#原创: The story takes place in the nine years of qing rule

Zeng Guofan, the governor of Zhili, is handling the teaching case in Tianjin and is about to close it. On this day, he was in the hall admiring a plaque hanging there with a "High Pillar Stone", and he was very proud. Suddenly, the Chinese troops outside shouted, "The Holy Will has arrived!" "It turned out to be an exhortation from the military department flying with a fire ticket." The edict said: "Ma Xinyi, the governor of Liangjiang, was stabbed to death, and Jiangnan was cumbersome, so he transferred Zeng Guofan as the governor of Liangjiang and sat in charge of cooking. ”



After Zeng Guofan received the order, he did not sleep well for several nights. He served in Liangjiang for many years, so there were many old subordinates, and he had long heard about the ma case. He believes that the case is not difficult to handle, and the difficulty is that it cannot be handled.

And it is. After the Ma case occurred, Cixi immediately commissioned a trial and changed the number of presiding judges. However, whether it was Zhixian County, Futai, or the Governor, after a few trials, they were all frightened like earth, and they did not dare to retry them, and pushed them on their superiors one by one. Cixi first appointed the Jiangning general Kui Yu to temporarily supervise the seal and try the Ma case. Kui Yu interrogated for half a day, and only reported the four words of "confession flickering". Cixi saw that he could not do it, and sent Zhang Zhiwanchi to Jiangning for trial. Zhang Zhiwan was Cao Shuai, but he interrogated him for a while, and he only reported the four words of "pirate revenge", and then slipped away.

Now, Cixi put this hoop on Zeng Guofan, he couldn't shake it off, he couldn't push it and push it, he had no choice but to go to the saint and take office on the twenty-third day of leap october.

II. The Day of the Thorn Horse

Why is the thorn horse case so difficult to try? This brings us to Ma Xinyi first. Ma Xinyi Zi Gu Shan, Shandong Heze people, Daoguang twenty-seven years into the soldier. From the time he became the governor of Zhi County, he became the governor of Liangjiang in more than ten years. As a Han Chinese, this is rare. This year, he was only thirty-three years old. Because he worked for the Qing Dynasty and had made meritorious efforts in suppressing the Taiping Army and twisting the army, he won the trust of the Western Empress. In fact, he has no skills in governing the army, but he has a set of skills to deceive the world and steal his name. After he was transferred to the governorship of Liangjiang and the minister of tongrong, he presented himself as a Zhongxing Shaozhuang faction, talked to the imperial court about the importance of reorganizing the army, and personally trained the army in the governor's office as a governor. He paid close attention to the officers and men of the school parade, and they had to read it every month, which was called "monthly class martial duty." On July 26 of that year, it was the period of the monthly lessons, how could Ma Xinyi, who was full of ambition, think that the Assassins were also scheduled to do something to him on this day.

The school parade of military horses is a momentary prosperity in Jiangning. Every time you read, there must be many spectators, and this time the scale is even more extraordinary. First, the level of this proofreading is high. The Western Empress Dowager appointed Peng Yulin, a senior official of the Three Pins, as the chief supervisor and explained the specifications of this proofreading. Second, there were many officers and men in this parade. A total of 256 battalions of soldiers and horses were paraded, each battalion of 500, for a total of 128,000 men. Third, the spectators of this school parade were not only Jinling citizens, but also scholars from Liangjiang who participated in the township examination. Therefore, the pomp and circumstance is unprecedented.

In the early morning of the twenty-sixth day, the School Yard of the Superintendent was very lively. The crowd rushed in. Around the school grounds, there are already all kinds of people who come to visit. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, I overheard someone shouting, "Marshal Ma is coming!" ”

This shout was not tight, and the crowd suddenly rioted, scrambling to see Ma Shuaiweiyi. Those standing behind, even with their necks extended and tiptoes, still saw nothing. After squeezing for a while, I overheard someone in front of me passing on and saying, "It's not Marshal Ma, it's Peng Gongbao Peng Yulin coming!" The crowd was in a commotion again, to see Peng Gongbao's majesty.

Seriously, at that time, Peng Yulin's identity was indeed frightening, and the first-class light car lieutenant of the official residence, the prince Shaobao, and the seven provinces water division admiral Junmen, who was also the chief supervisor of the Qin Order of this school parade, were not the people who shook the mountains? Peng was a native of Hunan, not very tall, at this time, he was already fifty-eight years old, but his spirit was still exceptionally good. As soon as he got out of the car, he ran to the reading hall. This was a busy mess for those officials in the hall, and one by one they all got up to greet them, what Jiangsu Futai Ding Richang, Jiangxi Futai Shen Baozhen, Anhui Futai Zhang Dakai, wu Changqing, Hu Bainian, he Dekai, the chief soldiers of the three provinces... All come forward and please. Peng Yulin bowed his hand, and was not polite, and sat in the middle of the front row of the reading hall.

After waiting for a while, Jiang Ning's general Kui Yu arrived. He was the vice president of the proofreading. All the people who should have arrived have arrived, but ma Xinyi, the president of the school parade, has not been seen. He was not present, and the reading could not be announced. Peng Yulin was not happy about this boss and looked at his pocket watch three times in a row. His pocket watch was given to him by Li Hongzhang, which was a rare thing at that time. The third time I looked at my pocket watch, it was almost nine o'clock, peng Yulin was waiting for a seizure, only to hear the report below: "Ma Daren has arrived!" Peng Gongbao closed the watch with a snap, and muttered in his heart: This boy's shelf is really not small!

This is also true. Only to see the crowd divided, a puma team, hugging a palanquin, majestic, as if flying in. Before and after the palanquin, followed by more than twenty Ghoshhar (attendants Wu Ben). Then there was Yu Jisan, the deputy general of the Chinese army, Wu Patrol ye Hualong, the general Tang Dejin, Zhu Xinzhong, Qianzong Fei Shanle, and a cadre of bodyguards such as Ma Bing and Cha Ben.

When people saw Ma Xinyi coming, they knew that the proofreading was about to begin, and they didn't feel like calling. Na Ma was of medium stature, not fat or thin, with a big red top on his head and his eyes glazed over. He was serious, not angry or smiling, hurried up to the hall, greeted the adults one by one, and then took Peng Gongbao's hand, very respectful and very kind to the front row of the middle of the move, Peng Yulin's belly anger was suddenly half eliminated. At this time, Ma Shuai announced the official start of the school parade.

Monthly textbooks are routine, and there is no need to go into detail. Moreover, after the exercise, Ma Xinyi sent away the Sidao officials and sent Peng Gongbao, who felt hungry and tired, so he ordered him to take the arrow road back to the office. Because the road is close, the proofreading is complete, and there is no need to shake the wind, so it is changed to walking. Along the way, when he quickly entered the door, he found a kneeling man on the side of the road, holding a shape. Inspector Wu caught Ye Hualong and said, "What are you doing?" Dare to trespass into forbidden land! The man replied, "I am a fellow member of the Ma people, and there is a submission here." Ma Xinyi looked back at the man and immediately said angrily, "I have already received you several times, why did you come again?" The man said a series of words, all vaguely inaudible. While he was entangled with him, a warrior suddenly appeared on the side of the road and shouted injustice. Na Wufu's face was like a pot, and he immediately rushed to Ma Xinyi's side. Ma Xinyi was shocked and asked, "Who are you?" Before he could say anything, Nabu grabbed his shoulder blade with his left hand, and with his right hand, a knife appeared, and in just one fell swoop, it stabbed into his heart. Ma Xinyi shouted, "Take the murderer!" Nabu pulled the knife down and brought it out of his stomach. At this time, the deputy generals and generals were like wooden chickens one by one; those sedans and horses fled one after another. The guards who hugged back and forth became deaf.

