When I mentioned the matter of adding a tax, I was scolded by the ministers, and then I didn’t mention it again. Huh, if it weren’t for the instigation of someone from Shangshu Province and the nod from someone from Zhongshu Province, even ten people from Shuzi Road wouldn’t dare to do so.
Say this in front of your ministers."
"If you don't agree to increase the tax, then it seems that the cost of building the Chengyun Palace will fall on Tsukazaifu."
Zhang Rongzheng slapped his thigh and praised: "Your Majesty, you are really right! It really is like this. If the ministers don't agree to increase the tax, those people will have something to say. The Shaofu Secretary is happy to pretend to be confused, and the people in the Ministry of Industry are like flies.
Walking around the Zukazaifu, it's so disturbing to watch that I really want to catch them all and throw them into a prison."
Li Luo couldn't help but laugh and said with a smile: "If the people from the Ministry of Industry are flies, then Mr. Zhang would even scold Zuka Zaifu."
Zhang Rongzheng was stunned for a moment, came to his senses, laughed, and shook his head repeatedly.
"What happened next?"
"The imperial edict has been issued, and the Chengyun Palace must be built even if it is not built. Where the money will come from is a big deal. The Shaofu Si pretended to be deaf and dumb, the Ministry of Works and the Zhisu Neishi pointed the finger at the Zhong Zaifu, and the ministers had no choice but to do this.
I just used a little trick, please forgive me, Your Majesty." Zhang Rongzheng rubbed his hands and replied embarrassedly.
Li Luo's eyes lit up. When it came to money manipulation, if Zhang Rongzheng ranked second, then no one in the court would dare to rank first.
"tell me the story."
"This..." Zhang Rongzheng seemed a little hard to say, and Yang Wanli continued: "Is there anything I can't tell the prince? In my opinion, what you did is the most satisfying thing!"
"Oh, it's rare to get Master Yang's approval." Li Luo said with a smile.
"Where are you, humble minister? Well, I was forced to have no choice, so I came up with this strategy. I asked the Shaofusi and Zongzhengsi to make a batch of signs that were destined to be carried by heaven. The purchasing officials of the Shaofusi and Zongzhengsi came forward.
I raised some money from wealthy businessmen in various prefectures, and I can barely cope with it for a while."
"Hey, how could they be willing to be the ones who stand out?"
"Here, hehe."
"Let's talk about it as a lower official, look at your coquettish look." Yang Wanli sneered and replied, "Master Zhang first promised huge profits, which attracted the greed of the Shaofusi and Zongzhengsi people, and planned to let them enter the palace to ask for it.
According to the imperial edict, they cast a sign for destiny. Originally, these people's plan was to stop after casting the sign and wait for the huge profits promised by Lord Zhang. However, unexpectedly, troubles arose. These wealthy businessmen did not even recognize the officials of the Tomb Zaifu.
, Zongzhengsi and Shaofusi had to come forward. Now it’s better. The emperor is watching from above, and Mr. Zhang’s Tsukazaifu is holding the fight below. Shaofusi and Zongzhengsi are in a dilemma. In the end, they can only pinch their noses when they are pressed.
Admit defeat, Master Zhang has been hiding behind you from the beginning to the end, you are so cunning!"
"Then what's the use of this Fengtian Chengyun brand?"
"It has many uses. For example, if you have the opportunity to visit Chengyun Palace, you may have the opportunity to meet the Holy Master. You can also list your name and clan in the history of Chengyun Palace. If you come to Zhuocheng, as long as you hold this token,
In the official posts, you have to wait for others first. If any heirs come to Zhuocheng to take the exam in the future, they can go to see the palace exam place from a distance, or they can get face-to-face guidance from a scholar with both ability and political integrity in the court. There are countless benefits."
Li Luo was stunned, and after careful calculation, he murmured: "These are all things that can be done with money, so this sign is of no use."
Zhang Rongzheng and Yang Wanli laughed together, and Zhang Rongzheng said with a smile: "It's a big gimmick, and it's really of no use. Anyway, it was Shaofusi and Zongzhengsi who came forward. If anyone makes trouble in the future, it won't be Tsukazaifu's fault."
Li Luo smiled bitterly and said: "In this case, Master Zhang will offend both the Shaofu Division and Zong Zheng Division."
"Hmph, he is in the first grade of junior high school, so don't blame me for being in the fifteenth grade. He only takes advantage of it. There is no such thing as cheap in the world."
"Your Majesty, you can be relieved. Now the Shaofu Si and Zong Zhengsi have benefited, and they have gained the reputation of taking care of the Emperor's worries. They are so happy that they don't bother to argue with Mr. Zhang. By the time they realize it, the day lily will be cold.
"
"Haha, I admire you."
"I'm afraid that the prince will blame the minister for scheming with the ministers in the same court and ruin the reputation of our inspection department."
"Fame is useful, but having too many wings is a bad thing. I wonder how much money Mr. Zhang has raised?"
"Not much, maybe thirty million taels, which can barely survive this period of time. We can make up for the remaining silver taels after the autumn harvest and build a transport palace, so as not to miss other things." Zhang Rongzheng said lightly, as soon as he finished speaking.
, Li Luo was stunned and said, "Thirty million taels!" Mr. Zhang, it is a great blessing for our country to have you."
Zhang Rongzheng's face turned red, he coughed repeatedly, and said: "Your Majesty's words are serious, and I will never be able to bear them."
"Hmph, don't be humble. When it comes to collecting money and scraping things together, your Lord Zhang's methods are not second-guessing." Yang Wanli sneered, Zhang Rongzheng accepted it, and Li Luo looked amused. It's all over.
In-laws, these two people are still so unresponsive when they meet. Zhang Rongzheng probably wants to swallow his anger for Yang Liuyan's sake. It's no wonder that Zhang Zeliu only knows how to live in debauchery and has no future.
"The matter in the Chengyun Palace is just a small matter, but actually the other thing is a big deal."
"What's up?"
Zhang Rongzheng's expression changed and he said in a deep voice: "A new department has been established in the court, called the Internal Security Department. It is headed by His Royal Highness King Hui. It is responsible for the imperial power at the top and the prison of hundreds of officials. Anyone who rebels and takes power has the Internal Security Department.
The right to kill first and report later is extremely powerful. The emperor also specially gave the Longquan Sword, which was hung in the main hall of the Yamen of the Internal Security Department. There was a trembling noise in Zhuocheng and everyone was in danger, fearing that he would offend the Internal Security Department." Zhang Rongzheng.
After finishing speaking, he looked at Li Luo cautiously and said in a low voice, "My lord, you have to be careful."
Li Luo smiled, nodded and said, "Okay, I understand. I'm going to visit Brother Five Emperors in a few days, but is there anything else?"
Zhang Rongzheng was worried. Seeing that Li Luo seemed unwilling to talk in detail, he didn't know what to say. However, Emperor Wanlong proposed to establish a new Internal Security Department, with powers and responsibilities to take into account the duties of the Inspection Department and the Privy Council, but there was no official document from the court to discuss it.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see the strangeness of his responsibilities. Of course Li Luo will not fail to understand. Li Luo will naturally be able to figure out the appropriateness of what he said today.
The three of them chatted for another half an hour before Li Luo stood up and left the Inspection Department. From the moment Li Luo stepped out of the gate of the Inspection Department, everyone in Zhuocheng City had already learned about Li Luo's safe return.
.
In the north of the city, there is a brand-new high-walled courtyard, with no ornaments or decorations. It is simple and elegant, with a solemn atmosphere.