Six hundred and twentieth chapters late wind is urgent (2)
The court was in a quarrel because they had no money to spend, but Xiang'an Village was in trouble because they had money and no place to spend it.
"... I originally got the Taihu Stone, and I made an agreement with young Eunuch Liu, thinking that I would add a scene to Xiyuan to make the emperor happy. But now, if this situation comes up, I'm afraid it will be a reason for impeachment.
Yes. A while ago, the Emperor was out and about more often, and there were reports about some natural phenomena, and even those of us around the Emperor became sycophants."
Zhang Hui complained, "There are only a few days left, where can we find something that will make both the old gentlemen happy and the emperor happy!"
"Now I have money and nowhere to spend it." Zhang Hui glanced at Shen Rui, who was still there, and rolled his eyes, "You have an idea! You know how to take advantage of it. You send Songjiang cotton cloth again and again.
If not, your birthday gift belongs to both of us!"
Shen Rui was amused by his expression: "There is also a Qiao Zong, do you want to do it? Since you have money and nowhere to spend it, the treasury is short of silver, and the emperor's internal treasury is afraid that there will be no money, so you can directly invest 10,000 yuan
Just two taels of silver and it saves you a lot of trouble."
Zhang Hui snorted, clapped his hands, and said proudly: "If it weren't for the jealousy of the little screwdriver, let alone ten thousand taels, it would be good to go in with one hundred thousand taels to make the emperor happy."
Shen Rui pretended to have a serious face and said: "Don't you know that wealth is not revealed?"
Zhang Hui said with a smile: "I can't compare to you. I am a poor man who suddenly becomes rich, and I can't help showing off."
Shen Rui couldn't help but shook his head and laughed.
You know, at this time last year, Zhang Hui could only spend 1,800 taels of his private house, and wanted to go to Xiyuan to buy a shop in partnership with Shen Rui. The cloth shop that was later formed a partnership was more of the capital of the Zhao family.
.Now his net worth has doubled, and he has become a rich man worth one hundred thousand dollars.
This is not because Zhao Tong brought a generous dowry, nor is it entirely because Songjiang cotton is now very popular in Beijing, making money every day, but it comes from Liaodong.
Since the guarding eunuch Zhu Xiu was removed, and his own people were installed everywhere, the situation in Liaodong was completely different. Deng Zhang and Cen Zhang did not care about it, but the western part of Liaoning was in the hands of Yizhou Ma's family, which was Jinshan.
The silver sea is endless.
At that time, the eleven trade routes west of the Liaohe River were mainly land transport, and the trade routes east of the Liaohe River were mainly sea transport. However, since Chenghua, sea transport has declined, and land transport is still the main way to connect the pass.
The fur and mountain products from outside the pass must go to the inside of the pass, and the salt wire tea from within the pass must go through the Liaoxi Corridor.
Since the Hongzhi period, taxes have been collected inside and outside Shanhaiguan. Defending the Liaoxi Pass means guarding the channel for collecting wealth, and money will come from all over the place.
The Ma family owes its current power to the Zhao family's operation in Beijing, and the Zhao family will still need to maintain relations in the capital in the future. Naturally, they want to sell the Zhao family to the throne. Zhang Hui, the "collaborating" uncle, will naturally have a lot of conveniences, and let Zhao Tong go.
Not to mention investing in the business, filial piety and money will be taken lightly.
And the first batch of trade sent here also made Zhang Hui and Shen Rui make a lot of money.
Lu Erqilang said that he was sent by the emperor to run errands for Deng Zhang, but he didn't just go there empty-handed. What's more, Shen Chun, who was sent by the Shen family, was also a person who often did business. The two of them were in Beijing.
Zhongji discussed purchasing a batch of popular southern goods, and quickly sold them when they arrived in Liaodong, making a lot of money.
When they came back from escorting the silver cargo, they actually brought a batch of special Liaodong specialties, nearly a hundred high-quality horses.
"How about horses? Those five top-notch horses were originally reserved for the emperor. Why don't we go in as birthday gifts this time." Zhang Hui knocked on the table and said to Shen Rui, "Recently, the palace is also talking about frugality.
, it’s not nice to give it to those who pile up gold and silver.”
When the horses were mentioned, Shen Rui fell silent and said, "That's fine." But he sighed secretly in his heart.
Before Lu Erqilang went to Liaodong, Shen Rui had talked with him and hoped that he would investigate the horse market in Liaodong.
Because of Ming Dynasty's Ma Zheng, it caused great harm to the people.
Starting from the time of Taizu, the imperial court began to force farmers in Hebei and other places to act as horse households to raise horses. Not only would it delay their own farming, they would also have to pay compensation if the horses they raised died or the stallions did not reproduce enough, and they had to be inspected by Taipu Temple officials.
They tried to create difficulties in many ways, and it was said at that time that "the people in the south of the Yangtze River were most in trouble with food, and the people in Hebei were most in trouble with horses."
It was this Ma Zheng that would soon become the trigger for the Liu Liu Liu Qi Uprising, the largest civil uprising in the Zhengde Dynasty.
As for the source of horses in the Ming Dynasty, except for the occasional trade of 1,800 horses from the Tea Horse Company on the Shanshan-Shaanxi border, they mostly came from Liaodong.