After Nabufu's assassination, he could have taken this opportunity to escape into the crowd and escape every day. But I saw him look up at the sky and laugh, shouting loudly: "My name is Zhang Wenxiang." I am very happy that the great thing has been accomplished. Don't panic, I will never run away! ”

Those Ghoshas did not dare to come closer, and only when they heard the voice of the deputy general of the Chinese army, Yu Jisan, shouting in the distance to catch the murderer, did they dare to come closer. Zhang Wenxiang did not resist and looked at them with a relaxed look. Only then did Yu Ji and the third class approach Ma Xinyi and instruct his entourage to carry Ma into the governor's office. He also commanded the soldiers, shouting to disperse the crowd that came to watch.

That night, as if facing a great enemy, the city gates were closed and the party was searched along the houses. By the time Jiang Ning's general Kui Yu went to the governor's office to see Ma Xinyi, he was already dead.

Three angrily imprisoned Yin Xuezheng

After Zeng Guofan arrived at his post, he visited Ma Xinyi's assassination for a few days, and after a little clue, he informed the inspector to accompany him to investigate the scene. On the day of the accident, Yu Jisan, the deputy general of the Chinese army who served as Ma Xinyi's escort, and Ye Hualong, the wu patrol, and other cadres, although they were dereliction of duty, were also summoned on this day.

In the signing room, Zeng Guofan sat on a tiger skin chair and asked Ye Hualong, "On the day of the accident, was Ma Daren sitting on this chair?" Ye Hualong said, "Exactly." Zeng also asked, "When did he arrive at the signing room?" Ye Hualong thought for a moment and said, "Soon after dawn, I came." Zeng Guofan turned his face and asked Yu Jisan, "When did Ma Shuai enter the school grounds?" Yu Jisan said, "Lord Yu, you entered the school field at nine o'clock." Zeng Guofan nodded and muttered, "Tell me, why did Ma Shuai stay in the signing room for so long that day?" ”

Everyone whispered. Ye Hualong said, "Lord Yu, he didn't seem to be happy that day, sitting here drinking tea." Zeng Guofan said, "Proofreading is a grand ceremony, he should be happy, why is he so worried?" ”

At this time, a thin man in his fifties, about some kind of official such as a master, said, "Your Honor, on the twenty-fifth day, Lord Ma received an anonymous letter, and he was also sitting in this seat. When I noticed that he didn't look right, I asked him, 'Lord Ma, where did this official letter come from?' Ma Da said, "Who knows, there is no faith in this!" And I asked, 'What's in there?' He casually handed me the letter and said, 'Look, just a piece of paper with a horse drawn on it.' When I looked, I did draw a horse. However, this is not a galloping horse, but a dead horse. Since then, Martha has been as if he had suffered from some disease, sullen and unhappy, and very different from peacetime. ”

Zeng Guofan stood up and said to the thin man, "Who handed in that letter, do you know?" The thin man shook his head, "I don't know." It is said that the letter was placed on the public case of the signing room. Zeng Guofan muttered a few times and then stopped asking. He led the crowd through the arrow to the school grounds. Yu Jisan and others pointed out the scene of the day, the place where the murderer was hiding, and the location where Ma Shuai was stabbed, one by one, to Zeng Dou. Zeng Dou asked, "What is the knife that stabs?" Ye Hualong said, "Lord Yu, the small one has already been tested, it is a Burmese knife." The crowd asked in amazement, "What?" Is it a cut-out knife? "It made the military officials laugh." Ye Hualong explained: "The Burmese knife is a kind of knife produced in Myanmar. Zeng Guofan nodded again, and without asking any more questions, he ordered him to go to the examination room of the two Jiangxiang examiners. The people did not know what to do there, but they did not dare to ask, so the group walked out of the governor's office, turned left, and not far away was the examination shed. At that time, the officials in charge of the Liangjiang Township Examination heard that Zeng Guofan was coming, and they all greeted him. Among them, there was a scholar named Yin Zhaoyong, who was a nosy person, and when he heard that the governor had come, he also came out to greet him.

Zeng Guofan didn't sit down either, or did he look like he did nothing, and asked, "Among you, who is Yin Xuezheng?" Yin Zhaoyong hurriedly stood up and said, "The lowly post is here." Zeng Guofan sunk his face and said, "Yin Zhaoyong, do you know your guilt?" ”

When Yin Zhaoyong heard this, he was scared out of his body and sweated, and hurriedly said, "I don't know!" ”

Zeng Guofan said, "The imperial court asked you to preside over the township examination, and you have a heavy responsibility. You dare to take advantage of the fact that Lord Ma was stabbed, to make a false test question, to slander the minister, your boldness is also too big! Yin Zhaoyong said, "There is no innuendo in the question of the inferior post, please ask the old man to be clear!" ”

Zeng Guofan said, "Nonsense! Your title is "The Brown Man of The Thorns," isn't it? ”

Yin Zhaoyong said, "Yes." ”

Zeng Guofan said angrily, "The ancient book does not say, 'If you look at the king of the thorns and stab the brown man', you are not encouraging the disciples to rebel, and you want to take advantage of the opportunity of Ma Shuai's assassination to stir up trouble?" I see if you are rebellious against the remnants, which is very suspicious. Come, rip off his official clothes, and hold me up. At the sound of the order, several military personnel had already gone up and detained Yin Zhaoyong.

When the inspector saw it, everyone was in danger, thinking in their hearts: A good Zeng Guofan, he seems to know everything. In the future, we must be cautious in our speech and writing, and we must never let him grasp the handle.

Fourth, you can only do Zhang Zhiwan second

The next day, Zeng Guofan took only one person, the King of Jiangning Grain Road, Dajing, and came to Shangyuan County in a sedan car. Zhang Kaiqi of Shangyuanzhi County heard that the governor was coming, and he hurriedly opened the middle door to welcome Zeng Guofan. Zeng Guofan was also not polite and sat in the seat of the county grand master. Zhang Kaiqi stooped to the side, not daring to sit. Zeng Guofan said, "Sit down, sit down and talk." Zhang Kaiqi had to sit under Wang Dajing, bending obliquely, sitting on half of his buttocks, and listening to the instructions.

Zeng Guofan did not ask him about the interrogation of Zhang Wenxiang, nor did he ask him to interrogate a cadre of criminals and witnesses, but asked where the murderer's murder weapon was still there. Zhang Kaiqi said, "It has been sealed and stored in the library." Zeng Guofan said, "Today is not for anything else, I and Lord Wang are here specifically to see the knife, I have never seen a Burmese knife, today I want to open my eyes." Haha laughed.

Zhang Kaiqi was a little confused, but he still replied in his mouth: "The lowly post will immediately go to adjust the knife." After saying that, he summoned the messenger to quickly take Zhang Wenxiang's murder weapon. The messenger went for a while, held a wooden box, and knelt down to send it to Zeng Guofan's case. Zeng Guofan opened the wooden box and looked at it, but he saw a cold light shining, and a wide leaf knife more than three feet long and two inches wide was across the box. He touched the hilt of the knife and took it out and looked at both sides. This Burmese knife is different from other knives in that it is incredibly thin and unusually soft. What makes people wonder is: this knife is thin and soft, how to stab people? Zeng Guofan asked Zhang Kaiqi, "Have you asked the murderer, why is this knife called a Burmese knife?" Zhang Kaiqi said, "Asked." Zhang Wenxiang said that this is produced in Myanmar, so it is called Burmese knife. It is said that casting this kind of knife is not easy, and it takes three years to smelt it before a knife can be produced. Because it is thin, it is extremely sharp, and the iron is like mud. Because it is soft, it can be rolled into a pie when not in use, and can even be used as a belt and wrapped around the body. ”

Zeng Guofan tried it, and sure enough, he could curl it, so he asked again, "You asked, where did he get this knife from?" ”

Zhang Kaiqi said, "He said it was given by his master." ”

Zeng Guofan asked with great interest, "What is his master's name?" Where is it now? ”

Zhang Kaiqi said, "Lord Yu, he is a monk with the title of Fa, and according to the murderer's confession, he is the abbot of the Red Lotus Temple between Changsha and Liuyang in Hunan." ”

Zeng Guofan said to Wang Dajing, "Lord Wang, you see, this case has been brought to my hometown!" After saying that, the two looked at each other and laughed.

