"This is a confession that Anxingshe and Ren Lingfang secretly colluded."
Northeast of Chang'an City, in the Gongchen Castle of Yishanfang, Afu took out a file and handed it to Eunuch Feng.
"On the surface, Anxing Society is a trading company specializing in water transportation in the Jingxiang area. In fact, it was founded by the 28 water and land villages on the Yangtze River. It was used to deal with the government openly and spy on news." Afu said: "Anxingshe
Xingshe sent people to Yunting Village in advance to encourage this group of thieves to take the lead in order to strike later and reap the benefits."
"But they all underestimated Cheng Sanwu and others." Eunuch Feng flipped through the files and snorted coldly: "These guys are getting more and more aggressive, and they actually dare to do such a thing near Chang'an."
Afu sat down casually, smiling and saying nothing. She was used to the changes in the world. Now Daxia is peaceful on the surface, but there are still undercurrents everywhere inside and outside. There are many refugees fleeing, and they naturally gather into thieves and bandits. That is, in capital cities like Chang'an and Luoyang
The important place seemed peaceful and uneventful.
The thieves in the Jingchu area actually dared to cross the prefectures and counties and come to the vicinity of Chang'an to rob treasures. Even if they failed, it was enough to prove that the current situation was not stable.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is ordered to supervise the world, eliminate banditry, and settle the refugees. These matters are still the responsibility of local states and counties. It is worthy of Afu to personally investigate and hand over the file to Eunuch Feng for review. The key lies in the collusion between Chang'an rich and bandits.
"I had several people from Anxing Society arrested alive, temporarily detained in the Weinan County Government Office, and interrogated overnight. As a result, before dawn, Ren Lingfang sent someone to find the county magistrate, falsely claiming that his property had been stolen, and demanded
The county magistrate tortured and interrogated him."
A Fu sneered: "I really didn't expect that Ren Lingfang's ability was so amazing. The Weinan County Magistrate would actually listen to a businessman's orders. Even the government officials were bribed, and he used a heavy hand during the torture, killing those few directly.
A living mouth."
"Ren Lingfang is not an ordinary businessman." Eunuch Feng explained: "His father once served in the money-making supervisor. His biggest business now is to make money from loans for the Shaofu Mutual Market Supervisor."
Afu raised her eyebrows, slightly surprised. The Shaofu does not belong to the outer court, but is an internal government office that manages the inner treasury property of the royal family, is responsible for food, clothing, daily life, purchase of rare utensils, and other expenses. The property handled by the Shaofu
, will not be included in the imperial household registration book, and foreign ministers have no right to interfere.
"So, could it be that the property transferred to the Weinan area some time ago is going to be sent to the Shaofu to replenish the internal treasury?" Afu immediately understood that if the four richest people accumulated millions of property,
Just to offer it to King Qi, the cost would be too high.
But if the final destination of this batch of property is the emperor's private treasury, then everything makes sense.
Eunuch Feng gently stroked his black eyebrows: "There are six bureaus and twenty-four divisions in the palace. There are tens of thousands of palace people in total, and there are one or two thousand female officials. Not mentioning the monthly money, how much does it cost just for daily food and clothing? Your Majesty, if
If you are favored, the corresponding rewards are also indispensable. As for the construction of palaces, ponds and gardens, it is a huge expense. Mr. Shang Zhang feels that if His Majesty reaches out to the Ministry of Household Affairs for money, what will the officials in the court say? The mouths of those scholars can be poisonous.
It’s here!”
Afu smiled and said nothing, thinking that Su Wangting had really walked back and forth before the gate of hell this time. Should he tell him the truth? Unfortunately, this person is too boring, just like Lu Yan, he is full of calculations.<
/p>
"Anyway, it's all thanks to Zhang Jun this time." Eunuch Feng casually said that he had exposed Ren Lingfang's matter and did not let Afu get involved any further. Instead, he smiled and said: "I received a letter from Zhang Jun a few days ago, saying that
Do you want to borrow two martial arts canons from Yinlongsi?"
"I need "Liuhe Yuanzhang" and "Yanfeng Sword Manual"." Afu confessed his true intention: "My martial arts realm has reached a bottleneck, and there has been no progress for many years, as you know. Ordinary martial arts classics are very important to me.
It is not very useful, but this "Liuhe Yuanzhang" is said to cover the changes of the six internal and external qi, and penetrate the body's Liuhe power. I would like to borrow it for detailed reference. As for the "Yanfeng Sword Manual", it is used to win over Cheng Sanwu.
of."
"It doesn't matter. I wish Mr. Shangzhang will continue to work hard." Eunuch Feng readily agreed.
The Yinlong Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs collects martial arts classics from all over the world, and naturally selects the best from the best. Its purpose is to cultivate a group of elite personnel. In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is reused by the emperor, and it can mobilize sufficient manpower and material resources to improve martial arts with various secret methods and elixirs.
, the results have been considerable in more than ten years.