In addition to tribute from the Nüzhen and North Korea, the horses in Liaodong were mainly obtained from trade with the Mongolian Uliangha Tribe and the Jurchen Tribe. This is why the horse market was established.
The horse markets in Liaodong were first established in the third year of Yongle. There were only three horse markets at the beginning. Later, they were added in the 14th year of Chenghua. Now there are seven horse markets.
Shen Rui had checked some miscellaneous books and learned that during the Yongle period, the Ming Dynasty had an abundance of horses due to the horse market. It is said that there were more than 300 horses in the early years of Yongle. By the 22nd year of Yongle, there were more than 1.7 million horses in the country. In Liaodong alone
, after the official horses were handed over to the court, there were still 400,000 horses left, which shows the huge trading volume in the horse market.
The horse market in Yongle was established for horse trading. Six years after Xuande, the horse market was gradually converted into a border trading place similar to a trading market, allowing private material transactions. In Mongolia, the female straight tribes exchanged cattle, sheep, livestock, various leather goods, and various mountain goods.
Han Chinese cloth, ironware, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, salt tea, etc.
It can be said that the horse market was not only the main channel for the imperial court to obtain horses, but also a means to use economic channels to restrain the various tribes in Liaodong.
Since the Zhengtong Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty's policies towards various female straight ministries have been constantly changing, and the princes in the court have used the horse market as an excuse to criticize each other from time to time, causing the horse market trade to wax and wane.
Especially starting from the 14th year of Zhengtong (Tumubao Incident), the imperial court closed the two horse markets in Ulliangha for 30 years, and they were not reopened until the end of Chenghua.
During the Chenghua and Hongzhi dynasties, iron bans were imposed to varying degrees, and horse trade was also greatly affected.
Shen Rui couldn't help but place his hopes on the horse market in Liaodong, thinking that now Liaodong also has "one of its own". If it can be promoted to make the horse trade prosperous, it will be easy for the court to obtain horses, and there will be no need to tighten the necks of horse owners.
Let him work hard to raise horses, right?
Although it cannot eliminate the "ancestral rules" of Ma Zheng, it can greatly ease the burden on the people of Hebei, or it may be able to eliminate civil unrest, who knows!
It is not that he has not considered issues such as the rise of the Jurchens in Liaodong, but that will be a hundred years later, and the civil uprising is right in front of him, in the fifth year of Zhengde!
Moreover, if the Ming Dynasty can get rid of its bad government and gradually become stronger and stronger, the Liaodong Jurchens will not be afraid at all.
Although Shen Rui had a good idea, he did not expect that the Liaodong horse market was full of disadvantages. Lu Erqilang wrote a long letter and described it in detail, which gave Shen Rui a headache.
As long as there are interests, there will be no need for any kind of robbery.
Local officials and health officials in Liaodong regarded the horse market as a way to make money, and tried every possible means to exploit Mongolian and straight women.
Soldiers wandered around the horse market speculating and fooling around, buying and selling by force; officials even directly asked for Dongzhu and mink skins from the Mongolian and female straight men who came to trade, and aggressively lowered the price to 30% to 40%.
What's more, the guards used the horse market to trap and kill a large number of people who came to the market to claim credit for invading the Tartars!
As for Mongolia, straight women are not good-tempered and allow themselves to be bullied. Not only do they not bring good horses and good goods to sell in the horse market, but more often they simply support the crowd and join the invaders, leading to armed conflicts at the horse market, and even a Without stopping, he stormed into the inner city and plundered it.
This is the reason why it is often seen in court reports that straight women were among the bandits.
This group of frontier troops at the guard station caused more trouble than anyone else. They were afraid to use their swords to kill the enemy. At the same time, there were many factions among the border generals and they did not respond to each other. For example, Han Fu had no troops and just sat back and watched Ma Shen. Li Xiong's defeat did not happen. Not uncommon.
The officials of Ma City are extremely wealthy, but the people in the villages and towns near Ma City are suffering from wars.
When normal market trade is disrupted, but market demand is still there, the smuggling trade flourishes exceptionally.
Lu Erqilang's horses can be regarded as smuggled.
He was quite courageous, and after discussing with Shen Chun, they used the new Liaodong garrison eunuch Cen Zhang to raid the predecessor Zhu Xiuyu's party, causing people to panic. The banner was made of tiger skin, and through the Ma family and other local wealthy families and the Guangning Right Guards, they directly established a line with several small Mongolian tribes in Tainingwei outside the border wall.
The right guard of Guangning was the guard station where Zhu Xiu had taken over the most farmland. He had been replaced by new people from top to bottom, so he showed great respect to Lu Erqilang, "a man of Cen Zhang".
In addition, Lu Twenty-seventh Lang was a good man, and the money he gave was enough, and all the generals and generals were left behind. The Guangning right guard not only helped to contact the Mongolian tribes with relatively good relations, but also sent a team of hundreds of households to escort Lu Twenty-seven Lang, Shen Chun's caravan, there is no smuggling team with such magnificence.
The Mongolian tribe is not as good as the Nvzhi tribe, and the Nvzhi tribes have many backers. Not to mention mink fur and ginseng, if not good enough, there are mushrooms, fungus, pine nuts, honey, etc. which are easy to exchange.
Small tribes like Mongolia only have livestock, so they suffer the most from normal horse market transactions and rarely get much good stuff in exchange.
Lu Erqilang came to visit with a merchant, and the transactions were quite fair, which was really a surprise to them.
