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Joy of Life - Volume 2 - Chapter 276




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Chapter 276: The Youths Inside and Outside the Palace

It was autumn in the fifth year of the Qing calendar . The young eunuch Hong Zhu was holding onto a thick collection of documents . Struggling with the amount, his back hunched, he ran into the room of the western corner . His little feet dashed along the puddles of the soaked floor with no hesitation . The length of his robe had already been lifted and tied higher for greater mobility and to reduce the chance of tripping . His right hand atop the documents, he used the wide sleeves to umbrella the parchments he was delivering, for he was afraid that the grey skies could at any moment part and make way for another downpour .



He stepped through the door and handed over his regulation papers, and then performed a register check with the other eunuchs that had gathered there . Hong Zhu was relaxed and after carefully signing the documents, gave them over, too .

The office of the palace secretary was an important location that dealt with matters of a great deal, including the affairs of state . In comparison to the past, the office had grown in its relevance and significance . This is because there was no longer a prime minister to lead the six departments . The validity and acceptance of all decrees authored by the departments had to go through the prime minister before they went to the palace, but Lin Ruofu had already retired and returned to his hometown . The position of the office of the palace secretaryhad now garnered a lot of attention and the Emperor had invited many people there to work . The Emperor had called upon the presence of many chancellors there and put the location for their discussions outside the gate of the palace, where it would be easier for them to communicate .

Those who were now in charge of important matters of the imperial court, the palace secretaries, were a few senior chancellors and Shu the Scholar .

A chill wind blew across the plaza of the palace . Hong Zhu rubbed his hands together as he yawned where he stood, outside the door . He was there waiting for a few old men to stamp and return his documents . He could not yet leave, so he just stood there solemnly outside the door . His ears perked to the sounds coming from inside .

Sometimes, the occasional officer walked past him . Whenever they did, they politely nodded to him . Remembering his status, Hong Zhu would quickly return with a salute . No one thought it strange that Hong Zhu was standing outside the office of the palace secretary, for everyone was aware of his position .

Occasionally, the palace would send out a eunuch to come over and watch him . They were all polite and bowed before him greatly . They invited him to a room to stay warm . Hong Zhu didn’t show much appreciation or polite mannerisms to these younger eunuchs; he would just nod their way, disregard their suggestions, and remain outside .

He was only 16, but he held quite the position in the palace . The reason why was because the job he was appointed to complete each and every day in the palace was important . But the most important reason was because his surname was Hong . As such, a rumor occasionally circulated about him possibly being a relative of Old Eunuch Hong .

Hong Zhu touched the pimple on his lip once more and felt annoyed . In the past few days, the Overwatch Council had captured many people and because of this the officers were ceaselessly drafting new decrees . The palace secretary was growing increasingly noisier, as well . With more documents to deliver, he had been running up and down the palace all day . The toxins of his pimple had become too much and as he stood there, it popped . He was thinking that after he returned to the palace that evening, he would have to ask the kitchen staff to prepare for him some herbal tea .

The discussion inside the room was not that loud, but he could still hear what was being spoken .

"This is a task best appointed to the Overwatch Council . The Emperor has declined to oblige the decrees and has had them sent back; what is that supposed to mean?"

"Perhaps…" Following a pause, the voice picked up again . "Has the Emperor been of the mind to believe Fan Xian’s actions of late have been a bit excessive?"

An older chancellor with an angry voice harshly responded with, "It is more than excessive! Fan Xian is using his own power to beat down those that disagree with him . In but ten days, he captured five chancellors . He had his officers sneak into their manors at the dead of night to take them as they slumbered . This is not the behavior of the Overwatch Council; these are the brutish actions of a bunch of thugs with authority . "

A voice that vehemently disagreed with what was spoken now interrupted . "Fan Xian is no sly, sniveling dog; he does things plainly for all to see . He does not hide things . These five officers were captured and a trial found them guilty of their charges the very next day . This was not done in secret, for a bulletin was posted in front of the Supreme Court, explaining the proceedings that had transpired . Any and all civilians were able to come and learn of these events . What Mister Yan said is far too much . The First Bureau of the Overwatch Council was authored to unearth corrupt officials; what does that have to do with him attacking those who disagree with him? Those five chancellors were not doing their job as was originally bidden, and it was because of this they were found out, captured, and subsequently charged . "

Old Chancellor Yan replied angrily, "Oh, you disagree that he does not beat down those who aren’t in favor of his ways? Then how come following the events of the Imperial Censorate’s attempt at framing him, there has been so much additional movement from the Overwatch Council?"

His interlocutor coldly laughed, and then said, "If this was about revenge, then how come he has kept clear of the Imperial Censorate? They are the ones who were responsible . "

"It is because the Emperor is smart, and he has forbidden the Overwatch Council from having any interaction with them . "

The man laughed coldly and replied with greater intelligence, "Then may I ask you of the connection between the Imperial Censorate and the Imperial Observatory? Can you explain to me why Fan Xian would go after the old goat who leads the Imperial Observatory?"

