Chapter 160 Mother and Son Monarch and Minister (7-2)

Early the next morning, Ling Zhaoxiong quietly arrived at Zhenhui Temple in a small sedan chair. The Zhike monk had received a notice in advance to welcome him into the abbot's room. When would he go in and make an announcement? "This is the moment!" Ling Zhaoxiong stood up, "Let's go together." "No! Please sit down for a while." Guo Jinsheng, who was waiting there to take care of him, said, "I will go in with Zhike first, and explain to the surnamed Liang, and I will come to invite you." Ling Zhaoxiong thought it was okay to do so, nodded and sat down again.Before I finished drinking a cup of tea, I saw the Zhike monk rushing over, and said excitedly: "My lord, please come with me. Director Liang has returned to his master, please come in and have a talk. Oh! By the way, tell your lord: Manager Liang’s owner’s surname is Yang.”

"Surname Yang?" Ling Zhaoxiong said in a low voice, "It's Han!" The Zhike monk naturally didn't understand his ulterior surprise, so he bent his waist and led him to the back, and reported outside the gate: "Master Ling is here!" So Director Liang, who was waiting in the yard, quickly came up to him and said, "I don't want to alarm Mr. Ling!" "Your honor?" Ling Zhaoxiong asked deliberately. "My surname is Liang." "This is Director Liang." The Zhike monk added. "It turns out that your honor is Director Liang." Ling Zhaoxiong said, "I think he is taking care of the housework for your master?"

"Exactly!" Director Liang laughed a little, "Everyone calls it that, it seems to be some kind of prestigious title, but Master Ling is laughing at it!" "How dare, how dare! I came here specially to visit your superior. Please inform me." "Yes! My Majesty doesn't see visitors at all. Mr. Ling is a magistrate. To use a vulgar metaphor, it's like the local land. You have to respect it a little bit. If you always invite me to sit inside, I'll follow me back immediately." This time Manager Liang was very generous and opened the door of the main room straight to invite Ling Zhaoxiong to enter.Before they met each other, he saw that there was no hat tube on the square table in the middle, let alone a hat wrapped in brocade, probably put away on purpose.Ling Zhaoxiong feels disappointed, but he has gained something. This at least proves that he still has considerable authority, which is enough to be dreaded.

With this understanding, he felt that there was no need to be too humble, so he sat down on the guest seat as soon as he entered the door.Immediately, someone came to offer tea, one person carrying the tea tray, and another person holding the tea tray, their movements were subtle and quick, which made Ling Zhaoxiong think to himself: You can know his master by looking at his servant, it seems that this person surnamed Yang does not seem to have no origin people. Before he could finish his thought, someone lifted the door curtain from outside, Ling Zhaoxiong hurriedly took a closer look, the person who came out was about thirty years old, with thick eyebrows and deep eyes, pale face, wearing a blue satin hat and a sapphire blue satin leather robe , covered with a black waistcoat with a pipa lapel.His demeanor was unusually steady, almost stagnant.

"Master!" Manager Liang, who was following behind, flashed out to guide, "Please sit on this side." When he sat down as if no one else was present, Manager Liang said, "That side is Mr. Ling, the local official of this state." The one surnamed Yang nodded and raised his eyes to watch. Ling Zhaoxiong suddenly panicked. He was eager to find something to say to cover up his embarrassment, so he asked without thinking: "Is your surname Yang?" "My surname is Yang." The voice was very low. "Who is Taifu?" "My name is," he replied slowly, "Yang Guolin."

After the twists and turns of these two phrases, Ling Zhaoxiong's heart settled down a little, and he said calmly: "It's presumptuous to say it, and I'm just borrowing people's words. It is said that there is a guest in Zhenhui Temple who is different, so I came to visit on purpose. Please teach me more." "Oh!" Yang Guolin nodded, "Master Ling, what do you want to ask?" "Where did you come from?" "From the north to the south." "Jingli?" "That's right! From Beijing." "Congratulations at that yamen?"

