Chapter 407 One person is connected to another, one case is linked to another case
"Second brother, what happened in Huazhou has nothing to do with me. I don't understand it at all. If it hadn't been for this, I wouldn't have known that Zhang Jin was so bold and dared to tamper with the river construction. I was definitely not involved in this!" Zhao Kuangmei!
His tone was excited, and he eagerly expressed his innocence.
His eyes were full of expectation, expecting Zhao Kuangyin to believe him. However, such a performance was obviously unqualified.
"If you are fine, why are you so guilty and afraid of going to the government to ask for advice?" Zhao Kuangyin asked.
"this……."
"It's already this time, there's nothing else to say!" Who is Zhao Kuangyin? He only had to think about the recent public opinion in Beijing and the expansion and development of Huazhou Eucalyptus, and he immediately said: "You have committed other crimes.
What's up?"
Zhao Kuangmei behaved like a child who made mistakes and had to be guided by Zhao Kuangyin. Hearing this question, he looked relieved, lowered his head slightly, and said in a low voice: "Six months ago, I attended the Zhang Mansion
At the banquet, when the banquet was in full swing, Zhang Jin came up with a way to make money..."
After hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin locked up uncontrollably. Obviously, he absolutely did not believe that it would be a serious business, but he did not say anything more, just waiting for him to finish.
Zhao Kuangmei did not dare to raise her head. She explained everything clearly as if she was being tortured: "This spring, the imperial court carried out monetary reforms, but the country was short of silver, and the price of silver rose sharply. Now on the market, one tael of silver can be exchanged for nearly
It's one thousand five hundred yuan, which is two hundred yuan higher than the exchange rate stipulated by the court.
Therefore, Zhang Jin proposed that profits could be made from it."
In fact, the Han Dynasty is currently extremely short of silver. Especially after the currency reform, the demand for silver money in the market has become even hungrier. The imperial court is also making great efforts to solve the problem of silver shortage. In addition to excavations across the country,
Silver mines, in addition to increasing production, were introduced from Korea and Japan.
Against this background, the reaction in the market is very real. The value of silver coins has risen sharply, and the value of various types of silverware has also increased. Under this policy, the dignitaries who were originally the main owners and users of silver
, obviously obtained huge benefits from it, almost picking it up for free.
The value of silk and copper coins, which were the main trading currencies in the past, inevitably fell. When the court and nobles harvested a wave of leeks, people who realized the middle-distance benefits inevitably began to have their thoughts. The interests involved were too great.
Big.
Hearing what he said, Zhao Kuangyin still had a straight face, but what Zhao Kuangmei said next made him unable to hold on any longer: "We will cooperate to open a silver mine in Shaozhou..."
With a "bang", Zhao Kuangyin slapped a cattail palm on the bookcase, causing the brush on the pen holder to shake. He stood up and Zhao Kuangyin angrily shouted: "You are so brave! What is the crime of opening a silver mine privately?
, what kind of punishment is it, do you want me to read it to you in "Xingtong"?"
"Second brother, I was drunk at the time and was bewitched by Zhang Jin. I regretted it afterwards, but I had already agreed to him and there were people who witnessed it, so I couldn't regret it..." Zhao Kuangmei defended somewhat feebly.
"Bullshit!" Zhao Kuangyin was so angry that he couldn't help but rant, and almost poked Zhao Kuangmei's face with his finger: "I think you are greedy for profit, don't put all the blame on Zhang Jin, he is a complete idiot,
Silverfish, you're not much better!"
"I am not the only one cooperating with him, several other yamen present also participated!" Zhao Kuangmei said.
"Haha!" Zhao Kuangyin sneered: "Are you still worried that you won't be able to catch up with this road of wealth? Huh?"
"For someone like Zhang Jin, if you associate with him, even if you are not guilty of this, you will be guilty of other things! It's also my fault that I pay too little attention to you on weekdays, and I didn't know that you actually got together with him!"
Zhao Kuangyin sighed.
After hearing this, Zhao Dezhao, who had been standing silently beside him, his eyelids twitched. He looked at his fourth uncle and then at his father. He felt a mixture of fear and joy in his heart. At the wedding banquet of Princess Anping, Zhao Kuangyin reminded him.
Live your life and don't interact with them. It's only been a while now, but my old father still has the foresight.
Zhao Kuangmei grimaced, became depressed again, and said feebly: "Second brother, I know I was wrong. During this time, I also regret it. Empress Huazhou is even more frightened. If Zhang Jin takes this matter,
Come out, I, I... Second brother, you must save me!"
Seeing his frightened expression, Zhao Kuangyin finally softened his heart. He took a deep breath, thought about it, and asked: "What is the current situation of the silver mine you opened? How much did you take?"
?”
"Two seats, yes two seats!" Zhao Kuangmei said, but facing his brother's eyes that were about to turn angry, he quickly lowered his head and said: "Zhang Jin's people are responsible for taking care of them. Two months ago, it was said that seven
Of the more than a thousand taels, I divided 900 taels. Seeing that it was profitable, I found another mine..."
"Hmph! It's really a huge profit! People worry about the labor, and you just sit back and wait for the money. Have you never thought that such a good thing can happen in the world?" Zhao Kuangyin said coldly.