Zhang Kaiqi or Zhang'er Jingang was confused and looked at them and smiled. At this time, Zeng Guofan asked, "Was there any blood before this knife was drawn from Ma Daren's body?" Zhang Kaiqi said, "According to reports, there is no." When the knife was drawn, black blood came out. ”

Zeng Guofan immediately asked, "So, have you checked the knife?" ”

Zhang Kaiqi said, "This—I haven't thought of this yet." ”

Zeng Guofan stood up and said, "I don't blame you." You immediately selected reliable personnel to test this Burmese knife, whether it was poisonous or not, and gave me a reply. Well, you don't have to send it and hurry up! ”

Zhang Kaiqi continued to make a sound while still sending the two all the way to the door, and waited until Zeng Guofan's palanquin turned around before he straightened his waist.

After Zeng Guofan returned to the Governor's Office, he still couldn't forget the Burmese knife, the dirtless monk, and the Red Lotus Temple. This afternoon, he paced the room, thinking about how to close the case, and suddenly remembered mei Qizhao, the envoy of the government. It turned out that when Zeng Guofan listened to the opinions of all parties in Jiangning Province, he found that Mei Qizhao was the most insightful one. It was he who instructed Zhang Kaiqi of Shangyuanzhi County to change his confession and set the sentence on the grounds of "Zhejiang pirates, revenge and revenge". It was only because Zhang Wenxiang resolutely did not comply that this plan could not be realized. Zeng Guofan understood in his heart that Zhang Wenxiang's confession in Shangyuan County was due to the fact. If the case is to be decided according to Cixi's tone, there is no other way but to handle it according to mei Qizhao's disposition law. And that Burmese knife, that monk, and that temple made him feel even more that if he immediately caught some evidence, he could justifiably punish Zhang Wenxiang as "slipping through the net and rebelling", and there could be no more other arguments in society.

Thinking of this, he hurriedly summoned the documents to undertake the official documents, dictated an official letter, and asked him to quickly send someone to inspector Futai Yamenbu in Hunan Province, asking them to cooperate in the investigation and suppression of the nest where the Red Lotus Temple had slipped through the net. He finished this matter, hurriedly ate dinner, and waited for all the people who had signed the office to return to their respective nests, and then quietly asked the sedan driver to send a sedan and went alone to visit Mei Qizhao, the envoy of the government.

The two met each other and made a polite remark. Zeng Guofan then said, "There are important matters to discuss today, how about we go to the study to talk about it?" Mei Qizhao was a delicate and steady person, and when he would understand, he waved back left and right, and the two of them went upstairs together, closed the study door, lit the kerosene lamp, and then re-entered the seat and talked softly.

Mei Qizhao smiled and said, "Zhongtang, I think the horse case has some eyebrows?" ”

Zeng Guofan looked at him and smiled, "Didn't this eyebrow, didn't the young brother already have it?" ”

So the two looked at each other and laughed

Mei Qizhao lowered his voice and said to Zeng Guofan, "Those who are local officials also have difficulties in being local officials." ”

Zeng Guofan also whispered back, "It's not easy to be a Beijing official!" ”

Another burst of laughter.

Mei Qizhao said solemnly: "Zhang Wenxiang is very hard, he does not obey, things are difficult." ”

Zeng Guofan nodded, "Most of the public opinion outside is inclined to Zhang Wenxiang, even that Yin Xuezheng is so forgetful, things are big, but it is not a game." So I had to restrain them first. ”

Mei Qizhao said: "Don't hide from Zhongtang that this case cannot be handled, it can be done, and everyone's face is dull." ”

Zeng Guofan squinted his right eye and glanced at Mei Qizhao with his left eye: "Young brother Takami, I came here to ask for advice tonight." ”

Mei Qizhao shook his hand continuously, "Zhongtang's words are serious!" How can I dare to work hard to give steps. It's just that you and I have worked together for many years and feel that there is an obligation to speak out. ”

Zeng Guofan said, "If Brother Nian has anything to say, please feel free to say it." ”

Mei Qizhao, who was only 1510, brought out the trial process of Shangyuan County, as well as the trial of KuiYu and Zhang Zhiwan. Then he said, "If you think about it, Kui Yu is General Jiang Ning and Zhang Zhiwan is the Governor of Cao, they don't know about Ma Xinyi, and they all push this case on Cixi one by one, so it can be seen that the obstacle will not be very small." ”

Of course, Zeng Guofan knew that Zhang Zhiwan and Ma Xinyi were the same branch of jinshi, so why not safeguard Ma Xinyi? Mei Qizhao continued: "After Zhang Dou received the instructions, he was very hesitant. When he heard that he had traveled to Guazhou, he was stuck. He also said that he had a nightmare beforehand, dreaming that Ma Xinyi suddenly came to visit, his face was miserable, and his expression was sad. The horse sat for a moment, but did not say anything, but as he left he said, 'I am all up to you.' The next day, Zhang Du received an edict to go to Jiangning. You say coincidence or coincidence? ”

Zeng Guofan smiled, "Zhang Zhiwan is really a smart person. This is what he told others, Ma Xinyi died and knew. ”

Mei Qizhao said, "The Middle Hall is really to the point." I also heard that Zhang Du made a small joke that time. ”

Zeng Guofan said, "What joke?" ”

Mei Qizhao said, "When the ship arrives in Guazhou, Zhang Du will call for docking." When he got ashore, he suddenly wanted to urinate, but he was still far from the official residence, so he had to go to the toilet on the bank of the river. Zhang Zhiwan was afraid that a second Zhang Wenxiang would emerge, and did not dare to go to the toilet alone, so he ordered two hundred guards to put up sentries left and right. This time, a toilet was surrounded by water, and it was often said to be a laughing stock. ”

After saying that, the two of them had already laughed and leaned forward and backward.

After laughing for a while, Zeng Guofan lit up the bottom card of this night visit to Mei Qi. He quietly attached himself to Mei's ear and said, "Brother Nian, I'm afraid you and I can only be Zhang Zhiwan's second this time!" ”

Mei Qizhao frequently nodded, "Nakado Takami, coincides with the younger brother!" ”

Zeng Guofan said, "Shangyuan Zhixian and Nian Brother are the insiders of this case, and they can be consistent." ”

Mei Qizhao hugged his fist and said, "The Middle Hall is here to teach, I Mei Dare not obey orders!" ”

Zeng Guofan was relieved and resigned.

5 Dirtless Monks and the Red Lotus Temple

Zeng Guofan is indeed worthy of being a veteran of the officialdom. The final outcome of the Ma case is to charge Zhang Wenxiang with the crime of being a bandit in order to fulfill the dead Ma Xinyi. In order to accuse Zhang Wenxiang of being a thief and a bandit, it is also necessary to rely on real evidence, otherwise the people will not be convinced, public opinion will be in an uproar, and it will be difficult to clean up. This point was ignored by other trial personnel. Now, he grabbed the Burmese sword, grabbed the spotless monk, and grabbed the ring of the Red Lotus Temple, and finally grasped the key point.

