"Xiao Zhi is selfish, but he is contemptuous of others and values me. He is optimistic and has everything. He who is greedy will sacrifice his wealth, and a martyr will sacrifice his name." Song Niao Fu.
It was the third day of the twelfth lunar month in the fourth year of the Han dynasty.
Chang'an City, Beique Jiadi.
Just a few days into December, the winter snow that finally fell in Guanzhong began to stop.
The sky was still hazy, and melt water kept dripping under the eaves. Even though it was broad daylight, dazzling copper lamps were placed everywhere in the spacious and gorgeous house. As the saying goes, like father, like son, Jiao Fang Hall
Empress Dong also likes to fill her residence with lights. It is not without heredity.
Dong Cheng stood by the window sill and seemed to be concentrating with his eyes closed. His back was to Jing Zhaoyin Hu Miao and Zhong Guan Ling Dong Feng. It was difficult to see his expressions, and it was impossible to guess Dong Cheng's depressed mood at the moment. The two looked at each other.
He stood with his hands down, and no one spoke first.
"Have the three officials in Shanglin started putting in new money?" Dong Cheng suddenly asked.
"Wei." Dong Feng suddenly became excited and said slowly: "In November, five million new coins were minted. After Sikong's request, your majesty has agreed to distribute them to Guanzhong. Firstly, it is to facilitate the purchase of surplus grain from powerful merchants. Secondly,
It's a good idea to let the people have a good impression of the style and appearance of the new money first, so that it can be officially issued in the coming year."
"How many can we get this month?" As one of the ministers in charge of government, Dong Cheng knew this very well, and now he seemed to be at a loss for words.
Dong Feng knew that the other party was in a bad mood and did not dare to make mistakes. He said truthfully: "A few new furnaces have been opened this month, and new money can be minted about six million. When the old money is collected in the coming year and the copper mine is opened, every year
The moon will make more."
"Humph." Dong Cheng sneered and turned around. His dark clothes and wide sleeves were fluttering like the wind, and the ring hanging around his waist made a crisp sound. He walked slowly along the window until he reached
Beside the door, a beaded curtain formed by dripping water hung on the eaves in front of the door, and there was still snow on the treetops in the shade. Dong Cheng looked at it for a long time, then breathed out and said: "In addition to the new money, there are also some in the treasury."
With five baht in old money, the money handled is more than tens of millions. If this thing is done well, fame, wealth, merit, etc., why should Zhao Zirou worry about not being able to fly?"
In Dong Cheng's view, presiding over the task of buying surplus grain from powerful merchants in Guanzhong can not only benefit from it, but also make some achievements. The most important thing is that if there is a drought in the coming year, the grain and grass collected now will be a living person.
Countless treasures! As for the minister in charge of this task, he will also gain great fame, and fame is exactly what Dong Cheng needs most at this moment!
If it weren't for Zhao Wen, then this job would have to fall on Dong Cheng in the end. But sometimes it just happens that there is only so much power and benefit, and if others get the lion's share, you can only take advantage of it.
"Dong Gong had no quarrel with him, but he was the one who took the lead in attacking. General Zhonglang was also an official with two thousand stones, but he was a little neglectful in running the army, and it was not a serious crime. He actually persuaded your majesty to directly execute Li Meng without any hesitation.
Show mercy to Mr. Dong." Dong Feng shared the same hatred as the enemy and said without blinking: "This man is loyal to you and is diligent. If your majesty trusts him for a long time, Mr. Dong will definitely be left out. This purchase of grain is just the beginning.
What will happen next when An Zhi knows?"
"He just wants to step on me because he doesn't want to offend Ma Rixi and others, so that His Majesty will know what he is capable of!" Dong Cheng knew that the emperor did not have to rely on him, and if he didn't go well, there would be many substitutes.
In the eyes of others, this time it was only Zhao Wen who gained power, but for Dong Cheng, it was a potential crisis that he had to brace himself for. If it was not handled well, although he would not be kicked out of Chengming Palace, he might be.
As a result, he lost his position and no longer held power. Dong Cheng suddenly became a little annoyed when he thought of this: "I don't know how to create a reputation with such methods!"
Dong Feng was conquered by Dong Cheng, and it was because of him that he was reinstated as an official. His interests were at stake. At this time, he was also sullen, thinking hard about countermeasures.
"I don't think you need to worry too much about this." Standing on Dong Cheng's left hand was Jingzhao Yin Hu Miao suddenly said.
Dong Cheng was stunned and asked: "Why is this?"
Hu Miao seemed to have made up his mind. He raised his face and looked at the dripping water from the eaves with a smile on his lips. He did not rush to answer Dong Cheng's doubts, but casually mentioned another thing: "The order to purchase surplus grain."
Once the distribution was issued, the amount of grain stored among the people decreased, and the price of grain rose from more than 100 yuan to more than 200 yuan. It is natural to have high and low prices for less grain. However, Sikong just said that the wealthy businessmen were exorbitant.
