Chapter 53: Remove the branches and leave the trunk Beijing Prince's Mansion, front hall.
After Shui Rong served the decoction, he came here, walked around a screen of mountains, rivers, clouds and cranes, and walked in on the wool carpet.
When the Feng family father and son in the front hall saw Shuirong coming, they stood up to greet him and bowed to him.
Shui Rong nodded lightly and looked at the middle-aged man in front of him. He was tall, more than a head taller than Shui Rong, with a full vestibule and piercing eyes. He looked heroic.
Well, not bad, he has the demeanor of a military commander on the battlefield.
After handing the fur coat to Yingluo, Shui Rong sat on the throne and asked in a joking tone: "Why is General Feng free to come to the palace today?"
This General Feng, the person he greeted was naturally the Shenwu General Feng Tang. After all, Feng Ziying was still white and could not be called a general.
Feng Tang listened to Shui Rong's joke, his expression was as usual, and he bowed his hands and said, "My little Ziying has always been naughty, but the prince has taken more care of me. I am grateful and came here to pay a visit to the prince."
Feng Ziying on the side looked sullen. Her father said he was naughty, what could he say in reply?Is this called a father cheating on his son?
Shui Rong looked at Feng Tang with some interest. The Feng family was originally a former member of the Beijing Prince's Palace. It was not out of the ordinary to be called the last general. This guy was not a pure military general. He spoke quite well in the scene.
Shui Rong understands Feng Tang's humility very well. Although the Feng family is also a noble family, it is far inferior to that of the palace. Moreover, the military background of the Beijing palace and Shui Rong's special identity are two-layered buffs. Far beyond the ordinary palace.
After groaning, Shui Rong said with a smile: "The young hero Ziying is so naughty. General Feng is too harsh."
Feng Ziying is quite cheerful, which Shui Rong admires a lot, and Feng Ziying is asked to take care of some inconvenient things by Shui Rong. He does them well, which shows that his ability is also good.
Compared with the young masters of the Jia family described in the original work, Feng Ziying is a young hero. If Feng Tang said that he was naughty and naughty, Shui Rong would naturally be fair.
Feng Tang's expression changed when he heard this. He had long known that his son was close to the Prince of Beijing County, which was a good thing for Feng Ziying and the Feng family, so he had already warned Feng Ziying.
Seeing Shuirong praising Feng Ziying, Feng Tang said humbly, "I don't have anything serious to do. I only know how to have fun. Your Majesty is so complimentary."
Shui Rong heard the words and didn't take it seriously. It's good to have fun. How many people want to have fun just to make a living? Immediately, Shui Rong stopped talking and started sipping the fragrant tea, and continued to chat endlessly.
Seeing this situation, Feng Tang's eyes flickered uncertainly. After a deep groan, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I'm here to pay you a visit. Firstly, I'm here to pay my respects to Your Majesty. Secondly, I'm here to pay my debts to the Ministry of Revenue."
As he said that, Feng Tang raised his eyes to observe the words and expressions. Seeing that Shui Rong was unmoved, he added: "Everyone is a little at a loss. Please give me some instructions."
Shui Rong's eyes narrowed slightly when he heard the words. "Every family" means it's not just the Feng family. You need to know that the Beijing Prince's Palace started with military honors, and its old departments are all over the capital. There are many military honors in Beijing, and the Feng family only has is one of them.
At this time, when they saw that the Prince of Beijing responded to the call to pay the arrears, they guessed that they had no idea. They knew that Feng Ziying of the Feng family was very close to the new Prince of Beijing, so they asked Feng Tang as a representative to inquire about Shui Rong's attitude.
Shui Rong groaned and said calmly: "Since ancient times, repaying debts is a matter of course. Is there anything else I need to show you?"
They say they are inquiring, but in fact they have Xiao Jiujiu hidden in their hearts. No matter what the instructions are, it seems that they will bow their heads and obey Shui Rong's orders.
