The incense table for receiving orders has been set up in the front yard. The eldest master, second master, and fifth master are all in official uniforms. They are neatly dressed and talking to a middle-aged man in his forties. The man looks quite reserved and arrogant.

A few people talked attentively and didn't pay much attention to them.

He was followed by dozens of government servants in soap clothes and red hats, armed with waist knives and full of murderous intent. It was precisely because of these government servants that the Yang family was in panic.

He came with a government servant to deliver the order, so there must be nothing good going on!

The man who came to convey the order was just the head of the Criminal Department of the sixth rank, while the eldest master and the second master were the hall officials of the third rank, and the fifth master was also the fourth rank. There was an insurmountable gap between the sixth rank and the third and fourth ranks. On weekdays, I saw a

They would not even raise their eyes to the chief, but this time the chief Xiang came with an imperial edict, that is, he was an imperial envoy. How could they dare to neglect him?

What's more, Chief Xiang had a grudge against the Yang family. That day, Chief Xiang's brother forcibly seized a civilian girl. The fifth master was the censor of the city. He immediately captured him, beat him eighty times, and sentenced him to a three-thousand-year-old banishment.

Here. At that time, I asked the boss

When he arrived in front of the Fifth Master, the Fifth Master did not mean to have trouble with him. It was actually his younger brother who was making too much trouble. He relied on his elder brother to take charge in the Ministry of Punishment, bullied men and dominated women, and did many bad things, which made the people resentful.

.

The fifth master refuted his face and upheld the original verdict!

Chief Xiang finally got the chance today. As soon as he arrived at the Yang family's house, he was arrogant and sarcastic, his words full of sarcasm.

What's more, everyone is a veteran in the officialdom. Since the Minister of Punishment is willing to send an official who has a grudge against the Yang family to handle this matter, it means that the Minister of Punishment also feels that the emperor is serious this time and wants to attack the Yang family, so

The masters of the Yang family are becoming more and more uneasy.

After waiting for a while, Xiang Xiang became quite impatient: "Is the Third Young Master here? My lords, I don't dare to stay for a long time because of my official orders. My lords, please don't embarrass me. If you delay your errand, I will

I can’t afford to suffer the consequences! Several adults will be implicated by then, don’t say Xiang didn’t warn you!”

The eldest man secretly cursed in his heart: Who do you think you are? A small sixth-grade official dares to go to the Yang family and act wild. How can he really think that the Yang family has been ruined to this extent? He was thinking in his heart, but he did not dare to say it out loud,

He even said with a smile: "It's coming, it's coming! No matter how courageous we are, we dare not not accept the imperial edict!"

While he was talking, Chengzong had already strode over. The elder quickly introduced him: "This is the head of the Criminal Department who wants to speak to you!"

Chengzong looked calm and stepped forward to salute: "Student Yang Chengzong has met Mr. Xiang."

He nodded arrogantly to the chief: "Since the real master has arrived, let's declare the decree!" He suddenly shouted, "Please Yang Chengzong and all of you, please kneel down to receive the decree!"

All the men of the Yang family immediately fell to their knees like wheat.

The principal Xiang immediately unfolded the imperial edict on the cover of Huang Ling and read aloud: "By the Emperor's support, the edict states: Yang Chengzong, Zhang Lin and others, who were promoted by Shuntian Prefecture, are suspected of bribing the examiners and deceiving the Holy Emperor. They are immediately locked up by the Ministry of Punishment for detailed investigation."

, admire this!”

After reading it to the chief, he waved his hand and shouted: "Identify Yang Chengzong's identity and take him down for me!"

When the three masters heard this imperial edict, they were like thunder. Chengzong was still young. If he was caught in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment, he would have to give whatever confession he wanted. And the emperor had already ordered Chengzong to be imprisoned.

If you and Zhang Lin hold on to the prison, isn't this matter already beyond control? Several people felt a chill in their hearts.

While he was talking, several wolf-like officers had already pounced on him, and a chain had been put on his body. Chengzong had received a message from Ye Yichen in advance, so he was not too panicked at the moment.

The chief minister handed the imperial edict to the elder and asked him to find a place to offer it, and then said with a smile: "My lords, I have finished my errands, and now I have to go back to deliver the errands and take my leave!"

"Sir, please wait!" The elder stepped forward, took out a banknote from his sleeve, quietly stuffed it into Chief Xiang's arms, leaned close to his ear and lowered his voice and said: "Sir and brothers have worked hard on this case.

