magistrate increased the fire consumption to four cents and three, and asked the people to pay one or two or four cents for one tael of tax money. This is the way to do it , Can the people bear it!After hearing what the shop owner said, Kangxi's face turned pale with anger, and even his hand holding the fire chopsticks trembled slightly.Wei Dongting was afraid that he would reveal his identity in a fit of anger, so he hurriedly pulled his clothes from behind.Kangxi suddenly came to his senses, calmed down, and asked the owner:

"Well, this Zhou Futai is a bit cruel, but just this one can't solve his serious crime. Is there any more?" The owner of the store listened to the young master Long's questioning, and thought to himself that he must be a son of Guijie from the capital, and he might be able to intercede for the common people, so he boldly said: "Your status is noble. Since you asked me, I don't dare to deceive you. Our Mr. Zhou probably let dogs eat all his knowledge. There is a family next door to my small shop. A couple The old couple took care of their only daughter, and because they couldn't pay the taxes, Uncle Zhou had to drag his daughter to pay off the debt. Alas, Zhou's mansion is in his fifties, and he wants to marry this 15-year-old Huanghua girl. Little, in front of this Foshan, you are not afraid of the Buddha’s crimes and sins! Also, when Master Wei came to call the house, he saw more than 20 horse traders living in the west courtyard. In fact, where are they living? , they were detained here."

"Ah, why?" "This group of horse dealers are all serious businessmen. They took the tea leaves from Henan Province and exchanged the tea leaves from Xinyang for horses from West Road. When they came here, Zhou Taizun found out about them, and all the more than 200 horses were detained. , and the price of the horse is not even paid. Isn’t this an open robbery? The horse dealers have to ask Liu Qingyuan, the county magistrate of our Fan County. Master Liu is also from Xinyang Prefecture, Henan Province, and he is also an upright official who loves the people like a son. For the sake of his fellow countrymen, how could he refuse to save his life? However, Futai is his immediate boss, so he really has nothing to do if he refuses to give the money. Master Liu thought about it, and remembered that there was a Cai Liang who resigned from office and returned to his hometown in Shahebao. They were in the same year as Zhou Yunlong in the provincial examination, and they still had a little friendship. So they begged Mr. Cai to intercede. Seeing that the incident happened on the ground of Shahebao, Mr. Cai couldn't ignore it, so he planned to have a banquet with Zhou Yunlong at home tomorrow, so that he could settle the two cases. ..."

Kangxi has long been restless.If Wei Dongting hadn't been giving him winks, the imperial decree to arrest Zhou Yunlong might have been issued.After the innkeeper finished speaking, he took a look at Mr. Long and saw him sitting silently; when he looked at the Taoist priest again, he also looked on with a cold attitude, "I feel strange in my heart, what they said just now Work hard, why are you silent all of a sudden! Alas, I wanted to beg for favors for the neighbor's sister-in-law and the horse dealer in the yard. It seems that these two masters are not meddlesome. He is still thinking wildly, But he saw Mr. Long stood up, stretched himself, yawned and said:

"Oh, it's getting late. Let's all rest. It will clear up tomorrow, and we have to hurry." All the hopes of the shopkeeper were now dashed.Just as he was about to step out, Taoist Yuliang sneered, and went out without even saying goodbye. The snow outside is getting heavier.From next door came the cry of an old woman.Not knowing whether it was because the kang was too hot, or because he was disturbed by the bursts of crying from next door, Kangxi was lying on the kang, unable to close his eyes no matter what.He raised up and saw Wei Dongting was guarding the door of the apartment, so he asked:

"Xiao Weizi, what time is it?" "If you go back to the master, I'm afraid it will be almost midnight. Master, let's rest." "Not busy. I was thinking, this Zhou is so greedy and evil, oppressing the people, and Mo Luo is a clean and upright official, why didn't he participate in the impeachment?" "Moluo's camp is in Xi'an. Although Shanxi is under his control, he doesn't come here often. What's more, the Datong Mansion is in the extreme north, and the mountains are high and the emperor is far away. What can't they do?"

