During the Qianlong period, Liu Yuanwai's family had a pair of twins, the eldest named Liu Fu and the second named Liu Bao. The brothers looked exactly the same, and if they wore the same clothes, it would be difficult for even their parents to tell the difference. The eldest Liu Fu was romantic, bohemian, and did nothing for long; the second Liu Bao was intelligent and talented, and he was very good at everything in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting.

This year, Liu Fu and Liu Bao brothers went to the capital to participate in the three-yearly examination, and after the examination, they stayed in the inn to wait for the good news. On this day, the entrance of the inn suddenly had drums and drums, and only the yamen shouted outside the door: "Jinshi and the first, the first and the first Liu Bao, please get on the horse and cruise!"

When Liu Fu and Liu Bao heard this, they were so excited that tears filled their eyes. What made Liu Bao even more unexpected was that Emperor Qianlong praised his essay on "On Heaven and Earth", and when he was seen in the Golden Palace again, he was dignified and talked extraordinary, and he was immediately appointed as the champion of the new department.

The incident caused a sensation in the capital, and Liu Bao's name was immediately well known.

When everything calmed down, it was already three days later. That night, Liu Bao suddenly remembered his brother Liu Fu, so he hurriedly went to the inn to inquire. Seeing Liu Fu lying haggard on the bed, Liu Bao hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Brother, what's wrong with you?"

Liu Fu saw that Liu Bao's official robe was put on, and he couldn't help but laugh and cry: "Brother, my name is in the sun, I really have no face to go back to see my parents and villagers, it is better to die.

When Liu Bao heard that, he quickly consoled him.

He got off the bed and knelt down to Liu Bao. "If you really want to comfort me, you might as well help me now.

Liu Bao was startled: "What are you doing? How can I help you now?"

Liu Fu said, "I'm not as talented as you, and even if I take the exam next time, there may not be hope. Since we look so similar, why don't you let me replace you. Anyway, next time you take the exam, you will definitely win again."

When Liu Bao heard that, his face immediately changed: "Brother, do you know that this is the crime of bullying the king? If the court knows, it will be beheaded."

Liu Fu said, "As long as you and I don't tell you, no one will know." If you don't agree, I can only die.

Looking at Liu Fu's begging eyes, Liu Bao couldn't help but feel his heart cut like a knife. He sighed and said, "Okay! But brother, you have to promise me that after you replace me, you must be a good official, diligent in government and love the people, and do a lot for the people."

When Liu Fu saw Liu Bao nodding, he immediately jumped from the ground, took Liu Bao's hand and said, "Don't worry, I swear I will do it, otherwise I will not die."

So Liu Bao quickly handed his exam essay to Liu Fu silently, so that he could memorize it by heart, and then the two exchanged clothes. Liu Bao urged Liu Fu and said: "You hurry up and go back to Hanlin Academy in a sedan chair, and I will go home tomorrow. Remember, from now on, your name will be Liu Bao and my name will be Liu Fu." After telling Liu Fu, he watched Liu Fu go away in a sedan chair with tears.

It was said that not long after Liu Fu returned, he was appointed as a master of the Hanlin Academy. In his first year in office, he did not dare to slack off at all, so his political achievements were very good, and he was immediately transferred to an important position in charge of the Criminal Department. But with a lot of power at hand, Liu Fu's nature gradually revealed, greedy and perverting the law, bold...

As for Liu Bao, after returning to his hometown, he was furious to study. Three years later, when the peach blossoms were in full bloom in March in Yangchun, he once again entered Beijing for the exam. A magnificent and thunderous exam essay once again made Emperor Qianlong clap his hands and scream. He was immediately appointed as the champion and invited to an audience.

When he saw it in court, Emperor Qianlong couldn't help but be taken aback: "Why do you look exactly like Master Liu?"

Liu Bao quickly explained: * Master Liu and I are brothers. "

Emperor Qianlong was suddenly overjoyed: "Both of you brothers have amazing talents, and being the champion together is really a sign of the prosperity of my Qing Dynasty!"

Emperor Qianlong immediately named Liu Bao as the imperial envoy minister, personally bestowed the sword on Shang Fang, and took him around to supervise government affairs and punish corruption. Liu Bao also lived up to the emperor's orders, was unselfish, and enforced the law impartially. Wherever he went, corrupt officials fell one after another, and the people applauded.