It's just a small thought but not a sign of respect. Please take it and buy a bowl of tea for all the brothers. Quanzi is young and naive, and has never encountered such a thing. I hope you will take care of me and take care of me!"

There was a sarcastic smile on the corner of the principal's mouth. When he gave the fifth master money back then, the fifth master didn't ask for it. In the end, his brother received eighty blows and was sent to the barren land of Yunnan. He couldn't bear the punishment, but

He died of miasma within two years.

He hated the Fifth Master and the Yang family with all his heart, but the Yang family was so powerful that he originally thought there was no hope of revenge in this life, but who knew that he would be given such a good opportunity.

He pushed the elder's hand back and said coldly: "Your Majesty, I accept it, but your young master is a scientific examination suspect designated by the emperor. No matter how courageous I am, I don't dare to get involved casually.

you

It’s better to keep the money, take care of your joints, and save your young master from jail, so that the white-haired man does not send the black-haired man away. This is a small matter, because this matter will bring shame to the entire Yang family and damage the old man’s reputation. It is a big deal. "

Every sentence was sarcastic, and the elder's face turned red and white. He was angry in his heart, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Chief Xiang escorted Chengzong out of the Yang Mansion. As soon as he turned out of Qipan Street, he was blocked by a group of people armed with knives and swords. He was secretly surprised. Could anyone dare to rob an imperial prisoner in the street in broad daylight?

Just as he was thinking about it, he saw the crowd split to the left and right, and a middle-aged man wearing a bamboo green robe with a smile on his face walked out. He greeted him with a smile: "What, don't you recognize me, Mr. Xiang?"

Chief Xiang was taken aback, and a sincere smile immediately appeared on his face: "I know, I know, you, the General Manager of Mada University, are famous all over the capital. Unless you are blind, who wouldn't recognize you!"

The person who came was none other than Ma Fu. As the so-called seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister, Ma Fu, as the general manager of the palace, represents the position of the prince most of the time. His hands are very huge and his energy is amazing. He is the Minister of Punishment.

You have to be polite when meeting Ma Fu, let alone a small boss.

When the boss saw him, he quickly bowed to him. Even though Ma Fu was just a housekeeper, there was nothing he couldn't do in the officialdom and the court. On weekdays, he couldn't curry favor with the boss even if he wanted to.

Ma Fu smiled slightly, walked up to Mr. Xiang and hugged Mr. Xiang's shoulders affectionately, "I hit it off with Mr. Xiang. We had drinks together two days ago. I don't know if Mr. Xiang remembers it."

Chief Xiang was flattered. He had had drinks with this old guy two days ago, but he was accompanied by Chief Xiang’s immediate boss, Mr. Ni, the left minister of the Criminal Department of the third grade. He just stepped forward to salute.

A glass of wine. The old guy didn't even look at him at that time, but now he looked like this, looking affectionate and affectionate.

As he spoke, Xiang was already being carried into an alley by his arms. Ma Fu then let go of his hand. "I know that you have official business, so I don't dare to disturb you. But this time, I'm doing it for the prince."

Order to come..." He smiled slightly, "Sir,

You must also know that the prisoner you took away today is our prince's brother-in-law. Our prince, among other things, is extremely doting on the current princess. She begged him personally, and he is called me.

Come and say hello to the adults..."

Chief Xiang wanted to curry favor with Ma Fu, but he didn't want to let the Yang family go so easily. He had already thought about it in his mind before going back to take Yang Chengzong to the prison, and he would give him a hard time.

He wants some justice for his brother who died unjustly.

Ma Fu told him to let go of his grudges with just one sentence. How could he be balanced and happy?

After all, no matter how powerful Ma Fu is, he is not his immediate superior. He excused himself and said: "General Manager Ma, it's not that I don't want to give you face. In fact, the third young master of the Yang family was arrested by the emperor himself.

The stakes are high, the official position is small and the position is low, even if I want to help the Third Young Master, I am powerless!"

Ma Fu smiled slightly: "Others don't know about the twists and turns in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment. Don't I know? Since you are the one who arrested the person, it is natural that you should go to the adult to take care of it. Did I say that?

Wrong?" At that time, if nothing else is said, just give Chengzong some bad food and bad food. He probably won't be able to bear it! What's more, the private matters here don't stop at this, and lynching him is not the best.

impossible.