At that point, what kind of a person Zhang Wenxiang really was, and why he wanted to assassinate Ma Xinyi, there was a reason for it.

Zhang Wenxiang is a native of Ruyang, Henan. Born poor, he has been wandering the rivers and lakes since he was a child. When the Twister Army arose, he surrendered to the Twister Army. In the military, because of his outstanding martial arts, he has made many military achievements. Soon, he became a member of Zhang Lexing's generals. Along with him in the Twister Army, there were Cao Hu and Shi Jinbiao, who had sold smuggled salt together in the past and were brothers. Among the three, Zhang Wenxiang's martial arts were the best. It turned out that when he was a child, he once met a monk named WuShi. This unclean monk was originally a general in the Taiping Army, and later left home. When he saw that Wen Xiang was tall, he accepted him as an apprentice and taught martial arts. After about a year of teaching, the unclean monk left and went to the clouds to travel the world. Wen Xiang also joined the army. After several years, Zhang Wenxiang was fighting hard in the Huainan area, and the unclean monk suddenly found himself in the army. Wen Xiang was very happy to see Master coming. That night, the master and disciple slept in the same bed and talked to each other. Wu Shi advised Wen Xiang, "The current general situation is not good for the Twist army, and you still have to leave a way back for the brothers." Wen Xiang didn't understand, and asked Master, "What does your old man mean by staying behind, the disciple has not understood, please explain it in detail." Wu Shi said, "Since the ancient way, success is the king, and defeat is the curse."

If you lose, will you have so many subordinates? Wen Xiang said, "Big husband, if you fight to the death, you'd rather crush the jade than be complete!" Wu Shi said, "Non-also." The person who knows the times, Fang is Junjie. The retreat I am talking about is the meaning of retreating to the mountains and forests, and Xu Tu's comeback. Wen Xiang understood and said to Master, "I didn't think of this." Since Master has some plans, he may as well teach me. Wu Shi said, "I want to create a place of destination for all the princes, but I am short of money and have no funds." Wen Xiang said, "I have a sum of money here, it was obtained from the last time I laid down a county town, in addition to the soldiers' supplies, I can take out ten thousand gold, I don't know if it is enough?" Wu Shi said happily, "Enough." It's just that this matter needs to be extremely secret, and it will take some time. When it's done, I'll report it again. Wen Xiang said, "Everything is up to Master." ”

After about two more years, Wu Shi came to Wen Xiang again and said that the big thing had been accomplished. Zhang Wenxiang asked, "What kind of house did Master build for his disciples?" ”

Wu Shi said, "I built a big temple!" ”

Wen Xiang said, "What is the purpose of building a temple?" ”

Wu Shi said, "If the army is defeated, the people will have no place to live." Only by shaving one's head can one avoid being killed by officers and men. At that time, all of you in these camps were clothed, and the temple was enough to accommodate them. ”

Wen Xiang then said, "Master is really far-sighted, and the disciple is ashamed of himself." But I don't know what temple this temple is called? Where was it built? ”

Wu Shi said, "In the territory of Hunan, in a valley at the junction of Changsha and Liuyang." The situation there is dangerous, and there is only one sheep's intestine trail in and out, like a cloth bag. Once I passed there, I saw that there were few people, only a dilapidated ancient temple, the temple gate still existed, there were three golden characters on it, called 'Red Lotus Temple', the handwriting was already mottled. I surveyed it, and there was a flat river in this valley, covering an area of no less than a thousand acres, and although the terrain was uneven, it was roughly divided into three levels. If you build a three-story temple, it is magnificent enough. Zhang Wenxiang listened with relish, and interjected by the way: "The project is so big, how can it be built so quickly?" ”

Wu Shi said, "I already have a bunch of friends in Sichuan, who are skilled craftsmen and have everything." I also built tunnels there. In this way, in the future, in case the government finds out, we can move from the tunnel. ”

Zhang Wenxiang said, "Who is presiding over this temple now?" ”

Wu Shi said, "Of course, I will preside over it for the time being." However, I am old, so this time I want to lead you to the Red Lotus Temple, one to admire the masterpiece of the teacher, and the other to ask you to take my place as abbot. ”

Wen Xiang shook his head, "Now that I am entangled in military affairs, I can enjoy this blessing if I can, so I have to favor Master." ”

Wu Shi sighed and said, "That's it, that's it! I see that if you have not been removed, there will be great calamities in the future. But the teacher cannot force you. I have a thousand disciples at the Red Lotus Temple, who study boxing sticks every day. In the future, if the disciples are in trouble, they may wish to come to me. ”

Wen Xiang said, "Respectfully obey the master's orders." ”

Wu Shi stayed in the army for a few days, then resigned from Wenxiang and still went back to the Red Lotus Temple.

In fact, most of the unscrupulous disciples were officers and soldiers who had fallen from the defeat of the Taiping Army and were now retired to the mountains and forests. Zeng Guofan wanted to investigate the Red Lotus Temple, that is, to seize Zhang Wenxiang's fatal point.

Six grievances

Unfortunately, the words that the unclean monk said to Zhang Wenxiang, "There will be great disasters in the future," soon became a reality.

It was the year after WuShi left, and Zhang Wenxiang captured Ma Xinyi in a battle. At that time, Ma Xinyi was removed from his post due to the loss of Hefei, and Tang Zhongcheng arranged for him to be trained in the Luzhou Township Corps. Just happened to meet Zhang Lexing's elite troops Zhang Wenxiang's troops, and when the battle came down, the entire army was destroyed. Ma Xinyi fled into the mountains and forests, hid in the thorn bushes, was captured by the Twister army, and sent to Zhang Wenxiang's camp for trial. At this time, Zhang Wenxiang was a little shaken because of the poor general situation of the Twist army, and wanted to defect to the Qing Dynasty and gain an official and a half-post, but there was no chance. During the interrogation, it was found that this Ma Xinyi was the famous Hefei ZhiXian, and his heart did not move.

It turned out that Among the officials at that time, Ma Xinyi was the most able to sell his reputation and reputation, so it was generally believed that he was young and promising, and he was both literate and martial. The reason why Zhang Wenxiang was moved in his heart was that he thought he was useful to himself. Although the Qing Dynasty officials were usually arrested and beheaded as usual, this time it was unusual, not only was there no insult, on the contrary, there were good gifts, three days in a row, three meals a day, all big fish and big meat. Even Ma Xinyi's favorite wine has never been less. Ma Xinyi was a well-behaved person, seeing that Zhang Wenxiang had no ill will toward him, he did not feel that he would die, and whenever he had the opportunity, he used words to tease.