When Feng Tang heard this, he raised his brows lightly, as if he was melting with water, and seemed to support the payment of the outstanding silver.
After thinking about it again and again, Feng Tang said cautiously: "Your Majesty, this is the principle, but every family has its own difficulties. Apart from other things, the general's family only has an income of a thousand taels of silver a year, which is barely enough." To maintain the dignity of the mansion and pay the debt owed to the Ministry of Revenue, the whole family may be in trouble in the coming year."
Shui Rong paused when he heard the words, and looked at the respectful Feng Tang. He told him what nonsense he said. He was just here to cry for poverty. Why, you still want the Prince of Beijing to fill the hole for you?
Feng Tang seemed to notice something strange about Shui Rong, and hurriedly added: "But if the prince has ordered it, the general will definitely return the money owed to the Ministry of Revenue."
When Shui Rong heard the words, he didn't make a statement immediately. He lightly clasped a few cases with his fingers and started to think about it. The reason why Beijing Prince's Palace had a transcendent status was firstly because of his status as a member of the royal family, and secondly because he started his career as a soldier. There are many old members among them, which is a political force.
Having no sword and having a sword are two different concepts. The Supreme Emperor allowed him to adopt the Beijing Palace. In fact, it gave him the political bargaining chip to live comfortably. With the bargaining chip, he had the capital to be treated favorably by Emperor Yongkang. Otherwise, he would only rely on the so-called bloodline. It is a fool's dream to ask Emperor Yongkang to treat family affection favorably. Don't forget, he is in the royal family.
If Shui Rong wants to live a peaceful life as an idle prince, this political force must be protected. Only in this way can he be ensured that Emperor Yongkang will always treat him of this, Shui Rong said: "Forget it, let's do this. I will ask His Majesty for a favor. For this reminder, each family will pay [-]%. When we have more money in the coming year, we will make up the rest of the money we owe." , This way His Majesty will look better, and I’m sure he won’t refute this king.”
Although Shui Rong had asked Emperor Yongkang to pay in installments at the beginning, the Ministry of Household Residence still paid the full amount this time. This was Shui Rong's deliberate act. Otherwise, how could he show his kindness?
When Feng Tang heard this, he gently nodded his head. It was not that he would not repay it, but that he would repay it in installments. With the dignity of Prince Beijing's palace, it was not too much to ask for this favor, so he clasped his fists and said in reply: "I know, I have to worry about you, Your Majesty."
Shui Rong nodded with satisfaction upon seeing this. If nothing else, the attitude of General Shenwu's Mansion was quite upright.
But before Shui Rong could feel relieved, Feng Tangfu said cautiously: "Your Majesty, I don't owe much. If I pay 8%, I can get it together, but other families are afraid that they may be powerless. As far as I know, the Haining Hou Mansion originally borrowed money from the treasury." If we pay 4 taels, even if it is [-]%, it will still cost [-] taels, and I am afraid it will be difficult to get it together in a short time.”
Shui Rong's face darkened when he heard this. The Haining Marquis Mansion was also an old part of the Beijing Prince's Mansion. At the beginning of the founding of the country, he was granted the title of Marquis because of his outstanding military exploits.
It's just that the Beijing Prince's Mansion only borrowed 5 taels. How dare the Haining Marquis Mansion borrow 8 taels?It is really extravagant and lustful, without any measure.
Shui Rong was too lazy to care about the extravagant and lustful things in the Haining Marquis Mansion. He only saw his face straighten and said: "The national treasury is so heavy with silver, how can we delay it again and again? If we can't even repay [-]% of it, , where do I have the face to go to His Majesty to ask for grace? Tell Marquis Haining, I will ask for grace. If you don’t have enough money at home, you can sell calligraphy and paintings in the house or the farm in the mansion. If you are reluctant to part with it, I will not force it. , if something happens in the future, don’t come to seek bad luck on me.”