Although Lu Erqilang didn't have the guts to agree to important materials such as salt and iron, for the Shen family and the Lu family in Jiangnan, tea and silk were nothing but trivial matters, and it didn't matter if they promised them casually.
Lu Erqilang did his homework and bought a large number of clothes, coats, boots and shoes in Yizhou, which were exactly what the tribe needed for the winter. He first presented the colorful brocade to the tribal leader to attract his attention, so The transaction went very smoothly.
The hundred households were honest. They received Lu Erqilang's big red seal and actually helped bargain with the price in the transaction and choose the animals. These hundred households were locals and grew up on horses. This pick I am very good with livestock, so I really helped get a batch of top-quality cattle and horses.
Lu Ershiqilang had done this kind of smuggling business when he followed Lu Shiliulang to Shandong and Liaodong Shipping. This time, he did it in the same way. He paid part of the tax as a token to make up for it, and the goods became private goods. With official goods and connections with the Ma family, the cattle bought this time were left on the farm built in Liaodong for spring plowing, while the horses were transported through Shanhaiguan in an open and honest manner.
When Shen Rui learned what happened, he couldn't help but sigh, thinking that after all Lu Erqilang was a person who often did business. He usually only thought of him as a weak-looking person, not a courageous and scheming one. But after all, Shen Chun had little experience and was inferior to him. A lot. I hope Shen Chun can learn more from Lu Erqilang and it will be of great use in the future.
Thinking about the horse market in Liaodong, he couldn't help but feel a headache. Horses that could easily be exchanged for cloth and tea in the market could now only be obtained with a lot of effort and effort.
From this point of view, if we want to promote the prosperity of the horse market and then solve the shortcomings of horse administration, it will not be a day or two effort.
He thought about it for a long time, discussed it with Shen Li, and visited his uncle Yang Zhen. He just started writing some opinions about the horse market, and asked Yang Zhen to send it to Liaodong to Deng Zhang, hoping that it would be of some use.
These more than 100 fine horses would be eye-catching if placed in the Shen family. Therefore, except for Shen Rui leaving half of them scattered in various farms for his own use and as gifts to relatives and friends, all the rest will be handled in the name of the British government.
Therefore, he also told Zhang Hui about various things about the horse market in Liaodong. Zhang Hui was also angry and sad. The two discussed it and briefly wrote down some of Shen Rui's ideas about horse trading and sent them to Brother Shou.
Of course, the note to Brother Shou would not mention the chaos in the horse market in Liaodong. Considering the current situation in Liaodong, rashly lifting the lid might cause greater turmoil. It would be better to wait for Deng Zhang to deal with it slowly.
Although they are just some simple horse trading ideas, they are still praised by Brother Shou.
Seeing Shen Rui's sad expression, Zhang Hui knew that he was worried about the horse market in Liaodong again, so he hurriedly said: "Didn't the emperor already say that there is a feasible way? He will definitely sort out Liaodong in the future! Maybe in a few years, the birthday gift we offer will be It’s a Liaodong cavalry!”
After hearing this, Shen Rui couldn't worry anymore and couldn't help laughing: "I have to wait until you go to Liaodong to seize this advantage!"
After a pause, he sighed again: "It's a pity that it's too late to buy a farm this year. Otherwise, we can grow crab rice for the Longevity Festival. This will not only invite the nobles to taste it, but also show that the imperial court attaches great importance to agriculture. The old gentlemen will only be happy." Son, isn’t it the best of both worlds?”
Zhang Hui clapped his hands and said with a smile: "This is a good idea. At least I won't have to worry about next year's birthday gift!"
After that, he added: "It's okay to raise crabs and rice in an open area, but why did you choose that bitter cold place in Liaodong? It's not like you don't know that Liaodong only has one crop a year, so why don't you go to your hometown Songjiang to get it?" .Where else can you make more money in the horse business!”
Although at this time, martial arts was not as popular as Taizu's and Emperor Chengzu's, the sons and sons of noble families in the capital were all proud of riding and shooting, and were proud of having good horses in their families.
It’s just that good horses are hard to come by.
But the more rare it is, the more valuable it is.
Zhang Hui also kept some of the horses for his own use, and then secretly spread the news. Soon, people who were familiar with the matter but not familiar with it were all coming to buy horses in a roundabout way.
Zhang Hui, a son of a family of military generals, may not be very good at riding or shooting, but he is very knowledgeable about the market conditions of horses, and he knows the details of noble families very well. Tens of thousands of taels of silver.
Not only did the money fall into his pocket, but Zhang Hui's status in the circle of distinguished disciples also increased. Some people who used to think that he was not the heir apparent and accepted the story now also felt that Zhang Hui was a capable person and made friends with him attentively.
Therefore, Zhang Hui wished he could just sell horses and do nothing else.
Shen Rui couldn't explain to him that the black land in the Northeast would be a big granary in the future, so he had to say: "In the end, Liaodong must be self-sufficient. No matter how convenient shipping is to Shandong, transporting grain must be moisture-proof and mildew-proof, but it is more troublesome than transporting goods."
"
Zhang Hui shrugged without comment, but after thinking about it he said: "There is one benefit to setting up a village over there. After all, no one will check how many acres you have there."
He stood up and looked outside the door, then turned around and said in a low voice: "This time, Princess Deqing's mansion was implicated by that idiot Huang Jin. She was also very angry. Princess Renhe also cried to Princess Chun'an.