Yang Guolin didn't seem to understand Ling Zhaoxiong's words.Turning around, he asked, "What?" "I'm asking, which Yamen is your master in?" Liang Dianchen added softly, "The House of Internal Affairs." "The Ministry of Internal Affairs." Yang Guolin said scripturally. The traces of fraud are obvious!Is there a reason why I don't even know that I am working in that yamen, so I need someone to remind me?However, Ling Zhaoxiong thought to himself, this person is young and has a Chinese surname, and the pretense he shows is that he is only the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so it doesn't seem to be a big deal.Knowing this, I feel that there is no need to be too polite, so I simply tighten up the conversation, and force the truth out of him, and then make sense.

So he said: "The Ministry of Internal Affairs, you can't be a hall official?" "Not an official." "what is it then?" Hearing these words, Yang Guolin seemed embarrassed and displeased, and his answer became a bit angry, "Let's count it as an officer!" "So, is there an errand for this trip out of Beijing?" "That's right! I have an errand." "What errand?" 'That! Yang Guolin raised his hand, "I can't tell you that." " Because his attitude suddenly became tough, Ling Zhaoxiong became a little scrupulous, and asked in other words: "What does the Ministry of Internal Affairs care about?"

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't care about anything." This tone is so loud!Ling Zhaoxiong was confused again, "Then," he had no choice but to ask in other words: "Leave Beijing with one step, where are you going?" "Anyway, let's go south!" "Go south all the way to Guangdong." "Isn't Guangdong also the territory of the Qing Dynasty?" Ling Zhaoxiong was at a loss for words.There was a moment of stalemate between the host and guest, but Liang Dianchen broke the silence, "Master Ling," he said, "Please go back to the yamen!"

Ling Zhaoxiong thought to himself, this is an order to evict guests!A dignified magistrate, in the place under his jurisdiction, let an unknown person be kicked out. If this word gets out, won't all the face be lost? This thought forced him to be tough, "Don't worry about it!" He said with a sneer, "Your name is the manager, what kind of manager is it? The housekeeper's servant can be called the manager, and so is the minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Manager! This kind of insinuation and ostentation is in my place, and I can't ignore it. When you go to Beijing for business, of course you have to bring it with you, take it out and have a look."

These words were aggressive and sharp, but Yang Liang's master and servant looked at each other and smiled, as if they had encountered something very funny.Such an expression surprised Ling Zhaoxiong, and he couldn't help being stunned. "Master Ling, I don't blame you!" Liang Dianchen said, "I can't show you official business. River water doesn't interfere with well water. When we passed here, we didn't need a place to do business, and no one dared to show off outside. One day the cook was in the meat case. I even gave him a horsewhip for making trouble. Mr. Ling, you can’t see what you see. When our master leaves, the matter will be over. Why bother to force everyone to move? ?” What is "real"?What is "really"?Ling Zhaoxiong had to think about it, and at the same time, he also felt that Liang Dianchen's words were quite powerful. Unless he put on a straight face and used an official tone, otherwise, he might not be judged better than him. So far, it's worth seeing the opportunity.Ling Zhaoxiong thought about what he said, and found a topic to talk about, "Okay!" He said, "So, when will you leave?" "That's not necessarily true." Yang Guolin said again, "As long as it's a place in the Qing Dynasty, I can go and live anywhere." "Master!" Liang Dianchen approached him in a low voice and said humbly, "Don't make things difficult for him, it looks like this, it's almost enough to stay for another five or six days!" "Okay!" Yang Guolin looked at Ling Zhaoxiong and said, "Stay here for another five or six days." "Six days is the limit." Ling Zhaoxiong stood up, raised his face and said: "I have good intentions. But it is hard to be a good person in the world. If you don't eat a toast, there is no way out!" After all, he left the house without looking back.Guo Jinsheng was waiting outside, and the two glanced at each other, but both refused to make a sound. They left Zhenhui Temple and returned to the yamen, where they began to talk. "Did you hear that?" Ling Zhaoxiong asked. "yes." "Well, what do you think?" "It's hard to say." Guo Jinsheng asked: "If you say pretending to be a prince, what is the reason for it? And the local Zhengyin official has appeared. Shouldn't you pretend to be fake at this time?" The word "pretentious" reminded