The Prosperous Era of Longwan

"Then shall we go together or shall we separate and plead with His Majesty alone?"

Yin Shizhen said.

"I think we should go separately, so that even if we are rejected by His Majesty for the first time, we still have a chance to continue to plead for mercy."

Wei Guangde said: "Besides, Eunuch Li received eighty canes yesterday and was put into prison. I also want to discuss it with you and ask the doctor to go to the prison and give him some medicine."

Chen Yiqin nodded and said: "What Shandai said makes sense. We have to hurry up. I will go see your majesty soon and intercede for Eunuch Li. You can go to the prison to see people."

With two pavilion elders coming forward, even if the plea fails, with your face, Eunuch Li will not suffer too much in prison. "

In a prison, the most important thing is whether the prisoner has a good background.

If someone has a background and connection, the jailer will not dare to embarrass him and will treat him well. Firstly, he is afraid that he will offend the person while being imprisoned, and he will eventually get away with it. Secondly, there is someone outside who can get some red envelope benefits if he takes care of him.

After all, people are locked up inside, but if they serve you well, you can't express it.

But for those who are destined to die, the jailer's attitude is different. No matter how big an official you are on the outside, once you get in, they will no longer treat you as a human being.

If you offend the emperor, you will lose your skin even if you don't die.

So when Wei Guangde mentioned this, Chen Yiqin felt that the matter could not be delayed any longer. If time went by, he was worried that Li Fang would not be able to bear it and would die in prison.

You know, the imperial staff in the inner court is very particular. Although Chen Ju said in the note, Li Fang still had a breath and was not beaten to death on the spot, but she couldn't bear the trouble of Teng Xiang and his gang behind her back.

Li Fang also offended too many people, basically everyone around the emperor who could speak was offended.

Why are you blocking someone's way of making money for no reason?

Officials are upright and upright at all times, but they will still use their hands and feet secretly to extract some money. This is already an unspoken rule.

If you want to stop this behavior on your own, you will undoubtedly be trying to do something like a chariot.

Wei Guangde asked himself, feeling that he couldn't do it.

Even sometimes, he has to live with the light, and everyone should be free from greed, otherwise they will easily be isolated.

Just like when he copied the "Yongle Dadian", he withheld a sum of money.

Does he lack this?

There is no shortage, but I have to take it.

Even Zhang Juzheng got this money, and Zhang Juzheng became an official earlier than him. When he was in the Imperial College, he and Gao Gong also took unspoken money.

For example, for those who want to send people to the Imperial College, even if they have all the qualifications, whether the Imperial College will accept them or not is not a matter of judgment from the people below.

No matter how the emperor nods, he must look at the filial piety of the Imperial College.

And he couldn't afford this money alone. The list had to be reported to Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong. Without the money, nothing could be done.

If there is any difference in any aspect, it means breaking the rules and you will be ostracized by your colleagues around you.

The current trend has already taken shape, and it is so easy to change.

This kind of officialdom environment actually still existed in later generations.

Many people think that Ming Dynasty officials put the money into their own pockets by extorting corruption. In fact, this is a big misunderstanding.

The silver that disappeared was actually kept in the small treasury of the Yamen, and then distributed to the officials in the Yamen according to the rules.

In this way, everyone will keep it secret because it is a community of interests.

If one person benefits and others do not, then you are greedy.

The Ming Dynasty also fought against corruption, but what they fought against was actually those officials who took it upon themselves to eat.

There is also the deduction of money from the lower ranks of the imperial court according to rank in the officialdom, such as military pay and disaster relief money, which will still exist in later generations.

Who are the losers in officialdom?

Just someone who doesn't follow the rules.

They exchanged rights for money, but instead of walking into the small treasury, they took it themselves.

There are no fools in the yamen. If you work for powerful people, you don't have the money to pay for it. But if you work for non-powerful people and you don't have the money, then everyone knows it.

Li Fang is stuck in integrity. How difficult it is to get out of the mud without being stained.

Next, Yin Shizhen and Wei Guangde racked their brains and came up with many reasons, hoping that Chen Yiqin could use this to impress Emperor Longqing and let Li Fang go.

After thinking about this, Chen Yiqin got up and went to the palace to plead for mercy, while Wei Guangde and Yin Shizhen also followed them out of the cabinet and went to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment.

At this moment, they had already found out clearly that after being beaten with a cane last night, he was sent to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment early this morning. It seemed that the emperor planned to use the outer court to convict Li Fang.

In fact, for people in the inner court, you can judge by yourself, and there is no need to go to the Ministry of Punishment.

Emperor Longqing did this, and he didn't know whether he deliberately left a glimmer of hope for Li Fang.