...At this moment, the entire clan is scolding the internal officials, saying that it is the clan that is responsible for the internal officials' troubles. The eldest princess of Chun'an was given the most royal palace, and she was also taken along. The Cai family brothers came to drink with me and asked insinuating questions.
Liaodong’s business seems to have some meddling in it.”
When Shen Rui heard this, his eyebrows jumped. Counting the days, he would soon reach the biggest turning point in the history of the early years of Zhengde. In October, the cabinet came to remonstrate with the intention of killing the Eight Tigers, but was plotted by the Eight Tigers. In the end, the Cabinet
Old Liu Jian resigned and returned to his hometown. After that, Liu Jin took over the government, and the Ming Dynasty also entered a dark period.
Today's civil servants are launching a public opinion war to impeach internal officials, which is the prelude to punishing the Eight Tigers.
As for the civil uprising, Shen Rui is still thinking of ways to save it.
But when it comes to this political earthquake, he has nothing to do.
Not to mention that Shen Rui was just a scholar, but he was like a veteran of four dynasties, and the first assistant Liu Jian also left the scene sadly...
All he can do is to keep those around him who want to protect him from this whirlpool, such as his teacher Wang Shouren.
"Liaodong has a vast territory and a large number of businesses, and it is not something that one or two families can handle. Since they are interested in Liaodong, it would be a good idea to come and operate together. If through them, Liaodong is valued by the court, has favorable policies, and has a prosperous market, it will also be very close to ours.
Big benefit." Shen Rui said slowly.
He stared at Zhang Hui for a long time, and finally said: "The matter of impeachment in the court, whether it is right or wrong, has nothing to do with us. Second brother, don't step into it out of loyalty."
Zhang Hui was stunned, laughed dryly, and did not respond. He really wanted to take the opportunity to deal with Qiu Ju and avenge his third uncle.
Shen Rui stared at his expression and saw that he was quite unnatural, so he guessed something and sighed in his heart. This was really not a good time.
"Second brother, haven't we said everything clearly?! It's never too late for a gentleman to take revenge. When you have gained status and ability, what kind of revenge can't be avenged?" Shen Rui looked directly into his eyes and said word by word, "Second brother
, listen to me, now is not the time. No matter who says anything or who asks anything, don’t get involved. Even if the emperor asks you, don’t say anything.”
Naturally, he would not tell Zhang Hui what Brother Shou came to ask him that day. At most, he could only remind him so far.
Zhang Hui is also a smart man and has been with Brother Shou for many years. He is also familiar with Brother Shou's temperament and temperament. Zhang Hui was stunned for a moment, but he soon realized what he was doing. He gritted his teeth, forced out a smile and said, "Your Majesty, isn't it?"
I was promoted to an official position? It turned out that my third uncle made a mistake in this matter and didn’t want to be caught."
Having said that, he straightened his clothes and cupped his hands, saying seriously: "Don't worry, second brother, I understand."
Shen Rui breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Second brother, don't go astray. It's irrelevant. I'm just reminding you."
Zhang Hui suddenly smiled.
Dashi Yongfang, Qiu Ju’s private residence
A thin account book was slapped on the polished blue brick floor, making a crisp "snap" sound.
Zhang Hui had already made up his mind not to argue with Qiu Ju first, but Qiu Ju wanted to argue with him.
If it's about money, it's a big feud.
His angry voice filled the room, "What did you tell me when I took over the shop? It took just a few months to make it a mess. How did your family become the richest man in Yangzhou? Are all your business skills just blown away?"
Aunt Zhen, who was kneeling in front of her, was trembling slightly. There were blue veins on her hands that were pressing tightly against the ground, but she was biting her lip and said nothing.
Qiu Ju just felt that everything was not going well recently. He originally wanted to give Yin Wang Yue a hand, but he didn't expect that the old boy could cut off his tail to survive, so he whipped the nephew cleanly and dodged him.
Then the British government actually gave in and did not confront Wang Yue. Because of this honesty, the little bastard Zhang Hui was promoted to a higher level.
It’s really infuriating!
However, things were not going well for him in Qiu Ju. That bitch Zhang Yong took refuge with Liu Jin. The two of them joined forces to investigate and check Chang Pingcang, but he didn't even get a bite from his people!
Wang Yue, an old man, also started to fight back, stumbling for him at every turn, which caused Dongchang to fail to handle several recent incidents. It was nothing ordinary, but for some reason, one or two incidents actually made the little emperor unhappy.
That's a big deal.
After all, he was a slave, so he was busy collecting interesting things to keep him favored.
But things were not going well in the palace, and things were not going well at home. His silk and satin shop could not be said to be losing money, but it was just not making a lot of money. But not making money was a big sin. How could he collect interesting things without money?
For the little emperor?!
Looking back at the reason why the silk and satin shop was not profitable, it was not only Zhang Yongjinyan who forbade common people to wear silk fabrics, but many white-bodied rich people transferred from his silk and satin shop to Zhang Hui's little bastard's cotton shop!
This little brat also used Zhang Yong's connections in Liaodong to get back a lot of mink and fox pelts, and business will be booming again this winter.
Qiu Ju really wished he could let his subordinates raid Zhang Hui's shop. The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. He raised his hand and threw the sapphire handle in his hand onto Aunt Zhen's head, and said sternly: "You're useless.
thing!"
