Although Li Qing did not grow a beard, as someone who had experienced it, he could still tell the difference between the eunuch and the man, Princess Anqing.
At this time, the other princesses also discovered Li Qing's "specialness" and couldn't help but look surprised.
Li Qing bowed and said, "I pay my respects to Her Royal Highness the Princess."
Weak minister?
"He is the doctor of this palace." Empress Ma explained, "The Queen Mother's condition has worsened in the past few days. If it weren't for him, she might have been buried by now."
Several princesses hurriedly said, "Wish your mother a happy life!"
After saying that, he nodded to Li Qing again to express his gratitude.
Afterwards, the family affair between mother and daughter began. Li Qing was very bored when he heard that these parents were short-lived.
…
"Chang'an, last month I heard your father praise Ouyang Lun for his ability in doing things. Speaking of which, it was really hard on you." Empress Ma sighed, "We just got married and he took over the errand of inspecting the tea and horse trade. I haven't seen him in the past two years.
After a few times, you are still not pregnant yet."
"It's all for the imperial court, so my daughter won't suffer." Princess Anqing's answer was very official.
Empress Ma smiled bitterly and shook her head, "I'll tell your father when I get back. Let him come back for a while and let someone else take over his duties..."
"No."
Princess Anqing sat up from her chair and immediately realized that she had lost her temper. She said, "My daughter is a royal woman. How can she delay national affairs for the sake of her children's personal relationship?"
The prince-in-law was already very familiar with inspecting the tea-horse trade, so if he were to change someone rashly, it would take a long time for the new official to get up to speed.
If you abandon the country and ignore important matters for the sake of your daughter, how will the world view your daughter?"
Li Qing curled his lips secretly: Women still have to study. Look at this little mouth, he talks about it, he is really 'serving the country and the people'.
…
Near noon, Queen Ma left the Princess Mansion in a phoenix chariot, accompanied by Li Qing.
"Li Qing." Queen Ma opened the sedan curtain and waved, "Come here."
"What are your orders?" Li Qing stepped forward.
"Aren't you in charge of the Imperial Guard?" Empress Ma whispered, "Send people to Bashu to find that Ouyang Lun."
After a pause, "give him a good beating."
"ah?"
"Don't make any noise." Queen Ma glared at him.
"Uh...yes." Li Qing lowered his voice and asked tentatively, "My dear, is it a matter of lifestyle, or...?"
"Do I still need to say this clearly?"
Queen Ma was a little displeased, "The tea-horse trade is very profitable. Although Ouyang Lun was born as a Jinshi and read the books of sages, he will inevitably be confused sometimes."
"So... what does the empress want me to do?" Li Qing continued to pretend to be stupid.
I secretly praised in my heart: Queen Ma is old, but she is not confused at all. Princess Anqing's little moral character is not enough.
Empress Ma said bitterly, "Let him do his job well and not be greedy for money. Is this clear enough?"
Li Qing sighed secretly and asked, "But what if he has already committed a heinous crime?"
The Madam's words of 'a great event' were by no means just words.
"Li Qing." Queen Ma's face was slightly cold, "Without any evidence, you framed a first-class official out of thin air. Do you know what your crime is?"
Prince Consort, Commander-in-Chief, from the first rank!
"I am aware of my guilt."
Queen Ma took a breath and did not answer Li Qing's question, but said, "An Qing is my youngest daughter."
"Understood!" Li Qing nodded slightly.
…
Li Qing did not follow him into the palace, nor did he go to Zhenfusi, but returned home directly.
He doesn't know how to choose now. From a rational point of view, he should follow the Queen's decree and send Liu Qiang and others to beat Ouyang Lun.
As for how Ouyang Lun harmed the people, what does it have to do with him?
But he couldn't convince himself, so he just let Ouyang Lun continue to cause trouble, even though he had the ability to stop it.
After traveling for ten years, he rarely went down the mountain, but he still understood the lives of the people in this era.
Life is not that difficult!
The yield of rice in one season is 2 to 3 shi per mu. After excluding land rent, taxes, seeds, farm tools, etc., two crops of rice in a year can barely be achieved.
