As the night got darker, the drunkenness in Xianju Tower became stronger. People inside were shouting and drinking, and the streets outside were full of cars and horses. All the servants of some big bosses were waiting for them. The nearby residents and pedestrians couldn't help but stop and watch, but they couldn't help but wait. Dare to get close, because there are more than ten guards in golden clothes guarding the entrance of Xianju Tower, so no strangers should come close.
In the Forbidden City, Emperor Chongzhen of the Qianqing Palace was chatting with Empress Zhou about domestic affairs: "The prince will leave the capital soon. You should give him a good warning tomorrow. He will listen to you more than me as a father."
Empress Zhou smiled: "It's not that he doesn't listen to you, it's because you're too harsh on him and he's a little afraid of you." Then she sighed: "You really don't have to worry about him getting out. There's a lot of chaos outside... Bah, bah, bah, This Chang Yu asked him to go out and followed him again...it was really "."
Emperor Chongzhen sighed slightly: "Chang Yu is right. Those raised in the deep palace are either frogs in the well or weak greenhouse flowers. In the future, our Ming Dynasty will dominate the world. There must be an emperor who can be made into steel and look down on the world." He paused and said, "If I were not concerned about state affairs, I would also like to go out for a walk." Seeing Queen Zhou's continued worry, he comforted her: "Don't worry, I will send a personal guard to protect him when he leaves the palace, and there will be no trouble."
"Having said that, I will never feel at ease without Chang Yu accompanying me." Queen Zhou sighed: "As long as Chang Yu is with me, even if he is with the army, I will feel at ease."
Emperor Chongzhen laughed: "The courtiers all say that I favor and trust Chang Yu, but in fact the person who favors and trusts him the most is you."
"Chang Yu is our family's lucky star. He is the only one who sincerely contributes to the Ming Dynasty and our family. I believe in him." Queen Zhou snorted and said: "Those who make irresponsible remarks are just jealous. If they can continue as usual, Even concubines like Yu dote on them, but it’s a pity that they only wish for the misfortune of our old Zhu family.”
"Yes, if Chang Yu were to come, I don't know what our old Zhu family would be like now." Although Emperor Chongzhen was suspicious by nature and guarded against everyone, he was still grateful to Chang Yu. Then he thought of something and couldn't help but laugh: " He was doing something like the Ming Dynasty Bank, but you actually joined in, and even imitated others in selling their calligraphy. You were not afraid of being laughed at by others when you took out your calligraphy."
"Whoever likes jokes, just laugh. There is no shame in making money." Empress Zhou pouted: "Although there is still some internal money, there is not much left. This year, Huangzhuang has lost all its income. If we don't increase the income, we will be left with nothing until the end of the year. Chang Yu There are ways to make money, and there is no shame in serious business without stealing or robbing.”
Emperor Chongzhen agreed with this point. Chang Yu was very good at making money. In just a few months, he got tens of millions of taels for him, but most of them went into the state treasury, and very few went into internal funds. This was slightly different from Wei Zhongxian's time. , that is, the tea tax alone can bring nearly one million to the royal family every year, but it is also opposed by both the government and the opposition. After all, it looks too ugly to compete with the people for profit, while the emperor, the rich, and the country are poor.
Therefore, now that the tea tax and commercial tax have been increased, most of them go into the state treasury, and the emperor loses less than 10%. Moreover, due to the war in the past few months, the tax revenue has not been confiscated.
Although Chang Yu also made a lot of money for him personally during this period, the royal family's expenses of tens of thousands were also huge. It was obvious that they could not make ends meet, and their belts were tightened tightly.
In fact, not only the royal internal funds, but also the national treasury seemed to have received more than tens of millions of new funds. However, as soon as food and salary were released in various places, and the five northern provinces needed money for war and disaster relief, there was very little left. The hair of the minister of household affairs was almost shaved off by himself. .
"This guy can make money, but sometimes he is too impatient. The imposition of tea tax and increase in commercial tax have caused constant opposition from the DPRK and China. The day before yesterday, he proposed to me a tax on temples! Hehe, I received all the money. The Buddha is on his head."
"Ah, this is not good." Queen Zhou was very surprised. She was afraid of not respecting the gods...