Aunt Zhen was in pain and her body swayed, but she quickly endured the pain and knelt down again. There was already a bruise on her forehead, which made her skin color even more pale.
Seeing the injury, Qiu Ju felt a burst of joy in his heart. He stood up suddenly, walked to her side, pinched her chin, and was about to say a few harsh words. Suddenly, there was a light knock on the door, and a trusted servant whispered softly outside.
: "Sir, Internal Affairs Supervisor Tan Liang has something urgent to ask for..."
Qiu Ju frowned slightly, then sneered for a moment and said, "Go to the study room." He ignored Aunt Zhen, dusted his clothes, and walked out.
In the outer study room, Tan Liang, who was as thin and tall as a bamboo pole, was hunched over like a shrimp. He knelt at Qiu Ju's feet and begged with tears in his eyes: "Ancestor, ancestor, just look at it."
Regarding the friendship between my little godfather and you over the years, I beg you, Lao Gao, to give me a hand."
This man is the most capable godson of Cui Gao, the internal eunuch Zuo Shaojian.
In July, Cui Gao was sent to Nanjing to weave colored leather bolts. At that time, the court officials were dissatisfied. Because of the complicated craftsmanship of the colored leather bolts, it took dozens of people half a year to make one bolt. However, such a time-consuming and labor-intensive thing was often used
reward.
Therefore, Zeng Jian, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, wrote in the first edition that Fu Wang practiced frugality and stopped using gold weaving bolts. The six subjects were given, and the thirteen censors and others also reported it. Unfortunately, the young emperor did not listen and still sent Cui Gao out.
.
Cui Gao was in Nanjing, and the news in Beijing was not very well-informed. He had insufficient money for weaving. He thought that the little emperor's wedding was a festive time and he might be able to agree to anything he asked for, so he made a note and wrote
The remaining salt from Changlu's harvest in previous years is 12,000 yin.
By the time the book was delivered all the way to Beijing, the big guys in Beijing were denounced by the internal officials, and the book became a good evidence of incrimination.
Zeng Jian, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, and Han Wen, the minister of the Ministry of Revenue, together with six subjects, were involved in the matter. All the thirteen censors were impeached, and even the three cabinet ministers had spoken.
Cui Gaoren did not have the clairvoyance and ears in Nanjing, but his disciples and disciples in the capital who were tied to a rope and had no way to change their families had to run around.
Especially for a diehard like Tan Liang, who usually did a lot of dirty work for Cui Gao and had pigtails all over his head. When Cui Gao fell, he had to follow suit, so he could only do his best to rescue his godfather in order to save himself.
.
Qiu Ju narrowed his narrow eyes and looked at Tan Liang, who was only a few years younger than him. He said in a tone that was completely directed at a junior: "Liangzi, what I said is that it is not your turn to deal with the affairs of the internal officials and supervisors."
Tan Liang cried louder and kept saying "the mercy of our ancestors".
Of course he went to see Liu Jin first. It was not Liu Jin who sent Cui Gao out in the first place.
Who would have thought that Liu Jin would wipe his face and disown him, and even scolded Tan Liang like a bastard, saying that Cui Gao was an idiot. Who allowed him to beg for salt? He deserved to be killed by ginseng.
It was Cui Gao's own initiative to ask for Yan Yin, but the problem is, if he didn't ask for Yan Yin, where would he have the money to offer to your ancestor Liu? Tan Liang was in trouble and couldn't tell, so he was beaten out by Liu Jin's people.
He went to ask for Zhang Yong again, but Zhang Yong didn't see him at all.
Going down the rankings, Gao Feng and Ma Yongcheng had been feeling dissatisfied recently. They had no choice but to come to Qiu Ju.
He also knew that Qiu Ju was the most evil-minded and ruthless of them all, otherwise he would not have been able to control Dongchang! He might not be able to see the rabbits but the hawks right now.
Gritting his teeth, he whispered without letting go of his tears: "To be honest with our ancestors, we have a group of high-quality weavers who will arrive in Tongzhou in the near future. There is no way to sell the small ones here. I heard that the ancestors have a silk and satin shop. The small ones are
Asking ancestors for help with a straight face..."
Qiu Ju raised his eyebrows, smacked his lips and said, "Weaved in Nanjing, could it be a tribute? Liangzi, you are trying to harm Qiu."
Tan Liang said quickly: "I wouldn't dare to give it to a hundred people who are too timid... It's really not a tribute. But my ancestors are well-informed. You can tell at a glance that it is a serious good thing..."
What they say is not tribute is actually something plucked from the tribute. Usually when these eunuchs go out on errands, they will ask for a larger amount of tribute. If they pay the full amount, the rest will fall into their pockets. Otherwise, they will pay the tribute in full.
Why is it a fat difference?
Qiu Ju knew in his heart that this was Cui Gao's filial piety to Liu Jin. He was afraid that Liu Jin would kick Tan Liang away before he opened his mouth, so he used it to honor him.
He was just annoyed that the silk and satin shop was not making enough money, so this happened.
But this alone is not enough to make him, Qiu, take action.
He snorted twice with a smile on his face, and suddenly said: "I am a temple boy after all. Liangzi, have you ever gone to pay homage to Wang Yue?"