Ling Zhaoxiong.He always felt that something was wrong between Yang and Liang, but he couldn't tell what was wrong, now he understands! "By the way! Brother Jinsheng, you used the word 'pretentious' very well!" Ling Zhaoxiong suddenly made up his mind, "That's right! I think it's impersonation. It must be dealt with decisively." This answer surprised Guo Jinsheng. He found that Ling Zhaoxiong's views were opposite to his.If it is said to be dealt with decisively, things may get out of hand. After thinking about it, it was inconvenient to stop him directly, so he had to express his objection indirectly. "Tang Weng!" he asked, "If you say impersonation, what do you mean by impersonation? Pretending to be a Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs? Doesn't it seem wrong?" "Who knows if he can commit the crime or not? Let's see a minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it's nothing special. In the eyes of businessmen, especially those who have big business dealings with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, that's fine." "I don't think so. It doesn't look like he's pretending to be a secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs." "Is it true that you are pretending to be the emperor as Old Master Sun said? That will never happen." Ling Zhaoxiong said again, "Take ten thousand steps back, even if it is the real emperor, I have already paid a visit, and I am very polite. I have asked for advice, who made them hide their real faces? Those who don’t know are not guilty, and I have no crimes to bear! This, of course, is a joke, and it will never happen. Brother Jinsheng, it’s not too late, tomorrow Catch it. I will pick it alone if there is any responsibility.” "The old man's words are wrong! Both good and bad. Now that the old man has made up his mind, I will obey." So the next day, he sent officers and soldiers, led by Guo Jinsheng himself, to Zhenhui Temple, dispersed the idlers, and surrounded the courtyard where Yang Guolin lived.Then, Guo Jinsheng sent someone to inform Liang Dianchen that he was invited to speak at the state government office.Everyone in the Yang family was very calm and gathered in the yard without saying a word.Only Liang Dianchen asked: "Is it bound? Or handcuffed?" Escorted to Zhizhou Yamen, given special preferential treatment, instead of being sent to prison, he was placed under house arrest in an empty house in the back garden.Ling Zhaoxiong had to ask more questions. For the sake of precision, he deliberately brought Yang Guolin to the signing room. He didn't have to kneel down, but he didn't have a seat, so he was asked to stand and talk. "Yang Guolin, who are you?" "There is only one person in the world!" As soon as this statement came out, the whole room was shocked.The curtain on the inside was lifted, and Sun Yizhen strode out, and on his own initiative, ordered the servant on duty to sign the bond: "Call someone! Take him back properly." "Old master..." "Ah! Ah!" Sun Yizhen winked hurriedly and stopped Ling Zhaoxiong.When Yang Guolin was taken away, and only Ling Zhaoxiong and Guo Jinsheng were left in the room, he began to whisper: "Dong Weng, I can't ask anymore! Who is 'one man in the world'? Isn't he a lonely emperor? Whether it's true or not, if or There is such a rumor in the market: Mr. Ling tried the emperor! Dong Weng think about it, is this sentence acceptable?" "Yes! Yes!" Ling Zhaoxiong broke out in a cold sweat, "If there is such a rumor, it can lead to death. Old master, it is easier to capture a tiger than to let it go. I did this recklessly." "I don't want to talk about it." Guo Jinsheng was also a little uneasy, "Now I only ask the old master for advice, will the plan be settled?" "There is no other way but to report overnight." It is quite difficult to word the official report, because the original instruction from Kui Lin, the prefect of Huangzhou, was to first investigate and report the truth, and then deal with it.Now that the truth is not known, he should be arrested first. If he does not comply with the instructions, there must be an explanation.After researching each other, only one theory is the most appropriate, that Yang Guolin and Liang Dianchen's masters and servants, their whereabouts are secretive and ostentatious, so that rumors abound in Qizhou. Temporary collection.Finally, he said: This person speaks wildly, calling himself "one man in the world".Zhizhou officials are humble and have small positions, so they dare not ask in depth. They can only guard carefully and wait for their fate. "Business can get by." Sun Yizhen said, "But this is not a matter of writing. It is best to ask Dong Weng to work harder." "Okay! It's a blessing, not a disaster. A disaster can't be avoided." Ling Zhaoxiong said helplessly: "I'll take another trip to Huanggang." ※ ※ ※ "Brother," Kui Lin said blankly, "You've disturbed a hornet's nest, and I'm afraid I'll be burnt out." "Fu Zun's words make Zhaoxiong feel ashamed." Ling Zhaoxiong replied, "However, the state has absolutely no intention of bringing disaster to power." "I know, I'm not blaming you, I'm just talking about the facts. Now there is no other way, only the two of us go to the province together, what do you think?" So Kuilin and Ling Zhaoxiong set off overnight and rushed to Wuchang to meet Shanlian, the feudal secretary.After listening to the report, he was shocked, "There is such a thing?" He said, "Isn't it crazy to pretend to be the emperor in broad daylight?" "Yes!" Kui Lin bowed and asked, "Your Excellency said it was an impostor, shall we just follow your lord's opinion and treat Yang Guolin as an impostor?" "No! No! No!" Shanlian waved his hands hastily, "I didn't say that. Pretending or not, you have to recognize it before you can make a conclusion." Kui Lin deliberately "generalized" him into an "army".Because they are people from each other's banners, they know a lot, and Shanlian is a tactful person, and he is not willing to take responsibility for his subordinates. Kui Lin is afraid that he will feel that the matter is difficult and procrastinate, and he will be burdened.Under pressure like this, Shanlian had to say something concrete. "To be honest, it's easy to handle this case in other provinces, but it's not easy to handle it in Hubei. I don't need to elaborate on the reasons. Now I invite the two elder brothers back to the mansion. Cheng went to discuss it and see what he said? Later, I will invite the two elder brothers to come over for an interview." "Yes!" Kui Lin tentatively asked, "I'm afraid I have to ask Xiang Shuai for instructions on this matter?" "I think we have to tell him." Shanlian said again, "Xiang Shuai's 'living without restraint, giving orders from time to time' is famous all over the world. If you have to ask him for instructions, it depends on the luck of the two of you! Maybe today There will be results in the evening, and maybe we won’t see each other for three or five days.” "My lord," Kui Lin demanded immediately, "this case cannot be settled by the state anyway! The criminal will have to be released sooner or later, and it is better to be released sooner than later. I think Brother Zhaoxiong should rush back and bring someone here immediately. How about it?" Shanlian pondered for a while and replied: "That's fine! You all know Xiangshuai's temperament. If you want to mention someone, you need it right away. It's better to serve him early. However, the criminal name involved in the case, you have to ask Lao Qu what it means." .Let's listen to it tomorrow morning!" As soon as Kui Lin and Ling Zhaoxiong left, Shan Lian immediately changed his clothes and passed the palanquin "upper courtyard".The governor's office is called "Yuan" for short, and the governor of Hubei is in the same city, but in terms of jurisdiction, the vassal is directly subordinate to the governor, so Shanlian's "upper court" is naturally the upper governor's office. The governor of Hubei was originally Tan Jixun, Tan Sitong's father.In the year of the Reform Movement of 1898, the official system was reformed, and the governor of Hubei was abolished. Tan Jixun did not have to wait for his son to suffer from the Great Reformation before he lost his position.When the Empress Dowager trained the government, everything went back to the old days, and the governor of Hubei was reinstated. Of course, Tan Jixun would not be reinstated. Yu Yinlin was one of the very few Han people who grew up outside the customs, and were not affiliated with the banner, but also served as high-ranking officials.He is from Jilin Bodu Hall and was born in Hanlin.At that time, the head of the Hanlin Academy was the leader of the conservative school, Woren, a scholar, and Yu Yinlin was very appreciative for his study.However, Yu Yinlin is not a rotten Confucian like Qixiu, nor is he a fake Taoism like Xu Tong who is completely divorced from God and has a different appearance.After being released to Jingyi, Hubei Province in the eighth year of Guangxu, he served as a foreign official for a long time. Everything he did, he thought that the prosperity of the people and the elimination of disadvantages, and the revitalization of culture and education were urgent tasks. Yu Yinlin's promotion was originally recommended by Zhang Zhidong.Zhang Zhidong and him had worked together in Guangdong and knew each other well, but they didn't have much speculation in Hubei because Zhang Zhidong was in favor of the New Deal.During the coup d'etat of 1898, fortunately, I saw the opportunity early and wrote an article titled "Encouraging Learning", which secretly denounced Kang Youwei's theory as "heretical atrocities, spreading