One day, Zhang Wenxiang asked Ma Xinyi to go to dinner with him. Ma Xinyi followed Zhang to an exquisite small room, where a sumptuous wine banquet had been set up earlier, and there were two warriors waiting there. When they saw Ma Xinyi coming, they all came out to greet them, and they looked very affectionate. Ma Xinyi did not resign and sat down in the next seat. Zhang Wenxiang said to Ma Xinyi: "I have wronged you in the past few days. Come, three of us brothers, accompany you to a few drinks, and suppress the shock for you. After saying that, the four people stood up at the same time, raised a glass in their hands, and said "dry", and the four wine glasses were empty early. Eat and talk. After three rounds of drinking, Ma Xinyi took a little drunkenness and sighed. Zhang Wenxiang hurriedly asked, "Why did Brother Ma sigh, is he homesick?" Rest assured, in a few days, we will send Brother Ma home. Ma Xinyi said, "Non-also! I see that all three of them are heroes in the world, and their future is unlimited, but unfortunately..." Speaking of this, I suddenly stopped talking. All three people in the room asked, "What's a pity?" Ma Xinyi saw that the time had come, and he couldn't care less about that much, so he quickly replied: "It is a pity that you have gone astray, so that the hero is useless." Zhang Wenxiang said, "According to Brother Ma's opinion, what should we do?" Ma Xinyi said, "Abandon the dark and cast the light, there are ancient ming precepts." That is when the tiger enters the mountains and the dragon returns to the sea. Zhang Wenxiang said, "We already had this meaning, but we didn't meet the person who introduced us, so why not?" Ma Xinyi smiled and said, "If you can see it, I Ma Xinyi is willing to serve." Zhang Wenxiang said happily, "If you have Brother Ma to carry it, it is a heavenly gift." I see that Brother Ma is extraordinary, Wen Tao is a martial strategy, and there will be great room for development in the future. At that time, we are willing to follow the left and right, and let it be driven. Ma Xinyi said, "Without further ado, please make a quick choice." Zhang Wenxiang said, "I have a word, I don't know if I should say it or not?" Ma Xinyi said, "But there is no obstacle to speaking." Zhang Wenxiang said, "The three of us brothers, this one is called Shi Jinbiao, the one is called Cao Erhu, although he is not his own son, he is a brother with a different surname, because I am a martial artist, I don't understand Tao Strategy, and today I want to marry Brother Ma as a good friend of Jinlan, I don't know if Brother Ma is disgusted?" ”

Lookout! Ma Xinyi was caught in the hands of the enemy, and when he encountered this situation, even a thousand people were unwilling and could only say yes against their will. Without hesitation, he replied, "You are so loving that you dare not obey your orders." The three of them were overjoyed, so they made an impromptu worshipper and swore an oath to heaven. After the oath was completed, the four of them discussed together how to make Ma Xinyi return with dignity this time, not only not to be reprimanded, but also to discuss merits and rewards.

As a result of the deliberations, a plan must be implemented. The four of them discussed so secretly, and Ma Xinyi listened to it and shouted in unison, "Brilliant plan, wonderful plan!" ”

Zhang Wenxiang poured a glass of wine for each of them and raised a glass: "Gou rich and noble, don't forget each other!" ”

The four of them raised a glass at the same time and said in unison: "Gou rich and noble, don't forget each other!" ”

The next day, Zhang Wenxiang quietly sent Ma Xinyi out of the city gate. On this night, Ma Xinyi summoned the group to train scattered soldiers and brave soldiers, and they carefully lit torches and shouted to kill Lian Tian, and came to besiege the city. Zhang Wenxiang, Cao Erhu, and Shi Jinbiao also took care of things, lit torches, opened the city gate, led their subordinates, and went out of the city to meet the battle. In the darkness of the night, pretending to be the sound of war, the people of a city were frightened and hidden, and they did not know the truth at all. In this way, Zhang Wenxiang was defeated and retreated, abandoned the city, and Ma Xinyi seized a county seat, entered the city with great force, cleaned up the county office, and informed the people. He also wrote a detailed report of the results of the night battle and presented it in a dignified manner.

When the Qing court received the success, he gave Ma Xinyi the merit of the crime, and the official was reinstated. Therefore, he "fought" another battle with Zhang Wenxiang, and of course won a complete victory, and Zhang Bu surrendered. At this moment, Ma Xinyi promoted the envoys, reorganized Zhang Wenxiang's department into a Mountain Character Battalion, and became his own garrison. Why is it called Shanzi Camp? The Qing Dynasty had a habit of often naming it after a word in the name of a military officer, mainly for easy title. Ma Xin Yi zi Gu Shan, so took a mountain character. Soon, Ma Xinyi was appointed as a political envoy in Anhui, and Zhang Wenxiang, Cao Erhu, and Shi Jinbiao also followed him into the Domain Division. As the saying goes, when blessings and misfortunes depend, misfortunes arise from this.

After Cao Erhu's family moved into the clan, they lived next door to Ma Xinyi. Cao's wife is very charming, because Cao and Ma are brothers, and Cao's wife and Ma's relatives are also very close. This Ma Xinyi is a lustful person, and when he sees cao's wife beautiful, he teases him in many ways. Soon, the mixture became acquainted, so he took the opportunity of Cao Erhu's outing and drunk her with wine, and the two committed adultery from then on. After this matter was detected by Zhang Wenxiang, he secretly told Erhu. Erhu did not believe it at first, but after being confirmed, he wanted to kill his wife. Zhang Wenxiang said, "If your wife is not virtuous, she is not your wife, so why kill her?" Besides, if you kill her, Ma Xinyi, he won't kill you! Erhu said angrily, "According to what you said, did you not make me the eighth king?" Zhang Wenxiang said, "That's not what it means." Ma Xinyi is now rising in the clouds, his feelings for you and me are gradually weakening, and he has committed this kind of animalistic behavior, how can we tolerate it! It's just that at the moment, his power is great, and we have lost our military power, so he can't. As the saying goes, thirty-six counts, go to the top, let's get out of here! I have led you away from the Twister Army, and to the point of today's calamity, I really cannot bear you when I think of it. ”

It was at this time that word spread among the clans. Ma Xinyi thought to himself: The matter of my worship with Zhang Wenxiang, in case people know, this black gauze hat will be difficult to protect. Now the matter of fornication with Cao Erhu's wife is inevitable not to leak the wind, it is better to take advantage of this in addition to this aftermath, one is to kill people and destroy the mouth, and the other can occupy Cao's wife forever. Thinking like this, I had already thrown the words "rich and noble, do not forget each other" to the cloud of nine clouds. The next morning, Ma Xinyi ordered Erhu to go to Shouchun to lead the fire. Wen Xiang and Jin Biao listened, not at ease, and the two discussed: Mo Fei Ma Xinyi is going to poison his hand. So the two secretly followed Erhu to Shouchun and stayed in the hotel to observe the movements.

Erhu did not know what the plan was, and ran straight to the town, took out the documents, and requested to be conveyed. At this time, the Chinese officer took the ling arrow in his hand and shouted, "Come on, arrest me!" Cao Erhu was inexplicable and suspicious, only to see a dozen soldiers coming from left and right, catching Erhu. Erhu cried out, "I came to raise arms, so why did you arrest me?" The Chinese officer shouted, "Cao Erhu, you were originally the leader of the twister bandits, and now you are having an affair with the twister bandits, and you want to sell arms to the town, what is the crime?" ”

Erhu was arguing, and Xu Zongbing of Shouchun Town came out, holding Ma Xinyi's handwriting in his hand, and said to Erhu, "You see, this is Ma Daren's yiwen, saying that you have deceived the arms, received the bandits, and told me to correct the fa on the spot." Only then did Erhu know that he had won Ma Xinyi's treacherous plan, but it was irretrievable. After only a few scoldings of "horse thieves", the heads of the general soldiers were cut off. By the time Zhang Wenxiang heard the news, the head of the Erhu had already hung high on the flagpole at the entrance of the town and abandoned his body in the city.

Zhang Wenxiang caressed the corpse and cried. He knew that once Ma Xinyi's vicious face was exposed, the misfortune between himself and Shi Jinbiao was not far away. However, Shi Jinbiao's home was in the clan division, and he could not help but return to the clan division. Zhang Wenxiang was a bachelor at the time and decided to flee immediately and avenge Erhu in the future. So Wen Xiang said goodbye to Jinbiao in Tears in Shouchun and ran away from home.