Tan Liang's mung bean eyes widened and he forgot to cry. But after all, he was a person who was used to doing dirty work. He could understand all the internal relationships very clearly. He could tell something by just rolling his eyes.
The taste comes.
He took two steps on his knees, got closer, and said with a flattering smile: "As you know, ancestor, the door of Wang Gonggong is not easy to knock on. The younger one only drank twice with Wang Rui, Wang Gonggong's nephew. Wang Rui recently...
…I’m not in a good mood, and I always talk nonsense, which scares the younger ones to the point where they don’t dare to go.”
Qiu Ju looked at Tan Liang for a long time, then suddenly smiled, patted Tan Liang's head like a dog, and said with a smile: "Liangzi, your godfather really raised you as a good son..."
After about half an hour, Tan Liang left Qiu Zhai.
Qiu Ju's mood had improved, and he walked back to the backyard with square steps. When he entered the door, he saw Aunt Zhen still kneeling on the spot.
Her face was three points paler than before, the bruise on her forehead was getting heavier and more shocking, and her body was weak and shaky, but she still stood firm.
Qiu Ju walked over, kicked her lightly and said, "Get up."
Aunt Zhen's legs were numb from kneeling, and she couldn't get up for a long time.
Qiu Ju ignored him and sat on the main seat. He let the maid serve tea and moistened it for a few sips before slowly saying: "Tomorrow a batch of high-quality literary works will come from Tongzhou. Please arrange for someone to collect them." He paused.
After a pause, he emphasized: "It's the appearance of a tribute. You have to know who can sell it and who can't."
Aunt Zhen already knew the secrets, took a deep breath, and bowed her head in agreement.
Qiu Ju nodded and sent her away, but before she left the house, he said softly: "On the second day of October, the second lady of Shouning Hou Mansion came out of the palace and prepared a gift to send."
Aunt Zhen's legs and feet were all numb. At this moment, this numbness and soreness swept through most of her body. Both her head and her heart were numb.
She held on to the door frame, slowly moved back, and answered again.
Qiu Jufang said coolly: "You have to be more careful about this batch of goods and sell them at a good price."
September 24th, Longevity Festival.
Last year was the little emperor's first birthday after he ascended the throne, but because the late emperor's palace did not initiate it, it was not held in a big way.
This year is the first birthday of the little emperor after the reform of the Yuan Dynasty. In theory, it is considered a big event, but both the inner palace and the outer court know that the treasury is now empty, and the money for the wedding has not been fully replenished, let alone the money for the birthday.
Therefore, this year's Longevity Festival is held under the banner of "the late emperor has not yet received great auspiciousness". The emperor was not congratulated and was exempted from the official banquet. Instead, he still held a banquet for the tribute envoys from the four barbarians at the left gate of Que, and presented the envoys of the Korean king who came to pay tribute with horses and gifts.
, Wusi Zangchan taught the king’s envoys to weave gold, colorful coins, ingots, etc.
In the harem, there is no talent show this year, and there is no need to hold a banquet. However, the emperor said that there is a new queen in the harem, and specially ordered the wives of foreign ministers above the fourth rank to come to the palace to see her. He also allowed the queen and the female relatives of the second virtuous concubine to enter the palace to meet her.
Family love.
At the same time, the Queen Mother's natal Wang family also brought several granddaughters into the palace.
How could Empress Dowager Zhang lose the battle in such a matter, so Mrs. Shouning Hou had no choice but to take Zhang Yuxian into the palace.
Mrs. Shouning Hou was originally afraid of her daughter's temper and was afraid that she would cause trouble when she went to the palace to see Wu Xitong. This time Mrs. Jin did not enter the palace because of her cough. When she faced the princess and the empress dowager again, no one cared for her.
The mother and daughter escorted her, so she thought her daughter would leave the court soon and declined.
However, Zhang Heling, Marquis of Shouning, believed that being summoned to the palace this time could show what happened in the past. The Tian family had no grudges about it, and after her daughter got married, it was rare to have the opportunity to enter the palace to see her, so she should be in front of the Queen Mother at this time.
Gaining some goodwill will be beneficial to both her and her husband in the future.
Mrs. Shouning Hou could not refute her husband's opinion, and felt that her daughter was now interested in the number one scholar, and she also performed well in the hairpin ceremony, so although she was uneasy, she still brought her daughter here.
Before the palace banquet started, I went to see Queen Mother Zhang.
Empress Dowager Zhang asked Mrs. Shouning Hou about Mrs. Jin's condition, and then she couldn't help complaining to her about Concubine Wu De's arrival: "Your niece is really a piece of cake, why did you choose her in the first place!"
Zhang Yuxian immediately pricked up her ears. In order to comfort her, her mother once said that Wu Xitong was not favored in the palace. She even contradicted her at that time, saying, "Who told you to choose her to enter the palace? If I had gone, I wouldn't be in this situation."
, so angry that her mother hit her several times.
But that's all she said. With a man as talented and handsome as the Number One Scholar, she would not hesitate to enter the palace. Of course, she originally hoped to enter the palace as the queen, and hoped that the emperor's cousin would be as devoted to her as the emperor's uncle was to his aunt.
Yes, now it seems that since she still has other concubines to share her favor with, or even not be a concubine, the attraction for her to enter the palace will naturally fade a lot.
At this moment, she was quite happy to hear the Queen Mother's aunt scolding Wu Xitong. As long as Wu Xitong was not good, she would be happy.
