Zhang Juzheng remained silent after hearing this, not knowing what he was thinking.
To say that there are more than a hundred people in this house, from family members to servants and maids, the expenses for so many people to eat and drink, and not to lose the face of a bachelor, the cost is naturally not a small amount. Relying on Zhang Juzheng's salary alone,
It is definitely not enough. Even if the emperor sometimes gives a little extra reward, it does not come regularly. Secondly, the emperor himself does not have much spare money, so it is very limited.
In fact, most of the income of officials in the capital usually comes from the filial piety of disciples or local officials, such as ice respect, charcoal respect, etc. However, Zhang Juzheng did not like to run a business before, and he usually only received some gifts and miscellaneous gifts from his disciples in the same year when he was close to him.
When something comes, he will be polite and accept it half-heartedly. If some people who just want to intercede for a promotion but have no ability and talent follow his way, there is a high probability that they will be met with disappointment.
It's not that Zhang Juzheng doesn't love money, but that although he has been in officialdom for a long time, he is a person who wants to do great things in economic development and economic development, so he will never let anything go before he has the power. In this way, his financial situation will be greatly affected.
There were also rare times when he had plenty of time. In order to save money, he sometimes wanted to reduce the number of servants, but whether it was the bearers who carried the sedan chair, the craftsmen who tended the garden, the cooks who cooked, the wet nurses who took care of the children, or the booksellers in the outer courtyard.
Tong, the maid in the inner courtyard, it seems that none of them can be eliminated.
Zhang Juzheng felt that to achieve his position, he still needed the necessary ostentation, because it was not only related to his own face, but also related to the dignity of the court - all the dignitaries and ministers in the cabinet were like Gao Gong, and the government was just like that
Three or two big cats and kittens, what do they look like!
What's more, he felt it was unfair to compare him with Gao Gong. Zhang Juzheng had six sons, but Gao Gong had none. After this revolt, he only had a nephew who stayed with him.
How many maids and servants are missing?
Therefore, Zhang Juzheng is now afraid of talking about the word "money", but fortunately You Qi is a capable person. Because of his proper planning, the family finally did not reach the point where the family could not make ends meet and was exhausted.
In fact, Zhang Juzheng sometimes heard that You Qi had accepted gifts from some local officials behind his back. He had to give a few stern warnings, but he did not pursue it further. After all, for such a big family, all the expenses had to be paid by others.
You Qi maintained that if he really refused to accept even a tael of silver, he, a high-ranking minister, could not borrow money to live, right? Moreover, Zhang Juzheng felt that without his own approval, You Qi would not have dared to receive a truly large amount of gift money.
Making decisions without permission.
"Expenses are tight, so save money." Zhang Juzheng said slowly, and then asked: "Is there anything else?"
You Qi hesitated for a moment and then said cautiously: "Today, Mr. Xu sent someone to ask for an audience. He said that Hai Rui was refusing to give up, and Gao Huzi sent someone again..."
Before You Qi could finish speaking, another concierge came in and reported: "Sir, there is a man who calls himself Xu Jue. He said that you will definitely meet him after hearing his name."
"Xu Jue? Please come!" Zhang Juzheng immediately sat up straight, waved his hand and said to You Qi: "We will talk about the old grace minister later."
You Qi nodded and followed the concierge outside to greet the guests. After a while, You Qi led two people back to the study. As soon as he entered the door, he said excitedly: "Master, it is Governor Feng who is here in person. "
"Ah!" Zhang Juzheng was shocked and quickly stood up to greet him. Because his family had just spoken, there was only one candle in the study, and the light was dim, so he couldn't see the person coming. At this time, he ordered the book boy to light up the exquisite octagonal palace lantern. Under the bright lights, Feng Bao was seen wearing a straight green cloth, a sheepskin cloak on the outside, and a black Tang scarf on his head. He was dressed like an ordinary passerby. There was no trace of the fact that he was the director of etiquette and the director of the East Factory. of majesty.
Feng Bao bowed his hands to Zhang Juzheng, showed an unintelligible smile, and said: "Mr. Taiyue, Mr. Feng has taken the liberty to come to visit, and I also hope to see Haihan."
"Hey, Mr. Feng, what are you talking about?" Zhang Juzheng gave up his seat and returned the courtesy, while agreeing: "Just now, the concierge only said that Manager Xu was here. If I had known earlier that it was you, I would have opened the middle door wide and went out to greet him personally. It’s so rude, so rude.”
Feng Bao showed a satisfied smile on his face. He lifted up the corner of his robe, leaned down and sat down. He smiled and said: "Mr. Taiyue, you don't need to be polite. This is what our family ordered Xu Jue to do, so as not to spread the word among others and spread the word." "
Not so good?
The director of the East Factory secretly met with the cabinet bachelor late at night. If this kind of thing spreads, it is not only "not a good thing"? It is a big bad thing!
"Mr. Feng, I wonder why you are here?" Zhang Juzheng knew that Feng Bao's personal visit was definitely not without purpose, so he was not polite and went straight to the point and asked him about his purpose.
Feng Bao stopped his smile, looked into Zhang Juzheng's eyes, and said: "In the past few days, Zeng Jiaqing's disciple Cao Daye and my butler Xu Jue met three times and asked about the situation in the palace..."
"囧Qing" is another name for Taipusiqing. The original meaning of "囧" is "brightness", which is actually completely different from the connotation of the Internet term in later generations.
Zhang Juzheng was calm and nodded, but said nothing.
Feng Bao smiled and said bluntly: "Who is he, Cao Daye, who wants to know what is going on in the palace? I think even Zeng Yanqing would not be interested in these gossips in the palace, but you, Mr. Taiyue... maybe Need to know something."
"Oh?" Zhang Juzheng also smiled: "Why do I need to understand it?"
Feng Bao raised his eyebrows and asked: "Mr. Taiyue's words are not very sincere - do you think Zhao Dazhou can withstand the tall beard?"
Zhang Juzheng's smile faded slightly and he said calmly: "Zhao Dazhou's method is extremely stupid, so naturally he cannot stand up to Duke Zhongxuan, but what does that matter? There are also Li Shilu (Li Chunfang, also known as Shilu), Chen Songgu (Chen Yiqin, also known as Chen Yiqin) Song Gu) Er Gong?"
Feng Gong showed disdain and sneered: "If Zhao Dazhou is defeated, can Li Shilu, the chief assistant, continue to work?"
Zhang Juzheng did not speak. This was not because he objected to Feng Bao's words. The main reason was that he was also very disgusted with Li Chunfang. After all, Zhang Juzheng was also a person who wanted to make a career. Like Gao Gong, for a prime minister like Li Chunfang, I have always looked down upon him.
Feng Bao said again: "If Zhao Dazhou is defeated, Li Shilu will resign sooner or later. Once Li Shilu leaves, there is no doubt that the chief minister of the cabinet will be Gao Huzi. Mr. Taiyue, you and Gao Huzi have been colleagues for many years. We know the basics. You feel that Gao Huzi is the best minister." With Beard's style, will Chen Songgu be able to continue to work in the cabinet by then? From our perspective, he will have to leave sooner or later... By then, apart from Gao Beard, you will be the only one left in the cabinet, Mr. Taiyue. "
Zhang Juzheng was silent for a moment and said: "If there are not enough cabinet ministers, your Majesty will naturally ask for more."
Feng Bao laughed: "Your Majesty? Mr. Taiyue, are you kidding? If Gao Huzi doesn't speak, do you think your Majesty will take the initiative to ask the court to recommend ministers?"