Wei Guangde and Yin Shizhen couldn't guess it anyway, so after finding the doctor, they went straight to the prison of the Criminal Department.

The Tianlao in the capital is generally referred to as the Fusi Imperial Prison in Jinyiweibei Town. However, in fact, most of the criminals were imprisoned in the Penal Department Prison. Therefore, in many cases, the Tianlao mentioned by the people also includes the Penal Department Prison.

This is the highest-ranking prison cell in the imperial court.

A high grade does not mean high treatment. In fact, in Wei Guangde's opinion, it seems that the Penal Department Prison is not as good as the Beizhen Fusi Prison.

The imperial prison was gloomy, but relatively clean, but the prison of the Ministry of Punishment was not only smelly, but also filled with sewage, making it almost impossible for him to stay.

Covering their noses with their sleeves, the two men, led by the cell leader, found the cell where Li Fang was being held. They frowned.

Wei Guangde took out an ingot of about two taels of silver from his sleeve and threw it to the cell leader, "Who arranged it? Let's move to a better cell."

Here, the cell leader is the biggest.

Not to mention his cabinet ministers, even his immediate boss, the Minister of Justice, are not very useful here.

Because these jailers are hereditary and are not arranged by the officials of the Ministry of Punishments.

People's families have been doing this for generations and have already formed a close network of relationships. They are also pointing out the prisoners in the prison to make money. The official's words are really useless.

You may be obedient in front of the official, but if your back is turned, who the hell will pay attention to you.

Therefore, no matter what kind of dignitary you are, you have to pay money for everything you do here. This is also a rule and cannot be broken.

In fact, this is society.

Bound by countless visible and invisible rules, everyone can only live within the rules whether they like it or not.

"this."

Hearing that Wei Guangde wanted to change cells, the cell leader was obviously reluctant.

"Um?"

Wei Guangde inadvertently accentuated his nasal voice, which contained some threatening elements.

To be fair, it doesn't exist.

Although he couldn't control it here, there were ways to deal with disobedient people, but these things were not on the table, so he usually didn't bother to do them.

In fact, what scares the cell leaders the most is the factory guards, who sometimes do not follow the rules.

"Master, I am not willing, someone has sent a message."

"Humph, they can do it, but I can't?"

As soon as the prison head opened his mouth, Wei Guangde said dissatisfied.

In fact, there was speculation before coming that the people in the palace might not make it easy for Li Fang, so no matter what, Wei Guangde did not intend to give in until the emperor's attitude was clear, otherwise he would be kicked in the face.

"Yes, I will arrange it right away."

After Wei Guangde entered the Sixth Department, his majesty became increasingly strong, and his aura was still very scary at this time.

As he said, others could coerce these jailers, but couldn't he?

Arrange people to cause some trouble for their family, who dares to interfere?

The cell leader knew what to do in an instant. Now in front of Wei Guangde, he would do what Wei Guangde wanted. If the people on the other side came back again, he would do what others wanted.

Anyway, those who work in their profession must obey their orders in prison, but they don’t have to be obedient when they go out.

Just when the cell leader opened the cell door and was about to go in and ask someone to come out, Wei Guangde looked at Li Fang lying in the haystack inside, stopped the cell leader, and said, "Call a few people, take the person out, and change to a cleaner cell." , so that the doctor can give the medicine."

"Yes Yes Yes."

The cell leader hurriedly agreed, called the people behind him, took the door panel and carefully went in, lifted Li Fang to the door panel and then out.

The jailer walked in front, followed by Wei Guangde and Yin Shizhen, and behind him was the doctor who came with the medicine box on his back.

This doctor was also an expert in treating injuries in Sijiu City. Only then was Wei Guangde sent someone to treat him.

Soon, a cell that was completely different from before appeared. When they passed by, Li Fang had been placed on a wooden frame bed with a thick layer of straw. It was much better than the previous dark and damp cell. .

Wei Guangde took out another five taels of silver and handed it to the jailers, "You divide it among yourselves."

Wei Guangde didn't have much loose money on him, so he could only find a slightly larger one for them and let them divide the loot among themselves.

Five taels of silver may seem small to people who have watched too many movies and TV series in later generations, but in fact it is already quite a lot.

The ingot of silver shared among several people was equivalent to one month's salary for them, so they just lifted a door panel and did nothing else this month, so they received double salary.

Of course, the income flexibility of jailers is also very high. If they are well-paid, they may receive more than ten taels of silver a month, but if no one comes in to take care of it, they will only suffer.

"Thank you sir for the reward."

Several jailers were grateful to Wei Guangde and Yin Shizhen, giving them money and pretending to shed tears of gratitude.

The one who sent them here just now was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who was always called "Lao Ge".