"It's useless to regret!" Zhao Kuangmei wanted to give herself a slap in the face, but her face was indeed filled with regret.
In fact, had it not been for Huazhou Eucalyptus, their financial path might have been able to last for a long time. At least in terms of attracting partners and operating a profit network, Zhang Jin still had some tricks and was willing to give up profits.
The participation of people like Zhao Kuangmei is like adding one layer of insurance to this chain of interests. Of course, only people with status like Zhao Kuangmei can bewitched, and the core children of major families,
Most pursuits are in official career, reputation and power, and it is almost impossible to indulge in these yellow and white interests.
To take a step back, even if it was Huazhou Eucalyptus, if it hadn't happened to be in the hands of the prince, it might have been another way of saying it if it had been someone else. This is the naked reality, the powerful and the powerful are valued because of their power.
, protect the noble with power.
"Where's the money?" Zhao Kuangyin asked.
"I didn't dare to use it. They were all buried in the manor outside the city!" Zhao Kuangmei said quickly, as if asking for credit.
"Can you bury this dirty money and hide this dirty thing?" At this moment, Zhao Kuangyin really wanted to take the riding crop and whip his brother severely.
"You didn't cast that silver into silver ingots, did you?" Zhao Kuangyin said with a fierce look.
"No, no, we don't dare. They are just silver cakes and scattered silver coins!" Zhao Kuangmei said quickly.
Of course, it seems a little ridiculous to say this, and the reason why silver coins are not minted may just be that the opportunity is not available, the output is too low, and the craftsmanship is not up to standard.
At present, the craftsmanship and technology of the silver coins produced by the Qianjian of the Han Dynasty are still very advanced, the management is very strict, and they are easy to distinguish.
After listening to his words, Zhao Kuangyin's expression finally softened, and he sat down again and began to think seriously. Privately opening silver mines was expressly prohibited by the imperial court, and the plot was already serious. However, compared with it, privately minting silver was
An outright act of seeking death, this is really poaching the court, offending the majesty of the court, and going against the national financial system.
Therefore, Zhao Kuangyin was still able to hold on. Various ideas were swirling in his mind to see if there was a solution, but the more he thought about it, the more solemn his expression became, because no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't get over it easily.
"You go back first. Let me think about this matter carefully. I will let you know what to do!" After a long time, Zhao Kuangyin raised his head and ordered.
"Second brother!" Without a clear explanation, how could Zhao Kuangmei find her home?
"Remember, please stay safe next time!" Zhao Kuangyin said sternly.
In fact, there is no need for Zhao Kuangyin to doubt this. In Beijing today, all monsters and monsters are at peace. Almost all people who reach a certain level are gentle, courteous and thrifty. After all, they are just a few people who are not clear-headed and go against the trend.
"You really didn't mint money?" Zhao Kuangyin asked again.
Zhao Kuangmei was slightly stunned, but became a little unconfident: "Probably not! The silver mine is run by Zhang Jin, and I don't know the specific situation..."
As soon as he heard this, Zhao Kuangyin felt annoyance rising. For the first time, he felt angry with his younger brother.
Staring at him, Zhao Kuangyin asked in a deep tone: "Kuang Mei, I want to know, are your annual salary and the money from the land not enough for you to live a life of fine clothing and fine food?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangmei's handsome face revealed a little loneliness and shame, and she said, "Second brother, I have nothing to say!"
"Get out!" Zhao Kuangyin immediately scolded him.
Zhao Kuangmei's body tensed up, her head drooped, she saluted, turned around and walked out with dull steps.
"Wait!" The still stern voice interrupted Zhao Kuangmei's steps. He turned around and saw Zhao Kuangyin asking: "Besides the silver mine, is there anything else?"
"This..." Zhao Kuangmei hesitated again.
Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin once again uttered one word quickly and forcefully: "Speak!"
"The servant cooperated with others to do some timber trading, and cut some timber for sale in Qinlong." Zhao Kuangmei's voice was very low.
Under the leadership of Emperor Liu, in order to protect water and soil, the imperial court banned logging in the northwest region, especially those giant trees in the deep forests. It can be imagined that what Zhao Kuangmei is doing is definitely not an ordinary firewood business, but
Those giant hardwoods that are banned from logging and can be used as building materials.
With the silver mine incident in mind, Zhao Kuangyin became much calmer and said nothing, just staring at him. Zhao Kuangmei reacted quickly this time and said solemnly: "Only these two things, nothing else!"
"Go ahead!" Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand.
"Second brother, what will happen to Zhang Jin?" Zhao Kuangmei asked hesitantly before leaving.
Zhao Kuangyin was unceremonious and said coldly: "Do you still have thoughts about him? Think about yourself! Just hope that you are not among the prisoners who will be interrogated and executed in Nanshi in the future!"
"Yes!" A hint of fear flashed across Zhao Kuangmei's bitter face, but when he saw Zhao Kuangyin sitting behind a bookcase, he felt some confidence inexplicably, but his steps were still heavy.
Zhao Dezhao glanced at Zhao Kuangyin, who had a deep expression, and then went out to see Zhao Kuangmei off.