across the world". He picked up the meaning of "knowledge" and believed that "when you are overseas, you should not forget your country, you will not forget your relatives when you see strange customs, and you will not forget your sage when you are clever." In the political turmoil in which the emperor was secluded, the emperor's teacher was expelled, and the court officials were beheaded, it was necessary to avoid being involved in the whirlpool. Although the disaster was avoided, Zhang Zhidong still did not forget his love for the New Deal.But Yu Yinlin didn't take it seriously, so he fell into the inevitable old pattern of "supervisors and governors in the same city" in the past, fighting openly and secretly, and being out of place.It's just that Yu Yinlin is quite effective in rectifying taxes and managing civil affairs diligently, and he cares about the old friendship, so Zhang Zhidong can tolerate it and maintain a situation that although there are cracks, they can be repaired. Of course, Yu Yinlin can also keep his boundaries, and will never be presumptuous when encountering things that need to be known or asked for instructions by the governor, so when Shanlian told him about it, he immediately said: "We must tell Xiangshuai first! Let's go to Nancheng together." In Wuchang City, a snake mountain separates the north from the south. The so-called "South City" refers to the governor's office in the south of the mountain.It was late in the evening, and he traveled over the mountain in a sedan chair until it got dark, but he was in vain. Zhang Zhidong held a night banquet with lanterns in the "Baobing Hall" on Snake Mountain, and shared rhymes with celebrities in the shogunate. "I'll be back soon." Goshha of the governor's yamen persuaded Yu Yinlin, "My lord might as well warm up to the fire and wait for a while." "It's not necessary to warm up, I have to get something to fill my stomach." "Yes, yes!" Ghoshha said, "Please sit in the West Flower Hall, two adults, and I will take care of the small kitchen to prepare meals." Zhang Zhidong spends money like sand, and because he lives without restraint, he often eats dinner in the middle of the night, so not only is there always someone on duty in the small kitchen when the stove is not closed, but it is also the time for dinner, and the dishes are ready-made and brought out. that is. Halfway through the meal, there was a noise outside, and the servant in the flower hall came to report: "The commander-in-chief has returned to the yamen!" Without finishing the sentence, Zhang Zhidong arrived, with a bald head and no hat, wearing a fox fur gown of maroon red imitation satin. There was a large smear of oil on the lapel, and the cuffs were rolled up. The cloth, the gray beard and the hair roots behind the ears are always connected in a messy way.The governor was notoriously slovenly and slovenly.Yu Yinlin and Shanlian were used to seeing each other, so they just stood up and squatted down to pay their respects. "You're welcome, you're welcome!" Zhang Zhidong didn't even return the salute, he rushed to the dining table and stopped, took a quick look, then turned around and asked, "Where's the drunk crab that Master Nie from Jiangsu gave you? Why not bring it to entertain guests. " "Don't bother, don't bother! I'm already full. Marshal," Yu Yinlin was very serious about his business, and was afraid that Zhang Zhidong would start chatting and couldn't be interrupted, so he didn't even care about eating , wanting to be the first to discuss serious matters with him, "There is a strange case in Qizhou, it's unbelievable to talk about." Hearing that it was a strange case, Zhang Zhidong was very interested, "How strange?" He sat down at the dinner table. "This strange case has to be kept secret." "Oh!" Zhang Zhidong's smile faded away. "Go and talk in my study." Move the study room, reset the cups and plates.Zhang Zhidong held his cup and listened quietly to Shanlian, and looked at Yu Yinlin, wanting to hear his opinion. "There are so many rumors in Beijing that it is unbearable to listen to. Whether this matter is true or false, it is always a misfortune for the country. If it is not handled well, it is enough to shake the foundation of the country." Yu Yinlin said, "The most difficult thing now is that it is impossible to judge the truth. Fake." Zhang Zhidong nodded deeply, "The father is in trouble, it's hard for the minister." He said, "There is no precedent in the past, I don't know how to deal with it!" Both Yu Yinlin and Shanlian were surprised.Obviously it is impossible to judge whether it is true or false, but Zhang Zhidong has decided that Yang Guolin is the current emperor!I don't know what he bases it on? "Marshal," Yu Yinlin couldn't help but say, "The most urgent thing now is to distinguish between true and false." "Of course, of