Zhang Wenxiang recalled Master's words at this time, and he did not feel a thousand emotions. He was a servant of the wind and dust, and he hid his name and headed for Hunan. On the road, I was afraid of the official government's interrogation, and I took all the small roads. After walking for about half a month, I arrived at the Red Lotus Temple, met the unclean monk, prepared the previous situation, and fell to the ground crying. Wu Shi comforted him and said to him, "This is the case, and it is useless to cry." Although the teacher is old, he can still support it for two or three years. I have a Burmese knife here, which is produced in Myanmar and is forged by a special method. From now on, you are here to study the sword technique with me. As long as the kung fu arrives home, your great vendetta will always be rewarded. ”

After saying that, he awarded the Burmese sword to Wen Xiang.

Since then, Zhang Wenxiang has practiced his sword day and night, regardless of cold and heat. At first, only one layer of cowhide could be pierced. Wu Shi said: "You must be able to pierce three layers of cowhide with one knife to get home." Wen Xiang practiced hard again, and finally could effortlessly penetrate the three layers of cowhide, so he bid farewell to Master and went to find the enemy Ma Xinyi.

Seven confessions frightened the old middle hall

Zhang Wenxiang left the Red Lotus Temple, stayed overnight, came to Jiangsu to settle down, and inquired about ma Xinyi's whereabouts everywhere. At first, Ma Xinyi looked here and there, only to hear that he had risen again, but he did not know where he was. By the eighth year of Tongzhi, Zhang Wenxiang was able to make sure that Ma had been transferred to the governorship of Liangjiang. Therefore, Zhang Wenxiang settled in a new town not too far from Jiangning. At night, he locked himself in the house to practice his sword, and he got a poison, smeared it on the blade, and burned it with fire.

At that time, Zhang Wenxiang was a major criminal arrested by Ma Xinyi. Now that they are settled in the Jiangning Jurisdiction, they cannot be vigilant from time to time. In order not to let people find out, Zhang Wenxiang actually used boiling hot tung oil to burn his face into a pot.

In the blink of an eye, it was Already between April and May of the ninth year of Tongzhi. Suddenly, Jiang Ning came with the news of the martial arts post of the monthly class, and Zhang Wenxiang thought that the time had come to stab the horse, and he was secretly happy, so he prepared to leave. But he was now half-naked.

Not far from his residence, there was a shop, which was the hotel opened by the military prisoner Chen Dianjia. Zhang and Chen usually interact with each other, and they are both people with previous convictions, so they can trust each other. In order to accumulate a lump sum of travel expenses to Jiangning, Zhang Wenxiang had to go to the Chen family to help, and Chen Dianjia also agreed. Zhang Wenxiang stabbed Ma Xinyi, and it was only after receiving wages from Chen Dianjia's family that he left for Jiangning.

Soon after the assassination case, people involved with Zhang Wenxiang were detained one by one, and Chen Dianjia was certainly no exception. The first person Zeng Guofan interrogated was Chen Dianjia.

Chen Dianjia is a sparrow in Dongting Lake who has seen wind and waves. Although it was interrogated by the Governor of Liangjiang, he did not panic at all.

Zeng Guofan asked, "When Zhang Wenxiang will leave your house, you must recruit from the truth, don't make a mistake in time." ”

Chen Dianjia said, "Little remember, it was the ninth day of the first month of June." Because the small one had to pay the wages, it was recorded in the account book. ”

Zeng Guofan asked again, "What did he tell you when he was leaving?" ”

Chen Dianjia said, "Little remember, he said he was going to visit a friend in Jiangning." ”

Zeng Guofan nodded, "What did he tell you about Jiang Ning's visit to friends?" ”

Chen Dianjia said, "He didn't say." ”

Zeng Guofan said, "Have you ever seen his Burmese sword?" ”

Chen Dianjia said, "The little one has seen it." Before leaving, he wrapped the Burmese knife around his waist. ”

Zeng Guofan waved his hand and ordered Chen to be taken down.

Then take Ke Chunfa. This person came to Jiangning with Zhang Wenxiang that day.

Zeng Guofan asked, "Did you know Zhang Wenxiang before?" ”

Ke Chunfa said, "I don't know." That day we met in Suzhou by boat, and we sailed together for a few days. ”

Zeng Guofan asked, "What contact did you have on the ship?" ”

Ke Chunfa said, "There is no other contact with the same ship, but he is chatting with a group of people, and they all boast about what they have." Other small ones were not found. ”

Zeng Guofan asked, "Do you know all that group of people?" ”

Ke Chunfa said, "The little one doesn't know either." ”

Zeng Guofan said, "Then why did you send him to the store?" ”

Ke Chunfa said, "Little Because he often comes to Jiangning, he knows the way well, and when he sees that it is the same road, he will guide him to the store by the way, and there is no other reason." ”

After asking for a while, I couldn't ask anything famous. Zeng Guofan thought to himself: How did you arrest so many people at random? It's too out of law. However, at this time, it was not disposed of, and it was still passed one by one according to the original plan. The person who came up below was a man named Zhu Dingli, the innkeeper. Zhu Dingli said that Zhang Wenxiang was from the sunset shop on June 19, and after staying, he asked him to find a guarantor, and he agreed. However, by the second day of July, the guarantor had not yet been found, so he had to ask him to leave the store.

Then Mention Zhang Quan, who is also the owner of the inn. He said that Zhang Wenxiang was in the second year of the first year, and because he had not yet found the guarantor by the ninth day of the first year, he asked him to leave the store. Below is Zhang Guangcai, a restaurant owner. Since the beginning of July, Zhang Wenxiang has eaten in his shop, and each meal has been counted as more than 20 yuan. On the ninth day of the first month, Zhang Wenxiang proposed to live in the restaurant because he had not met a visiting friend. At that time, the agreement was ten yuan per stay. Zhang Guangcai said: "Since the ninth year of the first year, I have lived in my shop and have not seen anyone who knows me well. ”

When Zeng Guofan saw that this cadre's confession was in line with the facts and had no flaws, he was not embarrassed and asked them to be temporarily detained for transmission. Then an order was given, taking Zhang Wenxiang. At this time, Zhang Wenxiang had already been escorted by two Ghoshhars. Zeng Guofan took a look, but saw a strong breath between his eyebrows, above the lobby, without any fear. He pondered for a moment and then asked, "Zhang Wenxiang, do you know your guilt?" ”

After many interrogations, Zhang Wenxiang seemed to have become accustomed to it, and casually replied: "What is the crime of killing a horse and a new yi?" ”

Zeng Guofan said, "Ma Xinyi is an official of the imperial court, what is innocence?" ”

Zhang Wenxiang said, "Who are you?" Is it not only fruitless to kill a rebel in the imperial court, but also to say that it is guilty? ”

At this time, King Dajing of Jiang'an Grain Dao felt that it was really not good to ask any more questions, so he interjected: "Zhang Wenxiang is unreasonable! This is the new Governor of Liangjiang, Lord Zeng, interrogating you, don't talk nonsense, roar the court! ”

When Zhang Wenxiang heard that it was Zeng Guofan, he loudly replied: "Ma Xinyi, as a senior member of the Qing Dynasty, has secretly conspired with the Twist army, is this not a rebellion? ”

Zeng Guofan said, "Zhang Wenxiang, what evidence do you have against Ma Xinyi bandits?" ”

Zhang Wenxiang said, "Above the court, it's not easy to talk." Please look into it. ”

Zeng Guofan looked around and saw the officials of the Jiang Ning Governor's Office, and he looked at each other and said, "That's it." Please come back, my lords, I have my own reason. ”

When everyone retreated, Zeng Guofan ordered Zhang Wenxiang to be taken to the signing room, and except for the two guards who remained by his side, they all waited outside the signing room. At this time, Zeng Guofan asked Zhang Wenxiang to continue.