Regarding commodity prices, please issue documents to me several times and ask me to investigate and deal with them as ordered."
"Then did you listen?" Dong Cheng's heart moved and he asked coldly.
Hu Miao moved his body without even raising his eyelids and said: "I've been holding you back for making excuses. The New Year is approaching and the government office has to take a break and go home. Who will care about such an unpleasant thing?"
"Well done." Dong Cheng laughed ferociously and said: "These days, the various states in Guandong are recruiting officials, and envoys from the Qiang, Hu, Xiongnu and other tribes are coming to Beijing to participate in the great dynasty. As Jing Zhaoyin, you have to pay more attention to the barbarian mansion.
The situation in the county residence and other places. These are important matters related to the face of the court, and there cannot be any mistakes."
"That's what Mr. Dong said." Hu Miao turned halfway, looked at Dong Cheng, and smiled: "Things have priorities. The most important thing right now is the New Year's Eve."
Dong Cheng snorted and suddenly added: "As for the price of grain, I remember your original words were that as long as it was not excessive, you would tolerate it. It can be seen that even your Majesty allowed the price increase. As for now it is not excessive.
, I think this has only increased by a few tens of dollars, and every family has a surplus of grain, and Li Shu has no complaints. If the court wants to use this to punish merchants, it is somewhat unreasonable. The farmers who cannot farm are Li Shu, and the merchants sell grain and silk.
Isn’t it Li Shu?”
In fact, everyone knows the reason for the rise in grain prices. Most of the grain is purchased by the imperial court, and the rise in prices due to supply and demand is only one aspect. More importantly, many wealthy businessmen want to take advantage of the imperial court, and some are well-informed.
The merchants knew that there might be a disaster in the coming year, so they deliberately hoarded it, not wanting to sell it to the court at such a cheap price.
If Zhao Wen wants to express his talents, he must do things well and economically. If Hu Miao is allowed to drag on like this, the merchants will become more and more emboldened, and Zhao Wen has no choice but to do it himself. He can sell grain in Guanzhong.
Who among the merchants does not have several families behind them? Zhao Wen's reputation was originally accumulated when he was an official in Jingzhao and other places. Now that he has ruined their jobs, how can this reputation be good?
"But what if Sikong directly sends officials to the countryside to find farmers to buy grain?" Dong Feng asked.
"When subordinate officials go to the countryside, how many of them don't know how to ask for more?" Hu Miao said without hesitation: "When the time comes and people are forced to sell and take things by force, it will cause public dissatisfaction. Don't even think about taking the position of Sikong."
Dong Cheng nodded slightly. He believed that with Zhao Wen's resourcefulness, he would never commit such a stupid thing. However, he muttered: "Just because he doesn't dare to mention it, it doesn't mean that the people below can't do it."
"Dong Gong is brilliant." Hu Miao had actually thought of it for a long time and was waiting for Dong Chengneng to bring it up on his own, so as to avoid being too prominent and making others jealous: "But this also requires some arrangement, otherwise he may not be able to defeat Sikong, but instead
Will be implicated."
Dong Feng, however, frowned and had a different opinion: "I think Sikong's talent is more than that. It should be noted that His Majesty attaches great importance to the purchase of surplus grain. If something goes wrong here, I'm afraid we will too."
"It means that mistakes must be made first to show that Director Sikong is incompetent and cannot bear the big responsibility. What I want is just for people to leave, not political benefits. Only when Sikong is frustrated by this matter can the matter of purchasing surplus grain be transferred to Mr. Dong.
Hu Miao told the whole plan in one breath, and looked at Dong Feng with disdain: "Last year, Mr. Dong inspected the Shanglin land for His Majesty, and he did not hesitate to damage his reputation to track down the powerful third auxiliary. How honest and honest! Now purchasing
Surplus grain, punishing profiteers, and it is precisely people like Dong Gong who can handle things thoroughly and properly."
"That's right." Dong Cheng was in a good mood and nodded: "I am the emperor's uncle. This is my duty, but Zhao Zirou took it away through deception. Now I only need an opportunity."
Before he finished speaking, the meltwater dripping vertically from the eaves suddenly became chaotic. The accumulated water in the puddles also shook out countless water droplets, and the snow on the trees seemed to be shaken by something.
Large tracts of snow were shaken down. Before the thoughts in the three people's minds were finished, their feet suddenly shook. Dong Cheng, who was smiling proudly just a moment ago, immediately collapsed. Dong Feng knelt on the hard ground with a thud.
On the floor, Hu Miao was almost unsteady. Fortunately, he held on to the door in time and did not fall down.
This tremor came and went quickly. Fortunately, Dong Cheng's mansion was strong and not even a piece of tiles fell. There were just a few more vague cries faintly heard in the distance. It was obviously someone else in the city.
The poor people's dilapidated houses were damaged by the disaster.
"Opportunity, this is the opportunity!" Hu Miao looked down at Dong Cheng who was in a panic. The excitement in his heart defeated his fear. He laughed loudly: "The earth is shaking!" 11