Four hundred and ninety-eight chapters visit the Cheng family
~Date:~November 08~
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On the way, Li You thought carefully about it. There are many benefits to carrying out periodic "hard strikes". It can not only improve political performance and reputation, but also expand some power through "hard strikes". But this does not mean that in this period,
It is the right choice to start a "hard crackdown" quickly now.
There are several factors that have to be considered. First, the current period is not a period of great fanfare, because the season is gradually entering winter. The end of the year is a time of leisure in the officialdom of the capital. It seems very inappropriate to go against the trend and launch a "hard strike".
Second, from his own perspective, this period of time was not suitable for doing anything that would cause a stir in the court.
Third, his control over the Five Cities Military and Horse Divisions and the Patrolling Censors is still in the blank, and he hastily launched a big move, which may backfire if he fails to do so.
After much deliberation, Li You finally decided that the idea of a severe crackdown could be postponed until the spring of next year. It was not that he couldn't afford to wait. However, before that, he could inform the emperor first and let the emperor have an impression of the matter.
When he returned home, both masters Cui and Zhou had returned from the government office. Li You then asked: "Is there anyone in the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division who can't bear it today?"
Master Cui replied: "It was reported that Commander Gou from Zhongcheng left first, followed by Commander Yao from Nancheng. The remaining three people waited until the government office closed."
Li You knew it in his heart. Through such a simple matter, it was basically clear who among the five commanders of troops and horses under him was convinced and who was not convinced.
I wrote a few simple sentences in the study and gave them to Cui Jiansheng as an outline. He asked him to polish them and ghostwrite a dense essay.
Cui Jiansheng looked at it under the lamp, and it read: "Your Majesty's pro-government situation has been renewed. There is much unrest in the capital. If you don't sweep the side of your bed, how can you sweep the world away! Also, to deal with chaos, you need to follow the rules. I am willing to be a pioneer and serve for you.
Your Majesty wants to clarify the situation in the capital. In the spring of next year, I would like to ask for the power of discretion. For a period of three months, I will use severe punishments to deal with traitors. They can be harsher, heavier, or faster, enough to scare Xiaoxiao and clear the place!"
Tonight it was his turn to stay in the fourth room. When Mr. Li returned to the house, Aunt Cheng welcomed him in and ordered the maid to boil water quickly.
Li You sat in the bedroom waiting for hot water, chatting casually with Aunt Cheng, and asked caringly: "Are you still used to living in the capital?"
Mrs. Cheng couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Before the slave family followed the master, they lived in the capital. What's wrong with you?"
Mr. Li was very embarrassed. Most of his wives and concubines were from the south. He said these things casually, but for a moment he ignored that Aunt Cheng was the only one from the north. Fortunately, Mrs. Cheng was not very scheming. She was not a thoughtful woman, otherwise she might have committed a crime.
What a petty thing.
He then asked: "It is the first time for the rest of the houses to spend the winter in the capital. If you feel any discomfort, please pay more attention. If you need to buy more clothes and utensils, please don't treat yourself badly."
"I understand. I'll ask all the sisters as soon as possible. But tomorrow I want to go back to my father to see him."
Li You suddenly remembered something, "Have you ever seen your father during this time?"
Aunt Cheng answered honestly: "I haven't been there in the past half month. Tomorrow is my sister-in-law's birthday, and I want to go back."
Li You didn't mind whether it was his sister-in-law's birthday or not, but he said thoughtfully: "Since I arrived in the capital, I have been busy with work and haven't visited your father yet. I should visit my father-in-law tomorrow."
Aunt Cheng was overjoyed that her husband was still very considerate to her. She asked expectantly: "Will we go together?"
"Of course we're going together. You can go directly. Master, I have to go to the government office to do some business first, and then I'll go."
The next day, Aunt Cheng set off impatiently, while Li You went to the Yamen to take care of things.
In fact, it was nothing official. Li You sat in the office for a while, changed into casual clothes, and got on the sedan to visit the Cheng family. This was a private matter for him, and wearing official clothes was too ostentatious, so he kept a low profile.
The Cheng family's house is in Dongcheng, and it was almost noon when Li You arrived. Today there was a woman in the Cheng family celebrating her birthday. It was not public, but some clues could be seen at the entrance to the backyard. Most of the guests were relatives.
Mr. Cheng met Li You in the front hall, accompanied by Mrs. Cheng's brother Cheng Yu. This was the first time Li You saw this person. The last time he was in Beijing, Cheng Yu was still in exile in Ningxia. This concubine brother
He seems to be in good health and is still alive after being pardoned.
Now Mr. Cheng's face is not as full as before Li You left Beijing last time. In the eyes of Mr. Li, he looks much richer.
Li You secretly thought that he must have been returned to his family property. At the same time, as the general manager of the Capital Salt Industry Association, and under the protection of Princess Guide, he had lived a good life this year.
To be honest, Mr. Cheng was also a failed scholar after all, and he had strong objections to his daughter being used as a concubine, but he understood that the deal was done and there was no way to reverse it, so he had to accept it.
However, I still felt a little uncomfortable, so even though I knew Li You had arrived in the capital, he rarely moved around, and he rarely mentioned his daughter as a concubine in front of others.
After Li You sat down, he opened the door and said, "I have a big business, and I want to join forces with my father-in-law. What do you want me to do?"
When Mr. Cheng heard Li You mention business, he immediately lectured: "Since you are an official, you should try your best to repay the king's kindness and serve the court! Why are you thinking about enriching yourself with business?"
Li You, who was unprepared, was suddenly taught a lesson. He couldn't help but be shocked. Was the person he was meeting his father-in-law, a salt merchant, and the general manager of the salt industry association? He was clearly an old-fashioned and upright scholar, or even more like Li You than him.
Feng Xianguan.
Thinking carefully about the several interactions I had with Mr. Cheng before I left Beijing last time, I realized that he was indeed such a person. It's just that I didn't take him to heart and forgot about him for a while.
Cheng Yu, who was waiting on the side, tried to smooth things over by saying, "We are all family members, father does not need to be so demanding!"
Li You glanced at Cheng Yu, frowned slightly and said: "I don't dare to bother my husband for a long time. I really don't need to be polite, so please do it yourself. Brother Cheng can chat with me."
Mr. Cheng nodded, got up and left. Li You watched him leave the hall, turned around and said to Cheng Yu: "I, my father-in-law, usually behave like this in the Salt Industry Guild?"
Cheng Yu laughed along and said, "My father behaves like this in the guild, just like an official. But all the salt merchants still admire this nirvana and only think that he does things fairly."
That's okay... After observation, Li You felt that Cheng Yu was not a pedantic person, so he decided to talk to him briefly about what was on his mind.
Unexpectedly, a young man in his mid-twenties suddenly burst into the hall and said to Li You: "Are you the husband of the young lady of the Cheng family? I advise you to let go as soon as possible and don't be shameless here."