Zhu Youtang frowned and shouted: "Don't argue anymore. The land prices I know are not that cheap. Qingyun Hou, are you mistaken?"
Of course Zhou Shou wanted to tell all the secrets about the private annexation of land to prove Zhou Yu's words. But he also knew that doing so would be tantamount to setting a big trap. It was not just a matter for the Zhou family and Zhang family, it would also be a matter for the Zhou family and the Zhang family.
It affects the interests of the entire noble group and officials. In that case, his Zhou family will soon become the target of public criticism and will be abandoned by everyone. Therefore, even if he is angry in his heart, he will never do such a stupid thing.
But he was not willing to be fooled by Zhang Yanling.
"Your Majesty, if Marquis Jianchang's words are trustworthy, you only need to look at his land purchase agreement to find out. The land deed is deceptively marked with a clear price. In fact, there is no need to engage in more verbal disputes." Zhou Shou bowed.
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "He Ling Yanling, did you bring the title deed for the land you purchased? Let me take a look."
Zhang Heling thought to himself: "It's over, isn't this a revelation? Yanling, Yanling, I'm afraid your cowhide of raising prices will be broken."
Zhang Yanling did not seem to be worried, and put the box containing the transaction land deed that he carried with him on the record. Zhu Youtang opened it himself, took out the agreement from inside and checked it.
The study was eerily quiet. Everyone was looking at the emperor's face, hoping to read something from Zhu Youtang's face. Zhu Youtang's expression was uncertain, frowning for a while, and nodding slightly for a while.
After reading one copy after another, and several copies in a row, Zhu Youtang closed the wooden box, looked up at Zhang Yanling, pondered for a moment, and said: "The transaction price is indeed twelve taels per mu, Jianchang Hou did not lie.
.Qingyunhou, Changning Bo, if you still want this land, then buy it at the original price. I will make the decision to waive the hard work of the carriage and horses. If you are not willing to buy it at this price, these four hundred hectares of land can only be used for construction.
The Marquis of Chang and the Marquis of Shouning. The decision is yours. Make your own decision."
Zhou Shou and Zhou Yu looked at each other in astonishment, full of suspicion. They would never believe the price of twelve taels per mu, but the emperor actually said that, which is really strange. If it wasn't for the land deed,
False, that is the emperor's deliberate partiality. It's a pity that they can't see the land deed.
But by this time, no matter what the reason was, the Zhou brothers knew in their hearts that they were completely defeated in this fight for land. It was unnecessary to continue to struggle, and it might even arouse the emperor's resentment.
.They can only admit defeat.
"Your Majesty, since the Houning Hou and Jianchang Hou have bought the land, we will not take away the people's love. We don't want this land. Let the Emperor worry about this matter. The ministers will be extremely frightened and guilty. Let this matter be dropped and there is no need to mention it again.
That's it. I'll take my leave." Zhou Shou said in a deep voice.
Zhu Youtang nodded and smiled and said: "Okay, Mr. Ning, the Marquis of Qingyun, is admirable for his integrity and integrity. From now on, I will look for opportunities to compensate you. Just step down."
Zhou Shou and Zhou Yu thanked him deeply and bowed and left. Before leaving the house, Zhou Shou cast a glance at the Zhang brothers, his eyes full of viciousness. Zhang Heling's heart trembled and his scalp went numb.
…
After Zhou Shou and Zhou Yu left, Zhang Yanling suddenly knelt down to apologize.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty. Please punish me."
Zhang Heling didn't know what was going on, so he also knelt aside.
Zhu Youtang frowned and looked at the two Zhang brothers, and sighed: "What do you want to tell me about you? Who came up with the idea of competing with the Zhou family for land?"
Zhang Yanling said in a deep voice: "It was my idea and has nothing to do with my brother."
Zhu Youtang sneered and said, "I knew it was you. Are you unhappy that I gave the Zhou family the privilege of purchasing property?"
Zhang Yanling said in a deep voice: "I am not angry with the Zhou family for taking advantage of my dispute. Originally it was a matter between me and Zhou Ying. They encouraged the old queen to go to Kunning Palace to make noise about the queen. This matter was already inappropriate. They
What's even more inappropriate is that after the matter is resolved, they still use it to annoy the emperor. Taking advantage of the emperor's respect for the queen mother to ask for reward is morally kidnapping and using the emperor, which is disgusting. The emperor is kind and kind to others, but this becomes their use.
