Zhang Yong was very concerned about whether the emperor would go out to the grassland in the spring, and Zhang Zhou did not give a clear answer.
So much so that Zhang Yong never got first-hand information from Zhang Zhou.
After Zhang Yong left, Sun Shangqi came in first. He was preparing to return to Yongping Mansion after completing his errand to report back to Beijing, but he vaguely heard that he did not have to go back and came to visit Zhang Zhou. The purpose is also to know clearly what his errand will be in the future.
"You should have been promoted." Zhang Zhou said, "Jinyiwei will command the Qianshi and reward you for your hard work in the past few years, but the specifics are whether you should stay in Beizhen Fusi as the town's envoy, or return to Yongping Mansion. His Majesty didn't tell me about the affairs at the port, so I don't know about it yet."
Sun Shangqi was very excited after hearing this.
Three years ago, he was only a member of a hundred households. Now he skipped a thousand households and directly wanted to be promoted to a minister, and he was still working in a practical position, which made him particularly grateful to Zhang Zhou for his support.
Sun Shangqi said, "I am willing to do some hard work to repay Your Majesty and Sir for their kindness."
Zhang Zhou said, "Don't say that, I didn't help you. The main reason is that you have done a lot of things for the court, regardless of the danger or merit. Even if no one mentions it at the time, it will always be known."
"Yes, yes"
Of course Sun Shangqi knew it.
The only thing that can be recognized by the superiors when you work at a subordinate level is that you have to have a good boss. It will be the same if you work for Zhang Zhou or for others
" Come back in a few days and check the situation first. The connection between Yongping Mansion and Jinyiwei will be very deep. After the past year, no matter what errand you are on, you will be very busy." Zhang Zhou said.
"Yes." After Sun Shangqi got the answer he wanted, he stood up and saluted Zhang Zhou again before leaving.
Zhang Zhou picked up something casually, handed it over and said, "Open it after you go back. Some confidential things should not be known to others as much as possible. Now a new system may need to be established, which involves scouts." I can’t tell you the details about espionage and other matters. I’ll come over when I have time and I’ll tell you more.”
Sun Shangqi was startled.
Whether he is the envoy of Jinyiwei North Town Fusi Town, or he goes to Yongping Mansion as the special envoy of Jinyiwei, it is a great honor for him.
Who would have thought that he would be given a "special task" now, giving him the opportunity to go one step further and become the head of a new department. Even if Sun Shangqi didn't know what he was going to do, he could I feel that I am going to become famous.
After Sun Shanqi, Zhang Zhou watched the play for a while, and then two more people came in.
The person behind came in and then exited first. Only the Caihuang family in front came up and walked closer with a pace that made Zhang Zhou frown, just like ordinary people. When a woman sees an official, she first kneels down and salutes.
"Get up."
Zhang Zhou just asked Caihuang to stand up, but did not let her sit down, because Zhang Zhou didn't think this woman could help him much.
Caihuang hurriedly handed over the previous account book and said, "Master, it's already the end of the year. In the first year, some mines in Yongping Prefecture have already had harvests, and more than a dozen new mines have been opened. There are four kilns that produce more iron. This is a summary of the output from the beginning to the end of the year. You have seen it." Zhang Zhou picked it up and looked through it casually.
The iron mines in Yongping Prefecture are divided into official kilns and private kilns. The so-called official kilns are not government-run, but were established by Zhang Zhou, and the private kilns also have Zhang Zhou's shares in them. , and he even took the lion's share. The exploration location and other matters were also owned by Zhang Zhou, and the remaining management and other matters were left to some local officials.
It seems to be giving them benefits, but in fact most of them should return to the imperial court in the form of taxes and shares.
Didn’t the ministers of the DPRK impeach Zhang Zhou for seeking public benefits for personal gain? What Zhang Zhou established seemed to be a universal industry, but in fact it was still accumulating resources for the Ming Dynasty.
"Good job." Zhang Zhou nodded and expressed approval, "After one year, I can bring more than 6,000 taels of mining tax to the court, and I can get more than 19,000 taels. Two, more than I expected."
Caihuang said respectfully, "This is only the first year. If we can increase the output in the next year, it will at least be doubled. Compared with the government-run mines, it is still a bit lacking."
Zhang Zhou put down the account book, looked up at the slightly greedy woman, and asked, "Why do we need to compare with the government-run mines in terms of manpower and material resources? Is it comparable?"
Caihuang said, "If the master allows it, these ores can be smelted locally, which will save some transportation costs. After all, after being smelted into iron, it can be smelted locally. It will be much easier to transport it out."