"Chang Yu said that my family emphasizes that the four elements are empty and the six senses are pure. Why are you still taking advantage of the world after you have jumped out of the three realms? You are content with enjoying the incense of the common people, but you occupy countless temple properties without paying taxes. It is unreasonable." Emperor Chongzhen said with a smile:
"Do you think this kid's mouth is too poisonous?"
"Then, what does the emperor think?" Queen Zhou was slightly worried.
"I plan to discuss it with the cabinet before making a decision, otherwise there will be another war of words." Emperor Chongzhen shrugged, and Queen Zhou sighed: "I'm afraid not only the cabinet ministers, but also all the officials in the court will oppose it."
Emperor Chongzhen sighed: "It doesn't matter who opposes it. This is actually a battle of arms. In the end, the one with the thicker arm will win. As long as Chang Yu wins the Southern Expedition, I will be confident to win."
Queen Zhou's eyes began to have stars, the emperor had really changed.
Chang Yu was drunk. He drank fragments for the first time after time travel. He didn't know when he returned to the Yamen.
In the early morning, Song Luoshu, who was on duty outside, heard a loud roar from inside: "Hold the grass." He thought something had happened, so he pushed the door open and walked in, only to see the little eunuch holding his head. Who the hell said that food and wine are not enough?
A splitting headache.
"If you drink from now on, I will be your fucking grandson." Chang Yu raised his head from the cold water basin and shouted, causing the attendants in the yard to laugh endlessly.
He drank one cup after another of hangover tea, and finally felt better at noon. Chun Xin came back from outside and quietly told him: "The emperor summoned the three princes of North Korea, comforted him, rewarded him, and promised to return home tomorrow."
"Tell Wu Mengming to do everything right," Chang Yu said calmly, rubbing his head and taking a long breath: "I also have to go on a long journey."
"Where to go?" Chunxiang was startled.
Chang Yu glanced around: "Outside the customs, this matter is extremely confidential and must not be leaked." Chunxiang nodded and did not ask what he was doing.
Then Chang Yu called Wuzhong and asked him how he was recovering. Without saying much, Wuzhong raised his head and kicked the stone bench next to him in pieces: "Do you want to practice?" Chang Yu shook his head and shouted: "Purely handmade stones by famous craftsmen.
A pair of stools costs a hundred taels, Chunxiang wrote it down for him."
Damn it! Wu Zhong wants to slap himself a few times, why is he so weak?
Chang Yu looked at his aggrieved look and curled his lips: "The emperor gave him a sword worth one hundred and eighty taels."
"It's bad, it's very bad. I just want a big house for my job. I want to buy a house and get a wife." Wuzhong covered his face and looked hopeless.
"Come on, your wife is so rich that she deserves a house like yours." Chang Yu rolled his eyes, waved to Wuzhong, and said in a low voice, "How about you go on a long trip with our family and give you a house when you come back?"
"
Wuzhong was overjoyed and didn't ask Chang Yu where he was going.
Chang Yu immediately sent an order to Wuzhong, Qiao Sanxiu, Kuang Ren, and the guards Chen Suole and Chen Ruxin to lead fifty guards to prepare for the retinue, and then left the Yamen to go to Fusi, North Town of Jinyiwei.
He came to Jinyiwei Yamen not to see Wu Mengming, who might not have even sobered up yet, but to meet an old friend, Prince Azige of the Qing Dynasty.
Azig has lost a lot of weight and looks a lot more haggard. With his slovenly beard and ragged clothes, he looks like a refugee or beggar outside, but his eyes are still bright and bright, especially when he sees Chang Yu, they shine.
"But you want to let me go? Little eunuch, little eunuch, right?" The iron shackles clattered, and Chang Yu stepped forward and slapped Azige with stars in his eyes: "Not polite!"
Azig was furious: "A scholar can be killed but not humiliated. Dog eunuch, how dare you humiliate me?"
"As you wish." Chang Yu sneered: "Here comes someone, drag him out, skin him and chop him." The guards behind him came up with orders to take the person. Azige was startled, "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, I want to see the Ming Emperor, Chang."
Mr. Chang, you have something to say, but you are disturbing the people...
"Cowardly" Chang Yu rolled his eyes and curled his lips: "Take it away."
"Don't kill me, I'm still useful..." Azig was crying, his legs were weak and he was dragged out of the prison by the Jin Yiwei with a hood on his head.