Mrs. Shouning Hou was not happy. After all, this was her niece, and she had chosen it. She had to bear the responsibility.
She said with a smile: "She has been dull since she was a child. This, this... treats a concubine..." She wanted to say that she would teach Wu Xitong a lesson, but when she was about to say it, she remembered that she was already the imperial concubine, and she was too busy and abrupt.
He changed his words and said: "I am waiting for you to go talk to Concubine De."
Empress Dowager Zhang said bitterly: "You have to talk to her nicely! The Ai family didn't expect her to understand the emperor's thoughts like that girl from the Shen family, and she knew how to send a parrot or a starling to please the emperor. She could just imitate the queen.
, you know how to embroider a purse fan pendant! What do you think she did? She actually embroidered a section of the "Miaoho Lotus Sutra" and sent it! She said it was to pray for the emperor's health, but such a thing
How can a young man take a look at it! Really! It makes my heart hurt with anger!"
Zhang Yuxian had a mouthful of tea soup in her mouth and almost spat it out. She forced herself to swallow it, choked and coughed.
Mrs. Shouning Hou turned around and glared at her daughter. She quickly smiled at Empress Dowager Zhang and said, "This child is too sincere and doesn't understand those...those elegant things. Don't let the Empress Dowager get so angry because of her. I'll tell you later."
Go talk to her!"
Zhang Yuxian pursed her lips tightly to prevent herself from laughing. Oh, Wu Xitong, this idiot, has such a good skin for nothing.
She couldn't help but touch the handkerchief in her sleeve pocket. It was a return gift from him and her after she sent her embroidered purse to the No. 1 Scholar's Mansion as part of the festival. The fine Songjiang cotton was embroidered with colorful butterflies flying among the flowers.
, just thinking about it makes my heart filled with sweetness.
Empress Dowager Zhang had been complaining to Mrs. Shouninghou for a long time, and Zhang Yuxian was in a state of confusion.
After a while, Concubine Wu's family entered the palace, and Concubine Wu led them over to pay their respects to Empress Dowager Zhang.
Mother Wu was just a talented lady. She shrank even when she entered Shouning Hou's mansion, let alone the palace. When she arrived in front of the Queen Mother, her smile was stiff and she couldn't even speak a single word.
Concubine Wu's two girls, one is eleven and the other is only eight years old. They are both as timid as mice. They shrink back after saluting. There is nothing lovable about them.
Empress Dowager Zhang looked more and more upset and ignored her, but Mrs. Shouning Hou had to cheer up and "persuaded" Concubine Wu De to treat the emperor with all her heart.
Concubine Wu De was as docile and honest as ever, quietly listening to Mrs. Shouninghou's teachings. Mother Wu even dared not answer a word. Mrs. Shouninghou was also quite satisfied.
But not long after, someone came from Kunning Palace to invite me.
The Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager Zhang and Empress Xia ascended to the throne of Kunning Palace. Concubine Shen Xian and Concubine Wu De bowed their heads respectively and began the ceremony for the audience of the married woman.
After the palace banquet was over, most of the wives of foreign ministers resigned, and those who were left were mostly members of the clan and noble relatives, and they were not so rigorous. The old ladies were in one place, and the young ladies were in another, gathering in twos and threes to chat.
The eldest princess of Chun'an also entered the palace with her granddaughters. The noble ladies of the clan immediately gathered together, led by Qinghe County Prince Cai Miao. This group did not want to see Zhang Yuxian and ignored her at all.
Zhang Yuxian didn't want to go there and make trouble for herself. She looked around. She didn't like the Wang family and the Wu family. She didn't know the Xia family and the Shen family. There was no one she had a close relationship with, which made her feel depressed.
Concubine Shen Xian, on the other hand, was lively and even came over to chat with her for a few words.
Zhang Yuxian had long heard that she was a favored one, and she had just heard of the Queen Mother's method of inviting favors. Now that she saw that she was also a beauty, she couldn't help but feel jealous. Even if her cousin didn't like her, she wouldn't be happy to see her either. My cousin is kind to others, so he ignores me and doesn't talk well to me.
Concubine Wu seemed to have noticed something was wrong here, and came over to say hello to Zhang Yuxian with a smile.
Seeing this, Concubine Shen Xian apologized and walked away with a smile.
Zhang Yuxian looked at Concubine Wu De with cold eyes, thinking that she was stupid and unpopular, she couldn't help but put a sarcastic smile on her lips, and said coolly: "Looking at you, you don't look very good, but you are not accustomed to the acclimatization after entering the palace."
Concubine Wu De smiled slightly, with a gentle look on her face, "I am also weak and have not recovered from the symptoms of falling into the water last time. Sister Lao Xian is worried."
Zhang Yuxian couldn't help but change her expression as soon as words like "my palace" and "sister Xian" came out. At first, she was just like a servant girl. How could she dare to call her sister? She couldn't help but say "one or two" respectfully. The girl shouted, now she dares to call herself me!
"You are lucky." She sneered coldly, wishing that she would drown that day.
Concubine Wu seemed not to hear the viciousness in her words, and still smiled peacefully: "Yes, it is also a blessing in disguise. If it hadn't been for that disaster, the emperor would not have known about me, and I would not have had the opportunity to serve the Tian family."