"No," Zhang Zhou immediately objected, "At present, the imperial court has only opened up some mining rights. As for subsequent iron smelting and other matters, it is not something that the private sector can undertake. . If these irons are resold privately, or even sold to Fanbang, how can you handle this responsibility?"
"That's what I'm reminding you," Caihuang said quickly in a frightened tone. .
Zhang Zhou said, "I'm not your master, so there's no need to call me that."
Caihuang was a little embarrassed.
Calling Zhang Zhou "Master" not only seems to be addressing the official master, but also seems to regard Zhang Zhou as the person in charge of his family, but Zhang Zhou doesn't seem to take this trick.
"The report is done. If you have nothing else to do, you can leave first." Zhang Zhou didn't seem to want to talk nonsense to Caihuang.
Ms. Caihuang hesitated and said, "I have one more thing, and I want to ask you for advice."
"Tell me." Zhang Zhou looked casual.
Caihuang said, "I heard that there is a woman in my family who has gone out. She is already a sinner, but she has been missing. I hope you can help me find her. The best thing to do is to meet someone. Even if you die, you can see the corpse. "
Zhang Zhou said, "Since you are not from the Huang family, what qualifications do you have to ask? Besides, you are also from the Cai family, so this has nothing to do with you."< /p>
"But my family wants to know something, and I would like to ask my concubine to ask." Caihuang lowered her head and said, "A sinful woman, or someone with evil intentions, it would not be good if she were to offend me. Such people are also prone to holding grudges, which may affect your future plans." Zhang Zhou's eyes were piercing, and he seemed to be able to see through Caihuang's thoughts at a glance.
This woman, like an aggressive rooster, seems to have thought she was Zhang Zhou's "top horse" in communicating with local officials in Yongping Mansion, but unexpectedly a "sister-in-law" appeared, that is, Huang Zhao Even though there is no direct conflict between Huang Zhao and her, she can already feel the crisis and seems to want to nip this crisis in the bud.
But she made the wrong calculation.
Zhang Zhoudao said, "Since she is a guilty woman, she has nothing to do with your family. She was also sent to Yongping Mansion. From now on, you don't have to worry about her life or future, or her future." , take my handwritten letter, receive a reward, and go back tomorrow and tell them that there is no need for the visit at the beginning of the year, and it is not used to give me gifts."
Caihuang said hurriedly, "It's not the case here either. It has been spread that His Majesty will grant Yongping Mansion to you as a fief, and I and others will be honored to have the opportunity to become your household."
Zhang Zhou said, "You guys. The taxes and corvee are not responsible to me. I only take care of one side of the affairs for your majesty and the court, and they only involve business and trade, and they have nothing to do with each other. Take my words with you, and everyone will take care of their own affairs in the future. If there is someone. If you want to use my name to cause trouble, I will be the first to refuse.”
“Yes.”
Caihuang looked very cautious, but said in a low voice, “Sir, The visit at the beginning of the year is omitted, but I hope you can understand my intention to honor you. This time I came to Beijing and brought their greetings and gifts. They were all prepared and left at the Yongping Mansion Hall. ”
“The Yongping Mansion Guild Hall is well prepared.” Zhang Zhou sneered.
In the past, Zhang Zhou went to Yongping Prefecture to mine, and he had an interest dispute with the local government. He was a sinner who brought disaster to the country and the people, and he was incompatible with the local government.
But now
He is worshiped as a god, and he has even begun to regard himself as a member of the Zhang Zhou clan. The posture of the Yongping Mansion Guild Hall seems to be self-contained. One group competes with Shanxi merchants, Hui merchants, etc.
Caihuang said, "I'm not using your banner, but some people know that they are from Yongping Mansion, and they take special care of them when doing business. They also know that the place has good Feng Shui and can produce noble people. This is Please read the list of gifts."
As he said this, he handed over the gift list.
Zhang Zhou took a quick look and found that it was indeed "light on courtesy but heavy on affection". He also seemed to know that he was not short of money. Strictly speaking, none of the gifts given to him could be purchased with ordinary money. Come.
Knowing that he likes to listen to operas, there are three opera troupes alone, because the opera troupes in this era are all composed of actors, and with the deed of sale, they can be packaged and sold directly.
Except, as well as singers, dancers, etc.
Coupled with some of the fields and real estate in Yongping Prefecture, as well as the properties purchased by many families for Zhang Zhou nearby, the value alone is higher than what they spent last year on mining and other matters. Earn several times more.
In Zhang Zhou’s view, these people were investing in him.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "I am from Jiangnan, not from Yongping Mansion. The so-called nobles should be like you, madam."
"I am from you. Noble." Caihuang said with a smile.