The Minister of Personnel, Yan Hangshu, was made speechless . It was a while before he responded, but when he did, he coldly said, "Whatever the case may be, we cannot allow the Overwatch Council to expand their influence as they have currently been doing . If their capturing spree continues, there will be no officers left!"

Mockingly, his debating foe responded, "Do not worry . The Overwatch Council lacks the authority to go after officers above rank three . " These words weren’t entirely comforting, for it was a veiled jab at Yan . He was insinuating that the Minister of Personnel would not become a target, even though he was corrupt . His fear of the Overwatch Council potentially coming for him was undoubtedly what incited his wrath .

The anger in Yan Hangshu now had his voice elevated to the level of a blaring trumpet . Even Hong Zhu, who stood outside, could hear him . "This is ridiculous! Are you truly going to just sit back and watch the Overwatch Council become the boss?"

The person who first spoke before the argument between the two broke out now re-entered the fray of spiteful words as a peacemaker . "Lord Minister, there is no need to be mad . Mister Qin should not speak any further, either . The Overwatch Council can only investigate cases . They are not able to cast judgment or sentence anybody . These few chancellors…" he coughed and then lowly spoke, "guilty or not, still have to go on trial before the Supreme Court . The Emperor has made this abundantly clear that we three have to come to a decision . "

The man who had now been identified as Mr . Qin said, "The concerns regarding the Overwatch Council are matters that should be handled by the Emperor himself . I am just a chancellor, and I have no further comment . "

Yan Hangshu was fuming . He yelled, "I don’t think this can go on as it is! Allowing Fan Xian to run free like a wild dog; do you truly want this kingdom to have itself another Chen Pingping!?"

Hong Zhu continued to guard outside the door . He could hear the conversations unfold clearly . From the corners of his lips, a cold smile was developing, as he thought that the relationship between the Emperor and Chen Pingping was unlike anything they could anticipate .

Just at this time, the Bureau of Military Affairs’ councilor Qin Heng pushed the door open with a cold smile and stepped outside . Hong Zhu approached him and said, "Mister Qin, I am in a rush to get back to the palace . When will I receive the documents?"

Qin Heng was in his thirties . He was the son of General Qin of the Bureau of Military Affairs . Last year, when they fought against the northern Qi Kingdom, he was a leader of the Qing Kingdom’s armies . He was not qualified to participate in palace secretary affairs, but ever since General Qin’s punishment of lashing, he had been sick and not come to court since . In sympathy, the Emperor bid that his son Qin Heng visit the office of the palace secretary and take part in the discussions that were held there . It was a blessing to the Qin family, and it was a sign that the kingdom still valued its military .

General Qin of the Bureau of Military Affairs was sick and had not been to court because of this . People believed it was because the Qin family did not like seeing Fan Xian there, as boisterous as he was . But Hong Zhu knew this could not be the reason, for he had just heard him defend Fan Xian today .

Qin Heng looked upon the eunuch and laughed, saying, "Let them argue . In the end, I highly doubt anyone will go against the Emperor’s will . And as for you, you should not peep and listen in on us as much as you do . Even if I encouraged you, you still wouldn’t dare to tell anyone, would you? Why risk the possibility of inviting trouble upon yourself?"

Hong Zhu gave a nice smile . Seeing one of the most popular men in the military walk away left him confused, and so he shook his head .

Not long after, the argument inside the office of the palace secretary was brought to a close by Shu the Scholar . Every chancellor tactfully wrote their own opinions on the documents, and they each asked the Emperor whether or not he was sure about this . After all, the five chancellors who were captured did not have a high rank; but still, they were elders of the city . No one wanted to see their friends fall from grace, least of all at the hands of the Overwatch Council .

Hong Zhu had now been given his documents back . He lifted the length of his robe, used his sleeves to umbrella the documents and began running across the palace once more .

The route from the office of the palace secretary to the royal study chamber was forever under the watchful eye of the guards and as such, none would dare bring harm to the documents Hong Zhu was delivering . Along the way, an attractive maid stopped to bid him a fond greeting - one he ignored . The other eunuchs looked at him continue on with jealousy in their eyes, but he pretended not to notice .

He reached just outside the royal study chamber when he stopped to take a breather . He built up his gentle-looking composure and softly opened the door, putting down the documents upon the desk lightly .

The Emperor, who was reading the southern decree, was frowning . He picked up one of the documents and Hong Zhu watched his eyebrows tighten even further . After a little while, his lips moved to speak . "These are mere ordinary men . Shu the Scholar knows about it, and Yan Hangshu must have some guts… Hm . That kid from the Qin family is not bad, either . "

Hong Zhu did not dare to listen to the Emperor . He stood aside with a pounding heart .

The Emperor gestured with his hand .

Hong Zhu was brought relief when bidden to depart the royal study chamber, for it meant his duties for the day were over . He followed the blue stone path and took a few turns every now and again until he arrived at the Taiji Palace . In this place, there were a few eunuchs in the process of breaking melon seeds . Seeing him approach, they bid him to come over and sit with them . One of them asked, "Did anything interesting happen today?"



