Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 85
In the second hall of the Fengyang Governor's Office, Chen Qiyu, who was wearing a red official robe, was reading a letter on the chair. The letter was written by Lu Siqing, who was in the same year as the minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Industry. squint.

In the letter, Lu Siqing first congratulated Chen Qiyu on his recovery, then recalled the glorious moment when the two were on the same list, and then complimented Chen Qiyu's heroic and heroic appearance. At the end of the letter, he talked about the time before, The incident of Fengyang eunuch Hou Mou beating someone to death said that this incident caused a huge shock in Nanjing, and there were many discussions among the people. They expressed great indignation at the eunuch who ignored the national law and ignored human life. Civil officials have already published a book to impeach the chief envoy. people wait.

At the end of the letter, he praised the businessman Li Mou who brought his handwritten letter to Chen Qiyu, saying that he is a rare charity businessman who builds bridges and paves roads, helps the poor and the poor on weekdays.

Although Chen Qiyu and Lu Siqing were Jinshi on the same list, but since then, they have rarely contacted each other.When Chen Qiyu was imprisoned, Lu Siqing never went to the book to intercede, and there was no news of him coming to Fengyang for several months. It seemed that he was not optimistic about his new position.Suddenly got his letter today, Chen Qiyu naturally knew that the other party had something to ask for himself, after reading the letter, he knew what the other party entrusted.

Civil servants entrusted each other with matters, and few were outspoken. They all beat around the bush and talked about it, and what they asked for was hidden between the lines.The letter suddenly mentioned Hou Dingguo's killing of civilians and the righteous deeds of the messenger Li, how could Chen Qiyu not understand the meaning?
He casually put the letter on the table next to him, looked at Li Shiqun who was kneeling a few steps away, and said, "How is Brother Wen Zhong? I haven't seen Wen Zhong for several years, his voice and smile It's blurred."

This sentence is to tell Li Shiqun, don't think that Lu Siqing is my same year, and you can get things done by writing a letter. I have a normal relationship with him, and I even forgot what he looks like.

Li Shiqun lowered his head and cupped his hands and replied: "Returning to my lord, Mr. Lu just took a concubine last month. The villain went to have a wedding. Although Mr. Lu is over sixty years old, his body is indeed old and strong, comparable to a boy!"

Chen Qiyu laughed loudly and said, "Old tree is new! Lu Wenzhong wants to make up for the lost years! Good! Good! Hahaha!"

Lu Siqing was over [-] years old when he was on the list, he was originally poor and downtrodden, and suddenly became rich, so he intensified his enjoyment of all kinds of good things, as a kind of compensation for the original poor life.

Chen Liangmo snorted coldly, and said: "As an official, I don't think about serving the court and benefiting the people. Instead, I work hard on sensuality. What's the use of such mediocre officials?"

Li Shiqun was surprised when he heard the words, he agreed with what Chen Liangmo said in every possible way, he didn't expect such an honest and outspoken official, so he couldn't help turning his head slightly and looked up at Chen Liangmo.

Chen Qiyu laughed and said: "Shiliang's words are absurd! We and other officials are also mortals, with seven emotions and six desires. The court laws and regulations do not prohibit old court officials from taking concubines, right? How can such an elegant thing come into your mouth? It's so unbearable!"

Without waiting for Chen Liangmo's rebuttal, Chen Qiyu said to Li Shiqun sternly: "I have accepted Lu Wenzhong's letter, please withdraw."

Li Shiqun had predicted Chen Qiyu's actions long ago. Hearing his words to drive people away, he secretly gritted his teeth, kowtowed his head, straightened up and said loudly: "The villain has something to say, I hope the adults will accept it!"

Chen Qiyu frowned, secretly displeased in his heart, but Lu Siqing still wanted to give face, so he said solemnly: "If you have something to say, speak quickly!"

Li Shiqun went all out. After he returned to Nanjing, he used all the contacts in the Li family, suffered countless rejections, and took a lot of favors and money. Finally, he found out about the relationship between Lu Siqing and Chen Qiyu. Taking advantage of Lu Siqing's opportunity to accept concubines, Li Shiqun offered Only 5000 taels of silver were exchanged for today's letter. If he is kicked out, then all the previous things will become a joke. At a glance, even if you lose your fortune, you will not hesitate!