"Then what is he going to do with so many horses?" "Master Mingjian, this is obvious, and it's not just to send troops to King Pingxi." "Bastard, the imperial court has a clear order on Ma Zheng, this slave is so arrogant and bold. I will punish them for their crimes!" As soon as the words fell, Aunt Su Ma lifted the door curtain and walked in, and said with a smile: "Oh, it's midnight, what kind of anger is this, master! The Empress Dowager Lafayette is worried, let me come and have a look Look. The old man said that she heard what the shop owner said just now. Let me tell the master, don’t get angry. If you want to deal with that surnamed Zhou, you have to wait until you return to Beijing. This small place in Shahebao is full of fish and dragons, and Long Live is a humble service. It’s better to be cautious when visiting abroad.” "Hmph, tomorrow morning, that guy surnamed Zhou is going to rob people's daughters here. I am the Ninth Five-Year Lord, seeing him so lawless and not intervening, can it be justified?" Seeing that Kangxi was really angry, Wei Dongting quickly came out to persuade him: "Master, please calm down. If you want to punish a small magistrate, why do you have to come forward in person? The servant asked someone to send a letter to Mr. Suo and Mr. Xiong. A document, it will take half a year." Within a month, the man surnamed Zhou was arrested in the capital." Aunt Su Ma also said: "Xiao Weizi is right. Long live God has a benevolent heart, and it is natural to save the people's daughters, but publicizing the traces of you and Lafayette, not only here, but even the capital. They will all be shocked. Lafayette’s decree is still correct, please think twice long live.” He was talking here, but he saw Xiao Maozi rushing in with his whole body covered in white snow and cold air, hahaha his frozen red hands. He tossed off his horseshoe sleeves with a "snap" and knelt down to pay his respects with a big smile on his face: "Long live the Lord is auspicious and safe. The servant, Xiao Maozi, is on the mission of Mr. Suo, and has come to present the memorial to the Lord." "Okay, it's Xiao Maozi. You little devil, why didn't you come in immediately? I was shocked. Get up, it's snowing so hard outside? It's hard for you to rush here overnight." "Back to the master, not to mention the heavy snow, even the knife, the slave would not dare to delay the master's errand. Besides, the slave brought a few people, and the journey was smooth." Xiao Maozi said, On one side, he presented the memorial of Suo'etu and Xiong Cilu with both hands.Kangxi took it and put it on the kang table without looking at it: "You little devil came at the right time. Tomorrow's current affairs here will be handled by you. I have a royal treasure with me, so I'm not afraid that Zhou Yunlong will not listen to me." When Wei Dongting heard this, he also became interested: "Long live, I'm afraid I won't be able to go alone, so why don't I let the slave pretend to be an envoy guard and join in the fun." Before Kangxi could answer, Aunt Su Ma stopped him: "No, little Wei Zi wants to protect the holy driver to go up Wutai Mountain, and show his face here, how can we go? Just now Lafayette said that this place is too messy, and Wutai Mountain is afraid." It's not clean, and I planned to stay there for a few more days, but it seems that I can only do something. We still have to be careful everywhere." Kangxi didn't seem to hear Aunt Su Ma's nagging, and said excitedly: "Fine, Xiao Weizi and I will go to Cai Liang Taoism tomorrow. It's fine if Xiao Maozi can handle it. If there is any trouble, I will come forward." carry around." Xiao Maozi listened for a long time, but he still couldn't figure out what to do. At this moment, he quickly and quietly asked Wei Dongting.Wei Dongting briefly recounted what happened just now, and Xiao Maozi was angry again and excitedly said to Kangxi: "Long live God is the master, let alone a magistrate, ten or eight, and the slaves also deal with him. Just now When the servant entered the store, he heard the old lady next door crying, so he didn't know what happened. The master just left the job to the servant." The north wind was whistling outside the window with heavy snow, Kangxi did not answer Xiao Maozi's words, but ordered Wei Dongting with a stern face: "Bring me my fox fur cloak!" "Why, is the master going out? It's windy and snowy, and in this small town where people live and die, the slave will never dare to obey even if he is beaten and punished!" Kangxi caught a glimpse of Aunt Su Ma going out and knew that she was going to report to the Empress Dowager, so he hurriedly called out: "Sister Man, come back!" Aunt Su Ma stopped in her tracks. The name "Sister Man" has never been called by Kangxi since he became a monk.From this name, it can be seen that the Empress Dowager loves Lagu Su Ma and Emperor Kangxi respects her. At this moment, when Kangxi shouted out, it naturally has a deep meaning: "Sister Man, you were my first teacher. Later, we went to school together with Mr. Wu. I remember when I was young, you told me that you wanted me to be a good emperor who loves the people. You know, ten ministers Your flattery can't match the praise of a