After threshing, there is only about 260 kilograms. Normally, a young couple can cultivate 5 to 6 acres, which means that after working hard for a whole year, they can only get about 1,500 kilograms.
The whole family depends on these grains for food and clothing, and the average per capita is only about 200 kilograms.
On average, each meal only costs three to two meters per day. Children and the elderly can barely feed themselves, but young people simply don’t have enough, so they can only work as hard as they can.
Planting mulberry, wheat, or other crops, the harvest is not much different when converted into grain.
Of course, if your family owns land, or if you live along the coast, your life is still okay, at least you can have enough to eat.
However, nearly half of the cultivated land in the Ming Dynasty was firmly in the hands of landlords.
A young and strong man is called the pillar of the family, which is very appropriate, because if the "pillar" falls, the family will not be able to maintain their livelihood.
People's lives are already so difficult. If huge corruption appears again, I don't know how many people will die.
Being poor cares themselves, being wealthy cares the world.
Master Zhang Sulu often said this.
Although the master and the apprentice were practicing in the mountains, they were not truly isolated from the world. Villagers often came to the mountains to ask for medicine. Master Zhang Sloppy never accepted any money. He only received some food if conditions allowed. If not, all treatments were free of charge.
sick.
Neither the education he received in later generations nor the teachings of his master in this life could convince Li Qing to become a purely self-interested person.
Besides, he is a member of a wealthy family, and it is his duty to check whether officials of the Ming Dynasty have violated the law, and he does not violate the rules.
The Prince Consort is also an official!
To take a step back, even if he is classified as a relative of the emperor, Jin Yiwei still has the right to investigate, but most Jin Yiwei are unwilling to do so.
After some careful consideration, Li Qing said slowly: "The will cannot be violated, but it must be investigated!"
He knew very well that beating was useless. Once this man got greedy, he couldn't hold back at all.
Having made up his mind, Li Qing got up and went out, had a bowl of cold noodles on the street, and headed to the Yamen.
Zhenfu Division.
As soon as Li Qing arrived, Liu Qiang sent him the information he had inquired about.
"Sir, we have found out that Wang Hai's cousin is married to Prince Consort Ouyang Lun's cousin."
"..." Li Qing said speechlessly, "This Wang Hai is really good at fighting the autumn wind. The relationship that cannot be beaten with eight poles has made him prosperous."
"That's not entirely true. His cousin's parents died when he was young, and he grew up in Wang Hai's family." Liu Qiang explained, and then asked suspiciously, "The matter that you want to investigate, could it be related to the consort?"
Li Qing secretly thought: A cousin's cousin is treated like this, which shows how rich this prince-in-law is.
He asked: "Are you afraid?"
"Is it really related?" Li Qiang smacked his lips, "I'm not afraid that the emperor's relatives are in our hands. We can do the same thing, but..."
"I'm just a little worried, right?" Li Qing said it for him.
Liu Qiang scratched his head and said with a dry smile, "That's true."
Li Qing took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "There is a will,
You take fifty smart and capable brothers and go to Bashu to tell Ouyang Lun to work hard and not be greedy for money."
After a pause, he continued, "After passing on the oral instructions, break them into parts and carefully check what Ouyang Lun has done in the past two years.
Remember, it must be kept secret. If you have any news, send someone back to tell me immediately. Do not spread it to anyone else, not even the commander."
After Li Qing's guidance, Liu Qiang was indeed wrong.
Thinking that the order given later was also in compliance with the order, he suddenly became more courageous, "Yes, I humbly obey the order."
"Well, do it as soon as possible. No matter what is found, don't alert him. Just pass the news back truthfully."
"Yes!" Liu Qiang cupped his hands and said, "I'll do my humble job now."
…
Li Qing sat there for a while, then went to the back hall to ask Mao Xiang for a copy of "Da Ming Law", and then went back.
The Ming Code was formulated by Zhu Yuanzhang. In a sense, the regulations contained therein are imperial edicts and must be memorized. They may be of great use in the future.
In the evening, Li Qing did not go to Zuixian Tower.
But the back hall of Zuixian Tower is more lively than ever, and the mood of the guests is higher than ever!