The Hanlin Academy is a place where people are ranked based on their seniority. Naturally, most of the people who were close to Qin Dewei were the newcomers who lived in the same year as the 14th year of Jiajing and the 17th year of Jiajing.
After casual greetings, there were seven or eight people who really planned to celebrate Qin Dewei and made an appointment to go have a drink in the more familiar Jiaofang Sixiyuan Alley.
But it was a bit late today, and I was in a hurry and not prepared, so I made another appointment for a gathering tomorrow afternoon.
When Qin Dewei returned home, it was almost dusk. The news had been sent back a long time ago, and the whole house was in a state of joy, so they just had to put up lanterns and festoons.
Qin Dewei had just entered the house, and all the wives, concubines, and servants came to congratulate him. Although Qin Dewei didn't think it was a happy event, he couldn't help others being happy, so he could only force a smile.
Returned to the house and had dinner with Xu Miaoxuan and Wang Lianqing.
Xu Miaoxuan reminded: "I went to Xifu just now and saw Mr. Zeng coming back from outside. He was not in a good mood. I don't know what happened outside."
Qin Dewei was very surprised. What kind of troubles could his middle-aged unemployed father have? Could it be that he was stimulated by his twenty-year-old "bachelor"?
He put down his chopsticks, stood up and said, "I'll go over there to take a look and comfort Mr. Zeng."
Xu Miaoxuan pulled husband Hu and said a little doubtfully: "It's not that I can't trust you, are you sure you are here to comfort me?"
Wang Lianqing chuckled and said, "When did your husband learn to comfort others?"
Qin Dewei glared for a few times, but then passed. He had to make sure that his father-in-law didn't catch fire in the backyard.
At this time, Zeng Mian was sighing in the study in the West Mansion. After Qin Dewei entered, he asked directly: "What's bothering me today? If you also want to be a bachelor, then I can't help you."
Zeng Mian suppressed his desire to vent his anger on others and answered truthfully: "I visited Zhang Zan, Minister of the Ministry of War, this afternoon, and the discussion did not go well."
Although Zeng's father did not mention the purpose of visiting the Minister of War, Qin Dewei understood immediately that it must be for "running for official position".
After all, what Zeng Hou's father really wants to do is to make achievements in Bian Town. Recently, there is a vacancy for the governor of Liaodong. This position is very suitable for Zeng Hou's father to practice.
After all, the most critical and urgent areas at the moment are Xuanda, Yansui and other places, which generally require important ministers. However, Liaodong Town is relatively stable and relaxed, so it is the position that Zeng's stepfather is most likely to win.
However, governors of border towns are jointly recommended and nominated by the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War. The problem with the Ministry of Personnel is not big, the main problem is the attitude of the Ministry of War.
After hearing this, Qin Dewei asked again: "Did Zhang Zan deliberately take advantage of his father?"
Historically, Zhang Zan was famous for corruption, so Qin Dewei really didn't like Zhang Zan, so he called him by his first name without adding any honorific to him.
Zeng Mian said with a bit of anger: "Zhang Shangshu asked me for 10,000 taels! I don't know if this is considered a trick."
Qin Dewei slapped the case and said: "Such a lion's mouth is open, it is obviously a rejection!"
In the early Jiajing period, it was not as valuable as in the later period, especially in the late Wanli period. Silver was still very valuable. Ten thousand taels was a huge sum of money from any perspective.
Qin Dewei expected Zhang Zan to ask for bribes, but he did not expect Zhang Zan to ask for so much money.
After much deliberation, this can only mean rejection!
Otherwise, with today's market conditions, it is impossible for anyone to give Zhang Zan 10,000 taels to buy an official position! Besides, if Zhang Zan is given 10,000 taels, how much should he give to the officials?
And even if you want to spend this money, the family in the capital cannot afford so much money!
After Qin Dewei thought for a while, he said calmly: "Okay, Master Zeng doesn't need to worry about this matter. I'll go talk to Zhang Zan tomorrow."
Zeng Hou's father sighed and only reminded him: "A person like Zhang Zan, who openly asks for bribes, can still hold the position of Grand Sima. I'm afraid the inside story is not simple." Then he went back to the house to sleep.
The next day, Qin Dewei had nothing to do, so he went straight to the Ministry of War and put in the post.
After Zhang Zan, the Minister of War, received the message in the public room, although he was not willing to see Qin Dewei at all, he still had Qin Dewei brought in.
There is no way, this is Qin Dewei's status in the world, and it is wrong to refuse to see him.
"Today's visit to Da Sima is about the express delivery shop." Qin Dewei said after sitting down.
This made Zhang Shangshu stunned. He thought Qin Dewei would talk about Zeng Mian first, but he didn't expect it to be another completely unrelated matter.
Qin Dewei continued: "Can merchants subsidize the express delivery shop between the two Beijings with a certain amount of money, and then use the express delivery shop to deliver letters and newspapers manually?
Or hire another manpower and rely on the express delivery channel between the two capitals to deliver it yourself?"
This sounds really bizarre to Zhang Shangshu’s ears. He doesn’t understand what the meaning of this is.