The emperor's methods made me even more angry after hearing the news. How can a minister be so arrogant because of his favor?"
Zhu Youtang looked at Zhang Yanling and was silent for a moment, then said slowly: "If you didn't tell me, I didn't realize that I was being used by them. Yes, they knew that I was grateful for the kindness of the old empress, so they used this to kidnap my feelings.
, this is planning to take advantage of me."
Zhang Yanling said: "Also, after I sent people to Baodi, I found out that they actually lowered the price for the people to an extremely low price, only two taels per mu of fertile land. They also asked the local government to come forward to force the people to owe rent. In this way, the people
Because they were unable to pay the rent, they had to sell the land to them at a low price within the specified period. This move was even more suspected of robbery. Since he was from a royal family, the common people would naturally blame the imperial court for this debt. They were like this
This is ruining the reputation of the royal family, and I can't tolerate it anymore. So I decided to take away love with a knife, and taught him to draw water from a bamboo basket and get nothing as punishment."
Zhu Youtang frowned and pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "But the price of the land you offered is not high. Do you think you are taking advantage of the opportunity to exploit the people? Is the price of four taels for four high?"
Zhang Heling was astonished. He thought that Zhang Yanling had prepared a fake contract and changed the price of the land, so he got away with it during the emperor's inspection. But when Zhu Youtang accurately reported "four
When the price was 24', Zhang Heling realized that his guess was completely wrong. Zhang Yanling showed the real contract to the emperor.
However, the emperor clearly knew that Zhang Yanling was lying, but he did not expose him and actually acquiesced in this lie. What happened?
"Your Majesty, I know that the price of four taels and fours is not high, but I have no intention of taking advantage of it. Because that is all the money that I and my brother can give. In order to grab the land from the Zhou family, I can only
So, this is already the highest price I can afford. Although the price is not high, in order to make up for the people, I decided to lease all the land back to them and waive their rent for this year. In addition, I also have to pay for
They eliminated pests and built roads and canals so that they could live and work in peace and contentment on their original land. I have done my best." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "Yanling, I saw the contents of the contract. The reason why I didn't expose you is because I saw your actions and thought that you were not just seeking profit to compete with the Zhou family for land. I feel that,
Maybe these fields are in your hands and the people still have food to eat. But you lied in front of me and took it upon yourself to break the court laws and compete with the Zhou family for the land. You were so bold. You said that the Zhou family took advantage of my feelings and kidnapped me.
Isn't it true that you behave like this? When you handed me the contract, you were making things difficult for me. Do you think that I will favor you because of the queen's face? That's why you dare to do this
?Tell me, what is the difference between you and the Zhou family?"
Zhang Yanling was sweating, and for the first time, she felt panic in her heart. The emperor was a good-tempered man and a good brother-in-law. But did he despise him because of this? His mind was so sharp, and what he said was exactly what he had planned in his heart.
When he handed the contract to Zhu Youtang, he felt that Zhu Youtang would definitely favor the Zhang family. He was taking advantage of Zhu Youtang's love for the queen, knowing that he would not make the queen unhappy because of this matter.
The emperor actually understood all this in his heart. He was not a fool. He actually understood it better than anyone else. It was just that he was too wise and foolish to say much. Perhaps all his actions were within his expectations.
"I'm guilty, please punish me. I deserve to die." Zhang Yanling said in panic.
"Get up, I want to punish you, I have already punished you. But I will give you a warning, you are very smart, but being too calculating may not be a good thing. I hope you will not go too far, and stop in moderation. You go, today I
In fact, I have been annoyed enough by Li Dongyang and others in the morning, and they have to deal with your affairs again. I am really exhausted mentally and physically. I want to take a rest. You can leave." Zhu Youtang waved his hand and said.
Zhang Yanling and Zhang Heling hurriedly kowtowed and got up and exited the house. The moment they went out, Zhang Yanling heard Zhu Youtang's heavy sigh, which contained a hint of tiredness and even a hint of old age.