Therefore, Zhang Wenxiang defeated Ma Xinyi's army, married the three of them into Jinlan, forcibly occupied Cao's wife, and killed Cao Erhu before and after, and then told him about his return. It turned out that when Zhang Wenxiang's brother Shi Jinbiao was still serving as a military guard around Ma Xinyi, he once talked to Zhang Wenxiang about Ma Xinyi. Shi Jinbiao told him: Two months ago, Ma Xinyi received a letter, and when he took it apart, it turned out to be a false edict from a certain king of the Huibu department in Xinjiang, and the false edict said that the soldiers had already decided to enter Xinjiang and would soon enter the Kwantung Region, and all the requisitions in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas were entrusted to him to act cheaply.

When Zeng Guofan heard this, his heart was already pounding. I thought to myself, Ma Xinyi had been protected by himself, if he was really a traitor, wouldn't he even be implicated in himself? He didn't want to listen any further, so he slapped the shocked Tangmu and drank, "Zhang Wenxiang, aren't you a blood-spewing person?" ”

Zhang Wenxiang said, "Lord Zeng didn't believe it, but he could quickly send someone to surround the Governor's Regiment and carefully search Ma Xinyi's private residence, and if he couldn't find the false edict, I Zhang Wenxiang would be willing to commit the crime of sitting back." ”

The case could not be retried, and Zeng Guofan had to order someone to take Zhang Wenxiang into custody.

Now, Zeng Guofan really feels the complexity of this case, and he doesn't know how to end it in the future? At this time, he received a secret message from Cixi to the effect that Wang Jiabi, the shaoqing of the Taichang Temple, had filed a complaint saying that Kuiyu, Zhang Zhiwan, and others were harboring Ma Xinyi, believing that Ding Richang was a major suspect in the main envoy of the thorn horse. Zeng Guofan was secretly surprised, how did he get involved with Ding Richang again? However, the tone of Cixi's secret decree was not to support Wang Jiabi, but to emphasize that the case was serious and that rumors would be numerous, and zeng Guofan was asked to strictly order the officials of the Prefecture to not use rumors and unfounded words to open their mouths and frame the ministers.

Zeng Guofan knew Cixi's mood because he was afraid that things would make a big fuss, involve too much, and make it into a big prison, which was exactly in line with his thoughts, and he unconsciously felt a lot of relief.

Eight Chincha came south

The next day, Cixi issued another edict to the effect that the trial of the Ma case had been delayed too long, and then sent Shang Shu Zheng Dun to Jiangnan for trial.

Since Cixi sent Zheng Dunjin's instructions to arrive, Zeng Guofan had become idle, and had not interrogated any criminals for several days, but only hoped for Zheng Shangshu's arrival every day. He was pacing in the signing room this day, when he suddenly saw the general of the department come in and report: "Zheng Shangshu's official ship has arrived at the big dock, please decide!" ”

Zeng Guofan said to General Ya, "Quickly inform all the honor guards and palanquins to greet them at the docks according to the original order." You tell Lord Wang, Xiao Yu Si Dao officials, according to their positions. All guards were uniformly dispatched by General Kuiyu. If there is a bad pool, it must be strictly handled, have you heard clearly? ”

Naga choked and turned and ran to pass the order.

Zeng Guofan also left the signing room and returned to the room to clean up.

On this day, it was the twenty-ninth day of the waxing moon, and the officials and servants under the Governor's Office were preparing for the New Year. Because of this, everyone is not at peace.

It is said that Zheng Dunjin is also a Hunan people's clan, born in Changsha, in the Qing court, or a well-known so-called Qing official, known as Zheng Qingtian. He is now an official in the Punishment Department Shangshu, and he is also a senior official of the Qin Order, going to Jiangnan to handle important cases, and that kind of prestige can be known without saying.

Zheng Dunjin was instructed to undertake the Ma case in November. Why did you not come to Jiangning until this time? Some people say that it is rain and snow on the way, traffic obstruction, delay. This is naturally also the truth, but there is another important reason, which is that the people and horses he brought this time are too large, and it is quite difficult to act. Now, we might as well review Zheng Shangshu's team --

The key members of the trial were: Iltung'a in the Punishment Department, Yan Shizhang in the HanLang of the Punishment Department; then: The Officers of the Middle Division, the Patrol Officer, the Wang Ming Division, the Seal Protection Division, and the Protector Division; then: the Sword and Axe Hand, the Binding Hand, and the Wu Zi Hand; and then the Foreign Gun Team, the Sabre Team, and the Steel Fork Team. It's really a man called Horse Hiss, good atmosphere. Just think: such a team of people and horses, how not to walk slowly. In addition, with each passing place, those magistrates inevitably welcomed in and out. Every time you greet and send, how many cutscenes to go through, how much nonsense to tell, how much time to miss!

However, this is not the most fundamental reason. The real reason, I am afraid, is that only Zheng Dunjin understands in his heart: the pomp and circumstance is just a posture of the Qing court's thorough investigation of this case, and in his bones, he wants to execute Zhang Wenfan and commend Ma Xinyi according to Cixi's will to stabilize the political situation in Jiangnan. Therefore, Zheng Shangshu can walk slowly and without haste.

Nanjing people are very fond of watching the liveliness, Zeng Guofan received Zheng Dunjin such a big scene, it is very rare, of course, must see. Therefore, the people who went to the ship dock to see the liveliness that day were no less than the scenes of watching the school parade of soldiers and horses on the day of the thorn horse.

Kui Yu was also very nervous this day, the guards were densely packed, and the water could not leak. Because, if another Zhang Wenxiang appeared, then his own black gauze hat would not be reliable.

Zeng Guofan took Zheng Dunjin from the official ship to the shore and helped him into the eight-wheeled sedan car, so he called it a sedan car. He didn't want to delay for a minute, because staying for one more minute would be a little more risky, and besides, he had many things to do, and he was anxious to discuss with Zheng Mian!

Therefore, Zheng Shangshu's men and horses were in front, and Zeng Guofan's honor guard was behind, and under the guidance of General Kuiyu's horse team, they went straight to the governor's office. As soon as it pulled apart, the team stretched for two miles. The people of Nanjing thought in their hearts: Wouldn't it be strange that a Zhang Wenxiang stabbed a Ma Xinyi and actually alarmed so many officers and mobilized so many people and horses?!

When the two chief inquisitors came together, they had their own courtesy, and there was no need to elaborate. The two of them had a secret meeting, and outsiders did not know. Just one point, we must use a quick knife to cut through the mess and quickly close the case. Therefore, the next morning, the team of the trial was decided: the two chief judges, namely Zheng Dunjin and Zeng Guofan. There were four inquisitors, namely Yiletonga, Yan Shizhang, Wang Dajing of Jiangning Grain Road, and Hong Rukui of Jiangsu Tijiao

Zeng Guofan was confident because he still had a "bottom card" of the Red Lotus Temple. As everyone knows, on this afternoon, the people sent by Inspector Bu arrived on flying horses. Zeng Guofan looked at Inspector Bu's secret code and couldn't help but cry bitterly. It turned out that Inspector Bu had encircled and suppressed the Red Lotus Temple, and it took a lot of effort to break into it. Those monks with high martial arts, who fought and retreated, retreated all the way to the front of the temple of Guanyin Bodhisattva in the rear hall, and in the blink of an eye, they disappeared without a trace. Inspector Bu was furious and ordered the Red Lotus Temple to be burned. This burning, however, also burned Zeng Guofan's wishful thinking clean. Therefore, when Zhang Kaiqi of Shangyuanzhi County came to report that the Burmese knife was poisonous, Zeng Guofan was no longer interested, but just waved his hand coldly and asked him to go back.