They also followed the example of the Master of the Chamber of Commerce and called them "Pavilion Lao", but they didn't deserve it, so they could only call them "Grand Master".

"Mr. Li, please take a look."

Yin Shizhen said now that he had understood that Li Fang was still alive, but seemed to be in a coma now.

It was moving when I was lifting someone, but now there is no movement.

"Yes, sir."

Li Langzhong put down the medicine box, opened it, took out a small piece of wood, sat beside the bed, and began to examine Li Fang.

Wei Guangde called the cell leader aside and whispered, "Did someone from Dongchang say hello to you?"

The prison boss didn't dare to hide it. There was no point in hiding it at this time. Only by making the other party sound powerful would he be able to explain it, and maybe there would be an unexpected surprise.

After all, the person this eunuch offended was not an ordinary person. He was taking risks by giving convenience to others in prison.

Should I give more money?

"Be nice to him, otherwise you'll lose your life."

After Wei Guangde heard what the old man said, he threatened.

"Yes, I know, little one."

The prison head panicked and bowed his head.

"I'll send someone to give you a hundred taels of silver later, and help me organize the prison so that there won't be any mistakes."

Wei Guangde said, then pointed at the doctor and said, "In the next few days, he will come to the prison to treat people's illnesses, you know."

"Yes, I understand, little one."

The prison head nodded hurriedly and bowed, but he was also happy in his heart.

With one hundred taels of silver, I can earn more than a dozen taels this month, and the people below can also share a few taels each.

"If those people come again, send someone there during the day."

Wei Guangde thought that since he intervened, he had to ensure that nothing went wrong to avoid being killed by those eggless people. He just asked how to contact him, which made Wei Guangde feel a little embarrassed.

The cabinet is in the palace, how can these jailers see him?

It is difficult to convey the message.

"You know where Guanglu Temple is?"

"I know, I know."

"If you are in trouble, send someone to Guanglu Temple to find Wang Ning, the young minister. Tell him about it and he can find me in the palace.

If it's at night, you can go to the Wei Mansion in Nanxunfang. My name is Wei Guangde, a bachelor of the cabinet. Go there and ask the night watchman. "

Wei Guangde said.

There is no point in keeping secrets at this time. Those who should know have already known. Hiding one's head and tail will only lead to bad things.

"Yes, Mr. Wei, I understand."

Of course the cell leader knew where the cabinet was. It was the place where the largest official in the imperial court stayed, the largest official besides the emperor.

The factory guards are powerful, but as long as the officials inside don't do anything wrong, the factory guards will show courtesy to them.

The two sides were at loggerheads. As long as the people in the cabinet brought the complaint to the emperor, the factory guards would definitely suffer, regardless of whether they were right or wrong.

As for why, it's because the emperor wants to treat virtuous corporals with courtesy.

Scholars, of course, are not people in the factory guard, but scholars.

Over there, Dr. Li frowned as he examined Li Fang's condition. Yin Shizhen asked softly over there, knowing that Li Fang's injury was not serious. It would take ten days and a half to be cured without any sequelae.

"Those who treat with all their heart should first use the best medicine."

Yin Shizhen ordered.

Li Langzhong took off Li Fang's pants and applied medicine, and Yin Shizhen came to Wei Guangde's side.

After understanding the situation, Wei Guangde just nodded slightly and said to the cell leader: "I'll leave it to you while I'm in prison. Take good care of me. Give me the best food and wine for three meals a day. Just don't miss out on meat and vegetables every day. Look back." In addition, I will give you one hundred taels of silver, and you can make arrangements to order food from a nearby restaurant every day, and you won’t need any wine.”

Wei Guangde knew that Li Fang was not suitable for drinking under such circumstances.

"Okay, I'll make arrangements right away."

After Li Fang was brought here, he didn't care. There was definitely no breakfast. No matter whether she was awake or not at noon, there were only two steamed buns at most. They didn't care whether she ate or not.

But it doesn’t work now, I have to take care of it.

If a doctor is there to see the doctor, the person will not die, so the lunch meal must be arranged first.

After the cell leader went out, Yin Shizhen talked about the expenses here, and the two of them split it equally.

"Forget it, I don't have much money in total. I've already made arrangements here."

Wei Guangde would not ask Yin Shizhen to pay for his money. In fact, saving Li Fang is a good thing, especially for Yu Zhuan's old friends, who more or less accept Li Fang's favor.

Taking care of everything here will help win the hearts of those people and build a good reputation.

The money was not much, but the value was great. Wei Guangde had already settled this account in his heart.

Not a loss.

As for whether it would offend Teng Xiang and the others, Wei Guangde also knew for sure that even if the three pavilion elders came forward, they could not say anything more.