Zhang Yuxian's face was ashen, and everything that happened that day came to mind again, the shame and anger of being rejected by the emperor's cousin, the anger of being humiliated by that bitch Zhao Tong...
She clenched the handkerchief tightly and stared at the two flying butterflies above, and then she gradually calmed down.
She also has the number one scholar who is like a fairy! What's the use of Wu Xitong entering the palace? It's not that he doesn't like the emperor's cousin. He keeps an empty room alone every day and looks at his disheveled face. How can he hide it from others!
Concubine Wu glanced at the pattern on the handkerchief and said with a smile: "Look at this bright work! Sister Xian's skills have improved a lot."
For people with a background like Zhang Yuxian's, learning needlework and needlework is just a show, and there is no need for them to do anything by themselves. The handwork is just a show, and they can barely make one or two small items for purses.
Knowing that Wu Xitong's words were sarcastic, Zhang Yuxian laughed, deliberately shook her head, and said calmly: "This is just a tribute from Songjiang."
Songjiang cotton cloth, Shen family. Concubine Wu De's smile deepened, and her words were filled with regret, "I am still in good health, but it is a pity that the younger sister of the Yang family is lingering on the sick bed. I went to visit her before entering the palace, but she is still not well.
."
Zhang Yuxian secretly hated her, how could she have wanted to have such an enemy sister-in-law! Fortunately, the brother had already adopted him and separated into different clans. Otherwise, having such a direct sister-in-law in front of her would not be an eyesore!
"Really?" However, this matter would not make her angry. Zhang Yuxian pretended to be calm and said: "After all, it's the tribe over there. I can't really control them now."
Concubine Wu De nodded and said: "Yes, I almost forgot. In a few days, it will be the day when Sister Xian will leave the palace." She smiled and said to the attendants behind her: "You can bring over the things that I gave to the second girl.
Already?"
The palace man responded and took out a brocade bag from his arms.
Concubine Wu smiled and unpacked the brocade bag with her own hands, and said: "This is not considered to be extra makeup. During the official day, I need to add makeup to the old lady, the Queen Mother, the Empress Dowager, and Sister Xian. This is just a little thought of this palace.
." As he spoke, he took out a piece of gauze, on which was neatly embroidered a piece of "Heart Sutra" in small regular script, "Make a round fan with my sister, and play with it in your free time."
Zhang Yuxian's face darkened and she said coldly: "What do you mean?"
Concubine Wu De sighed and said: "Sister Xian, you and I have lived in the same house for all those years, and we have a deep love for each other. Soon you will be married to Shen's wife. After we say goodbye today, I don't know how many years it will take before we can stay in the palace."
See you again in the future. I feel very reluctant to part with you, so I will just think about this piece of yarn. I will also recite the Heart Sutra every day to pray for my sister’s health and safety.”
Her words were soft and soft, but there were accents on several words intentionally or unintentionally, as if she was deeply affectionate.
Zhang Yuxian gritted her teeth and held on to the butterfly-flying veil.
I don’t know how many years it will be before we can see each other again in the palace!
This is a mockery of her husband, who is only a sixth-grade man. She can only be granted the title of An Ren, and she has no qualifications to enter the palace to see him!
When she was not married, she was the Empress Dowager's niece and the daughter of the Marquis's family. She was treated as a spoiled guest when she came in and out of the palace, and was held in high esteem by all the stars.
After she got married, she was just a small official wife as big as a sesame seed and a mung bean. When she saw the little concubine, she would pay homage to her.
How willing she is! How willing she is!!
So what about the talented and handsome man? How many years will it take for him to climb up to a high position and give her an honorable status?!
So hateful...so hateful!
Concubine Shen Xian didn't go far at all. Even though she was talking to others, she was still staring at Concubine Wu De from the corner of her eyes. The palace servants around her were closer, and they all had their ears perked up to listen to the sound.
When the palace man quietly conveyed the conversation to her ears, she laughed silently, her eyebrows creasing in laughter.
The two girls from the Wang family standing opposite her didn't know why, but when they saw Concubine Xian laughing, they had no choice but to laugh with her, and asked, "But what's the matter with Coca-Cola? Please tell us, Concubine Xian."
Concubine Shen Xian stopped laughing and said seriously: "It's nothing, I just remembered a slang."
The two girls looked at each other, and Monk Zhang Er was confused.
Behind Concubine Shen Xian, Taorui's nervous palms were all sweaty, fearing that the ignorant little aunt would say something stupid again. She couldn't help but glare at Concubine Xian's newly promoted palace servant. She didn't know what the master's temper was.
How dare you talk nonsense!
Concubine Shen Xian didn't say anything this time, she just winked playfully and smiled sweetly.
Naturally, the two girls didn't dare to ask any questions.
After a few more pleasantries, they each walked away, looking at no one around. Concubine Shen Xian suddenly approached Taorui and said with a smile: "When I was a child, I served as a county magistrate with my father. I heard a slang from the countryside, called ' A biting dog does not bark'."
Taorui was so frightened that her legs were weak, her face turned pale, and she kept chanting to Buddha, "Good empress..." Please don't talk nonsense.
Concubine Shen Xian smiled sweetly.
Look, nothing in this world is perfect. Even if you are a talented and beautiful man, flying together, you will still have trouble settling down.
She put her ear against Taorui's ear and lowered her voice and said, "Just watch, it's going to be lively. You also remember, we have to be more careful in the future."