Let’s not talk about whether it is politically allowed or not. If it is just to deliver a few personal letters, it would be too exaggerated to invest so much, and the cost will not be recovered at all.
Zhang Shangshu didn't want to answer Qin Dewei directly. He couldn't agree to it, but he didn't want to directly reject Qin Dewei.
However, Zhang Shangshu also had his own way, and replied: "Let the merchant give five thousand taels to the Ministry of War first, and then we can try to promote it."
When you don't know what to do, just offer a sky-high price, which will naturally scare people away.
He didn't believe that there would really be a businessman who would foolishly spend five thousand taels to advance this matter, but that didn't mean it would be possible.
This is the same as yesterday's offer of 10,000 taels to Zeng Mian, even if it was declined.
Qin Dewei then asked: "So regarding my father's matter, it must cost ten thousand taels?"
For people like Qin Dewei who have the ability to directly reach the sky, Zhang Shangshu was very tight-lipped and only said: "Then you ask Mr. Zeng."
Qin Dewei nodded, stood up and left.
This made Zhang Shangshu a little surprised. With Qin Dewei's character, he usually "reasons and argues hard", but today he didn't have any unnecessary words.
When he left the Ministry of War, it was still early, so Qin Dewei went to the headquarters of the Third Law Department in Xicheng.
Then Qin Dewei entered the gate of the Ministry of Justice in a swaggering and familiar manner. The officers, soldiers and scribes guarding the gate didn't even bother to raise their eyelids.
Then he went to the prison chief and said hello, and they went straight to the prison together.
Zhang Yanling, who had been imprisoned for nearly six years, had long been moved to a separate cell, not where Qin Dewei had lived for a few days.
Generally, the cells in Tianlao are semi-underground structures, which are very dark and damp, but Zhang Yanling's cell is entirely on the ground.
The prison chief was guarding the door, and Qin Dewei walked in alone. He saw another official from the Ministry of Punishment standing in front of the iron fence inside, saying something to Zhang Yanling.
I vaguely heard the man shouting: "Zhang Yanling, how dare you disobey me! I'm asking you to borrow a thousand taels, and I'm asking you to spend money to buy peace! I advise you to think clearly, money is something external to the body that you won't take with you until you die.
!”
Qin Dewei secretly sighed, this is called a down-and-out phoenix not as good as a chicken.
When Xiaozong and his wife indulged the Zhang brothers, did they ever think of what would happen to them today? Any cat or dog would dare to extort money from them.
When the man heard the sound of the cell door, he turned his head and exclaimed: "Qin Dewei!"
But Qin Dewei didn't really recognize this person. He just thought he looked familiar and must have seen him before. And judging from the name he addressed himself, he was an enemy rather than a friend.
Normal people call themselves "Scholar Qin", while some people close to him call themselves "Qin Banqiao".
Only those who are deeply hostile will call themselves by their names! So Qin Dewei also said one word without politeness: "Get out!"
The official said angrily: "This is the Ministry of Punishment! You are a foreigner."
Qin Dewei still repeated one word: "Get out!"
The official compared the power of the two sides in the Ministry of Justice. He was still angry, but he walked out very sensibly.
Qin Dewei Shiran walked to the iron fence, stood where the official was just now, and asked Zhang Yanling in the cell on the other side: "Who is this person?"
Zhang Yanling sneered and replied: "Zhao Wenhua, a member of the Criminal Department!"
It turned out that he was Yan Song's adopted son. Qin Dewei scorned him and said, "How shameless! He relied on his power to openly blackmail prisoners in prison!"
Zhang Yanling continued to sneer and say nothing. There is no need to criticize others. I wonder what you, Bachelor Qin, are doing today?
Qin Dewei had no choice but to take the initiative and ask: "How have you been lately?"
Zhang Yanling secretly said sarcastically: "It's no different from the past few years. It would be better if there were no idle people waiting to disturb us."
Qin Dewei seemed to have just remembered, and said another thing: "I have opened a bank in the capital. I heard that the Zhang family is as rich as the country. I would like to ask Mr. Zhang to help me and save tens of thousands of taels of silver."
Zhang Yanling: "."
Since he was imprisoned in the sky prison, many people came to fight Qiu Feng. After all, everyone knew that the Zhang family was once the richest man in the capital.
However, the amounts extorted by those people ranged from dozens to hundreds of taels.
Zhao Wenhua, who had just been scolded by Qin Dewei, demanded a thousand taels which was already a lot, so he refused to give in.
But Zhang Yanling never expected that Qin Dewei would get tens of thousands of taels in cash as soon as he opened his mouth.
Does this person named Qin know what tens of thousands taels are? Even if it is blackmail, it should be more professional, right?
So Zhang Yanling said angrily: "I'll just give you all the remaining property of the Zhang family!"
Qin Dewei said suspiciously: "Did you misunderstand something? I'm not asking you for money, I just asked you to deposit the money in my bank!
But the bank will issue you a banknote, and you Zhang family members can use it as silver!"