The "Liuhe Yuanzhang" is a martial arts canon collected by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the early years. The internal skills and mental methods in it can be said to be profound and profound. Without Confucianism and Taoism as the foundation, it is difficult to achieve success. After Yinlongsi's manual analysis and sorting, he split it and deleted it.
, so as to make it easier to start practicing.
But there is one thing that Afu did not say clearly. What she wants to give Cheng Sanwu is not only the "Yanfeng Sword Manual", but also the unedited "Liuhe Yuanzhang".
……
"Yeah! Delicious!"
Cheng Sanwu put down the soup basin and praised loudly: "My sister-in-law is good at cooking sheep from the mountain. If she opens a shop to welcome customers, she will ensure a steady flow of business!"
In Kungang Courtyard of Chongrenfang, Su Wangting has brought his family to settle here. Knowing that it was Cheng Sanwu and Changqing who rescued Gui Yatou, Mrs. Su bought a few sheep and cooked a big pot of boiled sheep herself.
Express thanks.
Mrs. Su couldn't help but smile after receiving this compliment: "The Cheng family brothers are really good at complimenting people. How can a country woman like me dare to compete with the famous chefs in Chang'an? Come here, I'll give you another bowl!" p>
They saw Mrs. Su scooping out the white soup from the pot. The mutton was stewed until it was soft and tender, oily flowers were floating on the soup, and large pieces of turnip were like white jade. They were dipped in bean paste to make them more delicious. Cheng Sanwu ate them continuously.
Three pots were still not enough. When everyone in the Su family saw it, they were all amazed by his appetite.
On the side, Chang Qing was speaking slowly. When he saw him put down his spoon, he praised: "Mrs. Su's goat-boiled goat is not only delicious, but also rare to pair well. The mutton is hot and the radish is mild. Eating it in the cold winter can help your life."
It emits yang energy and dispels cold and warms the muscles. Tomorrow is the winter solstice, when the yang energy between heaven and earth is born, so you should taste this flavor."
"After being praised like this by you, I want to open a shop specializing in goat-cooked goat." At this time, Su Wangting's voice came, and he had just turned around from outside.
"Lao Su, if you had been a little later, I would have eaten all the boiled sheep!" Cheng Sanwu said, holding a piece of mutton in his mouth.
"If you think it's not enough, then cook another pot." Su Wangting waved his hand happily. Now that his family is reunited safely and his career is successful, he can't hide his joy.
After chatting and joking with his family, Su Wangting called Changqing alone and took him to a side room to talk.
"What's important, brother Fu?" Changqing asked.
"I concealed something from you before, but now I have to tell you." Su Wangting said seriously: "Prime Minister Lu asked me to take you to the Prime Minister's Mansion."
Chang Qing frowned, took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, and did not have an attack on the spot. He calmly asked: "It's so urgent. Could it be that we want to meet before the winter solstice?"
"Yes." Su Wangting felt a little ashamed.
"What is he looking for me for?" Changqing's tone was cold.
Su Wangting lowered his head and did not answer. Changqing laughed at himself: "I know even if you don't tell me. It's just to recognize me, right? My master will enter the palace tomorrow. Everyone knows this news. If I take this opportunity to declare to the outside world,
Even the son of Prime Minister Lu, the wealthy businessman who has provided me with many gifts before, will also spare no effort to make friends and curry favor with him in the future.
"And Prime Minister Lu can also take this opportunity to find out the situation of domestic merchants. Who can win over and cooperate, who will be eliminated, the situation is under control. He really... is planning all the time, even the timing of my meeting with him.
Being treated as a pawn to manipulate the situation!"
The more Chang Qing talked, the more annoyed he became. Su Wangting did not dare to answer because he had already expected this result.
In fact, after rescuing Gui Yatou, Su Wangting and others could completely deny that they knew nothing about the elimination of the bandits, and just let the internal servants headed by A Fu deal with it.
But Su Wangting understood the intentions of Prime Minister Lu, so he pushed forward and promoted Changqing to a high-profile position. This move was not only his gratitude to Changqing for his efforts in saving people, but also a tacit understanding as a disciple of Prime Minister Lu.
Is it necessary for a Taoist young man with no name and no official letter to deliberately arrange to meet with Mr. Lu before the winter solstice?
Just as Chang Qing said, Prime Minister Lu has almost taken care of everything, but in this case, is there any affection left between father and son?
In Su Wangting's view, a loving father and a son with filial piety are the same. Prime Minister Lu abandoned Changqing's mother and son in his early years, and the two became strangers. It was best not to have contact with each other from now on. However, Prime Minister Lu always acted with all his plans, and whenever there was a trace, he could exploit it.
, must be used to the extreme. Perhaps only such people can implement the new policy for Daxia.
Chang Qing also understood now that he was able to be appreciated by the four powerful men of Chang'an and King Qi in a short period of time. This was the result of Su Wangting's vigorous management. How could he easily reach such heights by himself?
Moreover, the key to his wide popularity is that the master is about to enter the palace to meet the saint. None of this is the result of Changqing's own efforts. He still lives under the protection of his elders.