He said loudly: "A few months ago, when the adults first arrived in Fengyang, they called on the gentry to donate to help the peasants. The villain was there at the time, but the donations were not much. Now only a few months have passed, and the villain guessed that the government may still be short of silver. Today, the villain voluntarily donated 2 taels of silver to the Governor's Yamen, so that the government can help the people!"

Chen Qiyu and Chen Liangmo were overjoyed when they heard the words, 2 taels of silver was considered a huge sum of money, the lack of money and food meant that Chen Qiyu's hands and feet were tied up, making him powerless.Fengyang Mansion has already accumulated a lot of taxes and taxes, how can there be extra money for him to dispose of?Let alone 2 taels now, even 2000 taels will make Chen Qiyu happy for many days.

Chen Qiyu hurriedly said: "Mr. Li's words are serious? Get up quickly! Come on! Take a seat! Serve tea!"

A servant from the Chen family brought a chair and placed it near the door of the second hall. Li Shiqun thanked him, then slowly stood up, kneeling for too long, his waist and legs were sore, he walked slowly to the chair, and again After saluting the two of them, he sat down and said to himself: Sure enough, the gate of the yamen is open, don't come in if you have a reason and no money!It's useless to talk for a long time, but the white money still touches people's hearts.

After Li Shiqun sat down, Chen Qiyu smiled and said, "Brother Wen Zhong really knows people! Li Yuanwai is indeed a charity business! Good, very good!"

Although Chen Liangmo speaks directly, it is because of his character of hatred and hatred, which does not mean that he is stupid. Who among the scholars who have studied hard for decades and finally won the gold list is stupid?
He knew that Li Shiqun must have important matters to ask for such a large sum of money. He wondered if it would involve corruption and perverting the law. As a censor, he must of course know what it was. How much he admired Chen Qiyu, maybe he would also read a book from him.

According to common sense, at this time, except for Chen Qiyu and the person who asked him, everyone who has nothing to do with him will retreat to avoid suspicion, but Chen Liangmo still sits firmly.

Chen Qiyu didn't mean to avoid Chen Liangmo's suspicion at all, not to say how open and honest he was, but what Lu Siqing said in the letter was exactly what he was looking for to break through the situation. With Chen Liangmo present, it seemed that he was wholeheartedly committed to The reason for driving Li Shiqun away is because he doesn't like being coerced by others.

He opened his mouth and said: "Just now I heard from brother Zhong's letter that the death of a good man surnamed Xu by a former eunuch caused a raging public opinion in Fengyang, which had a great influence. I knew about it that day and ordered the Fengyang government to arrest him within a time limit. The murderer has been brought to justice. However, there were no witnesses and evidence at the scene, and the Fengyang Mansion can't frame others at will, right? Could Li Yuanwai be related to this matter?"

Li Shiqun clasped his hands and said: "The villain has an unfeeling request, and I hope the adults will agree!"

Chen Qiyu thought to himself, where do you have so many troubles?But he still said with a smile on his face: "Say, as long as it is reasonable, I will not refuse anything!"

Li Shiqun went on to say: "The 2 taels of silver that the villain just said is in the villain's home in Nanjing. Because the amount is huge, please send someone to go back to Nanjing with the villain to collect it, so as not to make mistakes in the middle!"

When Chen Qiyu heard the words, he immediately gave Li Shiqun a high look, knowing that the other party had confirmed that the donation was not a lie to him, and the next request could not be refused. It seemed that the murder case had a direct relationship with Li Shiqun. Could it be that the deceased was Not his immediate family members?

He smiled and said: "Li Yuanwai is worthy of being a businessman, he is meticulous everywhere! I will make arrangements for myself. Closer to the point, tell me what you have asked for. Everything will be done for you by me and Mr. Chen." call the shots!"

Li Shiqun has been traveling for a long time, during which he received countless blank stares and ridicules. He has been enduring it all the time, and his heart of revenge and shame is getting stronger day by day. Today, he finally heard an important court official say that he wants to make decisions for himself, no matter what the result is. Those words immediately stirred his heart.

His eyes were red, he stood up abruptly, then knelt down straight, kowtowed to the two of them, and said loudly: "My lord! Shopkeeper Xu is so wronged!"

(End of this chapter)