course! However, I can't think of anyone who can tell the difference? Since Guangxu ten years after I left Beijing and came to Guangdong, I have never been to Beijing or met Sheng. Fifteen years later, Longyan has changed, and I am at a loss. Zhang Zhidong asked, "What about you?" "I was summoned in the 20th year of Guangxu. However, the palace is far away, and the sky is blurred. Besides, I have been kneeling there and dare not look at it. I only vaguely feel that the imperial face is thin." "By the way! Officials in Hubei, big and small, I'm afraid they won't be able to find anyone who can tell the face of the emperor. Except for the military aircraft, and the south study room, the upper study room, the house of internal affairs and other inner court personnel, the Beijing and central bureaucrats can't tell the emperor's face. There are also a lot of people. Therefore, if you want to distinguish the true from the false and then deal with it, you may be in a hurry." "However, please tell the commander how to deal with it." Yu Yinlin said, "Huangzhou Prefecture and the prefect of Qizhou are all on standby now, and they are extremely anxious." "I know." Zhang Zhidong pointed to a newly served plate of drunk crabs and said, "Here, it's not bad." As he spoke, he grabbed a drunk crab, broke it in half, put it in his mouth and chewed, the yellow and white crab paste was dripping on his gray beard, making it a mess.By the time the footman wrung on the hot towel, he had already wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Wuchang produces fish, but when it comes to crabs, we have to push Jiangnan alone. However, I still like Wuchang." Both Yu Yinlin and Shanlian didn't understand why he had such irrelevant gossip, but the meaning of self-deprecation was obvious.Since the Sino-Japanese War of 1898-1895, the imperial court ordered Liu Kunyi, governor of the two rivers, to lead troops to defend Shanhaiguan, and moved the town to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River from Zhang Zhidong.Soon after Liu Kun returned to his post, Zhang Zhidong returned to his post.The two rivers are plump and plump, just a taste of them.Zhong Huai was unavoidably disconcerted, saying "I still like Wuchang", but he didn't seem to mean it. Zhang Zhidong's fame and fame are passionate, and this gossip has another proof.Yu Yinlin thought to himself, the Governor may have a different opinion on the case in front of him than others.Others think it is a difficult matter to avoid disasters, but to him, it may be seen as an opportunity, which can be used wisely to create a pivotal position, and thus enter the cabinet to worship the prime minister, and there will be a step forward in his later years. . Although Yu Yinlin's guess is not right, it is not far.Zhang Zhidong really saw this as an opportunity, no matter it was true or not, Yang Guolin was a rare commodity to live in.However, it is not yet possible to talk about any definite disposal. The only way to advance or retreat is to wait and see. Thinking of stopping, he said: "This is a strange thing! Don't be surprised if you see the strange thing, and the strange thing will defeat itself. As for the result in the end, no one dares to say for sure. For the present plan, first, we must not publicize it, and make a lot of things. Rumors are nothing but turmoil; second, whether it is true or not, you don’t have to investigate it on him, you have to go to Beijing to verify it. If you are in Beijing well, it will not be too late to punish him severely.” "Yes!" Yu Yinlin asked: "Those people ask the commander-in-chief to take the lead. The governor of Qizhou has already stated that he can't bear this burden. It's difficult for strong people, and it's hard to bridge the gap when something happens." "It's easy to handle." Zhang Zhidong said, "Give it to Wuchang Fushou County for secret custody." A difficult and strange case has a temporary result.Ling Zhaoxiong received the instructions and rushed back to Qizhou. He took Yang Guolin and Liang Dianchen to Wuchang by water, and then went ashore to visit Shouxian by himself. There are several counties in one prefecture, and the magistrate is in the same city as the magistrate, which is called "Fuguo", which is also the "first county". It seems to be the head of all counties in a prefecture. There are too many bosses, and everyone has to deal with it, which is an extremely difficult shortcoming.Therefore, there are a few songs in the officialdom: "If you were not good in your previous life, you will be a magistrate in this life; if you did evil in your previous life, the magistrate will be attached to the country; if you are full of evil, you will be attached to the provincial capital of Guo." It is easy to be complacent if you have a lot of good karma, and you have easy access to official careers