"I'll just go with you." Changqing didn't get angry in front of Su Wangting. He knew very well that the other party was just following orders and he shouldn't be harsh on him.
The two led their horses and prepared to go out. When Cheng Sanwu learned that they were going to the Prime Minister's Mansion, he took the initiative to follow them.
"Old Cheng, what are you doing here?" Su Wangting said, "Prime Minister Lu is asking us to question you, but you can't get in."
"Then I won't go in, and I'll just wait outside." Cheng Sanwu put his hands on his hips, looking satisfied: "Without me, you wouldn't be able to accomplish anything!"
Cheng Sanwu committed the Heyang murder, and even though he is not clearly wanted so far, Su Wangting does not want him to get too close to the government. In particular, Mr. Lu should know that the murderer of the murder was Cheng Sanwu. If he brought him to the Prime Minister's Mansion, wouldn't it be a crime?
Is Lu Xiang adding to the blockage?
Just as Su Wangting was about to dissuade him, Changqing said calmly: "Take him with you."
"Hey!" Cheng Sanwu blew the whistle to call for the maroon horse, and said: "If I didn't protect you, I'm afraid the janitors of the Prime Minister's Mansion would bully you!"
Having said that, when the three of them arrived at the door of the Prime Minister's Mansion, a butler took the initiative to greet them. The guards inside and outside the door were solemn, and two groups of maids lined up around them. It was completely a scene to receive distinguished guests.
Cheng Sanwu, who looked self-righteous just now, shrank his head and touched his nose in embarrassment.
"Are you afraid?" Changqing, on the other hand, looked as usual, neither angry nor afraid.
"This... is a big shot's house after all." Cheng Sanwu lowered his voice, fearing to alarm others.
A group of three people followed the butler to the living room. Su Wangting looked at the empty seats and couldn't help but sigh. There are countless people asking to see the Prime Minister on weekdays. Just to handle official business, people from various government offices in Chang'an would gather here.
, waiting for the interview with the Prime Minister.
However, there is no one here today, obviously to prepare for meeting Changqing.
"Two guests, please wait here." The steward said to Cheng Sanwu and Su Wangting, then looked at Changqing: "Sir, please follow me."
Changqing remained silent, walked through several courtyards, and finally came to a study room. The door was opened, and the butler reached in and said, "Prime Minister, the young master has already brought you."
"Yeah." The people in the room responded absently, as if they were still concerned about other things. After a while, they said: "Please step back."
The housekeeper bowed and retreated, while Changqing stood outside the house, unable to be summoned for a long time. Logically speaking, no matter what his status was, he should not rush into the study of the owner of the house, but at this moment he couldn't bear it anymore and stepped straight through.
Threshold.
Behind the carved door leaf is a screen, which shows that the owner of the study prefers a clear atmosphere, but does not want outsiders to have a direct look into the room.
After bypassing the screen, the first thing that comes into view is the bookcase with rows of cabinets and shelves. The top of the cabinet is about to touch the beams. The shelves are filled with books and scriptures, leaving almost no extra space.
Even so, the floor and desks in the room were still piled with books, and memorials from all over the country were hung on the back of the screen.
Changqing prides himself on being a well-read man, but when he came to this study, he felt a sense of insignificance for the first time. He was almost unable to breathe under the weight of the sea of books in front of him.
"Are you here?" A voice came from behind the desk. Only then did Changqing realize that the old man was hidden by the mountain of books. The old man didn't even have time to look up at him. He buried his head at the desk, wrote hard, and said casually: p>
"Tomorrow is the winter solstice, and all government offices in the imperial court will be on vacation for seven days. I still have a lot of official duties to arrange in advance. Just say what you want."
Seeing that he was ignoring her so much, Chang Qing's heart burned with rage, and she gritted her teeth and said, "Is this the recognition you want?"
"I have included your name in the genealogy of the Lu family in Pingyang. When I die in the future, you will have your own share of the family property to inherit." Lu Xiang said calmly.
"Do you think I'm here for power and wealth?!" Chang Qing said sternly: "Back then you abandoned us, mother and son, and now that you know that I'm famous, you can't wait to call me to recognize me.
No one is more hypocritical than you!"
Prime Minister Lu didn't answer. He stood up and went to look for the book on the cabinet shelf. He didn't pay attention to Chang Qing at all, as if he was just an illusory shadow.
"Why don't you speak?!" Changqing asked.
"I don't think there's anything to say." Lu Xiang took out a book, flipped through it quickly, and said at the same time: "I don't care what you think, as long as the world knows that you are my son, it is enough."
When Changqing heard this, there was a tingling in his ears. He had imagined the scene of meeting the person in front of him again countless times. He would either reprimand or abuse him, while the person in front of him would use his words to argue to the end. In the end, he had to
Drinking hate defeats defeat.
However, he didn't expect that this man had become unreasonably cold, and the short-term friendship in the past was completely worth mentioning. His unwillingness and hatred were all in vain.