Hong Zhu was annoyed and said, "Nothing much . Nothing of great intrigue can come from listening to old men argue over trivial matters . "

The eunuchs quickly spoke complimentary words before saying, "You go back and forth between the royal study chamber and the office of the palace secretary every day . All these important matters of the kingdom unfold right below your nose, so it is no wonder you may not think they are special . "

Hong Zhu may be arrogant, but he still had the vigilance to respond quickly and gravely: "What are you talking about? I am just a servant!"

One of the eunuchs laughed and said, "Aside from the Emperor, all of us, officers included, are servants . Hong Zhu, even if you were famous, you would have no idea . Even if the worthless sorts who took to stitching outside the palace were to say that they knew of you, people would think of them in a different way . In this capital, aside from Fan Xian over on Minister Lane, you are to be the second one . "

Hong Zhu reached out his hands to smooth his bangs and smiled, not saying anything more . Although he knew that he could not compare with Fan Xian, people always enjoyed boot-licking praise and for them to make mention of him being comparable to Fan Xian was an overwhelming delight . In his heart, he began to feel cocky .

At this time, a shadow hovered past the door to the room they were in . In an instant, each eunuch closed their mouth . Hong Zhu’s heart jumped as well, seeing that it was Eunuch Dai, who was a subordinate of Imperial Consort Shu . Although he accepted the task of delivering documents, he was far below the prestige of Eunuch Dai in terms of rank .

Once Eunuch Dai had walked far enough, one of the eunuchs in the room spat on the floor, believing it to be ridiculous how they each and all went silent on his behalf . He harshly spoke, "This Eunuch Dai is nothing compared to what he used to be . It was because my mind was absent, but seeing him like this, there is no cause for us to be afraid of him . "

Hong Zhu’s heart jumped and simply asked, "Why?"

The other eunuch’s eyebrows raised, and he responded, "A while ago, the Imperial Censorate attempted to frame Fan Xian . They even got Eunuch Dai involved . Although the Emperor called for the censors to be punished, Eunuch Dai received punishments as well . I heard a rumor that his entitlement to deliver decrees had been stripped . Even Lady Shu wanted to have him kicked out of the palace . "

Another one of the eunuchs wanted to flatter Hong Zhu as well . "When Eunuch Dai was still popular, he frequently yelled and beat up others who were below him . But now that he has lost his position, who should care about him? He is little more than an autumn leaf that has fallen to the mud . He is nothing compared to you, Hong Zhu . You are a freshly budded leaf upon a mighty tree . "

Hong Zhu heard these words of extreme flattery and felt it to be unbearable and rude . With a frown, he casually spoke a few words and then departed .

He walked alongside the big pillars of the palace and now he stood before the gate of the Emperor’s harem . He saw Eunuch Dai there, and his shadow looked to be one of dejection . He quickly ran towards him and said, "Eunuch Dai, I could you see from afar . I have come here to greet you . "

Eunuch Dai was surprised and looked at Hong Zhu . These days, very few of the little bastards in the palace would show the kind courtesy that he did . He knew that Eunuch Zhu had spent much time in the royal study chamber and now his popularity was to receive a major boost . As such, he found it strange that he held onto such pleasantry .

Hong Zhu did not make mention of why he had come, he just used his complimentary words to please him . It made Eunuch Dai happy, and following this, they both departed .

Seeing Eunuch Dai disappear inside the harem, the young Hong Zhu had a boisterous-looking smile .

People thought that Eunuch Dai would lose his position, but Hong Zhu did not believe this . Because Eunuch Dai had a relation with Fan Xian outside the palace, it was only a matter of time before we would return to his feet . Hong Zhu did not have much faith in Eunuch Dai, but for Fan Xian, he held an immeasurable amount of trust .

Everyday Hong Zhu could hear the discussions taking place between those in the royal study chamber and the office of the palace secretary, and it was through them that he learned much of what he knew about Fan Xian and his popularity . The First Bureau of the Overwatch Council captured five officers in as little as ten days, but the Emperor remained neutral the entire time, despite how much the palace secretary complained . They couldn’t do anything to Fan Xian .

Five chancellors in ten days . Although they were all below rank three, for a eunuch in the harem, Hong Zhu knew that to make such a big fuss, Fan Xian must have possessed a lot of power . And behind him, a legion of followers . Hong Zhu was always in the royal study chamber, so he was aware of the Emperor’s own support of him .

Hong Zhu was playing with a pimple that was ready to burst, skirting his lips . He greatly admired the Fan Xian who was so very much adored outside of the palace . But seeing as they were both young men, he pondered as to why there was such a great difference between them . There was nothing more that he wanted right now than to establish a relationship with him through Eunuch Dai .

The Imperial Observatory and the Ministry of Appointments lost five officers one after another, and the darkness brought by the Overwatch Council felt as if it were beginning to veil the entire capital .