and career paths.At the same time, when the Shangguan selects the provincial capital of Fuguo, or the first county that is often passed by the carriages and horses of high-ranking officials, he must also choose the person who is flexible and tempered, otherwise he will offend others invisibly and vent his anger on the people. Being the governor of a province is by no means a trivial matter. The first county in Wuchang Prefecture is Jiangxia County, and the county magistrate is Chen Kuilin, the younger brother of Chen Kuilong.Although his talents are not as good as his brother's, but his temper is easy-going, cautious and tactful, but the two brothers are the same.He was born in Gengchen's second class in the sixth year of Guangxu, and his department name was later than Ling Zhaoxiong, so when he was interviewed, he kept saying that he was a "senior" and accepted this group of "human prisoners" with unique identities without any difficulty. The name is "caretaker", and of course they are also placed in prison.The prisons in the county are run by the unrecognized "Dian Shi", commonly known as the "Four Masters", because the county magistrate is called the "Grand Master", and the post of county magistrate and inspector is ranked fourth.The name of the "Four Masters" in Jiangxia County is Gao Heming, a native of Yuzhou, Henan. "Master" personally supervised the prison guards to clean up the prison temple as a place of "guardianship". When the prisoner found out, the "Grand Fourth Senior" was taken aback. He didn't want to tell the truth at the time, but he personally guided Yang Guolin to the Prison Temple, which was very perfunctory for a while.He also told the prison guards to respectfully call Yang Guolin "Yang Ye", and call Liang Dianchen "Liang Er Ye", and they were not allowed to call him by his first name. After settling down, I went to the room to see the "grand master".Chen Kuilin only regarded him as a reply, but only to "report the news", so he sent a servant out and said, "The superior knows. Please go back, Mr. Senior Senior!" "No, no! Steward, I have a confidential matter, and I must report it to the Grand Master." Chen Kuilin's heart moved, and he immediately invited him to the signing room, and closed the door before he began to talk to Gao Heming. "This Yang Guolin," Gao Heming said in a low voice, "I know him from a humble position, he is indeed a noble man." Chen Kuilin had heard people say that this "Fourth Master" was confused, so he couldn't help laughing when he heard this, and Yu She replied sarcastically, "It turns out that the old man also recognizes the nobleman!" "Really! It's true. When I went to Beijing for inspection that year, I met him!" Then, Gao Heming told how he met Yang Guolin. It turns out that although Dian Shi is a low-ranking miscellaneous official, before filling the vacancy, he must go to Beijing, first register with the Ministry of Officials, and call it "contribution", and then select according to the order.There are many tricks for selecting officials, divided into single and double months, single month to single month, and double month to double month. There are transfers, changes, promotions, and adjustments. Although the names are different, those who have connections can also accommodate them.All in all, the more complicated and stricter the laws and regulations, the more and more ways for subordinate staff to make money.Gao Heming was careless, he didn't inquire clearly, and he never asked someone to go through his door, rashly went to Beijing to "prove his confession", and was picky about many things for the Secretary of the Ministry of Officials.And all the irregularities, but he was not told once, this is wrong today, and that is wrong tomorrow. After staying in Beijing for three months, there is still no clue. The anger is still second, and the funds brought by Sichuan have been exhausted, and it has reached the point where you can't get enough without "asking for help" from your fellow villagers.Finally, after another month, it was the turn of the bimonthly "election".As usual in the selection of officials, if there is a need for high officials, they must be "introduced", and the emperor will have a look at them in person.The date of inspection by the Han officials is the 25th of each month, and the location is inside Duanmen, outside the Meridian Gate, and under the "Que Zuomen" facing east.On the 25th of June that day, Gao Heming got up in the middle of the night, and rushed to the Forbidden City while the morning was cool, and hurriedly reported to the book office outside the left gate of Que. "Honorable name?" the secretary asked very politely. "My surname is Gao, Gao Heming. I'm from Yuzhou, Henan." "Yes, you have a Henan accent. But, your surname is not Gao?" "Then," Gao Heming was inexplicably astonished, "I don't know