Zhang Zhou nodded and said, "If you can speak, I will give you a reward and bring the gift list back. What I want is the stability of the place, not these visible wealth. Remember to tell them, there is no need for me to You’ve got your mind set, don’t even think about meeting those dignitaries in the capital, I’ve seen all those little moves, don’t try to hide it from me.”
Caihuang’s body was slightly shaken.
As an ambitious woman, she not only wanted to curry favor with Zhang Zhou, but also wanted to be more active in the political arena.
Obviously, Zhang Zhou couldn't hide these little tricks.
"I have remembered my teachings and resigned." Caihuang even had to wipe her sweat a little when she went out. For her, meeting Zhang Zhou was no different from meeting the living King of Hell.
Li Dongyang Mansion.
Li Shishi, as the right minister of the Ministry of Justice, came to visit. Since the two were old friends, this time Li Shishi also came to explain to Li Dongyang about his performance in the court, and also to report the progress of Xie Qian's case. .
"I didn't mention those things unintentionally, but someone from the Supervisor of Ceremonies came to clarify. As for what specific words were said, I didn't mention them. I just stated that I wanted Cai Guogong to take charge of military affairs and other matters. In order to prevent changes in the military affairs of the Beijing camp"
Li Shishi explained painstakingly.
After all, he did something that was contrary to the traditional civil servants and indirectly helped Zhang Zhou. In order to avoid being alienated, he could only pretend to be a grandson with Li Dongyang.
Li Dongyang said, "I know your nature. Even if it's not your intention, you care too much about what the internal officials say, which is not good."
Li Dongyang is also Because of my friendship with Li Shishi, I didn't break up with him.
Li Shishi sighed, "It's really unreasonable for the situation to be like this. Also, Mr. Xie Ge's Ministry of Justice sends people to visit Fusi in Beizhen every day, and he has been able to see him in the past two days. He is in good condition and cannot inquire in detail, but based on previous communication and understanding, there is still no torture."
"Yes." Li Dongyang looked more concerned when he heard about Xie Qian's situation.
Li Shishi said, "The Ministry of Punishment has drafted a memorial, requesting Your Majesty to hand over the case of Mr. Wang Shangshu's side"
Li Dongyang frowned.
Wang Shi was unexpectedly promoted to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Before, Wang Shi was considered to be insufficiently qualified, and even traditional civil servants tried to win over Wang Shi.insufficient.
Wang Shi has also become a wavering neutral in the court. Maybe everyone feels that Wang Shi, the Minister of Punishment, will not last long.
But in the matter of Xie Qian, it seems that Li Dongyang had to rely on Wang Shi again.
Li Dongyang said, "Yu Qiao's matter depends more on His Majesty's will. Just relying on you superiors will not help. As for the person in charge of the Criminal Department, there is no need for him to come forward to help. You have performed your duties in the Criminal Department After many years, I should have known and understood things such as imprisonment. I heard that you have recently resigned from the Ministry of Justice. Why bother? Isn’t it a good idea to stay in the Ministry of Punishment?"
The reason why Li Dongyang relies more on Li Shishi cannot be said. Li Dongyang has poor vision.
In addition to the two being township party members, it is also because Li Shishi gives people a free and easy impression, that is, he does not argue.
An official who wants to resign and return to his hometown at any time will give people a sense of intimacy and make people think that he does not seek fame, and Li Shishi happens to be this kind of person.
In other words, this is his personality as an official.
Li Shishi sighed, "Although the court is good, it is also tiring. Now that the court is filthy, when will we see the blue sky?"
"Yeah."
Li Dongyang feels the same way.
This is what Li Dongyang likes to hear.
Compare Zhang Zhou to the dark clouds that taint the imperial court. Only by clearing away the dark clouds can the Ming Dynasty be able to clear the sea and the river.
"Recently, he failed in the Zhengbo Township Examination. I plan to let him go out to practice." "Fan, you can make some friends in the south," Li Dongyang said.
Li Shishi smiled and said, "It's easy to say. Uncle Zheng has been sick in the past few years and has never been visited. Now he is feeling better."
"Yes."
Li Dongyang was embarrassed to say too much about his son's illness, so he wouldn't say that his son had Hualiu.
"I do have some friends in the south who can make some arrangements for him, but it is said that Yan Shenggong's Mansion Aren't you very close to me? I don't plan to let him go to Qufu for a walk." Li Shishi was just transferred from Shandong as the chief envoy, and he was very concerned about the relationship between Li Dongyang and the Kong family.
This is which pot is not opened and which pot is lifted.
Li Dongyang said, "I want him to go to the south, not to the east. Read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles, go out and have some experience, and your horizons will be broadened. As for the Yan Sheng Gong sect, he will not do it in the future." No matter what the connection is, don’t mention it in front of me again.” Please remember to bookmark this chapter and read it for free without any anti-theft.