But the civilians of the capital did not care for these matters all that much . The ones who were in trouble were the officers, who had little to do with them .

In the political field, the reviews given towards the First Bureau of the Overwatch Council were mostly negative . Aside from the fact they were killing their own, there were other issues few were privy to . No officer could understand why the young Fan Xian would commit such deeds to officers of little repute .

Aside from a few people, no one knew that the people who had been captured were pivotal pawns that belonged to the second prince .

A lot of people believed Fan Xian to harness a vendetta due to the Imperial Censorate’s framing of him, but he was given a direct order from the Emperor to stay away from them . People viewed Fan Xian like a madman who had been provoked, holding a large knife as he scoured the streets slicing innocent bystanders and children, doing anything he could to quell the raging fire of his heart .

But… Fan Xian’s behavior in the past couple of years weren’t reckless like this .

Fan Xian was smiling as he sat in the Xinfeng Restaurant . His right-hand was holding chopsticks, stirring the tantalizing noodles and meat sauce . In his left hand, he held a scroll that had been delivered by Mu Tie . The trials for the past few cases had concluded very quickly, and so he was given the opportunity to prepare himself . The evidence that the First Bureau had come into possession of was inscrutable and decisive . It looked like sending the evidence to the Supreme Court and Ministry of Justice would yield no issues .

Before this entire thing began, Fan Xian noticed that his father and the crippled old man remained silent . It was because of this that Fan Xian knew where they both stood . This was a matter that he could not hide from; he had to do it . He had to make the second prince feel pain and make him think twice about listening to Xinyang again . At the same time, Fan Xian could reduce trouble for himself .

But the second prince’s reaction was different to what Fan Xian had expected . After he kicked He Zongwei out of his manor, he hadn’t sent anybody else over to make peace . It seemed as if the pride of being a prince stayed his desire for further contact . With no retaliation of any kind, the entire situation felt strange .

"What is this Baoyue Brothel?" Fan Xian curiously asked .

Mu Tie’s face possessed a slightly horny look .

Fan Xian laughed and said, "You are too old for this . Go home and hug your grandson; do not think of such things . "

Mu Tie’s face became slightly bitter, and then he said, "Baoyue Brothel is a brothel . It was newly established this year . The First Bureau has come to learn that this building has a certain important character behind it . There is much going on there, and something ill is brewing behind its closed doors . "

Fan Xian was uninterested in the business of a brothel, and Liujing River was crown prince Li Hongcheng’s territory . Although he was fighting with the second prince in secret, he did not want to start a fight with Li Hongcheng just yet . The both of them were friends, and who could tell what might transpire if he was to join in?

But with further interest in what Mu Tie was trying to tell him, he pressed a little by asking more .

With a concerned look, one that displayed a delicate choosing of words, he said, "That brothel is evil . The people there are restless and they are willing to commit any heinous act in the chase of profit . In the few months of its operation, many women who have worked there have shown up dead . Yet despite this, the capital government has remained silent about the entire affair . I fear that a prince may be behind it all . "

Fan Xian fell silent . He didn’t know if the Baoyue Brothel was the work of the crown prince or the second prince, but the former was the sort who only enjoyed fighting men of equal caliber . He had recently returned from war and the Emperor had granted him much in the ways of reward; it did not seem as if he was the sort who cared for money-making .

In the situation he was in, it was impossible for him to go about offending everyone . He thought that this sort of establishment may have been the work of the second prince; it at least seemed more likely . With a calm expression, he told Mu Tie, "Find some time to go out there and investigate . We need to know more, and if that high-end whorehouse was a way for a prince to make contact with the officers of court, then we may need to plant some bugs on the inside . "



Mu Tie shook his head and said, "The security there is pretty tight, and it is newly opened . It may be difficult to infiltrate . Furthermore, the Overwatch Council can only watch over the officers . There is little we can do to the merchants of the city . "

Fan Xian looked slightly annoyed, and so he looked at him and said, "Although the Overwatch Council cannot deal with prostitutes, we can deal with the Yamen who take care of them . Just go take a look . "

There was something further that he did not tell Mu Tie . He knew that the second prince was too quiet and too nice, but Fan Xian always believed him to hold a trump card up his sleeves and that he was merely waiting for the right moment before its use .

After the business, Fan Xian did not return to the manor . He had a headache and yet he had to go straight to King Jing Manor .

Today, the whole Fan Family was visiting King Jing’s manor .

It was King Jing’s birthday, but he had not invited anyone else except the family of Fan Jian . The sort of relationship and friendship they both shared were quite profound . Although Fan Xian had no desire of seeing Li Hongcheng, he had little choice but to go .

Walking into the manor, the first thing Fan Xian thought of was about what happened one and a half years ago . He was reading aDu Fu poem near the lake . And when he was done, there was to be a feast in the manor where Zhuang Mohan was spilling blood . It seemed as if so much had transpired around this elegant, seemingly quiet manor .