my own surname?" "We don't know if your surname is Gao? Even if you bring your family tree, it can't be used as proof. We are looking at the booklet. Look, it says: white face and beard. Where's your beard?" This question made Gao Heming, who was already sweating profusely, break into a cold sweat, regretting it too much.Two days ago, I went to a temple fair with extreme boredom. I met a looker from Henan, and advised him to shave off his beard. It would be good luck. Looking at the words "young and strong", you will have to hold your hands high.So he listened happily and was persuaded, went back to the inn, and shaved off his two mustaches by himself.This does not match what was registered on the roster. After thinking about it, what does a small change in appearance have to do with it.You can be an official with a beard, but you can't even be a canonist if you don't have a beard. There is no such reason in the world.So he replied: "It doesn't matter! I'll follow the examiner, and I will tell you in person." "Master Gao, it's easy for you to say. You don't think about it for us. The age does not match. It is not you who are sent up to be scolded, but me! You don't even check it, you don't look at it, you go back with that adult bright?" Hearing this, Gao Heming was really anxious, "What should I do? What should I do?" He stamped his feet and rubbed his hands, almost crying. "Please go back! Today is the twenty-fifth of June, next month will be leap month, and leap month will not be chosen as usual, and there is nothing for you in July. After the Mid-Autumn Festival in August, your beard will probably grow back." "But, but..." "Please, please!" The secretary said impatiently, "Stop rambling!" He pushed with his hand.Gao Heming couldn't stand on his feet, staggered back a few steps, and bumped into a person. According to Gao Heming, this person is Yang Guolin who is now placed in the Prison Temple.At that time, he didn't ask the reason, but just scolded with staring eyes: "Why do you bully foreigners? How dare you commit murder in the palace!But no more brains? " The Secretary of the Ministry of Officials was so frightened that he repeatedly asked An to apologize.And Gao Heming was able to avoid the needless disaster and pass the test smoothly. Speaking of this past event, Gao Heming's eyebrows danced brightly, and his satisfaction and gratitude were beyond words.Chen Kuilin thought to himself, although this person has a vague reputation, he would never fabricate such a story out of nothing.However, this Yang Guolin does have a background, which cannot be ignored, but Gao Heming's words are not clear enough, and there are several points that he has to ask. "At that time, what kind of clothes did Yang wear?" "It's a bright gauze gown." "What supplement? Is it a leopard or a tiger?" The military officer's supplement: the third rank is a leopard, and the fourth rank is a tiger.Chen Kuilin suspected that Gao Heming met a first-class guard of the third rank, or a second-class guard of the fourth rank, so he asked this. "Can't remember." "Then, what about the coronet?" "Looks like a gem. But I can't remember." Chen Kuilin was rather disappointed.If you think about it carefully, if it's the top of the gemstone, you are at least a duke, and the Que Zuo Gate is outside the Meridian Gate. According to the rules, it doesn't count as entering the palace, and of course there are guards and attendants.From this point, Yang Guolin's identity can definitely be determined. "Let me ask again, is the person surnamed Yang alone, or does he have followers? If there are followers, how many people are there? Dude, you must think about it carefully!" "Yes!" Gao Heming frowned in thought, blinking his eyes wildly. After a long time, Fang Shi said with relief: "It's a person. There's nothing wrong with it!" There is no need to say any more.Chen Kuilin can conclude that Yang Guolin is a bodyguard, maybe a lower-level bodyguard of Lan Ling.At the same time, it can be concluded that Yang Guolin is a bannerman of the Han army, just like Lishan, whose real surname is Yang. "Brother's experience is very strange, and it is also a coincidence that we reunited with this person at this time and place. The case of Yang Guolin is still a mystery. Hearing what the old man said, I feel more and more strange. Since you are old with him, no matter how good you are, Please take good care of him. You might as well talk to him more." "Yes!" Gao Heming replied, "Whatever he said, I will definitely report the truth." "Very good, very good! However," Chen Kuilin said formally, "Your history with Yang Guolin and his current situation in custody, brother must never mention to anyone. This level of relationship is very important. If it is leaked, the superiors will I'm afraid I can't afford to pursue it." "Yes, yes! I understand."