They can even let prisoners die in prison without any explanation, and others can't find out the reason at all.

After hearing what Ma Fu said, he looked slightly embarrassed towards the chief. Thinking of his brother who died unjustly, he closed his mouth and refused to speak for a while.

It is said that the king of hell is easy to meet, but the devil is difficult to deal with. Ye Yichen has already said hello to Zuo Shilang, who is in charge of the prison in the punishment department, but the county magistrate is not as good as taking charge now. If the top is taken care of, if the bottom can't be handled, it will be the same. Ye Yichen is like this

Then Ma Fu was sent to come and talk to the principal in person.

Ma Fu secretly sneered in his heart. If it weren't for this matter, he wouldn't even bother to look at such a small boss. Although he thought so in his heart, he still maintained a decent smile on his face. "Our prince is not the kind of man who forces things on others.

Yes, I also know the difficulties faced by Mr. Xiang, so our prince’s requirements are not high.

, I just hope that Mr. Xiang can take care of my third uncle a little more within his ability and authority. Our third uncle has never suffered any hardship since he was a child, and he is a scholar. He can't stand the kind of sour food and the food in prison.

Beating, scolding and insulting, as long as you do it conveniently, the prince will naturally accept your love."

At this point, he paused before continuing: "Our prince has also heard that your Ministry of Punishment has just had a vacancy for a foreign minister, and the candidate has not yet been decided..." At this point, Ma Fu stopped.

.

The head of the Criminal Department is the sixth rank, and the Yuanwailang of the Criminal Department is from the fifth rank. As the chief rises, he happens to be a Yuanwailang. The headmaster Xiang did not come from a formal imperial examination. He spent seven or eight years as the head of the Criminal Department, and finally one of the Yuanwailang was promoted.

He originally thought that because of his qualifications, it would be his turn. Who knows, someone revealed the news to him, saying that the Ministry of Personnel was going to arrange for a descendant of Jinxiang Hou's eldest brother to be the Yuanwailang.

Mr. Xiang has been holding back his anger these past few days. He beats people and scolds people when he comes home. However, his background is not as strong as others, and his money is not as rich as others. It is useless no matter how angry he is. He can only watch and wait for the officials.

It will be impossible to change the documents once they are submitted to the ministry.

At this time, Ma Fu said these words. Chief Xiang felt a rush of blood rushing to his head. He couldn't help but trembled: "As long as the prince is willing to say a word for me, I will tell you to go through fire and water."

I'll do my best! Please come back

Manager Ma can help with a few nice words in front of the prince." In fact, he is just a member of the fifth rank. There is no need for the prince to come forward. As long as Ma Fu comes forward and talks to the people in the Literary Selection Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, this matter can be done.

Do it easily.

Ma Fu said with a smile: "Our prince has always been very clear about grudges. He knows how to be self-restrained and loyal to the Lord, do his errands with all his heart, and say hello to the officials. It's just a matter of saying a word!" The implication is that whether this matter can be accomplished or not.

, it also depends on your next performance to the boss.

Chief Xiang was already overjoyed: "I understand, I understand! I will definitely try my best and dare not disappoint the prince's trust!"

Ma Fu said: "In that case, I will thank you on behalf of the prince!" He said and gave a hasty salute to the principal.

He hurriedly stepped aside and said, "Don't dare!"

Ma Fu was secretly thinking. Some people want to be promoted, some want to get rich, some love women, some love wine. As long as you follow their own preferences, there is nothing impossible in this world.

Ma Fu took out another five hundred taels of silver notes from his pocket and stuffed it into Master Xiang's hand. Master Xiang quickly shied away: "I don't dare to ask for your money anymore!"

Ma Fu said with a smile: "You need a lot of money to manage things up and down. Since you are doing things for the prince, why are you asked to pay for it yourself? Just take it."

After a few more excuses to the boss, I kicked the banknote, feeling even more satisfied.

Ma Fu was still a little worried, so he glanced at him and said: "Master Xiang, I know you and Mr. Yang Wu have a bit of a feud, but those old sesame seeds and rotten millet things in the past should be done with it. Everyone has to do it.

Looking forward, do you think so? One day I will sit in the East and invite you and the Fifth Master to go to Chunxi Tower for a drink, and then ask him to personally apologize to you!"
To be continued...