Fan Xian all of a sudden turned his thoughts to the precious books in that carriage . After he sent the books to the Imperial College as a gift, he had not yet received the opportunity to go and read them . As he thought of this, Li Hongcheng already approached with a bowl of sour juice in one hand .

Fan Xian’s heart sighed . He accepted the drink and took a sip . He then said, "You know I like to drink the juice that is produced in your manor . " The first time he visited King Jing Manor, he was getting sick from his travel in the carriage . He was given a bowl of the sour juice back then to help him recover, and it was most effective . He had loved it ever since .

Li Hongcheng looked him in the eye and shook his hand, saying, "You are the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council now . You can capture whoever you please . Why can’t you capture the juice merchant outside my manor so that he can produce the sour juice exclusively for you?"

Fan Xian understood the jest and with a wry smile and bitter laugh, he responded, "I thought that I wouldn’t be able to escape this today . When you approached me with the sour juice, I thought you were going to throw it in my face . "

Li Hongcheng harrumphed . He walked alongside Fan Xian and said, "You know that I am still mad?" He looked at Fan Xian and continued, "It’s not just that I don’t understand, but it’s that my brother does not understand, either . You are not with the eldest prince, so why do you care so much?"

Fan Xian shook his head and gave a wry smile . "You think that I enjoy offending everyone I meet? My hand was forced . "

After that, Fan Xian pointed to the heavy clouds of that autumn day . There were many things he wished to tell him .

着的淡蓝衫子下摆已经掀了起来,免得绊着了脚,而他的右手却是横放在那叠文书之上,宽大的袖子将文书遮的严严实实,生怕这天上若铅般厚重的垂云会挤出几滴雨水,打湿了这些文书 .

  跨过门槛,履了交接的规程,与屋里的太监们互相对了一遍册名,洪竹这才放下心来,小心翼翼地在表上画上押,将怀里的文书递了过去 .

  中书是庆国处理朝政的中枢要地,往常的地位并不如今日这般重要,因为还有位宰相在总领六部,一应奏章总是相爷提笔过目了,才会入宫请旨意,而现在权相林若甫已经黯然归乡,中书省的地位一下子就突显了出来,陛下又提了几位老臣入中书议事,并且将议事的地点就投在皇宫的角门之外,方便联络 .


  如今在中书里负责朝廷大事的,是舒大学士及几位老臣 .

  微寒的秋风从宫前的广场上刮了过来,洪竹搓了搓手,呵了口气,安静地站在门外,等着这几位老大人的回章 . 他这时候还不能离开,老老实实地站在门外,竖着耳朵听着里面的动静 .

  间或有官员从他的身边走过,都很客气地向他点头示意 . 洪竹知道自己身份,赶紧微笑着行礼 . 不过没有人觉得他呆在中书省临时书堂的外面很奇怪,因为都知道这位小太监的职司 .

  偶尔有些宫里派出来服侍老大人们的小太监看见他,毕恭毕敬地向他行礼,请他去旁边的偏房里躲躲寒 . 洪竹对这些小太监就没那么多礼数了,自矜地点点头,却依然坚守在门外 .

  他今年不过十六岁,在皇宫里却有了这么一点点小地位,原因就是,他每天的工作是皇宫里极重要的一环,而更关键的是,他姓洪,所以宫中一直在流传,他或许与洪老公公是什么亲戚 .

  洪竹摸了摸自己下唇左边生出的那个小火疽子,有些恼火,这几天监察院逮人逮的厉害,文臣们的奏章上的厉害,中书里吵的厉害,自己宫里宫外一天几趟跑着,忙的屁滚尿流,体内的火气太重,竟是冲了出来 . 他心想着,等回宫之后,一定得去小厨房里讨碗凉茶喝喝 .

  门内议事的声音并不怎么大,但却依然传入了他的耳朵里 .

   . . .

   . . .

  "这是监察院的院务,陛下将这奏章发还回来,不知道是什么意思 . "

  "或许 . . . "接话的声音显得很迟疑,"是不是陛下觉着范提司最近做事有些过火?"

  有位老臣愤怒的声音响了起来:"何止过火?他范闲明着便是借手中公权,打击异己!短短十天之内,竟是逮捕了五位大臣,深夜入院掳人,这哪里像是朝廷的监察院,简直是他手中的土匪!"

  另一个不赞同的声音响了起来:"范提司做事光明正大,这五位大臣被捕之后,第二日便有明细罪名,帖在大理寺外的墙上,京都百姓都清楚无比 . 我看颜大人这话未免有些过了,监察院一处做的就是监察吏治这种事情,和打击异己有什么关系?我看啊 . . . 还是那五位大臣处事不正,才有此患 . "

  那位姓颜的老臣怒道:"不是打击异己?那为什么上次都察院参他之后,监察院便突然多了这么多动作?"

  那人冷笑说道:"如果是打击报复,为什么小范大人对于都察院没有一丝动作?"

  "那是因为陛下英明,严禁监察院参与都察院事务!"