Haining Hou's Mansion must be one of them. Shui Rong didn't just tell Haining Hou, but also informed all the old ministries to pay [-]% of the silver owed. This is the attitude of Beijing Prince's Mansion. As for whether you listen or not, it's up to them.
Feng Tang's expression changed suddenly when he heard this. The calligraphy and painting at home were fine, but the farmhouse in the mansion was the foundation of the mansion. If it were sold, it would really be completely ruined and ridiculed by others. From this point alone, he knew that there was no room for change in the matter.
Moreover, they have always been led by the Prince of Beijing. The Prince told him not to come to him if something happened. Didn't he mean to just let it go? When Shui Rong saw Feng Tang's expression, he knew that he understood the meaning. Since Feng Tang had spread the word, those old men should also understand the meaning.
From Shui Rong's point of view, the Beijing Prince's family is actually an interest group that sticks to each other. When there is benefit, everyone will obey orders. Once the interests are touched, their own petty thoughts will overflow, and everyone will start to be refined and self-interested.
What's more, this is taking money from them. I'm afraid everyone has forgotten about the leader. Moreover, Shui Rong came from an adoptive family and just took over the title of Beijing Palace. How many of them are really obedient? Shui Xiong's tough attitude this time is to make them express their position. If Beijing Prince's Palace takes the lead, then they will be honest and obedient. But if it is just for their own interests to find a big tree for shade, I'm sorry, Beijing Prince's Palace will not protect you. , find your own way out.
Shui Rong responded to Emperor Yongkang's call for payment of silver owed by the Ministry of Revenue. He had his own purpose.
In this case, Shui Rong's move was to help Emperor Yongkang, and it was considered as betraying Emperor Yongkang's favor. It can be said that Jane was in the emperor's heart!
The second step was to screen out the die-hard faction who obeyed the orders of the Prince of Beijing. He knew that the group was a mixed bag, including former members of the Prince of Beijing and those who had come to rely on the Prince's Palace after seeing the power of the Prince. Through the reminder, he allowed them to reveal their true identity. Bi Lu, if he can't even pay [-]% of the arrears, he must be a pig-like teammate. Let's break it up as soon as possible to avoid being a drag on him in the end.
Although this move would consume the power of the Beijing Palace, Shui Rong wanted this effect. Because the power of the Beijing Palace was too large and was feared by the emperor, Shui Rong simply cut off his arm to weaken the emperor's fear, but he also It must be preserved as a political bargaining chip.
In a peaceful and prosperous age, too much power is actually a burden for the Beijing Palace and Shui Rong. Moreover, the Beijing Palace has a lot of power. If the other party is attached to you, it does not mean that they are obedient to you. Once they lose power, They put aside relationships more simply than anyone else.
If you think about it carefully, it is said that there are not many soldiers but good ones, and those who are left behind are probably the die-hard faction. This means removing branches and leaving trunks, so that the Beijing Palace will be more stable in the future.
Thinking of this, Shui Rongfu said no more, waved his hand and said: "Okay, General Feng will tell them the king's original words, please step back!"
The choice is given to them, and the rest is up to them to decide.
When Feng Tang saw Shui Rong driving people away, he stood up and bowed his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, when I get back, I will immediately collect [-]% of the money I owe and send it to the Ministry of Household Affairs. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Shui Rong raised his eyes and glanced at Feng Tang, and collected [-]% of the silver he owed. This was a gesture to Shui Rong. The Feng family respected the Prince of Beijing, and it was good that Shui Rong would obey orders.
Now that the Feng family had made a statement, Shui Rong could not remain indifferent. He said kindly: "General Feng is sensible, and the strange way has cultivated young heroes like Ziying."
When Feng Tang heard this, his face showed joy and he smiled and said: "It is my honor to be praised by the prince."
Shui Rong knew that Feng Tang still wanted to send a message, so he said no more and let the Feng family and his son leave. He looked at the backs of the Feng family and his son as they left, thinking in his mind how much prestige he, the king of Beijing County, would have. !
(End of this chapter)