commoner! Listen, the old woman's cries are mixed with this violent wind and heavy snow, can I sleep peacefully?" Aunt Su Ma fell silent.She was well aware of Kangxi's mood at the moment, and she had no reason to dissuade the young emperor.However, as a guard, Wei Dongting had to say: "Long live, let's go rescue that girl tomorrow, what's the difference in the middle of the night? If the master thinks that the woman is upset by crying, the slave will send someone there to coax and scare her and put her down." "Bastard! You slave, you are getting less and less motivated. She is still sad for her daughter, and you want to scare him. You read like this every day?" After finishing speaking, Kangxi flung himself out of the suite and walked outside without looking back.Wei Dongting hurriedly sent Xiao Maozi to report to the Empress Dowager, together with Aunt Su Ma, he called the guard Lang Tan to escort Kangxi out of the shop. Snowflakes the size of goose feathers were churning in the sky, and the snow on the ground was already more than half a foot deep.The four of them reached the middle of the street, and when they heard the cries, they felt even more miserable.Lang Tan pushed open the door of an unlatched thatched cottage, and Kangxi was stunned by the sight as soon as he stepped in.This is where people live, it's a hell on earth!Inside the thatched hut, which was more than ten meters square, the ashes of the furnace were extinguished, and the air-conditioning was piercing. A dim oil lamp illuminated a dead body on the kang.The face of the deceased was covered with a piece of yellow mounting paper, and a broken mat was placed under his body.A white-haired old woman was lying beside the dead body, weeping to the point of exhaustion.Indoors, the walls are clean, and there is not even a piece of furniture.Looking at this miserable scene, Kangxi couldn't help shivering in his heart. "Okay, you guys are here again. Look, what else is there, take it, grab it, grab this old man too, haha..." Kangxi's heart tightened again.Back then when Aobai raised his eyebrows and roared at the court, he was not so nervous, so frightened, and so full of bone-piercing chills all over his body!He said in a trembling voice: "Old man, please don't be afraid, we are passing by here, we want to come to you to avoid the wind and snow, and we will not harm you." Aunt Su Ma's face was already full of tears, and she hurriedly stepped forward to comfort the old woman: "Don't worry, old man, we are not robbers. Why are you two elders alone, and your children are not here?" As soon as the words came out, Aunt Su Ma felt that she had made a slip of the tongue. The words hit the old woman's sore spot when she suddenly stood up and cried loudly: "Son, my daughter was taken away by you. You still came to make fun of me. I... I will fight with you!" While talking, he was groping to get off the kang.Seeing that the situation was not good, Aunt Su Ma hurriedly pulled Kangxi out of the door.Lang Tan also followed by his side to protect him.Only Wei Dongting was calmer, hurriedly approached the kang, pulled and persuaded the old woman to stabilize, put a piece of silver on the kang table, then retreated, and closed the door. Kangxi stood in the middle of the street, stomping his feet, with a heavy heart, he said: "Terrible, terrible, terrible! I will never forget this situation in my life, and I will not spare the corrupt officials who ruined the country and the people. Wolf story, tomorrow morning You take some silver, greet the folks here, and make good arrangements for the old man's funeral." "Yes, master, don't worry, the slave will definitely handle this matter well." The four walked towards the shop with heavy steps in silence.Layers of snow, creaking in the silent night.A gust of wind blew by, stirring up clouds of snow and fog, adding to the boredom in people's hearts.When he came to the door of the shop, the careful Wei Dongting suddenly noticed that the snow outside the shop seemed a little red.He couldn't help being taken aback, when he leaned over to look at the reflection of the snow, he saw a stream of blood flowing out from the door frame.He immediately realized that something unexpected had happened here.Hastily told Lang Tan: "Protect the master, back off!" After finishing speaking, he rushed forward, with enough strength, raised both arms, and slammed the shop door, and the shop door "boomed" It fell down.With this sound, three burly men jumped out of the store door, all masked in black scarves, holding steel knives, and rushed towards Kangxi.Things happened in a hurry, Wei Dongting and Lang Tan didn't have time to draw out their swords, and started a fight with the assassin with bare hands. Although the situation was critical, they didn't dare to retreat an inch.Aunt Su Ma supported Kangxi to avoid it, and at the same time shouted loudly into the shop: "Are all the servants inside dead, why don't you come out quickly!" Following her shout, several masters jumped out from the roof and surrounded the assassins.Although the three masked men were outnumbered, they became more and more courageous as they fought.At this moment, I suddenly heard a roar at the door of the store: "Everyone stop with me!"