  那人冷笑声显得更为讥屑:"那敢请教颜尚书,钦天监与都察院的御史又有什么关系?范闲如果是想报复,为什么要去捉钦天监的监正?"

  吏部尚书颜行书一时语寒,半晌之后才寒声说道:"不论如何,总不能让监察院再将事态扩大了,像他们这么抓下去,难道非要将朝臣全部抓光?"

  那人嘲讽说道:"尚书大人尽可放心,三品以上的大臣,监察院没有权力动手 . "这话里隐的意思有些阴毒,暗指吏部尚书其身不正,所以才如此愤怒于监察院查案,只是监察院的权力也有上限,三品以上的大员是动不了的 .

  颜行书愤怒的声音马上传到了门外小太监洪竹的耳中:"真是荒谬!难道你们要眼睁睁看着监察院从此坐大?"

  最开始说话的那人开始充当和事佬,温和说道:"尚书大人莫要动怒,小秦也莫要再说了,监察院只能查案,非旨意特准,不能判案,这几位大臣 . . . "他咳了两声,说道:"有罪无罪,总须大理寺审过再说 . 只是陛下的意思很清楚,咱们这几位,总要有个意见才是 . "

  被称作小秦的那人抢先说道:"院务乃陛下亲理之事,秦某身为臣子,不敢多论 . "

  颜尚书大怒说道:"老夫以为,此风断不可长,若纵由范闲胡乱行事,难道众位同僚真想我大庆朝 . . . 再出一个陈萍萍?"

   . . .

   . . .

  守在门外的洪竹踮着脚尖,将门内的对话听的清清楚楚,唇角泛起一丝冷笑,心想陛下与陈院长大人的关系,岂是你们这些文臣所能比拟 .

  正想着,便看见枢密院参赞秦恒满脸冷笑地推门而出,他赶紧上前讨好说道:"秦大人,奴才急着回宫,什么时候才能拿到?"

  秦恒今年三十多岁,乃是枢密院使秦老将军的亲生儿子,去年与北齐作战,他便是当时的庆军统领,以他的资历,本来不足以入中书省议事,但是秦老将军自上次廷杖之后一直称病不朝,陛下特旨秦恒入中书省参议,算是给秦家的一份厚眷,也表示庆国对于军功依然是无上重视 .

  枢密院使秦老将军称病不朝,本来朝臣以为这是秦家看不惯监察院提司范闲在朝中的当红嚣张,但洪竹今日听着秦恒竟是处处维护范闲,不免有些犯了嘀咕 .

  秦恒看了这个小太监一眼,笑了笑,说道:"由他们吵去,最后也没谁敢逆了陛下的意思,你呀,别老在这儿偷听,反正给你十八个胆子,你也不敢当笑话说给别人听,何苦把自己弄闷着了 . "

  洪竹低眉顺眼的笑了笑,看着这位朝中最当红的军方中坚人士消失在恭房的入品处,有些不明所以地摇了摇头 .

  没过多久,中书省的商议或者说吵架,在舒大学士的调停下终于结束了,众大臣很委婉地在文书上注了自己的意见,请陛下对于此事要慎重一些,毕竟那落马的五位大臣品秩虽然不高,但都是京中老人,所谓物伤其类,这些文臣也不愿意看着监察院就这般轻易地将他们拉下马来 .

  于是洪竹又抱着这些文书,将淡蓝色的宫服掀至腰间,用袖子遮在文书了,踮起脚尖,拱起屁股,一路向着宫中小跑而去 .

  由中书临时用宅直至宫中御书房,全在层云之下,众人眼目之中,大内侍卫保护之下,所以也不虞有人会危害到庆国最重要的这些文书,洪竹跑起来是分外得意,一路上还有些宫女眉眼含情地柔声向他请安,他也没空理会,另外那些小太监讨好的眼神也是视而不见 .

  跑到御书房外,洪竹平伏一下呼吸,低眉顺眼地推门而入,小心翼翼地将文书轻轻搁在书案之下 .

  正皱眉看着南方奏章的皇帝陛下拣了一份看了,眉头皱的愈发紧了,薄薄的双唇忽而开启,冷声道:"这些庸材!舒芜也只知道呵呵哈哈,颜行书倒有几分胆色 . . . 嗯,秦家的小子倒是不错 . "

  洪竹哪敢听这些天子雷语,悄无声息地站在一侧,心里紧张的厉害 .

  皇帝挥了挥手 .

  洪竹如释重负,退出了御书房,这就算今日的事情完了 . 他沿着青石子儿路绕了几个弯,来到了太极宫的一侧,那偏厢里,正有几个太监正在磕瓜子玩,见他来了,赶紧请他入座,笑嘻嘻问道:"今儿个又有什么稀奇事?"

  洪竹面带不耐说道:"天天还不是听那些老大人们吵架,哪有什么新鲜事 . "

  这些太监们赶紧恭维道:"小洪公公天天来往于御书房与中书之间,咱大庆朝的要紧事,都是您眼皮子底下发生的,自然不觉得新鲜 . "

  又有一个凑趣道:"那是,如果要说咱这大庆朝的要害,全被小洪公公捧在怀里 . "

  洪竹再如何骄傲,这点儿警惕是有的,赶紧正色黑脸说道:"胡说什么呢?我不过就是位奴才!"