On this day, Liu Bao's way back to Beijing, he suddenly heard someone outside the palanquin shouting injustice. He looked over and saw the girl kneeling in front of the palanquin, holding up the paper and shouting injustice. He immediately ordered:" Stop the palanquin, quickly bring the paper! "

After taking the petition, Liu Bao couldn't help but be taken aback. It turned out that the girl was going to sue the first-rank scholar of the dynasty, that is, his brother Liu Fu. Liu Bao ordered someone to take the girl back to the mansion and asked in detail. Only then did he know that the girl's name was Li Mei. She was 18 years old this year and the younger daughter of the imperial envoy, Lord Li.

After listening to Li Mei's crying, Liu Bao really couldn't tell what he felt. Liu Fu was so vicious, and he was really shocked, angry and anxious. After pondering for a while, Liu Bao said to Li Mei: "In order to ensure your personal safety, you will live in my house for the time being, and don't go anywhere. After verifying sufficient evidence, this case must be strictly ."

That night, Liu Bao lay in bed and tossed and turned. In fact, since he became an official, he had heard a lot about Liu Fu's collusion and selfishness, and he really didn't want to believe it, but now it seems that all of this is not a rumor...

Just as Liu Bao was thinking about this, he suddenly heard a noise outside: "There are assassins! Catch assassins!" The guards patrolling the courtyard shouted Liu Bao secretly "not good", and immediately jumped up from the bed and rushed out the door.

Immediately, a guard came to report: "A man in black ran away from the courtyard wall."

Liu Bao hurriedly took the Municipal Party Committee to Li Mei's guest room and opened the door. Li Mei was lying in a pool of blood, with a short knife inserted in his chest. When he saw Liu Bao come in and say "My father was wronged", he died. Liu Bao was stunned, gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

Li Mei's death made Liu Bao feel very guilty and angry, which further strengthened his suspicion of Liu Fu. He was determined to investigate the case to the bottom.

On this day, Emperor Qianlong saw a few memorials of Liu Fu, so he recruited Liu Bao and said so. Qianlong suspected that these ministers Ji Liu Fu did it.

Liu Bao struck while the iron was hot and said, "Your Majesty, in order to clean up the administration of officials, please allow Wei Chen to launch an investigation to silence everyone."

When Qianlong heard that, he immediately nodded: "I came to you because I want you to find out about this matter."

After careful investigation, Liu Bao finally found a few important witnesses involved in the case, but before the official trial, these witnesses were all silenced one after another, and even Liu Bao himself felt the murderous aura around him.

It was the birthday of Liu Bao and Liu Fu. Liu Bao invited Liu Fu to drink at the mansion for three rounds. Liu Bao closed Liu Fu: "When you drink too much on weekdays, you didn't tell others what happened in my place, did you?"

Liu Fu said, "This is a matter of life and death for you and me, how dare I say anything?" Liu Bao nodded and said tentatively, "Since that's the case, as a first-rank university, the emperor has entrusted you with a high-ranking official to give you a generous salary." What else are you dissatisfied with? Why did you frame so many loyal ministers? Those insiders were killed by you, and fortunately they were killed. There is no proof of death, otherwise there will be a catastrophe! "

When Liu Fu heard what Liu Bao said, he couldn't help gnashing his teeth and said, "Hmph! Who asked them to oppose me everywhere? Those who obey me will live, and those who oppose me will die."

Looking at Liu Fu like this, Liu Bao really couldn't believe that the person standing in front of him was his brother. "Brother, have you forgotten what I told you back then?"

Liu Fu smiled "hehe": "I also want to be a good official, but officialdom is like a casino, one wrong step is a hundred wrong steps!"

Liu Bao said bitterly, "Brother, brother, you have embezzled so much money and killed so many innocent people... Are you still human?"

Liu Fu's eyes suddenly astigmatism and sinister light: "If you are not ruthless, you will not be able to do great things, and I will not be where I am today."

As soon as Liu Fu's words fell, someone suddenly answered, "It is a pity that from today on, you will not have a tomorrow."

Liu Fu was stunned to look back, only to see Emperor Qianlong walk out from behind the screen with an angry face, followed by several ministers Liu Fu before he realized that he had been fooled by Liu Bao today, so he had to helplessly lower his head and could not say a word.

Emperor Qianlong shouted: "Someone come and put his official uniform in the prison for me, waiting for disposal."

Liu Fu was dragged down, and Liu Bao knelt down to Emperor Qianlong in fear: "Your Majesty, please punish Wei Chen for the crime of bullying the king back then."

However, Qianlong personally helped Liu Bao up and said, "I will personally change your name after you pay for Yangzhou and punish you."

What name did he change? Liu Yong. Liu Bao changed his name to Liu Yong from then on. He was busy with government affairs day and night, and was often so tired that he couldn't even straighten his waist to walk.

It is said: "This Liu Yong is the" Prime Minister Liu Luoguo "that was later sung by the people."