On the second day of the first lunar month, Zeng Guofan and his deputies went to visit the minister of Chincha. The two attachés brought by Zheng Dunjin this time are not of low rank, so Zeng Guofan called the two Xiao Qincha, and even the jurors who participated in the trial were also well-known figures.

The visits were conducted in grades. Zheng He was the highest level of contact, because they met with the same village, it was inevitable to tell the nostalgia first.

Then, Zheng Shangshu asked Zeng Guofan: "I heard that the Ma case is too extensive, and the net is too large, is it not difficult to close the net?" ”

Zeng Guofan said, "Yes! It's a lot of trouble! ”

Zheng Dunjin nodded and said yes. Of course, he knew the complexity of the case, so he said to Zeng: "It is still that sentence, it is rare to be confused." He once said, "It's just that people are terrible!" Zheng Dunjin asked, "What kind of public opinion is there here?" He once said, "Didn't someone sue Ding Richang, saying that he was Zhang Wenxiang's chief envoy?" Zheng Dunjin said, "You see? Zeng Guofan said, "Eight words: There is a reason for the incident, and there is no solid evidence." Zheng asked rhetorically, "What does it mean that there is a reason for the incident?" Zeng said, "Ding Richang and Ma Xinyi do have contradictions. Ding Richang's son, Ding Huiheng, was distributed with the title of salt transport envoy to make up for Zhi County, which was a bit of a misdeed, and was known as Xiao Ya Nei. A few days ago, he committed a crime outside and was denounced. Coincidentally, the case fell into the hands of Ma Xinyi. Ma Xinyi had a gap with Ding Richang, so Ma took this opportunity to investigate the case and consulted Ding Richang to the imperial court. The imperial court dismissed Ding Huiheng from his post according to Ma's performance. Since then, Ding Ma has been intolerable and resembling an enemy. Because there was such a public case, some people denounced that Zhang Wenxiang's stabbing of the horse was directed by Ding Richang. Moreover, it is suspected that the headless letter that Ma Xinyi received before his death was also written by Ding Richang's side. Speaking of this, Zheng Dunjin said: "I know about this case, and it has been closed long ago." Judging from Zhang Wenxiang's determination to stab the horse, he and the horse must have a feud with the heavens. Although there is a gap between Ding Ma and Ding Ma, it is not incompatible, Ding Richang is highly respected, is he going to risk the world's great disobedience? Brother, the empress dowager also greeted me on this matter, and we must not catch the wind and shadow and make things too complicated. ”

Zeng Guofan said, "I think the same way." However, some people want to make a big fuss about these things. Saying that, he repeated his handling of Yin Xuezheng. Zheng Dunjin smiled: "This Yin Xuezheng is also too crazy, creating this kind of public opinion, the impact is very bad." It is necessary for you to dispose of him in this way. Let those who are gentlemen and good people look at the colors. However, after the fight, followed by Eli, it is even better. Now among the scholars, sympathize with Zhang, but not with horses. If you only fight and don't pull, I am afraid of provoking great changes, but it is not good. It is better to pull aside and release Yin Xuezheng, lest people say that we only protect Ma Xinyi. Zeng Guofan said, "This matter can be considered again." Yin Xuezheng was going to be sent back sooner or later, and now he didn't embarrass him. However, at present, it is likely to encourage the arrogance of some scholars. I wonder if you heard of it? Nowadays, some people have written a satire on Ma Xinyi, and the story of 'Ma Yu Bao's negative friend' has been vividly played. Some people also said that "the group official chapter is clearly played, not as good as the song field solo photo'! You see, you see, isn't that saying we're forging incriminating evidence! Zheng Dunjin was silent for a long time, and sighed: "Who can understand your and my hidden intentions?" Zeng Guofan also sighed: "The reason why it has been dragging on for a long time is that I want to wear it and can't." Zheng Dunjin said, "Lafayette is already a little unsatisfactory, you and I should still be convicted according to the original report of Kuiyu and Zhang Zhiwan, otherwise, maybe the fire will burn on our heads." You remember, you and I are all strongly recommended ma Xinyi! ”

Zeng Guofan certainly remembered, so even if Ma Xinyi had a larger case, it was not appropriate to continue to investigate. He then asked in a tentative tone, "So, are the prisoners still interrogated?" Zheng Dunjin shook his head: "I see that there are confessions, and there is no retraction of the confessions, there is no need to review them one by one, so I will settle the case with 'Zhang Wenxiang once rebelled and restored the pirates, because Ma Xinyi punished the Nantian pirates, and killed many of his gangs, so he took revenge and revenge'. ”

The two were silent for a while, and Zeng Guofan stood up and said, "That's it, you are good to return to Beijing as soon as possible to resume your life, and I would like to get rid of this burden as soon as possible." ”

It turned out that the so-called Zheng Qingtian, not far away, had come to close the door and latch!

Zheng Dunjin and Zeng Guofan did not expect that the plan they agreed on to quickly cut through the mess caused an uproar.

The first is that Sun Yiyan and Yuan Baoqing did not sign the jury. Their reasoning was that, first, there was no trial, and second, there was no investigation, and the case was hastily closed, which was too imprudent. Although the presiding judge is powerful, the juror cannot be derelict in his duties. They are not responsible for anything that is not in accordance with the law, so they are resolute in not taking charge.

Even Zheng Dunjin and Zeng Guofan thought in their hearts that they were right to do so. However, this case could only be obeyed by the needs of Empress Dowager Cixi, and Zheng and Zeng still forcibly made the decision.

Then, it was Zheng Shangshu who brought Xiao Qin to yan Shizhang. He was also an upright man in the Han Lang of the Punishment Department. In the trial file, he saw that there were great flaws in the case, and he admired Zhang Wenxiang's deeds, as a law enforcement officer, he could not go against the facts, hide the truth, and kill Zhang Wenxiang. Therefore, a plan to go from light to light is proposed. Zheng Hezeng, of course, could not agree and insisted on closing the case according to their caliber. Yan Shizhang, in a fit of rage, threw away his hat and abandoned the official.

Nine Heart-wrenching scandals

On the afternoon of the 29th day of the first month, Zheng Dunjin completed the scheduled task and left for Beijing to sell errands. The rest fell on Zeng Guofan. After half a month of busyness, the Holy Will came, Zhang Wenxiang was executed, and the heart was dug up to sacrifice the undead of Ma Xinyi.

The heart-digging man killed Ma Xinyi's younger brother Ma Si. Relying on Ma Xinyi's background, this Ma Si got an errand in Zhejiang province for an alternate Zhi County. He doesn't look like a reader, and he doesn't look like a firefighter, and it's really hard for him to dig his heart! Helpless, he had to order the servants to go to the iron shop to customize a knife and a hook, requiring good steel fire and sharp blades.

After the knife and the hook were formed, Ma Si first tried to do the experiment, so he asked the butcher to send a whole pig with hair, take the knife to cut the pig, and take the hook to hook the pig's heart and lungs. Although it was quite difficult, under the guidance of the butcher, he finally cut open the chamber and dug out his heart. What was particularly funny was that Ma Si's wife stood next to him pointing and pointing, and the viewers could not help but laugh secretly.

After digging up the heart to sacrifice the spirit, Ma Si returned to Zhejiang, looking forward to the news of the ascension day and night, but there was no news. Those who know that Ma Si dug into his heart said that he was a person without a heart and liver. Ma Si's superiors also looked down on him, plus he no longer had Ma Xinyi as a backstage, so naturally people would not bother him, only to make the court snub, and even his wife changed, often calling him a material for slaughtering pigs and dogs. Later, the people also gave him a nickname, called "County Official who killed pigs". Ma Siyi's grievances in his belly had no place to tell, and within a year, he died of melancholy.