  太监嘿嘿笑着说道:"除了陛下,咱庆国官员士绅,谁都是奴才啊 . . . 小洪公公,您可不知,如今您的名可显出去了,就连小的在外面给宫里置办绣布,旁人一听说小的与您交好,都会另眼相看,都说啊,这京都里,除了尚书府上那位小范大人外,就数您这位小洪公公了 . "

  洪竹伸手平了平额前的那丝飞毛,笑了笑,没有什么说什么,虽然他知道自己与那位名声惊天下的小范大人远不是一个层级上的人物,但马屁总是人人爱听,尤其是将自己与那位相提并论,心中难免有些得意 .

  就在这时候,一个人影儿从这偏殿的门外走了过去,几个小太监赶紧都住了嘴,洪竹也是心中一颤,瞧清楚了那位是淑贵妃宫中的戴公公,自己虽然接了抱文书的差使,但从品级上讲,比戴公公却差的太远 .

  直到戴公公走远了,一位小太监才往地上啐了一口,似乎是觉得刚才的沉默有些跌份儿,恨恨说道:"这位戴公公早不比当初,亏得我先前还没回过神来,像他如今这般落魄,我们何必理他 . "

  洪竹心中一动,问道:"戴公公怎么了?"

  那位小太监眉飞色舞说道:"前些日子御史参小范大人,就扯出了戴公公,虽然最后陛下将御史打了廷杖,但戴公公也是被好生责罚了一通,如今听说,不仅陛下夺了戴公公宣圣旨的差事,就连贵妃娘娘都准备将他撵出宫去哩 . "

  旁边又有人对洪竹讨好说道:"当日戴公公当红的时候,对咱们这些下面的是又打又骂,如今他失了势,还有谁愿意去理他去?他就是那跌到烂泥里的秋叶,哪比小洪公公这等新鲜的枝丫 . "

  洪竹听着这阿谀奉承的话越发不堪,越发粗俗,皱了皱眉头,随意说了几句,便赶紧走出偏殿 .

  他沿着殿下的巨柱往前赶着,终于在入后宫的石门前,看见了戴公公有些颓丧的背影,赶紧跑上前去,讨好说道:"戴公公,远远瞧着便是您,赶紧来给你请安 . "

  戴公公有些意外地看了他一眼,最近这些天,宫里这些小王八蛋们少有像对方这般有礼数的,他也知道洪竹最近在御书房处做事,渐渐要红了起来,所以越发觉得奇怪 .

  洪竹也不说有什么事儿,只是一句一句巧妙地恭维话地往对方心里喂,将戴公公哄的极为高兴,这才分了手 .

  看着消失在后宫深处的戴公公,年纪轻轻的洪竹才在唇角露出一丝得意的笑容来 .

  旁人都以为戴公公会失势,可是洪竹却不这么认为,因为这位戴公公既然与宫外的那位小范大人有关系,那么一定会重新站起来——洪竹这个小太监对于戴公公没有什么信心,但对于范提司大人,却有无比的信心 .

  因为他最近天天都能听到御书房与中书省的议事,知道那位小范大人如今红到什么程度!监察院一处十天之内捕了五位大臣!陛下却一直保持着中允,中书省的意见再大,反弹再厉害,都没有办法动范提司分毫!

  十天五大臣,虽然都是三品以下的官员,但身为深宫里的太监,洪竹也深深知道,要闹出这么大的动静来,那位小范大人需要何等样的魄力,而他的身后,又站着何等样的靠山——他常在御书房,更是清清楚楚地知道,这座靠山 . . . 就是庆国的皇帝陛下!

  洪竹摸着自己唇边那粒快要喷薄而出的青春痘,心中无比艳羡宫外那位世人瞩目的小范大人,心想都是年轻人,怎么活的层次相差就这么大呢?如果能通过戴公公的关系依附到这位小范大人的身边,那就太美好了 .

  ———————————————————————————

  钦天监,吏部,连续五位京官的落马,重新让监察院的阴暗开始笼罩起整座京都 .

  不过京都的百姓并不怎么看重这些,反正倒霉的都是官儿,干自己何事?

  而在官场之中,对于监察院一处的评价却更多地偏向于负面,除却物伤其类之外,更多的是不理解 . 没有官员能够理解年轻的范提司为什么会对这些看似不起眼的官员们下手 .

  除了极少数的人之外,没有人知道这些各部落马的官员,都是二皇子暗中体系中的重要棋子 .

  很多人以为范闲是在报复,恼怒于御史的集体上参,却碍于陛下的严旨,不能对都察院动手,便像受了刺激的莽夫一般,手持七斤重的杀猪刀,咆哮于长街之上,逢人便砍,尤其是大杀毫无护身之力的稚童,以便发泄心中的郁闷 .