Zhang Yanling didn't believe what Qin Dewei said at all, "Everything he said was nice! Tens of thousands of taels of silver went into your bank, and you didn't let you use it!"
No matter how your tricks change, in the final analysis you are still embezzling my Zhang family’s money!”
Qin Dewei was unreasonable and threatened: "Do you still want to get better?"
Zhang Yanling had too much experience of being blackmailed, and she said very bachelorly: "If it costs tens of thousands of taels in exchange, then that's enough!"
Qin Dewei shouted: "I remember that your brother Zhang Heling has been assigned to Nanjing. That is my hometown. It is very convenient to do anything. You don't care about your brother's safety at all?"
Zhang Yanling laughed loudly, "My brother is very old and passed away from a sudden illness in Nanjing a long time ago! What else do you want?"
Qin Dewei: "."
There are so many major national facts to pay attention to that it is inevitable that many small stories about unknown people will be missed.
After calming down, Qin Dewei said meaningfully: "I wonder if you have heard of it. His Majesty is about to tour the south. I don't know how much it will cost."
Zhang Yanling, who is very sensitive to money, immediately understood the elegant meaning after hearing the song. If the emperor was short of money, would he raid the Zhang family? If the emperor did not expect it, would others remind the emperor?
Qin Dewei continued: "So letting the Zhang family put tens of thousands of taels of silver in the bank is also a way to spread risks.
Besides, now, how many places can safely store the Zhang family’s tens of thousands of taels?”
Zhang Yanling fell into silence. As a prisoner, there were too many things he couldn't help himself.
After receiving the report, Wang Tingxiang, the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment, walked into the cell and happened to hear Qin Dewei shout: "Zhang Yanling, how dare you disobey!
Asking you to take out tens of thousands taels is also an opportunity to spend money to buy peace! I advise you to think clearly, money is an external thing that you will not take with you in life or death, so what will happen even if you take out a hundred thousand taels!"
"That's enough for you!" Wang Tingxiang couldn't bear to listen anymore and shouted unbearably.
Qin Dewei felt that he had said everything he needed to say, so he walked out of the prison.
Wang Tingxiang followed him out and lectured Qin Dewei: "You guys, don't go too far! How unbecoming is it to go to the prison to extort prisoners?
Especially if you dare to say tens of thousands taels, do you really not take the Ministry of Punishment seriously?!"
Qin Dewei said without raising his eyelids: "Da Sima Zhang Zan asked me for fifteen thousand taels, what can I do?
Who can give me fifteen thousand taels? After much deliberation, I can only solve it with the Zhang family!"
The Minister of the Ministry of War comes to you to ask for such a huge amount of money? Wang Tingxiang, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment and the Governor of Beijing Camp, thought for a while and said: "Ah, that's okay."
Mr. Wang's last official thought in his life was probably to change the Ministry of Justice from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of War.
When we came out of the Criminal Department, it was almost noon. I made an appointment with my Hanlin friends yesterday to have a drink together this afternoon to celebrate.
The traffic speed is not that fast these days, so Qin Dewei hurriedly met up with his friends again.
On the way to Xiyuan Hutong, Mao Zan, the number one scholar in the 17th year of Jiajing, asked curiously:
"I heard that Senior Qin was also a celebrity in Nanjing. Even I heard about Senior Qin's deeds when I was far away in Qiantang.
But why have I never seen Senior Qin Zhangtai in the past year since I arrived in the capital? Why did Senior Qin suddenly stop going?"
Qin Dewei replied deeply: "You will know in a while."
The group of people arrived at the entrance of the alley. Before they had walked a few steps, someone shouted: "Scholar Qin is here!"
Suddenly, people kept pouring out from various doors, including Wang Ba and old madams, who came to greet him enthusiastically and tried their best to attract customers, almost tearing Qin Dewei to pieces.
Mao Zan looked at this scene and was completely stunned.
The news that Senior Qin came to Huajie and Liuxiang was too big. Will the whole capital know that Senior Qin went to Fengyuechang again the next day?
It's no wonder that Senior Qin doesn't come often. Who can bear this kind of treatment?
Some thin-skinned people like Xing Yifeng are also intimidated. They just socialize and drink wine, and don't want to be known to the whole city!
After walking hard for a while in the alley, Qin Dewei also had a headache. He threw away a few old bustards, turned around and said, "Let's go to the nearby Taibai Building to book a table!"
Then he told his attendant Ma Er: "You stay here for the time being and choose a dozen beauties to go to Taibai Pavilion with wine!"
So everyone walked out of the alley again, and at that moment, a strange beauty walked towards them.
I saw her with a lotus crown on her head, wearing a Bagua Taoist robe, with a jade face and starry eyes, and a noble temperament. Although she was walking in the flower streets and willow alleys, she seemed to be aloof from the outside world.
Everyone was dazzled by the sight. Is this a new trend that has become popular recently?
Qin Dewei was surprised. Who is this person if she is not Tao Xiangu? How could she appear here?
The alley was not wide. Tao Xiangu also saw Qin Dewei, frowned, snorted coldly, and sent two words to him in the early spring wind: "Scumbag!"