  只是 . . . 范闲范提司,从进京近两年的表现看来,不应该是如此冲动无脑的人物啊 .

   . . .

   . . .

  范闲笑眯眯地坐在新风馆里,右手拿着筷子搅着浑身红透,上有肉酱诱人唾沫的面条,左手拿着沐铁呈上来的案宗在看 . 这几椿案子审的极快,自己准备的充分,一处拿的证据极实在,看来就算是送到大理寺或者刑部去审去,也应该没有什么问题 .

  在这次行动开始之前,他当然先请示了父亲和那位老跛子,两个老狐狸都表示了沉默,于是范闲知道了他们的态度 .

  这是必须做的一件事情,他一定要让二皇子痛起来,要让他以后再听信阳方面话的时候,更慎重一些,同时为自己减少一些麻烦 .

  不过二皇子的反应,有些出乎范闲的意料,在贺宗纬被自己赶出府去后,竟是没有再派人来求和,想来是皇子的尊贵自持让他停止了进一步的接触,但是对方也没有着手进行反击,这件事情里透着丝古怪 .

  "望月楼是个什么地方?"范闲有些好奇问道 .

  沐铁的脸上露出一丝淫秽的神情 .

  范闲笑着骂道:"你这么大年纪了,乖乖回家抱孙子吧,别老想着这些好事 . "

  沐铁苦脸道:"望月楼虽是青楼,但却是京都这一年里最新兴起的地方,一处暗中查得,这楼子应该背后是位大人物,最近那里的动静有些大,似乎有些人正在暗中筹划着什么 . "

  范闲对于青楼没有什么兴趣,流晶河那边是靖王世子李弘成的势力范围,虽然如今和二皇子在暗中交锋着,但他还不想这么快就和李弘成撕破脸皮,朋友一场,说不定将来又是怎么回事 .

  但他对于沐铁的话很感兴趣:"大人物?多大?"

  沐铁斟酌了会儿后说道:"这个楼子有些邪气,胆子很大,什么为非作歹的事情都敢做,几个月的时间,就逼死了好几个女子 . . . 看京都府尹默不吭声的态度,只怕背后的人物 . . . 应该是位皇子 . "

  范闲沉默了起来,不知道这望月楼的背后是太子还是二殿下,那位大皇子天天只喜欢在军部里与人比武,陛下的赏赐又厚,暂时没有银钱方面的需要 .

  在当今这种情况下,他肯定不可能同时得罪所有人 . 想到二殿下的可能性更大一些,他略觉心安,对沐铁说道:"找个时间你去探一探,如果真如你所说,这个高级妓院是那位皇子用来联络京官的地方,那你塞几个人进去 . "

  沐铁摇摇头:"那里管得紧,又是新开的,一时很难打进去,而且监察院只监管百官,对于民间的商人没有什么办法 . "

  范闲有些恼火地看了他一眼,说道:"院子虽然管不了妓女,但总能管管妓女的衙门,总之你盯紧点 . "

  有句话他没有对沐铁明说,二皇子过于谦和安静,范闲总觉得对方抓着某张王牌,正等着在某个时候打出来 .

  办完公事之后,他没有回府,而是有些头痛地坐着马车,直接去了靖王府 .

  今天范家全家人都在靖王府里 .

  靖王过生日,什么外客都没有请,只是请了范尚书一家,这种情份,这种眷顾摆在这里,纵使范闲如今再怎么不想见李弘成,也必须走这一趟 .

  走入王府,范闲第一个想起的,就是一年半前,自己曾经在王府的湖边背了老杜的那首诗,然后才有了后来的夜宴,庄墨韩的吐血,北齐的赠书——诸多事由,似乎都是从眼前这座清静而贵气十足的王府开始的 .

  范闲忽然想起了那一马车的珍贵书籍,自己将这些书赠给太学之后,还一直没有机会去看一眼 . 正想着,李弘成已经迎了上来,手里拿着一碗王府外的酸浆子 .

  范闲在心里叹了口气,接过来喝了,笑着说道:"你知道我就馋你们府外这一口 . "他第一次来靖王府的时候,曾经晕轿显些吐了,全靠一碗酸浆子回复了精神 .

  世子李弘成看成他的双眼,摇头叹息道:"你如今手握监察大权,想抓谁就抓谁,怎么不把我府外那贩酸浆的贩子抓回你家去?"

  范闲听出话里的刀锋,苦笑一声:"便知道今天逃不了这难,你一碗酸浆过来时,我就奇怪了,原以为你得一拳头砸过来 . "

  李弘成哼了一声,与他并肩往王府里走去,说道:"你还知道我心里不痛快?"他看了范闲一眼,恨恨说道:"不止我不明白,老二也不明白,你既然不是太子的人,何必理会这些事情?"

  范闲摇了摇头,苦笑说道:"你当我乐意四处得罪人去?还是不那位逼着 . "

  说完这话,他指指天上厚重的秋日垂云,指尖秀直,说不尽地无奈 .



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